My boss officially reopened the office today. Not that we ever actually closed down; it just means that the holdouts still working from home had to start coming in again. I’m glad I made the decision to transition back on my own a month ago, because having to wear pants again is like ripping off a Band-Aid. Without Tara’s shoulder to cry on, I’d be lost.
Since I’m recounting the minutiae of daily life, today I worked on creating a brand narrative for our coupon book, met with my team to begin strategizing for a new publication we’ll be launching soon, and worked on content for Keystone (I’m halfway through the alphabet on my updated copy for Black Hills communities).
Chris and Meghan at work brought in a couple of miniature strawberry plants for our garden. I have not been able to find decent strawberries around here to save my life, so thank you, guys! I planted and watered them as soon as I got home. Speaking of, the garden is coming along decently. The tomato plants are getting big and the zucchini is blossoming. We’ve already used a head of lettuce, and there’s more for the picking. No actual fruit or veggies yet, but our fingers are crossed.
This year is one big test anyway. The spot we picked is west-facing, so it doesn’t get sunlight until noon. Not ideal, but it still gets a solid eight hours this time of year. It was the only place in our backyard where we had the space and could easily keep the deer out. It’s right next to our raspberry bushes, and they grow like gangbusters, so we’re hoping for the best. Assuming we keep the garden there next year, I would want to do raised beds. The ground slopes gently on that side of the house and when we water it tends to run downhill. Like I said, trial and error.
One reader commented on my last post, Your dinners are looking great. No ‘just cereal’ when you are a Bachelor.
I’ve never been a “just cereal” type. After my divorce in 2006, I was essentially on my own for six years. I liked to cook, and that gave me an opportunity to try a lot of new dishes. The habit stuck with me, and now that I’m married to a picky eater, I’m even more motivated to cook meals for myself when I’m eating alone. Having said that, I will admit to a bit of burnout. I’m writing this post while kicking back on the patio with a glass of wine. I’m keeping it simple tonight, grilling hot dogs and a can of Ranch beans. But they’re buffalo hot dogs from the local meat market, so even my easy meals are a little upscale, ha.
Gotta admit, I am tempted to order takeout tomorrow or Friday, though. This chef could use a break.
It occurred to me today that I don’t have to ask for questions, as I was nominated by Rivergirl for one of those meaningless blog awards that most of us pretend to find disdainful but are secretly pleased at receiving. Of course, it would be more pleasing if I didn’t have to share the spotlight with four other bloggers, but whatevs. It gives me an excuse to answer a few not-serious questions dreamed up by Rivergirl. By the way, you should read her, especially if you like wildlife or want to see the World’s Largest Backyard. She lives in Maine, where I imagine most of the residents are in competition for that honor. A word of caution, though: if an hour goes by without a new Rivergirl post showing up in your blog feed, you might start worrying that the internet is broken. 🙂
Without further ado…
Would any of you be willing to let a slightly pissed off red squirrel and her children rent a room? The sooner the better, I’m getting hateful looks.
We’ve already got a family of red squirrels squatting in our backyard, emptying our bird feeder of sunflower seeds as quickly as we can fill it, so that’s going to be a hard pass from me.
If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner/significant other/blow up girlfriend what would it be, and why?
A patch kit for when she deflates…?
Ha, kidding! It would be nice if Tara greeted me at the front door after work with a glass of bourbon in hand and my favorite slippers, but A) This isn’t 1956, B) I beat her home most days, and C) She reads my blog, so obviously my answer is, not a damn thing.
Can you talk me into eating kale in 50 words or less? I know you can’t, but it will be fun to see you try.
This would be a lot simpler if we lived in Portland, where panicked shoppers raid grocery stores and stock up on kale when there’s even a slight threat of snow, but she’s in Maine and I’m in South Dakota, neither of which are kale hot spots. I got nothin’.
(By sheer coincidence, that was 49 words.)
You win an all expense paid trip for two to Antarctica, do you bring a Kardashian or Caitlyn Jenner?
Kendall Jenner. Because I googled “which Kardashian is the most normal?” and her name is the one that kept popping up. Even she says she’s not like the others and that’s good enough for me. Plus, that Vogue cover…
By some strange twist of fate, you’re elected President of the United States in 2020. What’s your first executive order?
Cede the country to Canada.
And finally, if you’ve made it this far…. why do bloggers feel compelled to keep this award thing going when none of us really like them?
In my case, to help fill eight days’ worth of posts!
Mark My Words 
Ooooh. Wine with hot dogs and baked beans? You just got a -2 points in the “man testosterone” department. Iced tea would have gotten a -1, but beer a +3. Now, if it is red wine, you can gain back 1/2 point, if it is white wine you have to reapply for membership. 🙂
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It was red wine, so + 1/2. I only drink sour beers, so I’m not sure whether those would earn me positive or negative points.
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Major positive points on the sour beer
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Hi Mark, You seem to be easily filling these eight days of posts. My husband is the gardener in our family and I greatly appreciate all of his efforts. Fresh strawberries are a real treat. You remind me how my husband and I have different palates. We do eat very differently when we are not together. Re: your question about changing anything about your spouse reminded me of “The Stepford Wives.” If I recall, a little creepy. You likely knew it is Canada Day today, although you were going to “cede the country to Canada” anyways.
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I did know it was Canada Day, as a matter of fact! I have too many Canadian friends to ever let me forget, ha. 🙂
One of the things I miss most about the PNW is the fresh strawberries…especially the Hoods from Oregon. We have great raspberries and peaches here, at least.
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Well done sir. Though I do need to clear a few things up.
1. In Maine, our backyard size doesn’t even rate an honorable mention.
2. Kale is actually very popular up here, just not with me. Natives also eat large amounts of quinoa, for which I can find no reasonable explanation.
3. My current blogstravaganza of 2 posts a day is a direct result of the pandemic closing most of my other forms of entertainment. When the local pub reopens? I’ll drop you all like a hot rock.
😉
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Thank you again for the nomination and the entertaining questions! I actually like quinoa, so if you want 50 words convincing you to give that a try, I’m down.
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That’s a challenge you can’t win.
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That’s odd that you can’t find decent strawberries. We picked 7 pounds two weeks ago at a local farm. Yum! I’ve never understood the dislike for kale. It’s just another lettuce to me, only greener.
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I don’t mind kale, but I don’t go out of my way to seek it out and certainly wouldn’t panic if the grocery store ran out, ha. I tried making kale chips once, but they didn’t turn out too well. I may have to give it another shot.
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The trick is to not overdo the oil and don’t bunch it up or put too much kale on the pan. Otherwise, it doesn’t dry out and get crispy.
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I’ll probably give it another shot. I’m sure I was heavy-handed with the oil the first time.
Do you have a particular seasoning you like on yours?
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Take out! Take out! Take out!
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I feel like this advice is just as good today as it was three years ago…
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Do the raised beds!! You’ll love them, increase production and reduce the work. I couldn’t believe the difference it made in my garden.
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Good to know! We’re definitely leaning in that direction. I just dread the initial work involved, though I guess there are far more difficult chores than that.
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Kendall is not particularly curvy which poses all sorts of questions in my head about why her but whatever….lol. 😃
Cede to Canada… Ha ha! 😂 Do we *want* you guys or can we pick a few States and let the rest fend for themselves? 😉
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It’s 95 percent based on the fact that she is less annoying than the others, lol.
You really don’t want all 50 of us. Probably seven or eight would do.
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You do know you’re killing me, right? My current two-posts-a-month-if-I’m-lucky vs your now post a day isn’t guilt inducing enough?
Okay, first of all, She reads my blog, so obviously my answer is, not a damn thing.–Best line of this post.
Second, the kale thing being 49 words.
That’s all I got this time. I should go check my draft folder again for something old to post…
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Haha. I knew my prolific posting schedule as of late would send you into a frenzy. I almost left a comment on your blog warning you about this, lol. Don’t worry – you’re never under any obligation to read (or write)!
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I’d comment back, but I didn’t read this.
JK. 🙂
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Those are fun questions.
I’d bring the Kardashian I dislike the most just to watch them suffer through privation/ push them into icy water.
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This is the best solution of all.
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