Month: April 2020

The other day I was hiking in this apocalyptic world we are all enjoying (sarcasm) and while I am not advocating ignoring our wonderfully disconnected leaders in IcontrolyouFornia, I’m saying that if I were to go hiking, it’s possible that the scene might resemble a mini Stonehenge at some point during the imaginary hike.

Which is to say there are some very creative people that were also not ignoring our beloved politicians. (sarcasm) In fact, even though this photo might be faked, it could be located along the Limekiln Hiking trail near Corbin and Rinaldi in Porter Ranch. IF, and a big IF it was a real photo.

Even so, I find it comforting that others are also braving the outdoors amid sneers from onlookers with useless pieces of cloth attached to their chinny chin chins.

Now “The Walking Dead” which at one time was my all-time favorite for a brief spell, where zero masks were worn as everyone had been previously exposed in the world, was a depiction of a possible real world enactment of what could really happen! Come-on, Rick was saving almost everyone, in five minute increments during the show. You could count his failures and successes on your fingers and toes each episode. 

So, a mini Stonehenge is kinda cool. Encouraging. Even the graffiti below gives a refreshing feel to an otherwise Crazyfornia where you can lose your job, can’t pay bills, fink on your neighbor for not staying 6ft away, wait in long supermarket lines for one roll of paper towels and spend most of the day catching up on Netflix series and a few other shows.

I thought to myself, “I must share this” so, here I am sharing. Amazing how thoughts can become actions…(smile) 

Yep. It’s that time again. March and April are when the first generation Monarch butterflies lay eggs on milkweed. About 4 days later they begin to hatch and the tiny caterpillars start munching on the milkweed. Two weeks after that, they find a nice place to attach themselves too, and begin the transformation into a chrysalis.

For the next 10 days an amazing metamorphosis is taking place within the chrysalis. On the outside, it doesn’t look like much. But soon the butterfly emerges to live a short life of anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Feeding on flowers seemingly without a care in the world until it lays eggs and the next generation is born in May/June starting the cycle again. The third generation is July/August and the forth generation is September/October. However, the forth generation plays out a bit different as this is the only generation that lives almost 6 months until that new first generation is started again. So unlike every generation before which only lasts 2-6 weeks, the forth won the lottery.

So mother nature has once again insured that the beautiful Monarch’s cycle keeps it going for an entire year. Never becoming over populated as well.

I think I was a butterfly in a former life.

Ever had that late night craving for a snack? One that crunches yet has an airy texture, just a tad of salt?

WOW! Me too! I have that sometimes. In fact a few weeks ago I went to make a small batch of my favorite seasoned popcorn. That’s when I discovered my popcorn maker was no longer working. Cry, sniff. Should I make it the old fashioned way, in a pot? Nah, I always burned it. So, the search for a new machine began in earnest.

I scoured the internet (nah, but it sounds good) checking various big box stores like Walmart, Target and even Ross! Amazon and ebay, along with local bargain outlets etc. I was beginning to think this was a somewhat overboard search. I mean, it’s just a popcorn machine. Could the reason for my intense search be somehow related to my childhood? Possibly. Although I personally believe my financial and living situation along with lack of funds inspired me to find inexpensive snack materials. Such as… YEP! Popcorn.

Fast forward to now… my machine was on the blink. Years past I tried an air popper. Nah. Popcorn always tasted like an incomplete treat. Jiffy POP. Now there’s a fun way to make it. However for me, the bottom always burned some. Before you say “Carl, you weren’t doing it right.” I already know I wasn’t doing it right. Heck, my middle name was “not doing it right” at the time. Still, there was something missing from jiffypop that I couldn’t quite classify.

Microwave popcorn. Nope. Too many issues and strange flavors for me. Heck, the price was right at the local dollar store. But then I started reading about various issues with the lining inside and diseases associated with it. Kinda made my head spin. So, microwave popcorn was crossed off the list.

Having a bonfire in the backyard, letting the flames die down and heating the popcorn over simmering coals. Great popcorn! But tedious and time consuming. Plus with which, summer was off limits due to fire concerns. And that was my favorite time to make the stuff!

Years back I had purchased an old fashioned popcorn maker like the ones in movie theaters. But smaller. And very cool! Made excellent popcorn with it every time. Once again the shear amount of time involved made it the subject of mostly weekends. The machine I had been using (before it went to the Great Pop in the sky) was simple. A built-in bowl, a motor that would reverse directions upon getting jammed and almost perfect pop. Decision made: 2020.

Presto stirring popper. The closest replacement to my previous maker. Does it work? Heck yes. Has it burned any popcorn. Not yet. Does the popcorn come out refreshing and light, yet tender and firm? You betcha!

In fact, all this talk has me craving a tad. Off to the kitchen. Enjoy your evening.