November Third

We are watching the unraveling of a nation.

My heart is so heavy this morning I want to burst into tears. It is hard for me to understand how America became this thing that it is. How did we, as a people, become so cruel, harsh and mind numbingly ignorant? How did we become the people, who in two short years decide to put the very people who got us into this trouble in the first place, back into power?  Let us see what happens as these self-professed budget hawks push extended tax cuts for the mega rich, adding to the great black hole of the deficit they profess so much concern about. Let us watch as they continue to support the largest, wealthiest multi-national corporations off-shoring their corporate headquarters to post office boxes in the Caymans, freeing them from paying any federal income taxes as they continue to put their hands out for federal subsidies. Let us watch as the Democratic Senate and President cave in on almost everything. Let us get used to high unemployment and low wages. We have a new normal.

So as the rest of the world moves forward, we will go backward. We will doggedly hang onto our myth of rugged individualism. We will continue to talk about our freedom, our Constitution, our uniqueness. And we will continue down the path we have been following for thirty years. The path which has led us to joblessness, poverty, insecurity, debt, fear. We will continue in our blind belief that the titians of industry and finance, the masters of the universe will allow us to grab hold of their coattails. We will continue to believe in a free market driven economy. We will continue to believe the mantra that all taxation is bad. We will continue to believe that cutting costs, cutting government, privatizing everything, is in the best interest of the people. And as the weight of this belief bears down on us, as it crushes our lives, we will continue to look at the other, the people who are not 'us' and bring all of the forces of our fears and frustrations down upon them.

It is my opinion we have cooked our own goose.

God help America.

Oh Well

It's a windy and rainy day in the northland. I thought a lovely bouquet of tulips are in order.

I have not been very active lately. I will admit I am not feeling well. More than the bad cold I have had. Fortunately, I live in America where we have the best healthcare money can buy. Which is why I have held off going to the doctor, because money is the key component in our remarkably ignorant system.

I will need to part with some of our dearly earned and dwindling greenbacks. You know, I live so close to Canada that I wonder if I could get an honorary citizenship. I'll behave. I won't pollute your civil society with a rugged individualism myth or assail your ears with fear, freedom and talk of the marketplace taking care of everything. I'll quietly sip my tea and be grateful.

Is This What We Have Come To?

Due to a Supreme Court ruling in February, corporations have the right to free speech, meaning they may funnel as much money into the political forum as they see fit and they may do it anonymously. This group got an amendment on the Colorado ballot essentially banning all abortions. No one will know who is funding this.

This is not about abortion, but rather how far we have gone, becoming increasingly extreme not only in our views, but in our expression of said views. This is the sitting President of the United States. I was taught to respect the office, if not always the holder of the title. Obviously there are no lines which cannot be crossed. And just as obvious, it seems there are no limits to the number of people willing to cross them.

I fear for us. I really do.



Pay attention the quote by Jefferson. Funny how the living, breathing life, the life which has been born holds no meaning to these very same people.

A Note

Some people put all of their ducks in a row.

It seems I put all of my plants in a row.

This is the view I saw the other day as I lay in my chair suffering the insult of a very bad cold. Of course the weather has been gorgeous while I have been miserable. Not fair.

Anyway, this is a note to say I am still alive. I'm slowly getting better, but I don't have much energy. It really is amazing how a 'simple' cold can put a person off their feet.

Sunshine, Soup & Sneezy

Mark and I are both under-the-weather.

Shelley Paulson Photo

It hardly seems fair. We are having absolutely beautiful fall days and we are both down for the count. We generally have better timing; he gets sick, then I get sick. Never at the same time. It makes for nothing getting done. I would not want anyone looking into my barn right now. A poor opinion of my horse-keeping would be had. Not to be helped, though. I'm now old enough to know better. The work will keep. I need to lay low so I can get back on my feet sooner. No more, the days of dragging myself along by the self-placed ring in my nose, valiantly attempting to do too much and only succeeding in prolonging my misery.

I have a stock pot of chicken wings on the stove which will eventually become chicken soup, my cure for all that ails me. Other than that and the basics for the beasties, I am taking to my recliner with some chamomile tea and remaining there for the day.

I will return to my bright, cheery self ☼ soon, I'm sure. But for now it will be a box of kleenex and a droopy me. And a beautiful day taunting me through the window glass.

From Howard's Perspective

Howard leads a very hard life.

Don't tell anyone.

More Than Scrambled Eggs

I'm going to try a new weekly feature.

I received this book as a gift the year it was first published, 1991. I have used it as a reference over the years, but I never actually used it as a learning tool. This is the first entirely English language cookbook published by Le Cordon Bleu. There are over 100 recipes and very detailed instruction.

I am not going to try to duplicate what Julie of Julie & Julia did on her blog, heaven forbid. I don't have the time, energy or interest for that. I simply thought it might be fun to prepare one of the menus once a week. I thought I would arbitrarily pick by opening a page. I would then post the results here. My intention is to cook on Sunday, but my life does not usually follow routine, so this may not always be possible. But I will try.

So with a tip of the hat to my Cordon Bleu trained friend Allegra, and to Elizabeth who is also trained and is married to a chef, I will bring the total amateur's approach and attempt to food preparation via the French method.

I have chosen my first menu, which is considered intermediate. It isn't too complicated. I think this is a good thing!

Here is to fabulous food and the fun of preparing it. I hope.

What We Really Are

This is the real face of America.

Photo:  Michael Reynolds

Yesterday there was a march on Washington by a group called "One Nation Working Together". This was organized by a coalition of groups ranging from labor to civil rights.

This photo is starkly different from the images put in front of us, seemingly daily, of the supposed overwhelmingly powerful Tea Party. This is the real America. This is what scares the bejesus out of the "take our country back" crowd. An America that is diverse. And engaged.

I really wanted to go. The local progressive radio station chartered busses and set up packages including a hotel. I could not find anyone to travel with me, so in the end I stayed home and watched on C-Span. There is nothing more lonely than being alone in a crowd.

What I want to say is, take heart my fellow sane and reasonable Americans. We outnumber them. We simply need to engage ourselves and not give up. We cannot give up, for what will be fraught upon us if we do will be terrible. We have seen behind the curtain and what we saw is horrible. Let us not go there. Please. Get up.

Vote.

Smell of Smoke, Crunch of Leaves

Hello October

 Where did you come from?

What happened to September? It seems I went to bed on August 31st and woke up on October 1st. Where did the time go? I think perhaps I live in a black hole and it periodically eats my time. That must be it.

This is our easing into it month. The between time. Buffering for a moment the long stretch ahead. The frozen time. Like the squirrels, we start to gather and store for the time ahead of us. We are not so far removed from our beginning, our bodies tell us to store calories to ensure our survival over the frozen days; the urge is strong and deeply rooted in our northern DNA. I find comfort in this. It is my location in life which has helped get me to my plump self. That must be it.

So it starts. The maple trees are ablaze with their fiery glory. The ivy is burning red along the fence. The roses are having their last hurrah before the frost touches their blossoms, telling them it's time for bed. And I enjoy the in between. Knowing what is coming; savoring what is now. Eating mashed potatoes and gravy. Baking bread. Life can be good. That must be it.

Morning Guest

Look who came to visit yesterday morning. Someone must have told him fleas are on the menu.

I have seen a Pileated Woodpecker only a handful of times in my life and all of those sightings have been since I have lived in this house. It is hard to realize how large they are from the photo, but they are big. I took the photo through the window and when I tried to sneak outside, off he went!

I am hopeful my flea control marathon is over. I fogged once more yesterday, as well as applied Frontline to the dogs and cat. I learned a hard lesson about the less expensive topical control products. They do not work. Had I spent the money in the beginning I likely would have saved myself a lot of effort and cash in the end. Of course, Woody could have come for breakfast a couple of weeks ago.

If I have indeed conquered the flea, I will be back online on a regular basis. Fall is in the air, lots of projects need doing, but after the past week, I think I can do my daily work and talk to my blogging friends. Whodda thought I had it in me. ☼

A busy morning ahead. The farrier as well as the equine dentist will be here. Ever see money fly? It will be today on the farm! But these guys are an important part of the horse care equation. So with a tentative smile on my face, I will greet the first (hopefully) flea-free day in a couple of weeks and get to it.

I hope your day is a good one.