The Omelette and The Wife

After the rain I took a walk around the yard and brushed against one of my rosemary bushes. The rich scent tagged and followed me for the rest of my stroll. For some odd reason it triggered my need for a nice hot omelette. I return and snip off a couple of sprigs.

In the kitchen I set to work. I slice a small section of red onion, take a couple of tablespoons of Ricotta cheese, the rosemary and after I chop the onion and rosemary very fine, whip in six eggs. Add kosher salt and a nice amount of pepper.  Not a mushroom in the house but you make do with what's available.

Sweet Wife's at the kitchen table with her laptop and two monitors. She's hard at work. She doesn't do, kitchens. Can't boil water. She has other gifts.

I place butter in my skillet and whip the egg mixture. It smells good. When the butter is hot I pour the egg mixture and the kitchen is filled with the aroma of onion and rosemary.

Sweet Wife, from around the corner, "What are you doing in there?"

Me, all smartass, "Cooking."

"I know that, but what are you cooking?"

"An omelette,  I'm hungry." Let's face facts - one can only eat so much tree bark and grass. Diets suck.

Tap, tap, tap. Shuffle of chair. She walks into my kitchen. Stands quietly against my shoulder. She smells good too.

Sniff, sniff. Then, "That smells wonderful. How in the world do you cook like this, Honey."

"Beats me, I just do. And, I know. It does smell good doesn't it."

Silence.

"I'm hungry too."

Me, again, all quiet and stoic.

Then, "Honey, I love you."

"I know, and I love you, too."

Wait, I said to myself, here it comes.

"May I have some omelette too?"

"Not sure there's enough. I only had six eggs."

This, is fun.

Then she gets serious..."Honey."

"Yes, Dear."

"If you know what's good for you you'll give me half."

I know what's good for me.

Stephen

Flavor

I shall spend our stormy and wet afternoon with one of my favorite magazines.

This months issue is dedicated to bread baking. Since I can't bake worth a flip it should prove to be interesting.

Guess I'm just hungry.

Stephen

Hey, What 'da Heck

Now when did this happen...all new post layout.

I hate change.

Stephen

It's Early

I took a walk this morning about 0300, and have since had my fill of the news. Just wanted to let you guys know I'm sorry for the lack of attention to this blog. Still have problems with sleep.

Tried to write yesterday and my muse failed me. She's a fickle little girl, Miss Muse.

See you nice folks later today.

Stephen

The One Hundred Yard Challenge

I like this 'ole boy. I also like the fact he took his challenge only using a bi-pod, but feel its still cheating. Too many use the crutch of a bench rest and sand bags to shoot. A rifleman should be able to hit this target from the standing position. Then again, he's shooting for a personal score. Why be picky.

Stephen

Bits & Pieces

In honor of Mrs. S., I've just switched on my coffeemaker.

Our weatherjerk has forecast rain and I'm prepared. I've a good book (One Second After, my third or forth reading) and it seems a quiet day to relax. I'm at work, but after a day like yesterday where the action was none stop and a few days after payday, I think it'll be slow around here today.

I do have a couple of long pieces to write. These memories have haunted me for weeks and I need to get them recorded while they're still fresh in my mind. Trouble is, I like to write when I'm certain I'll not be disturbed, which isn't possible here at the shop.
Someone will always walk in and flop down and want to talk. I'm not good at idle chit-chat. Some even call me reserved, too quiet. So be it. Anyhow, maybe I'll write a longer piece today. I always hammer my pieces out. Never a draft, just write as the words pour from my mind. Not an easy process. I seldom if ever edit, and that tells on me. So, we'll see how it goes today.

I have a working title for one of the pieces. South Moon Under. Don't steal it or I will track you down. I'll find 'ya and smack 'ya one. One or two of you might have read Majorie Kinnan Rawling's novel of the same title. It was one of my favorite books as a young man. Its setting was but a few miles from my current home. If you haven't as yet read the book, you're missing something wonderful. It is available in Kindle edition.

The piece I hope to write, of course, will be very different and from memory, if my muse allows. It isn't pretty. As I've written in the past, memories are killing.

Little Bit was very chipper this morning. She will attend the zoo today (they should be there now) with her class and her step-mother as one of their chaperons. She bounced in her seat and had the biggest smile planted on her face...."Papa, we get to eat a sack lunch. It's wonderful, Papa. A real sack lunch."

Hey, it's the little things.

"Papa, do you like the zoo?"

Game time.

"No, Honey, Papa doesn't like the zoo."

"Why not?" She turns to me and puts on one of her pouts. "You and Nana take me all the time."

I waited for an adjustment to my driving and glanced over and smiled and said, "Cause, it stinks, and its always hot and its expensive and the snacks cost far too much and the zoo doesn't allow Papa to shoot the critters for practice. That's why."

Big brown eyes stare back at me. She crinkles up her face and her mouth falls open. I've moved to the left lane and watch a truck cut me off. I'm smiling, inside. I chance a quick look her way. It's working.

"Papa."

"What, Honey."

"You're mean."

"Ah, Little Bit, Papa isn't mean. Seriously, wouldn't it be fun to ride the zoo train with our rifles and as we come upon the cages of animals select a target and bag some fresh meat."

Sometimes, mind you, I go a wee bit far with my jokes.

"Oh, Papa." She began to cry. Oops.

"Honey."

She's turned face towards her window and ignores me. I reach and gently rub her little shoulders and say, "Sweetheart, Papa was just joking."

Cheerful and chipper mood dispelled.

After we've reached our destination I parked and reach and pulled her into my arms. I felt awful. I explained I was just making fun, joking. She finally understood and forgave me. I helped her apply her 'lipstick.' Fake stuff her Nana gave her for Christmas. Then, "Papa."

"Yes, Honey."

"You'd never really hurt the Zoo animals would you. You really mean it when you said it was a joke, didn't you, Papa."

"Of course, my sweet little girl, of course."

She went to school with a smile.

I'm a good Papa....

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

What a nice surprise to open my blog this morning and find a new friend has hit my follower button. Her name is Heidi and if my eyesight doesn't yet fail me it appears she has two beautiful little girls...the picture is kinda small.

Thanks, Heidi. I promise to always answer your comments. Give those little ones a kiss for me. Children are my weakness.

Again, thanks and welcome. You are now among friends.

Stephen