Things to think about

I was thinking the other day... about the Moon.

I realized just how stupid it was that that our moon is the only moon in our solar system that is not named.

Why is that?

As of 2008, there were 172 known moons orbiting planets in our universe. They all have names. Names like Phobos, Aoede, Lo, and SI2003_J_23. One hundred seventy-two names. Many not pronounceable. Ours does not have a name. We just call it "Moon."

So, why doesn't our moon have a real name? I know some may think that lunar may be a name, but it is really reserved for adjective or adverb use like lunar-storm or lunar-eclipse. For use like: "he went lunar" or 'he got lunar faced'. Lunar is more like what our moon does other than what it is.

Moon. the noun that refers to our moon. What is that?

Now get this. The reason why we call it "Moon" is that in 1665 when they discovered other satellites around other planets, the guys who did the discovering sat around a camp fire drinking wine and were talking about these satellites and one of them said: "Hey! we are going to get confused with all the moons we found. When Galileo here says 'moon', I can't tell if he is talking about that satellite around Jupiter or the one on Earth here. We need to do something to clear up this confusion."

So, being the great thinkers of their time (keep in mind they were drinking wine), they decided to name all the other moons they found and not name ours. They invented Phobos, Lo, Aoede and kept the word 'moon' to refer to our Moon.

Well, DUH!

They could have just as easily named our moon" 'Gal", "Gork", or even 'LOOK"! But no they had to keep on referring it as 'Moon'. Or they could have just as easily gave them numbers, our Moon would be '1', Phobos would be '2' and so on up to '172'. Easy huh? Pronounceable too!

But, wait! Had they invented numbers back? Were they still using Roman numerals? That would be a problem. Ours would be called 'I' (eye), Phobos would be 'II' (eye,eye) and so on up to CLXXII (sea, ell, ex, ex, eye, eye).

Bad idea.

If we had done that, the 'Old McDonald had a Farm' song would be thought of a song to some moon. "... had a farm, EIEIO"!

Don't you wonder about such things?

Something Cosmic the group should think about.

The Adventure Continues

I don't have a clue how to get a picture from my phone to my computer, much less a full video shot so hats off to Fred for getting these permanent records of the bachanalia (sp) of spring.

Just like the stuff we left behind, it occurs to me that after putting the hard boiled egg on top of the asparagus, I neglected the fresh ground pepper and the grated cheese. Then I left them at Jan's. Imagine if you will the fresh roasted asparagus flavor with a little added pepper and grated asiago.

I hope no one is tired of asparagus but if next month mine is up, you are getting it again. I promise the flavor and texture will be so different that you won't mind.

Thank you Jan and Ron for a delightful way to usher in spring, champagne, Ian's beer, and the jambalaya was a great taste. I'm still using Emeril's hot spice that you gave us. The maple syrup didn't last through next morning's French Toast breakfast with Ian and Rachel. It was worth it.

By the way, Rachel saw (and touched!) her first live, in the wild snake Sunday. This little supper club expands everyone's horizons.

The road trip that is being discussed sounds like fun. We could rent a big van, split the cost, designate a driver and head for the wineries of New York, the breweries of Milwaukee, the distilleries of Scotland, the morel fields of Michigan. Lobsters in Maine (somebody stop me) Yikes.

Hope to see one or two or all of you at the gig Saturday night with David and the Journalism club at the Brown Hotel, and the same goes for in between get togethers for any reason.

Bob and Vera

Girls just want to have fun!

This just has to be seen!

The Morning After

Don't know if anybody else had trouble getting out of bed this morning - the morning after a great evening, but I did. Wow! What fun!

Does anybody remember why my body should hurt? Eating great food shouldn't make one's legs hurt? Then I saw some videos on my cell phone. That explains it! Dancing! That did it! Who started that, Jan? Bet if Ian's body was as old as mine, his would hurt this morning also.

You know I just have to post the proof that even old folks can have fun too! Thanks all for a wonderful time. These dinners are worth looking forward to. Ian, I can sell you the video of you dancing, or were you just floating around the floor?

Thanks all for a great time!

Jan and Ron, thank you for a wonderful evening...it felt like a true celebration of spring. I loved the jambalaya. It was fresh and all the flavors melded beautifully. I'm sure the leftovers will be tasty, if there were any, that is (?). Barb's salad was over the top; a visual feast as well as a gustatory one. And the dancing! Loved it. Especially Ian's interpretive ode to spring (or was that a more bacchanalian jig?) Fred and I have been watching the videos of the dancing and Wow! We were celebratin'. He's getting ready to post them so you can revisit the party too. Rachel's presence was a real treat and I hope we see more of her. She is a lovely young woman and so tolerant! All in all, it was a great evening with marvelous friends.

So, the menu;

Steamed artichokes with tarragon vinaigrette

Roquefort shortbreads

Jambalaya a la Emeril

Garden salad

Steamed asparagus with (?) topping

Cornbread

Pecan pie with new maple syrup-sweetened whipped cream

If I have forgotten an item please fill in the omission and feel free to amend my descriptions.

I checked the calendar and it looks like April 24th is our best time for the next dinner. If that isn't a good time for everyone, we also have April 10th open. The main dish is still a mystery but I'll let you all know as soon as I figure it out. And I guess I didn't leave with everything...the pint jar is mine.

Jan, I've been mulling over your suggestion for an adventure beyond the confines of the county. I like the idea! I'll think about some possibilities.

Thank you all again. It was Cosmic!

Rita

Spring is sprung and so am I

Well- off they have gone into the night. The First day of Spring meeting of Cosmic Spatula is accomplished, and I am left with these things: the warm glow of good friends; dish pan hands (they must have used 6 glasses each); two bags containing plastic wear and clothing, an empty pint jar- Ian?; a pepper mill and cheese grater along with some cheese- Bob?; a towel-Barb?. Looks like Rita wins the prize for taking home everything she came with. Oh wait- is that Fred under the table? The dancing must have done him in. Seriously guys. Thanks for a good time. And Bob and Vera- I will NEVER forget the great surprise of getting the flowers. Hope everyone is home safely and that the "Bayou Blast" sits well even if it was a little late- blame Emeril. Night Night. Hey- we never did decide when we were going to descend on Rita.