Hillbilly Holiday

OK, maybe "hillbilly" is a bit classist, but really- if you resent the stereotype then don't perpetuate it.

We went to Betsy & BiCo's to watch, what we were assured was, a neighborhood tradition of professional-grade fireworks. While it was still light, we enjoyed lots of delicious food and were forced to play soccer with Little D. As night fell, things became a bit dangerous.

I must admit, I had a lovely time watching the annual July 4th display. It was very impressive and injuries and property damage notwithstanding, I quite enjoyed myself. Had to keep our wits about you, as at any moment an unsupervised 9-year old might send a rocket headed straight for your knees, but if you maintained enough sobriety one could leap hop and skip out of danger.

Actually, that's how you could distinguish the the natives from the transplants: transplants squeal and run for cover when a fast-moving fireball heads towards them; natives stay seated and simply lift their feet off the ground while shielding their eyes with a beer bottle.

When a rogue missile ignited the patio unbrella of a neighbor who thought it best to leave town for the festivities (but inexplicably left his SUV parked on the street to be covered with debris and scorch marks), the firework criminals created a drunken bucket brigade using a 2-quart pail w/a hole in it. My finger was poised, ready to dial 911.

Miraculously, the fire was extinguished by the teaspoon-full and damage to the absent neighbor's property simply brushed off as July 4th collateral.

Say "Ceviche"

I don't want to make my New England friends and family feel worse about the weather, so if you want to skip this post and save it for some hot, summery day- fine with me.

The glory days of Portland are here: brilliant sun; deep cerulean skies; flowers blooming; birds singing; trees and grass still lushly green; long, slow, golden evenings. Aaaaahhhhhhh. Well, today and the days that follow the temperatures are predicted to go up and up. Right now at Alder Street the thermometer reads 94 degrees.

Wondering what to make for dinner the other evening I thought "ceviche!" and immediately wondered why I don't make it more often. Anyone who loves seafood will enjoy it, and it absolutely could not be more perfect for a hot summer day. All you need is the raw seafood (almost anything works), lime juice and whichever herbs, vegetables and/or seasoning you fancy.

That evening I just got some rockfish and shrimp. After marinating in the lime juice for an hour I added a diced tomato, lots of fresh cilantro, fresh chiles, s & p and EVOO. Done! I'm making it again tonight and I doing salmon, scallops and shrimp. I'll toss some fresh avocado over it just before serving.

Several years ago I was chatting with the 7-year old nephew of a friend. His father was from Ecuador and the boy would visit during the summer. He mostly enjoyed the his time there, but complained about the food. "All they eat is ceviche!" he said in an exasperated tone, "Ceviche for lunch, ceviche for dinner. They even have it for breakfast. They don't even have milk and cereal!"

Children are idiots.