My congrats to PM for winning his 3^rd green jacket, but as most who probably watched, both diehard golf fans, and simply the curious, the real interest was the return of TW. I’m not sure how many stayed around for his interview at the end of the tournament, I did, and frankly saw what I knew I would see but hoped I won’t. That’s the same egotistical, self entitled child he’s always been, and probably always will be. Don’t get me wrong; I think he is probably the best player to ever play the game. I will not however give him the title of the greatest player ever, until he approaches or passes the records of Jack or Sammy. But if you think he won’t get caught again, then I have a 25% ownership in the Brooklyn Bridge I’ll give you a great deal on, (trollie hangs his head sadly).

I did something today I rarely ever do. I have always lived by the old adage “screw me once shame on you, screw me twice shame on me”. But today I gave someone a second chance. I hope it works itself out.

Beware the following is a rant.

(Rant alarms have been activated)

The word is that the college basketball championship may be expanded to 96 teams from the current 65 teams. This is a straight money based decision. Since going to 64/65 teams a 16^th seed has never won a game. Why extend the tournament to another week when there is only a minuscule chance of any of the 31 lower rated teams to win a game. Money is the only reason when competitive games should be the only reason. If we must sit by and watch the NCAA force this upon us, then at least give the top 32 a bye in the first round and let the last 64 play what is essentially a play in game to the tournament. Frankly I think 32 teams are more then enough to establish a nation champion.

(/rant)

Temperature was only 40*F today, but for this time of year that really isn’t that bad, with very little wind. Now I rarely eat a salad that is a lettuce based salad in the winter. But once it starts turning warm I have a hankering for them. Now I realize that 40*F may not be your definition of turning warm but with the subzero temperatures we can get here in the old northcountry in winter, it feels warm.

I had picked up a small piece of flat iron steak yesterday, and decided to get some salad fixings for lunch today. Now for me lunch is usually the main meal of the day, retired as I am.

I usually buy one of the pre-packaged lettuce mixes, and really don’t care what the mix is, the one I got today was a European mix, what ever the heck that means, but I always buy the one with the longest freshness date.

An English cucumber, a plum tomato, this time of year obviously hothouse but… oh well, and a sliced hardboiled egg. Got some sliced button mushrooms, a slow sauté, with a couple of cloves of garlic, and once fully cooked a dash of sea salt and a couple of grinds of pepper. Also salt and peppered the veg. Then grilled the flat iron steak to a medium. Salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce, okay so I had to walk to the kitchen and get the bottle so I spelled it right, sue me.

When done, several very thin slices, on the salad with the mushrooms, some crumbed feta cheese, and a store bought balsamic vinaigrette.

Some iced tea and a couple of pieces of crusty bread, lovely.

Actually I debated whether to use feta or blue cheese, but since I still have a bit left of the steak, maybe blue will get in the mix tomorrow.

Life is weird; there is a theory that we are connected to everyone else by six degrees of separation. But some times the connection is much less then six degrees.

Talked to my sis today, she and her husband are in the market for a new home. They currently live in a huge 3 story Victorian place, and as their have an empty nest are looking for a small place.

One of the houses they’ve looked at is just outside the city limits. In their talk with the owner they discovered that he grew up in the Alden area outside of Buffalo New York. Which is where we grew up. But moved away to the Northcountry of New York after my senior year.

My sis asked what family and he said, “My dad is KL”.

Dang, while not my best friend KL and I as in the same class at school for 13 years, and was a good friend. Dang it is a small, small world.

This has been the winter that wasn’t here in the old North Country. No severe cold, no monster snow storms, basically a ho hum winter.

I’m not much of one for drama shows, normally I only watch reality, or educational series, but I must admit being hooked on two drama series on cable.

I like “Burn Notice” on USA, and “Leverage” on TNT. Or is it that I am in love or at least in lust with the roles of Fiona (Burn notice) and Parker (Leverage), I will admit that strong, athletic, insane woman have always been my lady of choice.

Have had maybe the two best days in a row I’ve had in a long time. Yesterday spent the afternoon, with my kin. Best night sleep I’ve had in awhile. Took a couple of walks today, and got some things the pantry was short of. But I will go back time to tell.

As sis and her husband dropped me off last night I found a basket of fruit from a church, that while I’m still a member, I have not attended for a while.

Among other things were 3 lovely red pears. Well one of my missions today was find some nice blue cheese. The second walk netted me a nice Danish style blue. If you’ve never married a slice of raw pear, and abit of good blue cheese, well you should. As an alternative, a few slices of pear, a potion of good blue on top, oven or microwave, your choice. While that’s happening, reduce a bit of balsamic vinegar over a flame (in a pan of course), marry them together.

Okay, I understand, it’s been along time since I’ve posted. Well things are what they are. And I won’t explain the neglect.

In the process of selling my house, and have moved in to a 3 room postal stamp. But it suits me. I can both mop my kitchen and bathroom floor in less then a minute.

I made today the best pasta dish I’ve ever made

A small shallot, 2 small cloves of garlic, a bit of celery, a bit of red pepper, dry basil, dry oregano, and some dill seed, and of course some pepper and some sea salt. And of course some nice evoo, and did I forget a can of diced clams. Heated some pasta, used linguini.

But pick your fav pasta. Didn’t have a good Italian or French bread in the house but a garlic bread would add a touch. Sorry I forgot one ingredient…a splash of a very nice zinfandel wine.

If you ever expect me to give amount, forget about it. I just throw, taste and adjust.