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Tuesday, August 17, 2004

SLAM POETRY HITS OTTAWA!

The Canadian spoken Wordlympics www.wordolympics.com
will take place on

October 7-10 2004, at the National Library of Canada
395 Wellington Street.

Over 60 slam poets from Canada and from around the globe want to meet you!

Media passes are avaliable!

Literary groups, promote yourselves!

Lovers of poetry, boost the arts in Ottawa!

Log on to v !

Spread the word! Slam Poetry Hits Ottawa!

We are back from Europe! We toured Germany France, Belgium, and Holland!
We even did guerilla poetry on the Eiffel Tower!
Bratwurst and poetry!
The Mayor of Nantes, France slams poetry!
Belgian waffles and poetry!
The Red Light District and poetry!

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Anyone for Sheep?

I will be picking up my sheep any day now. Albeit it will be in a few pieces. Sixty-five or so pounds of sheep. Flash frozen I suspect. I was talking with Mrs. Pyper, the egg lady I wrote about earlier this summer, about aquiring a small farm animal to stuff into my basement freezer. [The cow will only be available in late October.] She recommended I go to the one-legged Farmer Miller down the road. Intrigued by a one-legged sheep farmer (who farms just down the road) I had to pay him a visit.

Although he said he does not sell to individuals (only super markets) he made an exception in my case. Lucky me. Leaving Mr & Mrs. Pyper's home with two-dozen fresh eggs, I drove up the mandatory long country dirt driveway in search of Farmer Miller. I eventually found him chainsawing firewood out back. After a brief introduction and small talk of chainsaws we walked over to his backyard porch and sat down for a break. I politely discussed the politics of meat, and about his sheep operation and I asked about how I would like the sheep prepared.

As I have never bought a farm animal before, I was hesitant about how "the process" went. I sort of made some awkward wavy motions with my hands to describe how big the roasts should be. Will I get a male or female? I had no idea what I was talking about. Three to four pounds each I requested. Each of what I thought to myself? Just cut 'em up into pieces (again with the waving) I can BBQ, I further hastily added. He must have thought--what a city boy. I just hope he does not slip any brains or other 'tasty' organs into the deal...I don't think I can sell this to Jules. Anyway, if you come over for dinner one day, don't be surprised if I offer some sheep (or lamb--that sounds better) for dinner. All I need now is to get some recipes. Come to think of it, maybe I should have had the sheep over to graze on my lawn first. Too late now, I guess.

If Bubba from Forrest Gump were a sheep farmer he would probably say something like: "Anyway, like I was sayin', sheep is the fruit of the land. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, sheep-kabobs, sheep creole, sheep gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple sheep, lemon sheep, coconut sheep, pepper sheep, sheep soup, sheep stew, sheep salad, sheep and potatoes, sheep burger, sheep sandwich. That- that's about it."