Hey! Hey! MLK!

(An image from MLK Drive in Chicago)

Hope you all had a good civil holiday.. I was at the first MLK day celebration in Chicago, low these 20 years ago, in the State of Illinois building, where a friend was working. It was quite an experience. Hundreds of people were gathered at noon in the atrium of what then was known as "Jahn's john" for it's toilet like shape, to hear speeches by Jesse Jackson, Harold Washington and other prominent Black Chicagoans. One of the odder moments was when I heard the somewhat confusing statement, "I am not a lump-lump!" declared by then mayor, now deceased, Harold Washington. The crowd seemed to know what it meant, even if I didn't.

Other bizarre memories include an elderly black gentleman interrupting several speakers with the exhortation, "Bring it on HOME, BROTHER! Bring it ON HOME!". It was quite a revivalistic atmosphere. White faces were always in the minority, even more so as the speeches went on. By the time the event was closed with a group sing-along of "We Shall Overcome", it was quite painfully evident that I was the only obviously non-Black person in the audience. When we got to the stanza "Black and white together" - everyone just turned and stared at me. I was never so grateful for a "Bring it on HOME!" as just then.

Trader Joe's Update IV

Get back Loretta! The opening date for St. Louis Park has been moved back one month, to May! *general gnashing of teeth*. I spoke with TJ's customer service at (626) 599-3817 Should you be interested in calling on your own and logging a request for having a TJ's in St. Paul! The official word is " The projected opening date of May 19th 2006 with a 1,380 SQF store (which is on the larger side). Stay tuned!

Camel Therapy?

Sounds like a bad Norwegian joke, but this was on the front page of one of Sweden's leading papers (Dagens Nyheter) today:

Municipal camels will help refugees

Authorities in Löten, 120 km north of Oslo, want to help refugees with the aid of camels, Dagbladet's net edition reports.

Wenche Stenseth, the official in charge of refugee questions in the county, has requested an extra requisition of 1 million Norwegian crowns which will pay for the purchase of 10 to 20 camels [and bring them to Norway].

At present, over 100 non-European refugees are staying in Löten, the majority from Somalia and Sudan. They have a difficult time in getting jobs and adjusting. However, many of them have previous experience in camel husbandry.

If they would be able to take advantage of their camel skills then this would make their integration easier, reasoned Stenseth. The Norwegian Immigration Bureau has not commented on her request, but there is skepticism from Norwegian equivalent of the FDA:

"Camels are consdiered 'exotic animals' and therefore require special import permission," says the regional director, Eivind Liven.

Another sign o' the times

Miss Tess looks quite partied out.

Practical Advice

Who knew this was a science? Here are instructions on how to buy a t-shirt.

"A God For All Seasons"

Cataloging books today, I found this poem written for me when I was a girl by a family friend, Milton "Milt" J. Fink. Here it is, as written:

A God For All Seasons

Oh Lord
You are my God in winter
As well as in spring, summer and fall
In childhood, but even more so in maturity.

When the sun shines within me
I am ever mindful
That it is Your sun.
When I feel the lightning of inspiration
And meaningful creativity results
I know the source of the lightning.
And when illness or disaster strikes
I know You are behind the darkest cloud
And this feeling helps me heal,
And gives me the strength to go on.
To deny You
Would make me a meaningless actor
In the theatre of the absurd.

And so
I worship Thee in Awe
I pray to You in Thanksgiving
But most of all
I sing unto Thee in joy --
I sing unto Thee in great joy.


Milton J. Fink '77

Stalking the Wild Snow Carrot

So, if a snowman can have a carrot for a nose, why can't a snow carrot have a snowman for a nose?

Whole-Wheat Challah

Since one of my readers complained that I never publish "health-friendly" recipes, I submit here for your consideration, a healthy challah recipe. Now, by me, challah is yellow, light and basically a twinkie, as far as the glycemic index goes. But here is a recipe which is quite light and might even be half-way good for you. I haven't tried braiding it yet, myself. Should make 4-6 loaves or 60 rolls or any permutation of either.

Whole-Wheat Challah

4 c. warm water
3 tbsp dry yeast
1/2 c. oil, corn or safflower
1/2 c. honey
4 eggs
12 - 13 c. whole wheat flour
1 tbsp. kosher salt - don't skip this as it regulates the rising of the yeast

Create a yeast sponge by mixing water, yeast and salt in a really big bowl. Add oil, honey and eggs. Blend well then mix in about 5 cups of the flour until smooth. Cover and let rise about 1 hour (maybe less) until it is very bubbly. If not, you have bad yeast and throw the whole thing out.

Add most of the rest of the flour, reserving say 1/2 a cup for the bread board and salt Turn onto bread board or other floured surface and knead for 10 min. Add remaining flour as needed to keep from sticking. Braid or shape into loaves and/or rolls. Let rise for a second time, 45 - 1 hr. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with seeds, if you like this.

Preheat oven to 350 and when oven is hot, place risen loaves on middle rack for 45 - 1 hr. Baked loaves will sound hollow when tapped. Cool on racks out of pans.