Teacher Appreciation and Beyond

Here it is, the second day of May. This year really seems to be flying right along. Today is World Tuna Day, Foster Care Day, Life Insurance Day, Truffle Day and best of all; Teacher Appreciation Day. Can you believe this is the first time I’ve given a shout out to Teacher Appreciation Day?

I get not paying much attention to Life Insurance Day. No offense to those who sell insurance, but it’s a fairly boring subject. And while we should think about life insurance, most of us don’t. Do I have a policy? Yes, and that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.

World Tuna Day – we could talk about making a childhood favorite Tuna Casserole or a Catholic Stable Tuna Fish Sandwiches. But that’s not really what World Tuna Day is all about. It’s a reminder that we need to pay attention to the sustainability of our fishing industry and don’t squander God’s gifts. Speaking of tuna, did you know that a can of tuna has a shelf life of up to 4 years? It’s the most popular seafood produce in America after shrimp. And tuna is a great part of a heart-healthy diet. Okay, that’s all for tuna today.

Foster Care is so important. May is Foster Care Month. I really can’t speak for other countries, but here there is a shortage of people willing to take on the problems of caring for a child who is a victim of neglect or abuse. At any given time, there are over 400,000 children in the foster care system, with a new child placed into protective care every 2 minutes. That’s frightening. It’s not helping that in some “woke” communities, Christians aren’t being considered because they are “too close-minded”. Really? There are some crazies on both sides of the religious aisle. Don’t get me started . . .

Aright then, Truffle Day – had to look that one up. Did they mean the truffles you need a pig to find? Or the sweet kind. Either way, truffles are expensive! Turns out, they meant the kind you find in a gourmet candy shop. I don’t know about you, but I try to avoid truffles as much as possible. I could easily eat my weight in sinful liqueur laced truffles. Truffles have been tempting us since 1895. The best way to celebrate National Truffle Day would be to make an American Classic – Oreo Truffles. Personally, I make mine at the holidays to give away.

Which brings us to the final National Day – Teacher Appreciation. Teachers have been getting a pretty bad rap these days, especially among Conservative groups. I really don’t know what’s going on in our Education System that we are so focused on everything but reading, writing and arithmetic. Teachers should be appreciated more for the unseen roles good teachers play. There are people who have no business teaching, or policing, or holding public office or being parents for that matter. But you can’t throw them all out because one person does not belong. The best way to fix the system, any system, is to get involved. Pay attention. Speak up, and be willing to take on some of the work yourself. If your child has been blessed with a good, caring teacher, say thank you. If not, find out why, what you can do to make a difference.

Enough chattering on about life and National Days. Sometimes we just need to get back to the basics in the kitchen – like Hot Dogs and Beans. Kiddo got me an Air Fryer for Christmas. It’s been as much of a life saver as Hubby’s Instant Pot. The best Fries and Tater Tots come from an Air Fryer. Just as the most tender meats come from an Instant Pot. Aren’t we lucky to be alive today?

Air Fryer Hot Dog Perfection with a Side of Beans
1 large can Country Beans
1/4 Yellow Onion
6 regular Hot Dogs
6 regular Hot Dog Buns
Ketchup as desired
Mustard as desired

Empty Country Baked Beans into a sauce pan. Gently warm over medium to medium-low heat, stirring as needed to prevent scorching. Keep beans warm until ready to serve.

Cut a quarter section from an onion from root to tip. Peel and dice the quarter onion section, reserving the remaining onion for another purpose Set diced onion aside until ready to use.

Place hot dogs in the basket of the air fryer in a single layer. Set Fryer to 390-degrees for 8 minutes. Check dogs after 5 minutes, turning as necessary for even cooking.

Remove dogs from the fryer basket. Split buns open, place dogs inside the buns. Return hot dogs in the buns to the basket. Cook another minute, just enough to warm and lightly toast the buns.

Garnish dogs with ketchup, mustard and diced onions as desired. Serve alongside the Country Baked Beans and enjoy.

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My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me