@QMS What crossed my mind is that it would get his attention and require physical engagement, as with gardening. I am unsure about being grouped with other similarly injured and ill combat veterans. Will they talk about what they saw? What they did?
My Mom would not teach me how to cook. She kept me entirely away from it. When I was in my late 20s, my neighbor at a town home complex where I lived was a caterer. She taught me the basics of applying heat to raw food, moisture levels, basic seasonings, association of pots, pans, etc...With each passing decade, I would come across a recipe book, a magazine, which gave me more skills, and I have luckily became friends with more caterers and chefs.
I live in an area where authentic Cajun food is common, as is southern cooking and Tex-Mex. I love Thai foods, even took a class in Bangkok. I love Chinese food. Indian cuisine is also appealing, but I would have to drive into Houston to shop for the authentic ingredients to properly prepare such meals.
We do not have local groups for anything but politics and religion. No book club, no art club, nothing but politics, which borders on violence against the "other", and the church groups have gone the way of the Prosperity Gospel.
The only time I will attend any political group event is when it is single topic. A protest of a judge. A protest of a bond proposal.
You are very fortunate to be engaged with locals of like mind. It improves your life, might improve the lives of others, my friend!
Keep up the good work!

.
Good morning. Crisp and clear here.
Found this article about urban planning.
It points toward a better future. Not applicable
so much for us rural bumpkins, but is an attempt
to replace the car culture for the 'burbs.

Kinda an architecture geek.

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2025/11/this-car-free-neighborhood-was-d...
revolutionize-american-cities.html

Glad your vet is getting into cooking. It can be both nourishing and therapeutic.
Our cooking group met the other evening. I made a shrimp and polenta dish from
Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy by Tieghan Gerard. Quite a good rift
on shrimp and grits. The homemade cajun seasoning made it.

Thanks for the OT!

@Lookout $50 for horse poop? Around here, it's free for the taking. It's the taking that is the hard work.
Maybe the mulching won't be as exhausting, huh?
I suppose your walk at Trade's Day was brisk, given the temp and all. I say I am ready for the cold, but mostly I am tired of unbearable heat. I had intended on clipping some weeds on the fence line, but it may be too hot to bother with today.
We finally had a huge stump removed. We had burned it a couple of time, so now that soil is dark, rich, and fertile. We have 3 more burn piles to go when our burn ban is lifted.
Trump is twisting himself in knots about the Epstein files vote next week. He has become vicious in his attacks on Marjoie Taylor Green and Thomas Massie, even criticizing Massie's new wife. All he can do is call for Bill Clinton to be investigated. Very stupid, since it is an admission being associated with Epstein, as he himself clearly was, is worthy of criminal investigation of someone besides himself. Well, we all knew Trump was stupid.
I feel the prosecutor in my veteran's case will drop the charge. One or more psychiatrists will testify that when he is in full panic attack mode, he is not mentally competent.
I almost cry when some young man or woman joins the military. They are one combat engagement away from this horrible life.
I haven't skimmed for news today, but so far, there are no bombs busting mid-air!
Enjoy your day, my friend!

It was in the 40's when I went to trade day this morning. Headed to the 70's by afternoon. The weather has been pleasant, but dry.

Got a load of manure at a horse camp on the mountain. They went up this year to $50/pickup load, and they load it for you with a bobcat. Took the whole load to cover the garden beds yesterday, and I was a whooped puppy afterwards. Still have to put on new mulch, but the garden will be ready to plant next spring with no more preparation. After years of this our garden soil is dark and rich.

Congrats on helping the veteran. I wish him luck and hope you can resolve his case with minimum hassle.

Y'all take care, and thanks for the OT!

@soryang All shrinks do is prescribe meds. They offer no counseling, no nothing, but mind=altering pills. My client has some medical conditions, such as heart, bp, bum knee, but most of the meds are mind-altering. I don't consider them safe.
I don't know if the guy has a dog. What he does have is a 35 yr old daughter that was born with birth defects. She is blind, deaf, can't walk, can't talk, and is in diapers. Don't know if he is free to take on the care of a critter. I did remind him as he was having his episode that his death leaves his daughter in dire circumstances, and to focus on her, always, and not himself. That train of thought did distract him, and he said he would remember what I said.
You know moving is one of the most stressful things in a family's life, but you might not know that it is a cause of many divorces and break ups of families. Maybe it is the fear of the unknown.
At any rate, in your circumstances, it must be done. Will you remain in Florida or move to another state? In any event, I hope you and your wife approach it as a relief, an adventure, and feel safe, secure, and happy in your new home, my friend.

...why so many meds? Not asking for any specific explanation, it just seems to be something that goes with the territory. Having some experience in ptsd cases, my reaction is that shrinks just experiment with the meds. I know they think there is some science behind it, but...

My personal opinion is that a companion dog, as the VA calls it, and counseling from professionals, can be helpful if they are not alphahotels. The shrinks are in short supply, and have about 10-15 minutes available per visit. They don't do counseling. It usually goes, review history, like did you try this med? This one? Here try this one. Okay, sorry times up. Personal relationships with someone who gives a crap is the most helpful of all.

I guess the cooking, gardening, and so on work for some. Painting and music also come to mind. Even book discussions, depends on the person. I find these services are not so readily available. Whatever works I guess. Did you say prior psych hospitalizations? And he still had access to a firearm? Whoa!

Glad you took his case, OTC.