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scapegoats

What is on Gabby’s mind today are the scapegoats POTUS 47 is creating to the delight of numb-minded Americans and the MAGA crowd. Immigrants, transgenders, blacks and browns, the unhoused population, woke folks, and most recently the Democrats have become his targets.

Certainly, Charlie Kirk did not deserve to die by an assassin’s bullet. His was just another dedicated voice for the far-right rhetoric pumped by the POTUS and his supporters. But on cue, the POTUS played his favorite trump card, viciously blaming everyone and everything for the shooting other than a man and his gun.

If y’all need a scapegoat, take a look at gun violence which has become a sad commentary on American society in 2025. However, it seems that disenfranchised people are an easier target for the POTUS and his minions. All of history’s infamous despots hit upon this realization quickly in their reigns of terror.

Of course, Gabby is not comparing POTUS 47 to any of history’s bad boys. Trump doesn’t have the intelligence to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Nero or Hitler or Stalin or Putin or Kim Jong Un. He is nothing more than a seasoned PR man who hit upon a winning formula with his TV series and gained favor as the lap dog of the world’s truly notorious bad boys.

By now, some of you are asking, “Gabby, and your point is?”

Martin Niemöller, a prominent German pastor in the 1920’s and 1930’s, said, “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”

After Hitler’s reign of terror was eliminated, Niemöller toured allied-occupied Germany sharing his self-defined ‘confession’ to urge fellow Germans to accept personal responsibility for their complicity in the Nazi regime’s horror.

Gabby must ask of himself and all Americans, “Are we complicit in the crimes of a rogue government led by a modern-day demigod?” Am I fearful of speaking up and standing shoulder to shoulder with the disenfranchised, the poor, the meek, the homeless, the persecuted, the people of color?”

If so, what is my problem? Lack of courage, lack of compassion, a distorted view of faith?

If any of the above are true, perhaps I should align my life according to the grace and blessing bestowed upon me as an American, to always ask WWJD, to honor the freedom which sober living affords. This is my personal responsibility as an American and as a man of faith. To remain quiet dishonors the many patriots and martyrs who have given their lives trusting all of us with America’s legacy.

……and Gabby says, “AMEN, brother.”

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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.

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AW SHUCKS

Tis the season. Yes, corn on the cob is a mandatory food for the upcoming holiday cookouts on Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and any summertime occasion. I will always remember a boyhood festivity in midsummer, the peak of sweet corn season, when the nearby cow pasture was cleared of debris, a concrete block fire pit was set up and on a Saturday afternoon carloads of neighbors, friends and family began arriving. They parked in the cow pasture and congregated in clusters chatting about crops, new babies, and miscellaneous gossip. Bushels of freshly picked corn, unshucked, were roasting under wet burlap bags on the blazing wood fire. I don’t remember what was being celebrated, but it was a glorious Saturday afternoon and evening. Many bushels of delicious corn were consumed. My aunt and I always had a competition going on. Her capacity was a dozen ears, mine was not quite as many.

Back in those days, one always needed to be on the lookout for that wiggly, slimy worm eating its way through your ear of corn. Today’s pesticides, which have virtually eradicated ear corn surprises, were not available.

My local grocery store has an impressive display of fresh corn in its produce department and on a table at the store entrance. I have learned to bring it home, leave it in its husk, wet it and microwave a few ears for ten minutes. It’s almost as good as that boyhood corn which I remember and savor.

The ear of corn is a product of evolution and of God’s genius in design. The husk is there for a reason. It keeps freshness in and prevents bugs from infesting. That natural packaging serves a purpose. Human fingers and germs are not purposed to touch those kernels until ready to process or eat.

So you can imagine my horror upon approaching a tidy display of freshness to see a sweet, little ole granny standing there pulling back the husks to inspect the merchandise. One by one she carefully strips the tip of its husk and silk, holds it up to her nose to smell and upon rejecting the product throws it back in the bin for the next customer. Especially in this era of virus and disease, that granny has just reduced my choices when it’s my turn to select. I will not pick an ear that has its protective husk compromised.

I observed this behavior several times and finally could no longer grin and bear it. In a moment of grocery store bravery, (she could have been packing more in her purse than keys and wallet) I softly and civilly educated her regarding ‘buying corn’ etiquette. I nicely explained to her that in today’s farming culture, worms and other pests are virtually eliminated. And to ensure that her selection is a delicious, mature ear of corn, she only needs to feel to the tip for fullness. Furthermore, I explained to her that when she stripped back its protective husk, she was ruining that ear for the next customer (who happened to be me). The store produce manager would need to dispose of it when it dried out thus increasing the operational costs of the store resulting in higher prices to all of us.

That sweet little granny looked me in the eye, told me to mind my own effing business and shove the corn she was holding up a place on my anatomy where ‘the sun don’t shine’.

Of course, being the gentleman that I am, I responded, “Yes, maam.” But truly, that is not a pretty picture.

Like I said before, “Tis the season.”

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the challenge

Gabby tries so hard to stay open-minded about politics and social issues and religion. But there are times when Jesus himself says:

“Aw heck, Gabby, go ahead, take the plunge. Do it for me. Remember what I did for you way back when? I gave you a brain with which to think and a conscience with which to guide and then I died for you. Take up my cross, use my gifts and grace, take the chance that you might offend someone. They’ll get over it. But I will be mightily pleased.”

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WTSHTF

I love acronyms. BFF, LOL, are just a few of the many that have crossed my radar screen in recent years. But this one, WTSHTF, is a mind-number. “When The Shit Hits The Fan” speaks to those of us whom some might call pessimists or maybe alarmists. It refers to the time in the future when apocalypse, nuclear holocaust, or natural disaster will reduce life, as we know it, to a struggle for survival. Not a pleasant scenario to consider, but, when considering climate change, political unrest, and social upheaval, it is not a situation to take lightly or to totally and absolutely dismiss. I have become a much better Boy Scout today than when I was 13 and 14 years old.

Remember the scout motto; ‘Be Prepared’? In today’s world, it is no longer merely advice for youngsters plying their survival skills in a controlled outdoors environment, it is a blueprint for survival in a world beset by governments and boogeymen intent to overpower, control and relieve us of our liberties and freedoms. Please do not think it can’t happen in 2023 in the USA. Some of us believe it has started and is imminent.

My duty as a patriot, human and world citizen is to prepare as best as possible to carry on to the best of my ability those values and virtues that I and my forefathers have held near and dear. It is not a negotiable mindset. Compromise is unacceptable. But, to be in that position, we must stay alive in the face of extreme adversity. To this end, social opinions, religious and political beliefs long held to be truth sometimes must change. And so it is.

This way of preparing for future events is not alien to my upbringing. As a young boy, along with my Boy Scout experience, I was herded weekly to Sunday School and church. The stories from the Bible had a great influence on my developing manhood. The wisdom of Joseph saved Egypt from famine because he advised the Pharaoh to store enough food to survive for the seven year drought….a lesson practiced traditionally by my farming forefathers. My grandparents were never hungry during the lean times because Grandma stored up volumes of canned produce and meat in her cellar cabinets. Grandpa knew how to butcher the beef, pigs and chickens he raised. He created delicious sausages and hams which were then smoked in the 10’X10′ smokehouse. When smoked the proper amount of time, those delicacies were carried to the attic of our house for storage. Grandma’s schnitz (dried apples) and other dehydrated foods were also stored in the attic. Grandpa was a fixer and amateur carpenter. Grandma was a seamstress and quilter. Country folk know how to survive instinctually and by traditions handed down one generation to the next.

These skills were handed down one generation to another. Farmers were and still are the epitome of preppers. Prepping is in my genes. So, when I hear about WTSHTF, my mind immediately goes to the preparations I need to make. Whether stockpiling foods like beans, rice, pasta, canned vegetables or necessities like water, TP, soap, Bic lighters, batteries, or a good knife, I want to be a good Scout, have what I need or can barter thereby not being a burden to those around me and possibly saving the lives of me and loved ones.

This, naturally, includes the skills necessary to survive without running water, electricity, cell service, natural gas for cooking or a source of heat. The conveniences we have come to depend upon will probably be unaffordable or taken from us. Do I know enough to live under a tarp, catch fish, forage for food and hunt for protein? Can I light a fire, cook that fish, treat my water for pathogens, dispose of my waste? Do I remember from my teen years how to skin a squirrel? Or raise from seeds some green beans, squash and corn?

And, most troubling to me is security. Do I have the means to protect my stashes of food and necessities? How about protecting my loved ones? There will be, in a rogue environment, folks who would not think twice about ending our lives to steal what we have accumulated. Hungry bellies are not guided by conscience…..not a moral judgement; rather, a fact of life.

Also, very importantly, who are my community? Whom will I need to depend on when the chips are down? What are their survival skills? First aid, cooking, mechanical aptitude, the ability to fix and improvise the unfixable, bushcraft skills….what can my community bring to the table?

Lastly, am I overly concerned about what others think of my prepping? Am I rattled when those close to me voice opinions about my mental health? Fortunately, the days are long past when I valued the opinions of others over my own intuition and life’s experience.

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GABBY COOKS – mac & cheese

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.

What’s more comforting than home-made macaroni and cheese?  And even better is this stove-top recipe which eliminates a baking dish and a 45 minute wait while it bakes in the oven.  This dish is table ready in 12 minutes.

These are the ingredients

 

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  1. (2) cups dry elbow macaroni
  2. (4) quarts water salted like the sea and brought to a rapid boil
  3. (4) tbsp. unsalted butter
  4. (2) tbsp. flour
  5. up to 3 cups milk
  6. (2) cups sharp cheddar cheese shreds
  7. salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a large pot bring the 4 quarts salted water to a boil
  2. Cook the macaroni as directed on the package
  3. In a saucepan melt the butter over a low heat
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and stir for several minutes
  5. When it turns golden, add about 1 cup milk and stir again
  6. Stir until the sauce turns creamy and increase the heat to a medium low
  7. Add more milk until it is creamy and smooth
  8. Add the cheese and stir again until it is thoroughly blended
  9. Salt and pepper as desired
  10. When macaroni is done ladle it out into the cheese sauce with a slotted spoon
  11. Blend until the pasta is evenly coated.
  12. If the macaroni and cheese is too thick and gooey add a spoonful at a time of the pasta water until it is deliciously creamy and smooth
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GABBY COOKS – 3 can quickie

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.

Dangit!!  I need a meeting tonight and I’ve got just 1/2 hour to fix supper and eat.  I have only $2 in my wallet so I can’t do Mickey D’s.  Let me see what’s in the pantry.

These are the ingredients

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  1. (1) 15 oz can seasoned mixed greens
  2. (1) 15 oz can seasoned black-eyed peas
  3. (1) 8 3/4 oz can yellow sweet corn
  4. (4)  5″ corn tortillas

DIRECTIONS

  1. Empty the cans into a sauce pot and heat
  2. While that’s heating, quarter the tortillas and fry in a fry pan in about 1/4 cup of oil
  3. Serve the corn chips atop or with the soup
  4. Eat and get to that meeting!
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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.