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Category: Werne

Fauxtato Salad (KETO recipe)
Fauxtato salad

Fauxtato salad

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With apologies to Saint Patrick and every last Irish ancestor who came before me, let me just say that cauliflower is a great substitution for potatoes. Whether you’re looking for a keto recipe or simply something different, this Fauxtato Salad comes highly recommended. (Reminder, the French word “faux,” meaning “false,” is pronounced “foh.”) Simply take your favorite potato salad recipe and convert it. Fauxtato Salad (keto recipe) 1 head fresh cauliflower, steamed6-8 eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, sliced/chopped1 cup mayonnaise2-4 Tablespoons of…

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August books
‘Something wicked this way comes’

‘Something wicked this way comes’

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Two of the four books I read this month are often quoted, even in modern times. From William Shakespeare to Oscar Wilde, their centuries-old writings are still read and quoted frequently. Week 1: The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene This is the third in my Folio Society set of Graham Greene books, and it’s my favorite so far. Our hero is … well, a nerd. He’s not in this thriller situation for anything other than good. Identified only as “D,”…

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Susan B. Anthony & Frederick Douglass
The vote

The vote

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“I don’t know why you want to vote. You vote them in, the shit-asses do whatever they want anyway.” – Mike Mehling, circa 1940s Tuesday was the 100th anniversary of women getting the vote, so I started asking family members if they had any stories about our female ancestors voting for the first time, presumably in 1920. Gary’s immediate response was the above quote from his maternal grandfather, Mike Mehling (1888-1964). He certainly made no bones about his opinions, usually…

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smudge
A pause for Southpaws

A pause for Southpaws

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An estimated 10 percent of the population favors their left hand over their right. They are what’s known as left handed. As today is International Left Handers Day, online “facts” abound. Yes, I’m one of the ten-percenters. The weird thing is – so are two of my three brothers. That would make you think it’s genetic, right? Not in this case: Both of our parents are right-handed yet only one of their four children favors his right hand. And, if…

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Uncle James & Cam reading
The uncle

The uncle

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Today is James’s 21st birthday. His first card honoring this auspicious occasion was slid under his bedroom door yesterday afternoon. It was time for nephew Cameron to head back to his daddy’s house and he suddenly remembered he had wanted to make a card for James. Cam’s medium is pencil. “That way, I can erase mistakes.” Sensible lad. When James arrived home from work yesterday evening, he found this: Uncle James complied and did not flip the card until today….

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Cameron playing Megalovania
Super Smash Brudders

Super Smash Brudders

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No doubt about it, our sons love video games. I stopped keeping track of all the favorites years ago. I do, however, remember growling upon the discovery while Christmas shopping that the Nintendo games didn’t work on the Nintendo 64 unit. I’m pretty sure I learned to play at least one game with each son. I don’t recall the names, though. With Tom, it was some little guy who dressed like Peter Pan … and played a flute. Does that…

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Graham Greene books
Escape with books?

Escape with books?

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Well, that was a failure. In trying to get my mind off the state of the States, each chosen volume this month instead served to remind me there’s no true escape from greed, violence, illness, and cruelty. Sigh. Week 1: A Gun for Sale by Graham Greene Our magnificent collection of Folio Books from Mom and Dad includes more than a dozen Graham Greene books, so I’m pleased to read one a month for the next year. A British author,…

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Shakespeare mask
To Mask or Not to Mask?

To Mask or Not to Mask?

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To mask, or not to mask … Why is that even a question? I’m old enough to remember the national flap when seat belts were made mandatory. Even as a kid, I thought it was ridiculous to see adults rail about having a “constitutional right” to carry their baby on their lap while in a car. Or – gasp – not wear a seat belt so as not to wrinkle their clothes. The politicization of masks is a national disgrace….

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Quayle quote
Quayle sightings

Quayle sightings

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Who remembers Dan Quayle? (This isn’t a political commentary – promise!) In case you don’t remember him, he was the nation’s 44th Vice President, under President George H.W. Bush. And he was born in Indiana. My first job out of college was in radio news in a little community called Tell City, Indiana. Named for William Tell, there were lots of apples and arrows about town, especially in the logos for local businesses and schools. The first few months I…

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books by the gallon
One year retired

One year retired

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Well, that went fast. Retired. For one full year. It still feels like I’m playing hooky every day. And it still feels great. No second guessing. No regrets. The year itself, though, hasn’t been easy. Mom’s death continues to be mighty tough. Extra visits with Dad have helped a lot, well until the pandemic took over. Thank goodness for phones, texting, and Facetime. John and Aubrie’s wedding is an ongoing ray of sunshine in our lives. The glow of love…

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