Pumpkins & The Feeling Of Fall

Real pumpkins!!!!! I probably looked like such a dork but I was so excited. At least people couldn’t see the ear-to-ear grin on my face due to the mask. I think the temperatures might finally be nice enough for some on my porch. Oh, and how about as a centerpiece on the dining room table. Sure.

My favorite time of year. I know officially it begins next week but it came early this year. Screw the official date, I’m calling it fall!! My house looks and smells like to. The weather feels like it. It’s fall. Funny how one weather event can turn it all around, right?

Tuesday our boy Owen had his 2 year birthday. Hard to believe we’ve had the goofy b****** for so long. He is a real goof. He got to chew on some pig ears as a present and was pampered with love. I’m so glad he grew out of his destructive stage. Sweet boy.

My biannual date with the vampires was extra special on Thursday. I think the lab tech was having some sort of existential crisis. I’m the one getting the blood drawn and she is the one that seemed down right done. I always try small talk at the lab. Not only does it help me cope with the fact I’m being drained of my life source, but I hope it makes the vampire more comfortable doing her job. I joke with them. This day it didn’t go so well. I mentioned how different things were from my last appointment. That was about 2 weeks pre-COVID. The lab tech just stares of into space and says in a flat tone: “No one talks about the virus anymore. It’s as if it doesn’t exist…”. Than BAM!!! She stabs my vein. Actually, she scratched my arm with the needle and then stabbed my vein. It was the most unpleasant lab experience yet. (At the time of writing this portion, some 7 hours later, my vein is still throbbing.). I didn’t say another word. I left in a state of bizarre confusion. I wanted to sic my friends on her. The psychopathic b****!

Friday was interesting. I upset the HR department with my honesty, got on a VPs radar for the second time this week, and learned some fascinating campus news. Lucky thing I was checking out early for my doctors appointment. Which went well, I must add. I’ve lost 15 pounds since my last visit in February. He was proud of my lab results and the weight loss. I enjoy my doctor visits. The nurse and I joke around and my doctor and I do the same. We have some interesting banter. I’m often chastised for my exercise regime. He often says “what are you, 90?” It’s because I walk and take the stairs. Well I’ve been waking miles, sir. 5-6 a day.

After the visit I went sight seeing and eventually. Mowed the yard. It was a beautiful afternoon after an irritating day at work. I was so f***ing annoyed by the morning. I know I brought it upon myself. When HR says I’m not taking the virus seriously I want to tell them to f*** themselves. I bet I’m taking it more seriously than they are. I live with the virus everyday. They want me to lie. I get punished for my honesty. Why have the system if you don’t want people to be honest? Begs the question, doesn’t it? Ah, life.

Horror season begins. Yes, it’s only September. But in our house that’s when we begin watching horror films. I think until after Halloween I’m going to begin to recap the horror films that I especially enjoyed during the week. It won’t be entire blogs worth of material, but a sub section or an end cap. I’m just already in the mood to celebrate Halloween. By far my favorite holiday.

Horror Film

Porno. Not “porno”. Heck of a title to name your film. Well, not really a safe title to google from work. Searching for it on Amazon was also a treat. My God, I almost was pulled down that rabbit hole. The thing that pop up when you search the word porno. Take a dive, if you wish. Do it!! Supply and demand, I suppose. Before I digress, back to the movie at hand. I’d heard of this horror film back in February. It kind of was put on the back burner due to COVID. It resurfaced on a film site I read daily so my interest was peaked. Porno was a great throwback to the 80’s gore. Not for the weak of heart. Naturally with a title like that you are going to get some full on nudity. No sex, mind you, but full frontals. Definitely not family friendly. One thing that was great about the film was the humor. It was delightfully funny. Bekah and I died. It’s about movie theatre employees after hours. The stumble upon a hidden room and find a secret film. This is in 1992 so film reel is still a thing. Hell, some of the films playing at the fictional movie theatre were “A League of their Own” & “Encino Man”. The film the find is naturally cursed. It released a evil. succubus. A female demon know to use sex to her advantage. Terror, and nudity, ensue. Believe it or not, the ending is very “feel good”. Watch it. I recommend. It was art.

Jalapeño

Bunless green chili burger with some smashed avocado and pickled red onions.

Breakfast on a bun. Or “BOB”. Hot breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs on a hamburger bun. We dipped in maple syrup. It was very tasty. Bekah loved it. A win!

Spicy buffalo grilled chicken thighs. The heat was something great. The high, nice and tender. To accompany the heat, we had a cool ranch garden salad. Pretty simple well rounded meal.

Some sort of street taco? We were going to make queso burgers but I decided to get creative. Use the ground beef and mix with jalapeño and onion. When not throw the rotel and some of the velveta in. Oh, I had a quick pickle red onion. They really complemented the meal. And some cilantro. And queso fresco. Whatever you want to call it, we loved it.

Lemony chicken asparagus stir-fry. The sauce is a mixture of chicken stock, lemon juice & zest, soy, ginger, garlic and brown sugar. It’s been a while since I’ve had this meal and it didn’t disappoint. Also, it’s freaking simple.

Salmon croquettes. I use to make this almost weekly but it’s been a really really long time. They are kind of messy but rather worth it. Since I have the pickled onion I tried that with them. Pretty dang good. I think Bekah was totally thrilled I made them.