Painting by Russell Chatham
"Life is just what it is. It has no opportunity to be anything else until we make a move and discover how many other things life can be beyond our rather deadening routines." ~ Jim HarrisonOur good friends Jeff and Keri were in Indianapolis from their home, and long winter, in Fairbanks AK. They had
traveled from Lawrence KS stopping along the way to take in various sights and experience living history, food, music, old friends and family. Harrison's quote above is personified in their living. My life is always energized, re-booted so to speak, having them around. Thanks, my friends, and hope we can meet again soon.
Their arrival put into motion a 3 week whirlwind for us. That night started at Brian's place downtown, on the rooftop patio, eating some fine Greek fare from Santorini's. The weather and setting couldn't have been better. Just before dark, we crammed into our cars and drove to the Vogue to see Split Lip Rayfield, Cracker & the Rev. Horton Heat. All three bands were tremendous. Cracker especially impressed me with their powerful rock n roll. I was happy to see a big crowd for this sort of show.
The next morning I fixed shrimp and grits and a challah bread pudding for everyone. The bread pudding was a big hit. It's a
Cooks Illustrated recipe that I've made only twice. Raves both times. Keeper. The shrimp and grits w/poached eggs was very good too, although I like it better with pink gulf shrimp. Doubt we'll see any of those anytime soon.
The next Friday Amy and I were able to attend the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Gala downtown at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. It was quite an affair. Great food and top-notch people watching. Of course, Peyton was there and so were his parents. The evening's entertainment was 20 time grammy winner, Vince Gill. A rare and intimate treat for 700 people. Vince and his band played 1.5 hours of pure country, honky tonk, and country rock jams. As you know, Vince is a phenomenal guitar player and once he found the telecaster sweet spot with the crowd, he never put his acoustic back on. The crowd also got to witness Peyton singing Folsum Prison Blues! A very nice evening with Amy.
Then yesterday, me and about 200,000 other crazies enjoyed ZZ Top for the annual Carb Day Concert. I gotta say, it was sublime. Afterwards, I picked Amy up at the airport, then we went to the Old Point Tavern on Mass Ave for a nice al fresco dinner of italian sausage and a taco salad. Brett and Joey joined us before they drove to Terre Haute/Marshall for the weekend.
