The Annual Pool Set-Up

Today we completed our families annual tradition of setting up our above ground pool. We have often thought about installing a real pool on the grounds- we have plenty of space- but two concerns haunt us and keep us from taking the plunge- so to speak.

Gary Ashton- our realtor who helped us buy this house. He would comment all the time that homes that have pools installed don’t really add any value to the home for most prospective buyers. They either have small children and a pool is a safety issue, or they just don’t want the hassle, expense and frustration of owning a pool. You end up cutting your prospective buyer ‘pool’ considerably by owning one.
Second reason- we have small children, and the thought of something happening to them, or a neighbor (we really only have one neighbor, but they have small children too) in our pool is enough to keep us from doing it.

So a few years ago we went and bought an Intex above ground pool. Not like those huge Watson Girl pools you see on TV installed nicely behind a trailer home, no, just a nice simple easy to install pool about 16 feet in diameter, 4 foot high. Good enough to get wet in and cool off on those burning hot summer days.

Problem is that ended up getting a pool just big enough to give me all the hassles of pool ownership. Pumps, filters, chlorine/bromine tablets, ph treatment, acidity test strips, algae preventer, shock cleaning treatments, and more. Setting up the pool is the start of a bunch of fun times with Michelle and the kids, and also the start of my new part-time job as pool cleaner.






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For Some Reason I'm Craving Grilled Cheese And French Fries

At the top of my list of favorite food sits all things Asian. However, after this past week I need a break.

Monday was take-out Thai from Chlay’s. Tuesday was Chinese salad at a nice restaurant. Wed was multiple dishes with a friend at a Vietnamese place named Miss Saigon. Thursday was Mongolian Beef with fried rice and chili paste at PF Changs. Yesterday? Eggroll and Kung Pao Chicken at FuLin’s in Brentwood TN.

I’m paying for it now in ways I shall not divulge.

At a couple of the lunches, as the check(s) were delivered at the end of the meal, fortune cookies were placed on the table- carefully arranged and matching perfectly the number of diners. As we took our cookies and read our fortunes, I almost took command and insisted we do it the way our family does but thought better of it.

It started with Christmas. To avoid the chaos of having multiple children shredding open multiple gifts in a cacophony of craziness that lasts 11 minutes, we instituted a tradition that draws out Christmas morning while also giving focus to each person and each gift opened. We go round-robin, from youngest to oldest, and each person opens their gift while all others watch. It allows proper attention to each gift, each giftee and giftor. It really does add importance to each, and each gets a chance to shine.

Some years ago we brought that tradition to each meal our family ate together that included fortune cookies. The plate is passed around, from youngest to oldest, and each chooses a cookie. It is very important to do this, otherwise the fortune you get will be invalid. Then, each person opens their cookie and reads their fortune for all to hear and comment on. I know it’s goofy, but it makes the time more fun- it shines attention and consideration on each person and the funny or insightful fortune cast on each.

The little things in life are much more meaningful and enjoyable when we can share them- when others can share in them, and when we take the time to add value by our focus of attention.






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Daddy's Breakfast

Years ago, while attending college, I worked as a waiter in a couple of different restaurants. The nicer kind- not necessarily 4 stars, but getting there.

I was fascinated by the ability of the chefs to do so many things at once, and still produce fine meals that each were carefully prepared and presented.

I watched them often, probably while you were waiting patiently for your coffee, learning to prepare various foods. I started practicing at home.

Michelle most likely married me because she was under the false impression that I would be cooking steaks with exotic sauces, curry chicken, and home made ice cream with pasty cream puffs prepared from scratch after we married.

Oh how she was mistaken. A few years after I had moved on from the food service industry, and married Michelle, the interest waned. Well, more like ended abruptly in a screeching halt. I just didn’t have the time any longer.

Now, my role as chef only materializes on two occasions: 1) Warm summer evenings when I fire up the grill for my dinner specialties: hot dogs, hamburgers, barbecue chicken and grilled Italian sausages, and, 2) Saturday mornings.

Almost every Saturday morning, round about 9AM or so, I fire up the griddle for our traditional “Daddy Breakfast.” I love doing it. My repertoire is somewhat limited, mainly due to wanting to start at 9 and be done by 9:30, but Michelle and the girls seem to enjoy it- and that’s what matters.








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