My Bosses (the dears!) kindly request I write a ‘proper entry: one that shows you are serious blogger’. They didn’t say what this means exactly, and I don’t know how to fulfill the request other than I best get it right lest they send their administrative assistant, Halfdan, to suggest ideas to me.* Alas, Babylon, I don’t have anything profound or witty to say. The Muses decided to stay in Palm Springs so they are no help. I spent the weekend doing laundry and ironing and what’s worth writing about that? I lead a dull life. I made a fancy tuna fish casserole that included artichoke heart, chopped peppers (Red sweet and Fresno) using up the imperial tidbit cheese from our holiday. It was hardly ‘Midwestern”** but Someone liked it. I put in some frozen peas for his and my late Mother’s sake, as it is a misdemeanor not to do so in the state of Michigan.
The Equinox hits home today at 2:24PM local time, so if I am not busy I will have a cup of tea or something in honor of the moment. It looks like clouds and cool temperatures are in the forecast for the week. I need to call Hector, Yard Master, to do something about all the weeds that sprouted while we were away. I need to pressure Someone to do our taxes, as I hope for a refund that can be used to buy a new mattress. Ours is an old ‘king’ and and doesn’t fit the frame, which is “California’ size. We probably should pay the painter first, and attend to the hold in the ceiling in The Blue Room.
Next weekend (weather permitting) the office has its first office picnic. I haven’t heard details what this entails. I hope we are assigned something or better yet it is catered lest we all bring salads and no one brings any brats.*** The office staff is almost entirely women and most of them are on strict or funny diets or won’t eat this/that/or the other, so it will be interesting to see what sort of picnic this entails. Urs Truly knows some killer pasta salad recipes but as few are eating ‘carbs’ these days they probably won’t go over well.
Apart from the picnic, there are no plans or events on the horizon, worse luck. I should try to put something on the calendar for April, something to look forward to. It’s probably time to go to MI to tend Father for a long weekend. Rumor has it the chickens are laying again. Oh to have freshly-laid eggs! I haven’t bothered buying any as they are too expensive. I miss them so.
I will email The Muses (or someone like them) to get something interesting upon which to write. Spo-fans are invited to tell me what sort of shenanigans are happening in your part of the world or to get suggestions for future posts. Meanwhile I have Halfdan to contend with. Oh the horror. This looks like a job for Captain Equinox !!
*I locked up the liquor; he’s a mean drunk.
**The traditional recipe calls from cream of mushroom soup. I made a roux and a béchamel sauce rather. It was delish.
***Just hate when this happens.
37 comments
March 20, 2023 at 2:55 AM
DwightW.
If I lived near you , I’d buy you 2 dozen eggs and deliver them. I can’t afford to paint your house but I can afford the eggs. Life is short.
March 20, 2023 at 6:31 AM
Urspo
Life is short indeed!
March 20, 2023 at 3:20 AM
David Godfrey
Buy the eggs, the chickens or someone like them, needs the money. Special diets should be suspended for special events. I took the staff out to lunch at a Peruvian restaurant last Tuesday in place of our weekly staff meeting.
March 20, 2023 at 6:31 AM
Urspo
I have never had Peruvian cuisine; it is on my list of things to experience.
March 20, 2023 at 4:42 AM
BadNoteB
I made the monthly pilgrimage to Costco last week and was thrilled to find a 2-dozen pack of eggs for under $6 (maybe $5.79? I don’t remember exactly.) I was so excited I bought two packs. Wouldn’t you know, LOML stopped by Smiths en route home that evening and discovered eggs on sale for $2.99/dz and purchased an additional 2 cartons. With a refrigerator stocked like the vaults of Ft. Knox, we’ve been feasting as skunks in the hen house on everything from deviled eggs to Tart au Citron for the past week – cholesterol levels be damned!
I’m so proud of you taking the (minimal) time required to make a proper Bechemel for your divine tuna adventure. Beats the hell out of Campbell’s “Cream of Fill-In-The-Blank”, especially since Uncle Albertsons decreed it’s value at $2.49 a can. (Are these people real? Eggs rotting in the display case at $7.99 a dozen… Wow!)
How dare The Muses extend the visit to PS – may their tender bits get sunburned and slowly peel! Though you seem to be doing quite well without them…
March 20, 2023 at 6:38 AM
Urspo
I was pleased as Punch to make a roux/white sauce it was quick and tasty, and beat the glop out of a can.
March 20, 2023 at 5:13 AM
Jenn
That’s a tasty looking casserole! Look at you making your own sauce! I likely would have stuck with the cream of mushroom soup. I’m curious to hear how the restricted picnic turns out. -Jenn
March 20, 2023 at 6:39 AM
Urspo
Midwesterners all live and cook by COMS cans. It felt almost rebellious to not use one. I thought the casserole a success, but suspected my relations in MI would see it as not a ‘proper’ casserole.
March 20, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Will Jay
Spring picnic just screams frittata! With roasted asparagus, roasted red peppers, and artichokes it could be almost seasonal. Of course with the price of eggs these days it would also seem indulgent and extravagant and the overlords might start wondering whether they are paying you too much. In that case, offer to bring the napkins, or perhaps a lentil salad.
March 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Debbie W.
Please treat yourself and Someone to some eggs. The egg prices at Trader Joe’s and Aldi are not too bad, and life is so very short. Have a marvelous Monday!
March 20, 2023 at 6:39 AM
Urspo
For some time I have meant to go to Aldi to see what’s it is about. The late Warrior Queen was quite fond of the place.
March 20, 2023 at 7:17 AM
Debbie W.
Anne Marie was correct – Aldi is definitely worth a look-see. Make the trip and let us know what you think. It’s quite an experience, and maybe the Muses will visit you once you’ve been there.
March 20, 2023 at 6:24 AM
Debra She Who Seeks
Your casserole looks yummy! Give my regards to Halfdan, the dear.
March 20, 2023 at 6:40 AM
Urspo
You can have him. He resembles something out of the Manitoba Conservative party – minus the charms.
March 20, 2023 at 7:18 AM
Wes
Why does your shirt label say “Designed by Michael C. Rockwell”, is that your designer “stage” name? 😊
March 20, 2023 at 8:20 AM
Urspo
Yes, it is my alter-ego nome de plume.
March 20, 2023 at 7:38 AM
Ron
Vaca was just too short wasn’t it. Oh to be indolent forever into tr
He horizon. Ironing shirts is the reality though.
March 20, 2023 at 8:21 AM
Urspo
They seem to take a lot of time to do them. Would I had someone to hire to do’em for me!
March 20, 2023 at 8:24 AM
Ron
I’ve always found ironing shirts to be relaxing. I hate to paint though.
L
March 20, 2023 at 8:14 AM
Steven
That casserole looks absolutely delish! My MIL also had a pea fetish. But they had to be early June peas. Eggs are dropping like flies here. Still slightly high, but half-price what they were last month. Speaking of Michigan, it was nice to see Michigan State beat Marquette. I know you’re a Wolverine, but you have to pull for a fellow Michigan team, or at least a Big Ten Team. I have my green and white on today with my Spartan Marching Band sweatshirt. 🙂
March 20, 2023 at 8:22 AM
Urspo
Last night I went on the Book of Faces to see all my MI relations and friends whooping it up over MSU. I am still not clear what’s it about. Apparently they won an important game. Good for them!
March 20, 2023 at 8:36 AM
Old Lurker
Oh dear. The Bosses know about your blog? I would have thought that TBDHSR was demanding enough. I feel the Bosses should stick to psychiatric employment matters and leave your literary endeavors alone.
You promised to tell us who got hit with sticks for multisyllabic infractions, but we are left hanging! That might make for a good entry.
Are you over the nagging cough? Or do we find this out Wednesday?
March 20, 2023 at 8:41 AM
Urspo
I still have a bit of a cough – I think it’s evolved into allergy-type. Same cough/different reason. No Rx/OTC seems to help.
About that game: it wasn’t played. It needs four folks and one in our group wasn’t up to doing it.
March 20, 2023 at 9:15 AM
Robzilla
Eggs are expensive, which is why I no longer make omelets with a bunch of egg whites. The carton lasts a lot longer now, too.
I’d love to try making a casserole, but alas I cook for one.
March 20, 2023 at 11:45 AM
Urspo
The casserole in the photo: we will be living off it for some time. It’s hard to cook two – let alone one.
March 20, 2023 at 9:29 AM
larrymuffin
Things to do in April well you could plan for Passover and Easter. There’s always lots to do with those two holidays. I would love to have your tuna casserole recipe you should write about that. That would be a meaningful, thoughtful ponderous entry for your blog.
That’s for the office picnic I would simply not show up in later say that I had a sudden attack of think of a rare disease, Like shortness of the skin.
March 20, 2023 at 11:46 AM
Urspo
If you are wanting the recipe, I will send it hither.
March 20, 2023 at 11:47 AM
larrymuffin
Oh thank you uncle Spo
March 20, 2023 at 2:54 PM
Urspo
March 20, 2023 at 11:51 AM
Parnassus
Count your blessings. At least you can buy eggs. Here there are no eggs at all, although there are predictions that some may be available by June. Apparently flocks have been decimated by disease and the remaining hens are not laying. –Jim
March 20, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Urspo
Yes you are correct. There are eggs. I’ve not gone to the store to find none. They are expensive that’s all.
March 20, 2023 at 3:33 PM
Gigi Rambles
Your casserole looks very tasty! Even more so after I learned that you made your own sauce. My husband isn’t big on casseroles, so I haven’t had one in ages.
March 21, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Urspo
Life without casseroles? How do you keep up your health?
March 21, 2023 at 5:25 AM
Hugh W. Roberts
The casserole looks so yummy. And glad you added peas. They’re a must for me, too.
No egg shortage here in the UK. And now we have lots of chocolate eggs on the shelves for Easter. I hope a chocolate egg comes your way from the Easter Bunny when he visits the night before Easter.
As for me, I also rather like Hot-Cross Buns. They make a great afternoon tea toasted and with butter spread on them.
March 21, 2023 at 8:31 AM
Urspo
Oh to have a great afternoon tea! I have dreams of going to some fancy hotel and having one. I’m certain it will be expensive but quite worth it.
Someone isn’t one to celebrate holidays, but most Easters I get him a chocolate bunny, which he eats with relish.
March 21, 2023 at 6:53 AM
Alicia S
The casserole looks very good! I’m not very good at making casseroles, but then again my people don’t like their food to touch so having it all mucked together in a big baking dish would mean it would remain untouched by them and I would have to eat it alone! No eggs? You have to treat yourself this weekend and have some eggs. It is a bit blah right now with not much to write about so I hope the Muses do give you some inspiration and that you get your brats at the picnic. Enjoy!
March 21, 2023 at 8:32 AM
Urspo
I remember as a boy being that way viz. food on the plate shouldn’t touch. I don’t remember now why this was so terrible.