BEANS AND RICE!

i got problems needing solutions, son.
that's right.
plumbing problems.
money problems.
time management problems.
sleep problems.
man, i prob'ly got 99 problems,
and b!tches are like four or five of 'em, but that's not even my worry-
i'm worried about water pressure.
yup.
i hate not showering. hate it.
yes, that's a first world indulgence, and a total privilege,
but damn if i don't love that first and foremost of all the amenities of the modern world.
light, heat, climate control, internet, they're all pretty amazing things we just accept
without really thinking about-
but a hot shower?
a clean butt?
dudes,
that's that goooooooood-good.
there's nothing better for me, personally-
because i can't enjoy anything else if i'm a greasy-dirty-humanity-exuding-aromatic ape.
nope.
the best food in the world tastes like sh!t if my hair is greasy and my skin isn't scrubbed up.
that's no joke.
but, dirty food goes well with dirty dudes-
and i know about dirty food.
the water in my basement, and the lack of water in my bathrooms is concerning-
but having enough water to make some rice?
alright, suddenly my day is getting a little bit better-
neighbors, lemme present you with a plate of that ol' dirty:

RED AND BLACK BEANS AND RICE!
yummmmm.
i don't always have time to get weird,
but i always have time to get expert.
i had onion, and jalapeno, and poblano, and baby sweet bell pepper,
shishito pepper, baby grape tomatoes, scallions, and spinach
all sauteing in a hot pan, with olive oil-
how much of each?
what do you like best? use the most of whatever that is.
i mean, really, it's a fast and dirty stopgap dinner measure-
there are no set proportions here, kiddo.
half a can of small red beans, rinsed, and half of a can of rinsed black beans, too-
double beans are good for you.
that's no joke.
when the onions start to soften slightly, you add the peppers-
when the peppers are giving off twenty kinds of good smelling steam,
add the beans and dump a few glugs of ho'sauce all over it all-
you'll also need to add GPOP, and cumin,
and smoked paprika and oregano- add a little black pepper and it's the BEST!
- but, that's just the beans, buddy.
the rice is righteous, too-
a tablespoon of wheat-free soy sauce, a shake or two of GPOP,
a little pink salt, and a dash of nootch, and you're solid.
it doesn't take a lot to make it good, as long as you make a lot of it.
y'know?
too much is the right amount- that's how much you pile on your plate.
literally.
also, figuratively-
see earlier when i said i have problems,
they are almost all of my own devising.
choices have consequences-
actions have reactions-
causes have effects-
that's real.
and the way each day unfolds has a whole lot to do with the ways i choose to bend.
y'know?
that's the truth.
my dog needs me.
mt studio needs me.
this big ol' ancient busted-up house needs me.
and my daughters need me.
and a whole new cast of characters need me, now, too-
the lineup is enlarging, from monologue to dialogue to discussion group to ensemble chorus-
everything is getting bigger and bigger quicker and quicker-
i'm moving forward, fast.
i'm making big ol' gigantic changes.
i'm mostly excited.
it's all really happening,
and that's the whole point;
never quiet, never soft.....