Family Christmas

No pictures. They didn't come out too good so I'm not going to post them.

Sunday, the 27th, was our family Christmas party. Every one was here except Anne and the boys. Anne had been in Chicago for a week due to her father-in-law’s death. The storms in Chicago and the upper mid west for that matter were epic! No chance of her getting home before the party and, further, she’d be in no mood to drive up from Maryland after a long plane ride home.

The party was in full swing when I saw a strange van pull into the driveway. I asked everyone if they know anyone who drove a large Toyota van. Someone said it must be Anne and that’s when I screamed for Kathy. ANNE AND THE BOYS ARE HERE!!!!!!! I wasn’t too excited.

We hadn’t seen them for about a year and a half and I really missed them. What a great surprise. It was great to have my Maryland grandsons and their mother in my house for a couple of days. I had converted the den into a guest bedroom and FINALLY I had the guest I made the room for.

They went back today and got home around 7 this evening. Anne fought the wind all the way down. She said the Jersey Turnpike was closed to cars pulling trailers and motorcycles. Who in their right mind would be riding a motorcycle on a day like today? Wind chills in the single digits. Windsor Locks had a wind gust today of 56 mph.

Anyway, it was a wonderful weekend. Now back to normal.

My Christmas Ah-Ha Moment

Peace on Earth to men of good will

These words came to me as I was contemplating my desire to avoid all controversy, especially political. This has been a recurring theme in e-mails received over the last couple of years, especially. I have been guilty of it myself in the past but I will no longer take that path.

Why don’t we have peace on earth? I guess it’s because we don’t have enough men of good will.

Is there any country in the world today that is not engaged in war? If it isn’t war with another country it’s a war with its own people…genocide.

I keep hearing about left wing and right wing and, honestly, I can never keep it straight which is which. But I do know that there is nothing that can fly on just one wing. No bird, no plane, no politician. If only one wing is operating, what is the other one doing? To not help with flight is to crash that which is trying to fly. Does that make sense? To be deliberately debilitating does not speak well for the reluctant wing.

So let’s cut to the chase: why do politicians do this? They have an agenda, which is based on greed and fear of lack. It becomes very personal. Where do their constituents come in? From what I can see, we don’t. Where has honesty and acting for the good of the whole gone?

Now lets talk about a governing body that is referred to as sitting on one side of the aisle or the other. Apparently someone drew a line that is never supposed to be crossed, and when it is all hell breaks lose. No wonder nothing gets done in our states’ and nation’s capitol. Everyone is too damned focused on “What’s In It For Me?”

And in the political process, there are lies about the other “side” from both sides. To the point where someone like me, doesn’t know who to believe any more and so I shut down completely. Is that the way politics is supposed to work?

And when you add in…two senators will not vote for a bill unless their state gets more funding for something than any of the other states and this is called compromise! That’s a bunch of bull. In the final analysis I hope that chunk of pork is withdrawn from the pot. How dare they?

What about me? Was anyone concerned about what I thought when I was still willing to think? Probably not and that’s why I’m the way I am today when it comes to politics and all the horrors going on around the world.

What will it take to get both wings working together?
What will it take to get rid of the aisle?
What will it take for me to stop turning my back on all the bad politics, war, genocide, and all the other horrors going on in the world today?

Enough men of good will to bring about peace on earth.

The “Ben Johnson” Upgrade

Back on Dec. 5th, I gave you the recipe for the Ben Johnson hot sandwich. It is a delicious sandwich, but I thought it could be better.

First I replaced the crusty French bread with Portuguese rolls, because I have a hard time chewing crusty breads. That goes for bagels, too. I slice the rolls in half lengthwise and use only one half for my meal...so I get two meals per roll.

Then I increased the amount of deli turkey. I still use 2 slices, but I have it cut a little thicker. You can play with that according to your taste.

I also increased the Swiss cheese to three slices.

But, the biggest upgrade of all is the addition of cooked bacon between the turkey and the cheese.

I cook the bacon in the microwave (3 min. on high) then break each slice in half and lay on top of the turkey before placing the cheese on top.

I have also started putting the half roll in the toaster oven as it heats up to 350°. (I don’t broil it any more.) This starts warming up the roll before the French dressing goes on.

So there it is in recipe form:
Start heating toaster oven to 350°
Put 3 slices of bacon in microwave to cook
Slice Portuguese roll in half, lengthwise and place in oven
When roll is warm, spread with French dressing
Put slices of turkey on warmed roll
Put slices of bacon on turkey
Put Swiss cheese on top of bacon
Put into toaster oven for 6 minutes at 350°
Enjoy

The method and ingredients leave a lot of room for experimentation. It’s the type of open faced sandwich that you can cut into 1” wide pieces and serve as finger food. Be sure to make enough!

This Year's Christmas Tree

My Weighty Problem

I started working out (at home) on December 2nd. The first two weeks I was able to work out only two days each…this body just was not recovering fast enough. This past week I was able to work out three days. So, it’s been a total of 7 workouts.

Progress report
I have lost 1.2 lbs
Reduced my waist by ½ inch
Hips stayed the same

The fact that I have seen positive results (though small) in only 3 weeks will keep me going. It may be a while before the weather will be conducive to walking on “off” days, but I will add walking to the regimen.

I look forward to spring when I can dust off my bike and start riding again. By that time I’ll be in my new home…wherever that will be!

Diet?
No. I eat as I always have (in recent years) which is sensible and balanced. I’ve never been one to keep junk food in the house so my snacks are apples and bananas until next summer when peaches will replace apples.

The Blizzard Is Coming! The Blizzard Is Coming!

That’s all we heard for days. Meteorologists from Atlanta to Augusta (and beyond) were warning us of the possible snow depths to come, accompanied by high winds, and the likelihood that the shopping Super Saturday would be a big bust.

Yesterday was “D” Day (D for dumped on). The snow started over Connecticut around noon. And I mean “over”. It was snowing in the upper atmosphere but the air was so dry, it couldn’t make it to the ground. I was ready…fridge and cupboards stocked. The snow started at 10:30 p.m. I wondered if the delay in “touch down” would greatly affect the total snowfall.

When I awoke this morning it was sort of a disappointment to see only 4” of the white stuff on the ground. I guess the delay did affect the totals.

I got out there with Big Red and blew the snow away in no time. It was very light and fluffy. Then I shoveled off the deck and headed for the hot chocolate and a hot shower.

I lookout out around 4:45 this afternoon and the southwest horizon was glowing red like hot coals in the fireplace. I predict tomorrow will be spectacular!

A Real Snow Storm

The forecast was for snow followed by torrential rains. So when I measured 4” of snow and it was changing over to rain, my assumption was: the rain will get rid of the snow.

Do not ever assume
Thinking I would not have to do any snow removal, I proceeded with my full body workout. This is only the second week I’ve been doing these particular exercises, so I can count on some muscle soreness for the next two days.

By late morning it was obvious the torrential part of rain was not going to happen and I had water compacted snow in the driveway plus the piled up glop at the end of the driveway.

Small bites
I shoveled (tiny bit by tiny bit) a 3-4 foot strip of the glop at the end of the driveway (that was full of water and very heavy), then I did the same thing up near the garage. I fired up the snow blower and tackled the rest of the driveway. Snow blower is not a proper term for how it handled this stuff…snow plopper is more descriptive. Eventually the driveway, front steps and walk were clean as a whistle.

How fatigued?
And I was physically spent. I managed to make lunch and once I got into my chair in front of the TV I promptly fell asleep. You know how they tell you to work your muscles to the point of “muscle failure.” In other words, until you cannot do one more rep. That’s how my entire body felt.

Back on track
It’s not a good idea for me to work out and do heavy yard work in the same 3 hour period. It just goes to show how out of shape I am. I will not use my age as an excuse. I have been sedentary this year but that has come to an end. I have turned over a new leaf and will get my body back in shape.

Physical improvements already
After the first two workouts last week I noticed I could walk without my right hip flexor hurting. That’s huge! As a bonus, I am able to turn over in bed without that “spot” in my sacral area hurting. If I can do that in just two sessions, just imagine what I can accomplish in 2 months!

I have an appointment with my chiropractor, Dr. Jen Veit, for a tune-up. I’m sure she will “unlock” the sacral area so I can move better. I lock up on the left, which causes me to compensate thus causing discomfort on the right. I’ll be much better after I see her.

First Non-Snowstorm of the Year

We were prepped and primed for 2 to 6 inches. I was hoping for more that three. Less than three inches and my snow blower is useless and I have to shovel.

The photos above tell the story! The driveway was a layer of ice with a dusting of snow on top. The deck out back had a thin “fuzz” of ice with about an inch of snow on top.

What happened?
My driveway was warm when the snow started so the snow melted on contact. It was very wet by the time the temperature got low enough to make the snow stick then everything froze.

Scramble
I wasn’t concerned about the driveway…no one is going to come out on the day after a snow storm to look at houses. WRONG!

My real estate agency called...I have someone coming between 4 and 4:30 this afternoon. I flew out the door and found I could shovel away most of the ice at the end of the driveway. Between the sun and whatever application the town put down to stop the roads from freezing were working in my favor. I ran to the hardware store to get some de-icer and threw that on the places where ice was stubbornly clinging to the steps and driveway.

I gave it a while to work…I actually ran over to the nursing home to see my mother and collect her laundry…and when I got back the de-icer had done its job.

BUT
Now the driveway is pretty much ice free, but it’s wet. If it doesn’t dry before the temperatures start going down again, IT’S GOING TO FREEZE ALL OVER AGAIN.

Smart!
When I was cleaning out the garage, getting ready to put the house on the market, I gave Andy my buckets of sand. I didn’t think I’d need them again. What was I thinking?

At least folks won’t be dragging sand all through my house. They may slip and damage their derrière, but there will be no sand on their shoes.

More Cooking Adventures

The Ben Johnson Sandwich.

Never heard of it? Read on. Who was/is Ben Johnson/Jonson? Have you ever wished you hadn’t asked a question? That’s how I feel now that I asked, “Who was Ben Johnson/Jonson?” So I went out to the internet and found this:
Ben Johnson or Benjamin Johnson may refer to:
Ben Johnson (sprinter) (born 1961), Canadian sprinter
Benjamin Johnson (c. 1665–1742), English actor
Benjamin Johnson (judge) (1784–1849), United States federal judge
Ben Johnson (politician) (1858–1950), American lawyer
Ben Johnson (actor) (1918–1996), American actor
Ben Johnson (artist) (born 1946), British painter
Ben Johnson (pitcher) (born 1931), former MLB pitcher
Ben Johnson (outfielder) (born 1981), MLB outfielder
Ben Johnson (footballer) (born 1981) Australian rules footballer
Ben Johnson (cricketer) (born 1973), Australian cricketer
Benjamin F. Johnson (1818–1905), American pioneer

So I am no closer to the correct answer than I was before. Maybe he was the guy who invented the sandwich and that’s his only claim to fame! So much for curiosity!

It was at least 20 years ago, Anne and I went to Boston and, as usual, she knew exactly where she was at all times, and I was completely lost.

We went across to Cambridge and the Harvard Coop where somewhere nearby (I seem to think it was right around the corner from the Coop) was a restaurant…sort of a Rathskeller. Anne recommended the Ben Johnson sandwich.

I recently recalled the incident and Anne and I exchanged emails about what the sandwich was called and how it was made. Neither of us can remember the name of the restaurant. You already know the name of the sandwich, now here is how it’s made.

* Crusty bread such as a French Baguette.
* Cut into three equal sections and cut each section in half lengthwise.
* Slather each section with French dressing…don’t be afraid…you can’t use to much.
* Place two or more (folded to fit if necessary) slices of deli turkey on each section and, on top of that, two (or more) slices of Swiss cheese, also folded to fit. Use as much as you want…it’s your sandwich!
* Place under a broiler for 6 min. or until the cheese is well melted.

That’s it. Enjoy! Let me know if you make it and how you liked it.

Note: either before or after broiling, you can slice in 1” thick sections and serve as a finger food at a party. Make sure you have made plenty…they are good and will disappear quickly.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Photos:
Top left: Joe want's to know what's holding every thing up! He's hungry. That's Andy's back on the left and Kathy's head and hands, on the right, as she gets ready to carve the turkey.
Top right: The Feast
Bottom left: Joe and Jonathan loading up their plates.
Bottom right: Our just desserts (a few of them)!

Joe was home for Thanksgiving (just graduated from Marine boot camp) and the only way to give thanks for all the things we are grateful for, and say Welcome Home/Goodbye Joe was to have a dinner for all the families, friends and neighbors. Andy’s and Lori’s dining room wasn’t going to hold that crowd! So they hired the hall at the local firehouse.

Tables were set up for sitting at and tables for food. Oh, my gosh, did we have food. Everyone brought something. Notable was the turkey Kathy roasted and the ham Paul roasted. In addition we had roasted mixed winter veggies, mashed potatoes, stuffing, squash, cranberry sauce, gravy, rolls, butter, creamed corn casserole (to die for), a broccoli casserole, and another casserole I didn’t get a chance to investigate.

To say there was plenty of food left over for take-home, is an understatement.

And, yes, there was two fire calls while we were there so we all got to watch the trucks head out.

Nature Study

I have been noticing the lack of bird nests and squirrel nests in the trees around where I live. Usually, when I go for my walk, I take notice of nests. There aren’t many this year. Also, there are few squirrels and lots of acorns. That doesn’t seem to make sense. My yard used to be wall-to-wall squirrels, but this year I think I’ve seen very few. And there still are robins in the area.

What does it all mean? I haven’t a clue, but the change from the norm is very noticeable.

Getting Ready for Winter

I discovered one auger of my snow blower turns by itself. It isn’t supposed to. Andy looked at it and said it was the auger sheer bolt that was missing. I went to Honda and got a new one. We may get snow this coming Saturday afternoon; Andy will be over Saturday morning to do the ‘fix-it’. If Paul doesn’t work Saturday morning he’ll probably come too. I don’t know what I’d do without my two mechanics.

I need them to bring a chain saw. The high winds we had over night brought down two dead trees onto the lawn.

New Exercise Regimen

I have been bemoaning the fact for some time now that I haven’t been exercising or working out because this year has been crazy. I finally took the bull by the horns and have started a new exercise regimen that I will do 2 to 3 days a week (depending on how sore I am afterward) and will stick with it. I have to and I will not allow myself any excuses. If I don’t see the results (reduction in % of body fat) I’m looking for in 60 days, I’ll look for something else.

You notice I didn’t say reduction of weight. I said reduction in % of body fat. Big difference. I don’t say I want to lose weight, because that suggests I will be trying to find it again at some point. No, no. Once the % of body fat is reduced I will not be out there trying to find it again! ☺☺☺

I’ll post results once in a while, regardless of what the results are.