Saturday Story

I woke up at 7:30 on Saturday. I lollygagged at first, then had to put it in gear as I had a 9:30 hair cut appointment. In spite of trying my best, I was about 3 minutes late and my barber was watching an old western on TV with the owner, Big George.

We talked as she worked (keeping one eye on the TV). She ended up making a pork loin for Thanksgiving, instead of buying that turkey dinner from Costco.

When I left there, I stopped in at Kroger’s and picked up a few items I was out of, such as honey, soy sauce, milk and three pounds of ground chuck.

When I got home, I separated the ground chuck into three one-pound packages and froze them. Since I was in the chest freezer anyway (I have GOT to empty it and thaw it out, BTW. The frost is really building up on the sides!) I took out two packs of brats to thaw. Since it was supposed to nice today, and I have to deal with the thin steak I thawed anyway, I thought I’d grill today.

Then I divvied up the remaining soup into two four-cup containers and one two-cup container. I labeled one four-cup container and stuck it in the fridge freezer. The other two containers went into the fridge itself to eat this week. I took my cast iron pot downstairs and filled it with hot water and baking soda to soak.

I took out a half of a pork loin I had frozen (my barber inspired me!) for my Sunday supper.

I called and talked to Jake to see what they were up to. Texting and emails are fine, but sometimes its nice to actually “talk” to somebody!

I had to hang up to make it to my next appointment: Getting a massage at the MC Therapeutic Massage on Schoolcraft. If you remember, one of my physical therapists had given me a short massage and recommended that I go here. I had seen the sign before and thought I knew exactly where it was, so I didn’t bother to bring the card with the address on it. Naturally, I couldn’t find the place.

But, she had called my cell while I was in Kroger’s to change the original 1:30 PM appointment to noon, since she had a cancellation. So, I called her back and admitted I was lost. It turns out I was about 500 feet away and had given up just east of Merriman Road. They are located just west of it.

So, I filled out all the paperwork (I didn’t think to bring a list of my prescriptions, etc.) and then got undressed. Margaret, my massage therapist, was probably near my age and just a little thing but, damn she had strong hands!

I mentioned that I used to get massages per my doctor’s advice when I was treated for my prostate cancer. She said that is very common, because most oncologists believe massages help to work the toxins out of your body. Hmmm... Interesting! My doctor never told me why to get massages, just that I should.

When the hour was up, I felt as limp as a dishrag. Back at the front desk, she gave me a bottle of water and told me to drink a lot today. She also said that I would feel like I had a real workout tomorrow and might even be sore (that I can believe as she seemed to concentrate on all those knots in my muscles). I asked her how often she would recommend me coming in and she said every three weeks or a month. I gave her my money and went back home.

I felt like just taking a nap, but I stripped the bed while the cats were eating their treats and started the weekend wash. It was mild outside, so I went out and stuck my driveway markers (for the snowplow, if needed, this winter) into the drive. I have found it’s a LOT easier to do this before the ground freezes.

Then I went out back. I refilled the suet cage and the squirrel feeder and topped off the bird feeder.

I came in to get a garbage bag for the trash out back by the wall (see photo) but the phone rang. It was Melissa and we chatted for a while. Then I realized that it was almost 4:00 PM and if I was going to grill, I had to get the charcoal started or I’d get caught by the setting sun.

So, I tried to dump the charcoal into the chimney starter quietly, but she caught me at it and asked what the hell I was doing. I explained and she said she would let me go then.

So, I lit the paper and when the coals were ready, I cleaned and oiled the grates.

I grilled the steaks first, just letting them stay long enough to get grill marks on each side (these are thin-cut and I will have to re-heat them to use them, so rare works in this case). Please note: I have NO idea what to do with these. I was originally going to put them in my soup. So, now I’m thinking some kind of stir fry or fry up some green peppers and onions, add the steak cut into strips and put them on flour tortillas or maybe a Philly cheese steak sandwich? I dunno...

Then I grilled up two packs of brats. I took everything inside just at sunset. I ate two brats on buns with deli mustard for my dinner.

When the rest of it cooled, I put it all in two Zip lock baggies and in the fridge. Then I started the second load of the weekend wash: my shirts and pants.

I went in to watch some TV and fell fast asleep!

I woke up around midnight. I turned off the TV and then went downstairs and refilled the washer, with my pants and shirts still in it, with water. Then I left it for tomorrow.

I was in the main bathroom, relieving myself, when the security lights came on. I watched intently to see the bad guys, but all that happened was my old friend, the possum, waddled into view. He was probably attracted by the smell of the barbequed food.

I smiled and went back to bed.