Hail To The Real Queen

Can you spot the Queen in the photograph above, taken just two days ago at the Kentucky Derby?  No, she's not the older woman wearing mint green with red flowers on her hat; the Real Queen is the second woman from the left.  Yes, that is none other than the Queen of Daytime TV, Susan Lucci. 

While most of the city, including yours truly, was busy getting ready for the Queen of England's arrival and all hung up on getting a glimpse of Larry Birkhead and baby Dannielynne, Susan Lucci slipped into Churchill Downs under the radar.  I was almost sick at my stomach when I found out that my beloved Ms. Lucci was a mere 15 minutes away from The Compound, and she didn't even stop in to say hello.  But that's OK - I know she was very busy that day, and I forgive her.  Maybe she'll visit me next time.

My cell phone and email inbox was bombarded with messages last night and today, from friends and co-workers wanting to make sure I saw Ms. Lucci on the Derby coverage.  I was sad to tell them I did not.  I watched a little bit of the TV coverage Saturday afternoon, but I sure didn't see her until I saw the above picture online late Saturday night. 

From the stories I've read, not many people at the Derby got the chance to actually meet Queen Elizabeth.  I have to say in all honesty, if I'd been there at the Kentucky Derby this year, and was able to watch the races from same private suite that Susan Lucci and Queen Elizabeth were, there would be no contest as to which one I would bow down to first -- Ms. Lucci without a doubt.  And if given the chance to meet just one of those remarkable women, which would I choose?  I don't think I even need to answer that one; I think you already know the answer.

Link Of The Week

As the chief editor, publisher, and head writer of TWIT, it's my prerogative to rant and rave about something if I want to - just because I can.  I don't do it too often, for fear that I would scare off some of my faithful readers.  But I've been known to get up on my soapbox from time to time when something really has me ticked off.  Not everyone is as fortunate as me to have their own online blog where they can rant and rave, but I found something this week that is almost just as effective.  Have you ever had the need to rant, but had nobody to rant to?  A cool website called IndigNation is just the place where you can let those rants out.  Visit http://www.indignation.org and you can post your very own rant and rave about whatever or whoever you want.  Just keep in mind your rant and rave will be out there on the worldwide web for all to see, so you might want to not use a name of someone you're ranting about because they could Google their name and possibly find your rant about them.  But if you don't give a rat's neck, then go for it.  Happy ranting!

Happy Derby Day

It's finally Derby Day.  I can't think of too many places in the world that have a three-week long party for an event that lasts two minutes.  All week long, I've read countless articles online about what people can do to have their own ultimate Derby experience - what foods and drinks to have at their Derby party, what to wear, how to decorate, etc.  Take it from a person born and raised in the Derby City - those writers have it all wrong.  Let's take a look at what the "experts" say about Derby and then what Puddin has to say.

In the Kentucky Kitchen

There are a few born-and-bred-in-Kentucky dishes that you'll see on every Derby party menu. The first is Henry Bain sauce. It was named after its inventor, who was the head waiter at Louisville's Pendennis Club. Bain made the sauce in 1881 as an accompaniment to wild game, and it's been a Louisville tradition ever since. A sweet, tangy, spicy concoction, this sauce is best served with beef tenderloin.

Another cornerstone of Louisville cuisine is the Hot Brown sandwich. Created by the chef of the Brown Hotel, this open-faced sandwich consists of two slices of toast topped with juicy roast turkey, tomato slices, crispy bacon and a blanket of Cheddar-Parmesan cheese sauce. The sandwich is then broiled until the cheese sauce turns golden brown.

From Louisville's Benedict Hotel comes the Benedictine, a cucumber canapé spread.

Those dishes are all well and good, and even though they were invented here in Louisville, they don't make for fun food at a Derby party. Go to any backyard or garage Derby party today and you'll find the staple of any Derby party, the hot dog.  Who doesn't love hot dogs?  Even if you've just had a big meal before you go to a Derby party, you still have room for a hot dog when you arrive.  You'll also find another local party favorite, spinach dip.  For Derby, most hostesses will go the extra mile and will hollow out a round loaf of dark pumperknickel bread and will fill it up with the spinach dip.   And I have to confess that I've never seen Benedictine sandwiches at any Derby party that I've attended.  Nor do I know anyone who would serve it at a Derby party, nor any other party for that matter.  You'll also find a Crock Pot full of cheese queso at most Derby parties. Cheese dip is another big favorite.

Derby Desserts

Dessert on Derby day can only be one thing: a rich, dense chocolate-nut pie flavored with Kentucky bourbon. The original version of this pie is trademarked and fiercely protected by its inventors, but there are several unofficial versions of it: Run for the Roses Pie, Eighth Race Pie, Thoroughbred Pie and Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie.

You can always count on at least one version of the Derby Pie on the food tables at Derby parties.  Truthfully, not many people like it.  Here in Louisville, we prefer plain old pecan pie like Grandma used to make.  The favorite Derby party dessert is without a doubt homemade brownies.  The fudgier and nuttier the better.  Brownies are another Derby party staple.  Lemon squares are also a popular party dessert here in the South.  But honestly, not many people eat desserts at Derby parties; they're too full of hot dogs and cheese dip.

Derby Drinks

There is only one proper drink to have at a Kentucky Derby party, and that's a mint julep. A traditional mint julep is made with bourbon, muddled mint leaves and sugar, finely crushed ice and a generous sprig of mint for garnish. Almost every state in the South claims to have invented it. The time-honored way to serve a julep is in a frosty silver goblet, but you can use whatever festive cups you like. An extra-nice touch is to trim straws so they just slightly stick out of the cup. When guests sip from the short straws, their noses will be close to the refreshing mint garnish.

I think it's safe to assume that the "Derby expert" that wrote that has never tasted a mint julip before. They're nasty, and a waste of good Kentucky bourbon.  Ask any Derby party goer and they'll tell you that ice cold Bud Light is their Derby drink of choice.  But if you're dead set on having Kentucky bourbon, pour a little over some ice and sip it.  If you must mix, pour a little in an ice-filled glass of Coke, another great Southern drink.  Or just drink an ice cold Coke by itself - there's nothing better to wash down a hot dog.  I'm not sure about the tradition of trimming down the drinking straws - that's the first I've heard of that.  But there is another Derby straw drinking tradition, however: the hat that holds two cans (or bottles).  There's a think rubber tube that goes into the can or bottle and it hangs down by your mouth so you can have easy access to your Derby beverages.  You probably won't see one of these at a Derby party, but you'll see them at the track. 

Don't Forget your Derby Hat

The Derby hat is as longstanding and important a tradition as the Kentucky Derby itself. Almost everyone at the race or any Derby party will be wearing a spectacular hat, whether costly and custom-designed or made at home with a glue gun and imagination. Ask your Derby day guests to come wearing Derby hats, and offer prizes for the most ornate, the most stylish, the most creative and the most bizarre.

I really have to disagree with the "Derby expert" on this one.  What host or hostess in their right mind would put a glue gun in the hands of their Derby party guests who have been drinking?  Or give a glue gun to someone who's not been drinking, for that matter?  Some of the worst burns I've ever seen are a result of a glue gun.  Usually, only the rich or Snooty McSnoot people wear the big fancy hats to the Derby; almost everyone else will wear a ball cap or a straw cowboy hat.  Or they'll be wearing the above mentioned drinking hat.

 

 

Flashback Friday

I was asked this week by two inquisitive faithful readers what this week's Flashback Friday topic would be.  When I told them "Earth Shoes", they had a "WTF?" look on their faces.  Both of them old enough to remember Earth Shoes, but they were having a mental block.  I told them to never fear, because after Flashback Friday, they would all they ever wanted to know about Earth Shoes.

Earth Shoes were introduced in the U.S. in 1970. They were designed in 1957 by a Copenhagen yoga instructor named Anne Kalso.  Earth Shoes were the first shoes marketed with a negative heel -- meaning their heels were lower than their raised toes.  This was to mimic the effect of walking in sand, and made for orthopedically correct posture. Tests showed that they provided the optimal alignment of the wearer's spine and pelvis, encouraging the shoulders to roll back.  In appearance, the shoes were boxy, but they sure were comfortable, especially to people like me with a wide foot and low arches. 

Earth Shoes were available in sandals, clogs, hiking shoes, fleece-lined ankle boots, and my favorite, regular lace-up shoes.  The company's sales peaked in 1974, and just three years later the company was placed in bankruptcy after a dispute with several banks.  Until recently, you could find Earth Shoes in second-hand shoe stores and thrift stores, but never fear -- they are making a comeback and can be found at just about every major online shoe store. 

I got my Earth Shoes in the late summer of 1976, as my official school shoes.  As I mentioned, I have a wide foot, and I was also very picky when it came to shoes, and when I saw the Earth Shoes at the infamous Ben Snyder's, I knew I had to have them.  I wore those shoes until my feet grew and they no longer fit, but I have to say they didn't wear out.  Mine were plain brown lace-up shoes, and I wore them every chance I could.  Back then, we didn't know they were actually good for our feet and posture; all we knew was that they were trendy.  At school, I honestly don't think they were that popular.  I know that Diva Stacy and I had them, but then again, we were always cutting edge. 

Welcome, Queen Elizabeth

TWIT would like to officially welcome Queen Elizabeth to the 'Ville.  True, she won't actually arrive in Louisville until Saturday morning, but in case she reads TWIT today or tomorrow, I want Her Royal Majesty to know that she's welcome here. 

The Queen arrived today in Virginia to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement - America's first permanent English settlement.  Virginia musicians from marching bands to Grammy-winning bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley performed before the Queen's speech to Virginia's legislature - the first address ever by Britain's crown Britain's crown to the lawmaking body it chartered in 1619 at Jamestown as the Colonial House of Burgesses.  Afterward, the queen planned to meet with some of the wounded and relatives of the 32 people killed a few weeks ago at Virginia Tech.  Tomorrow, the Queen will visit the Jamestown settlement, and on Saturday she will attend the Kentucky Derby.

I've heard a few negative and sarcastic comments about the Queen's visit on Saturday.  Some said they can't see why the city is getting all worked up over the Queen's five-hour visit to Louisville.  My answer to them is I can't see why the city, and the state and country for that matter, get all worked up and have a three-week festival for an event that lasts two minutes. 

In case you're reading TWIT, Queen Elizabeth, I hope you have a very pleasant visit to Virginia and Kentucky, and we'd love for you to come back again.  You're welcome to visit The Compound any time you'd like.  Just let me know ahead of time so we can set an extra plate at the dinner table.

The Eyes Of The World Are Upon Us

All eyes are on Louisville this week.  The Kentucky Derby is just a few days away, and Louisville is the limelight for the "greatest two minutes in sports."  In the past few years, we've gotten coverage on "Entertainment Tonight", "Inside Edition", and other celebrity news shows for the star-studded Derby parties and the celebrity attendees at the Derby. But yesterday, eyes were on Louisville for another reason: Larry Birkhead came back home with his baby daughter Dannielynne. 

There was TV coverage on all four of the local channels, plus coverage on the above mentioned ET.  I have to say I was quite impressed that Mary Hart's reporting, too.  And I'm sure there will be pictures in the Enquirer and Star this week, too. But I digress.  Last week, the courts ruled that Larry Birkhead could finally bring his daughter Dannielynne home to Kentucky.  And what a better time for them to come back home to Louisville than Derby time! Just think - this will be baby Dannielynne's first Derby.  I hope one of the family members gets her a t-shirt that says "Baby's first Derby." 

Incidentally, it was during the Derby when Larry Birkhead met Anna Nicole Smith.  They met at the infamous Barnstable Brown Derby Eve party in 2003.  Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

I Missed The Amber Alert

I saw an interesting sight on my way home from work today.  In front of me in the rush-home traffic was a 90s Mustang that caught my eye.  It wasn't the car that caught my attention, but the big writing on the rear window of the car.  There, written in white shoe polish in big bold letters for all to see was the following: "CPS kidnapped my baby!"  Now, that's something you sure don't see every day.   Had it said "For sale" or "Cold A/C", I wouldn't have given it a second glance, but when I saw the "CPS kidnapped my baby!", it sure caught my attention. 

The car sped ahead of me in the traffic, and I did my best to catch up to it so I could snoop and look inside to see who was driving, but I never had the chance.  All I could do was just let my imagination take over.  I knew that Larry Birkhead and his baby arrived in Louisville today, and from watching "Entertianment Tonight" I was pretty sure that CPS hadn't taken Dannielynn away from him, so it had to be someone else. 

On the rest of the way home, I thought about what would actually precipitate CPS to actually take a child away from a home, and I generalized that they must have done it for a good, legitimate reason.  Child Protective Services just do not come into a home and take away a child for no good reason; the child's life has to be in danger.  So after reasoning that the child that was allegedly kidnapped was being taken care of by the state, I didn't think too much about it until I got home. Then the wheels started turning again - what did the kid's parents do to make the state take the baby away from them?  Were they running a meth lab in their home?  Were they crack heads and neglected their baby? Or did they just make a bad decision that caused the state to take the baby away from them?  I'll never really know.