Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Bacon & Onions

From Eatingwell.com
Makes 6 servings, 1/2 cup each, with 7 grams of carbs

2 slices bacon
1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup water
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and very thinly sliced (I don't see why you couldn't use frozen, thawed.)
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat turning once, until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain on a paper towel crumble. Add onion and salt to the drippings in the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until tender and browned, bout 3 minutes. Add water and mustard and scrape up any browned bits. Add Brussels sprouts and cook, stirring often, until tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in vinegar and top with the crumbled bacon.

Live long and prosper

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Episode 3

A Man and His Dog

This was just too good not to share. I got it in an email. Sorry I couldn't include the pictures.


This explains why I forward stuff.

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold.

He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?'

'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.

'Wow! Would you happen to have some water?' the man asked.

'Of course, sir. Come right in, and I'll have some ice water brought right up.'

The man gestured, and the gate began to open. 'Can my friend,' gesturing toward his dog, 'come in, too?' the traveler asked.

'I'm sorry, sir, but we don't accept pets.'

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

'Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.'

'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog.

'There should be a bowl by the pump,' said the man.

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. 'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked.

'This is Heaven,' he answered.

'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said.

'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.'

'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's Hell.'

'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?'

'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'


Soooo... Now you see, sometimes we wonder why friends keep forwarding stuff to us without writing a word. Maybe this will explain it.

When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do? You forward emails.

When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep contact, you forward jokes.

When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how - you forward stuff.



A 'forward' lets you know that
you are still remembered,
you are still important,
you are still cared for.

So, next time if you get a 'forward', don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile.



You are welcome at my water bowl anytime!!

Live long and prosper.

It Came Upon The Midnight Clear - Episode 2

Gang related my Aunt Fanny. I clearly saw the gun in Red Skirt’s hand when she ran. Self-defense probably. Well, I guess it could have been murder. I fix breakfast, clean up, then get dressed all the time thinking about last night. It’s hard to get something like that out of your mind.

I’ve never had something like that happen before.  I still feel a little on edge but I’m not scared. I feel like I need to do something. Even though they didn’t interview me last night, should I go in today and tell them what I saw? I go back and forth. I’ve never dealt with the police before, I don’t know if I have the courage or not. In some ways I feel like I’m back in school, tattling on the school bully.

OK, I’ve made my decision. I will go. Must look nice, so I dress as nicely as I can without being over dressed. I go the the police department, finding a parking place near by. With great trepidation I walk into the Police Station. “I would like to talk with someone about the shooting that took place in front of my house last night.” The police officer looked at me kinda funny but contacted someone and apparently got the go ahead.

“Go out that door, turn right, go to the end of the hall. The last door on the right, Sergeant O’Hara.” I thanked him and followed his directions, getting more nervous the closer I got. I almost turned around several times but kept going over my better judgement.

I reached his office and even though the door was open I still knocked. “Sergeant O’Hara, the desk sergeant referred me to you.” “Come one in and sit down,” he said with a sigh. “What do you want?” “There was a  shooting in front of my house last night but no one interviewed me. I felt the need to come in and tell someone what I saw.” I could tell he wasn’t very enthusiastic about the prospect.

He gets out the forms and starts asking the usual questions such as name, address, etc. “OK, now tell me what you saw.” I begin to describe the scene in great detail. You see, I can remember almost everything I see and can recall it whenever I need to. I had barely got started when I realized he wasn’t writing. I stopped and asked, “Why aren’t you writing this down?” “Ma’am where did you read this?” “Read this, the only thing I have read today is the morning newspaper and all they said was that it was gang related.”

“Now ma’am, tell me who your contact is. Is it someone in the department? It’s Sergeant McIntire isn’t it?” “No sir, I don’t know anyone in the department and I certainly don’t know this McIntire fellow.” “OK, I’ll write this down, but you can tell McIntire he isn’t fooling me. I know this is some kind of sick joke.” I take up where I left off and as I described the scene in more and more detail, I could see that his interest picked up. My guess is I was describing things that no one else had discussed before.

After I finished I said, “And Sergeant that is why I don’t think it was gang related.” “Well, ma’am I understand your point of view, but what you have told us really doesn’t change the facts. It most definitely gang related.” “We’ll get in touch with you if we need any further information. Have a nice day.”

Have a nice day my Aunt Fanny. I feel like slapping him up beside his head with my purse. But I put a smile on my face and thank him for his time. As I left, I thought I heard him call someone and I thought I heard him say something about “She knows.” That sent a chill down my spine. I immediately begin to wish I hadn’t said a word.

As I reached the glass doors leading outside I noticed a man behind me. I started to turn just as he reached me. “May I help you ma’am?” He opened the door for me, “Thank you.” I walked hurriedly to my car. As I got my keys out of my purse, I dropped them so I could look around. I saw the same man walking several rows over. Paranoid, I know, it’s probably nothing but it seems like he is following me. I get in the car and lock the doors just as he passes. He nods to me, smiles, and tips his hat.

I’m scared, really scared. I hurry home, get inside, and lock the doors. Then I look out each window. I don’t see anything out of the normal, but I still have that feeling of being watched.

I hope you enjoy this little story. Personally I don't think it has the same impact as the original episode did, but I did the best I could.

Live long and prosper.

Rocky Has Fully Recovered

I haven't posted about Rocky for a while and we need a change from creative writing too. I got the meter for Rocky as I posted before. It was expensive, but I don't regret a penny of it. Right after I got it I checked his bg and it was over 300. We started what I call Intensive Insulin Therapy. We could tell his bg was high just by looking at him. He carried his head level with his body and his ears were hanging down. When he walked, it was slow and lethargic. He wasn't eating either.

When we went through his not eating before and positive urine testing, we took him to vets. At that time his bg was over 300 too. The vet said whether he eats or not give him full dose of insulin. I am on two diabetic pets mailing lists. When I mentioned that even though he wasn't eating we were giving him the full dose several people cautioned not to do this. Their recommendations were to give ¼ dose if the animal did not eat. And to give ½ dose if ate ½ of meal, etc.

After several days he was eating better and his bg was coming down and was about 125 at his lowest. Then he started vomiting we took him to vets where he was giving anti-nausea drug and an antibiotic and I checked my meter against his. Mine calibrated with his very closely. I asked him to clarify when we should give full dose if he did not eat. The recommendation was if fasting bg was 300 or over give full dose, 200 ½ dose, under 200 use own judgment. These recommendations are only if one is home blood testing. You can't do this with just urine testing.

Rocky has fully recovered and is eating well. He's asking to be fed just as soon ad he and R are back from their morning walk. He cleans up everything and wants more. I have cut back to 2 ounces of protein because he needs to lose some weight.

Day before yesterday about 5:00 he started on R, loving on him, grabbing his finger, anything to attract attention. He wanted to be fed. R started getting his food ready but held off feeding until regular time. Yesterday R and other firemen from his volunteer fire department were collecting for Muscular Dystrophy Association all afternoon and early evening. Regular feeding time came and went. When I realized what time it was, I got his food ready and put it next to the fridge where he usually eats breakfast. He came over and looked at it.

One time when he was trying to eat there, I was opening and closing the fridge, etc. and disturbing him. I thought that was the problem so I told him I was going into the living room so he could eat in peace. He looks at it again and barks at it. I had to laugh. I picked the bowl up and put it next to the kitchen table where we usually feed him. No problem, he licked the bowl clean. I don't know if he is a creature of habit, or if he just has me well trained. No matter which, he got what he wanted.

Live long and prosper.

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Friday's F

Into The Fog

The fog is rolling across the lawn, cool and inviting. It’s late afternoon, just about sundown. Still plenty of light though. Calling the dog, I don a sweater, get his leash, and we walk out the door. The cool air is refreshing. Taking a deep breath, I enjoy the fresh clean(?) smell. What is that smell? Death, I smell death. The dog doesn't seem to notice anything. It must be my imagination.

Dog is insisting we go down the path to the woods. The smell is getting stronger and if possible, stinker. I wonder if I can stand it, but curiosity is getting the better of me. I begin to get a creepy feeling. Silly, I've been watching too many mysteries. This is the stereotypical fog scene in any good horror movie. Well, this isn't a movie.

Dog is still trotting ahead, head in the air sniffing but otherwise unconcerned. If he pulls any harder he'll be dragging me face down along the path. He begins to slow, looking to the side as though following the movement of something. I don't see or hear anything, this darn fog. Oh, wait, I do hear a faint noise like tiny feet walking in dry leaves. Maybe we should turn around and go back.

About then a silly squirrel runs across the path, I breathe a sigh of relief. Too many mystery movies. I've got to start watching something else instead. Dog is still looking to the side. Then he begins to tug in that direction. He is no longer pulling but keeps a steady tension on the leash. The smell is getting stronger, I'm almost gagging. I pull my sweater across my mouth and nose, it helps some, at least I'm not gagging any more, but perfume it ain’t.

We push through some heavy brush and there it is, the source of the smell of death. I had to laugh, releasing the tension some. Dog seemed confused; this was not what he expected. It's a gigantic Amorphophallus Titanum, better know as the Corpse Flower because the blooms smell like rotting flesh. It was even spookier with the fog and mist around it, seemingly rising out of a steaming pit.

One mystery solved, but how did it get here? It's certainly not native here, should be in a greenhouse some place. We walked around a little but all we saw was the usual trees and underbrush. Nothing unusual, the flower looks like it has been growing here forever. Pulling Dog away was not quite as big a problem as I expected it would be. He actually seemed disappointed and ready to go. As we walked rather fast back to the house I look back and see Mr. Jenkins from across the woods out for his evening walk, fading in and out of the mist. I got this creepy feeling, but laughed it off as being leftover from the Corpse Flower, but we walked even faster with dog leading the way.

It was good to bet back to the house. Dog even seemed relieved to be inside although he did pause at the door and look back. For the rest of the evening both he and I were uneasy. We both walked to the window from time to time but all we saw was the soft fog. It was so peaceful looking. By bedtime we both had calmed down and I no longer felt threatened.

Next morning on the news there was a story about this flower and the body they found near by. The body was male, and time of death was during the early evening. Whew, that could have been me. If I hadn't been paranoid or influenced by scary movies last night that could have been me. The body they described sounded just like Mr. Jenkins.

Curiosity got the better of me and later in the afternoon Dog and Idecided to have a look see in bright daylight. Dog lead the way just like he had last night. We got to the place where the flower was, only it wasn't there. Nothing looked disturbed, the leaves looked just like any other place in the forest. There was no sign of it having been dug up or a body removed or anything. The only reason we knew it was the same place was the smell. It was still strong today, very, very strong.

Live long and prosper.  

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Halloween

Halloween is almost here. I want to dress up as Elvira, after all I can certainly do justice to the costume.  But, I really don't think that is an appropriate costume to give out candy in.  The kids just wouldn't appreciate it, or if they did I don't know that I would want my kids associating with them.

The boys are getting excited about all the candy from Halloween trick or treating. They are also “chomping at the bit” to pick out theirs too. We head for Walmart.  Other kids are there looking for the same thing.  The boy pick out costumes, treat containers, decorations for the house, and candy to give away. The candy they pick is what they like of course, hoping we won't give it all out.  I sneak in some my hubby and I like too. Just good planning. I'll give out all the rest first, keep our good stuff for last. 

Still trying to be unique, I see something I think I can use to try to disguise myself. I sneak it in the cart and even manage to get it through the check out before they see it. Still a secret. I even manage to hid it from them after we get home.

Halloween the boys are getting dressed and ready to go. In those days we weren't afraid to let them go around the neighborhood by themselves. After they left, I got out my disguise. Just a simple beard and mustache.

The first kids come to the door. I'm ready for them. I open the door, the looks on their faces were priceless. Too bad I didn't have a camera ready. Eyes wide, they took their candy and left, too considerate to comment on a woman with a beard and mustache.  It was the same thing all evening long. The kids were just so mannerly, no one wanted to embarrass me, but boy the looks I got from them and their parents.

When the boys got home, they were suitably mortified.  “Mother, you didn't answer the door like that did you?” Humiliated they didn't want to be in the room when I answered the door again. I didn't want to embarrass them any more than I already had, but I had one more use of my disguise.

I snuck out the front door, walked through the carport to the gate. Here comes Patches our beagle. Tail wagging, as she gets closer she slows down, hair stands up and she cuts loose barking. I start to open the gate and she gets louder. As I enter the gate, she turns and runs around the corner still barking but safe. I decided to put the poor thing out of her misery and called her name. That was all it took, beard and mustache forgotten she flew to me.

After talking to her and giving her some loving I went back inside.  Still smiling at the incident, I tried it again.  Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice shame on me – she wasn't fooled this time. A very adaptable dog.