I retired from the Air Force in 1990 and decided I needed more education. After 4 years at Central Missouri State University, I graduated cum laude with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Most importantly I'm the father of 4 young ladies and the lifetime husband of one. I only cook simple fare as I am strictly a meat and potatoes kind of guy. If I can't pronounce it, I don't eat it and as such I avoid television cooking shows and most cookbooks, except for the one I am compiling. My mother's family tradition was to put onions in everything while mine is to leave onions out of everything, though onion powder or salt is fine. My mothers cooking tradition was to keep her recipes in her head while mine is to recover them all and put them in writing for posterity. Some though, I can do without. My greatest triumph was a simple one and one assumed by most. I can make a hard boiled egg without overcooking it or undercooking it. My first pumpkin pie.