How Many Shoes Does a Man Need?

As for me, in the office, five. I know, staggering. You are thinking, “How can Dave, by no means a fashion icon, have so many shoes at the office?” Well, allow me to run them down for you.

Pair One – office shoes. Duh. Usually on my feet. You are thinking, “What?!? Usually, on his feet?!?” Hold up there, traditionalist. Answer coming in “Pair Five.”

Pair Two – walking shoes. Old running shoes who now stand on guard for someone to say, “Hey Dave, wanna take a walk?” Why sure, I do.

Pair Three – boots. Again, duh. It’s Minnesota. Snow, plus life, equals the need for boots.

Pair Four – gym shoes. Now, sure these are in my gym bag and only emerge at the Y Center over lunch, but they are still at hand, just in case of a foot apparel emergency.

Pair Five (drum roll, please) – slippers. You are screaming inside, “What the Hell, Dave?!?” Hey, settle down and listen. When the office gets real cold (every single day), I sit down and under my desktop, I slip off my shoes (gasp!) and glide on my slippers (oh, so nice). Don’t worry, they appear only in my cube. No outward exposure. Just snug piggies in the safety of my workspace. Be jealous. Be very jealous.

So there you have it, five pairs of shoes at work. Just the right number to get the job done.

Worth It, Snow Doubt

If there is one single thing that I am certain without any doubt in my mind is worth every single penny and then perhaps a few more, it’s our snowblower.

Oh and you know what’s worth even more? My beloved, fit, and beautiful wife that cleared the drive before I returned home.

Know what’s worth even more than that? Knowing that I should never say that anything is more valuable than my beloved, fit, and beautiful wife. That is all.

“Deconstructed Apple Crisp” – Dessert of the Night (12/09/19)

DECONSTRUCTED APPLE CRISP

Our 11-year-old Birthday Boy Ben making his “Deconstructed Apple Crisp” creation.

“Who needs a Birthday Cake, when you have created pure deliciousness? Our freshly minted 11-year-old son Ben came up with the idea of a ‘Deconstructed Apple Crisp’ for his birthday. Take out ingredients for baking and steer clear of the oven. Get ready for something sweet and completely original, just like our boy, Ben. Enjoy!”

3 cups Apples, sliced

1/2 cup Sugar

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

3/4 cup Quick Cooking Oats

1/4 cup Brown Sugar

1/3 cup Butter, melted

In a bowl, combine the apples, sugar, and cinnamon.

Place the apple mixture into a 9″x9″ pan.

Combine the oats, brown sugar, and melted butter.

Spoon the oat mixture over the top of the pan filled with the apple mixture.

Serve at room temperature.

Makes 5 servings.

Source: 11-year-old Ben Paulsen. Base recipe for “Apple Crunch” by Thea Anenson in the Wallace (South Dakota) Area Heritage Cookbook.

Missing the Grit

Strange, but after swimming at the Y Center pool, I began to miss something. Something that I never before associated with summer. Associated with the sun. Associated with the warmth.

After emerging from the heavily chlorinated pool, I missed the grit of lake swimming. I missed the surprise of finding a stowaway rock or shell in my swim trunks. I missed the sand scrapping against my skin. Even the bottom of the lake muck that often squished beneath my feet. The swimming amongst the fish and even the occasional duck.

I missed the summer along with all of its grit.

Man, Mixer, Mission