Obscure Tidbits of Information

Today's obscure tidbit:
We've all heard the old song "You Are My Sunshine." But did you know -- it's one of the Louisiana state songs. It was written in the '40s by a governor of Louisiana. But most amazing -- to me, anyway, because I never heard anything more than the "you make me happy when skies are grey, et cetera" -- the lyrics go on to sing of jambalaya and other bayou treats.

Passions -- Books

One of my very first favorite authors, Pearl S. Buck, is back in the news. A first-draft of "The Good Earth" turned up at a Philadelphia auction house and has subsequently been returned to the family for display at her historic home in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. What enormously good books she wrote! And what a terrific home to visit, too!

Pekingese Trivia

In my continuing documentation of the history of Pekingese, I note from the July 13, 2007 obit page of The New York Times (yes, dear reader, I live in a stack -- excuse me, STACKS -- of papers) that Nigel Dempster, "a leading gossip columnist in London," died. Some days he broke news of Andy and Fergie or Charles and Di. Other days, he wrote of more personal things -- like the "death of Tulip, his beloved Pekingese."

Painting

Three summer shows in Delaware Valley museums NOT to be missed:

Dog Days of Summer: Works by Jamie Wyeth
-through September 13 at the Brandywine River Museum
No, sadly, no Pekingese. In fact, the artist admits he doesn't care for small dogs. Witness the snarling furry pup tucked into a Victorian wicker baby carriage. But it's so clever, even small dog lovers will have to chuckle (especially Peke owners, who've seen more than their share of bared bottom teeth).
Jack Russells, however, Wyeth adores and we see plenty of them (or, more correctly, plenty of tails, as the terrible terriers themselves are always mostly down a hole).
If you love dogs, don't miss this!
(And don't forget to check out Jamie Wyeth's breathtaking portraits of Rudolf Nureyev in the permanent collection, either!)

Forging an American Identity: The Art of William Ranney
-through August 19 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
If you like George Caleb Bingham, then you'll like this mid-19th Century painter who shows us scenes of the American Revolution, the way west (hey, the painter joined the Texas fight for independence), and, yes, gorgeous hunting dogs.

Tibetan Ritual Arts
-through November 30 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Spectacular Buddhas and Bodhisattvas adorn a red lacquer altar. Love Asian art? This is nirvana. (Well, almost -- there IS the Rubin Museum in NYC!)

Passions

And now to indulge in one of my passions (cooking) . . . just tried this spectacular dish (courtesy of Southern Living magazine -- no idea of the date -- I live in a sea of ripped out papers)

Crab-and-Shrimp Etouffee
(in keeping w/ passion, this has been modified to serve 2)

(ay-too-FAY)

1 lb. medium-size raw shrimp

¼ C butter
2 T olive oil
1/3 C all-purpose flour

2/3 C chopped onion
14 C chopped green bell pepper
¼ C chopped celery

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1/3 C dry white wine
¼ C chopped green onions
1 T tomato paste
1 T chopped fresh parsley
2 t Worcestershire sauce
½ t hot sauce

1 (16 oz.) container fresh crabmeat (lump)

5 C hot cooked rice

Peel and devein shrimp.

Melt butter w/ oil over medium-high heat. Stir in flour. Cook, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes or until caramel colored. Add onion, green pepper, celery; cook, stirring constantly about 4 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Add minced garlic, sauté 1 minute.

Stir in chicken broth, wine, and next 6 ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10minutes.

Add shrimp. Cover, reduce heat, simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.

Stir in crabmeat. Cook, stirring often, until thoroughly heated.

Spoon over rice.

Romance

Rocky Top is his ring tone and Jack Daniel's is his drink. Is this charming prankster simply an Army major who majors in women?
It's coming soon -- September, in fact, from Linden Bay Romance --- Breach of Protocol. Read an excerpt at www.LindenBayRomance.com!

The Possibilities of Posting

To paraphrase, "let us now praise famous" people who had Pekingese, yet another of my favorite ways to avoid actually doing any work. Just discovered while reading an old New Yorker (yes, Virginia, my magazines stack up dreadfully) that Edith Wharton wrote in bed, a Pekingese at her side.
http://MarieCarroll.com