Let’s change gears this morning and instead a wastin my breath talkin bout them dad-gum politicians, let’s talk some groceries, and this other thing my Mama and Daddy used to talk with me about…getting older.

For those who have yet to experience this getting older thing, I gotta tell ya…it’s comin! Got here A LOT sooner than I ever thought possible!

Shoot, I’m sailin along in my twenties, then got to them thirties, and all of a sudden, WHAM…I’m tippin forty!

I’ve been forty now for, hmmm, let’s see, well, bout seventeen years now!

Forty plus…that’s me!

Anyway, Lucky and I stopped by a phone store last night. There was an older couple in there and we kinda struck up a conversation with em.

Actually, they really didn’t have a choice cause I’m pretty good at that dern “striking up a conversation” thing.

I talked…and they listened.

The husband was 85, and his wife was 83. I mean, what were they gonna do…run off?

I ain’t bragging or nuthin, but I believe if they’d give me any lip bout my conversin with em…I could of whippin em both!

Seriously though, they were a really, really nice couple. We shot the bull with em, and Lucky and I both enjoyed their company.

The salesman that helped us, Steven, and a great guy, is 25. We’ve seen him twice, and I have to tell you that I was very impressed with his knowledge, his politeness, AND his WORK ethic.

Very, very impressive young man.

I told him so, too. In this day and age it is so good to see a young man or woman, who enjoy their job, and even more…HAVE a dern job!

Anyway, as Lucky and I were finishin up, I was tellin Steven to enjoy his youth…it goes away much faster than you could ever dream.

You know, the work hard Steven, apply yourself, and with your work ethic and personality, you can go far. Only YOU can prevent your own success…nobody else.

I also told him, half-jokingly that lookin at my own life…it was pretty sad.

My reasonin for this…shoot, I’d just spent an hour or two laughin and cutting up with an 85 and 83 year-old and…had ENJOYED IT! LOL!

We left there and stopped by the grocery store to pick up a couple things.

Lucky was pickin up a bunch of bananas when I pulled up with the cart and I hollered, “Uh-uh…don’t buy those green bananas!! Get them dern ripe ones!”

By doin so, I KNOW I can probably get to eat em for something happens to me!

A few other examples of getting older are…

I got up the other morning and went to wash my face and shave. I looked in the mirror and said…
“Dad???”

Then the other day, Lucky and I were up town and this gorgeous woman walks by, and I got to thinkin,
“Dern, I wonder what her MOM looks like???”

A buddy of mine asked me the other day if I remembered Preparation H?
I told him, “Shoot, I’m so old I remember when they come out with…PREPARATION A!”

Ya know, I’d mentioned Lucky and I had stopped by the phone store and met that fine older couple.

They shared with us a few of their abbreviations while textin…

BFF- Best Friend Fainted
BYOT—Bring Your Own Teeth
LMDO—Laughin My Dentures Out
And…
GGPBL- Gotta Go Pacemaker Battery Low

I was readin to Lucky the other night where the Senate was investigatin deceptive practices targetin the elderly, and bilkin them outta their money, and I asked her to guess the worst one…
She asked sincerely… “I dunno, Social Security?”

Had a buddy tell me the other day he knew HE was getting old, when he realized, he had 25 house plants at home and…I can’t smoke any of em!”

Lucky and I were at the Doctor’s office last week when I wasn’t feelin well.

He comes back in and says, “Lucky, your husband’s getting older and needs rest and some quiet time, so here’s some sleepin pills.”
Lucky asked him, “When should I give em to him Doc?”
The Doctor replied, “They’re not for him Lucky, they’re…FOR YOU!”

I love my Doctor!
LMDO!

But ya really know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than your cake!

Now…bout them groceries!

Lucky LOVES to hunt and fish, and to be quite honest, she’s good at both. She’d rather fish or sit in her tree-stand than eat.

She keeps her game camera goin, and last year she got a picture of a Florida panther, which I thought pretty neat. I’d never seen one in the wild before.

I ain’t sure bout the count she gave me, but I think she said her camera had caught on film 37 illegal aliens too.

Jus kiddin.

But you guys did see where the illegals are now claimin “They ain’t gonna take it anymore,” and promise a more radical approach?”

Here illegally, but ain’t gonna take it anymore?? Good night a livin folks, oh yeah…the groceries.

Sorry! (possibly more bout that later??

Anyway, today’s recipes come once more from Kathrine’s cookbook, “Cedar Creek Game Cookbook.”

Sweet and Sour Venison:

2 lbs. venison steaks, ¼”

2 tbsp. lemon juice

1 can beef consume

2 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. savory salt

¼ cup, chopped green onions, tops included

1 clove garlic

1/3 cup soy sauce

Cut steaks ¼” thick, diagonally across the grain. Combine other ingredients, pour over meat strips and marinate in fridge overnight. After draining, broil about 4 inches from heat until tender. Serves 4.

Juanita’s Spanish Rice:

6 slices of bacon

2 bell peppers, sliced

3 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 tsp. garlic salt

1 cup uncooked rice

2 large onions, sliced

5 cups canned tomatoes, or if you have, use fresh tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. ground beef

Fry bacon slowly until crisp. Remove from pan and pour off the dripping. Brown onions, peppers and ground beef in remainder of bacon drippings. Add seasonings and crumbled bacon.
Add warmed tomatoes or steamed fresh ones, stir in uncooked rice and cook slowly. Stir often or it may stick. If the mixture seems too dry, add more tomatoes or water. Cook until rive is tender, about 45 minutes.

Indian Meal Pudding:

¾ cup corn meal

3 quarts milk

6 cups finely cut apples

3 tsp. salt

3 tsp. ground ginger

1-1/2 cup molasses

Scald milk, add corn meal and cook 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and pour into buttered baking dish. Bake on 350 for 1 hour stirring occasionally. Serves 12.

I’d stay and visit a little longer with ya my friends, but GGPBL!

LOL!

You guys have a great day and God bless. Please be sure to, “Keep a smile on your face, and one in your heart!”

Doug and Lucky