A Falcon in the Trees

 Two peregrine falcons have made my backyard, specifically the avocado trees, their home away from home. Earlier today my daughter Meranda caught one of them on video. This falcon is the smaller of the two. I believe it is the female. We get a lot of wildlife passing through our backyard; including possums, skunks and coyotes. I'm happy to have them,

Get Out and Vote

 I do not discuss politics, my choice, but I went and had my say today in the only way that really counts, I voted. Please get out and vote!

I'm standing at the doorway of Birriera Chalia Mexican Restaurant on Washington Blvd here in Whittier gearing up for breakfast. Voting makes me hungry!

Passing down a Legacy Family Dish

 This past Thursday, October 29, 2026, I was privileged to teach and pass down a treasured family recipe to my granddaughter Maddie. The Chile Verde recipe (made with New Mexico green chile) was taught to me by my father Andrew De La O, who learned it from his father, my grandfather Santiago. My prima (cousin) Juanita De La O-Gordon sent me these chiles from New Mexico. These chiles are from Lemitar, New Mexico, not Hatch.

I told her, This is your recipe now. You are free to adapt it to your own taste and personality. I guided her but she did this on her own. It was awesome and it was hot, as it should be. We don't make chile verde for wimps!