A Different Christmas Meal

— Posted inFamily, Food — 2 min read

Our traditional Christmas meal has almost always featured either ham or turkey. This year we had something different, chipotle-lime salmon, and was it ever good. In the past I have tried to “plank” grill salmon and this time I succeeded. The water soaked thin cedar board charred adding a slight smokey touch to the perfectly grilled salmon. Clockwise from the salmon is a cucumber dill sauce, peas and mushrooms, a fresh cranberry salad and finally sweet potatoes mashed with butter and topped with a sprinkling of brown sugar.

We had a leftover frozen pie crust from Thanksgiving, so not wanting it to go to waste we made another pumpkin pie just like at Thanksgiving. Stevia was substituted for the sugar and we used nonfat evaporated milk, but it tasted just as awesome as always. Christmas means family time and because we are still feeling the effects of Covid, we didn’t fly across country to be with our daughters and grandchildren. Still we had a touch of family with this meal. The paring knife at the top of the photo Linda used to cut our pie was the one her mother had used. Christmas is truly a special time in the year.

Christmas Comes Once A Year

— Posted inFamily, Personal — 1 min read

When one reaches a certain age, what goes out at Christmas time are things that have memories attached to them. They don’t show in this photo, but on the tree are two ornaments from my family that are some 100 years old. It is little things like those ornaments that make this view so special to me.

Posting Once Again, Post Covid

— Posted inHealth & Fitness, Personal — 1 min read

It seems as if everyone’s experience with Covid is different. Some test positive but never really have any symptoms or lingering effects. At the other extreme some die from Covid. Then there is the great in-between which is where we were. My wife has had lingering effects for some two months now, only having really been away from our RV for doctor visits and a trip to the hospital. I have been able to get out and about, taking care of her, doing all the shopping, meal preparation, etc.. It has been almost two months since we first felt the effects of the virus and life is closer to normal now.

I had started posting at the first of the year and had planned post everyday in 2022. Perhaps I can achieve that in 2023. Being out of shape writing wise it is likely some of my first posts make be a little discombobulated. My only wish is that may you never have to face that dreaded positive test, but if it be so, may the consequences be very minimal.

Tunisia – Tunis, Our Last Supper

— Posted inTravel — 1 min read

November 2, 2022 We finally got our flight arrangements. Leaving tomorrow and about 36 hours later we should finally be home. If everything goes alright, which based on this trip so far over the 2 months likely only has 50/50 chance of happening.

My last chance to eat the Tunisian salads I have so very much enjoyed. Ordered a three salad plate and it was fantastic.

I complemented Linda on how nice she looked in her sweater and scarf, to be told she wore the scarf because her neck was cold. When you are suffering the long lasting after effects of Covid how you dress is not for looks but for comfort. You can bet your last dollar she is one person who will really be glad to be home. Thank goodness it hasn’t effected me very much other than just at first.

Tunisia – Kairouan to Tunis

— Posted inTravel — 1 min read

November 1, 2022 Today we transferred from where we had been self isolating back to Tunis by car.

We were so glad today had finally arrived and we soon be heading back home.

It was such a beautiful hotel, but all we could do was to look out our window from our enclosed balcony and wish we had never been exposed to the Covid virus. And doubly so for Linda, poor thing.

Besides finally testing negative for Covid, even better was the hotel room we would be staying awaiting for our travel plans back to the states to be finalized.

Sorry for the blurry photo. Testing negative doesn’t mean you feel better, it just means you won’t be spreading the virus. which is why complete self isolation is so very important when you are positive.