Category: Dear Dad

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soccer??? enuff said!

get fuzzy stars bucky cat
CLICK on this picture to see Bucky Cat and friends every day!

First, I do believe in sports and I agree with Benjamin Franklin’s reference to as a ‘sound mind in a sound body.’ However, although I think soccer is interesting — whatever it is — but, it is definitely not a sport. In a sport you have contestants and usually somebody wins. In the world cup of soccer in South Africa, there were at least eight ‘ties’ and very specific ‘rules’ for advancing in the case of almost certain ties… one of the rules included  “drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.” Winning by chance or luck should be left in Las Vegas.

Personally, I think a ‘sport’ should reflect reality… and there are seldom any ‘ties’ in the real world. So what is soccer? Soccer resembles ‘aerobics’ more than anything else and call me strange, but watching a bunch of guys jump and run around, pound the ground and show frustration doesn’t do anything for me.

As someone once said, “There has got to be a prize for playing this game.”

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what does the 4th of July mean to you?

4th of july in san luis obispo county
Karla's drawing of the 4th of July!

The 4th of July and what some call the ‘American Experiment’ was an attempt by many to try government in a different way. People emigrated from their homes to America to not only make a better living, but hopefully have a better life and escape the drudgery of a life without the chance of upward mobility. If your grandfather and your father were laborers, there was a chance that you could do something else…. here, in America.

America’s goal has been to get everyone to the starting line and this was what made America different. The race was won by the swiftest and most talented and we rewarded achievement and we celebrated inventiveness and winning. By contrast, the old world thought it was luck or chance that determined any person’s destiny,; however, America proved that there was value to working for achievement… and striving to be the best you can be still has value and merit…. at least in some places in America.

We must remember what made America valuable to those who gave up everything to come here…. being ‘good enough’ in an increasingly competitive world, never participates.

Happy 4th! Celebrate this achievement.

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punishment by baklava

baklava for iraq
Sometimes the punishment fits the crime! CLICK on the picture for our recipe

When my daughter Kristin was home we baked a great many things. Of course there had to be the requisite Baklava for a little get-together. There was a tad left over and Kristin planned to send some to a friend stationed in Iraq. It was all ready to ship, but then the unthinkable happened. It was eaten!

Finally the culprit was caught and forced to bake up more Baklava based on the ancient family recipe… which was torture indeed. Soon it will be off to where it is supposed to be.

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save the planet by eating uni!

sushi with uni
aAaAaah, one bite and I am in heaven!

When most of us think of Japan,  we think of Sushi and I would agree that the Japanese have certainly popularized, refined and defined what sushi is today. In the study of the  history of sushi — most would agree — that sushi started somewhere in southeastern asia. It really isn’t the same as what we think of today;  it is kind of like crediting folks who first took two pita breads together spread with a sweet honey and nut filling and saying they invented  ‘Baklava!’

Although I would admit to not being the best sushi chef even with decades of practice, using the best and the freshest ingredients seems to make up for my shortcomings. For me, making uni sushi is a tad more challenging than making a simple sushi roll.

making a sushi roll
making uni sushi is easier than my attempts... but if it is fresh, then it is wonderful! CLICK on photo for my favorite sushi place!

Making uni sushi is a very simple process: 1) start with a nice short grain rice ( I throw in a little saffron for fun!) 2) cut your Nori (dried seaweed) into long 1 1/2  wide strips 3) overlap ends, moisten one end and seal 4) I stuff the bottom with rice and 4) place at least 2 sections of uni on top! enjoy!

Uni as it is wonderful all by itself; however,  you may wish to add a little Miso soup and some Saki will round things off

an uni sushi feast
for me... this is a 'feast'!

BTW, I read that with the hunting of whales causing the increase in the killer whale population resulting in far less sea otters than their ‘should be’ and a potential ‘population explosion’ of sea urchins… you are doing your planet good by eating all the UNI (sea urchin eggs) you can!

Next time your at a fine Sushi restaurant, try a little UNI in your sushi meal. After all, being GREEN can be delicious!  😉

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hunting for the wild and elusive uni

Fresh from Catalina Seafood CLICK on picture to read more about this deliciously wonderful ingredient!

When I was a child, finding ‘fresh uni’ was challenging as was finding great sushi. However, today we have wonderful sushi restaurants – not only in California – but around the world. My daughter Karen took great delight in sending me a few pictures of some  great sushi at Balducci’s in Capetown, South Africa! Karen can be so cruel! 😉

Now, it is great living in San Luis Obispo, California; however, there is a downside. The downside is that there are a lot of folks here who don’t want the place to change. It does feel like Alice falling down the rabbit hole when you hear people debating whether or not ‘sewers’ should be built? Never-the-less, the winds of positive change move even the most stubborn mountains and the first elements of civilization are making there way here… including great sushi.

Call it habit, stubbornness or perfection, but I have always enjoyed making my own sushi starting with the finest and freshest ingredients. Thanks to the internet, we can buy ‘uni and delivered to this far flung outpost’.

Now, maybe my daughters will be a bit envious?