Teaching TheKiddo™: Lesson 5

It's not about you. It's about what you do. 


Sometimes it’s hard to know that there’s a great big world you haven’t seen. As much as Mami and Papi try to show you, there will always be things we don’t want you to see.

Pain. Misery. Suffering. Sadness. Madness.

We do our best to keep these from you. Sometimes we fail. This year, one of your classmates lost everything shortly before Christmas in a fire. Chances are, you won’t remember. And I know you won’t realize we dipped into the bank account to help that family. I do hope, however, that we teach you that we had to.

We couldn’t sit idly by while someone suffered.

We couldn’t sit on our hands and not extend them in comfort and aid.

It wasn’t about us. It wasn’t even about giving in the spirit of the holiday season. It was about being human and caring for those who can’t care for themselves.

There are a lot of people in this great big world. We can’t take care of them all. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.

Plant Sale Today

It's a beautiful day for gardening.
And Gardeners in Community Development is having a plant sale. So I know where I'm going to be.
Come join us. Purchase some plants. Harvest some knowledge.

Translating Mami: There are children starving

“There are children starving in the world. I can give this food to them.”

This is something your Mami likes to say when you’re not eating your food. It doesn’t mean that she’s actually going to pack up your food and ship it off. Not even close.

It really means that she’s worried about you. She wants you to eat and grow and be healthy. She just likes to motivate you a little bit. Or a lot sometimes depending on how little you’re eating. 

Sometimes it means you’re frustrating her by playing with your food. That, however, is most commonly a byproduct of her worry that you don’t eat enough.

Just keep eating your fruits and veggies. We’ll find other ways to help the children in the rest of the world who don’t have enough to eat. Like when we support the North Texas Food Bank.

Deep Ellum dining: Baker's Ribs

My favorite barbecue joint has a new location, and a few new wrinkles. The smoked meats, however, remain heavenly.

If you've never heard me extol the virtues of this den of divine smoke, a brief overview is in order.

I've eaten 'cue from all over the U.S. and Baker's Ribs is my favorite—hands down. It's consistently delicious and very reasonably priced. I typically head for brisket and ribs, though all their meats have been wonderful.

The brisket always has a nice crunchy exterior and the smoky, moist, melt-in-your mouth meat that dwells beneath is heavenly.

For me, however, the brisket pales in glorious comparison to the ribs. One bite and I was hooked. Like the brisket, the smoky exterior contained juicy, falling-off-the-bone-tender meat that is the perfect combination of smoke and seasoning.

The sauce, if you choose to use it, is a delightful compliment to the seasoning on the meat and provides just a slight tang rather than overwhelming you with sweetness the way so many sauces do.

As for sides, well one doesn't normally choose a barbecue joint for the sides. That being said, you must try the potato salad. And be sure to grab some bread from the counter top as you pass through. The addition of french fries to the menu after the move was a great choice, and they were delicious. They had a nice, crispy exterior, with plenty of seasoning. 

I admit, I was skeptical when I learned that Baker's would be moving. I worried that the magic would remain in the old location. Sure, my fears were somewhat abated after learning that the pits and the people would all be making the transition from one location to the next. 

After visiting the new location, I realize I had nothing at all to worry about. In fact, TheKiddo™ and I may visit even more often just to sit on the rooftop and watch the city as we dine.

We've enjoyed the fried pies since they were introduced to the menu—particularly the pecan. 

Now, we a whole new spectrum of food goodness opening to us. I severely doubt that I'll swap smoked-meat goodness for a savory pie; however, there is something appealing about the breakfast offering.

Suddenly, I'm craving. I know where I'll be later this week. See you there.

Keep Your Veggies Fresh

Sometimes you find gear that is so good, you use it all the time and don't even think about how it well it does its job. If you're like me, you're much more likely to notice when something doesn't work.

Sometimes you find gear that is so good, you use it all the time and don't even think about how well it does its job. If you're like me, you're much more likely to notice when something doesn't work.

The FridgeSmart® system from Tupperware is something I rely on day in and day out. It's not  I reach for some still-fresh spinach that was picked in our garden weeks ago that I recall how wonderfully it works.

Yes, it's a set of expensive plastic. And it's worth every penny to keep veggies from our garden fresh and delicious.

Urban Gardening: Going Vertical

We have two plots in our Community Garden. We're not supposed to. We're only supposed to have one. We have two. And each of them is 10' wide by 20' deep.

In our initial plot, we're currently growing tomatoes, onions, shallots, herbs, berries, peas, bush beans and some romaine lettuce. While this sounds like a lot, we have plenty of room for the additional herbs and peppers we'll be putting down after next Saturday's plant sale.

The front half of our additional plot is full of potatoes. We have three varieties planted in two rows. They've been mounded a couple of times, and are currently about 18" to 24" deep. In the back half of the plot, we've seeded some cucumbers, pole beans, spaghetti squash and cantaloupe, and we've planted two varieties of sweet potato.

You would think that the two plots could contain all of that. Based on our experience in the garden last year, however, we know that it cannot and will not. The squash and cantaloupe will spread all over the second bed and prevent us from planting other varieties of squash or any watermelon. Since we already have twice as much space as we're supposed to (from a square foot perspective), we have to build up.

After consulting several books on vertical gardening, we spent last Saturday and Sunday creating room for plants from thin air.

The first order of business was to hook some netting to the chain link fence that borders our additional plot on the east side. This should provide the cucumbers we seeded with plenty of room for growth. We then built an eight-foot-tall trellis that we hope will hold the weight of the cantaloupe and spaghetti squash. It's a fairly simple design of two posts (buried two feet deep) and two crossbeams. We then hooked some wire that we found to that frame.

Granted, the melons and squash may become so heavy that we need to support them with slings or hammocks. We'll figure that bit out as we go along. Right now, we're just thrilled that by thinking vertically (down and then up in the case of potatoes and up in the case of melons) we've added another dimension to our gardens. 

So now we have two plots that are 10' x 20' x h. And that equals unlimited possibilites.

Urban Gardening

TheBetterHalf®, TheKiddo™ and I live in an apartment. Most of the time, we love it. We have access to swimming pools, a fitness center, movie rooms, meeting rooms and a variety of other amenities that are covered by our rent payments.

There are, however, two aspects of apartment life that we don't really like.

1. The rent is raised each and every year.
2. We don't have a garden.

While the first remains irksome, and is likely to push us to home ownership this year, we have addressed the second. We have a plot in a community garden that is associated with Our Savior Episcopal Church and named "The Plot Against Hunger." Our 10' x 20' plot is just a small part of the Gardeners In Community Development effort in Dallas. And we're thrilled that at least 10% of our harvest goes to a community food pantry to be distributed to the less fortunate.

For a few dollars a year, and many hours of labor, we are able to harvest and enjoy our own organically grown vegetables and fruits. And when you spend as much time working your plot as we do, adding a few hours to contribute to the community garden by harvesting, weeding, maintaining the walkways or feeding the chickens is a simple thing. In fact, you'll find that you've more than fulfilled the necessary time commitment to the community garden after just a few visits.

Currently we have tomatoes, potatoes, romaine lettuce, red onions and shallots growing, while our spinach plants go to seed so we can replant for the fall.

Water jugs keep roots warm.

Blooms indicate we could harvest new potatoes in 3 - 4 weeks.

We're about to plant a broader selection of vegetables and herbs following the annual plant sale. If you're interested in gardening and want some Dallas-friendly vegetables and herbs, you should attend the plant sale this month.

Come to the plant sale!

Eating the fresh produce and working with the soil are the two most obvious benefits to our garden. I happen to think that Teaching TheKiddo™ about science and nature, and having her be unafraid of grubs, worms, beetles and other bugs are the best parts.

I may hurt from the digging at times. I may complain about the blisters on my hands at times. I may even want to sleep in some weekend mornings and not tend to my chores. At the end of the day, however, I wouldn't trade our family time in the garden for anything. It's where we grow and discover nourishment for our minds, bodies and souls.

I'm sure that even if we do become house-dwellers this year, we'll keep our plot.

Dining in DFW: Royal Wok

TheBetterHalf® TheKiddo™ and I have been dining at the Royal Wok on occasion for a couple of years now. And each time we go I wonder, "Why don't we eat here more often"? I never have a good answer.

The staff is wonderful. The atmosphere relaxing and comfortable (despite the fact that from the outside you're truly expecting a dive upon arrival). And the food is consistently delicious.

During our latest visit to this temple of Korean-Chinese cuisine, we happened to be there for a late lunch/early supper. That meant we had arrived to enjoy the luncheon menu. We'd always been for dinner previously, so didn't immediately realize what a budget friendly treat we had discovered.

Most of the dishes are priced just under $6. Which is about the cost of a fat-laden value meal at any of the fast food chains you can think of. I decided to try the Hunan Been. Started off with some tasty wonton soup. Even TheKiddo™ enjoyed it. Will have to get her a bowl of her own next time. (I don't mind sharing, but one wasn't enough for the two of us.)

The Hunan Beef was deliciously spicy without being overpowering.  The eggroll was very crispy and delicious. And, as always, the chinese bun was a delight. TheKiddo™ devoured her chicken lo mein, as TheBetterHalf® practically licked her plate clean.

How good was it? We almost returned the very next day to try some other dishes. Might even work up the courage to try some of the Korean fare.

Teaching TheKiddo™: Lesson 4

Life Ain't Fair

You can thank your Grandma for this lesson. It's one she drilled into your daddy seemingly from the moment he left the womb. And unfortunately, it's true. The fact that life ain't fair also happens to be why your generation (and the one before you) doesn't play organized dodgeball as part of P.E. class. 

Surprisingly more painful than one would think.

When I was growing up, dodgeball was mandatory. You were either the hunter, standing at some randomly determined distance from a wall with the ubiquitous red-rubber ball that you were about to hurtle at your classmates. Or you were the hunted, standing with your back to the wall, staring doe-eyed at those who wanted to do physical harm to you. 

I was terrible at this game. Whether the hunter or the hunted, I didn't play well. 

I was short. And slow. And not terribly coordinated. And my hands were too small to hold the ball well for throwing. 

I was, however, smarter and more determined than my classmates. So I learned to catch the ball. This not only put the hunter who had targeted me out of the game, but gave me a shield with which to deflect incoming barrages. Best of all, after doing this a few times, I wasn't targeted as often. 

I was still lousy and was rarely (and most likely not ever) the ultimate winner. But I had earned respect and found a way to survive longer than others in my peer group. 

I'm actually saddened by the fact that you won't get to experience this. This lesson has been taken from you because someone decided to pretend that life was fair, and get dodgeball banned.

The fact, however, isn't as easy to ban as a game.

Some people are more physically gifted—bigger, stronger, faster, quicker, etc.

Some people are smarter.

Some people are more attractive.

Some people are born with more money.

Some people are born with more access and influence.

Some people will take what isn't theirs and have no conscience telling them they shouldn't.

In nature, as in dodgeball, the hunters focus on the slow; the weak; the sick; and the old. But just as in dodgeball, the hunters are in turn hunted by others (even within their own species to prove dominance and ensure the survival of the genetic material).  

Remember: No one is perfect.

No one has everything.

We do, however, get to choose how we deal with the situation and make the most of what we do have. Since you know life is not fair from the beginning, you have a leg up on those who think it is. 

Think of it as part of your unfair advantage over everyone else. 

Dining away from DFW: Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler

Johnnie's #9 well done

Johnnie's Charcoal Broiler serves what is is unquestionably the best hamburger I've ever had. Yes. I've eaten at all of the burger joints in Dallas (still have to make my way over to Love Shack in Fort Worth). None of the burgers here come close.


You may accuse me of being biased since I grew up in Edmond (a northern suburb of Oklahoma City, and one of the locations where Johnnie's is found). So I was a boy when I started savoring these delights often enough for them to be a treat, and not nearly as often as my cravings would have preferred.


My folks still live in Edmond. I've been known to agree to one of the random whimsical requests from TheKiddo™ to go see her grandparents just so we can eat at Johnnie's.


I prefer the #9. Pickles. Mayo. Lots of shredded cheese. And Johnnie sauce. Just looking at the photo is enough for me to wish there was one available right across the street.


If you happen to head north on I-35, be sure to go to Johnnie's. Heck, even if you're just planning to cross the Red River to gamble a bit, keep going. It's worth the drive.


When you get there, grab cheese fries, onion rings and some pie. You may hate yourself later (or me for making the calorie-laden recommendation), but your personal trainer, cardiologist and dentist will all welcome the extra work.

Snag some cheese fries and onion rings

Teaching TheKiddo™: Lesson 3

First, you must want to.


Like most lessons, it is as simple as one sentence and as complex as discovering a unified theory of everything.


In this case, however, the unified theory of how to accomplish everything is simple. Begin with desire.


I don't mean the kind of covetous desire that turns into the world-economy-shattering avarice that marked the first decade of the 21st Century. Nor the sort that causes shortcuts and crimes.


While this lesson could apply to any desire, you will (I hope) avoid the pettiness and vulgarity that some will see.


I am writing about a want that is both more personal and more profound. This is about the desire to do something. To be something. To have the passion to create a life of meaning.


Doctor. Ballerina. Veterinarian. Mommy. Artist. Only five and a half and already there is so much you want to be and do. This will change constantly until you find the true want. Or perhaps you won't. Either is a perfectly fine path to follow. As long as it's what you want.




You can do whatever you want. You can be whatever you want. You can achieve whatever you want.
I know you can. And I know you will. It's just that simple.


What isn't simple is what you'll need to do to achieve it. Nor is it simple for me to tell you what it is. The answer lies within you. Within your talents and gifts. Within your will to achieve.


I believe we are all born with talents and gifts. Sometimes they're used to get ahead. Sometimes they're wasted and squandered on meaninglessness. Sometimes they're unknown and untapped. I know already what I see as some of yours. You are smarter than me, kinder than me, and more alert to patterns and connections than I was at your age.




When you discover what you want, you will tap into your talents and gifts to accomplish it. You will rely on friends and family to help. You will read, and research, and discover a path to accomplish the goal. Then you'll set another.


And me? What do I want? The same things I've wanted since you were born. For you and Mami to be spectacularly happy, healthy, and protected.