Superstition, Shootings.

I meant to cut my nails last week, thought about it on Friday, couldn’t because Matt’s mum believed you shouldn’t cut nails on a Friday. Intended to do so on Saturday but didn’t get round to it. Can’t cut them Sunday because my mum believed you shouldn’t do so on Sunday. So it will have to be Monday. Matt would tell you he is not superstitious, but he too won’t cut his nails on either of those days. However, he never knocks on wood or crosses his fingers. Odd really because his dad was extremely superstitious and if he happened to walk between two nuns on his way to work he would turn round and go home. His family were fishermen in northern England and one of their superstitions was to never say Pig. They always said gissy, even to the extent of calling Pig Island in the mouth of the River Weir, Gissy Island. I actually couldn’t find it on the maps today. All this making me think, where did it all come from? There is a Wiki article about the origins a lot of which appear to be founded on religious practices and beliefs. In fact, once, any religion which differed from one’s own was relegated to superstitious beliefs. Still is in some places. Then there was the belief in myths and legends which sprang up not to mention poor old women who were designated as witches and blamed for bad weather, a blight on one’s animals an unusual death in the family and so on. One wonders who they blamed after they had disposed of the current witch. I personally would never open an umbrella indoors nor put shoes on the table. As for breaking a mirror, definitely 7 years of bad luck. This picture seems to demonstrate quite a few at once. I love black cats though and would have one if I got a cat at all. Of course if I spill salt, a pinch automatically gets thrown over my shoulder. Logically I know it’s all ridiculous, but I still do these things.

There seems to be a lot of shooting crimes in the last few day starting with the young man in New Brunswick, and finishing, today with another cop shooting in Las Vegas with school shootings in between. What is the matter with these people, a lot seems to be perpetrated by youngsters. I know years ago when National Service was abolished in the UK many of us thought it was a bad thing as it taught youngsters to become responsible people. I had an uncle who was a case in point. When he went in to the RAF to do his two years, he was a total tear-away and a hair’s breadth of becoming a criminal – he had certainly stolen his father’s car and gone for joy rides. Within 6 weeks he was home on leave for exemplary behaviour. I would certainly vote for the reintroduction of National Service or the Draft or whatever it is called in your country.

This is another excellent way to serve asparagus.

Asparagus alla Milanese

28 stalks of asparagus, medium size
4 Tbs unsalted butter plus 4 tablespoons
4 large eggs
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil and set up ice bath. Trim asparagus of hard ends and drop into water. Cook 70 seconds. Remove with tongs and refresh in ice bath. Drain and set aside.
2. In a 10 inch to 12 inch sauté pan, heat 4 tablespoons butter until very dark brown. Add asparagus and toss until warm. Remove asparagus and divide among 4 plates. Towel off sauté pan and add remaining butter. Cook until foam subsides. Crack eggs in and cook sunnyside up, about 2 minutes. Place one egg over each plate, sprinkle with cheese and serve.

Source: Food TV

Have a great day