Jackalope, Hodag, and Pizza
pandora
Posts: 21,855
Last evening I was lost somewhere between low and lower, feeling pretty overcome by current events.
I found solace in watching James Bryan doing one of the things he does best,
making pizza.
This man was raised in pizza.
His parents owning Caps Pizza back in Milwaukee for 20 some years.
He is a master.
From the careful crust making , which is an absolute art,
to the strategic placement of the multitude of colorful and delicious, if not sinful toppings,
to the special sauce and combination of little known cheeses.
He builds a masterpiece for us.
But he builds so much more than just a pizza.
When I watch him, old and new, yesterday and today just flow together.
It forms a bond of time that brings with it comfort and security and peace.
Just what's needed this night, of this week, in this year,
at this sad time.
Sharing a huge bottle of wine at the kitchen table,
eating homemade garlic bread, yes, he is doubly awesome,
our conversation turned to myths.
This arriving from bunny talk.
Our medium teenage rabbit who took up residency under the back deck had come out for an evening munch in the too tall grass under the kitchen window, prompting storytelling.
So begins the infamous story of the Jackalopes,
this moving cobwebs in my mind to recall stories from my own youth.
He spoke of the milking of female Jackalopes for medicinal purposes.
How a Jackalope can imitate any sound, like that of the human voice, handy to elude those tracking him.
As JB imitates the rabbit imitating us, I laugh. Now I'm laughing.
That to catch one you must use whiskey as bait and get it drunk.
And that they only mate during hail storms.
Hmmmm. Does he make this stuff up?
Now one can't be from Wisconsin and not go on to talk about the Hodags.
Being the proud Wisconsinite I am, this is my kind of myth and JB is the one to fill me in.
He describes the infamous creature, big claws, froglike face, long pointy tail.
I ask, "are they still around today?" "No" he replies. "They became extinct when their main food source, white bulldogs went scarce"
yes I decided at that point, he makes this stuff up!
That a famous bear wrestler, I interrupt, "like ole eyed?" he doesn't get it and continues on, caught one and displayed it at county fairs.
That this all took place in Rhinelander and that to this day the Hodag is the mascot of local schools and businesses.
It's about this time the pizza is done.
He pulls from the cupboard the giant commercial pizza slider,
I say "spank me" as I always do when I see that thing. I am feeling better, much better.
He laughs and says "don't mind if I do" and pretends to move my way.
We eat our pizza both in our own thoughts.
Thoughts of myths based in truth,
thoughts of old days at Caps,
thoughts of this moment in time
anything but thoughts of the sadness of the day.
Thanks James Bryan for being you and making it better.
I found solace in watching James Bryan doing one of the things he does best,
making pizza.
This man was raised in pizza.
His parents owning Caps Pizza back in Milwaukee for 20 some years.
He is a master.
From the careful crust making , which is an absolute art,
to the strategic placement of the multitude of colorful and delicious, if not sinful toppings,
to the special sauce and combination of little known cheeses.
He builds a masterpiece for us.
But he builds so much more than just a pizza.
When I watch him, old and new, yesterday and today just flow together.
It forms a bond of time that brings with it comfort and security and peace.
Just what's needed this night, of this week, in this year,
at this sad time.
Sharing a huge bottle of wine at the kitchen table,
eating homemade garlic bread, yes, he is doubly awesome,
our conversation turned to myths.
This arriving from bunny talk.
Our medium teenage rabbit who took up residency under the back deck had come out for an evening munch in the too tall grass under the kitchen window, prompting storytelling.
So begins the infamous story of the Jackalopes,
this moving cobwebs in my mind to recall stories from my own youth.
He spoke of the milking of female Jackalopes for medicinal purposes.
How a Jackalope can imitate any sound, like that of the human voice, handy to elude those tracking him.
As JB imitates the rabbit imitating us, I laugh. Now I'm laughing.
That to catch one you must use whiskey as bait and get it drunk.
And that they only mate during hail storms.
Hmmmm. Does he make this stuff up?
Now one can't be from Wisconsin and not go on to talk about the Hodags.
Being the proud Wisconsinite I am, this is my kind of myth and JB is the one to fill me in.
He describes the infamous creature, big claws, froglike face, long pointy tail.
I ask, "are they still around today?" "No" he replies. "They became extinct when their main food source, white bulldogs went scarce"
yes I decided at that point, he makes this stuff up!
That a famous bear wrestler, I interrupt, "like ole eyed?" he doesn't get it and continues on, caught one and displayed it at county fairs.
That this all took place in Rhinelander and that to this day the Hodag is the mascot of local schools and businesses.
It's about this time the pizza is done.
He pulls from the cupboard the giant commercial pizza slider,
I say "spank me" as I always do when I see that thing. I am feeling better, much better.
He laughs and says "don't mind if I do" and pretends to move my way.
We eat our pizza both in our own thoughts.
Thoughts of myths based in truth,
thoughts of old days at Caps,
thoughts of this moment in time
anything but thoughts of the sadness of the day.
Thanks James Bryan for being you and making it better.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
I'll take a Jackalope Pie, Hold the Hodag...
wait...
dry ice, one igloo cooler and a whole pizza?
i like italian sausage, xtra mushrooms, xtra cheeses, black olive, and pepperoni please.
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
I will keep this under advisement.
:think:
http://seanbriceart.com/
Such a great story Pandi. Glad that you could find reason to laugh and enjoy the night. It will be a long road.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Wish you were here...
♥~RIP Dad
seems as of late my moods and memories are taking story form, I guess.
I think that happens to seniors