Good Eatin'

Yes, there have been more important things happening lately than food. I heard something about a president....I'm sure things will be fine. This is actually my second attempt at this post, the first one was not saved, and my browser shut down on me. As the title suggests, most of this post will be about food.

First though, I must talk about one of the best IPTP in recent days. I was waiting at the bus stop for the driver to return from his break, which he was taking his time with, and sitting there was a man. Neck-length, straight gray hair, worn jeans, 1-year old tennis shoes, non-descript shirt, with black windbreaker on top. He eventually added a portable FM radio to the mix, with headphones. The man remarked "Two more ******* days man, then ******* Bush is out!" Since no one else was at the stop, I guessed he was talking to me. Our conversation eventually touched on the difference between wilful wrongdoing and accidental mistakes, Vietnam, the mil-indust complex, post-tramatic stress disorder (PTSD), the treatment of veterans both by health providers, and society in general, and the cost of war. While a vulgar, and sometimes one-sided conversation, it made me wish that the bus driver wold have taken more time with his break. I'm not looking forward to the day when my generation is the one with the stories to tell.

Speaking of my generation, and our stories. I was wondering with Mom what will be the legacices of the Generation Y. What do you think?? What will we be telling our kids and grandkids about?

Now! On to the food! My first version of this post just touched on two good meals recently, but throughout the day, I kept thinking of more generic meals I love, and decided that some good food was the one thing my blog desperately needed. Let's begin!

Breakfast, one of my 5 favorite meals of the day. A good breakfast is at 10ish, and is precluded by a small snack, probably a bowl of cereal. Recently I made cinnamon rolls, which were yummy, but the most enjoyable part of the meal was the smell. Better than any coffee. More great breakfasts. Extremely early in the morning, with lots protein and fiber, not a lot of taste, and strong black coffee, followed by hard work. While camping, I wake up first, (usually by having my cell phone which is sitting in the mesh net in the middle of tent fall on my head) go shower, make and drink coffee (unless at Big Sur, in which case I run to the shop and get it there), start the fire, and begin with my camping dish. Take enough eggs to feed everyone, begin to scramble, once the eggs have stopped running, add rice and chopped ham, continue to scramble, once fully scrambled, sprinkle cheese on top and cover, once the cheese is fully melted, cut into portions and serve. YUM! Pancakes and waffles are good too, pancakes are great when they are fresh off the griddle. I love hashbrowns for breakfast but rarely have them, due to the amount of work required. I must say, IHOP, while border-line revolting in the amount sugar in most of their food, has really good hashbrowns.

Lunch......
Lunch and dinner are considered interchangable, because the food is similar, but not indentical. I like sandwhiches and salads for lunch. Panera, a great regional bakery, serves a great salad/sandwich combo. I personally like the Greek salad and Italian sandwich. The salad has Kalamata olives, Feta cheese, peppericinos, and a great oil and vinegar dresssing. The sandwich has peppericinos, salami, lettuce, mystery spread, tomatoes, and cheese. (I never paused long enough to identify the cheese) That meal is for dignified conversation (usually), the next meal is for having fun, being crazy with family or friends. BLT's! 'Nuff said! Last lunch meal has a required prequel to be fully enjoyed. Hard work, in uncomfortable conditions, (mud, wind, dirt, rain, sun, snow, cold, heat, etc.) without conversation, followed by an authentic meal of tacos, with salsa and limon. My favorite place to eat this meal is a great little local chain called "Super Taqueria". Very authentic, filling, tasteful, relatively inexpensive food.

Dinner.
I like dinner....
Old Spaghetti Factory! I love that place! Mostly Californian chain, with great 1920's decor, and amazing food. My favorite entree is salad, spaghetti with meatballs, a sausage, and eternal bread (bottomless or endless doesn't do it justice). On the topic of Italian food, I vaugely remember a hilarious place in Portland, OR, where I used to live. (I was 8, so memory is a bit fuzzy.) Outside the resturant was a water feature, made up of 20 spouts, which would go off in a "rythmic" fashion. Once inside a plate of bread and roasted elephant garlic (must try it!) would be served upon seating, and along with the garlic would be crayons, but not just for the kids. Everyone, age regardless would color on the table, sometimes even writing out their order. I just remember having a lot of fun with that. I really want to go back to reminisce.

Meals have very vivid memories associated with them for me, or very vivid emotions or sensations. I love eating, it can be a time of conversation and pleasure, or just a time of refueling needed nutrients. Speaking of meals, time for dinner. We are trying a new tradition, once-weekly "reading dinner" in which reading and coloring are allowed at the table.

Until next time.