And a great Saturday morning to you. It’s a bit early, however I should point out that we’ve begun to stockpile both Dos Equis II and Modelo Negra. But, that’s for later. Right now I’m getting ready for my first sip of hot coffee and a cold morning. The best.

While on the subject of adult beverages, back in the 1870s Cincinnati had approximately 1300 registered beer pubs. pub crawl For those wanting a bit better, it was written; the sophisticated tippler of the 1870s and 1880s had to hunt for something a little more upscale than what the standard Cincinnati saloon offered. As The Cincinnati Enquirer published a guide to “Cock-Tail Slingers” on the front page of its issue for June 7, 1874 in announcing its list of “fashionable drinking resorts.”

Yesterday Marcia and I had a great lunch at IKEA – just thought I’d pass that along. However, so much for that, now on with The Ramblings

”I love my car like I love my wife, see Lowridin’s not a sport it’s a way of life.” ~ Snoop Dogg

Lowrider Invasion – Last Sunday afternoon Marcia our friend Rosalie and I were heading home on Reading Road, one of this town’s main arteries. At a stop sign an old Cadillac next to us started to do a bounce, a twist, up, and sideways, all causing the ladies to freak out. In unison it was a; “let him go, don’t get near”.

So I did let him get in front, just in time to see the right front droop and the driver’s side front lift – a 3-wheeled stance; in which he proceeded to drive for the next 12 blocks and through a half dozen traffic lights. He never dropped on all four once. Impressive!

lowrider on Reading
.
Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim – would have turned 90 last Wednesday (January 25, 1927 – December 8, 1994). The ‘father’ of Brazilian Jazz and the Bossa Nova, ‘Dom’ Jobin is still THE musical icon of Brazil.

Last Wednesday I went to a nearby Jazz club, The Greenwich – a dive in a scuzzy part of town; but oh-so friendly. There, a 7-piece band cranked out Brazilian jazz from 8:00 on. I left close to midnight and they were still going strong (at home, Marcia was fast asleep and showed little interest in hearing anything about my adventure).

And it wasn’t just any band. Most were instructors at the renowned Cincinnati Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. The guitarist, a young Brazilian, has a PhD in music from CCM and the specialty percussionist was from Argentina. Oh my, were they in a groove and were they in sync.

Then it gets even better. Since the concert was dedicated to Jobim the Latino guys made a huge pot of Feijoada and shared with all. As cook books note, it’s the; “traditional Brazilian black bean stew that maintains the rich smoky, flavors famous in Brazil.”

I love the stuff and hadn’t had any since my travel days to Brazil came to an end. Some days just don’t get any better.

IMG_20170125_202205186        IMG_20170125_202248424        IMG_20170125_204706583        IMG_20170125_211825148

Safe Spaces – seem to have become a ‘thing’ on many campuses – ostensibly all related primarily to our Presidential election. Here is what I don’t understand. Eight years ago a new President came into office. About as many people then voted for him as did this time for Trump; which means that as many people did not want Obama then as did not want Trump this go around.

Yet, I have no recollection of people going out of control, flooding city squares, speakers spewing scandalous and vile gibberish; then the streets remained empty. Many of us were unhappy with that outcome, but accepted that such could be the outcome in a Democracy. I certainly don’t remember anyone requiring a ‘Safe’ space.

It’s actually worse. It’s almost impossible to express approval of the outcome without first preparing for a volley of venom. Discourse is virtually impossible. In most any venue folk feel perfectly comfortable to, without any provocation and completely out of the blue, come out with anti-Trump slights and disses. In fact, I receive a stunned look if I don’t concur by parroting the standard anti-Trump fare. Marcia had this happen in her craft group. I had it at a concert, we both got it in the car.

So, I am a bit tired of feeling like I have to walk on egg shells. Please realize that many of us are excited that the race towards globalism seems to have been reigned in. Many of us are amazed with the depth of the cabinet appointees. We’re startled that in just the first week of this administration Small Businesses seem poised to expand and hire. Business and Union leaders have visited the Oval Office and were shocked by the fact that they are being consulted and again valued. So, pardon our smiles, but many (about half) are quite happy these days; please don’t head for the nearest ‘Safe’ space, we survived the past eight years with grace – and so can we all.

Finis – I forgot to mention that last Tuesday Cathy celebrated her (something) birthday – didn’t forget, just forgot to mention.

Next Saturday this Rambling will be a day late. Saturday morning I’ll be ‘enjoying’ the Cincinnati Cyclones Frozen 5K. I could have signed up for the 10K, but I’m not that stupid – after all, no snow today, but who knows next week and the snow-shoes are hanging on the wall at Northern Comfort.

5K map

Make it a great week everyone.
Cheers.

Dirk

Leave a Reply