My neighborhood is filled with eclectic tastes and I really like it that way.

So all right, here’s the scoop on the neighbors across the street.

They don’t eat meat.

Yes, it’s true. Don’t. Eat. Meat.

We, personally, don’t understand that.

My husband and I like to have our friends and neighbors over to the house to share a great meal (usually something we’ve grilled up) and some great conversation.

And the talk always turns to food. Likes, dislikes, best ways to prepare certain foods.

So . . . what would we have to talk about with a couple who doesn’t eat meat?

What would we serve at that dinner party?

Meat is such an essential ingredient for us. It’s the big show. The main event. It’s what we build the entire meal around.

We’re lost without it. We wouldn’t know what to do with ourselves.

Don’t get me wrong. Our neighbors are wonderful people. We’ve had lively conversations with them out by the curb. And we’d love to have them over.

But only if we can bring them over to the dark side.

Until then, our relationship will have to be restricted to neighborly nods and discussions about weather and landscaping.

It’s just too bad they can’t appreciate the intoxicating smell of a sizzling steak on the grill. They’re missing out on one of life’s greatest pleasures.

I wonder what would happen if I left a steaming hot gift basket on their doorstep, rang the bell and ran . . .

So, I’ve told you about my neighbor Eddie. Now here’s the skinny on the neighbors on the other side.

They like to eat like we do. And now they’re on the Atkins Diet.

So basically that means they only eat steak, beef of any kind, chicken, bacon and various pork products.

At least that’s their interpretation of the diet. Needless to say, they’re having a grand old time with it.

Now that’s my kind of diet!

I don’t know whether they’ve lost any weight on it, but who cares? They’re eating steak, steak and more steak!

Is this a great country or what? 

Stay tuned tomorrow for the lowdown on the neighbors across the street.

I hope you had a great weekend!

We did. My husband and I drove 3 1/2 hours to go to a basketball game at our alma mater.

We lost. 🙁 But we got to reconnect with some old friends and play around at our old stomping grounds. 🙂

We spent most of our time in town saying, “We didn’t have anything like this when we were here!”

You know you’re getting old when that happens.

While there, we decided we would try a new swanky steakhouse that had just opened days before.

As we waited for our table at the restaurant, we noted that most of the others waiting for their tables were students with their parents.

This town IS the university and since most students have absolutely no money, who else can afford to eat there?

Our meal was lovely, but $220 later I decided I would rather have eaten my steak at home.

There would have been no wait and for less than a third of the cost I could have had my steak EXACTLY the way I like it–Teriyaki sauce and all.

So, good luck dear steakhouse. You’ll need it.

I think I will prepare your obituary . . . just in case.