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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam by Yahiya Emerick available at Amazon.com

ig_islamI read this book for two reasons. First, I’ve appointed myself the task of learning about the various world religions. Secondly, I have an Arabic friend (stay away Homeland Security) who is Muslim, and I wanted to understand where he was coming from a little better.

I wanted to give this book 3 and half stars, but that is not an option. I gave it four because the author fulfilled his primary mission of teaching the reader the basics of Islam. He also threw in a brief history Islam and Arabs that was interesting. When they talk about Sunnis and Shiites on the news, now I understand the difference. Continue reading “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Islam”

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A Question of Etiquette

Let me see if I can set the situation for you.   Relatives of mine were making a trip, and they needed a place to stay overnight.  My girlfriend has a large home and was more than willing to accommodate their request. 

My girlfriend is Jewish, but is definitely secular.  Her spiritual beliefs tend to be more towards Continue reading “A Question of Etiquette”

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Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer

Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer available at Amazon.com

eatinganimalsThis is an easy book to read. This is a hard book to read. It is easy in that it is well written, not overly dense, and well researched. It is hard in that if you have not thought about this issue or have and attempted to compartmentalize it away, some of scenes and practices depicted will not sit easy.

I love a good steak and usually like it grilled “medium moo”. Sometimes I just have to get my KFC on. And, boy howdy, do I my like bar-b-queue.

But then I think back to another life time when I was Continue reading “Eating Animals – Jonathan Safran Foer”

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Outside my window on a rainy day

Heard outside my apartment window on a rainy day.

There was the patter of little feet running.

Then a woman’s voice commanding loudly, “Stop, don’t do that.”

This was followed very quickly by the sounds of splashing and a little girl’s voice softly saying, “Ooops.”

Nearly simultaneously following was the woman’s voice even louder, ”OoooooooAGGGGGHHHHH…Damn!”

Next the little girl’s voice saying meekly, “Now what?”

Now the woman’s voice with a frustrated tone, “We have to change your shoes and pants. We need to leave in 10 minutes.”

Finally, the little girl’s voice asking/saying brightly, “It’ll be alright?”

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Best Deal Auto Repair

Best Deal Auto Repair
5260 Elmore Road
Memphis, TN  38134

Dear Gerald,

I have used your services twice now.  I want to tell that I have been well pleased both times, especially so the last time.

As you know, a young woman with less than optimal driving skills damaged the front right portion of my 97 Ford F150 pickup.  Besides the obvious cosmetic damage there was extensive damage to the suspension.  Compounding the damage was the insurance carrier that this woman utilized.  Let us just say, that their business practices were less than optimal and in my opinion, borderline unethical.  Continue reading “Best Deal Auto Repair”

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Love Means

 Rev. Joe, would you put this on your site somewhere?

“To love means not imposing our own powers on your fellow man but to offer him your help.  And if he refuses it , to be proud that he can do it on his own strength.

To love means to live without fear and anxieties about tomorrow.
 
To love means never to be afraid of the windstorms of life: Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never so the true beauty of their carvings.

Expose yourself to these windstorms, so that at the end of your days, you will be proud to look in the mirror and see the carvings in your own canyon. ”

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and Robin W

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Stewed Dog, Wedding Style

A traditional Filipino recipe.

First, kill a medium-sized dog, then burn off the fur over a hot fire. Carefully remove the skin while still warm and set aside for later (may be used in other recipes). Cut meat into 1” cubes. Marinate meat in mixture of vinegar, peppercorn, salt and garlic for 2 hours. Fry meat in oil using a large wok over an open fire, and then add onions and chopped pineapple and sauté until tender. Pour in tomato sauce and boiling water, add green pepper, bay leaf, and Tabasco. Cover and simmer over warm coals until meat is tender. Blend in purée of dog’s liver and cook for additional 5 – 7 minutes.

From the book Eating Animals by Safran Foer

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Hanging from the back bumper

It is probably not entirely fair to say that Saturday Night Live patterned their character, The Church Lady, after my mother.  It, however, is not too far from the truth.  She is prim and proper almost to the point of being prudish.  Knead in an equal amount of operatic diva.  Sprinkle moderately with essence of OCD, being sure the flakes are evenly spaced.   Add a dash or two of Tabasco sauce.  That would be my mother.

A year or so ago my cousin died and somehow I ended up driving my mother alone to the funeral.  We took her car as she likes neither of my vehicles.  She complains about having to climb into my F-150 pickup.  Alternatively, she gripes about the lowness and smallness of my MX-5 sports car.  So we took her car with me driving.  And of course she has this whole set of rules Continue reading “Hanging from the back bumper”

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Saturday at the flea market

I was at the local flea market last Saturday.  I would not want to go too often, but to pass the occasional afternoon, it is entertaining. 

First there are the vendors.  They were selling everything from self made crafts to junk imported from China.  At least in the south you can always count on a vendor or two pushing swords, knives, and other assorted marital aids.  This market had a vendor pushing an item that looked like a cross between brass knuckles and a taser. I’m still trying to figure out the swords. It has been a long time since I have heard of anyone dueling Continue reading “Saturday at the flea market”