My Second Half Century. Monday I successfully completed my first year of living in my second half century.

I celebrated this wonderful day by calling home to Mom and Dad only to find Dad was out and Mom started off the call (after accepting the charges since all calls have to be collect) by asking me what was wrong. I hinted "Oh I’m just calling my Mom on this wonderful day in JUNE, you know just another day in JUNE, and then it clicked, and Mom said "Happy Birthday, didn't you get our card?"

I told her no, but I am sure it will arrive any day. She was sure they mailed it before the weekend. Well it is Wednesday now and it still has not arrived, so perhaps it never made it to the mailbox.

My dinner on Monday was an octopus pasta salad. I used a whole can of diced tomatoes that Mom and Dad brought along with them when they visited. I used two cans of octopus, one can of mushrooms, some Italian dressing, plenty of Parmesan cheese and about half a pound of spaghetti.

Olive Garden eat your heart out. I love how using a few simple ingredients, I can whip up a meal that is rich in protein and low in fat. Try it at home but you all can use fresh vegetables instead of the canned stuff I must use. Fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, some chilled pasta and the seafood of your choice, and dinner is served.

The thought that was running through my mind is how often I would not take the time to prepare a 'special meal' at home, instead rushing out to the local chain mass produced processed food server. Spend more money than had I invested in some special food from the supermarket and mixed up a dish a home.

I have spent a bunch of time opting out of my environment reading over the last three weeks and have finished off fifteen books. Three by Robert Parker: Thin Air, Back Story, and Sea Change. Let It Be Love by Victoria Alexander. Deadly Embrace by Jackie Collins. The Alibi by Sandra Brown. The Collectors by David Baldacci. The Cove by Catherine Coulter. The Short Forever, Dirty Work, and Dark Harbor all by Stuart Woods. Hidden Prey, and Night Prey by John Sanford. Last Man Standing by David Baldacci. Chill Factor by Sandra Brown.

All that reading has left me with a slight backlog of letter writing and other paperwork which I will hopefully catch up on over the next few days. I managed to get my handmade Father's Day card out last night, and I need to get a birthday card out to a special hard working blog editor, (but if you read the blog please do not tell him about it ha ha), so perhaps I will stay among the productive for a bit.  ¶ 11:03 AM