Poems...

"I have listened to many poems
Short and tall, Loud and soft
Dottie with glasses was hard to listen to

I want to write poetry
But, my mind is concrete
Dottie's brain is pink and sparkly

Dates, timelines, facts, and figures
I am responsible for these
My words are not abstract

Genocide is not beautiful
The Arab-Israeli Conflict and Vietnam War
are my profession

Yum-O

Since today was Patriot's Day and I had the day off from school, I had lots of time on my hands to relax!  I decided that I would try a new recipe, get some work done, and take a long walk.  After waking up and feeling super relaxed, I knew I wanted to try something in the slow cooker so I could smell it all day.


Coq au Vin was the answer. At first I was little intimidated.  My kitchen is quite small.  I have only a little area for prep, the stove (which is mini), and the sink.  Balancing plates and cutting boards at precarious angles, I started with the bacon.  The smell was just delicious.  My favorite bacon is by Nature's Rancher and as far as  I know you can only purchase this at Whole Foods.  It is seriously worth the trip! This step was of course easy.  Just a pan and some bacon strips.  The best part was seeing my dogs salivate as their nostrils were assaulted with the caramelizing hickory scent.

Step two: The Chicken
In the same pan as the bacon which is blackened and charred over, two tablespoons of butter are added and the chicken thighs (fat trimmed) covered in salt/pepper and flour and are basted and browned.  Scrapping up the brown bits, the chicken is removed from the heat and the veggies are sauteed.

Step Three: The Crock Pot aka Secret Weapon
Combine all ingredients into the crock pot. Add chicken broth, thyme, and wine (and take a swig for the chef!)  The cover and simmer/cook for 6-7 hours.

Step Four: The Aroma
Sit back and enjoy as your home is filled with the delicious smells of bacon, wine, and rustic France.    And wait patiently for the main event: Dinner time!

It was worth the weight and I highly recommend giving this recipe try. I am not the best chef but this meal was manageable, fun, and it made love to the taste buds!

Next time I am deeply in love with my cooking, I will make sure to take my own photo of it. But, you get the idea.

Endurance

This Monday in Boston is "Marathon Monday." Runners from around the globe converge on the city for the epic 26.2 mile test of endurance. It is so funny that we commemorate this mileage considering the first to accomplish the task died upon crossing the "finish line."  Opinions on marathons are quite diverse. Some avid runners find it to be the Everest of their profession. Others see it merely as a way of being cruel to one's body.  Feet slapping the pavement, knees banging together, and sweat dripping contribute to what they feel is a grueling and unnecessary feat.  I understand this opinion especially after having my own knee injury while training for a half marathon.  Nevertheless, there is something magical about watching hundreds of men and women commit to this Monday in Boston.  So many run for charity, so many run for a purpose, so many run to prove something to someone. I sit on the curb every year and feel emotional as each passes me by.  I do not have the endurance nor the knees to do their task. Yet, I envy them.  When they cross that line they have crossed something off of their list. It is hard not to be emotional as a bystander. Some fall injured along the way and the spirit of the crowd lifts them up.  It is a true testament that the human species is still intrinsically good. For this purpose, I watch year after year proud.

Miscellany