Saying hello to one food, saying goodbye to another

The other day at the store, I saw they had 'Thin Cut Chicken Breast Fillets' on special, a family pack for $5.99. I eat chicken tenders, legs & thighs, but ever since developing TMJ several years ago and then long covid in 2024 (which had a big impact on my TMJ), certain foods like steak, apples & chicken breasts have been out of the picture.  Too dense, too chewy for my sore, weak jaw.

So I bought the pack, and I don't know what I was thinking but I marinated all of them overnight in some olive oil, onion powder, paprika & crushed garlic--the next day I dipped the pieces in flour, then an egg wash, then a 50/50 blend of Italian bread crumbs and shredded parmesan cheese.  Baked them at 400F and they came out just wonderful, nice and juicy.  

I served one up with rosemary parmesan mashed potatoes, and some (very hot) jalapeno cheese sauce & broccoli.  I also made my own honey mustard sauce with Dijon mustard, clove honey, lemon juice & Duke's mayonnaise.  

I just hope it's safe to bag & freeze the rest, just one of these babies filled me up!

My boring dinners aside, I wanted to touch on something else.  A couple days ago my sister Shawn texted me and wrote "You probably know this already, but Jim saw this and asked if you knew."

It was a news article, announcing that Joe's Rusty Nail Restaurant in my neighborhood was closing at the end of the year.  I was speechless--this was my first time hearing it.  I moved to the Bellevue-Avalon neighborhood in 1993, and over the years have seen lots of businesses come & go, but Joe's Rusty Nail never changed.

Joe has owned and run that place for 48 years and says he's ready for retirement and you can't blame him.  He bought the building in 1979 and stepped on a rusty nail while doing renovations, hence the name.  

It's pretty small on the inside, and definitely old school--Joe and a couple cooks in the back, several servers out front.  Their take-out orders are just as popular as their sit-ins.  For years I had a Friday tradition of calling them from my bus ride home from work, and ordering a Turkey Reuben to go.  

Joes Rusty Nail and the Lincoln Barber Shop are the last two "Cash Only" businesses in my town

The food portions have always been enormous--I guarantee if you order one of his specialty omelets, you're going to take at least half home.  For years he's had a card table with hot coffee on the sidewalk outside on Saturday & Sunday mornings.  Always a waiting line of people outside.

My favorite memory of the Rusty Nail was shortly after I moved to the neighborhood, when my sister brought our Grandma Morris to the city one Sunday after church, to see my new place.  We all walked up the street to the restaurant, and when Grandma saw 'Liver n' Onions' on the menu, asked how it was prepared.

Our server went back to ask, and Joe himself came out to our table to see who was ordering his personal favorite on the menu.  He told Grandma how he used flour and bacon grease, and she said "Sold!"  

He returned later to ask how she liked it, and was she new to the area.  She said she was just visiting her grandson and his playboy bachelor pad, but approved and would be back.  Thanks Joe.

Time for some duets... in my Music Video Roundup, Vol.5

It's been awhile since my last music video roundup, I did Vol. 4 way back in May 2022.  But I still enjoy gathering a handful of music videos and watching them over and over, so I figured why not share my recent favorites. 

As to why I enjoy watching these again and again, there's no good explanation.  I just do.  It's a short list this time, only 5.  But this go 'round they're all duets.

So on that musical note....

1. Dolly Parton & her sisters Stella & Cassie on The Porter Wagoner Show, 1970

Since Dolly Parton's passing I've been watching her music videos pretty regularly.  But this one I probably watch daily.  I just find it remarkable how Dolly owns that stage and she's only 24 years old!  Her sister Stella was 21, and Cassie (the brunette) was only 19.  But I love when Dolly gently admonishes Porter for not knowing her sister's names, and points out their "sweet mama and sweet grandpa", who are beaming in the audience.  

2. Les Paul & Mary Ford are at home and waiting for that sunrise, 1951

I don't know how or when I came across this duo, but am so glad I did.  (Mary doesn't play her guitar here, but she was a wonderful guitarist.)  These two were pioneers in multi-track recording, singing and playing to their own music.  In fact, they were the inspiration behind The Carpenters and their own sound.  Poor Mary Ford died in her fifties, in 1977 from alcoholism and diabetes.  I hope she found that sunrise.

3.  Meanwhile down under, there was "Young Talent Time" circa 1975-76

Hosted & produced by pop artist Johnny Young (who passed recently, this past August) this Australian variety show aired from 1971-1988.  Watching these young performers from the mid 1970s, I couldn't help but wonder what they're up to now.  They were teens my age, so they're in their sixties now.  They sang well together, and I am digging their 70's vibe.

4. Linda Purl & Jon Walmsley give it their all on The Waltons, February 17, 1977

I think Linda Purl was one of my favorite crushes in the 1970s, and she was sweet as can be singing I'll Fly Away, Oh Glory.  This has always been my favorite gospel (not that I have a lot of them).  Still, I only recently learned that it was my dad's too, he used to perform it in church with my Aunt Dena back in the day.

5. Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, The Ed Sullivan Show - March 30, 1969

Last December I shared a Steve & Eydie video from 1967, so I thought it fitting to end this list with another one.  And this song couldn't come along at a better time, given all our troubles in the world right now.  "Dear World", time for some real healing!

It looks like we have a full plate--me of course, and the Democrats too

Fried fish sandwich with homemade tartar sauce & white onions, roasted broccoli and some very spicy jalapeno macaroni & cheese

This is what I usually have for dinner on Fridays (with a big glass of grapefruit soda) but enjoyed it early tonight (Thursday) just to shake things up a little.  But I couldn't help thinking, while dishing up these big portions, that I wasn't the only one with a full plate after this week's mid-terms.  

There's not a lot I want to say here.  This afternoon my friend Margaret wrote a terrific editorial on the recent elections which you can read here.  We're on the same page opinions wise, though I can't express my feelings as eloquently as her.  And right now my brain is pretty wrapped up in it's own struggle with long covid and chronic inflammation.  

But I did want to say I very much enjoyed Tuesday night.  I felt like a kid again on Christmas Eve.  As the results began coming in, I baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and made a pot of hot coffee, stayed up late and enjoyed the show.  

Some of my favorite people live in the great state of Texas, but I know good people who live in Ohio, Kansas & South Carolina too.  Their own excitement was contagious.  And man, Georgia is a rock star!

I don't know where the Democrats plan to start in January, but I hope they make restoring those extended subsidies to healthcare premiums a priority--along with reinstating Medicaid and food stamps for the needy.   And end those goddamn tariffs and that godforsaken war!!!  Oops, there I go...

Y'know, the irony is I don't consider myself a radical liberal.  I see myself as a loyal Democrat with some conservative leanings, the older I become.  But these last couple years have been positively horrific.  Unless you're a fascist or asshole, that is.

Oh well, on that hopeful note... thanks for reading, I hope everyone has a great weekend!