So this is the Mudcat Forum, eh?, where the longest detailed thread in three days is about food. I was prepared to leap into the fray about the definition of folk song (if doesn't include dynamic variation over time, what CAN you be talking about) or start a thread about Just where or from whom did Leadbelly learn his version of the Gallows Pole; but no, it's food. Breakfast food, no less, the two great breakfast foods of North and South: White Castles and grits. Growing up in Chicago, I knew that White Castles, or the Ivory Room, or the Porcelain Palace was indeed the only thing open past 11 p.m., and there was one every eight blocks or so. Like bratwurst grilled on along the Danube in Regensburg, you order them in multiples of two. After al these years, my first box of frozen White Castles was a disappointment. My God, they left out the pickle. How cheap can you get? Even my brother disdains them, the one who lives in Boulder and includes a stop at White Castles between the airport and my mother's house. My cousin, once taking on the chauffer's job warned him,"Look, you can't eat White Castles in my car. I'll let you SMOKE in my car, but you can't eat White Castles." It is interesting that the ad slogan for White Castles now is "What you Crave." All non-relevant references to nutritional value are are forgotten. My mother got a nice home version for White Castles, "Sliders," which uses small party rolls spread with a mixture of ground beef, onion dip and cheddar cheese, and of course, pickle slices. It's a great appetizer, especially among guests of mixed regional backgrounds. I can't believe you all let the green chili grits recipe go by without requesting it. That sounds really great, and I will try to get it from WyoWoman, who must be or has been a musician, because they are omnivores by experience. It probably has to do with being let in through the kitchen all the time. In the Memphis Commercial Appeal once I caught a discussion about grits. It had nothing to do with their desirability or value as food -- that was a given. No, it had to do with speech and grammar. It was whether the word "grits" was singular or plural. (i.e., "Grits is on the menu in the South," or "Grits are best enjoyed at breakfast with egg yolk, butter and salt and at dinner as cheese grits casserole.") Many letters were offered, much like this thread. The definitive comment was as follows: Cornbread IS. Pork chops ARE Grits AM.

Look, you all, I'm starting to think about my next meal. dave