Friends, your overworked Peasant is taking a few weeks off
to celebrate Thanksgiving and to recharge my batteries. I am in
the middle of writing some wonderful posts to share with you, my
wonderful and loyal readers, and am setting up my apartment to
host small (but fun-filled) parties and song circle sessions for our
Chuck Ward Celtic Song Circle. Add to that my becoming a foster
parent for another at-risk cat, a lovely little girl cat named Brownie.
Furthermore, I shall be participating in the inaugural meeting of
the Conservatives and Republicans of Greater Milwaukee on
Saturday, November 16. I was invited by my friend and fellow
activist, Thomas Brian, with whom I showed up to protest the
debut of the Milwaukee Streetcar, a/k/a the "Trommy", a/k/a
"(Mayor Thomas) Barrett's Folly", which I posted about at the
time last autumn. I shall share with you about the gathering,
which is to be held at Aliotto's Restaurant in Wauwatosa.
If any of you would like to come, it will be on from 3:00 to
6:00 PM at Alioto's, 3401 N. Mayfair Road, Wauwatosa, WI.
For those who might not be able to make it, especially those
of you who live outside of the Milwaukee area and maybe
outside of Wisconsin, you are welcome to send donations
to this fledgling conservative group at:
C.R.G.M.
P.O. Box 14801
West Allis, WI 53214
We will be taking on the Democrats and other liberals across
many political subjects, especially their legislative initiatives
at the state and local levels. I am jazzed about this new bunch!
And I shall be busy with some home improvement projects as well.
No rest for The Peasant, but I shall lighten my load to a reasonable
and manageable one. After which I shall return to you, my great
and good friends! In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving
with your families and friends, and let us all be thankful that we
live in the United States of America --- where we have freedom,
prosperity, and abundance!
God bless you all! And God bless America!
MEM
Thursday, November 14, 2019
Monday, November 11, 2019
Gratitude to our Vets!
As today, my fabulous readers, is Veterans Day,
take the time to let the vets in your lives know
that you are grateful for their service and sacrifice.
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings,
cousins, friends, neighbors, co-workers, vets
in their uniforms marching in Veterans Day
parades, shake their hands and tell them you're
thankful to them for service to our country.
As a matter of fact, this is something we all can,
and should do, every day --- not just this special
day, fitting though it be.
Remember: if you like your freedom, thank a vet!
It's certainly nor the politicians who are in uniform,
carrying guns and packs, engaging enemy forces
in battle in far-flung parts of the world that most
Americans have never heard of, oftentimes battling
severe weather along with the enemies, having to kill
or be killed, facing privations, fighting to stop our
enemies before they can get anywhere near our borders
and shores.
God bless our veterans, and God bless America!
MEM
take the time to let the vets in your lives know
that you are grateful for their service and sacrifice.
Parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, siblings,
cousins, friends, neighbors, co-workers, vets
in their uniforms marching in Veterans Day
parades, shake their hands and tell them you're
thankful to them for service to our country.
As a matter of fact, this is something we all can,
and should do, every day --- not just this special
day, fitting though it be.
Remember: if you like your freedom, thank a vet!
It's certainly nor the politicians who are in uniform,
carrying guns and packs, engaging enemy forces
in battle in far-flung parts of the world that most
Americans have never heard of, oftentimes battling
severe weather along with the enemies, having to kill
or be killed, facing privations, fighting to stop our
enemies before they can get anywhere near our borders
and shores.
God bless our veterans, and God bless America!
MEM
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Abdul Kayoum, R.I.P.
This gentleman may not be well known to some of you,
my wonderful readers, and will not be known at all to
the rest of you. But his life is a testament to the oppor-
tunities and the freedom to pursue them that our wonder-
ful country affords to immigrants from all around the
world, even making possible for who occupied the highest
strata in their native countries to rise even higher.
Abdul Kayoum, 84, Afghan prince-turned immigrant-turned
U.S. entrepreneur, champion of conservative political and
economic principles, recently passed from this world.
A second cousin to the last king of Afghanistan, Mohammad
Zahir Shah and known as "Abe" to his family and closest
friends, Abdul Kayoum's unique and inspiring life began
in the royal household in Afghanistan where he
learned the recipes of the exquisite entrees prepared by
the chefs in the royal kitchen which he would later
recreate for the patrons of his Afghani restaurant,
the Caravan Serai, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Abe
perfected his cooking skills, also adding American
favorites as well as favorites from around the Middle
East and southern Europe while working in restaurants
in several states after arriving on our shores. Along the way
he met and married a delightful beauty from North Dakota,
Carol, with whom they would make their family and later
their family enterprise, their Serai (Afghani for "inn")
which was the first Afghani restaurant in the United States.
Here was where your culinary adventurer Peasant met Abe
and his family.
As a student at the nearby University of Saint Thomas
drawing close to graduation, I became a regular patron
myself, and was befriended by the Kayoum family.
Shortly after graduation Abe offered me a position
as host, working both lunch and dinner hours and
holding some supervisory duties --- and offered
endless free food with all the spices and aromas
of the exotic dishes once made for royalty, now
given to a Peasant! I felt as if I had died and gone
to heaven's kitchen to spend eternity dining on the
astonishingly delicious exotic entrees from Abe's
part of the world!
Over time I worked off and on at the Serai, sometimes
working there part-time while working a regular full-
time job in my career field to help Abe and later his
eldest daughter Nancy to bridge gaps in personnel in
especially busy times. I had many conversations with
Abe about the restaurant business, business in general,
politics (we both lauded President Ronald Reagan and
his policies of limited government, lower taxes,
a stronger military, and the reaffirmation of our
commitments to our allies), and life. We also talked
about everyday stuff going on in our lives. Whenever
I brought a date, a family member, or a friend to dine
at the Serai I would make sure that Abe would be on
duty that evening so I could introduce them to each
other. Abe was one of the most charming people I
ever had the pleasure to have known, so much so
that he even made staunch liberals at ease when
they would come for a meal and sometimes talk
politics. Abe could disagree without being disagree-
able, and with the times then being less confrontational
the lefty guests did the same, and they would even form
lasting friendships which had the liberals come to
the Serai regularly. At least one Saint Paul mayor,
several city council members, an occasional member
of the nearby state legislature, people from both
major political parties were seen coming dining in
the Abe's wonderful and wondrous restaurant over
the years. Partisanship was checked at the Caravan
Serai's door, and great food shared by and among great
company was the order of the day.
After many years at the helm of the Serai Abe got the
itch to try new entrepreneurial endeavors; he sold his
interest in the restaurant to Nancy, got licenses to sell
real estate and insurance, and enjoyed further success
in both fields. Nancy, being the epitome of "like father,
like daughter", began a side business as a caterer.
Her catering business did so well that it became more
profitable than the Serai, so she closed the restaurant
and operated her catering business full-time for over
a decade before selling that and trying her hand at
other things, those sadly I do not know about for we
had lost contact with each other over time. Abe died
last summer, and I just learned of his passing just this
week (!). Although I didn't get the opportunity to
pay my last respects by attending his funeral, I am
now doing so in writing and posting this tribute to
my dear friend, a royal from another land who rose
even higher in coming to America and creating a
wildly successful career and life for himself.
Abe, you are exactly what the United States and
its promise of opportunity and becoming more than
one could ever dare conceive of becoming! And you
did it while maintaining your humility, your values,
and your love of people and the desire to be of service
to them by cooking indescribably delicious delicacies
of your home country and the surrounding region
while passing on the beauty and the history of your
native Afghanistan, may someday she will once again
find peace and begin healing and repair of her cities,
her society, and her soul after years of war and attendant
turmoil. And I know that you are currently enjoying that
truly perfect peace which only heaven can provide.
Until it's my turn to answer the invitation to partake of
our Lord's heavenly hospitality, I close my tribute to you
with not a farewell but "until we meet again". Thank you
for being a huge part of my life! Requiescat in pace.
MEM
my wonderful readers, and will not be known at all to
the rest of you. But his life is a testament to the oppor-
tunities and the freedom to pursue them that our wonder-
ful country affords to immigrants from all around the
world, even making possible for who occupied the highest
strata in their native countries to rise even higher.
Abdul Kayoum, 84, Afghan prince-turned immigrant-turned
U.S. entrepreneur, champion of conservative political and
economic principles, recently passed from this world.
A second cousin to the last king of Afghanistan, Mohammad
Zahir Shah and known as "Abe" to his family and closest
friends, Abdul Kayoum's unique and inspiring life began
in the royal household in Afghanistan where he
learned the recipes of the exquisite entrees prepared by
the chefs in the royal kitchen which he would later
recreate for the patrons of his Afghani restaurant,
the Caravan Serai, in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Abe
perfected his cooking skills, also adding American
favorites as well as favorites from around the Middle
East and southern Europe while working in restaurants
in several states after arriving on our shores. Along the way
he met and married a delightful beauty from North Dakota,
Carol, with whom they would make their family and later
their family enterprise, their Serai (Afghani for "inn")
which was the first Afghani restaurant in the United States.
Here was where your culinary adventurer Peasant met Abe
and his family.
As a student at the nearby University of Saint Thomas
drawing close to graduation, I became a regular patron
myself, and was befriended by the Kayoum family.
Shortly after graduation Abe offered me a position
as host, working both lunch and dinner hours and
holding some supervisory duties --- and offered
endless free food with all the spices and aromas
of the exotic dishes once made for royalty, now
given to a Peasant! I felt as if I had died and gone
to heaven's kitchen to spend eternity dining on the
astonishingly delicious exotic entrees from Abe's
part of the world!
Over time I worked off and on at the Serai, sometimes
working there part-time while working a regular full-
time job in my career field to help Abe and later his
eldest daughter Nancy to bridge gaps in personnel in
especially busy times. I had many conversations with
Abe about the restaurant business, business in general,
politics (we both lauded President Ronald Reagan and
his policies of limited government, lower taxes,
a stronger military, and the reaffirmation of our
commitments to our allies), and life. We also talked
about everyday stuff going on in our lives. Whenever
I brought a date, a family member, or a friend to dine
at the Serai I would make sure that Abe would be on
duty that evening so I could introduce them to each
other. Abe was one of the most charming people I
ever had the pleasure to have known, so much so
that he even made staunch liberals at ease when
they would come for a meal and sometimes talk
politics. Abe could disagree without being disagree-
able, and with the times then being less confrontational
the lefty guests did the same, and they would even form
lasting friendships which had the liberals come to
the Serai regularly. At least one Saint Paul mayor,
several city council members, an occasional member
of the nearby state legislature, people from both
major political parties were seen coming dining in
the Abe's wonderful and wondrous restaurant over
the years. Partisanship was checked at the Caravan
Serai's door, and great food shared by and among great
company was the order of the day.
After many years at the helm of the Serai Abe got the
itch to try new entrepreneurial endeavors; he sold his
interest in the restaurant to Nancy, got licenses to sell
real estate and insurance, and enjoyed further success
in both fields. Nancy, being the epitome of "like father,
like daughter", began a side business as a caterer.
Her catering business did so well that it became more
profitable than the Serai, so she closed the restaurant
and operated her catering business full-time for over
a decade before selling that and trying her hand at
other things, those sadly I do not know about for we
had lost contact with each other over time. Abe died
last summer, and I just learned of his passing just this
week (!). Although I didn't get the opportunity to
pay my last respects by attending his funeral, I am
now doing so in writing and posting this tribute to
my dear friend, a royal from another land who rose
even higher in coming to America and creating a
wildly successful career and life for himself.
Abe, you are exactly what the United States and
its promise of opportunity and becoming more than
one could ever dare conceive of becoming! And you
did it while maintaining your humility, your values,
and your love of people and the desire to be of service
to them by cooking indescribably delicious delicacies
of your home country and the surrounding region
while passing on the beauty and the history of your
native Afghanistan, may someday she will once again
find peace and begin healing and repair of her cities,
her society, and her soul after years of war and attendant
turmoil. And I know that you are currently enjoying that
truly perfect peace which only heaven can provide.
Until it's my turn to answer the invitation to partake of
our Lord's heavenly hospitality, I close my tribute to you
with not a farewell but "until we meet again". Thank you
for being a huge part of my life! Requiescat in pace.
MEM
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