Father’s Day Gift Idea (and a menu)

Even if your dad is not a reader, he’ll read this.  Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is the amazing true story of Louis Zampirini, an Olympic runner and B-24 bombadier.  His tale of survival during World War II is nothing short of incredible and awe-inspiring.  (As a side note, may I ask why the Germans are so vocally criticized for the atrocities they committed during the war, and the Japanese are barely mentioned?  Their acts were every bit as horrific as those of the Germans.  I was just wondering….)  Boyhood delinquency, triumph in the sports arena, airplane talk, and survival against sharks, the elements, and especially the Japanese are the components of this terrific book.  Really, take a leap of faith and know that even your anti-reading father will pick this up and be immediately engrossed. And hey, it’s way better than a tie.

At our house, we will be having a late lunch for our Father’s Day celebration.  We are having grilled rib-eye steaks (did you know Costco now sells prime beef, the same grade sold to restaurants?), and for the first time I’m going to try making onion rings from scratch.  Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, roasted asparagus, and garlic bread will be on deck as well (it’s heavy on the veggies because someone in the group–ahem–is on a diet and wants to feel like she’s not being deprived when she only gets one onion ring and no garlic bread).  For dessert, cheesecake with strawberries. And of course red wine and lots of Dos Equis amber.  Happy Father’s Day!