3 weeks and counting...

Only 3 weeks to go until Staff Training starts...things are finally starting to shape up! This past weekend saw the Roanoke Chowan Hospital Board of Directors and the Royal Ambassadors come and go...by all accounts the food, educational programs, and lodgin were fantastic...it's no secret to us, though.

I spent the majority of the weekend in the Kitchen, again, cooking and serving, along with the Program Staff, who offer to pitch in early and often. They are a giant help to me and the Center as a whole. They are talented, or at least capable of doing almost everything here, with the exception of fixing things. But they would if they could.

Leadershape arrives today! The LeaderShape Institute of NC State comes every spring for a week long training on leadership. I, as well as the program staff, will interact with them heavily. Last year, as I was doing icebreakers with a group of 20 or so, astonished the masses by memorizing everyone's name, hometown, and major - while blindfolded - in alphabetical order!!!!! There's only one way to be the best Challenge Course facilitator - beat me.

I'll be doing some food service training this week, as well as programming...so I'll be busy.

In unrelated Boating news, I took my Skiff out yesterday for the shortest bat ride in history. The fuel line coupling was gunked up...I made it about 200 yards, just long enough for all of the fuel in the outboard motor to burn before halting to a stop. I am glad my paddles require no gasoline. I beat the rain by .0002938 seconds. All the while, saying not so good things about the lineage of my outboard motor. A $4 fix alleviated the problem.

I also spent the better part of Sunday night practicing my new hobby - decoy painting. I think I chose the most difficult decoy to paint - the Surf Scoter (see it here by clicking). Although the body is solid black, the face is ornate and colorful. Little is needed to fool these birds, but a nice paint job should make it even easier! I managed to paint about 15, but still have 29 to go. I converted old, damaged, and dilapidated mallard decoys to form the new fakes. Also - They'll all be "longlined" for easy setting and pick-up when pursuing them in the Pamlico.

Enjoy the day!

Return!

I'm back, but swamped...my blogging will begin to either get shorter or more sporadic!

I enjoyed my trip to Alabama to see my parents. My mom celebrated her 27th Mother's Day, I celebrated my 27th Birthday, my sister graduated Law School, with the Merit of the Order of the Samaritan (whatever that means), I went whitewater kayaking (finally - and I am really awesome at it), a Coosa County Cold Case was solved, I visited my grandfather, ate "real" barbecue, and saw my other sister! Olivia, my lady friend's schnauzer, was bitten by a spider in her mouth. She has been miserable, but is finally recovering.

We have a giant week or three in a row. Opening Doors is here, followed by Roanoke Chowan Hospital doubling with Royal Ambassadors over the weekend. LeaderShape rides in on their coattails Sunday through two Saturdays from now, with two banquets thrown in for good measure. The following Week, Jackson Middle School comes in from the Triad, along with other groups from our local school system. Then Staff Training, then SUMMER CAMP!!!!

I am really excited, but I am also cooking for a lot of our day groups. I am working to train some new cooks and servers, as well.

Enjoy the day...

Early Birthday Treat

It is May 4. Raining. Finally. It's also 3 days before my birthday, which is not really important to the staff here, since I will be out of town on my birthday.

Not so fast...Sara, Terri, and Teresa, our resident plotters, foiled my escape attempt. Rarely am I here on my birthday anyway...I go to visit my parents and wish my mom and Happy Mother's Day. This year will be no different. Other than my sister graduating from Law School at Bama, the weekend expects to be docile. And I do deserve a break, from work. 500 hundred working hours in two months is quite a bit. But I work for 4-H, so it actually make s working fun, worthwhile, and, well, tough at times.

So anyway, I appear at my office at 7:32 Eastern...from my door, which is on the left side of the narrow hallway, I notice three balloons - pink, red, and blue. Dang! I had hoped to escape without the "celebration" of another anniversary of the day of my birth...Don't get me wrong, I like to celebrate birthdays around here. Employees are usually treated to special treats. Mine was always cheesecake, but I grew to hate cheesecake - which does NOT make me communist. I like to keep my favorite treats a secret, so that I am not deluged with them at every occasion. Chocolate and biscuits, though, are my favorite. And what do you know, I am surprised with those confections on this rainy morn. Molten chocolate, flaky crumbly biscuits, and a giant strawberry or four can turn a birthday into a bright day. I am lucky to work with folks that take the time to recognize big days and treat them as such...

So anyway, if anyone else wishes to surprise me, do so with these:
Chess Squares
Lemon Icebox Pie
1 Dozen Model 72 Herter's BLuebill Decoys or 1 dozen Church's Superstandard Canvasback decoys
4 Fried Quail
1 Car Wash
A phone call

Enough self indulgency. Would like to re-visit Dock of the Bay, but only briefly. My lady friend was able to wander and wonder about on Saturday night, without me asking her to do anything. She wouldn't be voluntold into work, this time around. According to her, she was the hit of the party, but failed to learn shagging...she insisted on dancing "Mis'sippi" style. And she can dance as well as I run from it. By all accounts, the Dock of the Bay was great, as it follows evolutions route into the greatest fundraiser/party in the world. I had rave reviews for my steamed shrimp. I don't like pats on the back for a good job, as I generally expect to do good, and I am generally disgusted by the prevalence of acceptable mediocrity, but those shrimp were pretty incredible. I warned Lee that putting me in charge of them endangered his slef-proclaimed title of Best Heater of Mass Quantities of Meat...You put a boy from the Deep South in charge of the shrimp, and he'll do it right. I call it Voo-doo Magic. Other folks call it Old Bay... Yet, you have to love every meal you cook, especially if you want the folks eating it to love you back. Sure, I steamed 150 pounds of shrimp, but I personally checked each one for appropriateness and afterwards discarded the unacceptable to a vat located in my belly.

Mother's Day is upcoming...my Mom is pretty much the reason I am here today. Mom is a great mom. In my life I have also watched her be a great sister, wife, and daughter. My dad had a Mom like that, too. And while this will be his first Mother's Day without his mom, I know that he'll be happy for my mom. I wrote "mom" a lot in theat paragraph, but mom's are everywhere and everybody has one. Even Lee. And she's a good one, too.

I'll be out for a bit to check on my parents down in Dixie...I will be back next Monday. This weekend, we have the Prom and Elections here...The following week, two retreats, then Leadershape. Before we know it, Summer Camp 2kX. I am still looking for 1 female cabin counselor. Only those interested in working long hours with loud children need apply.

Congratulations to my sister for a storied academic career who will be earning her Juris Doctorate this weekend. We always knew she was special, and almost as smart as me. I feel sorry for any litigant who dares to oppose her. She has always made straight A's - at least until law school. She would have cried over making a B in college, while my parents and I would have celebrated such an occasion for me.

Oh - I'll be 27 on Friday...yes, Dad, that's old - but not nearly as old as you...

Enjoy the day...

Dock of the Bay wrap

DOB has come and gone...it appeared to be the most attended event ever...early reports say that 360 people were on site for the event. That translates into phenomenal amounts of camp scholarship contributions! Thanks to all of the sponsors and visitors for making the event special!

My DOB duties placed me in the kitchen...here is what we turned out for the evening, food wise:

Steamed Shrimp: 130 pounds (Thanks SYSCO!)
Beef Tenderloin: 100 Pounds (Thanks US FOODS!)
Crab Dip: 5 Gallons (Thanks Capt. Neill's!)
Cocktail Sauce: 1.5 Gallons
Marinated Mushrooms: 4 Gallons
Grilled Veggies: 18 pounds
Fresh Vegetables: about 60 pounds
Mashed potatoes: 50 pounds
Chicken Wings: 75 pounds
Brie: 6 pounds
Chicken Salad: 8 gallons
Seafood Salad: 8 gallons
Rolls: 250
Assorted Cheeses: 24 pounds
Cookies: 520
Blondies: 175
Brownies: 175
Marshmallows: 600
Rice Krispie Sqares: 200
Fruit: about 100 pounds
Drinking cups: about 1250
Plastic plates: about 850
Chocolate Fountain: 30 pounds of molten chocolate

That's literally a TON of food, give or take a shrimp or three...it was a busy and fun night. Servers, cooks, and me grew nervous as the buffet line inched closer to the Washington County line. Eventually, only stragglers and returners made their way into the buffet room. Even the scraps at the end were a fine treat. The cooks and servers worked in heroic fashion to see that only the stacked plates ran low on one occasion. A crowded room, with salivating crowds can be tough for a tiny server to navigate. It takes bravery and gumption...

Enjoy the day...

Precedence Set

It has been a tough week for blogging...I have been Food Servicin' all week for the Southern Region Biennial Conference, A collection of 4-H minds from across the South. By all reports, the conference was superb, most notably our "Dinner on the Dock of the Bay" served on Tuesday night. Load after load of shrimp appeared on the buffet, as well as beef and pork loins, fruit and vegetable displays, and my favorite - the dessert bar. The Eastern 4-H Center leads the way as the premier location for camping and conferences.Wonder who will attempt to follow suit?

This weekend is the Dock of the Bay, our annual friend and fundraiser. Tickets are still available, so don't miss out. The Mighty Saints of Soul are playing before a crowd of folks, a massive buffet, and an incredible series of live and silent auction items. A special thanks to all of the volunteers, contribtors, and sponsors of our annual event...without your help there just would not be any other way to raise the funds for camper scholarships.

Got to get to work in the kitchen...so hope to see you tomorrow...

Enjoy the day...

Coosa County - Food, Land, and People

Lately, I have had a gratuitous amout of storytelling to do - stories about my native origin - Coosa County, Alabama. I also have to explain why I ended up here in Tyrrell County. I will attempt to explore the Coosa County area, based on its foods, lands, and people (or lack thereof). Most of this has stemmed form the blind good fotune of my dad, who met a personal hero of mine - Walter Royal. A lot of folks don't know who this is, yet gourmands would easily know - he's the Executive Chef of The Angus Barn...which in my mind is one of the ultimate destination steak houses in the WORLD...in Raleigh, NC. Chef Royal also beat Iron Chef Cat Cora in "Battle Ostrich". He owns property in Coosa County - and my dad, as the Commissioner of Revenue, often meets landowners who must settle property taxes. Walter Royal showed up to pay his taxes. My dad had no clue who he was, until Royal's partner introduced him. It still made little difference to my dad. He isn't a foodie, though he enjoys food. He makes the best ribs in the world, and can heat a steak pretty good, too. Yet, a steak wouldn't be his preferred "final" meal - I think it would include fried quail, creamed potatoes, and absolutely no macaroni and cheese.

Anyway - Coosa County...I wanted to try and give folks an idea of what the county's geography is like. Where is Coosa County? It is about two hairs of the geographical center of Alabama. The bottom half of the county makes up the far northern reaches of the Black Belt - an important farming region of the south. The top half of Coosa County is composed of craggy hills and quasi-mountains. The southernmost mountain in the Appalachian chain (Flag Mountain) is located in northwest Coosa County. So what happens when two totally different types of landscapes and environments converge? The diversity of animal and plant life in Coosa County is nearly akin to a Rain Forest. I am serious! With hundreds of miles of navigable water, mostly whitewater creeks and rivers, the opportunity to encounter some of the rarest species on Earth is pretty good. The Cahaba Lilly, which grows in exactly two rivers in the galaxy, roots and grows on the shoals of Hatchett Creek, Coosa County. The Tulatoma Snail, one of the rarest mollusks inthe world clings to hundreds of underwater boulders strewn along the bottoms of Socapatoy and Hatchett Creeks. Alabama actually receives the most rain in the United States, so our forests in the northern reaches of Coosa County are actually pretty lush. Unfortunately, many portions of virgin hardwood have been extracted to make things like the desk on which my computer sits. Replacing these forests are vast expanses of upland pine species, such as Loblolly and Longleaf. Loblolly and longleaf also command an strong presence along the bottom half of the county, too.

So let's recap. North Coosa County is hilly - with hills as steep as anything in places like Wyoming and Idaho - I have climbed up both...trust me.

The Southern reaches of Coosa County are gentle rolling hills, pocked with cattle farmers, the occasional row of corn, and slackwater tributaries to either the Tallapoosa or Coosa Rivers. The County Seat, Rockford, sits in the off center of the county, but doesn't act as the hub. Rockford, population 400, has a Dollar General, spirit store, and gas station. However, the intersection in Rockford serves as one of the final rest stops for fans racing to the Talladega International speedway, located 50 miles north. A drive from the southern part of Coosa County to it's northersn reaches will most certainly be done in a lower gear. It's an uphill battle all the way, but decent scenery is the reward. A short side trip down any side road will offer views of "country living", but not the magazine photos you are used to seeing. It's real people that live in the country. A smallish house, built wisely in the shade, with stacks of firewood in the yard. Maybe a car and a pick-up truck. A dog, tractor, and chimney, too. But no gingham covered patio furniture or seersucker suited men. This is the real country. Practicality procedes beauty. I have seen those old fashioned lawnmowers fastened to old fashioned bicycles.

From west to east, in a straight line, the landscape changes little. The western boarder in made up of the Coosa River, a fairly large river. It snakes down and to the right, seeking the Tallapoosa River to form the Alabama River, about 40 miles to the south. The eastern portion of the county is dominated by the exurbs of Alexander City. The southeast corner shares shoreline with Lake Martin, one of the most visited (and beatiful) inland lakes in all of the South. Coosa County is virually "all land". There are very few businesses, and people. The northern hills made early travel inand out of the county tough. The southern portion was and is farmed. The people of the county can seem like to different species, from north to south. I'll talk about them later. In the meantime, soak all of this drivel in...

Enjoy the day...

Oysters

Oyster "season"... one of my favorites of the seasons (except for Winter and Waterfowl) is sunsetting. The old addage states that Oysters are "safe" to eat if eaten during months which contain the letter "r". Especially the raw ones. I really enjoy oysters. They are a "blobulous" blob of protein, slurped - not chewed. Our neck of the woods, or waters, produces some pretty good oysters. Oysters out of Hyde County are as good as those from Texas and other gulf states. I still prefer Galveston Bay oysters, though.

What make a good oyster? I like one that is extra salty. That's it. Some like them based on texture and color. I don't eat them plain, though. I extract the oyster from it's halfshell with the tiny tin fork, dip it in hot sauce, then in cocktail sauce, then my neck.

I have eaten at many "Houses" of slimy bivalves. I have a favorite, too. The "Original Oyster House", serving the two peninsulas of Alabama's Gulf Coast, offers the best - in my humble opinion. I would rather eat anything at it's origin, though. The Acme, in N'Awlins is good, too. Eating in and around the French Quarter is always a good thing. I have only been to New Orleans on one occasion, though. It was about 6 months after Katrina...debris, trash, water, mosquitoes, and people were everywhere. It is not a tough city to navigate, as long as you stay oriented to Canal Street. Grab a beignet, too, if you remember.

Around the Inner and Outer Banks, one can also find excellent offerings. While there are some famous T-shirt restaurants at the beaches that also serve oysters and other sea creatures, it's best to seek out smaller locales, especially seasonal ones. Williamston, Edenton, and Ocracoke have some excellent Holes in the Wall. Any trip to Edenton is incomplete if one fails to stroll the downtown concourses.

Oysters were a large part of Native American diets, too. Lucky jokers...

Oysters appear in some traditional dishes around here, such as cornbread dressing. Oysters Rockefeller is an interesting twist on a slimy mollusk. A steamed oyster, though, is a waste of steam and raw flesh. I hate 'em.

And while I enjoy eating oysters, shucking them can go out with the bathwater. On to many occasions has the knife or screwdiver had its way with my phalanges. But if you are adept at the shuck, buy a bushel...and invite some friends...before its to late in the year...

Enjoy the day...

Turkey sausage

Last night I took some time to catch-up with some estranged friends, via the Facebook chat...It's fun to force conversation on people. My lawyers friends - I talk to them and they can't charge me...It's like texting

I have a friend that's a clown...I really do. He's only a clown at work, though...not a clown at home - he's not that serious.

Right now, his circus is traveling the Pacific Northwest. It's a typical circus. Elephants, trapeze artists, lions, tigers, white tigers, clowns, monkeys, donkeys, horses, and popcorn...it's all there. My friend says he enjoyed Portland - the City of Roses - but really like Seattle. It's kind of like Asheville, but with more hippies. Good food, fun music, the whole kit and caboodle.

His Ladyfriend is also a clown. Anyway, she got sick while eating at some restaurant for breakfast. She couldn't perform her duties as a clown that night. She got sick from eating to much turkey sausage. Turkey sausage is really, really good - the patties are, anyway. We serve them as a healthier alternative to our pork sausage. Turns out, she just ate too much.

Nevertheless, the show still went on, as it would have if an Elephant, lion, monkey, or popcorn machine went awry. He did say that there was more room in the clown car, though. So it all worked out. Oddly enough, the circus turkey had went missing the night before the illness, but that could have been a joke.

BOW is in the house! Today's temps will be perfect for boating...and we gonna do some kayaking...

Enjoy the day...

Becoming an Outdoor Woman

Women, all destined to become outdoor women, we'll descend up on the sandy, dandy banks of the Albemarle this weekend. They'll roost in our cabins, and feed in our Dining Halls. They'll canoe and kayak at our waterfront, they'll rock climb on our Climbing Wall. They'll perfect their markswomanship on our shooting ranges. We'll standby and watch it happen. What else is their to do?

When dedicated, talented, and independent women come by here, with access to weapons, we treat them nice. We'll dose them with strong coffee and ample amounts of chocolates. We'll do our best to teach them many things. Many of them have already become an outdoor women, thanks to BB Gillen. BB is the Outdoor Skills Coordinator for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Becoming an Outdoor Woman is her program, and its a dern good one.

Similar programs abound across the country, but few have the following that this one maintains. Women hear learn to do things they will generally surpass their domestic counterpart's level of skill. Motor boating, trailerbacking, survival, outdoor cooking, canoeing, kayaking, and climbing are noble skills of the "Outdor Man", but women, too...! Yes, indeed.

Who doubts that a sweet lady can be as deft as a grungy man in outdoor pursuits. Not me. If there is one thing I have learned about the fairer gender, it's that when it comes to outdoor competition, things generally aren't so fair. Females, generally much more calm, while lacking a macho streak, concentrate much better than men. An average woman markswomanman, on average, is better than the average marksman. Outdoor cooking...? No contest. Note to men - cooking is different than heating meat over flame. A woman with a dutch oven can prepare you a meal, then whawp you over the head if you dare contest her efforts. My open fire cooking is alright. So is my shooting prowess, but I wouldn't dare contest the ladies. They'll beat me, and I don't like to lose.

Kayaking? A woman's capability for pain and endurance, generally speaking, is tailored for this sport.
Canoeing - see above, you lesser men!

What can a man do better than a woman? I say whine. Men are tough, but pry them away from the TV, and that droning sound you hear isn't an insect. It's Bubba, and he's sad. Who pulled Bubba away...think about it. That's a tough lady.

Becoming an Outdoor Woman is a great program. It has come a long way since it's inception. It is wildly popular. It proves two things...you never to young or old to learn anything, and the fairer gender, might not be so fair after all...

Enjoy the day...

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

A busy weekend has come and gone. This rendition of RYLA will probably stand as the best yet. But a perfect storm of wonderful delegates (students), professional staff and programming, and weather collided.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards recognize top students with leadership potential. The leadership convention is led by Rotary volunteers, namely Tony Engrassia, Heather Perdue, and Ed Cross. They trio hails from throughout the state, but convene hear annually for a great workshop. Nearly 75 kids were guided on leadership, responsibility, professionalism, and teambuilding.

To keep the convention "cool", a Movie Night, with popcorn and candy is offerred, as is a scavenger hunt in which teams of the applicants must compete, all while "bound" by "raccoon circles". It was tons of fun...

Sara, Our Marketing Director, led the Etiquette Dinner. Me and my program staff (which is totally awesome) and three of out servers served the food. Lee, along with the cooks, prepared a wonderful 5 courser. It all started with Bacon Tomato Bisque (made by Lee and I!), followed by a house salad, bread, herb chicken & rice pilaf w/ spring vegetables, and finally, a chocolate raspberry tart.

Several of the delegates will go home with ringing ears, as our very own program staffer Kali Beach did the damage. She serves as the local Mouth of the South. She'll never use a microphone. She doesn't need one.

Jonathan Casper helped delegates build the Service Project - a compilation of wood, screws, and bolts helped for some of the sturdiest picnic tables I have ever seen.

Kali, Mea, and AJ performed admirably on the Team Challenge Course. Delegates could be heard deliberating, strategizing, and even laughing throughout the day as the trio puzzled them on the elements...

A great weekend for sure...Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) follows this weekend. Nearly 100 people will learn to enjoy the outdoors even more...

Enjoy the day...

Dock of the Bay on the Way

Ready or not, here it comes...gonna find it's way, to the first weekend in May.

Every year, I warn folks to stay away if they hate fresh seafood, chocolate fountains, live auctions, beef, silent auctions, sunsets, warm air, live music, dancing, friends, etc, etc. Misanthropes need not apply.

The oneth of May, the tides will align for our annual shindiggin', fundraisin', feast. Anybody can come, provided you purchase your tickets...just call the Center for information on how to do so...you'll even get a nametag for you and yours...in case you forget your name, your date's name, or somebody else's name after a long night of...fun.

At around sunset, the Champagne Toast will transpire, with one lucky winner receiving a special toast...

Don't try to be the first in line for the buffet or dessert fountain. That's a battle you don't want to wage. If it's your first time, walk around in the grass, or sit under the tent illuminated by oil lamps. Examine the seashells on your table. Enjoy your vino. Responsibly. Wait till the line begins to evaporate. Rest assured, there will be plenty of food. Good food. Burn off your food with a jig or shag to the music of the Mighty Saints of Soul.

You could even talk to some of the event sponsors, or become one yourself...

Before you arrive, take some time to learn the 4-H Pledge . But don't worry, we won't make you swear allegiance to the world's greatest youth organization. Just support it with your attendance.

Meet with some of the Center's staff. Some will be busy working. Some will be busy working the crowds. Either way, all of us can relay the story of what we all do to perpetuate the mission of 4-H and Cooperative Extension.

The dollars that we raise will help raise the bar for the type of programming we offer to our visiting youth. Camperships that allow more kids to reap the benefits of the one of the top facilities in America will be formulated as a result of YOUR patronage.

Don't feed the sea gulls, though. They can eat elsewhere. And we certainly don't want them waiting in the buffet line.

So if you haven't thought about coming, think about thinking about it...then just do it already. Eventually, you'll have to come. Premier parties draw the best crowds. You probably already know someone who has been...just ask them how miserable they were...

Enjoy the day...

My least favorite color...

Every spring, a yellow destiny is fulfilled across windshields, back porches, and stationary garden gnomes. Pollen. Most hate it. I am indifferent to nature's ways. It is not my place to complain about the natural order of things. Taxes, on the other hand, might not be part of the natural order of things. But taxes have allowed us to change the natural order of things by building roads, starting programs, and yes, paying wages. Pollen and tax time rendezvous simultaneously in April. Hopefully, pollen hasn't collected on your NC-400 forms. Mine were submitted weeks ago. I just wish pollen were clear, not yellow. Only the grossest things in nature are yellow...

Yesterday, As I went to retrieve my car from the mechanic (stupid check engine light, pollen yellow, albeit), I drove across the Sound Bridge en route to Edenton. The Albemarle's current tops were coated in yellow slime. Pollen even lands and sticks to the water. Allergy sufferers everywhere detest the maize colored plant dust, but for every life it complicates, 10 fold it propogates. Without pollen, we might not have plants, or pollen. That garden you planted, has pollen. And bees. If the bee herd was wiped out, who would fertilize the flowers? Not me...I'm really busy.

Pollen, is such a kind word, too. Pollen would make a nice name for a child. It sounds gentle. And it is...you never hear it arrive. It collects gently on all surface, indoors and out, it seems. But along with pollen, vibrant greens, pinks, and whites erupt from branches, stalks, and crowns throughout the forest. I like trees, and have been known to hug one, now and again...and like Gordon Macquarrie, I am on speaking terms with several giant cypress trees in my favorite duck marsh. They have kept me company on slow days afield.

A reprieve is in the wings, though. My least favorite color also precedes the surname or my mortal enemy, the yellow fly. The yellow flies will only appear once the pollen is gone. Late in the year, even the yellow fly will go dormant. I guess they get tired of gnawing on the nape of my neck and neighbor.

The pollen will be gone soon enough. As much as I dislike its appearance, I am thankful for what it does. For me, it is the usherance of summer. A season of freedom, fun, and adventure. The Center perpetuates that in every child that visits...

Enjoy the day...

Easter Break

I recently took my Easter Break...and it was really fun! While the Easter Bunny didn't stop by, his chocolate covered counterparts did...and didn't leave.

I cooked a gian Easter Lunch, too. Inspired by Joel Robuchon, I prepared a simple roasted chicken, carrots Vichy, and some smashed potatoes. Friday night I prepared my giant hamburgers, which would rank among the tops in the world, in part because virtually everyone that eats them also proclaims them to be the best they've ever had. Really juicy, they most be prepared a certain way. It involves a fork, though. That's the only secret I'll divulge, as nobody gets to watch me prepare them. Spaghetti with sausage was also on the menu one evening, and it, too, is impeccable. My friends want to know why it tastes so good, and why it take so long... I just try to take care of the food I prepare.

Anyway, I had Sunday and Monday off...Sunday was the first opportunity to take out the Duck Boat Supreme aka Yellow Dog (Port of Columbia) out on the Sound. The Water temps were an uncomfortable 64 degrees, yet the river is warm enough to swim. I even saw a couple of wood ducks slipping in to my secret honey hole.

This weeks stands to be busy, as do the rest from here until November...the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards are here for their annual rendezvous with fun, leadership, and coastal breezes. On Friday, my crew and I will do a few icebreakers...Saturday we'll lead them in Teambuilding activities and help them through a wonderful service project...the following weekend in Becoming an Outdood Woman...While I am certainly not a woman, I am positive I would enjoy all of the activities. The ladies will learn or lead activities about canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, outdoor cooking, fishing, and much, much more.

The weather this week could be an omen for the summer. Unusually warm and dry! While I don't like a lot of rain, farmers will need some so that the corn can be put down...the extra hot temps can stay far away, but the Sound will keep our immediate area pretty comfortable...

Enjoy the day...

Legend of the Easter Hare

For children everywhere, the second or third greatest day of the year nearing. The top day is Christmas...I am virtually positive of this. Birthdays and Easter can be interchanged for 2nd and 3rd place on the calendar. Still, few adults, and zero children understand the beginnings of this holiday that involves a prolific breeding semi-monotreme.

The Easter Bunny, or Easter Hare as it's roots describe it, started visiting German children in the 17th Century. Thankfully, Americans were able to invent a kid-friendly term (bunny). Bunnies don't exist. Except in the Chocolate aisle. Menus from great French restaurants rarely refer to as the dish du jour as a bunny. Why was the Hare selected? Ever heard the phrase "mad as a March hare"? Hare's and rabbits fight every spring over mating rights. Even the lady rabbits refute many advances, with rebuttal often being violent, too. Anyway - the rabbits and hares are pretty prevalent in the spring, which makes them an easy target for westerners to provide them with anthropromorphic qualities. Not sure why American's are so quick to pick an animal and put clothes on it...

So the "Easter bunny" is seen as a sign of fertility in spring...it represents all of the new baby animals that will be born, and the prevalence of a food source for peasant farmers of old. The colored eggs? They represent the flowers. Loose a hidden Easter egg? Bet that it won't smell like flowers. The best way to eat an egg is to fill a plastic one with candy. The "Robin Eggs" - chocolate maltballs - are my favorite Easter candy. If you give me jelly beans, I will attempt to plant them, or atleast just throw them out in the yard. Peeps - the marshmallow animals - make for great s'mores, but terrible otherwise. Egg shaped Reese Cups...they are pretty awesome. Chocolate Easter Bunnies are neat to look at, but does anyone need to eat that much chocolate...and it's proof again that Americans will eat anything covered in chocolate.

As a child, I cared little about Easter egg hunts. Once, my mom grounded me for wearing cowboy boots to an Easter Egg hunt. I cried and cried in the car...she wouldn't let me get out with my boots on...I had to wear my hush puppies if I was gonna hunt. I thought boots were for hunting, even eggs. I was wrong. And the belt came from the right...ten times. I avoided Easter Egg hunts and all the controversies included after the "Whooping of '89"...

Here's a great way to eat a real rabbit...they are high in protein and have helped many a people survive in the wilderness. However, too much protein in a survival situation can lead to protein poisoning, which is lethal.

Confit of Rabbit with Ragout
1 Whole bunny, hare, or rabbit, skinned and cut 4 ways
2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (or two) of butter
1/2 Red Onion, chopped
2 Shallots, chopped
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
1 Roma tomato, smashed
S & P to taste
3 tablespoons of water

Take a deep skillet and heat the oil and butter. Put the bunny in the hot oil, cover, then put in the oven (400 degrees) for about 25 minutes. When the rabbit is browned, remove it and put the onion and shallot in...deglase the pan with the vinegar. Add the tomato, water and S & P...put the bunny back in to simmer for 5 minutes...serve with spring vegetables!

Enjoy the day...

April Foolishness

Today is April Fool's Day...one of my favorite days. Wanda - one of the Meals on Wheels cooks just called to tell me that my tire was flat. I know better. I am not getting out of my office chair to go and be made a fool of...

Wanda is the fool...to think that she can get the getter. I am the best at pranks. And I have seen a blue million. You can't be a camp director for too long and not see your share of both good and bad pranks. The standards around here, every summer, include:
1) The undies up the flag pole routine...
2) Hiding in the bushes to scare someone...
3) Saran wrapping the ivory throne...I have been victimized at this, too.
4) Antiquing...which is more dangerous than funny.
5) Telling someone that their parent has passed away...really cruel, but I have seen it happen.

One of the greatest pranks of all time involved an electronic predator call. The guys had a mole to insert a predator call under the bed of a lady staff member...when the clock struck midnight, the squalling, electronic coyote belted out his yodel. Many of the male staff became marked men after this episode...

I played the greatest prank of all time at the Eastern 4-H Center. I managed to frighten the entire staff and prove my dedication through my prank. I simply zipped up in a sleeping bag, except for a tiny air/sight opening and roared through the woods just out of clear visibility and rock throwing range from our staff. People cried for their mothers.

Yet, I am not the greatest pranker ever...that belongs to Jorge...my little Colombian counselor. Jorge was a great counselor. everyone loved him, even the kitchen staff. Yet Jorge had a proclivity for pranking. And not getting caught. Jorge's friends were so loyal, that when they, some of the most cumbersome individuals ever, were caught in the act, they would order Jorge to remain hidden. I was none the wiser. Still, Jorge got bolder and his pranks ceased to abate. I never caught him. I never even knew what he was up to. In one of the worst pranks ever, Jorge played a vital role. It wasn't discovered until he returned to his native country, far from my grasp. He maid me the fool. I'll get him, though...

Enjoy the day...