Tag: in the news

It’s Raining Men

  … that simple line is  immediately what came to mind as I tuned in to the news the other day and saw yet another sexual harassment shoe drop – it’s happening almost daily lately.  And ya know? … I believe we have  NotMyPresident Tr*mp to thank – because once that disgusting tape came out with his own pussy grabbing “she was married but I went in on her like a bitch” talk… and then that same guy was elected POT*S…. I believe it was a catalyst and folks finally got angry enough and found the tremendous courage it takes  to say enough is enough.  
    In a related conversation, someone said “It’s not just men who abuse, you know…. is this male hunting season? Maybe all men should just move to Montana and leave you women to fend for yourselves“.   Hmmm.. well..   Clearly we live in a masculine and emasculating society, no?   It is absolutely not just men who abuse… and I think more men don’t stand up because they fear backlash, jeers from their peers (what’s the matter with you, can’t defend yourself from a woman? or worse, a gay man? ) … and so on.  There are many many good and decent men in this world who wouldn’t lay an inappropriate hand on another human being.  But clearly.. there are many, especially those in power, who do, and have since the dawn of time.   If your’e not a sexual predator – why are you moving to Montana?  And why Montana… are they more accepting of sexual abuse in big sky country?  I’m thinking not. 
    A male friend of mine said… after yet another was announced… “jeez, so basically just anyone can accuse anyone now and they’re guilty?”    It’s never right to wrongly accuse someone of a crime.  There are false accusations out there for every crime.  Why are we assuming the accusations by women are false?  It takes tremendous courage to stand up and call out this kind of behavior.  Many women  (and men) have not done so over the years for fear of losing their jobs,  and leaving a job is not such a simple thing to do when you’re supporting yourself and possibly a family and the job market is less than stellar.  There’s the fear  (and reality!) of not being believed  and then the possibility of being harassed further because you did stand up.  All those issues factor in and lead people to remain silent more often than not. 
  I , for one, am so glad to see people finding the courage to speak out.  At the very least it will give people in power pause before abusing again. 
   

I’m sharing a simple and  sinfully delicious chocolate butter cream icing 
recipe here with you because WOW, it’s the best we’ve had.
It’s so good you’re gonna want to eat it with a spoon 
out of the mixing bowl. 
(yes I did) 
CHOCOLATE BUTTER CREAM FROSTING
3 sticks butter, softened
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
5 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon expresso powder (it makes the chocolate pop)
Mix all together in mixing bowl with hand mixer
and frost your favorite cupcakes or cake. 
***********************
Another holiday recipe I found on facebook and will make today – it looks easy and delicious.
Photo and recipe credit momontimeout.com 
Practically Perfect Peppermint Fudge

Print
Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
2 mins
Total time
7 mins
Tis the season for peppermint and sweets! You can have the best of both with this Practically Perfect Peppermint Fudge! Just a handful of ingredients and five minutes are all you need to make this pretty and festive fudge!
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 64 candies
Ingredients
  • 24 oz white chocolate chips
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp peppermint extract
  • 1 cup crushed peppermint candy or candy canes, divided

Instructions

  1. Line an 8 or 9-inch square pan with non-stick foil and set aside.
  2. Combine white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
  4. Stir in the peppermint extract.
  5. Stir in ¾ cup of the crushed peppermint candy canes.
  6. Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
  7. Top with remaining crushed peppermint candy canes.
  8. Refrigerate for 2 hours until set.
  9. Cut into bite size pieces if desired. 
 Till soon, friends – thanks for stopping by. 

We Rise By Lifting Others

   

 Lately I’ve been giving a lot of thought to this quote – one of my favorites.  It’s something that’s totally lost on our current President….the supposed leader of the free world.  Ironic, this.. I remember accusations that Ob*ma was dividing us… if you thought he caused division in our nation, well.. what are you telling yourself now?

  Never thought I’d say this.. but the Orange Scream did himself a disservice by sitting down for an interview with F*x’s S*an Hann*ty. However,  for once SH did us all a favor, shed some light.     Interesting take by Robert Reich…

Last night on his Fox News show, S*an Hannity asked Tr*mp about the success of the U.S. economy in the first 9 months of Tr*mp’s presidency. Tr*mp’s reply:
“The country, we took it over in 20 trillion you know the last eight years they borrowed more than it did in the whole history of our country. So they borrowed more than $10 trillion. Right? And yet we picked up $5.2 trillion just in the stock market. Possibly picked up the whole thing in terms of the first nine months. In terms of value. So you can say in one sense, we are really increasing values and may be in a sense, we are reducing debt. We are very honored by it and very, very happy by what’s happening in Wall Street.”

Tr*mp is arguing that the national debt is being reduced because of the stock market gains.


That’s bonkers. There’s absolutely no connection between the stock market and the national debt. The stock market measures how much wealth is created or lost by large corporations and investors. The national debt is the debt owed by the federal government, which can be reduced only by raising taxes or reducing government spending.


**Tr*mp ran as a businessman who understands the economy. He’s a showman and a conman who appears to understand very little. 


   For those of us who believed he was here for the little guy, going to lift the lower and middle class…  I wonder how that sits with you so far.  His new tax plan is a big bonus for the wealthiest among us.  As the GOP would have you believe, it will trickle down eventually to you and I.  Haven’t we been there before, done that already?  Isn’t that what  they were railing against when they chanted Drain the Swamp?   It’s  the teacher down the road and the baker on Main Street and the mechanic at the garage and the mom and pop gas station owner, the family of four trying to hang on to their house or send their kids to a decent school or the single mom or dad raising kids alone who need the tax breaks. They ain’t getting it. 

  How about the treatment of Puerto Rico – talk about kicking folks when they’re down.   Or the NFL – way to inflame even more!

 Here’s a thought – With a nuclear war a feather tickle away with N. K*rea thanks to the Orange Scream’s inflammatory rhetoric,  Puerto Rico in ruins and we’re calling them lazy and telling them we can’t be there forever!  Wildfires out of control in CA, our healthcare system a bigger mess than ever, another mass shooting – the biggest in our history!, Russian investigations going who-knows-where, 45’s  ridiculous tweets slamming any and all and full of lie upon lie upon fabrication ( he’s twitter-feeding you his own fake news, people! Please call a spade a spade! ) ….  tell me…. how could he possibly believe he’s investing his time wisely by butting in to things like an NFL peaceful protest situation for what is definitely a just cause.  His over-inflated ego won’t allow him to shut up, it’s that simple.  He doesn’t have the class to restrain himself when it isn’t appropriate.   How about sending Pence and family to do his little side show of leaving the game after the anthem because players took a knee – at our expense!…  He’s running this country like a reality TV show and he’s spending millions upon millions of our money on golf weekends. Every. Weekend.   That’s so not cool.     I’m no snowflake, either.

     To so many of us, it appears he’s come undone… the Emperor is wearing no clothes.   And to yet others, well.. bravo! And such beautiful robes!

Go figure.

   So if  you’re also disheartened, whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, a liberal, a snowflake, a right wing nut or a clown in the circus – This is what we all can do if we want to be a part of positive change

  …… We Rise By Lifting Others..……

     Besides taking the time to investigate and vote in responsible, rational candidates with integrity we can rely on in upcoming elections no matter what side of the isle you reside on …  We can continue to look around for ways to volunteer in our communities.  Reach out when we might be  of service to someone in need of a little help.  Hold a door open , mow the elderly neighbors lawn or pick up the wet paper and place it at their door.  Let’s make a pie for the veteran who keeps to himself in the lonely house down the road. Donate stuff you’re not using to Goodwill…. visit a nursing home and bring donuts to the residents. Bring food, old blankets, towels or toys to the local animal shelter. Donate what’s comfortable to you, even $5 makes a dent – to worthy causes, there are so many.  Thank the people who provide services to you – the trash service, the waitress, your mail delivery person, the person in the McD*nalds drive through window. 

   …. speaking of which….. You know what I did recently?  It’s no big deal, I know this.. but boy did it turn my day around and make me feel good.   I grabbed fries and a water at a local drive-thru.  At the window stood a girl who has been working there for years – always with a smile.  I thanked her for always having a cheerful greeting for her customers and handed her $20.   Her eyes lit up and the size of her smile warmed my weary heart.  Then at the grocery store I bought sunflowers and  chocolates and brought them to my dad’s assisted living home.   I plopped them on the nurses station and I said thank you so much for the care you give these residents.

    If you’re still with me here and you have racist or homophobic tendencies… I think if you’re prejudice you know it… well, next time you’re in the vicinity or sharing space with a person of a different ethnicity or lifestyle, black, white, green red or yellow, Don’t shut yourself off.   Be polite – be kind, be open to a conversation. Pay a compliment, hold a door, pay their toll  or coffee if they’re behind you in a line.  Be open to the idea that they are indeed as deserving as you to be in this world, with similar struggles, similar hopes and dreams and fears and loves.  We aren’t all so different.  See how it feels to let go of old habits that serve no one.  You’ll feel better about you, I promise you.

  So who the hell do I think I am?   No one special, but I am definitely someone who wants better for all of us. We are capable of so much more than what we’re seeing right now.   We can be a light in these dark times.  Every drop of water creates the eventual ocean.  We’ve all seen what ripples do… We can rise about all this… one way is to lift ourselves by lifting others. 

Till soon, friends –

The K-List – Fall edition

     When I was much younger I believed I should have been born down South because the thought of -always Summer- was magical to me.  As I have matured I have come to truly cherish the change in seasons and now  I won’t give it up.   While it’s true Winter in New England can drag on with more grey cold days than I’d like,  it has it’s merits.  Living on a farm means spending much of your daylight hours outside tending livestock and gardens and hay fields, etc.  When winter sets in we’re in the house earlier, hunkered down by the fire most evenings, reading and catching up on the news.   It’s a time to allow ourselves to  be together quietly, to recharge and even  hibernate just a little, to not be so busy out and about.  My dogs seem to recharge  too – they sit in my lap and around my feet near the fire in the mancave or at my desk as I work, and they soak in  sunspots on the floor of the kitchen.

     Speaking of dogs… Miss Sally has blended very well with our family – at seven months she’s a bit rambunctious at times but  Ben, Bailey and Frasier tell her what they think of the new kid on the block without bloodshed and she has slowly been accepted into the pack.

     The light in a New England Autumn is just so warm and inviting. The skies bluest of blue.

    And that moon! Did you happen to glimpse the full moon last night?  It was amazing… I need to buy a zoom lens. My phone and canon with regular zoom did not catch it’s magnificence.

   
**Skip this section if you are avoiding unpleasant current events – and I don’t blame you.  Scroll on down to the recipes… 

   In the midst of enjoying all this fall beauty, we are constantly reminded of all the horrors occurring out there in the world. Sometimes I just want to ignore it all, shut it all out… and yet that seems irresponsible.   The horror of what has happened yet again, this time in Vegas.. Well, to sound cliche-ish – what is our world coming to.  And how can you stop a madman from an act such as this.

   Regarding gun laws – I believe in our right to own a gun responsibly. I also think not enough safety precautions are in place – not enough restrictions, regulations.  Thorough background checks, mental health history checks (oh yes, I know that violates rights, but still… ).. why is it harder to get a drivers license than a handgun?  Why are civilians allowed to buy semi-automatic assault weapons?  Silencers, $50 accessories that make a gun fire more rapidly?   And you know, while it may be true that the bad guys will find a way to get their weapon of choice,  why not put up roadblocks regardless?  Any life that might be saved, any deterrent that might stop the progress of an attack such as the Vegas horror show, why ever not?  I don’t agree with those who believe all gun owners are evil and no one should own one except law enforcement.  We don’t live in a Utopian world, we have to be prepared for the real world,  the madness of which you and I are fully aware.  Gun ownership is not all about  angry white men, as a friend of mine would have you believe.  However, the lack of restrictions and regulations in this country is appalling.  Slippery slope, this issue.  But doing nothing seems criminal.

     It continues to amaze me that 45 still has his seat in the Oval office, and the support of his base as well.  I’m no snowflake – I just believe in truth and maturity and a general sense that our President is here for all of us, not the some-of-us who like his brand of… I can’t even call it leadership.  How we can all see the same behavior and either applaud it or be  horrified and embarrassed by it is beyond my scope of understanding.  I had a conversation with a family member last night about this very thing.  I asked what exactly was it about this POTUS that felt inspirational.   Because that was the word the person used.  The explanation was that what 45 says in rallies makes that person feel pride in being American… it says “screw the establishment,  it hasn’t been working for the people, we’re finding our own way”.     Well… what can I say to that – that is my cherished person’s truth.  What I see is the complete opposite.  How did this come to be?  Clearly, I couldn’t tell ya.  I haven’t been happy with the government corruption and obstructionism among parties, lobbyists, etc. for a long time, so I get that sentiment.    It is a small comfort to see some of the GOP putting their party loyalty aside and standing up for integrity, truths, calling a spade a spade.   Right now it seems our divides in this country and abroad are growing wider.  Where this will all lead is a mystery to just about all of us, no matter what our beliefs.. but chaos is an undeniable part of it and that’s a scary deal for all.

  ONWARD! 

 None of these recipes are mine, all credit goes to the links provided.  It’s my goal to make all of these throughout the season though, and hopefully not eat most of each.  Luckily my grown kids stop in frequently and clear out the glass covered cake dish I try to keep full on the kitchen island.  I’m not ashamed to admit I use a little bribery to lure them in for visits and I love every one, even when  they’re  just drive-bys or bathroom stops or complaint filings.   🙂   

   Note: What’s been helping me to stick to a healthier diet lately is I’m really trying to focus on this gluten free thing, to see if it helps with this lovely fibromyalgia pain.   I’m giving it six months, so I know for sure whether it helps to be gluten free.  Two months in, I do notice much less bloat.  For that reason, I won’t be eating most of this stuff myself, although I sure am a glutton for punishment, eh? The temptation will be extreme. 
**Please add your favorite fall dish of any kind in the comments section if you’d like to share too. 







Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles 
 I’ll be back soon with some genuine Vermont fall flare to share… 
and.. a special something from Vermont for a recipe share
winner in the comments section, chosen by tossing your names
on a scrap of paper into the air
and whomever is selected by my Sally pup on the floor
will receive the surprise gift. 
Yup, that’s sometimes how we roll. 

Taking a knee, those ugly tweets, and a magical night on the water

      Oooh boy…. If you still come by here often enough, you know how a feel about most things I’ve covered in posts.   I don’t shy away from expressing my opinion on a subject, and that may irk a few people now and again.  That’s OK by me, as long as we’re civil in how we discuss our differing views.  I’m open to learning something from another’s viewpoint, although I don’t count on ever swaying another in my direction and vice versa.  Communication is a must, regardless.. or nothing ever gets accomplished – that’s just a truth in all things.  So I communicate, often, for better or worse.  Hopefully more better than worse. 
     The *Take A Knee movement has gained momentum and perhaps even gained a new purpose thanks to 45’s  juvenile tweets on the subject.  He bellowed “I’d Fire those Sons-of-Bitches”…. These words spoken to a crowd regarding NFL players  who have taken a knee while the Anthem is played and the flag displayed.   That obnoxious speech and the accompanying tweets led all NFL teams to kneel and stand with arms locked together on Sunday, a show of Unity in the league after being attacked by their, our, yours my.. President.
  *Sigh. 
    How do I feel about the *knee movement?   My opinion differs greatly from most of my Democrat or Liberal friends and they have let me know this very vehemently on social media. My republican friends are cheering me on, happy to finally! be in agreement on something.  
  Jeez… it’s not about that, folks.   
    No kidding – because of my opinion on this particular thing, I was accused of being a traitor to my “party” because I don’t  agree on this issue … and what that right there is to me is the colossal failure of all parties, especially in recent times.  We tend to separate ourselves into the party our beliefs align with, and we shut out and vilify all others.  We close our eyes and ears to listening to another avenue, another way, another take and then when we do that, we are blind to our own failures or pitfalls or oversights.   That’s what our government is doing, anyway. 
     I have never fully committed to a party affiliation myself, as I want to hear all sides on the issues according to the various crisis we currently face ( where do we start??)  and I don’t want an affiliation to own me.    I see strong and valid ideas on both sides of the isle, amid the corruption and usual bullshittery. When I vote, I vote for the person I feel will have the most positive impact in the current political and social environment for the greater good.  Admittedly, that’s been more Democrat than not.  Mostly.  Almost All.  Last summer and fall  I did lend an earnest ear to what the Republicans had to say – and the lead horse in the end was just not one I could ever stand behind and feel good about.   We’ve all witnessed why that is by now.   If you voted for 45 and still feel good about it, well you’re amazing.  I congratulate you on your stoic resolve to see it through.  I hope you know something special that I don’t, really not kidding here, I mean this. 
     Racism is an ugly, ugly thing –  most of us know this.  What will turn the hearts and minds of those who are so ingrained with that hatred is beyond me, for it should be crystal clear in this day and age how very wrong the act.  While I sympathize with those in our culture who still deal with racism, injustice and inequality, and it is not just the black population, there are many forms of racism and injustice, prejudice and inequality – I wish Colin and his comrades in arms (or knees) chose something other than the symbol that for many represents our patriotism, our love for our country, the symbol and song that brings goosebumps and tears to my eyes every time I hear and see it in a public display – The symbol that for me and many others represents – Home of the Free Because of the Brave.  Because of those men and women, many of whom lost their one sacred life defending our freedoms (indeed, including freedom of speech)   and were buried with a flag draped over their coffin.  I am of the opinion that  it was a really poor choice to carry the racism message.  Others are thrilled because it’s a peaceful protest.. and the issue is huge, real, and needs to be addressed.   I  see their point.  ….. and I still stand behind my opinion that  they should have picked another way. This way will be taken as unpatriotic, ungrateful, by those who won’t sympathize with them anyway.  Why give them grounds to do so? 
    So what will happen now?  When will the kneeling stop and some positive action begin?  Well we are all talking about it… but most of “we” aren’t the problem.   In their spare time and with the multiple spare funds they have gained as very successful athletes in this country..  I hope those men will head out into the communities that need them, will meet with the press and talk out the issues, will meet with law enforcement and inner city families, build some bridges, community centers, promote work ethic and education,  keep the conversations going so that something will actually come of this taking of the knee, shunning the flag and the anthem.  
    Since I posted that opinion, I have been called a traitor, I have been accused of not fully understanding or sympathizing with the black man’s experience because I am of white privilege.  I have been told I have gone to the other side because I side with 45.  
      I was frustrated that some of the folks I still consider friends were so aggravated by my opinion on this knee taking stance. I saw their point, why couldn’t they see mine?  We both want the same things in the end.   And then I said that thing I often need to say to myself, …. maybe it took six times but still…. This isn’t about you, Karen. 
    True, this – we don’t need to defend ourselves and shouldn’t take offense to other points of view. That’s not an easy pill to swallow for someone like me.  Nevertheless…    I know who I am, what I stand for and what I do not, I trust my own intelligence, I am fair and honest.  I believe in  equality and justice for all.   If you and I meet up in a dark place and you desperately need the last of something I’ve got, I’ll share it with you or hand it over whether you’re black, white, orange or red, voted for Hill or Tr*mp or RumpleStilskin.   That’s going to have to be good enough for anyone who wants to stick around.   
     Well… now that the heavy is dumped… let me share a little light with you.   Last night the light on the cove was nothing short of magical – water smooth as glass with little breeze, mellow gorgeous silvery blue and then golden pink light as far as the eye could see.  I wish I could pour it out to all of you so that you could feel the joy and peace I felt last night as I paddled through that quiet water.  It took the edge off my day. 
 That and a gin and tonic with a lovely twist of lime made by my sympathetic mother.  

Till soon, friends – 

What he said.

     

     I’m glad someone in Washington is willing to stand up for what’s right, regardless of party affiliation. We’ve all gotten so wrapped up in finger pointing at the Democrats, the liberals, the Snowflakes, the Republicans, the Conservatives, the Alt-rights… the assholes! (whomever you currently think that is)… but the real bottom line? The government, all of them.. are supposed to be working for US, no matter what category you think you fall under… we are all THE PEOPLE. Not the lobbyists, not their party pals, not their supporters only. The collective group of ALL OF US.

      The ACA needs to be fixed. FIX IT.. don’t keep throwing shit policy out there to see what sticks. FIX IT.. TOGETHER. Congrats to Senator McCain for calling a spade a spade. Perhaps more will follow in his footsteps and grow a conscience.  Sad reality – Why does it have to take a swan song for this to happen…


Troubled waters, restless sky

     Throughout my younger years I often reflected on how lucky I was to grow up in a time of relative peace. Too young to know the horrors of Vietnam personally, born decades after the World Wars… I felt relieved that our world had learned it’s lessons in the atrocities of war.  This is not to imply that there hasn’t been turmoil around the globe, that there haven’t been major issues brewing under the thin veneer of “peace time” since.  I think it’s crystal clear, particularly now… just how thin that skin was.. and is… 
Passed this in my travels last week… I want to hug the person who displayed it.  Amen.  One of the many issues before us. 
      I have always hoped and believed we would never come back to an all out war between super powers, surely the powers that be would learn from past mistakes… would not allow, ever again, the mass destruction, the horrors of war, because… NO ONE WINS.  EVERYONE LOSES… isn’t this clear to all by now?  Hasn’t history taught us enough of those lessons?  Lately, it seems power and greed and corruption and ego are winning out over common sense.  
     Such a beautiful world we live in.  The simplest truth is… every living being could exist here in comfort, in relative peace, in harmony.. together….having what they need.   It’s absolutely attainable, if not for greed and ego.  How very sad that we can ruin it for ourselves.  This is where the idea of a divine creator is lost on me. What a cruel joke, to create a race that will probably eventually destroy itself based on those two traits.  I want to believe good will always slay evil.  I don’t think I have to touch on what we’re all seeing in the world news … lately, that scenario doesn’t seem likely. 
     
     Yesterday I paddled my trusty little red Kayak, Ruby,  out into a choppy cove and let the wind and salt spray cover me. The warmth of the sun felt good on my skin… the rhythmic motion of the boat as we bobbed over the waves soothed my soul.  Sunlight like diamonds on the waters before me… looking out into the Atlantic waters  from the safety  of our little cove… all I could think of was how healing it might be if I could instill that calmness, that appreciation of the beauty of our shared world, in the hearts of the men who can’t see beyond their own egos and greed.  
  I have been trying, lately, to avoid watching too much of the news – to refrain from spewing my disgust on social media… taking some advice from my son, the 21 year old who hasn’t been around as long as I have.. yet.   “Mom, why get yourself all worked up over something you have no control over. It’s not worth the price, let it go“.   
 Like ego and greed, another simple truth, yes?  Out of the mouths of not a babe anymore, but youth nevertheless. 
   So I’m taking more walks with my dogs…  
   My old boy, Ben, and I took a stroll last night in the fields just before dark.  The sky seemed restless, moisture and humidity have returned and I wonder if this is the beginning of the newest hurricane heading toward the states.  More stormy weather ahead…. 

     
    I’m not religious, but I believe in the power of prayer – go figure.  Praying for the safety of all in Hurricane Irma’s path – praying for the healing of our people all over the world – praying for sanity and good will to settle in the hearts of our leaders so that we avoid destroying ourselves in the pursuit of… Greatness?  *sigh.  We already have profound greatness…. beauty, bounty, resources. May we collectively figure out how not to destroy it. 
 Till soon, friends… 

The K List

      First – my thoughts and prayers are with all those dealing with the flood devastation in Texas. In this day and age, with all the forecasting we’re able to do, how is it we still can’t evacuate people out of a very dangerous hurricane or tornado zone before it actually hits?   I’m seeing images of elderly folk trapped in three feet of water in nursing homes, families still trapped in their flooded houses, animals drowned, electrocuted or sitting on top of kennel houses in pounds…   How are we not able to secure the people and animals of an area before the disaster hits when we have the forewarning. 
    What we have here in New England right now is a down-right chilly end-of-August.   It was 58 degrees as I fed the horses this morning.  There were even a few fall leaves on the stone walls.  I love fall, but NOT YET!!….  
I actually made (Brenda’s) Taco Soup for dinner last night  and an old Banana Bread recipe this morning to help cut through the chill.  The BB recipe is as follows – real simple, never fails. Important not to over-bake it, as you want it really moist. 

4 very ripe bananas (that’s important) 
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
t tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups flour
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 1 loaf pan. Throw all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix well.  Poor into pan and bake for approx. 45 minutes to an hour, depending on oven.  I start checking after 40 minutes. When toothpick comes out clean, it’s done. 
Sharing some pictures I took in our late summer garden
yesterday as I clipped back what was growing a little too wild

I found this perfect little two inch mushroom ….
    and went back out there this morning 
because.. this... 
  

   Till soon, friends – 

Counting on that Pendulum

 The following was shared with me by a family member who understands  my struggle with this issue…. Hit the nail right on the head.  Thank you Joelle Wisler for putting this out there for all of -us-.  


The Stages Of Grief When Your Loved One STILL Supports Trump –  by Joelle Wisler


I feel like it’s been about a thousand years since inauguration day. It’s as if this administration is literally like Russian (cough cough) nesting dolls and one horrible thing after another just keeps popping up in my news feed every day. I know more about the White House and its inhabitants than I would have ever wanted to know — the names, the faces, the firings, the drama, the downward spiraling, all of the nasty words said off-record that somehow become on-record.

And the tweets. Dear God, the freaking tweets.

And through it all, seemingly oblivious to the outside world that shines a spotlight down upon all the hate, my loved one still sits in silence and supports.
Well, they sit in silence around me, at least. Probably because I have a tendency to turn into the girl from the exorcist when our president’s name is mentioned. I just cannot anymore. I cannot. I cannot sit and listen to the whitest man in the world say that white men are the ones who are really discriminated against. That only English-speaking immigrants can enter our country. That hardworking, life-sacrificing, proud military personnel who happen to be transgender can no longer be in the armed services. That a lot of people don’t actually need health care anymore. That all news that isn’t overtly favorable to him is fake. That we need a see-through wall to keep “them” out. And all of the other things.
That everyone else in the world is less-than by his standards. I’m not here for it, folks.
So, my loved one and I don’t discuss politics, but a tiny voice inside me still mourns — for our relationship, for the millions of relationships being affected. It’s as if we’ve seen an ugly secret inside our friends and family members that we never knew about and it breaks our hearts with every tweet.
They are afraid of something. I assume supporters of his are afraid of something. Of minorities. Of women. Of anyone who is different. Oh wait, perhaps they fear the dismantling of white supremacy and the heteronormative patriarchy?
So in my grief (and bewilderment) at my loved one’s continued support despite the crazy world we now live in, here are the stages I’ve gone through:

1. Shock/Disbelief

Earlier this summer, I was driving through Las Vegas with my loved one when they said, “Look at that, Trump tower! It’s made of all gold y’know.” And I should have really won an award for the tremendous amount of self-restraint I showed in the next moments.
Because I did nothing.
I said nothing. I didn’t drive us off the road or start word-vomiting all of the facts and tweets and plummeting poll numbers. I just drove — not only because I was so shocked, but also because I knew I had to drive 12 hours longer with my loved one and nothing good would have come from me detailing a list of offenses.

2. Denial

Every piece of news I hear or read, I think, that’ll do it. A person couldn’t possibly support that. And my loved one keeps supporting. I can’t think too deeply about this because acceptance of the policies coming out of the White House says something fundamental about you as a human being. I’m in denial that I share blood with someone who can accept and support these things.

3. Anger

Once, in a low moment as I cooked dinner for my loved one and Fox News was blaring in the background, I said, “You know they are lying to you right now?” And my loved one said, “All of those other channels are fake news.” REALLY?! ALL the other news in the whole world is fake? How?! Why?! What?! And then my head exploded all over my freshly layered lasagna.

4. Bargaining

Please, please stop tweeting. Please?

5. Guilt

My 5-year-old crawled into bed with me one morning when we were at my loved one’s house. She said, “So I asked [our loved one] why they voted for that bad man.” My heart sunk a bit because I don’t want this to affect their relationship. Yes, I believe that he is a bad man. With horrible ideas and no self-awareness. But my kids are too young to worry about all of that.

6. Depression

My loved one and I used to agree about a lot of things politically. We both love our country. And I believed we agreed on the basic humanity of all people and in the underlying structure of America — that we welcome all, that our rights as Americans are everything and for everyone. But it feels as if Trump’s rise to power has let those who hold little black holes of hate and discrimination in their hearts speak freely with such vitriol. That, yes, America is the home of the free, but only for some people. Not those people. And that makes me unfathomably sad for our world, for where we are at.

7. Acceptance (and Hope)

My hope lies in a man’s hands named Robert Mueller. The truth is going to come out, and we are just going to have to wait for it.
I know I’m not the only one who has a loved one, a friend or family member, who has boarded the Trump Train and is unwilling to get off despite its inevitable drive toward destruction. Never have we been this divided, this ideologically far away from each other, this torn. People have divorced over this man, families have been split apart, holidays have become uncomfortable. There are those who simply can’t get past it. Those who’ve had to draw that “no contact” boundary because the divide is just too great. The hate that he doesn’t condemn is just too real.
But the pendulum will always swing both ways, so with hope, I try remember this and look forward to 2018.




Where do we go from here

    If you’re not living under a rock here in the US, you know what just happened down South.  Brief recap in case you really didn’t see it… Some assh*le plowed into a crowd of protesters standing up to  a wh*te supremac*st hate group at their rally.  That assh*le was another holier-than-thou wh*te supremac*st  who apparently had nothing better to do than to kill one truly decent human being and maim at least 7 others critically. 
     Sadly, but expectedly (and that’s even worse), our commander in chief  blamed “all sides” for this violence, and made sure no one could blame him, adding “this isn’t because of Obama or Trump”..  ( LOL, really, dude?)  But…. but… and here’s the important part… he did not denounce, until two days later after he was called out on it by many sources… the haters who actually committed the violence and murder.  He did not name them until today.  He tried to peg it on violence from “all sides”  Why?  Because he knows they are part of his base supporters.  Kinda like Russ*a.  And ain’t that a scary, scary deal.
      Regardless – Why so much hate among those people?  They weren’t born with it. Perhaps they were raised with it, I don’t know.  What I do know is each and every one of us bares some responsibility to help right that ship. It might take ten thousand days and ten thousand ways… but each of us can do something, somehow, somewhere… to say we are not those people. We will not tolerate intolerance.  
      If you are reading this and you have racist tendencies, stop the nonsense.  If you’re religious and a racist.. LOL.. well, there’s a bit of irony, huh?  not sure how you rationalize the hypocracy in your own mind.    We are the sum of our actions, not the sum of the pigment in our skin, the origin of our ancestors. The history of the white man is not really something to be proud of – we enslaved people, took them away from their own culture and literally enslaved them to do our dirty work.  We slaughtered the people who were here before us so that we could take the land they were living on. Hell, slaves built our President’s home!  (you know.. the dump.. according to 45).  And.. how can anyone.. anywhere.. knowing the horrors what were N@zi, Germ*ny…. idolize such a thing.    So unbelievable and yet very very real – that in this day and age, we’re still dealing with this ignorance. 
    If we were living in the days of slav*ry, if we were living in N@zi Germ@ny,  what would you have done then?    What are you doing now…. 
    Lately, it feels like we’re being assaulted in so many ways… and this ain’t no snowflake complaining here.  What are YOU doing to combat what’s being thrown at us from all angles?    We’re not getting reinforcement from the top, hell no.  So I guess it starts with all of us.. .at the bottom and up through the middle … let’s do this… let’s be the light in these dark times… Any suggestions?  I’d love to hear your words, your ideas on positive action, positive change.
 
   
  
     
 

You Can’t Make This Sh*T Up

   Is your head spinning yet?  ‘Cause whether you support the Orange Scream or you’re like me, saying or thinking a whole lot of WTF’s….  Seriously… WTF… this stuff has to tax your common sense thinking  just a little.   Besides N. Korea tantrums which could be pretty f-ing serious, Russia.. the state of our Health Care system…  The trans ban- I’m not sure what to say about that.  It just feels real discriminatory and unfair to me.  A 45 supporting friend said to me – the military shouldn’t pay for their gender operations!  Apparently 8 million dollars has been spent on that subject.  $78 mill has been spent on Viagra and Cialis for their erectile dysfunction.  Let that sink in.   
   This past week alone, just tip of iceberg stuff here –  we’ve got one atrocious speech in front of the Boy Scouts of America… another atrocious speech suggesting more police brutality is in order, shall we even bother with the appointment of Scaramucci?  He’s so slick I’m surprised his suit stays on him. Maybe that’s why the knots so tight.. to hold it in place/  Jeez in his first week in position he suggested Sarah Huckabee needed help with her makeup and hair – what an absolute ass.   He’s such a turd his wife of three years  just filed for divorce.. apparently very unhappy about his dance with the new White House.  I can’t say that I blame her and  I wish her  the very very best.  Smart woman. 
 If foul language offends you, don’t glance below. But if you’re a 45 supporter, I guess this doesn’t bother you at all….. 

UPDATE:   He’s OUTTA THERE!  That has to be a record.

 I have some happy news to share, but I’m not polluting it in this post.. more later.