Music Friday: "Cold Little Heart"

I was listening to this Michael Kiwanuka album today as I was preparing for class this morning. 

I don't think I've featured this tune on the blog yet. 

I think. 

Stay Positive: Caribbean Red Habanero

Over twenty years ago I grew Caribbean Red habaneros when I was a grad student at the University of Alabama.

It wasn't until this summer that I grew another Caribbean Red because I had never seen any around these parts in East-Central Illinois. I found the plants at a local place over in Mattoon, the family owned and operated de Buhr's Seed & Feed.   

The Caribbean Reds are twice as hot as a regular habenero. I made some salsa for my wife today, and I could tell a difference once I tested the sales to see if I got the seasoning right. 

The Caribbean Reds have more of fruity/citrusy quality than regular habaneros from my tasting. 

Regardless, I will be growing them again next season if de Buhr's has them again. 

Music Friday: "Gardenia/Asteroid/Supa Scoopa And Mighty Scoop"

Back in undergrad days my fraternity brother Roy and I went to concert that was a triple bill of Kyuss, Biohazard, and Fishbone. 

I love Fishbone, and they were good, but the opening group was Kyuss, and they were the best performer that night. They just totally rocked out. 

They were incredible. And when I got back to Kirksville, I bought the Sky Valley album as soon as I could. If I remember correctly, the first three songs they played that night were the three songs on that album. 

Here's the opening tune of Sky Valley.  

Random Notes from a Crank

My home state of Iowa has become what my nephew, who is a political consultant, describes as "cold Alabama" from a political standpoint. It's been a red state for way too long in presidential contests, but I realized recently that Mississippi is more progressive than the Hawkeye State in one way. 

The Magnolia State allows medicinal marijuana, whereas Iowa does not allow it. Good Gods, even Missouri allows recreational use of cannabis.   

I'm not a smoker of the Mary Jane, but weed policies seem to be a bellwether of political leanings. And Iowa is going in the wrong direction. 

Out of nowhere, which was a surprise to fans and pundits, Tottenham signed Wilson Odobert as a winger in the transfer window. The young Frenchman is likely to play on the right wing behind Brennan Johnson. 

If the window is closed for Spurs, it's been a good one. However, I'd like to see them sign a center back who can also play left back because I assume Ashley Phillips will go out on loan somewhere even though I think Ange should keep him around with the first team. 

Music Friday: "The Curse of Growing Old"

One of my friends on FB called attention to that American Aquarium had a new album out this year, The Fear of Standing Still. 

Here's one tune from that new album. 

Stay Positive: Red Wolves Surviving

The Washington Post has an article about the ups and downs of reintegration of endangered red wolves into a certain part of North Carolina. 

I thought the red wolf was native to the Southwest, but apparently they are a native species to the Southeast. Apparently, I'm quite mistaken. 

The article, "Inside the 'Roller Coaster' Effort to Save Endangered Red Wolves," describes the waxing and waning of the wolves' population. The two biggest threats now are climate change and cars. 

Random Notes from a Crank

There's an interesting guest essay in the New York Times by a conservative who is voting for Harris because the MAGA crowd has basically taken over the GOP and turned it into a non-conservative party: "To Save Conservatism from Itself, I Am Voting for Harris." 

In another guest essay, Roxane Gay's provides the positive energy with "The Harris-Walz Ticket Is Our Opportunity for Political Imagination." 

Let's hope the voters that matter take that opportunity. I'm still concerned about the polling in all of the swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Arizona, and Pennsylvania. 

I didn't know Margo Price had a new album out. I found that out from a brief article in The Washington Post: "Country Star Margo Price Says What She Means -- And Sleeps Well at Night." 

In other good news, the USMNT hired Pochettino as its head coach. I look forward to seeing what he does with that group of players. 

Music Friday: "Fell on Black Days"

One of my FB friends did a post asking about what were people's favorite songs with a color in its name. I automatically went to this one. 

It's not one of my top-10 songs by Soundgarden, but I identify with it. 

I'm prone to grouchiness, depression, and disappointment. In some ways one's life is going great, and in other parts of one's life, it's not. It's just constant disappointment. 

Music Friday: "Dial Drunk"

I've been on a Noah Kahan kick lately, so here's one of his more popular songs.