Happy New Year, Everyone.  To my friends far and near, be well.

This time of year.  Oy.

Ode to Patti and Sam

You made me want to be a poet
You made me want to change my lives
You made me think I could be something more
To not survive but thrive
To not survive but thrive

I saw you once across the bar
I didn't stop to say hello
Maybe I was scared or I was lost
I guess we'll never know
I guess we'll never know

East to West
North to South
Rock and Roll Jesus
With a Cowboy Mouth
With a Cowboy Mouth

So does this make me a pilgrim?
Do I dare to walk beside?
Does this make me a dreamer
Who will not be denied
Who will not be denied

I used to hear you on the radio
I used to pour over your words
I used to think of all the questions
And wonder if you heard
And wonder if you heard

East to West
North to South
Rock and Roll Jesus
With a Cowboy Mouth
With a Cowboy Mouth

You made me want to be a poet
You made me want to change my lives
You made me think I could be something more
To not survive but thrive
To not survive but thrive

 It's funny how the things that once seemed so important just aren't anymore.

Oh livejournal, I've been neglecting you.  We used to spend a lot of time together, but newer, flashier internet applications have really taken you off of my radar. 

I've never been much of a journaler, as much as I tried.  But facebook really only lends itself to short, quippy updates, and not much of any depth or substance.  I really want to be a substantive person.

I have ideas percolating, but I'm not quite sure what form they will take.

Summer.  Here we go!

Home with a sorta-sick kiddo.

It's a crazy time: the start of 4th quarter at school, a looming bond election, layoffs at the middle and high schools, performances for the play, curriculum review, textbook purchases, planning for next year's drama productions, two kids at home, a house in serious need of cleaning, working on the new MCD album, oh, and a partridge in a pear tree.

This recipe is based off on one I found in an old 1950's church cook book. It's simple and tasty!

1 lb beef or pork or beef/pork mix
1 package Saltine Crackers
1/4 cup Ketchup
1 Egg
1 medium sweet Onion
Worcestershire Sauce (to taste)
A1 Sauce (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste) (or use Chicago Steak Seasoning for added flavor)

Crush up the crackers and put them in a large mixing bowl. Add all of the ingredients and mix them until they hold together and there are no visible clumps of crackers. (I use 3 or 4 dashes of Worcestershire and A1, but go by your own personal taste.)

Place in meatloaf pan. Top with several lines of Ketchup.

Cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F. (Just to be sage, use a meat thermometer to make sure the middle is at 145-150 degree F just to kill all those nasty bacteria.)

Let cool for 5 minutes or so and serve with some sort of veggie.

Should serve 3-4 with some to spare for sandwiches the next day.

Anyone out there ever seen HIGH SPIRITS? It's a musical version of BLITHE SPIRIT. Anyone?

Dear Willow,

After hearing her play "People Have the Power" on THE CURRENT this morning, I was reminded just how fond I am of Patti Smith. Which begs the question -- why don't I listen to her more?

http://www.pattismith.net


Best,

Derek