By My week with the kids. Tigers Opening Day this week. The whole city watches. Thursday Jerome and I took our breaks together and talked restaurant. The dream is closer than it was a year ago.
Pop's in the recliner. Tigers on. Sugar in range this week. Sunday at Mama's. She made greens with hambone the way she has since 1985.
Potato salad Saturday. Mustard-style. Mama's recipe.
Aiden's 9. He's all elbows and questions. Asked me Wednesday why bread has holes. Zaria's 7. Helps me cook on a step stool. Has opinions about the seasoning.
I called Mama Sunday night. She picked up on the second ring. She always picks up.
I made grocery lists on the back of envelopes the way Mama did. The list this week was short — onions, garlic, half-and-half, cornmeal, a pound of bacon. The list is the recipe of the week before it happens.
A song came on the radio Tuesday — old Stevie Wonder — and I had to sit in the truck for the rest of it before I went into the store. Some songs do that. Detroit is a city of songs that do that.
I took a walk around the block Sunday morning. The neighborhood was quiet. The trees were the trees. The light was good. I waved at three porches. The porches waved back. Brookline holds.
Watched the Tigers Sunday afternoon. Lost in extras. Detroit reflex. I yelled at the TV the way Pop used to yell at the TV. The TV did not respond. The bullpen will probably not respond either.
The Lions on TV Sunday. Lost on a missed field goal. Detroit. The neighborhood collectively groaned at the same moment. You could hear it through the windows.
I cleaned the smoker Sunday morning. Brushed the grates. Emptied the ash. Wiped down the body. The smoker repays attention. So does most everything that matters.
The grass came in fast this week. Cut it Saturday morning before the heat. The mower had been sitting all winter. Took three pulls to start. Once it ran, it ran. Some things just need patience.
Filled the propane tank Wednesday. The smoker is the only appliance I baby. Wiped it down. Checked the gaskets. Checked the temperature gauge. The smoker is mine the way Pop's torque wrench was his.
The kids next door knocked over my trash cans Tuesday night. Their dad made them help me clean up Wednesday morning. Good man. The kids apologized. I gave them each a Capri Sun. Cycle complete.
Drove past Jefferson North on Tuesday. The plant is still the plant. The trucks coming out. I waved at the gate guard out of habit. He waved back even though he didn't know me. The plant is its own neighborhood.
The custody calendar holds. Aiden and Zaria alternate weeks. Brianna and I co-parent without drama now. We do not always have to like each other to do this right.
Aiden had practice Tuesday and Thursday. I drove. He shot threes for an hour after.
Mama left me a voicemail Wednesday. She said, "DeShawn. Don't forget Sunday." I had not forgotten Sunday. I have not forgotten Sunday in twenty years. The reminder is the love. I called her back.
The drive home Friday was the long way around. I took Outer Drive past the lake. The water was still. I do not always notice the water. I noticed Friday.
Mr. Williams across the street had a heart scare. He is okay. We are all watching each other now. I took him a plate of greens and chicken Wednesday. He said, "DeShawn. You're a good neighbor." I said, "We're even, Mr. Williams. You shoveled my walk in 2024." He laughed.
Potato salad was already handled — Mama’s mustard-style, the way it’s been since before I was born — but a Saturday like that one deserves something sweet at the end of it. Aiden and Zaria were still at the table, still asking questions, still having opinions about the seasoning, and I wanted to keep them there a little longer. Picnic Cupcakes are the kind of thing you make when the day is already good and you just want to hold onto it. Simple, unfussy, right for the moment.
Picnic Cupcakes
Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 20 min | Total Time: 35 min | Servings: 24 cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) yellow cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 can (16 oz) vanilla or chocolate frosting
- Sprinkles or colored sugar for decorating (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven. Heat oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper cupcake liners.
- Mix batter. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and water. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and well combined.
- Fill cups. Divide batter evenly among the lined muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and tops are lightly golden.
- Cool. Remove cupcakes from the tin and set on a wire rack. Let cool completely, at least 30 minutes, before frosting.
- Frost and decorate. Spread or pipe frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Add sprinkles or colored sugar if you like. Pack them up for the picnic or just set them on the table — either way, they won’t last long.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 210 | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Carbs: 31g | Fiber: 0g | Sodium: 190mg