Ain’t no big thing at all

Well, it’s a done deal. The girls have been pancaked and imaged and it’s all good for another year.

The hard part this time had more to do with breaking my workday routine than having the mammogram itself. Despite two pop-up reminders yesterday and a voice-mail message when I got home reminding me of my 9 a.m. appointment, I showered and dressed as usual for work. About the time I was sitting down at my PC, I realized I’d screwed up. Half an hour later, I was headed home to shower off the deodorant and lotion I’d applied earlier so I’d be “clean” for my mammo.

Cold lemonade with hot rolls fresh from the oven

So it is me, Genno, trying to write about something that might interest a few people. I am going to blog about the early days of my life.

For the first time in 50+ years, I have been spending time remembering the early years of my life. Events of the past crowd my mind as I try to organize my thoughts. There is a dream-like quality in the remembering — a reflection of someone else other than who I see in the mirror.

A tale of two potlucks

What a difference a week makes. Last night I carried a dish of vegan-friendly quinoa risotto to the monthly potluck of a local vegetarian group. A week earlier, I’d made Town Band Baked Beans with bacon from Aunt Bee’s Mayberry Cookbook for a barbecue at Martin’s house.

I can wait to see you again

At what point does a smart person give up on meeting a romantic partner online? I’m not sure how long it takes but I’m not there yet. I’ve tried several different sites for meeting men online. I’ve actually met some really great guys but thus far, there’s been no true romance. From friends and family, I happen to know it can happen but how long do you give it before you throw in the towel?

So this is how it’s going to be

After a trip to the gym with a friend to lift weights, I stopped in to have a beer and see the progress on the deck she and her husband are building. After reviewing the home improvements in progress, we sat down with our beers out back.

One thing led to another and I was trying to recommend the movie GlenGarry Glen Ross to her. Here’s how a bit of the conversation went:

Me: It’s a dark movie but really good. And there’s a stellar cast . . . Jack Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, uh that good-looking actor who’s name has Glen in it — Scott Glen or maybe Glen Scott

You will survive

There’s a duet by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown playing on Top 40 radio with this chorus: But how do you expect me to live alone with just me; ‘Cause my world revolves around you It’s so hard for me to breathe . . .

Poor Jordin. It’s a bitch trying to breathe without any air. I like the song, No Air — it’s wonderful ear candy. But I find the sentiment behind songs of that ilk annoying. It’s certainly not a new theme in pop music — there are lots of songs with a similar bent. Like Harry Nillson’s Without You, which may be the ultimate broken-heart ballad — I can’t live if living is without you.

Eggs with green chilis

This is the simplest breakfast casserole I know of. While there are several variations of a popular breakfast casserole containing bulk sausage and/or frozen hash browns, this one is deliciously different — it’s not full of fat. It’s simple and tasty and not so hard on the arteries.

I got the recipe from my sister and have no idea where it originated.

6 eggs (I use a couple of eggs plus the equivalent amount of egg substitute)

8 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese (I use reduced fat cheese)

8 oz. sour cream (I use fat-free or reduced fat)

Size does matter!

I was talking with my wife this morning about how great she is doing with her weight loss. Her weight had been static for a few weeks but she just dropped another couple of pounds. She was telling me how she felt that she hadn’t lost much weight. It got me thinking about the way 90 percent of people gauge how well they are doing weight-wise — the scale!

The truth is if you are exchanging fat for muscle, you won’t see a change in your weight. In fact, it may even go up — and yet you are still getting healthier. So why do we keep track of just our weight, something I am guilty of myself?

Cinnamon Apples

This side dish originated with a recipe for baked apples that sounded like too much work to me. Why core and stuff apples when you can get the same flavors with a bit less fuss? I never peel the apples — it’s too much work and Mom says the peels are good for you. This tasty side dish reminds me of apple pie without the crust. I like to serve it with a casserole of eggs with green chilis for brunch or as a side dish to complement a garlicky pork roast.

3-4 Fuji apples, sliced

1/4 C margarine or butter

Lightening up with delayed gratification

One of my all-time favorite Seinfeld quotes comes from The Frogger episode. Elaine has grown tired of the lame excuses her officemates come up with to have celebratory cake and finally gives them a piece of her mind: “Do you think we can fill the void in our lives with flour, sugar, eggs and vanilla? I mean, we’re all unhappy; do we have to be fat too? (looks at Becky who is fat and is standing in the crowd) Not you Becky, I know you have a slow metabolism.”

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