January 2016

If you’re a kid (or adult I guess) with a kraut sensitive nose, all you need is one of those old-school pocket change holders. You know the rubbery oval-shaped ones with the longways slit that you squeeze to open. Ask your grandfather of great grandfather if you’re not sure what they are. All you have to do is empty it and squeeze it and wear the slit by insert your nose before you release. Now you can enjoy walking around the house without the full-on olfactory assault. It also works for blocking the smell of cooking turnips. And yes, I did come up with this as a child in a time of absolute necessity.

Here are a few quotes to think about, “There is a lot of harm in trying something new. That’s why we test out drugs and cosmetics on bunny rabbits” Dr. Sheldon Cooper of The Big Bang Theory. “A soul patch! The dingle-berry of the beard community!” Wes Cole

January 2016

I recently caught the very tail-end of a Chew segment the other day that appeared to feature a dish that my Auntie Carmen would refer to as Puppy Chow (always a Cole crowd pleaser when we would go to Arkansas).  Anyways, I’m not sure of the ingredients other than Crispix (or equivalent) cereal, peanut butter, melted chocolate and powdered sugar?? It just made me wonder if perhaps the chocolate could be replaced with white chocolate of almond bark and cinnamon added to the powdered sugar.  Sound like something I wouldn’t be opposed to trying.  So this is my non-mental note to remember and try it.

Speaking of tasty food--- I think I just had the greatest recipe idea ever.  You know how many people make the crockpot dish of meatballs or cocktail wieners with the mustard, grape jelly, and sometimes bbq sauce concoction.  Well, how about substituting with chicken gizzards & hearts.  Now if that don’t sound good, then you are not as hungry as I must be right now.  I’m gonna try it one day!   Just grab some toothpicks and have a party.  Maybe even eat them on a sandwich with some coleslaw!! Feel free to go ahead and try it and let me know how it turns out.

December 2015

Today’s tune is Nirvana on the VH1 Unplugged album covering David Bowie’s “Man Who Sold the World.”  The whole album is good, but I like that song today.  And while I’m on music, I just want to say how glad I am that Pentatonics has become main stream.  They became a household name in my house when they won The Sing-Off a few years ago.  But I am glad to see an accapella group get some notoriety with a video and appearances on tv.  Pure talent! That’s all…. Okay, so once I get going, maybe it’s not that difficult.  I’ll try to keep the momentum going.   That’s all….  Love ya’ll.

November 2015

One toy/game we had as kids growing up was a checker set.  Ours was a round metal tin about the size of a large pizza that opened into two pieces.  On one side was printed a typical checker board.  On the other side was a Chinese checker board.  But here is what’s so strange; I don’t know anyone that knows how to play Chinese checkers.  I guess it’s just weird that we never learned or even attempted to learn!?  Just something I thought about.
It’s always important to keep some spare change in your car.  Yes, it’s good to have the right change if you’re in a drive thru and in a hurry, but don’t spend it all.  See, one time my dad & I were within pennies of washing dishes at Brooksie’s Barn.  And it was a Sunday lunch kinda day, it would have been a lot of dishes.  I don’t remember all the details, I know I was a teenager & was left at home or something (this was 20+ years ago) but I know between my father & myself & the change in the car, our friendly wait staff were unfortunately not left with a tip.  But we did not have to wash dishes!  So tip your servers people.  And keep change in the car.

October 2016

A good reason to own a Farmer’s Almanac is: you may show up somewhere at a bad time.  Like if your Grandparents have some new puppies, it might be useful to know that the “signs” say now is the proper time to dock their tails, then you could save yourself from getting recruited to help.  Pops, Rob, and me.  We were an assembly-line of holding, cutting, and powdering.  I was the powder man.  Not my fondest puppy memory ever.  Not by a mile.

Late July 2015

For all those counting, I am about 3 and a half years down and just past halfway home. I am so thankful to have people that love me and care for my will being. People who support me: I love you all and look forward to a long life of paying you back in some way. In here we dream. We dream of getting out. We dream of coming home. We dream of cars and houses. We dream of meals. We dream of fishing and golf. We dream of mountains and beaches. We dream of living life outside of these walls. And for some that will never happen. For some it will happen sooner than later. For many the world has changed and left us behind. I am so grateful to be on your radar so as to not be left behind. I know things have changed in the world I remember, but you all make me feel like I’m still a part of it. And I thank you.

No new recipe lately. Honestly I’m working on one. It’s gonna be part chocolate oatmeal cookie and part peanut butter /corn syrup and cornflake things my mom used to make. I’ll let you know. I’m pretty sure it’s gonna be amazing. Later.

July 4th 2015

I recently told my mother a quote about swearing. You know, I live in an environment where there tends to be a general acceptance of all things profane. Right or wrong, most people that know me may have heard a bad word once or twice. I mean no disrespect and I would never give someone a lashing that didn’t deserve it, but admittedly I have always been fond of those words. The kind that when written “makes you squint” someone once said. Anyways, I found a Mark Twain quote that said “Let us swear while we may, for in Heaven it will not be allowed.” I guess I say “amen” to that! Another quote that got my attention is by Victor Hugo – “Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones. And when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” It seems that I have a lot of quotes on my mind these days. I won’t share any more, but instead will give you all a homework assignment. If you’ve never read “The War Prayer” by Mark Twain, you should. It’s strange and thought provoking. It makes me think of the Old Testament battles and the empires, dynasties, and wars since then. I know our military personnel face difficult decisions every day and I’m thankful for all they do. But it is at a cost. A financial cost, a cost of lives, and the cost of their sanity when they return home. I know people in the military right now and I pray for them and their safety daily. We all should. Happy 4th everybody!