Category: Margaritas

Nacho Average Relationship

2/26/2020

From our food editor, Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

To be sure, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request) and Emily Dickinson endured a volatile relationship with many conflicts and – as many biographers report – life-long social dysfunction.

One peculiar but significant confrontation between the two third cousins occurred in February 1871 as Emmett Lee Dickinson lobbied congress to set May as National Margarita Month. Ultimately congress landed on February 22nd as “National Margarita Day” in honor of Margarita Seward, the sister of President Lincoln's Secretary of State William Seward. Information about Dickinson's work with Congress is HERE.

As Dickinson worked closely with congressional leaders, word leaked from Amherst that Emily Dickinson and her family had petitioned Senator Charles Sumner to introduce a bill establishing February 24 as National Tortilla Chip Day – the very date on which Emily Dickinson had invented the recipe for Cajun Nachos.

Emmett Lee Dickinson was livid. He viewed this as attempt of the Dickinsons of Amherst to eclipse his work with National Margarita Day. In the midst of all of their quarreling, Dickinson wrote his cryptic lines “We bear our somber Stresses when we fight” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen “We wear our sober Dresses when we die” (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

We bear our somber Stresses when
we fight,
But some are filled as for a Holiday
Adorned for Sleight –

By Emily Dickinson:

We wear our sober Dresses when
we die,
But Summer, frilled as for a Holiday
Adjourns her Sigh –

When February 24 was, in fact, set as “National Tortilla Chip Day,” many viewed Emmett Lee Dickinson’s next move as a cunning coup de grâce: he took Emily’s idea one step further, and he invented the all-you-can-eat nacho bar. The first of its kind was introduced on a river boat on the Monongahela River. More information about the Dickinson-nacho connection can be found HERE (scroll down to the entry dated November 5).

For all of our posts on National Margarita Day, click HERE and scroll down. For all of our posts on Nachos, click HERE.

Below: No poet has written more poems about Margaritas than Emmett Lee Dickinson, and we were thrilled when the Emmett Lee Dickinson Museum website was chosen as the official website for National Margarita Day -- for the fifth year in a row!

Bar Wars

2/22/2020

From Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request) established National Margarita Day in 1871 (Info HERE and HERE).

The holiday proved to be so popular, that the following year, Margaritas were in such high demand, that drinkers depleted the nation’s supply of tequila by the end of February setting off what has now been dubbed the “Great Tequila Shortage of 1872” and the “Great Tequila Famine.”

The lack of tequila continued into May. On Cinco de Mayo, bars had no tequila with which to serve Margaritas so riots broke out in cities across the country – and that occurrence has by many historians been known as “Bar Wars.”

Below: Rioting in Little Pwagmattasquarmsettport, Massachusetts, as a result of the Great Tequila Famine.

Emmett Lee Dickinson wrote about the Great Tequila Famine and the Bar Wars of 1872 in his poem "Have you got Margaritas at your little bar" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "Have you got a Brook in your little heart" (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Have you got Margaritas at your little bar,
Where strong tequila flows,
And rushing crowds come down to drink –
And shakers rattle so –

And everyone knows, so much they flow,
That any Margarita’s there,
And yes your little draught of life
Is daily drunken there –

Why – look out for the thirsty crowd
in February,
On National Margarita Day,
And the throngs come hurrying from
the hills,
And the barstools fill and stay –

And later in May on the Cinco day,
When the drinkers parching buy,
Beware, lest this little drink of life
Some Happy Hour runs dry!

By Emily Dickinson:

Have you got a Brook in your little heart,
Where bashful flowers blow,
And blushing birds go down to drink –
And shadows tremble so –

And nobody knows, so still it flows,
That any brook is there,
And yet your little draught of life
Is daily drunken there –

Why – look out for the little brook
in March,
When the rivers overflow,
And the snows come hurrying from
the hills,
And the bridges often go –

And later, in August it may be,
When the meadows parching lie,
Beware, lest this little brook of life
Some burning noon go dry!

Any Way You Slice It

2/21/2020

From Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

February 22 is National Margarita Day, one of the most celebrated of the mid-February holidays.

The holiday was established by America's greatest poet, Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request). Information is HERE.

Below: A vintage postcard for National Margarita Day -- with a likeness of Emmett Lee Dickinson's left hand.

On the day Dickinson inaugurated the holiday, he did so with his now-classic poem, "There's a certain Slice of lime" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "There's a certain Slant of light" (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

There’s a certain Slice of lime,
Five O’clock each Day –
That impresses, like a Gift
On a Holiday –

Heavenly Sent, it gives us –
We let down our guard,
But internal confidence –
Where the Meanings, are –

All may taste it – Any –
‘Tis the fruit of Awe –
An imperial addiction
Sent us from the Bar –

When it comes, the Salt Rim glistens –
Promise – floats on ice –
When it goes, ’tis like the Essence
Of an Afterlife –

By Emily Dickinson:

There's a certain Slant of light,
Winter Afternoons –
That oppresses, like the Heft
Of Cathedral Tunes –

Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –
We can find no scar,
But internal difference –
Where the Meanings, are –

None may teach it – Any –
'Tis the seal Despair –
An imperial affliction
Sent us of the Air –

When it comes, the Landscape listens –
Shadows – hold their breath –
When it goes, 'tis like the Distance
On the look of Death –

Below left and right: Vintage postcards for National Margarita Day.

I'll Have Another

2/20/2020

From Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Shortly after Emmett Lee Dickinson established February 22 as National Margarita Day, John Greenleaf Whittier wrote "Maud Muller," a poem that focused on the holiday.

The story Whittier's work is about a bar maid named Maud Muller, and on National Margarita Day, she is a bit smitten with a mysterious customer -- until she realizes that he’s just another drunk whose only interest is ordering another pitcher of Margaritas.

The poem contains a very well-known quotation: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: ‘My margarita glass is empty again.’”

Pictured at the right: A sad sight for National Margarita Day -- an empty Margarita glass.

The poem "Maud Muller" inspired Emmett Lee Dickinson to write, "How much the present moment means" (below on the left), a depressing and woeful look at drinkers running out of Margaritas. Dickinson's poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem with the same opening line (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

How much the present moment means
To those who've nothing more –
The Lush – the Drunk – the Regular –
Stake an entire store
Upon a fully salted Rim
While their empty Glasses
The Blessings of a Happy Hour
Do all but satiate –

By Emily Dickinson:

How much the present moment means
To those who've nothing more –
The Fop – the Carp – the Atheist –
Stake an entire store
Upon a Moment's shallow Rim
While their commuted Feet
The Torrents of Eternity
Do all but inundate –

Celebrate National Margarita Day with more Margarita poetry by Emmett Lee Dickinson -- click HERE.

Elixir of Lime

2/19/2020

From Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Saturday, February 22, 2020, is National Margarita Day.

Yes. I know what you're thinking. Isn't every day National Margarita Day?

While that sentiment is true, we do set one day of the year aside to pay tribute to the lime libation invented by Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily Dickinson's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request (Information HERE).

Of course, most poetry enthusiasts know that no poet wrote more poems about coffee than Emmett Lee Dickinson (info HERE) – but did you know that the same thing holds true for Margaritas?

We've published some of Dickinson's poems about Margaritas in several plog (poetry blog) posts in the past – HERE. One of my favorites is "Between the form of Life and Lime" (below on the left). Dickinson's poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "Between the form of Life and Life" (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

Between the form of Life and Lime
The difference is the ice
And Liquor at the Lip with salt
Is Liquor to Entice
The matter – excellent to sip –
And for ecstatic need
On the rocks is superior –
I know for I have tried

By Emily Dickinson:

Between the form of Life and Life
The difference is as big
As Liquor at the Lip between
And Liquor in the Jug
The latter – excellent to keep –
But for ecstatic need
The corkless is superior –
I know for I have tried

Thirst Editions

3/23/2019

From our 19th century historian, Eudora Dickinson:

I saw this on Twitter today:

Of course Mr. Atkinson's chart might make one wonder what libations would top a similar list for poets?

Well, in the case of the Dickinsons, we know exactly what would rank as their "thirst editions."

For Emily Dickinson -- and her sister Lavinia -- the choice would be a keg of beer. There was nothing the sisters loved more than frat parties and keggers at Amherst college.

For Emmett Lee Dickinson, Emily's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request, the choice would be a Margarita, the lime libation he invented! Information about Dickinson & his delicious concoction is HERE.

Of course, Emmett Lee Dickinson knew of his third cousin Emily's fondness for keggers at Amherst College, and he immortalized her addiction to frat parties in his now-classic poem, "As School Bells end the summer" (below on the left). His poem inspired Emily to pen her poem "As Sleigh Bells seem in summer" (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

As School Bells end the summer
And Boys, at Amherst show –
So friendly – so flirtatious
The individuals go
Replete with strong libations –
A Party does ensue –
She’s down there in an instant
Till Dawn the Ingénue.

By Emily Dickinson:

As Sleigh Bells seem in summer
Or Bees, at Christmas show –
So fairy – so fictitious
The individuals do
Repealed from observation –
A Party that we knew –
More distant in an instant
Than Dawn in Timbuctoo.

Pictured at the right: In 1849, Emily Dickinson wrote to her cousins Frances and Louisa Norcross. In her letter, Dickinson stated the following:

"There is to be a party at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house tomorrow night. They say that home is where the heart is ~ I think it is where the Sigma house is, and the adjacent buildings.

Vinnie and I will be happy amid this delightful kegger, and well we will drink our icy beers ~ and the world there will be so beautiful, and things so sweet and fair, that my heart will be soothed and comforted."

Unofficial Business

5/29/2017

From our entertainment editor Qwerty Lee Dickinson:

It’s Memorial Day Weekend – the unofficial start of summer! When is it officially summer? When the earth hits the summer solstice on Wednesday, June 21st. While it’s not officially the summer, we thought we’d share some other unofficial and official starts times for things associated with summer:

UNOFFICIAL START/ END

OFFICIAL START/ END

Summer Season

From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend

The summer solstice, June 21, through the autumnal equinox, September 22.

Hot Dog Eating Season

From the start of the baseball season to the end of baseball season.

From the start of baseball season to the night before the starting day of the next year's baseball season.

Margarita Season

From Cinco de Mayo through October 15th, the end of Hispanic Heritage month.

Every Friday at 5:00 p.m. until the bars close after Saturday night -- and every Happy Hour throughout the year.

Shark Season

From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.

Any time throughout the year you're in the ocean.

Romphim Season

As long as the fad lasts.

Never (and men who wear romphims will regret any photos in a matter of years if not months).

Below: Bannon, Kushner and Trump rock the romphim.

And since it's unofficially summertime, we thought we'd post Emmett Lee Dickinson's now-classic poem, "It will be Summer -- eventually" (below on the left) -- the inspiration for the Jamie's summertime hit, "Summertime Summertime." Not only did Dickinson's poem inspire Tom Jameson to write "Summertime Summertime," it also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem "It will be Summer -- eventually" (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

It will be Summer – eventually.
Ladies – in bikinis –
Surfing Gentlemen – with Boards –
And outdoor Grills – with Weanies –

Give up the schoolyard landscape –
As tho’ it’s time to Play –
Go drifting deep in Oceans –
The Beaches call – today –

The Teachers – ending another year –
Will shelve their papered load –
The Kids – take up a merry tune –
Their Parent’s cokes – are rummed –

The Waves Rise – ridden at the Crest –
Head Straight – for those Hills
The everlasting rocking’s – set –
For Gnarly Surfers’ – thrills –

The Summer holds its miracles –
The Fireflies – do – enchant –
Let Cymbals crash – and just have Fun –
Till School Bells say – we can’t –

By Emily Dickinson:

It will be Summer – eventually.
Ladies – with parasols –
Sauntering Gentlemen – with Canes –
And little Girls – with Dolls –

Will tint the pallid landscape –
As 'twere a bright Bouquet –
Tho' drifted deep, in Parian –
The Village lies – today –

The Lilacs – bending many a year –
Will sway with purple load –
The Bees – will not despise the tune –
Their Forefathers – have hummed –

The Wild Rose – redden in the Bog –
The Aster – on the Hill
Her everlasting fashion – set –
And Covenant Gentians – frill –

Till Summer folds her miracle –
As Women – do – their Gown –
Or Priests – adjust the Symbols –
When Sacrament – is done –

When Life Gives You Limes...

5/5/2017

From our food editor Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Emmett Lee Dickinson, a certified mixologist from Harvard Junior College, invented the margarita. He tried to get congress to set May as National Margarita Month, but ultimately congress voted February 22nd as “National Margarita Day” in honor of Margarita Seward, the sister of President Lincoln's Secretary of State William Seward. Information is HERE.

However, more margaritas are consumed on May 5th – Cinco de Mayo – than on National Margarita Day. As a matter of fact, Dickinson advocated responsible margarita consumption between February 22nd and May 5th, a period of the year which Dickinson referred to as “the Lime of the Year.”

Dickinson’s first reference to “the Lime of the Year” appeared in his now-classic poem, “This was in the Lime of the Year” (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem “This was in the White of the Year” (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

This was in the Lime of the Year –
When – we blend the Green –
Drinks are as refreshing now to drink
With Nachos then to be seen –

Looking forward to all that’s left
From the pitcher – we pour –
Close inspection shows Rimmed with salt,
Most times I want more.

By Emily Dickinson:

This was in the White of the Year –
That – was in the Green –
Drifts were as difficult then to think
As Daisies now to be seen –

Looking back is best that is left
Or if it be – before –
Retrospection is Prospect's half,
Sometimes, almost more.

When life gives you limes, make margaritas! And be sure to use Dickinson tequila! Info is HERE.

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor

2/27/2017

From our food editor Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Recently I wrote about National Margarita Day and National Tortilla Chip Day and their connections to Emily and Emmett Lee Dickinson. You can find that post HERE.

I thought I would follow up with some additional information about the various tequilas distilled at Dickinson’s Tequila Plant on Dickinson Lake in historic Washerst, PA (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson).

Pictured below left: Dickinson's Tequila Plant on Dickinson Lake in historic Washerst, PA. Pictured below right: Blue Agave Plantation in Washerst, PA, the exclusive supplier for blue agave to Dickinson's Tequila Plant.

Dickinson’s Tequila Plant distills their tequilas from the blue agave plant harvested at Blue Agave Plantation in Washerst which grows some of the finest blue agave in the world. As a result, Dickinson’s Tequila Plant produces a wide variety of excellent tequilas, including those shown below.

There's only one word that truly describes Dickinson's tequilas: sublime!

Queso-rah, So-rah

2/25/2017

From our food editor Verla Burrell-Bordelon:

Last week was a big week in the world of Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request): Wednesday was National Margarita Day and Friday was National Tortilla Corn Chip Day.

Emmett Lee Dickinson, a certified mixologist from Harvard Junior College, invented the margarita – originally called the Lime Plantation Punch and later changed to margarita – and he tried to get congress to set May as National Margarita Month. Ultimately congress voted February 22nd as “National Margarita Day” in honor of Margarita Seward, the sister of President Lincoln's Secretary of State William Seward.

It was Margarita Seward who first proposed the idea that the United States should purchase Alaska from Russia, and Margarita played a pivotal role in “wining and dining” Russian Ambassador Аркадий (Arkady) Popov and getting him to sign the papers sealing the deal. Of course, instead of “wining” him with wine, she served Dickinson’s latest sensation, the Lime Plantation Punch, later changed to margarita in honor of Ms. Seward.

Pictured below left to right: Margarita Seward, sister of Secretary of State William Seward; Russian Ambassador Аркадий (Arkady) Popov; Seward and Popov together on the very night Seward juiced Popov up with Emmett Lee Dickinson's latest drink sensation, the Lime Plantation Punch.

National Tortilla Chip Day, a day set aside for the crunchy snack loved by millions across the nation, is observed annually on February 24th, the very day that Emily Dickinson invented the recipe for Cajun Nachos. Emmett Lee Dickinson took her idea one step further: he invented the all-you-can-eat nacho bar (first introduced on a river boat on the Monongahela River). More information about the Dickinson-nacho connection can be found HERE (scroll down to the entry dated November 5).

Emily Dickinson was inspired to create her recipe for nachos because of Emmett Lee Dickinson’s now-classic poem, “They were given to us by the Gods” (below on the left). Dickinson’s poem also inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem, “It was given to me by the Gods” (below on the right).

By Emmett Lee Dickinson:

They were given to us by the Gods –
Tortilla chips made of Corn –
They give us Baskets most – you know –
When we sit down – to dine.
I hold one in my Hand –
Afraid to put it down –
For if I dare to dip – and eat –
I fear they will be gone –
I hear such words as “Yum” –
Hungering for our meal –
From lips of diners with the Chips –
All given with a smile.
Rich! ‘Tis Myself – is rich –
To eat the chips of Gold –
And Gold to own – Tortilla Chips –
With Queso – made so bold –

By Emily Dickinson:

It was given to me by the Gods –
When I was a little Girl –
They given us Presents most – you know –
When we are new – and small.
I kept it in my Hand –
I never put it down –
I did not dare to eat – or sleep –
For fear it would be gone –
I heard such words as "Rich" –
When hurrying to school –
From lips at Corners of the Streets –
And wrestled with a smile.
Rich! 'Twas Myself – was rich –
To take the name of Gold –
And Gold to own – in solid Bars –
The Difference – made me bold –