As you can see by the bi-line, my name is Paidra Delayno. Paidra is something of an unusual name, I realize, but my parents really liked a song by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazelwood about a woman with the same name. The song's title is "Some Velvet Morning." Today, unusual is good so I'm right in step with the times.

I make my living marketing for a nursing home. Another wards, I yak it up professionally. A dream come true. In the course of my duties, I talk to a lot of people about many different things. And I mean different.

Don't ask me how, but a subject has come up several times in the last few weeks which needs to be addressed. Ladies, it appears many of us don't know how to 'build' a decent sandwich. Not one that really pleases our guys, anyway. I've undertaken to do some research on the subject which I would like to share with you all. It was really brutal going to all the sandwich shops around so I hope you appreciate my efforts.

Each element of the sandwich is critical and needs to be addressed with equal gusto. The bread is as important to a sandwich as the envelope is to a letter. Sure, you can send an e-mail, but, it's just not the same. Try sprinkling a little perfume on your computer and see how far it goes.

Everybody has different tastes, but sourdough bread seems to be a favorite. True, some guys like the 87 grain variety, but sourdough is definitely popular, Probably because the slices are larger. Or perhaps, it's the bun style which is popular. I wonder if there's some connotation there.

Let's say we're building a roast beef sandwich. Remove two slices of bread from the loaf, holding them together until they sit on the plate. Let them fall in opposite directions so that when put back together, they have continuity. It seems as if the guys don't care for mismatched bread.

One piece of bread receives the mustard and the other gets the mayo. And whatever you do, don't cheapskate on either. Guys don't seem to mind getting involved in their sandwiches. I'm just going by what I've been told. Be sure to serve a good napkin with the sandwich. None of the cheapie variety. Even a paper towel seems to be alright.

The bread is laying on the plate with the first step completed. Now we start building. The roast beef, or ham if you want, needs to be sliced very thin. The thinner the better. Once it's sliced, start stacking it on the bread. And be sure to cover all the bread. A mouth full of bread only is unacceptable to a true sandwich lover. Load up at least three quarters to one inch worth of meat. A single chunk that size will not taste the same. It has to be sliced. It has to do with how the mouth and teeth react to it.

Now we get to the options. The first group is cheese. American is often times a favorite. It's not curled pinkie eating cheese but it's good on a sandwich. Swiss is good. Smoked yellow cheese is good. Actually, anything will do as long as it's something the eater will enjoy. A lot of people feel the taste of the cheese has to keep up with the rest of the sandwich, so perhaps that can be a guide.

The second group of options is everything else included in a truly great sandwich. Pickles, tomato (Roma is good because they are not as juicy), onions (red, white, or yellow), lettuce (various varieties), avocado, olives, sprouts, peppers, a sprig of cilantro, salt and pepper or Mrs. Dash, sour cream, hot sauce, etc. You get the idea.

Now, place the second slice of pre-mayoed bread on top. Take a sharp knife and cut your creation in half, width-wise. Move the two halves apart, allowing one end of each half to touch. Fill in the newly formed wedge with chips or veggie sticks and you're good to go. Iced tea is always a good beverage. Big and really cold. Fill the large mug (quart Mason jars work good) with ice and have the tea available in a pitcher for quick pouring.

For a fun cook book, (and it's FREE) be sure to check out:

http://www.geocities.com/ddinstories/cookbook.html

Be sure to include the word cookbook on the subject line when you order. Thanks for spending a few minutes with me in the kitchen.