Miracle in the Kitchen...News at 11

A miracle happened yesterday. It was totally unexpected, which I guess by definition a miracle tends to be unexpected. What I'm trying to say is I was not looking for a miracle, I didn't think a miracle was possible, so it wasn't on the radar screen. Don't you just love when you receive a miracle that way?

Here's the back story, which isn't really much of a back story. I'm fat. I keep trying to lose weight. The only plan that ever shows any promise is Atkins. I get incredibly sick, very quickly of eating all the protein. The only meat that I can cook that tastes decent is filet mignon. I know, I can hear the whispers, "you've got to be kidding. Filet mignon? She couldn't just say beef? Who's she trying to impress?" My answer to your whispers is, "no one." In a nutshell I'm picky and slightly queasy about meat. You should see me prep meat. I cut off any signs of fat, even if it means cutting into the steak to remove marbling. I realize that marbling is supposed to be a good thing, but in my world it's a nightmare. I like chicken but I only know one way to prepare it and George Foreman's grill figures prominently into the preparation and the result is marginal and tasteless and most of the time dry.

Three days ago I got to that place where my level of digust with myself reached the point of "I've got to do something! NOW!" So it's back to Atkins, but the old problem looms large of how can I live on eggs, filet mignon, turkey bacon, cheese, and marginal chicken. I've got to try something to change things up or improve my cooking skills. There is a restaurant called Malvina's that serves a chicken marsala that I die for everytime. I thought to myself, "could I possibly find a recipe for chicken marsala and make it slightly resemble Sal's chicken marsala at Malvina's?" So I started searching the internet and came up with the simplest recipe that I could find. I then bravely went where I so often am reluctant to go...into the kitchen to try to cook.

As I said, the recipe was simple and straightforward. I carefully pounded the chicken within an inch of total disintegration. I lightly sprinkled it with flour. Fried the pounded and floured breasts in olive oil and butter for 3 minutes on each side. Then I added the white wine and brought it to a boil and let the chicken cook for about another 10 minutes. Removed the cooked chicken and added some more butter and chicken stock to the juices in the pan, stirring constantly. I tasted the sauce a couple of times and each time I was not very impressed. It tasted a little too salty and that was weird because I hadn't added any salt. But I pressed forward. I placed the chicken on a plate and covered it in the "salty" sauce. I was too "chicken" to taste my creation so I called the kids down and forced them to try it first. Being the supportive children that they are, they responded with, "what the heck is that?" and "did you cook the chicken enough? I don't want you making me sick." I know, they really do trust my culinery skills. Cody was the first to sample my efforts and I was shocked when I heard him say, "oh my goodness, this is sooooo good" as he dropped to one knee to add effect. It took a minute for me to fully comprehend that he wasn't falling down because I had just poisoned him, but because he loved it. Chelsea love it too and said that when she mixed the sauce with the rice it made the rice taste "awesome." Then it was my turn. I gingerly placed the first bite in my mouth and was greeted by a mixture of flavors that closely resembled Sal's chicken. I was in heaven and I'm the one who put me there. I cooked and I cooked well. That's my miracle.

Where was Dan in all this? He's not much of a meat eater, but he did sneak a couple of very small pieces of chicken on top of his rice and for Dan that's saying something.

Frogs are Green, but I am Not

Today is Earth Day, as evidenced by the myriad of flags with a picture of the Earth silk screened on them hanging from every light post in my town. A necessary expenditure of our tax dollars I am sure!


Can I just say that this whole Green Movement makes my want to throw up. I was pushed to my limit yesterday as I was making a purchase at my favorite clothing store, or maybe I should say the only clothing store that sells my size and their clothes don't make my want to hide under my desk. As I was making my purchase the sales girl invited me to purchase their new Green bag so that I wouldn't use their plastic bags. She even added the incentive that if I purchased the bag, that they would plant a tree or save a dolphin, or stand in front of an indigenous person trying to club a harp seal or give me 5 carbon credits. I wasn't paying that close attention, because my blood pressure was quickly rising and I needed to pay attention to my body to see if I was going to suffer a stroke. I politely declined, but I guess that wasn't acceptable. She continued to push. She said, "you know you really will be helping the environment if you use our Green bag instead of our plastic bags." I felt the bile now rising up into my throat...now I've got bile and an impending stroke to deal with! My reply was, "I don't really think my using your plastic bag will have that great of an impact on the environment so no thanks." Again, this was not a sufficient reply on my part. She quickly added, "Oh I know it helps, I haven't used a plastic bag in six years." I said, "well good for you, but I don't want one of your Green bags. By the way, what's the store's profit margin on your Green bag?" She didn't particularly like this question I assume because all I got in response was an eye roll. To which I further added, "you do realize that your store wouldn't be selling these Green bags if it didn't help their bottom line? That this Green retail movement is just a scam to increase profits?" Again, no reply. She simply handed me my purchases in my plastic bag, holding it as if it were a dirty diaper. I would have loved to debate the finer points of the issue, such as, asking her for measurable evidence that her lack of use of plastic bags had helped the environment, but what would be the use. There seems to be an incredible lack of questioning when it comes to the Green issue. I'll just say that I'm Green and somehow that will make me a better person and give me the right to be condescending, rude, and downright obnoxious to anyone who doesn't "get with the program." Don't get me wrong. I'm not against making profits, in fact, I'm all for making profits. What I rail against is the dishonesty behind the profit making. We've got Chicken Little saying "the sky is falling" for the sole purpose of selling a bill of goods based on faulty data in order to make a profit. I find that morally reprehensible.

I'm sick of such vacuous logic that this sales girl was pedaling and I'm willing to say that "The Emperor has no clothes."

I'm a Joiner

Today I joined:

• The National Rifle Association. What prompted this? Obama's meeting with the President of Mexico and his statement regarding getting a handle on all those guns that we're supplying Mexico. What a perfect excuse to tamper with our Second Amendment.
• I will be attending the next meeting of the Libertarian Party on May 3rd. After that meeting I'll decide if I'll make it official by registering with the party. I'm itching to get involved at the local level and if the Libertarian Party is active at the local level, I'm going for it.
• My desire to become more proactive is driven by the lies and distortions that I saw on CNN, NBC, MSNBC, and ABC about yesterday's tea parties. I was there and I know what actually happened. Their first out and out lie is that these tea parties were organized by Fox News, Glenn Beck, and Shaun Hannity. I listen to Glenn Beck's radio show every day. When the tea parties were first suggested by callers he stated he thought it was a bad idea. It was premature to hold tea parties because the issue right now is not about taxes. The issue is the out of control spending and unmanageable debt. When does deciding to cover an event mean that you are responsible for planning the event? I'd like these news outlets to explain that one! The second lie was that this was an anti-Obama event. Nothing could be further from the truth. Not one anti-Obama word was spoken at the tea party I attended. They even acknowledged all the different political groups that were in attendance, including one democrat who had his sign "Support the Troops, Pay Your Taxes." Nobody boo-ed him, in fact, when he was acknowledged from the stage he received a warm and accepting round of applause from the audience. He was a sweetheart and responded with a big smile and a wave. What I saw was a true gathering of concerned Americans who were exercising their right to voice their concerns. For the media outlets to try to turn these gatherings into a right-wing, Republican backed, Fox News organized irrelevant and extremist event is shameful and demonstrates they have no journalistic integrity, sorely out of touch, and downright arrogant.

Would you like some disrespect with that tea?

I attended a tea party protest this morning held in the City Plaza. I was pleasantly surprised with the number of people who showed up. There were about 300-400 people there. I almost didn't go, but upon hearing from one of my students about what his economics professor said about people who choose to attend these tea party protests, that sealed the deal for me. This economics professor said that the only people who would be attending these protests were either rich or idiots. I'm not rich, so I guess that makes me an idiot. Isn't it wonderful how respectful this man is of people who don't agree with his point of view? Isn't it terrific that he shares his lack of tolerance with his students? This view is also shared by the LA Times in one of their op-ed pieces. This op-ed, in its title labels people like me "insane." What is so sad is that these people just don't get it. It's not about the taxes, it about government spending; it's about the growing federal government; it's about the 10th Amendment and the increasing pressure to disregard state rights; it's about politicians who believe that we serve them rather than they were elected to serve us. This country was formed as a Republic, not a democracy. That's what I heard at the tea party I attended. I was so impressed with the people who showed up. All parties were represented. Everyone was respectful of each other. There was one lady who kept yelling out "bulls**t" but everyone ignored her and didn't get into a shouting match. It wasn't an anti-Obama rally, as some in the media want to say it that it was. I saw people from all walks of life. I stood next to a vet who was in his early 60's. When I told him what that economics professor said, he confirmed that he must be an idiot too because he certainly wasn't rich. He was a mechanic. It felt good being with a group of people who felt just as disenfranchised as I feel. We weren't bitter, just determined to be silent no longer. It's time to organize and be pro-active. By the way, the Department of Homeland Security came out with this memo stating those who speak out against big government are extremists. I guess that makes me an idiot and an extremist...and boy am I proud to be both. Their disrespect, condescension, and ridicule will not alter my course. I'm even more committed to making sure that no more ground is lost to this progressive movement that has taken over our country.

Random Thoughts

• I've been sick with cold/flu since last Thursday.
• I had to miss the family Easter breakfast, but my sweet sister-in-law sent over a warm cup of coffee. I so appreciate thoughtfulness.
• Today was the first day that I started approximating feeling normal, but as luck would have it the winds pick up, really picked up, so all the pollen in the air doesn't help my allergies; making it difficult to know if it is the reminent of the cold or the allergies that are making me feel bleah.
• Covering moral development in class always disturbs me because there are always several students who make comments regarding morals that makes my jaw drop; like it is okay to steal as long as you don't get caught; the sense of entitlement voiced is staggering. I always feel slightly depressed when class is over.
• During intersession one student made the statement that all business is evil; today a student commented that money is bad. My reply to him was that I would be more than happy to take any money that should come his way. Not surprisingly he said he'd be happy to give me what ever he has; I guess the logic escaped him that money is what enabled him to have a seat in the class.
• I'm planning on attending a tea party at City Plaza tomorrow; unfortunately I can only attend for about 20 minutes as I'll go during my office hour (which is actually 50 minutes), but I want to be supportive of the protest.
• Sometimes I feel like I've stepped through the looking glass and I'm Alice.
• I pray that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

Change of Schedule

When I went into work today I had to head up to the department office to sign a form to close my review file for the year. When I came into Barb's office (head secretary) she jumped up and said, "I was about to send you an email about your schedule." I was surprised to hear this because I've had my fall schedule for over a month now. I said as much to her. Her reply was, "I know, but there's been a change." "What's the change?" I nervously asked. I was not prepared for her response, "We've cancelled one of your Introductory Psychology sections and added another section of Abnormal Psychology for you." My jaw dropped. Did she just tell me that they had granted my request? I had sent an email to my boss about 4 months ago requesting that he change my schedule to include 2 instead of 1 section of Abnormal. I never received a response to that email, so I figured he was avoiding answering because he wanted to tell me "forget about it." I did a little jig and then gave Barb a big hug, telling her that "heck, yeah, sign me up!"

Can you tell that I'm excited?!!! I feel like I just received an early birthday and Christmas present.

Happy Birthday Luke (and Joe)

Saturday we celebrated Luke's 60th birthday. Dan, brother-in-law Fred, nephew Joe, and I drove to Napa for a small get together to properly celebrate Luke's 60 years on this earth. We mustn't forget however that Luke shares a birthday with Joe who is turning 32 years old.
Dan and I started the day by taking the NSX and Dan being Dan insisted on taking the "back roads" to get there, which is code for find the most winding roads with the fewest number of services available. These excursions start out full of anticipation of fun, but as one hairpin turn turns into 100, the anticipation of fun quickly turns into anticipation of when the heck are we going to get there. We managed to turn a 2 1/2 hour drive into a 4 hour drive. Now, this was okay with me because I really wanted to arrive late. I'm perpetually early and I get sick of always being the first one to a party. I wanted to be fashionably late. Therefore, Dan's plan to take the "back roads" served my purposes just fine. We arrive to the party 45 minutes late, but upon our finding the house we noticed that there are no cars there; not even Luke and Diane's. We arrived at the party BEFORE the guest of honor! We got on the phone immediately and found out that the party was scheduled to start at 4 pm not 3 pm. Luckily Luke and Diane were just minutes away as were Fred and Joe. So, yet again, my best efforts to be late were foiled. I guess I'm meant to always be the first to arrive.

The invited guests for this part were life long friends of Luke, most of whom I had met years ago, or maybe it would be more accurate to say decades ago. I was mildly curious to see how kind the years have been to all of us. It turns out that Luke was not the only one having a birthday. Bob Halliwell was also turning 60 next Tuesday, so the party was for him as well.

We were warmly greeted by Gerhardt and Vayla (sorry I don't know their last name) and brought into their lovely home. Bob and his wife, Gigi, were already there and Bob immediately got to work tending bar. Bob is a bigger than life kind of person, who is never short on enthusiasm and something to say, so there was not the usual warming up phase of the party. We just hit the ground running, catching up and (for the others) reminiscing.
Then it was picture time. Bob Halliwell is on the far left, next to him is Gerhardt, then Luke, then Joe, then Fred, and Dan. Nick is the man sitting on the stool. I had previously met everyone except for Gerhardt. What a wonderful host Gerhardt was; constantly checking to see if there was anything that anyone needed.

Luke's wife, Diane and I have a wonderful sister-in-law relationship and I so enjoy whenever I can spend time with her.

Diane and I wanted a picture with our favorite bartender of the night Bob. He is a retired teacher so I guess you could say this was a picture of the teachers who were at the party. Diane teaches second grade.

The women at the party were (from left to right) Gigi (Bob's wife), Vayla (Gerhardt's wife and hostess of the party), Miriam (Nick's wife), Diane and myself.

After we finished with picture taking we were moved into the house where a lovely dinner was served. Most notable was the dessert. Vayla made this German cake, well it was actually more like coffee cake, that was to die for. She gave me the recipe (I pray that I will be able to remember it) and I plan on making it the first chance I have a good reason to. They put to gether a slide show of pictures from their youth and let me just say that they accurately portrayed the cultural events of the 60's. You do with that statement what you will. The evening went a little later than I had expected and so we had to gently leave before I think we were meant to, but we had teenagers to get home to and a long drive ahead of us, or should I say me. Dan was in no condition to drive, which left me and it was way past my bedtime...ugh that makes me sound sooooo old. I guess I'm just saying that I was already rather sleepy. We arrived home at 12:30 am and found both our children safely back at home (Chelsea had been in Gridley all day at a party).

We don't get out much to do these kind of social functions, so it was nice to break with routine and relax and enjoy the company of others. Happy Birthday dear brother Luke! We sure do love you.