André the Giant no longer has a Posse Bulgar Stew

André the Giant (André René Roussimoff) died in his sleep January 27, 1993 (age: 46). His acromegaly caused congestive heart failure while André was in Paris for his father's funeral. Facts that will not make this story less sad: 1. André once consumed 19.5 gallons of beer in one sitting; 2. in the last years of his life, André was constantly in horrible pain; 3. André never fulfilled his wish of seeing a Broadway show because he didn't want to block other people's view; 4. too big to ride the school bus as a young teen, André was driven to school by his father's friend Samuel Beckett.

I made this stew the night before coming home to Virginia for a couple of weeks to look after our old dog while my parents are out of town. Have to wrap this up, because S. is giving me clear signals that it's past time for me to carry her up the stairs.

serves: 3

prep. time: approx. 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 yellow onion, sliced

1/4 red cabbage, sliced

1 butternut squash, cubed

3/4 c. bulgar wheat

water

fenugreek seeds

oregano

salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Saute the onion with oil in a soup pot over medium-high heat.

2. Toss in everything except the bulgar wheat and water. Saute for a few minutes.

3. Pour in enough water to get the squash floating. Cover and bring to a boil.

4. Add bulgar wheat. Reduce heat; cook for 20 mins.

5. Let stand and cool. The bulgar will soak up a lot of the water.

Nietzsche is Dead Ethiopian Stew with Kale and Bulgar

Friedrich Nietzsche died in 1900. I like to imagine his ghost and the Holy Ghost in eternal and mutually resentful company.

We're back in Providence again after a week and a half in Ontario. Best part of that trip: Canada's Wonderland, which was nothing short of wonderful (even with expensive bad food). The best ride ever! (This endorsement brought to you by the future self of a child traumatized by Disney World's Rocky Mountain Railroad.)

(The quality of food photos will here and henceforth regress due to poor lighting.) Last night A.'s friend came over for dinner. I made this Ethiopian stew from Vegan Dad; A. steamed some red kale and made bulgar. She also whipped up her signature salad dressing (oil, vinegar, garlic, shallot, spices, magic) to put over arugula.

Hurricane Irene is on the way. We're going shopping for bottled water, something I never imagined I'd do. Prepare the ark for Providence floods.

Latest installment of A Thousand K.s: "Book how?"

"We begin bombing in five minutes" Stuffed Peppers with Tzatziki

On August 11, 1984 Ronald "Satan's Little Helper" Reagan was about to deliver an address on NPR and made the following sound check joke, which later got leaked: "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes." The USSR condemned the joke, but what they really should have done is begin bombing the US in five minutes so that the latter wouldn't develop into the Land of the Negatively Free, Home of the Cowardly. So that its politics wouldn't devolve into a theater of absurdist tragedy, that it wouldn't promise equality while fucking the working class over and over again, that it wouldn't etc. A. had to spend some time in the outpatient center of a VA hospital not so long ago, and now she's getting billed an amount of money one could live on for six months. Bricks + windows = justice.

Before the bills ruined our weekend, lovely A. made some lovely stuffed peppers for a couple of friends. She used this recipe, and added oregano and tzatziki made with Tofutti sour cream. As it turns out, bulgar is so delicious and we didn't even suspect.

I'm having trouble writing right now because the bills are emanating toxicity. I leave you with my latest and greatest film review.