Happy Memorial Day!

Alright, I admit it! I am old enough to remember when most people still referred to it as Decoration Day!

I would like to take a moment to remember all those who have paid and are still paying the ultimate price for America's freedom. Sadly, freedom isn't free, but bought by the blood of these men and women. Lest we forget!

I did remember to fill the coffee pot last night with water and grounds, so I woke up to the smell of fresh-brewed coffee. Pouring a cup, I turned on the TV for the news and weather and was struck at the scenes of devastation from tornadoes that touched down in various States yesterday. Amazing, and horrifying! They said this is the worst tornado season on record so far. This is one of the few times I wish I had a basement.

I took a moment to rewrite the ToDo list as so many items have come off. Today's focus is to clean the house and garage, first! Anything after that will be gravy. I threw on shorts and a t-shirt and went out back. By 9:00 AM, I had the morning glories planted and watered. I hope some of them grow! These are an heirloom variety that's deep purple with a red star inside called Grandpa Ott's.

Back inside, I turn off the news, turn on the classic rock station and get out the vacuum cleaner. In an effort to cut down the damn Caley cat hair, I am using the vacuum's attachment and Luanne's cat hair removal brush on all the cloth furniture. What a pain! It's really amazing! With all the cat hair I am getting, that stupid cat should be totally bald!

So, it's just before noon, and the living room is completely done, and the kitchen and downstairs swept and now mopped. I did take a quick break to take some photos of the veggie and St. Francis garden (see photos) and eat two hardboiled eggs with salt for breakfast. Now, while the floor is drying, I am taking a real break (as my back is hurting from the vacuuming and mopping).

The floor is mostly dry by 1:30 PM, so I take my shower and get cleaned up. I get dressed and make the run to Westborn for three items I need today. Once back home, I get started on cleaning the bedroom and office, after throwing the last laundry load of the weekend into the dryer (mostly kitchen towels, bath towels and throw rugs). With the heat and humidity, it's actually quite uncomfortable in the house (thermometer says 79 degrees F) so, for the first time this year, I turned on the A/C. I'll shut it off when it cools down as, for the next three days, the high temps are supposed to be just in the 60's.

So, its 3:30 PM and the house is finished!!! Now, before I lose my motivation, its time to go straighten up the garage (which is still a mess from all the planting). Once I got that squared away, I used my blower to get out all the dirt, and then did the garage apron and the front porch. Next, I lugged it out back and blew off my patio. Then, of course, I had to use the net to fish out all the maple-seed helicopters from the reflecting pool. I finished up just after 4:30.

I called and talked with Sadie and Luanne. It was good to hear Sadie's voice, as I was beginning to suspect something untoward had happened to her and her body was buried in the crawl space or something. Luanne is coming along and has a smaller leg immobilizer now.

After that chat, I went out and, using the MiricleGro Liquafeeder attachment, watered and fertilized the front garden and the herb plantings, just in case tonight's forecasted rain doesn't show.

I got out the grill and fired up the charcoal. I grilled some of those Dearborn natural casing hot dogs and a smoked sausage link for later in the week. Next I added the six ears of sweet corn I'd soaked since buying them at Westborn. Unfortunately, the wet corn on the hot cast iron grate caused a chunk of the grate to break off, which annoyed me.

Now, all weekend, I had fully intended to cook a steak I'd thawed on the stove so I could make a brandy cream sauce in the pan. But, it's late, I'm bushed and the coals are ready right now, so I make a last minute change of plans. I seasoned the steak with just kosher salt, pressed cracked peppercorns into both sides and put it on the grille.

I misjudged the thickness of the steak and grilled it about one minute too long on each side, thus ending up with a "medium" instead of my favorite "medium-rare" steak, but it was delicious. And, the grilled sweet corn was, for me, the perfect summer side. So, I had an excellent Memorial Day dinner.

Still going with that theme, I checked the TV menu and found the World War II movie, the Longest Day. Not only was the day long, it was the longest movie! It ran from 8:00 PM until midnight. I dozed off and on through parts of it, in spite of the sounds of battle, but did watch the end of it. I turned off the TV and went to sleep.