Bits and Pieces

Now that all my favorite blogs have the Liebster Award I can relax and move on. The shine has worn off.

I was reading was passes for a newspaper in this city when the phone rang. It was my best buddy, Duke, checking up on me. He was worried because he hadn't seen any updates on my blog. He'd also noticed I hadn't commented on any other blogs last night. Between him and my Sweet Wife I can't get away with any mischief. God has surely blessed me with some fine friends. He has some tough duty today. He must make arrangements for hospice care for his sweet mother in law.

I've received word that my sweet kymber has sprouted wings and is on her way down here for a bit of sunshine and to kick my a$$. It should be fun.
I'll admit it, as I said early this morning, I was wrong. I should have stayed home under house arrest. I was fine until I reached my shop. I flipped on the light in my office, took a chair, and next thing I know an hour or two has passed and my desk was covered in papers. The mail beneath my door slot was two feet high. Dust was deep too. Took it upon myself to clean the place. Big mistake. I felt something slid down my leg. It hit the floor with soft, 'plop,' Part of my wounds bandage and packing had fallen out. Said, 'screw it,' and kept at it.

Later, at Publix, I began to sweat, my steps faltered. Said to myself, 'man up.' I finished my task and hit the road. When I arrived home there was a trailer in front of my house and two men were cutting and removing leaves from my yard. It was my friend, Senior Chief and his helper. My yard looks great. Thank you my friend. His sweet wife, Jacked Up Glock Mom, had also sent along a loaf of fresh baked bread and a get well card. See what I mean about good friends.

So Santorum sweep a few states last night. Big deal. This race is far from over and I'm afraid we'll be stuck with 'his highness' for four more years. Get ready.

When Sweet Wife arrived home last night she stopped and said, "Something smells good." I'd made fajitas. When she'd finished her second she looked at me and said thanks, then commenced to chew me out for my efforts. No respect...

I need to sneak out into the garage today, remove clutter from my reloading bench and clean a few weapons. I've a couple of AR's and two or three handguns in need of my care. If I can't shoot I can at least dream. Besides, I love the smell of Hoppe's number nine. I once wrote the three best odors in the world are, of an early morning, Hoppe's, coffee, and fresh fried bacon. If there happens to be an old wood cookstove in the kitchen, all the better.

Last night I tried to watch that prepper show on History. It was okay, nothing special. You'd think the people interviewed would at least clean up their yards. After the first segment I said the hell with it and went back to bed. When they introduced the weed muncher the show jumped the shark....and what survivalist/prepper would agree to national television coverage of their preparations, their bugout plans, and armaments. Came across (and this is my take, don't be offended) as white trash on parade.

Time for me to answer comments. See you nice folks later.

Stephen

Quicky

Okay, I admit it - I over did it yesterday. Paid for it too. My muse took a hit at the same time as you can tell from the silence last evening.

I'll be back later to answer comments. It's time for coffee and breakfast. Cool here, 48. Nice.

Boo-hoo.

Stephen

Rambling

Today I have an escape plan in mind. I'm sure I'll tick off a few people, my doctor, nurse, and Sweet Wife, but I've had it with house arrest. The day nurse just left, so the rest of my day is free. My poor truck has been ignored long enough and I hear her pleas; come drive me. I shall.

I need to run by my shop and check on the stack of mail I'm sure is waste deep by now. I want to write and post a notice for my customers, if I've any left to read it, and perhaps gather a few files for that awful time when I begin my tax preparations.

I'd also like to sneak over to our local Publix and find a nice chunk of beef. I have a hankering for fajitas. All that beautiful salsa I made is a perfect addition for fajitas...

At least this is my plan. My condition might change my mind once I'm behind the wheel. I'll take it easy. What's that old saying, 'the best laid plans.'

I miss my Little Bit. Haven't seen her since last Friday, or was it Saturday. My days are a blur. Hopefully I can convince my son to allow her to spend this Friday night with us. I miss her something awful. Sweet Wife has taken my duties and drives her to school each morning. I'm jealous.

Rain is in the forecast. Should make for a great nap period when I return from my adventures into the real world. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Stephen

Last Post

Sorry, but I had to delete the last post. The darn thing just could not be corrected.

Anyway, I passed along this award to several chosen individuals I believe deserve it.

I haven't the time to list all of the links this evening...visitors, but will try and do so tomorrow.

Again, I'm sorry.

Stephen

Reading Material

I made a promise to list the books I read while under captivity. I believe it was to my friend, 45er. Anyway, here's the list.

I couple of these were downloaded on my Kindle.

'As Wind in Dry Grass,' by H. Grant Llewellyn. Apocalyptic fiction...not for the faint of heart, but a good story none the less.

'High Desert Barbecue,' by J.D. Tuccille. Not bad, not good. When you're bored out of your friggen mind you'll read whats available..it was recommended so I was stuck with it.

For the foodies out there, 'Nobody Knows The Truffles I've Seen,' by George Lang. This is a biography of the great restauranteur, Lang. The first section of the book deals with the atrocities, lives of the Hungarian Jews, at the hands of the Nazis leading up to and during World War two.  Yes, I've eclectic taste in literature.

I was well into, 'Deep Winter' by Thomas Sherry when I was discharged/escaped from the hospital. It was my forth or fifth reading. Highly recommended. It suffers for the lack of edit work, but its still a good adventure. Again, apocalyptic fiction set in eastern Washington State.

Soft jazz is playing in the background, the coffee hot and fresh, and I'm at peace. I wish the same for you. God bless.

Stephen

Quiet Morning

I've next to nothing to say this morning...it's quiet and I'm soaking in the peace of it. Sweet Wife has returned to work. This is the first time in about twelve days I've been alone. The day nurse arrives later this morning to change my bandages, poke and prod, and repack.

She still has a hard time understanding the shelves of books. She asked me why certain volumes were dressed in archival plastic. I explained the books in question are first editions. Blank stare. So I changed direction and told her they were special and the plastic gave the books protection.

"Protection from what? They're just books."

"The elements, people's dirty hands, dust."

Blink, blink. Cow eyes.

"Are 'da expensive?"

I pointed towards one, said, "That book only had a first printing of two thousand copies. Half went to libraries. The others were sold from the trunk of the author's vehicle. Half of those were destroyed by misuse. I only know of two on the market. I own one. That book is worth two grand."

"Sweet Jesus Christ Almighty, a book be worth 'dat much money?"

"Yes." I said. She shakes her head and mumbled, "I done heard it all now."

Me too.

I'm several chapters behind on The Union Creek Journal, and with all this silence, I'll have a chance to jump back into the adventure. You can find the story, here.

If conditions warrant, I might just sneak outside and pop some squirrels from my garage. My trigger finger is itchy.  

Later, it's time for another cup of coffee. Take care, my friends.

Stephen

It's Time To Cook

I've a hankering for Irish Stew. So today, with my wife's help, I'll build one. I begin with a Roux. Slap a slab of bacon in my dutch oven and render it of its fat, add flour and with tender care bring it to the color of a pecan shell. This, after I brown my stew meat (beef) which delivers a rich flavor to the Roux.

Then butter, red potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots and mushrooms and believe it or not, small green Lima beans. Yes, I have my own twist on Irish Stew. Deal with it.

This is a file photo of a nice pot of stew, notice the herb string. I love the old Le Creuset. This old pot has cooked many a meal.

Last evening I made a batch of my famous Irish Kick-Ass Salsa. I'll try and get a picture for you...standby.

Sorry the picture is so out of focus. Notice the chip...there's a world of hurt in this bowl of tasty goodness. Wimps need not apply.

Gotta run, my day nurse is at the door. Be still my heart.

Later.

Stephen