The last of the beef

I'm thinking of my uncle H.A.T. now, because of "Beef - it's what's for dinner." He'd sent us a package from Omaha Steaks for Christmas 2009 (as he had for Christmas 2006 when we lived in Alamogordo, NM).

Both packages had similar items: 4 Filet Mignon, 4 (or 6?) Top Sirloin, 6 Twice-Baked Potatoes, 2 Pork Chops (and in '06, 2 or 4 Stuffed Sole).

Anyway, I've got the last two remaining beef cuts waiting to go out on the grill. I put a "Spicy Chipotle" dry rub on them (the 2 remaining filet mignon). They should be very tasty.

But it hit me that this is the last of the beef he sent us for Christmas. This sunny spring day, with a current temp of 83 degrees, and wind gusts up to 28 MPH - it's weather many people here in Iowa have been waiting all winter for - but I'm suddenly sad. Sad because this is the last beef, if you can imagine that.

No more packages in that familiar white styrofoam cooler, with a "Merry Christmas! Enjoy the steaks! From U.H." message on the packaging insert.

The first time he sent us a package of steaks, it was a real surprise. A tasty, welcome surprise! We were still in our beautiful New Mexican home, with a stunning mountain view that we enjoyed every time we grilled.

The second time we received a package of steaks, was not so surprising, but a tasty, welcome treat nonetheless.

But now . . . with the sun starting to set, and casting a sort of golden glow across our small-town Iowa neighborhood, I'm getting that all too familiar saudade creeping up.

I heard "A Garota de Ipanema" on XM Radio today, after I'd already set the steaks out to thaw. I thought of "U.H."

I actually thought of a Ronald Reagan quote today, and thought of "U.H."

So tonight we'll do a "Cin Cin" and think of U.H. and maybe for Christmas 2010, we'll have to order ourselves a package of Omaha Steaks and think of U.H.