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Happy Easter! I really miss not going to church, but I feel like a hypocrite when I go since I don't believe there is a god. I wish there were a god since I could then blame everything on him or assume that he will work everything out. One of my pet peeves is people who say every injustice or evil act is "God's Will". Still there is a lot of good and glory and wonder in religion and I doubt we will ever get rid of it or should get rid of it. I'm crying. I'm watching CBS Sunday Morning and the story about the two million daffodils that were planted last fall to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. They're blooming now and that to me is the best memorial. So much better than steel or concrete. They are just beautiful. Last night was interesting. We drove to exit 306 and I-10 and then north on a narrow road which turned to dirt for the last half. We started at 4:00 and didn't get there till after 6:00 but it was a beautiful drive. After going through the pass just before Benson on the interstate the land changes and becomes folded and rugged instead of the flat land around Tucson. We drove through the rugged area and then over some hills, always with the San Pedro river to our left. I'm not sure if these are part of the Little Dragoon mountains. Supposedly if we had kept going we could have then made a left and reached Tucson over Redington pass but that is pretty much a four wheel drive road though people do make if over in regular cars. The party was behind a small store where chairs were set out and a band was playing. It was because Marion and Keith knew Chas in the band that we were there are since he kept inviting them each year. It's a birthday party that is held every year and everyone is invited. We were very overdressed. I had on tevas and my long black skirt with a tshirt which is fine in Tucson since people usually have on everything from dressed to grunge but here nearly everyone else was in old jeans. We had brought our own booze and something for the food table so we ate and drank and enjoyed the band. It was great under the stars. The party had been going since noon so at 10:00 the band left. A guy said he would be playing acoustic after that and that we should stay but we had a two hour drive back and had already had plenty to drink. The first half of the drive back was amazing. There were no lights most of the way and only a couple vehicles were seen. Marion stopped a couple times for rabbits hopping across the road. I'm glad I wasn't driving because it would be difficult to drive a strange, windy road in total darkness but she drove good. I was so tired when I got home but it took a bit to get to sleep because I kept replaying the great drive. I'll have to rent a car and drive it all the way to Globe sometime. I made a pot roast today, based on the recipe from Good Eats on the food channel, one of my favorite shows. His recipe is:
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown
1 (2-pound) blade cut chuck roast Preheat the oven to 190-200 degrees F. Place a wide, heavy skillet or fry pan over high heat for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of meat with the salt and cumin. When the pan is hot (really hot) brown meat on both sides and remove from pan. Add just enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan then add the onion and garlic. Stir constantly until onion is softened. Add the tomato juice, vinegar, olives, and raisins. Bring to a boil and reduce the liquid by half. Create a pouch with wide, heavy duty aluminum foil. Place half the reduced liquid/chunk mixture on the foil, add the roast, and then top with the remaining mixture. Close the pouch, and wrap tightly in another complete layer of foil. Cook for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until a fork pushes easily into the meat. Remove from oven and rest (still wrapped) for at least 1/2 hour. Snip off 1 corner of the foil pouch and drain the liquid into a bowl or measuring cup. Add some of the "chunkies" and puree with an immersion blender. Slice meat thinly, or pull apart with a fork. Serve with sauce.
Yield: 3 to 6 servings
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