Confirm Thy Soul in Self Control

4th of July Sausage and Pepper Lettuce dogs

Romaine lettuce acts as the bun for these satisfying sausage and pepper dogs to celebrate the 4th.  We passed on opportunities to get street fare dogs today, so this was the healthier fix.  

Nachos with cheese and jalapenos along with homemade hot sauce kept the festive feel going.

Don't underestimate the flavor punch of cheddar and fresh jalapeno, a little red onion. 

A little shout out to my dear brother David who passed on 7/2/17. Thinking of you and your knowing smile.

You Can't Make Old Friends

The best smiles are the real ones!

Lunch with my bud at Junior's of all places.  Girl likes diners and grilled sandwiches, what can I say.  I'm not the amazing host that I would like to be but I know you give the people what they want.  If I recall the weather was sweltering heat with high humidity that day.  Unrelentless sun.  When you have to say, dang summer, you scary!  

I got the Turkey Reuben with thick cut fries and we we scored a good window seat in the back.

I believe H got the Swiss Melt.  They always give pickled beets, pickles and coleslaw to each table.  I hope that never goes away, like the free chips and salsa at Mexican restaurants did. 

But we cooled off in the AC, sat in the park a bit before melting and then hightailed it back to my place for some cold watermelon and an incredible chat.  I miss socializing so much but do it so little.  It is schedules and energy driving the downslope in outings but something definitely happened after COVID that leaves me even more apt to spend time alone.   This is not without logic.  I'm less apt to jump on the subway at night as every ride comes with some potentially violent lunatics.  Women are vulnerable and it seems like everyone that gets attacked by a machete or pushed off the tracks is my age.  It's a drag to go to Manhattan now.  It gives me bad juju.  I love my Brooklyn neighborhoods but it is healthy to get out and about.  When you spend time with someone you know and feel so at ease with, that's when it becomes apparent that you're missing out.  

Can I Handle the Seasons of My Life?

Salad for Dinner

Kitchen Sink Summer salads with what you like over lettuce and a bag of chips.  In this case, blue corn chips.

You just need to provide a variety of fresh textures, some acidity, some creaminess and substance, like beans to stick to the ribs, in this case cannellini beans. 

2023

Nieces and nephews are getting so much older, evident in these photo comparisons.  People who have kids understand this already but I can only look at relatives to realize how much time is passing.  Oh yeah, and that dern mirror.

2016

With our big-eyed godson above, not sure about the year.  Now working for SpaceX (below).  Look how much hair we had! I still wear that same t-shirt btw.