Martin at Matins.

For over 22 years, I have begun my morning on Tipperary Drive with a pre-dawn observance of the Daily Office, specifically Morning Prayer (Matins). Reading the Bible, prayer and making intercessions for those in need of prayer.

On most mornings, our 10 year old feline, Martin Luther Kitty, joins me (after his kibble breakfast).

This is the last day we will be doing this in this spot. A new routine begins to evolve starting tomorrow morning, in parts removed.

The Runaway Scrape, the Battle of Plum Creek.

Evangelism

Truth be told, Part 3

Truth be told, Part 2

"When a man says he approves of something in principle, it means he hasn't the slightest intention of putting it into practice."

- Otto von Bismarck

Seems simple enough.

1 John 4:20-21

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Seems simple enough.

1 John 4:20-21

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Then and soon.

6045 Bryan Parkway, Dallas Texas
A Craftsman-style home converted into a Cad Cod-style home (following a roof fire). This was my grandmother's house off of Swiss Avenue. I lived there, ca. 1950-1953, and again in 1968 (before heading off to college and worse).

1375 Fairway Drive, Kyle Texas
A Craftsman-style home built in 2004. There are similarities in my eyes.

This will be "home" effective end of the business day 12/31/2011. I wonder if the HOA will let me paint the door red?

How many fingers am I holding up?

Steak finger basket. Pure, wicked delight of my youth, with thick-cut fries and Texas Toast. The best I've had came from the old (pre-hipster) Scholz Garten next to the State Capitol in Austin.

Learn more below.
Steak fingers with jalapeno cream gravy | Homesick Texan

Not the prayer of Jabez.

Psalm 118:5-6

When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
  he brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
  What can mere mortals do to me?

Snow-day chili

1886 Chili

2 lbs cubed beef (stew beef works well, or brisket), 1 inch cubes, not ground (won't stand up)
1.5 cups chopped red onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz chili powder (Pendery's is best, Bolner's Fiesta and Gebhardt’s are the best grocery store powders, or Adams, or your favorite bulk style… but no Durkee’s or other yankee powder.)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground Comino/Cumin
1 10oz can of RO*TEL Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (Medium)
16 oz beer (Spaten Optimator is best. WARNING! The use of any Budwieser, Miller, or Coors product can result in severe abdominal cramps and/or diarrhea.)
1 tbsp Black Strap Molasses
1 tsp Masa Harina (corn meal will work)
1 dried Ancho pepper, crushed
1 smoked Jalapeño (large), chopped

Sear beef until grey. Drain off liquid. Add all ingredients to pot (or Crock Pot) EXCEPT Masa Harina.

Simmer 3 hours.
Skim grease.
Mix Masa Harina into a liquid paste and stir in.
Simmer for 1 hour, or until meat is tender.

Garnish with chopped white onions and grated cheddar cheese if desired.
Serve with saltine crackers.  East Coast Liberals may use oyster crackers without penalty.

Serves 4 to 6 people. Adjust ingredients accordingly.

ACTUALLY TASTES BEST THE NEXT DAY AFTER SETTING IN FRIDGE OVERNIGHT.
WARNING! The use of any legumes in this recipe can result in intestinal gas, severe abdominal cramps and/or diarrhea.

For the love of McIntosh.

 

Before there was Macintosh (brilliantly engineered Apple computers from Cupertino, CA), there was McIntosh Laboratories (brilliantly engineered high-fidelity electronics from Binghamton, NY). Apple Computers voluntarily paid a licensing fee to McIntosh to use the Macintosh name, even though there was no infringement (Steve Jobs was a big McIntosh fan at the time). Mac love was big at Apple.

Whiners usually have the same gripes about both products. Whine on.

McIntosh Laboratories has now released a free app for iPhones and iPads that emulates the look of a classic McIntosh amplifier as a music player (big blue power meter, green on black type). It's free, and it's fun. Get it at the iTunes App Store.

Shaped charge.

Time's up.

As played at my friend Jim Neumann's memorial on December 29th, 2010.

Quartet for the End of Time
Fifth Movement
Olivier Messiaen

Ellen Rose, viola
Pam Swendig, piano