Beginner's Luck and Wishes for the Fourth

Remember the "shark-catcher + handsome pin-up" from last week? This was his first fishing trip, in 1999. Beginner's luck describes it fairly well, don't you think?

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I made up a recipe last night and it turned out to be good! (Surprise, surprise!) Someone gave me 3 summer squash and 2 shallots this week. I washed and sliced the squash and put them in a medium saucepan with 1 tablespoon butter and a splash of water, on medium heat. Meanwhile, I sliced the shallots, about 1/4 of an onion and 2 ribs of celery, and put them in a small skillet with 1 tablespoon of butter and a sprinkling of Mrs. Dash. My plan was to serve the onions and celery over our steak, which was grilling outside.

As the squash softened, I threw in a handful of dried cranberries and a little more water. As each dish reached the end of cooking, I decided to combine them; dumping the onion mixture into the squash and mixing well, then I added 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar. I have to say it turned out very well. That was my beginner's luck!

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I missed a perfect photo opportunity this afternoon. I went to a drugstore to buy a birthday card, looking toward the fancy gift shop next door. They keep a wrought iron bench outside, which sometimes holds sale merchandise. It was empty. As I got back into the car later, I looked back toward the gift shop again. There was a nicely dressed, portly older gentleman sitting on the bench fast asleep, his head inclined toward the silk-flowered grapevine wreath on the bench beside him. I could just kick myself for not having my camera. That was no luck at all!

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Have a Happy Independence Day everyone!