Wait for it, it will be better.

If you are a recurring reader, you already know Miss Loosewheel.  The title of this blog was one of her favorite sayings.  It was as close as we ever came to "the talk".  Of course, it wasn't until later in life that I realized that by waiting for it, I had no comparative by which to judge.  Oh well.  By heeding her advice, I found the woman that makes my life complete...so once again, she was right.  Heading away from the R rated advice, I've discovered the aphorism holds true in so many areas.  In my parlance, "If it's worth it, it's worth waiting for."  Take gardening, for instance.  We didn't plant morning glories this year.  But they came up any way...in abundance.  For a split second, I was afraid they would escape their confines in the planter next to the garage and take over the yard.  Thankfully, we have pruners come in every night and trim the edges so they don't crawl down the railroad ties.  (I have on occasion, referred to these pruners as filthy vermin, damn rabbits, and the bane of my gardening existence, but in this case...pruners).  The question was, will they even bloom. 

Yup.  And in reference to the title. we did, and they are!  Know you are loved!

It's all a matter of position

Old age is marvelous.  I have found myself in better shape than I have ever been.  Actually, to be more accurate, I have found myself in different shapes than I ever have been.  I have this bursitis in my knee.  It's a strange duck.  When I'm actually involved in walking, etc., I don't notice it.  However, when I am at rest, it is not.  Thus, I have to periodically be sure that it has been shifted to avoid pain and agony.  Then there's this pain in my shoulder.  Makes the bursitis look and feel normal.  When I am at rest, the arm naturally dangles at my side.  Pain.  To relieve the pain, I have to move it so that it is at least horizontal to my vertical torso.  So over my head it goes.  Should you see me in bed, you would say to yourself, my god, that man is limber.  Look at how he lays there.  In truth, it's all about pain reduction.  Now, let's talk about getting up after sleeping.  Or let's not!  Truthfully, I revel in the aches and pains.  A) they mean I'm alive, and B) they remind me how lucky I am!  Oh, and C)  God bless Advil.  And you!

It was a gift

It's wash day.  Actually, it should have been wash day several days ago, but there were intervening necessities.  It happens.  You can imagine the loads.  There's the white load (with the cleaning rags and mops included).  There's the dark load.  There's the colorful load.  It's big.  And as it hits the washer, I thinks to myself, the red, black, and orange flowered shorts I am wearing would fit in this load.  As would the bright red t-shirt.  So off they come, and in they go, leaving me in this wrinkled suit I was issued at birth.  Being in the basement alone, I consider just finishing the wash that way, but an inherent fear of the neighbor stopping over and ridiculing me with derisive laughter causes me to reach for my robe.  It's a good, heavy, old robe of many colors in a herringbone pattern.  It was a gift from my bride.  Some time ago.  A LONG time ago.  It has seen several size changes in its wearer.  Sometimes, the belt is long enough to tie in a bow.  Sometimes the belt is long enough to tie.  It envelopes me in the comfort of an old friend.  I've been known to be seen in public with it, as I take out the garbage or go get the paper.  But there's something decadent about wearing it (and only it) at 1:24 in the afternoon.  Deliciously decadent.  It means that I am free--unencumbered with places to be or things to do.  I'm seeing a nap on the horizon, cuddled in the soft terry-cloth.  I'm hearing that old refrain in my head;  if God had meant for us to wear clothes, he would have issued them at birth.  Who knows, I may finish the day in my robe.  One of the best gifts ever!  Know you are loved!

The recipes as promised

Quick and easy things to do to make people smile.  I'm all for them.  The four recipes below fit that description.  Give them a try, and know you are loved!

Empanadas
1 pkg. refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 pkg. Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage, browned
1 pkg. Pepperoni, chopped
3 green onions, chopped
Cheese of Choice
Chipotle Pepper Sauce (see accompanying recipe!

 Directions:  Remove one biscuit from whacker container.  On a smooth surface, press into a 3 to 4 inch diameter circle.  Place a small amount of the chipotle pepper sauce on the bottom half.  (Do not go to the edge, as you will need someplace to seal the empanada.)  Add the ingredients of choice (sausage, pepperoni, onions, cheese, or whatever!) on top of the chipotle sauce.  Bring the top half of the biscuit over the filling and press to seal all the way around.  (Should resemble a thickened semi-circle.)  Place in 350 degree oil and brown on one side.  Turn and brown the remaining side.  Drain on paper toweling and place on plate.  Add chipotle sauce on top and watch them disappear!

 Chipotle Pepper Sauce
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. flour
1 tsp. chopped garlic
2 cups heavy cream
1 Tbs. chicken base
3 chipotle chiles, chopped (in adabo sauce)
3 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup sour cream

 Melt butter in a heavy sauce pan.  Add garlic and saute for 1 minute.  Add flour and stir until slightly browned.  Add cream and base and stir until thickened.  Add chiles and cheese, stirring until the cheese melts.  Remove from heat and cool for 2 minutes.  Fold in sour cream.  Serve warm over entree of choice.  Keeps for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Curried Chicken Salad

Chicken breasts
Curry powder  2 tsp, divided
Celery 
Onion
Mayonnaise  1 cup

Saute breasts in oil flavored with 1 tsp curry powder.  Cook until done. 

Add chopped celery and onion to taste. 

Combine mayo and remaining curry.  Mix together and refrigerate until serving.

Stuffed Mushrooms

2 pkgs. white mushrooms, brushed clean, and 
1 pound fresh sage pork sausage
1/4 cup minced onion
1 large clove garlic, pressed
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
2/3 cup soft bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  
Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a rimmed jelly roll pan with nonstick foil and spray

lightly with vegetable oil.  Remove stems from the mushroom caps, trimming mushroom

stems and reserving them for the stuffing. Place mushrooms cavity side up on the 

prepared pan. Set aside. Place trimmed mushroom stems in a food processor fitted

with the metal blade. Pulse until roughly chopped into 1/4-inch bits. 

(Alternatively, you may also mince them with a knife.) Set aside. Saute sausage 

and onions in a skillet just until cooked through, breaking it up as you cook it. 

Drain any excess oil, if necessary. Add garlic and chopped mushroom stems. Gently 

saute until mushroom moisture is released and evaporates. Set aside to cool. 
Combine cooled sausage, mushroom stems, cream cheese, bread crumbs, and parsley. 

Mix thoroughly. Mound sausage mixture into mushroom caps. Sprinkle with Parmesan 

cheese and sweet paprika. 
Bake stuffed mushrooms for 25 to 30 minutes or until mushrooms are tender and 

tops are golden. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Raspberry Cream Cheese Pie

1 graham cracker crust

2 pkgs. fresh raspberries

1 pkg. frozen unsweetened raspberries

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

3 Tbs. corn starch

1 8 oz. cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup cool whip.

Place frozen raspberries in sauce pan.  Add sugar, corn starch and water. 

Mascerate and cook until thickened.  Set aside. Combine cream cheese, sugar, 

and cool whip.  Place in the bottom of the prepared crust.  Place fresh 

raspberries on top.  Cover with raspberry glaze and refrigerate for 4 hours or 

overnight.

As Floyd would say, "Keep our fork", but share your food, and know you are loved

Again with the visualization.

We're headed out to the lake for a barbecue.  After a long day of doing almost nothing, I headed for the shower to be clean and refreshed for the evening.  Of course, the end of the shower requires a sartorial choice.  It has been made.  The t-shirt?  Could be worn by a road crew fixing pavement.  I believe the color is subtly fluorescent in the lemon color shade.  The shorts?  Why, the lime green shimmery kind, of course.  What better way to access the lake than dressed as a huge bottle of seven up?  Natty, I believe the term is.  Or, is it LOUD?  The visualization, however, is a significant improvement over what you would have seen if I had chosen not to cover the body beautiful.  Now there's something to sleep on!  Know you are loved!

A double take

I was working on a Facebook post...called it a study in yellow.  Five different flowers all blooming...all capturing the sun's essence.  There was the primrose, the Asiatic lily, the day lily, the field of Sun Drops, and the portulaca.  On my way in to process the wealth, I happened to stop by a planter near the house...an insignificant collection of left-overs--dahlias, miniature zinnias--and there on the end, nestled quietly in the corner, was this beauty!  It was the first time I had seen it.  Quietly and unassumingly existing in the shadow of the taller, more "majestic" flowers.  More majestic?  I think not.  What vibrancy of color.  What ability to elicit wonder and awe.  Sometimes, as the song in Nunsense says, "it's not the biggest drum" that captures the breathtaking awe.  It's the quiet ones.  You are loved!

Erato Srikes Again or--here's a little rhyme for you to spend some time!

As I sit here, lost in thought
I harken back to what was taught
"If writing is your plan today
Just get started right away,

Write about the things you know
Write about what life does show."
Sage advice I must admit
Write it quick and don't you quit.

But overhead, a buzzing heard
A sound to which I'm not inured.
It seems that goodness, my oh my
There is a pesky honking fly.

Not a raven--not like Poe
Bur regardless, quite a foe
On my shoulder, then my head
If I were quicker, be it dead.

But age has dulled the quickness gene
And flailing does seem so obscene
I know!  I'll leave the room I'm in
For surely quitting's not a sin

When plagued by demon ugly fly
I know, I'm just the kind of guy
Who'll start again, who knows the score
Who won't proclaim it's "nevermore!"

Just a little ditty to hopefully put a smile on your face and a total understanding that you are loved!