A Bone Sweet Bone

05/09/2026

WALKING THROUGH FEAR

If we still cling to something we will not let go, we ask God to help us be willing.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 76

When I had taken my Fifth Step, I became aware that all my defects of character stemmed from my need to feel secure and loved. To use my will alone to work on them would have been trying obsessively to solve the problem. In the Sixth Step I intensified the action I had taken in the first three Steps – meditating on the Step by saying it over and over, going to meetings, following my sponsor's suggestions, reading and searching within myself. During the first three years of sobriety I had a fear of entering an elevator alone. One day I decided I must walk through this fear. I asked for God's help, entered the elevator, and there in the corner was a lady crying. She said that since her husband had died she was deathly afraid of elevators. I forgot my fear and comforted her. This spiritual experience helped me to see how willingness was the key to working the rest of the Twelve Steps to recovery. God helps those who help themselves.

From the book Daily Reflections.
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. All rights reserved.

04/25/2026

04/25/2026

Hmmm 🤔

04/25/2026

Choose wisely.

04/25/2026

One. 1️⃣ Day. At. A.Time. Some days. 1️⃣second @ a time… just Do what u can 4 U❣️

04/25/2026

& OLd Fashioned values❣️💝

With all of the attention Pittsburgh is getting lately, I’ve had people ask me— “What are you doing, for the NFL Draft?”

The short answer, is this: “Nothing.”

You see—I’m an O.G., now. I went to culinary school in Pittsburgh, almost 35 years ago. Did my externship at a hotel directly across from The Civic Arena, and worked my way up through the ranks until I could run that whole kitchen, by myself. To this day, I bet if you whispered the words, “It’s a hockey night in Pittsburgh” I would wake up out of sound sleep and start cooking.

Often, during the winter, I slept at the hotel—so I could get up and open the kitchen, after I had just closed it. Grilled on the hotel patio during the summer. Banquet set-ups, carving stations, charcuterie displays, all of it. I moved to Pittsburgh, to be close to whatever kitchen I was in, at the time.

Served the 1% at the Taste of the Nation culinary series. Helped one of Squirrel Hill’s top restaurants maintain their Best Desserts title, for the years I was there. Taught cooking classes at a kitchen store, also in Squirrel Hill (and usually, right after I left work at the restaurant).

I cooked for the luxury boxes at Three Rivers Stadium. Saw Steelers on a regular basis, early in the morning, as we ventured to our respective parts of the stadium. I worked private events in homes that looked like museums—and while I was doing all of this, I was catching Port Authority buses. I was walking. I was people watching. I lived in three different parts of Pittsburgh. It was dirty, and gritty, and BEAUTIFUL.

I honed my skills, in Pittsburgh. I loved the city—and it loved me right back.

Decades later, I worked in Texas for a year—and every time there was a Steeler game, I was in the kitchen—in my Black and Gold. 🖤💛

So, actually—I am doing something, for the draft. I’m relaxing—and letting someone else take their turn. 👩🏽‍🍳

04/25/2026

With all of the attention Pittsburgh is getting lately, I’ve had people ask me— “What are you doing, for the NFL Draft?”

The short answer, is this: “Nothing.”

You see—I’m an O.G., now. I went to culinary school in Pittsburgh, almost 35 years ago. Did my externship at a hotel directly across from The Civic Arena, and worked my way up through the ranks until I could run that whole kitchen, by myself. To this day, I bet if you whispered the words, “It’s a hockey night in Pittsburgh” I would wake up out of sound sleep and start cooking.

Often, during the winter, I slept at the hotel—so I could get up and open the kitchen, after I had just closed it. Grilled on the hotel patio during the summer. Banquet set-ups, carving stations, charcuterie displays, all of it. I moved to Pittsburgh, to be close to whatever kitchen I was in, at the time.

Served the 1% at the Taste of the Nation culinary series. Helped one of Squirrel Hill’s top restaurants maintain their Best Desserts title, for the years I was there. Taught cooking classes at a kitchen store, also in Squirrel Hill (and usually, right after I left work at the restaurant).

I cooked for the luxury boxes at Three Rivers Stadium. Saw Steelers on a regular basis, early in the morning, as we ventured to our respective parts of the stadium. I worked private events in homes that looked like museums—and while I was doing all of this, I was catching Port Authority buses. I was walking. I was people watching. I lived in three different parts of Pittsburgh. It was dirty, and gritty, and BEAUTIFUL.

I honed my skills, in Pittsburgh. I loved the city—and it loved me right back.

Decades later, I worked in Texas for a year—and every time there was a Steeler game, I was in the kitchen—in my Black and Gold. 🖤💛

So, actually—I am doing something, for the draft. I’m relaxing—and letting someone else take their turn. 👩🏽‍🍳

05/12/2025

With Martin Rance Photography – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

05/05/2025