Isn’t it Fascinating How the Interests in Our Young Lives Carry Over Into Adulthood

Isn’t it fascinating how the interests in our young lives carry over into adulthood? In my case, it was the legendary man from Krypton,  A.K.A. Superman. As a youngster, I read his comic books, watched all television shows and inhaled every movie the Man of Steel made, not to mention tying a towel around my neck, extending my arms, and flying around the yard, leaping whatever I could leap in a single bound. Even today, especially with the enhanced special effects we enjoy, I cannot resist a movie centered on my favorite superhero.

Superman being Science Fiction, makes my gravitating toward the same genre as an author a natural occurrence. Although, my novels do not include a man dressed in a blue, a red cape and boots of the same color, there are similarities. There is an abundance of characters that fly and display super human strengths. Furthermore, the majority of battles center around good versus evil, and the power of good wins out in the end.

Sometimes, I believe it would be great to have a Superman in this day and age. Of course, if we take a moment to think, our Superman was nailed to a cross 2000 years ago.

Have a fantastic week and don’t forget today is Memorial Day, a time we pay tribute to all the brave souls that made the ultimate sacrifice that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today.

God bless and I’ll be a speakin’ atcha next week.

A Friend For Life

Due to medical challenges I experience, I hired a young lady three years ago. She assisted me with everything from personal needs to weight lifting, doing a stellar job, I might add. We’ve had our differences over the years, but have come to be fast friends. Much to my sorrow and once again due to medical reasons, Wednesday will be my friend’s last day as my assistant.

On a brighter note, we reside close enough together to retain a relationship, and she will be available if the need arises to fill in for the one who takes her place. There is much to celebrate in the three years we have known and worked together.

I dedicate this post to Brenda, letting her know she will be missed.

May God bless you richly, and have a wonderful week.  

I’ll Have to Admit That Food is my Achilles Heel.

I’ve written several times about what we shove into our mouths to fuel our bodies, better known as food. I’ll have to admit that food is my Achilles heel. We should enjoy what we eat; however, ensure our high performance biological machines are given the optimum octane fuel it needs to run efficiently.

I was blessed as a youngster, and into my thirties, enjoying a grandmother who could cook nearly as well, as she spread love.

She masterfully fried chicken beyond compare, turned a plethora of different beans and black eyed peas into a meal to satisfy the most discerning gourmet. Mashed potatoes with gravy smooth as silk. Not to mention collard greens, kale, fresh snaps, butter beans, corn on the cob, and the list goes on and on. She also had an ace in the hole. During her young years, she lived on coastal North Carolina. Her family caught shrimp, fish, oysters, crabs (hard and soft), clams, etc., for a living.

This smorgasbord of seafood was a large part of my young life. Not only were we able to obtain fresh ocean edibles, my grandmother with great skill would prepare these delicacies.

Changing the subject to who cooked what, I segue to my father who had a taste for some of the finer foods to be had. He loved lobster and even though this dish was seldom had, when that rare occasion came, it was a taste sensation to behold. We each would receive a mug of butter, a lobster tail, home cut French fries and long sesame rolls. The bread was meant to dip in the sauce created by the melding of butter and lobster. Dad was also a steak lover. When we dined on beef, we ate Delmonico’s. In today’s vernacular, Ribeye’s, and always eaten rare by my father . . . me, I’m more of a medium rare kind of guy.

One meal I recall with great fondness was pizza prepared by my father on Sunday nights.

A Chef Boyardee cheese pizza covered with a pound of sausage. I can smell and taste that boxed delight even now as I write. My father passed when I was 22, but I’ve had the great blessing of passing this tradition down to my son. We would dine on this very same recipe when he was but a lad.

Food holds such memories that take us back to wonderful times, enhancing the memories we cherish.

I hope your week brings many blessings, through the love of our God. I’ll be a speakin’ at ya next week. Until then, be safe and whip up something to eat . . . who knows, you may be creating a memory, you’ll look back on years from now.

To Get Where I Am Today Employment Wise, I’ve Certainly Taken The Long Way Around

To get where I am today, employment wise, I’ve certainly taken the long way around and invested in different career paths–mainly construction.

Within the field of construction, in some cases much to my wonder, I have completed tasks I felt were above my training. Case in point: I worked with the same project manager on different jobs with different companies in several different types of construction projects for numerous years. Now it bears saying this project manager thought I could do any and everything.

One job in particular required the removal of high-strength, concrete panels loaded with rebar. After attempting everything but dynamite, I suggested a jack hammer mounted on a backhoe. When the backhoe arrived on the job site, it didn’t come complete with an operator, but with a seat for me to park my behind. Fortunately, I had experienced a minimum number of hours on one of these machines, when I worked on the railroad minus the jackhammer attachment. The job actually went much smoother than I’d expected and turned out to be a unique experience.

Another instance, I was the superintendent on several smaller jobs on a military complex. I required a section of metal steps to be removed, making room for duct work. Once again I received a cutting torch and tanks, but no welder. In the past, I’d used a cutting torch just enough to be dangerous. This too ended with no explosions, deaths, or injuries and was one of my last jobs in the field of construction before delving into the world of writing.

It’s amazing to see how we are led through different paths until finding our way home.

Have a spectacular week, may God bless and if you get bored, build something.

There Are Many Different Foods To Be Had Throughout The Galaxy

There are many different foods to be had throughout the galaxy, according to the science fiction/fantasy novels I pen. Some so richly decadent only a few morsels can be consumed at any one setting, while others so disgusting, the mere sight of them will induce one’s gag reflex.     

Back on earth, we have many delicious options from which to choose. These may range from the gourmet to what some would term as simple food.

Personally, I have a taste for both. Something as wonderful as a properly cooked Beef Wellington with a side of asparagus and Hollandaise Sauce will tantalize the taste buds; however, if I had my druthers, I believe I would sink to the lower side of the food scale and opt for a slice of pizza.

The range of ingredients and flavors you can place on this simple disc of dough are infinite. Some of my preferences include the all popular pepperoni, green peppers, onions, sausage, olives, and cheese, which almost goes without saying, along with others too numerous to name.  I believe one of my favorite pizzas would simply include pepperoni, bacon, and green peppers.

If you ever make it to Chicago, do yourself a favor and dive into one of their deep dish offerings. Believe you me, it’s worth the trip.

I think the oddest pizza I have ever ordered and consumed on my own, consisted of anchovies and jalapenos.

Have a fantastic week, may God bless, and yes, I adore anchovies, even if they taste like salty fish (which they are) and resemble a house centipede . . . google the insect, you’ve probably seen one scampering across your walls.