Outside the dugout: What's cooking?

Burns tends to over include certain experts in his documentaries

 

I had a regional manager who's name was Foote. Funniest thing was when I told him I was going to transfer to another region, where they had an opening for a manager. Normally when a manager's position opens, the assistant manager at that branch gets the first shot, but in this case, that branch's assistant manager was previously their mechanic, and no one felt he had what "it took" to be the manager. That's where I came in. They announced the opening and I said "Hell yeah - I'll go." - or words to that effect. So the regional manager (named Foote) lost his manager - you know - the one who ran the highest gross profit dollar branch in his region. That's what is known as "the last laugh".

Watching the 1991 classic "Doc Hollywood" right now and winding down from a big day. Got chicken tenderloins in the slow cooker for BBQ tomorrow.

Michael J. Fox - pretty amazing actor.

Life is good in Gator Nation.

 

My wife was assistant costume manager on Doc Hollywood. She costumed all the extras in the parade scene and spent hours finding a tiara for Bridget Fonda, who played the parade queen, that the actress was happy with. I think she found it at Dollar Tree! We had Thanksgiving dinner with cast and crew. Good folks. One of the actors (not Fox) was a real jerk, and the crew kept messing with his lighting so he looked green in every scene.

 

I hear ya Lurk—

We have a do-over on the ham bone mixed bean soup tonight—swapping out the jalapeño cornbread for grilled cheese sandwiches in the cast iron frying pan—

We hit 102* here today so—the ice cold longnecks this afternoon and evening hit the spot—

 

1st day in October and a 102 heat index.....yikes!

I don't know what it was here today but I broke the day up into 4 shifts and in between came inside for an hour to let my head cool back down.

Felt good though to get so much done. That said....that hot shower tonight felt even better. The clam chowder afterwards was also worthy of mention.

I had a nice phone conversation with my oldest brother last night and on the subject of hot dogs he said they get chicken dogs. Been a while since I've had a chicken dog but worth re-visting, I guess.

When I came in tonight I sat down in my swivel chair, put my feet up, and had a nice cool tall glass of peach juice. Then I hit the shower. But that fruit juice felt very nourishing and refreshing. Tomorrow it will be guava juice!

 

Tonight I’ve got BBQ chicken halves on the grill (Pat’s Ho Made on the last two turns) with fresh zipper peas/pod okra on top, and rice topped with Rotel tomatoes—

Ran the mower over the bahia grass today—it’s the only thing growing in this 30+day drought we’ve got going on—

Regardless, the back porch ice cold longnecks after hydration and a shower are just the way to wind the day down—

 

Just got back from Mom's....picked up a small pile of yard waste (from two Queen Palms).

She has 3 in her yard. I planted them around 10 years ago. I go over a few times per year and trim off the lower fronds that are hanging down too low, plus the leftover boots (frond bases) from the previous trimming, plus whatever spears I can get (the flower stalks before they open).

We (the City of NSB) have a company called Waste Pro who are contracted to go by once a week and pick up yard waste. I always time my pruning for the day before pickup so what we leave behind is picked up by the next day.

Well, after two weeks and 3 pickup days they were still not picked up and even though I called both yesterday and today and asked if they could do this, they dropped the ball. My Mom is 96 and lives by herself. And (as I told the lady at Waste Pro) - she's a WW II Navy veteran - was stationed in Norfolk as a W.A.V.E. helping to process our veterans as they returned from the European and Pacific theaters. Greatest generation, for goodness sake! "Could you please pick this small pile up - it's been there now through 3 of your normal pickup days and has been missed. My Mom has been very patient but at 96 she doesn't need the stress....furthermore as a WW II Navy vet - we need to get this done for her."

I even said please.

Yesterday she said she'd "send over a supervisor to take a look." Then today she said they were "sending someone over." As of sunset - it was still there.

My Mom sent this email to me:

No, they did not come to pick the pile up. I wish I knew what their problem is. Thanks for everything today. ​

You know how long it took me to load this stuff in my pickup? Less than 5 minutes.

I will throw it on top of my pile in the morning.

So the story gets better.

I picked up provisions for Mom this morning at Walmart and when done stopped at Popeyes to get her 2 friend chicken breasts. They were last on her list of items to pick up. I went inside and told the lady I was supposed to get two fried chicken breasts. At first she said I'd have to get a box with a biscuit to get one of them. Then after we chatted a bit she told me she too had a 96 year old mother back in Massachusetts. I said maybe we'll just get the one breast - and she said "Let me see what I can do..." Then she fiddled around with the cash register and said she could do it and it would be $3 dollars and change. Point being - she found a way to get the job done.

Why can't everyone just find a way to get the job done?

/rant

OK - so do I go on social media now? I'm a little ticked off......

 

I decided I will write a letter to corporate and share the whole thing with them. Without hurling any spears. I will also suggest they send my mother an apology letter. And a gift certificate for extra karma points.

Random food pic, while I'm here.....

 

My nephew that this past year retired from a 27 year career with the US Navy is in town spending a couple of days with us—Two of his “likes” are grilled steak and good bourbon—

Tonight we’ve got 2” thick bone-in ribeyes for the grill, baked potatoes, and fresh Caesar salad—

The fully stocked Yeti is ready for the afternoon/evening activities—
After supper there will be a tumbler of Wild Turkey’s new “Longbranch” Kentucky Straight Bourbon—

 

It is once again football Saturday—we were all just plain steak hungry last night or the bone-in ribeyes were exceptionally good—either way, it was a good call—

Grilling wings with a cold tray tonight—let’s keep the football Gators on a roll—whip up on those War-damn-gers-men!....(Never have figured out why one school needs 3 names/mascots) must be an Abalama thing—

 

Inside supper tonight out of the heat—Taco Bean soup it is—jalapeño cornbread on the side—

Back porch ice cold col’beers as the day wears down—

Life is good in Gator Nation—(Not so much for those Auburn War damned Eagles/Tiger/Plainsmen).......

 

Ole Sis sez "Hold My Beer!"

What a game last night, huh? Thank the Lord above (as well as Coach Grantham) for our NASTY defense! Aubie's defense was also very good.

Difference in the game was our QB performed better under pressure than theirs.

If your nephew is still around...please convey to him my thanks for his service.

Been working in my garage doing some re-organizing and it's going great! Lot of breeze and overcast today so headed back there to continue. Yesterday it was like Burma - I think I went through 5 tank tops and 3 sweat towels in about 4 hours!

Life is good in Gator Nation!

 

Well the Auburn folks did return home the winner in one category—

Gus Malzone did walk away with the Oscar for “Whiner of the Year” award......