Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe: Chicken & Waffles

Last evening I was taken by son Andrew (sponsored by his wife Carla) to the Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe in Grosse Pointe Farms.  We saw a terrific show by the Planet D Nonet which for the uninitiated is a nine piece musical ensemble.  These are all local musicians mostly from the east side.  They play music from the American past on unadorned instruments with real expressive talent.  The tunes are from the bandstand an featured numerous fine solo efforts and tasty full band melodies.  There are many fine players including a trumpeter that has the vibrato of Pops and a baritone sax player with the lungs of a lion that could raise the roof of the building.  I had a pleasant exchange with the band leader thanking him and  recounting my past experience with his uncle Bud Spangler in my mispent youth.  He was truly appreciative that his uncle was so fondly remembered.

 This experience again makes me appreciate the beauty of live performance.  Go see some live music regardless of the genre.

I had chicken and waffles as an entree.  Now one as culturally backward as me never would have considered this as a meal choice.  This is truly a magical dish prepared correctly.  The fried chicken (o my god!) sitting on top of syrup coated waffles perfectly complement each other.  The chef at this venue has is down pat.

What a surprise, we have snow as our spring gift from the weather fairy in Michigan on March 31st.  Should not be surprised.  Its the slap that lets you know where you are. Supposed to be moved off by later today.

all for now


 

Shortsighted Observations

We had a swell time with Paxton and Everett today while their parents enjoyed some grownup time with friends.  So I am feeding Everett and he falls asleep in my arms.  He is laying on my lap with his hands resting on mine.  His little hands with dimpled knuckles and pink fingernails resting on my beat up paws, veiny, thin skinned and wrinkled prompted an obvious observation.  He is at the beginning of his journey and mine winding is down.  I am not complaining only happy to participate in his life and the lives of all my grand children.  His brother is making progress in potty training and was a success with us,  needless to say was quite proud of himself. 

We binged on a new Netflix series "After Life", staring, written by and directed by Ricky Gervais and a terrific ensemble. At first, the accented and colloquial language takes a little heavy listening. Penelope Wilton (from Downton Abbey) is particularly outstanding.  This starts slow in the first few episodes and but grows on you and keep saying, one more episode.  Then you cannot stop till the end.  This becomes more like reading a good book with each episode equaling a chapter in a novel.  It is that kind of series.  If you get the opportunity, watch it.

Short one today
all for now

Dragging thru the rest of winter and happiness of babies

Everett and Uncle Andrew

Everett and Aunt Shannon

Well we have endured the Polar Vortex, ice storms and 6 inch snowfalls.  But still we prevail.  I am genuinely sick of the weather and looking forward to milder temperatures.  Considering the catastrophe of climate change driven tornadoes in the south, we are fortunate. 

Its Sunday morning and Shannon stayed over for her usual weekend visit.  She insists on watching Handy Manny "Bike Episode" for her first TV selection of the day. Of course, Beauty and the Beast will follow.   Despite the drippy/windy day, all seems right with the world.

We cared for Everett our newest grandson last night while parents and older brother went to the Monster Trucks.  This is he and Shannon snuggling and Uncle Andrew (from a few nights before). I was really out of baby practice when this one arrived and felt a little unsure of myself in his care.  All that is gone now.  I'm a decent feeder and rocker still remembering the baby dance from all the kids before him.  Holding and rocking him provides me with contentment that words fail to describe.  He falls asleep and is relaxed with little mouth hanging open, truly magical. 

Stephen Colbert's presidential barbs are so many,  they have ceased to be funny because this isn't a funny situation, alarming would be a better adjective.  It is becoming difficult to watch.  Cory Booker was on and is a highlight.  He seems to be relentlessly positive and a happy warrior.  Unfortunately, he doesn't have a snowballs chance in that he is young and African American.  

Watched an amazing small film recently on Netflix, titled The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind about a
young man that invents a wind turbine to extract water from the village well to provide irrigation to his arid farm and feed the starving village.  This is a true hero and genius from humble beginnings.  If you have this service, look it up, time well spent.

My 69th birthday is coming up, really no cause to celebrate, on the very short side of 70.  I suppose the real gift of retirement is the time to ponder small things and feelings.  Life's business got in the way before.

all for now