Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Left out of "Left Out."

The biography I lovingly crafted to match MinnPost's Bonafield bio. Only one is a parody.


Susan J. Berkson was retired by the Star Tribune after a stint as an Editorial Columnist during which she was the target of so much vitriol she feared for her life. She has also written for PBS, the Christian Science Monitor, the Chicago Tribune, the San Diego Union Tribune, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, Minnesota Public Radio, WTTW-TV, TPT, and KARE-TV. Berkson, who attended Princeton University, holds an MFA from the University of MInnesota, and won the Vivian Castelberry Award for Best Columnist from the Socity for Women Journalists. Berkson, who had intended to be a Broadway star, a Nobel Prize winner, and a United States Senator, was distracted by other things. Nevertheless, she founded the Minnesota Children's Health Environmental Coaltion and was instrumental in passing the Parent's Right to Know Act. In 1991, she received the Governor's Commendation for establishing the Campaign for a Violence-Free Minnesota. Her first job was as a nurse's aide at Walters Hospital in Michigan City, Indiana, after which she sold shoes at J.C. Penney.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Thank you, Roz Chast

Friday, November 20, 2009

I can cook, too


Tammy Wong would be proud of me.

Over the summer, Chef Wong of Minneapolis' Rainbow Chinese Restaurant did several cooking demonstrations at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. I helped; not as her sous chef. I just held the microphone and fielded questions, a good use of my skills.

Just as there are famous cooks, I am a famous non-cook. Which hasn't stopped me from the occasional experiment. Tonight I decided on a beef stir-fry using whatever was in the house. This left me with carrots, butternut squash and leftover peas. I did my best to julienne the carrots, then tried to get the peel off the squash. (Bill Roehl was wrong. Everyone does not know how to peel squash.)

It was messy, but bloodless. Into the pan went the veggies, the beef, and finally a soy and oyster sauce blend, thanks to a bottle Chef Wong sent home with me.

"Mom, where did this come from?" my astonished son asked, "It's good."


I don't know. Heaven?




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Thursday, November 12, 2009

This takes the cake


And hides it, too.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4: Modern WarfareImage via Wikipedia

The battle starts early. Nine hours before the first shot is fired.

The soldiers arrive at 3 to gain tactical advantage, 'tho Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 won't be released until midnight.

Pfc. Teenage Son was first on the scene, canteen in hand, ready for the fight.

At least he didn't wear his BDU.

Among the tattooed and pierced at GameStop, that would have offered scant protection.

Allied Command is monitoring the action from Panera Bread, four doors away, where an MRE will be served at 17:00. Pfc. Teenage Son, btw, just dropped in for some R&R, and apparently, a sandwich.

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Saturday, November 7, 2009

Minnetonka arrives

An example of a Trader Joe's storefrontImage via Wikipedia

Trader Joe's opened today.

Already it's bustling with the well-dressed and well-tressed, all of whom seem to have cool glasses, to boot.

What am I doing there? Is Trader Joe's fair to farmers?

I saw Earthbound Farms broccoli, Michigan apples, Fayge yogurt.

Nothing local.

Have to check with El Dragon at FairFoodFight.

Update:
Baquettes are from local New French Bakery
Honeycrisp apples from Washington State



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