kochleffel

More on the drink front: Maybe you remember that I'm studying Greek on Duolingo. I've taken to drinking ouzo while doing the lessons. To an American of my generation, it tastes like Paregoric. Amazing to think that children were dosed with camphorated tincture of opium for diarrhea, cough, pain of teething, or when mom needed a rest.

Bourbon Spritz Aperol® – a bitter orange aperitif from the Italian city of Padua – and a splash of Prosecco bring cosmopolitan sophistication to this patio-ready Maker's Mark® spritz. 1 part Maker's Mark Bourbon 1 part Aperol® 3/4 parts freshly squeezed lemon juice Splash of simple syrup Prosecco Orange peel Fill a wine glass with ice and layer in Maker’s Mark®, Aperol®, lemon juice and syrup. Top with Prosecco and garnish with an orange peel.

It was a busy weekend. On Saturday morning there was a different co-officiant, a member who sings professionally. Her vocal range was more compatible with mine, but she paused at the end of every line and I began to wonder whether she was trained to church choirs, as it's typical to pause like that in hymns that are in common meter, which is most of them, but is contrary to the sense in many of our texts. I inquired later and it turns out that one of her regular gigs is at a church. The concert Sunday night was wildly successful, in every respect except the total attendance -- even with the covid restrictions in effect at the venue, we could have seated more. Here's a sample of the band's work (with a larger ensemble than for the tour): https://youtu.be/xM5Nm1TUVG0. One couple came from Cleveland, a 4.5-hour drive, to hear them. A volunteer sound engineer came from State College, where he had graduated from Penn State the day before. The end was bittersweet. Not only was it the last concert of their U.S. tour (which was their first since 2019; we had booked them for 2020), but one of the leaders announced at the end that she was retiring from touring, at least for the foreseeable future. I had cooked dinner for the band after the concert; as a result, I didn't get home until 11:15 p.m. Here's the main course: Chickpea and Tahini Casserole This has a pleasant creamy consistency even though it contains no dairy products. Vegan and gluten-free. 2 medium white onions, chopped 2 Tb olive oil 1 Tb garlic powder (or equivalent in fresh garlic) ¾ cup tahini ½ cup water 1 Tb dried oregano 1 Tb dried basil 1 Tb ground cumin 2 Tb dried parsley (or equivalent fresh) 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you like it) 1 tsp ground cardamom 6 cups cooked brown rice (2 cups raw rice cooked in 4 cups water) 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 large can petite diced tomatoes, undrained 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional) Preheat oven to 375°. Sauté onions (and garlic, if fresh) slowly in olive oil until onion is translucent. Mix tahini and water until well mixed. Set aside. Spray 9×13 pan with olive oil. Place cooked rice in pan. Spread onion mixture over it; arrange rinsed, drained chickpeas over both. Sprinkle on all the spices. Pour tomatoes over everything (don’t drain tomatoes). Stir gently to mix. Add tahini mixture, stir again. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until top begins to brown. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake 5 minutes more.

I witnessed a helicopter evacuation on the Nieuw Amsterdam in January 2020. The ship changed course to rendezvous with a USCG helicopter coming from the Bahamas, where there is a small base, which took the patient to Grand Turk. I was initially surprised by that, because Grand Turk has only a 10-bed hospital and the hospital at Providenciales is only 20 beds, but the purpose was to transfer the patient by fixed-wing aircraft to Miami.

Yes, that one. I think I would like the green one, although I'd need Lactaid with it.

Some people think that straight Laphroaig tastes medicinal all by itself. I happen to like it and was disappointed when the duty-free shop on a ship where I had OBC to spend didn't stock it. To my mind, the cocktail doesn't contain enough Laphroaig! But the honey and and whiskey would be good for a cough, and the ginger would relieve seasickness. There is an Israeli or Middle Eastern version of huevos rancheros called shakshuka, but I've never seen it made with meat and definitely not with pork. I prefer eggs with the yolks fully cooked, so the version I make is inauthentic. For the band's dinner tonight I'm making a chickpea and tahini casserole. I have to go to the supermarket for most, well, all, of the ingredients, plus vegetables and salad. Our sound tech graduated from Penn State University yesterday so I'll bring wine for a toast. He would probably prefer Scotch, come to think of it. The last time he ran sound for us he it was for a singer with whom he'd been on a retreat where, as far as I can tell, they spent most of the time drinking Famous Grouse. Lisbon is in my plans, for a TATL on the Oosterdam in 2023.

Did you mean a 737? The runway at Dawson City is 5,003 feet long. Most versions of the 747 require at least twice that. Dawson City can accept 737 charters. The runway is short for a 737 and that would lead to a weight limit. The cruise charters are run by Air North, which flies only 737 and ATR-42 aircraft.

I feel for you! Right now I'm having to avoid added sugar and milled flour, although other carbohydrates are OK -- this is for an inflammatory condition -- but I haven't had to eat any set meals where there weren't sufficient choices. In my job I manage events for an organization, some with food. We attempt to meet any dietary need that we know about, and it has only been a problem when people give inaccurate information about their needs or change their requirements on short notice. Tomorrow I'm cooking for a visiting band that has to be fed after the performance, but they were clear about what they wanted. Finally the port of the day is one that I've visited! Most of my pictures aren't on this computer and also aren't very different from those already posted, so I'll add just one.

Do you remember that I officiated at services in the synagogue last Saturday because our rabbi had been exposed to covid? Well, it is nearly impossible not to catch it when your children have it and are too young to be isolated, and he did, so I'm on duty again this weekend. The co-officiant from last week, who stood next to me for two hours, tested positive this week.