Carpetgrass

Also known as "Saint Augustine grass," though I can't tell if this is because it originated in North West Africa or because it was cultivated in the U.S. near St. Augustine, Florida. On a more allegorical level, the name is apropriate for some of the grass's physical properties -- it spreads everywhere with little effort, easily chokes out weeds as it thickens, and is resistant to chinch bugs. The same could be said of the saint himself. His articulations have covered a thick layer of green upon the foundation of the Christian faith, and his intelligence and rhetorical skill stamped out the "heresies" of his day and continue to thrive under the would-be attacks of modern theological critics.

For my own part, I have gone through several positional stages with him: I read Confessions early in college and found tremendous encouragement and admiration; I gained further allegiance through my keen interest in Martin Luther, and to a lesser degree the Calvinist (more Jonathon Edwards) interpretations of predestination; during my "deconstructive" phase, I found Augustine to be improperly authoritarian and a burden to my understanding of the apostle Paul; later sub-phases of detoxification uncovered more discontent, blaming the old Saint for much of the shameful activity of Christian history, and even feeling sympathies for Pelagius' theology.

This week, however, in preparing for his feast day, I found less ire and more pathos. Perhaps this is because, after over a year of miscellaneous feast days, I have realized that all of these canonized saints are a mixed bag of heroicism and failure. The bigger point is to place ourselves in the greater narrative of God's ongoing activity of redemption, and to discover ourselves in these stories of inspiration and disappointment, always all the more eager to place ourselves at the mercy of Christ, who is alone able to produce good out of our feebleness.

I am grateful for the life and work of Augustine. May his patronage assist me as I try to craft ales that fill others with beauty and delight, and as I try to understand God and to speak the best words to Him and about Him.

Please allow me to roll out some quotable carpetgrass:

Charity is no substitute for justice withheld.

Don't you believe that there is in man a deep so profound as to be hidden even to him in whom it is?

Find out how much God has given you and from it take what you need; the remainder is needed by others.

God had one son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.

I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.''

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.

Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.

Love, and do what you like.

Pub Grub Class

I had a lot of fun last night co-teaching at the Central Market Cooking School. This was my second time to provide beer pairings for a pre-planned menu, and to describe the brews for the class. It's odd, but the lift I get from turning a 50-year-old woman on for the first time to the idea of beer being a being a serious beverage is very reminiscent of the feeling I used to get when one of the students in my youth ministry would get turned on to experiencing God in worship!

I think I am particularly motivated to help others understand something that may come as a surprise to them. I used to love finding the hardest passages in Scriptures to preach on, or to find some hidden or obscured layer of meaning and explicate it, rather than capitulating to the standard, cliched ideas. I guess, in some ways, this blog is another example of the same phenomenon -- feeling "called" to invest myself in such magniloquence in order to create the space for potential "aha!" moments that can often be cloaked by the well-intenioned norms of the staus quo.

Anyway, last night's class was traditional English pub foods and I stuck to an English Ale theme to go with them. A lot of folks were pleasantly surprised at how good beer can be, and the pairings turned out to be right on:
Mussels in Champagne & Cream Sauce
Rogue Shakespeare Stout
This is the most awarded stout in the world, a take on the Victorian era oatmeal stout, with a strong presence of American West Coast hops. Ebony in color with a rich, creamy head, and earthy flavor that comes from oats, and a mellow chocolate aftertaste. A classic partner with oysters or mussels, as well as stews, burgers – even pizzas or green salads.
English Beer & Cheese Soup
Samuel Smith’s India Ale
A hopped-up version of English Pale Ale, due to the need of a longer-lasting beer for English vessels sailing to Bombay. A dark golden hue, a restrained maltiness, and an emphasis on the aroma and flavor of mellower English hops. Great with cheddar, coconut curries, cheeseburgers and fried fish.

Fish & Chips with Malt Vinegar
Old Thumper
An ESB (Extra Special Bitter) brewed in Portland, Maine. Dark gold to copper in color with a bready and nutty malt flavor and a balanced hop aftertaste. Great with swiss cheese, fried foods and roasted chicken.
Traditional Shepherd’s Pie
Fuller’s 1845
Based on the original Fuller’s recipe from 1845, this is a sweet strong ale. Deep maple syrup color with sweet fruit aromas and earthy, peppery accompaniments to the malt. Great with shepherd’s pie, prime rib and farmhouse cheddars.

Bailey’s Chocolate Mousse Torte
Samuel Smith’s Imperial Stout
Inky black with 7% alcohol. A nose of dark French chocolate, vintage port, passion fruit and anise. A velvety, lush mouthfeel with an espresso bite and a long finish. Delectable with serious chocolate desserts, shortbread cookies, carrot cake or a cigar!

It's As Good a Day As Any Other...

for changing blogs again.

After all, it IS my birthday, and I AM too old to care how annoying it is to keep up with my ever-changing blog scenarios. So, for those Dan Brown or Nancy Drew fans that have been willing and able to keep up with my trail of clues, here shall my personal blog thoughts reside for the time being.

As to it's content, I feel a bit freer to handle a wider range of topics. I'll continue to pursue ideas that relate to working out my faith and it's monastic expressions, but I'll also take more time to record the amazing tastes I've been experiencing as a beer and wine sales representative. And I've got a nagging itch to air out my political critiques, too.

Speaking of beer, I've got a 15.5 gallon keg of Real Ale's Rio Blanco Pale Ale on ice in preparation for a little birthday gathering tonight. If you're reading this, you're certainly welcome to come on by!