The French Sixty Nine

The eternal suns and systems,

Solid and silent all,

To me are stars of an instant,

Only the fires that fail

From God's good rocket rising

On this night of carnival.

What better way to relax before the onslaught of multiple pancake dinners and the rigours of Lent than a fortifying French 69. You can shake it up like this.

69ml Champagne

30ml Old Raj gin

15ml elderflower liqueur

15ml lemon juice

Lemon twist garnish

Combine gin, elderflower liqueur and lemon juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a chilled flute. Top with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist.

Then, as you reflect upon the strange mystery of Ash Wednesday falling on Valentine's Day, raise your glass and drink to victory.

Cheers,

LSP

A Good Sunday

It was a good Sunday in the Missions, with everyone coming together well to worship God and enjoy the fellowship that comes naturally from communion in the Mystical Body of Christ.

Speaking of which, there was nearly a disaster over a cake and a flower. That didn't happen, praise God, but I was asked for advice.

"Padre, it didn't seem right. I've had enough," said a barely restrained, decorated Veteran Crew Chief (VCC). I pondered this, it was a moment, defeat and victory hung in balance.

"VCC, think of it as an ambush.You were ambushed by a Pointsettia."

"Ummm, yeah, I guess," replied a polite but hardly convinced VCC.

"So how do you fight through this ambush?" 

Silence, after all, this is dangerous ground.

"You walk around it, Chief."

Laughter ensued and all was right with the world again. The day ended around a fire pit out in the country, where some churchpeople are building a compound and more power to them. 

It was good being out under the stars in the clean country air and away from the NFL.

Were we drinking Old Raj gin? I'll leave that to your imagination.

God bless,

LSP