You Make Me Feel Brand New

Another triglyceride-reducing, low-carb meal via a big pot of chicken vegetable soup.  I'm a huge fan of chunky soups, the more the merrier when it comes to vegetables.  Zucchini, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, onions, celery went into the rich chicken stock made with thighs.  I let the stock simmer until the meat can be pulled off the bone, which is great to use thighs as it's just the one bone.  If one was not a fan of chicken, this could also be awesome with white beans or potatoes

 and fresh herbs in the vegetable broth. A giant squeeze of lemon and chili oil make it a great remedy for lingering COVID symptoms as well.  

Touch Me But Don't Take Me Down

Summer COVID strikes.  A nastier version packing more punch and lasting power.  I can't think about how this is most likely shortening my life span due to the damage that is unclear to my heart and lungs, nervous system and God knows what else. But it is clear, these bouts are not just the common cold for a shit ton of people, as the New York Times article seems to elude to today by Emily Baumgaertner, the national health correspondent.  And its all fun and games until more youth is plagued with Long COVID because guess what?  There is not much known or can be done but when you got it, you got it, like Herpes. That's my scientific guess.  I don't believe it goes away.  Time will tell if I'm right. 

Hangry and sad, I made a very quick shrimp pasta with Brussels Sprouts, mushrooms, onions and spinach.  Soy, chili, Sesame oil and garlic went in.  It was so bright and light going down that I was able to concentrate on its nourishing benefits and get my mind off of heart-attack possibilities. 
 

Hope You Guessed My Name

COVID meals

It's never pretty to get sick, for anyone.  A foodie's mind goes straight to food and the deep loss of possibly two weeks of anticipated meals.  Of how I won't be able to satiate myself but instead must rely on my mate to fetch sustenance.  I do love him so, but he will fail repeatedly in choosing adequate food options.  He loves food but doesn't live for it.  He doesn't notice the giant bruise on the zucchini or that the mushrooms are open and slimy when he hurriedly grabs the first ones on the shelf.  He doesn't search for the freshest bunch of cilantro, he yanks the first batch he finds.  Yes, meal standards will be lowered.   Taste and smell may disappear for that matter.  This is not a good time.  When it's twice a day for days, you must remember people are dealing with much bigger problems in the world right now.  This is not something to complain about.    I shut myself up with a bunch of these Asian noodle cups that are a cut above the average ramen in flavor.  It's just about sucking up that broth and letting the noodles fill you up, so you can sleep.  

Your body needs you to be strong during these COVID smack downs. It's going to wreak havoc on all of your insecurities and try to weigh down your spirit.  Weird things will hurt out of the blue, waking you from sleep like a loud bang from a ghost.  Acknowledge them, but keep breathing until they pass, and they just might.  In fact, it might feel like you've broken your foot or hand for 20 minutes to an hour so bad you scramble to comprehend how this is possible, then suddenly, it'll just go away.  All the nerves in your neck may send out a shock of pain to wake the dead.  Twice maybe, but then won't happen again.  You gotta tell yourself it's okay, otherwise you'll go insane.   Your left arm may feel it's hanging on to your heart and the weight of the dangle aches for days or almost two weeks.  Welcome to this demon mutherfrggin shitf*#k long haul virus that some of us wrestle with and for how long, no one knows. 

Just Give Me One Thing That I Can Hold On To

Midwest Summer Covid Trip 
Alton, Illinois

Alton, Illinois, P's hometown - on the Mississippi River bluffs

My dear mother in law became ill with Covid and was hospitalized.  Of course she didn't tell her kids because she didn't want them to worry but when we found out, we feared the worst.  We had planned to fly over to visit in Illinois but now rushed to get there and hoped to be proper nurses if needed be.  Our thought was surely she would infect her husband and assumed they would both be bedridden when we arrived and we'd administer care, cook and fetch supplies as needed. We both know how horrible one can feel and could not imagine doing it in 85 year old bodies.

But, although, clearly sickly and needing more rest, MJ greeted us on the couch pretty as a picture and Bub was reading the paper looking healthy as a horse.  The vibe was calm.  She had been treated with some of the new meds and steroids for COVID and was feeling no pain.  They were putting on a good face and were so hospitable as they always are.  The house was immaculate and there was plenty of soda and beers, snacks and love.  After realizing the situation was stable and we weren't needed to do anything but visit, we settled in to a nice stay that would turn into a Midwest Road Trip.                                

                                         

Late night Wendy's delivery tasting menu at a hotel!  Apple Pecan Salad, Chicken Tenders, Loaded fries, Chili, bacon Wendy's burger.  When you're too tired to drive again but hungry as heck late at night; fast food delivery is not as bad a choice as you'd imagine.  Everything was freshly made, cheap and damn good!

Arby's Chicken, Bacon and Swiss and some BBQ number for P.  Surprisingly good roadside fast food with table service.  An old gentleman host at the front asked us if we wanted to dine in, or take out.  

I didn't realize how much fast food we had but I will say that in the city, you can't do fast food, its not to be trusted.  Nothing is clean, rarely is it run well.  Usually someone is threatening violence, causing a scene.  So, when we get a chance to experience Arby's in a controlled environment, it's actually quite pleasant. 

Fort Wayne, Indiana - my hometown

As stated on the sign, Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island Hot Dog Shop, over 100 years old, a city institution.  Unfortunately, we were stuffed and couldn't eat one.

In the 70s my dad helped build this downtown park, Freimann Square. He wrote his name in the concrete somewhere but I couldn't find it. 

My mom on one of the bulldozer rigs as they were breaking ground for the park in the early 70's.  Dad drove us to see the big project his company was working on I remember thinking that my mom looked like a Mexican Eva Gabor from Green Acres. 

General 'Mad' Anthony Wayne

Stoner's Funstore - use to be an old haunt as a kid for gag gifts and magic tricks, costumes.  I spent hours browsing in this musty shop killing time while waiting for my parents who ran a restaurant downtown. 

The Indiana Hotel, birthplace of my parent's first restaurant

Our second house in Fort Wayne where I squandered my youth and made many poor life decisions from 14 until I left at 21.

A meaningful intersection from my youth - this was the exit out of 'the east end' neighborhood

Pizza from a local pizza delivery 

My parent's second restaurant location, now called Mi Pueblo, used to be El Charro

P had the steak fajitas

I had Tio Sam's, an incredibly savory sauce with shrimp, chicken and beef.  I can't describe the depth of that sauce! It was so peppery hot, yet I could not stop eating it, sopping it up with my tortillas, sweating, runny nose and all.  Delicious!  I believe the folks that run this could be related to the immigrants employed by my father many years ago. 

Real buffalo on the range, well, a state park in Indiana anyway

Wabash Lake - rock hard beach but a desolate oasis to swim

Late night gas station pizza bites, ham sliders and an ice cream sandwich - all very regrettable....let's move on

Pulled Pork sandwich and Italian Sub below from the Fairfax Bar and Grill at Lake Monroe, Indiana

The hotel had an eerie Stanley Hotel feeling from the Shining film. 

Grilled Chicken Greek Salad and Chicken Tenders and Fries from the Windjammer Bar

The pool was half inside, half  out.  I don't know how to feel about that.

Coffee and breakfast sitting on red Adirondack chairs watching the day break and all the smells sites and sounds of a Midwestern lake is comfort I'd love to bottle and take home to Brooklyn.

Tacos from the Windjammer Bar and Grill

The best times are when you think something is going to end tragically and instead you are rewarded with a pile of delicious days of celebration and get to spend time with the best people.

Back to the city

Did I mention they gifted P a truck? My secondary gift was I finally understand John Prine after listening to hours of recordings on the road.