Wreck‑It Banner and the 5 A.M. Meow Choir

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Banner’s Brilliant (and Infuriating) Brain Returns

Sometimes Banner is just too smart for his own good — and definitely too smart for my sleep schedule. He’s back to his old tricks, and I’m one light‑switch incident away from investing in blackout curtains and earplugs.

The First Time He Turned on the Bathroom Light

He was still just a kitten when he learned how to flip the bathroom light on. I’ll never forget that moment. The bathroom is right off the bedroom, and suddenly my whole room lit up like a Broadway stage. I shot awake convinced someone had broken in… only to find one very satisfied orange cat who had apparently decided I’d slept long enough.

Banner Making himself at home in the bathroom sink

Between turning the light on and his other favorite pastime — opening the medicine cabinet and knocking everything onto the floor — my chances of a full night’s sleep were slim. My solution back then was simple: childproof covers on the switch and closing the bathroom door at bedtime. Peace returned.

For a while.

The New Trick: The Fan Switch at 3 A.M.

Now Banner has discovered the second switch — the one outside the bathroom that controls the vent fan and a dimmer light. Not as bright, but that fan hum at 3 a.m. could wake the dead. There’s nothing quite like rolling over and seeing the bathroom door outlined in a soft glow… and realizing the switch now has tiny teeth marks.

Look closely. You can see a tiny tooth mark

 

Yes, teeth marks. Banner doesn’t bump the switch — he bites it. My own little Wreck‑It Ralph in fur.

At least he hasn’t figured out how to open the door. Yet.

Looks like I’ll be buying more childproof switch covers. Again.

Balboa the Bed Hog and Banner the Bench Sleeper

Banner may be the engineer of chaos, but he’s not the cuddler. He prefers sleeping on the bench next to the bed, keeping a dignified distance. Balboa, on the other hand, wants to sleep on my face. Since I only have a twin bed, space is limited — and Balboa takes the lion’s (or should I say panther’s) share.

If I get up in the night, he immediately stretches his full, impressive length across the entire mattress. No room for Mama. And if I try to move him? Deeply offended.

Balboa’s rather impressive length

The 5 A.M. Meow Choir

Between the nighttime shenanigans and the early morning wake‑up calls — Banner usually starts the meow choir around 5 a.m., with Balboa chiming in for harmony — I spend most days wandering around in a sleep‑deprived fog.

Kitty Choir in 2 part harmony

Life with cats can be such a joy.

 

Home Cooks, Count Your Blessings

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 The 1950s Kitchen Rulebook

Every now and then, the internet serves up a list that makes you stop and say, “Thank goodness times have changed.” Recently I stumbled across a set of 20 rules women were supposedly expected to follow in the 1950s kitchen. Now, we all know that if it’s on the internet it must be true — but even if only half of these were real, it was quite an era to learn to cook in.

I grew up in the 1950s, so I couldn’t resist taking a walk down memory lane to see how I measure up to some of these old expectations. Here are the twenty rules, along with my own modern‑day scorecard.

Dinner on the Table and Meat Every Night

The first rule insisted dinner be ready the moment the husband walked in. I dodged that one — no husband, and I worked outside the home for years. If I’d tried to meet that rule, takeout would’ve been my best friend.

As for meat at every meal? That one stuck. I grew up with it, and to this day I’m a committed carnivore. A vegetarian life is not in my future.

Canned Goods, Perfect Presentation, and Mild Spices

We had an entire basement wall lined with canned goods, even though we had a garden. I still keep a few cans around, but fresh has definitely taken over.

Presentation, though? That 1950s standard lives on in me. After putting effort into a meal, I want it to look good. Maybe that’s a throwback, maybe it’s just pride.

Spices were simple back then — salt, pepper, paprika, garlic. Honestly, those are still my kitchen staples, though I’m slowly branching out.

Leftovers, Dessert, and the Clean‑As‑You‑Go Kitchen

Leftovers were never disguised in our house — they were celebrated. When I was working, I planned weekend meals specifically to create leftovers for the week.

Dessert every night was also the norm. Sometimes it was just pudding or Jell‑O, but it was something sweet. I still like a little treat, though these days it’s more likely berries or an orange.

 

And the clean kitchen rule? That one I follow religiously. With a tiny kitchen, cleaning as I go keeps me sane.

Recipes, Meal Structure, and Children at the Table

I still follow new recipes exactly the first time, then tweak them later. And yes, the old “meat, starch, vegetable, bread, dessert” structure is still in my bones — though I happily skip the starch if I’m in the mood for two veggies instead.

Kids were expected to eat what was served. That was true in my childhood home, and I doubt I’d ever be the type to cook two separate meals.

No One Sees the Effort — and Cooking Was “Women’s Work”

I admit it: I prefer to cook alone. “Help” usually slows me down.

Cooking being a woman’s responsibility? That was the norm then, but thankfully not now. Just look at all the men dominating the cooking channels.

The idea that a woman’s morals were reflected in her meals? That one feels downright silly today. I never felt that kind of pressure — and I wish I could ask my mother what she thought of it.

Entertaining, Brand Names, and the Noise at the Table

Entertaining meant elaborate menus, and I confess I still fall into that habit. I always made sure there was plenty of food — no tiny portions at my gatherings.

Brand loyalty was huge in the 50s. I’m slowly breaking that habit, even though my brain still insists the name brand “tastes better,” even when it probably doesn’t.

As for quiet meals? Not in our house. Dinner was loud, lively, and full of overlapping conversations.

Repeating Meals, Waste Not, and the Cook Eats Last

Repeating meals was frowned upon, but leftovers took care of that. I repeat meals simply because I like them.

 

Throwing food away because it wasn’t pretty? Absolutely not. Presentation matters, but not that much.

And yes — the cook eating last was a real thing, especially on holidays. Mom always made sure every dish made it to the table before she sat down.

A 1950s Kid’s Takeaway

So there you have it — my rundown of the 1950s kitchen rulebook. Some habits stuck, some faded, and some never made sense in the first place.

What about you — did you grow up with any of these rules, or do you still follow a few without even realizing it?

Dreaming in Railcars

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Revisiting Train Travel on Around Dusty Roads

Returning to My Travel Roots

Let’s harken back to the early days of Around Dusty Roads. When I first launched this blog, it was meant to be a place to share my trips, vacations, and travel experiences—my little corner of the internet where I could relive adventures and maybe inspire a few of you along the way. Over time, as life shifted and travel slowed, the blog naturally evolved into a “bit of everything” space. That’s what happens when you stop hopping on planes and start navigating retirement budgets instead.

I’ve certainly slowed down, and while I adjust to new spending habits, travel has taken a back seat. But as my recent posts have shown, I can still wander in my mind. And who knows—maybe someday I’ll get back to exploring in person.

Let’s Talk Train Vacations

Today, I want to toss the ball back to you, my friendly readers. What do you think of train vacations?

My sister and I once took a 7‑day Amtrak trip to San Antonio, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. It was interesting—quirky in places, scenic in others—and I’d absolutely try something like that again. I’ve also long dreamed of riding the Coast Starlight down California’s coastline between Seattle and Los Angeles. Then again, I’d be just as happy driving it so I could stop and explore every overlook and beach town along the way.

The Rocky Mountaineer: A Bucket‑List Ride

Another rail adventure that has lived rent‑free in my imagination is a journey across the Canadian Rockies. There are several trains that make the trip, but the one I hear about most often is the Rocky Mountaineer.

Their ads paint quite a picture:
“With routes to Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise, the Rocky Mountaineer train winds through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, showcasing untouched terrain you can only see by rail.”

From what I’ve learned, the Rocky Mountaineer offers two levels of service. GoldLeaf features a full double‑dome glass car with an outdoor viewing platform, while SilverLeaf offers oversized panoramic windows and gourmet meals served at your seat. Both are daylight‑only journeys, which means you never miss the scenery—towering peaks, turquoise rivers, and valleys that look like they were sketched by an artist with a very generous imagination.

The downside? The price tag. It looks every bit as expensive as an Alaska cruise, maybe more. And I’m curious about the comfort level. When we took the train in Alaska, they packed us in so tightly it felt like strangers were practically sitting in our laps. Our Texas trip was more comfortable—we even had a tiny sleeping car, but at least it was ours.

Sugar Cane Field- View Form the train 2015

Your Turn, Readers

So, dear readers, have any of you taken the Rocky Mountaineer? Was it worth the splurge? How crowded did it feel? Did the scenery live up to the hype?

I’d love to hear your experiences and thoughts. After all, even if I’m not traveling much these days, your stories help keep the wanderlust alive.

 

Quick and Easy Deep-Dish Skillet Pizza

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Everyone knows how much I love skillet cooking, especially when it involves my trusty cast‑iron pans. I’ve shared plenty of skillet recipes over the years and I still make every single one. So let’s dive into this one, shall we?

This recipe isn’t mine. I stumbled across it quite by accident, and I’m so glad I did. It’s the creation of Kelly Senyei, who shared it on her site Just a Taste. If you want to see her original post, notes, or comments, you can find them there.

Why This Pizza?

I’m not a huge pizza fanatic. I enjoy a slice now and then, but honestly, there are plenty of other things—like a good cheeseburger—that I’d pick first. Still, out of nowhere, I found myself craving a gooey, onion‑mushroom‑pepperoni pizza loaded with cheese.

What I didn’t want was to spend $20 on delivery.

I started by searching for tips on preparing mushrooms for pizza (do you cook them first? use canned? toss them on raw?).

Somewhere in that rabbit hole, I found Kelly’s skillet pizza recipe. Her version makes a deep‑dish pie with a wonderfully crispy crust, and she includes plenty of shortcuts that make it perfect for a weeknight dinner.

When she says ready in 15 minutes, she means it. I didn’t believe it at first—how could a crust cook that fast? But I was wrong. It works, and it’s delicious.

The only change I’d make next time is to use half the dough. I like deep dish, but this one came out a little thicker than I prefer.

So here we go—enjoy!

Kelly’s Thick‑Crust Skillet Pizza

Ingredients

  • 1 pound homemade or store‑bought pizza dough, at room temperature
  • Extra‑virgin olive oil, for coating the pan
  • 3/4 cup marinara sauce (homemade or store‑bought)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Assorted pizza toppings

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 500°F, placing a rack in the center.
  2. Coat the bottom and sides of a 10‑ or 12‑inch cast‑iron skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the dough, turning to coat, then press it out to the edges. (You can also roll it out first, then place it in the pan.)
  3. Spread the sauce evenly over the dough. No need to leave a border. Sprinkle with cheese and add your toppings.
  4. Bake until the crust is dark golden and slightly crispy—10 to 15 minutes.
  5. Let the pizza cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing, slicing, and serving.

Deb’s Notes

I was in a hurry, so I grabbed store‑bought dough. I let it sit on the counter while I put away groceries so it could warm up. Mine was garlic‑flavored, but my store had all kinds—beer dough, basil, sourdough, you name it.

The recipe calls for 1 pound of dough. My package was 1 lb. 4 oz., and with my tiny kitchen scale I couldn’t divide it accurately. That extra dough probably explains why my crust came out a bit thicker than I like, but it still spread beautifully in the cast‑iron pan once it warmed up.

I also used store‑bought pizza sauce because this was not a “from‑scratch” kind of day.

About the toppings…

Mushrooms absolutely need to be cooked first. I had a small container of sliced fresh mushrooms, so I sautéed them in a little oil with a good dash of garlic—2 to 3 minutes per side over medium heat. Then onto the pizza they went.

I added onions and pepperoni, topped everything with shredded mozzarella, and into the oven it went.

Fifteen minutes later, I had a gorgeous, crispy pizza. I let it rest for 5 minutes, then used a spatula to lift it out of the pan. It was outstanding.

If you’re a purist and want to make your dough and sauce from scratch, Kelly has recipes for both on her blog. I highly recommend checking them out to fine‑tune your perfect pizza.

Enjoy!

 

Would You Vacation in a Paranormal Hotspot?

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A Curious Traveler’s Musings on High Strangeness

Every now and then, a question pops into my mind that I can’t quite shake. So today, dear readers, I’m asking you this: Would you knowingly take a trip to a place famous for paranormal activity? Ghosts, portals, UFOs—excuse me, UAPs—seem to be having a moment. Someone, somewhere, clearly decided the term “UFO” carried too much baggage from decades of little green men.

But the question lingers. Would you go?

Welcome to Utah’s Unita Basin—Where Weird Is Normal

Lately, my daydream travels have taken me back to Utah, especially the northeastern corner known as the Unita Basin. If that name rings a bell, you’ve probably watched the History Channel’s hit show The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch.

The locals don’t mince words—they call the region’s activity “High Strangeness.” And they mean it. Viewers tune in weekly to see glowing orbs, UAPs darting across the sky, radiation spikes, malfunctioning equipment, and rockets that refuse to fly straight. Native American stories warn that the land is cursed, prowled by Skinwalkers, Dire Wolves, and other beings best left unnamed. Even the cattle seem uneasy.

Just when you think it can’t get stranger, the team from Expedition X shows up to investigate—and ends up filming what they believe might be a Skinwalker. Even Phil Torres, the group’s resident skeptic, looked like he wanted to sleep with the lights on after that one.

From the Desert to the Deep: USOs off Catalina Island

Speaking of Expedition X, they also dove into the world of USOs—Unidentified Submerged Objects—off Santa Catalina Island. The area is legendary among paranormal researchers, a hotspot for both sky-bound and sea-bound mysteries.

Most investigations end with more questions than answers, but this time the team captured some genuinely odd activity beneath the waves. Was it real? A trick of the light? Something else entirely? Your guess is as good as mine.

My Brush With a UFO Hotspot—Minus the UFOs

I’ve actually visited one of the country’s most famous paranormal destinations: Sedona, Arizona. Not for UFOs, mind you—I went for the red rocks, the hiking, and the sheer beauty of the landscape.

I didn’t see any mysterious lights or feel the pull of an energy vortex. And honestly? If I had, I probably would’ve packed up and headed straight back to the airport. People think I’m an adrenaline junkie, but that’s a myth. Roller coasters terrify me. Helicopters? Sure. Ghosts and extraterrestrials? Hard pass.

So Tell Me—Would You Go?

Now I’m turning the question over to you.

Would you take a vacation to a place known for its “High Strangeness”?
Would you seek out a UFO hotspot, a haunted canyon, or a stretch of desert where the sky behaves badly?

If so, you’re braver than I am. I’ll admire the mysteries from a safe distance—preferably with a cup of coffee and a good view of the sunrise.