Thursday, December 23, 2010

BRB

And just like that the holidays sneaked up on me.  It's the busy season at work, then again, when you work in an industry that is 24/7, it seems it's ALWAYS the busy season.  Anyhow, I am not done with my shopping but I figure I'm ok since I don't have to see any of these people until after Christmas so I have a little time. 

I'll be traveling to Tiny Town, Texas tomorrow and I just wanted to wish all the anonymous people reading this right now a very Merry Christmas and the happiest of a New Year. 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Mother Ship


When I was a kid, and given that we weren't particularly close to my Grandpa, I never knew I was 1/4 Italian.  Teachers would constantly ask about my rare last name, wondering about its origins and guessing correctly from where it came from.  (I didn't know where it came from until much later in life.)  I would just shrug my shoulders and say, "Yea, I guess so."  I have always related much more to my Mexican background because we've always remained close to my Grandma.  However, that never stopped my dad from taking us to Pizza Hut every Saturday night or myself from making spaghetti and lasagna on my own.  I would like to say that the Mother Ship was calling us home.  We answered.

Changing the subject...


This is what I would like to do on Tuesday.  The only problem is the drink.  I don't drink but damnit, I love me A Christmas Story. 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

More Chicken Please


One of the perfect meals for a cold day usually involves chicken.  So, just like last week, I made some chicken soup.  However, I'd been making the traditional chicken noodle soup.  This time, I opted for the one I grew up with-caldo de pollo.  I used both dark and white meat but rather than eat it with the bones still intact, I deboned all of the chicken pieces.  I think it makes it less messy, and certainly less work, to enjoy while you watch a little TV and talk about your office bullshit. 

Caldo de pollo is accompanied with rice which is made separately.  Adding a few mint leaves really brings it home.  I couldn't be any happier with this meal.  It was perfect for a cold Monday.  And now I really miss my Ama whose caldo de pollo is legendary.  Everything she makes is legend-wait for it-dary.

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Results Show, Part 2

Last Friday I had an appointment with my endocrinologist, endo for short, to get the results from my blood work, which was drawn towards the end of October.  (Side note:  I have visits with my endo typically every 4 months, or whenever he deems it necessary to drag me out there to talk to me about stuffs.  Usually, I don't get the results from my blood, which is scheduled to get taken after my visit, until my next 4-month follow-up.  And, unless something major shows up, which they would call me about, then I hear nothing until said follow-up.  It's sounds odd but it's been working for me and my endo for years now so no biggie.)

After the typical LONG ASS wait at the endo's, I get seen.  As I mentioned, I've known my endo for years and we've been doing this dance for a while.  However, before my official diagnosis, it was merely a yearly visit.  At this point, we should be exchanging Christmas cards and gifts.  I'm sure he'd give me a new meter or some strips.  Humfph.  Anyhow, the big reveal came and hooray if he didn't say I was doing fabulous.  My A1c is 6.4, a great number to be at, and my cholesterol is down.   It's so good that apparently my shit is better than my endo's.  What, what?!  The one thing that I have to work on, other than lose a couple of more pounds, is work on getting my good cholesterol up.  How the, what the?  I've been told adding fish to my diet would help but I'm not a big fan of it so good luck to me. 

After the awesome doctor visit, one in which I totally high fived my endo, I made plans to hit the grocery store and celebrate with a few scoops of diet ice cream.  Lo and behold, JC (one who has twarted many of my plans to cheat and eat this summer) and, just maybe the doctor, had other plans for me.



No ice cream.  Nothing.  What the rocky road?  I get it though.  So, well played, JC, very well played. 

But, then I called B and had an early dinner with him.  Apparently he had an appointment with his oncologist and he's rocking it too.  So, we celebrated on mediocre cheeseburgers at Porch Swing and made fun of the fact that only people with diseases were invited to our little celebration dinner.  It's been a week and I am still high on the news.  Actually, more for B since his blood work came back with the CML barely making a blip on the tests.  Most excellent news.  See you in April, Mr. Endo. 

EDIT:  My brother has appointments with his doctor every other month and while his CML is barely showing up on his tests, it's still present and will remain so until...well, we'll figure it out when we get there.  He also has to do a yearly bone marrow biopsy.  So, there you go.  Let's cue NBC's The More You Know music and graphics.  ;)

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Keller Method



I finally tried a modified version of the Thomas Keller version for roasted chicken last night and, let me tell you, it was amazing.  I jotted down the major cooking points from The Amateur Gourmet's version of the recipe last week in preparation for one of this week's dinners.



My handwriting was horrible this day.  Oopsies.

After the hour was up, as well as the required resting time (while I roasted broccoli), we were ready to devour the chicken.  Dudes, it did not disappoint.  The white meat was so moist and juicy while the dark meat slid of their bones with no effort.  The skin was so crispy.  The only drawback is the smell.  I woke up in the middle of the night to the smell of chicken still hanging in the air like a gently woven tapestry.  (I wonder if it will hang over Lake Michigan in years to come.)  I love the smell but it permeates everything.  I kept my bedroom door locked while the chicken roasted so the smell wouldn't attach itself to my bedsheets and my clothes.  This morning though, the chicken smell greeted me with a slap in the face.  As I type, it's still in my nose. 

Regardless, the recipe is surely going to be reused over and over with very minimal changes.  It was absolutely yummy. 

Cause I Can


I truly love the cats.  They're my babies.  Many people will say that it's not the same as having children but others say it is.  I have no children so I can't compare.  I just know that my pets rely on me to feed them, clean up the box for them and, most importantly, get them their much deserved treats.  That's like having a child, right?

No?  Then getting them a stocking solidifies it, eh?



I knew it. 

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Food Talk

Over at Serious Eats, this thread is racking up the comments.  The topic revolves around what you are tired, or not, for 2010 and what you are looking forward to in 2011 all concerning food trends.  It's an interesting read and they all are valid.  For me though, I'm over the following:

  • Bacon - I love bacon as much as the next person but wrapping a meatloaf in it just doesn't make it look appetizing for me.  I just want it next to my over medium eggs, maybe on some potatoes but that's it.  Personally, I find the taste can overwhelm your dish which is why I seldom use it outside of a typical breakfast meal.  You will taste nothing but the bacon. 
  • Offal's high prices - It used to be a secret, the yumminess of oxtails and its cheapness, now suddenly, they're $7 a pound and it's sad.  I'm happy that the animal, as a whole, is being used but holy moly, it's bordering on a luxury item. 
  • Gourmet burgers - Just give it to me straight with cheese and some good fries.  Oh, with the grease (at least a little) running off the side.  Yea, that's the ticket.
What I am most hopeful for is and happy that it's getting some notice is:
  • Improvement of school lunches - I still remember the menu for my school lunches a long, long time ago and they were decent.  None of what Mrs. Q is chronicling over at Fed Up with Lunch.  If the children of today decide to lock me up tomorrow because of the shit they are eating this morning, I would totally understand.  For realsies.  During my early 20's, I worked as a reading tutor for elementary children.  I enjoyed my job, loved those children and ate lunch with them a lot just to develop that trust with them.  However, those lunches were crap.  I'm sure, 10 years later, they are worse.


  • Making time - Monday, I took a day and rather than not lift a finger, I cooked all day long.  I made a batch of beans to freeze for future meals as well as made some chicken soup for that evening's dinner.  It was a little difficult because in the middle of it all, I really wanted to take a nap but the fear of waking up to that distinct stench of burnt beans was enough to get me to power through.  Yes, I would LOVE to take the easy route and eat some ramen on a cold day BUT that stuff is super bad for me.  Besides, my caldo was yums and love really is the secret ingredient;  Love for body and mind, that is.  I know life can be hectic but even if you put in a little effort, such as after you come home with your groceries, prep them, marinade, etc., it really will make it easier during the week when the last thing you want to do is trim the fat off the chicken after dealing with workstuffs. 
  • Experimentation - I know what I like and what I don't like but not before trying it myself.  For example, last night I tried moroccan food.  How I manage to live this long, and in Houston, without trying it is beyond me.  I would like to say I came into my own during my late 20's.  I started trying all sorts of food and discovering exactly what meshed and didn't with me.  I'm hopeful that more people will give unknown foods a whirl.  You never know.  Besides, in your late 30's, things change drastically.  Gone are the Jack in the Box/McDonalds days, replaced with a turkey breast sandwich on whole grain wheat and light mayo because the aforementioned make you feel lousy afterwards.  No one wants to feel lousy after eating.  You want to feel nourished, energized and happy.  Jack makes me hate myself.   

I'm amazed at how complicated food has become.  The labels, the government's half-assed involvement, the high cost of eating well preventing low income homes from doing so, the high cost of prescription drugs causing low incomes homes to make tough choices on eating well or purchasing their meals thus compromising their health (an issue that bothers me immensely) and a slew of other items.  I love food, I love that in the past year, I have evolved much more than I thought I would.  I have broaded my horizons, investigated food ideas and cut out things I knew were bad for me but ate them regardless.  What was I thinking?  However, today I am.  Today I look forward to going home and making my dinner and enjoying the effort I  put into it and I hope so many people feel that way. 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

What's a day off?


"Geez, Mom.  Get out the kitchen and come and check out the neighbors with me."


Cooking, simmering, cleaning, laundry, Dexter, Top Chef All Stars, errands and kitteh scratches.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Take That


Papas con huevo y frijoles con chorizo.  Even a simple meal can take a while to make.  The beans, for example, were frozen but they came from a big batch of slow cooked beans on a Sunday solely so I could reheat, mix with chorizo and eat before Thanksgiving because hells no am I hitting up the grocery store with the cray-cray people who finally got around to buying a turkey and all the extras.  I wonder if it's the same Black Friday shoppers who camp outside of Best Buy.  Speaking of, yea, I did it.  I hit up Target at 4a, got my punk ass God children their scooters and then I went home and was a hermit for the rest of the day. 

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Youth


Get off my lawn, you crazy kids! 

They may as well put up No Smoking signs behind the electives wing of the high school which I totally didn't partake in.




Ok, I totally did.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

New Sensation


The day before Thanksgiving, I was having visions of childhood cartoons.  Suddenly, the above image popped into my head.  It was a fuzzy image but the basic colors were there yet I couldn't remember the name of the character.  All I knew, other than the colors and general appearance, was that the name of the character was also the name of the show.  I asked the BNC who is awesome at remembering stuff like this but he was at a loss.  B couldn't remember either.   Some days passed when I finally got around to asking Chapa.  Without skipping a beat, he told me; Freakazoid.  It was then that I started a little trip down memory lane (fine, I do it a lot) starting with cartoons to TV shows to music.


For example, I LOVED the Dungeons & Dragons cartoon.  As a matter of fact, I think they would make excellent Halloween costumes.  I choose Dungeon Master.  I never played the RPG version of Dungeons & Dragons though I'll admit it, I always wanted to learn.  I did play Pokemon and Heroclix with my nerd friends and was really good at it.  Just saying.

Then, Monday, my last day in a 5-day weekend, I visited my favorite music store and found old, used CDs I've been trying to get for years.  They included Oasis, Pearl Jam and some Madonna compilations but it was the INXS greatest hits CD that got me.  Michael Hutchence was awesome.  His charisma, his talent, his voice, everything, is something that doesn't come around too often.  I miss his music terribly and his passing was upsetting. 


Lead singers with IT are rare.  Freddie Mercury had it better than anyone.  His Live Aid performance of Radio Ga Ga, with such command of the the audience as they clapped in unison, still takes my breath away.  His death brought me to tears.  Michael Hutchence had it, of course, and it's a damn shame what happened.  Much like what happened to Tupac.




After Thanksgiving, while the BNC and B napped together, I stumbled upon Tupac: Resurrection and was captivated.  Tupac has always rocked but to know so much more by listening to him tell his story, watch the footage of his interviews, etc. was a treat.  And, just like that, I miss the 90s a great deal.  I miss the music my generation grew up with.  I miss it more since many of the artists that still move me are gone. 

And now I'm feeling old. 

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Thanksgiving


Logan, taken before I stuffed 15 additional people into my tiny home for Thanksgiving.  With so many Mexicans in my home, I was tempted to start a landscaping business, maybe roofing.

And it was a grand time.  We managed perfectly, everyone ate, laughter and stories were exchanged, football was watched and hugs and I love you were abundant.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Something tells me next year I will find myself in the same situation and that makes me happy because that is what Thanksgiving is all about.  I hope yours was a grand one as well. 

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Even More Doodle Time

Several weeks ago I ordered some Moleskine books from Amazon and, after almost a month, they finally showed up.  I hooted and hollered and then got Doodler's Block.  What am I supposed to doodle?  What will be the first thing to draw in my mini-sketch book?  Pressure.  I'm sure by the end of the day I would have doodled feverishly but for now, the pages sit blank except for the first page where I  wrote my name, phone number  and a $50 reward in case I lose it. 


Along with the mini-sketch book, that fits comfortably in my satchel, which I get a lot of compliments on, I purchased a regular sized Moleskin featuring Snoopy.  It's to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Peanuts comic strip and I love it.  Just like the above book, this one sits empty with only my name, phone number and reward items filled out.  Still, I'm happy.


I drew Charlie Brown on a regular piece of paper but perhaps I should re-doodle it into the mini.  Seems right I suppose.



And, speaking of anniversaries, my 6th wedding anniversary is this Saturday.   Already?  It seems so long ago but, at the same time, not really. 



Good times.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Doodle Time


What can I say?  I love me some Harry.

The Other White Meat


I've been experimenting with recipes lately.  I've been making a lot of mashed potatoes, doing some test runs, because originally I was going to have Thanksgiving at  my BFF's house and was put in charge of the potatoes.  Cooking for people other than your family is tricky because they aren't used to your cooking which explains my starch overload recently.  I finally got the recipe down and just like that, I am now cooking Thanksgiving at my house for my family and some friends.  I was trying to avoid it again this year but how I can turn down B?  Developing my own recipe for pork tenderloin was also a lot of testing.  My old recipe involved garlic inside the tenderloin then slathered in olive oil, salt and pepper.  However, my new and much more delicious recipe involves a little olive oil, salt, pepper and soy sauce.  Just cover the pork tenderloin well in those simple ingredients, roast in the oven at 400º for about 20-30 mintues and bam, yummy pork. 

In other Thanksgiving news, it's warm and sticky here in Houston, not a complete shocker, but I was hoping to finally be wearing (sweat)pants to Thanksgiving dinner but, shorts it is...until that evening when a cold front will pass through and drop those temperatures quick.  Stay classy, Houston. 

Monday, November 22, 2010

Hot Chocolate


Abuleita hot chocolate is a staple in any Mexican household.  It's easy to make and incredibly yummy, from what I remember.  I purchased a package for the BNC and made some while the weather was nice and cool on Thursday night.  Coupled with some pan de dulce (sweet bread) and your worries should melt away. 


For every square of the Abuelita (Grandmother) chocolate bar, add a cup of milk.  Warm up your milk, not boiling, and add your squares of chocolate.  Stir and stir until completely dissolved all the while not boiling your milk or developing that nasty skin on top.  It may be a little undersweetened so adding half a spoon of sugar to your serving may bring out the flavor.  I should have tried the Modern Family version, adding some salt, but I decided not to. 

Pour into your favorite mug, which may be an oversized mug you purchased 10+ years ago while visiting the Alamo and eat with a piece of sweet bread (not the animal gland).

 

If you're like me though, you may just salivate as your BNC sips his hot chocolate while you pat yourself on the back for powering through. 

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The Final Countdown.

hurr durr derp face - Letthurrr from Hogwhurrrts
see more Hurr


And with that, I have Europe's song in my head.  Yea me.  Anyhow, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part 1 is a few days away and I already have my tickets.  Wut, wut.  But now, I have to come to terms with the fact that the end of an era is starting.  It was a good time.  I can't recall the last time I was so captivated reading a book much less an entire series about a boy who was a wizard attending Hogwarts, a wizard school, all the while battling Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort (yea, I said it, I ain't scared).  I know they're children's books but I don't care that I waited in line to pick up some of the books, as they were newly released, with parents and their children.  I wanted my book so I could rush home, turn off the TV, the phone, and read in peace and quiet sans my gasps as shocking surprises came about as the pages turned and turned.  I was happy.  I was happy these books made me so happy.  I was happy that it got children reading again.  I was happy when some friends, some I wouldn't have pegged as readers, were huge fans.  I was happy that I got my MIL to knit me the Gryffindor scarf for Christmas one year (that I still wear).  And I was really happy when the movies were made.  I wanted to see how my visual interpretations compared to what JK Rowling, the author, and the director (various) envisioned.  They weren't all winners but regardless, they will be classics just like the books.

Oh Harry.  Oh Snape.  Oh Weasleys.  Oh Dumbledore.  You will always sit safely on my shelf. 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Monday, November 15, 2010

Albondigas


So warm, so soothing is what a nice bowl of albondiga (meatball) soup is.  As the zombie weather (humid, foggy and gross) was rolling out and the cold weather was rolling in, albondigas for dinner was perfect.

Form ground beef, seasoned with salt, pepper and 1 egg, into meatballs.  Then, brown on each side not necessarily fully cooked.  After they have a nice sear, get out your tomato paste, broth, thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. 


After bringing to a boil, I typically pour in a half a cup of rice and let the rice cook in the broth but, this time I opted to use some egg noodles. 


I wasn't disappointed.  It was the perfect remedy for a long and strenuous work week.  I think I may use egg noodles from now on.  The first time I made this dish I was about 14 years old.  Underestimating how much rice expands, I must have poured in about 3-4 cups.  There was absolutely no broth just rice and meatballs.  It's a story my mom tells often.  Whoops.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Good Idea, Bad Idea

I  love the Animaniacs.  It reminded me so much of The Three Stooges and The Marx Brothers.  (Listen, my dad's viewing habits rubbed off on us.  It's why I'm such a huge Niners fan.  He watched, and being we were Mexican and poor and only had one TV, it meant we watched it too.)  I enjoy the humor and the wittiness of the Animaniacs.  It seemed like a precursor to the animated movies of the moment where the humor flies over a child's head but they laugh anyhow cause you laugh. 

Yesterday, I had my own fucked up version of Good Idea/Bad Idea, a segment on the show but without the HA-HA humor. 


Cereal is supposed to be a good idea to have for breakfast and, besides soup, where else can you eat and drink your meal?  However, for me, it's supposed to be a no-no.  But, because I'm stupid, stupid, stupid, I ate it anyhow.  Maybe, just maybe, this time my blood glucose won't shoot up.  The box says that it's a great source of fiber, a plus for the diabetic crowd.  As the saying goes, denial ain't just a river.  Two hours after eating this, my blood glucose was 200+.  I have tried several combinations of cereal, all of them with different milks except the whole kind because that is just bad, and they have all yielded the same results.  And just like that, it's over, for good this time.  So, what was a good idea ended up being a bad idea.  I feel just awful that my stupidity, not to mention stubborness, got me such high blood glucose readings.  I think about the damage it may, or may not, have caused me in the long run.  Stupid indeed.



And then, last night, with zombie weather in full effect here, I opted out of making the scheduled albondigas (meatball soup) and hitting up Barbecue Inn with the BNC.  I normally don't eat, much less cook, fried stuff but I make several exceptions.  Barbecue Inn is one of them.  We sat, we talked, we ate and we compared work stories.  For now, he wins the award for tough work week.  Later in the evening, after the requisite time had passed to test my blood glucose, a normal reading pops up.  Odd indeed considering that that is not the picture of health.  But it's always a good idea to maintain your glucose levels and everyone is different.  What may not affect me may affect others in the same ways cereal and Barbecue Inn chicken does.  So, constant testing and adjusting is a big key to knowing what you can and cannot eat.  Before you know it, it becomes second nature to pass on that cupcake, order water instead of (even) a diet Coke, eat until you are satisfied, split your meal with your partner (cause there was no way I was going to eat all of that chicken) and, most of all, visit the doctor on a regular basis.  It's hard but it's not.  What wil be hard, later in life, is the damage done by acting so carelessly.  Trust. 

Thursday, November 11, 2010

A Couple of New Loves

Possible spoilers ahead...

The Walking Dead

I enjoy a good zombie movie.  Dawn of the Dead is awesome, Night of the Living Dead is perfect and Return of the Living Dead just terrified me.  (I was a teenager and I TOTALLY fell for the Based on a True Story disclaimer.)  Shaun of the Dead is in a class of its own and it's an Honors class.  Anyhow, The Walking Dead is....different.  Sure, zombies are walking around trying to eat you but it's more about the human aspects of not only the non-zombies but the zombies as well.  For example, Sunday's episode, which I watched last night cause I'm old, really put that thought out there that the zombies were once people.  They had lives, stories to tell, just like you, and now they don't have that.  It affected me much more than the gory scene that had me dry heaving.  However, that scene, immediately following the oh, the zombie has/had a partner moment, gently reminded me that the show is about zombies so tread lightly.  If a Zombie Apocalypse is on your list of greatest fears and/or you have had the In Case Zombies Show Up Plan talk with your significant other, it's perfect for you and your partner.  In a nutshell, I love this show.  Watch it while there is zombie weather outside for extra oomfph.  Trust.

TeeFury

This site rocks.  If the Woot t-shirt of the day isn't doing it for you, head over here.  I purchased this shirt last week.  I am officially a t-shirt addict.  My apologies. 

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Punk Asses.

I need to get this made ASAP and give to my God children for Chrismas (beat that Nintendo DS) because it's what I call them all the time.  And I totally have the permission from their mom.  Muah ha ha.

Neighborhood Watch, Part Deaux

Bitty Girl loves to watch the action, as I have previously mentioned, and now that the weather has cooled down considerably, I get to open up the windows, much to her happiness, and let her do  one of her favorite things; life watch.

 Yes?


Oh, I see Ms. Gustafson's little girl has yet another uncle.
 

 Stupid dog.

 Squirrel!

 Oh, hai! 

Go away.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Happy birthday, B


For a split second, that awful February day, I imagined that we wouldn't make it this far.  That moment didn't last longer than my breath but it was long enough for me to be afraid to live in a world that didn't have you.  That moment has stayed with me since and will for the rest of my life.  Sigh.  There simply aren't enough colors in the universe for me to paint you a picture of how much you mean to me.

 

11/8/10

Monday, November 8, 2010

Friday, November 5, 2010

Papas



Every summer, the day after school was over, we'd get shipped out to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to be with our Grandma and eventually have our cousins from Guadalajara, as well as our Houston cousins, meet us there. We wouldn't return until the weekend before school was set to start and every year we'd hate the dash to get our supplies. Parents, I tell ya. Good times nevertheless. It was a time before school gave you assignments to do during the summer, before the internet, before people were scared to let their kids play outside unsupervised, a time when you were allowed to walk alone to the store a few blocks away and certainly before anyone was allowed to roam without caution in Nuevo Laredo. But, my last remaining grandparent is very much alive and doing very well. Everyone can always count on her especially when it comes to food. To this day, you are guaranteed a breakfast of papas con huevos, frijoles and tortillas de harina. The breakfast menu has never changed.



So last night, I decided to make Grandma's old reliable breakfast. And, true to form it didn't disappoint though, as usual, Grandma's is better. I used my remaining batch of frozen beans to top off my papas because it's the way Grandma does it only hers are always freshly made.



And a just because photo of Bitty Girl going through my Hello Kitty tote bag. I got that for $1 at Target and, let me say, I'm not a big fan of Hello Kitty. But it was $1!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Dia de los Muertos


A photo of B, my Grandpa and I many, many, many years ago at Grandpa's house in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. It's the only photo of B and I with our Grandpa. We, just like, I'm sure, several other families, have an ugly family history and while my Grandpa LOVED us, he was not so kind to our dad, the greatest dad ever. However, my parents do not badmouth the old man, though they are honest about the ugly side of the family history. They also never prohibited me from having a relationship with my Grandpa despite the cold shoulder he gave my dad. I guess I just wanted to know this old man who was guilty of such mean-spiritedness and my parents encouraged me to love my Grandpa with all that I could. I don't hate that old man but rather, I hope he made his peace with his Maker because he certainly didn't make peace with my dad which is, within itself, very sad. I wish I could say I hate him but, in all honesty, the moment he entered my life, which was when I turned 15, he treated me lovingly and kindly, just like a granddaughter who had never had a grandfather before would hope to be treated. And, just as quickly as he entered my life, he was gone. He died 6 years later and opened up the void again.

It is what it is and while I wish I would have had more with my Grandpa, I'm ok with the little time we shared because it was very well spent. And, since we are being honest, I have many of his features: the dimple in my right cheek with the birthmark directly over it, the fair skin complexion and the eyes, my goodness, the eyes. It was those eyes, that day when I saw my eyes looking back at me, that urged me to not be like my Grandpa. I vowed to be a good person, to be kind to others, have compassion, understanding for everyone despite their rough exterior. Most of all, I vowed to never pass up the opportunity to tell the people I love exactly how much I loved them, how much they meant to me and how much I valued their presence in my life. How I wish my Grandpa had done the same to all of his family. Regardless, I thank him for being a part of my life for those 6 short years.


Feliz Dia de los Muertos, Abuelito.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Clucks

Made by Texas Chickens? I wonder if they cluck with a Texas Twang.