Wild Goose on the Fly Jalapeno Peppers & Beer Part 6 Here Come The Cowboys

Wild Goose on The Fly  Real?  Imagined?  Tantalizing Mix?

One eye  opened.  The second eye wasn’t ready to greet the day.  The drapes didn’t quite fit the window, so sunshine streamed around the edges.

Woo Hoo!  This was D Day, departure day.  My second eye flew open.  Okay time to rise.  I hoped the mechanic was as talented at fixing cars, as he was in his ability to hurtle chew spittle six feet and hit the bucket every time.

Previously fantasizing about the simple life had occupied a corner of my mind .  After the first eventful day, I was living the simple life.  One café equals one choice.  So I had breakfast and late lunch with a takeout sandwich for dinner.  Then it was walking, reading and sleeping.  Or I had the choice of reading, walking and sleeping.  Or walking, sleeping and walking and no reading.   If I was forced to stay here another day, maybe I would take the time to see how many permutations were possible.  This version of the simple life would be a hard sell as fodder for a reality show.  Well how simple is it, Clyde?   Oops am I forgetting my first day?   Boredom like aliens who crawl into your ears will eat away your memory.

Squeezing myself into the tiny shower I prayed the hot water would last at least  five minutes. It didn’t.  Plugging in my blow dryer reminded me of Lumina’s  card reading. Don’t ask me what the connection is between the two.   Her technicolor gypsy wagon was still parked in its spot, but I hadn’t spied any sign of her.

Pivotal life changes, stop worrying and have fun, be optimistic because it was the spark to everything, what was so unique about all of that? Nada my Romanian queen, those broad platitudes could apply to anyone.  In fact I had been cheated, because no tall, dark and handsome stranger was included in my predictions. Despite my pooh pooh attitude, my solar plexus was taking it a bit more seriously.  Why was that?  Mentally I put up a detour sign, before I wandered down that path.

As I was wiggling into my jeans—-The Cowboy Hat’s food was a delectable home cooking surprise—–I heard a whining sound and a funny oof oof cough.   One last hop and my recalcitrant jeans were in place.  Dang those slices of hot apple cinnamon pie were homesteading on my hips.  I opened the door.  Tied to a post outside my door was a little Raggedy Andy dog tied with a note tucked into his collar.   It read:  He is your guide otherwise you will forget, Lumina.  I looked to the end of the parking lot, no gypsy trailer.  Wow, big surprise.  Crap.  Are all gypsies so mettlesome?

” Hey little fella, nothing personal but my life style doesn’t have a flex plan to include a  dog.   I’ll go talk to the motel manager and get this taken care of.” I patted his silky head.

Five minutes later the manager was saying what I didn’t want to hear. ” I am sorry lady, but it’s not my problem  someone gave you a dog.”

“But it’s not a wanted  gift, I said.

“Neither was our  last child, but she turned out to be a great kid.”  He glanced out the  window. “It’s just a runt.  It could’ve been worse.”

“Surely someone in this town needs a nice little dog for their kids.” I stared at him  earnestly.

“Lady, fuzzy butt mutts ring up as a no sale.  Times are tough. If someone has a dog, it’s a working dog.   Folks around here don’t have the extra cash to shell out for another mouth to feed.”

As I walked back to the room, the dog watched me expectedly. His stubby tail thumbed the cement.  “Do NOT give me the woeful  look treatment.  This train doesn’t stop at the sad dog station.  I’m sorry, but I didn’t ask for you.  I can’t take you, even if I wanted to.”

I opened the door and flopped down on the bed.   Slow down.  Simple life.  Simple problems.  Simple solutions. I’m checking out today and my bill is prepaid.  After one more outstanding breakfast at the Cowboy Hat, I’ll ransom my car back from the mechanic, load up, leave the key on the dresser and power out of town, leaving Raggedy Andy behind.   What’s the manager going to do?  Round up a posse and chase me down.

“I’m not hard hearted,” I said, as I put a bowl of water down beside the dog.  “Someone will  take you, just not me.  The manager is wearing his pessimist face.  See little guy,  I’m taking Lumina’s advice and being optimistic.”  Despite hearing another wee whine I determinedly half trotted to the café.

“I’ll have two eggs sunny side up and a couple of those unbelievable cowboy biscuits,” I said to the Trudy, the waitress with the lazy smile and the cross hatches at the corners of her eyes.

“Fresh batch of biscuits will be out in about five minutes.  Nice to see you this morning.  I’ll get your cream ,”  she said as she poured my coffee into a copious ceramic mug.

“Thanks for remembering the cream.”  Yes sirree Bob, I had already become a regular.  For a nano second a warm mini surge crept up my spine.

” Hey Trudy, do you know of anyone who would like a cute little dog?’ I asked.

‘No, sorry.  Most dogs around here are working dogs.”

“Yeah, that’s what I heard,” I said.

“It’s common for puppies and  unwanted house dogs to be put down.  It’s kinder, don’t you know, rather than dumping them and letting them starve.” she said. “Bang, its over.”

Bang and its over?   Steady, girl.   That dog is not your problem.

Quickly changing the subject I joked, ” I love those cowboy biscuits.  Too bad you don’t have any cowboys to eat them.”

Trudy laughed, “Honey, it’s Monday today.  We already had a passel of cowboys in here chowing down.  In fact here comes another bunch right now.”   She pointed out the window.

Oh Lordy, the little café was almost full.  Where were they are going to sit, I thought as I looked at the three empty chairs at my table.

Cowboy Biscuits   Mouth watering recipe by This Is How I Cook
1 1/2 c flour
T baking powder
1/2 c cornmeal
1/2 t salt
2 T sugar
1 egg
1 c heavy cream, whipped
3 T chopped green onions
1 T chopped fresh sage
1/2 c sharp cheddar or jalapeno jack
1/2 c chopped green chilies
2 T cream to help bind the mixture

Directions:
Mix dry ingredients together. Stir in egg. Fold in whipped cream. Stir in green onions, sage, cheese and chilies. Use extra cream to bind mixture.

Turn out on to a floured surface and knead by folding mixture a few times. Form into a rectangle about 8 x 5 and 3/4″ thick. This is if you want big, soft, tender, flaky biscuits. Cut into squares or use a round cookie cutter to shape. If you choose to use a cookie cutter, keep your scraps to make more biscuits. Place on an ungreased baking sheet or into a cast iron skillet. I like the rounds or squares to touch so that the sides of the biscuit stay soft.  If you like a crunchier, more golden biscuit, pat dough into a bigger, thinner rectangle and leave room between the dough, when you place it on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Green Chile  Sage Honey Butter

1 stick softened butter
2 T honey
2 t chopped sage
1/4 c chopped green chilies

Whip butter together in a bowl with honey. Stir in sage and chilies. This is good stuff!

http://thisishowicook.blogspot.com/

Woo Hoo!   This  was my D Day, my departure day.

According to the mechanic I could  pick up my car and leave mid-day.  After that first eventful day at the tavern and my woo woo dinner with Lumina, my two days here revolved around walking reading and sleeping.  My social highlights were breakfast and a  late lunch at the Brown Hat Café.  Lumina’s gypsy wagon was still parked at the end, but I didn’t see any sign of