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    A Compound Life
    A Compound Life
    A Compound Life
    Ebook161 pages1 hour

    A Compound Life

    By Gary McGee

    ()

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    About this ebook

    A Compound Life is a humorous take on everyday life, and maybe even a quirky look at some of our adventures at The Compound, and some of life's often overlooked simple pleasures; and even some lackluster, boring and mundane chores that we all must do.

    The Compound is a magical, mystical kind of place where only good things are "supposed" to happen. You may find a little satire or even a slight embellishment in some of the stories, now and again.

    A Compound Life - I think Dorothy said it best, "There's No Place Like Home"!

    Grab yourself a cold drink, a glass of wine, or a bottle of wine for that matter. Hell, grab a couple of six packs while you're at it, invite a few friends over and start your own book club!

    Sit back, relax and enjoy! I think you'll be glad you got that drink!
    LanguageEnglish
    PublishereBookIt.com
    Release dateApr 26, 2016
    ISBN9781456602796
    A Compound Life

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      Book preview

      A Compound Life - Gary McGee

      it!

      In The Beginning… (Isn’t that how the Bible starts?)

      As you now know having read the Preface; …you DID read the Preface and Acknowledgements, didn’t you? ….The Compound is a very unique place!

      It has been a long held belief among our friends and colleagues that I have it pretty good at home---- and have had for years and years. The story goes something like this......

      Every day after work I return to a beautiful home that is beautifully decorated, spotlessly clean, not a thing out of place. The yard is perfectly manicured, and a wonderful seven course gourmet meal has been prepared and is ready to eat the moment I get home. When I arrive at the door I am greeted by my beautiful wife, Jill, who is wearing a black teddy. She has a cold beverage in one hand, my slippers and the newspaper in the other, asking How was your day, dear?

      Well, this story is not entirely true. There was one occasion that she forgot my slippers!

      Whether you believe this story or not, life at The Compound is always an adventure. There is always work to do, there’s always a lot going on, it’s always fun around here, and there is always something good cooking in the kitchen.

      Jill is really a fantastic cook. She creates most things from scratch. She creates the best meals every day. I never quite know what to expect for dinner, but I do know it will always be good. She can come up with a great dinner menu and have something to eat with whatever she has in the refrigerator or freezer.

      If you can believe it, I’m not much of a cook, but over the past couple of years I have started to pay attention to all things food. I like to help in the kitchen and add my two cents worth and suggest something different, a new flavor or a new twist on an old favorite. Sometimes Jill even listens to me and is willing to try it out. Also, be aware, I have become a very good stirrer.

      We’ve become famous for Saturday Sandwiches, (I like to call them Saturday Sammies) and Sunday Brunch around here, and somebody; friends, family or both, always show up for the grub, just in time.

      Jill says, If I cook it, they will come, and she’s always right about that!

      The Command Center

      When you think of a command center, what comes to mind? A big secret room, - or for the lucky few - the top floor of an office building - with rooms full of TV screens and monitors, computers, surveillance equipment, and other high-tech gadgetry - maybe even a typewriter and some yellow legal pads. Or do you see a room with a long console or control panel with lots of buttons and blinking lights?, or a room where secret orders and activities are carried out with stealth-like precision? Maybe a room with the always important, Red Phone, a direct line connected to you know who, a room that requires Level 5 Security to gain access, with lots of important and powerful people running around making decisions that will influence and affect all of mankind? Or does, Houston, Come In Houston, We Have A Problem, ring any bells?, or what about the Oval Office itself, perhaps the most famous command center of all, wow - how would that be? Oh, one can only dream of a command center like these!

      My Command Center is much smaller in scale and scope, but equally as important to me. It is my own little corner of the world. It’s a place where I can think about things. It’s a place where I can conduct family business affairs and issues of the day. It’s a place where I feel I am in command; ....and Jill even said I could be in command. .... Actually, my command center is a little spot in the kitchen. It’s a place that I have been able to carve out for myself over the years. It is a place far away from the hustle and bustle of food and prep things. It’s a place where I can stand... (Out of the way, of course), and survey all that is mine. However, I can’t see very much from there, but it sounds impressive. My command center, hereinafter referred to as the C.C. is at the very end of the kitchen counter. I have about a 2’ section of counter space. I share my space with a clock and some nice looking leather bound photo albums. There is just enough room for my black leatherette satchel; ....that’s where I keep MY yellow legal pad. I also have a plug where I can recharge my cell phone. For security, a menacing looking rooster stands guard, 24-7. With my C.C. located at the end of the kitchen counter, I have plenty of room to pace the floor when contemplating the important decisions that I must make. I also have my very own barstool at the end of the counter - a place to rest my weary bones, a place to sit when I become fatigued from the rigors of too much thinking and way too much decision making.

      But the best thing about my C.C is.... I have my own drawer. Yes, my very own drawer. Nobody else gets to use it; ....as far as I know. As a master of organizational skills, I have neatly placed small boxes and tins inside the drawer. These small containers each hold their own assigned treasures. Pens, pencils, paper clips, even rubber bands have a spot. I have a very special place for the pink pearl. Also, a tape measure, you know, for measuring things is even in there. I have a stapler, a calculator, a letter opener, too. I keep extra batteries, extra keys, I even have keys that don’t seem to fit any locks, but I don’t dare get rid of them. I have a flashlight, screw drivers and pliers, masking tape, rulers and scissors. I have extra yellow legal pads and white out for my typewriter, (wow, I hope it hasn’t dried out). I have a spot for nuts and bolts and screws and nails and other stuff I take out of my pockets at the end of the day. I ‘m not sure if I’ll ever need them; but what if I did? Certainly, they are too good to throw away.

      I have just about anything for any situation or emergency that may present itself during the course of a very busy day; If I can find it!

      Well, enough about my drawer. I need to get back to the C.C. and take control of something, and start making some more decisions. As far as the secret and stealth-like stuff in my C.C. is concerned - to the untrained eye, my drawer would appear as nothing more than an ordinary junk drawer; and if I’m not there, my C.C. looks just like part of the kitchen!

      How’s that for sneaky?

      Bar Basics

      A couple of weeks ago, I was speaking with a friend and he told me that he was considering taking up drinking, and wondered if I could come up with a few suggestions on what he might need to set up his own bar at home, and help get him started in the right direction.

      At the time, I was a little preoccupied with the events of the day, but I told him I’d see what I could do. A week or so had passed, and I got a call from him, Hey, how are you coming on my list? I said I was working on it, (but I meant I hadn’t started it yet), I’ll try and get it to you as soon as I can. Wow, I thought to myself, how am I supposed to come up with a list? - Not just any list - A Bartender’s List. A daunting task to be sure, certainly not for the faint hearted - Then it hit me - Duh, why didn’t I think of this sooner? I’ll just go to MY bar and jot down a few of the things that I have on hand. This is what I sent to him:

      The following is a list of items that every Self-Respecting Bar should have in its arsenal.

      Bar Basics should include:

      A Cuisinart heavy duty blender/mixer (for mixing & crushing ice)

      A jigger measure

      A shot glass

      A heavy duty shaker

      A bar spoon, long spoon and stirring rod for mixing and stirring

      A corkscrew and wine bottle opener

      A strainer for straining ice, fruit, etc.

      A paring knife or two (2)

      A Bunch of Really Nice Bar Towels

      Basic Barware should include: A set of eight (8) each of the following:

      Old-Fashioned or Rock Glasses

      Shot Glasses

      Cocktail or Up Glasses

      Highball Glasses

      Sour Glasses

      Wine Glasses & Martini Glasses

      Champagne Flutes

      Pilsners for Beer

      Beer Mugs (must be frosted of course)

      and A Whole Bunch of Dixie Cups

      Basic Mixers & other Good Flavors are also necessary:

      Lemon Twists & Cherries

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