SIDETRACKED LOOKING FOR CHILI.

My hubby and I headed out to the other side of town, last night. We had been housebound for a couple weeks and had cabin fever. We decided to splurge on some Cincinnati Chili. (See below for a further explanation of the chili.) Anyway, on our trek to get there, my hubby took some back roads. I asked if he was lost. He said he was going a different way. We have lived here for 34 years. He’s an excellent navigator and knows his way around town. (To borrow a quote) I on the other hand, couldn’t find my way out of a paper bag. As we drove along, we talked about this or that. I noticed a small ROAD CLOSED UP AHEAD sign. It said it would happen in, half a mile. I relayed this information to my husband, in case he hadn’t seen it, and wanted to change course. He told me not to worry about it, he knew what he was doing. I said, ‘ok’. And we continued talking. About 5 minutes later, he slammed on the brakes, because right in front of us, was a huge ROAD CLOSED sign with a big bulldozer behind it. The street was completely blocked off. However, to the left of us, was a muffler store and a large parking lot. The only way to get out of this predicament, was to turn around there, and go back to where we came from. My husband remained stoic, as I said, ‘I told you so.’ We  looked at each other for a second, laughed about the situation, as he turned into the parking lot to make his u-turn. It was then we saw another sign that put us in stitches giggling. It said, SIDEWALK CLOSED. It looked open to us as far as the eyes could see. The only thing blocking it’s path was the sign. And you could walk around it. No big deal. But I suppose you had to use caution near a construction area, so it really wasn’t funny, at all, was it? So, we headed on our way. Within minutes, my hubby was in more familiar territory and had turned down a few more side streets, finally arriving at our destination. We anxiously got out of the van, and headed inside, for a regional dish, critics have hailed, either good or bad, depending where you come from. Have you ever gotten lost in a place you call home? And have you ever tried Cincinnati Chili?

*****What is Cincinnati Chili?*****

“The Mediterranean influence is a result of Macedonian immigrants inventing the dish.The origins of Cincinnati Chili can be traced back to a small burlesque theater called The Empress where, in 1922, several Macedonian brothers started serving chili on top of spaghetti, labeling it "chili mac." Cincinnati Chili is also unlike its counterparts in that it's ordered/prepared with a "way system." "Two way" is chili served over noodles, while "three" way is that with a thick lid of un-melted, shredded cheese. Add onions to mix to make it "four way," and "five way" includes layers of spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and beans, while oyster crackers should be added at the diner's discretion. Chili powder and spices like paprika or cumin drive the savory side, and chocolate is rumored to be the ingredient behind the sweet element. But some folks say that is a myth and instead, they say the sweet component is typically cinnamon, allspice, and/or nutmeg, though the whole package holds a distinct Mediterranean flavor.”

INFORMATION ABOUT CHILI  WAS GATHERED FROM SEVERAL SIGHTS ON INTERNET...I've put quotes around it so you know that it wasn't me writing...