Maggie Smith, Bowling, Sinkholes.

Today, Thursday, Matt's last skin cancer op was performed. Whilst waiting I went down for a coffee. Riding back up in the elevator a woman said to me
"you look like someone famous, Maggie Smith. I bet you get told that all the time" I replied 'not for a very long time'. In fact I was once told that about 50 years ago. I didn't think I looked much like her then and I don't think so now either. I guess she was a bit younger in this picture. Matt says her eyes are bigger than mine, but he is looking at my eyes today and not from a few years ago. I must admit my first reaction was to think of her in Downton Abbey when she does look pretty elderly. Turns out she is 80. I am not there yet although of course Matt is.

After the hospital we went straight to the bowling alley and had toasted cheese sandwiches for lunch. Do you know I have never had a toasted cheese sandwich. Not bad at all. We bowled Wednesday and now Thursday. I was bowling well both days but Matt leaves it to the third game to get a good one. My last one today was a bit puny. But overall, I just wish I could bowl like that for the league. Maybe I'm trying too hard or something.

After watching Nova on Wednesday night, I am never going to Florida again. I now understand about the sinkholes and why they happen. From what they explained, the whole of Florida is rife for sinkholes and a lot of them come without warning. It was a very interesting programme, but quite frightening. I feel very sorry for people who have bought retirement homes and such and then have found out they are liable to be caught by one because of where their homes have been built. So, sorry if you really want me to visit you, ain't gonna happen. Yes, sinkholes happen in other places, Canada is not excluded, but because of the construction of the rock which is mostly karst, Florida is particularly susceptible.

Ginger Beef Salad with Miso Vinaigrette

Skip the grated cheese and croutons and serve an Asian-inspired salad with homemade seven-ingredient vinaigrette. Serve with soba noodles, followed by dessert.

• Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 tablespoons white miso (soybean paste)
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon chile paste with garlic
• 6 cups torn Bibb lettuce (about 3 small heads)
• 3/4 cup thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 English cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced

Preparation

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Sprinkle steak evenly with ginger, salt, and garlic. Place on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 6 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.
3. Combine cilantro and next 6 ingredients (through chile paste) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine lettuce and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle half of miso mixture over lettuce mixture; toss to coat.
4. Place 1 1/2 cups lettuce mixture on each of 4 plates. Top each with 3 ounces steak; top with miso mixture.

Dessert: Heat 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup torn mint, and 1/4 cup water until sugar melts. Strain; cool. Stir in 4 cups halved strawberries.

Have a great day