Turning that Luck Around

Welcome to the first Friday the 13th of the New Year. It’s not just any Friday the 13th, but the very first one. And that makes it special. This day must have been created with our elected officials in mind.

Forty-one years ago, a woman named Anne Moeller of Clio, Michigan got off to a bad start. Her alarm clock failed to go off, creating a domino effect of bad luck throughout the day. She blamed the alarm clock, and as things spiraled out of control, it was the traffic, coworkers, the man in line ahead of her, anything and everything was out of her control. None of it was her fault.

Anne went on to establish the first Friday the 13th of the year is as National Blame Someone Else Day. Whatever misfortune may come your way, just blame someone else. It’s a free pass. Blow your stack, throw a fit, behave badly. It’s not your fault – its circumstance beyond your control, or in the case of our elected officials, the opposing party or other world leaders. Inflation? Someone else’s fault. Supply shortages? Someone else must be to blame. While Anne and the rest of the world are allowed to blame others one day a year, Washington lives in a world where every day is the first Friday the 13th of the new year. So nothing is ever their fault. And that’s my Political Rant for today.

Having a bad Friday the 13th? I know what will brighten even the darkest of moods on this unlucky day. A beautifully prepared, simple yet elegant Friday Supper is sure to please. Enjoy!

Buttery Thyme Pan-Fried Tilapia
3 Tilapia Filets
2 tablespoon Butter
1 teaspoon Thyme
Lemon Pepper to taste
1/3 cup White Wine

If frozen, thaw tilapia in the refrigerator overnight. Pat as dry as possible with paper towels. Season with Lemon Pepper to taste, set aside

Set a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan as it warms. Scatter thyme over the melted butter. Swirl pan to coat bottom in thyme butter. Increase heat to medium-high.

Place the fish in the pan without over crowding. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat without disturbing for 3 minutes or until a nice crust has developed on the fish. Gently turn with spatula cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Add wine, swirl pan and let cook until heated through and fish is flaky. Plate tilapia, drizzle with pan juices and enjoy.