Doggin' It

About a month ago, in the midst of multi-tasking, I mistakenly cooked my corn dog (lunch) for 35 seconds instead of  the required 70.  While you are sitting there thinking I must be an idiot, consider this:  it is not that hard to lose track.  Microwave 35 seconds, rotate, then another 35 seconds.  After doing this more than one time, all of the 35 seconds blend together.  I went to the bathroom after the first 35 seconds on the second corn dog, washed my hands and then came to stand in front of the microwave.  I thought hard about whether one 35 seconds had passed or two.  It seemed to me the ramifications of overcooking a corn dog were much more serious than undercooking (I imagined an explosion and lingering hot dog smells), so I gambled and took the "dog" out of the microwave and salivated.  

I sat down on the couch with a cold drink and prepared to enjoy the savory meal.  Then I bit into a cold, nasty hot dog on a stick.  Dang It!  It was only 35 seconds!  Rather than spit it out, I chewed and forced down the clammy bite (I have manners, even if I am alone).  The impression was such that I threw away the rest of the corn dog (after eating a little more of the warm breading) and mentally removed the corn dog from our menu.  I even went so far as to take the sign down from our front door that read, "As for me and my family, we will eat corn dogs."  

A month later, the scars still remained.  But today, my hunger came in washed away my fear and dread of the cold, nasty hot dog taste in my mouth.  I went for the freezer and pulled out the corn dog.  This time I made a mark on a piece of paper, signifying each 35 second interval, while cooking the "dogs" for my husband and me.  This time, there were no mistakes.  I had perfected the art of microwaving multiple corn dogs (each separately, of course).  Suddenly my life has taken on new meaning...

Really, giving up corn dogs forever?  That's just crazy!