"Piering" Out Into The World

Some days it pays to stop and plop for a bit.

Not that my days are ever that hectic.

Given my recent bout of vertigo, I've spent more time doing nothing than I've ever been used to.

Over the last few days it's been down to a manageable level. That means unless I turn my head in a quick manner, my equilibrium is mostly okay.

I hazarded a oil change run to Delaware on Wednesday. I had a late lunch with Cousin Beth afterwards. She's been looking for a job in IT. I like to check in with her at least once a week in person to give her an ear to bend and to encourage her.

Beth's like the rest of the family in many ways. For starters, she's amazingly intelligent. I'm not just being biased here. She comes from a smart father and mother. Her father comes from a smart set of parents and has two smart brothers. I've not met her mother's parents, but I'm pretty sure they were smart people as well.

Oh, and Beth has that wickedly warped Walker sense of humor.

I never had a little sister.

If I did, I imagine she would be just like Beth.

After I arrived home, my ears felt noticeably less "full". The pressure had subsided, not completely, but definitely a change.

Thursday, Christine and I took her car over to Delaware to get it serviced. My ears felt okay, not great, but not too bad. We had a wonderful lunch at a little Mexican place. She had a chicken taco salad, I had a beef taco salad. Instead of using the usual ground beef taco mix, my beef taco salad was filled with tender strips of marinated steak. Every ingredient in the taco bowl was fresh, well seasoned, and delicious.

Friday, I felt like having seafood. When I feel like having seafood, I go to Harry's Seafood Grill in Wilmington, DE. When I'm flying solo, want seafood, and go to Harry's, I call cousin Beth.

I should have talked Christine into taking the afternoon off, but I was already in Delaware.

Maybe I'll talk her into taking this next Friday off, picking up Cousin Beth, and have a "Friday Summit" where I can let the ladies vent as I buy them lunch.

So then came yesterday.

I made a run to the produce stand.

I needed some nice Summer vegetables to make my marinated Summer vegetable salad with Feta cheese.

Then, I ran over to Delaware.

The Shop-Rite supermarket on Rte 13 North is absolutely incredible.

From the in-store bakery, to the seafood counter, to the selections of meat. They kick ass.

I picked up two really nice rib racks of lamb. The I saw a whole pork loin. It was/is slightly over two feet long. That means one thing.............

Next week, it's going to be "Air Traffic Mike's BBQ Pork Loin With Fresh Peach BBQ Sauce".

After that run, I was tired. I wanted to relax.

What's a brother to do???????

I suggest you visit the lovely Miss Debbie at J.G. Cook's Riverview Inn.

She makes a lovely version of the "Moscow Mule" (shown above).

While you're there unwinding, take in the view........

The old Wilson Line Pier and the Delaware Memorial Twin Bridges.

The remnants of the old Pennsville, NJ - New Castle, DE ferry pier.

A close up of the Pennsville - New Castle ferry pier.

Something I never saw when I was a child. Wild ducks on the Delaware River. Shown here, taking shelter during the tidal change.

I took the afternoon, had a "Mule", sat on the River's edge, and relaxed.

Today, rack of lamb on the grill, roasted new potatoes, marinated Summer vegetables, and crusty bread.


Christine is stretched out on the sofa, relaxing.


Beth couldn't make it, but I completely understand.

We saw a cute rescued Dachshund online last night......

More to follow on all.

Until the next time, all y'all take care of yourselves.

Air Traffic Mike, ret.