Memoir – Page 9 – garyskitchen.net

January 15, 2022

Beans for Breakfast – 01/15/22

Someone wanted to make a German Chocolate Cake for her birthday. Third store, strike three. Not a single baking bar for this cake to be found. To avoid having the trip become an absolute failure I stocked up on some dried beans. Picked up more beans for my Badass Black Eyed Peas – 2021 and more chickpeas because I like chickpeas. Two pounds of dried beans cost less than three bucks. I love beans not just for their taste, variety and health benefits but also as an excellent way to stretch the food budget.

More Beans Less Beef

We don’t eat meat everyday. Whether you’re looking to improve your health, save money, save the planet, or save a few cows less meat is better. Not that dedicated non-meat eaters need another reason for their lifestyles here you go:

Source: Economists to Cattle Ranchers: Stop Being So Emotional About the Monopolies Devouring Your Family Businesses

Four packing companies control 80% of the cattle industry. Another fine example of profits before people (and animals).

If you are a bean novice start here: https://usdrybeans.com/

I think I’ll makes some Sweet Potato and White Bean Hummus this week. It’s only around four years since I last made some.

Disclosure: I am not compensated for my fanatical obsession with beans but would gladly accept a sponsorship deal if offered one.

January 3, 2022

Chapter One – The Future Best Seller

This weekend the writing Mojo returned. I’ve begun exploring bits and pieces of writing from the past and abandoned my pursuit of perfection. A few hours of work, rewrites, and editing produced two short “potato chip” chapters of The Future Best Seller. You’ll find new chapter links in the top menu.

It helps having the day off from my Day Job.

Two chapters done and 38 more to go!

December 25, 2021December 24, 2021

Merry Xmas Y’all – 2021

December 24, 2021

Twas The Night Before Christmas

December 24, 2021

Twas Two Nights Before Christmas

December 23, 2021December 23, 2021

Twas Three Nights Til Christmas

What? You were expecting more Christmas music?

OK.

December 13, 2021

An Email From a Friend (it’s the little things that matter most)

“Writers might despair or suffer writer’s block, usually loudly, but they don’t decide to quit unless they are even more disturbed than they had to be in order to become writers in the first place.”
Herbert Gold – Not Dead Yet: A Feisty Bohemian Explores the Art of Growing Old

Last year during the holidays it was a text message from a man I used to do business with. This year it was a simple short email that brought a smile to my face. The following exchange happened today, edited lightly for reading.

Sun 12/12

Hey G-man, how you doing? It’s T-Box. Just wanted to say hi and wish you and your family a Happy Holidays. Hope everyone is healthy and doing well.

You still working? I know you are getting old and have some grandbabies you would rather spend time with.

Deb and I are doing well, staying home and staying healthy. Been looking at moving back to Missouri “from wenz I came” or something like that. Still working, at least until I drop dead. If Deb can figure out a way for me to draw a paycheck after I’m dead, I may be working even after that.

Anyway, Happy Holidays and take care.

Hey T-Box, always good to hear from you and glad to know you’re not dead yet. I hope everyone on your side is healthy and doing well despite nearly two years of The Great Pandemic. Never forget how fortunate we both are during these difficult times.

Yes I am still working. Getting old is a process and a privlege denied to many. The best part about getting old is you’re not old until you get there. You and I aren’t quite there. Yet.

We would love spending more time with The Tiny Generation. But for now 1-2 visits a month is fine and there’s plenty of video chats in between.

Barb and I have also talked about moving closer to the tiny people. But there’s no guarantee one or both of their parents might get a job offer they simply cannot refuse and move away Also anything we buy will be smaller and more expensive than the house we’re in. So those conversations continue…

Let’s agree to keep as much distance between Deb and Barb as we possibly can. They think alike which is a scary thing. If they ever put their heads together they’ll figure out a way for both of us to keep working after we’re dead. Sounds like a rough eternity if you ask me.

Happy Holidays, take care of yourselves and each other. Stay in touch!

December 5, 2021

Then Today Happened – 12.05.21

A few days ago the weather got cooler and thoughts of chili, soups, and stews started swirling in my head. Then today happened.

I mowed the back yard AND raked up leaves.

The Boss just got back from Sunday errands.

“Beer? It’s not even 5:00 0’clock!”

It’s also not supposed to be 75 degrees F here in December.

November 30, 2021

The Tale of Two Turkeys – 2021

T-Day this year was at our house and it was just the second time in nearly 20 years we hosted. For many years we traveled to Texas and one year we ended up in Owasso OK. But this year The Texans came north. We had a small gathering of five humans and one Aussie. Shopping for a small dinner crowd like this should have been simple. But as the Great Pandemic continues to affect aspects of our lives we all have not experienced I had to go to multiple stores to find what I needed. The sandwich meat and cheese purchase was left for the last day of shopping the day before T-Day. And as I circled the store searching for bargains I stumbled upon a refrigerated display of fresh turkeys.

Yup. Dried pasta is 50% more expensive per pound. A tub of strawberries was over $6.00 at the same store. Ground beef was seven times the price per pound. So I could not resist. I bought the little fellow.

nOn Sunday I roasted Turkey Two. I decided to cook the bird and freeze portions for future meals. My mind has been wandering to the many ways of making leftover turkey palatable. But it’s not been easy since we are tired of turkey right now. So in no particular order here’s what I learned this year shopping for the feast.

Take Home Lessons

During The Great Pandemic in the midst of shortages you will find items overbought and undersold in the stores. Take advantage of these situations if and when you find them. I’ve come across similar price reductions in different stores usually in the refrigerated departments. As an example, BOGO imported Danish Havarti with the sell by date out in March 2022. I guess none of my neighbors like Harvarti.
Be flexible. If you have to have strawberries you’ll pay up for them. But it might be time to eat other fruits that are more reasonably priced. Like bananas, apples, or those tiny oranges. Dried fruits work well too.
Eat lower on the food chain. I picked up a pound of dried black eyed peas for $1.50 because you have to have black eyed peas for New Years in my part of the world. Eat more beans because they are good for you and good for your checking account balance. Learn to like beans.
Add more meat-free meals to your diet. Yesterday for lunch I had Chickpea and Sweet Potato Stew. Dinner tonight will be a massive mutant baked sweet potato and a side salad. You don’t need meat at every meal. Over the holiday weekend I happened to mention making Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole. The reaction from our guest was priceless. I guess some people don’t like squash.
A six pound turkey doesn’t have a lot of turkey in it. This little fellow was kind of like a huge chicken only bonier. Still, I think I have enough cooked bird in the freezer for three more entrees.