New Albany , Indiana is where you will find the Boomtown Kitchen. Bruce had seen it on WDRB channel 41 and it did not disappoint.

July of 1994 it was. My family had just ordered breakfast at the Perkins Restaurant in Fort Collins , Colorado. Two year old Lawyer was restless so he and I went on walkabout. I was wearing my Notre Dame Four Horsemen shirt that I had purchased at the Notre Dame bookstore. As we walked around the restaurant, a gentleman noticed the shirt and asked, “Are you a Notre Dame fan?” I replied, “I am from Indiana and I have been to the campus. Did you go there?”

Grinning, he said “No.” pointing to my shirt “But that guy right there is my Dad!”

What, The What!?!

I slide into the booth and have a conversation with Harry Stuhldreher, Jr. He talks about how after his famed career at Notre Dame that “Dad” coached at Wisconsin and he was visiting his daughter in Colorado etc. Lawyer had wandered back to his mom and after a while she came and said that our food had arrived. I shook Harry’s hand and returned to my table. We happened to be leaving at the same time and thought to ask for a picture. You can tell that we both appreciated the visit.

The Four Horsemen were made famous not just by their talent, but also by an article after the Army game written by sportswriter Grantland Rice of the New York-Herald Tribune on October 19, 1924.

“Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again. In dramatic lore they are know as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. There real names are Stuhldreher, Miller, Crowley and Layden.”

This Stromboli from Brooklyn Pizza is incredible! Looks like a big calzone and the taste will bring you back.

Besides the cream ale, I also had a Pumpkin Pie Hole. Shawn has some great names for his brews and with the tent outside and the 🔥 fire pit, David an I didn’t mind sitting outside in November.

The goal was to have a quick and satisfying breakfast. So, Sunday night I fried five 🍳 eggs and they just need heated up. Microwave 🥓 bacon is fast and easy. ( I might try ham in a day or two.)Bagel in the toaster and a slice of cheese and “Voila!” Monday is was an English muffin and by Friday it might just be toast. But it’s all good! The 🔑 key was frying the eggs ahead of time.

Did you ever here the chicken 🐓 and the pig 🐷 relationship analogy? On this 🥪 sandwich, the chicken is involved. But the pig, he is committed.

I started the day with church, fantasy football 🏈 and Words With Friends. I end up doing some colloquy (Lutheran Teacher Training) with my only responsibility being to help grill some pork chops for dinner.

As the 81 degree November day progressed I spent some time typing and some time relaxing on the deck. Even considered jumping into a dusty pool.

The Asian Slaw is always fantastic! The pork chop with Chef’s Secret seasoning and Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce was in point. You can’t go wrong with Bob Evans. Let alone, the corn casserole!!!

All is good. And then… Nina has made Frito Bars for dessert!!!

This was the first family dinner in about six weeks due to three of us contracting the virus. Thank goodness for Sunday dinner!!!

I covered the Blackstone Griddle with 🧅 onions and mushrooms 🍄 and then grilled the burgers 🍔. I added American and Colby 🧀 cheese and topped it with the mushroom s and onions. I believe that this is “Restaurant Quality.”

RaeAnn was born on May 31, 1989. Lawyer was born July 16, 1992. On both of these occasions I met my father in the hallway and waves of emotion broke over me as I gained a new perspective on life.

I contracted “The Covid” and was sick when my grandson, Lawson, was born on October 9 and then I gave “The Covid” to Heidi so we were unable to visit him until yesterday when he was two weeks old.

After holding him for the first time I hugged Lawyer. And just like those instances in 1989 and 1992, tears cried from my 👀 eyes. Another new perspective.

Oh, and by the way, we took them some lasagna and some peanutbutter blossom 🍪 cookies.

Heidi leaves me distinct instructions.

1. Put the potatoes 🥔 in at 6:00 at 375.

2. Put the asparagus in at 6:45 at 350.

3. Have the chicken ready at 7:00.

She wants me to succeed so she gives me exact instructions to follow. (Women, follow her lead.)

Every time I walk into the house the garlic potatoes knock me over!

The chicken was marinated in Italian dressing and grilled on indirect heat for 30 minutes and then crispied up over the coals. Tasty!!!

The red potatoes 🥔: Garlic powder, onion powder, Parmesan, paprika, salt and pepper. Holy guacamole!!! This is a home run!!!

And then… Nina says , “ Let’s make some deep fried Oreos wrapped in a biscuit and topped with rice crispies. Sprinkled with powdered sugar.” Who doesn’t think that is a great idea!!!

The talent around here is like the energizer bunny… It keeps going and going!!!

A La Nina Hackman. Yellow cake mix. 🎂 Big Red Zero. Sugar Free Cool Whip and sugar free vanilla pudding for the topping. This is a Cadillac!!! Super moist and wonderful flavor. Try not to eat the whole thing! The cake mix could be the only ingredient with sugar. Depending on how you fix it.

The best way to get everyone to church is to send a message the night before. “Church tomorrow and breakfast Goecker’s. Plan accordingly.”

David Goecker makes his own strawberry 🍓 jam and it is delicious 😋! So after receiving the Word at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Dudleytown, our families caught up and enjoyed biscuits and gravy, bacon 🥓 and that awesome strawberry 🍓 jam!!!

I almost feel kind of guilty. Dave and Sherry did the cooking while we watched and visited. Regardless, it was a success!!!