Thankful

I try to balance my posts between the sublime and ridiculous, the maudlin and the humorous. With that in mind, I decided to make a list of things that I'm thankful for. I've done enough bitchin' lately. The pity-party is over for awhile. Or tomorrow, since it will be a Monday.

• I'm thankful that I still have my health despite what I do to my body on a daily basis.
• I'm thankful that my dad is still healthy enough to play tennis with me most Saturday mornings.
• I'm thankful that I now have the opportunity to beat his ass soundly like he used to do to me everytime.
• I'm thankful for air conditioning at home, in the truck, and at work this time of year.
• I'm thankful that I'll never have to scrape snow and ice off of my truck ever again. The trade-off between living up North or down South is in my favor. As long as the A.C. holds out.
• I'm thankful to have the restaurant blog community to provide all the drama I ever need, although I miss being in the thick of it during a well-run, busy dinner rush.
• I'm thankful that I'll never have to apologize to a table of d*ckwads for something that deserved no apology.
• I'm thankful for relaxed, languid Sundays to read the paper with a strong pot of coffee, a pack of smokes, the British Open on the TV (Go Tom!), and not having to shower if I don't feel like it.
• I'm thankful for the Sunday edition of www.postsecret.com to give me something to read after the newspaper. Which makes me feel better about my own life. Mostly.

Gotta go now. I've got some serious lounging to do.

A Life Too Short

This picture was taken at the funeral of my uncle, Greg. Greg loved Harleys. Greg was 4 years younger than me. Greg had a much rougher life than I did, but he lived life 365/24/7. Greg conquered cancer once, but succumbed when it returned with a vengeance.

Hat's off to you Greg, I'll be lucky if 1/10th as many people show up to my funeral. Or give me use of their super-cool hearse and limo gratis. You touched so many lives when you could have been a lost, forgotten man so easily due to life's circumstances.

You were younger than me, but wise and mature beyond your age. You will be missed. But always loved. Love ya, bro.

D.I.Y. Can Be A Pain

I don't go out to eat near as much as I used to. When I lived in Michigan and was securing a heftier pay-check, I would go out to eat with friends at least once a week or so. The change from then is mostly from my growing affection for cooking from scratch at home. And, large credit card bills. Frugality and a maturing palate conspired to make me want to cook for myself.

I pulled from my memories the recipes that I wanted to clone. Toothsome and hearty Oyster Dressing from my mom's dad. Rich, decadent banana pudding from my dad's mom. Christmas cookies from my mom's grandma. Macaroni salad from my mom. All bring back memories. And all bring high expectations. I persevered and can cook side-by-side any family memory.

I might be eating as well as I did before. But, I'm missing the busser, server, dishwasher package offered at restaurants.