Another Cooking Tale

I had to re-read my own blogs (yes, my memory is going) to be sure I hadn't shared this tale previously and since I haven't here we go all the way back to November of 2008.


What is traditionally the turkey holiday week, Jim and Michael set out for a Two-Guys camping trip to GA at the Stephen Foster Park. The plans included grilling at least one steak while they were in camp. This was the first extended trip for the Two-Guys and so I needed to find activities to occupy my time for a week. Tiffany and I spent a day shopping and during that trip she told me Dakota and Drake were spending the week with Mimi and Pops on a trip to NC to visit Treffeisen relatives and she and Jeremiah were going to grill steaks as one of their treats for the week. So it seemed everyone was grilling steaks but me and one of my favorite dishes is steak. This got me thinking that I could just grill myself a steak. Never mind that I have not grilled but maybe once or twice in my lifetime. It was never something I was very adept doing, but really, how hard could this be? All I needed to do was set my mind to the task - I could do this! And so the preparation began. I purchased charcoal, lighter fluid, baked potatoe, and of course the steak. Rib eye of course. Now the day arrives I have designated as steak day. As I pull the grill out I am reminded that Marty and Jim have been using the grill frequently over the last few weeks and I open the lid to line it with foil and discover a hole (burned and rusted) through the bottom. No problem, they have been using it in this condition haven't they? I didn't know about the hole because I never used the grill. So I proceed with my project, line the bottom of the grill with foil, lay the charcoal, use an extra lot of lighter fluid and viola I have a fire. This feels like a victory in the grill project but I don't get too excited yet - the charcoal still has to burn down and leave me cookable coals. I wait approximately 30 minutes and check on my fire (I really checked about every 10 minutes) and miracle of miracles I have red hot coals. The steak turns out very well, although not as good as Jim's. I am right proud of myself and very satisfied with my meal.



Now fast forward to the next week. Jim is home from a successful camping trip, although it did rain some and they had to drive home in one of the worst storms of the season, tornado watches out all day, heavy rains, winds like crazy. I am so energized by my successful steak grilling I decide it is time to grill my next favorite meat - chicken. Jim offers to assist but no, I am getting this new skill down very well on my own thank you. Out comes the trusty grill, now with a hole somewhat larger than the last time, but that'll be OK just line it with foil. Which I do, then lay my charcoal, lots of lighter fluid and thirty minutes later I have coals hot enough to cook chicken. On goes the chicken, back in the house I go to work on other parts of the meal, and back out to check on the chicken. After about the third trip back to the grill much to my dismay I found the foil was too weak to hold the charcoal which is now on the ground with the grass burning all around it. All I could do was laugh as I worked to put out the flames. It seems Lilla was cooking again with the usual results. No, I don't have pictures of this either. Fortunately, the chicken was safe on the grate and I was able to salvage the meal by finishing the cooking process in the oven. We now have a new grill.

Dreams do come true

It has been eleven months since I retired, even longer for Jim, and about eight months since I blogged. I said I started the blog so everyone could keep up with our exploits and then I didn't feel like we were having any exploits. But, Tiffany and Marty and Jim have reminded me -everyday is an exploit - so I am going to try to catch up on our missing months. I have to start with the present and then I'll go back in time.

Dreams do come true: I have wanted a motorcycle for as long as I can remember. Jim had a bike when he was younger, I had a dirt bike way back when and even rode bikes belonging to others. It was always, one day I'll get me a bike - well, one day is HERE!!! We took delivery on our 2009 Harley Davidson Tri-Glide on June 25, 2009. As we aged (especially me) I thought my best bet was to go with a three wheel model. Safer, more stable, so I wouldn't have to worry about the weight etc. I wanted a Harley but figured I'd wind up with a Honda Gold Wing because they are factory built three wheelers, not after market conversions. Then last year I heard Harley was going to produce their first ever three wheel from the factory. I wanted one of those! 2009 is the premier year for the Harley three wheeler from the factory, not after market conversion as in past years. When we went to the dealer we found out most dealerships were given a quota of four per dealership and unlike car dealerships they weren't allowed to swap them around. We purchased in Clermont at Stormy Hill Harley Davidson - their last one for 2009. It took almost two months for it to be delivered from the factory but it was well worth the wait.

I know, this is not proper riding attire! We own the boots, the helmets, the gloves, the long sleeves, etc. We just haven't gotten the riding suits yet. This was just a photo op.

We went the first part of June to take the two day safety course which also qualified us for our motorcycle endorsement. Florida has an approved three wheel and side car safety course which is the one we completed. Interestingly enough, if you complete the two wheel course you also qualify for the three wheel endorsement even though there is nothing three wheel covered in the course. But if you only complete the three wheel course you cannot get a two wheel endorsement and believe me there is a major difference in operating the three wheeler compared to the two wheeler. So go figure, the State of Florida seems to have it backwards again. We both passed our classroom and course work. It was at the school that my brain finally kicked in. You see I had this image of taking delivery of the bike, jumping on and riding off into the sunset. Then, reality set in, it has been over 30 years since I have been on a bike and I was going to have a lot of practice to do before I hit the open road. We now have 400 practice miles on the odometer. We have also ridden in the rain, without rain suits, and survived. We are not rushing it, just enjoying the learning process.

Future exploits in the planning process: A visit to Holland in the fall with Jim's sister and brother-in-law; an extended trip to California; an extended motorcycle trip; Israel; Alaska, roller coaster rides...