March 27, 2020
comment 1

We’re in this together

It seems that the current virus situation is bringing out the best and worst of people, and companies too. I read that James Dyson has designed up a new ventilator – on 10 days notice – which can be manufactured quickly and at volume – and he’s donating 5,000 of them off the top. Labatts has started making hand sanitizer – the first 50,000 bottles are being donated to food banks, front line workers and partners in the restaurant and bar industry. It is heartening to see some companies jump in and help, and there are many other positive stories. As I type this, I’m hearing on the radio that Budweiser is donating $500,000 to the Red Cross.

At the same time, yesterday I heard Premier Ford call out a food company called Pusateris for price gouging, selling hand wipes for 30 bucks a box. The company, which is known for their high prices at the best of times, has apologized and called it an oversight. I wonder. Then there was the couple in BC, buying up pick-up truckloads of Lysol wipes from Costcos to resell at 4X the price. They are despicable, but I’m sure not unique. There will always be people willing to profit from the misfortune of their community, won’t there? I suspect this time around, people will have long memories.

One thing is clear. The virus is egalitarian. It doesn’t care if you are rich or poor or where you’re from. It doesn’t recognize borders, and we’re seeing that even the most privileged people are becoming infected. If there is one lesson for us, it’s that we’re in this together. Please be kind and helpful during this difficult time, and carry that on later, as our communities recover.

March 26, 2020
comment 1

Isolation Cornbread

This morning I made some yummy skillet cornbread with bacon and cheese. Social distancing demands comfort food. Here’s how I did it….

Cook some bacon in a 9 inch cast iron pan until it’s crispy. Put the bacon aside on a paper towel. (OK you can make it without bacon in a pinch, but…..) Take the pan off the heat. Turn the oven on to 400F.

In a bowl mix together….
1 1/4 cups corn meal
3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt (if you use a lot of bacon in the recipe, but back on the salt)

Grate some cheese – cheddar is fine or whatever you like.

Take a minute to crumble the bacon and toss it in with the dry ingredients. Add some of your grated cheese to the dry ingredients but save about a third of it.

Put the pan with the bacon drippings in the oven.

In another bowl….
Beat 2 eggs with a fork for a few seconds
Add a cup + 1/4 milk (use whole milk if you have it but if not, use what you have…..buttermilk is fine too)
I used 1% milk because that’s all I had, and added a teaspoon of vegetable oil. It was fine.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula until it’s all mixed together. Don’t overmix.

Take the hot pan out of the oven. Pour in your mix, getting it all off the bowl with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Put the pan in the oven for 15 minutes, and check it at that time. It should be golden brown. Poke it through the centre with a skewer. If it comes out clean, it’s ready.

The cornbread should release from the pan easily. Let it cool on a rack until you can’t resist anymore, then sample at will.

The Agency Podcast is collecting recipes for your fave isolation comfort foods for an upcoming episode. Please send yours to theagency.podcast@gmail.com. You’re welcome to send us a voice clip as well and we’ll insert it into the episode.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

I know that smell….

oh oh….

It was about 11:00 last evening. We had sent the dogs out in the back yard for their before bedtime pee. I was at the computer in front of a mic, recording an episode of The Agency…..when Tuffy P put a note in front of me, written on an envelope: George may be skunked. He’s out & it stinks. What happened? To hear all about it, listen to the latest episode of The Agency.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

Isolation Comfort Food

OK so the world is topsy-turvy and most of us are home, avoiding other humans, hoping this nasty virus would just take a hike. The Agency Podcast wants to know, are there any special comfort foods that get you through stressful times? We’d love it if you would tell us about them and share recipes. If we receive some submissions, we’ll read them on our show. Email The Agency. If you want to send us a voice clip, that’s great too – we can add it directly to the podcast.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

What are they digging out there?

I walked along the Lake in Marie Curtis Park. For months there have been diggers over to the west moving fill, gravel and rocks around. There is a sign up now. It turns out a new conservation area is being created. They even have a politician to name it after.

I was surprised that this work was still actively taking place, given current virus-related restrictions. I heard the Premier say that construction work was exempted, but as I heard it, he was clearly referring to construction of homes. I’m all for having the new conservation area completed on time, but I hope it isn’t at the expense of the safety of the workers.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

A Strange Landmark

If you have ever bicycled along the Waterfront Trail, west of Etobicoke Creek, you may have noticed a number of strange wooden structures.

This area is known as The Arsenal Lands. This was the sight of a WWII small arms factory and rifle testing range. The wooden structures are sound baffles which absorbed some of the gunfire noise. I understand there were originally 30 of these baffles, of which 16 remain. Some of them are overgrown with vines and shrubs.

There is also a large concrete structure which I did not photograph today. It’s the back end of the firing range.

As I walked the trail which meanders among the baffles this morning, I watched and heard many male red-winged blackbirds which were flitting among the brush.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

Etobicoke Creek running red

Etobicoke Creek is currently running a strange red colour from somewhere way up in Mississauga right down to the lake. I took the following pictures at Marie Curtis Park, near the mouth of the creek.

Apparently 400 litres of red ink were spilled into the creek yesterday. There are news articles which suggest a clean-up is under way. However there is no information as to how toxic this stuff might be to fish, birds and other wildlife. There is also no information about how it happened or who might be responsible.

March 25, 2020
comment 0

Skunked

The latest episode of The Agency Podcast is up and it’s called Skunked. You can listen right here or find us at iTunes/Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify or TuneIn. Candy tries the impossible: discussing The Mandalorian with a non Star Wars fan (that’s me). Other topics include turning to familiar food, looking for rice and comfort tv.

Thank you for listening! What comfort foods are you seeking out? What are you doing to pass the time? How are you feeling? Send us an email.