Truth – Justice – and the American way ! By Warren Pease

 

Truth – Justice – and the American way !

By Warren Pease

*

My first awareness of what we would now call “conspiracy theories” - came to me waaaay back in my1961 High School Drivers Ed course. The teacher was Mr. “S”. It was in northern California – near Stanford. We had about 20 students in my class.

We had classroom time – learning theory, and rules of the road, and then the good bit we all were excited about - actual driving! Certain days were 'class', and some 'field', for driving - depending on the weather. The school had 2 Ford Falcons for the drivers ed courses. They were set up with 2 sets of brakes – the 2^nd brake pedal was on the passenger's side for the instructor – think panic stop.

On our weekly outings, a “Student Driver”, Teacher, and 2 hapless, and helpless, students (nervously waiting for their turn to drive – prisoners in the back seat), would set off to terrorize other drivers in the area.

Each week, 4 students were picked for the driving days. This rotating gaggle would set off on driving days – usually Saturday: we would get to drive for about 10 ish minutes or so – each. Residential neighborhoods, busy boulevards with lights and left turns, a wee bit of freeway for a 'final' .. one or two exits up the Bayshore Freeway, toward Frisco, exit and pull over in a gas station, rotate drivers – head back toward San Jose - repeat as needed. He always tried to give us each a bit of extra drive time.

He was a cool teacher and we all liked him. He was a stylish dresser, with an easygoing charm. Plus he was very patient with us driving. Best of all, he answered our odd questions about life and living. He told great jokes and stories in the slow times.

On one particularly slow rainy day, he told us an incredible story about a new car he and his wife bought. He prefaced by insisting it was completely true, but even with our natural teen skepticism , when quizzed by us afterward, he gave all the right answers – closing any and all loose ends to everyone's satisfaction, over the next hour or so!

I assure you, that after class, to a person, we all left believing it was completely true. He was religious, and a very precise engineering type - not the sort to invent stuff. This is a true story.

Here is the story he told ...

He and his wife purchased a new Ford. They wanted air conditioning built in. In those days 'Factory Air', indeed had to be custom installed at the factory. It was expensive, but handy in the summer heat. Alas, they would have to wait a few weeks to pick up the car, for the factory modification, and would be notified when it arrived.

While Mr “S” was at school teaching,his wife got a call that a trainload of new cars had finally arrived at the dealer. Delighted that it had arrived, she picked up the new car.

For the next week or so they enjoyed taking turns driving the car. One day he thanked his wife for keeping the gas tank so full. She said she hadn’t put any gas in, and assumed he was topping it up. On comparing notes, they realized neither had put gas in the car since they had picked it up the week before. The gas gauge was still reading almost full !? They had driven quite a few miles just commuting the week by then, without adding any gas!?

Hey, whats going on? Man that’s some amazing mileage!?. There was a holiday week coming up, so they decided to see how far they could go before running out of gas. Putting a 5 gallon gas can in the trunk, they headed from the San Francisco Bay Area, to Los Angeles to visit family – about 500 miles!

Well they drove to LA – visited – did some sightseeing, and drove back to the Bay Area.

Once back home, they still had a half tank of gas !? Deciding to see how many miles they could go before running out of gas, they decided to continue driving until they ran out, so redirected plans, and drove the scenic “gold rush country ”-- Highway 49 in the Sierras. At last, nearly a day later, they finally needed to use the 5 gallons of gas in the can, and turned around for home.

When they arrived – the phone was ringing – notes were in the mailbox - they were besieged by phone calls and messages from the dealer !!!

“They had been given an experimental car – destined for Stanford – delivered to them by mistake !!! – it was in the same shipment with their car – but a serial number /clerical error released the experimental car instead! Would they return it immediately!. They would be compensated, and get the car they actually ordered.! Contact the dealer immediately!”

They had the wrong car .. and Ford would like them to exchange it! Ford was offering them ...  a new car each year for life to return the car!

It turns out the car they had – was equipped with some experimental carburetor that allowed hundreds of miles per gallon !!! .. they were gobsmacked .. but under heavy pressure, made the deal .. and returned the car. They did get a new Ford every year I was in High School!?! (free???)

Wow !! – A carburetor that let you go hundreds of miles per gallon in 1961 !?!? …The gasoline companies did NOT want that to go public! Mr S and wife were told not to discuss it - or promote it .. and were forbidden to go to the press, or the new car deal every year - was off !

After intense questioning and grilling by all of us … we couldn’t find any loopholes .. he was serious – not putting us on .. but sharing a 'secret' he was bursting to share!

That’s when we teens had the light bulbs go on – and realized that what the companies 'sell and tell' on TV .. isn’t exactly what they 'know or have' in R and D !? …

Germs of doubt about official pronouncements were seeded ! What else were the great mesophysical “they” not telling us ? We started to really grow up !

Thus began my critical thinking and questioning about what was 'really' going on in the world? – out front – and behind the curtain? ..

what else were we 'not' knowing ?.. and when could we believe what 'they' tell us .. ?

Moral of story : Always – listen between the lines – whenever 'they' speak !!!

*  *  * 

In 1961, I grew up a little bit. I learned to drive a car, and got a license, but also ..

“ ...  we .... saw the enemy – and it was ... US ! ” **

Those flashes of understanding started up then – and haven’t stopped since!

200 mpg for gas in 1961 !? … hmmm ??? .. jus' sayin' ….

* * *

"Truth! – Justice! – and, The American Way!"*

Warren Pease – Out !

* * * *

* – thanks Superman !

** – Thanks Pogo !

In The Devils Garden - A Review by D. Vour - 4 of 4 revised

 Review and Commentary by D. Vour

 Gourmand, & Food Critic, at “The Home"

 “In The Devils Garden - A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”

by Stewart Lee Allen --  Ballantine Books 

Chapter Four – Conclusion

*

How we prepare foods is a big part of the food taboo story. Rules and recipes abound on precise ways to make, bake and prepare things 'legally'. Variations – authorized or unauthorized – have caused chaos, and all hell breaking loose when food violations occur. 

The Roman Catholic church, and Greek Orthodox church for example. Someone added yeast to the recipe to the communion wafers, and made little mini loafs instead of wafers, and war broke out between the factions 'til they split, a schism lasting over 900 years, until resolved in the 1960's... all that drama over a touch of some yeast bacteria - it's quite a remarkable story!

Great Chefs are almost a modern form of high priest today, but they have always held special places in society throughout the centuries. 

In some cultures the highest chef was even made the King-Priest! There is a direct symbolic relationship to a priest giving a wafer, and a chef serving a meal! 

Chefs are our modern high priests! Each one teasing us with greater and greater culinary heights and delights, vying with each other in social acceptance, and celebrity, like modern day gunslingers, each pulling us into their orbit of gastronomic experimentation with nearly spiritual food experiences! 

Each modern bite prepared by these wizards of food prep, can be virtually a quasi-religious-spiritual and orgasmic experience at once! 

Modern chefs are expanding culinary horizons to places seemingly without rules .. can this mean the end of civilization as we know it?... Are new rules evolving? Perhaps the yardstick has simply been temporarily pulled out, like a golf flag, but will be moved a bit farther out ?

Every food we enjoy today has been banned in history at some point. Garlic and onions could bring a death penalty, as have at one time or another, eggs, all types of meats, vegetables, almost every spice, many methods of preparation, and even what ingredients may, or may not, be used to 'correctly make' something - some even had punishments worse than instant death for the hapless chef (often in horrible ways related to the ill used food.. boiling in oil, roasting in an oven, or flayed and cooked along with the meal, or buried in salt!) The famous French Chef to Louis the 14^th – Vatel, is noted to have committed suicide by falling on his sword when the fish to be served ... arrived a half hour late for the Kings dinner !

Each of the seven sins is well covered here with great erudition and wit .. and it reads easily and quickly .. perfect for a kindle and limited read time .. short segments tied together for easy chapters on Lust, Gluttony, Pride, Sloth, Greed, Envy, and Anger, and he even offers an intriguing 8^th sin – “When Everything Is Allowed, And Nothing Has Flavor.” !

This whole idea of forbidden foods bumps up against a future where we currently have vast foodie 'lawlessness' – where the classic rules are tossed out in ever more adventurous culinary feats. In severe contrast, this trend is fighting against a growing wasteland of corporate food conformity.

Modern attitudes to dining, encourage creative chefs to reach out and try new things; allowing, and encouraging the meeting of disparate ingredients not traditionally used together, breaking new ground, and food laws too, whilst seeking exotic flavor profiles, and ever more complex taste horizons. 

These valiant modern priest-chefs seek to sate the demand for 'Amuse-bouche's and 'tasting' menus that are more over the top than the previous efforts. 

Battalions, and cadres of new young chefs work to fulfill ever exotic culinary demands by modern gourmands – in some irony – or homage – mirroring the extreme explorations of olden time chefs trying to meet the demands for sumptuous meals and feasts of their own times. Now, good foods are in reach of everyone, and no longer consigned to the rarefied dining of only the aristocracy.

However, on the other side of that approach, could we just as easily be facing a looming and darker corporate food future in the not too distant future; one fraught with the dangers of mass food conformity, trying to feed the increasing masses? 

This portends a dreary corporate sterility – a world without many food options – everything cardboard flavored, but “approved”? ("Soylent Green" comes to mind !?)

We have to be watchful about our modern food rules, laws, and taboos. We could just as easily be evolving to a place where the only foods being offering are those officially approved! No other foods need apply! Whoever controls the food chain controls this issue.

Where do you stand on food conformity, or genetic modifications, or mass production of your grub? The western food supply lines are getting more and more tenuous, in spite of the amazing range of seeming abundance, and choices that we enjoy in fancy western markets. 

Will our modern western cornucopia endure forever? Genetic modified grains, droughts, severe weather and storms, global climate changes, all will play a role in our food supply in years to come. Are we prepared for it?

What about places in the world that barely have one item of food for the masses; limited local grains, rice, or corn - and that's it!? Do we need to have guilt about our abundance of choice, while others have none? Is this a form of subjugation that we unwittingly play a part in ? Food laws and taboos are ever evolving, and challenging us all to stay alert and aware.

There are forces at play that want to control your food, and all your ideas about food, thus controlling your thoughts and emotions especially, so that you buy and eat what “they” want you to. Food taboos and laws are the means to control you !

It's a crazy, modern, adventurous, and even dangerous food world out there, but delicious and exciting, good, and wholesome foods still await the adventurous – enjoy, but be sure to follow the rules, and remember, only allow your “right” foods in !

End

In The Devils Garden - A Review by D. Vour - 3 of 4 revised

 Review and Commentary by D. Vour

 Gourmand, & Food Critic, at “The Home"

 “In The Devils Garden - A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”

by Stewart Lee Allen --  Ballantine Books 

Chapter Three – of Four

*

Food is a powerful tool, for good and evil; used to control people through virtually every civilization, religion, region, state, and even across continents. Throughout history for example, limiting – or preventing – certain foods has allowed subjugation of the poor.

The true story of the white potato is heartbreaking .. and I thought I knew about the Irish potato famine. I learned the tragedy was put in motion many years before, when grains were restricted, or priced out of reach, or forbidden. The English - used the white potato to subjugate the Irish, and control them. Believing the white potato was not fit for humans, it was forced -- by law --  as the only crop allowed to be grown by the 'subhuman' Irish. 

Grains were virtually non existent, and at times illegal to posses, making the lowly 'tater the only food source. When the potato blight hit, destroying all the potatoes, and ruining the only food source, it doomed millions to perish from starvation. 

There was no grain to fill the void! The resulting migration to 'greener pastures' brought millions to North America, and anywhere ...  that wasn't Ireland. The Irish were amazed at our 'land of plenty', which was certainly a remarkable, and welcome, contrast to the old country. It's no accident that the early Irish in North America settled where grains grow well !

Who you feed, invite to dinner, or don’t invite, has, each, been the cause of wars and social unrest. Religions with castes for example; if one invites another from a higher caste, they have just redefined that person as a caste lower! .. and in some cases such an invitation can bring a death penalty. 

It pays to know your place – literally .. in the 'food chain' ! Surprisingly, food has even been used in lieu of wars – to prevent fighting – there is an anecdote about a state that believes whoever throws the biggest most lavish gluttonous feast wins – when the last person can't put in one more morsel of food!

Food has been used to pit one religion against another – or even within a religion. I was unaware that the Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox Greek split apart for over 900 years over the serious philosophical argument about the use of 'yeast', or 'no yeast' in the baking of communion wafers!

We begin to see food as a primary force, moving, shaking, controlling, and shaping history. There have been food laws in every time and place throughout history; Aboriginal, Native American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and every known place around the globe. You name it, and virtually every society, culture, religion and civilization, has rules or laws about foods. There are laws to 'use', or 'not use', almost every ingestible ingredient in history. Food has played a dominant role in shaping the times, and places of history, and even all human evolution !

Everything that can be ingested has been used to control manipulate, or stimulate, in some way in its past -- you name it – there are factions on both sides of it ! Virtually every single thing you get at a modern grocery store or restaurant, has detractors, or proponents: for good or bad, either currently, or in the past. In ancient times, many things that you can't even believe could be eaten today, were prized and controlled. All foods have had their unique moment in time, and place.

... to be continued..

In The Devils Garden - A Review by D. Vour - 2 of 4 revised

 Review and Commentary by D. Vour

 Gourmand, & Food Critic, at “The Home"

 “In The Devils Garden - A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”

by Stewart Lee Allen --  Ballantine Books 

Chapter Two – of Four

*

We all have favorite foods, and some have traditional places in time, season, or related superstitions ... have you ever tossed salt over your shoulder? Ever been curious why bacon, eggs, toast, and cereal are considered just for breakfast? They weren't for centuries. How did that evolve? We have classic and traditional holiday meals – Turkey feast at thanksgiving comes to mind, or a Christmas Goose, Ham at Easter, even 'Day of the Dead' feasts for the Mexican culture. We all have foods made to celebrate various religious dates. This goes back past ancient Egypt, the Romans, and Greeks.. who have each successively co-opted the others holy day feasts … unto modern times.

Many years ago I saw an intriguing documentary on foods – exploring the idea that food was a big factor why the ancient Roman soldier was so successful. 

They contrasted what the Roman army ate against the sumptuous banquets and the omnivorous diet of the aristocracy; warrior food, versus royal food. 

The documentary recreated the soldiers recipes from ancient cookbooks, prepared, and reviewed the flavors of the foods – even checked nutritional values – It was all quite different than modern times I assure you. 

The food and flavors would never be accepted today, - using herbs, and plants,and ingredients that in modern days would never cross your lips, but were popular favorites of the Roman troops of the day. Flavors that would make a modern person gag. Overripe and putrid foods, and just 'nasty stuff'. Some dishes and sauces were too nasty and not edible ... even by the TV crew. 

However, the idea that one type of food was only acceptable to certain classes was an eye opener to this omnivorous writer … I never followed up on this interesting idea until this book arrived .. but I digress..

I will try to give a sense of the depth and scope of this insanely fun, informative and equally challenging tome. There is a remarkable range of food information covered, and I doubt that I will ever think about any food in the same way ever again. 

The author - Steward Lee Allen – makes wonderful and remarkably intriguing connections, and tells amazing and fascinating stories of how foods have been used to shape history. He utilizes a clever format for the sections, the seven deadly sins. 

He ties these sins to an incredible array of foods and ideas; religious, political, and social. He offers great anecdotes about how these foods have come to associated with the appropriate sins. With 10 pages of fine print bibliography, it is very well researched. 

This book reads like a travelogue around the globe, but through time and places, past and present, covering the four corners. and several ancient civilizations !

Each chapter starts with an appropriate menu to that sin, and there are a few incredible recipes offered from the menus, all done with a delightful bit of tongue in cheek wit liberally applied, reflecting a modern twist on some interesting old foods or drinks – all worth trying at home. Absinthe with Champagne sounded pretty interesting. All look fun, some for curiosity, some because they still taste great ! .

This is a complicated tale of how food has played a role in evolving everything – all aspects of history -- not just physical history, but the whole evolution of our core religious, sociological, anthropological, political, emotional and psychological beliefs! It's a tale of how these ideas and beliefs can be manipulated by society, social organizations, corporations and religions, to affect what we believe, and thus ultimately in modern times : how we buy, eat and see the products we get – often symbolically.

Ketchup, is our modern metaphor for 'blood' (representing a fresh kill when we go out 'hunting' for food -ie driving for a burger). We learn that salads are traditionally 'woman’s food'. As an historical fact, at one time in the 1800's, women were only allowed to eat salads.. meat was forbidden, thus today, commercials selling salads feature women, because we have been inculcated by time and DNA, and traditions, that salads are for 'women folk'.

Conversely, meat is for men. We only see 'He-men' at a BBQ grill in TV meat commercials ! (how would you feel seeing a woman grilling a steak, or a football player eating a dainty salad in those commercials?) - these feelings are created and manipulated to make us think a certain way, by promoting or prohibiting foods! We even have had restrictions on what we can eat on certain days; meatless Monday, fish on Friday. Marketeers know that everyone likes to break rules .. so if it is 'forbidden' or Taboo, you will crave it. We tend to give higher marks to food we feel guilty about. Ever feel guilty eating something? That was because you were manipulated to feel that guilt.. and guilt sells! If you put a warning label on food .. the sales surge ! Why?

This book helps us understand a lot of those why's !

... to be continued..

In The Devils Garden - A Review by D. Vour - 1 of 4 revised

Review and Commentary by D. Vour 

 Gourmand, & Food Critic, at “The Home"

 “In The Devils Garden - A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”

by Stewart Lee Allen --  Ballantine Books 

Chapter One of Four 

*

I just finished reading one of the most interesting books I've ever come across. 

I found it completely by accident as these things usually do, I was looking for another book with a similar title, but mis-typed the search, and by pure synchronicity,   'The Devils Garden' popped up. I saw that it was a history of forbidden food .. which immediately caught my fancy, how fascinating .. !?

I checked it out from the library, and started reading the prologue. I was instantly... hooked -- line and sinker too ! 

I could see that I was going to be caught up in an exciting maelstrom of swirling new ideas to me about food: Taboos ! 

Food as social engineering – who knew? How could we not be fascinated with forbidden foods? What foods are forbidden? I quickly wondered to myself – hmm … religious food bans of course,(or curse?) - but nothing else came immediately to mind. 

After reading a few paragraphs, I realized that this was covering way more than just ...  'don’t eat pork'! 

I saw a comment about  a taboo to enjoy, and a taboo to not enjoy, whilst eating ?!? This begs the question, if it's a taboo or sin to enjoy food, and a taboo or sin not to enjoy food – which side are you on: Saint, or Devil ? hehehe ;) With food, don’t both views have allure? 

I love food preparation and cooking stuff, and have always had a curiosity about foods people have eaten in bygone days. What did a Roman soldier eat? What was the palette of the ancients ? 

Likewise, I've been curious why certain foods are always identified with people or places; think of sauerkraut, and Germany comes to mind, think wine – et voila, La Belle France, and pasta is  “Italian”. Of course today, these stereotypes are of no consequence as  items come from everywhere, but we still think of them as things associated or related to those people, cultures, or places. 

What do you think of first, if I say 'watermelon', 'garlic', curry, or 'sweet potato pie' ? 

I suspect that cultural factors reflect your personal view of these; Chinese food was only for special occasions. Garlic, when I was a kid, was avoided in school as being just for 'Italians, as was the dreaded salami sandwich – garlic breath brought ostracism and social 'death'. 

Curry was a weird 'foreign food'. I didn’t eat curry 'til I got to college. 

Watermelon somehow ascribes to poor southern culture, as does 'fried chicken' – even while both are readily available anywhere around the world, and equally popular or famous in Beijing and Beirut ! What about the poor and oft maligned sweet potato, (and sweet potato pie, which is not quite as popular as its' pumpkin pie cousin)?.

The lowly sweet potato was once a product allowed for european royalty only, and now in modern times, it is thought of as something more for 'poor folks'. In spite of this, the sweet potato is becoming respectable and trendy with modern foodies again. The sweet potato, and other veggies are seeing a re-surging popularity among the hip young organic crowd. 

You could not give kale away 10 years ago. Its only use was decoration on a salad bar. Now kale is everywhere, and in everything !? 

Our ideas about food are constantly evolving! We do assign our belief structure to our foods. Would you eat a live baby octopus ? Apparently, this is quite popular in Korea – but not so much here in USA.!? ... my point exactly!. 

One mans meat,  is another mans throat choker - err - I mean 'poison'! 

Snail, grubs, brains, offal, sweetmeats, organ meat, wild game, bush meat : how do you feel about eating these ? 

What emotions are stirred pondering a bite of fried insects or bush meat? 

These emotions are used to control us, by making certain foods "approved", or "taboos". 

 This tale is brilliantly told with compactness and alacrity. The scope is remarkable, making connections, and contrasts with the ancient and modern views on our constantly evolving and changing attitudes, rules, and laws about food, and food items. There are amazing and incredible histories and anecdotes into the whys and wherefores of how these taboos, superstitions, and traditions have come about … and usually not what you previously expected or believed ! 

End of part 1 ... to be continued..

A Lasagna Story by D. Vour

Lasagna – 1971

In 1970-71, I was attending the University of Bordeaux in France. On spring break my girlfriend and I went to spend 2 weeks with friends in England. They lived about a 40 minute  drive out of London in a wonderful modern 2 story cottage that overlooked a huge tract of land that had previously been the US 8^th Air Force base in the Great War. In 1970 it was a vast tract of fields with copses' of trees on either side of an old crumbling runway … nice view!

It was a lovely and idyllic tract. The perfect place for hi-brow equestrian shenanigans – “Hunting to the Hounds”. We were entertained twice watching large packs of aristocrats and beagles – in their native setting – "Riding to the Hounds", on magnificent steeds – showing amazing horsemanship; jumping fences and rock walls, and dodging trees and low branches .. howling hounds and a yelping fox on the run --- just like a movie – but I digress.

'Buffy' and Allen were a delightful young couple – By day, he was a successful banker in London’s financial district, with bowler hat and brolly; the classic look. By night he was a folk music fan and musician. He rode the daily commute train to London, but the 40 minute drive by car was scenic, passing through Sherwood Forest of fame.

I happened to meet Allen by chance in a famous London music store – when I was passing thru on my way to Paris .. He heard my American accent and we struck up a conversation about musicians we knew in common. After chatting a bit, I was hungry and he invited me for a quick trip to the next door pub – for a pint and some fantastic free food; we became friends. He invited me and my girlfriend to stay and visit on our next school break.

Spring Break rolled up and we headed to London.

We had a wonderful spring break visit with our friends – lots of sightseeing and shopping. For fun we were able to swap classic meals and dishes of the UK and USA – they made us wonderful 'puddings' and other traditional food .. bangers and mash, Indian foods and such. We were able to share some 'classic' American cooking for them .. to everyone’s culinary delight !

One Saturday morning we got up early and went down the country lane to gather wild blackberries along the road .. and made a big mess of blackberry pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast for all. Flapjacks were a totally a new experience for them and a huge hit. It was repeated once more by request before leaving … I think from all the oooh's and ahhh's, flapjacks beat out the old familiar crepes , and were enthusiastically received !!

For our farewell dinner – and to show our gratitude -- we decided to make a classic deluxe lasagna …with which, they were totally unfamiliar - and had never tasted. A new treat!

It took most of the day running from one village to another – finding small specialty shops to source all the needed ingredients for a real classic lasagna. We got everything needed!

We shooed everyone out of the kitchen whilst we made the lasagna. Once in the oven - as it baked - the house filled with a wonderful aroma of sauces and cheeses – smelling better and better as time passed. Soon everyone’s mouth was watering, and we could barely wait for dinner. The lasagna was a huge hit – tasting even better than it smelled.

The next day, they were still super enthused about the lasagna, and wanted us to tell them how to make it.

We were running tight for time – our London train was about to pull out – so in the bustle to make the train, amidst hugs and goodbyes' , we hurriedly told them the main bits of the recipe. The conductor was shooing us insistently to board immediately as the train lurched into motion.

With goodbye waves, we called out the final ingredients and cooking directions as we picked up steam ! With thumbs up, and big farewell waves, we were headed to London. – all agreeing to meet again over the winter holidays. We returned to school in France

When the Christmas holiday came, we decided to have a classic English Christmas at the invitation of our UK friends. We were headed back to London.

A grand journey ensued – riding the famed the 'Night Train to Paris' .. then connections to the Hovercraft flight over the channel .. the train to London .. finally meeting up at Charring Cross Station. We arrived after a fun trip , but had barely gotten off the train when Buffy and Allen spotted us. First off – before howdy's and hello's , we got questioned about the Lasagna recipe !!? – It was clear this was important ?! We ambled down the platform toward the street …

“What kind of cheese did you say to use ? “ – they urgently asked !!

“Ricotta” !

“Oh my ! – that explains a lot !?!? “ 

That’s when they regaled us with an amazing culinary adventure. They were so impressed with our lasagna meal, they wanted to show off – for the boss and some special guests.

They had followed our instructions perfectly, but during 'cocktails', whilst it baked .. it was soon clear from the aroma wafting from the kitchen, that this wasn’t the warm cozy comfort food aroma they expected !? The aroma became an odor, and more pungent as the clock ticked away, and soon the place started to reek ! Guests were politely stepping outside! 

“Enough is enough !!!! ”

Holding his breath, Allen bravely ran into the kitchen and pulled the foul smelling lasagna pan from the oven – whisking it directly out the back door directly into the trash can !

“What on earth ??” – we asked in astonishment – wondering what happened ?

They said simultaneously –

“ .. We thought you said – Roquefort ! !??”

* * *

Living High by El Gato

Living High

We grapple with apple,
but live high
on pumpkin pie.


Living High by El Gato November 2019

Pumpkin Pie

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

It's that time again, when we start to wonder ...

The OH SHYTE Presidential moment by KimB
[Editor's note: This story was written by KimB]
Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Food - Glorious Food!

The Recipe Box: Steamed Artichokes
[Editor's note: This story was written by ElGato]
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

Food - Glorious Food!

The Recipe Box: Steamed Artichokes
[Editor's note: This story was written by ElGato]
Wednesday, November 16, 2011

It may take a long time but the end result is from a life time of love.

The 17 Year Spread by Barbara
[Editor's note: This story was written by Barbara]
Saturday, April 26, 2014

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

It may take a long time but the end result is from a life time of love.

The 17 Year Spread by Barbara
[Editor's note: This story was written by Barbara]
Saturday, April 26, 2014

Help comes in many ways.

Unexpected Blessings by Gigi
[Editor's note: This story was written by Gigi]
Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Far Horizion

[Editor's Post]

A reminder that help comes in many ways.

Unexpected Blessings by Gigi
[Editor's note: This story was written by Gigi]
Thursday, October 21, 2010

Have a good chuckle as technology attempts to make us all appear "smarter than we are".

Spell Checkers by KimB
[Editor's note: This story was written by KimB]
Saturday, March 16, 2013

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

Summertime and the livin' is easy... ¹

Richard's post about visiting the San Jose Summer Jazz Festival is sure to strike up a some happy tunes and remind us why Summer is HOT!

Theater: San Jose Jazz Summer Festival by Richard
[Editor's note: This story was written by Richard]
Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Our previous spotlighted item can be devoured here:

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 1 of 4
[Editor's note: This story was written by DVour]
Friday, March 17, 2017

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summertime_(George_Gershwin_song)
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Gershwin
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porgy_and_Bess

The Far Horizon

[Editor's Post]

Our segment this time is from our own book reviewer: D. Vour, Gourmand and Food Critic at “The Home“.

There's always something going on at The Home and in this entry "books and food" are the topic of the day.

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 1 of 4
[Editor's note: This story was written by DVour]
Friday, March 17, 2017

Re-read our previous spotlighted item here:

Elbert
[Editor's note: This story was written by MrsB]
Friday, June 17, 2005

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 4 of 4

Review and Commentary by D. Vour
Gourmand and Food Critic at “The Home“

“In The Devil's Garden” - “A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”
Ballantine Books
by
Stewart Lee Allen

Chapter Four – Conclusion

How we prepare foods is a big part of the food taboo story. Rules and recipes abound on precise ways to make, bake and prepare things 'legally'. Variations – authorized or unauthorized – have caused chaos, and all hell breaking loose when food violations occur. The Roman Catholic church, and Greek Orthodox church for example. Someone added yeast to the recipe to the communion wafers, and made little mini loafs instead of wafers, and war broke out between the factions 'til they split, a schism lasting over 900 years, until resolved in the 1960's... all that drama over a touch of some yeast bacteria - it's quite a remarkable story!

Great Chefs are almost a modern form of high priest today, but they have always held special places in society throughout the centuries. In some cultures the highest chef was even made the King-Priest! There is a direct symbolic relationship to a priest giving a wafer, and a chef serving a meal! Chefs are our modern high priests! Each one teasing us with greater and greater culinary heights and delights, vying with each other in social acceptance, and celebrity, like modern day gunslingers, each pulling us into their orbit of gastronomic experimentation with nearly spiritual food experiences! Each modern bite prepared by these wizards of food prep, can be virtually a quasi-religious-spiritual and orgasmic experience at once! Modern chefs are expanding culinary horizons to places seemingly without rules .. can this mean the end of civilization as we know it, or are new rules evolving? Perhaps the yardstick has simply been temporarily pulled out, like a golf flag, and will be moved a bit farther out ?

Every food we enjoy today has been banned in history at some point. Garlic and onions could bring a death penalty, as have at one time or another, eggs, all types of meats, vegetables, almost every spice, many methods of preparation, and even what ingredients may, or may not, be used to 'correctly make' something - some even had punishments worse than instant death for the hapless chef (often in horrible ways related to the ill used food.. boiling in oil, roasting in an oven, or flayed and cooked along with the meal, or buried in salt!) The famous French Chef to Louis the 14th – Vatel, is noted to have committed suicide by falling on his sword when the fish to be served arrived a half hour late for the Kings dinner !

Each of the seven sins is well covered here with great erudition and wit .. and it reads easily and quickly .. perfect for a kindle and limited read time .. short segments tied together for easy chapters on Lust, Gluttony, Pride, Sloth, Greed, Envy, and Anger, and he even offers an intriguing 8th sin – “When Everything Is Allowed, And Nothing Has Flavor.” !

This whole idea of forbidden foods bumps up against a future where we currently have vast foodie 'lawlessness' – where the classic rules are tossed out in ever more adventurous culinary feats. In severe contrast, this trend is fighting against a growing wasteland of corporate food conformity.

Modern attitudes to dining, encourage creative chefs to reach out and try new things; allowing, and encouraging the meeting of disparate ingredients not traditionally used together, breaking new ground, and food laws too, whilst seeking exotic flavor profiles, and ever more complex taste horizons. These valiant modern priest-chefs seek to sate the demand for 'Amuse-bouches' that are more over the top than the previous efforts. Battalions, and cadres of new young chefs work to fulfill ever exotic culinary demands by modern gourmands – in some irony – or homage – mirroring the extreme explorations of olden time chefs trying to meet the demands for sumptuous meals and feasts of their own times. Now, good foods are in reach of everyone, and no longer consigned to the rarefied dining of only the aristocracy.

However, on the other side of that approach, could we just as easily be facing a looming and darker corporate food future in the not too distant future; one fraught with the dangers of mass food conformity, trying to feed the increasing masses? This portends a dreary corporate sterility – a world without many food options – everything cardboard flavored, but “approved”? (Soylent Green comes to mind !?)

We have to be watchful about our modern food rules, laws, and taboos. We could just as easily be evolving to a place where the only foods being offering are those officially approved! No other foods need apply! Whoever controls the food chain controls this issue.

Where do you stand on food conformity, or genetic modifications, or mass production of your grub? The western food supply lines are getting more and more tenuous, in spite of the amazing range of seeming abundance, and choices that we enjoy in fancy western markets. Will our modern western cornucopia endure forever? Genetic modifed grains, droughts, sever weather and storms, global climate changes, all will play a role in our food supply in years to come. Are we prepared for it?

What about places in the world that barely have one item of food for the masses; limited local grains, rice, or corn - and that's it!? Do we need to have guilt about our abundance of choice, while others have none? Is this a form of subjugation that we unwittingly play a part in ? Food laws and taboos are ever evolving, and challenging us all to stay alert and aware.

There are forces at play that want to control your food, and all your ideas about food, thus controlling your thoughts and emotions especially, so that you buy and eat what “they” want you to. Food taboos and laws are the means to control you !

It's a crazy, modern, adventurous, and even dangerous food world out there, but delicious and exciting, good, and wholesome foods still await the adventurous – enjoy, but be sure to follow the rules, and remember, only allow your “right” foods in !

End

In The Devil's Garden
A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 3 of 4

Review and Commentary by D. Vour
Gourmand and Food Critic at “The Home“

“In The Devil's Garden” - “A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”
Ballantine Books
by
Stewart Lee Allen

Chapter Three – of Four

Food is a powerful tool, for good and evil; used to control people through virtually every civilization, religion, region, state, and even across continents. Throughout history for example, limiting – or preventing – certain foods has allowed subjugation of the poor.

The true story of the white potato is heartbreaking .. and I thought I knew about the Irish potato famine. I learned the tragedy was put in motion many years before, when grains were restricted, or priced out of reach, or forbidden. The English - used the white potato to subjugate the Irish, and control them. Believing the white potato was not fit for humans, it was forced by law, as the only crop allowed to be grown by the 'subhuman' Irish. Grains were virtually non existent, and at times illegal to posses, making the lowly 'tater the only food source. When the potato blight hit, destroying all the potatoes, and ruining the only food source, it doomed millions to perish from starvation. There was no grain to fill the void! The resulting migration to 'greener pastures' brought millions to North America, and anywhere that wasn't Ireland. The Irish were amazed at our 'land of plenty', which was certainly a remarkable, and welcome, contrast to the old country. It's no accident that the early Irish in North America settled where grains grow!

Who you feed, invite to dinner, or don’t invite, has each been the cause of wars and social unrest. Religions with castes for example; if one invites another from a higher caste, they have just redefined that person as a caste lower! .. and in some cases such an invitation can bring a death penalty. It pays to know your place – literally .. in the 'food chain' ! Surprisingly, food has even been used in lieu of wars – to prevent fighting – there is an anecdote about a state that believes whoever throws the biggest most lavish gluttonous feast wins – when the last person can't put in one more morsel of food!

Food has been used to pit one religion against another – or even within a religion. I was unaware that the Roman Catholic Church, and Orthodox Greek split apart for over 900 years over the serious philosophical argument about the use of 'yeast', or 'no yeast' in the baking of communion wafers!

We begin to see food as a primary force, moving, shaking, controlling, and shaping history. There have been food laws in every time and place throughout history; Aboriginal, Native American, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and every known place around the globe. You name it, and virtually every society, culture, religion and civilization, has rules or laws about foods. There are laws to 'use', or 'not use', almost every ingestible ingredient in history. Food has played a dominant role in shaping the times, and places of history, and even all human evolution !

Everything that can be ingested has been used to control manipulate, or stimulate, in some way in its past -- you name it – there are factions on both sides of it ! Virtually every single thing you get at a modern grocery store or restaurant, has detractors, or proponents: for good or bad, either currently, or in the past. In ancient times, many things that you can't even believe could be eaten today, were prized and controlled. All foods have had their unique moment in time, and place.

End of part 3 ... to be continued..

In The Devil's Garden
A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 2 of 4

Review and Commentary by D. Vour
Gourmand and Food Critic at “The Home“

“In The Devil's Garden” - “A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”
Ballantine Books
by
Stewart Lee Allen

Chapter Two – of Four

We all have favorite foods, and some have traditional places in time, season, or related superstitions ... have you ever tossed salt over your shoulder? Ever been curious why bacon, eggs, toast, and cereal are considered just for breakfast? They weren't for centuries. How did that evolve? We have classic and traditional holiday meals – Turkey feast at thanksgiving comes to mind, or a Christmas Goose, Ham at Easter, even 'Day of the Dead' feasts for the Mexican culture. We all have foods made to celebrate various religious dates. This goes back past ancient Egypt, the Romans, and Greeks.. who have each successively co-opted the others holy day feasts … unto modern times.

Many years ago I saw an intriguing documentary on foods – exploring the idea that food was a big factor why the ancient Roman soldier was so successful. They contrasted what the Roman army ate against the sumptuous banquets and the omnivorous diet of the aristocracy; warrior food, versus royal food. They recreated the soldiers recipes from ancient cookbooks, prepared, and reviewed the flavors of the foods – even checked nutritional values – It was all quite different than modern times I assure you. The food and flavors would never be accepted today, - using herbs, and plants,and ingredients that in modern days would never cross your lips, but were popular favorites of the Roman troops of the day. Flavors that would make a modern person gag. Overripe and putrid foods, and just 'nasty stuff'. Some dishes and sauces were too nasty and not edible by the TV crew. However, the idea that one type of food was only acceptable to certain classes was an eye opener to this omnivorous writer … I never followed up on this interesting idea until this book arrived .. but I digress..

I will try to give a sense of the depth and scope of this insanely fun, informative and equally challenging tome. There is a remarkable range of food information covered, and I doubt that I will ever think about any food in the same way ever again. The author - Steward Lee Allen – makes wonderful and remarkably intriguing connections, and tells amazing and fascinating stories of how foods have been used to shape history. He utilizes a clever format for the sections, the seven deadly sins. He ties these sins to an incredible array of foods and ideas; religious, political, and social. He offers great anecdotes about how these foods have come to associated with the appropriate sins. With 10 pages of fine print bibliography, it is very well researched. Reads like a travelogue around the globe through time and places, past and present, covering the four corners!

Each chapter starts with an appropriate menu to that sin, and there are a few incredible recipes offered from the menus, all done with a delightful bit of tongue in cheek wit liberally applied, reflecting a modern twist on some interesting old foods or drinks – all worth trying at home. Absinthe with Champagne sounded pretty interesting. All look fun, some for curiosity, some because they still taste great ! .

This is a complicated tale of how food has played a role in evolving everything – all aspects of history -- not just physical history, but the whole evolution of our core religious, sociological, anthropological, political, emotional and psychological beliefs! It's a tale of how these ideas and beliefs can be manipulated by society, social organizations, corporations and religions, to affect what we believe, and thus ultimately in modern times : how we buy, eat and see the products we get – often symbolically.

Ketchup, is our modern metaphor for 'blood' (representing a fresh kill when we go out 'hunting' for food -ie driving for a burger). We learn that salads are traditionally 'woman’s food'. As an historical fact, at one time in the 1800's, women were only allowed to eat salads.. meat was forbidden, thus today, commercials selling salads feature women, because we have been inculcated by time and DNA, and traditions, that salads are for 'women folk'.

Conversely, meat is for men. We only see 'He-men' at a BBQ grill in TV meat commercials ! (how would you feel seeing a woman grilling a steak, or a football player eating a dainty salad in those commercials?) - these feelings are created and manipulated to make us think a certain way, by promoting or prohibiting foods! We even have had restrictions on what we can eat on certain days; meatless Monday, fish on Friday. Marketeers know that everyone likes to break rules .. so if it is 'forbidden' or Taboo, you will crave it. We tend to give higher marks to food we feel guilty about. Ever feel guilty eating something? That was because you were manipulated to feel that guilt.. and guilt sells! If you put a warning label on food .. the sales surge ! Why?

This book helps us understand a lot of those why's !

End of part 2 ... to be continued..



In The Devil's Garden
A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food

“In The Devil's Garden” Review and Commentary by D. Vour Part 1 of 4

Review and Commentary by D. Vour
Gourmand and Food Critic at “The Home“

“In The Devil's Garden” - “A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food”
Ballantine Books
by
Stewart Lee Allen

Chapter One – of Four

I just finished reading one of the most interesting books I've ever come across. I found it completely by accident . As these things usually do, I was looking for another book with a similar title, but mistyped the search, and by pure synchronicity 'The Devils Garden' popped up. I saw that it was a history of forbidden food .. which immediately caught my fancy, how fascinating .. I checked it out from the library, and started reading the prologue. I was hooked, … line and sinker! I could see that I was going to be caught up in an exciting maelstrom of swirling, new ideas to me about food: Taboos ! Food as social engineering – who knew?

How could we not be fascinated with forbidden foods? What foods are forbidden? I quickly wondered to myself – hmm … religious food bans of course … (or curse) .. but nothing else came to mind. After reading a few paragraphs, I realized that this was covering way more than just 'don’t eat pork'! I saw a comment about being a taboo to enjoy, and a taboo to not enjoy, eating!? This begs the question, if it's a sin to enjoy food, and a sin not to enjoy food – which side are you on: Saint, or Devil ? With food, don’t both views have some allure?

I love food and cooking stuff, and have always had a curiosity about foods people have eaten in bygone days. Likewise, I've been curious why certain foods are always identified with people or places; think of sauerkraut, and Germany comes to mind, think wine – et voila La Belle France, and pasta is of course “Italian”. Of course today, these items come from everywhere, but we still think of them as things related to those people or places.

What do you think of first, if I say 'watermelon', 'garlic', curry, or 'sweet potato pie' ? I suspect that cultural factors reflect your personal view of these; We ate Chinese food on special occasions. Garlic, when I was a kid, was avoided in school as being for 'Italians, as was the dreaded salami sandwich – garlic breath is death'. Curry was 'foreign food'. I didn’t eat curry 'til I got to college. Watermelon somehow ascribes to black southern culture, as does 'fried chicken' – even while both are readily available anywhere around the world and equally popular or famous ! What about the poor and oft maligned sweet potato, and sweet potato pie, which is not as quite popular as its' Pumpkin pie cousin. The lowly sweet potato was once a product allowed for European royalty only, and now in modern times, it is thought of as something more for 'poor folks'. In spite of this, the sweet potato is becoming respectable and trendy with modern foodies again. The sweet potato, and other veggies are seeing a re-surging popularity among the hip young organic crowd. You could not give kale away 10 years ago. Its only use was decoration on a salad bar. Now kale s everywhere, and in everything !? Our ideas about food are constantly evolving!

We do assign our belief structure to our food. Would you eat a live baby octopus ? Apparently, this is quite popular in Korea – but not so much here in USA.!? My point exactly!. One mans meat is another mans throat choker - err - I mean 'poison'! Snail, grubs, brains offal, sweetmeats, organ meat, wild game, bush meat : how do you feel about eating these ? What emotions are stirred pondering a bite fried insects? These emotions are used to control us, by making certain foods approved, or taboos.

This tale is brilliantly told with compactness and alacrity. The scope is remarkable, making connections, and contrasts with the ancient and modern views on our constantly evolving and changing attitudes, rules, and laws about food, and food items. There are amazing and incredible histories and anecdotes into the whys and wherefores of how these taboos, superstitions, and traditions have come about … and usually not what you previously expected or believed !

End of part 1 ... to be continued..



In The Devil's Garden
A Sinful History Of Forbidden Food

The 17 Year Spread by Barbara

It was back in 1987 when my sister Allene had come to visit with Mom and Andy in Abbeville Louisiana for a couple of weeks and of course her husband was with her.

Our visit was going great. We girls would sit around and talk about things we wish we could get and things we really didn't need of course, as our closets were bulging at the seams already. But you know how we girls are, if any thing new comes out, we want it!

Mom and Allene had gone shopping and bought each of them some new yarn to start new throws with the new colors that had come out. Not that they needed one more throw, because they had plenty all ready.

When Andy and James saw all the new yarn they asked them what in the world are you doing buying more of that stuff, you all ready have a closet full!

They answered, but we don't have any in this color!!!!

Then the guys wanted to know what's for supper.

Oh, okay, we'll fix your supper but then we're going to sit down and get started on our new throws.

So this is how it went for a few days. Cook, clean up the kitchen, sit crochet for a while, take a break have a cup of coffee and a slice of cake or maybe eat some good cookies.

Once supper was over, then the guys had to get their own eats and drinks 'cause the girls had done their job for the guys for the day, and now we can sit and work on the throws as long as we want. Yeah!

After a few days, I wanted to join in too, so I asked Sis (as I called her), if she would show me how to crochet. Of course she would be happy to! Then all three of us could sit and work together on our throws.

I couldn't just do something simple, oh no not me! I wanted to do a bed spread not just a throw.

Well, my birthday was coming up, so she told me we would go to TG&Y in the morning and she would let me chose the colors I wanted. So after taking care of breakfast and cleaning up, we head off to do our thing.

Now, don't ask me why I chose the colors I did, because I couldn't tell you. Only thing I can say is, I like fall, and browns, oranges and cream colors remind me of the fall colors. So there you are!

Sis even bought the needle for me. We check out and home we go. I'm so excited I'm going to learn how to crochet, and not just that simple throw either, mine will be a bedspread! Hallelujah!!

Now I'll confess I'm not too smart. I didn't see the days or the hours that it was going to take me to get this job finished. No sir! I had not a clue.

When we get home, its time for lunch so we set the stuff down; get in the kitchen (again); get through that and now time for me to learn! Yeah!!

We sit down and Sis gets it started, hands it to me and says make a long chain so I work and work. Finally, I ask if its long enough. She says lets go check it on the bed if it will go all the way across. Well of course it didn't. Back to chain a little more. Finally I have it long enough and its time to start doing the shell stitch, making a shell in each one of the holes.

By now its time for a break, so we relax for a while and have a cup of coffee. This was back in the days when I could drink a pot by myself. Can't do that any more, thank the good lord.

Any way, we worked on our projects for the rest of the week. I learned how to get to the end, turn around and come back. I had started off with the brown now it was time to start another color, so Sis showed me how to tie the thread and start again.

I did a little more work on it then put it away, so we could spend time talking before they left for home in Georgia.

I thanked her for my gift and for teaching me the art of crocheting. I hated to see them leave, but maybe they would visit again soon. Well that didn't happen.

Now, I never pulled that project back out for at least three months. I finished the orange did the cream color and put it away again. Only this time, I didn't pull it back out for at least one year.

One day, going through the closet, I came across the unfinished bedspread and thought how nice and warm that it would be for the coming winter, so I pulled it out once again. This time i finished it, except for the edging, but at least I could use it. Now its 1980.

Jerry and I move here to Groesbeck, Texas in 1988. We live in the country 'till 1990, when we buy this property; I want to say, maybe in 1995.

So, around 1995, I pull that bedspread out and completely finish it off. Praise the lord and hallelujah! Job well done, even if it did take me 17 years to complete. Like they say, better late than never. Right?

Hope ya'll enjoy my story.

P.S. My sweet loving sister got to see the finished project before she passed away in 1996. A good ending, huh?

[Editor's note: This story was written by Barbara.
Apologies from the Editor for not getting this wonderful story on line a lot earlier. At least is not quite 17 years.]

[Who is Barbara? Barbara is the widow of MrsB's brother Jerry (Gerald Dean Abbott October 6, 1931 - July 25, 2010). MrsB's brothers and sisters are: Adeline, Esther, Richard, Jerry, Elbert, Charles and Mickey.]

Fall Trees