Tag Archives: Zeke’s Eatin’ Place

The Hana Chronicles: Month 8, Day 23

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Posted by on in children, collaborating, Community, Education, Entertainment, Family, Hiking and Nature, Historical, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving, Travel

September 13, 2026- Hana interacted with other children, this morning, as her grownups enjoyed a fine breakfast at Fairview Farmers, which is Collin County’s equivalent of Zeke’s Eatin’ Place, with a Swedish twist. She smiled and called out to a couple of girls, one of whom gave up her doll’s high chair, so that Hana could have a place to sit. Yes, to a three-year-old, Dolly needs to feel included. The little girl “explained”to her doll that “they could share a spot on the bench, so the baby could have seat”. Hana had a harder time, when a man about her Dad’s age smiled at her, from another table. At first, she was scared, but studied him carefully for a bit, and felt okay afterward.

She is continuously practicing taking steps, either by scooting or by taking my hands and following me, almost as if we are dancing. She is also able to stand up on her own, for slightly longer periods of time. Her “talking” also has more context and is accompanied by clear body language. She also understands when her parents correct her and does not seem at all sensitive at being admonished. The love we have given her has been a good foundation.

HANA’S NOTE– I made my way halfway around the play pen, just holding onto the fence. I will be walking soon.

EXPANDING CIRCLES- Texas is the second largest state, in area, and second largest, in population. So, besides being Hana’s home state, it has the pride of place in certain areas. “Texas-sized” has come to mean huge. There is a 64-ounce steak, with trimmings, on offer, in at least one establishment in Amarillo. I have been to all parts of Texas, so let’s take the regions, as they might unfold for my granddaughter.

North Texas- The Turf: Hana’s home region is watered by the Red and Trinity Rivers, with several large reservoirs that double as recreation sites. This is prairie, with some rolling hills and numerous small deciduous forests. Ranches and nut farms used to dominate the region, and still may be found, here and there-primarily in the western part of North Texas.

First Nation- North Texas is the ancestral home of the Wichita people.

Hana’s world, so far, is mostly Plano, with Frisco, Prospect, Carrollton, Grapevine, Coppell, Allen and Richardson rounding out the mix-mostly for medical appointments, and a few family meals. Her only visits to Dallas and Fort Worth have been for doctors’ appointments.

Fort Worth was my first large North Texas city (2012). Log Cabin Village was most interesting to me, as a history buff. I met the Winters family, at Log Cabin Village. Their younger daughter was fascinated by the preserved heritage of LCV. Perhaps my granddaughter will be, too. She is certainly interested in how things are put together. Interesting, too, were The Stockyards, from a cultural point of view. The Botanical Garden is likely the first place I would want to take Hana, as a place of natural beauty, and the most impactful spot in town.

Dallas was a focus, a couple of years later. Pioneer Park, with its cattle and cowboy sculptures, was the most interesting place I went, and is the first place I’d bring Hana, I would also take in Dallas’ Botanical Garden, and we’d want to go to the zoo. Dealy Plaza gave me pause, being the site of the first great tragedy of my youth: The assassination of John F. Kennedy. The iconic red sandstone Courthouse, aka “The Red Museum” is still a place I’d like to spend time.

Cleburne, south of DFW, and Sherman, north of us, are smaller cities that I found interesting for their local history. Sherman figures in the gradual unfolding of the Civil Rights of Black Americans. Denison, on the Oklahoma border, has the boyhood home of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That was interesting to me. We’ll have to see whether Hana is a history buff.

NEXT UP: East Texas

The Hana Chronicles: Month 8, Day 8

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Posted by on in Assistance, children, collaborating, Community, Education, Family, Hiking and Nature, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

August 29, 2026- Hana reveled in going to a Brunch establishment, Sunrise Cafe, in Allen, about five miles north of here. Though she already had her lunch, she was happy to sit in a high chair and tap on the table, looking around at the different people coming in and out, as well as at the large conduits hanging from the ceiling. We enjoyed our brunch items and I found my Tex-Mex omelet comparable to the ones I enjoyed at Zeke’s, in Prescott.

She also was intrigued later in the afternoon, when we were filling boxes with items for return. That activity had the side effect of my emptying two large boxes, so that they could be used for the returns. It thus made my common space upstairs a bit tidier. Hana likes to watch processes take place, especially when these are involving her mother.

HANA’S NOTE- I like going to different places now. I didn’t so much before I could sit in a high chair. It is fun to look around.

YEAR IN REMEMBRANCE-2012 I began to have a sense of equilibrium again, after eight years of feeling buffeted. I was again substitute teaching, this time in the three major districts of western Yavapai County: Prescott, Humboldt (Prescott Valley) and Chino Valley. I was more selective about which classes I would cover. Most of the time, the days went successfully. I also joined the American Legion, began volunteering with the American Red Cross and connected with a group called Slow Food.

I began to get out on the hiking trails of the Prescott area and other parts of northern Arizona, during the school year. One memorable event was the “Longest Day Challenge” (6/21), in which I hiked the Grand Canyon, from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back, using the Bright Angel Trail-which had water stations every 1-1.5 miles. Devil’s Corkscrew was the hottest and most challenging part. On the way back, I encountered a woman about my age telling the young Park Rangers that she would walk up and out of the Canyon as she saw fit. She was stumbling about and seemed disoriented, so some of us prevailed on her to follow the Rangers’ instructions. She got into the helicopter. The rest of the way, I hiked with three young Mexicans. The girls were a bit overwhelmed by how “difficult” it seemed, but we took it slowly and got back to the Rim around 9 p.m.

I branched out, traveling around the state of Texas, in May, then going to Massachusetts, by way of Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. This became a yearly itinerary, thereafter. In September, we Baha’is commemorated the centenary of a visit by ‘Abdu’l-Baha to North America. I was planning to go with three ladies from the Prescott area, but one by one, they canceled. I drove instead to visit the Smiths, Baha’i friends who lived in Reno, and the three of us went to San Francisco and Oakland, where events were held throughout the weekend. I then drove along the Coast, through northern California, Oregon and Washington, re-visiting Portland and seeing Seattle for the first time. When a fire threatened Wenatchee, in central Washington, I went there, rather than stay in Seattle, and joined several Baha’is in prayer for protection. I went back to Reno for a bit, then drove to Salt Lake City and Glenwood Springs, CO, for other commemorative events.

Southern California also became a focus, as Aram was stationed in San Diego and a friend in Orange County was one of my regular correspondents, so I got to enjoy quality seafood and take in a lovely beach town, each time I visited.

I will be focusing more on each of the states, provinces and countries I’ve visited, after this series on Years in Remembrance is finished.

The First Steps Onward

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Entertainment, impediments, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

December 19, 2025, Grants, NM- The forlorn-looking man, head down on the high top table, seemed the way I had felt, just before enjoying a hearty meal at the Iron Skillet branch, in nearby Milan. I was somewhat refreshed by the burger, salad and coffee and Linda was a bustling, attentive young server, seemingly new to the job, but very pleasant. Poor Julio was just tired and slept on, unmolested by the truckers who were coming and going.

The day, for me, was comprised of finishing the clean-out of the bathroom cabinets, file cabinet, dresser and tall kitchen cabinet. A bit remains to be done, after Christmas, but by then, I will have a moving truck, one way or the other, the furniture will be carted away to DAV and a cleaning crew will make the old apartment presentable. That is the plan for December 29-30. For today, I packed about 40 % of what I own into the Sportage and headed out, after dealing with a large shred pile and giving more items to DAV. There was also a farewell meal at Zeke’s, bringing to a close a fourteen-year set of weekly breakfasts and lunches.

The drive east had a brief moment of interruption, when an off-duty policeman pointed out that something was dragging in front of Sportage. I checked it out and found the molding under the hood had come loose. After re-clipping it, I had no further problems. The drive from Prescott to this former mining town, east of Gallup, was then uneventful. Now I am at SouthWest Motel, the Delta Motel of New Mexico, replete with music-themed rooms. I am in the Fleetwood Mac Room. There is an LP of their greatest hits and a turntable. Out of respect to the older gentleman next door, (In his late 80s), I will pass on cranking the tunes.

Tomorrow will bring me back to Texas and by Sunday afternoon, I should be at Home Base Plano.

The Road to Diamond, Day 337: A New Gem in Town

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Posted by on in Assistance, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social, Striving

October 30, 2025- Rosie was as effervescent and perky a server as I’ve seen anywhere, gladly guiding me to a seat, for a late breakfast, at the fairly new Cowboy Kitchen. She and another young lady were taking turns as hostess and serving tables around the large, almost horseshoe-shaped, cafe that used to be called Lone Spur. It’s no Zeke’s, but Cowboy Kitchen is a new gem in town, thanks to the energetic young people who are running the show. The food is also quite good.

I am in a different situation now, simultaneously carrying on my Home Base routine and preparing to move to Texas, towards the end of December, to be with my little family, as our angel will arrive then. I’ve been told, by many, that grandparenthood is a sublimely beautiful experience. It will be for me; I can already feel it. It’s almost as if I already know her, even with two months remaining until she is born.

This is a mild, dry time of year, usually for two or three weeks, until the late autumn storms come, bringing with them the hint of what winter holds in store. This year, the atmospheric river may well visit the Southwest with a fair ferocity. For now, I will enjoy the moments that our late “Indian Summer” is bringing.

(I will be writing two posts per day, until the dateline of my post meets the actual date on which it is written. Stay tuned.)

The Road to Diamond, Day 135: An Overdue Reunion

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Family, impediments, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, service, Social, Spiritual, Striving, Travel

April 12, 2025- The cousins had not seen one another for forty years, though they have spoken by phone on several occasions. Their embrace was timeless and classical, reflecting the universality of family and of the human need for continuity.

Reunited
Bobot, Thelma and Celeste after dinner, with a “stealth selfie” of yours truly.

Coming from large families, on both sides, I thoroughly appreciated what was transpiring, in this well-appointed home, on Phoenix’s far south side. The Filipina cousins re-cemented routes that had never really been severed, over a delectable meal of chicken adobo and steamed kalabasa(squash). I will hopefully meet with some of my own cousins next month, though our parting has not been anywhere near as long.

The day began well, with visits to Prescott Farmers’ Market and Zeke’s Eatin’ Place. Each of my local friends were gracious and welcoming to Babot and Thelma. The visits afforded them free samosas and enough food from Zeke’s to keep them for another day or so.

We next drove down to Desert Rose Baha’i Institute, in Eloy. There was a great temperature difference between there and Prescott, so we kept our outdoor time to a minimum. The caretakers were busy with another matter, so after brief conversations with them,we conducted our own tour. I made what I thought was a comprehensive video, using my i-Phone, only to later find that it had somehow jammed and ended up recording nothing. (Note to self, next time use the camera. It doesn’t depend on cell towers.) I have photos from a January visit here, and Bobot took his own video, which I hope turned out better. In any case, my friends enjoyed this little bit of Baha’i property.

The last journey on my watch, from Eloy to Phoenix, was marred by neither dust storms nor heavy traffic. We found the house easily, and after showing my friends that the best way to get someone to let them in to a house was by pressing the doorbell, rather than relying solely on the phone, the joyful reunion was complete.

I drove back to Home Base I, a bit tired, but happy that the week has been a fair success.

May-soon

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Posted by on in children, Community, Inspiration, Personal Values, Social

May 19, 2023- The two little guys were ecstatic, running about next door, in their raincoats and boots, under their stepmother’s watchful eyes. The rain came down in buckets, for the fourth day in a row, with more likely tomorrow morning. It is monsoon -like weather, in the midst of one of the two driest months in a normal Prescott climate. California has May Gray, June Gloom and July Fry. We now have the May-soon.

Not to worry, too much. The last ten days of May and most likely the entirety of June, our other super dry month, are expected to be warm and dry. My server at Zeke’s was surprised when I ordered coffee with my lunch today, but I assured her that iced tea will be finding its way in front of me, in very short order (no pun intended). We are all just glad for the break in the monotony and for the soothing rain it’s brought.

The kids, and their dogs, kept splashing in any available puddle until they had thoroughly soaked one another. I had no reason to go out, once back from lunch, so just sat by the window and enjoyed a reminder that some things never go out of fashion.

Middle of the Road

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

January 6, 2023- The tall, disheveled man made his way down the middle of the through lane, as I was driving from Zeke’s Eatin’ Place to Office Max. He was moving slowly, as if he was figuring out his next steps as he went along. I was able to get around him, safely, and proceeded to take care of my shredding errand.

The little incident brought to mind a trope from 2020: “If you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything.” Obviously, the man mentioned above was standing for something-his perceived right to walk his own path. My mind wandered over to the spectacle of the election of a Speaker of the House of Representatives, which in times past has been a snoozefest. There was a time when the certification of electoral votes for President was also a cure for insomnia. Watching golf on TV was like storm chasing, by comparison. Now, where one stands on these issues can make or break friendships.

“Question Authority” was the watchphrase of the 1960s and ’70s, making a comeback in 2001, and even more so since 2016. Now, I am not exactly middle of the road, when it comes to the Rights of the Human. People deserve to be raised to make their own decisions, weighing consequences and accepting responsibilities, in an age-appropriate manner. They deserve to be able to speak their peace. Women deserve to walk beside men, not behind us.

There are certain beliefs that fit both Right and Left: Legislation should be specific, and relatively simple; the people’s money should be spent in a conscientious, prudent manner; respect for others should not depend on their position in society. There is tradition that is worthy of conservation; the same principle goes for nature, and the resources it provides. Colour, creed and national origin should not determine how a person is able to participate in society and its affairs.

The man mentioned above was able to complete his walkabout, going into the store of his choice and thus leaving the middle of the road. Each of us must do the same, in our own journeys of thought and action.

A Day of Tapas

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

July 20, 2022- The titular culinary art form was indeed the basis for lunch, with friend A, as we returned to El Gato Azul, Prescott’s Spanish restaurant. Our waiter brought another fine set of small bite delights, and the shaded patio was much more comfortable than on our first visit.

The day, as a whole, invoked tapas in a way-as many days do, during the school breaks. I made a return visit to Zeke’s, for breakfast, finding that nothing has changed-same great food, in a spot where I can be gone a month and am greeted as if I had been here yesterday. This is part of what makes a great Home Base.

After a quick and soothing chiropractic adjustment, I made a dry run through my upcoming dog-sitting stint, which went just fine. I have owned a number of dogs, over the years, so the twenty-four hours this weekend will be fun.

Finishing up reviews of lodging, eateries and activity sites from my recent journey and an administrative meeting this evening were the last “tapas” of the day. Somehow, it seems that most days are tapas days- with small activities complementing one another.

Embracing the Whole

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Education, impediments, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal goals, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

June 4, 2022- This was a day for traveling the spectrum. Breakfast at Zeke’s was a time for recognizing that there will be a lot more to bringing about a Green Energy program than just cutting fossil fuel use on paper. Electric vehicles need those same fossil fuels in order to produce electricity, at least for now. I won’t argue the need to cut down on widespread use of fossil fuels. Towards that end, I am keeping my own vehicle in the best condition. Eventually, I will either get a hybrid or alt-fuel vehicle or live somewhere where a vehicle is not necessary.

Mid-day, a group of us discussed building vibrant communities and contributing to social transformation. These themes can only be realized by bringing people together, across points of view and by building on common ground. This is not as trite as many people seem to think, but it does entail some consistent hard work. Baha’is believe that consultation entails listening to what might, at first blush, seem objectionable points of view, and though we do not support those practices which would harm others or deny human rights, the mere expression of a viewpoint does not, in and of itself lead to tyranny. Once a point of view is expressed, it should be regarded as no longer the property of the person who expressed it, but as belonging to the group.

The final part of the day was spent helping a group of progressives at a community picnic. There were several booths, which highlighted such themes as registering to vote, banning Dark Money in political campaigns and tightening restrictions on sales of firearms to those assessed as mentally ill. I will help any group that is about the betterment of society and the preservation of Human Rights-which are God-given rights. I didn’t have to do much , but helping to break down the event was much appreciated. I even re-united a woman with her open-toed sandals.

Helping to transform society will be a lengthy process, requiring patience and perseverance- as well as an imperturbable open-mindedness.

Alpha/Omega

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Posted by on in collaborating, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Matters of Faith, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

April 2, 2021- Every so often, I get a reminder about the commitment that I, as “an American of some affluence”, must have towards the poor of other parts of the world. It usually comes in the form of a veiled demand, but is at least offered with good wishes for my health and well-being. That stands to reason, as a sick person would hardly be able to offer anything to others.

My dealings with people who primarily view the world through a transactional lens are, of necessity, getting more and more limited. Even among those businesses I frequent, I regard the people therein as friends first, and means to an end second. One example is a local family restaurant, Zeke’s, where I sit at the counter, gab with the wait staff and other patrons, and comment freely on goings on. The same is true of Rafter Eleven, Synergy and, to a lesser extent, The Raven Cafe. It is increasingly true in the schools where I am taking on special assignments until the end of May.

My circle of friends trends larger these days, even with-and in some cases because of-virtual connections. The first and last, alpha/omega if you will, is compassion based on love. Those whose primary focus is transactional have a hard time seeing this-and there was a time when part of me was there. Much of my standoffishness had to do with lack of self-confidence, and a degree of self-loathing, as if I were not “good enough” for others. I suspect that is true of those who behave in this manner now. More’s the pity.

There is, to a good extent, the notion that failure to thrive is a Catch 22, a vicious circle. That realization came to me, about four months after I met Penny, back in 1981. Gradually, over several decades, the self-doubt has fallen away-so that even in the most harrowing of circumstances, the faint light has been in view.

I thought of this today, as the Mystery of Alpha/Omega from 33 A.D.: The Passion of Jesus the Christ, plays out in the minds and hearts of millions across the planet. His basis for everything was compassion, rooted in love.