Well it's All-Star Break which is a good time to snivel about both the A's and the Giants. The Giants need pitching but are in the thick of the fighting just barely in second. The A's have pitching but no one who can pitch lately, despite being rocked constantly of late, they too are just 2 games back and poised to make a run. Should be an entertaining second half of the season. Speaking of second halves, Next Monday will mark the beginning of the second half of the golf season as well. Scraped it around Standing Water Muni yesterday, shot a young 91, 3 jacked 3 holes and bombed Pearl Harbor once. Take that away and I'm finally shooting in the 80s...oh so close...

Now I see where the Senate is debating the proposed Defense of Marriage Amendment supported by the President. This is one of those times I'm pissed at Republicans. (Yeah I know you lefties out there are all a-twitter). Don't get me wrong, I believe that marriage should be defined as a union between a man and a woman. I also believe that this is largely a States Rights issue. Sadly, years of spinelessness by Republicans in Congress and in various state legislatures has resulted in liberal courts legislating from the benches. The States have effectively been sidestepped in determining their own stance on an essentially States Rights issue. This is why it is so important to put conservative candidates in Washington and the State Houses who will place strict constructionist judges on both state and federal benches. We can always count on democrats actively working to subvert the Constitution, we shouldn't be watching Republicans do the same and in this election season we can count on democrats paying lip service to their respect for the Constitution but more on that later...

In the meantime, is there anything better in summertime than an ice cold beer and a big ol' bowl of steamed rice covered with gumbo. Aiiiiieeeeee....well this was a seafood weekend around here and knowing reader Terry Garcia's fondness for seafood I thought another recipe along those lines was in order so courtesy of Emeril Lagasse and Foodtv here is Emeril's seafood gumbo...don't hurt yourself eating too much now...

1 batch of light roux, recipe follows
3 quarts of seafood stock
1 pound - 35 count shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pound lump crabmeat
2 dozen shucked oysters , liquid reserved
1 pound crab claw meat
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped green peppers
1 cup chopped green onions
1 /2 cup chopped parsley
Salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste
2 cups steamed rice
File powder to taste


In a large cast iron pot, heat the light roux. Season onions, celery, and green peppers with 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 2 teaspoons salt. Add to the roux and cook for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are wilted. Add the crab claw meat and the seafood stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add shrimp, oysters, green onions, and parsley. Cook for 5 minutes. Add lump crabmeat and season the gumbo to taste. Add the file powder to your liking and thickness. Serve over steamed rice.

ROUX
Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse
1 cup flour
1 cup vegetable oil


In a black iron skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat until it registers approximately 300 degrees on a deep fat fryer thermometer, approximately 300 degrees. Using a wire whisk , slowly add the flour, stirring constantly until the roux is nutty colored. At this point, the roux is ideal for thickening a light seafood gumbo. (Recipe Below) Continue to cook this roux over medium heat and you will begin to see it change in color, getting darker and more aromatic. Make sure you constantly stir it so it doesn't burn.


Smilin' Paul Villa U.S. Senate 2004
cyber-Congressman, R-Reno
Proud Member of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy and 2 SUV Family