Between drinking a Coke tonight (VERY rare occurrence for me) and watching the Rays game, which was the nail biter of the season so far, 12 innings, I'm a jittery wreck. I got sick eating pancakes for breakfast and incredible cake made by Fat Fred's Famous Barbecue for lunch at a party and Panera potato soup for mid-afternoon snack. Then it was out to Mr. Pizza for my dad's Father's Day, and I had spaghetti. By then I needed a Coke to settle my stomach, you know, another zap of sugar. Wow, I need a vacation from FOOD!

My friend's 9 year old daughter attended Cake Camp last week. I'll tell you what, just when you think there is nothing new under the sun. She posted the cutest pictures on Facebook each day. My favorites were the Lion Cake and the Bathtub Cake, LOL! And her 11 year old daughter had made Turtle Cheesecake at home a little before Cake Camp. This is a serious Home of CAKE! And this friend and I are going out for ice cream soon, that's the plan. Sugar poison all the way.

Today was a Saturday full to the brim. Turns out that at the 50th Anniversary party, my good friends from church were there, which I knew they would be. But what I didn't know, and they whispered to me, it was their 56th wedding anniversary today. Thus, the Panera potato soup. Then of course there is Father's Day (skip Macy's the day before Father's Day, it was worse than Christmas, NO parking places left) which meant we went to Mr. Pizza tonight since Mr. P. is closed on Sunday. I bought my dad a book at Borders, because Borders is issuing their fabulous 40% Off coupons lately. NO idea what to get my dad. So, after one minute of browsing the store, I spotted a book titled DEWEY. It had the cutest cat on the front, about as cute as Earl Grey. Have you heard about DEWEY? I hadn't. But it's about a precious little kitten someone dumped in the library book return box in the dead of winter. At night. In the morning a librarian found the near frozen kitten, complete with frostbitten paws. Well, my heart was shattered right then and there.

So, this true story takes place in a small town in Iowa. My dad is from a small town in Illinois, close enough. My dad loves dogs, close enough...besides, his two little daughters were cat lovers in the extreme and, after all, it is Father's Day. Somehow, this kitten single-pawedly changes the whole library, people and entire town...for the way better. I can't wait to read this book. I think the first thing the frozen kitty does is rub up against all the librarians legs. You know, like, You had me at Hello.

Then, in check-out, you know those cute little items they litter along the line, to keep you company while you wait? Well, I look down and there is an Audrey Hepburn bookmark from the movie Breakfast At Tiffany's, and she has her kitty draped across her shoulder. Sold. That wiped out my 40% Off savings, like the candy bar did another time.

I wish I could see my dad's face when he opens his gift, because this is not the usual. I hope he will read it. I felt like it was a little God-gift, to "stumble" half sugar crazed on this book, which, BTW, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller. And I found it on an end cap in the middle of the store, in the said one minute. Beats the gallon jug of hot sauce I gave him one year, which is more than enough to last 10 lifetimes, more than a cat even.

Oh yeah, Mr. Pizza FINALLY has their famous Chocolate Cherry Cake, so I ordered one piece, everyone take a bite. That distributed to everyone taking a bite and KEM taking 10 bites. Then back at the ranch I had a note on the stove to deal with pancakes, spinach and eggs. Three days is my limit for leftovers, so I had to freeze the last of the pancakes. Once I open a box of spinach, 2 - 3 days -- do something. So pick through and sautee, ready for tomorrow. And eggs, the carton was ready to expire, so Sweet Tulsa's egg boiling method was utilized tonight.

All in all, a very industrious day. I can use one of those once in a while. Too bad most of my industry involved pulling my fork to my lips.

Cherri-O,
KEM P.S. The Rays won...somehow...I did pray.