Monday and mid-night moanin'

It had rained during the night and was still drizzling occasionally when the alarm went off.

I took that new electric space heater into work on Monday morning. I got it unpacked, set it up in a discrete location and turned on before anyone else came into work. Having heat for a change felt nice!

Of course, they came in the afternoon and fixed the rooftop unit (wouldn’t you know it!) But that heater worked great all morning and I was pleased with my purchase. I packed it up at 5:00 PM and took it home.

It was sunny, but very windy after work. So, I took a chance and cut the front lawn with the push mower. I got all of the front and most of the side done before darkness started closing in.

I put everything away and then started supper. This was originally meant to be done on Sunday, but if you remember, everything got bumped a day. I also have enough leftovers that, if I could, I’d just make it later. But we are dealing with live mussels here and I can’t wait too long!

So, I rinsed the pound of mussels under cold running water and removed the “beards” (strings that hang from the shells). I used a paring knife, BTW. I’m not that good doing it with my fingers, although some people can.

Then I put 1/2 cup of dry white wine, one shallot and one clove of garlic (both finely chopped)in a large saucepan. I seasoned it with some salt and let it simmer on medium heat for five minutes. Then I put in all the mussels that were closed, or closed when I tapped them. Don’t screw around here! If they stay open, they are dead and could make you sick. I threw away two.

I covered them and raised the heat to high. I steamed them until all the mussels were opened (another four or five minutes). I did my final inspection and any one that didn’t open got pitched, as well. I threw away one.

I stirred in some fresh, chopped flat leaf parsley, some thyme leaves I stripped off their stems (any mixed herbs will do) and 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter (cut into pieces). I removed the saucepan from the heat and got out four bowls. I distributed the mussels between the four bowls and covered each with broth.

I sliced off a big hunk of that Italian Rustic bread I buy from Westborn and proceeded to eat my supper, sopping up the excess broth with the bread.

It may sound “piggy” but there isn’t that much meat in a mussel and the dish is supposed to be an appetizer. So, I admit, I ate them all!

I watched TV until 11:00 PM and then went to sleep. That should have been the end of this post (and I wish it was!) But I woke up around 1:00 AM and couldn’t fall back asleep. I read the AARP magazine that came in the mail from cover to cover and then decided to check my caller ID. Sure enough, I’d had a call from my Brother Jim. So, I pressed the “talk” button to call in and retrieve my message.

Have I mentioned that I am still trying to get used to these new phones? It still takes me forever to hang up after a call for example. So, as I was dialing in, I heard a phone ringing on the other end. I realized (too late) that I had pressed “Talk” when Jim’s number was still displayed and was calling his house at 2:19 AM! Sh*t! I’ll be embarrassed when he checks his caller ID in the morning!!

Is this the end of the post? No, I apparently hadn’t been shamed enough just yet. Because a little while later, my phone rang. It was Jim, asking what was wrong. I explained the phone mix up; he laughed and then said, “Why would you check your caller ID at 2:00 AM?” So, I explained the insomnia thing and promised to call him back at a decent hour on Tuesday (he said there was nothing really new, he was just checking in).

Then, I went back to bed, red-faced and finally fell asleep and this post was finished...