The only reason to eat at a restaurant.

To quote Tom Waits, "...Get you a little something that you can't get at home..."  Now get your mind out of the gutter, we all know what Tom meant but the sentiment is the same when it comes to food.

The only reason to eat at a restaurant, beyond a social gathering, is to get something that you likely wouldn't make at home.  A good example for me is Pad Thai.  While not difficult per se this is a dish that requires a significant amount of speciality ingredients and by some accounts a looooong prep time.  This is difficult when cooking for just two people.

There is one "restaurant" that I do like appreciate love.  It only serves one meal a week.  Everything is hand-made from scratch and locally sourced.  Here is the menu.  So in addition to an incredible meal A Simple Path is a reverse soup kitchen.

A Simple Path is the program in which students (who come from homelessness and poverty) learn nutrition, sanitation, meal preparation, and menu selection. Then, for Friday lunch, they serve the public the food they’ve prepared on a donation basis. All funds are put back into the program, and let A Simple Path have more students!

Now that there is something that you can't get at home.

A Simple Life

I have worked in the Theatre, both on and off stage.  I ran away with a circus.  I've been a radio announcer.  I have been an EMT. I have toured long distance on a bicycle.  I tended bar. I have spent summers in Mexico.  I have assisted with the commissioning of a manufacturing plant in the Bahamas.  I have been in 48 of the United States of America.  I have been to Canada, Norway, Denmark, Japan, Thailand and China.  I have roadied for more bands than I can remember, so I made a list*.  I have spent weeks firing an Anagama kiln with Ken Shenstone.  I have worked in the Disaster Relief kitchens.  I have been a high school substitute Teacher and a Community College adjunct instructor.  I have worked now for the same company for 22+ years.  And I am the proud Papa of three beautiful children, all now grown.  And I have been married to a wonderful woman who has put up with me for 33+ years.

I say all that not to brag but to acknowledge that I have had the privilege of leading an exciting, complicated life.  Recently, however, I have done a bit of navel gazing and I have come to the realization that my wife "B" and I lead simple lives.

We sleep, I work out at the gym and spend my weekdays at the office.  I come home and cook dinner (they say I can Cook), we watch a bit of Netflix, rinse and repeat.  Weekends are Farmer's Market, coffee with eldest daughter "R", and groceries.  An afternoon might be spent mowing the "yard" or little home improvement projects.  Yesterday it was making one of these.  Good use of scraps from the construction of our porch.  Important note: this is not fine craftsmanship!  This is built to theater specs; functional and won't fall apart.

Cool mornings, a luxury here in Kentucky, are spent on the porch watching the humming birds fuss and dance.

Today, Sunday, I will spend a bit of time in the sanctuary of Kitchen Church.  I finished putting together the Guacamole about 0745.  From an old family recipe handed down from father (he really could cook) to son.  Our secret ingredient?  Bacon.  Try it the next time and tell me that everything doesn't go better with bacon.  In a little bit I will start the prep for shrimp and veggie kabobs.  Light fare on a warm summer afternoon.  Plus I can do them on the grill and not heat up the house.

Coming next: The only reason to eat at a restaurant.

*Rent-a-Bum Shows
Terrie Clark
Sunshine Boys w/ Frank Gorshin
Merle Haggard
Lorie Morgan
Temptations (2)
David Allen Coe
Dr. John
Don Williams
Beach Boys
Willie Nelson
Loretta Lynn (2)
Crystal Gayle
Trace Lawrence
Aaron Tippin (3)
Keith Urban
Don McClean
Joe Cocker
Brad Paisley
John Micheal Montgomery
Gary Allen
George Jones
Sammy Kershaw
Air Supply
Ricky Scaggs
Men At Work
Blake Shelton
Trace Atkins
Charlie Daniels Band
Grand Funk Railroad
1964 - The Beatles Tribute
Kentucky Headhunters
Van Dells
Ronnie Milsap
Formerly Blind
Audio Adrenalin
Building 429
Delirious?
Little River Band
Trick Pony
Dickie Betts
Dr. Hook & Ray Sawyer
Travis Tritt
.38 Special
Gary Allen