Tirade! Salsa! Or, the Blonde Donnellys

Pineapple Summer Salsa

• 1 cup pineapple, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup mango, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup yellow and red bell pepper, chopped
• 2/3 cup kiwi fruit, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon serrano chili with seeds, minced
• Ground white pepper to taste

Traditional Salsa ingredients are ideal for container gardening at high altitudes.

Grow a Salsa Garden.

I hardly ever lose my temper. And, that's a problem. Because once people figure that out they get busy taking advantage of my good nature.

A bigger problem, though, is the fact that when I do lose my temper it's kinda like Mt. Vesuvias. People are running for cover, fearing for their lives. Suddenly it's apparent that I'm completely and totally 100% Irish. Mt. Vesuvius erupted today and now I'm sitting here feeling all guilty for throwing a fit.

I've had a major neighbor problem lately and I know why. It's all based on that irrational monster, prejudice, raising it's ugly head again.

You see, I rent the lower half of my house to the nicest family I've ever met. They are kind and considerate and have never ever been late on rent. I planted strawberries for the little girl and giant pumpkins for the little boy.

This great family is from Mexico. And, Mexicans are to the US what the Irish were 200 years ago. (Not welcome.) People on both sides of me are ballistic over this (very legal) family because I live in a neighborhood filled to overflowing with people who are rich and white and... well... a pain in the ass. So, there, I said it.

Now, the interesting thing about a truly impressive hissy fit is how very nice people are to you after the fact. I've been getting lots of apologies from my neighbors and that's because I finally pointed out the bleeding obvious.

I wish things didn't have to come to this. But, sometimes they do. And so, I'll go through my Catholic guilt phase for a little while. And, my neighbors will be extra cautious, kind and polite (for fear I'll go off again.) And, then life will go back to normal. At least, from their perspective. Though I, unfortunately, will always be slightly disappointed in each and every one of them.

* The Black Donnellys could very well be the best series ever produced for commercial TV. So, of course, it was cancelled.

** Salsa is the best-selling condiment in America, high in fiber, low in fat, full of flavor. It's almost as popular as Irish ale, scorned centuries ago.

*** My Irish family was refused entrance to the US. So, we emigrated to Canada and then... (Oh, My God!) we sneaked over the border. That was 7 generations ago. We caused you no harm.