An Early Morning Walk At The Beach

I took advantage of the good weather yesterday to go for an early morning walk at the beach. While there I was lucky enough to almost literally run into Lancelot, Wilfred and Agile. I was somewhat surprised to see Agile knowing that he is not over fond of exercise but Lancelot hinted darkly that there was a reason. I was also surprised to see Agile carrying champagne but Lancelot again explained that he had asked Agile to carry the water bottle and Agile had "accidentally" misheard him. After we had parted, I wondered how Wilfred had contrived to be with them since no dogs are allowed at the beach after March 31st but then I saw the discarded raccoon costume hidden in the bushes.... Editor's note: Agile later explained that he was simply reusing an old bottle and was in fact recycling it to carry water.  Another example of how green our friends are.

The Turquoise Trail, Cerillos

A double page spread from my Santa Fe journal. Cerillos, a former turquoise mining town just south of Santa Fe. Where tired, thin dogs outnumber inhabitants and the last sign of commercial activity seems to date from 1988 and the making of the movie "Young Guns." Once a contender for capital of New Mexico, Cerillos now seems forgotten by time. Only one side of the former main street still exists. Of course there is a bar, and a church and a railroad cutting through the town. Amazingly there was once an opera house too but that was another time altogether.... Acrylic ink and lots of red dust.

The Cherry Blossom Viewing Party.

Lancelot, Agile and Wilfred are now back from Santa Fe. Their return was delayed by the fact that they needed to be sure their custom fit cowboy boots really fitted them. As it happened, only Wilfred's needed to be refitted as they had been made rather too large.  (Or so Lancelot said.)  So here the three friends are, back in CT and enjoying the Cherry blossom. Under the Cherry trees they compose poetry and contemplate the temporality of their existence, with the help of a little sake.

The Groom's Cake

Here is the recipe for the Groom's Cake. "Tiffin" or "Chocolate Digestive Cake" Ingredients: 3 oz of butter (3/4s of a stick of butter) 3 tablespoons of sugar 1 tablespoon of cocoa I egg I packet of Carr's whole wheat crackers (7oz) 1/2 cup of raisins 1/2 cup of walnuts. NB if you wish to omit the nuts, please add 5 more crackers .

Crush crackers. Melt butter and sugar in a saucepan. Add cocoa powder and egg and stir quickly. Cook until mixture boils. (Bubbles at edge of saucepan is sufficient) Stir in crackers, raisins and nuts. Smooth mix into a pregreased pan. (8" square or similar small size)) Let mixture harden in fridge until you can cut into bars and remove said bars from pan without them crumbling to pieces. Overnight is best if you can wait.

This should take a maximum of 15 minutes and has a truly nostalgic taste, summing up the best of British cooking. Lancelot makes it regularly for Agile and Wilfred.  There have been some comments about the lack of an image.  So here is a Patriotic Robin carrying a Groom's Cake.  Please note, to get the layered look, it is necessary to double the quantities.  Easily done and usually much appreciated.

Santa Fe

Lancelot, Wilfred and Agile finally arrive in Santa Fe after a long Winter in cold, grey CT. Naturally Wilfred Wetnose is the designated driver. Agile has thoughtfully personalized the vehicle in case anyone should be tempted to take their parking spot.

A Bad Week, Rapidly Getting Worse.

Lancelot was posing for his portrait for a Special Pysanki Easter Egg. (From the Ukraine) Astonishingly, the artist dropped the egg not once, but twice!!!! .  Lancelot could hardly believe that someone could be even clumsier than Agile.  The project has had to be shelved until next year to give the artist time to mature and acquire better manual dexterity.