Turning The Home into My Home

Had about an hour of “conversational” snow this morning. I decided to bypass the Cherry Blossom Parade. The Cherry Blossom fireworks are tonight. I could see them from my old digs. Don’t think I’ll be able to see them from here. But, I’ll check.

Today, I cooked. Yes, real food. I turned on the stove. And cooked food using the stove. I should be ashamed to admit that in six months I haven’t even boiled water. But, I am not.

I sort of decided that I need to do feed myself from time to time. And not just eat in the dining room, get takeout, or call room service. Carlton and I lived a lot a places with the Park Service. But, the first thing I always did was make a meal for us. And, when we would return home, I would always make food for us – first thing. When we we got to our hotel room in Kona – my first stop would be KTA for food. Remember – Carlton didn’t eat “out”. So, even when we would be driving across country, I had to scour up something for us to eat in our room.

I am glad to have food available 13 hours a day. Food that is just a phone call or elevator ride away. Food that I pay for if I eat it or not.

But, making food helps make the Old Bat Cave home.

This would be butternut squash, chopped up tomato, onions and peppers and garlic, various herbs and spices. Carlton loved this. We had some variation of it at least twice a month. When it was done – I put in a bunch of spinach and divided it up into 4 containers. 3 went in the freezer. 1 in the fridge for tomorrow’s dinner. It is one of those dishes that is better after it lounges in the fridge overnight.  I’ll nuke it, and top with a little parmesan and sour cream.

Note to Carlton: In your honor, I put The Masters on the rabbit-eared TV just now. It is like you are here! Your favorite dinner in the fridge and golf on the tele. But it is all good, Carlton. I am glad you were able to take the express train out, cheating cancer out of the long death. And, that you left me with a plan to follow. I took a few detours. Maybe a shortcut or two. Did some things you wouldn’t have done. Still I am where you wanted me to be “after”… and it is becoming Home.