Update on Dad

Wayne just phoned from the hospital to give the report of the most recent brain scan. It seems that the bleeding in the brain has stopped. One doctor felt that Dad responded this morning slightly when he asked him to put “thumbs up!” Yesterday, he was completely non-responsive–not in a coma–rather a restless, dreamlike state….

First Glow of Hanukkah

We lit the first candles of Hanukkah: the Shamash or the servant candle and the first candle of the eight nights.   Then we played a game. The white-haired man in the middle lost the game. He lost really bad. Notice how unhappy he looks! He doesn’t like to lose. Nope not at all.  Neither…

haiku: alone tonight

  ********************* Daughter off to work, and Daddy upstairs asleep, just Mama and tree. ********************* 

Sweet Memories Linger…

Family and friends gathered around 1:30 PM. We ate about an hour later. I can’t take credit for the incredible meal. Everyone brought two or three dishes. It delivered. One unique thing I served this year was both smoked and herbed turkey, old fashioned cornbread dressing and smoked oyster dressing. These were a nice twist…

The Dream of Freedom

  It is 6 AM. The house is dark and quiet. I am soaking in the sweet, brief solitude. Soon the din and stir of the crowd will rule the house. A cold front came in yesterday and cooled down our Texas autumn heat wave. The red oak in my backyard still isn’t red. The cool…

Cooked and Carved

When Wayne got home from work, he carved the turkeys, and I made the gravy. We put it all in the fridge for tomorrow.   

Ta-Da, The Plum Good, Plum Pudding

I made the brandy hard sauce for the plum pudding this afternoon. Then I sat down and enjoyed a small bowlful. The first season’s eatings offerings. Yes, it brought back all the warm memories of home, holidays, and family. My mom would be so proud. I also put my turkeys in the oven. I will…

Plum Pudding–Without a Plum!

Just mixed the plum pudding. Since childhood, I remember my Mom’s expression, “That’s plum good!.” She used it and still uses it to this day to describe many things that are wonderful, delicious, great, or just plain good. Sometimes, I say it myself. I am afterall a reflection of the way I was raised. “Plum” is old…

haiku: cooking today

curry, cumin, sage and cayenne–ancient spices filling my kitchen.   garlic, rosemary, ginger, cardomon–the world comes to me today. therapy, tonic, and love–a man’s heart connects still to his stomach.