I enjoy eating well - - and so I enjoy cooking.

I grew up in a big old house with lots of mystery. The basement was the best, most mysterious place of all. The basement rooms were only partially excavated - we'd crane our necks to look into the deep, narrow passages below the floorboards and imagine all kind of creepy and wonderful things. A coal pile next to the abandoned furnace was the prized location. We'd emerge from the basement with smudges and soot all over our hands.

Give away a million? Wait, what about those serious debts. Let me pay off all my bills first, then we'll see where the rest goes. . . .

Onions did. Then I learned I could wash them before cutting.

you are fired!

So very difficult recently to fire good employees. We'd done everything possible to deep our company together under this devastating economy, but finally had to make drastic cuts just to stay alive. I remembered a quote from a business advisor, "if you don't hurt when you fire an employee, you've stopped being human."

Though I'm glad we can pay our bills now, there's no doubt in my mind just how very human I am.

Board games? Haven't played any in a while. I remember some of them were pretty cool . . . Where do you plug them in?

MYST Soundtrack

I know, it's old now - but when Myst first came out, we ran all around its digital world. Solving puzzles, collecting clues and marveling at the inventive scenery. Still my all-time favorite.

Me? Tell a lie? Never!!! No, never! Really - never, never, never! What, don't you believe me???

Holiday Shopping? Bah! Humbug! (but maybe just a little something. . . )

We'd be off to anywhere, anywhere she wants to go!

I'd write, direct and make the movie! This prompt has Suzanne Vega's song in my head, "if you we're in my movie. . ."

I look forward to connecting with family. It's just barely worth having to deal with the barrage of Christmas mania.

Every four years we in the southern climes get to live winter vicariously through the olympics. Sochi in 2014!

Things are going well when I can pay the bills without having to worry about what's in the bank account.

At the end of my day off, I can gauge its success by how much my muscles ache!

The Daily Show. It's the only way to take the news - sitting down, late at night, and laughing. Thank you Comedy Central!

Art museums and galleries! We love spending time hanging out with all kinds of visual arts, sculpture etc. It's like we're getting to visit old friends while constantly making new ones.

Don't spend it!

Death and Taxes Beer

The old truism springs to mind - "nothing is certain but death and taxes." Cheat on both for a while, but they'll catch you in the end!

City mouse, country mouse - no difference, you catch 'em both with the same traps.

Did you walk to school, or take your lunch?

I remember dreams when I face big challenges. Often I'm exploring new places or tinkering with equipment, plumbing or some machines trying to get them to work.

Come to Texas and look for a 2 or 3 meat plate. Nearly all good BBQ joints have some version - heaps of meat and choice of sides. Even the "chain" stores like Pok-e-jo's have a 2-meat plate for under $10. Order brisket and sausage. Come hungry and keep the change!

Mahatma Gandhi - what a remarkable man - powerful change through a life committed to peace and simplicity. . . . Only I'd have a hard time giving up a good steak!

PHILIPPINE MAP POST CARD

I wish my family spoke Tagalog. That way we could speak to my wife's father and his siblings in their native tongue. If I spoke Ilocano, I could talk with my mother-in-law.

"Come and Get It!!" Great place for hearty food. Service starts when we ring a big dinner bell.

My best is always just out of reach. Every time I think I'm there, I can see something or someway to make it better. Like Tantalus never quite getting a drink.

Survival Fashion Chef Race. Now that would be a show. Contestants cook bugs and other slimy things while showing off their clothing made of palm leaves and bark. They race from one island to another until all contestants get voted off the show.

On second thought, I'd rather not.

Never, ever put perishables in your suitcase! A side of beef, or a pair of Hawaiian pineapples are hand-carry only. Fortunately, I learned from other's mistakes. The beef was returned within 48 hours - but this was one owner who really wasn't pleased when he got his bags back. The pineapple suitcase never did come back. After a week of searching, the airlines tracked it to Japan, but all agreed to leave it there!