Wondering about wild grapes

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo.


May 5th and it is Cinco de Mayo.  Maybe we should have some Mexican food to celebrate.  But like most all holidays, around here it is just another day.  I got a call yesterday and was informed that the parts to fix the power steps on my RV had finally arrived at the RV repair place, so I went up and picked them up.  Of course I didn’t start on the repairs, I couldn’t find an Allen wrench that would fit, so if I can’t find one at the flea market this morning, I will go to the hardware store before I come home.  Now, I will not have an easy excuse not to do it.  Would you believe that the big ole motor-home sits lower to the ground than a regular vehicle?  Maybe the air was dumped out of the air-rides.  I know it dumps the air as the first part of the leveling process, but I don’t use the levelers when it is just sitting in the driveway.

Have you seen the moon lately?  It is just so huge and bright!!!  I can’t remember when I had ever seen it so big and bright.  It is now at or near its closest orbit to Earth and according to last night’s News, it is thirty percent brighter than normal.  Before I hit the sack last night, the dogs and I went out and I took a look.  Wow, they were not kidding!!!  You all should take a look tonight.  If you can see to the eastern horizon, it will appear the largest when it first rises, but please look at any time or multiple times and let me know what you think.

The news last night also said that our area was having a problem with an overabundance of alligators.  Their population has exploded in the last few years and they are invading neighborhood ponds and bayous in heavily populated areas.  They have become a threat, especially to pets and small children.  Of course a 12 to 15 foot (or bigger) 100 year old alligator fears no one and looks at everything as food.  Even though I have a perfect habitat for them in my swamp, I have been lucky enough not to have any, at least not yet.  I don’t want them, although they would clean out the turtles, they would also clean out the bass, the wading birds, and become a bigger threat to our little dogs than that big old wild sow was.

Now, go have some Mexican food, listen to some Mexican music, and have a great Cinco de Mayo day.

8 comments:

  1. My Mexican brother-in-law says the holiday is no big deal in Mexico. Only in the US is it an excuse to drink lots of beer.

    Of all the critters to make a huge comeback, it had to be the gators. Just as happy not to have any of those darn big lizards up here in the north.

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  2. Had that mexican food for supper last nite.,
    Darn sure wouldn't want gaters around, at least rattlers run.

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  3. Hey if they do get into your swamp, they taste a lot like chicken, but don't tell anyone. Also if you like the fight when you catch a big fish, try baiting a chicken carcass with a big hook, talk about a fight.

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  4. Isn't that moon looking like 30% bigger too? Have to find out when it comes up tonite.

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  5. I got the cure for any alligator that shows up in your pond.

    Alligator Sauce Piquante

    4 pounds alligator meat
    1 tablespoon paprika
    2 sticks of butter
    1/4 cup chopped parsley
    3 medium onions, chopped
    1 1/2 bunches onion tops
    1 green bell pepper
    2 cups water
    4 cloves garlic, minced
    cayenne pepper
    4 tablespoons, finely sifted white flour
    salt and black pepper
    3 cans of cooked whole tomatoes (Rotel tomatoes)
    1 8 ounce can of tomato sauce
    4 bay leaves
    1 pound andouille (fat, smoked sausage)
    4 tablespoons vegetable oil


    Boil alligator meat for 5 minutes to remove fat. Rinse meat in clean water. Brown meat in black iron pot. Remove meat and clean pot. Place flour and oil in black pot. Cook stirring constantly until as dark as chocolate. Add onions and bell pepper. Cook until dark brown and soft. Add tomato paste and cooked tomatoes and simmer for 30 minutes. Add garlic, meat, seasonings, and andouille and simmer 25 minutes. Add butter and cook for another 40 minutes. Serve over rice.

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  6. Sixbears, your brother-in-law is right. I suppose the thing with the biggest teeth that swims in your lake is beavers.

    Trouble, some gators run and some rattle snakes hold their ground.

    Bob from A, I know what they taste like and all parts don't taste the same. Some of it is fishy tasting. When i worked at Richmond Railcar we used to feed the alligators. We would slap on the water and they would come.

    Trouble, it does appear bigger as well. Not sure of the percentage. Did you see it last night? Wow!!!

    Ben, with all the other stuff in that soup you wouldn't taste the alligator, but it does sound really good.

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  7. Good thing we looked at the moon last night cause it's raining today. Maybe we'll get a break in the clouds around moon-rise. They had a short piece in the paper this morning about Cinco de Mayo. What was Napoleon III and the French doing in Mexico in the 1860's, looking for gatorhide suitcases? How many Napoleons were there anyway?

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  8. Jimkabob, hope the clouds clear for you. Did you notice how bright the moon was last night? I have no idea how many Napoleons there were, but if you drink enough Napoleon brandies you may see a lot of them. . .

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