Pictures taken at the Dickerson Park Zoo (Springfield Mo.)

Campfire Baked Beans (Cooking)

·       1 cup ketchup

·       1/4 cup molasses

·       4 teaspoons mustard powder

·       1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

·       3 slices thick-cut bacon chopped

·       1 medium onion chopped

·       1 small green bell pepper chopped

·       3 cans navy beans rinsed and drained, 15-ounces each

·       2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

·       In medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, molasses, mustard, and black pepper.

·       In the Instant Pot using the sauté function, cook bacon, onion, and bell pepper, uncovered, for 6 minutes, or

·       until bacon crisps. Hit cancel to turn off sauté function. Pour off any excess fat.

·       Stir in beans. Spoon ketchup mixture on top; do not stir. Cover and lock lid. Select Manual/Pressure Cook and cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.

Once cooking is complete, release pressure by using natural release function. Stir in vinegar and let stand at least 5 minutes for flavors to absorb

4-Ingredient Cheesy Ranch Chicken (Cooking)

Ingredients

·       1.25 lb boneless chicken breasts

·       1/4-1/2 cup ranch dressing

·       1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

·       1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

·       Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a flat rimmed baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with non stick cooking spray.

·       Coat chicken breasts with ranch dressing.

·       In small bowl, mix cheeses together. Top chicken with cheeses

·       Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

·       To crisp up your cheese, put chicken under your broiler for just a few minutes before serving.

The Ocean

We moved from Newport News Va. in 1991, leaving the ocean behind.  (I know Newport News is an hour from the ocean, but close enough).  We moved to the land-locked state of Missouri, where our family is from.  It was good being closer to family.  However part of me never left Va.  About 30 yars later The family went to Destin Fla. for a vacation.  when we crossed the water to Destin Island it did not sink in yet.  But when I stood on the deck of where we stayed, and looked out over the beach and the waves.  I almost cried.  Even though it was the Gulf of Mexico and not the Atlantic Ocean.  Just smelling the salt in the air, Hearing the waves wash upon the shore, was enough to bring tears to my eyes and a since of being back home.  Don't get me wrong, I love Missouri, I love the farm, I love the friends and family I have here.  But part of me will always be with the ocean

Bullies

Though it has been many years since I had to deal with a bully.  I still hear their taunts and laughter in my head.  My bullies in school were bad, Name calling, Spit wads, Brat up, Slamming my locker door on my nhile I was trying to get something at the bottom.  Pushing and shoving me in many ways, Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally.  That was just the normal stuff.  Some of the stuff they did I will not mention.  It still takes a toll after all these years.  Later in life, I dealt with bullies at work.  Who seemed to make it their jobs to make my work day hell.

Even after all these years.  I still hear their angry hateful voices.  Tuanting me, Teasing me, I know it is all in my head now, but somedays it seems so real, like they are right here with me, putting me back through that hell.  Because of which, I tend to spend a lot of time to myself.  Out of fear of being laughed at again.  Or lashing out at someone else.  When all I am doing is yelling at the voices in my head.

Many people think I am a loner or I act a little stand offish.  I do not mean to be either.  I am just trying to find out who I can trust. 

Computer art

Pictures taken at Siver Dollar City over the years