The Ciel Show

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Saturday, May 15, 2010

A new Postcard from Kabul today

Every time I read one of souljacker's posts, I want to know how to help out. It is no longer possible to send things addressed simply to A US Serviceman, not since 9/11. But I am sure there are things that would be no great sacrifice to send, that would boost morale or even provide something to help keep the soldiers--our sons and fathers and brothers, our sisters and mothers and daughters, too--some little bit safer. I read recently of a patrol that came into an ambush and was split up, and one... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 8:44 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, May 14, 2010

What's this...!? What's this...!?

My younger daughter, the one who lives in New Zealand and trains dogs, is visiting this week. My daughter gets me doing things I never considered doing before she declared them good and fun and reasonable things to do. Mostly, they have revolved around the enjoyment of doing... girl stuff. I never had manicures before she dragged me along when she went to get her nails done. When I visited her in Singapore, she took us for a Chinese foot massage. Today, she kicked it up a notch... a big notch,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 12:20 AM | add or view comments (8) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

a new recipe...

My daughter took me to Claimjumpers for Mother's Day dinner, and I tried something new: artichokes grilled with balsamic vinegar and herbs. It was tasty... reminded me of a day exploring the little back streets of an Italian town, when I came by an old woman who was grilling peppers and small whole artichokes on a brazier outside her house, and selling them. Delicious! So today, I tried making the split grilled artichokes at home: First, halve the artichoke right down the center, and gaze... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 2:38 PM | add or view comments (10) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, May 7, 2010

Glad note--

that Souljacker is back from missions and has sent another Postcard from Kabul. Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 12:59 AM | add or view comments (0) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

a painting of Mt Kilimanjaro...

Some years ago, my folks went to Africa. And a little while after they came home, Mom went through a painting phase. Yesterday I came into possession of my favorite of her efforts, a painting of the Serengeti Plain and Mount Kilimanjaro on the horizon. She never thought much of it... typical of her attitude towards her own creations. I, however, have liked it since I first laid eyes on it, and am enjoing very much doing so now. Pretty soon I will wrap it up again for the journey home. But I... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 12:18 PM | add or view comments (13) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Monday, April 26, 2010

recipe from Senegal

The menu at the dinner for Gueoul was a dish called maffe gerte, or 'meat in peanut sauce.' The meat was beef, and there were an assortment of vegetables steamed, and served with it, and the sauce was a touch spicy and not that noticeably peanutty... very, very tasty indeed! Dessert was right up Naut's alley, lately: waternelon and blackberries. The actual recipe is on page 108 of the cookbook put out by Friends of Gueoul, called It Tastes of Your Hand. This derives from the expression used to... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 9:52 AM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

A stunning sunrise... and... OW!

If you saw my Adventuring item yesterday, you'll know I intended to go for a horseback ride this morning. Changed my mind. It isn't the snow, directly--But snow it did, in the night. I woke at dawn to see the sky blue and pink, and mo matter it was not quite 6am, of course I threw on clothes and shoes and scurried outside. A few pictures, then back to bed... that was the plan. The snow was not an issue. Ice on the slanting driveway... It may have been dawn, but I was suddenly seeing stars!... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 8:45 AM | add or view comments (5) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Dinner in Gueoul

Yesterday it snowed a little in Colorado Springs... a lot more, to the north! Enough that the snowplows were out on the highway pushing dirt snow around... and the drive back at 10pm was in high wind and driving snow, the roads varying from merely wet to very slushy. I did not hurry. The dinner was great! Lots of people attended, there was a silent auction of Senegalese and other things, and there was a teller of African tales to entertain. The food was a Senegalese dish, a stew with vegetables,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 9:03 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Friday, April 23, 2010

There is snow outside my window.

Yesterday was clear and bright, with occasional thunderstorms. Pike's Peak stood out brilliantly against a backdrop of dramatic clouds. Day before was grey in the air... as if misty or smokey. Even Pike's Peak was obscured. Some days have been hot. This one... so far, definitly not. But by afternoon, it might be... This is one weird town for weather. If you don't like it, they say, as is said in many places, just wait ten minutes. Here, they add: or drive ten miles. Welcome to Colorado Springs! Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 7:55 AM | add or view comments (4) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Thanks!

Several Blogiteers have contacted me regarding helping me raise the funds for the trip to Gueoul, and I am delighted to report that since taking on this project, I have raised already over $200 through photo-book sales. I can't thank you enough for taking an interest! The money that gets me to Gueoul, about half will go to airfare, the rest to the Friends of Gueoul, and thence to the girls of Gueoul. Friday evening is the annual dinner of the Friends of Gueoul... so looking forward to attending,... Sign in to see full entry.

posted by Ciel at 10:33 PM | add or view comments (3) | leave calling card | link to this | view only this entry

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About this Blog

I'm doubtful the events of my life will be of great general interest, but I'd like to share a little more of me to the several of you on Blogit I've come to feel are real friends, and the many I imagine are potentially real friends. We'll see how it works out. ______________________ all my words and images posted on Blogit are copyright 2005-present, all rights reserved.

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