Muppets, Tyler Florence and Regimen

Let’s start with the first. My husband has always liked the Muppets. I do also but in a passing kind of way. Today I actually worked on piano so that on guitar I could improvise and play him the Rainbow Connection on guitar. Yes, it was horrible but I only had the lyrics to go on, so I made up my own chords in my head and executed. He appreciated the sentiment.

That’s how I mostly cook. On FoodNetwork.com you can look up a recipe for pork with apples and cider gravy by Tyler Florence. His recipe actually makes enough for 12 if not 16 diners. Given that the first time I made it by recipe I spent $70 just for the meat! It is a wonderful dish but I needed pork for two.

Mine was one pork tender marinated with salt, pepper, a slathering of good dijon mustard, placed in a bowl and had a nice Spreckers beer poured over to cover for two hours. Unfortunately things came up and the sauce I wanted to make from the marinade ended up a frothy mess. I bought corn bread (sorry) and used a bit to stuff apples. Sorry, Tyler I wanted a baking apple that was more tart and also good for baking so chose Braeburn rather than your Gala. And I messed with that recipe as well.

On the good side I cooked some pappardelle noodles and tossed them with butter, salt and pepper. Then I had a prepared salad in which the greens had wilted so I added the cranberries, goat cheese and walnuts to fresh greens and, voila! Or, as the French say, “Here it is!” Remind me of that story for later.

Regime. Yes, I’m afraid I’m tied to one for the rest of my life. One life event I dreaded monthly for six years (no, it’s not what you think though I am female) is spaying and neutering up to 200 feral cats in a day. The coordinators had food for us throughout the day but once I touched my first cat all I had was water. I don’t even think I allowed myself breakfast. The ordeal lasted up to seven hours. I ran transport to recovery, all the recovery volunteers including those who watched the cats’ breathing, devised a recovery schedule for monitors and breathers, also the cage cleaners who were sweethearts and stalwart volunteers.

When I arrived home I showered, went right to bed with my two cats and dog and felt I made a difference in the world that day.

Now I have a medical routine that takes a couple of hours a day, is making me well and I will be able to make a difference in our world every day. I’ve never asked anything more. Yes I did ask if my dog could be a therapy volunteer and she was turned down because she eats raw food. Hospice volunteer? Do they think we’re there to kill them? I’m baffled.

A few of my ornaments this first ever adult holiday tree are from children, an event I created 20 years ago. They’re all round and tagboard and painted with cats and dogs or glued on pieces of ribbon and they’re some of the most precious things I can show to family, friends and neighbors. I hope these kids have their own families now. These kids were orphans and all invited and everyone else who attended was given a free ticket with a donation of goods (snacks, juice, clothing) for the kids. I’ll tell you about that brainstorm sometime.

Right now I’m happy to be alive with my guy and hoping Texas has power and water soon, as it seems like my in-laws are last on the list after four days. Dee

ps Somehow mourning the fact our grocery is out of mincemeat seems inappropriate. I think when the streets are clear I’ll search for capon instead, then mincemeat for tarts.