It's 22 degrees here in sunny Jacksonville, Florida and that's perfect stick to your ribs soup weather. I had a bag of dried black beans and I love black bean soup so I decided to search the web (mostly food.com and a google search) for a recipe. I didn't find any that I liked so I opened my cupboards and refrigerator and played mad scientist. It came out pretty good. Feel free to try it and let me know what you think.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Stoup
1 16oz bag dried black beans
6 cups chicken stock
1 medium yellow onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic (sliced thin)
1 15oz can tomato sauce
1 carrot (shredded)
1 jalapeno (de-veined and de-seeded, diced)
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp Kosher salt
pepper
2 bags Boil in Bag rice
tortilla chips (for garnish)
sour cream (for garnish)
Rinse and sort black beans. Place beans in slow cooker with three cups of chicken stock. Cook on high for two hours.
Add rest of chicken stock, vegetables, spices and tomato sauce. Stir soup mixture. Continue to cook on high for four to five hours. Puree soup in batches in blender or directly in the slow cooker with an immersion blender.
Serve over rice and garnish with tortilla chips and sour cream.
Serves approximately four.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The Secret
The secret knowledge of the world is available to those who seek it
It matters not if you are a prince, pauper, beggar or thief
You need only to know how to ask your interest to pique it
You can change yourself - grow a new leaf
Alchemy is not about turning led into gold
It's not about getting rich
It's about transforming the young from the old
Soothing your soul and finding your niche
Do these things and you will find
You've become the Belle of the ball
And you will realize in your own mind -
There is no secret at all
It matters not if you are a prince, pauper, beggar or thief
You need only to know how to ask your interest to pique it
You can change yourself - grow a new leaf
Alchemy is not about turning led into gold
It's not about getting rich
It's about transforming the young from the old
Soothing your soul and finding your niche
Do these things and you will find
You've become the Belle of the ball
And you will realize in your own mind -
There is no secret at all
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Jacksonville Social Tarot Club
Ever since my separation and divorce I've become a bit of a Hermit. That would be the Major Arcana card that would best represent me. I know I need to come out of my shell and socialize again. To that end I started a Tarot Meetup Group in Jacksonville. The group went public this morning and our first get together is scheduled for January 25th.
If you are anywhere near Jacksonville, FL in the afternoon that day, join us. Grab a cup of java and join the fun.
The Jacksonville Social Tarot Club
If you are anywhere near Jacksonville, FL in the afternoon that day, join us. Grab a cup of java and join the fun.
The Jacksonville Social Tarot Club
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Soft White Underbelly of Christmas
I know Christmas is a time of joy, love and family. A time of Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Man. But there is another face to Christmas. One that is not shown on television, in Norman Rockwell portraits, or found in church pews. For many Christmas is a reminder of loss, of pain. It is a time that, by it's very family orientation; reminds people of what they lost. Or indeed, never had.
I discovered this one Christmas Eve when I was dealing with my own demons. I couldn't sleep and instead of thoughts of sugarplums dancing in my head my mind was filled with images of murder and suicide. This scared me. After throwing a bottle of pills across the room I ran outside for some fresh air.
I stepped into the cold frigid early morning. The icy rain pelting my skin. I was greeted first by the cries of my upstairs neighbor. She was shrieking. Soul ripping cries of pain, beseeching God to, "bring him back. Please bring him back." I imagined she was clutching a pillow and davening. Thinking about a son or her husband.
As I walked around my community more cries assaulted my ears. A couple fighting. A mother crying. People drowning their pain in bottles. Everywhere there was despair and emptiness. These people, who plastered smiles on their face during the daytime, were living their own private hells on Christmas Eve.
After twenty minutes or so, I returned inside to the roaring silence. Alone, in the dark and in my own misery, I said a silent prayer for those like me. For those who Christmas is not a joyous remembrance.
That night was three years ago and still I remember. I no longer can look upon the holiday season as a warm embrace. From that night on I view Christmas with a touch of melancholia. Saddened, but still grateful for what I have.
Please remember your blessings not only on Christmas Day but everyday. Be grateful for your health and happiness and family.
Celebrate the fullness of your lives. And take time to remember the silent cries of those less fortunate.
I discovered this one Christmas Eve when I was dealing with my own demons. I couldn't sleep and instead of thoughts of sugarplums dancing in my head my mind was filled with images of murder and suicide. This scared me. After throwing a bottle of pills across the room I ran outside for some fresh air.
I stepped into the cold frigid early morning. The icy rain pelting my skin. I was greeted first by the cries of my upstairs neighbor. She was shrieking. Soul ripping cries of pain, beseeching God to, "bring him back. Please bring him back." I imagined she was clutching a pillow and davening. Thinking about a son or her husband.
As I walked around my community more cries assaulted my ears. A couple fighting. A mother crying. People drowning their pain in bottles. Everywhere there was despair and emptiness. These people, who plastered smiles on their face during the daytime, were living their own private hells on Christmas Eve.
After twenty minutes or so, I returned inside to the roaring silence. Alone, in the dark and in my own misery, I said a silent prayer for those like me. For those who Christmas is not a joyous remembrance.
That night was three years ago and still I remember. I no longer can look upon the holiday season as a warm embrace. From that night on I view Christmas with a touch of melancholia. Saddened, but still grateful for what I have.
Please remember your blessings not only on Christmas Day but everyday. Be grateful for your health and happiness and family.
Celebrate the fullness of your lives. And take time to remember the silent cries of those less fortunate.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Vegas Vacation - An Embee Williams Adventure
I awoke groggily, uncertian of the day or time. Hazy sunshine drifted through the dingy vertical blinds hanging on the window. Somewhere a siren sounded. I groaned and tried to rise. I looked down at my hand. It was pink and fuzzy and held a half filled bottle of Jack Daniels. What? In fact I was wearing a pink bunny suit!! Ears and all!! What did I do last night?
I remember arriving in Vegas and checking into my hotel. I walked the strip. Did some gambling. Took in some clubs. Bunny suit? Why would I be wearing a bunny suit?
I got out of bed and tripped over something on the floor. Cursing, I twisted to see what I fell over. It was a girl. A girl dressed in a skimpy silver bangled outfit and high heels. Oh my God, it was a hooker! There's a hooker asleep on my floor and I'm in a fucking bunny suit.
"Okay, remain calm." I grabbed the hooker's shoulder and gave a shake. She didn't stir. She must've been doing some really good stuff, I thought. "C'mon ... uhh," shit,. what was her name. "'Uhhh.. mam. Please wake up. You have got to go. I'll pay you for your time." But what I got for my money I don't remember.
The prostitute still didn't move. It was then I saw a small trickle of blood coming from her nose and mouth. "Oh shit! The bitch is dead. Oh Shit!" I started pacing. I heard the police siren again, closer this time. Were they coming for me? Fuck!!
"I've got to get out of here." I glanced around to take inventory of the room. My watch, wallet, car keys and cell phone were on the dresser, the dead hooker was on the floor. There were two glasses filled with melted ice and amber liquid on the nightstand next to the bed. A roach smoldered in the ashtry. I walked over, picked it up and sniffed. I don't smoke pot, I thought. Shrugging, I took a hit off the still lit joint and continued to take stock of the situation.
"Okay, Embee think. You have got to get out of here before the cops get here or the cleaning crew comes for the room. I need time to think." I snapped my fingers. The Do Not Disturb sign! I searched frantically for it. It was nowhere to be found. Finally, I opened the door and saw it hanging from knob. A maid turned from the down the hall. "Can I get you anything sir?"
"No thank you. I'm fine.
"Okay, I'll come to clean the room soon."
"No hurry," I blurted out. "I mean I'm relaxing and enjoying my vacation. Would you happen to know the time."
"9:30."
"Thanks." I slipped back into the room.
How was I going to get out of a hotel with a dead hooker without being seen? How did the hooker end up dead on my floor anyway!! One thing at at a time. How to get out? I sat on the bed and thought. I took a swig from the warm whiskey and thought. I took another hit from the joint and thought. I had it!
I grabbed my luggage, leaving one bag in the room. I opened the door and glanced up and down the hallway. No one. Good. I turned back into the room and looked at the hooker on the floor, "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
I waited through an interminably long elevator ride to reach the lobby and walked to the front desk. "Leaving us so soon, Mr. Williams?" The too chipper clerk asked.
"Yes, I've got to cut my vacation short. Emergency back home."
"Well, we hope to see you back at The Beaches Casino on your next visit."
"Thank you." I handed the clerk my credit card and paid for the room.
The clerk asked for the room key. I started to hand it to him and said, "Oh I forgot a bag. Let me go back to the room, grab it and I drop off the key on my way to the garage."
"I can call a bellhop for you, sir." The damn clerk smiled.
"No! Uhh, no thank you. I could go back upstairs." I turned and started for the elevator.
I propped the dead hooker up on my hip and threw her arm around my neck. "God, dead people weigh a ton.." I started back down the hall. The couple in room 1405 were leaving their room. "Morning!" they loudly greeted me. "Great morning, ain't it."
"Morning," I whispered. "it would be a nice day except for the hangover. My friend here," I nodded toward the dead hooker I was dragging down the hall, "is still sufferring."
"Yeah," the business man next door ageed. "She looks dead on her feet."
*************************************
Will Embee make it out of the hotel with the dead hooker? Who killed her? And why is he wearing a pink bunny suit? These questions and others will be answered in the next installment of Vegas Vacation - An Embee Williams Adventure!!
I remember arriving in Vegas and checking into my hotel. I walked the strip. Did some gambling. Took in some clubs. Bunny suit? Why would I be wearing a bunny suit?
I got out of bed and tripped over something on the floor. Cursing, I twisted to see what I fell over. It was a girl. A girl dressed in a skimpy silver bangled outfit and high heels. Oh my God, it was a hooker! There's a hooker asleep on my floor and I'm in a fucking bunny suit.
"Okay, remain calm." I grabbed the hooker's shoulder and gave a shake. She didn't stir. She must've been doing some really good stuff, I thought. "C'mon ... uhh," shit,. what was her name. "'Uhhh.. mam. Please wake up. You have got to go. I'll pay you for your time." But what I got for my money I don't remember.
The prostitute still didn't move. It was then I saw a small trickle of blood coming from her nose and mouth. "Oh shit! The bitch is dead. Oh Shit!" I started pacing. I heard the police siren again, closer this time. Were they coming for me? Fuck!!
"I've got to get out of here." I glanced around to take inventory of the room. My watch, wallet, car keys and cell phone were on the dresser, the dead hooker was on the floor. There were two glasses filled with melted ice and amber liquid on the nightstand next to the bed. A roach smoldered in the ashtry. I walked over, picked it up and sniffed. I don't smoke pot, I thought. Shrugging, I took a hit off the still lit joint and continued to take stock of the situation.
"Okay, Embee think. You have got to get out of here before the cops get here or the cleaning crew comes for the room. I need time to think." I snapped my fingers. The Do Not Disturb sign! I searched frantically for it. It was nowhere to be found. Finally, I opened the door and saw it hanging from knob. A maid turned from the down the hall. "Can I get you anything sir?"
"No thank you. I'm fine.
"Okay, I'll come to clean the room soon."
"No hurry," I blurted out. "I mean I'm relaxing and enjoying my vacation. Would you happen to know the time."
"9:30."
"Thanks." I slipped back into the room.
How was I going to get out of a hotel with a dead hooker without being seen? How did the hooker end up dead on my floor anyway!! One thing at at a time. How to get out? I sat on the bed and thought. I took a swig from the warm whiskey and thought. I took another hit from the joint and thought. I had it!
I grabbed my luggage, leaving one bag in the room. I opened the door and glanced up and down the hallway. No one. Good. I turned back into the room and looked at the hooker on the floor, "I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere."
I waited through an interminably long elevator ride to reach the lobby and walked to the front desk. "Leaving us so soon, Mr. Williams?" The too chipper clerk asked.
"Yes, I've got to cut my vacation short. Emergency back home."
"Well, we hope to see you back at The Beaches Casino on your next visit."
"Thank you." I handed the clerk my credit card and paid for the room.
The clerk asked for the room key. I started to hand it to him and said, "Oh I forgot a bag. Let me go back to the room, grab it and I drop off the key on my way to the garage."
"I can call a bellhop for you, sir." The damn clerk smiled.
"No! Uhh, no thank you. I could go back upstairs." I turned and started for the elevator.
I propped the dead hooker up on my hip and threw her arm around my neck. "God, dead people weigh a ton.." I started back down the hall. The couple in room 1405 were leaving their room. "Morning!" they loudly greeted me. "Great morning, ain't it."
"Morning," I whispered. "it would be a nice day except for the hangover. My friend here," I nodded toward the dead hooker I was dragging down the hall, "is still sufferring."
"Yeah," the business man next door ageed. "She looks dead on her feet."
*************************************
Will Embee make it out of the hotel with the dead hooker? Who killed her? And why is he wearing a pink bunny suit? These questions and others will be answered in the next installment of Vegas Vacation - An Embee Williams Adventure!!
I Know We Will Be Married
When I met you for the first time you had yourself a man
But I fell in love anyways - against my better plan
Now I'm the kind of guy who would borrow, beg or steal
So before I go much further tell me, "Is your love for real?"
For I know we will be married - The invites have been written
I booked the hall yesterday - Please tell me you are smitten
I hired a photographer and baked the wedding cake
But not checking with the bride might be my big mistake
Now I could send you flowers, but he would send bouquets
I could give your hours, but he would give you days
I don't know how much longer I will sink before I swim
So please tell me that you're leaving - even on a whim
For I know we will be married - By Sandra Day O'Connor
If you don't want her as the judge she could be the Maid Of Honor
A Rabbi, Priest or Reverand - it's all the same to me
But I'll make a foolish bridegroom without a Bride To Be
So tell me that you love - through thickest and through thin
Just tell that you love me - if it only means in Sin
Tell me that you love me and it will be all right
We'll get married in the morning
And fight throughout the night
But I fell in love anyways - against my better plan
Now I'm the kind of guy who would borrow, beg or steal
So before I go much further tell me, "Is your love for real?"
For I know we will be married - The invites have been written
I booked the hall yesterday - Please tell me you are smitten
I hired a photographer and baked the wedding cake
But not checking with the bride might be my big mistake
Now I could send you flowers, but he would send bouquets
I could give your hours, but he would give you days
I don't know how much longer I will sink before I swim
So please tell me that you're leaving - even on a whim
For I know we will be married - By Sandra Day O'Connor
If you don't want her as the judge she could be the Maid Of Honor
A Rabbi, Priest or Reverand - it's all the same to me
But I'll make a foolish bridegroom without a Bride To Be
So tell me that you love - through thickest and through thin
Just tell that you love me - if it only means in Sin
Tell me that you love me and it will be all right
We'll get married in the morning
And fight throughout the night
You're The Only Woman
You ask me why I love you, as I look into your eyes
I tell you you're the only woman who can make me smile
I thank you for bringing meaning into my little life
I tell you all these tender things and that I want you for my wife
Cause you're the only woman who can make me feel this way
I'm so glad we met
Yes, you're the only woman who can brighten up my day
Meeeting you I won't regret
Holding hands and walking, just talking on the beach
I want to tell you everything, but the words seems out of reach
But still you are right near me, lying by my side
You fall into a peaceful sleep and I watch you for awhile
You're the only woman who can make me feel so glad
I'm so proud you're mine
Yes, you're the only woman, and now life it ain't so bad
Everythiing is fine
(Eight Bar Bridge)
Our life together will be one majestic grand parade
While other loves grow cold and die you know our love will not betray
I can't wait til forever to start eternity
I want you always by my side, you know I want you here with me
You're the only woman, who can make me feel this way
I do love you so
You're the only woman, who brightens up my day
I just wanted you to know
I tell you you're the only woman who can make me smile
I thank you for bringing meaning into my little life
I tell you all these tender things and that I want you for my wife
Cause you're the only woman who can make me feel this way
I'm so glad we met
Yes, you're the only woman who can brighten up my day
Meeeting you I won't regret
Holding hands and walking, just talking on the beach
I want to tell you everything, but the words seems out of reach
But still you are right near me, lying by my side
You fall into a peaceful sleep and I watch you for awhile
You're the only woman who can make me feel so glad
I'm so proud you're mine
Yes, you're the only woman, and now life it ain't so bad
Everythiing is fine
(Eight Bar Bridge)
Our life together will be one majestic grand parade
While other loves grow cold and die you know our love will not betray
I can't wait til forever to start eternity
I want you always by my side, you know I want you here with me
You're the only woman, who can make me feel this way
I do love you so
You're the only woman, who brightens up my day
I just wanted you to know
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