77,302,580

Y’all are asking, “Gabby, where are you taking us with seventy-seven million, three hundred-two thousand, five hundred eighty?”

Doesn’t ring a bell, does it?

That, dear friends, is the number of Americans who cast their vote for what we have today as POTUS 47. I promised myself not to take the role of political antagonist when I resumed blogging a few weeks ago. Several of my blogging friends are, by far, more talented and informed than I am. But I also promised to find my voice in support of what is the truth of my heart. If I can rattle a few MAGA cages than I should do so.

Yes, I have several acquaintances who are part of that number, family members also. We have an understanding when we get together. No talk about gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and politics. Truly, that doesn’t leave much to fill the dinner table conversation. Talking about errant cousins and idiot neighbors is not edifying either.

But one question I often die to ask is this. Are you still the strident MAGA supporter screaming vulgarities at rallies, using your middle finger as your primary form of communication, ridiculing those who are not as privileged as you, bullying those who oppose your choice of candidates, wearing your silly red caps and ‘trump girl’ tees?

Does your dollar miraculously stretch further than mine does at the grocery store? The head of lettuce I bought yesterday was almost 5 bucks. Indeed, most fresh produce or fresh meat is priced beyond what I am willing to pay. I shop the grocery store, ACE HARDWARE and local thrift shops. If I can’t find it there, I obviously don’t need it.

“Beans n rice, baby” was a mantra of years ago when I was trying to cook healthier, earth friendly recipes. But, my media connections tell me that rice will become scarce as tariffs stifle international trade. My survivalist friends advise to stock up on essentials and staples that will endure a food crisis. But alas, we also know that in a declared national emergency which POTUS 47 threatens, our food stash can be confiscated by the same military that is terrorizing our Democratic-led cities today. Some call it ICE while others compare that force to Hitler’s special police force. Does that scare you, MAGA? It should, but y’all are too absorbed in the beautiful big bill that guarantees massive tax cuts to the wealthiest of Americans and gives us peanuts.

Nothing wrong with peanuts. I love peanuts. I have a terrific peanut butter cookie recipe that Grandma shared with me decades ago. But, get honest with me you 77,302,580 American voters. Are you still proud of what you did? Is your life better than it was in 2023? Will you sit idly by the roadside as your immigrant co-workers and neighbors are rounded up and sent to hell holes that in any other society would be termed concentration camps? What will you do when they come for you? Y’all ain’t special. POTUS 47 will one day throw you under the bus like he’s done to all the folks who are no longer useful to him. Think about it. If there are future elections in 2026 and 2028, who and what will you vote for?

Will you spiffy up in your red caps and silly tees when you head out to vote? Will you say a prayer asking the good Lord to guide your thinking and vote for what’s good for all the people? Will you try to remember that all of us from the highest-ranking leaders to the immigrants working the fields and meat factories are all children of the same God. We are a population of brothers and sisters.

No, God did not send to us POTUS 47 to save America. God doesn’t make mistakes. Seventy-seven million, three-hundred-two thousand, five-hundred eighty Americans elected him. People make mistakes.

GABBY COOKS – squash soup

Clean & serene living means learning healthy habits and good eating.  And I love recipes that are quick and simple.  Here’s one of my new favorites.  It serves 2.

C’mon now, don’t wrinkle your nose until you’ve tried it.  It is velvety smooth and delicious.  I use the acorn squash, scientific name is Cucurbita pepo – turbinate.  Originating in North and Central America. historically this squash was used by the Native Americans.  It is a fruit of which the seeds were taken by European explorers and spread throughout the world.

Acorn squash is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, pantothenic acid, and other B-family vitamins.  It has  a wealth of minerals including potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorous, and calcium.  The raw fruit is difficult to peel and I find it easiest to slice it and then steam the slices until tender, cool, and then peel.

The other nutrient-laden ingredient in this soup is the sweet potato.  This tuber is rich  in flavonoid phenolic compounds, powerful natural antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamin A.  Also in sweet potatoes are vitamin B-5, B-6, B-1, niacin, and riboflavin in addition to iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.

Not only is this soup good eating, it is a powerhouse of nutrients.

Here are the ingredients

 

  1. 1/2 medium size acorn squash, deep green in color, sliced and steamed until tender.
  2. 1/2 medium size sweet potato peeled and diced
  3. 1 clove garlic smashed
  4. 1/2 tsp chopped jalapeno
  5. 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
  6. 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth or combination of both
  7. 4 TBSP butter
  8. salt to taste
  9. grated fresh nutmeg
directions
  1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat
  2. Add the diced sweet potato
  3. Peel the cooled acorn squash and add to the saucepan
  4. Stir, then add the garlic, ginger and jalapeno
  5. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes
  6. Add 2 cups of the broth
  7. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the ingredients are fork tender
  8. Carefully pour the hot soup into a blender and puree
  9. Return the mixture to the cook pot, add the rest of the broth
  10. Blend well and again simmer to a smooth, velvety texture
  11. Serve in soup bowls and grate fresh nutmeg atop each serving.

If the soup cooks down too much to an overly thick consistency, just add more broth or water.

 

 

 

PROTECT YOURSELF…..and me

Remember when mom or dad scolded you for touching the hot burner on the stove after they had repeatedly warned about the resulting burn? Guys, remember when dad advised you about easy, unprotected back seat sex and Dr. Wilson had to prescribe penicillin? Sure, we’ve all been there and done that.

But, we learned our lessons, didn’t we? Our discomfort and need for medical intervention made us wiser and better prepared for our next adventure in immaturity. We also learned to heed the advice of those who loved us enough to guide us in paths of conventional wisdom.

So, with today’s revelations that the POTUS and FLOTUS have tested positive for covid-19, should we smile and gloat, should we pray on bended knees for speedy recoveries, should we apply political ramifications to their unfortunate situation?

No, we should be learning another lesson. The scientists have been telling us for months how to protect ourselves, just like daddy did years ago. We all read the headlines and listen to the news. It is our duty to heed truthful scientific direction advising us how to stop this virus, how to protect ourselves and others from this devastating scourge. Maintain social distancing, avoid public gathering places where the unmaskers display their rights to infect us or kill us and themselves as well.

Wear that mask in public places whether it is attractive on your face or not, comfortable or not. Put off your celebration at the bar if it means congregating with people who don’t believe in the scientific evidence. Attend the church of your choice online in a virtual service. The Lord whom you praise will bless you for caring enough about his/her other children to stay at home and worship safely.

Covid-19 is deadly. It cannot be cured with an antibiotic or a soothing burn ointment. Bleach and lysol may be effective but, are not meant for human ingestion. A drug for malaria will not work either. The only known prophylactic is common sense…..and a mask.

Be whom your mom and dad raised you to be. Listen to the advice of experts, not political opportunists . My life and yours depend on it. I’m an old man, but not yet ready to die alone in a hospital on a ventilator.

OLD DOGS

Well, here it goes folks. WP is forcing an old dog to learn new tricks. Trust me, Gabby doesn’t adapt well, he growls when unhappy and bites when angry.

I tried to link to YouTube videos explaining how easy this new feature is, but, in the process lost my religion and scared the cats. So, today there will not be links to YouTube. And if the paragraph alignment makes no sense……don’t blame me.

So, I am going to curl up in bed and take a nap. Grrrrrrrrr!!!

Photo by Burst on Pexels.com