Meatloaves and man parks: one’s an easy fix, the other I’m not so sure about

This past Saturday when I awoke and saw the gloomy weather outside, I thought it’d be a great day for a meatloaf.  As I was rummaging thru my “pots n’ pans” cupboard looking for my glass baking dish, I stumbled across an old bread loaf pan I used to bake meatloaf in, but haven’t used in years. 

I gave it a good scrubbing (I bet I haven’t used this loaf pan in 15 years) then pressed my meatloaf mix in, put it in the oven and this photo is what came out an hour later.  It looked and smelled terrific.

(If you’re curious, my regular meatloaf recipe is here.)

However, after cutting the first slice and taking a couple bites, I remembered why I stopped baking meatloaves in it.  1.25 lbs of 80% ground chuck contains a lot of fat and there’s no place for all that grease to go; a couple of greasy bites was too much for me.  I had a sudden flashback to Paula Deen laying white bread slices in the bottom of her own loaf pan before baking a meatloaf, tossing out the grease soaked slabs later.  Well, I didn’t have any bread slices anyway.

I sliced the rest up and stuck it in the fridge, figured I’d try to salvage it later in the week.  I then got dressed and walked up the street to the drugstore, to pick up a couple prescriptions.  When the pharmacist told me it’d be a half-hour, I said I’d be back.  I headed up the block to the hardware store to see what was going on, maybe get a Christmas wreath for my door if they had them in. 

As I approached the store, I couldn’t believe what I saw on display in their glass window.  An assortment of holiday gift ideas, and front & center was this 2-piece meatloaf pan.

(The top pan is perforated with a one inch reservoir below.)  I felt like Ralphie in that movie A Christmas Story, the first time he sees his Red Ryder BB gun in that department store window.  Where have you been all my life!  I went into Joe’s Hardware, asked where those 2 piece meatloaf pans were and the price ($10.99) and couldn’t believe my good fortune.  If only all problems were this fixable.

As fortunate as I am, having my health for the most part, a roof over my head and financial security, I’ve been feeling pretty down for awhile.  The simple truth is, I have nobody I’m close to.  It’s been that way for awhile, but I had an assortment of medical problems these last 5 years that kept me from dwelling too much on such things.

There are people I know online, a couple former coworkers and classmates, other bloggers like myself; but that’s pretty much it.  Since replacing my landline with a smartphone 5 months ago, I’ve spoken on it exactly 5 times—twice to my old friend & coworker Susie, twice to my doctor’s office, once to my friend Erin.  I just don’t have anybody to really talk to or hang out with, or do things with.  

I’m not sharing this looking for sympathy or advice, I’m usually okay with things the way they are.  Sometimes it just catches up with me.  On my way home from the drugstore, I passed the Greenstone Methodist Church with a sign outside offering Thanksgiving dinner “Free to the Public” on November 25.  All they ask is that you call by November 21 and make a reservation. 

It may be free, but I’d happily make a donation.  I think I’m going to call and ask.

Later Saturday night, I was watching Saturday Night Live on NBC and was surprised to see this skit below; a dog park for men, for women to take their lonely guys to.  It was too funny and I wish there was one of these nearby!