Happy 4th

Pork tenderloin chop grilled and served with broccoli and sea salt.

Divine Guardians

The 3 Divine Guardians, comprising a Chi Lin, a Fu Dog and a Pi Xiu, are celestial creatures sent to Earth by the God of Heaven to safeguard the trinity of Tien Ti Ren. Together, they form the trusted antidote to subdue the viciousness of the 3 Killings. It is said that the Chi Lin helps prevent losing your loved ones, Fu Dog protects your reputation and the Pi Xiu assists in combating against loss of wealth. Placing three dimensional images of these divine protectors in the afflicted sectors invokes their spiritual presence and creates a safeguard for all residents.

The Chi Lin, also known as Dragon Horse, is the Chinese Unicorn, a legendary creature with head of a dragon, scales of carp upon the body of a horse, and a tail consisting of little curls. The Chi Lin's presence is said to attract the powerful cosmic breath of the dragon, which promises good omens, wealth, success, longevity, wisdom, compassion and distinguished children. The magnificent Chi Lin is believed to have great protective abilities.

Fu Dogs are mythical animals and guardians of the heavenly gate. They have fear-inspiring faces and muscular bodies and are believed to be protectors that ward off evil influences and spirits. It is their task to probe the mind and intentions of the entering guest. The Fu Dogs also nourish Chi that enters the home or business premises and thus brings in good fortune.

The Pi Xiu is a mystical creature that is a particularly powerful and auspicious creature of good fortune. Chinese adore the Pi Xie because of its protective, obedient and loyal nature. It is believed that the Pi Xiu will always try its best to fulfill its owner’s wish and protect its owner from any harm. Pi Xiu also has the ability to help anyone having bad Feng Shui due to having offended the Grand Duke Jupiter (Tai Sui).

Shrimp and kohlrabi greens

The greens from two kohlrabi
4 slices of bacon
1 shallot
salt and pepper
a squeeze (one wedge) of lemon

Cut ribs out of kohlrabi, stack leaves, and slices into ribbons (like you would basil). Cut bacon into small pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon and onions until bacon is cooked and onions begin to brown. Add kohlrabi ribbons to skillet, saute until wilty like spinach. Add a squeeze of lemon to reduce bitterness and season your greens with salt and pepper. Use as a base for your shrimp skewers.

Rainbow Berry Pound Cake

Prepare pound cake as recipe dictates. Grease and four your pan. Fill pan with batter 2/3 full, then spoon blobs of jam onto cake. Top with remaining 1/3 batter. Use a spatula to make swirls like you would with marble cake. Bake. Once cool, top with powdered sugar frosting tinted in three fun colors. Top with sprinkles.

Fairy Orchid

My dendrobium peguanum was doing well enough, I separated a little cluster and am growing it in a fairy sized hanging planter with a pinch of my living sphagnum moss. We will see how he does over the next week.

Modern Yodeling

Yodeling is the voice being used as a musical instrument, whereby singers are able to change from the vocal register to the head register. A singer voices a pitch in the falsetto register on releasing a note. These songs are not similar to their Alpine counterparts, but they are charming all the same.

Cranberries	Alanis Morissette	Sinead O'Connor
Linda Ronstadt	Michael Nesmith

Musical Artists and Beards

Over time beards, mustaches, and sideburns have gone in and out of style, been grown to new extremes, and taken on larger-than-life personas that have even overshadowed the men to whose faces they’re attached. And in this current era where business wants a clean face, it’s only fitting that I run through 50 years of some of the finest, most iconic facial fur I can remember.

Kerry King	Dave Grohl	Kenny Rogers	Leon Russel
Cat Stevens	Willie Nelson	ZZ Top	Nathaniel Rateliff