Iyla Grace 3.0

   Iyla Grace 3.0 is available today. New features include an expanded vocabulary, improved table manners, and self butt wiping … 2.0 was pretty damn good. Happy Birthday, Little Buddy!

Mustang Island

Our daughter, Iyla, is a creature at home in the water (as is her Papa).  We have spoken many times about the ocean – she believes it's where the mermaids live.  Jules and I wanted to arrange an introduction, so the family vacationed this summer on Mustang Island near Port Aransas, Texas.  Iyla delighted in the sun, sand and surf.  What a joy to observe!  No mermaid sightings, though.  Perhaps, next year.

 

San Francisco & Big Sur, California

Jules and I escaped to Northern California for a week of adventure and discovery.  We began our trip with an overnight in San Francisco, then visited Berkeley to attend a two-day couples seminar, followed by a journey along the coast to Big Sur where we enjoyed three days of mountain air and stunning ocean views ... Yes, Sir, Big Sur!

Creative Writing

Thirteen narcissists in a room.

One occupies the head of the table,
gently fondling his first published novel, Milk Toast, 

which the university press declares
"a wry and energetic romp" chronicling
the misadventures of an associate professor
struggling with literary success
and an arranged marriage gone awry.

He admires the glossy cover of his book
while the rest of us huddle in groups of four
to discuss dialogue construction.

"Good dialogue should sound real," someone offers.

"It should advance the plot," says another.

"And reveal character."

They turn to professor who acknowledges approvingly.

"Alright," professor says, "here comes 

a timed exercise to help you think more creatively."

He produces an assortment of newspapers
and instructs the class to document 

as many narrative ideas as can be imagined

from the headlines.

"You have six minutes."

I am handed a paper and encounter a piece
chronicling a group of Japanese students
who built a world-record-breaking,

one-hundred-foot-tall structure
made of Legos.

The Japanese celebrated with a parade 

of streamers, fireworks and musicians.

The fireworks grew out of hand, 

and the wooden platform supporting their creation 

caught fire.  

Attempts to control the blaze failed.

The structure collapsed.

A photo portrays teenagers 

standing in horror and weeping.

The headline reads: 

       JAPANESE LEGO-TOWER RECORD 

       DESTROYED BY FIRE

Yet, idea of those aspiring students, 

their record-breaking achievement, 

the months of planning and effort

only to see a precious monument

to god knows what go up in flames,

it strikes me as satirical gold.

I pass the paper.

Others scribble furiously in their notebooks,

pencils racing, trying desperately to
out-create each other.

"Time's up!"

Then it hits me── 

like a phantom punch to the skull──

in what professor calls

"your divine, creative spark."

I get the hell out of there,

hustle to the nearest bar,

and write this down.

**First published in The American Dissident

**Illustration by Morgane Xenos

Thai Steak Salad

     This warm-weather salad is great for a romantic evening or intimate dinner party.  The bold flavors will surprise your guests and excite the palette.  The conversation is up to you.

INGREDIENTS 

• 4 limes, juiced
• 1 lime, quartered
• 6 tablespoons fish sauce
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 red Thai chilis, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped salted peanuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 pounds Asian sirloin steak
• 4 green onions (green part only), chopped
• 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 1/2 cup sugar snap peas with pod, chopped (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced thin
• 1 mango, peeled, pitted, diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1/2 pound bean sprouts
• 1 large bag mixed spring lettuce

     1).  Whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, Thai chili, garlic and red pepper flakes in a medium bowl.  Place steak (room temperature) in a non-reactive bowl with cover.  Marinate 30 minutes.  Reserve remaining marinade in a small bowl and refrigerate (also 30 minutes).

     2).  Toss mixed spring lettuce, green onions, bean sprouts, cilantro, sugar snap peas, carrots, red bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes and mango in a large bowl; add peanuts and a light portion of the reserved dressing (marinade); toss.

     3).   Heat grill pan over high heat.  Place marinaded steak in the pan, pouring remaining juice (from the steak bowl) atop the steaks.  Sprinkle with black pepper and cook, turning once, until desired temperature (about 4-6 minutes on each side for medium rare).  Transfer to a cutting board; cover loosely with aluminum foil.  Let rest 5 minutes.  Set aside the grill pan, keeping the pan juice in tact.

     4).  Slice steak across the grain into strips about 1/2 inch wide.

     5).  Divide salad mixture among plates.  Top each with steak slices.  Pour pan juice over the steak.  Pour remaining marinade over salad mixture.  Garnish with lime wedges.

 Accompany with a bottle of bold, red wine ... We like Tempranillo.

SERVES 4-6

Iyla Grace 2.0

   Iyla Grace 2.0 is available today.  New features include solo walking (still in beta), belly laughs, and teeth … The 1.0 release was miraculous.  Happy First Birthday, Sweet Girl!