Alcoholica Esoterica, Pork Roast, Harping On Musical Instruments

I've been reading a great book I bought on Granville Island. It's Alcoholica Esoterica by Ian Lendler. It combines two of my favourite things, liquor and trivia. I have learned so much about alcohol from this book. Did you know that rum was America's drink of choice until the American Revolution? That Empress Elizabeth of Austria had floor-length hair which she washed in shampoo made from egg yolks, pressed onions and 20 bottles! of the finest French brandy. Talk about conspicuous consumption. If you want to keep an opened bottle of champagne bubbly, stick an ordinary kitchen spoon, handle down, into the bottle. The author of the book claims he tested this "under strict scientific conditions(downing several bottles in one sitting, by making notations on a clipboard and at all times wearing safety goggles)." Can't you just picture it?

I wrote a limerick about one of history's most interesting boozers:
A magnanimous Peter the Great
Was so tall - he was six foot eight.
He rode round on a sleigh
Giving vodka away
And left Russia a drunken state.

I give the book five stars out of five and highly recommend you read it. Or would that be I recommend you read it while high.

My sister and her fiance came for dinner yesterday. The pork roast was very tasty. I cooked it in the crock pot and it took 10 hours; it cooked while I slept. I think it was enjoyed. My sis asked me for recipes. We washed it down with a nice beaujolais and some Bailey's with coffee.

After dinner we went for a walk on the beach. We saw a man pushing a makeshift dolly constructed of a shopping cart and a chair - he was transporting a harp down the sidewalk. Yes, I said a harp! I've seen people with guitars, bongo drums and harmonicas on the beach, but that was a first. I wondered if he had just bought it and was taking it home or if he was on his way to a concert in the park. I'll never know. I may be "harping" on this subject just a little too much.

Ooh, Prairie Crocus, you are such a bad punster. I learned from the best. Bye for now. Take care and peace.

Vodka is tasteless going down, but it is memorable coming up. ~ Garrison Keillor