The Heartache of Dining Out or Why I Cook at Home

 I left this review after we had pizza at a place in Taos, New Mexico:

We felt bad for the young woman who was waiting every table in the outside area (and maybe inside as well) which was quite busy for a Monday. She was doing a great job with no help. 

The Greek salad was excellent and a nice combo of greens, olives, feta and other veggies with a very tasty dressing. 

As for the pizza. As an Italian-American who has been making pizza for over 40 years I would say this has little resemblance to authentic pizza. Pizza is the base, the crust, the yeast dough that rises and makes big open air bubbles that when baked makes it not only crispy but gives the flavor of a yeast bread. Our pizza was undercooked and had not risen properly. Fermentation was totally lacking. The crust was actually partially raw and unedible. The sauce and the toppings gave it all the flavor. If this was the best pizza in Taos, they don’t know what pizza is. 

Over priced, long, long wait. And again horrible crust.

Large Greek salad, 12 inch pizza with sausage and mushrooms, one iced tea, over $40. 

The wait for service and finally getting our meal was longer than I would ordinarily tolerate but we were patient because the waitperson seemed to be doing it all by herself. Meanwhile, some patron had left their very expensive truck running, headlights on, with the air conditioner going for their dog, but right next to the outdoor dining area which was extremely annoying for all who were eating (waiting to eat) outside. There were plenty of parking spaces well away from the dining area.

I mention all this because dining out is not the pleasant experience it once was. Unless one goes to a pretentious "fine dining" restaurant the food is so often mediocre at best. The claim to fame for almost every New Mexican restaurant is either the "green chili cheeseburger" or the "huevos rancheros" and all the other menu items are the same in about 90% of New Mexican restaurants: some kind of tortilla or taco with meat, cheese and beans. Usually way over priced for what you get, often factory produced (e.g. anything breaded and fried, fried potatoes, burgers from the one or two "distributors" in the area, factory deserts, and non-alcoholic beverages from $2.50 to $6.00.

So I came across this in YouTube and well,....I'm making homemade bread and pizza tonight.

P.S. It's going to be a challenge to get logs burning in my new oven.

The Many Facets of New Mexico

Preface: The forest fires are burning in the southern part of the state. Very devastating for the people of Ruidoso. There are also fires in the west and northwest. If only we could get some of the rain that is making a mess in the east. 

We made a trip to Taos so I could see the orthopedic doctor for a reevaluation of my knee issue. Long story short I got a cortisone injection and an opportunity to get a replacement should things get worse over the summer. Continue with physical therapy and lose weight. 

Leon took a couple of days off work so we decided that a change of scenery was needed from the monotony of the desert. The area around Taos is greener and has real trees and grass - at least in some places. I think it also has a bit of privilege in some places too, but we avoided that as much as possible. 

After the doctor we went for a drive. I would just mention that I was a bit ferclempt considering surgery one minute and appreciating being with my hubby exploring the outback the next. 

We drove to Rio Grande del Norte National Monument-Wild Rivers. Did not do a lot of hiking but went to the overlook. At my age and with my knee arthritis I was content with that. 

We then drove a very rough off-road several miles to Cabresto Lake - a mountain lake surrounded by trees and greenery. Did a nice short hike along the lake trail. Here’s a few photos. 

View of the Rio Grande from the overlook

Not Georgia O’Keeffe’s tree

We are normally at about 5500 feet, So being at over 9000 feet took the wind out of me even on a short hike

The cows had the right of way

Celebrating “Frociaggine” Roman Style

Not only did Pride return to Rome this year, (first one post COVID), with a super parade and huge crowds but there was a fabulous appropriation of Pope Francis’ recent insult regarding “frociaggine” (pronounced “fro-chia-geen-eh”) or faggotry in the seminaries. 

Perhaps “gayness” would be a kinder translation. 

See: https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=64451

(Duh. Without faggotry in the seminary there would only be about 1/4 of the priests world-wide and I dare say only about 10% of those in the Vatican would be left.)

Italian LGBTQs reclaimed the word, “Frociaggine” as we often do with insults, as a badge of honor and pride. They are fighting for their rights in Italy under a repressive Prime Minister Meloni (translated in the English subtitles as "melons"!!! Not to be confused with the still hunky actor, Christopher Meloni.)

The Far Right is becoming a danger in many countries besides the USA. 

We need do the same here under our repressive Congress and Supreme Court and the unthinkable DJT as president.

 

I Salute Edward

https://www.joemygod.com/2024/06/veteran-85-comes-out-in-his-heartbreaking-obituary/

This Guy Is Sounding the Alarm About the Real Threat of Christian Nationalism

 Watch this and be afraid. While I am no longer an adherent of any religion, I do respect this guy, Tim Whitaker, for his enlightened view of Evangelicals and the Christian Nationalist movement.

These people are not Anita Bryant and a pie in the face will not make them cry. They are hostile, they are hateful, they have an agenda and will stop at nothing, will use anything and anyone to gain power and they would put us all to death if they could, along with women who get abortions, and doctors and health care providers who assist them and eventually anyone who does not accept or agree to their sick religious tenets.