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I still think there is real potential for a commercial fresh salsa maker in the product section of every grocery store. If you look at wholesale prices vs. retail product, we’re talking about a machine that can take $0.99/lb materials and turn it into $8.99/lb product. The machine could make Hot, Medium, Mild and Pico de Gallo. The smell of fresh salsa would be marketing enough. I’m thinking of experimenting at home with a machine like this. Doesn’t look like it would do the Pico, but maybe it’s the right process for the rest.

OK. I know it’s a horrible disease and all, but when anorexics cult-up together is it still a malady? Or just weird?
I’m thinking of a killer new spy show where anorexic American women spy on terrorists by disguising themselves as starving third-world citizens. Think of the number of qualified auditions coming out of Hollywood.
It’s out there people. Take my idea and run with it.

Well, we have a new Pope. Benedict XVI? Hmm. I didn’t see that name coming. Can you imagine walking out onto a balcony and greeting the world as the new Pope. Heavy.
I’m sure all the upcoming programs will now be focused on educating us regarding this German. All I’ve read is “78-year-old transitional leader who promises to enforce strictly conservative policies for the world’s Roman Catholics.” Hmm. Didn’t see that one coming either.

I lived in Oregon for a few years before it dawned on me that local bakeries do not carry kolaches. Where I come from in Texas, a kolache is a little ball of bread containing almost any filling, but the staple is some kind of sausage. They are a great morning treat brought to this country by Czech settlers. In Texas they are so popular you have chains of restaurants specializing in their production, such as The Kolache Factory and Mornings Kolaches.

Upon bringing this lack of meat filled pastries to the attention of my Oregonian friends, some countered that what I sought were “pigs in blanket”. I disagree. I contend that “pigs in a blanket” refers to sausage wrapped in pancakes, not bread. I am supported by at least two Oregon institutions in this, the Original Pancake House in Portland and Bend, and Pig ‘n’ Pancake popular on the coast.

For more information on the wonderful world of Kolaches, you can check out Caldwell, Texas, the Kolache Capital of Texas and their 20th Annual Kolache Festival.

Now I make my own. On the weekends, I combine Pilsbury Crescent Rolls with Hillshire Farms veritable Cheddar Lit’l Smokies. The result is 8 little packages of sausage filled, Czech inspired, goodness.

I’ve always dreaded paying my phone bill every month. Not that it’s outrageously high, or anything. It’s more about the components of it.

I understand my basic service. I’m getting a service and I must pay for it. Very simple. What I don’t understand are the:

• federal excise tax
• franchise fee
• 911 access fee

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