RED NOSE DAY

Red Nose Day is put on by Comic Relief, although I am not feeling very funny at this very moment. I am watching the Red Nose Day program, and am sad and angry seeing children in the United States going to bed hungry. Children in the United States should not have to "push" in their stomachs because they are hungry. I am seeing children here in the United States going to bed on the weekends with no food..........this is unacceptable.
Through the Red Nose Day program children are receiving food at school to take home in back packs for the weekend.......thank you Red Nose Day.
If the cast of 17 characters in the Republican party who ran for the presidency, and who had no chance of receiving the nomination had donated the millions of dollars that they raised, children would not be going to bed hungry.
Jeb Bush, alone raised and wasted $150,000,000. Chris Christy, Rand Paul, Ben Carson, John Kasich, and the list goes on..........shame on you. Talk about fiscal responsibility....I am thinking perhaps over a half a billion dollars was wasted Shouldn't this be the conversation the candidates are having. Are Hillary's emails really an issue? Let's try to keep our eyes on the ball, let's take care of the children, let's take care of the people.

IN LIFE YOU ARE EITHER A PASSENGER OR PILOT...
THE CHOICE IS YOURS


Well, here I am March 26, 2016, and I see that I haven't written since February, 2015. It seems like only yesterday that I was here, but obviously not.

So much has happened in the last year, but where to begin.

The Primary season has enough information to fill several posts,  many with enormous amounts of humor. However, I think I will save Mr. Trump and the other Republicans for another day.

There have been wonderful moments in the last year, and there have been tragic and unfortunate moments as well. A blog is supposed to be current, consequently I will not rehash the past year at this moment.

I was speaking with my dear friend, Denise, recently, and have decided that I am going to be the voice of opinion. I am going to share my opinions with all who will listen, and with many who don't really care.  As my husband said last night, I acknowledge others have opinions, but I don't really want those opinions voiced in my presence. Ok, so maybe there is some truth there.

This blog however is mine, and my opinions. The inspiration for my new direction is a result of my observation of posts on Instagram. I have also observed people on television giving opinions, or should I say handing out information. Is most information opinions? I think this is often times true.

Yes, of course, there is information that is fact and only fact, such as 2 times 2 equals 4, and George Washington was the first president of the United States, but so much information is the opinion of the person giving it out.

I work at Macy's in the Home department, and give information to customers all day. I always tell bridal couples who are registering that if you ask 3 different sales associates for information on cookware you will get 3 different opinions. Dragnet's top cop, Jack Webb, would say give me the facts, just the facts, but seldom do we give just the facts. In my world I give opinions, not necessarily advice. And yes, my husband is correct I rarely want the opinions of others. I have lived a full life with many interesting experiences which give a sound base for my opinions.

I don't give opinions unless I am confident and sure my opinions are the best, in my opinion. I am not adverse to changing my opinions if I learn that I am incorrect.

Now that I have clearly stated the facts, and only the facts regarding my opinions, let the posts begin.

Friday night I attended a wonderful opening at Art Access. Audrey Hackman's work is worth making a stop at the gallery.

After the opening we had dinner at the Nazareth

Restaurant on Hamilton Rd. which was a victim of terrorism in February. It is necessary to support our neighbors when tragedy has occurred. We cannot allow evil to take away our freedom.

The food at the Nazareth Restaurant & Deli is delicious and the service was very nice.

AMINAH ROBINSON EXHIBIT

Wonderful exhibit at the Hammond Harkins Galleries...........

Aminah at 75: The Continuing Story

The show is up until March 22, 2015. I had a very interesting talk with 

Chet Domitz, art consultant, today at the gallery. He is a wealth of knowledge regarding Aminah and her work. Hands are an integral part of her work which she believes are the window into the soul of a person, more than the eyes.

I find this so very interesting, as I too have always been able to understand a person by observing their hands.

 Aminah is preserving the history of her neighborhood for generations to come. It has been said that you can't know where you are going if you don't know from where you came. Roots keep us grounded. Roots give us a sense of direction and belonging. We must never forget our past, and all the injustices that came before us. Story tellers are a vital part of society whether through the pen or the brush.

I am also looking forward to an opening at Art Access Gallery on March 6, 2015. This is a collaboration with the Goodwill Studio and Gallery. 

The residents of Bexley are very fortunate to have several galleries in the community that provide such wonderful access to original art.

BREAD IS IN THE OVEN

I went to the Dispatch Home and Garden Show today, which was very disappointing. My reason for going was to glimpse a bit of Spring, and glean a few ideas for my garden. To be honest there was little Spring blooming, and the new ideas for garden design were negligible. I did see an interesting idea for a fountain in the Oakland Nursery space, which would work nicely near my new wall in the rear part of the garden. I have been looking for a water feature for over a year, and this series of rocks would be perfect.

As I mentioned yesterday, today I am baking my crusty bread that I left to proof overnight.

Sorry this blog doesn't have smell-a-vision, because my bread smells delicious. Tonight I am making dinner to go along with my bread,which actually is a fairly rare occurrence, as my dear husband prefers to eat out nightly. I think I am going to write  about the dining experience on a future blog, and what is required for excellent service.  Service is my main criteria for rating a restaurant.
Tonight is the Academy Awards, which is always fun to see what the rich and famous have chosen to wear........THE MEASUREMENT OF A GREAT LIFE IS NOT HOW WELL YOU ARE LOVED.....BUT HOW WELL YOU LOVE OTHERS.........
Check out the jewels the stars are wearing, and know that pearls are the perfect accessory.....SO PUT ON YOUR PEARLS GIRLS, AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK

THE WEATHER MAN GOT IT RIGHT

Although I have never made bread before, today seems like a great day to try it. This recipe is from my friend Annette who insists this is easy and foolproof. I believe she got the recipe from SimplySoGood.com. I am going to put the ingredients together later today, letting the dough sit overnight, and I will bake it in the morning.

Recipe...........
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour

                          1 3/4 tsp. salt

                          1/2 tsp. yeast

                          1 1/2 cups water

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt and yeast. Add water and mix until a shaggy mixture forms. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 12-18 hours. Overnight works great. Heat oven to 450 degrees. When the oven has reach 450* place a cast iron pot with a lid in the oven and heat the pot for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, place dough on a heavily floured surface and shape into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap, and let set while the pot is heating. Remove the hot pot from the oven and drop in the dough. Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes remove the lid and bake an additional 15 minutes, Remove bread from over and place on a cooling rack to cool. **Depending on your oven watch the bread the last 15 minutes while uncovered, so as not to over bake. A Le Creuset  dutch oven is the perfect pan to make the bread. The enamel interior prevents sticking, and the cast iron core is preferred.

My mouth is water already. I will let you know if I have a new career as a bread maker.

My plan was to go to the House and Garden Show, however Mother Nature is playing the snow card, making tomorrow look like a better day.

Today is a good movie day, and since there are several movies that are up for Academy Awards which I have missed, Drexel here I come.

AND SO ANOTHER WEEK HAS FLOWN BY........


I had my four wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. I was quite nervous when I walked into Dr. Steiner's office, as having wisdom teeth pulled at my age, gave me pause. It went very well.........4 teeth removed, no pain, no swelling, no worries. Today is day 2, and I am feeling great. Hopefully I don't develop those dreaded dry sockets, that people speak of with horror and pain. Dr. Steiner told me about 25% of the time this occurs, and they don't really know why. It usually happens around the 3rd day, so I am hopeful I am part of the 75% that remains pain free.
I have taken 3 days off work in anticipation of discomfort, so now feeling great, I have time to write this blog, and catch up on things I have let slide during the holiday season.
I was reading a blog today by Erin Souder who had posted a link to a personality test which I just took. To my amazement this test was so accurate. I am an INFJ which includes less than 1% of the population. I am in very good company with Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Sister Theresa......... www.16personalities.com took less than 10 minutes to complete. 
I am off to an art opening, Aminah at 75, at the Hammond Harkins Gallery on E. Main St. I will post pictures later tonight.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE GREAT TO START.......BUT YOU HAVE TO START TO BE  GREAT........the sun is shining, the days are a minute longer, not yet warmer, but the thought of Spring is on my mind......SO PUT ON YOUR PEARLS GIRLS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTENING

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can not believe that I have not written a post in a year. In my mind it was only a moment ago that I sat down and wrote about the things that were on my mind.
Well, OK, enough about my lack of, shall we say tenacity. I love writing the blog, and somehow the time gets away, and what is news worthy and timely becomes staid and less than interesting.
Today and for the last week the only topic of conversation has been the weather. It is winter, and the last I checked winter is cold and yes there is often snow. The weather people in Columbus, don't really have major weather to discuss, so they sensationalize the possibilities of what the weather could be. And often the possibilities are not even in Columbus, but often north of us in Mansfield or in Mt. Vernon, or Utica. My geography is very bad, so I am not really even sure where these surrounding towns are, but what I do know is I don't live there. I live in Columbus, Ohio, the capitol of the state of Ohio, and since the TV station is located in Columbus, Columbus weather should be the lead city, whether the weather is interesting or not........how was that for a run on and on sentence.
Is this sensationalism of the weather any different from Brian Williams' faulty memory. Everyone just accepts the fact that the weather person never gets it right. Should we be comfortable with such low expectations? 

I had so wanted to post a picture of the hibiscus in my dining room that is in bloom, however, being techno impaired most of the time, I could not download the picture. It is a beautiful salmon color, and along with the hyacinths in the kitchen which have the most fabulous aroma I know Spring is not too far away. UPDATE...thanx to my tech savy, brilliant son, I now have the picture of the hibiscus.

These cold winter days are a great time to catch up on your reading.......I just finished reading "Flirting with French" by William Alexander. I am presently trying to learn to speak Spanish, and according to this book, a person my age will never become fluent in a foreign language. C'est la vie, but I am going to plod along the best I can. Regardless of my success I think it is good for my brain to be challenged.

LOVE THE PEOPLE WHO TREAT YOU RIGHT.......AND REMEMBER.......

PUT ON YOUR PEARLS GIRLS, AND STAY WARM.