Dear Blog,
Ok, I admit it. I'm afraid of skunks. Very afraid. I go out of my way to get out of THEIR way.
This morning, while walking to the MBTA up P. Street, my better half grabbed my arm to stop me walking - and I saw it.
It was waddling, and nasty-smelling, and I screamed a "girly scream." (Scully - "Mulder, are you sure it wasn't a girly scream?")
It was a skunk.
I immediately thought of the popular prairie dog YouTube video.
It wouldn't be funny if it were a skunk because skunks are scarry - what makes the prairie dog video funny is the cuteness of the prairie dog...but you, dear blog, are intelligent enough to get that without me having to 'splain why something is funny.
I survived and walked past the last place I saw the skunk on my way home from the train this evening - I even shook my first a little before running down the rest of the street hoping the skunk didn't see me.
That's all for now, blog!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
On Public Micturition
Dear Blog,
Let me just tell you about the delightful scene I witnessed on the way home last week.
I'm walking down P. Street just nearing a corner where there's a house set back a little with a sloping yard. Coming toward me on the other side of the street is a middle aged couple with a young boy. He's maybe 5, they're maybe in their 50s. I'm thinking this is a grandparent-type outing. The boy is walking between them, and they're all holding hands, talking, and laughing. A happy family scene.
They stop for a moment on the corner while the boy whispers something in the man's ear. The adults look at each other and around. They must see me, although there's no eye contact. Then, all three still holding hands, they pivot to face the house with the sloping yard and pull down the boy's pants until his buttocks are exposed to the street. I hear the sprinkle of urine hitting the dry grass. A happy family scene.
That's all for now, Blog.
Let me just tell you about the delightful scene I witnessed on the way home last week.
I'm walking down P. Street just nearing a corner where there's a house set back a little with a sloping yard. Coming toward me on the other side of the street is a middle aged couple with a young boy. He's maybe 5, they're maybe in their 50s. I'm thinking this is a grandparent-type outing. The boy is walking between them, and they're all holding hands, talking, and laughing. A happy family scene.
They stop for a moment on the corner while the boy whispers something in the man's ear. The adults look at each other and around. They must see me, although there's no eye contact. Then, all three still holding hands, they pivot to face the house with the sloping yard and pull down the boy's pants until his buttocks are exposed to the street. I hear the sprinkle of urine hitting the dry grass. A happy family scene.
That's all for now, Blog.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
On the State of Sushi in the Village
Dear Blog,
When my better half and I first moved to Roslindale from JP, one of the big draws was Village Sushi & Grill, the little sister of JP Seafood Cafe. It has been a great comfort to have such high-quality sushi close to home. This summer, much to my consternation, a little sign appeared on the door saying they were closing temporarily. I assumed they were doing some redecoration, but close to two months passed before they reopened.
When they did reopen, I started hearing scuttlebutt that the restaurant had changed hands. My heart sank. Village Sushi was an early Roslindale adapter and always seemed to be doing well; the seats were generally filled on weekends and there was almost always a good deal of business, including take-out, on week nights. Why, why would they forsake us? I, of course, immediately blamed The Nefarious Land Lord (see On Emptiness). Sure my only proof is his ownership of the storefront, but that does seem to be enough.
Then I started hearing mixed reviews. I went into a neighborhood sushi funk, eating only outside, sure bet sushi. I wanted desperately to know that everything was OK, that there was still good sushi in Roslindale, but at the same time I was too petrified at the prospect of learning the opposite to cross the threshold and taste for myself. Finally, earlier this month, a friend from Needham, who didn't know anything about my neighborhood sushi woes left a voice mail saying she was going to be in the area that evening and we should meet a Village Sushi.
The perfect excuse. I told her that the place had changed hands, but she was resolute. The better half and I decided to take plunge. It was a weeknight, and when we walked in at about 6:30 there were three or four tables full. Our friend was already there with her young one, and had ordered a kappa maki, which came shortly after we sat down, to keep him busy.
After spending some time with the menu, which has been reorganized, we decided to concentrated on comfort foods. For appetizers we had vegetable keroke and steamed edamame. It's hard to go wrong with these. Both arrived at the table hot and in short order. The keroke was nicely fried and the edamame was crisp and well salted. We were off to a satisfying start. Between the three of us we then ordered a California hand roll, avo kyu maki, ikura nigiri, sake nigiri, toro nigiri, and hotate nigiri. Everything was well made and very tasty. In fact, the knife work on the fish was quite fine. The nigiri slices were longer, thiner, and more highly biased than I'd seen previously at this restaurant.
The menu is much the same, with some additions and some subtractions. On the new side there is a giant surf clam negiri (seasonal) and a line up of new house maki, including caterpillar, scorpion, and flamingo. However, the Korean fish cake appetizer, which was the first thing I ever ordered at JP Seafood, and the Yosenabe, a winter-time favorite, are no longer with us. Kimchee is no longer listed as a "salad," but I can only assume, since the bibimbop and other Korean dishes are still on the menu, that it is still with us upon request.
Needless to say, it is with much relief that I report that the state of sushi in the Village is strong. Our beloved neighborhood sushi restaurant is much the same and perhaps even in some ways improved. As the temperatures start to turn cool, the better half and I look forward to trying anew some of stir fry and noodle dishes.
That's all for now, Blog.
When my better half and I first moved to Roslindale from JP, one of the big draws was Village Sushi & Grill, the little sister of JP Seafood Cafe. It has been a great comfort to have such high-quality sushi close to home. This summer, much to my consternation, a little sign appeared on the door saying they were closing temporarily. I assumed they were doing some redecoration, but close to two months passed before they reopened.
When they did reopen, I started hearing scuttlebutt that the restaurant had changed hands. My heart sank. Village Sushi was an early Roslindale adapter and always seemed to be doing well; the seats were generally filled on weekends and there was almost always a good deal of business, including take-out, on week nights. Why, why would they forsake us? I, of course, immediately blamed The Nefarious Land Lord (see On Emptiness). Sure my only proof is his ownership of the storefront, but that does seem to be enough.
Then I started hearing mixed reviews. I went into a neighborhood sushi funk, eating only outside, sure bet sushi. I wanted desperately to know that everything was OK, that there was still good sushi in Roslindale, but at the same time I was too petrified at the prospect of learning the opposite to cross the threshold and taste for myself. Finally, earlier this month, a friend from Needham, who didn't know anything about my neighborhood sushi woes left a voice mail saying she was going to be in the area that evening and we should meet a Village Sushi.
The perfect excuse. I told her that the place had changed hands, but she was resolute. The better half and I decided to take plunge. It was a weeknight, and when we walked in at about 6:30 there were three or four tables full. Our friend was already there with her young one, and had ordered a kappa maki, which came shortly after we sat down, to keep him busy.
After spending some time with the menu, which has been reorganized, we decided to concentrated on comfort foods. For appetizers we had vegetable keroke and steamed edamame. It's hard to go wrong with these. Both arrived at the table hot and in short order. The keroke was nicely fried and the edamame was crisp and well salted. We were off to a satisfying start. Between the three of us we then ordered a California hand roll, avo kyu maki, ikura nigiri, sake nigiri, toro nigiri, and hotate nigiri. Everything was well made and very tasty. In fact, the knife work on the fish was quite fine. The nigiri slices were longer, thiner, and more highly biased than I'd seen previously at this restaurant.
The menu is much the same, with some additions and some subtractions. On the new side there is a giant surf clam negiri (seasonal) and a line up of new house maki, including caterpillar, scorpion, and flamingo. However, the Korean fish cake appetizer, which was the first thing I ever ordered at JP Seafood, and the Yosenabe, a winter-time favorite, are no longer with us. Kimchee is no longer listed as a "salad," but I can only assume, since the bibimbop and other Korean dishes are still on the menu, that it is still with us upon request.
Needless to say, it is with much relief that I report that the state of sushi in the Village is strong. Our beloved neighborhood sushi restaurant is much the same and perhaps even in some ways improved. As the temperatures start to turn cool, the better half and I look forward to trying anew some of stir fry and noodle dishes.
That's all for now, Blog.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
On Mussels
Dear Blog,
Mussels are are a favorite food of this Rambler. They're a delicious, guilt-free gift from the ocean. Wild, they're numerous and in no danger of becoming over-fished. Farmed, they're extremely unlikely to cross breed with their wild cousins. Plus, as siphons, in the wild and farmed, they're nature's little water filters, actually cleaning their surrounds. What's not to love?
Yet somehow I had neglected to try the mussels at Sophia's Grotto. I rectified this recently at dinner with my better half, my mother-in-law, and her gentleman friend. It was a warm night, so we sat out on the patio. The courtyard is truly lovely, especially at this time of the year. How unfortunate that he-who-will-not-be-named has a stranglehold on the property and seems content to let half of the patio-facing shop fronts lie fallow. But I digress (see On Emptiness).
It was a lovely evening, and I decided to try the Spicy Mussels. Sophia's mussels are steamed in a tomato fennel stew with chorizo and poured over a base of soft polenta. The mussels are of medium size and steamed just to the point of opening. Peaking out of the blackish-blue shells the meats are revealed as perfect, tender, orange pillows. In addition to the chorizo, itself packed with spicy, smoked paprika, I think the broth has some saffron. Together with the tomatoes these ingredients create an orange-red broth, finished with a splash of olive oil for shimmer. The smooth polenta adds just the right balance to this dish, and a few toast points ensure that you get every last drop of the precious liquor.
Prefaced by an arugula salad and together with a Stella Artois, these mussels made a perfect meal on a warm, Roslindale evening.
That's all for now, Blog.
Mussels are are a favorite food of this Rambler. They're a delicious, guilt-free gift from the ocean. Wild, they're numerous and in no danger of becoming over-fished. Farmed, they're extremely unlikely to cross breed with their wild cousins. Plus, as siphons, in the wild and farmed, they're nature's little water filters, actually cleaning their surrounds. What's not to love?
Yet somehow I had neglected to try the mussels at Sophia's Grotto. I rectified this recently at dinner with my better half, my mother-in-law, and her gentleman friend. It was a warm night, so we sat out on the patio. The courtyard is truly lovely, especially at this time of the year. How unfortunate that he-who-will-not-be-named has a stranglehold on the property and seems content to let half of the patio-facing shop fronts lie fallow. But I digress (see On Emptiness).
It was a lovely evening, and I decided to try the Spicy Mussels. Sophia's mussels are steamed in a tomato fennel stew with chorizo and poured over a base of soft polenta. The mussels are of medium size and steamed just to the point of opening. Peaking out of the blackish-blue shells the meats are revealed as perfect, tender, orange pillows. In addition to the chorizo, itself packed with spicy, smoked paprika, I think the broth has some saffron. Together with the tomatoes these ingredients create an orange-red broth, finished with a splash of olive oil for shimmer. The smooth polenta adds just the right balance to this dish, and a few toast points ensure that you get every last drop of the precious liquor.
Prefaced by an arugula salad and together with a Stella Artois, these mussels made a perfect meal on a warm, Roslindale evening.
That's all for now, Blog.
Friday, May 25, 2007
On Emptiness
Dear Blog,
I was just thinking about how very lucky we are here in Roslindale. Within spitting distance of each other, right in our little shopping district, one can find many of life's essentials, bread, cheese, wine, sausages, pastry, and, on a very good day, even fairly fresh vegetables at Village Market (if you're willing to face the surly checkout automatons; would a little eye contact be so hard). Not to mention the flowers, books, pet supplies, and bulk spices.
And yet, Blog, every day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty storefronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?
These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful, thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? As an observer of neighborhoods, I can say that when I see four or five empty storefronts in a two block area, even ones with freshly painted walls and newly sanded floors, I think, "Oh, there's somethings wrong here. Why don't people want to open businesses in this neighborhood?"
The Rambler will be making make further posts On Emptiness. Perhaps some of our readers will share their feelings on emptiness with us.
That's all for now, Blog.
I was just thinking about how very lucky we are here in Roslindale. Within spitting distance of each other, right in our little shopping district, one can find many of life's essentials, bread, cheese, wine, sausages, pastry, and, on a very good day, even fairly fresh vegetables at Village Market (if you're willing to face the surly checkout automatons; would a little eye contact be so hard). Not to mention the flowers, books, pet supplies, and bulk spices.
And yet, Blog, every day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty storefronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?
These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful, thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? As an observer of neighborhoods, I can say that when I see four or five empty storefronts in a two block area, even ones with freshly painted walls and newly sanded floors, I think, "Oh, there's somethings wrong here. Why don't people want to open businesses in this neighborhood?"
The Rambler will be making make further posts On Emptiness. Perhaps some of our readers will share their feelings on emptiness with us.
That's all for now, Blog.
Zipcars FINALLY in Roslindale!
Dear Blog:
I am so excited because I just got a call that Roslindale would be host to 2 Zipcars at the upper deck of the MBTA commuter rail lot!
This is fantastic news - Here's a map where the Nisson Versa Vermillion is located. I think there is going to be another car added, but I'm too impatient to wait until their server is updated. :)
That's all for now, blog.
I am so excited because I just got a call that Roslindale would be host to 2 Zipcars at the upper deck of the MBTA commuter rail lot!
This is fantastic news - Here's a map where the Nisson Versa Vermillion is located. I think there is going to be another car added, but I'm too impatient to wait until their server is updated. :)
That's all for now, blog.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Little, brief statement
Dear Blog:
We are starting this blog, as residents of Roslindale, USA, to chronicle goings-on about town (yes, we have a town), food reviews (yes, we have that, too), gossip and current events (as much as we can without being sued for libel), and generally documenting the rich tapestry of our little existence here on planet Roslindale, USA.
We may also, occasionally, write about things we experience in Boston-at-large.
That's all for now, blog.
We are starting this blog, as residents of Roslindale, USA, to chronicle goings-on about town (yes, we have a town), food reviews (yes, we have that, too), gossip and current events (as much as we can without being sued for libel), and generally documenting the rich tapestry of our little existence here on planet Roslindale, USA.
We may also, occasionally, write about things we experience in Boston-at-large.
That's all for now, blog.
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