“The cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), also called the artichoke thistle, cardone, cardoni, carduni or cardi, is a thistle-like plant in the family Asteraceae. It is the naturally occurring form of the same species as the globe artichoke, and has many cultivated varieties. It is native to the western and central Mediterranean region, where it was domesticated in ancient times.”

Kobe and I were out for our walk late yesterday and came upon our neighbor Carel cutting back his cardoons.  We stopped to chat with him and Edna, who much-loves Kobe, and Carel mentioned that cardoon stalks are edible and offered me some.  Found several recipes online.  In general, I believe that almost anything cooked up in butter and garlic or dipped in batter and fried is pretty good.  The recipe I decided to try involved sauteing the sliced, peeled stalks in butter, then baking them up in a bechamel sauce.  I had some gorgonzola so I added that.  I forgot that I was supposed to top it all off with bread crumbs.  Cardoons au bechamel avec gorgonzola just sounds better than strange-celery-like-plant in white gravy.

My old garden boots sprang a leak.  They work just fine as pots for my favorite pansies.

Once a year in April, I take the copper molds off the wall and polish them.  It’s been at the top of my list all month.  Last night, I took a picture of them so I can get them back up in order.  I set out the rubber gloves and polish.  I put on my work clothes early this morning.  And then I watched the sun rise out my east window.  Well, at least I have a picture to post. I keep wishing they would just turn that nice verdigris color.

I did get right out in the garden and got some things done.  Then I sat down in the new/old Adirondack chairs Roxanne gave me and read an article in Sierra magazine that Jim Sellers gave me about the dwindling Rio Grande.  I so wish I had kayaked there back in the day.  This article is followed by an article picturing some great new “wet goods.”  I am longing for that carbon paddle from Adventure Technology.  My carbon paddle went missing a couple of seasons back.  I can’t quite remember if it was on the Gunnison or on the Uncompahgre.  I do remember that it was a really unforgettable day.

Regarding yesterday’s post regarding the odd obituary, Elizabeth sent a radio link to a This American Life broadcast with a possible explanation.  We are outsourcing everything!

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/468/switcheroo?act=2

Now, back out to the garden. Rubbing the “new” chairs with some gray stain to make them look even older just went to the top of the list.  Glad the rubber gloves are all laid out.

Someone who graduated from my high school in Pecos, Texas, before I even moved to that town died last week.   It is a small town, so, of course, I did know who he was. His family owned the town jewelry store.  I wanted to read his obituary so I googled his name and the strangest article came up from a newspaper in Arkansas for some reason.  I think it reads like something I try to write in French and get some of the words right and some of them not the right words at all.