I'm sitting here thinking when somethng touches my thigh. A warning... maybe a request...? Then two things are touching my thigh and little bits of claw tips sink into the denim as the worlds biggest ball of fluff hauls her massive bulk in front of computer keys. First six inch long wiskers are stuck up my nose as loud purring begins and a freight train of furr glides by and stops long enough to rub a butt on my nose. This is Estelle- known mainly as Stella. Stella is a female Maine Coon. Thankfully, the females don't get as big as the males because Stella is one heavy-azz cat. She eats like a 17 year old boy who plays highschool foot ball. Maine Coons have strange fur; seems like maybe 3 different layers- the base is super thick while the outer layer can hardly bee seen unless the sun is just right. These cats are supposed to be built for water. her paws are as big as ping-pong paddles, and I can imagine her being a good swimmer. Watching the toilet get flushed is still one of her big times.
Kathleen was in bed before 8. She doesn't seem to get she's not 35 anymore. She still embarrasses many men with her tenacity and brute strength. She's a little bulldozer. I admire her and feel sorry for her at the same time. She is aloof while loving madly under the surface. My mother was like that- they say we marry our opposite-sex parent. I used to think that was BS, but now I'm not so sure...
So- I made a messa beans for dinner. Soaked 24 hours some kidneys and black beans. About 1/2 hour after they set to boiling, I added some split peas 'cause they don't take as long. 5 minutes later I threw in a handful of brown rice. I read back 30 years ago that beans and rice make a more complete protein. Who knows, but I just got in the habit I guess.
When the beans started JUST getting soft, I added in the chili and cumin, some black pepper, salt a stripe of molasses, onions and a whole pile of rough-cut garlic. Oh- and cilantro. When it was just about right, I tossed in some fresh-cut corn and diced tomatoes.
I waited. I always wait to add any meaty items just in case Mr Monkeyshines calls at the last minute. If the call came- no meat. He hasn't called yet, though. So I tossed in a little fresh sausage just for flavoring.
Layered that up on flour tortillas with Australian cheddar and stuck em in the iron skillet. Kathleen likes hers burnt some, and that's the way she gets em. When it comes out, I cover it with salsa that's kind of fresh and rough cut with mango bits I cut up in there. A slice of avacado and a teaspoon of sour cream.
Thank God she likes my cooking. What else can I give her? What else might she want...?
Things are suspiciously quiet today. With the divorce of our neighbor, maybe the kid is gone so no fire crackers this year? The roads were pretty much empty, so it was hottiehell, but nice as long as I kept moving. Just enough to get the knees in the breeze before it's time to cook.
You?
