Life in Mexico
Driving in Mexico
Driving in Mexico is a delight. It’s like traveling 50-years back in time, when you could ride in the back of the station wagon with the dog or stand on the rear seat and stick your head out the sun roof. Here are some invaluable tips:
- When you are approaching an intersection and the light changes from yellow to red, hit the gas. Otherwise, the driver behind will rear-end you.
- Throw your baby-seat out. That’s because the safest place for children is in their mother’s lap (especially if she’s driving).
- Don’t waste money replacing burnt-out brake lights. Your budget is far better spent on 300-watt speakers for the rear window ledge.
- The four-way hazard lights are an invaluable tool when you spot a taco stand on the other side of the highway. If you miss your turn-off, flicking them on also creates a new law that allows you to back up on the shoulder for up to one mile.
- Cut the seatbelts off and throw them away. If you are in an impending accident, the best way to avoid injury is to roll down the window and leap out.
- Texting while driving is mandatory. That way your next-of-kin will know your last location.
- In case you missed breakfast, the beverage holder in the console is designed to hold a large can of beer.
That’s just a few helpful suggestions! Readers are invited to write in and share their own observations.
Joan the Saint now Available at Amazon!
Another amazing book by Gordon Cope!
Joan of Arc, born in northeast France during the Hundred Years War between England and France, arose from obscurity to become her nation’s greatest hero. Guided by the voices of St. Margaret and St. Catherine, she defeated the English army at Orleans and crowned Charles VII king of France in Reims.
The year is 1431. Joan of Arc has been captured by the English and is being tried for heresy in their stronghold of Rouen. Abandoned by the French, Magnus the Magnificent sets out on a quest to foil her fiery fate.
Joan the Saint is available free with your subscription on Kindle Unlimited!
TV Review
Mom
Streaming on Amazon Prime
The creation of Chuck Lorre (Two and a Half Men, The Big Bang Theory), this comedy series set in California ran for eight seasons through the 2010s.
The story revolves around a newly-sober mom Christy (Anna Faris), trying to raise her two young children under the interfering eye of her mother (Alison Janney, The West Wing).
The series won several Emmy awards during its run, primarily for the excellent cast and scathing comedy. The insults and one-liners are reminiscent of Lorre’s earlier work on Roseanne, but with much more mature subject matter.
If you happen to have a lewd sense of humor, you are guaranteed at least one laugh-out-loud moment every episode.
I highly recommend Mom!
Book Review
Daisy Jones & the Six
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid is an amazing chronicler of the hedonistic California lifestyle, and this is one of my favorite books by her.
Written in the oral-history style made popular by Rolling Stone, the novel tells the story of a young singer named Daisy who comes of age in the late sixties. Her talent for creating and singing unforgettable songs is paired with the on-stage presence of Billy Dunne, the front-man for the Six. They create sparks – both on and off stage – that becomes the stuff of rock-n-roll legend.
The story has been made into a series, currently scheduled for March release on Amazon Prime. Riley Keough, the grand-daughter of Elvis Presley, plays the title role. I have no doubt that the new production will be excellent, but if you prefer to read about it before you see it, I highly recommend Daisy Jones & the Six.
Recipe: Creamy Chicken Marsala
This is an excellent dinner meal when you’re having guests over; it’s easy to make and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
1 cup mushrooms, sliced thick
¼ cup of flour
2 Tsp olive oil
2 Tsp butter
1 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup of Marsala wine (or Sherry)
½ cup of cream.
Cooked pasta
Grated parmesan
¼ cup of chopped parsley
Directions
Cut each chicken breast in half thickness-wise. Pound with meat tenderizer.
Coat each piece with flour. Fry in olive oil and butter 3 minutes per side, until brown. Remove and tent.
Fry mushrooms for several minutes in oil, butter, salt and garlic, until brown.
Stir in Marsala and simmer.
Turn off the heat. Slowly mix in cream while stirring. Simmer gently until it thickens.
Return chicken to pan. Simmer for another five minutes.
Serve on cooked pasta with parsley and parmesan garnish.