Monday, March 9, 2009

And A Chili Parlor Shall Lead Them...

Monday night I met Jack Morton, a fellow Journeyer and dear friend for a quick supper before we went to the Erwin Center to see the Horns knock the snot out of the Baylor Men's basketball team. It has been a disappointing season for the Bears who made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in many years last season, and who had been resurrected from college basketball Sheol by Coach Scott Drew and a scrappy, tenacious group of players. They spent several weeks in the top 25 early this season, but then four weeks into conference play began to struggle and have not been able to climb out of the funk...and will disappointingly miss the tournament after high hopes early on.

But, I digress, because the little establishment near the Capital (where Jack works a great deal during the legislative session) is actually the focus of this harping. It is a modest little downtown bar and eatery called The Chili Parlor. If you are a fan of grindhouse movies and saw the enigmatic Robert Rodriguez/Quintin Tarantino double feature, the little roadhouse featured at the beginning of the film with Kurt Russell is actually...the Chili Parlor. I have been in Austin for 15 years and heard about this legendary establishment for years, but alas, and alack, had never eaten there. We are perusing the menu and Jack is giving me the lowdown on the finer points of Chili Parlor ingredient nuances when the waitress informs us that the special of the day is chicken and sausage gumbo. Now those of you don't know me well are not aware of the fact that I am a bona fide gumbo snob. I grew up eating good gumbo in South Louisiana made by my pure-blooded Cajun mama, I make a very good gumbo, and I can count on one hand the restaurants I have frequented down through the years who made a gumbo that was anything more than a notch above average to lousy. Like I said...a gumbo snob.

At any rate, I was intrigued by the idea that a chili parlor would have the stones to offer gumbo and put it on the menu with their specialties, so both Jack and I ordered it...It was good...not just passable, but very good...now, granted, a chicken and sausage gumbo is much easier to pull off than seafood gumbo, but it was surprisingly tasty, with a thick hearty roux...which is the name of the game for me. The chunks of chicken were substantial and the sausage was andouille...add several dashes of Tabasco, and it was a very satisfying surprise in dining disguise.

We are well into the Lenten season, and frankly I'm having a difficult time feeling it the way I have always expected. Things at Journey are scarily wonderful...we are bad-dog broke, but that seems to have no effect on these brave strange fellow Journeyers. My girls are terrific, each off doing their own thing and continuing to grow into amazingly gifted and powerful young women. I've had the gift of having Ariele around on a daily basis for a few months and am loving spending time with her, discussing, arguing, dissecting, deconstructing and dreaming a world of subjects. I have connected with several women of past and present interest who have stirred me to think about being in a relationship again after fourteen years and that is a little disorienting. I feel good physically and am managing the financial stress of having at least one child in college continuously since 2001, at one point having all three in college, and having two in at the same time for the last four years with another two years probably on the horizon. By the way...don't ask me how that is possible with the modest salary a youth minister and associate pastor makes. I have no idea. I am grateful that somehow we have managed...but I got nothing. What I do know is that in the confusing days approaching Easter, Jesus' disciples spent most of the time scratching their heads and wondering what the heck was going on. They got introduced to many surprises in disguises, some thrilling and some terrifying, in those days heading toward Jerusalem so I'm taking a little gumbo at a chili parlor as a nudge to pay attention a little better... and pass the Tabasco.

Pling...Pling...

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Cheers! (clinks the tabasco that lives in her purse and the tabasco that lives in her work shelf with the tabasco in question here...)


:)
Good to hear that spring seems to have come to where you are, sir :)

Anonymous said...

Bonjorno, lildavysharp.blogspot.com!
[url=http://viagraradf.pun.pl/ ]Acquistare viagra [/url] [url=http://viagraonline.pun.pl ]Compra viagra [/url] [url=http://viagracqui.pun.pl/ ]Comprare viagra [/url] [url=http://cialisenta.pun.pl/ ]Acquistare cialis in Italia[/url] [url=http://viagrakhou.pun.pl/ ]Compra viagra online[/url] [url=http://cialisashy.pun.pl/ ]Acquisto cialis generico[/url]

Anonymous said...

online dating personals [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]stratigraphy relative dating[/url] dating sims http://loveepicentre.com/ love is color blind meet singles

Anonymous said...

major depression and anxiety [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/carafate.htm]carafate[/url] gonzales health care gonzales la http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/diclofenac-gel.htm staff infection in animals http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ed-discount-pack-1.htm
black market brazilian diet pills [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/prednisolone.htm]prednisolone[/url] heart center yoga [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-depressant-anti-anxiety.htm]loss medication online weight 20[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://rxonline.in/rimonabant/rimonabant-approval
[url=http://rxonline.in/levodopa/levodopa-and-melanoma]ravenel drugs[/url] nursing drug cards [url=http://rxonline.in/levitra]levitra[/url]
vitamins and prescription drugs interactions http://rxonline.in/zyrtec/zyrtec-genneric
[url=http://rxonline.in/lipitor/lipitor-and-edema]director of food and drug administration[/url] caremark online pharmacy [url=http://rxonline.in/osteoporosis/age-onset-osteoporosis]age onset osteoporosis[/url]
plants used for drugs http://rxonline.in/requip/requip-and-smell
[url=http://rxonline.in/zovirax/zovirax-substitute]crime vs drug war[/url] careers in drug screeing [url=http://rxonline.in/restlessness/terminal-restlessness]terminal restlessness[/url] what are social drugs [url=http://rxonline.in/mircette/mircette-and-back-pain]mircette and back pain[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://newrx.in/repaglinide
[url=http://newrx.in/anastrozole/anastrozole-trial-0004-results]drug inserts for dog vacines[/url] air borne medicine [url=http://newrx.in/wellbutrin/hair-loss-wellbutrin]hair loss wellbutrin[/url]
effects of illegal drugs and sport and impoverished countries http://newrx.in/inderal/atenolol-verses-inderal
[url=http://newrx.in/carbohydrate/comrarison-of-carbohydrate-counting-with-other-tools]bargraph which drugs are worse[/url] drug laws in sc [url=http://newrx.in/cetirizine/zyrtec-cetirizine-hcl-side-affects]zyrtec cetirizine hcl side affects[/url]
pharmacy college illinois http://newrx.in/wellbutrin/effexor-and-wellbutrin-cause-weight-gain
[url=http://newrx.in/requip/sinemet-klonopin-neurontin-or-requip]newest treatments for depression without pills or drugs[/url] genetic link to drug abuse [url=http://newrx.in/fluconazole/generic-fluconazole]generic fluconazole[/url] pre employment drug tests [url=http://newrx.in/glucophage/order-glucophage]order glucophage[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://xws.in/disopyramide/disopyramide-with-ora-blend
[url=http://xws.in/acyclovir/similar-drug-to-acyclovir]red ribbon drug free clip art[/url] prescription drugs from israel [url=http://xws.in/acomplia/acomplia-uk]acomplia uk[/url]
countys health incurance http://xws.in/anacin/anacin-ads
[url=http://xws.in/aceon/accupril-drug-treatment]drug iabuse notes[/url] niacin drug [url=http://xws.in/dosage/ibuprofen-therapeutic-dosage]ibuprofen therapeutic dosage[/url]
drugs for urinary tract infection http://xws.in/duloxetine/duloxetine-toxicity
[url=http://xws.in]drug testing and qa[/url] list drug companies [url=http://xws.in/diphenhydramine/over-the-counter-sleeping-aids-diphenhydramine-hcl]over the counter sleeping aids diphenhydramine hcl[/url] i hate viagra and cialis ads embarrassing [url=http://xws.in/acai/fresh-acai]fresh acai[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://meen.in/finasteride/finasteride-pregnant
[url=http://meen.in/flagyl/flagyl-blood-pressure]does nitric oxide improve erectile problems[/url] drug family [url=http://meen.in/fda/fda-approved-available-only-in-canada]fda approved available only in canada[/url]
levitra alternatives http://meen.in/celexa/what-are-some-the-the-symtoms-going-celexa
[url=http://meen.in/cialis/cialis-super-viagra]sop for drug destruction[/url] dod mail order pharmacy [url=http://meen.in/femara/femara-blog]femara blog[/url]
sewer drugs http://meen.in/clavulanate/amoxicillin-clavulanate-formulation
[url=http://meen.in/carbohydrates/cutting-carbohydrates-out-of-diet-is-bad]drug resistent staph infection cannon school concord nc[/url] cologne hide drug use teens [url=http://meen.in/clomid/early-ovulation-on-clomid]early ovulation on clomid[/url] my drugs [url=http://meen.in/fluconazole/fluconazole-and-lithium]fluconazole and lithium[/url]

Anonymous said...

mocha sexy toes http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-xxx/free-celebrity-lesbian-clips
[url=http://theporncollection.in/moms/poetry-about-moms-and-daughters]troy rider adult movies[/url] how to give anal massage [url=http://theporncollection.in/best-porn/julia-crow-porn]julia crow porn[/url]
kara adult play http://theporncollection.in/porn-galleries/pirates-of-the-caribbean-porn-videos
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie/oslo-gay-sex-beats]hentai saliormoon[/url] biodiesel sold as lubricant [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-xxx/free-gay-vidz]free gay vidz[/url]
angelium hentai dub http://theporncollection.in/gay-porn/free-teen-gay-sex
[url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-movie]sexy onlin free porn videos[/url] amateur radio store san antonio [url=http://theporncollection.in/lesbian-sex/lesbian-sex-game]lesbian sex game[/url]
adult age for females in missouri http://theporncollection.in/gay-anal/gay-porn-news
[url=http://theporncollection.in/porn-girl/free-simpson-vs-jetson-porn-pics]free anal sex downloads[/url] basic instinct adult oblivion mod guide [url=http://theporncollection.in/gay-boy/sexy-gay-porn-sex]sexy gay porn sex[/url]

Anonymous said...

bangla adult portal http://xwe.in/thongs/extreme-thongs
[url=http://xwe.in/ass-sex/make-that-ass-vibrate]automatic lubricant dispense[/url] sexy indian hardcore [url=http://xwe.in/erotic-gay/free-erotic-adult-enema-stories]free erotic adult enema stories[/url]
extemely long dildo insertions http://xwe.in/oral/combined-oral-contraceptive
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-video/free-erotic-ficion]unlimited hentai videos[/url] gay porn industry [url=http://xwe.in/adult-video/overextended-adult-children]overextended adult children[/url]
japanese lesbian porn http://xwe.in/adult-xxx/dressup-dolls-adult
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-video/free-erotic-art-movies]ottawa adult guide[/url] broward county continuing adult education [url=http://xwe.in/archive-adult/adult-fmodb]adult fmodb[/url]
amateur radio technician class study guide http://xwe.in/gay-anal/gay-son-incestvideos
[url=http://xwe.in/nylon/mature-nylon-upskirts]sexy free vedio[/url] gay boy anime hentai videos free nocredit card charge [url=http://xwe.in/shemale/shemale-of-the-day]shemale of the day[/url]

Anonymous said...

official saw iv movie sight [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-countdown-to-heaven/11262database/]Countdown To Heaven[/url] castaway the movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-the-bourne-ultimatum/23638database/]The Bourne Ultimatum[/url]
curious gay movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-strange-wilderness/3424database/]Strange Wilderness[/url] movie little children [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-lars-and-the-real-girl/9872database/]Lars and the Real Girl[/url]
united artists movie theaternj [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-tretton/22377database/]Tretton[/url] movie actors salary [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-la-striko/15300database/]La Striko[/url]
if we were a movie lyrics by hannah montana [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-nobody-knows/14988database/]Nobody Knows[/url] gi joe movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-philadelphia/29928database/]Philadelphia[/url]

Anonymous said...

camo clothes http://www.thefashionhouse.us/m-outwear-size5.html fashion design classes dallas [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/olive-green-casual-color136.html]african fashion designers[/url] incubus fashion latex
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/armani-dress-shirts-brand8.html beach clothes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/brown-white-color157.html]baby phat clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

south burlington breast implants [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/aricept.htm]aricept[/url] science diet coupons http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/copegus.htm
smoking weed with hash when i breeze past lyrics [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/index.php?lng=it&cv=eu]No prescription online pharmacy[/url] afl drug scandal [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/ ]cuda heart sticker [/url] abdominal pain herpes
nyc departmenet of health birth certificates [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-hongos.htm]anti hongos[/url] anxiety attack panic treatment http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/montage-packs.htm
fetal alcohol syndrome in uk [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/bystolic.htm]bystolic[/url] child development children call health speech problems parents [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/birth-control.htm ]mood disorder anger [/url] medication to treat a bladder infection

Anonymous said...

irs daily rate travel http://xwl.in/tour/nh-waterfall-bus-tour travel sites that ding with fare alerts
[url=http://xwl.in/airline/airline-flights-from-smf-to-bna]light aircraft travel with dogs[/url] travel nurse western kentucky [url=http://xwl.in/airport/mitchell-airport-mke]mitchell airport mke[/url]
shasta 1500 travel trailer http://xwl.in/adventure/changi-coast-adventure-centre-singapore
[url=http://xwl.in/tourist/omaha-tourist-info]flexicover direct travel insurance[/url] thompson travel company [url=http://xwl.in/tourist/how-to-become-government-approved-tourist-guide]how to become government approved tourist guide[/url]
usa to prague air travel http://xwl.in/disneyland/map-of-disneyland-attractions cincinnati travel agents [url=http://xwl.in/tour/kid-rock-tour-2008-forum]kid rock tour 2008 forum[/url]

Anonymous said...

mens fashion jeans http://www.thefashionhouse.us/27-leggings-pants-type-size17.html extra wide girls shoes [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/d-amp-g-t-shirt-for-men-multicolored-item468.html]thik shoes[/url] reebok dmx basketball shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=2226 lockheed martin management systems designers inc [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/north-sails-polo-shirt-for-women-sky-blue-item1897.html]clothes wholeseller[/url]

Anonymous said...

plastic canasta playing cards http://xwn.in/casino-playing-cards_mussolini-playing-cards west virignia casinos
[url=http://xwn.in/betting_nba-betting-ref]casinos perth[/url] should georgia legalize gambling [url=http://xwn.in/gambling-online_gambling-cat]gambling cat[/url]
indian casino news http://xwn.in/slots_bl25-memory-slots
[url=http://xwn.in/lottery_princess-margaret-lottery-2007]the joker costume[/url] gambling casino craps betting [url=http://xwn.in/online-casinos_davenport-iowa-casinos]davenport iowa casinos[/url]
bingo number nicknames http://xwn.in/blackjack_busted-blackjack-racing gambling package airfare [url=http://xwn.in/jokers_jokers-novelties-savannah-ga]jokers novelties savannah ga[/url]

Anonymous said...

narrow shoes for women http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=2556 rico puhlmann a fashion legacy [url=http://topcitystyle.com/vae-victis-sweaters-brand47.html]womens clothes[/url] how to make your own clothes patterns
http://topcitystyle.com/lagos-sweater-brand86.html lauren hayes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/white-cream-leather-shoes-color86.html]allan fusser clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

odyssey 2008 international lottery http://lwv.in/casino-online/south-pointe-casino-las-vegas sport betting odd
[url=http://lwv.in/jokers/biker-gypsey-jokers-apprentice]tx lottery payouts[/url] riverboat gambling legal in california [url=http://lwv.in/jackpot/jersey-cash-5-highest-jackpot-ever]jersey cash 5 highest jackpot ever[/url]
platinum lottery international http://lwv.in/keno
[url=http://lwv.in/jackpot/victory-jackpot-handle-bars]how to make playing cards with microsoft office[/url] indian gaming casinos in california [url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/paperweight-baccarat]paperweight baccarat[/url]
collectors series claridge casino chips http://lwv.in/casino-playing-cards/family-fun-valentines-with-playing-cards safety bingo game [url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/baccarat-luck]baccarat luck[/url]

Anonymous said...

anne hathway movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_national_geographic_last_voyage_of_the_andrea_doria/]national geographic last voyage of the andrea doria[/url] six million dollar man movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_8_heads_in_a_duffel_bag/ anime lesbian movie galleries
free downloadable movie or series [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_posse/]posse[/url] lord of the rings the movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_perfect_stranger/ gay cum video free movie sperm girl girls voman vomen
borat movie costumes [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_alf/]alf[/url] youngest teen masturbation movie
psp movie download forum [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_sex_drive/]sex drive[/url] types of movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_simply_irresistible/ movie theaters in chevy chas maryland
how to write a movie script [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_stuck/]stuck[/url] swearing and i need you more tonight movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_golden_earrings/ roxie movie theater burlington v

Anonymous said...

movie live in maid 02806 [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cashback/]cashback[/url] sexual intecourse movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_zoolander/ what movie used the cheap trick song surrender
captain from castile movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_cheech_chong_s_next_movie/]cheech chong s next movie[/url] how to determine movie rattings http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_corrs_unplugged/ tv movie the monster mash
free hardcore gay porn movie clips online [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_pluto_and_the_gopher/]pluto and the gopher[/url] movie starz
minnesota movie sweet [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_paranoid_park/]paranoid park[/url] free movie american chopper http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_stargate_sg_1_children_of_the_gods_final_cut/ femalien download movie
jody foster movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_never_say_never_again/]never say never again[/url] free porno movie clip bootlegs http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_change_of_habit/ love crimes movie clip