FOURTH OF JULY

 I had planned on having a decent meal for Independence Day ("decent" by my frugal standards) - - hamburgers or pork chops, homemade potato salad, corn on the cob.....perhaps ice cream or a watermelon.

My plan fizzled like an errant Chinese firecracker. I don't have any of the aforementioned food. I haven't gone shopping in town for the past two months.

I am so thoroughly and vehemently disgusted with having to drive a zillion miles for a freaking gallon of milk, that I simply refuse to do it. I'm tired of piloting narrow, dangerous mountain roads when I'm in deplorable health and have a car that's falling apart.
It's gotten to the point that I'd rather die here in the wilderness than venture out.

My only alternative method of obtaining supplies is ordering them from Walmart. The orders usually arrive within two days via FedEx.

The only unfortunate aspect is that Walmart doesn't deliver perishable groceries in my area. I can't get milk, bread, eggs, cheese, or any frozen foods.

I've learned to make due with what's available - - canned meats, fruit, and vegetables. Canned tuna, mackerel, and salmon. Canned or powered milk. Plenty of beans and rice. Soup and crackers. An ample assortment of pasta, pasta sauce....and spaghetti. Canned chili, stew, and ravioli. Soda, apple juice, and grape juice. Pancakes and syrup. Cereal, hot or cold.
Not a bad selection.

Recently I discovered that tortillas are available. I happened to have ground beef in my freezer- - so today my Fourth of July meal will consist of burritos and Spanish rice.

I found a simple Internet recipe for ice cream (ice milk, really) - which consists of milk ( I use evaporated milk), condensed milk, and soda. I used Orange Crush and it's quite good. I'm thinking that root beer would be good, too.

I also make a Spartan "milkshake" drink with a can of frosted soda and some evaporated milk. You can throw in a tiny bit of condensed milk, too, but it might be too sweet for some palates.

So how's my holiday weekend?

Generally miserable. Thunderstorms and torrential rain every day. Seven power outages in two days - - thankfully they were short in duration.

Worst of all is a massive invasion of gnats. Happens every summer but this year is the worst. They are EXTREMELY aggressive - - in my food, in the ice tea, in my face.
As if I didn't have enough problems.....

Perhaps I'll watch a movie today - but it won't be Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney. I watched that last year. The endless song and dance patriotic flick was a crucifixion. Two hours into it and I was ready to join the Communist Party (lighten up - it's an attempt at humor).

Speaking of crucifixions, have you read my previous post The Long Interview? The link is on my sidebar. 

For anyone interested, I'll post Part Two later this week   (maybe.....)

 Have a pleasant Fourth!

                                          Cheers, Jon