A Man And His 'Strat' - A Portrait In Irony...

When it comes to guitars, I doubt anyone can argue the benefits of owning a really good sunburst Fender 'Stratocaster'. I'm not quite sure what model this one is, but I hear it's an extremely nice "Anniversary Edition" - not unlike one I used to own years ago - recently given as a gift by a devoted wife to her (very fortunate) husband... a Christmas present, I think.

The "fortunate husband" also happens to be my brother - aka: "B.B. Bub" - who can be viewed in the above photo putting the hammer down on a few choice licks, and, in general, being the master of his guitar domain at the time this shot was taken (click on image to enlarge).

Though he's relatively new to guitar, I hear everything's coming along nicely and the learning curve for him is already starting to flatten out a bit. I have no doubt that, with a little determination and practice, he just might have a new career to look forward to; something he can persue in his retirement years - not that too far-off in the future, actually ;-). At any rate, it won't be the 'Strat' that gets in the way of any would-be virtuosity on his part.

He also has an excellent tutor in his son, Cal - aka: "Darth Marshall" (Sith Lord of the St. Augustine garage band music scene) - shown to the right after returning from another one of his typical concert experiences (click on image to enlarge). Not only is he an already accomplished musician in his own right, but just might make pretty good road manager material if his Dad ever wants to change what he's now doing to pay the bills and put his own band together. Hell, if he plays his cards right, the 'Old Man' might even let him play backup guitar and roadie in any band that may be forthcoming. As a matter of fact, I've already come up with, what I think, are a couple of pretty good names if he does decide to go this route: "The Smashing Masons" or, perhaps, "The Nine Inch Masons" - something along those lines.

Anyway, I can't wait to get on over there for a visit - hopefully very soon - and, just maybe, get the chance to take his new Fender for a spin around the block once or twice myself. As for my contribution to my brothers learning efforts: I'll make sure to bring a couple of Fender 'Jazz Picks' with me the next time I come over (mediums, of course).

Now, if I could just remember how to play...


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- Mary McCarthy to Dick Cavett.

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'Longboat ' Crabcakes...

Here's yet another variation on Crabcakes. Not very topical, just something a few people have asked me to share. The recipe below is, obviously, intended for comercial production, but it will adjust proportionately down to however much you want. Makes a great stuffing for fish, shrimp, shellfish, etc., too!

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'Longboat' Crabcakes
(Click above image to enlarge)

Yield – approx. 15# or 60 ea. 4 oz. crab cakes

* 1 ea. lg. red onion, finely diced
* 2 ea. red and green bell pepper, finely diced
* 2 ea. stalks celery, finely diced
* 1 Tbs. minced garlic
* 1 Tbs. seafood base
* ¼ cup white wine
* 2 tsp. thyme (preferably fresh)
* 2 oz. butter redux
* 2 cups mayonaisse
* 10 ea. whole eggs
* 3 or 4 dashes of tobasco sauce...or a lot more ;-)
* 3-4 Tbs. dijon or deli style mustard depending on brand
* 1 Tbs. Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
* 6 lbs. ea. of claw and special crab meat (pasteurized)
* fresh or Japanese (Pankow) style bread crumbs
* s & p to taste

Preparation:

Sauté the vegetables and thyme in the redux until translucent – don’t burn the garlic. Add the white wine and seafood base. Reduce down until most of the liquid has evaporated. Chill the above mixture - very important! - before continuing with the next step.

In a large mixing bowl, throw in the Mayo, whole eggs, mustard, Cajun seasoning, and tobasco sauce until well combined and creamy in texture. Add the previously sautéed and chilled ingredients to the Mayo/egg mixture along with the crab meat that has been cleaned of any shells. Combine all, being careful not to break the crab meat down too much.

Add the bread crumbs until crab meat mixture is absorbed but still slightly moist (don't overblend). S&P to taste. Break down into portions using a 4 oz. disher.

Wrap, date and freeze for future use if need be.

**Optional**
Try placing the cakes over a light Romesco Sauce garnished with a little 'Apple & Maple Slaw' ... different, but pretty good.

All in all, not a bad recipe. And for all you hard-core 'cakers' out there, you're right; it's not a 'New England' style cake...not meant to be.

SurfCook1's outta' here...

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Cabin In The Sky...

For a vacation get-away, my best bud 'Howie' just purchased a bunch of acres up in the hills somewhere in the northern part of Tennessee about a fifteen hour drive from our location here in west-central Florida. From what I hear, it's very beautiful. Large main house, greenhouses, huge fireplace, large front porch for whittlin' & drinkin' the local vintage `shine, etc. - even a hot tub; all surrounded by virgin forest with numerous examples of indigenous wildlife generally found in that part of the country - including bears! In other words, all the comforts of home with very few neighbors to intrude on our activities.

'Howie' seems enthusiastic about me coming up there for a visit and, for sure, I can't wait to check it out. I have to admit though, I am a little apprehensive about the guest quarters he's proffered me. Out in the 'back-fourty' somewhere, there's no denying that it does have a certain rustic charm to it. From what I can see, it seems to be a fairly solidly built structure. It even has a window I can stare out of with drapes for my private moments, a door (presumably) for easy access in and out, depending on my mood at the time, and a pretty good looking roof over it. I would imagine it's a 'single' (that's not a problem). However, the apparent lack of indoor plumbing, central heat & air, etc., might present a couple of minor issues relative to my full enjoyment of the "Hills/Backwoods" experience. Having more than one guest at a time might be a bit tight, and maid service is probably completely out of the question!

Having considered the above, I still look forward to my first visit up there...the sooner, the better, actually! Also, having the best host in the world - who happens to be a damn fine chef, to boot - more than offsets any lack of a few creature comforts that may be absent (IMHO).

SurfCook1 standing by...

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First Post...

Not much going on at the moment - kind of a test run, actually - so I think I'll just make this one short and sweet, and upload a couple of shots of two of my favorite people (click on images to enlarge):



This first shot is a photographic study of 'The Danielle' taken at the park last year entitled: "Coconut With Cake And Milk". I put this one up because I know she'll go ballistic when she sees it! The gentleman directly below is her brother Nick (aka - 'NickyBird') after a tough four quarters of football.

Later...

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