This week’s dinner menu highlights easy sandwich recipes and more, perfect for busy nights and family meals.
I usually write about food and family, but something unrelated has been on my mind lately: the small, thoughtless behaviors people sometimes show in public. I keep noticing actions that feel disrespectful or rude, and they stick with me. A few recent examples:
- Young people strolling through a crosswalk long after the light has changed, blocking traffic and wearing a look that says, “What are you going to do about it?”
- Finding fresh graffiti on our front retaining wall more times than I can count. It’s upsetting not only because of the damage, but because defacing someone’s home feels mean-spirited.
- An incident in a gas station restroom where the toilet and seat were left in an appalling state. It was so disgusting I left and drove home instead of using the facilities.
We’ve also had our car broken into multiple times, which is painful but at least understandable as theft. What I don’t understand is deliberately inconveniencing or offending others for no reason. Where does that come from? Poor upbringing, resentment, or simple meanness?
If you’ve seen something kind recently, I’d love to hear about it—small gestures restore my faith in people. For example, at Costco this week a man chased me down to return a box of macaroni that fell from my cart. That quick act of honesty and consideration was so heartening.
Ultimately, most people are decent and considerate, and it’s important to focus on those good interactions. I try to enjoy the kindness around me and teach my children to be respectful and compassionate.
Now, on to this week’s dinner recipes. Below are two new sandwich ideas, a few updated photos, and several favorite, easy-to-make dinners you can add to your rotation.
- Chicken Parmesan Burgers
- Easiest Ever Meatballs and Gravy
- Spicy Tuna Melts
- Buffalo Chicken Fajitas
- Skillet Chicken Marsala
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
- Lemon Chicken Soup