07 March 2010
Reader Response Forum
13/03/2010 06:22
Uncanny How Women Just Know Some Things
A furniture salesman decided that he wanted to expand the line of furniture in his store, so he decided to go to Paris to see what he could find.
After arriving in Paris (this being his first trip ever to the French capital), he met with some manufacturers and finally selected a line that he thought would sell well back home.
To celebrate the new acquisition, he decided to visit a small bistro and have a glass of wine. As he sat enjoying his wine, he noticed that the small place was quite crowded, and that the one other chair at his table was the only vacant seat in the house.
Before long, a very beautiful young Parisian girl came to his table, asked him something in French (which he did not understand), and motioned toward the chair. He invited her to sit down.
He tried to speak to her in English, but she did not speak his language so, after a couple of minutes of trying to communicate with her, he took a napkin and drew a picture of a wine glass and showed it to her. She nodded, and he ordered a glass of wine for her.
After sitting together at the table for a while, he took another napkin, and drew a picture of a plate with food on it, and she nodded. They left the bistro and found a quiet cafe that featured a small group playing romantic music.
They ordered supper, after which he took another napkin and drew a picture of a couple dancing. She nodded, and they got up to dance. They danced until the cafe closed and the band was packing up.
Back at their table, the young lady took a napkin and drew a picture of a four-poster bed.
To this day, he has no idea how she figured out that he was in the furniture business.
WEBBITS
13/03/2010 06:22
* A letter to my daughters about weed.
* Homeless Guy Lives On Rewards Points From His Former Life.
* Tofino set to ban Starbucks, Tim Hortons and McDonalds.
* Nerf gun prompts lockdown.
* How can I help my dog age gracefully?
* Mount Prospect school bus driver charged with DUI.
Coupon Use Sees 27% Jump During Recession
13/03/2010 06:22
This might come as no surprise to most folks, but it is interesting nonetheless.
Hard times have turned coupon clipping into a hard core sport of late.
I don’t use coupons much, but lately I have used them more than normal.
That’s because my Safeway store, the one on Hebert Road, sends me printable coupons via e-mail, good only at their location.
Seems to me that is smart retailing.
Do you clip coupons like theses ladies?
10 Deceptively Easy Recipes To Try
13/03/2010 06:21
If you are one of those people who enjoy tasty food but loathe the time it takes to make the dishes, this bit is for you.
This web site has come up with 10 easy to prepare dishes that are delicious.
It features homemade salad dressing, bread, crepes, risotto, puff pastry, roast chicken, coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, truffles and chocolate cake.
Did I mention the bread is made with a pint of Guiness?
Mmm, mmm good.
Why Did The Old Woman Cross The Street?
13/03/2010 06:21
SINC SAYS:
Why, to get to the other side of course.
An 89-year-old in the UK lives across the street from shops and the post office.
Traffic is so heavy she is afraid to cross the street by jaywalking.
So she does the next best thing and takes the bus.
It’s a 14 mile trip though.
It Happened At School
13/03/2010 06:21
Reader Response Forum
12/03/2010 04:16
Waiting For The Weekend . . .
Here it comes . . .
Here it comes . . .
Yessss! - It's Friday!
Have a great weekend!
Candlelight Vigil For Slain Toddler
This was the scene last night at the candle-light vigil held on the steps of the Alberta Legislature for a murdered Morinville toddler. - Photo by Velvet Martin of the city.
Don,
The vigil was absolutely beautiful; thank you for choosing to highlight awareness in the public sector. The speakers were brilliant and it is a shame - truly - that all political leaders of our Province were absent from the ceremony because there was a great wealth of wisdom to be taken in and valued.
I have never attended such a spiritual gathering as was in place for this little girl ... Aboriginally-inspired, people were visibly moved and affected by the tragedy that occurred within our community. So many within the crowd had their own personal tragedies to share and it is true as one person relayed: The child may have been anyone's so it is imperative that we each take a stance to ensure that every life (and death) is embraced, valued and protected.
A Reverend, Advocates, and a Lawyer for the People were on site to participate in generating change and hope for children of the future. The sole absence that hindered the tribute was the fact that imposed legislation prevented the child and her family from being named. That, I feel, is a tragedy in itself: It is re-victimization of an already horrendous event and further traumatizes a family who is denied its identity.
Transparency is desired as a means of achieving justice and prevention; yet those who harm children are better protected than the victims themselves. Furthermore, policies are meaningless if Leaders choose not to recognize flaws, be inspired to listen to Public out-cry by seeking to remedy situations and actually impart legislation through education of its representatives to follow-through with recommendations.
Sincerely,
Velvet Martin
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the overview and the picture too Velvet. Sometimes privacy legislation stands in the way of certain situations. This is one of them.
Boogie Woogie!
Old friend Merv Hawkins of London, Ontario sent along this clip. The darn thing makes me tired now just watching it, but my oh my, there WAS a day! Enjoy!
Playing This Weekend At LB’s Pub
WEBBITS
12/03/2010 04:16
* N.Y.C. cops assure public figures on midtown rooftops are statues, not jumpers.
* California boy who called 911 thanks dispatcher.
* Woman dragged through South Dennis car wash.
* Four Bronx buddies facing year in jail after 'hitting' off-duty transit cop - with a snowball!
* Man marries pillow.
Embarrassing Medical Moments
12/03/2010 04:16
The middle-aged lady upon whom I was performing this exam suddenly burst out laughing and further embarrassing me.
I looked up from my work and sheepishly said, 'I'm sorry. Was I tickling you?'
She replied with tears running down her cheeks from laughing so hard, ' No doctor but the song you were whistling was 'I wish I was an Oscar Meyer Wiener.'
- Doctor wouldn't submit his name.
Burst Blood Vessels Turn Man Creative
12/03/2010 04:16
One would never imagine that two burst blood vessels in one’s head could be a good thing.
That’s exactly what happened to a chap in the UK and he went into a coma as a result.
But when he awoke, he had an uncontrollable urge to paint.
And paint he did. All over the inside of his house.
Any wall became his canvas.
See the weird results here.
The Mystery Of The Midnight Knitter
12/03/2010 04:15
The small town of West Cape May, NJ has a mystery on its hands.
Er, make that on its trees and signposts among other things.
You see, someone is knitting covers for trees and sneaking out at midnight to put them on.
People there are on pins and needles trying to solve the yarn, if you can forgive the pun.
It’s all right here.
Birds And Windows - A Deadly Combination
12/03/2010 04:15
We’ve all heard that sound we dread.
You know the one I mean. That hard bang when one of our feathered friends crashes into a window in our home and we rush out to find it taking its last gasp on the ground below.
Some say that as many as a billion birds a year die in the US alone from such collisions.
But can we do anything to prevent them being injured?
We can, according to the tips here.
Reader Response Forum
11/03/2010 04:07
Breaking News . . .
Candlelight Vigil Tonight For Slain Toddler
There will be a candle-light vigil this evening on the Alberta Legislature Grounds at 6:30 p.m. for the murdered Morinville toddler. Please attend, if you can, to show support for the life of the little girl AND all children who have been harmed under Ministry Direction!
Alberta Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Ave.
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2B6
The Things Our Readers Send Us
Frost Amplification Zone
This is in St-Pierre, behind Val Dirène in the Gaspésie in Quebec. It is the frost build up - sort of like the ice storm but this was a frost storm. The official term is a ZAG...zone d'amplification du givre (frost amplification zone). Yes, those are miles and miles of trees that look like marshmallows (don't ask how much weight is on the transmission tower.)
The Very Best Of Photography
WEBBITS
11/03/2010 04:07
* CHP helps slow runaway Toyota Prius to safe stop.
* Tax soda, pizza to cut obesity, researchers say.
* Wichita man pays crack dealer with Monopoly money.
* Double down: Man says women wanted to party after he won at MGM Grand, asked him to jump in shower, robbed him at gunpoint.
* Girl Nauseous for Two Years Due to Wrong Glasses.
Only In The US Of A Could This Happen
11/03/2010 04:07
An inmate on death row in an Ohio prison got hold of some pills and overdosed on them just hours before his scheduled execution.
Guards found him unconscious and rushed him to the emergency ward of a local hospital.
Hospital medical staff have so far refused to release him saying that he is still in critical condition.
Prison officials have stayed the execution, but only for a week so he can recover.
Then they’re going to kill him.
It Happened At School
11/03/2010 04:07
Pee Breaks In Edmonton During Hockey Game
11/03/2010 04:07
We’ve all heard the jokes about water consumption going up between periods of a hockey game, haven’t we?
Now there is proof after Epcor released figures of consumption during the gold medal Olympic hockey game.
As you will see from the chart provided, there are peaks in usage.
This story describes them in detail.
When Will Rights Madness End?
11/03/2010 04:06
I suppose it had to happen somewhere, this time in the UK.
A new law is being proposed to protect vegans from discrimination.
Yeah, you read that right, vegans, And atheists. Teetotalers too.
No kiddin’, I don’t make this crap up.
“Official guidance issued by the body points out that the 'ethical commitment' of vegan's to animal welfare is 'central to who they are'.”
Yeah, right.
Reader Response Forum
10/03/2010 06:12
The Things Our Readers Send Us
Spring Is Just Around The Corner . . .
Nindigully Road Train Burger
The tiny township of Nindigully is located on the edge of the Queensland outback - 160km west of Goondiwindi, about 530km west of Brisbane, and approximately 70 km north of the Queensland/New South Wales border.
Nindigully Pub is Queensland's oldest hotel, located in its original condition and position on the banks of the Moonie River. The licence was issued in 1864 after operating as shearers accommodation for the Nindigully Station.
The "boom" town has now been reduced to just two houses, the pub, the old general store and the town hall, with a population of six!
Nevertheless, it was voted the Best Country Pub in Australia in 2006 by 44 Australia magazine, and you can see why - it has become famous for its truckie's feed of the Nindigully Road Train Burger.
This giant hamburger is served with French fries, onion rings and a selection of sauces, says it will feed 1- 4 people, and costs $36 - the meat patty alone is 1.2kg!
How do you reckon you'd go?
WEBBITS
10/03/2010 06:12
* Al-Qaida calls on US Muslims to attack America.
* Black-market cosmetic surgeries hospitalize six N.J. Women.
* Michigan man charged with performing circumcisions on adult males without a license.
* Humans driving extinction faster than species can evolve, say experts.
* Man arrested for 'thinking of a cheeseburger'.
My, What Big Horns You Have
10/03/2010 06:12
An elderly Chinese grandmother is getting on people’s goats.
That is to say she’s grown a horn on her forehead similar to that of a goat.
And there is another one starting on the other side of her forehead.
The picture with this story is a bit unnerving as well.
It’s a ba-a-a-d situation.
Best You Return That DVD To The Library
10/03/2010 06:12
People are prone to forget things and that is just normal.
But a teen recently forgot a DVD borrowed from the library. He had packed it away when his family moved and out of sight, out of mind prevailed.
But the library didn’t forget about it.
I know, I know you think they stung him with excessive late charges, right?
Wrong. They had him arrested.
A Hart To Heart Talk
10/03/2010 06:11
A 60-year-old man near Chicago had a day he won’t soon forget during the last big snow storm.
He had been over at his mother’s house and shovelled her walk when he felt a pain in his arm and chest.
In denial that he might be having a heart attack, he got in his car and drove away. He had been having problems with his cell phone so he called his provider for assistance.
That’s when he pulled into a convenience store and things got hairy.
The cell phone rep got him the help he needed in a roundabout way.
Oddly enough, her name was Hart.
Reader Response Forum
09/03/2010 03:20
Bits And Pieces From Our Readers
What a lovely spread on Wonderfun, thank you!
Yes, one of the very positive things, as you relay, about the organization is that it gets back to the basics: Kids having fun and learning new skills. There is no pressure because the team encourages participation of players in all levels of skill. There is no tolerance for lack of acceptance, but frankly, I have never seen a problem within the league; which is wonderful!
There was one little girl, for example, who began at the start of the season holding on to the sides of the rink boards and by game season end, you would not have been able to distinguish her from the team-mates!
There are a few rules for players to abide by, such as, those who are particularly skillful can score up to 4 goals, but after that, they must pass the puck to allow peers opportunity to be successful. Kudos to all the coaches and parents who give freely of their time each year to make this a success for the kids. : )
Velvet Martin
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
We’re always happy to help out a local group or organization Velvet.
Miller Beer Dominos Commercial
Thanks to reader George Proulx for tracking down this video for SAP viewers to enjoy.
And thanks to local blogger and SCN columnist David J Climenhaga for pointing us towards this gem:
Celebrating 250,000 Visitors
On The Brink:
G'day, Sinc
I see that your site is on the brink of 250,000 hits.
Congratulations - and thanks for all the time and effort you devote to it, especially the chuckles and the great pictures.
It really provides an upbeat start to our days.
Best to you, ol' pal.
Oren Robison,
Nipawin, SK
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Oren, that means a lot coming from you. (Oren and I worked together in the newspaper industry for many years going all the way back to the mid 1960s.)
Don:
I am happy to report that I am the 250,100th viewer of your blog! I was trying to hit the quarter million mark right on the nose but I missed. Congratulations for putting out such an entertaining site. I enjoy reading it even though I live in London, Ontario. Keep up the good work and all the best!
Bill Dempsey
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Bill. (Bill is another long time friend and former co-worker from way back when.)
Hi Don:
Another milestone passed! Congratulations on a terrific website. It's my morning chuckle and sometimes a trip to another country. Good way to start the day.
Best Wishes
Joyce
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Joyce! (Yet another co-worker from days past.)
Hey Sinc,
Congratulations on the 250,000th hit on the website. Who'da thunk it when you came up with this idea that it would be such a success. It's how I start almost every morning, when I miss a day I catch up the next. Keep up the great work.
Ian In Calgary
SINC SAYS:
Thanks Ian. (Do I have to tell you this is another former co-worker folks?)
WEBBITS
09/03/2010 03:20
* Underwear, Mountain Of Sand Angers Neighbors.
* NY man laughed off Taser jolt while battling cops.
* Funny Farm: Unlikely Animal Pairs. A look at some wild pairings in the animal kingdom.
* Boulder Catholic School Student Expelled Because His Parents Are Gay.
* Gorilla’s great escape was 1950s student prank: reports.
A Hangover Cure At McDonalds?
09/03/2010 03:20
Sometimes fast food joints serve things they don’t even know about.
Take the case of this combo being put together in San Francisco using standard McDonald’s ingredients.
They claim it is a great cure for a hangover, but the trouble is that it is only available at 10:35 a.m.
That’s why it’s called “The 10:35”.
Good News For You Girls When Dieting
09/03/2010 03:20
Ladies, the endless diet fare of salads is finally over.
“Women who enjoy a glass or two of wine a day put on less weight than those who stick to mineral water or soft drinks, research shows - with red wine particularly forgiving. The finding, from a long-term study of almost 20,000 women, suggests that the body processes the calories in alcohol differently to those in food.”
So girls, hit the wine store and slim right down.
UK Government Spying On People’s Garbage
09/03/2010 03:20
Welcome to 1984, albeit a bit late.
Big Brother is watching residents of London by putting spy chips into their garbage cans.
It seems they’ve been secretly stashing the chips for quite some time now.
They claim of course, that it is only to monitor the amount of trash people toss out so they can charge abusers extra.
Yeah, right.
Embarrassing Medical Moments
09/03/2010 03:19
'It's very good except for the Kentucky Jelly. I can't seem to get used to the taste,' he replied.
I then asked to see the jelly and he produced a foil packet labeled 'KY Jelly.'
- Submitted by Dr. Leonard Kransdorf
Reader Response Forum
08/03/2010 06:20
The Canadian Gold Medal Hockey Song
Did You Know That . . .
Aren’t These Puppies Adorable?
A St. John’s NL reader sent along these shots of a new litter of Dachshund puppies, born last Tuesday. Left to right, are Joannie (named after Joannie Rochette), Monty, Bubbles, Sidney (aka Sid the Kid Crosby), and Lew. Joannie and Lew are over a pound, Monty, Bubbles and Sidney should tip the scales at about two pounds. That’s Mom Fanny at top.
All Women’s Night At LB’s Pub
March 9th - The Woman’s Show with Kate Ammar, Lisa B, Donna Jibaroo, Maria Reid, and Mary Thomas featuring an all woman’s open stage.
This night is intended to show off all the talented of female musicians in and around our area.
I have had the pleasure to watch, listen and play along with a lot of the great female performers we’ve met.
Kate is a mostly choir trained singer who shows guts live and plays a little guitar and will show off some original material accompanied by the house band and her good friend and very talented Zara Domino on (guitar). I asked Kate (my daughter) to host this first time all ladies show and she is very excited for this evening to happen.
Lisa B I have seen numerous times on drums and recently watched her play guitar and sing. Great touch drummer and we will use Lisa on drums, guitar and vocals through the night.
Donna Jibaroo is a great funky blues style bass player who also sings and dabbles on drums and other instruments I am sure. I have had the pleasure to sit in at a couple of gigs with Donna and she showed off her great fronting talents at both gigs.
Maria Reid was the first female drummer I got a chance to see at our open stages back in 2003. Great clock drummer keeping very good timing and always sticking to the meat and potatoes style to keep the time right for the rest of the stage. Maria also played along side Wayne Allchin in a band called backfire for a stint and last we spoke she was looking to put together her own act.
Mary Thomas has to be on of the busiest ladies on the music scene and I am sure a lady a lot of the guys and girls would consider one of the leading vocalists in our area. Fronting the Mary Thomas band she also kept herself very busy on the open jam scene running her own open stages for over 10 years. Also had a stint hosting at the renowned Blues on Whyte. This girl lights up any stage I have ever seen her on and I think will bring in a killer set with the house band. Great powerful soul blues rockin’ singer.
I picked this house band to be the sit in and back up band for anyone who shows up to play and this night will be dedicated to my late mother Basma Ammar who was a hand drummer and would have been so proud to see this night for the girls.
Ammar’s Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosted by Mark Ammar and Noel (Big Cat) Mackenzie
Moosehead Beer Specials
Sponsored by Moosehead Beer
WEBBITS
08/03/2010 06:20
Talk About Your Botched Boob Jobs
08/03/2010 06:20
Honestly folks, you can’t make up the kind of stuff we find on the web.
There’s not much to tell about a woman getting a boob job either.
That is unless something goes wrong, in which case we’re all over it.
But beware finding your surgeon on the internet.
This lady went in to have her boobs enhanced, but she came out with four instead of two.
No, really.
Embarrassing Medical Moments
08/03/2010 06:19
' Which one ?' I asked.
'The patch. The Nurse told me to put on a new one every six hours and now I'm running out of places to put it'.
I had him quickly undress and discovered what I hoped I wouldn't see. Yes, the man had over fifty patches on his body!
Now, the instructions include removal of the old patch before applying a new one.
- Submitted by Dr. Rebecca St. Clair
That’s One Heck Of A Shopping Spree
08/03/2010 06:19
We all know that there are many rich people who live in Dubai.
The United Arab Emerates is crawling with them, especially the royal family.
But the president’s son must have a few bucks himself.
You see, he just went on a shopping spree and spent $44 million on nine new waterfront homes.
Lavish indeed, but not unusual over there.
Unless that is, you consider he is only 11 years old.
It Happened At School
08/03/2010 06:19
Reader Response Forum
07/03/2010 04:47
The Very Best Of Photography
Way Back When Repairs Were Affordable
Hockey The Way It Was Meant To Be Played!
Dear Don,
I thought I would send share some photo shots from the WONDERFUN HOCKEY ASSOCIATION last game of the season at Servus Place.
My husband, John, has participated as coach and equipment manager for several years. The organization is a fantastic educational and athletic experience for children. Thanks to all the great parents who participate in making the year a success!
Our youngest son, Alex, who is 12, is on the ice with team-mates. There is a brief description about the organization from this website.
Sincerely,
Velvet Martin
St. Albert
About Wonderfun Hockey Association
**Wonderfun Hockey is now eligible for the Child Fitness TaxCredit! Receipts are issued at Registration.**
We are a small community organization of parents that have been running an outdoor hockey program for kids 6-13 for about 15 years now.
We play on outdoor rinks around St. Albert from the first week in January to the last week in Feb. It is a short season but the kids play twice a week for one hour. The first 15-20 minutes of every session is designed to teach hockey and skating skills. The last 40-45 minutes is a scrimmage against their own players to solidify the skills just learned.
We Provide a non-contact, fun environment for children 6-13 to experience hockey. Wonderfun is not in competition with St. Albert Minor Hockey. In keeping with our philosophy of fun and enjoyment, players in SAMHA are not encouraged to participate in Wonderfun to use it as extra ice time.
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the letter Velvet. It seems to me this is a much better alternative than driving kids into organized hockey where they learn to fight and parents hang on dreams of their offspring becoming NHL stars. It kind of reminds me of the old days when hockey was for kids and by kids and future NHL players “just happened”. Today it is an obsession for some parents and the fun is gone for the kids.
A reader near Lethbridge sent us this old copy of the rules from the Macleod Hotel back in the 1800’s. Good thing today’s hotels have changed those rules, isn’t it?
WEBBITS
07/03/2010 04:47
* Man sues airline for not looking at his scrotum.
* FHP: Driver lacked razor-sharp focus.
* Skinvestigation claim: Detective gets 130 lap dances, makes no arrests.
* Australian woman died after 'head was cut off during freak lawnmower accident'.
* 1 Year Later, Fla. Monkey Still Eludes Capture.
* Flight attendant falls from plane.
A Foodie's Tour Of Oklahoma
07/03/2010 04:47
By KC4
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Part One Of Three:
Oklahoma City was much less humid than Houston and even though about the same temperature, the lower humidity makes it seem a little warmer.
My sister has joined me for this segment of my trip, as our main purpose is to visit a cousin who is convalescing in hospital.
After we pick up our rental car, but before we hit the hospital, we decide to get breakfast. Hmmmm, where to eat in Oklahoma? My sister is a fellow food adventurer and like me, she does not like to eat in any place that she can eat at back home.
So we are on the hunt for something quick, but out of the ordinary for us. Waffle House? Nope. Denny’s? Nah. IHOP? Don’t think so. McDonald’s? No way. Never. We’re hungry, not desperate.
Carl’s Jr? OK – Now here is someplace different and it looks like we can get in and out quickly. Carl’s Jr. also seems home to Green Burrito, another one of these restaurant joint ventures. I’ve had more than my fill of Mexican and Tex-Mex fare lately but my sister can go for it.
She orders a breakfast burrito and sides. I scan the menu and to my delight, I find something I have never eaten for breakfast, or any meal to my knowledge, anywhere. There’s a pork-chop and gravy breakfast biscuit. Awesome! It’s so wrong it has to be right.
The glazed cinnamon raisin biscuit looks very interesting too, so we get one of those to share.
Carl’s Jr. isn’t busy this morning, maybe 10 other customers in here at the time and interestingly all seniors, except for us.
I understood why in a few minutes. The staff behind the fast food counter were coming out from behind the counter opening the door for customers and greeting them by name. These customers were obviously regulars and must order the same thing because they were asked if they wanted “the usual”. The staff members were also waiting on the people at the tables, including us. Now that’s something you don’t often see in a fast-food restaurant.
Did we want more of anything? How was our meal? My sister was so enthused with her side of mini hockey puck shaped hash browns, she asked what they were called, expecting some cutesy trade name. “Uhhh, Hash Browns?” the staff member replied, probably wondering why Canadians didn’t know what hash browns were, poor thangs.
My pork chop on a biscuit was surprisingly good, and it was a real pork chop, not a formed patty of pork-like product. It was also breaded and fried, with a generous helping of southern white gravy.
The Cinnamon Raisin biscuit was also a glorious experience to eat. It was so soft it almost melted like butter in our mouths. That could only mean one thing: It was full of shortening or lard. We ordered another, to go. You know, for our cousin.
Later on that day after we had checked into the hotel we asked about the local places to eat. We wanted something that was a reflection of Oklahoma City, something that offered Oklahoma southern style food and drink.
The concierge suggested that we check out Logan’s Roadhouse. They were known to make a pretty good chicken fried steak, a true southern dish.
As soon as we walked into Logan’s Roadhouse, we knew we were going to have fun. The floor was strewn with peanut shells and there was a big barrel of peanuts right at the front entrance. Tin pails of peanuts were on each table with beer advertisements on stakes stuck into them. I couldn’t help thinking that this place would be a 911 nightmare for anyone with a peanut allergy.
Crunching our way through the shells, we found ourselves a booth. Americana was everywhere with neon beer signs, license plate wall maps of the USA, old road signage and vintage posters for country and western concerts.
The
menu wasn’t a disappointment. There were many
southern specialties that aren’t readily available
back in Canada. My sister orders a chicken fried
steak with gravy, I found myself a mess o’ southern
fried catfish with an unusual side of a baked sweet
potato with both melted marshmallows and a drizzled
caramel sauce to top. Sweet, on sweet, on sweet. Hoo
wheee, I won’t need dessert.
Our review of the drink menu also proved to be interesting. I was the driver for this Oklahoma leg of my journey so I wasn’t going to touch alcohol. My sister however, was welcome to go for it and she found the house specialty drinks. These were Logan’s Roadhouse “teas” in many flavors and colors.
I ordered a regular iced tea, which always comes unsweetened in the southern States. If you want it sweet you must ask for it to be sweetened or add sugar to it yourself. Good luck trying to get the sugar to dissolve in the ice cold drink.
The Logan’s Roadhouse tea was an unnatural fluorescent blue in color and came in an oversized mug. When my sister had finished about half of her drink, the waiter, who knew we were from Canada, informed her that there was a two-drink limit for these teas. I thought he was kidding with us.
Really? Why, we wondered? My sister said that the drink didn’t taste that strong. He informed us that the drink contained not one, but two shots of liquor, one of which was 151 proof Everclear.
Is that all? This was a dilution as real Everclear is 190 proof and illegal in many states. However, most alcoholic spirits such as rum and vodka are 80 proof range, so this was kicked up a notch from the norm.
Everclear is also a neutral or pure grain alcohol meaning it is colorless and has no to low flavor. That’s why my sister couldn’t taste it. Watching her ricochet off the tables and chairs like a pinball after one drink proved the alcohol content was significant and made me glad I was driving.
The meal itself was excellent. My crispy southern fried catfish fillets were perfectly browned on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. The triple sweet potato however, did me in only after about four bites. It was way too sweet for my taste buds.
My sister’s chicken fried steak was also very good and authentically prepared. Contrary to the first guess of many people, it has nothing to do with chicken except for the preparation method.
A tenderized. ½” thin cut of steak is battered and then fried like a piece of chicken. Then a generous portion of peppered white gravy is poured over the fried steak and served, typically with mashed potatoes. Green vegetables, optional.
Even though my sister could not even come close to finishing the steak, the sausage-based gravy was so good that she scraped it off and ate it with the potatoes.
Yes, I know, a coronary attack on a plate – thankfully we don’t eat this way very often. But, when in Oklahoma, we’ll “go local”.
To Be Continued Next Sunday.
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Part One Of Three:
Oklahoma City was much less humid than Houston and even though about the same temperature, the lower humidity makes it seem a little warmer.
My sister has joined me for this segment of my trip, as our main purpose is to visit a cousin who is convalescing in hospital.
After we pick up our rental car, but before we hit the hospital, we decide to get breakfast. Hmmmm, where to eat in Oklahoma? My sister is a fellow food adventurer and like me, she does not like to eat in any place that she can eat at back home.
So we are on the hunt for something quick, but out of the ordinary for us. Waffle House? Nope. Denny’s? Nah. IHOP? Don’t think so. McDonald’s? No way. Never. We’re hungry, not desperate.
Carl’s Jr? OK – Now here is someplace different and it looks like we can get in and out quickly. Carl’s Jr. also seems home to Green Burrito, another one of these restaurant joint ventures. I’ve had more than my fill of Mexican and Tex-Mex fare lately but my sister can go for it.
She orders a breakfast burrito and sides. I scan the menu and to my delight, I find something I have never eaten for breakfast, or any meal to my knowledge, anywhere. There’s a pork-chop and gravy breakfast biscuit. Awesome! It’s so wrong it has to be right.
The glazed cinnamon raisin biscuit looks very interesting too, so we get one of those to share.
Carl’s Jr. isn’t busy this morning, maybe 10 other customers in here at the time and interestingly all seniors, except for us.
I understood why in a few minutes. The staff behind the fast food counter were coming out from behind the counter opening the door for customers and greeting them by name. These customers were obviously regulars and must order the same thing because they were asked if they wanted “the usual”. The staff members were also waiting on the people at the tables, including us. Now that’s something you don’t often see in a fast-food restaurant.
Did we want more of anything? How was our meal? My sister was so enthused with her side of mini hockey puck shaped hash browns, she asked what they were called, expecting some cutesy trade name. “Uhhh, Hash Browns?” the staff member replied, probably wondering why Canadians didn’t know what hash browns were, poor thangs.
My pork chop on a biscuit was surprisingly good, and it was a real pork chop, not a formed patty of pork-like product. It was also breaded and fried, with a generous helping of southern white gravy.
The Cinnamon Raisin biscuit was also a glorious experience to eat. It was so soft it almost melted like butter in our mouths. That could only mean one thing: It was full of shortening or lard. We ordered another, to go. You know, for our cousin.
Later on that day after we had checked into the hotel we asked about the local places to eat. We wanted something that was a reflection of Oklahoma City, something that offered Oklahoma southern style food and drink.
The concierge suggested that we check out Logan’s Roadhouse. They were known to make a pretty good chicken fried steak, a true southern dish.
As soon as we walked into Logan’s Roadhouse, we knew we were going to have fun. The floor was strewn with peanut shells and there was a big barrel of peanuts right at the front entrance. Tin pails of peanuts were on each table with beer advertisements on stakes stuck into them. I couldn’t help thinking that this place would be a 911 nightmare for anyone with a peanut allergy.
Crunching our way through the shells, we found ourselves a booth. Americana was everywhere with neon beer signs, license plate wall maps of the USA, old road signage and vintage posters for country and western concerts.
Our review of the drink menu also proved to be interesting. I was the driver for this Oklahoma leg of my journey so I wasn’t going to touch alcohol. My sister however, was welcome to go for it and she found the house specialty drinks. These were Logan’s Roadhouse “teas” in many flavors and colors.
I ordered a regular iced tea, which always comes unsweetened in the southern States. If you want it sweet you must ask for it to be sweetened or add sugar to it yourself. Good luck trying to get the sugar to dissolve in the ice cold drink.
The Logan’s Roadhouse tea was an unnatural fluorescent blue in color and came in an oversized mug. When my sister had finished about half of her drink, the waiter, who knew we were from Canada, informed her that there was a two-drink limit for these teas. I thought he was kidding with us.
Really? Why, we wondered? My sister said that the drink didn’t taste that strong. He informed us that the drink contained not one, but two shots of liquor, one of which was 151 proof Everclear.
Is that all? This was a dilution as real Everclear is 190 proof and illegal in many states. However, most alcoholic spirits such as rum and vodka are 80 proof range, so this was kicked up a notch from the norm.
Everclear is also a neutral or pure grain alcohol meaning it is colorless and has no to low flavor. That’s why my sister couldn’t taste it. Watching her ricochet off the tables and chairs like a pinball after one drink proved the alcohol content was significant and made me glad I was driving.
The meal itself was excellent. My crispy southern fried catfish fillets were perfectly browned on the outside and moist and tender on the inside. The triple sweet potato however, did me in only after about four bites. It was way too sweet for my taste buds.
My sister’s chicken fried steak was also very good and authentically prepared. Contrary to the first guess of many people, it has nothing to do with chicken except for the preparation method.
A tenderized. ½” thin cut of steak is battered and then fried like a piece of chicken. Then a generous portion of peppered white gravy is poured over the fried steak and served, typically with mashed potatoes. Green vegetables, optional.
Even though my sister could not even come close to finishing the steak, the sausage-based gravy was so good that she scraped it off and ate it with the potatoes.
Yes, I know, a coronary attack on a plate – thankfully we don’t eat this way very often. But, when in Oklahoma, we’ll “go local”.
To Be Continued Next Sunday.
Bacon And Chocolate Rank High In Recipes
07/03/2010 04:47
It seems like cooks put bacon in everything these days.
North Americans taste for bacon just never seems to waiver.
You’ll find it in everything from cocktails to ice cream.
One US Chef thinks we’ve gone too far with our craving for bacon.
Well, he is entitled to his opinion, but not everyone will agree.
As another famous chef used to say, “Pork Rules!”
Banned For Life From Wal*Mart?
07/03/2010 04:47
It happens every day at places like Wal*Mart or Costco for example.
On your way out the door with the merchandise you’ve paid for, you are asked to show the greeter (or maybe door guard is a better term) your receipt.
It never makes me happy. Why, you ask?
Because the store assumes that everyone is a thief and that bothers me. That said, I have always shown my receipt.
But one guy refused.
It Happened At School
07/03/2010 04:46
