The day is sunny but breezy making it feel colder than it is. Rain is a possibility starting around two. I have no plans for today except maybe a little cleaning. The cobwebs are back. I can see them in the sun. 

When I was a kid, my town was an amazing place. Uptown, in the square, was a Woolworth’s and a Grant’s. Hank’s Bakery had the best smells especially when bread was baking. The aroma wafted from the store to the sidewalk. If I had money, I’d buy a hot loaf straight from the oven. I’d pull off pieces to eat as I walked. The worst smells came from the fish market. I remember the men behind the counter wore full white aprons with stains on the front. The case inside was filled with ice. Fish were laid on top of the ice. The lobsters swam in a container in the front window. Back then there seemed to a drug store every few stores. They varied in size. I used to love to go to the biggest drug store where the counter was marble and always felt cold. That was where I drank my vanilla Coke made with real vanilla. It was served in a thick glass with a paper straw. Another drug store had the smallest counter, only 4 stools. Kennedy’s had a pickle barrel out front. I remember the cheese and soda biscuits you could buy. Children’s corner sold pouffy dresses and books for 49 cents. I spent my allowance there many times. These were more stores, but I remember these the most.

If I could go back in time for one day, I’d go back to when I was about ten, and I’d roam my town. First, I’d check out the store windows. I’d watch the cobbler in his narrow store behind his counter filled with shoes, filled with pairs of shoes tied together by their laces. I’d have that Vanilla Coke. I’d watch the lobsters swim. I’d look at all the pastries in Hank’s window. I’d walk by the fire station as I was leaving the square. Sometimes the firemen were sitting outside in chairs. I’d say hi. They’d say hi back. I’d go behind town hall and stop at the town’s stable to see the horses. I’d walk along the tracks. I’d be gone all day.

What a glorious morning it is. The sky is brilliant, as blue as blue can be. The sun is so bright everything shines and glints. It is even warmish, 46°. Nala is sleeping in the sun on a patch of grass in the backyard. Henry goes outside but still won’t come in the dog door unless someone is on the street or near my house, and he needs to bark. That’s when he rushes into the house. This afternoon I have a uke concert, our last Love Songs of the 60’s concert. Irish starts next week. 

My inner sloth is on vacation. Yesterday I cleaned. I vacuumed a couple of rooms and the stairs. I also washed and waxed those stairs. I cleared the backyard of all of Nala’s stolen good. I was exhausted. Today, when I looked out the back door, I saw what appeared to be white stuffing. I knew Nala had done it again. The victim was a gnome I had bought new this year. I had put it on the table in the living room where she couldn’t get it. I was wrong. She stood on the stairs and bent her head over and took it.

I do not like black licorice, but I love black jelly beans. One of my favorite cookies is Italian anise cookies with a tinge of licorice. My taste buds are a conundrum. 

My mother was a wizard with ground beef. She had so many recipes we never tired of it. My favorite was American chop suey. We thought it exotic and adventurous with the water chestnuts and chow bmein noodles on the top. I still think my mother made the best meatloaf. I remember she’d cover the top with ketchup and strips of bacon then she’d put it in the oven. I tried to steal the crispy bacon, but my mother was always on alert for bacon thieves. We had hamburgers on the grill. We had spaghetti with ground beef in a thick sauce. We all loved it except my father. His mother, the worst cook, used to serve spaghetti with canned tomatoes on top so my mother would serve my father the same. I make pretty much all the ground beef recipes my mother had, but have added tacos to my recipes. My freezer is never without ground beef. I count it among the staff of life foods. It joins bread, coffee and chocolate.