An old Turkey trots thru on Turkey Day

The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.

Michael in FtW

Master Chef
Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Sep 5, 2004
Messages
6,592
Location
Fort Worth, TX
Hello gang! I'm still alive - but a lot has changed in my life since I last darkened these hallowed halls. Most of you know I was taking care of my Step-Mom after Dad passed away and working part time from home doing support programming for the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver, and working full time as a Mod here :yum:. This is a brief rundown of what has happened since I disappeared.

Mom had a stroke and could no longer live alone so I had to find someplace big enough for the two of us (I found a house across the street from my #1 son and his family). It took me about 3 weeks to get both of us packed and moved (Mom was in an extended care facility until I could get everything done). Although she began to get better after I got her home she still needed a lot of taking care of (baths, lots of diaper changes, lots of clothes washing etc.) and then about 6 months later she stroked out while I was getting her dressed for breakfast one morning.

Anyway - a couple of weeks before that I got my last check from the Bureau - the task was over and I was out of work. Mom just had enough insurance to cover the funeral and so I was looking for someplace to live, really cheap and really fast. I wasn't going to be able to find a job easily because I started having seizures 3-4 years before that were getting more frequent and never knew when I was going to fall in the floor - I was afraid to drive (John finally talked me into selling my car and not trying to drive at all) and only did because I had to take Mom to the Dr., grocery shop, etc. But, they were getting worse plus I started having bigger problems with my asthma, my heart started going a little wonkey when I tried to exert very much and muscle spasms in my chest and back that made it hard for me to do much. Basically, I was falling apart and I wasn't quite old enough for Social Security (had to wait a year to start getting that) or Medicare (just got that this month) and I was starting to look for a nice cardboard box to call home.

John and Carrie helped me with an estate sale and I sold almost everything Mom and I had - even some stuff I didn't want to sell. And, they invited me to come live with them - they said they already planned to remodel and add a room and they could just make it two. So - here I am, and I don't mind sleeping on the couch until next summer when we remodel and I finally have a little space to call my own and I can unpack my cookbooks!

I'm doing much better - haven't had a seizure in almost 9 months, my asthma is getting closer to being under control, not as many problems with the ol' ticker having as many funny beats and the muscle spasms are almost gone since I started on mega-doses of vitamins.

I spend most of my time working in John's wood shop (usually up by 6:30, in the shop by 7 and don't quit until supper, sometimes back after that until 9-10 - usually 7 days a week) we've been working on getting a little business going for the past 3 years - mostly scroll saw stuff, band saw boxes, and we turn stuff on the lathe like pens, bowls, pepper grinders, etc. Heck, we do a little bit of everything. And, I guess we're making headway because I've been able to buy stuff we needed but he couldn't afford before. I hope that before I kick the bucket I can have helped him get the shop he and I both dream of.

Now, about cooking. I really haven't cooked in 3 years. Carrie is a good basic cook (and a fantastic cake baker) and although I have lost about 40 much needed pounds it isn't because of her cooking (I've been working on my feet instead of sitting in front of a computer all day). Every time I have offered to help and cook this or that it's always one kid doesn't like this, or another doesn't like that, or the other won't eat that. So, I just sort of gave up on even trying - I just clean up the kitchen after supper and man the dishwasher during the day.

But, I think that is about to change, at least a little. Something came up at supper 3-4 weeks ago and John said he wished I would make a quiche again. So, I ordered a couple of quiche pans (always did want one with a removable bottom and now I had an excuse - mine got sold in the estate sale) and I went ahead and ordered me a couple more bread pans (yep, someone got those, too) and another rolling pin. While Carrie and the kids are at her mother's today I'm going to mess up the kitchen and make some cinnamon bread! Forgot to get cheese or I would knock out a quiche, too.

Did I say it was going to be a brief rundown? Anyway, that's about it.

Don't know how much I'll be able be on here or help anyone until I can get to my stuff out of the shed but I promise to try to be around a little more - hum, guess anything would be a little more at this point. :rolleyes:
 
Hello Michael, pleased to meet you! I've heard one or two really nice things about you.
 
Hi Michael and welcome back. I too have heard good things about you and I have read a few of your older posts. Looking forward to reading more. :)
 
OMG!!! Michael! I'm so happy to see you! When you dropped off the face of the earth we worried about you and I did some searching. There was an obit for someone who sounded a LOT like you and we feared the worst. I'm so glad I was wrong! Welcome back!
 
Oh, Michael, how wonderful to have you back. As Alix mentioned, we had feared the worst and are so happy to learn you are still with us.

You've had quite a ride and I hope are on the up side now. You'll probably have a great time messing up the kitchen making the cinnamon bread and an even better time eating it.

I can't remember when you were last here, but I think it's been several years. In view of that, you may remember me as Katie E. I was part of the team of Katie E and Buck. Sadly, Buck died in 2008, which is a whole other story. Suffice it to say, I'm still here but remarried and carrying on.

Keep on pokin' in. You were missed.
 
Last edited:
Wow. What a coincidence! We were just talking about you.
Apparently the reports of your demise... well, you know the quote ;)
Nice hearing from you. Glad to hear your death was greatly exaggerated :)
 
Hi, Michael! Welcome back! Wow, that's quite a story. I'm glad things are working out for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello, Michael. My brother who lives in the College Station area says the weather there hasn't been all that good in the past few days. I hope the sun came out today and made for a pleasant Thanksgiving in Ft. Worth. Nice to meet you.

Any friend of Mark Twain is a friend of mine.
 
Michael! So very good to hear from you. What a great reason to give thanks today!

You have had some serious financial, family and health problems to deal with. I'm not surprised to learn your having dealt with it and doing better. I hope you can find some time to spend here with us again.
 
Welcome back Michael. I have seen some of your old posts and wondered where you were. Good to finally meet you.
 
Hello, Michael! You have very many friends here, I see. I hope to become one of your friends also.

I'm Cat. I'm 21, a college student, and I'm from Brasov, Romania. I live with my great-aunt Stela, known as DA (Dear Aunty) and I live in Asheville, NC.

I'm learning this wonderful American cooking. My parents are visiting us for the holiday season and my Mamma, MammaCat, is also a member of this website.

You have been through so very much! You seem to be such a very caring and nice person. I like this of you!

It seems that a "Welcome Home, Michael!" is in order.

With love,
~Cat
 
Last edited:
Well Michael - I have no clue who you are but from the response here you have been missed !!

I'm glad you are here, hope you will stay around.
 
Hi Michael, nice to have you back! We've never met, but I've read a number of your old posts, and know that you are highly thought of here!
 
Ha ! Hello, Welcome back. I have read some of your previous posts. One thing about this group, once you write something, someone frequently dredges up or continues or builds upon topics. Very useful and surprisingly very timely for some of us to read the first time, or read again. So, it would seem, you are always here.
 
Ha ! Hello, Welcome back. I have read some of your previous posts. One thing about this group, once you write something, someone frequently dredges up or continues or builds upon topics. Very useful and surprisingly very timely for some of us to read the first time, or read again. So, it would seem, you are always here.

I agree, I looked up some posts. How nice to have you back with us!

With love,
~Cat
 
Hail friend. Peace be with you!! ~~ Good to see ya still kicking....Maybe not quite as high, but still kicking just the same. ~ I've missed your wise counsel and no nonsense, well thought out, and spot on posts. ~ Hope things continue to improve for you. Your presence hear will again be a shot in the arm for this forum! ~~ Keep in touch!
 
Hail friend. Peace be with you!! ~~ Good to see ya still kicking....Maybe not quite as high, but still kicking just the same. ~ I've missed your wise counsel and no nonsense, well thought out, and spot on posts. ~ Hope things continue to improve for you. Your presence hear will again be a shot in the arm for this forum! ~~ Keep in touch!

Uncle Bob!

So glad to see you again!
 

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom