You don’t have to be Wolfgang Puck or Julia Child to stick a roast in the oven and have it turn out well. But when it does, I feel like I have scored some huge victory, like I’ve won the World Series, the Stanley Cup, or the Ashes Urn for all you Brits and Aussies out there.

It was a simple lean, pork loin. I rubbed it with sage, smoked paprika, and placed it in the oven at 400° for 30 minutes per pound. I use a rack so it browns evenly on both sides.

I cooked some apples. Peeled 3 Granny Smith apples,sliced them, and cooked them over medium heat with 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar and a few shakes of cinnamon. They kind of just turn into applesauce, but they taste good.

What I am most proud of tonight are the asparagus. I cook them with a steamer insert in a sauce pan. I did not overcook them. They were still crisp and hot.

I consider that a victory.

Now I am drinking my coffee while it is still hot.

Life is good.