Mathers Bridge
the only swing bridge left in Florida?
Biking, like sailing, requires a check of the wind before departure.
It's 8:30 am, 76 degrees, and blowing 15 when I push out the door to spend my one available hour on MFB (my favorite bike).
Unstable-blustery-tropical-humid wind sweeps up both rivers from the southwest. The sun pokes fun at the whitecaps in a hundred different bright spots. Huge dark rainclouds build around the edges. In other words - it's winter, it's Florida, and it's beautiful!
Unstable-blustery-tropical-humid wind sweeps up both rivers from the southwest. The sun pokes fun at the whitecaps in a hundred different bright spots. Huge dark rainclouds build around the edges. In other words - it's winter, it's Florida, and it's beautiful!
One quick snap of the camera in each direction, and I promise to get a better photo of Mathers Bridge when I turn for home. Just a few minutes riding downwind first... one mile... OK, two.
This is too easy. The allure of a downwind passage up a deserted Tropical Trail is irresistable. And then, there's the rare west wind for a boost over the bridge at Pineda Causeway. Time constraints be darned, no turning back today! Downeast isn't always just for sailors.
I tell myself I won't stop for any pictures unless the peacocks are out, commit to the downwind leg, and effortlessly make 20+ toward home. A peacock cries once from the Banana River side, but none are visible. When I clump into the stillness of the house, the wind is clocking at 20+ too!
This is too easy. The allure of a downwind passage up a deserted Tropical Trail is irresistable. And then, there's the rare west wind for a boost over the bridge at Pineda Causeway. Time constraints be darned, no turning back today! Downeast isn't always just for sailors.
I tell myself I won't stop for any pictures unless the peacocks are out, commit to the downwind leg, and effortlessly make 20+ toward home. A peacock cries once from the Banana River side, but none are visible. When I clump into the stillness of the house, the wind is clocking at 20+ too!
Time is short! I look to the leftovers for nourishment before heading up-island to the bike shop.
But, they aren't leftovers...
Long story short, I made chili in the crockpot yesterday and Popeye's brother and his family from Pittsburg showed up for dinner. It was decided, as delicately as possible, that we would go out to eat rather than partake of chili since they had a flight out today. So LongDoggers it was, and the chili went into the fridge.
Technically the chili was never even tasted, let alone left over. And that, said my growling stomach, was about to change!
Going for Speed
Fast Food Menu: scrambled egg beaters, chili, cheddar. Apple and coffee for the car. Less than 5 minutes prep. Ah....
Crockpot chili isn't my favorite way to do it. Convenient, but hours of simmering does something to dumb down the flavors. Chili on the stovetop is way better. And faster!
Super Fast Chili
1 pound ground lean beef or turkey
3 cans tomatoes - one with garlic if possible
1 can WELL RINSED dark red kidney beans
Diced onion and bell pepper to taste-or leave it out to be superfast
Chili powder to taste
Cumin to taste
Tabasco, jalapenos (heaven forbid!) to taste
(a small can of green chiles works better for us wimps)
Beef bullion to taste
Brown and drain the meat. Dump it in a big pot with the tomatoes, peppers, onion and spices. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer.
Taste. Taste. Taste. Adjust. Adjust. Adjust.
Now start adding the veggies to your family's tolerance level...
Sliced mushrooms
Fresh or frozen kernal corn
Fresh or frozen cut green beans
Fresh or frozen cut okra
(You get the idea!)
(You get the idea!)
Taste some more.
Stir it all in, simmer 10-15 minutes, or for as long as you need to make a salad to go with it.
Make it fast. Eat it slow.
And avoid early morning flights unless they're on your bike.
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