A Drive Today

Today we got up very early (for us). I started a pot of bean soup with ham in the crock pot, the we drove down to Washington, D.C. to the VA Medical Center so Jim could get the stitches taken out of his face. It was very crowded in the parking lot, so I had to let him out and circle around about three times waiting for someone to pull out of a space so I could park. I got very lucky because two cars pulled out in side by side spaces. If you have never had to park a pick-up truck with an crew cab, you really won’t appreciate that, but anyway, I got parked finally and went upstairs to the third floor.

They had already taken Jim in to an exam room, so by the time I found him, they were just starting to pluck those babies out. And since I was not there when she introduced herself, I don’t know what her name was, but it was the same doctor we saw the first time when they did the biopsy. As she was taking the stitches out she was explaining to Jim that although this cancer was not CAUSED by smoking, smoking aggravates it and can make it worse. She advised him quite strongly to quit, and I agree with her. She told him he has to go every 2 months for a year to be examined by a dermatologist, so we made an appointment with the one in Atlanta for December.

We had already decided to stop for lunch in Frederick, Maryland on the way home because we have been wanting to go to a place we have passed on several occasions called “That Cuban Place”. Man, I wish we had stopped in there before now! After eating lunch there today we made a mental note to go there at least one more time before we leave Pennsylvania next month.

Jim ordered a Cuban sandwich, which looked very delicious, and it must have been because he ate every bite, and looked like he wanted to lick the plate. He had eaten a cuban sandwich at a place in Florida several years ago, but he said that must have been a cheap imitation because he doesn’t remember it being as tasty as the one he had today.

I had the Tilapia. It was sauteed in olive oil with peppers and tomatoes, and served up with rice, beans, and fried plaintains. Oh, oh, oh, those plaintains were scrumptious, or Muy Bien’! The owner offered us a free expresso at the end of our meal, which Jim accepted, but not me because I don’t like it.

After lunch we went over to Borders Books because I had a couple of gift cards to spend. I got a new cookbook called The No-Gluten Cookbook and an Arizona Highways magazine. I haven’t looked at either one yet. So, that was our Tuesday, how was yours?

Oh, I almost forgot, I made another batch of soap yesterday. This one has Clary Sage essential oil and some cinnamon powder for scent. I haven’t cut it yet, but I smelled it this morning and it was devine!

So, now for dinner we’ll be having that bean soup with some cornbread. It is smelling really good right now.