Malibu Chicken

Back in Illinois, my college boyfriend S used to nag me about my eating habits in various ways, despite the fact that he was pretty odd about food himself. He would only eat a half dozen or so things and never vegetables or fruit: meat, potatoes, bread, mac & cheese, corn flakes, etc. I didn't care what he ate or didn't eat, but one thing that bothered him a lot is if I ordered a drink and didn't finish it. Why? Who knows! Psycho, of some indeterminate kind (there are other reasons besides food that I say this). Anyway, we went to the Sizzler for dinner once, and I ordered the Malibu Chicken (a small chicken patty with a slice of ham and melted cheese on top). I wasn't sure I liked it, which made him get super critical. Why did you order a weird thing like that? Why are you still eating it if you aren't sure it's good? Etc. It was so annoying! Obviously, this conversation had a big emotional impact on me as I remember it so clearly 40+ years later.

Sunday I was invited to have lunch and play games at the local Sizzler. I hadn't been to a Sizzler since my 20s, and naturally I immediately thought of my bad date with college boyfriend. Malibu Chicken was still on the menu, so of course I had to order it. I liked it! Very tasty, and a nice small portion so not horribly unhealthy (I had veggies for my side). As far as games, we played my Monopoly Deal card game, Flip 7, and Rummikub. I would have played Ticket to Ride too, but I didn't want to sit there for another hour or more since my back was achy. Even though restaurants can be noisy and the chairs sometimes uncomfy, it's nice to find a new venue for games ~ it's not practical for me to invite a large group of people to my place, especially now that Inky lives here. She's definitely not as social as Gatsby was! I'm not complaining; I love her exactly how she is.

I read Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas and gave it four stars. It read like a Regency romance, but it is not one because it takes place mainly in the 1840s, and, strictly speaking, a Regency romance must be set in the period of 1811-1820 during the time of the Prince Regent, George IV. There can be a bit of leeway, but the '40s is too far. Anyway, I enjoyed the strong MC's and engaging plot. It’s so great to dive into a properly written book with past tense third person narration and no head hopping. ATM had loads of vivid description and witty dialog, and most of the side characters were pretty well rounded too. The themes of self-confidence and loyalty/ betrayal were threaded throughout, and I thought it was very well done. I didn't give it more than four stars though because, ultimately, it was just a romance without anything deeper; soon it will settle into the marshy recesses of my mind where I will forget most of it. Four stars from me is a great rating though! To get five, a book has to be something really special and memorable. 

Last weekend I began watching The Morning Show on Prime and am about five episodes in (there are four seasons, so if I keep going, it will take a while to finish). I liked it a lot at first, but now I'm getting a little bored. This coming Sunday I have tickets to see Downton Abbey, The Grand Finale, and I am stoked! That was one of my most favorite series ever.

Our heat wave is over, hurrah.