Stop Blogging and Cook

Sherman made the terrible discovery that men make about their fathers sooner or later . . . that the man before him was not an aging father but a boy, a boy much like himself, a boy who grew up and had a child of his own and, as best he could, out of a sense of duty and, perhaps love, adopted a role called Being a Father so that his child would have something mythical and infinitely important:
a Protector, who would keep a lid on all the chaotic and
catastrophic possibilities of life.
~Tom Wolfe (1930 – ) The Bonfire of the Vanities (1987)

TODAY’S PREPARATION

I’ve been out of the popular culture loop since a poorly-placed half-filled coffee mug pffft’ed my tv.  Then I had to replace my laptop because, in solidarity with the tv, it decided that I was working it just too damn hard.  My cell phone is thinking of joining the electronic exodus from my midst, and I’m living on borrowed battery time.  I think I’ve managed to persuade it to hang on until the new iPhone comes out.  It says that it just can’t go on any longer and I certainly understand it’s position.  Life is hard, and e-life can be e-xciting or e-nergizing but is often just E-NOUGH, already.

My membership at the health club was up and, no sooner had I re-upped before a balcony came tumbling down on the pool’s skylight.  Out of commission until repairs can be made and reconciliations with the Department of Buildings complete.  Read: Until Further Notice.  So I have to shlep a little further for my swim.  New swim suit also needed; current purple number has had it.  I know how it feels.  On the other hand, swimming is becoming a distant memory because of time constraints in other, newly-emerging parts of business life.

Hurry back, Shelly!  I need the reinforcement of Only The Good Friday to keep my week’s end from descending into Fried-day.  I know all too well how it feels.

CELEBRATE DAD ON SUNDAY
Don’t forget to shop for Dad’s one day a year to be special.  See gift suggestions for a cookin’ dad.  Don’t buy something for yourself, thinking he’ll not know.  They never say, but they always know.  Or

• Give his car a good detailing, inside and out.
• Get a 12-pack of specialty beer or ale, or a case of good wine.
• Let him plan the day, whatever he wants to do.

PLAN A SPECIAL MEAL JUST FOR YOUR DAD
Oh, go ahead.  Even if it’s only hot dogs and beans, he’ll appreciate spending time with you.  Cook his favorite things or something extra special made by you just for him.  Doesn’t have to be fancy; they like it better if it’s not.  See Father’s Day Menu.

OR A SPECIAL TIME TOGETHER, JUST THE TWO OF YOU

• Go to a movie or bowling.
• Go to a pool hall and shoot a few racks.
• Take a hike or go cycling.
• Take a day trip to the nearest beach.
• Go to the driving range and hit a few buckets of balls.
• Go to a baseball game.
• Play a game of baseball or basketball.
• Organize a poker game, with cigars.

What is your most memorable Father’s Day gift, either given or received?

Today’s preparation is for a simple Glazed Nuts, pecans and/or almonds.  Lightly sweetened for a special taste.

Tags: appreciation, gluten-free, real food, snack, vegetarian