the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Speaking of repetitive music..........

Save for a guitar lick here and there, Gordon Lightfoot never strays from the pace and tone during the entire 1 hour and 17 minute song.   What?  It's only 6:29 ????

Huh. Could have fooled me. 

We are at the 50th Anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 

I remember the morning. Our NuTone wall mounted radio / intercom was playing WJR (AM radio, thank you!), something Dr. Spo will know, as it did every morning. The morning news was all about the previous night's sinking and disappearance of the ship. 

Freezing cold drowning in huge huge waves seems a horrible way to go, no? And in the dark. I guess the Titanic wasn't any better - though more of them. And less waves.

The title image I took up at the National Museum of Great Lakes when I was in Toledo for their half-marathon earlier this year. 

The museum had two items that had been recovered from the wreckage. Possibly the only two things that were recovered, It seems like I could find that out easily enough with a internet search, but I just don't want to, or care enough to do so. 

The museum wasn't dedicated to that ship or any ships. It goes in depth (no pun intended) into each for the five lakes. Some of them being maritime related. 

Lightfoot sings “Superior, it’s said, never gives up her dead”, which more or less true. None of the 29 bodies has ever been recovered. That has more to do with the lake than anything. And I found it horribly interesting

....and the following I'm just lifting (i.e. copy / paste) from the intertubes - though I looked at multiple sites with similar results.....

Superior is the coldest of the Great Lakes with an average year-round temperature around 40 degrees Fahrenheit near the surface, reaching perhaps the 50’s at the surface close to the shore in the summer months. The lowest temps can be found at the bottom, generally hovering in the 30’s Fahrenheit. And at the surface in cold months, an effect known as supercooling, an effect most commonly obtained at the polar ice caps, allows water to resist freezing while dipping below standard freezing temps, typically in a range of roughly 29-34 degrees Fahrenheit) 

At such cold temperatures, the bacteria typically responsible for decay and putrefaction, the microorganisms causing the bloat and gas associated with decomposition, cannot thrive. Such organisms are categorized as mesophiles (“middle-loving”), having adapted to moderate temperatures (such as those found in the live human body) as an optimal habitat, from a low end of room temperature (about 68 Fahrenheit) to about 113 degrees Fahrenheit. A dead body subjected to Lake Superior’s cold environment results in a kind of frigid stasis, with nearly all bacterial activity halted until the temperature rises. 

But the process of breakdown doesn’t cease altogether. There’s an incomplete level of decay which frequently leads to the formation of adipocere, a thick layer of wax-like substance known as corpse wax resulting from the partial breakdown of lipids. Without bacteria generating the gases which typically bring submerged remains to the water’s surface, Lake Superior’s victims’ remains frequently stay in the vessels they went down with. Some even sink to the lake’s sandy bottom, resting in the dark, currentless cold nearly intact. 

The shipwrecks themselves, in fact, in depths at these temperatures also do not break down and decompose as they might in more temperate waters. The watery surroundings serving as a super cooler for crew and vessel, allowing remains to rest undisturbed for decades, greatly unchanged.

So.............science!

On a lighter note.........and one I wrote about years and years ago, but I'm sure unremembered by most.....

710 and I were in Monterey, CA on an Monday night in April. Hardly the center of activity. We could only find one place that was open to eat after 20:00, after we stumbled into town. And it was a sports bar at the Marriott. 

Mind you, it was Final Four time and it was a sports bar, right?  While neither of us cares that much for college basketball, we resigned ourselves to seeing it on multiple screens while we at dinner.  .....but someone had other plans for us. 

Live entertainment!  In a sports bar.  During one of the bigger sporting events of the year. 

No just entertainment, but one dude with an acoustic guitar and microphone. 

He opened - and I cannot stress that part enough - his set with "the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". 

I suppose he only did this because the score from Schindler's List was still a half decade from being written and recorded??

Blobby - being Blobby - could not contain himself and burst out laughing. It all just seemed so absurd to me on so many levels. Looking back, since the place was sparsely populated, there was no way the performer didn't notice. Maybe he didn't know it was about his set selection. 

There seems to be a lot of 50th somethings happening lately. It doesn't make me nostalgic as much as it makes me feel old(er). Still, I can see my parent's kitchen, the wallpaper, the red wall phone, the table where I ate breakfast as the radio gave grim views of the night before. 

I have no great wrap-up here. But I got to use the image I took in April 2025, so it kind of all works out one way or another. Now I can delete it from my phone. 

Song by: Gordon Lightfoot

My Music Monday

Becky has been keeping a list of songs she hears, in her head, upon waking. It's not a daily list, as it doesn't happen like that. I think we've all awoke with a tune in our heads from time to time. 

While I'd like to claim today's selection, "A Message to You, Rudy" as one of those, it'd be a fib. However, the song has been stuck in my head for days, and for the life of me I can't remember when last it has been played. 

The Specials were a mostly Ska band from the '80s. 

I'd say Terry Hall fronted the band, but he was great about sharing that duty. He did the same with Fun Boy Three. 

Musically, the song is as simple as can be. When the trombone has the most intricate part, the structure has to be fairly minimal. To me, that simplicity and repetitiveness is what I love about the song. Normally, that could easily play to an annoyance, but it never has with "Rudy". 

While the three part lead vocal seems monotonous, there are points in the chorus where they slightly branch into harmony that I just love. 

But you could see why it got stuck in my head. 

Reverend

There's more behind this picture.............as you might suspect. 

Yet it's late when drafting this - well past my bedtime, and I'm still expected to run early this morning. 

....that is assuming we don't get six inches of snow tomorrow. 

Yes, you read that correctly. Though I think it's a hollow forecast. 

Anyhoo - it'll be somewhere in this upcoming week I recap some of this last weekend. Until then - just keep guessing. 

Song by: Kings of Leon

Autumn

This is still a canine only post. 

My nephew is home and it seems he did NOT bring his kittens with him, so I might not even converse with him the entire time of his visit. 

I love when Shep makes the daycare IG feed. Even if he's just a supporting player. 

Spa day!

Caught mid-roll. 

Fall continues.

It's 17:03, which means it's 18:03 dog-body time. DINNER!!!!!

Song by: Gaslight Anthem

Time to Get Ill

My cold is better, but man it's hanging in there. Throat to sinuses to head to chest and now back to sinuses. 

UGH. 

My patented: three days coming ; three days with you; three days going has proven me a liar. We are almost at the two week mark.......and counting. And 710 is still days behind me, and his seems more severe. 

Shep has been home most of the week because we have. Seems a waste to drive him to, and pay for, daycare. Yeah - walks and outings are not as long, but we all have our downtime. 

It's 20:17 as I draft this. I think I have 30 more minutes me - tops - before I hit the sheets. 

Song by: Beastie Boys

Physical

Doctor: "open wide and say "ahhhhhhh"

Blobby: "ahhhhhhhh"

Doctor: "when's the last time you've seen a dentist?"

{Blobby faux checks his watch}

Blobby: "I dunno.......about 50 minutes ago, I guess."

He wasn't expecting that answer, I bet!  

I mean, I should have been offended at the question, no?  It was a full 0.8 second look in my mouth, how bad could it be???

But this was my physical yesterday. It just happens that lately my periodontal visits, my doc visits and / or my psych visits end up being on the same day. It's weird. 

I know it was a probable standard question, like 'have you fallen in the last 12 months' (have I!!!), 'how much do you drink', 'do you smoke'.  But he never axed about my eyes!!!

Anyways - my labs, for the most part, are good. My platelets are on the low side of normal. Just below. And I have microscopic blood in my urine - but he said many runners get that. Which is good, because I told them I am not doing another cystoscopy. 

I did bring up my year-long issue of getting lightheaded almost each and every time I get out of a chair or bend over to bag Shep's poop. Oddly - which is a bit weird - it has been very few times since the marathon. 

We looked at drug interactions. But adverse reactions in that way are less than with 1% of all what I take. Not to say I'm not in that category. We did some orthostatic testing. Meaning: blood pressure lying down, then sitting up, then standing up. 

While the one standing was the lowest, it wasn't so low. I was much more concerned about how high it went in the sitting up go round. Fellow and Attending both agreed when I said that, but they had no real answers. 

I knew what they'd suggest, and they did: increase hydration and don't be conservative with salt. I said that last one would be tough. I cook with salt, but the salt shaker almost never comes to the table. Pepper - yes. As with most things like this, I got a: "we'll watch it". 

Oh - and I also got four (!!!!!) vaccines:  Flu. Pneumovax, Covid and Meningococcal. All in the same arm (my choice). They asked if I wanted all four today (well, yesterday) and I said, may as well, because I'm not coming back for them. 

As of the writing of this, save a sore arm, I have had zero side effects. The last few Covid ones have not been an issue, so I think I'm clear. 

It seemed like the appointment took forever, but hey, usually they rush you through, so I was happy to get my time with these guys. .....the gay medical assistant creeped me out a bit though. Just a weird vibe...what can I say?

Song by: Dua Lipa

Dead!

<-------- When the bust has more warmth, compassion, feelings, humour and heart than the actual subject. 

Dick "I'm in Charge"* Cheney is dead. 

Good. 

Just 25 years too late. Maybe 30. 

He was just a vile man whose incidental music would have been Star Wars' "Imperial March" - following him around wherever he went.

So, I guess now Satan would have to hear it for all eternity. 

I was eating gruel yesterday when the announcement popped up on my phone screen. I took a screen shot of it and sent it to 710, who was upstairs. It seemed better than yelling that early in the morning. 

Honestly, truer words..........and all. 

The man who helped fake a war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and then profited from it with his government contracts - just no soul whatsoever. 

From Cheney to Sarah Palin to current day. It's an entire connect-the-dots fiasco. But at least one of them is dead.

Hopefully the Grim Reaper is working down their (I'm assuming they identify as they/their/them) list. But they really need to pick up the pace. 

*possibly said after Reagan was shot, and he was not. Not said from 2000-2009, but probably was in charge during the Bush administration. 

Song by: My Chemical Romance

Run It

I feel some weird obligation to close the loop on the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM from here on out) - about which I've been avoiding. 

Let's work backwards - kind of. 

When it was over and on our way back to the hotel, I told 710 never again would I run a marathon. He rolled his eyes saying I said that after my Cleveland full 17 months prior. At that time I truly meant it - but time heals most wounds. And time wounds most heels. 

Morty tried to tell me beforehand to run the MCM for the experience. I should have listened better Or at all. 

I knew the pace I needed for the time I wanted. None of it seemingly unreasonable. And while I didn't make my desired time, I did better than any previous marathon. I should be happy with that, but I wasn't. I am - but I'm not. That ended up being a long-ish discussion with my therapist on how to not focus on the disappointment(s) but celebrate the wins. At least I recognize it. Fixing it.....ehhhhh.....we'll see. 

Yes, I PR'd. Yay me!

While I wouldn't have made my internal goal, I did lose 10-12 minutes waiting for a bathroom at mile 18. Well....more mileage, as after I passed it, I doubled back unsure I could make it to the next bank of port-a-potties. Then I had to wait and wait for one to be available. I also broke my momentum in that 10-12 minute timeframe. 

I had never run a race so large. 40,000 signed up. 31,000 finished. Not to say 9k didn't, as I'm sure not all 40k actually started. It's the largest non-prize money marathon.......so they said. 

The course was incredible. The weather was fantastic. The crowd support out of this world. Save two stretches on freeways, there were tons of spectators along the route. 

The crowd of runners never truly thinned out. I spent most of my time dodging people - and so crowded was the first mile that I did 11:51 (!!!). At least I didn't have to worry about going out too fast like I normally do. 

710 was to meet me at mile 17 with provisions (half a banana, new electrolytes, a mandarin and two new gels). He surprised me by showing up at mile 6. It totally lifted my spirits. More surprising that I saw him in the crowd. He was at 17 as well. 

Since this was the 50th MCM, I thought bugs would all be worked out. My operations background kicked in multiple times from packet pick up, to merchandise to bathrooms and transportation. But I trying not to focus on those, though some made for some very angst ridden moments. 

I'll provide the below example of fuck-up-erry for their logistics. 

The official photographer had one job to do. One. 

The race ends at the Iwo Jima Memorial. From one side you get the entire memorial and a view of many monuments in DC in the background. The above is what they shot of everyone. I mean, what the fuck. 

Honest to fucking g-d. Set yourself up at the one shot and take it if everyone that way. He wasn't even near the right spot and didn't even get in the bad angle of the memorial behind me. And I was a bit out of it to even notice where I was (or wasn't) standing and maybe said something. 

Yeah - it's a little thing, but c'mon. 50 years! This was super low hanging fruit to fix. And a dozen or two "little things" start to add up. This is where I failed to channel Morty and "do it for the experience". 

Someone in the Old Man's Running Group asked if I'd do it again. In my head, I said "no" immediately. But knowing what I know now of it - I might. No time soon. There are other races to be run should I choose to do another marathon. 

Now that I sworn marathons off, after I applied to Chicago 2026, now they'll select me just to spite me.  Right? 

BTW....the Old Man's Group......they told me they downloaded the MCM app and they tracked me as a group at breakfast after their Sunday run. I was embarrassed and touched all at the same time. 

I sometimes take for granted how extremely difficult it is to run 26.2. I get I'm hard on myself, but somewhere deep down in me, I know this is a huge achievement. I'm working on appreciating that. Maybe if I can, that will be the actual win. 

Song by: Fitz and the Tantrums

My Music Monday

I had no song in mind for today, so you know the drill:  iTunes Roulette.  The 10th song gets the slot, unless I've already used it, then it goes around until I haven't. 

As it turns out #10 had not been used:  "Bells & Roses" from Rosanne Cash from back almost 30 years. 

The song came from her first album after getting the boot from her long time record label. 10 Song Demo was kind of a risk for a new record company in terms of sales, but the "making of" cost them nothing or next to nothing. That said it probably had no ROI in terms of what may have been spent on marketing and distribution. 

As the album title suggests, there are 10 demos that make up the album. Very little other than voice and an acoustic guitar appear here. Songs, when I first heard them, seem like they'd be incredible had they ever got fleshed out, but at first listen I felt a little cheated that they hadn't been.

In actuality, the album is kind of brilliant as is. It's not quite as stripped down like Springsteen's Nebraska, but there was also a decade and a half of better recording equipment between those disks. 

10 Song Demo kind of fell out of my orbit, but hearing the simplicity and talent of Cash, her voice and her guitar on "Bells & Roses" makes me think I'll revisit this disk this week. 

the Hours

Success !   Should it be called that. 

I finished Mrs. Dalloway. 

It was my third attempt, the first two not getting too far into the book, due to Virginia Woolf's writing style. 

My thought was: it's less than 200 pages. I should be able to do this. And I did. 

A little background: I knew of the book. I knew of Woolf, but nothing of hers had ever hit my radar. But in 2002-2003 we saw the Hours. I was so taken with that movie that I knew I eventually wanted to read Dalloway. It just took me a while to get the book - and years to finally tackle it. 

The Hours - while not even remotely a strict adaptation - is probably the closest anyone will get to transforming the book into any other medium. Michael Cunningham was successful in his book and whomever wrote screenplay. 

I will say after (or if) you get used to Woolf's very stream of consciousness the book is more tolerable, but that takes a while. Certainly more than just a few pages. If ADHD were a thing back then, Woolf seemed to have it how she jumps here and there with stories within the story. There are zero clean transitions, which made things - at least for me - challenging. 

While not a long book, had Woolf not used paragraphs to describe something she does usually in one sentence and then just keeps expounding. 

I know Raybeard loves this book, but curious what others think as well. 

Now I want to see the Hours again. 

Song by: Philip Glass

Stuck

Maybe it's us having to had boarded Shep last weekend, but he has been on me like glue since we've been back.

Me being home ill, and then 710 doing the same didn't help matters, as we didn't send him to daycare since one or both of us was around at all times. 

I love the dude, but his constant presence has been a lot.  ...all that said, we have some Fall and Halloween themes throughout today's post. 

He didn't like that the swing moved. He was not sure what to make of this. 

Fall Foliage. 

He has, and usually uses, the el at the end of the sofa for napping. 

As you can see, there'd be no personal space for me while trying to recover. 

We don't decorate, but our neighbors do. 

I'm sure they caught me doing this on their Ring doorbell. 

Even feeling crappy, I took Shep for a ride and then walk - at the Natural History Museum. 

He wasn't sure what to think of a statue of Balto (the real Balto is taxiderm-ed inside the museum).

He wasn't 100% sure of the Stegosaurus either. 

But then he went over and lifted his leg on Steggie II.  Yes, that's his name. 

And two nights ago, I go to bed to find him in our bed - on my side. 

He hasn't slept with us both (he did sleep with me in the guest room when I was ill, but to be fair, that is his king bed) in seven (?) years. But he slept between us. It was a little cramped, but he was being very very needy. How could I kick him ou?

Song by: Echosmith

It Hurts Me

It was bound to happen. 710 now has what I had three days ago. 

We spent two days in a car, three days in a hotel together and the rest of the time eating and drinking - save that 26.2 miles we were separated. 

How could I not have passed it on to him? 

Granted, when we came home I did sleep in the guest room for two nights not just to minimize his exposure, but to not keep him up since I knew I wouldn't be sleeping. 

But.......he has it. 

I'll give it this, it is moving somewhat fast. My clogged head isn't nearly as bad as we are now down into the chest. 

Now that hurts.  

I'm at the coughing phase, especially when supine. And even the anticipation of me coughing has me cringing in pre-pain, should that make any sense. The energy to suppress the cough isn't much better and probably takes more energy. 

So we are both at home trying not to bring down the western hemisphere with our plague. Or plaque. 

I cannot imagine handing out candy tonight. Not that I have purchased any. I suppose I can Instacart it and leave a bowl outside the door. It's gonna be pouring anyway, so I'm not sure how much traffic we'd get. 

In this down time, I've gotten through some books and as I told Dr. Spo, I'm making my third (and final) attempt at Mrs Dalloway. 

Honest to g-d, if Woolf wanted to kill herself, she should have read some of her own work. 

Song by: Elvis Presley

Signs

I know I should write about the Marine Corps Marathon, but honestly, I'm still processing it all. I always write too soon about some things giving myself no time for perspective. 

Technically, this is an MCM post. 

It's short on images for the post I wanted, and while I ran with my phone, it was strapped to my arm so I took no pictures along the course. 

The crowd support at the MCM was amazing. Save for a small section in Rock Creek Park and some of Georgetown, the crowd were out for the entire route. Usually there are some big dead pockets, but not so here. 

Making no assumptions of who has run a race or not, should there be spectators, there are usually signs that go along with them. Many are very specific to a certain runner. Others are cute until you realize they are extremely trite: "You Run Better Than Our Government" comes to mind. It's political party proof and this go round I saw it no less than six times. "Run Forrest Run" is another. 

On long runs like these, I sometimes laugh or give the thumbs up to the good ones, though later down the line I forget a lot of them. No difference here. 

But one guy moved around - and it was the same guy - as I saw him no less than three times. And he made me and others laugh. People on the MCM Facebook page mentioned him and someone DID get a picture. 

The women in the group said they told him he was over confident. One said they asked him if she was running two races.  At least the sign was seemingly original. Honestly, you wanted him to be hotter, no?

The rest I don't have exact pictures for, but I can describe one or two. 

THINGS CRUSHED THIS WEEKEND

1. Your PR

2. The East Wing of the White House

RUN FASTER

HE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU

That guy got a huge thumbs up from me. And he gave me one right back. 

(btw - that is some mocked up pic of JD Vance, in case it wasn't apparent,)

So did the ladies who had

FUCK ICE ** FREE DC

I Love Illegal Immigrants.....and You

I'm blanking on other signs, but some of them I wanted to make sure they were seen and their creators / holders seemed appreciative. 

As I neared the Department of Labor I saw this.......

Not knowing, or caring, about anyone behind me or their political affiliation, I raised both hand and used both middle fingers for a few hundred yards.  Sorry Teddy, it wasn't meant for you. 

I encourge people to go out and support their local races. I am pretty sure not everyone there had a someone in the marathon, but I could be wrong. 

David from Adventures of Travel Penguin was to see me at Crystal City (mile 23-ish), but that place was PACKED. I looked left and right for him on the way in and out of the area, but alas never saw him, nor him me. I was prepared to stop and get pics. I was bummed, but had to keep going.  Honestly save for one place on the Mall, no other area was quite a dense as Crystal City. 

Song by: the Five Man Electrical Band

I'm Sick

I'm down, not out. 

At least not yet. 

I don't think it's Covid, just a upper respiratory infection. 

My sinuses hurt. My teeth hurt. My throat is a tad sore. And it's moving into my lungs. 

I'm really just tired. Sleep does not come easy, even through exhaustion. There is a fear of drowning in one's own snot 

So, I'm just hanging at home and reading. And doing lots of nothing. 

Hopefully a real post tomorrow. 

Maybe. 

Song by: Black Flag

Get Better

I have stuff to write about, but coming back from DC - well, actually while in DC - I got, and am, sick. 

Congested to all get out. 

Sneezing too - which rarely happens with me.

A neti-pot is in my future this morning. It's disgusting and satisfying all at the same time. 

710 keeps harping it's "only allergies", but je think not. 

I've moved around enough these last few days to be in and out of allergens ways, and it's just getting worse. I don't think they followed me the entire way. 

Oh - and I was around 40,000 people who were mostly all mouth breathers. So I'm not ruling out Covid at this point either. 

The reality is I've ironically let my body weaken by way of exercise and exertion. 

A neti pot, a really good sleep and hydration and I hope to be back at it. 

See ya tomorrow. 

Song by: Nothing But Thieves 

My Music Monday

I'm just saying that it is probable I am the only one who will like today's selection: "Dancer" by the IDLES.

They are a post-punk band, and that's the part I'm guess that won't appeal to many. 

I like the song, I don't love it. And for me the verses more than the chorus. Still I like the energy and the immediacy of the music and vocal. 

While I might be wrong - though I don't think I am - I'm thinking you're all surprised when I post a song like this. The last one I did, I believe it was the Hives, also post-punk.

My musical tastes are varied. I won't lie, I am kind of surprised that this video has over 5 million views. 

.....and trust me, I don't blame you for not making it through the entire song. 

Thanks a Million

Well, here we are.  

When I hit 8 million views back in June, I stated that I had been getting one million hits about every 6-8 months. 

This last million was about 2-4 months earlier than anticipated. 

I'm not complaining. 

Yes, this blog is on track to hit the 9 million mark sometime today. Most likely this morning (EST).  

Update: Ooops, it happened last evening.

I thought I'd be getting there in a few weeks, but lo and behold, I had to squeeze this post in during my trip. I suppose I could have waited until next week, but eh, what the heck. 

Thanks to all of you for coming back time and again. It is appreciated. 

Once, it's an accident. Over and over - that's on you. 

Song by: Louis Armstrong

Chasing Birds

 We got dogs this week.  Dogs only. 

I'm drafting this days early, as we will be on the road. So should kitten pictures come my way, they'll have to be included in next week's grouping. 

Shep is in daycare this weekend. It just wasn't in the cards to take him to DC.

Ridic from two weeks ago. Man, he is tall. 

Boy and dog shadow. 

Bailey getting rid of geese. 

Autumnal Pup. 

I got Ridic to join me in the guest room where I was staying. 

Now and then, we'd find him in the bed by his lonesome later. 

Great Fall day out with this guy!

Song by: Foo Fighters

Brushes**

Lord - I totally know why the suicide rate amongst the dental profession is so high. 

According to Choices Psychotherapy, they are #2 on the suicide by profession list, right behind medical doctors, but ahead of veterinarians. 

Though percentage rates change if you look by educational level. It seems construction workers might actually top the list. 

Anyhooo......

If I had to look not just at these images, but the actual things too, day in and day out, I'd cut out early too. 

.....and I'm saying that knowing that those are my teeth. 

The upper right quadrant of the multiple images - especially the third from the right - looks like Lee Press-On Toe Nails. .....except they're my chompers. 

The entire composite looks like a chapter right out of the Big Book of British Smiles. *

It's been six weeks since my periodontal procedure. So far I've had four (!) follow-up visits. And yesterday (!!!!!) was the first time since September 10th that I've been allowed to brush or floss the affected areas!

Yes, I've heard you all just go "ewwwwwwwww".  I know, because I have said it on a daily basis for weeks on end.

I usually floss twice per day and always brush twice per day. So the idea of almost seven weeks is just brutal to me. 

As Morty will say "it's better to be anal about your oral hygiene than oral about your anal hygiene."

Words to live by. Words to live by. 

Mind you, I can only do both flossing and brushing very very very lightly, at least for the next six months!!!  

Hey, it's better than nothing. 

*it's a joke UK readers - don't hold it against me. 

Song by: Fleetwood Mac

**the working demo title for what would become "Never Going Back Again"

Cooking with Blobby

Technically, I did the cooking. But the recipe came from Meredity. So, it's Cooking with Both of Us. 

The Tuscan Chicken Rigatoni sounded good, and I thought I'd try it in a little while (she just sent it two days ago). Then I thought - it's Race Week. I'm carbo loading all week. Why NOT do it now?

It's got the pasta carbs and it's got the chicken protein. It seemed kind of perfect. And it wasn't something 710 or I had before and why not mix it up as opposed to some of the standard things I would make this week. 

....and it seemed easy enough. Though honestly, unless you're doing a very intricate Julia Child recipe, most dishes are not all that complex.  (though hold that thought till you read further.)

Ingredients 

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 

1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided, plus more as needed 

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 

1 medium shallot, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup) 

3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 

4 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced 

1 tablespoon tomato paste 

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 

1 (32-ounce) carton low-sodium chicken broth (4 cups) 

1 1/2 cups heavy cream 

1 pound dried rigatoni pasta 

4 ounces baby spinach (4 packed cups) 

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving 

It did not call for it, but I have many Parmesan rinds in the fridge. And I left oregano out of the picture. 

Instructions 

Season 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces with 1/2 teaspoon of the kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.  

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a bowl (it might not be cooked through). 

So, I started the recipe on a wrong note. I grilled the chicken outdoors, possibly robbing me of some chicken flavour and some tasty schmaltz. Recipes are easier if you read them and follow them, I suppose.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 finely chopped medium shallot, and 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute. 

Stir in 4 thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Cook, stirring often, until the tomato paste is darkened in color, 1 to 2 minutes. 

Stir in 1 (32-ounce) carton low-sodium chicken broth, 1 1/2 cups heavy cream, 1 pound dried rigatoni, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Bring to a simmer. Cook, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a simmer, until the pasta is al dente, 18 to 20 minutes. 

Stupid me didn't remember to add the salt. It was needed. I almost never salt my food after it's at the table, but it did call for some, so we did. 

This was also where I added the Parmesan rind. 

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, the chicken, and any accumulated juices in the bowl. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the pasta, and the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes. 

Stir in 4 ounces baby spinach until wilted, about 1 minute. Taste and season with kosher salt and black pepper as needed. 

Serve garnished with more grated Parmesan. Like I need to be told twice!

This is a great cold weather dish. Which is good because it was like 43F and raining all day. 

It tasted good, but I think it has 'great' potential. The salt for starters. I'd also do maybe twice as many sun dried tomatoes and add more tomato paste.  .....but that's it. 

The broth is good and I had rustic bread to sop it up.  

710 says it is a keeper. We both had seconds (partial seconds, that is) and we still put a good four servings in leftover containers.  ......so as I carbo-load, guess what I'll be having for lunch tomorrow?

Thanks Dith!