My freshman year in college I worked as a litter critter picking up trash and doing odd jobs at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas.
Every park has a hook - something that brings tourists in the gate. It may be a beautiful lake or steaming geyser, but there's something that makes that park stand out. At Dinosaur Valley State Park, that hook is...wait for it...DINOSAURS.
Not actual real, live dinosaurs. Dinosaur Valley isn't a wealthy Texas oilman's version of Jurassic Park. Its main attraction is dinosaur tracks deposited in the soft limestone 113 million years ago by Tyrannosaurus Rex and his pals.
So, that summer I spent my time picking up 50-gallon steel trash cans filled with watermelon rinds and dirty diapers in the 100-degree Texas heat. And when we weren't hauling trash, mowing grass or scouring bathrooms until they sparkled like the Hope Diamond, we cleaned dinosaur tracks.
At Dinosaur Valley, most of the tracks are in the shallow Paluxy River. In late summer when the river stops running the tracks fill with algae and take on a jade green/brown color. It makes them look and smell like a bus station toilet.
If you enjoy crime dramas (think Goodfellas, the Godfather trilogy and The Wire) then I've got a binge watching bonanza for you. Narcos, the Golden Globe-nominated series from Netflix will be streaming Season 2 Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 2).
The heat of summer is upon us and with it comes the opportunity to party with the sun, yet so many of us are walking around in long sleeve business suits with no relief in sight.
If you own a business, consider for a moment the advantages of not being such a cruel tyrant and letting your employees wear whatever they want (within the boundaries of appropriate) at the workplace. Heck, let's take it a step further and throw a summer party for all the staff why don't we?
Why on Earth would you want to do that, you ask?
With summer in full swing, Bob and I have been scoring plenty of fresh peaches at our local Farmer's Market. They're great on their own and even better in this to-die-for cobbler. Adapted from recipe guru Southern Living, our favorite fresh peach medley is packed with fruit, juice and two layers of crust.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Sounds yummy but peeling peaches can be a lot of work." But I've got a wonderful trick for you. After rinsing your peaches, dunk them in a pot of boiling water for 30 or 40 seconds. Afterwards, move them to a plate to cool for a few minutes and the skin will slide right off with a little help from a paring knife. Peeling peaches just got a whole lot easier and, even better, you won't waste any of that precious fruit.
8 cups peeled and sliced fresh, organic peaches (about 5 pounds)*Combine peaches, sugar, flour, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large pot. Let mixture sit five minutes then bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer about 15 minutes until peaches are tender. Turn off heat, add vanilla and margarine, and stir until margarine melts.
This summer is almost in the rearview mirror, so I'm spending a lot more time around the grill.
When Charlotte says "Light my fire," I grab...wait that's another post...Ok, I'm back. AHEM...I turn on the grill and grab some chicken.
Since it's a kitchen staple, we keep a Ziplock bag full of grilled chicken breasts in our freezer at all times. Why? After a hard day slaving away in the blogosphere, it's a quick and easy dinner!
If Charlotte wants to whip up some of her famous chicken enchiladas, she's ready to go. It's also great in her spicy chicken cheese dip, grilled chicken salads, chicken spaghetti and even by itself with a side dish of her special Mac & Cheese.
This recipe is super easy and if you know a guy who likes to grill, it's something he can do to help out in the kitchen. Bonus!
By Charlotte Hill, Linda Storer, Debbi Comparin, Becky Elder, Terri Jutras, Bev Mann, Shelley Tyler and Debbie Williams, authors Red Thong StrongFresh-squeezed lime juice makes this guac rock. If you can't find soft avocados, buy green ones, wrap them in a dish towel, and set them in your pantry or another dark place to ripen. Check their progress daily because they can turn to mush quickly if you're not careful.
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
Follow us on Twitter: @BoomerBrief
and @CharlotteBoomer
Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.
Senior Forums is a great place to get the news and share views on everything from hobbies and healthcare, to food, family & travel.
Matt Drudge gets the goods and his site ain't bad either.
You don't have to live in Dallas to enjoy D Magazine.
