Christmas eve with the pack

Not a creature was stirring, Not even my sweet pups. Happy holiday, friends!

Bison Burgers? Hells Yeah!

I've been eating out a lot lately. So, I decided to cook at home tonight. At work today some of my peeps got into a discussion about cooking stuff other than beef and chicken, more colrful things, you might say. Things like rabbit, turtle, alligator, Raccoon, buffalo. Of the previous list I have never cooked any but have eaten several. So, it was on my mind to try something different. i also wanted to use my cast iron skillet, which has been sitting dormant for a while.

So, I stopped by the local whole foods and picked up a few things.


Bison Patties to make Bison Burgers, thick cut applewood smoked bacon, Smoked Gouda Cheese, Sweet Onion, Baby Bella Mushrooms, Tomato, oh, and buns. All total it came out to about $25 bucks. Even more expensive than if I had gone out to eat.


From watching too much food network I decided that I should do all of my prep work first. Here's the prepped maters, shrooms, and unjuns. And they are all in nice matching bowls. Maybe I could have my own cooking show, if only I had a catchy name. Any suggestions


Did i mention the thick cut applewood smoked bacon? OMG, this could have been a meal by itself. I absolutely love this stuff, and so did Sadie and Lily. My sous chefs.


My years of eating hamburger steak at city cafe in Northport, AL inspired me to add sauteed onions and mushrooms. But to "kick it up", I sauteed the juns and shrooms in the pork fat from the bacon. DEEEELICCCCIOUSSSSS!!!


And finally it was all put together. I added i side of "butter beans" or to you non-southerners, Lima Beans. I added a little butter and a bit of the leftover grease from bacon. And yes, I do love me some Lima Beans. After adding the freshly sliced tomato and smoked gouda cheese and fixin' a tall glass of sweet tea it was time to dig in, and I did. This was definitely one of the best meals I have ever cooked.

But in all honesty, I did slightly overcook the burgers, and next time i will try a different cheese. But even the way it was it was absolutely delicious. The best part, LEFTOVERS!!!!

And now, i'm gonna put on some stretchy waist pants and watch Monday Night Football.
Tonight is a good night at the man cave.

To Play or Not to Play

The Saints are 13-0. I love it. I can't believe that BAMA is in the national championship and the saints have clinched a first round bye. Man, I am in football heaven.

But,some debate has started about whether or not the Saints should start resting players for the playoffs or keep fighting towards an undefeated season. Opinions vary, and everyone has one.

I have one too. i have given this a lot of thought and I can say that without a doubt, The saints should keep the starters on the field. Why? well, I have watched all the games this year and have listened to countless interviews with coaches and players. All season the team has repeated one thing, "we are only focused on our next game". In my opinion, you should never mess with a streak(see Kevin Costner's rant to Susan Sarandon in "Bull Durham"). Our team has focused on one team at a time and has been successful. To begin resting players demonstrates the we would be focusing down the road instead of on the task at hand. Thus we would be changing what we have been doing, And you should never make changes when you are on a streak. Plus, with the first round bye we will have an extra week of rest built in. What we don't need is our starters going for multiple weeks without action. We are playing well and things are clicking. It is not a good idea to remove parts from a well oiled machine.

So now you know what I think. Keep the starters in. But not to play for a perfect season, to play for a win this week. One week at a time, one game at a time, one play at a time. It's worked PERFECTLY so far, why change it now.

And isn't that something we can all learn from. Just focus one the task at hand, you can't worry about things that far down the road. You can only worry about whats in front of you right now. handle this task, do it well, be successful. Then face the next challenge. Quite a life lesson we can learn from our team.

WHO DAT, Y'ALL!!!

Up to date

Howdy Pardners!

I thought i would post a couple of my favorite pics to let you know what I've been up to. It'll be more of a photo post than literary award winner. After the Redskins game I'm still speechless.



On Saturday My Brother Steve ran his 1st Half Marathon. This is him at mile 10.

He made it! Guess I'll never be the favorite now.

My favorite cheerleader picture. With a support crew like this its easy to finish the race
It was a cold weekend, even snowed, but I survived thanks to my space heater/foot warmer

"Roads? where we're going we dont needs roads". What's the point of having a jeep if you don't put it to use.


Kelley and I took the dogs hiking 2 weekends ago. You already know Sadie and Lily. The little dog is Brady, Kelleys dog. She's a jack russel - Sihtzu mix (thus, she is a jack-shit). she did a good job of keeping up with the big dogs.
Sadie and Lily in the "sac". Always ready to go as we leave the house headed for the hills.Nice photo work by Kelley.

Polls

I just looked at a poll taken on espn.com which asked who is the best team in the NFL?

The choices were:
1. New Orleans Saints
2. Minnesota Vikings
3.Indianapolis Colts

The Saints Led the poll with about 65% of the national vote. But what was more interesting to me was the breakdown by state.

In Minnesota the vikings got 79% of the vote.
In Indiana the Clots got just 66% of the vote
In Louisisana the Saints got 95% of the vote

It just seems sad that the Colts, who are undefeated don't have the confidence of their own state like the Saints do. I figure those people pay close attention to their team just as we do the Saints. I think it's clear who the best team in the league is, even with hometown bias the Vikings and Colts states admit it's the Saints.

WHO DAT? Y'all!!!

Who Dat? you dat

Man, I am on Cloud 9 right now. Bama is playing for the National, um, I mean SEC championship Friday. It promises to be a great game against Florida. Hopefully The Crimson and White will prevail. Florida is a good team though, it will be a tough win for either team. But as happy as I am that the Tide is rolling, nothing compares to my excitement about our beloved Black and Gold.



Our Saints are 11-0. Wow! it just sounds so awkward, but so good to refer to them as the 11-0 New Orleans Saints. What a season.

Today, I consider myself the 2nd luckiest man on the face of the Earth(I'm no Gehrig). I was one of the lucky ones in the Dome Monday night as the Saints destroyed the Patriots. It was AWESOME. Luckily my Mom isn't real big on going to night games and monday night games, so her ticket fell to me(maybe I encouraged it, but I didn't twist her arm very much). I told her it would probably be a good idea for me to go with the SD to make sure he doesn't fall asleep on the drive home. I was full of anticipation all day, and yes, a bit nervous too. After all, the Patriots are a good team.

I team teach my last class of the day and my co-teacher said she would cover the class so I could leave early, when i told her it was so I could go to the game she said, "go, go, why are you still here". My asst Principal was teh same way."oh yes, you can leave, and give a big who dat for me when you get there, yell loud" she said.
She also aloud me to come in late on Tuesday, as I am off 1st period.

So I did leave early, headed to the Dell and met up with the SD. Slipped out of my teacher gear and into the lucky shirt and was ready to go. But before we could go the SD realized that he forgot his lucky saints jacket in Moms car. It wasn't an option, we had to go across town to get it. By the way, it does get a little chilly in the Dome, whoever does the AC there is a a beast. We got downtown about 5pm, gates wouldn't open till 5:30. We milled around outside the Dome taking in the sights of crazy and excited saints fans. It was an electric atmosphere.

I was at the Monday night game against the Falcons after Katrina, and I have never experienced anything like that. This was different, people at this game were just excited for the game to be played, for opening kickoff to happen, for the team to actually be at work.The excitement this time wasn't about returning home. This time it was about the battle to come, and Saints fans were ready for war.

I'm not gonna get into the details of the game, but the attitude of the fans has definitly changed in New Orleans. I have been to many games where the Saints look good and the fans cheer hard, but still fear a let down at the end. Those days are gone. At the two games I've been to in person this season the attitude is completely different (as it is also withpeople I have watched the games with on tv). Even when things are not going our way, Saints believe that there team will find a way. I was thinking about this. Why have our attitudes changed? simple, watch the game. Drew Brees never gives up. Vilma never gives up. No one in black and gold ever gives up. Remeber the Miami game? we were getting killed. did they panic? No, the got back up and went to work. Did we panic when we went down to the Patriots? No. We got back up and went to work, and we worked hard. 38-17, Damn Good!

To me that's what it's all about. Football is ultimately a game. But the lesson applies. Surround yourself with people who are willing to work hard, surround yourself with people who don' t give up and you will be successful. Will you win everytime? No, but life, unlike football doesn't have an off-season. Gametime is year round. You are the Drew Brees of your team, you are the Darren Sharper of your team. Go to work, work hard. If you get sacked for a loss get up and throw one to the endzone. But don't be like the Patriots and give up with 5 minutes left in the game. Fight on my Saintly friends.

Congrats to our boys in black and gold. We are so proud of you. You make us proud of ourselves and our hometown. Nowhere is the connection between a team and its fans as strong as it is here in New Orleans.

Who Dat say they gonna beat US Saints?

Rise of a Nation

Me, Dad, and Stephanie. Who Dat Nation, Broken Arrow Chapter

I went to Oklahoma to visit the family for a few days before Thanksgiving. We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch Sunday, and to watchnthe Saints and Buccaneers. It was a very pleasant, relaxing, and enjoyable few days, with the exception of having my wallet and cell phone stolen when the Jeep was broken into. But, life goes on(ob-la-di-la-da).

BTW, The also stole the tent mentioned in the previous post that I had just got for my birthday the week before, never even got to use it.

"well we're going to a garden party"

I've never really understood exactly what a garden party is, but the Beatles sure seemed happy to be going to one. And so, today is my birthday. The anniversary of the day I was brought forth into this world. The day my parents were blessed with there second sweet bundle of joy. The day that my brother would come to view as the darkest day in history(just kidding).

I turn 35 today. I don't feel old, and I don't think 35 is old. But, one thought that has occurred to me is that I am now just as close to 50 as I am to 20. But, I subscribe to the belief that you are only as old as you feel. In that case I am about 16 in mind and 30 in body. Part of that has to do with being 35 and dating a girl that's 27. That's right, who's the man? I'm the man!!!

So what will i be doing to celebrate my birthday? (Did I mention she is 27? )
Well, I gotta work so I can pay the bills. But after that I'm gonna go home and run 3 miles. Go out to dinner with one of my oldest and dearest friends and his Lady-friend, Head back to the house, talk to Kelley for a little while, Play with Sadie and Lily for while, Relax on the big comfy bed, and call it a night. Pretty exciting huh?

Many people like to make a big hoopla out of their birthday, I just like to relax and enjoy a stress free, relaxing day. And I am genuinely touched when people wish me a happy birthday without being reminded its my birthday. The teacher across the hall brought me a cake(which I will share with my other teaching neighbors), that made me feel good. The teacher next to her made a point to come in and say happy birthday, that makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I am special.

My birthday wish this year is to get moving again. It's been a long year with lots of ups and downs. And I must say I have learned a lot in the last 12 months. My hope is that I can use what I have learned to build a brighter future. My hope is that I can use what I have learned to be a better teacher, friend, person. My hope is that I will start running today. Running for my health and for my future. My hope is that I will look back on the last 35 years and say,"atta-boy Scott" and realize I've done a lot of good and that I have set myself up for a great next 35 years. I really think the fun is just beginning. I can't wait to see what happens next............

But i also have a birthday wish for you. Do something you really want to do today or whatever day you read this blog. Do something you want that is fun or maybe even a little silly. If someone looks at you weird or says something to you just tell them you are celebrating Scott's birthday. If you do that it would truly be the best present you could give me. Happy Scott's Birthday to you.


to clarify, the post title comes from the lyrics of the Beatles song "Birthday", from the white album

my memphis birthday

This weekend I went to Memphis. I hadn't seen Kelley in a while so a visit was over due. Seeing as how my birthday falls in the middle of the week (Wednesday) she decided to make this my birthday weekend. I love being out doors and participating in outdoors activities, but I don't have all the needed equipment. Kells is tired of hearing me say i want to go camping but that I don't have a tent. So, I now have a tent and was told that she would leave when to go camping in my hands. No more excuses. I'll probably camping out in the backyard this week, enjoying the new tent.
To make sure all the pieces were there and to see how nice it was we set it up----in her living room. Luckily, she has a decent sized living room.




Saturday was a beautiful day and we knew we needed to get outside. So we headed to the Memphis zoo. They just opened a new area called TETON TREK, which is supposed to be like a trip through the Rockies. It was really nicely done. The jewel, I have to say, was the grizzly bear exhibit. There are 3 cubs and they were all playing while we were there. It was hilarious, until you remember that they could easily rip your face off.

I am a big fan of the Puma, also known as the cougar, or the Mountain Lion. I like it because its the biggest cat in North America. And though you rarely see one, they always see you. This Cougar is taking in the sights high above Memphis, Nice view----of lunch.


My final thought on the zoo has to do with birds. They have 2 Bald eagles, I like this picture. It always surprises me just how large these birds are. More amazingly, As large as they are they only weigh an average of 9 pounds. You certainly can't call them big boned.

Saturday night Kel took me out for a birthday dinner. A nice little place called Paulette's. I had the fillet, she had the Sicilian chicken(which I think was the nickname the caused my great uncle Alfredo to flee the island and create the dish that swept a nation). Both were great. We had a bottle of wine, it was nice dinner.

I learned a lot about myself at dinner. I DO NOT DRINK RED WINE. I only had 2 glasses but that's all it took. I couldn't stop talking. I had enough sense to know that I couldn't stop talking, but that didn't help me stop. I didn't do anything stupid, but another glass and there is no telling what might have happened. One question that I can answer is that i would definitely be a happy drunk.

So, Thank you Kelley for a great weekend and thank you Saints for another win(9-0). I hope this week goes well. but I'll be staying away from the red wine when I celebrate on Wednesday. More room for the rum, YAY RUM!!!

Gotta Get Moving

I gotta be honest, I've put on a few pounds lately. I'm at about 206 right now. I don't mind being over 200 pounds (though my ideal weight, according to the experts is 180-185, i think they are crazy) but what I don't like is the way I feel at this weight. When I look in the mirror I think I look alright, I don't like the way I feel inside. I've been feeling really lethargic, like tar is running through my veins, like my legs are made of concrete.

I need to get down to about 193, though 187 would be perfect. But, again, I'm not that concerned about the numbers, I'm concerned about the feeling. I know exactly why I feel bad. No Exercise and Poor dietary habits. I gotta get back to working out and I definitely need to change my eating habits.

Lets start with the food.
Point 1.
Sodas are delicious, but evil. The combination of carbonation, Sodium, and high fructose corn syrup is lethal. Giving up sodas will lose 5 lbs.
Point 2.
McDonald's breakfast meal #11, the Bacon Egg and Cheese Bagel Meal, Is like crack to my taste buds. Even when I wake up early enough to fix myself breakfast I still make excuses as to why I need to swing by McD's and pick one up. Damn You Ray Kroc!!!
Point 3.
$5 for 2 meals, Sounds great, but will surely be the death of me. I take the dogs to the dog park a lot and there is a little Caesars pizza that I drive by on the way home. The Jeep seems to pull in on its own. Half the pizza for dinner, the other half for lunch the next day, Brutal.
Point 4.
Financial analysis. I love to eat out. after inspecting my checking account and doing some quick math I realized I spent about $375.00 eating out last month. That's a Hell of a lot of money for one person, and again, Damn You Ray Kroc!!!!!!

Now to the issue of Exercise
I haven't been doing anything. After the triathlon I felt like needed a break to let my body rest. Well, 5 months later I guess I'm pretty well rested. One of the great things about Exercise it that its also a great stress relief, I need that too. My problem as of late is that I have to be to work at 6:45AM. And after being on my feet all day I'm tired when I get home. So, i just haven't had the energy to run or swim, or anything else (except to eat it seems). But, last week I went to bed early a few nights and found that I actually did have energy when I got home from work.

I say all that to say this. Things are going well but one thing that is missing is my personal health. I turn 35 next Wednesday and I would much rather feel 30-35 than the way I feel right now. It's time to start moving again. If you've been feeling the same way then maybe you should start moving too. We can do it together. Lets start This Weekend. Saturday or Sunday go for a walk around the neighborhood, Take your Wolf pack for a walk, jog from one streetlight to the next. Eat a bowl of cereal instead of a #11.

Life is good, so lets enjoy it. lets enjoy it for a long time. Should be great weather this weekend. It's time to get moving.

PS, Happy Anniversary Sam and Janet, Thanks for the sesame street cake, this day, all those years ago.

Sunday in the woods

Kings (Queens) of the mountain

The Pack, in "The Sac".

("The Sac" is the nickname of the Jeep)

A New Era

This is the begining of a new era. The dawn of a new generation of blog for me. This is my second blog. My previous blog served me well but it has now run its course. It's time to start a new chapter and a new collection of stories. Some of the characters are the same, some are new, and tales get crazier every time.

"You guys might not know this but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one man wolfpack. But when I brought Sadie home I knew she was one of my own. And my wolfpack, it grew by one. So there were two of us in the wolfpack. I was alone first in the pack and then Sadie joined in later. And 1 year and 6 months ago, when Sadie introduced me to Lily I thought, wait a second, could it be. And now I know for sure that I just added one more to my wolfpack. Three of us wolves, running around "The Stick" together in " The Bayou State" looking for adventure and Scooby snacks. So tonight, I make a toast." (edited monolouge from the movie The hangover)

Welcome to the inner circle, welcome to the pack!