What's the best burger you ever ate?

I watch the food channel a lot, sometimes with only half an eye as my attention is focused on the work on my desk, but by late morning I usually have it on (okay, I'm a TODAY show junkie). Today the show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" was devoted to burgers, and there were some tempting concoctions there, including a cheeseburger topped by potato chips But I got to thinking the best burger I ever ate was at home: I buy the prepared chopped sirloin patties at Central Market, cut them in half, and freeze half. Shape the other half into a pattie, sprinkle the skillet liberally with salt but no oil, and slap the patty on at high heat. Brown on one side, turn, brown, and remove. It comes out crispy and good on the outside and warm but barely cooked on the inside--just the way I love it. I toast a piece of rye bread, put mayo on it, cut in half, top one half with the burger, a tomato slice, and maybe a bit of red onion. So good! My mom taught me the salt trick years ago.
I was no slouch in the kitchen tonight either. We had Jordan's birthday party and bless her heart, she worked herself into a frenzy over it--we held it on my porch. Her friends used to come to porch parties all the time, and they miss them. In recent years, as little children appeared, it was easier to have patio parties at Jordan and Christian's  where there's an enclosed yard, etc. But we decided on a nostalgic porch party--which meant Jordan transported 40 carloads of stuff--well, it seemed that way. We had chicken nuggets and cheese sticks and juice boxes and bananas for the kids; she brought meatballs and taquitos for the adults, and I made four dips--a bean/cheese one, a spinach/cheese/artichoke, our traditional corn dip, and--best of all to me--a reuben dip, with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, 1000 Island dressing, and just enough cream cheese to hold it all together. Jeannie, if you're reading this, I suggest that for lunch tomorrow.
Jordan worked herself into a second frenzy cleaning the kitchen--I helped when I could, when all the guests left. But she left me in great shape, and I didn't have to do a lot. The party was a lot of work for both of us, but I found it worth it. I've known and loved some of these young people for almost twenty years, and it's been a while since I've seen them. Special delight was that the Frisco Alters came, and I had a good visit with Jamie and Mel and some visits with Maddie and Edie. Maddie mostly spent her time looking after young children, and Edie hung around her parents, but it was so good to see those delightful girls. Jacob was beyond excitement with about ten kids to play with in the front yard. They tossed frisbies, had ice fights, jumped rope and just plain ran.
So tonight I am thankful for family and friends and once again counting my blessings. Tomorrow? A genealogy day!

Sibling love and work, work, work

Lisa sent this picture of Morgan and Kegan and titled it "Sibling love." To my mind, Kegan looks a little . . . well, cautious. He had just had his first haircut. I figure I can show off my Houston kids once in a while. As a baby, Morgan looked just like her dad but now she favors her mom, and Kegan looks a lot like his dad did as an infant. I told Colin a friend of mine had a new grandchild named Morgan, and he said, "Yeah, a lot of people are using that for boys." No, no, I said, this one's a girl too.

Busy days. Getting hit with a statistical project to trace where our books are sold (title by title!), a grant proposal to be refined, and notice of an academic support program review to be written next year almost sent me into retirement today. Those Scots were looking better and better. I hate doing things at the last minute, and the grant is due Tuesday, so, to me, this is last minute and I'm still "refining" and struggling with budget. Hate it! But I do think we have a good proposal. As for the title by title analysis, while Melinda was nodding sagely and saying she could do this, that and the other electronically, I was groaning. She reminds me I am left-brained, which I guess is a compliment, but not suited for such picky work--she loves it.

Last night Betty and I had our weekly dinner. I had visions of a nice rare sirloin burger at Cafe Aspen. Not just any burger--it had to be one of meat good enough to eat quite rare. But at the last minute, Jordan and Jacob came by--she was not dressed for Cafe Aspen and wouldn't have taken Jacob there anyway, so we went to Hofbrau. Jacob was his most charming self, all smiles and flirtatious looks, generously sharing the crayons and dipping his French frie (the same one over and over) into everyone's ranch dressing. Betty loved it.

So tonight I thought I'd get my good burger. June, my dean, was taking visiting authors to dinner and invited me. The local author, host of an interview program on campus later this evening, said he'd choose a restaurant, and somehow I convinced myseslf he'd choose a new but good local burger joint. He didn't--he chose the Mexican food place I like least of all in town. Maybe I can get that burger tomorrow!

The author being interviewed tonight was James Donovan, whose new book is A Terrible Glory, the "definitive" book on the Battle of Little Big Horn. Since I did a novel titled Libbie about twelve years ago, I know something about Custer and the massacre--and Libbie whose mention tonight earned me a nice mention of my title. That battle is one of the most complicated military stories I've ever heard, and there are many details Jim admitted we can't be sure about. But he gave a balanced interpretation, and I was most impressed by his grasp of the many facts of the battle and of Custer's career. I still disagree with him on one point--I do think Custer was arrogant, but as one friend said after the program, maybe you have to be in order to be a military leader. Wow, could I run with that one in today's politics, but I will let it lie quietly.