Catherine Coulter's Blog: I'm Baaaack!, page 11

September 17, 2021

Friday, 17th September -- Everyone, I told you about the wonderful chili and many of you wanted the recipe: Here it is -- from Della Burroughs's Other Half:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 packs Chili-O mix
2 16 oz. cans Bush's Chili Beans
1 29 oz. can Cantadina tomato sauce
1 28 oz. can Rotel original diced tomatoes w/chilis
Brown meat -- add all the other stuff and simmer for as long as you like. I cut the recipe in half, no problem. I sweetened the Jiffy cornbread mix with Splenda and a bit of Vanilla Extract) and of course there were tortilla chips.
Thank you, Mr. Burroughs. Thank you, Della for buying the ingredients and sharing it with all of us.
Magnificent two-mile walk yesterday -- I'll post photos. How about you guys? How virtuous were you?
It's Friday -- yes, yes, I know, it's an amazing day, after work this afternoon, it's the start of the weekend. What are your plans for the weekend? Leaving town? Staying, but having great fun, say going to a football game? Let me know. If you're having physical problems, lay low, and get yourself better -- if you're almost well, DO NOT overdo, okay?
Nearly time to bring out HALOWEEN decorations -- what fun.

September 16, 2021

Thursday, 16th September: To the wonderful woman who sent me the chili recipe her husband uses -- I tried to find your email so I could thank you BY NAME, but the sucker must have traveled to another chili lover to make their day, so if you're reading this, know I tried the chili and it was one of the best I've ever had in my life. Thank you and do give your other half a big thank you smooch --
Everyone ready for Thursday night football? I guess I have to go with Washington over the NY Giants. How about you guys?
Cold and windy when we walked toward the ocean yesterday, so peeled inland on a lovely walk to a campground, out of the wind, and I swear, the temp went up a good ten degrees. Yep, it was a three layers plus hoodie sort of walk -- well, you sure don't sweat. About two miles roundtrip. So many of you walk at least two miles every single day, some even more, which means, by definition, that you're positively golden and you're going to get the best Christmas presents imaginable. Birthday first, you're going to score.
Work today -- hypnosis session with Kirra -- I'd written the chapter a couple of months ago so it's just spiffying it up a bit.
Everyone, outside you go unless there's a deluge or golf-size hail. Do always try to walk with a friend, a dog, an other half -- it's more fun, and don't forget your watch, iPad, whatever you use to snap photos.
Open your arms and welcome in this fantastic day --

September 10, 2021

Friday, 10th September -- BUCS WON -- wasn't that a crazy exciting game? Mistakes, incredible plays, and Brady pulled it out by 2 points. Okay, I'm 1-0 so far. I'd forgotten how much fun this is. Can't wait until Sunday --
Overcast here, high in the upper sixties -- par for the course here. Yesterday, took a great walk to the "rifle range" -- this is a huge golden field where soldiers practiced shooting, closed down after WW2. The walk is along a cliff edge looking north with the wide Gerbode Valley, slashing through all the hills. In the distance is Rodeo Beach -- you walk until the trail goes downhill sharply for maybe a mile. Never go that far, why? Because you have to walk back up it and it's very very step and LONG plus I'm just too lazy.
All is good here on a Friday -- working on Reckoning, Sherlock in deep caca and Kirra? Big surprise for her coming right up --
Everyone, when you're out and about working on your fitness, remember I sure like having your spirits with me on walks. Okay?

September 9, 2021

Thursday, September 9, 2021:
Beautiful weather here, well, on the cool side today -- but for the past three days, it's been shirt weather hiking -- Today, maybe a couple of layers -- heading again for the beach this afternoon, can't stay away it's so gorgeous, always. Hiked yesterday to Point Bonita, a lighthouse on the edge of the Marin Headlands, then walked by Battery Mendell, built in 1905, retired in 1943 because the war needed the materials. Do you know that all the batteries built to protect San Francisco were never fired at an enemy? I'm thinking, for example, in WW2 the Japanese knew about all those guns, some could shoot 16 miles, and that's why they didn't try to invade. Who knows?
Everyone's feet on the ground walking, walking, spirits all held close to your heart -- let's go!

September 7, 2021

Tuesday, 7th September -- Yesterday went to Rodeo Beach and walked the Tennessee trail to the point. You ready for this on LABOR DAY (I forgot to tell everyone yesterday, HAPPY LABOR DAY) It was a gorgeous warm day and there were at least 500 people there, sunning, surfing, walking, biking, segueing -- but not very few on the ocean view trail -- I hope all of you had a great day -- I know your food was fantabulous --
Today, work, as always, RECKONING is moving right along, bad stuff is going to happen to Sherlock and Molly Hunt today, just gotta figure out the most realistic, surprising way to get them.
Then it's outside to kick up the heels while walking beside the Bay -- another perfect day is forecasted -- yea! Will you be with me, i.e., will you out dancing and strutting your stuff along with me, your spirit, that is?

September 3, 2021

Friday, 3rd September - Glorious day today -- well, that's sort of a small lie -- right now it's in the fifties, the high in the sixties, typical summer weather. BUT it's September! The weather minions are laughing at me, makes sense since I haven't consulted them about anything (except please rain) for a while and they must be pissed. Our weather is weird -- in a couple of weeks it'll be really hot for at least 7 days and everyone will complain, try to find their shorts, buy up all the fans -- no air conditioning, not here. Everyone wants it, but when it's here and it's hot, you wouldn't be the complaints. Are you guys beginning to cool down?
Yesterday's 2-mile walk was amazing -- my legs were humming, saying about time, mama, move faster, let us run, let us maybe fly. So all was well. I'm not certain, but maybe I felt some of your spirits with me?
Friday yet again -- interesting, but I would have considered offering not to eat the banana bread I made last evening if only I would have slept in. Oh yes, I did have a taste this morning, yum, what with my doubling the mashed bananas, adding lots of pecan pieces, some sour cream and vanilla extract. Oh, dude, the thighs pulse, then burst into song.
Get outside and roam around, if you're able, and start doing a hurry-up whammy on all the trees, you're focusing, concentrating on their changing leaves. The best thing about Fall -- the gorgeous leaves (yes, you will post photos) and Halloween.
Go forth and be happy. Life is a wonderful thing.

September 2, 2021

Thursday, 2nd September -- Eli wanted to snuggle early this morning, but under the covers, burrowing around, trying to find the right temperature, the exact right place to lick and knead. What can you do? Yep, covers over the head and pulled him against me, and he must have been dreaming because he mewed a couple of times and twitched. I love cats. All right, moving right along.
Next Thursday starts the 2021 pro football season. I'll post next Wednesday. Everyone, pull your small notebook to enter your choices and scores for each week. I'll pick four teams, as usual -- Amazing, this season we have 17 games -- Are the players getting more money for that extra game? I doubt it, but if anyone knows for sure, shout out.
Back to hiking today -- my spirit has enjoyed hiking with your guys over the last week and a half. Now, today, sorry, but I'm keeping my spirit inside my three layers (yes, it's cold again in Sausalito and we'll be walking down by the Bay. Brrrr.) But so beautiful, it's worth it.
I'm thinking chili for dinner. What about you?

September 1, 2021

Wednesday, 1st September -- Here we go nearing Fall and cooler weather for you guys (maybe warmed for me) -- Now, here's what we're going to do today: NO TV NEWS again -- did you feel your stress levels plunging yesterday when you didn't get depressed/angry/frustrated? Let's do it again today -- just say no to TV news. Bake a cobbler (preferably apple), read a book (preferably one of mine), fix the toilet (No, this time, not mine) and get yourselves outside and walk around and nod or say hi to neighbors or strangers, but DO NOT have a conversation about any of the crappy stuff going on, all right? Prayers are great, but keep your minds busy with other stuff.

August 31, 2021

Tuesday, 31st August -- Today is going to be just swell. Don't you feel it in your bones? So many concerns, Ida, fires, Afghanistan, COVID -- we need a break. So today, I want you to take a couple of deep breaths and then DO NOT turn on any TV news -- unless you have to, that is, you're directly involved in the bad stuff, then know we're all sending speed-of-light prayers to you throughout the day. As for the rest of us, let's all break free, go out into nature if it isn't too hot, and let our mind settle. I'm thinking blood-pressure go down. Let's all try to feel glad to be healthy and positive again. Remember, no TV news -- go to reruns of THE BIG BANG THEORY -- that'll smooth you right out, along with a lovely glass of chardonnay or a beer.
Deep breath, everyone.

August 26, 2021

Thursday, 26th August -- Time took off like a rocket this week, Thursday, ALREADY. Nice and cool here, nothing new. One of you had the exact photo I just posted at Tennessee Point, Rodeo Beach -- it really is spectacular, but you always wear three layers. Amazingly, one day, I don't know, back sometime in the dim past, it was sports-bra warm and everyone was hootin' and hollerin' dancing on the beach, lots of swimmers and surfers, and the hikers were really stripped down. Sigh, I wish I could remember the feeling.
RECKONING is coming along smartly, I know where I'm going. Do you remember Molly Hunt's dad, Mason Lord, the big crime boss? The Target, Backfire -- he's back in this one along with the Hunts, and I've given him a new bride, 23 years old. We'll see how that plays out. He came to Washington to take care of all the problems. It's such fun.
Out you go today, once again I'm with you in spirit and my spirit is loud, my spirit will nag you to walk just one more quarter mile.