My life is so good! It’s been a very long time since I wrote my first entry and a whole lot of water has gone under my life’s bridge. Still grateful and amazed at my wonderful life – every day! Just celebrated my 25th (+50) birthday, and despite a few health challenges, both my health and Honey’s health are still good for our ages. We still summer in Maine (in a 30′ camper) and winter in Florida (in a 1300 SF house). We still live and travel with 3 cats. We lost Simon last Christmas but adopted a rescue named Lilly. The other two Furballs, Queenie and Leroy, aren’t sure they want another Furball to share the food and attention but I tell them to just get over it. Don’t really think they listen or care (after all they’re cats). We still enjoy a very good sense of humor and enjoy each other (and the Furballs).

The past few years have been hard on everyone. Scary times. Covid. Living our lives in a panic is not a good thing no matter what age. We all lost so much battling a disease that truly got out of control. We lost things we will never get back. People (health and death), Places(establishments that couldn’t survive shutdowns), Things (manufacturing and shutdown jobs), Time (memories: lost childhoods, family and friends gatherings, isolation) and Faith that the Good Lord will take care of us. Society should have done a better job taking care of us. We should have taken better care of ourselves. Our common sense should have kicked in. Where was our Faith? Why did we allow elected politicians to make our life’s rules? For me, residing in two different states pointed out the glaring differences in how things were handled. I have to go with the one that did less is more. And so the battle goes.

We focus a lot on food. I spend a lot of time buying groceries. That’s what old people do. I’m not really old at 25(+50) and neither is Honey (80) for we both believe age is a number and state of mind. About 15 years ago, my Sis and Favorite Brother-in-Law lived with and cared for my then 90-year-old Mom. Mom and BIL were both 3 meals a day, all planned in advance or I might starve people. Sis was not. They’d be eating breakfast (coffee only for her if she even sat at the table with them) and would be deciding on what to have for lunch and supper. Sis hadn’t reached the What are we going to do today? Eat! stage of life yet. I’m not quite there yet either although I do think a lot about snacks. Honey is. For the past 6 years, he has cooked breakfast for us. Coffee, juice, bacon or sausage, eggs (fried, soft-boiled), and sometimes toast. I’m spoiled. Let me say this about eating. I had weight loss surgery about 20 years ago. I eat small amounts. I don’t get hungry but know my body needs good food. I prefer snacks. A good breakfast (usually just an egg and coffee) sticks with me for a long time. Honey on the other hand, What’s for lunch? and of course When’s supper? The good thing for me is that in spite of not caring too much about eating food, I do like to cook. Somewhere I have a collection of rarely used cookbooks and of course, you can get some good ideas from the internet. Honey is easy to cook for – anything with tomatoes is favored. I also have learned how to size down recipes and cook for two because I don’t like dealing with leftovers.

When Honey and I first started going together, he said one of his favorite dishes was American Chop Suey. In my mind, it was a version of Chinese Chop Suey Americanized. Not so, it’s a Maine thing. Imagine my surprise when he cooked it for me……………it’s like my Mom’s version of Goulash! Living in a camper I don’t use the stove (too slow lol) but that’s ok because I have several electric appliances that work very well. I try to adapt my recipes and make most meals a 1 pot meal. My go-to is a Presto 5-quart electric pot and I bought one and use it in the Florida house.

American Chop Suey

8 oz ground beef

1/2 cup chopped onion (use more if you want)

1 16 oz can petite diced tomatoes

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1/4 cup dried macaroni or orzo

Garlic powder or minced garlic, Salt & Pepper to taste

Shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella are good)

In a 2-3 quart pan brown ground beef and onions. Add tomatoes, sauce, garlic, salt and pepper.

Let simmer at least 30 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup of water and let simmer a few minutes then add the macaroni or orzo to the pot. Let cook another 15 minutes.

Dish up, rather bowl up! Serve with cheese on top, salad and bread of choice.

In spite of all that’s going on in our lives, we have to look for positive things and enjoy every day. Don’t sweat the small stuff. To quote a song “God is Great, beer is good, and people are crazy” – Life is really good if you acknowledge the Blessings in your life.