Dead Cow Walking

Sometimes I cannot believe the people I know in this town.

My friend Nora calls me to let me know that the other morning, one of her housemates showed up in the front yard wearing the carcass of a dead cow. It had been found in a dumpster, with the guts and entrails removed. It was not a tanned hide and still had its head and limbs and wounds to the flesh. He brought it home in a stolen red shopping cart.

In his drug-addled state, the young man decided this would make an excellent outfit for a vision-quest. He peeled off most of his clothing and placed his head inside the face of the dead cow and wrapped the rest of it around his nearly-nude body. Blood was dripping down his forehead and the hooves and legs draped around his torso. After scaring my friend out of her mind, he walked halfway down the block, dressed like this.

Neighborhood canines (including coyotes) started barking, enticed by the smell. People who were walking their dogs were dragged down the street to get a closer sniff. 3 police cars were dispatched and surrounded him. Finally, the young man was convinced to "take off the cow" and go back home. I suppose no crime was committed, except for the stolen shopping cart, which was returned (and hopefully fumigated).

Can't wait to read about this in next week's police blotter in the Taos News.

Aaron English & Walter Koga: "Afande" ("Policeman")

This Afropop-inspired tune is as good as any I have ever heard. Please give it a listen.

Over-reaching police brutality is a global problem.

Lyrics:

Walter:
Major General wearing black trouser
Afande (policeman) wearing brown suit

Aaron:
I come to this city full of dust and sweat and noise
The living & the dying and the consequence of choice
My people used to light a fire to keep the lions at bay
Now who will shine a light for me to keep these city wolves away?
Afande, afande.  Please, please, afande.

Walter:
I am taking a bus to Nairobi. Kisumu pass by, Kericho pass by, Nakuru pass by, Kericho pass by, Naivasha pass by, then l reach Nairobi.
It’s not fair afande, It’s not fair afande…

Aaron:
I came to this city with my suitcase full of dreams
Now I know this city it ain't nothing like it seems

Walter:
The bus driver made a mistake by dropping us in the middle of Nairobi town. Then the policeman met me by mistake, while I was carrying my nyatiti (lute), and he started harrassing me, asking me bogus questions. What are you carrying in your bag? I told him I’m just carrying my nyatiti. The policeman came to me and wanted to tie me up. l started begging: don't take me in! l just came to see my children in Kariobange!
It’s not fair afande, It’s not fair afande…

Aaron:
I came to this city with my suitcase full of dreams
Now I know this city it ain't nothing like it seems
Afande, afande.  Please, please, afande.

Now You're Cookin'!

Food I can now cook that I couldn't, five years ago:

Broccoli-cauliflower casserole
Corn pudding
An Indian-inspired rice dish from The New York Times Food Section
Grilled Rib Eye Steak
Roasted Chicken
Chicken Salad
Pennsylvania Dutch Marinated Cucumbers and Onions
"Poached" Salmon in a foil pack
Homemade simple tomato pasta sauce
Chicken Stock
Chicken and Rice Soup
Tacos
Applesauce
Apple (and Apple-Cherry) pie with Crumb Topping
Pear Cheddar Pie
Dark Chocolate and Choke Cherry Sauce
Caramel Sauce
Caramel Corn
Banana Bread
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

I have been able to steam or boil or bake vegetables since I was much younger, so please don't think this list is all I can cook.  Hamburgers and pan-fried trout with lemon were also in my skill set, as was spaghetti with a heavily-doctored jar sauce.

My most recent triumph was the chicken stock. It bubbled away on the stove for 5 hours, before I strained the golden liquid into a bowl. I didn't have the desire to learn how to cook, before. Being isolated out here in the New Mexican wilds makes it more of a necessity.

When I really get a hankering to make something, I usually read at least a half-dozen or so recipes online and then use one of them or combine a couple for my creation. I have had great success with this method. The apple-cherry crumb pie is a combination of the filling from the "New Fat Ladies" apple-cherry cobbler and Emeril Lagasse's crumb topping. Not too sweet but somehow, the flavor reminds me of the best Danish Pastry filling. Just so you know, I haven't attempted a crust, yet.

By the way, due to necessity, all of my food is gluten-free.

I'm not painting or drawing, these days, but I guess my cooking is my creative outlet.