Linda (the dear!) inspired this one when she suggested I use an emery board to soften a jagged edge of my person. I replied I have never used an emery board, even admitting I am not certain what exactly they are for.* Growing up with four brothers deprives one of some of the finer things of life, like good personal hygiene. Anyway, it made me reflect upon what else I have never done. Here’s a few….. Spo
Set fire to public buildings. I mention this one a lot but truth be told I have never done so. Mind! It is awfully tempting. The Board of Directors Here at Spo-reflections does so on a regular basis and they tell me there is nothing like it. It seems a sensible solution under certain situations. I will keep you posted if and when I snap a tether and check this one off The Bucket List, the dark one I keep underneath the proper one that starts with “See Iceland” and that sort of stuff. Anyone set fire to public building? Do tell all in the comments.
Eaten moose meat. I remember finding a menu in my grandfather’s study of a restaurant in Minnesota (?) that served exotic meats. It read like the roster in a zoo. At ten years old I wondered where on earth do they get moose meat, and it didn’t sound right nor did it sound appetizing. Brother #4 is a hunter, and he lauds venison, which he deems the food of the gods, or at least the demi-gods. I know enough biology (and parasitology) that I won’t touch the stuff despite his assurance it is OK. If I happen to be somewhere where moose meat is offered (Minnesota or otherwise) I may take a bite to say that I have done so. Anyone have moose meat?
Earrings. My late-mother did not have pierced ears; all her earrings were clip-ons. I could have tried some on but never thought to do so. The pincer-like clasps on these suckers looked quite painful, so I never tried some on. I’ve never had any desire to have my ears (or anything) pierced. My earlobes are quite rutilant; I daresay if pierced I would bleed to death. Do you wear earrings – are they clip-ons? Do you have chonga-girl ones?
Made coq au vin. This has been on my bucket list for many years. At one point I concluded the notion French cooking was ‘the best’ and coq au vin was the best of the best. The proper recipe looks quite complicated. Now, I am not certain of either belief, and I doubt it worthwhile to try making any. No one makes French cuisine anymore (other than the French perhaps) for tastes have changed away from savory to spicy. It seems a hassle to spend so much time preparing a dish that will be ate in only a few bites. Better change this one to ordering such in a restaurant if ever I should find it. I can’t remember ever seeing it on any menu, it is rarer than moose meat. This may be due to the eateries I attend. Coq au vin isn’t likely found on the menus of Asian-based eats. Have you ever made/ate coq au vin?
Punched a person in the puss. I write ‘person’ for the sentence structure but I mean a man. I would never punch a woman. I don’t think I would ever punch a man either. First of all I don’t know how, not ever been trained how to do so. Second, after I pull the first punch my dance partner would probably punch me back, with more efficacy and frequency. I shouldn’t regret this missing element of life. When I see it happen in the movies or in real life both the puncher and the punchee never seem happy for the past time. Have you ever thrown a punch?
Smoked dope. I grew up as a good boy; doing drugs was drilled into me as bad. Marijuana (was it was then called, to disparage its malevolent Mexican origins) made one go mad and vote Democrat and other evils. Indirectly, MJ was conveyed as ‘low-class’, something ‘our sort of people’ don’t do, like bowling. Interesting that over the decades I’ve been able to discard all the clap-trap yet can’t let go of the notion smoking dope is something undignified. Mind! I know a lot of folks who do smoke dope, and I don’t consider them low-class. The irony is now I cannot smoke as to do so would put my medical license at risk. Cocktails are OK, but not cannabis? Have you ever smoked dope and gone bezerk in a drug-induced delirium, setting fires to public buildings and got the munchies for unnatural things like moose meat or coq au vin?
Been to Mississippi/Alabama. I am nearly done with the American goal of ‘been to all fifty states’; I have only three left.** Alabama and Mississippi I could do in one trip. Problem is, I don’t know what there is to see. My perceptions of the places are not positive: high humidity, venomous snakes, and zany racist politics. I am certain both states have tourist websites for me to go have a look-see and find sites of interest. MS has the advantage I know someone there I can visit (hey, that’s you Linda!) They have Piggly-Wiggly stores and I have a real PW bag! Do they sell moose meat or reefer I wonder? Have you ever been to Alabama or Mississippi or the Piggly-Wiggly?
*I looked it up afterwards.
**The third one is Vermont of all places. I hear they have lovely cheeses.
68 comments
August 20, 2021 at 12:37 AM
Moving with Mitchell
I haven’t been to as many states as you, but I have no interest in visiting Mississippi and Alabama.
August 20, 2021 at 6:52 AM
Urspo
I want to go for the purpose of ‘completing the puzzle’ with these two missing pieces. I need to find a reason/goal to do so – perhaps to burn down some public building.
August 20, 2021 at 2:16 AM
fallenstarstories
I have also never set fire to a public building, though I did blow-up a mailbox many years ago. There was a justifiable reason.
I believe in leaving moose alone…certainly would not eat moose meat!
I wear earrings…having pierced my ears, it would seem pointless not to.
Skipping ahead on your list, I would suggest passing altogether on Mississippi and Alabama…nothing but trouble there. However, Vermont! You must go to Vermont…immediately.
I’ll meet you in Iceland…someday. It’s on my list several times.
August 20, 2021 at 6:54 AM
Urspo
If you go to the Tube of Yous, there is a fine fellow (well over four feet) named Ivar Gunnerson. he has a series all about Iceland. He makes the country look very alluring. There are no moose in Iceland.
August 20, 2021 at 4:03 AM
Parnassus
My record on these subjects pretty much matches yours. I know what emery boards are, as they were always around the house. I am not sure if I have ever used one on my nails, but I have used them for various fix-it projects. I have very brittle nails, but my habit is to use a nail clipper when necessary–I even keep one on my keychain.
–Jim
August 20, 2021 at 6:55 AM
Urspo
When I told Someone about this entry he told me we actually have boards in the bathroom – I wasn’t aware of this but there they are.
A nail clipper handy as yours is a clever notion.
August 20, 2021 at 8:58 AM
Parnassus
I once saved a baby with my nail clipper. In a grocery store, they had tied a balloon around the tiny baby’s wrist, but it was too tight. No one could get if off, and the baby was crying. Well, the curved clipper cut the string with no chance of harming baby’s delicate skin. –Jim
August 20, 2021 at 12:53 PM
Will Jay
For those who used to drive the original (air cooled) VW Beetles, an emery board could be used to clean off the commutator so that the little red generator light on the dash would go out.
Will Jay
August 20, 2021 at 4:06 AM
David Godfrey
So many questions, is it Sunday?
Never set a building on fire, public or private
No moose, though I would, my exotics are seal and whale (one of those you can get in Canada, the other in Iceland – I know where.)
No earrings, or other piercings
I have made Coq au vin, you should try it, make it on a cool winter day,
Punched a classmate when I was in about the 4th grade, he deserved it, one shot he ended up with a bloody nose, I got a stern talking to.
Cannabis, I have had a professional license in Florida since 1978, in the early 80’s Florida started revoking licenses for mere possession of a trace, that wonderful mellow was not worth potentially losing my license. Virginia decriminalized, people are smoking outside the subway stations, smells like dead skunk.
The best way to check Alabama and Mississippi off the list is quickly, drive Interstate 10 from north Florida (really just lower Alabama) to New Orleans. I need to visit Idaho and Wyoming to complete the 50.
August 20, 2021 at 6:57 AM
Urspo
“Seeing all 50 states” seems to have strict unwritten rules. Landing at an airport but not leaving the airport ‘doesn’t count” I hear often. I also heard driving through the state on a highway but not stopping also doesn’t count”.
If I do take your AAA triptych advice, I will stop and walk about a bit to say it counts
August 20, 2021 at 4:15 PM
David Godfrey
I should add elk and reindeer to the list of unusual foods.
August 20, 2021 at 4:15 AM
Todd Gunther
No to these questions: public arson, ear rings, coq au vin, The others with caveats:
Moose, no, but bison yes, and once the Sutton Place Gourmet in Alexandria sold ostrich meat. The ostrich was just okay.
Punched a person – my brother when we were children. We’ve matured past that now.
Mississippi/Alabama – been through these states via Amtrak, but did not stop. Yes, go to Vermont for the cheese and a lovely Norman Rockwell museum near Rutland.
Smoked dope – I went to college in the 1970’s. You do the math.
My smoking days (long gone) never led to the episodes of public mayhem you have described. Hmmm…I should have seen where this was going.
August 20, 2021 at 6:59 AM
Urspo
I regularly have Bison as it tastes better than ground beef. Someone feels it is too expensive and not worth it.
I may go to Vermont and pretend it is Alabama or the other way around in a pinch.
August 20, 2021 at 5:08 AM
Lori Hawkins
Burning something down…no.
Pierced ears…yes.
Moose…no.
Cog au vin. I am making it this winter. I actually just picked up a copy of The New Making of a Cook by Kamman. It is fabulous. You need to add it to your collection.
Never visited Mississippi but spent two days in Alabama visiting an old friend.
August 20, 2021 at 7:04 AM
Urspo
I have a few versions of Coq au vin. I may start with the ‘easy version’ recipe and then move up to Mrs. Child’s version, which looks to take days to make.
August 20, 2021 at 5:22 AM
Old Lurker
I am slowly coming around to the idea that eating wild deer or moose is ethically superior to eating farmed cow or pig. The deer or moose have less comfortable but more satisfying lives, and usually their deaths are less frightening (and probably less painful) than those of cows or pigs, who are shipped off to abattoirs in fairly unpleasant ways (overcrowded trailers, electric prods, handlers who physically beat you into compliance).
Mind! If we consumed deer and moose with the same frequency we consume cow and pig, the context changes dramatically.
Also mind! I do not even like squishing bugs, never mind shooting/dressing mammals. So I am a hypocrite in this matter, and I deserve every iota of Brother #4’s contempt.
August 20, 2021 at 7:05 AM
Urspo
Brother #4 often justifies hunting that without the deer population would explode and they will turn into an army hellbent on eating the world. They way he spells it out, hunters are heroes protecting us from an apocalypse.
August 20, 2021 at 8:42 AM
Old Lurker
Well, if we weren’t so hellbent on exterminating the other predators of deer then maybe we would not have to hunt them so much.
August 20, 2021 at 5:23 AM
Sluggy
Never set fire to a building public or otherwise, though there was that incident with candles in my bedroom when I was 9.
I have made coq au vin many times(not as many as Julia Child I bet). It is not as complicated as it sounds to prepare just keep your consumption of wine while making it down to a minimum. 😉
While I haven’t eaten moose(maybe on this trip I will!)I have had bison and elk. Elk is quite good served as a hamburger..
I used to wear earrings-the pinchy kind until I got pierced ears, then the kind everyone else now wears. I had to let the holes close up however as I got cysts in my lobes so no more earrings for me.
I’ve never punched someone but there are certain folks who need bitch slapping IMHO.
I have been to and through both MS and AL many times as my daughter lives in LA. While I abhor the heat in the Deep South there are many lovely people in those states, some of whom are my friends. Don’t condemn an entire state because of some there. The Gulf coast is lovely, Huntsville AL has space stuff, the Natchez Trace is historic as is Beauvoir in Biloxi MS and the cafe used as the basis of Fannie Flagg’s “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is outside of Birmingham AL.
I grew up in the drug dazed late 1960’s and 1970’s. I will say that Bill Clinton may be the only person in history who didn’t inhale during that time.
Reefer Madness is NOT a thing much to the chagrin of our government. Ask me how I know. 😎
August 20, 2021 at 7:08 AM
Urspo
Oh I love hearing from you! And I thank you for this thoughtful detailed expose. I thank you for the tourist tips. There is nothing like traveling to actually see and meet the real people to be rid of the stereotypes and supposes.
Did you know the reason cannabis was banned so was the personal tirade of Richard Nixon? Look up the transcribed process of the meeting. You don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
August 20, 2021 at 5:33 AM
Sassybear
Anyone set fire to public building? Not on purpose! (Kidding – no, I never have.)
Eaten moose meat? Nope, and never would.
Do you wear earrings? Yes – 3 piercings in each year.
Are they clip-ons? Nope!
Do you have chonga-girl ones? Nope!
Have you ever made/ate coq au vin? Nope!
Have you ever thrown a punch? Nope!
Have you ever smoked dope and gone berserk in a drug-induced delirium, setting fires to public buildings and got the munchies for unnatural things like moose meat or coq au vin? Too many times to count.
Have you ever been to Alabama or Mississippi or the Piggly-Wiggly? Jeffrey is from Mississippi. We drove there so I could see his home town, and we did stop at a Piggly-Wiggly. We also drove through Alabama but did not stop.
And I’ve used an emery board a couple times.
August 20, 2021 at 7:10 AM
Urspo
I had either forgotten or did not know you had earrings. Is there a correlation to this and the too many times to count shenanigans?
August 20, 2021 at 6:06 AM
Bob Slatten
I was feeling kind of down while reading this because …
I have never set fire to a public building.
I have never eaten moose meat; at least not to my knowledge.
I have worn earrings and had a couple of ear piercings, but those days are done.
I have never made coq au vin.
I have never punched a person in the puss.
I have never smoked dope …cannot stand the smell.
I have never been to Alabama, though I have been to Mississippi, because I was born there.
Lastly, and this is just me, perhaps, I have never worn earrings in Mississippi.
August 20, 2021 at 7:11 AM
Urspo
I don’t feel too bad for the earrings, the dope, or the moose meat.
I will make you a deal; do let’s pierce our ears and set fire to a public building in Alabama. Do us both good.
August 20, 2021 at 8:33 AM
Bob Slatten
I like that idea!
August 20, 2021 at 6:06 AM
Sam
I’m in Minnesota and no moose neat for me. I’ve been in Alabama, just barely. I’d be ok with visiting both states someday perhaps, but not planning to head to the land time forgot any day soon
August 20, 2021 at 7:12 AM
Urspo
Alabama doesn’t seem to have good press these days, probably tainted by that politician whose name escapes me for the moment.
August 20, 2021 at 10:51 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
Roy Moore?
August 20, 2021 at 11:38 AM
Urspo
Aye, that’s the rascal !
August 20, 2021 at 6:09 AM
wickedhamster
Oh my! Where to begin? I just bought a new set of emery boards on Amazon. I’m picky and my nails are weird, so when I find files that work, don’t mind paying the shipping that costs as much as the items. (Alas, they weren’t on Prime.) No moose, but have eaten venison (yummy!) and elk and bison are easy to get at the supermarket here. Tasted David’s whale, quite nice. I pass on the sheep’s head (also an Icelandic delicacy). Set fire to a building… I often had the desire to do so at a certain university I once worked for. The Admin Bldg did burn down, but I had to settle for a lovely view of same out my office window. Earrings no, but I did sometimes wear ear cuffs in grad school. David makes a lovely coq au vin. Punched someone; see “set fire to building” above. Smoked dope, tried once in college; hated it. The slow feeling of loss of control didn’t sit well with my personality; liquor, however, is quicker. Traversed Miss/Bama on the way from New Orleans to Florida. Best seen traveling straight thorough at high speed, no stops. I don’t believe my piggly has ever been wiggly.
August 20, 2021 at 7:13 AM
Urspo
Tasted David’s whale? I should hope so !
August 20, 2021 at 6:44 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
When I was a kid, we ate moose steaks and deer sausages on occasion (my father wasn’t a hunter but an uncle was). The tastiest part of a moose is said to be the nose — a real delicacy apparently. I once had coq au vin in a French restaurant in Maui, of all places. I’ve had pierced ears since 1970 when I was 13 years old. It was unheard of then and I was quite the rebel for a while but a year or two later, pierced ears became all the rage, worse luck. It’s the only time in my life that I’ve been ahead of a fashion trend. I smoked more than my fair share of dope in university but now that it’s legal in my dotage, I’ve gone straight (so to speak) and don’t touch the stuff. I’ve never burned down any public buildings, I’m glad to say, but HRH has.
August 20, 2021 at 7:16 AM
Urspo
Finally! A blogger-buddy who’s had moose meat! Does it taste like chicken?
I am also glad to read a Spo-fan-in-law HRH has burned down a public building.
One of my favorite lines in the “Brother Cadfael” series is when Brother Cadfael tells a sick rich lady he is tending some monks are here from Rumford Abbey. “The Empress Maud burned it down”. She replies “Sensible woman!”.
August 20, 2021 at 7:20 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
No, moose meat definitely does not taste like chicken. It is strong-tasting like all game meat. Deer sausage is more palatable because of the spices.
August 20, 2021 at 7:22 AM
Deedles
My answer to all of these (except for the earrings) is not on purpose and nope.
August 20, 2021 at 7:38 AM
Urspo
What sort of earrings?
August 20, 2021 at 7:57 AM
Deedles
Pierced since I was twenty-six and discovered a greater variety of earrings out there for people who desecrate their bodies with puncture holes for fashion 🙂 Also, the bigger the better. I was informed once by a lady that was trying to sell me a pair that I could get away with large ones since I have a big head. Needless to say, she made the sell.
August 20, 2021 at 7:28 AM
martin
Moose is eaten in these parts but I’m not sure that I have partaken. I’m pretty sure that I did have some once in the Skansen gardens in Stockholm. I have eaten (seal) flipper pie – an institution of sorts hereabouts with churches typically offering flipper dinners once a year. It’s not something I make a point of eating though.
No to setting fire, earrings, and coq au vin (have eaten cassoulet in summer; it is *not* a summer dish)
No so far to marijuana though since it is legal here and I am noticing the kinds of joint pains that come with age, I am beginning to consider the possibility of therapeutic use. I’d have to avoid the gummy bear edibles though lest I overindulge.
I did punch a fellow student once in boarding school. Caused a bit of a commotion as I was of considerably less mass.
I have travelled through AL and MS on a Greyhound bus. Does that count? I have been in VT many times. Lovely state.
August 20, 2021 at 7:39 AM
Urspo
Good for you!
Cassoulet is another dish on the ‘someday make this” list.
VT is heralded as a lovely state: trees, cheese, and reportedly nice people.
August 20, 2021 at 7:30 AM
edyjournal
They said it wouldn’t hurt. They lied. One of the discrete memories in my development of trust issues is getting my ears pierced. They said if they told me the truth then I wouldn’t do it. Very, very wrong approach for me. (They = my mom + a peer)
Dope is overrated but I can see how it can help people manage various symptoms. If we ever really want to get our act together, I’d vote for an acid trip or shroom trip as a rite of passage or a healing tactic. Maybe someone oughta spike the AL and MS water supply just once.
August 20, 2021 at 7:40 AM
Urspo
I’ve read on many occasions something must be in the water in AL and MS but this sounds like slander.
August 20, 2021 at 7:55 AM
Glenda
As previously mentioned the old mansions in Natchez M. are beautiful as are the grounds and the space museum in Huntsville
Ala. is fantastic as is Gulf Shores state park. The loudest and crudest of people make the news, There are good and decent people there,too. It can be pretty hot and humid in the summer, tho. Have not done any of the other items.
August 20, 2021 at 8:12 AM
Urspo
Good ! These are the things that entice me to visit.
Maybe I can visit you too! I will buy you lunch – do they serve coq au vin or moose meat?
August 20, 2021 at 8:17 AM
Dwight W.
I certainly let this one get away from me. I have never set fire to a public building . I have eaten moose meat. I had a boyfriend from New Hampshire , who was an excellent cook. He transported Moose meat to Florida and made Moose Stroganoff which I would highly recommend. He was also moose hung, which was less appealing than the stroganoff. My paternal grandmother, wore clip on /screw on earrings. We even had a sapphire set made to match a ring and bracelet and brooch she had accumulated over the years. In my early years I and another boyfriend made coq au vin , for an older gay friend who had worked for Cunard . I didn’t like it. If you drive from where I live to New Orleans, you pass through Mississippi and Alabama on I-10 . Just driving down that stretch of interstate you see the battleship Alabama in Mobile Bay and go through a tunnel that goes under a small section of the Gulf of Mexico. There is a lot to see in the two states, it should be seen between November and April as the Summer is oppressive. I have hit someone who deserved it. Policemen do it better. A trip to Miss. Alabama would be on ode to The South People gamble a lot Biloxi, and the space Program is in Huntsville. Marijuana Is a pleasant drug. no hang over . I stopped because paranoia is a side effect. I always thought the police were chasing me. Time also seems to go slower. It burns the lungs. Or did as I never ate it I-just smoked it. Hope I made it under the bell.
August 20, 2021 at 8:29 AM
Urspo
What a lovely read! Thank you for writing this.
Moose stroganoff ! What a find that must have been.
Get cracking on the public building matter why dontcha.
August 20, 2021 at 8:42 AM
BadNoteB
I’ve had the pleasure of tasting coq au vin on two occasions while in Europe – exquisite both times. I’ve never encountered successful replication of the dish Stateside. I’ve been told by two highly respected French chefs that the difficulty stems from US poultry production. Just as the most flavorful chicken stock comes from a post-menopausal biddy, the flavor and texture of classic coq au vin requires a fully mature, stringy and gamey granddaddy rooster. With an average slaughter age of 8 weeks, it’s virtually impossible to find a high quality mature cock in the US anymore.
I’ve had opportunity to taste a wide variety of game meats and poultry from alligator to zebra. With the exception of domestically raised duck, I’ve never tasted any of the exotic varieties I would wish to incorporate in my diet on a regular basis. Even the best experiences have presented flavor and/or textural issues I find unpleasantly odd. “Mmmm… tastes just like chicken!” has never been a compliment in my book.
I’ve never set fire to a building nor have I thrown a true Clint Eastwood worthy punch.
I recall spending my first night in the dorms at college locked alone in my room, waiting for the Narcs to raid the building and arrest everyone. That was the first of many “We’re not in Kansas anymore” experiences I learned weren’t nearly so bad as my upbringing had led me to believe. I swear by CBD capsules as treatment for occasional insomnia. I’ve been generally disappointed with cannabis varieties available since it became legal. They seem much stronger and far more difficult to reliably administer than I remember the MauiWowee and AcapulcoGold of the 1970s being. Perhaps age and mileage have something to do with this, I don’t know.
I’ve never had anything pierced tho admit pierced nipples can be attractive (and great fun) on many male chests. I have a drawer full of vintage 40s/50s jewelry of my mother’s – all of the earrings of the clip-on style – that I need to get around to selling some day.
August 20, 2021 at 8:53 AM
Urspo
I enjoyed reading this; you have/had a zest for life.
I didn’t know about the chicken matter; this sounds right now it has been explained to me. When I make it I will try to get a proper bird.
August 20, 2021 at 9:20 AM
BadNoteB
PS – Forgive me for adding… I drove from New Orleans to Mobile on my last visit to the American South. Never before had travel given so much clarity to an author’s work, but I couldn’t wait to get back home and re-read Faulkner’s “A Rose For Emily” from a fresh perspective.
August 20, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Urspo
I remember that story. Nasty thing but well written.
August 20, 2021 at 10:20 AM
rjjs8878
I have never set fire to a public building although it sounds like fun.
I have never eaten moose meat
I have worn earrings when I did drag for Halloween in the 80’s.
I have made coq au vin.
I have thrown a punch.
I first smoked pot in 7th grade. I was a bad catholic boy. Stopped when I found out I was HIV+. Started again when it was legalized in Colorado.
I have never been to Alabama or Mississippi.
August 20, 2021 at 10:35 AM
Urspo
I thank you for playing along.
You remind me I once wore a Elizabeth I costume to a ‘come as your mother’ party. I must have worn earrings then.
August 20, 2021 at 10:45 AM
rjjs8878
I bet you did!
August 20, 2021 at 11:08 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
When I had to drive junky cars, some guy who was a stranger somewhere I was stranded would look at the spark plugs and say he could make them work if he had some sandpaper. I would offer my emery board. Guys were surprised they worked and said they were going to remember “emery boards” for a tool in a pinch. So, lots of guys used them on my behalf.
I live in Alabama but was born and raised there and in Memphis. In addition to what sluggy said, there is Bellingrath Gardens in Mobile, Space Center in Huntsville, Civil Rights Museum in Birmingham. We do have Piggly Wiggly here and in Mississippi. There is fine dining and bbq places. I have been to Whistle Stop Cafe in Irondale.
Mississippi has Elvis home in Tupelo, Vicksburg, Natchez Trace. There are other visit-worthy places. There are battlefields and Indian Mounds or sites in both states.
Never set fire to anything, never smoked pot, never punched anyone. I want to smoke pot when I am 90-years-old. I would have but did not want to get beat up. I had my ears pierced when I was 30 but they stayed infected and still are. I just wear clip-ons. I was the first person in my town to wear shoulder-dusters, very long earrings. I prefer long, dangly earrings since my hair is dark and long.
Never had coq au vin or moose. The widest thing I have eaten is eggs from hens in my yard.
Come on down.
August 20, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Urspo
You will be the main attraction when I do, proudly showing up with my red PW bag to see the sights!
August 21, 2021 at 12:42 AM
Linda Practical Parsimony
Okay, waiting for you.
August 20, 2021 at 2:06 PM
Gigi Rambles
Emery boards – how you can go through life without using one is beyond me. After I clip my nails they feel very jagged-y and the emery boards smooths everything out.
Burning a building? No. But I can’t say I haven’t thought about it.
Moose Meat? No.
Earrings? Yes, I have three holes in each ear (what can I say? I grew up in the 80’s) but usually only wear one pair (when I wear them anymore – the pandemic has found me sans jewelry most days). Clip on CAN be painful, FYI.
Alabama/Mississippi? Yes, on both. We would visit my aunt when she lived there. Mississippi was one of our stopping points on drives to PA when we lived in Texas.
August 20, 2021 at 2:35 PM
Gigi Rambles
Oh! I forgot – yes, I’ve been to a Piggly Wiggly!
August 20, 2021 at 3:17 PM
Urspo
I have lived nearly 60 years without an emery board: I have gotten through somehow.
three holes x 2 ears (I assume) means 6 holes to fill. You must look quite a sight if you mix and match things. Jolly good fun !
August 20, 2021 at 4:53 PM
Pipistrello
Yes to pierced ears for moi. I love vintage earrings but they’re usually clip-ons which pinch awfully, sadly, so don’t get worn. Fun fact, however, clip-ons can sometimes look fetching as dress clips, instead, hanging onto necklines or lapels or jacket pockets, so menfolk can get into the spirit, too!
Coq au vin, yes, have made it from time to time as it’s delicious. But have never had access to the traditional ingredients as we don’t live in deepest France. The best ever eaten was near Lyon (? not sure) which was made with both a cockerel and its blood. Heaven on a plate! Not sure if deepest Arizona can oblige there.
August 20, 2021 at 7:54 PM
Urspo
Of course if/when I ever make it, I won’t know if it is any good as there will be nothing to compare it to.
August 20, 2021 at 5:44 PM
Robzilla
I’ve worn earrings, punched someone in the face, and smoked pot. Back in high school, I’m pretty sure I did all three in the same night at least once.
At my old age, I still wear earrings whenever I remember I still have some pairs. I worry about getting robbed, so I wear Diamonique studs the most. I also have two different pairs of small silver hoops.
From my high school days, I still have an earring that looks like a sword. I have fond memories of wearing that one back when I was only brave enough to wear it in my left ear. I switched to both ears once I got into college.
August 20, 2021 at 7:55 PM
Urspo
I guess there was some sort of ‘code’ to what to wear and which ear to use?
August 20, 2021 at 10:40 PM
Dwight W.
“Left is right, right is wrong”! If you wore in the right ear you were queer. Or so it was said.
August 20, 2021 at 9:39 PM
wcs
I make coq au vin at least once a year and eat it (with relish). I’ve been to Vermont (I grew up right across the border). I’ve been to Alabama and Piggly Wiggly, although the latter was in North Carolina.
August 21, 2021 at 9:54 AM
Urspo
Yes yes yes!
Do you have the same recipe you reuse or does this vary?
I am keen to know if there is a proper version or this is a sort of generic title like ‘chili’
August 22, 2021 at 10:11 PM
wcs
I use different recipes, but they’re all essentially the same. I tend to think of recipes as suggestions, I rarely follow them to the letter. A “real” coq au vin calls for an old coq (rooster), but I use chicken from the poultry vendor, usually a whole bird that I cut up into parts. The bird’s blood should be used in the sauce, but. I don’t use blood as it’s hard to find (and probably a little messy). I suppose I could ask the poultry vendor for some, but I do without. I don’t raise my own chickens (but a lot of people do around here).
August 21, 2021 at 6:34 AM
Ron
Ah, so much to respond to here on your again, always very interesting blog posting. To answer some of your questions:
Moose meat eating – no I’ve never eaten Moose meat nor do I plan to. I have eaten deer meat (venison). I know deer hunters extoll how “great” venison is, not to me. Very gamey and not tasty at all. Methinks they praise to the heavens how “delicious” venison is to justify their killing (hunting) of deer.
Emery board: – No, I never used one either nor do I plan to for myself but I may get one for Bill. Now that I’m taking care of him I have to do something about his overgrown toenails. They look like those Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Inidan guru curly toenails.
Earrings – Nope, never wore them either but I have been tempted to get a pierced one (or two), diamond stud but I fear the fashionable time for that lash out against traditional ear furniture for men has passed me by. Ed Bradley (“60 Minutes correspondent with one pierced ear) has died. I do indwell wear a sparkly bling necklace. Look for that statement the next time I’m in Palm Springs.
Co au vin – used to make it years ago. Deliiousd! Don’t eat that much now and don’t like to put that much effort (it does take a lot of effort) into making a meal. A Beyond Burger and a fresh ear of corn is fine with me at this time of my life, salad in the winter.
Punched – I’ve slapped a few guys (I am gay after all) but I did punch once, a hole in the wall after a ferocious verbal argument with Bill. Yep, right through the drywall. I was surprised that I was about to form a fist and punch right through the wall. Bill was going to leave the hole in the drywall as a reminder of my out of control temper (takes a lot to get me going but once I’m erupting, get out of the way). He eventually plastered it over though. Never done it since. I still throw a ball like a girl though.
Smoked dope – Yep, a few times back in 1980. I was curious what all the fuss was about. Just made me dizzy and not care what I was doing but I didn’t like the loss of control. The last time I smoked (shared a joint) was when Brad (flame at that time) and I were returning from a night out at the bar, driving our friend’s pickup truck back to his doublewide where he lived in Delaware (our friend was passed out drunk). Brad and I were both high on pot driving on the wrong side of the road. When we realized we were driving on the wrong side (as we were rounding a curve in the back country road) we started laughing. We thought it was funny! Can you believe it? However, I always had enough presence of mind to realize this wasn’t good. Do you think? I vowed never again to “take a puff” because we dodged a bullet that night and I wasn’t going to take any more chances. A few years later when I was in Provincetown for a two week summer vacation, I met a very nice guy from California (Nick Brown, wonder what happened to him?). He asked me to stay with him fur the duration of my stay in Provincetown. I did. I was ecstatic staying with him because he was a dreamboat. Handsome, intelligent, funny, and kind to me. He was fun to be with. One night before we were going out to dinner (he was going to introduce me to fish, which he knew I hated but he said “you never experienced fresh fish”) and before he went out, he asked me “Do you want to take a line?”. His friend who was also staying at the same apartment had a white powdery “substance on a small glass mirror on top of the bureau which he indicated to me. I asked “What was it?” It looked like confectioner’s sugar to me. He said “Coke?” I immediately though of Frank Sinatra in the movie “The Man With The Golden Arm.” No way was I going to take THAT. I asked him “Why should I take it?” He said “So it will make you feel good.” I said “But I already fee good being here with you.” I couldn’t imagine feeling EVEN better. He smiled and didn’t say anything else. We went out that night and I actually liked the fish (bluefish, freshly caught that day) and continued to have a fabulous what was left of my two weeks with him. He saw me off at the airport a la the last scent in “Casablanca” and I never saw or heard from him again. But I will always remember his kindness to me and how good I felt with him sans dope. I feel the same way when I’m with Pat. I just can’t feel any better. I’m in bliss. Some call it Heaven. I guess it doesn’t take too much to please me. I don’t need any artificial help.
Been to Mississipi or Alabama – I haven’t been to many states. But I have been to Vermont.
August 21, 2021 at 9:55 AM
Urspo
Thank you for taking time to write this out; it was fun reading.
I liked the slapping part the most.