It is January in California's Central Valley. A new year has started. The weather continues to be pretty balmy. A week a go I was out with gloves on to do my 2.5 mile walk in the morning. This week there really isn't that much cold.
I feel for the folks on the East Coast. Many had hoped for a white Christmas and got much more. Their intense cold harkens back to time I have spent in the snow in the winter. I was skiing at 20 degrees and below and realized that I was creating my own wind chill as I scooted down the slope.
The 49ers are once again in the playoffs and had to tolerate the Green Bay weather conditions. Even their fan base did not jump at a chance to "be" there when their team played. The NFL in its rules almost block out the local TV coverage to their playoff game.. reason... those legendary fans whose season tickets are handed down through families did not want to suffer the pain of such extreme cold when they could see it at home in the company of brews and brats. It was really too cold to have a championship game held under those conditions.
Sue and I met when we went to school in Gunnison, Colorado. The new name that they have picked out for the school is Western State Colorado University. It often has the lowest temperatures in the nation. While attending there was one year that it was minus 40 degrees for a couple of days. It was minus 30 degrees for a couple of weeks and below minus 20 degrees for about a month. Snow had to be shoveled to get our car out of is parking place at the trailer park. We had to close off part of the trailer because heat did not reach the back. Our first years of married life were spent in the 8x30 single wide trailer which we rented the space for 27.50 per month. Before Sue, my roommate had a Karman Gia sports car VW that had an air cooled engine. The only way it would start was if we plugged in a heat lamp that shown on the engine block an hour before we wanted to travel. The trailer court was 11 blocks from the campus. If we walked it in such extreme cold, we would layer our clothes on and stop at the drug store 5 blocks in and take off as many layers as we could inside the store. Once we recaptured the heat, we would walk the next 5 blocks to the first dorm on campus and do the same thing again. As heat recirculated in our system it was easy to walk around campus to get to our classes or the library. Prized study spots were on the upper floor of the Savage Library where the sun streamed in and students would bask in the glory of winter sunlight like cat that had found the secret to solar gain.
So in contrast our central valley weather shows significant moderation, We have nights that get down to 35 degrees and the days seem to warm up into the middle sixties.... not exactly Hawaii but not bad all things considered. We all wish for some rain.. but you have be careful about what you wish for....
: ) Pat
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Value of Coaching
In the area of high school football I became aware of the value of coaching when our local football team challenged for the high school state championship in the 90's. Mark Speckman, the coach without hands, directed this team to glory with marginal talent. Many games started in the same fashion. The first half would be a very close contest. The opposing team tried its magic. Even with teams exchanging tapes of the previous games, the reality of actually playing a game the first half was pretty unpredictable. The line is fresh, the team usually has figured out a defense for the team. Much of the time in the first half the team works against its own tendencies. In high school ball the reality is that a successful outcome is more of a function of the players correctly identifying the defense and accurately execution of their plays. The coaching staff works to put the players in places where their natural tendencies will enhance the execution sequence. In the years that our local team won the state title, Mark Merced High's head coach designed a smoke screen back offense that made it hard to confirm which back had the football as there was a great deal of horizontal movement right behind the line. The fullback could have the ball or not as they passed right in front of the quarterback. This was seldom done the high school football basically because the "fly" offense is so hard to make happen fast enough to complete the illusion. The blocking ahead of the offense has to be impeccable as well. The back has to hit the hole without a question in his heart. Mark is now working in the pro ranks, for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League as their back coach.It was fun to pick him out on the sidelines this summer as I was flipping channels.
A similar move was done at the University of Nevada when the 49er quarterback Colin Kaeperneck led their team. They called it the pistol. The added wrinkle to the fly is a very effective short pass available in this formation. When Colin was playing for the Turlock Pitman High School team, he tore the local Merced High school teams to shreds.
The Forty Niners also have a similar rhythm in their games in comparison to the Merced High State competition teams. The Forty Niners have to be winning or close to winning for a typical blowout to occur in the 2nd half. The difference is the same. Excellent coaching with less than stellar performers can result in an amazing performance. The difference is coaching. Changes are made in the 2nd half that allow for the Forty Niners to dictate the rhythm of the game. Match ups are made. The commentators have mentioned that the offenses have a decided advantage in the modern game. It still takes superlative coaching to see and take advantage of the execution of the game plan in the 2nd half.
Coaching was the highlight of the recently completed America's Cup sailing catermaran series. The team was down to its last loss, but a cleverly positioned time out allowed the Oracle USA boat to chang the way the cup was played. Suddenly the Oracle team representing the home USA cup holder figured out by coaching how to tack (move against the win) while staying on their little wedges in the foam. On the last race a tack was not completed as well as could have been done and boat almost skidded into disaster. The boat made it screaming at almost 30 miles an hour while headed up against the wind. They and recovered to pound the lead into the New Zealand boat which raced much better in lighter air. The last races which all had to be won to keep the cup were ferocious wind days. The team that figured out the tide advantage in the end (The USA Oracle Boat) won in decisive fashion. Coaching and understanding the tides in San Francisco Bay in September was vitally important for this boat to continually win from behind. And did it ever win!
By the way, the coverage and commentary for this sporting event was extraordinary. For the first time tech brought the TV viewer closer to the race than ever before. The graphics on the screen allowed the viewer to see the relative speed of each of the boats as well as the turning radius and boundaries in each of the races. It is still amazes me that 70 ton racing cats with 14 story sails could survive on the bay let alone race.
Hats off the coaches of the games.. they figure it out so that the stars can look good.
: ) Pat
A similar move was done at the University of Nevada when the 49er quarterback Colin Kaeperneck led their team. They called it the pistol. The added wrinkle to the fly is a very effective short pass available in this formation. When Colin was playing for the Turlock Pitman High School team, he tore the local Merced High school teams to shreds.
The Forty Niners also have a similar rhythm in their games in comparison to the Merced High State competition teams. The Forty Niners have to be winning or close to winning for a typical blowout to occur in the 2nd half. The difference is the same. Excellent coaching with less than stellar performers can result in an amazing performance. The difference is coaching. Changes are made in the 2nd half that allow for the Forty Niners to dictate the rhythm of the game. Match ups are made. The commentators have mentioned that the offenses have a decided advantage in the modern game. It still takes superlative coaching to see and take advantage of the execution of the game plan in the 2nd half.
Coaching was the highlight of the recently completed America's Cup sailing catermaran series. The team was down to its last loss, but a cleverly positioned time out allowed the Oracle USA boat to chang the way the cup was played. Suddenly the Oracle team representing the home USA cup holder figured out by coaching how to tack (move against the win) while staying on their little wedges in the foam. On the last race a tack was not completed as well as could have been done and boat almost skidded into disaster. The boat made it screaming at almost 30 miles an hour while headed up against the wind. They and recovered to pound the lead into the New Zealand boat which raced much better in lighter air. The last races which all had to be won to keep the cup were ferocious wind days. The team that figured out the tide advantage in the end (The USA Oracle Boat) won in decisive fashion. Coaching and understanding the tides in San Francisco Bay in September was vitally important for this boat to continually win from behind. And did it ever win!
By the way, the coverage and commentary for this sporting event was extraordinary. For the first time tech brought the TV viewer closer to the race than ever before. The graphics on the screen allowed the viewer to see the relative speed of each of the boats as well as the turning radius and boundaries in each of the races. It is still amazes me that 70 ton racing cats with 14 story sails could survive on the bay let alone race.
Hats off the coaches of the games.. they figure it out so that the stars can look good.
: ) Pat
Friday, September 20, 2013
Interesting Pairing Through Netflix, Driving Lessons and The Perks of Being a Wall Flower
I recently watched two very interesting movies.
Perks of Wallflower from IMDB
Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, this is about 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman), an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love (Emma Watson), the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who welcome him to the real world.
And Driving Lessons from IMDB
A coming of age story about a shy teenage boy trying to escape from the influence of his domineering mother. His world changes when he begins to work for a retired actress.
Both of these descriptions of their movies do not adequately describe the emotional impact the characters have in their plots.
________________________________
Both feature a boy about 13 or 14 trying to make sense out of the awkward role of being sensitive and not fitting into the usual strata of "kids" his age.The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about this kid as his co-opted by a group of kids three years older than him. They gather him up and introduce him to the mainstream of activities of older more agile students even as this group is setting on the outside of mainstream crowd.
The other movie, Driving Lessons is about an awkward 17year old that was raised in the shadow of the ministry of the Church of England He is introduced to pieces of adult independence by an elderly English "Dame" of the stage,who sets him up to go camping against his parents wishes as she uses him as an assistant during his summer vacation. He sets out to earn some money to help a human mission project of a very strange parishioner who ran over his wife and needed to be forgiven by the church in the form of his mother.
Both of these movies have a decided independent feel and depict coming of age not from the usual teen royalty prospective, but rather from the prospective of that awkward group of guys that probably will need to wait until they are in college to make their romance connection. This doesn't seem to be a problem for girls of Perks as they reach Junior and Senior levels. Their only issue is how to drop the guys they have been going with as they head for college.
The big issue in Driving Lessons is how to learn some independence from your parents when it is forced upon you. The main character is this movie was genuinely trying to follow his mother's overly restrictive measures but the real world of his summer job and his poetic heart could not be contained. A truly awkward 17 year old was in for an interesting ride when he signed on to help the elderly alcoholic romantic actress. His own poetry found some appreciation in her even if it did not work among his female contemporary.
There is a bittersweet ending for each story and overall a satisfying journey in each. Watch for stellar rolls for Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Laura Linney as the stern mother in Driving Lessons.
Hope you enjoy... : ) Pat
Perks of Wallflower from IMDB
Based on the novel written by Stephen Chbosky, this is about 15-year-old Charlie (Logan Lerman), an endearing and naive outsider, coping with first love (Emma Watson), the suicide of his best friend, and his own mental illness while struggling to find a group of people with whom he belongs. The introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors, Sam and Patrick, who welcome him to the real world.
And Driving Lessons from IMDB
A coming of age story about a shy teenage boy trying to escape from the influence of his domineering mother. His world changes when he begins to work for a retired actress.
Both of these descriptions of their movies do not adequately describe the emotional impact the characters have in their plots.
________________________________
Both feature a boy about 13 or 14 trying to make sense out of the awkward role of being sensitive and not fitting into the usual strata of "kids" his age.The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about this kid as his co-opted by a group of kids three years older than him. They gather him up and introduce him to the mainstream of activities of older more agile students even as this group is setting on the outside of mainstream crowd.
The other movie, Driving Lessons is about an awkward 17year old that was raised in the shadow of the ministry of the Church of England He is introduced to pieces of adult independence by an elderly English "Dame" of the stage,who sets him up to go camping against his parents wishes as she uses him as an assistant during his summer vacation. He sets out to earn some money to help a human mission project of a very strange parishioner who ran over his wife and needed to be forgiven by the church in the form of his mother.
Both of these movies have a decided independent feel and depict coming of age not from the usual teen royalty prospective, but rather from the prospective of that awkward group of guys that probably will need to wait until they are in college to make their romance connection. This doesn't seem to be a problem for girls of Perks as they reach Junior and Senior levels. Their only issue is how to drop the guys they have been going with as they head for college.
The big issue in Driving Lessons is how to learn some independence from your parents when it is forced upon you. The main character is this movie was genuinely trying to follow his mother's overly restrictive measures but the real world of his summer job and his poetic heart could not be contained. A truly awkward 17 year old was in for an interesting ride when he signed on to help the elderly alcoholic romantic actress. His own poetry found some appreciation in her even if it did not work among his female contemporary.
There is a bittersweet ending for each story and overall a satisfying journey in each. Watch for stellar rolls for Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Laura Linney as the stern mother in Driving Lessons.
Hope you enjoy... : ) Pat
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Backyard Re-creation
Sue laughed at me when we first moved into our house 34 years ago. We moved in Labor Day and by January I was out hunting in lumber yards for the first of our fruit trees.
One of my favorite trees was given to us by my sister. It was a dwarf miniature Bonanza peach tree. Bonanza was one of the first true dwarf peach trees on the market. It is prolific in its production. Its total height is about 8 feet tall. I planted it in the front yard as a bareroot tree in January. It is still there. Its big fruit is ripe around the second or third week of June. What a treat.
The trees in the back have had some renovation over the years. I started off with three almond trees. I discovered after they were mature that I really didn't like processing almonds and was somewhat allergic to the dust that came off of them as I shelled them. They were cut down or the fell down as the case was with the one in the front yard.
A couple of peach trees thrived in the backyard until they outgrew their lifespan and had to be cut down. One was a pretty nice Early Elberta and the other was a July Elberta. I tried a couple of cherry trees. They didn't last long either. A late Santa Rosa plum was a real gem. The kids enjoyed swinging on the backyard swings and grabbing ripe plums from it. A reworked backyard took out the Santa Rosa Plum and the turf and some tomato growing boxes.
During this time an apricot tree of immense proportions was growing in the backyard, producing Tilton apricots every 4th of July. It still produces so many that I run out of patience before the tree runs out of fruit. I pruned it in a particular way when it reach early adult hood. I took a sawsall to its upward limbs and maintained its height to just a little over 12 feet. Most of the tree is 9 and a half feet tall. It spreads across the backyard covering about 40 feet of fence space. Apricots are sort of hard to find in this valley and this tree certainly fulfills my every need for a fresh apricot in the summer. Each summer I hack off the top branches so that it does not out grow the space. It provides some shade, but its main function is to provide a green barrier between our fence and the neighbor's yard at that height.
In our backyard redo the apricot tree stays. The first thing that had to go were the two palm trees blocking the entrance to the backyard. One was about 35 feet tall, the other about 18. The main function recently was the blocking of the TV Channels in the satellite. The volunteer trees that have been brought in by the birds are being hacked up and carried away. So goes the shed that now takes up way too much space in the backyard. A metal gazebo over 140 square feet of terra cotta colored tile from Saltio, Mexico is about to be installed.It will be nice to have sustainable shade in the backyard once again. Sue has made me promise to plant a set of birch trees for a backyard oasis. Part of our backyard is shaded by the neighbor's 100 foot redwood tree.
Our contractor loves having work to do in this economy. He has two adults to work with the project as well. In two days an amazing amount of work has been done.
Forge on to a new backyard!
: ) Pat
One of my favorite trees was given to us by my sister. It was a dwarf miniature Bonanza peach tree. Bonanza was one of the first true dwarf peach trees on the market. It is prolific in its production. Its total height is about 8 feet tall. I planted it in the front yard as a bareroot tree in January. It is still there. Its big fruit is ripe around the second or third week of June. What a treat.
The trees in the back have had some renovation over the years. I started off with three almond trees. I discovered after they were mature that I really didn't like processing almonds and was somewhat allergic to the dust that came off of them as I shelled them. They were cut down or the fell down as the case was with the one in the front yard.
A couple of peach trees thrived in the backyard until they outgrew their lifespan and had to be cut down. One was a pretty nice Early Elberta and the other was a July Elberta. I tried a couple of cherry trees. They didn't last long either. A late Santa Rosa plum was a real gem. The kids enjoyed swinging on the backyard swings and grabbing ripe plums from it. A reworked backyard took out the Santa Rosa Plum and the turf and some tomato growing boxes.
During this time an apricot tree of immense proportions was growing in the backyard, producing Tilton apricots every 4th of July. It still produces so many that I run out of patience before the tree runs out of fruit. I pruned it in a particular way when it reach early adult hood. I took a sawsall to its upward limbs and maintained its height to just a little over 12 feet. Most of the tree is 9 and a half feet tall. It spreads across the backyard covering about 40 feet of fence space. Apricots are sort of hard to find in this valley and this tree certainly fulfills my every need for a fresh apricot in the summer. Each summer I hack off the top branches so that it does not out grow the space. It provides some shade, but its main function is to provide a green barrier between our fence and the neighbor's yard at that height.
In our backyard redo the apricot tree stays. The first thing that had to go were the two palm trees blocking the entrance to the backyard. One was about 35 feet tall, the other about 18. The main function recently was the blocking of the TV Channels in the satellite. The volunteer trees that have been brought in by the birds are being hacked up and carried away. So goes the shed that now takes up way too much space in the backyard. A metal gazebo over 140 square feet of terra cotta colored tile from Saltio, Mexico is about to be installed.It will be nice to have sustainable shade in the backyard once again. Sue has made me promise to plant a set of birch trees for a backyard oasis. Part of our backyard is shaded by the neighbor's 100 foot redwood tree.
Our contractor loves having work to do in this economy. He has two adults to work with the project as well. In two days an amazing amount of work has been done.
Forge on to a new backyard!
: ) Pat
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Pledge of Alligance
While waiting for my wheelchair lift to be looked at in Modesto. The owner of the shop sho shoed the two vets out of the main office to the waiting room. They were carrying on a conversation that was just getting too loud for the conduct of business over the phone. One vet was on a wheelchair and had a service dog. The service dog was an older yellow lab. He was proudly showing off his purple heat vest with two handles on it to all that were in the waiting room.
There are times that you know you really should keep your mouth shut and let the public squirm or reveal in their fact-less preconception. But I didn't and so the statements got louder.
First... you have seen a lot of changes in the world since you were little. The Purple heart decorated man agreed. Wasn't it better when you were in school. The students all pledged the flag and sang my country tis of thee?
Old golden lab found a comforting spot and layed down on my feet and leaned up against my legs.
I had to jump in. I have never been working at a school where they didn't do this in some form or another. The pledge was always done. The students and the teachers all stood at attention. They did not always sing My Country Tis of Thee... but I could bet that maybe one of these characters did not sing it every day they were in High School. So I gave them the wisdom of my experience and asked them if they knew of any school in the area that did not do the same. They could not. Even when challenged.
Then I heard the usual crap about our country losing its Christian themes. Another one hard for me to swallow. Maybe if they spent a day or two on a campus they would know the diversity of ethnic origins that the modern day students bring to classes. Then one said a person from the far east said that their religion was the basis for all religions that followed. Again not true and he knew it. If you look at the dates Christianity predates Allah. Its pretty crazy when you hear these untruths.. he had to admit that the following of the Sun was probably the really first religion.
Sadly its this kind of stuff that is getting in the way of a lasting peace in the Isreal/Palestinian issue. There might be some changes as reported in the last couple of days if some trust issues can be solved. Pretty amazing times.
We all backed out of the conversation noting that it was good to talk of people of varying opinions. I am sure that I will be quoted as the wild eyed liberal that was totally out of touch. Maybe I am.
: ) Pat
Friday, July 19, 2013
County Fairs During an Economic Down Turn
It is true. In this year's state budget for California, the county fairs essentially lost their funding. Some counties such as Santa Clara have completely given up on its county fairs. At one time, fairs were supported in large part by horse racing. This sport has hit a new low too and many tracks have closed down. Even some of the ones that make up the fabled triple crown are dragging along financially.
Some counties have off track betting on their fair site. A small building on the Stanislaus County Fair Grounds is devoted to off track betting. Patrons come in and bet on horse races around the country broadcasted to them via video satellite links. It is a small spot compared to the Indian Reservation gambling that builds huge casinos in the foothills.
Its interesting that in Fresno's Fair their entertainment venue is sponsored by the Indian casino. There is a finite number to gambling dollars out there. It seems that that these dollars are finding new places to be rather than at a race track. The race tracks with their loss of patronage cannot afford to subsidize county fairs. The state that over sees the race track gambling and the county fair support in the past from these race tracks.
The state walked away from funding of county fairs this year. There are a number of approaches that counties took to make up for this loss of funding.
Almost all of them gave up their entertainment budgets for big names to appear for concerts. The big names in entertainment were replaced by tribute bands that used to play in the side venues of these fairs. The is a big name or two out there but more than likely the band will be an oldie made up of one or two members of the old named band and a troop of younger replacements. This may speak more to the condition of modern music groups and their need to pay their dues in the lessor venues. The county fair circuit may not be as important of a place than a photo in People or a guest shot on Jimmy Kimble.
Some counties such as Merced elected to keep the prices low and bring in as many people as they could for a much shorter fair. Merced's fair entrance was 5 dollars an adult. Grandstand events were another 5 dollars and it took 5 dollars to get a parking place. More branding was done with local merchants and health companies.
Stanislaus County maintains a much longer fair, charges 12 dollars an adult and 5 dollars to park. Their entertainment was free but the grandstand events, such as tractor pulling and destruction derby ran from 8 dollars to 16.
Both plans seem to work. There were many people attending each of the fairs. There seemed to be a fewer number of commercial booths at the Stanislaus County Fair than usual. The Merced Fair offered some pretty decent tribute bands to Journey and CCR on their main stage. Stanislaus County Fair offered Tower of Power... which always puts on a great show especially if you can hear it from the parking lot.
The kids are always great to see at these fairs. They exhibit unbrindled joy at being at a family friendly venue. The animals are groomed up to the nth dregree and shown off beautifully at these fairs. Nothing changes about that.
At the Merced County Fair I always go for the Eagles lenguisa sandwich, at the Stanislaus County fair its the beef kabob with the fresh tomatoes and Assyrian bread, from the Assyrian club. It comes with rice and a sprinkling of cilantro and green onions. Sue had the chicken.. a tad dry but still great. She is not a fan of cilantro or green onions but oh such a fan of the rice.
We always enjoy the photography and the art.
The flowers are always cool and both fairs did not disappoint.
Great to still have these fairs!
: ) Pat
Some counties have off track betting on their fair site. A small building on the Stanislaus County Fair Grounds is devoted to off track betting. Patrons come in and bet on horse races around the country broadcasted to them via video satellite links. It is a small spot compared to the Indian Reservation gambling that builds huge casinos in the foothills.
Its interesting that in Fresno's Fair their entertainment venue is sponsored by the Indian casino. There is a finite number to gambling dollars out there. It seems that that these dollars are finding new places to be rather than at a race track. The race tracks with their loss of patronage cannot afford to subsidize county fairs. The state that over sees the race track gambling and the county fair support in the past from these race tracks.
The state walked away from funding of county fairs this year. There are a number of approaches that counties took to make up for this loss of funding.
Almost all of them gave up their entertainment budgets for big names to appear for concerts. The big names in entertainment were replaced by tribute bands that used to play in the side venues of these fairs. The is a big name or two out there but more than likely the band will be an oldie made up of one or two members of the old named band and a troop of younger replacements. This may speak more to the condition of modern music groups and their need to pay their dues in the lessor venues. The county fair circuit may not be as important of a place than a photo in People or a guest shot on Jimmy Kimble.
Some counties such as Merced elected to keep the prices low and bring in as many people as they could for a much shorter fair. Merced's fair entrance was 5 dollars an adult. Grandstand events were another 5 dollars and it took 5 dollars to get a parking place. More branding was done with local merchants and health companies.
Stanislaus County maintains a much longer fair, charges 12 dollars an adult and 5 dollars to park. Their entertainment was free but the grandstand events, such as tractor pulling and destruction derby ran from 8 dollars to 16.
Both plans seem to work. There were many people attending each of the fairs. There seemed to be a fewer number of commercial booths at the Stanislaus County Fair than usual. The Merced Fair offered some pretty decent tribute bands to Journey and CCR on their main stage. Stanislaus County Fair offered Tower of Power... which always puts on a great show especially if you can hear it from the parking lot.
The kids are always great to see at these fairs. They exhibit unbrindled joy at being at a family friendly venue. The animals are groomed up to the nth dregree and shown off beautifully at these fairs. Nothing changes about that.
At the Merced County Fair I always go for the Eagles lenguisa sandwich, at the Stanislaus County fair its the beef kabob with the fresh tomatoes and Assyrian bread, from the Assyrian club. It comes with rice and a sprinkling of cilantro and green onions. Sue had the chicken.. a tad dry but still great. She is not a fan of cilantro or green onions but oh such a fan of the rice.
We always enjoy the photography and the art.
The flowers are always cool and both fairs did not disappoint.
Great to still have these fairs!
: ) Pat
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Mother's Circus Animal Cookies
Its sad to have a particular food addiction.
There are just some things at the grocery store I just do not buy. The reason is clear.. I cannot leave them alone until they are gone.
Mothers cookies is the Northern California bakers for frosted circle animal cookies. They are traditionally pink and white and come with sprinkles on top that are often blue. Sounds pretty awful as its written down.
There texture is pure lard. The frosting leaves a coating across the top of the palette that takes a frosty soda like beverage to break down. Its an amazing taste combination and a textural one as well. The crispy animal shaped cookies are enigmatic of an era in the 50's long gone. As you travel through Oakland on BART just past the coliseum, the factory is let up with its characteristic almost Barbie pink circus tent details. The home of "mother's cookies." They highlight the Circus Animal Cookies on their building. I must not be the only one that likes these!
In the grocery store these gems are sold by the bag. They are not neatly stacked within rows of plastic like other members of the Mother's cookie line. They are often sold out. A new variety of the same favorites has made an appearence on the shelves. Its a green jungle animal version. The people at Mother's were clever enough not to change the recipe... so even through they are formed in the green swinging chimpanzees, the result is the same flavor and texture as the original Circus Animals.
I have been recently informed that my addiction to these gems is not singular. My daughter has a "thing" for them too. Does it speak to us genetically?
The biggest indignity ever happened when I was looking for a new variety ice cream to drag home. Our Raley's carries Sunnyside brand ice cream along with others. Sunnyside is their generic like set of dairy products. There in the freezer department was a "Mother's Circus Animal" flavored ice cream. It has some dough like components of pink and white. It has flecks of spinkles, which everyone knows is a flavor all to its own, and there are even a few Mother's Circus Animal Cookies thrown into the mix as whole cookies to be discovered as unexpected treasure. It is totally successful as an ice cream flavor.
So.. watch out for the Mother's Circus Animal flavors headed to a cookie counter or a ice cream freezer near you!!
: ) Pat
There are just some things at the grocery store I just do not buy. The reason is clear.. I cannot leave them alone until they are gone.
Mothers cookies is the Northern California bakers for frosted circle animal cookies. They are traditionally pink and white and come with sprinkles on top that are often blue. Sounds pretty awful as its written down.
There texture is pure lard. The frosting leaves a coating across the top of the palette that takes a frosty soda like beverage to break down. Its an amazing taste combination and a textural one as well. The crispy animal shaped cookies are enigmatic of an era in the 50's long gone. As you travel through Oakland on BART just past the coliseum, the factory is let up with its characteristic almost Barbie pink circus tent details. The home of "mother's cookies." They highlight the Circus Animal Cookies on their building. I must not be the only one that likes these!
In the grocery store these gems are sold by the bag. They are not neatly stacked within rows of plastic like other members of the Mother's cookie line. They are often sold out. A new variety of the same favorites has made an appearence on the shelves. Its a green jungle animal version. The people at Mother's were clever enough not to change the recipe... so even through they are formed in the green swinging chimpanzees, the result is the same flavor and texture as the original Circus Animals.
I have been recently informed that my addiction to these gems is not singular. My daughter has a "thing" for them too. Does it speak to us genetically?
The biggest indignity ever happened when I was looking for a new variety ice cream to drag home. Our Raley's carries Sunnyside brand ice cream along with others. Sunnyside is their generic like set of dairy products. There in the freezer department was a "Mother's Circus Animal" flavored ice cream. It has some dough like components of pink and white. It has flecks of spinkles, which everyone knows is a flavor all to its own, and there are even a few Mother's Circus Animal Cookies thrown into the mix as whole cookies to be discovered as unexpected treasure. It is totally successful as an ice cream flavor.
So.. watch out for the Mother's Circus Animal flavors headed to a cookie counter or a ice cream freezer near you!!
: ) Pat
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