Eggplant Parmesan

Oven Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Perhaps my favorite dish of all time is Eggplant Parmesan.  Whenever I'm out at a restaurant the first thing is check on the menu is to see if they have Eggplant Parmesan.  Most restaurants do not offer this delicious and healthy entree.  Those that do, the variations range from the proper way it is baked (crusty breaded outer layer with a soft, slightly 'eggplant' bitter inner layer covered with fresh tomato sauce and layers of Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses) to what I call 'eggplant soup.'  Yes, I've had chunks of eggplant in a soupy tomato sauce passed off as "Eggplant Parmesan" (I sent it back).  

Since the restaurants down here in LSD (Lower Slower Delaware) are so focused on seafood  and those that do prepare Eggplant Parmesan are found so wanting, I make my own Eggplant Parmesan.  Again, as usual, my version if far superior to anything I can find in a restaurant down here in East Coast Tourist Trap Land with their Sysco Driven Food supply.  Mine is made with fresh ingredients, not grease soaked, and a LOT cheaper (no tip required).  And when you make it at home like I do you will get it hot out of the oven, not lukewarm which is the way I usually have it served to me at a restaurant.  I'm going to beat up on the restaurants down here in LaLa Land again but they have so much to learn about the proper way to serve GOOD FOOD.  I guess I was spoiled by all the really good restaurants that I enjoyed all those summers in the 70's and 80's when I vacationed in Provincetown, Massachusetts.  I don't know what it is with the folks who run restaurants in Gayberry, DE (aka Rehoboth Beach), but they just 'don't get it.'  When I eat out now I do it for the social aspect, I've given up on getting good and interestingly prepared food.  Never once in Provincetown did I have a dish served to me that was 'painted' on the dish.  That's what they do down here and call it 'presentation.'  Hey, I don't need 'presentation', I only need good tasting food at a reasonable price.  Alas, I fear those days of dining on good and fresh food at reasonable prices is long gone.  It is a reality that I have reluctantly accepted as my lot since I have made my home in coastal southern Delaware.  


So here without further ado is my recipe (gleaned from the Internet with a few tweaks) for Oven Baked Eggplant Parmesan.  Just a note, I don't fry my breaded eggplant slices because I don't want to smell up my kitchen and great room with grease plus I don't want all that grease splattering all over my flat top range.  And another 'plus' is that oven baked is healthier.  Just another reason I am healthy and kept my weight at 160 lbs. is the same as it was  when I graduated from high school 52 years ago- Yes, I'm bragging (it's my blog and I can brag)

Oven Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Click to make recipe bigger if you can't read it

Eggplant Parmesan before I put it in the oven

Old Geezers' Night Out

Springtime colors in front of my house this morning

Spring is almost here.  Although spring arrived officially a month ago, spring really hasn't arrived yet.  Oh a day or two here and there but for the most part we've had cold, gray and wet days around these parts on the eastern coast of Delaware. 


Today I finally felt a Taste of Spring.  After Bill and I returned from Loew's with another couple bags of mulch, I worked all morning to break up a couple hundred daffodil bulbs and replant then.  Oh, I know that I'm supposed to wait until the 'green dies back" but by the time that happens (July 4th) I'm in no mood to dig up daffodil bulbs because it is usually too hot for digging and besides, the mosquitoes are out in full force.  So I threw the rules out the window (like I usually do with my plantings) and dug those daffodils up this mooring and took about three hours to transplant everything.  Next spring we're going to be in Daffodil Heaven at this house.


Early tomorrow morning (7:30 am), Sposato Irrigation is coming by to turn on my irrigation system.  This is summer time folks.  Next I pay a visit to the East Coast Garden Center and buy three river birch trees.  Bill and I are going to build a kidney shaped island outside my bedroom window to block out the heat of the summer midday sun.  I like that sun coming in my bedroom during the winter (nothing like the comfortable heat of a solar warmed bedroom in the dead cold of the winter) but in the summertime it's a bit much.


These evening my friends Don V., Ted W. and Bob C. came by to pick me up and we had dinner at the Nage Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach.  We don't usually patronize expensive restaurants but Don had a 50% off coupon good until the end of April so we all decided to take advantage of his generosity.  We all had filet mignon.  It's been a long time since I had such a tender and tasty piece of meat like I had tonight.

Don in front of Nage Restaurant in Rehoboth Beach, DE

We call our occasional get togethers at for fine restaurant dining "Old Geezer's Night Out."  This occasion is not to be confused with the regular Friday Night Dine Out Group. That group of (mostly old geezers with few exceptions) is at an inexpensive Sysco Food Driven restaurant.  But, occasionally, we break off from the group and patronize a restaurant that make their food fresh from scratch.  It may be more expensive and perhaps we can't afford it but it is worth it.  One really nice thing about tonight's dining experience, no kids.  Hey, I love little kids and I think some of them are just as cute as they can be but sometimes, just sometimes I like to dine out without the background sound of a screaming kid or a crying baby.  Tonight was a treat.

Old Geezers ready to chow down

Dancing With the Stars - Week 5

Well folks, the competition for Week 5 of "Dancing With the Stars" is over.  The results of the voting will be announced in a few hours.  I must say that the dancing of all the competitors last night was excellent.  I DVR'd the show so I could fast forward through the commercials so I could really enjoy the show and that I did.  Everyone gave their best last night.  There were no slackers.  Here is my take on the stars and their partners.  I take no prisoners.  

Romeo and Chelsie - Foxtrot - dancing to "New York, New York"


Romeo continues to impress me with his class and dancing skills. Good to see Romeo smile for a change.  He looked like he was really enjoying himself. 

Chris and Cheryl - Viennese Waltz - dancing to "America the Beautiful"


I like Chris.  He's got a good attitude, he's fun to watch and his dancing improves each week.  Watch out for Chris and Cheryl.  They will be in the Final Three.

Kendra and Louis - Foxtrot - dancing to "The Yankee Doodle Boy"


I'm not a Kendra and Louis fan but they did good last night.  However, I think they will be voted off tonight.  Sorry Louie! The midget  short dancers go.

Petra and Dmitry - Quickstep - dancing to "Viva Las Vegas"


Petra and Dimtry are elegant as always.  Such a pleasure to watch tall dancers gracefully glide across the dance floor.

 Ralph and Karina - Samba - dancing to "Sweet Home Alabama"


Hey Ralph, I like you and in a weird way you sort of look good in those jeans but I don't think you're going to regain your early lead tonight.

Hines and Kym - Rumba - dancing to "Proud to Be an American".

Hines and Kym make every dance seem so easy.  They were great! Hines and Kym will also be in the Final Three. Check out Kym's dress (?)

Chelsea and Mark - Samba - dancing to "Party in the U.S.A."

Ah Mark and Chelsea.  At least Mark toned down his scene stealing antics last night.  He 'let' Chelsea shine.  Still, he didn't dance the Samba.  This looks like a Samba?  Check out Mark's platform shoes.  Yeah Mark, you're short.  And another thing, what's with the mouth action Mark?  Are you in pain?  Or is this your version of SEXY?  What a douche.  

Kirstie and Maks - Foxtrot - dancing to "American Woman"

My favorite couple, Kirstie and Maks.  God, don't both of them LOOK GOOD!?! Watch out for Kirstie, she may just take the whole shebang.  And is there a male dancer any cuter than Maks?  He is a doll.  I love this couple, always interesting. That's what this show is all about.  I love it! 

Jolly Good

Guess Who?

Just as I was finishing my lunch of a roasted red pepper hummus wrap I hear the harp ringtone on my iPhone.  I go over to the granite countertop where my I always put my iPhone at rest when I am in the house and I see the handsome visage of Dr. Spo on my iPhone!  Yes folks, it was Dr. Spo of Phoenix Arizona, known far and wide for his beloved blog "Spo Reflections" making his virgin FaceTime call on his iPhone (or his 'iPrecious" as he calls his loved iPhone).  Now talk about a Pick-Me-Up!  Be still my heart (and nether regions).  

The famous Dr. Spo of Arizona (wow) 

First thing I thought was "How's my hair?"  "How do I look?"  Yes folks, I am one of the many Spo Fans. Yes, yes....I know.  I am in a long term relationship as is Dr. Spo.  He is TAKEN but hey, I can fantasize can't I?  Dr. SPO WAS CALLING ME!  


I touch my forefinger on the "Accept FaceTime" display only iPhone and viola!  There he was.  Perhaps the most handsome and adorable face to grace the FaceTime feature on my iPhone yet.  Sorry Don and Larry, I love you guys but Dr. Spo is SO GOOD-LOOKING AND SEXY! 

Looking at this comparison picture I feel real old and ugly

I congratulated Dr. Spo on making the connection.  Shortly into the conversation I told him how to take a picture with FaceTime and I took his picture which is what you see on this post.  Dr. Spo immediately said "How's my hair?"  HA!  He said the same thing I thought when I answered his call earlier.  He told me this was a family joke.  He said one of his aunts, after every time she got her picture taken (or was it before)? would ask "How's my hair."  Well Spo, you hair was just fine as were you (you handsome devil you). In fact, if I was twenty years younger, single and lived in Phoenix I would give Dr. Spo a go.  I would give Someone some competition.  Yeah, I said it.   

Dr. Spo shows me how my shirt will look finished - looks good on him doesn't it?

Dr. Spo then showed me the progress he had made on the shirt that be was making for me.  He posed with the pieces of the colorful material that I had sent to him a few months ago from eQuilter.  I have also posted those pictures.


Them I showed Dr. Spo some of the features of the iPhone like how you can reverse the camera and I took him on a tour of my back deck and to the front of my house and showed him my tulips.  Yes, 'my tulips."  I bet no one has ever used that come on line before..."Why don't you come home with me and see my TULIPS?"  


Well folks, all I can say is that I started out in a 'fowl' (to use my friend Lar's spelling of 'foul') mood this morning.  However that mood quickly evaporated when my Blogger Buddy Spo called me using FaceTime on his iPhone.  


"Jolly Good!"  

Dr. Spo in all his adorableness

The Other Side

Taken this morning - the steps leading to my bonus room upstairs at my house

Last night I visited 'The Other Side' again.  You say "what is The Other Side?"  Oh, you know what it is.  Yes, THAT 'Other Side'.


When I went to bed last night a storm was passing through this area of the southern Delaware coast.  Here on the coast we usually are spared the brunt of such storms.  Through the noise of the howling winds and rain beating against my windows last night, I easily drifted off to sleep after watching episodes 3, 4 and 5 of 'Downton Abbey' on my DVR.  

Downton Abbey dinner with the Dowager Countess

Sometime last night during the night, while I was in my sleep induced coma  I visited to The Other Side again.  Lately I've been making a lot of visits to The Other Side.  Last night's visit was a pleasant one.  I awoke this morning feeling refreshed and full of anticipation that when My Time comes, a better place awaits my soul when I depart from this earthly body:

Clouds over Route 1 Southern Delaware

"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds-and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace, Where never the lark, nor even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high, untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God."

The face of God?

I am not a religious person.  I do not believe in 'man made religion.'  However I do believe that we have a spirit or a soul that goes somewhere when we die.  I know this belief discomfort of varying degrees to those of my fellow human beings who find comfort and security in following their rituals and rules of their man made religion for which strict obedience is demanded by the threat of eternal damnation in the 'fires of hell' if you don't follow their man made rules.  

Hellfire and brimestone preacher

These are the religions who have tortured, maimed and killed countless millions over the centuries (and continue to do so to this day) if you fail to follow their interpretation of religion.  Organized religion has zero creditability with me.  Ever since I was condemned to hell when I was ten years old by a Pentecostal preacher because I was born gay, I knew then that organized religion or 'man made religion' as I call it, was a fraud whose only purpose was to control people.  

Accusing preacher - where is the love?

Organized or man made religion has no meaning for me.  However, unlike many of those who subscribe to organized religion, I do not condemn those who practice their version of organized religion.  They condemn me but I do not condemn them.  They express their sorrow of the 'loss of my soul'  but I am happy that they have found their Way.  I am very sincere when I say when I say that some of them are truly concerned about me and my soul.  However, what I say to them is "Do not worry about me, worry about your own soul."  For you see, I am the master of my own soul  which is what drives those who control organized religion to consternation, frustration and distraction.  But I'm getting off on another whole tangent here which I could write volumes on.  Besides, this argument has been made many, many times and I will never convince the True Believers so what is the use?  It's like pissing in the wind.  You feel good because you're relieving yourself but your piss gets all over you.

Structures for the Canal Front Park in Lewes at sunset

This is what I know.  Last night again I visited The Other Side.  Most dreams I don't remember the details but I remember the details of this dream.  I dreamed I was back at Girard Bank in Philadelphia in the 1960's.  I began working at Girard Bank in March of 1965 in the Trust Department.  All my life I wanted to work in a big bank in a big city and that day my dream was realized.  I was in heaven when I began working there because all of my dreams had been realized. 

A real luncheon that was held in my honor at the Bellevue Strafford Hotel 1986

In last night's dream I dreamed that a luncheon was being held in someone honor (I don't know who) and I was invited to come along.  I left the operations department and went downstairs to the Trust Administration Department with all the pooh bah's of the Trust Department.  As the head Mucky Muck was leading us to the dining room under glistening, crystal chandeliers and red velvet flocked wallpaper; I was having trouble keeping up.  I don't know what was delaying me but I couldn't keep up.  They eventually went on without me and I had to go back to the lunchroom that we in the operations department ate which wasn't near as glamorous as the Trust Administration lunchroom (which I never ate at in real life by the way).

Girard Bank - banking floor

Girard Bank Operations Department

Thinking about it now I think I know where the basis of this dream came from.  I watched three episodes of "Downton Abbey' last night which is another 'Upstairs, Downstairs' English series.  Some of the scenes in that movie took place in the ornate dining room under sparkling crystal chandeliers with bejeweled women and white starched collar men.  Then there were the servants who ate downstairs in basement at a plain table under harsh overhead lightbulbs.  Yes, I think this is what influenced my dream last night.  But even though I wasn't able to keep up with my 'betters' I do remember the feeling of exhilaration that I had when I woke up that I had experienced something good.  

Girard Bank - Philadelphia, PA

My Mother, who died September 16th of this past year, grew up without a mother.  She had a very hard life and when she died she was very paranoid about 'those' out to 'get her.'  She worked and sacrificed her whole life for her family and when she died she left us well cared for.  She also left my brothers and I the best parts of her character.  

Mom, my dog (and best pal) Horace and me - I will see them again some day

For the last couple of years before she died, she slept a lot.  She never told me what she dreamed but I'm sure she dreamed and visited 'The Other Place' too.  Now she is there.  And one day I too will be there.  


When Bill goes to sleep at night he often says "I'm going to sleep and get out of this world."  I often tease him by saying "You don't like me anymore?  You want to get away from me?"  He says "No.  It's not that.  You'll understand someday."  I think I do understand.  

All of the people on my blog roll are younger than me.  Some of them are gay men who have come out late in their life and are now writing about their regrets over what they have missed by not coming our earlier.  Some write about their day to day lives.  They write about their families; wives and former wives, kids, snow, trips, weight loss, jobs, political agenda, religion, et al.  While I find most of their blogs interesting, I haven't found a blog writer yet like me who is nearing the end of his time and is writing about his (or her)  impending departure.  I am curious to know if I'm the only 69 year old gay man who thinks this way or if there are others out there in the great blogosphere like me who wonder what's going to happen to them after they breath their last breath and go to the Great Beyond.

Me on a mountain top in Tennessee - close to "God"

Now I think I'll vacuum my house and plant those fertilizer spikes at the base of my holly trees that I've been putting off too long.  I'm not gone yet.

"Going Home"

Saturday Night and Everything is Alright

Tulips in front of my house yesterday (when we had sun)

Just a quiet Saturday night here folks.  Nothing earth shattering happing in my world, at least not right at this moment.  


I'm going to have a nice dinner BY MY SELF and then take in a Netflix movie  BY MYSELF.  Sometimes I just like to spend sometime by myself in my very comfortable bedroom with my big screen TV.  The wind and rain are howling outside so this is a perfect time for some "Ron Time."  


I did some tweaking on my blog (always tweaking don't you know).


 I checked into my Ancestry.com account and responded to some inquiries.  Every time I check my family tree I think of my ancestors who lived in those western North Carolina hills (yes, they were hillbillies and I'm 'half a hillbilly') on cold and windy Saturday nights like this.  What did they do?  No TV, no Internet.  Oh, maybe that's why they had so many kids.  


My dad had eleven brothers (no sisters). I have no children.  But I do have my big screen TV and Internet (and iPhone, iMac and iPad.)  Life is good. 


 At least it is now until the Republicans get control of the White House and eliminate my Social Security and Medicare, which they will, don't believe them when they say their budget proposals won't affect anyone over 55 because they LIE, at which case life won't be so good.  I hope I die before that happens.  In the meantime, I will try to grab a little bit of quality of life tonight before I check out then the bastards can do whatever they are hellbent on doing to destroy this country.


I try to keep politics out of my blog but I just couldn't help myself today after seeing all that is on the news.  Hey folks, I'm just trying to survive.  Trying to collect some of that money that I paid into for the past fifty some years of my life.  Well, at least I got a pretty picture at the top of this blog and I'm going to put another pretty picture at the bottom of this posting.  This is my home for which Bill and I have worked for all our lives. We're here now, trying to stay out of the way of everyone and everything.  We just want to be left alone.  

Home Sweet Home - Delaware of two old gay men who have been living in sin for 46 years

Male Restroom Etiquette

Yesterday I read on of my fellow bloggers posting about pee shy.  You all know what pee shy is don't you?  Well, if you don't, it is the inability to pee at a public urinal when standing next to another man who is watching you pee.  I suffer from this malady.  I used to think I was the only one, but apparently I am not, which causes me some relief from my embarrassment.  


One of my other fellow bloggers sent this link of mens restroom etiquette which is so good, it bears to be spread to the general populace which is what I will do by posting it to my blog today.  


Watch and be informed.