Category: Blog (Page 20 of 30)

I love my country and proudly show my colors wherever I may roam.  It’s hard for me not to tear up when I remove my cap, put my hand over my heart and listen to the National Anthem.

Today is July 3^rd and if the world continues to spin at its usual pace, tomorrow will be the 4^th of July, America’s Independence Day. As momentous as that day is, there was another major and, arguably, equally important event  that occurred 86 years and 364 days later, in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. 

While July 4^th, 1776 started a war towards autonomy and independence, July 3^rd 1863, the final day of the Battle of Gettysburg, signifies the beginning of the end of the Civil War which, oddly enough, united our nation forever.

Now, I have to admit that I was never a big history buff until I met my husband and my father in-law, Skip. Skip is an Air Force Colonel and used to teach military history at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, so this stuff is dinner table conversation for the Lee Family. 

From what I have come to understand, the Battle of Gettysburg (along with the fall of Vicksburg the next day) turned the Civil War in the favor of the Union by stopping the advance of Southern troops in the North. Had the North lost the battle of Gettysburg, General Lee’s big bet was that the North’s spirit to fight would be broken. The North prevailed in this battle, however, and although the war raged for another two years, the Southern Army retreated and the Union was preserved.

In late June of 2001, we celebrated my father-in-law’s 60^th birthday with a trip to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  He was over the moon and basically couldn’t stop talking. We hired a tour guide and Gettysburg aficionado, Jim Boudry.  Mr. Boudry – if you’re out there – God Bless you! Jim spent most of his time excitedly discussing not only the battle, but the entire war with Skip, so we didn’t have to.

The most memorable part of the trip came on the third and final day when we took a horseback ride across the grassy, green battlefields where Picket’s Charge occurred. We were hooked up with an audio set (background music included) and moved along the route and placements at a pace that fit the commentary.  I felt completely isolated yet so much a part of what had happened so many years ago. I listened to the battle rage around me, felt the canon shots’ reverberations, and cringed at the battle cries of men young and old, Rebel and Yankee.

When terra firma as beautiful as this is at peace, it’s quite impossible to envision 50,000 casualties, a large portion of them lying on that open field. It is the creative task of the curators at Gettysburg National Park to help you see just that. I was brought to tears thinking of their supreme sacrifice for a cause they believed in ~ all of them. Those few hours on horseback in the pasturelands of Pennsylvania are ones that I will never forget.

Of course, one must question what makes people venerate a place like Gettysburg. Is it the fact that thousands lost their lives and more were injured or captured? Is it the ideals they fought for or against? Is it the role the battle played in the history of not only the United States but across the world? Perhaps, it is different for everyone.

My great-grandfather fought in the Civil War and survived. We found his company’s marker along the way, and I tipped my hat. Although he did not fight at Gettysburg, he was present for Lincoln’s infamous address. 

As I said, I’d never been much of a history girl, but I am now. A few weeks ago I personally requested that we watch “Gettysburg” an historical movie of the days leading up to and including July 3^rd’s battle. This was my inspiration for what I’ve written today.

War is a nasty business, but freedom doesn’t come free.  Please take a moment over these next few days to say a few words for those that have fought and continue to fight for our country and all the good things it stands for.  How can you not?

General George Pickett was a bit of a character and was once asked why he felt that battle was lost, he replied:

“I’ve always thought the Yankees had something to do with it.”

Eat well, Live well

Heidi

To read more of Heidi’s blogs click here.

I grew up in an all American town, and I loved it.  It was the kind of place where comfort food ruled the day. When we wanted food that was more “ethnic” for a change, we went to the Wong Family Chinese joint, ordered the Poo Poo platter and maybe a few spring rolls and felt as if we were being exotic. Why not? It was the only game in town. Boy, have things changed.

I have been lucky enough to have travelled quite a bit and experienced the cuisine of other countries though sometimes only at street level. I have had fish tacos on the beach in Ensenada (hello Montezuma); spent the night in a pimped out Land Rover on the border Milawe and Mozambique where the only game in town was stale beer and goat curry; had Singapore street noodles on the streets in Singapore; and fell head over heals for goat cheese at a Bistro in Antibe; mmm… but I digress.

Having opened my eyes through travel, I have started to notice a trend of food migration. God bless America where people come from everywhere and bring their food with them. The coastal cities have for a long time been rich in culture and food, but try to find Pho Boa (Vietnamese Spicy Soup) in the Midwest during the early nineties and you would be lost. But now we are going through a period of culinary syncretism that I feel the need to celebrate.

One of our fears when we came back from South East Asia was that we would not be able to find our favorites foods in Phoenix, Arizona. To be fair, it’s not like we found much good Tex-Mex over there. But, we were pleased to find that a number of good local joints had popped up that served their own renditions of those Vietnamese soups and noodles.

If we think about it, this has been the way it has always been in America. The earlier immigrants of German, Irish, Italian, Greek, and even Chinese brought with them their food and recipes. Now, we look at variations on those foods as uniquely American. We turned schnitzel into chicken fried steak and vienna sausages into our beloved hot dogs.

Due to new immigration and the migration to Middle America, we are getting a taste of new types of ethnic food. The good stuff exists, but sometimes you have to work a little harder to find it. Local joints that stick to the old world recipes keep it authentic. Think about how rich our future in food will be if we can help these folks succeed and we celebrate their foods. Reach out to new tastes and new opportunities, be adventurous, and demand the authentic; and then we will all be a part of the new American cuisine.

“Keep Vashon Weird” 

Considering Vashon is a small island in the Puget Sound south of Seattle and considering this was the bumper sticker attached to a beat to crap Subaru I saw on the Washington State Ferry, I thought, “That’s pretty funny.” But if really friendly people and over the top service is weird, I’m all for it.

My daughter and I were up visiting family and friends in the Seattle area and decided a day trip to this little Island would be cool. 

Okay, lane jump. I love it when I kind of think I know where I’m going, end up someplace completely unexpected, and have an outstanding experience. After driving aimlessly for several hours, we were famished. We stumbled upon the coolest little restaurant and one of the best Reuben’s ever. That’s saying a lot, considering that just happens to be my favorite sandwich!

 “The Hardware Store Restaurant” was enough of a curiosity for my growling gut to convince me to pull over. As it turns out, the place is housed in the oldest commercial building on the Island – 121 years old to be exact. They were still hoppin’ at 1:30pm on a Wednesday, and there weren’t any tables available, so the hostess asked if we would we sit at the counter. Generally, I only like counters with full bars behind them, but this was the fishbowl cook-in where the Chef took center stage, so we bellied up and watched the action. 

Bill, the Chef, was jammin’ behind the line. Grill, flat top, Hobart, fryers and sauté. He executed with flare shouting “gotta’ love that.”  One cup of killa’ clam chowda to share, an Iconic Island Burger, and that Reuben I mentioned; and we were well satiated.

I threw him a thumbs up, and he sauntered over. We talked about food, into the Soup and the radio show.  He offered to buy us dinner, but alas, we had to head back.  What a nice guy!

Before we left the counter, a friend of the restaurant came by to say hello and welcome us.  I asked if there was a nice beach near there and he said, “Meet me at the gas station about a mile up the road and I’ll show you in person.” 

This is a friendly place, so we followed his directions. He took us to a little known spot where a 1930’s red ranger bicycle sat about 7 feet up in a tree.  He took a picture for us and then led us to a beautiful beach just minutes from our ferry. 

His name is Dick and he gave us a hug before he left and promised to keep in touch.  I hope he’s reading this now.

Thank you to Bill & Dick for your kindness and if people like the folks at The Hardware Store Restaurant are what “Keeps Vashon Weird,” I’m gonna’ buy myself a bumper sticker!