Tournaments

I admire the Dixon/Bowman boys.  Running is such a pure sport.  You either run without conking out, or you don't.  Golf on the other hand ...  Yesterday, the ladies at National spent 2/1/2 hours being lectured on the rules.  Basically, you cannot breath without being assessed a stroke.  Unless it is a red zone, then it is two club lengths and a stroke.  UGH.  Today (ladies WGA day) I played horribly.  Too many things to think about.  And, Monday, Monday is an Interclub tournament that I have been invited to play in (only because our team is so desperate!) and I am a bit gun shy to say the least. I have the highest handicap on the team (but I have to play to a lower handicap because I am over the required max) and I seem to have become a choker!  A foul word to say the least, in golf.  I have been soliciting advice from all of the successful, competitive young ladies in my family (my daughters) and so far, I have gotten only sympathy!

CANVASING FOR BARACK

I received a phone call last night from the Barack Obama headquarters here in Southern Pines, asking if I would be willing to canvas local neighborhoods prior to next Tuesday's North Carolina Democratic primary. "Well, of course I would", I told the caller and went on to say that any door I knock on whose resident is voting for Hillary, I would tie up until after the primary. Anyway, next Monday, between 12 noon and 4PM, I am off to help Obama. Uncle Jerry, want to join me?

The Big Race

OK, so it wasn't exactly "the BIG race," but David and Austin did run in a 5K race, nonetheless. This race was to support the local elementary school, so there were lots of kids they knew who were participating. David crossed the finish line before anyone else, and Austin cross the finish line third overall! How's that for being a strong alumni supporter! The attached photos are of each of the boys crossing the finish line.

Way to go, David and Austin!

The Anti-Prom

Mary and two of her friends celebrated an "anti-Prom," treating themselves to a dinner out in a really nice Atlanta restaurant. They got dressed up, took photos, and enjoyed themselves much more than they probably would have if they'd gone to the Prom! Photo attached --

Soccer Games

It was a big soccer weekend in the Bowman household for athletic activities. Austin and MacKenzie each played two soccer games this weekend, and they each scored a goal in one of their respective games. Prior to winning both games this weekend, Austin's team was ranked 23rd in the state in the age group, which is pretty exciting.

Bathroom Update

We're now about halfway done with the bathroom project -- ok, so WE are not about halfway done, but our contractor is... Compare the attached photo to those from last week to see the progress. The drywall should be completed this week, and the tile should be started -- and possibly completed!

Bloody Ralphs

Just a few months after I met Justin, while still at Penn, a couple of friends and I decided to put together a celebratory brunch on the last morning of finals. For our quaff of choice - Bloody Marys - I turned to the expert for a recipe consult: Grandpa, of course.

It was at that point in time that I learned the secret to a delicious Spicy Bloody Ralph. We somehow managed to locate all the ingredients at our local West Philly grocer (my friend Emily was skeptical they would carry Clamato juice) and the Bloody Ralphs were a smashing hit.

The night before our wedding, Grandpa and Grandma gave me a cookbook filled with wonderful family recipes from all of the Gazette contributors; including, of course, the official formula for the Bloody Ralph.

So this morning, as Justin and I sipped on one of these delicious concoctions, I thought I would share the original recipe with all Gazette readers who may not have it. Enjoy!

Spicy Bloody Ralphs

Ralph's variation on the classic Bloody Mary

Note from Ralph: Some people will want less tabasco [Note from Anne: Some people will want more]

Another Note from Ralph: Ralph uses chilled ingredients and adds no ice. JoAnne adds ice half way through.

-6 oz. vodka

-1 tsp. tabasco sauce

-2 oz. Worcestershire sauce

-3/4 tsp. Uncle Dave's Bloody Mary Fixins

-1/4 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning salt

-11 oz. V-8 juice (Picante flavored)

-11 oz. Clamato juice

Add ingredients in order listed. Mix well after adding lemon pepper salt and again after adding Clamato juice. May be garnished with lime wedge, celery stalk, or dill pickle spear.

The Eagle Has Landed

OK, so I got an eagle!  Pretty exciting, especially if you know the hole.  It is National' s signature hole - Cornerstone.  Hole #5, par four over the stone wall and creek.  I had a great drive and took out my hybrid to try to go for the green.  Perfect shot, right at the pin, just a bit long.  But, no problem.  A helpful bank behind the green acted as my backboard.  The ball just rolled easily back onto the green and disappeared into the cup!  Unfortunately, I got an 8 on number 6.  Such is golf.

Today is My Birthday!

I'm really working hard at Weight Watchers and don't want one day to blow a weeks worth of diet ... what to do? what to do? Cake, rich food, wine, cake, wine, ice cream, wine, cake.


So, I decided to throw myself a birthday party. You know like kids do at Chucky Cheese only with a healthy food theme (I know right???). There is a vegetarian restaurant here in town run by the Hari Krishnas that will fill the bill nicely. Kalachandji's Restaurant and Palace - they have cooking classes on Thursdays! So, that's what we're going to do. Rick,Alison, Mike, Wes, Kelly and another couple Ben and Saedra are all going to Kalachandjis for a cooking class to celebrate my birthday. Can't wait.


Here's the menu -April 24 Panir Manchurian (curd cheese dish), Sarsong Ka Shag (mustardgreens), Bhakri (whole wheat flatbread), and Kulfi (ice cream)
http://www.kalachandjis.com/cookingclasses.html If you go to the site look at the pictures of the temple too.


After class we are going to the house for Weight Watchers Double Chocolate Bars and Coffee.


It will be a REAL fun evening. Wish you were here!



Namaste!

5/26

Happy Birthday

Happy 56th birthday to Wendy on Thursday, the 24th of April!!

House Sympathy and Status

We extend heartfelt sympathy to Rick and Wendy on the house woes. It's always something with a house, isn't it? We're in the middle of a construction project on the master bath -- somewhere in between de-construction and actual construction at this point. This started years ago in an effort to find a leak in the shower, and we've had the problem "fixed" a couple of times. Late in the winter, the ceiling in the kitchen began to leak again, and we decided that one day we'd literally be taking a shower in the kitchen. Call in the crew -- and get it fixed for sure! Unfortunately, while this project goes on, we're living in the basement. Mary started taking a shower in the 1st floor bath, until that, too, started leaking. A true money pit!!

Attached are some photos of the project so far. The drywall should go up this week, which will make it feel like progress. Tile should be installed next week, followed by cabinets in early May. There is a large dumpster sitting on the driveway, which is completely full -- that was too depressing to photograph.

The General

JoAnne and Ralph went to a party in honor of the 90th birthday of Major General Donald Strait, USAF Retired. The party was held in the Grand Ballroom at National and was attended by over 60 persons. Don spent 30 years in the Air Force starting in 1943. He was a fighter pilot — one of the best — based in England with 13 1/2 "kills" over Europe. He later fought in Korea during that war. He is a wonderful gentleman and JoAnne and Ralph are proud to claim  him as a friend.

Spamalot

JoAnne and Ralph went to Raleigh Saturday to see the Monty Python stage play Spamalot. It is a spoof of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. It was a bit slapstick, but not so much so that it wasn't enjoyable. 

Poor Bailey

As our readers may know, JoAnne & Ralph are babysitting the Finegold boys while their parents are in Europe. The other day while Bailey and Dylan were romping in the yard, Bailey suddenly turned up lame. When it didn't improve after two days, Ralph took him to the Vet. X-rays showed one of his toes (on the 3-toed paw) was broken in two places. He will now wear a cast for six weeks. The missing toe, were it not missing, would have provided protection for the one which broke.

Double Veep

Belle Meade has five "Districts" composed of the four apartment buildings and Homes & Cottages (or as we say, "The Street People.") Each District elects officers and Ralph has been elected Vice President of Homes &Cottages. In addition there is a Belle Meade Residents Association (BMRA) and its Board of Directors is composed of the President and V. P. of each District.  Yesterday at its organizational meeting, Ralph was elected Vice President of the Board of the BMRA.  Unspoken, but understood, is the fact that he will take over as President of both groups next year, probably for two one year terms, then another year on the Board as Past President. He's not sure what he's gotten himself into.

Gross and Disgusting

Home ownership is the American Dream … Right??? Ever since Rick started turning the front garage into a really cool new office we’ve had nightmares.

First there was the French drain – French, you see, because they are … how do you say … Ooh La-La, Très Expensive. We had to have one because the new room flooded with the first good rain, just before Christmas, how nice.

You know, it never did smell good down there. Rick said that was just the open walls and the crawl space under the house … really, not a good smell but … OK, if you say so.

I was thinking, maybe mice or some other urban monkey was living under the house and had indigestion... Or, possibly something had passed on to it’s reward… Or, maybe it was just the smell that the place under the house smells like and closing up the walls would cure the whole problem.

Enter the Neighborhood Rat Problem.

Our neighbors have seen, heard, and had their two Jack Russell’s bring into their house – RATS.

Eureka! That must be the problem. I looked in the new room and sure enough there was evidence. I called the Rat Man who made a deal with all our neighbors for extermination that was pretty safe for the dogs. He came right out to rodenticide the properties.

He came into our lovely home and said “ well that is rat droppings alright, but you do not currently have an infestation … you will though if we don’t treat…what’s that smell?” Groan, “I thought it was the rats,” said I, “No, it kind of smells like the monkey cage doesn’t it? – That’s sewer gas!”

I called Rick and gave him all the news. He didn’t think the odor was sewer gas, didn’t think we should have paid $100.00 to have the rodentacide and was pretty sure the odor would go away when he closed up the walls … OK, if you say so.

Friday Rick worked from home in the really cool new office, until he nearly passed out. Then he went up to the living room to work. Then we called the plumbers.

Yackity-Smackity Blah, Blah, Blah, long painful story short. We found a dead rat, so I guess the hundred bucks was a good idea – and – there was a broken sewer pipe under the house. We now have a new sewer pipe that nobody but I would refer to as French – but trust me … it was.
3/26

A Future Fighting Scot

Congratulations to Mary Dixon, who formally accepted admission to The College of Wooster! Founded in the mid 1800s in Wooster, Ohio, The College of Wooster is a liberal arts school with some 1,700 students, abd is known for its Scottish heritage -- thus the mascot, the Fighting Scots. She confirmed her decision in a two day visit to campus last week, spending a night with students and a day visiting classes and touring the campus. It's a long way from Atlanta, but we'll find a way to visit!

Wooster is also the home of the Wooster Brush Company, so perhaps Brushware editors Karen and Norman can schedule a site visit...

Amazing

AMAZING!!!!!! According to his website he's a professional juggler, education: Electricalengineer.Click on this link... <http://www.snotr.com/embed/612> Snotr

2 of 26

Gazette Recipe File - Stoplight Chicken

Stoplight Chicken
Originally uploaded by mikekrankota

Alison and I had Rick and Wendy over for dinner this evening. We looked around to find what was in season, and invented this recipe:

Stoplight Chicken

(named for the red/yellow/green color scheme) serves 4:

Chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
spices - oregano, salt, pepper, ginger, cumin (all to taste)

Tenderize chicken and coat with spice mixture. Sit for 1-2 hrs

Polenta (the base)

Buy pre-cooked polenta in the tube. Slice 1/4" or less thick. Press for 1-2 hrs on paper towels with kosher salt on top, to draw out moisture.

Relish

(all ingredients diced)
1/2 c fresh tomato
1/2 fresh cucumber
1 c fresh strawberries
1/4 c fresh yellow onion
1/4 c fresh parsley, chopped and bruised

Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill for 1-2 hrs

Avocado mousse

3/4 avocado - pureed
4-5 tbsp fat-free sour cream
juice of 1 lime

Mix all ingredients; whisk until fluffy. Cover and chill for 1-2 hrs

After the 1-2 hr prep time:

1) grill chicken
2) cook polenta on grill/griddle until crispy on outside
3) stir relish, salt to taste
4) whisk avocado mousse again until fluffy

Assembly

1) 5 polenta circles, arranged in a circle
2) Chicken
3) Relish (3-4 tbsp, to taste)
4) Avocado mousse (2-3 tbsp, again to taste)

The meal is very low-fat and low calorie, and went over quite well with Rick, Wendy and Alison.

The Ball

No, not basketball...this time, it was the 50th Anniversary Ball for the Kansas City Lyric Opera. Justin was lucky enough to score a couple of seats at the UMB table - and it was certainly an event to remember.

Kansas City is especially proud of how its Opera has evolved over the past ten years. Until recently, all shows at the Lyric were actually performed in English instead of the native languages in which they were composed, much to the dismay of local and visiting opera afficionados. So an Opera Guild was formed to bring the Lyric up to snuff with other American opera houses. The effort was a success, in large part due to money raised by the Guild through events such as the Annual Ball.

The Ball started with a silent auction/cocktail hour, followed by a 5-course dinner during which opera singers performed popular scenes from some of the Lyric's past shows. After dinner, the Steve Miller Orchestra came on stage for music and dancing. And then at midnight, like Cinderella, we left the ball and, unlike Cinderella, returned home with a surprisingly large load of silent auction goods (Note: when silent auctions coincide with cocktails and food, people forget to bid!! Except for Justin and me, apparently.)

Although we have yet to actually attend a performance at the Lyric, we'll look forward to the 2008 season - which will certainly be all the better thanks to an incredible $1.4 million netted at this year's Opera Ball.

Road Trip (by Justin)

One of my best friends from college, Andy, is getting married this July in Chicago. So all of the boys scheduled a bachelor party in South Carolina last weekend. Andy works in pharmeceutical sales, and has a company car/company gas card that he can use for his personal travels (no questions asked) - so to save some money on what would have been an expensive plane fare to S.C., I decided instead to meet Andy in Chicago and from there take a road trip to Charleston.

We picked up a third bachelor party guest in Indiana, and, some fourteen hours later, arrived at Isle of Palms (just outside of Charleston) and met up with six other friends. We had a fantastic weekend together, and lucked out on weather - mostly sunny skies the entire time. And, since there were no girlfriends/fiancees/wives there to remind us to put on sunscreen...we all ended up with some nice sunburns to prove it!

Thousands of people happened to be in Charleston that same weekend for the Annual Charleston Bridge Run, which made for a lively scene on Saturday night. But after a few too many days in the sun, and a few too many cold ones, the long drive back to Chicago on Sunday morning was starting to seem like a bad idea. Fortunately, traffic was light, weather was favorable, and Andy's foot was heavy, so we made it back in pretty good time on Sunday evening. I made the short flight back to K.C. on Monday afternoon, arriving just in time to watch my beloved Jayhawks win the championship.

Pay the Winners

Time to pay the Kansas-based winners for their wisdom in basketball! Last year we assumed that each entry in the pool was worth $10, so I assumed the same again for this year. Based on the number of participants we had this year, Justin wins $70, Anne wins $40, and Jerry wins $30. Please pay (or receive) as follows -- remember the winners will receive $10 less than their "winnings" since the $10 entry fee wasn't paid in advance.

Mary P and David: send $10 to Jerry
JoAnne, Barb, and Mary D: send $10 to Anne
Alison, Austin, David, Denis, MacKenzie, and Mike: send $10 to Justin

Justin's Jayhawks

Justin won in the end, cheering his Jayhawks to victory in the annual Gazette basketball pool. The final standings are shown below.

Participant Score
Justin 144
Anne 130
Jerry 127
MacKenzie 114
Barb 103
Mary D 101
Denis 87
David - 1 81
Alison 76
David - 2 71
Mike 71
Mary P 62
Austin 57
JoAnne 23

Money changing info to be sent via separate blog...

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Joe Wampler, 72 years old on Thursday, 10th of April!

Children's answers on science exam

Rock Chalk Jayhawk

Finally! After a long year (several long years, to be exact) of disappointing performances by the Chiefs and Royals, the sports gods decided to throw Kansas a bone.

I was en route from NY to KC for the majority of the game (having been delayed for 2+ hours at LaGuardia) but Justin, loving and thoughtful husband that he is, picked me up at the airport at around half-time and came prepared: with a cheeseburger, a glass of wine, and a KU T-Shirt for me to hold on the way home.

About 18 hours later, I was once again clutching a KU shirt in my hands. This time, it was THE official KU NCAA championship T-Shirt that I decided to buy for Justin to thank him for missing part of the game to pick me up at the airport. I must say, it took a true New Yorker to fight the vicious crowds at Kansas Sampler and snag the last size Large Kansas championship T-Shirt in town!

The Pines

JoAnne and Ralph drove to Davidson, NC Sunday to visit the Adams in their new residence in a retirement community called the Pines. Residents of Davidson have still not gotten over the performance of their basketball team. The Adams apartment is quite nice and so is the Clubhouse but the food was mediocre. The Grinters are happy where they are. 

NCAA Standing

Prior to the final game of this year's tournament, the standings are as follows. Please note that because Justin has Kansas winning the final game and MacKenzie has UNC winning the final game, she cannot earn any additional points. That being the case, the outcome of tomorrow's game will determine the winner!


Name Score

MacKenzie 114
Justin 112
Barb 103
Mary D 101
Anne 98
Jerry 95
Denis 87
David - 1 81
Alison 76
David - 2 71
Mike 71
Mary P 62
Austin 57
JoAnne 23

Peach State Travels

Barb, Mary, and David are in Ohio as of Sunday night, having made a quick overnight stop in Charlotte. Mary is spending the night with a student at College of Wooster, and David and Barb are getting much needed rest. They have a full day of admission-related activities on Monday but will be ready to watch the NCAA finals on Monday night. On Tuesday they head for Hudson, where they'll spend a day wandering... After that, who knows?

Denis, Austin, and MacKenzie are in Windthorst, Texas visiting Denis' sister Karen. They've got lots planned, and there will be a full report on this next week.

Mocha is at camp this week, much to her shock and dismay. In fact, when Barb left her she had this look of terror in her eyes: how can you leave me when I'm such a good dog? Please don't leave me. I've always been a good dog. Even if I'm not a good dog, I'll try to be a good dog. Pleeaasseee don't leave me...

Rain

Well, the past couple of days it has been raining and the soaking has cleared away a lot of the pollen.  I have never lived anywhere quite as beautiful.  The attached photos were taken around our property.

The Year for the Cubs

Al Neuharth, the founder of USA Today, predicted in the April 1st edition that Chicago will be the National League Central champion. Goooo Cubbies!

Sprung a Leak!

Spring in NC has sprung a great big giant leak!  The pine trees are crying dusty yellow tears - everywhere.  I remember mom and dad complaining about the pine pollen in years past, about having to powerwash the decks, etc etc, but until you have experienced it, it is unimaginable!  The accompanying photo was taken out our back window.

NC Democratic Primary

Picking up on Rick's blog about his attending the Texas caucases, North Carolina is having a very important primary on May 6th. This is probably the first time in a long time that I will be voting in such a meaningful primary. This country is hurting badly and we need some fresh blood in Washington, and Hillary and McCain don't fall under the definition of fresh blood. Go Barack!

Henry's advertising debut

Henry's advertising debut - print-focused
Originally uploaded by mikekrankota

I got the proofs back today for Henry the bagel's debut in a printed piece for my company. He's an excellent model, though I did have to let the printers know to lighten up on the red a bit on the back of the piece.

Unsurprisingly, this has gone to Henry's head. He won't allow any of his underlings to look him in the eye anymore.