Boys, Girls, Two Sisters, Loud Music. I was asked by a fellow 1968 Blue Jay to play auctioneer at a fundraiser tonight for the Boys and Girls Hope organization. Its motto is "Inspire, Empower, Nurture, Succeed." As I understand it, they find young people about to move into adulthood and help them set and achieve goals. Judging by the large number of people who attended the gala, they have had an impact on the community. I had four packages to sell, the biggest number--$2000--buying inclusion in an upcoming Saints' game in London. A couple more Saints items were on the board, and a painting offered by an artist.
Before and after, there were the usual food booths. Galatoire's, Dickie Brennan's restaurants set the standard. I didn't stuff myself, but it was good enough. I had a lot of people to talk with.
The gala took place in the Pavilion of the Two Sisters, a fine venue in the middle of City Park. The six-piece band really blew it out. Way, way too loud for my tolerance. How do the musicians do it? I spent most of the evening outside on the relatively quiet lawn, where I wasn't the only one.
I was there for some four hours, and happy to head home (my long commute across the lake prevents anyone from asking why I left early). The organizers seemed to be happy with my contribution.
Saturday, September 16, 2017. It's an easy day. My radio show was only an hour long, having to work around football. While on the air, daughter Mary Leigh came by with her new combination table saw, and set about working on interior designs for some kind of public space. She has a gift for this kind of work, and she's very proud of it. And she's excited about her new saw (which also appears to be able to sing and dance). She's a real carpenter, and she even does welding now and then.
As long as she's busy, I hunkered down on some of my own projects. For months, the pylon that holds my mailbox in place has been barely attached. I don't know how the mailman (who is a lady) keeps from knocking the thing into the ditch. But my every attempt at a permanent fix has failed. But now I have two working drills (one was out of commission because I couldn't find the chuck key. For years, I mean.)
I disappear for a nap, and ML disappears to bring her dog Bauer out for a swim. When I awaken, I consider the dining possibilities and head to Terra Bella, where the sole restaurant is Forks And Corks. Last couple of times I was here it was excellent. I went for another Ramos Gin Fizz, served in a large tumbler. It's light on alcohol, which was what I was hoping for.
I begin with turtle soup. The first time I had it at Forks and Corks, I thought it pretty good. That performance has not repeated itself. Few restaurants actually use turtle meat in their potage, but it is known how to make identifiable turtle soup without what would seem to be that essential ingredient. They don't have the formula here, though. It's one of the few dishes here that I think needs some work.
The entree made up for this. It was a thick, center-cut slab of salmon. Although I listened carefully to the waitress's recitative of ingredients, I lost track of the details. There was a buttery, herbal sauce with a slightly smoky flavor, steamed broccoli, and two or three other flavor elements. It was cooked right on the money, and it all sounded good.
I encountered owner Osman Rodas, who told me that he had met with Mary Leigh about a redesign for a new restaurant he's thinking about. My daughter is everywhere, it sometimes seems.
Forks & Corks. Covington: 141 TerraBella Blvd. 985-273-3663.
Written by Tom Fitzmorris September 19, 2017 12:01 in
