“Squitching” Things Up

Big doings for us this these days! I started back to school, where I am teaching in person, Sophia has taken a new teaching job and apartment in the area, and Ben began his life as an adult! He will be served by several different agencies for activities and life skills at home and in the community. It seems to be off to a good start. Since that isn’t enough to keep things interesting, Ben also performed in Penguin Project’s Annie Jr. at the Community Theater League, which was put on hold in March of 2020, just before the originally scheduled performance. 

Last year, Ben was the butler. He had mastered his main line, (“Yes, Sir!”) though it should be noted that he did not generally apply this line to daily life at home. This time, after a year and a half hiatus, he told us they “squitched things up” and he is Daddy Warbucks. Annie is played by Elizabeth, who does a tremendous job of dancing, singing and acting. What Ben lacks in line memorization skills, he makes up for with charisma. And dancing. He busted out some moves that even I have never seen before! I’m not sure if it is standard for an actor to wave people to their feet at the end of each performance for a standing ovation, but that’s how it went down.

Everything about this program is amazing – from the staff, volunteers and peer mentors to the artists themselves. I found that my mask was a little wet from tears at the end of every performance, and I can’t even exactly tell you why. Sure, I was proud that Ben learned the fundamentals of his lines, songs, and dance routine, but it was so much more than that. Ben makes me laugh. He has a way of working the crowd like nobody I’ve ever known, but that wasn’t quite it either. Each artist, no matter what skills are brought to the table, shines. I couldn’t help myself from giving a little thumbs up when I knew somebody nailed a line or a song or a dance. As parents, we know our own child’s journey and hurdles, but we also come to know our child’s peers. We’ve always said that Ben just wants to be part of the team, and here, he is definitely that. When I looked out at the rest of the audience, I saw so many people in Ben’s tribe, but again, it is part of a bigger tapestry. The teachers, caregivers, friends, and families of those in our special needs community are absolute heroes. The sun’ll come out tomorrow, but today looks pretty darn good, too.

So, what meal befits a butler who becomes Daddy Warbucks? I think you can kind of Daddy Warbucksify any meal, but why not turn taco salad into steak taco salad? 

Steak Taco Salad

Sirloin steak

Adobo seasoning

Red bell pepper, chopped

Corn, cut off the cob

Tomatoes, cut in wedges

Romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

Doritos

Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

Flour tortillas

Dressing (we mixed sour cream, lime juice, paprika, chili powder, salt and honey)

Season the steak with adobo seasoning and grill for 3 minutes over direct high heat, turn and grill 2 more minutes, then finish with 1 minute over indirect high heat. Rest steak 5 or more minutes, and cut into narrow strips.

Make quesadilla “croutons” by heating dry nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Place tortilla inside. When warm, flip over. Place grated cheese on half the tortilla and fold the other side over it. When cheese begins to melt inside and the tortilla is beginning to get golden on the underside, flip and toast until both sides are golden. Remove from pan and cut into pie shaped pieces. 

Place Doritos into individual serving bowls, crushing slightly. Put lettuce on top of chips, then follow with pepper, tomato, corn, steak, extra shreds of cheese, and dressing. Wedge quesadilla “croutons” in the side of the bowl, and there you go. Steak taco salad: Daddy Warbucks style.