On My Own

Well, Mel left today for North Carolina. She won’t be back ‘til Sunday. So, this is it—this is the first time I’ve been on my own for more than 36 hours in over two years!

Wow.

It’s exciting…and scary, to be honest.

The scariest thing will start Monday when I have to get around and try to keep my same, or similar schedule by relaying, mostly, on public transportation. The second scariest thing will definitely be cooking for myself…scary on the level of having to do it even though I really would rather not. I’m trying to change that mindset, though—trying to learn how to enjoy it by focusing on the fact that it’s REALLY good for me.

Strangely, making breakfast or lunch is no big deal really; I feel like I’ve got those down without feeling too…well, lost; that’s the only word that comes to mind. Dinner, though, dinner is just really connected to “family time” with me…and dinner was always something that was very important to Mel and I (sometimes too important if you look at my waistline). Nevertheless, dinner time was a family deal. She did most of the cooking because she’s such a talented cook (again, look at the waistline), and I was, basically, the Suez chef. Even when we were at odds we took time out to eat dinner and sit at the table; rarely did we eat in front of the television. Sadly, we didn’t talk as much as I would have liked, but we still made time…during the week, on the weekends, and holidays.

Even now while she’s living in my spare room dinner is still something we do almost every night; in that way not much has changed…although, I’m continually trying to work in moments where I make my own food. Breakfast is usually where I succeed and I also make my own lunches now, too—because I know that I should. It’s a boundary.

So, the million dollar questions is, then: What’s for dinner, Trace?

Well, I think some lean protein is in order so I’m going to broil some tilapia, grill some zucchini, and make some sticky rice because that sounds yummy and I haven’t had it in a while. I might have a small salad, too, because I don’t think that I’ve gotten enough veggies in for the day.

But, before I get to work on that, I gotta go work out. It’s kick-boxing day, again—hopefully my arm is healed enough from last week. I think it is—it hasn’t bothered me at all, but I guess I won’t know until I get in and do it. I plan to wrap it, though, just to give it a little more support to ensure that I don’t overextend.

Later alligators. And, hey, I’m like alone…so leave a comment or drop a line: tracecook@sbcglobal.net