About two weeks ago, my wife and I were discussing Valentine's Day and what a commercial, made-up kind of holiday it is, but it did prompt her to ask me for one thing for Valentine' s Day. She said, 'I'd like you to cook me dinner." She said, "You decide what to make."

Let me preface this by saying, I am not a cook and watching me prep things is like watching someone that will most likley A) cut themselves multiple times with the knife, B) Take FOREVER prepping food C) Use way too many cutting boards, pans, pots, pyrex measuring cups etc. D) be horrible at timing what to do when.

Well, the wonderful gift of sobriety allowed me for the first time to attempt and actually pull off a delicious braised short ribs served over a creamy, sharp chedder polenta, with roasted root veggies on the side. Appetizer was a 1/2 dozen blue point oysters that I also managed to shuck without stabbing myself. What a great feeling and my wife was just bowled over by it. I could not have done this 5 months ago nor even had the brain energy or physical dexterity even attempt it.

THANK YOU sobriety and thank you to everyone here in our crew!!

Many blessings to you all, PG