Category Archives: Editorial

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GOP Response to SCOTUS

Posted on June 26, 2013 | Leave a comment

“The landmark ruling frees up many parts of the country that have a history of discriminating against minorities from federal supervision.”

This Supreme Court ruling is allowing the GOP to harass, coerce, threaten citizens who are people of color not to vote. I have seen it at the polls.

The GOP sent me this via email. This sentence struck a chord and I must raise the question: my grandfather escaped Hitler before his home town became a Nazi stronghold. My mother emigrated from Canada to marry Dad.

Both were drawn to America for its freedoms. Now all our phone calls, GPS information, emails et al are filtered by the NSA.

Sometimes I help spay and neuter feral cats. Now it looks as if individual privacy and voter registration are my callings. I do not care for whom citizens vote, only that they are allowed to do so. Hello, NSA, how are y’all doing today? Dee

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Voting Rights Act

Posted on June 25, 2013 | 2 comments

An act means we do something. We act on a stage or on screen. We enact a law that does something. We act to prevent our child from getting hurt on the swings.

A voter is a citizen that is of age and is eligible to vote. Voting Rights Act is three simple words but the Supreme Court doesn’t understand that. Voters include women, now, Justices. Voters include African Americans, Latinos, and many other nationalities we made citizens through our history as a “melting pot” of civilized life.

A right is something we earn as a citizen. We earn the right to vote as a citizen when we are eighteen years of age and have registered in a timely manner. We earn the right to drive when we pass several tests and have a father who has elevated blood pressure levels from teaching us how to drive a stick.

Today, our Supreme Court tore the guts out of the Voting Rights Act. I believe it is a patently partisan political act by Republicans to keep Hispanics and Blacks from registering to vote.

I’ve worked in government/politics. It’s simple. The Dems are inclusive, the Rep’s are exclusive. In the end, who is going to win? Is it the person who gives me a voter registration form at the motor vehicle department? Or is it the one who says no forms should be publicly available?

The Republicans had a big win today but I thought my Country was better than this. I want everyone who is eligible to vote, to vote, then we can all hold our representatives accountable for our taxes and what they call “benefits.”

Coming together is the only thing we can do that will make a difference. I’m an Independent. We can shape our future only if we get involved and every citizen/voter has a voice. The time for racism in politics should be over. Voting. Rights.

Act. Congress can fix this. Thank you, Justice Ginsburg, Dee

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Paula Deen Fans

Posted on June 25, 2013 | Leave a comment

It’s mighty good of you to stand up for your favorite cooking celebrity. The Food Network is evidently more interested in advertising revenue than fans. She’s a goner at Smithfield Hams, and QVC is on the fence, of course, because they sell Paula Deen merchandise to fans.

Food Network has wiped her off the planet. Even though she shows up on the show lineup, they substitute Giada or Ina or even some of the newer faces. For the newer faces this must be a break they’ve never seen before! Every couple of hours Paula was on with her butter and mayonnaise, and now a newbie gets a shot, even the adorable Pioneer Woman!

Some people never strive to do anything, others attain minimal qualifications and jobs to match. Others go on to middle management and a very few who keep striving every day may get their fingers stomped on by the guy the next rung up on the ladder and make it to the top. Some of those, even though they are not in politics, become what the law calls public figures.

No papparazzo would want to take a picture of me, but he couldn’t publish it without my consent. If I were Justin Bieber, he could take the photo and publish it. Such was Paula Deen. I say was because even though she’s raised two children, run a successful business and become a TV chef I don’t know if she can dig herself out of this one. It may be better for her to retire gracefully and ride that boat down the river and perhaps change her hair color.

Don’t ever think that racism is gone in the USA, north or south. Political correctness has its failings, especially when someone is forced to write s/he. To my knowledge I have never used the N-word except to tell someone of an offense and still I believe I said N-word. When I was a kid the word was Negro, then Black, then African American, you go with the flow.

What got me was the wedding plan with African American men dressed up as slaves. That is in such poor taste that nearly 150 years after the end of slavery, it is unconscionable to even contemplate such an event, but I’m a Northerner.

For a public figure to use these terms and plan such an event affects her sponsors, employers, and fans. There is a larger group of people who are offended by her comments, they’re called the American people who may or may not be familiar with the silver-haired, silver-tongued Southerner, but after the past week everyone will know who she was. I bought a pound of butter today, Paula, and thought of you. Dee

p.s. Do you have Martha Stewart on speed dial?

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One “Slave” Wedding

Posted on June 21, 2013 | 1 comment

and you’re toast. That is as it should be. Martha Stewart was a trader who knew exactly why she was sent to jail, yet has rehabilitated her persona.

I don’t believe Paula Deen can do so, and believe her sons who’ve each gotten tv shows as a result of her fame and fortune will suffer as well.

When this Northerner is down south every year she hears of the War of Northern Aggression. It seems like kids there spend all their time in history class talking about what we call the Civil War but we may have spent a day or half a week on it each year.

Someone called Ms. Deen the “butter bigot” today. I believe two things. First is that she is a public figure due to her decades on tv and in magazines so she is held to a higher standard. Second is what she did not say in her testimony (I’ve not read the entire transcript) but I read loud and clear from her attitude, “Do you know who I am?” That excuse is the lamest in the world but is used by the likes of Mrs. Joel Osteen harassing a flight attendant, and others.

Shame on you. Fame and money may have come your way but attitudes once receiving said gains sometimes seem to give a “diva” reason to belittle others rather than lift them up.

I’ve worked for many stars, years ago, and the most successful ones were down to earth, didn’t go around with a posse of security guards and were great talking with “regular” people. I can’t name names but a certain singer/painter comes to mind.

Grow up, Paula. Forget your lame apology and fire your “team” and realize you just shot yourself in the foot, and your sons perhaps in the heart, as well. Shame on you. Dee

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Pressure

Posted on June 21, 2013 | 5 comments

Dinner here, tomorrow night, for a colleague of my husband’s I’ve never met, and his gal, who neither of us has met.

That’s the trickiest kind of dinner to plan, even though I had Jim ask if there were any food allergies or “hates.” None, so that should make it easier, but it doesn’t.

My other half is painfully allergic to anything that swims, so I want to cook it. I’d like to have something I can make in advance and pop into the oven so we can attend to our guests.

Here’s what I’m thinking (it’ll change throughout the day). For the main course it’s en papillote, parchment paper packets with sauteed leeks on the bottom, three separate with pounded chicken breasts (the tenders will be cooked for our dog) and a veggie salsa to be determined, and a separate three of salmon on a bed of leeks with grainy mustard on top. That way I can just pop them into a hot oven ten minutes before dinner. Yes, then open windows and await the smoke alarm. Here, it’s actually a heat alarm. Open a hot oven and it sends out ear-piercing sounds.

I’d like to do a ribbons of zucchini and carrot salad (simple vegetable peeler) with a light Asian-inspired vinaigrette and a room-temperature Israeli couscous salad with some tomato and perhaps cilantro as I happen to have both on hand.

If a first course is needed, it will actually be a warm, summery day so a cold cucumber and yogurt soup would be good. Our guests are bringing dessert.

btw, I cut my parchment paper into hearts (fold and cut like you did when you were six and making a valentine for your parents) and do the French technique for folding so it should be quel surprise when opened. I’ll get extra so there is a choice between salmon and chicken, I choose salmon as I never get to cook it at home and the individual packets allow me to do so without cross-contamination. Don’t worry. I always have antihistamines around should hubby touch the wrong dish.

Being “Aunt Dee” the cook can be tiring at times, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Cooking for folks, writing, and researching what everyday should be in all pantries is enjoyable. The sun has been up for what seems like hours and it’s only 6:00  a.m. Enjoy the day! Dee

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Family and Friends

Posted on June 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

A friend once asked my father out for a drink after work on a Friday. Dad said no, he had to finish up paperwork so he could start fresh on Monday. This wonderful gent said to leave something on your desk else you may die. No, I don’t know the Irish story – tried to look it up – but this is a true friend and I believe they had that drink.

People always say that when one is nearing the end of life, one does not devote thoughts on time, on hours, weeks, days, years spent at work. It should be centered on friends (some may be from work over the years) and family. I think of loved ones and am concerned.

There was a party here yesterday for all the neighbors. My husband and I attended, got separated and met many new people. We like knowing our neighbors and my husband even pulled a few balloons out of his hat to engage a child. The kid challenged his father to a balloon pirate sword fight!

Yes, that’s what it’s like to be older people at a party. I was asked for serving items I may actually get back someday. People always know to ask Dee for kitchen equipment.

I did get to dance, twice, to a good band. Once with my wonderful husband and once with a neighbor who did not know of my disabilities (except I told him I was wearing rubber-soled shoes so couldn’t turn as fast as he wanted me to) and I’ve nominated him best dancer of the evening. Hey, hubby taught me the Texas Two-Step in his closet as I was helping him move away due to dot-bomb 12 years ago. He came back three weeks later… for me.

Single gals, a word of advice. Aside from waiting until marriage, yes, consider who you’ll be sitting across the table with for breakfast for the rest of your life. That will rule out the serial cheater at the gym and the married guy. Great abs do not a great husband make. A mind, however, lasts forever. Do I need to write a piece on geeks? I love geeks. Enough for now, I’m babbling, Dee

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Top Ten Things I Will Not Do

Posted on June 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

Forget climbing Mt. Everest, sky diving or bungee jumping. This is serious, folks, things I’m really afraid of, in no order of importance:

Knitting

Eating monkey brains or any kind of prairie oysters, spleen or rectum of any animal

Being at any 50th reunion

Singing karaoke

Running into the mean girls/bosses/co-workers who made my life a living hell (running over them is another story, another post)

Taking the Lake Express across Lake Michigan (I call it the Upchuck Express)

Shooting. Anything. Or living South of the Mason-Dixon Line (except Texas because it was a nation, once).

Apologizing for being born or created.

Voting the same as my husband or father-in law.

Putting beans in Lady Bird Johnson’s Pedernales Chili (Texas Chili has no beans).

That’s about it. What’s your list? Dee

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Rhubarb Trifle

Posted on June 17, 2013 | 2 comments

It is an unusual ingredient. Great with strawberries. If you want to impress your friends on the beach this summer (not in the sand, please) try this.

First, buy a trifle dish. Not from Williams Sonoma, go to another store and get one for $10. It’ll be useful, no matter what, throughout the year.

Get a brioche, a frozen pound cake or lemon pound cake or some day-old croissants from the store. Buy a ton of whatever berries you can find.

Cook the rhubarb, cool it, then get 2-3 cups of cold cream and whip it up. Keep the rhubarb separate.

I add a bit of sugar, about 2T to my whipped cream plus about a tsp of vanilla as it mixes.

Layer starting with rhubarb, bread cubes/shards, rhubarb, whipped cream, berries. Twice more and top with berries and you’re done.

My husband only calls to say he’s coming home. We do not talk throughout the work day. Today he called to say the Trifle was a hit and that he only was able to get a couple of berries off the bottom of the dish.

It’s certainly not a first date kind of dish. It is something I used years ago to surprise our Nanny. That one was a riff on a Tyler Florence dish with blueberries and lemon curd. Check that one out on http://www.foodnetwork.com

Once you know how to make it the world is your oyster and you can choose the bread, fruits and filling. Happy cooking! Dee

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Death Parties

Posted on June 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

Cake is essential. One must not forget that. There are now sites to help with templates for death but I fear they do not deal with the aftermath.

If one sits by impending death day by day and tends to the dying one, it gets somewhat tedious, becomes routine and one tries to plan for the inevitable. It is a sad time that certain folks share with each other, no matter who they may be.

Perhaps I should say that it is a process that cannot be governed by a template. Who’s dying? X is dying. Is the pearl necklace mine now? Yes or no. Do you want oxygen? Yes or no. Who will inherit the house? Who will inherit the debt? The horses need to be fed and the dogs walked. Cremation? Yes or no? Burial site?

Most don’t think of what comes afterward. People and families need to do this on their own. Forgive yourselves for patenting software to do it. I know, the funeral industry has been selling caskets and services for many years.

If I thought your software would make a difference I’d put it in place for my husband in my living will. I will not, because you’re taking advantage of people and I won’t abide by that.

This product is offensive to me, as it tells me as a daughter I must have a  template that you provide for me. I believe that every family believes and provides solace and grieves before and after death does so in its own way.

Thanks from a very robust and living Dee

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Jobs

Posted on June 17, 2013 | Leave a comment

I used to know what kind of job I was going for. Now everything has changed and I’ve several ideas why:

We need a leader who will engage other leaders and provide leadership opportunities for other leaders to lead and make our company a leader.

You must be self-directed (but management will ride you every step)

Facilitate equals do it by yourself, no-one is around for help or guidance.

Participate is always a good one. Participate means everyone has to leave their real work for several hours to hear a “leader” tell them about participation then have that person not follow through.

At least ten years experience. That means they’ll pay for one year experience.

We have distributed teams means you’ll be on the phone at 1:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. with India and London after working a 14-hour day and crawling into bed after a slice of pizza, only to get up and do it all over again in two hours.

We want someone to foster/mentor. No. Cutting costs is the issue. Manage deliverables, that’s your job.

Galvanizing force/change agent. Never happens. That’s a trick to get somewhat smart people to bite the hook. Really smart people don’t bite. I’ve been a change agent and right now would rather be a free fish.

We want you on our team. We’ll call you, interview you, perhaps have lunch with you but we don’t have any jobs right now and can’t afford to hire you so may call you if we have an opening in a few months.

I can’t tell you the kicker, because if I did I’d have to kill you (kidding of course). I think when pen and paper, ink and paper went away the world was a different place. We only had a few resumes to send out and only knew about a few jobs that were open. I believe it was a more honest society. If I have to type the resume and attach references it takes a lot of work.

That would mean that if I get the job the employer is somewhat invested in me and everything may go well. Now one applies online, and may be hired that way, perhaps with a phone interview. It’s no wonder there’s no personal investment either way.

My grandmother (my husband’s grandmother as I never had one) said it would be OK for us to marry if I made sure he got a job for 50 years and a gold watch at the end of his career. I said to dear Nanny that the world doesn’t work that way anymore and your grandson is in software. God bless her, she now has learned to shop online and my husband has assured that she has an Apple so his “tech calls” are now few.

Nanny and my mother both knew stenography. My story is one of the private sector, not even government. That would be another story, another day. Take care and beware the NSA every day, Dee

 

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