Retiring in style

It seems that retirement will be much better than I had anticipated. Fine dining on a budget is now possible with a bottle of California's finest Chardonnay. First dinner. Arriving at Chez Fred, located under the bridge at Sante Fe and Mississippi, with a view of the Platte river slowly rolling by, we leave our shopping carts in the able hands of the valet parking attendants, former stockbrokers and bankers, and are seated at a wire spool. There we order the organic dog food in duck liver mousse,

"Although human beings do not enjoy eating dog food, they are also not able to distinguish its flavor profile from other meat-based products that are intended for human consumption."

The lesson? Presentation matters. Expectations matter. And, perhaps, that organic dog food is better than you think.

and a bottle of Shaw's California Chardonnay, also known as "two-buck Chuck".

The Chardonnay received 98 points, a double gold, with accolades of Best of California and Best of Class.

All this for no more than what you can make by 1/2 hour of panhandling on a moderately busy street corner. So watch old Bowser carefully as you serve up his kibble. what he eats with enthusiasm today will be your gourmet entree in a few years.
Bon appitit!