Bits and Pieces, Pieces and Bits...

I had planned to write an angry post this week. I have been angry at how Congress has been dragging its feet on some very important issues as well as the frustration I feel with so many in Congress who seem to have forgotten that they were elected to serve our country not serve themselves.

But as the week went on, I wondered what good my anger would do. Instead, I decided to just reflect on a few random bits and pieces that have been jogging through my brain this week.

First, yes, Congress and Ukraine. It looks like we might actually get a vote today on a bill to give the much needed aid to Ukraine. It is shameful how this aid has been delayed. More and more soldiers and civilians have died in Ukraine as our Congress—tied in knots by the pro-Putin Republican extremists— played games in a matter that deserved so much better. I don’t know if it is just ignorance, Trump’s influence, some bizarre love of murderous dictators, or just a narcissistic need to see themselves on FOX, but our allies around the world did not need to witness our Congress seeming to abandon our allies. Thanks to support from Democrats and that Johnson is willing (FINALLY!!) to bring this to a vote, my hope is that we will supply the needed aid to Ukraine. Angry spiel has ended. I think.

Jury Selection for Trump’s trial: I have been asking myself if I would serve on such a jury. Serving on this jury means you will likely be identified and attacked by Trump and his band of trolls. We have all seen how he loves to ruin innocent people’s lives. (Okay, maybe my angry rant is not quite over…). Would I or could I say yes to serving on such a jury? I would like to think yes. Even though I do not respect or like Donald Trump, my hope is that I would be willing to serve because that is the way our justice system works. I liked what one prospective juror said: “Feelings are not facts.” I have great respect for those who are willing to serve and hope they will listen to the facts.

The Five-Hour Rule: In all honesty I had never heard about this until I read it in my friend Bill Clontz’s blog. Yes, people who blog usually read a lot of other people’s blogs. Bill’s is one of the best. Here’s a link to check it out: https://agentsofreason.com

Essentially the Five-Hour Rule means setting aside at least an hour a day, at least 5 days a week, strictly for learning, thinking and experimenting. A quick google will give you lots more information about this rule.

This week I explored some new art techniques as I took a dive into ATCs—Artist Trading Cards. This is a fun media which demands you work very small (2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches—the size of baseball card—thus the name). Using colored pencils and collage I created 6 ATCs. I am not yet at the trading point (not quite sure how that works) but I had great fun creating.

Probably the most interesting hour I spent this week was watching a ZOOM seminar with a group of geologists about natural pigments from the earth. I heard about this from my friend Cristina Mazzoni who makes beautiful watercolor paints using natural pigments. (Check out Cristina’s Etsy shop MCMarts.) Her paints are a dream to paint with and I loved learning more about the geology behind pigment. I confess I was lost when the chemistry was presented, but it was a wonderful way to spend 90 minutes learning more about geology and pigments. Think of all the amazing colors used in early paintings centuries before synthetic pigments were invented. Incredible!

The Women By Kristin Hannah: This book had been on my holds list at the public library for months. Finally, it was my turn. I am never totally thrilled to discover one of my library books is a 14 day book (will I be able to finish it before the due date I fret…).

However, this 14 day book turned into a ONE DAY book for me. That’s right. I read it in one day—and it is 468 pages. One day and a bit into the night. Set in the 1960’s, with a large part set during the Vietnam war, this book is a great read. Women can be heroes, even when we often forget those women. You want to read this book. You really do.

Pimento Cheese: Let’s end on a happy note. I love pimento cheese. Maybe it is my deep Southern roots but, even as the very picky eater I was as a child, I loved pimento cheese. The only version we had when I was growing up was the homemade pimento cheese my mother made. A very simple recipe of grated cheese (extra sharp cheddar), a jar of chopped pimentos, and a tiny dab of Duke’s mayonnaise. I have heard that our Waynesville friend Alan makes a to-die-for pimento cheese and even though a pimento cheese throw down has been threatened, we have not yet crossed that kitchen threshold.

Many commercial pimento cheeses have onions (I am looking at you, South Carolina!) so I read labels carefully and shake my head that anyone would dare to put onions in pimento cheese. When I want the quick and ready version, I usually lean towards the Fresh Market brand, though it is a bit heavy on the mayonnaise.

Recently I discovered my new favorite commercial brand (available at Publix Supermarkets): Red Clay Gourmet. Hats off to my friend Meg for introducing me to this! Not inexpensive but oh so very delicious.

I recognize that everyone is not a pimento cheese fan—our ex-son-in-law referred to it as “demented cheese”. But for those of us with good taste, pimento cheese is a true taste delight. Isn’t it nice when an angry rant can be transformed by a little bit of pimento cheese?

What bits and pieces have been jogging through your brain this week?