Beef Stew

I have to much time on my hands right now---so opted to cook a meal from scratch, to kill the time, and not to mention do something to balance the old budget. (now only if somebody would get the cook in balance somewhat mutters---)

So I made use of the standard chunks of beef round, coated in flower and a splash of Lemon pepper, browned on all sides in a couple tablespoons of canola oil, and to that added water, chopped up celery (2 stocks), and a couple big carrots cut into bite sized pieces, two potatoes cut into pieces and a can of whole tomatoes. I also added about a quarter teaspoon of Lee&Perrins worchestire sauce.--- put lid on and simmer for about two or three hours, add small can of peas during the last 10 minutes-----good with hot rolls or thick slices of French bread.

FORAGING TIME---(sometimes called saturday)

Some people live to eat, while others just eat to live-----the difference between these types is how many trips to the supermarket they make in a given week. I use to think the difference between these type of people was in how much weight they were toting around, but I have learned as I got older that is not a good means of measuring as some people can put on weight just by watching others eat, while some can lose weight even as hey eat---(I HATE those people).

I have perused the larder here at the Palace, and well its getting kinda bleak---I'm over stocked on Arrowhead water, paper towels and Tomato Sauce----and out of everything else-----this last week or so has been kinda surreal-----but now I have to get back on the horse and---well at least venture forth and get some food in the house---its SUPERMARKET TIME!!

For the last couple decades I have gone to the store shopping for two----but now I only have to shop for just one------I am sitting here thinking about making a list and it occurs to me that I consciously have to remember now not to over buy foodstuffs that have a limited shelf life, (IE;, lettuce and other perishables)---and it occurs to me to that now when I cook a meal, I need to only prepare half of my recipes, unless of course I want to create a ton of left overs, which then reminds me of one of Erma Bombecks remarks---leftovers are okay, it takes a week to make garbage!!

I am sure all of you have in your hours of waiting in line to check out of the grocery store observed those individuals ahead of you in line, that are buying the small individual servings of soups, and frozen entrees, maybe a small piece of fruit and 27 cans of cat food----I am determined not to become one of those sad lonely people. I will buy in bulk, and learn how to make use of freezer bags, and keep the place stocked so should the occasion arise, I can whip up a dinner for 4-6 people, and I am determined to not lean on frozen entrees for the bulk of my meals, but to cook up good healthy meals from scratch---like what the heck I can burn meat with the best of em when I apply myself.(LOL)

OKAAAY, I'm glad we had this little talk, yeahh its gonna be okay----I can do it, I CAN go to the store and all I need to do is maintain some semblence of sanity and not over buy---I mean even if the price is right, not gonna buy 25 pound sack of potatoes----ten pounds is enough right?

LOOKOUT RALPH'S---ready or not, here comes the old Dude!!

The Sun Sinks In The West---again

I have no idea why I titled this post as I have---me thinks it has to do with my acknowledging my place in the scheme of things----kinda reminding me that I am just here temporarily---and life goes on, whether I want it to or not---watching the sun set, signifying the end of yet another day, in spite of me and my doings---well keeps a guy kinda humble ya know what I mean?

The sun sinking in the west does make the question of what will I cook for dinner a bit more important, kinda running outta time on answering that question---yeah, yeah I know its fashionable to eat late----but I hate waking up with heartburn caused by eating late and going to bed to soon afterwards. Okay, with my back to the wall and not feeling all that industrious, I have decided tonight's gourmet selection will be ---(wait for it)-----(insert trumpet fanfare here )---Spaghetti with Classico Florentine Spinach & Cheese sauce-----wow, gone!!, my headache is gone!! (meal planning can really put the pressure on a guy)

Tonight's movie will be the old classic "Pajama Game", with John Rait and Doris Day and Eddie Foy Jr.

I STILL DON'T WANNA----BUT---(SOB)

Normally, if normal can ever be applied to me, I would have gone out and done My weekly shopping yesterday . (saturday), but in a fit of rebellion I allowed myself to procrastinate and put it off----well NOW I no longer have that luxury---am down to to cans of beer, so gonna HAVE to go out and get provisions, so might as well go to the damn supermarket as well.

I remember as a kid, grocery stores use to be kinda neat. everyone smiled and seemed to know each others names, I can even remember buying cambells cream of tomato soup, five cans for a $1.00, and (laugh) I well remember, when the family moved to California (home of happy cows), and I got sent to the store to get a quart of milk, came back home told my mom the store was out of milk, got sent back to the store , and subsequently learned that milk was sold in those funny waxed boxes, rather than the clear round glass bottles I had always seen it sold in!! (live and learn right?).  I read someplace , that in Europe,  milk and cream is sold in pyramind shaped containers that keeps them fresh longer?? does anyone know anything about that?

Then after the big war, WW II, the grocery stores expanded into what we now call the supermarkets, where nobody knows your name, everyone is in a hurry, nobody smiles while shopping anymore---except the masochist's.  The supermarkets are vast football field sized offerings of everything in the way of food and household items known to mankind.  The stores offer not only a cornicopia of food stuffs, they also have toys, Bar-B-Q gear, lawn furniture, T-shirts, socks, Throw rugs, dishes, silverware, knives, razors and blades (I remember when one had to go to the Drugstore for those).

In the old days one went to the store and bought tomatoes and fruit when they were in season .  Now we import food all year round  from just about every country in the world.  You want tomatoes today---you have to decide between about 8 different varieties.  Coffee, oh my look at all the different brands and flavors to choose from, then one has to decide if one wants whole bean or ground.  At my local Ralph's, if one would like to buy some soup---Ralphs has about 30 feet of soups to choose from---(but they never seem to have campbells Cream of Asperagas in stock??).  The point being shopping is no longer any fun, its a real pain in the rear end.----well do have to admit its kinda fun to crawl through the produce dept, and check out all the wild foreign  lettuces, and beans and mushroooms and stuff ----not that I would eat any of it mind ya.

Anyway, today I will go to the supermarket, get my weeks worth of food (and oh yeah razor blades), I want to pick up some flour tortillias, am gonna make a stab at making them Egg burritos Judi mentioned earlier in one of her comments on my page----maybe with luck she'll post the whole recipe??  (hint hint). 

THANK GOODNESS FOR CAN OPENERS

Sometimes ya feel like a nut and other times ya just ain't got the right attitude. Well as the sun slowly sinks in the west (which it does in spite of anything I ever do)---I have decide I don't feel like going to the trouble of making dinner from scratch---its gonna be one of those can-opener, heat and serve efforts.

To be more exact, I am going with a large can of Dinty Moore beef stew, which I will top off with a batch of dumplings. (1 cup flour, two teaspoons of baking powder, two Tablespoons of vegetable oil, a pinch of salt, and a half cup of milk-----mix it all up into a gelatinous mass, and then using a teaspoon, drop the mixture into the bubbling stew (makes about 10-12 dumplings), put lid on pan, and cook on low for another 15 minutes------serve with crackers, or garlic bread and a tossed salad-----voila, another meal is done.

OH NO----Not the Supermarket AGAIN!!

Its Saturday, I would like to pretend its any other day of the week but it IS still saturady-----and no getting round it----we gotta go to the supermarket. (thats the trouble with food----its addictive)
In my denial of it being the day it is---I have yet to make a list of those things I need ---and we all know how deadly it is to go into a supermarket without a specific list. (shudder). So my first mandatory chore for the day will be to inventory the pantry and cupboards and make up the list of those items that should be procured. I have not a clue as to what meals I might serve this week----I am tempted to just stop at the big market freezer and pick the first seven frozen Marie Callendar entrees I come across---the only thing stopping me is, they are loaded with sodium (aka salt), and I am never really convinced that the chicken, beef and pork they profess to be made from is really chicken, beef or pork. (----clap your hands if you believe children.)
Now as my mind circles the concept of making up a list of stuff to procure from the Groceria---I am mentally savoring the idea of maybe one meal being a "Hobo" Omelet---eggs with onions, bell peppers, pieces of ham, or bacon or both,---add it some bite sized pieces of potatoes and cut up tomatoes-----yessss that sounds good, okay we got one meal identified, only six more to go---- now what else should we shop for? OH, OH!! how about Chili with fresh cornbread slices?? (Damn I'm on a roll now)-----Pastry Shells willed with precooked chicken breast chunks, mixed vegetables in a cheese sauce-------Smothered Pork chops, Mashed Potatoes and green beans, Beef Enchiladas w/verde Sauce, Mexican rice and re fried beans-----Swordfish steaks, Tator Tots, -----and finally good old Spaghetti and meat balls, tossed salad.
Wow, now that I got me the list---guess will I still have some positive thinking going I will head to the store------laters yeh awl---(lol)----(ooops almost forgot my Ralph's card)

NEWS FLASH---Dinner tonight will be Saurkraut w/ Frankfurters and Dumplings

I have just returned from the Den, where the LP has given me to nights menu and cooking instructions. Tonight we are having the ever popular Sauerkraut, w/hot dogs and dumplings dinner.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Qt Jar Jar Sauerkraut
12-14 Slices Slices Bacon
1 Lg. Sweet Onion
6 Cups Chicken Broth
10ea Frankfurters (all beef)

PREPARATION

Open the jar of sauerkraut, and drain the liquid, and set aside. In a skillet, cook the slices of bacon til crisp, spoon out and lay cooked bacon strips on paper towels to drain and cool. While bacon strips are cooling, chopped the large sweet onion into a nice diced condition and place into skillet used to cook the bacon, and return skillet to the burner and cook onions til caramelized. While onions are cooking, take a large ( 5qt pan with lid) and crumble the crisp bacon strips into the bottom of the pan. Add the frankfurters (uncut) on top of the bacon crumbles, add the drained sauerkraut, and the caramelized diced onions. Add The chicken broth , put lid on pan, and put pan on burner, and simmer on low for 3 hours minimum. Check pan from time to time and add more chicken broth to keep the ingredients covered while cooking.

When it comes time to serve dinner to the troops, prepare the standard recipe for dumplings as described in the ever popular Betty Crocker Cookbook, and spoon into the simmering pot above and cook (covered---no peeking mind ya) for an additional 15 minutes.-------voila Dinner is ready to be dished up and served.

The Tuesday Raid on Ralph's

The campaigned was planned out carefully, with much give and take discussion to make sure that the Commadant (aka LP) and his Field General (moi) were in total agreement on the missions goal.

This mission was designed for the specific purpose of raiding the local Ralph's store and relieveing them of certain needed supplies, get in and out quick, with minimum casualties. On previous scouting patrols, (me disguised as a local beaten down, over taxed senior citizen, dressed in old levis, and a no name t-shirt, dirty sneakers)---had carefully mapped out the interior of our local, recently renovated Ralphs food emporium,----memorizing the location of the various needed supplies, where the exits were, the best lines for checkout---monitored the store traffic at various times of the day to best decide just when to make the real raid. I reported this back to the C.O.----and finally the night before, we completed the list of provisions that we hoped to successfully acquire---.

NEEDED SUPPLIES

Quiche (Loraine or Florintine, which ever was available)
Two (2) Tomatoes ( for frying)

Sm. container of Deli Herb Tuna Salad

One (1) box of Cherry Tomatoes
One (1) dozen eggs (brown free range)
One (1) 26oz jar of Classico "Cabernet Marinara" sauce
One (1) pre-cooked N veined Shrimp platter (approx 30 shrimps)
One (1) Box of frozen Waffles (10 waffles to the box)
Two (2) Marie Calendar frozen entree's, "Noodles Alfredo w/garlic bread"
One (1) Package of White Long Grain Rice
Cash ($10.00)

     It had been mutually agreed that the best, most advantagous time to maximize the success of the mission would be to launch the raid at 5 minutes to 8am.  At that hour of the day, their would be a minimum of civilian shoppers, that might get caught in the conflict, should our mission become known and I would have to fight my way out of the store.  Also, the enemy (Ralph's employees), would still only be half wake, and even more importantly, would be distracted by the large number of sub contractors in the store re-stocking their displays, as well as the normal morning floor sweeping, polishing maintenance chores.
     I arrived exactly on time, entering the store, this time disguised as an early shopper, wearing cargo pants, pullover sweater shirt, boots, looking like a moderately up-scale shopper, but not so flashy as to draw any unwantged extra observation, I moved with a combination of efficiency, yet casualness, the mission going exactly as planned, I even had the audacity to actually speak to one of the enemy, in a calm voice asking which Isle I might find the Quiche---the fool actually told me.  I went through the checkout, with a friendly smile on my face, but kept the cross talk with the clerk to a mere Good Morning, nice day today line of dialog, the checkout clerk grunted still only half awake, I was certain if questioned later, she would not even  be able to describe what I was wearing let alone my face.  I forced myself to maintain the casual pace, taking my supplies to the truck, loading it and casually driving off the lot----expecting any moment to see a wave of box boys race out of the store after me, but I made my get-a-way clean.  ---tis a great start for a Tuesday.

Heres a pic of some of the supplies that were successfully brought back to the castle:

we ain't gonna starve for a few more days anyway. (lol)

Mixed Berry Pie and GOG

It was a fairly decent day til about two hours ago. Just before 2pm (PST) the LP casually inquired if I had any intentions of going to the grocery store today. I replied that yes I did have that on my list of things to do to day---(actually it was the only thing I had on my list of things to do to day---like I said it was a nice day). I equally casually inquired as to why he had asked me that, was there something he would like me to pick up from Ralph's??
Obviously there was or he would not have asked if I was going to the store---we went through the social niceties ---well if it wasn't a bother, no its no bother, yadda, yadda yadda, and I learned that he had this sudden desire for a piece of pie. No nothing fancy like one might get at Marie Callendars, just a good old fashion off the shelf standard pie from Ralph's. "Sure , no problem, and what kind would you like?" says I---The LP pauses, blinks a few times as he ponders his specific flavor hunger and in a low voice, "An apricot Pie would be great----(then seeing my skeptical look on being able to find that particular flavor, he went on)---my second choice would be a Berry Pie, no, no, wait, make that Key Lime Pie---but if they don't have that then make it Cherry" By this time I am now taking notes, and getting a headache, but I manage to collect all the info regarding just what kind of pie he would like, as well as his second, third and forth choices..
So I collected my own grocery list, and headed out to the big supermarket , with reasonable expectations of success. The sun was shining, and the world seemed to be in balance, ---you would think at my age I would immediately know something was about to go wrong it always does when things get to being that good.
It started as I pulled in the big parking lot at Ralph's---I swear I had stepped into the twilight zone----for immediately I was swept up in the tide of cars going round and round looking for a parking slot, stop and go, stop and go, stop and go-----three and a half complete circuits of the parking lot, before the gods decided to allow me to park, and that of course was about as far from the store entrance as one could get and still be in the parking lot. (but I was grateful to get out of the stop and go, stop and go level of hell).
I entered the big Ralph's emporium, the cool air conditioning washing over me as I bravely pushed my empty cart, and for a brief couple minutes I began to have hopes that the worst of it was over, and the rest of my trip would go smoothly (yeah right!! its truly amazing that I retain any sense of optimism at all).
The circus in the parking lot should have prepared me for the zoo inside the store. It was readily apparent to me as I looked at the structured chaotic mob surrounding the checkout stations that if I had any smarts at all I should flee the store and go home and accept the LP's snickers of disgust at my inability to purchase a simple everyday item that he had requested. My family inherited stubborn streak precluded my making such a rationale decision, I had come to shop and should it mean I would be run down by unattended kids playing tag with market baskets, or delayed in mid blocked isles by seniors trying to read their scribbled grocery lists---I would complete my own list, no matter how long it took.
Unfortunately my list of items required I go all over the damn store from one side to the other , from the front to the back-----dodging the kids, keeping my hands to myself, and not throttling the screamers, keeping one eye on the shelves for my items, the other on the lookout for mad dog cart drivers---there was a four cart pile up on Isle #6 involving two older blue haired women, their husbands, a young women with two screaming 6-7 yo's, and senior citizen driving one of the electric carts-----I didn't stick around to find out who or what had happened, it seemed they were about to start throwing can goods at each other---I wanted no part of that----I rounded up my half dozen items from my list, and pushed my way into the bakery area to get the LP's pie. I quickly determined they had no Apricot pies, (his #1 choice) but they did have Peach pies, hmmmm, but wait he had made no mention of Peach pies, so best not to get that, I had to screen about 1-12 cherry pies, before I scored one that read "mixed berry", I grabbed it and headed for the check out stations----it was like entering the seventh level of Dante's inferno. The screams of tired and cranky children, the snarls of adults who had been in line waaay to long. In my own line, it was like life had suddenly gone into real slow motion, every one ahead of me had issues with the checkout person, regarding whether it was a two get on free, or a coupon for a different size, but what the hell ---last minute changes of mine, my ice cream is melting can you send the box boy back to get a frozen one, etc, etc, etc.---I don't remember clearly paying for my groceries, nor do I recollect driving home the few blocks to the house---what I do remember is, unpacking the groceries, hearing the LP telling me he was ready for his pie and wanted ice cream on it----, in a calm smiling face I gave him a nice slice of pie, with Ice cream, he smiled up at me, and vocalized his thanks, and once again GOG returned to his normal good natured self (GOG is shorthand for "Good old Gary althought sometimes it stands for "Grumpy old Gary")-----well it HAD been a nice day at the start anyway.

Super Market Time

Some people have a pathological fear of Supermarkets. These people will drive miles out of their way to obtain groceries from roadside stands, or small niche market stores. They almost always take as much advantage of their friends and neighbors as they can---using the old, "oh if your going to the supermarket today, gee, gosh could you pick up a couple items for me" routine. I feel kinda sorry for those people---supermarkets being such a main social center of modern lives as they are---to have a fear of them----that's not living , that's merely existing.
I myself have no fear of the Supermarkets---I go in KNOWING in advance that in all probability I am going to come out with my blood pressure raging, my wallet screaming "rape", my mind in total turmoil, not having found this or that and now having to substitute and totally revamp my weeks meal planning that I had spend a good 15-20 minutes working on in preparation to going to the store. Like HELLO, going to the supermarket is probably the highlight of my week. and its air conditioned too.
Today, is Tuesday, this is the day I do the LP's grocery list. I received the list and my detailed instructions last evening, and I am pleased to report I am quite confident I Will be able to acquire all of the items, the only sticky part will be as I get checked out---and ask for $200 in cash----this slows the clerks down as almost always they have to call the assistant mgr, who has to go to the back room to get the extra cash (I have noticed over time however if I shop late in the after noon, more often than not the clerk will have sufficient cash in their drawer to handle my request).----but again even in my worst case scenario, I get the cash and the trip will be a successful one.---I will plan on hitting the market about 2-2:30pm---after the lunch rush, but before the 4pm "oh my gawd he will be home from work in an hour and I don't have anything to cook for dinner", rush.----and I need to review the list with my collection of usable coupons---its gonna be a good day.

300

WOW, here it is people----POST No. 300------enjoy.

Here in California where we are overly in love with anything that smacks of a healthier life style, I read an interesting article in my Local newspaper, "The Daily News". The topic was titled, "Boxed vino can reduce wine's footprint". I am not a snob by any means---well maybe I am but I will deny it in public.---but hello, nobody that's anybody drinks Wine sold in boxes. At least that has been my understanding since back in College where I first developed my sense of sophistication. (Why is the LP sitting over there laughing himself sick at me??)
The article went on to explain that the vast bulk of American wine production is here on the West coast, whereas the bulk of the wind drinkers are East of the Mississippi. To meet the demand a lot of wine bottles are trucked to the east coast. The carbon-dioxide emissions created trucking the wine across country is calculated to be 5.2 POUNDS per 750 milliliter bottle. (That's a lot of soot people). Whereas if the Wine was packaged in boxes, (the newspaper story mentions 3 liter boxes in the study, that's an equivalent of (4 ) 750ml bottles) the carbon-dioxide emissions) would be about 2.6 pounds .
In summary if 97 percent of all the wine made to be consumed within a year, were shipped in those 3 liter boxes, it would eliminate about 2 MILLION TONS of greenhouse gas emissions per year, or the equivalent of retiring 400,000 cars from the road.
I guess its a fact that the United States has now surpassed Italy in our total consumption of wine, and is closing in on France. (Talking total volume, not per person consumption, we are waaaay behind on that statistic). I neglected to mention that the article did make reference to the fact that Italy's Agriculture Ministry has recently announced that some wines that receive the government's quality assurance label may now be shipped in boxes.
It would seem that this trend to go to boxes is ultimately going to be the "green" thing to do, but I kinda have to ask myself----we already have with the problem of what to do with the zillions of plastic bags----has anyone thought about the tons of empty wine boxes we will have??

IT's Tuesday---Shopping For LP's groceries

Its approaching noon here at the Palace on Matililja---and I will soon roll down the old drawbridge and venture out in search of vittles that LP has set out as my goal for the day. He even held a short meeting with me to discuss the list and verify that I was clear on exactly what he wanted----(picture me sitting there my head bobbing up and down and me muttering yeah, yeah, a lot---)

THE LIST

(complete the list or come home on your shield)

1. Chicken broth
2. AAA Batteries (the VCR remote died last night---almost panicked til we remembered out to work the machine manually.)
3. 1 pt. egg salad (from the deli section of the store, not the pre packaged stuff from the cooler)
4. 3 cans of Cream of Tomato Soup (any brand except Campbell's or Wolfgang Puck)
5. Fresh Fish (will hopefully get filipia (sp?)---maybe white fish----must come from the butcher, none of the prepackaged stuff)
6. 1 Can of Hormel chili (no beans)
7. 1 Package of frozen Tater Tots (original, not onion flavored-preferably Oreda brand)
8. 1lb Hamburger (with the highest fat percent ----I know, I know----don't ask!)
9. 1 Pint Potato Salad (from the Deli Section of the Store, none of the pre-packaged stuff)
10. 1 box of frozen mini-pancakes (Krusteze or forgetaboutit)
11. 1 Pkg precook bacon slices
12. 1 Lemon (would you believe here in Southern California Ralph's sells Lemons at $1.00/ea?)

To the above I have added Zatarain's New Orleans style rice, more hamburger and smoked sausage and pre-cooked shrimp, gonna take a shot at Missy's Jumbaylaya recipe. I may treat myself to one of them fancy Lah-te-da whipped coffees to sip on, while cruising the isles filling my list.--------laters you all.

Check Out YOUR Market.

I am an old dude, and I've been around the block a few times. That is to say I'm not totally naive and ignorant of the world around me. Here's something you young-uns and 9-to-5'ers might want to look into. I know you all spend some modicum of time at your local supermarkets, and more specifically dally some bit in the wine Isle, so next time ya do, keep this Lil bit in mind.
Your store most likely displays its wine inventory by region, that is to say a section for California wines, a Section for New York Wines, and a section for Imported wines. Then within each of those sections you will find it broken down by price as follows. (this is where it gets interesting). Your standing there looking at the shelves of wine right---in the middle, maybe just below eye level are the brands you usually make do with. the medium priced stuff. Now just above this line of view, on the next shelf UP, one can gaze at the more expensive stuff that the better off crowd gets to drink. and if ya look again at YOUR middle shelf, and then look below it, you will find the cheaper stuff---you know the stuff ya might buy cause your giving a large party and want to save a few bucks on wine----Its. all very psychological, you have to reach UP for the good stuff, and bend down to get the cheap stuff.-----and you KNOW other customers are watching ya to see what YOU are buying-----uh-huh, told ya it would be interesting.
By the way, the very say psychological placement of food items on the other food isles of the store is done the same way-----If like me your on fixed income and need to watch your budget, a shopping trip to the store can be a real back breaker---literally.

Another Tuesday

Well here I am in the middle of yet another Tuesday---pretty sure it must be Tuesday, for two reasons. One the pool man coming through our side gate woke me up this morning---and I know he comes on Tuesdays. and the second reason is , the LP gave me his shopping list, which is yet another Tuesday ritual set in stone. So it MUST be Tuesday. (I'm glad we had this little talk and cleared this issue up).

I went to the supermarket, clutching the LP's list of must have this week stuff, and threw myself into the store which is slowly re-inventing itself----all the goods and edibles are there----someplace---one merely has to be patient, and have the eyes of a hawk ----. What did we learn at the store today Daddy?? ---For some inexplicable reason, Hebrew National meat Products are bunched together in one corner of the store----and not with the rest of the bologna, wieners, and luncheon meat offerings---its almost like they are ashamed to be seen in public---IS Hebrew National going out of business maybe? (They sure are hidden away in the new Ralph's store)
I spent the better part of an hour looking for mini quiche Lorraine servings, and also could not find those little hotdogs wrapped in pastry (aka pigs in a blanket)----so purchased a large fresh baked quiche from the bakery----hot dogs and Pillsbury crescent rolls and will assemble and cook at home----aside from those two fiasco's, I got the graham crackers, the corn beef hash (which is not the same as just plain corn beef---one has to be careful reading labels), got the brown free ranch eggs, got the champagne, got the book of stamps, got the 20 bucks cash----and returned to the castle---(remembered to pick up the mail as I came in--yaaaaah two new movies from Net Flix).
I put the groceries away, listened to the LP's blue remarks regarding Ralph's not having pigs in a blanket, and party mini quiche Lorraine bites, but then saw that he probably saved a few pennies by my buying the real stuff and cooking it a home ---I grabbed a cold bottle of water and slunk out to the patio---finished the last chapter of my current book, and am now all set to take all my books to the library tomorrow---gonna take Joyce's suggestion and stock up on the Author James Patterson's books, "7th Heaven", "The sixth Target", "Double Cross", "Maximum Ride" and "Sail"-----that should keep me in reading material for two or three weeks.
Since its the LP's job to set the menu for Tuesday, have checked with him and we are having the tasty and filling, scrambled eggs (with just salt and pepper to taste), slices of fried corn beef hash, and cold sliced tomatoes. So cooking dinner for us tonight will be quick and easy---making scrambled eggs is such a great way of ridding ones self of any pent up frustrations---one can really beat the hell out of the eggs----by the time I finish washing up after dinner, should be in a nice relaxed mood for tonight's entertainment, (one of the netflix movies or disc two of the new cable TV show series we have started "Huff", we watched the pilot and the first two episodes the other night.)

Whats For Dinner?

Here in Granola land (that's California to everyone else), we are having an unusual pre-summer hot spell. Temperatures running in the hundreds not uncommon at all. hit 107 here here Van Nuys,---(we like to portray our community as a laid back , quiet , restful patch, not to be confused with Beverly Hills, Hollywood and that ilk----but in reality, them our us.

So getting back to my post title---taking in the heat here, I plan on serving something simple but filling for dinner here, and was curious what my readers were serving in YOUR geographic areas.??

For me and the LP, tonight we are having, cold sliced meats, (bologna, ham, turkey, ), with two slice cheeses, (cheddar, Swiss). accompanied with cold baked beans, potato salad, cottage cheese, and a side of chilled fruit cocktail. I gave some thought to serving it with a glass of chilled tomato juice, but finally decided that was pushing things to far---(I'm one of those guys that would get upset if the champagne was served in plastic cups, because there were no real champagne glasses, but that's the snob I am---like hello doesn't everybody have a couple dozen real champagne glasses on the ready?)

Old Twain versus Young Twain

I have to assume the bulk of my readers are familiar with the expression , "East is East, and West is West and Twain's never meet?", well sometimes they come close, and it makes for an interesting moment.---take today for example---"Old dude ", (that's me), goes shopping at his local supermarket. I KNOW the market is in the midst of recreating itself and as the days go by with each subsequent visit I see the new store emerging from the chaos. Today's list of vittles was not overwhelming, six pack of beer, a four pack of Charmin's, a dozen eggs, (brown, free range), a bag of frozen beef ravioli, a pound of hamburger (less than 10% fat), butter (original "I can't believe its not butter" brand), a container of shower soap, (Irish Spring liquid gel), some paper towels, chicken breast fillets,---anyway, I get want I went for, and push my cart to the new checkout stands---and voila, find that my supermarket now offers self checkout---OKAY!! (one of my major gripes has been having to stand in line waiting for somebody to take my money)---so naturally I had to give it a shot. like hello, been familiar with Bar coding for what maybe 25-30 years, watch it go from a military thing to a commercial technology---should be no problem.



With great confidence I give the attendant hovering around to answer questions to newbies with the system, a confident smile and wheel up to the check out station and boldly and confidently swipe my Ralph's card and get acknowledged by the machine. which then proceeds to announce verbally, so anyone within 20 feet can hear, "scan first item and put it into the bag". Not quite ready for that, but I grab an item from my cart, fumble around with it to find the required bar code needing to be scanned. I wasn't fast enough and the machine embarrassingly loud announces again , "SCAN ITEM AND PUT IT IN THE BAG" (I am sure at this point others in the store are now turning to look and see what is causing a problem, most definitely the young attendant, that gives me the look young kids give old people, when dealing with old people who just don't know diddly, or that's how THEY see it)



Basically I am a nice guy, easy going, laid back---but damn I get attitude, especially from kids barely outta the acne stage, and hello---the attendant gives ME that look----I have to decide if I am just going to be cranky, or take it all the way to Nuclear---in any any case, there is no way I am gonna let this cherub win the day, and from MY point of view HE started it with giving me that look----(hey just defending myself officer)

Clerk, that smirk if not on his face still reflected in his eyes and body language, clicks his master control and in a sneer tells me to proceed, I scan a couple more items, being bulky they fill the bag, but before I can open another bag, the machine loudly screams for "Attendant required, , Attendant Required"---and of course I get the same punk attendant. Not about to give him any satisfaction before he can speak, "Your machine here doesn't allow sufficient time for a shopper to open a new back to put their purchases in it seems?" The Kid, somewhat confused now, not use to an OLD Dude" questioning HIM about new digital stuff, scowls mumbles something about the machine not suppose to do that---he again clears the machine of its hangup, and I proceed to scan another item and even before I can put it in the bag does it screaming thing, calling for an attendant, I now give the kid the classic "Jack Benny, Well??" look---you know the one, (the one that pretty much tells the kid his machine and system is not infallible look, which he of course is totally unable to excuse or explain) I am cool, I don't raise my fists to the sky, and do that little victory dance one does when life is good)

I finish scanning, pay the bill, and unable to stop myself had to go for the final kill--. I give him a nice little smile and comment, " This could well work if the system incorporates the new paperless coupon system that Ralphes has, ---won't need attendants here at all", I exit the store a half grin on my face---score "old dude" 1---young kid 0---turns out the experience wasn't all that bad after all