Let’s talk tilapia. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn bella mushrooms and carrots, Tilapia, Wild Horse pinot noirLeave a comment

I made dinner last night.  Baked tilapia, mashed potatoes and my own creation of sauteed bella mushrooms and carrots.  Ciao Bella key lime graham sorbet with fresh mango for dessert.

Tilapia does not have the omega-3 star power of some other fish, but it is good, healthy and relatively free from the chemicals that plague the larger fish.  I marinated two tilapia filets in olive oil (tilapia is a somewhat porous fish), then rolled them in finely-grated romano and Italian bread crumbs.  I sauteed (in olive oil) for about 2 minutes a side, then baked in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.  Perfecto!  My wife, however, advises against sauteeing.  She’d stick with the baking. . . .  

The mashed potatoes were the small, white organic potatoes.  Washed and peeled only for “eyes.”  Boil for 15 minutes (or until tender) then mashed in 1/4 stick of butter, a few ounces of garlic cheddar cheese and a little skim milk.  Salt, pepper and a little garlic powder.  Mercy! 

I also got two stringers of carrots.  Washed, peeled and then cut in small pieces.  I added chopped Bella mushrooms (carefully washed).  I put the mix in a fry pan and sauteed with olive oil, some tarragon, salt and pepper.   I added some honey (see post of  November 19,2011) to caramelize and add flavor.  I covered the pan and stirred often to keep the mix from burning.  Once the carrots were al dente, it was done.   

A wee bit of wine (Wild Horse pinot noir) was the perfect accompaniment.  It doesn’t get any better.  And the points rolled in . . . . (see posts of May 6 and 8, 2012).    

The Old Testament

On By scottpetersenIn Favorite Bible verses, Old Testament, TanakhLeave a comment

I just finished reading the Old Testament (also called the Tanakh).  Took me about 15 months (between other books).  Wow!  What a journey.   Some of it was powerful.  Some inscrutable.  Some scary and much was encouraging.  I did not come upon any Old Testament comedians though the word “laugh” does appear 96 times in 93 verses. . . .

There was a lot to like in this literary endeavor.  I came across verses that spoke to me or just educated me:

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might.”   Ecclesiastes 9:10.  I keep this on a 3″ x 5″ card.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying ‘who shall I send?  Who will go for us?’ and I said ‘here am I.  Send me.‘”  Isaiah 6:8.  This too. . . .

Isaiah 9:5 and 6 provides the refrain from Handel’s “Messiah.”   And Isaiah 40:1 and 2 gives the opening lines of Handel’s masterpiece.   

Isaiah 40:4 and 5 offer famous lines from Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech.

There is Psalm 17:8 which I quoted in my Father of the Bride speech at my daughter’s wedding:  “She will always be the apple of my eye and in the shadow of my wings.” 

And of course there’s Proverbs 17:28 — “Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.  And he that shutteth his lips is deemed a man of understanding.”   This passage tracks my father’s frequent though not-entirely-Biblical counsel when I was young “better for you to keep your mouth shut and have people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and have them know you are one.”   

“The Honeymooners”

On By scottpetersenIn The HoneymoonersLeave a comment

We all have favorite T.V. shows.  Donna likes “Dancing with the Stars” and a couple other network offerings.  For me, there is not much that captures my attention.  “Squawk Box” while I’m having breakfast and reading the newspaper.  The Weather Channel if the weather is “iffy.”   But there is one program that I love to watch.  Pretty much anytime.  “The Honeymooners.”  Talk about an upper.   I have seen each of the episodes perhaps a couple dozen times.  And I never get tired of it.  This series is iconic. . . . . 

“The Honeymooners” — which was based on a “Cavalcade of Stars” sketch that ran from 1951 to 1955 —  had only 39 original episodes (I have them all on DVD :)).  The series aired in 1955 and ended in 1956.  The stars were Jackie Gleason (1916-1987) as Ralph Kramden; Art Carney (1918-2003) as Ed Norton; Audrey Meadows (1926-1996) as Alice Kramden; and Joyce Randolph (born 1924) as Trixie Norton.  When the episodes ended, Gleason revived the program for occasional short sketches up until 1978. 

The shows were filmed before a live audience at the Adelphi Theater in New York.  Rehearsals were spare since Gleason wanted spontaneity.   When he forgot a line, he would pat his stomach (which he seemed to do with some frequency. . . . ).    Alice would look at the refrigerator. . . . .  There was nuance and hilarity.  Ronnie Burns, son of George and Gracie, made a cameo appearance in one episode as bebopper “Wallace.”  In another episode, Norton refers to a coworker as Nat Birnbaum.  George Burns real name was “Nathan Birnbaum.”  In 1960, the animation “The Flintstones” was based in large measure on “The Honeymooners.”   

The only living cast member is Joyce Randolph.  There are wonderful recent interviews where she spoke of the show – and her fellow cast members (see http://www.emmytvlegends.org/blog/?p=4710 ).

The theme song was actually written by Jackie Gleason.   And away we go. . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSFSkiq1FXE 

So this guy. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn So this guyLeave a comment

So this guy goes to the doctor.  The doc says “I’ve got bad news for you and I’ve got worse news.” 

The guy says – “Okay – what’s the bad news?” 

Doc says “You’ve got 24 hours to live.”

Guy says “That’s TERRIBLE!   What’s the worse news?”

Doc hesitates . . . . “Well, I should’ve told you yesterday.” 

Semper Paratus

On By scottpetersenIn Be Prepared, Eagle Scout, Semper paratusLeave a comment

As a Boy Scout (I am an Eagle Scout), I learned to live by the Scout motto “Be Prepared.”  I should’ve taken that motto more to heart when I went off to college. . . .

The first week of my freshman year — I was in a beginning political science course with the dour and very serious Dr. Erickson.   Dr. Erickson had assigned the class to review something-or-other for the next class.   However, given the newfound freedom of being away from home for the first time at the age of 17 (I had skipped a grade), and given the wide world of temptations that lurked, I walked into class that day without having read a word of our assigned project. 

Dr. Erickson droned on – and on – walking back and forth – as I stared out the window on a warm September afternoon.  Pondering my freedom and possible exploitation of it.  Suddenly I was distracted when I heard my name.  “Mister Petersen” he said.  “Please explain [yadda yadda].”   I hadn’t a clue.  So I spoke up easily “I’m not prepared” and I went back to looking out the window.

“Mister Petersen . . . . stand up.”  Huhh??  “Stand up Mister Petersen.”   I stood.  “Soooo. . . .you’re not prepared.  You’re not prepared today.  So you probably won’t be prepared tomorrow.  Or next week.  Or perhaps ever.”  Sweat began dripping down my neck . . . . “I feel sorry for you Mister Petersen.  You might try . . . at least try . . . to be prepared.”  

Lesson learned.  From that day on, I was prepared.  Oh and Dr. Erickson?  He became my mentor and faculty advisor.  Poly sci was my major.   Semper paratus. . . . .  

Thank you, Captain. . . .

On By scottpetersenIn Napoleon, Thank you CaptainLeave a comment

One of my favorite stories relates to Napoleon* — the Grand Emperor of the French Republic.  Napoleon was at a parade of troops outside of Paris.  His Marshalls, his staff and his officers were all present.  As Napoleon was reviewing the troops, a small animal ran from a bush startling his horse.  The horse bucked.  Reared up.  And Napoleon fell backward in his saddle, clinging precariously to the reins.  No one moved.  Except for a young private who sprinted from the lines.  His rifle clattered to the ground.  His hat flew off.  The private grabbed the reins of the Emperor’s horse, unceremoniously shoved Napoleon back into the saddle and snapped to attention. 

Napoleon looked around.  At his Marshalls.  His staff.  His officers.  And then down at the young private.  In a booming voice, Napoleon said “Thank you. . . Captain.” 

The young man – obviously flustered – responded “Of what regiment, Sir?” 

Napoleon laughed.  “Of my personal guard.” 

The story speaks of courage and the occasional need for immediate action.  How often do we “pass by” those who may need help?  Those in trouble?  People who may need a hand?  Someone who needs a kind word?  I dunno – but when I’m confronted by situations like this, the story of the young but courageous private comes to mind.   

*Source – Billy Sunday, the Man and His Message by William T. Ellis

The End of Illness

On By scottpetersenIn Dr. David Agus, Inflammation, Migraines, The End of IllnessLeave a comment

Dr. David Agus, an oncologist at the University of Southern California, has a new book out — The End of Illness.  In his book, Dr. Agus speaks of the various remedial things we can do to stay healthy (the usual – get up and walk around, frozen fruit is better than fresh if you are “juicing,” take the stairs, avoid some vitamins, avoid stress, and so on). 

However, there was one comment that I found verrrry interesting.  Cancer, he said, can be a product of unremitting inflammation.  Thus keeping inflammation down — or at a minimum — should be a goal.  What can we do?  He recommends a baby aspirin every day.   The baby aspirin – or aspirin in general – does more than just promote heart health, it helps moderate the inflammation which can be a catalyst to more serious maladies. 

I have long carried aspirin in my briefcase and even on the golf course given its palliative effect on heart attacks and migraines (an aspirin will often help relieve the symptoms of a migraine because of its palpable and prompt expansion of blood vessels).   Seems like aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is worth a serious look for more than just heart health.*

*Check with your doctor before taking or otherwise using aspirin.

And Speaking of Conservation

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, JustturnitoffLeave a comment

I go to a fitness center two or three times a week.  In the locker room, I see guys standing at the sinks.  Shaving.  They leave the water running full blast.   And they talk to friends.  Shave.  Talk.  An occasional rinse of the razor.  And the water runs.  Good, clean, fresh water.  Full blast.   Down the drain.  

In my post of July 26, 2011, I spoke of my registered trademark — JUST TURN IT OFF.  A trademark I have used in connection with small efforts in the direction of energy and water conservation.   It is something everyone can do.  Easily.  Shaving?  Turn the water on – and off – as needed.  It’s a small thing but it counts.   Shower?  Turn it on, get wet.  And turn it off while you soap down (I think I actually get “cleaner” this way).  Then rinse.  Going from room to room?  Turn off unneeded lights and energy.    Waiting in your car?  Turn off the engine. 

It doesn’t sound like much but just think if everyone saved one gallon of water a day.  That’s 300,000,000 plus gallons of clean, fresh water.   Save a quart?  That’s still 75,000,000 gallons a day.   Our children and grandchildren may need that water down the road.  I – like you – want it to be there. 

Try it.  Just turn it off. . . . .

Conservation

On By scottpetersenIn Conservation, Energy Conservation1 Comment

My great friend Antonio, who lives in Monterrey, Mexico (see post of March 12, 2012), and I were communing about how conservation worked when we were young (he is a few years younger than me).  It was pretty simple.  

Bottles were returned for a deposit – then reused.  Clothes were dried on a line – by solar and wind power.  Not 220 volt dryers.  Diapers were washed and reused.  We had one television in the house with a screen the size of a placemat.  There were no “stadium sized” t.v.’s.  Our moms used an egg beater (there was no blender).  And when we shipped Christmas presents, our parents crumpled newspaper for packing.  There were no plastic “peanuts” or bubble wrap.  We cut the grass with a hand mower.    Wardrobes were pretty modest.  No “new models” except hand-me-downs.   There were no plastic water bottles (which today are made, used in a minute and thrown out by the trillions).  There was one water glass by the kitchen and bathroom sinks — that everyone used.   Rinse to clean – drink.   And stores and businesses had water fountains.  Thirsty?  Use the water fountain.   And dad changed razor blades in his Schick razor.  Nothing disposable. . . .  

Have we become lazy and complacent?  You tell me.   We hear the political trumpets sounding about saving the environment and how we must look forward and not back.  But I do think that looking backward – at least in some areas – could sure provide a lesson for looking ahead.