The Hearts of Men; the Soul of Angels

Its Thursday and its been one of those weeks that lasts a month. The minutes crawl by with the speed of cold molassass on a frozen country morning in the hills of the heartland. My words fight inside my skull like trapped angry popcorn springing and exploding in every direction at all times. I dont know if that is good or bad; on the other hand, I dont know why that matters enuf that I should ask such a question at each crux of the road. And here I sit above the popcorn staring and marveling at the same time of its repeated strains against an impassable barrier. Outside I hear the sirens of a fire engine going to rescue the helpless. Who are the helpless? Was it their destiny or their choice? I dont know; but the popcorn crashes into the dome and then is pelted back to the surface too hot for it to survive and too tired to spring again. The mitosis of thought is like that; with the end of every thought is the birth of another. What magic makes such things so?

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Bruce Springstein in my ears attempts to distract me from time seeming to run in reverse. I am listening one of the truely great songs of his bountiful career. Some might argue that music has color; my response would be does life? Are we not all stings of the same chord of a song we think we determine the notes of running down its chorus with few ideas of the notes ahead or when the song ends....? Nonetheless...."Philadelphia;" what a great song with incredible lyrics. The deep haunting of a soul bass draws you into the muse of a story so delicate its deadly and the truth leaks out into yesterday's memories and today's tradgedies....


Philadelphia
I was bruised and battered and
I couldnt tell What I felt
I was unrecognizable to myself
I saw my reflection in a window
I didnt know my own face
Oh brother are you gonna leave me
Wastin´away
On the streets of philadelphia
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Friday Fixin's and ALL that!

What a beautiful Nashville Friday! Well its Friday and its been a smooth, steady week. The morning commute consisted of a sunrise worthy of pulling over and taking a picture; but I didnt. The temperature has been enuf to consider skipping the rest of this day; but I didnt. Instead I am plugging away at some projects and taking time to reflect and be thankful. It's gonna be a great weekend. Aside from working out, eating, Wii-ing, shooting pool, churching, visiting friends and neighbors; our friend Hector Belardo is getting married! Slight history: I worked out at the same gym as Hector for years and he kept on inviting me to his church; which I politely declined and easily dismissed...besides, that was the last thing I was in the market for. I grew up in churches and was sick of the mess, division, confusion, unanswered questions, etc. Ironicly, my younger brother got married before me and our youngest brother passed out at the wedding and had to be rushed to the hospital. Long-story-short; his NURSE turns out to be Hector — the last of my expectations! This guy is a Puerto Rican tank and shredded like cheddar cheese...it was the last thing I expected. After watching how well he took care of little brother; I knew I owed him....so I tried his "church." However; he was right; I LOVED this one. It was different. I lost count of the different kinds of people surrounding me. Perhaps this was home. 5 years later, I am happily married and still attending. Thanks Hector. Anyway, we ran into him again after going to visit a sick church member and found out about his wedding. We are so happy for him and his bride. He is a tremendous person. We wish you the best of joy in this time of celebration and life-altering union. You will always live in my legends of great individuals. And on to the "fixin's!"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ RECIPE: PENNE PASTA WITH PORTOBELLO & CHEESE *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons Chopped onion 2 Garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon Olive oil 1 cup portobello mushrooms sliced 1 cup Canned Italian tomatoes, chopped & reserve liquid 5 small black olives, sliced in half 1/8 teaspoon Crushed red pepper 2 cup Cooked penne pasta 3 teaspoons fresh grated parmesan cheese Fresh basil leaves for garnish DIRECTIONS: In a 3 quart microwavable casserole, combine onion, garlic and oil and stir to coat. Microwave on high (100%) for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and tomatoes with reserved liquid and stir to combine. Cover and microwave on high for 7 minutes, stirring once every 3 minutes. Add olives and pepper and stir thoroughly. To serve, in serving bowl arrange pasta; top with mushroom-tomato mixture and toss to combine. Sprinkle with cheese and garnish with basil.	*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ RECIPE: BIG BATCH OF HOMEMADE CARAMEL CORN *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ INGREDIENTS: 1 cup butter 2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup corn syrup 1 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking soda 6 quarts popped, unflavored popcorn 2 cups unsalted peanuts or mixed nuts DIRECTIONS: Melt butter; stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring; 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda and vanilla. Gradually pour over popped corn, mixing well. Turn into 2 large cookie sheets and bake in a 250 degree oven for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely. Break apart and enjoy. Yield: 5 quarts of delicious sweet caramel corn to eat and share!
Well, that wraps up another Friday Fixins'! May your weekend be filled each other and love for your brothermen/women. May your weekend be only the beginning of a spectacular week. Be safe, be happy, be full.