Texas Lesson #1: i heart lady bird

The in-laws were recently in town and we adventured to the Lady Bird Wildflower Center. Enjoyed the beauty of native Texas flora, got some fresh air, took some cool pictures, and learned that Lady Bird Johnson was a pretty amazing woman:

Born Claudia Alta Taylor in 1912, Lady Bird Johnson earned her namesake during infancy when a nursemaid commented that she was "purrty as a ladybird", a brightly colored beetle also known as the ladybug. After her mother's death at an early age, Lady Bird spent much of her childhood and adolescence playing outside, fishing, swimming, and watching wildflowers bloom each spring in East Texas - shaping her lifelong love of the environment.

Lady Bird attended The University of Texas at Austin and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts as well as a Bachelors of Journalism (with her family inheritance and background in journalism, Lady Bird amassed a multi-million dollar media conglomerate, which still today includes several tv and radio stations in Austin). Legend has it that she decided to attend UT after chartering a plane to fly into Austin and being awed by the sight of a field covered with bluebonnets.

After their first date over breakfast at the Driskill Hotel, young and upcoming politician Lyndon Baines Johnson proposed to Lady Bird. She eventually accepted his proposal after 10 weeks of dating.

As First Lady and in later years, Lady Bird spearheaded several important projects and initiatives for the beautification of our country. She worked to limit the number of billboard signs along highways and created roadside areas. She was also an early advocate for Head Start.

The Wildflower Center, located in Austin, Texas, was created in 1982 and is devoted to the preservation of Texas native plants.

Lady Bird passed away at age 94 in July 2007. She was laid to rest in the Johnson Family cemetery in Stonewall, Texas next to her husband who died 34 years earlier.

History Lesson #2: The Year 1980

This week on American Idol - ok, yes, I'll admit it, I watch AI - contestants were asked to perform a song from the year in which they were born. Certainly enjoyed the varying renditions of 80s and 90s classics, reminding me of the endless hours spent dancing in the living room to MTV videos (that's back when MTV actually played videos).

Danny Gokey takes the stage to do a cover of a cover (Stand by Me - the Mickey Gilley/Urban Cowboy-version, it was ah-ight) and we learn that he was born in 1980 - making him the oldest contestant on AI.....wha', REALLY!?!? To which jclog (also born in 1980) says "Wow, he's old!" HUH?!? Then, I go on to read an AI blogger who's also taken by the seemingly old age!?

All of this, and being in the midst of planning my ten year high school reunion, I thought it might be fun to take a brief history lesson on the year 1980.

Top Songs of 1980

Call Me - Blondie

Celebration - Kool & The Gang

Another One Bites the Dust - Queen

You Shook Me All Nite Long - AC/DC
All Out of Love - Air Supply
Whip It - Devo
Upside Down - Diana Ross
Fame - Irene Cara

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benatar

Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd

Top Movies of 1980

Empire Strikes Back

The Blue Brothers

Raging Bull

Airplane

Caddyshack

The Shining

9 to 5

Private Benjamin

Urban Cowboy

Superman II

Top TV Shows of 1980

Dallas

Dukes of Hazzard

Love Boat

M*A*S*H

The Jeffersons

Magnum PI

Three's Company

Little House on the Prairie

Diff'rent Strokes

Top US News of 1980

- Mount St. Helen erupts

- Pac-Man is released, CNN is officially launched
- Richard Pryor is badly burned after trying freebase cocaine
- record-high summer heat wave across nation
- John Lennon shot outside his NYC home
- Ronald Reagan, former California Governor & Hollywood actor, wins presidential election
- Millions tune into Dallas for "Who shot J.R.?"

Weather Lesson #1: Take Cover in Central Texas Hail Storms

The old adage If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait a few minutes proved all too true last week when we got totally nailed by the craziest hail storm I have ever experienced. Wasn't home more than 20 minutes when golf-sized hail (a few the size of my fist) began violently pelting the house - the cars - and the garden. Thunderous noise, animals scurrying, jclog moving garage junk in a panic. Within an hour the sun was shining!?!?

Damage Assessed: no broken windows, lots of car dents, roof condition TBD, 2 tomato plants gone - other than that, business is back to normal in the ATX.

Gardening Lesson #1: Wear gloves and sunscreen

I had recently read about the White House garden as well as the history of victory gardens, a national movement during WWII to encourage Americans to plant and grow local produce. I have fond memories of snapping beans and playing around in my grandfathers' gardens. Around these parts, Its practically vogue to do something so earthy. And jclog has proven to be quite the green thumb.

So, basically, we now have a backyard garden. Hopefully, all of our sweat equity will pay off. Stay tuned.

Items planted:
3 tomato (2-homestead, 1-san marino)
2 basil
thyme
oregano
2 zucchini
6-8 banana peppers
6-8 cucumber






















jclog bought a rain barrel from the City of Austin (see large plastic green thing to the right) and uses it to water the yards and all the plants. Apparently, my paternal great grandmother washed her hair in rain water. Haven't tried it......yet.

Cultural Lesson #1: La Tavola di San Guiseppe

Growing up in a Sicilian-American family provided me with plenty of interesting cultural and ethnic perspectives. Of course, most of these perspectives are rooted in tradition, religion, and.....FOOD!!

Case in point: La Tavola di San Guiseppe. Or, in English: St. Joseph's Altar.

It had been a few years since I last observed this intriguing Sicilian tradition. I got the chance to this year and wanted to share this cultural experience with you.

Goda di (Enjoy)!!

The St. Joseph Altar is Sicilian in origin. During the Middle Ages, a terrible famine swept through Sicily. The people fervently prayed to St. Joseph, their patron saint, for an end to the death and starvation. They promised that they would prepare a feast in his honor if he would save them. Because of their petitions he answered them and the famine ended. As they had promised, they prepared a table with food they had harvested. After paying homage to St. Joseph, the food is distributed to less fortunate.

The Altar is set up in three tiers, representing the Holy Trinity. A statue of St. Joseph is placed on the top tier, surrounded by flowers, greenery, and fruit. No meat is prepared for the Altar because the Feast Day of St. Joseph falls during Lent. Breads, cakes and cookies, baked in symbolic Christian shapes are prepared for the altar. Pastries in the shape of chalices, crosses, doves, lambs, fish, Bibles, hearts, wreaths and palms adorn the tiers of the altar. Symbols of St. Joseph such as lilies, staffs, sandals, ladders, saws, hammers and nails are also included.

There is symbolism in other items on the altar as well. Bread crumbs represent the sawdust of St. Joseph, the carpenter. Twelve whole fish represent the apostles. Wine is symbolic of the Miracle at Cana. The Altar is a medium petition and thanksgiving. Petitions of the faithful are written on pieces of paper and placed in baskets on the altar. Photos of deceased relatives and friends may decorate the altar as well.

Another unique feature of the altar is the fava bean. In Sicily, favas were cattle fodder, but during the great famine people ate them to survive. They were fortunate to have favas to eat, hence the fava beans became known as lucky beans. Some believe that the pantry that contains favas will never be bare. The fava serves as a token on the altar as a reminder of God’s provisions, through the intercession of St. Joseph.

The custom of the Holy Family’s search for food and shelter is an integral part of the St. Joseph Altar celebration. Children are selected to represent Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the Saints. The ritual begins with St. Joseph knocking on three doors. At the first two doors, people inside ask, “Who is there?” The response is, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph.” “What do you want?” they ask. They respond, “We seek food and shelter.” They are told, “There is no room for you here.” When the Holy Family arrives at the third door, (where the altar is), St. Joseph says , “We seek food and shelter.” The joyful response is, “Welcome to this house! The table is set. The food is prepared. Come in and honor us with your presence!”

After going inside, the Holy Family and the Saints are treated to a meal that traditionally includes a taste of each item an the Altar. A family member, who serves the food, accompanies each of the Saints. The atmosphere during this part of the meal is quiet and reverent. After they have finished their traditional meal, everyone is then able to enjoy the feast as well.

What's on the menu? MANGIA!
pasta, souga, uova
(pasta, sauce, egg)
pasta malanese
(pasta, anchovies, fennel)
fagioli cassoeula
(green bean casserole)
fennochi fritte
(fried fennel patties)
insalata (salad)
pane (bread)
caffee (coffee) & te (tea)
cucidatti (fig cookies)
biscotti (plain ring cookies)
giulaine (seed cookies)
pinulate (haystacks)
checchia (garbanzo beans)

me & mio Nana

History Lesson #1: Franklin's 13 Virtues to Live By

A few years ago, my family and I ventured to the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences and happened upon an exhibit on Benjamin Franklin - WOW!! What an amazing human and bravo to our Founding Fathers!!

Old Benny was a pretty fascinating guy to say the least. But, what really struck me was his determined adherence to a self-made list of "Virtues to Live By". At age 20, he came up with 13 different virtues, based on personal behaviors and social character traits, and went as far as to keep a daily journal monitoring his progress on each of them until his death at 84.

Obviously, some come easier than others. I like the idea and I'm working it out.

TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.
SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.
ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.
RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.
TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.
HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.