Strands of Pattern
When this world doesn't suit you, write a world that does.
Monday, July 17, 2023
To Live and Love
To live and love for the both of us
Ten years ago today I made that vow
I've struggled in the decade since
Not always knowing exactly how
Ten years you've been beyond my reach
But death can't take you from my heart
The best of you dwells within me
As you have from our love's start
I've done what I believed impossible
Rediscovered joy without my bride
I carry on living for us just like I vowed
Despite the ache that lingers inside
Much has changed in the past ten years
And much has remained largely the same
Your kids are healthy and happy
Loving their mother like an eternal flame
Your grandboys are nearly adults now
And I weep you never saw them grow
But they do remember their Maw Maw
As their words and expressions show
I'm a "me" post-we now
And I endeavored to learn what that meant
But much of me was shaped by you
In all those years together we spent
So yes, I vowed to live and love for us both
The loving's been easy, the living not so much
But no matter my task or cast of eyes
I still experience your love-filled touch
Always yours, Angel Baby,
- Jeff
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Grandma's Chicken & Dumplings for Jo
Still haven't returned to blogging yet, but I did want to honor Jo. I had the pleasure of meeting her and her husband in North Carolina back in Sept 2013, almost two months after my wife passed away. It was a great "blogging buddies meet in person" experience. We ate, bowled, played putt putt, enjoyed good ice cream and great conversation.
Jo and Matt joined me for putt putt on NC coast in 2013 |
For my recipe, I'm divulging Grandma's secret for chicken and dumplings. I chose this one not because Jo was known as Grandmother Dragon, but because she specifically asked me for the southern buttermilk biscuits recipe, from which the dumplings in this recipe are made.
So, for the recipe...
The chicken:
Use preferred part(s) of chicken. I receive more compliments when using dark meat only, and most compliments when using legs only. (Note: using boneless or skinless chicken diminishes flavor.)Broth flavorings (to taste):
- Salt (generous)
- Pepper (generous)
- Garlic salt (sparingly)
- Minced onion (sparingly)
Add chicken and flavorings to a large pot of water and bring to a slow/soft boil until meat is cooked. Lower heat and allow chicken to simmer for a couple hours or more. Stir occasionally, adding water when necessary. (For best results, allow to cool after simmering and refrigerate overnight. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with following directions.)
Separate bone and skin from chicken. I place chicken into a pot strainer and use two sets of tongs as meat will be hot. Return meat to pot and prepare dumplings.Dumplings:
- 2 cups Self-rising flour
- 2/3 cup Buttermilk
- 1/4 cup Shortening
Note: This makes the equivalent of ten 2 1/2 inch biscuits. I make enough to share so I typically make three or even four batches of dough/dumplings.
Roll out dough until thickness is 1/8 inch or thinner.
Cut dough into strips of 2-4 inches long by 1/2 inch wide (or to preference) and place on large plate.
Repeat above steps for each new batch of dumplings.
It can be served after all dough is "done" but I prefer to let it sit on lowest heat for a while longer. Remember to stir frequently as long as the pot is over heat.
Excess dumpling dough is not a problem. Serve portions of cooked dumplings and add more dough. Another option is to split the single pot into two pots and add dumplings (and water) accordingly. You can also freeze some or all for later or keep refrigerated.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
A Three-Year Peekaboo
Writers Crushing Covid-19 |
Hello everyone! It's been a while since I last posted, like three whole years. It's entirely possible that I've forgotten how all this works.
I'd love to know how everyone is doing. Please, bring me up to speed. What have you accomplished? Started? Stopped? Any great things happen lately? Bad things? Made any momentous choices?
In Jeff news: My Flowers For a Dead Man story was included in the Writers Crushing Covid-19 anthology, available via Amazon and others. (All proceeds go to the Book Industry Charitable Foundation.) This effort was undertaken by the Piedmont Authors Network, a local writing group to which I belong.
I even did a reading of my story via Crowdcast back in August--a first for me. Numerous contributors assembled to read for the cause on three consecutive Saturdays. (I was the final reader in week #2.) There were some great readings all three weeks, certainly worth the viewing time.
Noir at the Bar |
- Week #1: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/read-for-the-cause
- Week #2: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/read-for-the-cause-2
- Week #3: https://www.crowdcast.io/e/read-for-the-cause-3
And of course, my own personal goddess, Isis, allows me to serve and adore her as is only befitting her station (and mine). Better than six years running now, so she's got me rather well trained.
Isis will abide your adoration as well |
I'm still writing; actually, I'm rewriting "book one" of my epic fantasy. I'm still sketching and painting with acrylics, although whether I'm improving is debatable. I've also been dabbling with digital art and 3D Modeling. It's all quite fun and relaxing. Here's a sampling of my dabbling.