Sloppy Tortilla Chips

When I had my grocery delivery a couple of weeks ago, the company had to make several substitutions.  It is interesting that both my requested kidney beans, and refried beans were replaced by kid-style spaghetti rings in tomato sauce.  The present shortages brought about by panic buying necessitated me not refusing the proffered replacements. The planned meal was to have either a bean taco salad type meal or a nachos dish with melted cheese.   Now a fortnight on I was in the place of making a meal from them, and it ended up being what I am sure will not be the last Corona-necessitated fusion dish.  I therefore offer you, for your dining pleasure Sloppy Tortilla Chips or probably more accurately Tortilla Slop.  It was actually quite tasty by the way.

It makes 3 servings of about 440 calories each, or two large servings at about 660.

Ingredients:

• Tortilla Chips 200 g bag (I was brought plain ones)
• Spaghetti Hoops 400 g tin
• Chili Powder 2 tsp (mild or medium)
• Jalapenos Approximately 5 sliced
• Black Olive Slices (optional) 1 Tbs (drained)
• Salsa 150 g (mild or medium)

 

Method:

Break the tortilla chips up into a large glass or ceramic bowl.  Do not crumble but make pieces so they can easily be eaten by spoon.  In a separate microwaveable bowl mix the spaghetti and chili powder and heat on high in microwave for one minute.  Pour the “spaghetti chili” over the chips and mix lightly.  Place this back in the microwave for an additional minute.  Remove and stir in the remaining items until everything is well mixed.

 

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Oh, from the culinary heights we have fallen.

 

The Gamble

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It was day twenty of the lock-down.  Howard’s resources were running low, and the rumble of his tummy was getting more frequent.  He had a dilemma – he was in the “vulnerable” category because of  “underlying health issues,” and government recommendations were that he shouldn’t venture outwards for at least another nine weeks.  The problem was that he couldn’t get a home delivery slot for groceries unless he was in the “highly vulnerable” category or be ten years older than he was at present.  As his stomach rumbled yet again and a gnawing in his belly reminded him of his hunger he decided to do it.  He would take the gamble and open that tin of sardines marked, use by Feb 2004.

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FOWC with Fandango — Gamble

*Seriously though folks –  I, at present, have adequate food, I am in the general situation described above.  The are indeed in what Terry Pratchett called “interesting times.”

Pine Wood: A Reverse Cinquain

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This week Colleen’s syllabic poetry challenge is to write in the specific form of a Cinquain.  “A Cinquain is a form of shape poetry and is always centered on the page. The required syllables needed for each line give it a unique shape.”  The Reverse Cinquain form I have used follows a two, eight, six, four, two syllable structure.

Pine Wood
Evergreen scent fresh on the breeze
The delicate needles 
And sturdy cones
Embrace

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Hike Drop

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It was the early 1980s and I was at the US Marine Corps Infantry Training School at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.  It had rained for days, and the trails and pathways throughout the wooded training area had become quagmires. This did not of course stop the training.

It was into this environment that we men of “Charlie Company” began a timed hike.  At first I did well, even though the mud in places seemed to make every step feel as if my feet weighed a hundred pounds.  I was quite proud of myself at my professionalism.  In fact, almost Hollywood-like, when I slipped my rifle was instinctively lifted skywards away from the unforgiving mud.

But alas, I started to fall back in the column, and eventually was trailing some ten to fifteen yards behind the others.  As we approached a place where the trail crossed a road, a truck was waiting, and I and other “hike drops” was snagged by a sergeant who ordered us onto the uncovered back of the vehicle.  Cold and wet to the skin we were taken at speed back to camp, as the chill began to take its toll.  I never again was a hike drop.

Duty

Mud and toil – is a way of life

It prepares you for a world of strife

By testing yourself  – to the limit each day

You strengthen yourself  – for the role you play

The defense of others – is no simple chore

But to give of yourself – who can do more?

 

Lips blue, fingers numb
Windswept the transportation
Never lag again!

 

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dVerse: Snapshots of Our Lives

 

 

No Plan B

JessicaGale at Morguefile.com

The First Minister and Head of State, in his usual arrogant manner laid out his plan for coping with the national crisis.  Well,  as he worded it “developing national situation.”  There would not be – could not be – a national crisis on his watch.

Besides, “the science,” or at least the opinions of his hand-picked scientific advisers – showed that it would all blow over in “no time.”

“Therefore, I will not be calling a national state of emergency,” the leader concluded.

“Mister First Minister,” a journalist called out.  “Is there a Plan B, just in case?”

“It’s just like you so-called journalists to try to stir up a panic.  No, there is no need for a- and therefore no – Plan B.”

A week later the First Minister stood before the assembled media.  He proceeded to lay down a series of draconian measures to help deal with this “continuing national situation.”  He concluded by making it clear that these measures constituted “Plan 1.1.”

 

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Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge #59: Plan B

 

Delicate Hope

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Not all coronas are things of fear

Some crown-like objects can bring us cheer

Like the blossoms – of the spring of the year

A hope of a new future – we can hold dear

 

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Inspiration Call

 

Of Whom Shall I Be Afraid

Psalm 27: 1—“ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Just about a year ago I lost my Uncle Woodie, and my wife Dianne was dying of cancer.  I was (as I do) reading through her prayer journal today and noticed that at that time her notes were about prayer for my Cousin Darlene and her family in their bereavement.  She also noted that she looked for opportunities to witness to her hospice nurse.  On the latter front I know that she did indeed testify to her on her visit later that week.  She made clear her lack of fear of death, and her assurance of everlasting life.  Dianne completed her entry with the verse above.

We are in troubled times.  The world has a lot of unsettled things happening.  People are concerned over disease, isolation, and employment issues as things seem to come to a halt.  But the same is true today as it was a year ago,“ The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

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Feelin’ Fine with the Hermits

 

This week’s Song Lyrics Sunday challenge is to write about a piece that includes the words touch or feel.  Feel and Feeling (Feelin’) are key words in the positive (“feel so proud”) and as a cover-up (“Feelin’ fine”) in the 1963/1965 classic “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.”

The song was written in 1963 by Trevor Peacock and was first performed in a play that year.  It is most famous, however, in the Herman’s Hermit’s 1965 release which went to number 1 on the US and Canadian charts.  Nostalgically, this tale of break-up is one of my earliest experiences of pop music that I can remember.

Lyrics:

Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter
Girls as sharp as her are somethin’ rare
But it’s sad, she doesn’t love me now

She’s made it clear enough it ain’t no good to pine

She wants to return those things I bought her
Tell her she can keep them just the same
Things have changed, she doesn’t love me now
She’s made it clear enough it ain’t no good to pine

Walkin’ about, even in a crowd, well
You’ll pick her out, makes a bloke feel so proud

If she finds that I’ve been round to see you (round to see you)
Tell her that I’m well and feelin’ fine (feelin’ fine)
Don’t let on, don’t say she broke my heart
I’d go down on my knees but it’s no good to pine

Walkin’ about, even in a crowd, well
You’ll pick her out, makes a bloke feel so proud

If she finds that I’ve been round to see you (round to see you)
Tell her that I’m well and feelin’ fine (feelin’ fine)
Don’t let on, don’t say she broke my heart
I’d go down on my knees but it’s no good to pine

Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter (lovely daughter)
Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter (lovely daughter)
Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter (lovely daughter)
Mrs. Brown you’ve got a lovely daughter (lovely daughter)

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Trevor Peacock

Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Continuity Among Uncertainty

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“There will be wars,

And the rumours of wars,”

Crises come and go –

Oft seeming – “the end is nigh” –

We’re blown to and fro.

But continuity lies in God –

That’s all we need to know

 

Padre

 

Weekend Writing Prompt #150 – Continuity (35 Words)

 

Simple Fried Potatoes

 

I mentioned in my post on Baked Potatoes  that I would use the surplus potatoes for other recipes.  One of my favourite weekend breakfast options is simple fried potatoes.  These are made with left over potato, whether baked or boiled, and makes a nice savoury addition.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes 1-2 precooked
• Onion 1 medium
• Butter  25 grams/ 5 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

 

Method:

Peel and slice the onion into thin (1/8 – 1/4 inch) slices.  Then cut the pre-cooked potatoes into slices of a similar thickness.  In a frying pan, melt 1/2 of the butter at medium high heat.  When it begins to bubble add the onion slices and slightly sprinkle with salt.  Stir frequently so it does not burn.  When the onions begin to separate and caramelise (approximately 10 minutes) add the remaining butter and the potato slices.  Deduce to medium heat and allow bottoms to brown slightly before flipping (stir sooner if onions begin to over darken).  Work the potatoes and onions to insure even browning.  Add a small amount of black pepper during the final stirs.  Dish onto plates and season to taste.

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