WEATHER, ANTELOPE, ELK, AND GOOD ITALIAN FOOD AND WINE

Another "hodgepodge" of information from the BHS Class of '57.

To try to keep up with the weather across the U.S. lately is a big job (almost as hard as keeping up with politics!) I think of people - classmates, friends, and relatives who might be in the line of fire. (Pun intended.) Most of my family and friends on the West coast have moved East, but I remembered ROBERT HOLLIS and his family still live in California. Because of the deadly wildfires, I reached out to him, and received a welcome reply:

          "The closest wildfires to us (we live five miles from Disneyland) are about 75-miles away from us. We have only had hot winds and 95+ degree weather at our house. All is well with the Hollises. I am getting along walking more carefully with a cane, but the heart doctor says he will see me again in six months. [I wonder if he (Doctor) alerted the Lord that he expects me to live at least that long.] Take care. Enjoy your changing weather and thanks again for checking." BOB 

When I received that email, I asked BOB if I had missed something regarding his health. He responded thus:

"2002 heart problem. Three stents and a pacemaker. My second pacemaker was installed in 2009. I'm still upright and smiling...and riding a stationary bike 30-minutes a day--at least five days a week. Keep smiling, Marilyn. You are doing a good job with the class of '57 info."  I am happy that BOB is doing well healthwise, and that they are not near the terrible wildfires.

In regards to last month's post about the animals visiting DENNY's yard in Port Jefferson, NEIL BROUSSARD sent the following:

"Saw the pictures DENNY sent of his deer. Thought you might like to see what we have here in San Marcos. (Texas) These are more rare than albinos. They are not found in most places but we do have a few here. Haven’t gotten a picture of the Buck yet."

(This makes me wonder how on earth they see a "white tail".)

Then this morning, NEIL sent the following:

"I took it (the above photo) in my back yard. Wish I could get a picture of the Buck, but he’s too skittish. I have about fifteen or so show up in my yard. Here’s the only shot I got of the Buck. (Is this a black whitetail, too? He's a beauty.)  

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My son Matthew recently sent me news of antelopes (tan-and-white colored creatures with spiraling horns also known as blackbucks) spotted in the Austin area. This was taken in Lakeway, which also has deer roaming throughout the neighborhoods. They have become such a nuisance one can be fined a hefty amount for feeding them. It's not unusual to have a deer cross the highway in front of you. Officials believe the antelope (there are many) have escaped from a Hill Country exotic animal ranch.

(Blackbuck Antelope by David De Gendt for KXAN)

I found a cute blog written about the "wildlife" in this part of Texas. She has taken photos of the antelope as well. She is not a native Texan. A City Girl in Texas

And then there was this: "There is a large herd of wild elk in South Austin near Circle C Ranch. Yes, you heard correct: ELK. They have been out there for many years. They live in the Greenbelt near the golf course." A new toll road has gone in near there, and folks are warned -- even signs posted -- that elk may be on the road. I was surprised to hear that elk are native to Texas!

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I remarked in my last post that I hope DENNY HILL makes it back to the U.S. okay. Obviously, he did. And before he left Rome he sent me the following review of his week there.

"I was rather surprised when I realized that it has been 10 years since I was last in Rome! (On my last sabbatical in 2009.) Of course it is the "eternal city", so in some sense nothing has changed.

"On the other hand, I have noticed some significant changes: for example Termini (the main train station) has been modernized, and now there are many surveilance cameras, more police, and the pickpockets and scam artists, who were preying on tourists seem to have disappeared. Likewise those thieves who stole your luggage in the train from Leonardo da Vinci to Termini are gone...probably due to having cameras in the Leonardo Express, and now you have to pass a security check before getting on the train, and show your ticket.

"However, the strikes, general chaos, and struggle to live here remain in place.

"About food: as we know there are only two cities in all of Italy where you can pay high prices and get bad food...Rome and Venice. So since my hotel is only two short blocks from Termini, I was expecting to be ripped off by falling into tourist trap-type restaurants. But just around the corner from my hotel, only one and a half blocks from Termini, I found a small restaurant, claiming to serve 'local food', and went there almost every night. It is 'La Lvpa', Via Marghera 37/39. Very friendly atmosphere and Italians eating there. Really good food and wine at not so terrible prices.

"It made me wonder why it is that the exact same cannonical Italian dish is so much better here than the **** you get in the US, with the same name, passing as Italian food. Aside from the simplicity, which is the key to Italian food, my conclusion is that it is the liberal amount of good olive oil. For example a scalopine al limone which I just ate, after a primo of a true spaghetti alla carbonara was amazing.

"Hope to survive my Alitalia flight back."...Best, DENNY

Glad you did, DENNY. And thanks for the review for those who may be planning a trip to Rome!

Peace, love, and good eats,
Marilyn