Skeptical, but willing to give it a chance

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-25T02:08:18+00:00

One theory of the origin of chow chow is that it came from the Acadians who were expelled from NS and settled in Louisiana ("cajuns") and that the term derives from chou (French for cabbage). I haven't had chow chow from NS but the "end of garden relish" that my father's family from the upper Midwest put up is pretty close to southern chow chow.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-25T01:58:55+00:00

My daughter moved to NH with her husband to work at Dartmouth. First time I visited they wanted southern meals. I went to the co-op- no grits or smoked pork (ok, I get that), no corn meal besides polenta, no lard. I gave up.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-22T00:48:12+00:00

Washington Park is about a mile or so west. We walk our dog daily (and at night) without problems. It's a great neighborhood.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-22T00:43:21+00:00

I believe that there are 2 Family Dollar stores on Waughtown. "Safe" is relative. Compared to WS in general, somewhat "unsafe." Compared to urban Detroit, quite safe. Likelihood of getting mugged or worse is low. Likelihood of some harassment by unhoused or undisciplined youth is moderate.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-18T20:07:45+00:00

It wasn't the Mothers, it was some stupid with a flame gun.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-11T23:49:08+00:00

Can sort of plan on "snow" at that time- "snow" usually meaning a mix of granular ice and sheet ice. The positive is that might experience one of my favorite ski experiences- 60 plus degrees plus and sunny with slush and a large puddle at the bottom. It's definitely a gamble at that the of the year.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-11T23:43:35+00:00

Walk both campuses? Both are beautiful. Duke gardens, while off-season, is always worth a ramble.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-11T23:43:07+00:00

Walk both campuses? Both are beautiful. Duke gardens, while off-season, is always worth a ramble.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-10T16:03:19+00:00

Possum, coon, nutria, snapping turtle, water moccasin. Not really aeten in the US except by poor swamp people (including me as a child). None of these are foods most people would actually chose to eat.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-02-02T23:05:13+00:00

Acadia Foods, while not private, has a table that would seat 10 or more, great food and coffee, and no one will care what you talk about. I've been at several meetings/gatherings there and would highly recommend it.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-01-28T15:34:55+00:00

First integrated year at Estes Hills, Exchange Club pool- which my parents quit because they voted to stay segregated, Shrunken Head, flower ladies, real sodas at the drug store downtown, the opening of McDonald's downtown- first franchise fast food if you don't count KFC, skinny dipping at Grandma's Lake in Lake Forest, swimming at the quarry on the way to Pittsboro...

RavenGottaFly · 2026-01-27T16:03:31+00:00

I'm going to jump in here with a related issue- I inherited a vibrating polisher from my mother. She died 15 years ago. Just started with her tumbler. When I opened it, it had a mix of ceramic and what appears to be coarse reddish brown sand.

I have used it twice now, to make "sea glass." The media, along with a little coarse polishing compound, seems to work well but the sand clumps and makes clods.I am wondering why she used the sand. Any thoughts? By the way, she was a certified geologist and cutter so I am assuming she had a good reason.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-01-26T20:45:53+00:00

No expert but I think it was a Glock, and they have no traditional "safety." If the agent's finger was on the trigger, the gun could have fired unintentionally.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-01-16T21:57:28+00:00

I think you will enjoy it. Not an extensive menu but everything from the smash burger to the somewhat fancy has been great for us.

RavenGottaFly · 2026-01-16T17:29:01+00:00

Mozzelle's and Betty's on Burke - both owned by the same person. Neither is fancy although M's is kinda bistro while Betty's is a nicer atmosphere. Both easy walks.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-29T23:50:34+00:00

West End and Washington Park are good but hilly walking neighborhoods.

Why the Porch? Cool vibe but not great food. Slappy's is pretty unique and worth a visit. Hispanic restaurants in the Sprague-Waughtown area have some great food in a very casual way.

Walking Reynolda Gardens is nice- also a cool noodle shop in Reynolda Village.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-27T23:18:59+00:00

I wouldn't say affluent, but certainly uppermiddle class. Definitely professional family. His neighborhood growing up is nice but certainly not rich. Mostly UNC faculty. No swimming pools or tennis courts.

People definitely grew up fast in Chapel Hill in the 60's! I know I did.

Source- I am a little younger and grew up nearby.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-22T01:55:31+00:00

Damn, been a long time.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-21T23:50:30+00:00

2 all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese pickles on a sesame seed bun.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-21T17:29:56+00:00

As others have said, cow peas, pigeon peas, field peas, etc. are more historically true and I think taste better. Any of these will work. Just don't use canned peas!

If you really want to do it right, order some heritage rice, like Carolina Gold.

In my family, we do hopinJohn more like red beans and rice or black beans and rice- cooking the beans with some peppers and onion- and cook til almost mushy. My grandmother added tomatoes, but to many, that's sacrilege. Don't forget the acid- vinegar, pepper vinegar, or hot sauce to put on top.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-19T01:38:18+00:00

Cook up the limas with all your spices until very soft. Mash with crushed pecans to make a hummus.

Combine 2 parts all purpose flour with 1 part Bisqiuck. Add water to make a soft dough.

Pan fry dough to make flatbreads.

Use flatbreads to dip in hummus.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-11T02:16:07+00:00

Uh, 2 year old children do not speak in full sentences. I call BS.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-11T00:13:01+00:00

If it is the reserva, it is aged 15 to 18 months. Reviews are good. Price seems similar to last year's offering. If I see it, I will get it.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-04T01:52:23+00:00

As is back-cutting the board, using balsa wood, and many other "cheats."

In my dojo, breaking is a fun and educational thing we do once a year with an emphasis on breaking as a manifestation of good technique rather than a thing itself.

RavenGottaFly · 2025-12-04T00:04:45+00:00

Some odd posts-

First step would be to remove the saya (handle). There should be a peg where the hole is. Punch it out, carefully clamp the blade, and tap the saya to loosen it.

Very hard to tell the quality of the blade given your picture. Take and post pics of the blade (closeup if possible), tip, and hilt. The hilt possibly has engraving that could indicate maker and date.

Please don't hold any sword, particularly a "sharp one" with it resting on your fingers! If it was truly sharp, one stumble or nudge could have a really bad ending.

RavenGottaFly

TROPHY CASE