Bart "J.B." Hopkins's Blog, page 19
April 18, 2016
Down with Pico
There’s a new fave in my life…
Pico!
Yes, Pico De Gallo, my friends. The most wonderful and delicious snack known to mankind. So good. So good. Here’s a picture of some that my wife made:
Incredible. My mouth is watering looking at the picture.
Fresh onions, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, with a little lime juice, whoa…nothing better.
I learned on Wikipedia that the name literally translates to “Rooster’s Beak.” What the … ??
Whatever, it’s the best. You can read more about it here:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pico_de_gallo
Trust me, it’s the bestest. Go eat some today.
Bart
February 10, 2016
Stephen King Sale
This may be the best Kindle book deal I’ve seen since I started eReading.
Joyland is only 99 cents:
Go here and grab one: http://www.amazon.com/Joyland-Hard-Case-Crime-Stephen-ebook/dp/B00I75EROU
December 12, 2015
coulrophobia
Do you know what coulrophobia is?
Hint #1
Have you figured it out? If not, hint #2:
The Fear of clowns.
Yikes.
If never heard the official name until moments ago, reading SPREE by Konrath & Voss.
That is all.
December 6, 2015
Scott Weiland
I really liked STP in the 90s … Thanks for the good tunes, Scott Weiland.
obituary: http://flip.it/KliUb
November 26, 2015
Gobblegobble
To everyone out there, especially my deployed teammates, have a Happy Thanksgiving!
October 16, 2015
Enter Today, the greatest giveaway of all time!
Enter for your shot at winning an autographed copy of Like. Hurry … opportunities like this come but once in a lifetime!!!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Like
by Bart Hopkins
Giveaway ends November 15, 2015.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
October 5, 2015
World Teacher’s Day
Many good teachers have had a lasting impact on my life. From Ms. Edwards, my caring kindergarten teacher, to Mr. John, my high school physics teacher who treated us like soon-to-be adults whose opinions mattered.
Or Mrs. Vanderpool and Mrs. Marchand who instilled in me a love for Les Miserables.
My awesome Soanish teacher wife!
Thanks to all the teachers out there, today and always.
(Graphic courtesy of Grammarly.com)
September 20, 2015
Sunday morning
At 9am, I went to see what my kids were doing.
Rocky was fast asleep.
Jackie was sharpening pencils, getting ready for school tomorrow.
Ryan was laying down, awake. I piled in with my buddy for a few minutes, and while we were talking I noticed a large rock on his dresser that he’d unpacked.
“Where’d you get that one?” I asked.
“In Italy,” he said. “At that place we hiked the trails.”
“Cinque Terra?”
“Yeah.”
What an awesome bunch of kids! I’m a lucky guy.
September 16, 2015
50 days of torture?
The last few months have been an adventure!
We moved back to America in July, and South Carolina is where we’re hanging our hats now. The people are friendly despite the humidity and heat, and my high-schooler is in high spirits.
I celebrated my 40th at Chuck E Cheese.
I have a lot of stories, and hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to share later … The good, bad, and ugly. Yeah, this move hasn’t been all roses and gummy bears. It just about ripped the life out of me, and continues to nip at my soul, but I refuse to be beaten.
But enough of that. Lulu needs her end-of-night walk … and I’ll be there beside her, little bag over my hand. Waiting.
G’night,
Bart
July 30, 2015
Hello, America
I’m home! Back in the country of my birth and upbringing: ‘Murica!
After a four-year stint in Germany, the Hopkins Five have returned. The 4000-mile plane ride and 600-mile drive ended yesterday, can I get an Amen! It’s nice to be back.
To celebrate, we had an Outback Steakhouse bloomin’ onion last night that was amazing. Mmmm. I’ve always been a fan of the Outback.
Along the way, my kids have periodically squealed with delight at icons of American consumerism like Best Buy, PETCO, and KFC.
Getting here was not always nice, though.
We’ve been in hotels for a week, living out of suitcases. Twenty suitcases and bags, to be exact, since we messed up and held back too much from the movers. Our pile of luggage required four luggage carts to move at the Baltimore airport.
In fairness, those carts were small, and we have some small bags and a pet dog, too. Lulu failed to comment on her journey across the Atlantic in a pet crate, but we’re hugging her a lot to make up for it. She’s a good pup.
We went to pick up our car that was to be delivered by July 29th. It wasn’t there. Promises not kept. Ugh. Time to turn in the current rental and get another rental and call and ask questions for which there will be no acceptable answers. Thanks a lot, Capitol Motors.
The task of finding a house seems insurmountable, but hopefully I’m wrong about that. A week of sleep might change my outlook.
My kids are watching cartoons. They said good bye to cherished friends, but they’re tough … resilient like my old epoxy surfboard. They take dings but are easily repaired. The Cartoon Network is entertaining them this morning. Laughs are the standard; adventure is our life. They are the best.
Good sleep has eluded me. My wife and kids are doing well, I think. When I woke up after 3 hours and wandered around the hotel room, they all seemed to be content, visiting other realities in their dreams … Maybe Hogwarts or something. But I’m feeling good. Land of the free and home of the brave. Let’s do this.
