Tag Archives: dailyprompt

Food. Now That’s an Interesting Subject

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I must admit I had to wrestle mentally with this prompt. Then it all became clear when I substituted the word do for the word would. I hope that will be okay. You see, if I would like to make something, I usually do. About the only thing I haven’t tried is homemade pie. Something about that crust that scares me. If and when we do make a pie, we buy the crust as well as the filling. In my book, that does not qualify as making a pie.

Right now I’m considering making a beef stew. When we bought the slow cooker, it came with a recipe that is great. The hitch is that I keep putting off the trip to the store. I am always putting off trips to the store these days. When I finally go, I spend $250 just for my wife and me. Then, it seems I got so little.

Mostly, these days, we eat out. With just the two of us and my wife eating so little these days, a lot gets wasted. She just loves chili dogs so we open a can of chili now and then. To keep it healthy, I generally open a can of veggies or pull out some that are frozen. I don’t know. Seems to me corn and peas taste better when frozen. (heated of course) To me, carrots and cabbage have to be fresh.

I try to keep raw hamburger patties in the freezer for those days when we just just don’t don’t feel much like going anywhere. It really is sirloin but in a different form. A little gravy, a little mashed potatoes or baked potato and we have steak dinners.

A couple of interesting stories about the potatoes. My wife’s grandmother was one of those who did not like the modern stuff. You know, before she visited us, she insisted on baking the potatoes in the oven and boiling the potatoes first for mashed potatoes. Before she went home, she loved the 7 minute potatoes that come out of the microwave and she was amazed at how we got the potato flakes to taste so good. The secret, add a slice of Kraft American cheese before adding the hot water.

Every now and again, we like the red potatoes too, you know the little ones. Add a few spices while they boil and they can really spice up a meal. Hint: don’t peal them.

It just is, it’s not nearly as much fun cooking when it’s just the two of us. Moreover, it’s no fun cleaning up after.

Therefore, when we go to a restaurant, I always thank them, not just for cooking my food, but also for doing my dishes. It does sometimes confuse them, but one day, they will figure it out.

Daily writing prompt
What foods would you like to make?
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Strategies for Staying Healthy

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Eat healthy, but not too much (Pizza at least once a week)

Exercise, but as little as possible

Sleep, as much as I want.

Avoid poisons such as drugs and tobacco. (alcohol is a drug)

And, by the way, rely heavily on my doctor and pharmacists

Made it to 76. Maybe I am doing something right

Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
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Afraid I’m Done Traveling

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That is unless we have a big inheritance, and soon. Not much time left.

Can’t complain. Well, I guess I could but it would be pointless. However, I have done my share of traveling.

Speaking of inheritance. If I had the money, I would really like to get a 25 foot travel trailer and and go from one end of this country to the other and from top to bottom. I’d love to visit every state, a few maybe twice. Well, I’m afraid that trailer would not go to Hawaii or Alaska. That’s alright. I’ve talked to people who have been to Hawaii and they said it was a lot like California. Besides, I have been in both states. We landed in Alaska for a while when I was on the way to Vietnam and Hawaii on the way back.

Of course part of it would be just so I will be able to say I’ve been everywhere. As an aside, I have already been in many states already. I have been from one end of Interstate 40 to the other. Hence, I have been in all all the states it goes through. Also, I have been in Nevada and Kansas. Even spent some time there. I’m in no hurry to return. They both have miles and miles of miles and miles and not much more. Also. Just happened to think; I was in Syracuse for 10 weeks; Illinois for a few weeks and Pennsylvania for quite a while. That is a state I would love to revisit, especially in the Quaker area. God really put some good landscaping in there. Makes me think it would have been good to have settled there instead of here.

Regardless, it would be nice to stop any time or place I want to stop or go when I get ready to go. It has been a dream most of my life.

Daily writing prompt
What are your future travel plans?
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I’m Retired

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So I’ll reply retroactively. Actually, unless my memory has deceived me again, I think I already said something about that. Well considering the number of posts I posted, it would stand to reason I did say something about it.

I used to have a really good job. I had checklist I had each night and I did what was on it. I started at 5:00 PM and left about 1:00 AM. Moreover, I worked alone. There was no one around to complain about what music I played or how loud. It was better than being at home where my wife complained about the sopranos and the volume. (singers, not the mob show) Also, sometimes I tried to sing along, which she would have really complained about.

I listened to show tunes, songs by John Gary, Ed Ames, Percy Faith, ABBA, Simon and Garfunkel, and kind of the whole pre-80’s things. I listened to some pre-1950’s things. I was constantly adding to my list of selections. It irritates me that I have lost a few of them.

Many of them were of special interest. Simon and Garfunkel produced the song, “Homeward Bound.” While I was in Vietnam, I was not the only one who liked that one. I know. It has nothing to do with those of us carrying around a rifle and wearing a helmet. Still, many of us did adopt the tune.

I listen mostly to same thing now. I have added a little. I listen when at home, sometimes while writing posts. I listen to them while walking. I listen to them while in the car. By the way, the car system has about the best sound, especially with it being electric. No engine noise to interfere.

There are two differences now that I’m no longer listening at work. I have to turn the volume down and I can’t sing along. My wife would complain and, maybe, the neighbors.

I wish I could listen while eating in restaurant, especially with some of what they play over their speakers. I suspect the management would complain. If they didn’t some of the customers would.

Daily writing prompt
What do you listen to while you work?
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Comfort Food

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I’ve heard the term frequently, but I can’t say I knew what it means, although I guess I did have a vague idea just from context. When I decided to reply to this prompt, I decided to look it up. They had a lot of examples, most of which I must admit presses my button.

One of the examples was chicken pot pie, which I really like, for sure. However, I prefer just chicken pie. Let me explain. There used to be a few restaurants called Three Sisters and they had the best chicken pie. Then, naturally the restaurant went out of business. That is not fair. That is not right. They should have given their recipe to another restaurant… or me.

It also reminds me of. the time I was going through the line at Kentucky Fried line, I spoke to myself, “I could make a meal off mashed potatoes and gravy.” Suddenly, from behind me, I heard a woman voice her agreement. “So can I.” I didn’t know anyone was eavesdropping on my private conversation. It was alright. I looked back and saw her smiling. I love it when I can make a person smile or laugh, even when I don’t mean to. Still love mashed potatoes. I’d just about have them with every meal.

I discovered fried rice when I was stationed in Japan. My wife doesn’t like it so I don’t get much chance to eat it. Maybe it’s a good thing. I would really put away a bunch of it. That and egg rolls.

Love roast beef when it is done right. Arby’s does not do it right. Used to like Denver’s. There was one a couple of miles from here as well as four or five in Memphis. I guess they have all disappeared. That seems to be the case. I find a restaurant I like and then they go away. I have found others that have roast beef but not nearly as good.

When I was stationed at MCAS, El Toro, the PX had a restaurant the served thinly sliced roast on two slices of bread with mashed potatoes and gravy over it. I am sure they are responsible for the 5 or 10 extra pounds I carried around at the time. Incidentally, I am not the only one that ate it. They had a huge following.

I guess, right near the top, has to be pizza. There’s just nothing like a pizza with pepperoni and pineapples all over it. The trick of course is, I have to order extra pineapples. My wife steels them off the instant I look away. I also like the pizza with the works on it, but I don’t get a chance for it that much. My wife doesn’t like it.

Daily writing prompt
What’s your go-to comfort food?
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Baseball

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In my youth, I was always in search of others to play the game. Then too, I played organized ball until I was 12. Since then, I occasionally played. Twice, softball in a church league. Nowadays, I would have trouble chasing a fly ball, though I might still be able to swing a bat.

After a few years in the Marines, I took up ping pong and I got good at it. I still think I can give many a run for their money. Just is, I can’t find a place or many opponents. The problem is that it is a difficult game to play outdoors, unless it is a very calm day.

Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?
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Both

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No problem making a decision there. My two big dogs might have saved my life when someone broke into my house while armed with a .45. It is a shame they are no longer with us. Both had cancer really bad.

If you are having problems with mice, get a cat. Betterer and fasterer than any mouse trap. I guess, on the other hand, you can call an exterminator. However, they cost money and they aren’t as effective. Since we got our cat, the mice all play somewhere else. Besides, it’s fun to watch cats chase lasers.

There is one problem with the cat. The instant I sit at the computer, she wants to jump up in my lap. It does make it a little difficult to get any work done. Ironically, I noticed the other day, she likes to chase the mouse… pointer on the screen. When I move the pointer around, she can get vicious with the screen. I have tried to explain that it wasn’t a real mouse, but, as with most cats, she isn’t much good at listening unless she wants to.

If I had a few million dollars, I would have a large yard and at least 4 dogs and 4 cats. Plain old house cats are fine, but I would want the dogs to be border collies. There would be a little problem with the border collies. I would have to hire someone just to keep them busy. I’m getting too old to do it myself.

Still, they are a joy to watch and they are just so smart.

Daily writing prompt
Dogs or cats?
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The Truth About Time

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There are two clocks we use for time. I know, we all think there is but one method of timekeeping, but I know better. I have learned the secret, that little conspiracy. For sure, there are two clocks by which we measure time. One of them runs twice as fast as the other, or one half the speed of the other. You can look at it either way.

Now which clock do we keep time by. Well, you see, that is where the conspiracy comes in. Whenever you are doing something you don’t like, you run on the slower clock so time goes by slow. Whenever you are doing something you like, you run on the faster clock. For those interested, for you kids, you notice how fast summer vacation goes by. On the other hand, you notice how slow the time goes whenever you are waiting for Christmas.

Where I noticed it the most was when I was at work or at home. I’ll let you guess which clock I was on and when. This has an interesting aspect that I simply did not expect. Now that I am retired, all my time goes by so fast and it goes faster every day. It seems I go to sleep on Monday and wake up on Wednesday. Nowadays, I have a fear of going to sleep, afraid I’ll loose two whole days.

So, in reply to the prompt, let me say, it all goes fast now. However, whenever I get a chance to spend time with family and friends, it all seems to go by in afterburner. It seems we hug while we meet, and then we hug as we have to part. I really don’t like that part of the conspiracy. Of all the precious time, that should go by more slowly but it goes by fast, too fast. It is just not right.

Well, it is nice to know, once I am with God, time won’t mean a whole lot. After I spend a few thousand years with him, it won’t shorten any future time with him or others. When living forever, clocks won’t really mean a lot. Those old timekeepers will no longer have any control over me, or all of us that remain in God’s presence.

I hesitate to say it, but I feel I must. For those who are not saved, I’m afraid that clock will pretty much stop. After a few million centuries, they will still have a few billion centuries to look forward to. It’s one of those things you want to get right the first time. There is no second time.

Daily writing prompt
Which activities make you lose track of time?
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Flies, Mosquitoes & Chiggers, Among Other Things

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When I saw this prompt, it brought a little chuckle to my mind. It reminded me of a sign I saw driving home from work one night. “Why didn’t Noah swat those last two when he had the chance?”

I consider it one of the more memorable signs, regardless of your religious beliefs. Moreover it is kind of one of those fill in the blank kind of statements. Moreover, I suspect we can add a long list of them. You know, bed bugs, fleas, ticks… It sort of goes on and on. I am sure that everyone has their ideas that can be added. I guess close to a decade ago, my goodness time flies. It might be two decades.

At any rate, there were a number of us going through the graveyard where my mother was buried. Afterward, I mentioned that my ankles were itching suddenly and I had no idea why. My wife reminded me, “chiggers.”

OK. They are not as bad as mosquitoes. Still. They do bite and they do itch. They do make you wish you wore better clothing. They do make you wish you used some Off insect repellent on your ankles before traipsing through the high growing grass.

I guess whatever bothers me the most is whatever it is that is bugging me at the moment, like the mosquitoes in Vietnam or the flies at my picnic. Regardless, I am with the man that dreamed up that sign, why didn’t Noah kill those last two while he had the chance.

Daily writing prompt
What bothers you and why?
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