Whistling and Walking

(I wrote this in honor of my Great-Grandpa, he really did walk our chihuahua on a long leash of rope.)


Whistling and Walking

An Ode to Great Grandpa

“Have you ever seen such a long leash?” I did say,
To my neighbor, on this exceptionally fine sunny day.

“Oh that”, said my neighbor, and he was eager to tell,
Of the Old Italian, Mauro, that he knew somewhat well.

“Yes”, said he, “every day around three, old Mauro goes out walking, you see. His companion is always attached to that leash, bounding along,
while old Mauro whistles a favorite Italian song.”

Mauro's long mustache is curled and trimmed to perfection,
both man and his dog return mutual affection.

It can be a comical sight to behold,
For the Chihuahua's strut is exceptionally bold.
Those little dog feet move quickly to cover some ground,
And he disappears from your gaze crossing over a small mound.

The Chihuahua's bold rapid strides are characteristic of his kind,
And old Mauro's slow shuffling steps do lag far behind.
That's why the leash is so long, now you see,
but they make fine walking companions, if you ask me.

Fri June 10 2011 Quotes from Socrates

Quotes from Socrates:


“All men’s souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.”

“A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true.”

“Be as you wish to seem.”

“An honest man is always a child.”

“As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.”

“[Man] is always becoming a new being and undergoing a process of loss and reparation, which affects ... his soul as well. No man's character, habits, opinions, desires, pleasures, pains, and fears remain always the same; new ones come into existence and old ones disappear.”

Lets hear it for yummy Banana Bread

Banana Coconut Bread
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¾ tsp salt
½ cup butter or margarine softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vinegar mixed with 1 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups mashed ripe banana
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Stir together flour, soda, and salt until blended. I another bowl, beat butter and sugar together until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition, stir in vinegar mixture, and bananas. Gradually stir in flour until just blended. Stir in coconut. Pour batter into buttered 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.

Bake in a 350 F oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 min., carefully loosen, with a butter knife, from pan and turn out onto a rack to cool. Wrap and store for a day before cutting. Makes 1 loaf.

Banana Apricot Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour, unsifted.
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp each: baking soda and salt.
1 cup sugar
½ cup each: chopped dried apricots and walnuts or pecans.
1 ripe mashed banana
½ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup melted butter

In a bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and sugar. Add apricots and nuts and mix well. In another bowl, together the milk and egg; add banana and melted butter. Stir into the dry mixture until just blended. Pour into buttered loaf pan.

Bake in a 350 F oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, carefully loosen, with a butter knife, from pan and turn out on a rack to cool. After cooling, slice and enjoy. Makes 1 loaf.