Chili?

The Autumn weather brings to mind winter and lots of good ole' home cooking. This is the time of year to bring out the soup and bean pots. Why not combine the two and make a lovely batch of home-made chili?

Many people don't know that 'chile' refers to the actual pod of the pepper plant while the word 'chili' to the concoction of meat, tomatoes and chile powder. Chili is actually, for those in the know, meat (not ground beef) cooked with a varieties of tomatoes & tomato sauce and chili powder. The ingredients of chile powder are basic but vary widely between the chili aficionados. Often the winners of the International Chili Cook Off keep their ingredients secret.

Many people think of chili with beans and I will admit, I'm a lover of this, but if you have ever attended a chili cook off you will know that official chili does not include beans. This is pure speculation on my part, but I would like to suggest that the addition of beans to a pot of chili was an attempt to 'stretch' the available meat. Personally, I like it best this way because of the different textures that beans provide in a pot of chili.

Now, besides the change in seasons, I'll bet that you are wondering why I bring all of this information to the blogger page. Well, as chance will have it, Omaha, Nebraska was the site for the International Chili Cook Off on October 5-7th and it was fantastic. Seeing and watching all these lovers of a pretty basic dish that has been 'stretched' to include many facts and myths was an absolute joy.

While checking out the International Chili Cook Off web site I visited their myth & fact section. Did you know that Jesse James loved chili in fact after visiting Fort Worth the James brothers had this to say "anyplace that has a chili joint like this just oughta' be treated better." This is after they declined to rob the local bank. O.K. I don't know if that is really true but it sure would be fun to believe it.

If you have the time, I would like to recommend that you visit the web-site International Chili Cook Off and take the time to read up on the facts about chili. If you are looking for a good recipe, there are several that look interesting. Have fun!

Cats

The neighbor has quite a menagerie. There are 3 dogs, running in size from a chiwauwa to a mixed pit breed which includes all the different personalities from yappy to aggressive. They have a large white cockateil that screeches and talks at all times of the day. Finally, they have 3 cats that wander around the area.

We have become good friends with the cats. Cats are peculiar animals. One minute they are fawning all over you and the next they are off doing their own thing. I think that's what I like about them. Their independence and yet they show this soft side that craves attention.

Yesterday, I watched the black one hanging around our front porch. She approached and did the head butt movement. Where she rubs her head against my hands and legs showing that she wants a good scratching. She then walked next door and preened herself on the neighbor's steps. I watched as she caught the movement of a moth flying around her head. She started to eye it and followed it. She jumped at it. When she didn't catch it she pretended that she wasn't interested in it to begin with and then jumped off pouncing through the yard in leaps and bounds.

Life can be painful

I've noticed that recently there has been a turn to the dark side in my post content. It's not meant to be, as Winnie the Pooh stated when rabbit called down his door. If you don't know what I'm talking about then it's time for you to watch "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree" all over again. The tune to Pooh's exercise song is running through my head as I write this.

There have been some things in our lives, recently, that have been difficult but I feel that it will all turn out for the better. As corny as it sounds, when a door closes, somewhere a window opens. It takes faith, love and open eyes to find that window.

One of my husband's uncles (and he has quite a few), has been undergoing medical procedures to conquer cancer. It is not working and he has returned home with Hospice help.

During this difficult time there is one thing that has been helping our family and that is a website called Care Pages. It is designed to help loved ones with difficult family illnesses.

I was reading some of their tips and they struck a cord of truth. When someone is going through a difficult time it does not matter how you feel. What is important is to remember that the words you send, whether it is a simple "I love you," an "I remember when," or an "I don't know what to say" comment lets these people know that you care. And, when you come right down to it that is what is most important, letting people (loved ones) know what and how you are feeling. I know it can be hard, especially for some people, but going out on a limb can be very rewarding. Chance is part of life and if you don't take it by letting people know how you feel you may as well crawl into a hole and throw the dirt over your head.

You're not a hermit crab so go out there and LIVE!

The Poor Deer

As I was coming home from work the other day I saw something that was pretty gruesome. As I was driving around the curve near the pool I saw a SUV hit a deer. It was one of two that were trying to cross the road. They were bucks and had a nice 5 point rack.

I've seen deer hit before and either they get up right away or they don't. What happened this evening caused my heart to hurt. As it was hit, it's hind quarters fell into one of those big storm drains at the side of a street. I watched as it struggled to pull itself out of this hole. It almost got out and then slipped back in.

As soon as I got home I called the police. I couldn't ignore it. I didn't call 911, I actually looked up the police dispatch number. Once I got to the dispatch I found out that the police were on the scene.

As much as I feel for the animal, I'm glad to find that there were other people that were concerned and I wasn't the first person to call. I'm glad to find that there are other people concerned about a situation like this.

I'm fairly sure that they had to put the animal down, which is sad, but it is better than the pain that the poor deer would have suffered. So, everyone as you are driving through wooded areas during dusk, please watch out for crossing traffic.

Lights Out!

Our daughter is home but the storms are just starting, literally. Shawna blew out her birthday candles, cut the cake and passed around the ice cream. An hour later, all the relatives were on the road. They had to take off for two reasons. Reason number one: Monday morning is a work day. Reason number two: there was a severe thunderstorm coming in. And severe it was!

It was one of those storms where the rain comes in from the sides in waves and sheets instead of vertically. It poured for a half hour with enormous cracks of thunder and lightening. The rain did lighten up but the thunder kept going. Around 7:00 PM, the lights went out.

Fortunately, my mother was very giving. Quite a few years ago she moved to San Antonio. As she was packing up she shared many of the items that had blessed our home with memories. One of those items was an antique oil lantern. She gave me the antique glass lantern that had decorated our display shelves. I always keep this lantern full just in case of emergency. This evening it chased the shadows from our living room.

It is strange to think how dependent we have become on electricity. Every time we turned around I heard my husband, the kids or myself trying to flip a switch to turn on the lights. Or, how about our entertainment? Normally we spend the evening watching T.V., playing on the computer or the son is on the phone with his girlfriend.

This evening was an exception as we lit the lantern and pulled out a board game. We had a good time playing a "Harry Potter' board game. It was a take-off of the game "Clue". My husband and son have been playing Clue on the computer and have been beating the game quite often. You would have thought that they would have won with all the practice that they have been getting. Guess who won? Yep, it was me. It was a fluke, but I'll take what I can get.

It slowly got dark and it was reminiscent of many years ago when all that was available were lanterns and candles. I went for a walk later on that night. As I walked I looked at the many houses that were without electricity. Even without the powers of modern convenience our house still had more light than any in the neighborhood. What does that say about our family? I can't figure out if it is positive or negative. On one hand we were prepared for this kind of situation. On the other hand, even without modern convenience we wanted our environment to have a lot of light. Is this wasteful or just the way we are? Do we want the light to chase away the encroachment of darkness. Is this a primeval reaction? Or, does my family like a lot of light?

She's Back!

My lovely daughter has returned from her wandering ways. We picked her up from the local airport on Sunday, 8/12/07, at three in the afternoon. There we were watching & waiting for her to walk up the ramp and what do we see? One of her girl friends!

She took forever! We finally see her walking side-by-side with a young man. She's gone for 7 weeks and comes home with a new boyfriend. Will the trials and tribulations of life continue? We can only hope!

Her mother that has known her for almost 16 years didn't recognize her. Her hair was longer. She was taller, darker, more muscular and wearing a shirt I didn't recognize. She was doing this little sheepish smile thing knowing that her parents were watching her walk up the ramp with her young man.

It was great to wrap my arms around her and give her a hug! Her father was smiling and waiting his turn. We brought her home to a family of relatives. Her 16th birthday was just a few days away so I made her a cake from scratch (a personal gift from her father and myself, something she was hoping for). It had been a long time since everyone had been together for a birthday. My little girl isn't so little anymore and although this is a big thing for her (and us). It reminds me of my own 16th birthday celebration and what it big event it is. This special day only comes once in a life time! Here's hoping that she will remember her 16th for many years to come.

Thats amore Dean Martin

I told you I love Dean Martin. He always seemed to have fun while performing.

Little Did He Know

I started a new job recently that is located to the most tempting shopping area. Shopping, most people like (or love) to go looking for a new pair of shoes or a fantastic new outfit, but my idea of shopping heaven is the local garden store.

When telling my husband about this prospective job I purposely neglected to tell me that it was right next door to the fantastic gardening store, Mulhalls. My husband enjoys the work I put into the garden but he KNOWS that I get carried away. One year I had so many plans on my plate that I couldn't get all the manure into the ground. I just ran out of time. And, of course, he dislikes working outside when it is hot and humid, which in my area, is quite often. This means that any plans I make, I had better be sure that I can complete them because he is no help whats-so-ever. This isn't a mean or bad statement about my husband, it's just the way he is. On the other hand, if I really needed the help he would lend a hand. This way I get the satisfaction of knowing that the success in the garden is the result of my own two hands.

So, when I finally told him about the fact that Mulhalls is literally across the street from where I work, his response was, Eye's rolling--"uh-huh, now I know why you wanted that job." It takes a lot of restraint but so far I haven't bought a thing. Although, it does make a nice place to take a walk during lunch hour.

Mulhalls is fantastic! They have this jingle on the radio that goes "Mulhalls has it all." It really does! I spent a 1/2 hour just walking through the water fountains and statues. I still didn't see it all. That's going to take many more hours of walking and admiring. I can't wait to see what they will have up for the Halloween season.

Bees

I (and when I say "I" it wasn't really me) was swimming the other day and must have saved like 15 June bugs from an early death by drowning in the pool. I couldn't save them all so, I gave up. While I was swimming I was buzzed by a bee.

When he was dive bombing me, he got too close to the water and accidently landed. He was struggling to stay afloat so I tried to save him by getting him out. The darn fool came back and got sucked in again.

I kept trying to save him but the idiot kept coming back. Now if you keep trying to save the bee and he keeps coming back, what do you do? Like duh, you give up. I don't know how many times I tried to save him and he kept coming back. All right if you don't want to be saved then just float there. I give up!

Summertime Dreams

Trois couleurs: Film nature,
originally uploaded by Ezu.

Two young girls are walking into the tall green grass. It's the color of early summer. The heat and summer dryness hasn't turned it into the winter time hay.

They are trying to fill the hours of summer vacation. Summer vacation, the long days that slip away like the high tide of the ocean, leaving memories on the white sand of the beach. They seem to last forever but slide into the short days of autumn.

The young voices of girls float on the warm breeze. The sun is hot but the breeze feels cool. Slipping into the shoulder high grass the slender sharp blades brush against their legs.

Living in the country doesn't always give you a chance to socialize with your very best friend so, you have to fill your time by making up games and finding something to do. On this summer day we played house in the tall green grass.

We slid between the tall blades of grass hiding from the farm hands and our mother. We flattened a room in the middle of the field. It was the beginning of our house. Tunneling through the stalks we made a hallway to our bedrooms and kitchen. We were careful to make the hallways narrow in order to leave a roof of grass over our heads.

Lying on the moist, grassy floor of the bedroom we watched the snowy white clouds float across the blue sky, dreaming our dreams of the future. While lying there we heard the voice of our mother yelling for her missing kids. It's time to join the rest of the world but the hours spent in our green house will stay with me forever.