Well, when they get tired of “the Most Interesting Man in the World,” they can start a campaign how “Dos Equis” actually means “double cross” as in “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.” The gold prospecting partners came to distrust each other, fearing a double cross. “Badges, badges,… we don’t need no stinkin’ badges.”

Shrimp & Hot Italian Sausage

August 13, 2016August 21, 2016 bgibson135

Hot Italian Sausage (Whole Foods – Raleigh)
Cocktail Shrimp (frozen)
Leeks (round, white portion, sliced into rings)
Red Bell Pepper
Italian Parsley (chopped)
Dried Onion Flakes
Garlic powder
Celery Seeds
Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh Ground Pepper (mix)
Half & Half
Margarine (butter)
Olive oil

I tried this also with onion and a few ramp roots when I was out of leeks. I also added some fennel seeds, which I suppose should be in the Italian sausage. Used mixed red and yellow bell pepper and with the Italian Parsley most colorful.

This was something I cooked on the stove top after 1 am in the morning. It turned out really, really, good!

The leek almost disappeared. Needed more red bell pepper, and maybe sliced smaller. The margarine and half & half were excellent touches that brought the sauce together. I think the home fries, like those in the Helen’s Kitchen Country Ham Breakfast photo would go very well with this. The crispy outside texture of the potatoes with the cream sauce, and then the softer potato inside, soaking up that sauce to the last drop;-) Mmmmm, Good!

My Favorite SciFi Movies

July 30, 2016October 6, 2022 bgibson135

Prometheus
Noomi Rapace has charisma and this is a story that I can watch over and over again and not grow tired of the package.
Chronicles of Riddick
This movie takes you far from reality to another, dark universe/underverse. It moves quickly until the final moment when Riddick sits, victorious, but alone.
Interstellar
I like Matthew McConaughey, and Mackenzie Foy. The story is awesome.
The Mist
Some of the brief imagery toward the end of the film is aweing. The gigantic creature walking and the earth shuddering with each footstep feeds the imagination.
The Crazies
The remake is a well crafted story and character piece that portrays “small town” life.
The THING from another world
An iconic image of the explorers standing on the ice in a giant circle referencing what lay just beneath the surface.
Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956 & 1978
I love the eerieness and sense of chaotic panic of the original film. Kevin McCarthy and Dana Wynter are both excellent together.
Predator
The Casablanca of Sci Fi and two governors of U.S. states.
Forbidden Planet
Oblivion
Edge of Tomorrow
Resident Evil
Red Planet
Dark was the Night
Another small town sheriff protecting his community.
Gattaca
Serenity
Total Recall
Pitch Black
Event Horizon
Supernova
Aliens

NOTE [10/06/22]: I have just re-ordered the above list, with my favorites in the listed order. Just thought to add “Interstellar” as one of my faves. And then added “The Crazies” and “Dark was the Night” after wrestling whether they were actually Sci Fi. [end note]

Tamarind & Date Chutney

July 22, 2016 bgibson135

tamarind&date-chutney.jpg I think this is the brand of Tamarind & Date Chutney that I bought at an India Indian market in Apex, NC. It is sweet, but for some reason reminds me of Texas Pete Chili. It would go well with ham on a sandwich.

Kinlaw’s Welcome Grill

July 21, 2016October 23, 2016 bgibson135

With the Rainbow Restaurant being closed the week of July 4th, I had to find other breakfast providers.

I visited Kinlaw’s Welcome Grill again. I had forgotten how good their Country Ham breakfast was.

You get:

· Country ham (“off the line”)

· Grits

· Scrambled eggs (you choice)

· A biscuit

· Drink (unsweet tea, sweetened by me)

All the above for $5.25 including tax. That is an awesome price, and the food is all good!

You don’t pay for atmosphere. It is a metal building with no windows.

You are served from a serving line, with plastic utensils and paper plates.

Superfood Salad at Sherefe

June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 bgibson135

ENTRÉE

Superfood Salad

Kale, quinoa, cucumbers, tomatoes & bermuda onions

with grilled chicken & sour cherry vinaigrette

$10

Sherefe, 114 Gillespie Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311

The Ice Crusher on Sis’s Kitchen Wall

May 2, 2016February 3, 2026 bgibson135

I don’t recall if the ice crusher mounted beside the kitchen door at my Aunt Sis’s house was exactly like this, but it was pretty close. When I look at the shape of the red plastic ice catcher, and the cast iron teeth, alot of it comes back to me. The kitchen walls & cabinets were of cedar.

Spring Vacation

April 24, 2016 bgibson135

The parentheses of this vacation was that I food poisoned myself the first Saturday and am almost well now, the following Sunday.

The highlight of my vacation was Wednesday lunch. I was heading to Asheville and stopped at “Sticks and Stones” in Greensboro, NC and ordered a small pizza. There was a parking space right up front and there were just a few people inside & out.

The pizza had a distinctive flavor, I think it was the tomatoes. I added bacon and red onion as I didn’t want to test my digestive system too much. “To Be The One” Classic Margherita style pie with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, parmesan and fresh basil.

The waitress had a nose ring. She was friendly and attentive.

I stopped in Statesville for three purposes. I see that they have closed a long-time available ramp off the Interstate.

I found a First Citizens and went it. When I walked in, there was no one in sight. Then a teller popped out of what may have been an alcove for the drive-thru. I finished filling out my check and gave it to the teller. She was friendly and allowed me to tell some of my stories, and she shared a bank robbery item herself.

I then drove around and found what I thought was the main Post Office. The letters, in gold, said “Post Office and Courthouse” I think. I parked and walked around front to go inside. As I am walking up the steps I start to read a sign with a gun on it. “No firearms allowed.” I thought that strange. I opened the door and as I started to enter, I see an “FBI-type,” dressed man approaching me. There was a sensor walk-thru device, but I didn’t make it there.

Seems, this is no longer a Post Office, but a Bankruptcy Court. The officer was personable and directed me to the nearest mailboxes.

I think it was Walgreens that I went to, to purchase “adult” diapers. I bought a package of these because I did not want to accidentally soil the motel sheets/bed.

I stayed at the Quality Inn on the east side of Asheville. I had stayed there before and the room was small but comfortable.

Let me say that adult diapers are not very sexy, especially when they are worn by an old fat man.

Lunch at the Southern Sizzler in Whiteville, NC

April 11, 2016April 11, 2016 bgibson135

I had lunch at the Southern Sizzler Restaurant in Whiteville, North Carolina yesterday (Sunday, April 10, 2016). I had passed this restaurant on other visits to Whiteville because it always seemed busy, but today, I was a little early for the Church Crowd (about 11:30 am).

The Buffet with unsweet tea came to a little over $13.

They have good food, attentive waitresses, and a country diner atmosphere.

I sampled several items including pork ribs, meatloaf, breaded pork chop, fried chicken (wing), fried shrimp, turnips, butter beans, green beans and salt pork rind. The only thing that wasn’t up to par was the cabbage slaw. It was much like what I had fixed in the past before I took note of a trick that Mary Ann uses to fix her slaw. She cuts up the cabbage roughly, puts it in a blender “with water” and then blends it. Without the water the slaw becomes too fine and almost mushy. Drain off the water after the slaw is chopped and add some sweetner and Dukes Mayo.

I enjoyed it all and went back for a few more turnips and another pork rib. The ribs would have been better if the sauce had been cooked into the meat, but the meat was good, and the sauce had good flavor.