Well, as Barb has said, she got here late Tuesday afternoon due to bad
weather in Houston. We waited at our local runway patiently while
visiting with other folks waiting. Unfortunately her bag didn't make it
until yesterday morning so she and I had to go back after it.

Later yesterday she and I went shopping at my favorite supermarket.
Another incident occured there, I had a sugar low and had to drink one
of the full strength cokes Barb had in her shopping cart. One of the
store managers was nearby and I proceeded to rag him about the store
while we were sitting at a table in the deli area. Our store gives away
free coffee to shoppers but we abstained having had a large pot earlier
in the morning.

I've never had a visitor who persisted in shooting still pictures and
videos of me cooking, running the food processor, etc. I'm sure there
will be a new section on her web page when she gets back home. She's
really good to cook for as she is enthusiastic about all the dishes.
She, my wife, and I polished off most of a large moussaka, a bowl of
hummos, and another of taboole last night and several toasted pieces of
khobiz or pita, depending upon country of origin. Khobiz is the literal
transliteration of the Arabic word for bread and is pronounced "hobs."

Barb and Miz Anne, my handler and wife, hit it off immediately and
became fast friends. Barb is also easy to entertain. I guess after
Minnesota's winter our 80-90F weather is a relief and so is the air
conditioning. She is a joy to be around. Even Sleepy Dawg Shirley, our
resident rat terrier likes her and they get along fine napping on the
couch together. <VBG>

Today we are canning, in the pressure canner, black-eyed peas, a staple
of life in the south. I put dried peas on to soak last night and today
we will can about four pints of them. Now canned blackeyes sell for
about 49 cents for a #2 can at the market but I like to can my own as I
control the additives that way. Any dried pea or bean can be pressure
canned if soaked in advance and then treated as though it were a fresh
produce. I may wear my fancy apron and chef's hat while running this
advanced seminar but the flouncy frock, high heels, and pearls are at
the cleaners this week so she will see me in my usual, for this time of
year, shorts, tee shirt, and sneakers. Will probably get some forties
music going on the XM radio channels our satellite TV provider has or
might even put some sixties stuff on for Barb, depends on what she likes.

Life is good and we're having fun.

George