Bold, Brave, Fearless - I made Ceviche!

Fact is, when I first moved to Florida from Kentucky I had eaten many dishes that represent "road-kill" to most... Squirrel, Rabbit, Venison, Frog, etc... However, I remained squeamish about certain sea foods. Basically, if it was battered and deep fried, I was good -- unless it had tentacles, legs, or eyes! Well, life changed for me on a trip to the Dominican Republic in 1989 when I had Ceviche overlooking rio Chavon in the city of La Romana. Until then, friends tried to get me to eat sushi, calamari, clams, oysters, -- you name it... as my son Brandon would say "it's Yuckkieee". It all changed that night. The combination of sour, salty, hot, bitter --I devoured the dish like a kid discovering chocolate for the first time - tentacles and all!

Over the last 18 years, I got sand between my toes and saltwater in my veins... now an adopted Florida boy. Not too much I won't eat. I've had raw conch beaten and diced on the Pier in the Bahamas, eaten octopus cooked over burning logs in St. Lucia... caught by a couple native kids swimming over the coastal reef where I was snorkeling. The chase was exciting, the smokey charred flesh of fresh octopus was stunning, primitive.

I've learned not to ask who makes the best Ceviche. Each Caribbean, Central and South American friend I know claims their country has the BEST Ceviche... usually a mix of sea foods cold "cooked" with acidic lime and lemon juices. I've had the dish just about every place I could order it. With few exceptions (Puerto Rico - it was too sweet), I've loved every acidic bite. For the past couple years now, I've traveled frequently to the Dominican Republic for work. I became a regular patron of a restaurant in Zona Colonial, close to Christopher Columbus' house. When the waitress spots me in the crowd, she puts in an order for Ceviche. Really, it's true!

Sadly, It's been a while since I've been back to get my Ceviche fix.... I now know what's meant when someone says the are "jonesing" for something... fact is, I couldn't take it any longer.

I did it... I became bold, brave, fearless... I made Ceviche, and it was GREAT!!!! Why did I wait so long???? It's the next morning and I'm still alive, have no bad gastronomical feelings, and made no late night run to the emergency room.

I'll be making this dish time and time again. I wish I could give the recipes measurements here, can't do it... Just seemed wrong at the time to measure accurately when I was living so dangerously!

Here's what I included --

Talapia, Raw Shrimp, Scallops
Lemon Juice, Fresh Lime Juice
Cilantro chopped
Diced Garlic
Red Bell Pepper
Habanero Pepper (red)
Salt, Pepper

Red Onion

Garnish with lime wedge, cilanto leaf

Bad Dream Repellent

I love being a father. Somethings come so naturally, you feel like the wise, old CEO of daddy, Inc. Of course those days are far and few between. About a month ago, I difussed a common persistant bedtime issue with a few squirts.

Brandon's active four year old imagination has started to kick-in at bedtime. He began complaining that he was having "bad dreams" about buggies or monsters, and could he come to daddy's bed for a little while. Not missing a beat, I said stay here... as I went to the cabinet to get a large spray bottle of verbena fragrance linen water. I returned to his bed and told him to stand on the bed while I applied the "Bad Dream Repellent". This verbena water smells great, and the spray atomizes the water to the finest mist.

After a couple spritzes on the front and back, head to toe, he begins to rub in the magic elixir. Now dubbed the bad dream cream, he asks for a spray now and then. It's amazing, he's never had a bad dream after smelling that sweetly pungent verbena spray. I actually like dousing him in it, seems that it not only keeps away bad dreams, but brings back beautiful memories of pure innocence.

I wonder how long it'll take before it's effectiveness wears off? I really wish I had a stash of "bad day repellent", "hurt feelings salve", or "broken heart spray" for the future.

Now where did I hide that dinosaur trap?

Retracing her tracks in the sand.

I just returned from a photo session/vacation to Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead. The weather was amazing, cool in the mornings - about 50 F - until just past noon when it reached the mid 80's . It was a special trip for me for a couple reasons, including sharing this experience through the lens and making memories for a couple lifetimes.

My Mother took a trip to the west with her sisters when I was a little boy, probably 9 years old or so. She never traveled, refused to fly, so I was interested in knowing why she decided to take that trip. Before she passed, she told me about her trip west, describing in detail the rock formations, the plants, how vivid the colors were, how indescribably massive the Grand Canyon was, the crisp dryness of the air, that she was part Cherokee Indian, and most importantly how she felt being there.

She brought back a plastic cowboy playset from that trip for me. I still have the two horses and one cowboy, sans hat. I thought about my Mom a lot this trip, how she seemingly provides just what I need, when I need it. It amazed me how her stories of the west resounded in my minds eye, just like watching a scene from an epic movie. I was taken back to childhood when Loml pointed out rock formations with the question "What's that look like" as we laughed at how we came to the same conclusions at the same time. An elephant, a skull, and a few unmentionables etc...

I hope you enjoy the photos.

It was a special trip with sites beyond imagination created millions of years ago and memories made that will last a lifetime. Both that 9 year old, and now a much older man, felt we were retracing her tracks in the sand.

See the pics here.

The End of the Rainbow

My 4 year old son Brandon and I were on our way to the Young at Art Museum this past weekend. The weather was drizzling rain and basically a nasty day for South Florida. We've enjoyed spotting rainbows in the past and I was particularly excited to point out a BIG rainbow forming in front of us. Brandon's excitement grew as the rainbow became wider and wider, growing more brilliant with each second of its' life.

I stopped the car to take a few pics with my iPhone. As we spoke about the rainbow, Brandon was excited and wanted to tell a loved one about his "find". We drove a little north, actually getting a better view of the rainbow. As we turned the curve, there it was, in an open field - THE END OF THE RAINBOW. I parked the car and snapped a few more pics. It was so bright, translucent and as bright as neon lights. The experience lasted about two minutes, I stood in the rain trying to comprehend what I had seen, talking to my son through the car window, magic was in the air.

First hand, I can tell you there is no POT "o" GOLD, but a golden memory that I shared with my son. The pic does no justice to the excitement, magic, and mystical feeling we experienced. We can only hope everyone gets to see the end of a rainbow in their lifetime.

Home for the almost the Holidays

Brandon and I returned from a beautiful long weekend in Lousiville, KY. While there we visited with his Grandfather, Aunt, and many Uncles and Cousins. He was busy from sun-up to sun-down, which of course meant I was too! It was cold, no snow however. Too bad, the little guy wanted to meet FROSTY!

Brandon has become acustom to me making a DVD of his events, especially travel. With this top of mind, I took some adorable pics of his activities. I'll post the video link here once it's complete and passed the little director's final cut!

Having an older "Papaw" means it's that much more of special time when we can visit. There was no warming up period. The two of them played, ticked, and fought like they were the best of friends. It was evident to all, they love each other. It warmed my heart!

Brandon also had the chance to reconnect with HIS dog, Charlie, a 100 lbs.+ Australian Red Merle. Pic below!!!! It was Christmas, many thanks to all that made it possible for us. Love you all.

Randy

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and friends, great food, and thoughts of what you are most thankful. Brandon was in a skillfully crafted play at his pre-school where he played the part of a Pilgrim. Nice job, he did. Might consider getting him an agent, Nahhhhhh.

His school event finished the day with a traditional turkey dinner, which I am proud to say he ate ALL of his turkey! Of course the last few days have been filled with banter back and forth... "you're my turkey, noooo daddy you're my turkey".

I had the interesting opportunity to prepare and have Thanksgiving dinner a few days early. It really doesn't matter all that much, it was a day of great smells, good conversation, filled with love and admiration. After all, it's just a day. Giving thanks needs many more days like I had Tuesday.

Updated Websites

I've finally taken the time to revise my websites. RandyDeWitt.com received a total overhaul and randydewittpics.com had some fun additions for me, including some nice pics of the everglades and pics taken with my i-Phone.

The links are:

www.randydewitt.com

www.randydewittpics.com

Hope you find what you need, if not give me a call or drop me an email.

Take care, happy holidays!

Randy