Sad Day At The Swan Nest In The City

There were torrential rains and wind.

The swan nest was flooded and broke up. I did not take my real camera out because of the rain.

The steadfast guard duck was still there when I went early in the morning to see.

The river had risen and everything floated away. The mallard was waiting for the swans where the nest had been.
It was tragic.  For me, anyway.  I held it together, being informed about flooding being the major cause of swan nest failure.
When I was listening to the storm at home in the night I feared the worst.
But the duck waiting there did me in.  I cried in the morning rain.

I have walked down the river since, looking to see if any of the eggs were trapped in the debris from the storm.  None.
I was more sad for the people near and far who were watching the swan nest, and waiting in happy anticipation for the hatchlings.
It is so sweet when strangers can gather in cheerful hope and expectancy.
We will not have baby swans here this year.

Spring will come again next year, just as sure as the sun comes up every morning.
♥ Chloe

Checking on our Swan Mother in the evening

All seemed well.  The Father Swan was not around tonight, but the friendly duck couple was there with her.
I had walked in a different way to take pictures.
I found this on the ground near the river

Is it a Killdeer eggshell?

The Mother Swan nestled in for the night.
Do you see the ducks in the water nearby?    
Goodnight, Swan.  ♥Chloe

Swan eggs in the city

The swan mother carefully tucked in her eggs.
She had gotten up to groom herself and stretch her legs.

Beautiful Easter eggs in the swan nest.
This swan lives in the city.  There is duct tape and styrofoam and plastic litter in her nest.

While the Mother swan was taking a break, the Father swan guarded the eggs.
A Father duck was helping guard the eggs, too.  The Mallard and his mate are there all the time.

The Mother Swan settled herself back on the nest and put her beak under her wing.   She had counted her eggs, and made sure that each one was covered. The Father Swan watched over her from the river nearby.

The Father Swan swimming near the nest in the evening.
Good night, Swans.  ♥Chloe

Spinach

The other day I had extraordinary pizza at work.
Round about 11:00am every day, people begin to discuss lunch.
That is because our factory is located deep in the heart of the most Italian part of Rhode Island.
Think Goodfellows. Think a trial is about to begin for yet another mob boss, and they are asking for an anonymous jury. Really Italian.

Anyway, this pizza has spinach, olives, and pepperoni, with fresh (really fresh) mozzarella.
From here http://theoriginalitalianbakery.com/bakery.html
So my sister on the West Coast writes when she sees the picture, and says that she never thought of spinach on pizza. 
I am floored by this. 
Living over here, we take for granted the abundance of fresh spinach and garlic in and on so many things, even as as side dish, just sauted spinach in olive oil with garlic.

Here is an Uno Chicago Style Pizza spinach pizza

 This has the spinach with Feta cheese and a little onion in a buttery deep dish crust. 
It does not begin to compare to the luxurious richness of the first pizza, but for $3.99 from a chain restaurant
it is a very tasty bite and a great value.
Here's the thing. 
Uno calls this Spanakopita.
http://www.unos.com/menus/smallPlates.php
It is very good, but it is not Spanakopita!
This is Spanakopita -

When I was young and beginning to bartend I worked with a Greek bartender named Gino in Hollywood.
To this day, with any question about the bar, I think "What would Gino do?"  He was a pro.
One day between shifts he took me to his Grandmother's house.  She served us Spanakopita.

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  It was so good.
Spinach and Feta, seasoned and wrapped in filo flag fold triangles.
I learned to make my own.  Here is the recipe.

Now, years later my family has come to expect them at any family gathering.

They are not fast and easy to make. 

 But they are so delicious that they are worth the time and effort to make them.

To me, Spanakopita is the supreme spinach experience.

Here is a link to a set on Flickr about making them.http://www.flickr.com/photos/chloe-and-ivan/sets/72157622823010111/with/4877573534/

I am not done about spinach.  That is enough for now!  Chloe.

Local Flavor for lunch

Three wieners and coffee milk for $4.99?  The sign had been making me laugh for days, had to go in.

Had to.

The first day I went in and bought a very good grilled chicken sandwich.  Tender and juicy. 

But not 3 wieners and a coffee milk.  So I had to go back. The wieners were calling me. 

Lovely Lexi here with the wieners getting the works on her arm, that's how it's done. 

Close up on the works.  The meat sauce, the mustard, the celery salt, the onions.

Real coffee milk, with Autocrat Coffee Syrup.  The real thing! http://www.onlyinrhodeisland.com/autcofsyr.html

Back at work with my wieners and coffee milk. 

Have to say that I could not make it through all three wieners!

This was a real Rhode Island lunch. 

 L.A.System 1219 Atwood Ave, Johnston, Rhode Island 

In Seven Stars this morning for Lemon Cake.

In Seven Stars this morning for Lemon Cake., a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

This was so good.

Burnside Park no longer Occupied. Jan 30, 2012

Burnside Park no longer Occupied. Jan 30, 2012, a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

They have moved inside. I am grateful about this.  Now they can continue warm and dry.
Providence is still Occupied, just inside.

Family Protest Portrait

Three generations of McLoughlin women protesting together with Occupy Providence.

Providence, Rhode Island

January 28, 2012

Marcus and Tilly Occupied the fence in the park during the evening commute. It was cold out, and a storm was coming. They brought hot coffee in the thermos. They had natural fur coats to keep warm.

  a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.

They stuck around for a while to talk to anyone who had questions.
The city was generally in agreement and supportive of two mice out in the frigid night.
The mice were encouraged by the response.
Marcus was aware that there might be professional repercussions.

Working my way through the dollar menu.

Working my way through the dollar menu., a photo by chloe & ivan on Flickr.
This has been excessive fun - there is a new Bar Louie in Providence, they are having a big promotion of a martini and a small plate for a dollar. One dollar.


Here is a closeup of olives.  Could just have olives and Blue Cheese for dinner.

 

Four burger sliders with spicy cheese and bacon and onion straws, with a Louie Cosmo, one dollar.



Chicken nachos with a Dirty Martini with 3 olives stuffed with Blue Cheese, one dollar.



Maetballs with sauce and cheese and crispy Parmesan garlic toasts and another martini, one dollar.

It ends on Wednesday, and then I will have to be walking 5 miles a day to make up for this!
But not before having one of the big Tuesday dollar burgers and a few more Martinis. 
Yay for Bar Louie this week!




Meanwhile, outside in our city

It's on.

But my son's wedding is the priority this week.

Here is a pic of the sculpture when it is not being used
as a flagpole or a bulletin board

I love this sculpture.

This is a monumental tribute to a mediocre General.

A lot of people liked him, but he was not a good General.
General Burnside was also Governor of Rhode Island,
and built a very original house on Benefit Street.
Have to go get a picture.