Of Mulberry Trees, Birds, And Life...

When we first moved to the house we live in(28 yrs ago!), there was work to be done. The previous family had 4 boys under 10yrs old, and they had beaten the crap out of about everything they could. The yard was nothing special, with some shrubs getting yanked, and others to plant. The edge of the property had a mix of trash trees(Chinese Elm, Willow, and Mulberry bushes). Nice shade from the willow-until one day, windy but clear, it blew over. We had it removed, along with the chinese elm-full shade to full sun in one week! For some reason, we just kept cutting the mulberry back, until we just let it grow. We now have a large tree in our back yard that once a year bears a bumper crop of mulberries! Too soft and small to pick sucessfully, and stains like nothing else on Earth- we pretty much let the wildlife have at them. Mainly birds of all varieties, they do have one thing in common- they crap purple on everything I own! From my computer room I can see thousands of berries, all red(not ripe yet!) knowing the crap attack is coming soon....
I used to get really mad at little things like this, but now I figure the creatures get a little treat and sustinence, and crap washes off

Darn Close To 4th Of July!

I have always enjoyed outside parties, and REALLY enjoyed fireworks ever since I was young. Every year for many years, we have spent the day at our friends' house (on a little lake) eating, drinking, talking, and later shooting off fireworks, while the Lake Association does the same. If I don't bring bbq pork back ribs, a designer cheesecake, and fireworks to dazzle the crowd- they would think I had lost it! Traditions. Sometimes you inherit them, sometimes you create them as you go. I feel sorry for people who don't have traditions- one reason is because they look so lost when they are around people who do have them. People like to have a sense of belonging, and every year this party attracts people who know they can join in and be welcome. We long timers include the new people in some of the work, talking with them and getting to know them. We get some of the young bucks help with the fireworks, teaching them safety and the thrill of the big boom!
Independence Day is also a time to reflect on who we were and what we've become. It's time for this nation to re-read the Bill of Rights, and The Constitution-and start living it....

A Cut Of Meat I've Never Dealt With....

Boneless beef ribs. When I last ventured to the meat market, I picked up about 4 lbs. of this stuff. I really didn't know exactly what it was but it wasn't expensive, and looked interesting. Today, I opened the package to find what looked like narrow boneless rib-eye steaks. I'm pretty sure this is the meat between the bones of a prime rib, cut a little more generously. Looks and feels tender, so I'm going to marinate in a Korean mix(water, rice wine vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame seed oil, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic, onion powder, and ginger. Jusy plan to charcoal on high temp grill and see what happens.... Got to get the home-made bread going, too!

Planning For State BBQ Cook Off Begins...

Since its' inception, The Buffalo Bros. cooking team has entered this contest, always signing up for every event. Cooks from all over the country come to compete, with about 45 teams total. Some are sponsored by national chains like Famous Daves' or regional restaurants or caterers. Some are marketing their own sauces or dry rubs, but there is probably 1/3 of us there who just like to cook, and ain't too bad at it. Our equipment isn't in the same league with the big dogs, but every year we manage to win a ribbon or two- which drives them nuts! I really tried to buy a large trailer smoker/cooker, but delivery was out too far to get it in time (Damn Food Channel!).
Catagories Friday nite will be the side dishes; Potatoes, vegetable, beans, and dessert. The following day it's the main catagorie that count for money and points; Chicken, pulled pork, pork ribs, and beef brisket. It is sponsored by the Kansas City Barbeque Society and has certified judges that know the criteria to be a good judge. It's not until mid- July, but planning starts Saturday!

Fathers' Day At My House....

What a great day! I fixed a meatloaf (herb based!) with a portobello mushroom sauce, hash-brown potato casserole, homemade bread and store-bought-but-excellent raisin oatmeal cookies! My son (in town one!) came over and ate the heck out of it! I then had a long, and good conversation with my son in K.C. about his excellent photography on his blog( bouncybouncy.blogspot.com) . He is a top flight writer who has to get back to his strong writing/communicating skills! Please check out his photos, and encourage him to start writing along with those photos! You will not regret it!

Happy Fathers' Day To All!

My own father passed away about 4 years ago, at the ripe old age of 85. He had a typical life growing up and living it out for those times- Young man in The Depression, married just before WWll, went to war for the duration, came home to start a career, and get to know his family again. He was a bus driver, worked at an industrial knitting works, assembled conveyors, sold life insurance, and for the last 40 yrs of his career proudly sold new Buicks. By the time I was born, my eldest brother was 13yrs old( I was called a surprise). By the time I was 6 the hard times were over, and we moved up into the middle class. Because of his job, Dad was not home at 5 like most Dads back then. It bugged me as a little kid my Dad was never at Little League, or any other event because of work. When I was older, and started working full time myself, I understood alot more. He was providing for a family to have a better life, and he did it. He had a good life for 84 yrs-The last year kind of sucked, but I was there for him, as well as the rest of my family. Call your Dad today if he's still around- he'll appreciate it!

Yestedays' Wanderings- Private Clubs(Not Golf!)

Friends of ours invited us to go to a private club(technically a "Benevolent Society") known in this area as Polish Halls, for their Burger Nite. A 1/2lb burger with anything you could imagine on it, with a side of Kapusta(kind of a sweet, shredded cabbage, cooked) for three bucks. Girls less than 12 yrs old as waitresses taking your order. Bar drinks so cheap, it's silly! I got there before anyone else in our party, and got something to drink. When I heard the bartenters' voice , I knew I had met her before. It was Sue, a woman my age who 20yrs ago was one of the premier bartenders in Grand Rapids! A delightful person I had not seen in at least 10yrs. We did a little catching up and it was a pleasure to run into her after all those years! These places are working folk/retiree hangouts, where everyone behaves and can relax. Good to know there are still friendly places to go and enjoy without pretentious people and high prices!

Sunday Leftovers = Tuesdays Dinner...

Sunday, I marinated and barbequed over charcoal the last pack of Lamb loin chops I had vacuum-packed. As there was 16 good sized chops, leftovers were anticipated! Today, I took them, trimmed of bone and fat, threw them in with baby carrots, celery( chopped), baby Yukon Gold potatoes quartered, large chopped Vidalia onion, all in a chicken stock/brown gravy base. Seasoned, it all went into a crock pot for 6-8 hrs. Voila! Lamb stew ala Buffalo Dick. We have to be the only idiots having stew on an 88 degree day in June! And don't laugh at the stew base, it totally nailed the lamb stew flavor! Monday and Tuesday generally are the days we mop up the left overs, and our one rule is "Nobody should have to eat anything more than twice"!

A Road Trip, Prep And Cook Day Today

We just got back from our tri-annual trip north to Birds' Market. As usual, packed with rural and cottage dwellers stocking up on the meat deals. Saturday morning is the worst time of the week to go here, but we knew that when we headed out. Half the fun of the place is people watching, while you wait your turn at the meat counter(avg 25 min.). Outlying areas always have had a mixed bag of super poor,poor, farmers, and well off people living on some lake in the area. Large women, missing teeth, with cheap tattoos, tanned, good looking women in designer beach wear, little kids who already need a bath and it's 10am, and working men hauled along to help lug stuff home on their day off. Darn near every one of them is friendly-at least when we talk to them. I bought the usual mix of beef and pork, scoring a whole beef tenderloin for $10.95 a lb. Came home, trimmed and cut it into steaks, then vaccuum packed it.
Next on the agenda is to get the white chocolate cheesecake I made out of the spring form pan, and vaccuum pack that before freezing it. I need the pan for the Creme de Menthe cheesecake I have to make that will go to the same party as the white chocolate one. Always something, isn't it?

Another Feed The Troops, (Customers) Day...

The weenie wagon rolls again! Last night planning and shopping for 40, today cooking on grill for same! Must chop onions, slice tomatoes, and tear lettuce this morning, as set up is 1030am-with lunch at 12. I hoped to have my own commercial smoker/cooker by now, but since the damn Food Channel came on BBQ smokers are sellling like mad, and I couldn't get a timely delivery. Usual picnic food-burgers,cheeseburgers,brats,potato and macaroni salads, munchies and cookies. Supposed to be hot today, so I anticipate a long ordeal! My company is getting more cranky if you complain about doing this, but it takes 3 people and about most of the day to get this done. We could send in pizzas and accomplish the same mission! Oh well, time to get busy!

Anniversary Dinner- Old Friends' Are Better Than Old Food...

My wife had to attend a baby shower that afternoon (The daughter of the friends we were going out with), and my buddy had to work, so he picked me up on the way to dinner. Their daughter-in-law was throwing the party, and lives even closer to the restaurant-so we picked up spouses there. Since the day we met, their daughter in law and I have been buddies, and it was good to see her! This is an extended family I've known most of my life that has probably seen more grief than anyone I know, yet maintain a good attitude towards life! Another old friends' wife had to attend the shower, so we invited them to join us for dinner.
The restaurant is the Clifford Lake Inn, on the shores of (all together now!) Clifford Lake. Old, comfortable place with a nice deck you can dine on-except a thunderstorm was going on! The menu was so predictable, I probably didn't have to open it. A good selection, but food service food out of a freezer or a bag. My grouper was overbattered and tasteless, wife had walleye that was OK, buddy Dan(always orders prime rib) had a good one. Other three had some kind of fish, again batttered and out of a freezer bag. I'd go back for the view, but not the food!
The friends, and the old memories we talked about were the gems of the evening- as well they should be....
Today, I'm looking forward to roasting a capon, stuffed with mushrooms and rice, draped with bacon. The drippings will go well on the fresh (not the free stuff!) asparagus!

Anniversary Weekend- Again.......

June 2nd, 1973 I became a married man. I was 20yrs old, she was 19. At those ages you would assume we "had " to get married. Wrong. We met when I was 17 and she was 16 on the first(and only!) blind date I ever went on. It wasn't love at first sight, we were a needed component for a double date (my buddys' girl was not allowed to single date) and as I loved to bowl, and as I had hormones in overdrive I went along with it. Blind date- by the time I had regained my eyesight, it was too late-we were going steady! 2 yrs at the local Junior College each, and then engagement, with marriage a year later.
After this many years, getting a present is something we openly discuss, because we both have stuff we literally have never used! We plan to go out with friends who married a month after us, to an out of town country inn for dinner Sat. night. I've been told the place isn't that great, but I guess that's not the reason we're going-is it? 34 years..... The guy in Shawshank got less time than I did...

The Comfort Zone List

Everyone seems to be into lists on the blog lately. I know nothing about "tags", but I ask you to list 5 comfort zones as an answer to this post.
1. My Home-I own it, have lived it for 25+ yrs. I say what I want , do what I want, because it's mine.
2. My career- I have worked in Specialty Metals for over 30 yrs. I meet very few people who know more about this subject than me, and more than a few who have heard I know my stuff!
3. The Northeast , Grand Rapids, MI- My kids represented the 4th generation to live in this part of town, and I know the merchants, clubs, find things without a map, and know alot of people here. Rare day I don't run into someone I went to school with, bowled with, etc.
4. Western Michigan- After 30+years on the road, I know where the best meat markets, bars, restaurants, etc. all located. Fun when you want a day trip!.
5. Earth- What a neat place to live! I have always felt a bond with people from wherever, if we just get a chance to communicate.
I know this is a little heavier than usual, but think- and post your answers, please!

Asparagus- Beware Of The "Free" Variety.....

A friend gave me what looked to be a huge bag of asparagus. He asked me to do something with it other than clean, boil, and bag it, as in- what else can be done? I told him, no problem (as we all know by now, I KNOW EVERYTHING!). Yeah, right! When opened, the bag revealed a mix of undersize/avg, young/old, pretty much wild asparagus. Great. Now that I've shot my big mouth off, what to do with a bag of glorified weeds? First separated the decent sized, from the small. Next, separated the rubbery/too dark green/from the reasonably OK stuff. I then took the good sized, trimmed it,steamed it shortly, laid a strip of Pepper Jack cheese along it, and wrapped it in a good quality ham sliced thinly. Reheated in a Micro until cheese melts, will make a nice appetizer. Next I took the small stuff, steamed until dead, blended(on Puree) with chix broth,cream O chix soup, nutmeg,Mrs Dash, garlic(while I was sauteing chopped onions,and celery) . Took the whole works up to simmer, then added cream cheese, milk, and a decent German sausage(pieces). When melded together-it wasn't bad!
I'm so proud I can take free asparagus, add 15 bucks and 4 hrs labor to it , give it back to a friend -just to preserve the legend of Buffalo Dick!

The Gasoline Rant-It's Been Coming...

Last night driving home, the posted gas price for unleaded reg was $3.68 a gal. This is somewhere in the range of $1.40 a gal. higher than about 5 months ago, or 50%+ increase. America runs on gas. When it's cheap we go places and spend that money on other things-strengthening our economy. When it's high, we don't-sending retail,restaurants,tourism,etc. into the crapper. In my career I have lost a job because of climbing oil prices (1st oil shortage 1973) Our co. built roof top air conditioners for Winnebago, and when gas doubled no one was buying RVs! I remember gas rationing-10 gal. every other day, based on your license plate number(about 1978). Since then it has ebbed and flowed like the tide, always ending higher.
Throughout this trend we have talked about electric cars, smaller cars, alternative energy sources, mass transit improvements, etc. The second gas goes down, it's back to the SUVs, trucks, and vans(which represent more than half the vehicles produced by domestic car companies!).
We need a firm direction. We need to stabilize fuel pricing(higher or lower!) to avoid swings in major markets. The profits the oil companies are taking is obscene. Their lobby groups have no limits. If we ever get any oil from the Iraq fiasco, it will not be passed along to the American taxpayer/consumer. It will go to oil companies and or Iraq. I call Bullsh*t on the politicans, oil companies, and anyone else that isn't doing something about the disappearing middle class in America!

Personal Day Monday...

I decided when I saw a flat tire on my company car last night, that I would take today off. With the wife gone this past week end, less got done than normal. Saturday was a long day at a chili cook off(I took 4th, but my usual pardner took 1st!) . Our friends that have been winning so much took 2nd so we had to all go back to the home bar and brag/explain/reason out the day! That got late, so Sunday was layback. Today I've got to fix a tire, grocery shop, haircut, do the paperwork I'm always talking about, and 10:30pm or so pick up my wife at the train station. For reference- You can drive from Grand Rapids MI to Kansas City MO faster than a train! However, with gas prices climbing it is slightly cheaper by train! Air fare and driving are almost a wash now(for that trip)! Somebody gave me a big ass bag of aspargus to turn into something different-but I don't know what! That is one veggie served best lightly steamed, with a little salt,pepper and butter(I think!). Well, I'd best get to it!

Unusual Weekend For Me!

MY WIFE IS LEAVING ME! Well, for the weekend, at least. She's traveling by train(her choice!) to Kansas City to visit our eldest son and his new cat. Buf Dick Jr. was concerned about his mom (her job loss deal) and couldn't make it back to MI for Moms' Day(didn't want to leave the damn cat!) so they came up with this idea to ship her out to there. Good therapy I think-she misses him, loves cats, and cares for our sons more than me (completely Normal Mom). I have a minor Chili Cook-off to go to, and a ton of paperwork to do-so she's pretty sure I can manage to keep my ass out of trouble for a few days. 10 bucks says she will have our youngest still living in town checking to make sure the old man ain't in jail or worse! Remember Glen Frys' song "Party Town"? Hells Bells! I do!!!!

Mothers' Day Is Really A Whole Week End!

As mentioned before, my wife is not working(let go 1 week ago) right now. Everything is fine, but I guess I'm trying to be a little more attentive on the mood thing. So, Friday night was with friends at the club, Saturday we went north to a casino(she wasn't lucky like I hoped, but my winnings offset the losses!). Sunday(Moms' Day) I fixed an unusual but really good treat-about 4lbs of King crab legs ! Alot of people in the Midwest will eat crab at the drop of a hat, but seldom have it except in a restaurant. Most of them don't even know the frozen ones from Alaska or Russia are already cooked when they hit the store! Because of this ignorance, most boil them until the meat is tasteless and the shells are so soft you could probably eat them. You can literally Microwave them until warm and they would be better. Anyway, I thawed them and because of the size of these bad boys about all they would fit in was my Nesco roaster! Steamed briefly on a rack over about 1/2" of water, they came out perfect. I know how to "draw" butter,but choose not to-I think you lose butter flavor. The only way to eat a messy meal like this is to have it with close friends or immediate family! My youngest came over with roses for Mom and we all ate like savages! The side dish was a rice casserole which I wouldn't make again(just a simple rice pilaf next time!) and dessert was a simple,but rich chocolate brownie. Today, she will continue Mothers' Day Weekend with a road trip to Birch Run-a shopping day with a girlfriend. Me- The Monday grind at work....

Sometimes I Have A Weird Way Of Making A Living

When I first started in sales, I would get in my car with a customer list and go make sales calls. As the years progressed, technology gave us many more tools to use- cell phones, computers, and pagers. On the front end of my career, customer entertainment was, lunches, dinners , technical dinners with speakers, etc. and golf. Now,the business groups have lost so many members, people don't go to the dinner meetings, putting together a 4some for golf is almost impossible(someone will cancel 'cause of business) and because there is more"team" building in industry along with people being so busy they won't go out to lunch-we bring lunch to them as a group. Earlier this week I had to meet a group from one of my customers and buy drinks and appetizers after work. During work, they don't even get a long enough lunch break to bring in food! Then yesterday, I lugged pop, munchies, and cookies, had a pizza place deliver 14 pizzas to another good customer. I don't mind being nice to good customers, but life sure used to be alot simpler!

Annual Eat Free At The Club Night....

Last night, we had our once a year induction of new members. We also award "gold cards" to members that have hit 25yrs with the club on this night, so it's our biggest turnout of the year(approx 120) for a business meeting. A buddy of mine and I started a tradition about 8yrs ago, where we would put out free food for after the meeting. "Free" is not a word to be used lightly around retirees and guys who worked all day, as they will eat like it's their last meal on Earth. When we started this, the board approved up to $120.00 for expenditures. I boasted I could feed every guy that was there for $1.00 a piece. And we did, for a least 5 years! Now prices are up, expectations are higher, so we now spend about $1.30each! It really is amazing how many people you can feed for very little(if you have to!). Most who read this blog have figured out I spend a hell of alot more than that in my own life! We served meatballs in a Merlot based herb brown gravy, ham & cheese on Kaiser rolls(with lettuce,tomatoes,onions,mustard,catsup,mayo, and pickles for condiments) potato salad, deviled eggs, olives,dill pickle spears, and potato chips. Plain, but good food on a budget! And brother, did it all get gone! Couple of stray olives rollin' around on the floor, but that was about it.....