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Reverse Robin Hood

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Let’s get this out of the way first. Words cannot describe how heartsick I am at what our country has become and what the Republicans in the Senate did to us last night. I’ve known this for a while, but last night it really hit me in my gut: they simply don’t care about us. If they did, this monstrosity of a tax bill would never have been conceived. The sad truth is that the only thing they care about is money; money from donors, taking care of lobbyists, and slowly chipping away at what they call entitlements, but I call my rights. In order to pass this abomination, they have enabled a man who is – well you know what he is – so that they could do their best to take away health care from Americans who desperately need it, reward their donors, and play reverse Robin Hood, taking money from the poor and middle class and putting it into the pockets of the very rich.

It’s immoral.

I don’t recognize my country any longer. Canada has never looked as good to me as it does now.

End of rant.

Okay. I’m also under the weather, which doesn’t help. I got really stuffy and congested last night and this morning I’m really stuffed up and achy. Yuck.

I made the tarts, but I’m not quite happy with the filling, so I’ll use the rest of the dough today and try another version of the filling. If any of you Canadians want to share your favorite Butter Tarts recipe, please do!

I put our little Christmas tree on this table last year, pre-houseplants. What am I going to do this year, I wonder? I never decorate for the holidays, as you know, until about the second week of December, but if I’m up to it, I think I’ll hang the lights on the porch today, so that they’re shining brightly when Don comes home. Don’t you think that would be nice?

Let’s look closer at the peperomia:

A lovely little spike has emerged. More, please.

I’m going to lay low today – I really have no choice – and listen to podcasts, read the paper, try one more batch of tarts and take a nap.

Happy Saturday.

Comments

  1. Sorry you are under the weather. It is amazing what is passing as “government for the people right” now. My stomache turns everytime these politicians smile and blatantly lie to the American public and think we are stupid enough to fall for it (although it seems some are this naive). I’m incredibly confused as to how they get away with passing a bill half the Senate doesn’t even have in their hands. Also confused about where the few Republicans that were actually standing up making some sense went. Give them a new sentinence in the “bill” giving them a little candy and they now agree and disappeared. Amazing. I wonder how these people sleep at night. Thank you for making those phone calls for your fellow citizens.

    Get better. Try to get those lights up. You are a sweet wife.

  2. I have decided that our country is going to hell in a hand basket! So, yesterday I purchased a new Christmas tree, some new lights to string around our house and decided we will have a nice, simple Christmas regardless of those blankety-blanks in DC! They may take our health care, our food and our house, but I REFUSE to let them take our happiness!
    I am glad Don will be coming home! He surely needs the rest after all he has been doing 😊
    Take care of yourself. Be careful hanging the lights!

  3. Yes..our country is no longer recognizable. My hubby said if our current governor gets elected again…we might have to move to Minnesota! Canada might be nice….I’m opting for Scotland, myself. I know this is no laughing matter…but if I lose my sense of humor, sarcastic as it might be…I’ve lost myself. But, there is happiness to be found….in the everyday…our homes…our families…our friends. And we must continue to resist….everyday.

    Sorry to hear you’re not up to snuff.. This is no time to be sick…Don is coming home! Yes…I think he would love so see the twinkling lights of your cottage home…be careful. Hope you feel better! ;)

    • I know. I absolutely have to have my sense of humor. Without it, I’d be a goner.

      No problem with the lights – they’re hung on the porch railings so it takes no time or risk at all.

  4. Stressing about stupidity certainly doesn’t help your cold, Claudia. Go hang the lights and think how beautiful a twinkling homecoming will be for Don! Hope your next batch of butter tarts turns out as you want. Last night my daughter baked a chocolate marbled banana bread. It was too late out of the oven for me to have a slice, so I’m eating one for breakfast with my morning cuppa.

  5. Twinkle lights would be very welcoming for the weary traveler tomorrow.

    I have never used the word, Bastards, as much as I have today! It’s all I’ve got right now. Unbelieveable.

    I was curious about your tarts yesterday and scanned many online recipes. This blog/cookbook writer was interesting and had pics of his tarts, so you could tell if they looked right to you. The filling is more pecan-pie-ish, without any cream involved.
    https://www.rockrecipes.com/best-classic-canadian-butter-tarts/

  6. I am sick to my stomach at what happened last night. I can’t believe what our country has come too. Enough we say, but when will it be enough for them?

    Sorry you are feeling poorly. I do think the lights would be a welcome sight to Don. I’m getting my little tree up today I think. I enjoy the lights and ornaments so much it’s one of the few things that will cheer me up today. Big Hugs, rest and get well.

    • I hope they are voted out in 2018 and 2020. I despise them.

      Put your tree up, especially if it brings you cheer!

  7. I too, am completely disgusted. How do they face themselves or even each other? It is beyond my understanding. We will overcome this! We will throw the bums out! We will take back our country!

  8. Hi Claudia…I am heartsick over all that is going on south of our border and pray that your national nightmare will end soon…better to think of something sweet instead. My mother’s butter tart recipe is ages old, but is easy and uses ingredients that are usually around the kitchen and is delicious.

    2 eggs
    2 cups brown sugar
    2 tbsp. White vinegar
    2 tsp. Vanilla
    1/2 cup melted butter
    1 1/3 cups chopped sultanas & pecans

    Beat eggs only til yolks and whites are blended. Beat in sugar, add vinegar and vanilla. Stir in melted butter, raisins and pecans.

    Thaw 2 dozen frozen tart shells on cookie sheet (do this first). Fill 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake in hot oven @ 450 for first 10 min. Then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 20 tp 25 min or until filling is firm.

    If you are ambitious you can make your own pastry, but I never do!

    Hope you are feeling much better soon. I’m sure Don will pick up your spirits. Enjoy your time together.

    • Thank you so much, Lynne! It’s fascinating to see all the different variations! Just a little change here and there. I appreciate it.

  9. The Republicans are despicable, but it sucks that the Democrats aren’t much better. Unfortunately we have a duopoly that is corporaration-controlled and that makes decisions based on what helps their donors. The union of government and industry is fascism.
    We just watched a Robert Reich documentary on Netflix; it showed just how far down the Democrats started to spiral under Clinton. ALL the bums need to be thrown out!

    Claudia,
    Is that round-leaved plant in front of the peperomia Gotu-kola?

    • Really? The Democrats are trying to save healthcare for everyone. The Democrats voted against this. Much respect to you, but I don’t agree. The Democrats – though not perfect – are a whole hell of a lot better. However: We need to stop Citizens United, stop allowing lobbyists and wealthy donors to contribute to campaigns or Republicans and Democrats. Because they are all beholden to their donors. Anyone, Republican or Democrat, who is tied to big money that will influence their vote needs to be voted out.

      That plant is a Pilea.

      • A pilea, wow, do you know which one?

        Claudia,
        I certainly am not defending the Republicans, I just think that putting any faith in the Democrats is a losing proposition. The lesser of two evils is still evil.

        If the Democrats truly cared about health care for everyone, and not just about forcing everyone to buy insurance from the very industry that helped create the health care crisis, Obama would have put single-payer health care into discussion. Instead, despite many protests, he and the Democrats refused even to consider single-payer. Obama also bailed out the failing nuclear industry on the backs of tax-payers. There are many more examples.

        I used to think the Democrats were simply cowards. Now I understand that they have the same corporate agenda as the Republicans. It’s not that they’re afraid, it’s that they are beholden to the same money providers & so they continually betray you. It’s time people who want a change faced the fact that it will not come from the Democratic half of the corporate duopoly. You cannot vote for someone who obviously does not stand for the things you want and expect that you’ll get what you want. Until Americans face the hopelessness of the current major parties, repudiate the system & vote for someone who espouses our desires (get out of the war, institute universal health care, reign in corporate power) we cannot rationally expect change. We are the ones who lack courage.

        • I understand your point but there is no way they could have got single-payer through. None. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of single payer and think we should have it. But I think Obama is smarter than all of us and knew just what a battle it would be and that he had to be very clear-eyed about the way he went about it.

          Pilea peperomiodes

          • Gorgeous plant!

            So what if they couldn’t get it through? They didn’t even try and that speaks volumes.
            I love this quote from Rita Mae Brown:

            The difference between the Democrats and Republicans is like the difference between syphilis and gonorrhea.

            -Rita Mae Brown

            • I think you’re probably a Bernie Sanders supporter? I was, but I didn’t stay there, though I like a great deal of what he says. Anyway, we’re both (you and I) fighting for the same things. Time for big big change in Washington, though it will be a frustrating battle, I fear. xo

              • I would have supported him if he hadn’t run as a Democrat. I really believe the Democrats are half the problem. I realize that’s a dispiriting conclusion, but until we accept reality, we’ll continue our downhill slide. Slower w/ the Democrats, perhaps, but same direction.

  10. All that was missing from that tax bill was the cigars smoke coming from the back room! Senators who sold out because ” they got something for their state written the bill” should be ashamed but what am I saying there is no shame! The whole process STINKS.

  11. So, I have thought about this long and hard. It is time that the Trump Republicans “reap what they sow”. Yes, we all will suffer, but I am tired of arguing with my friends who cannot see the truth until it “bites them in the wallet”. And, as a Virginian (who does not live in more liberal Northern VA), I have faith in the mid-term election. I NEVER thought I would see the day that so many Virginians would vote for women (and men) from such a wide-range of backgrounds. And, I watched the Republican party’s ads in Virginia…they were good. Virginians didn’t fall for it; they voted anti-Trump.The GOP just betrayed a majority of their party to satisfy their donors. We will see what Americans say to that. This tax plan can be changed in the future; I have hope. Feel better, Claudia!

  12. I was so sorry to wake up this morning to hear the news… As for butter tarts, this is the recipe I use all the time:

    PRIZE BUTTER TARTS

    1 pastry recipe or frozen tart shells
    1 egg beaten
    1/3 cup butter
    1 cup brown sugar
    2 tbsp. milk
    ½ cup raisins
    1 tsp. vanilla

    Prepare pastry; roll 1/8” thick and cut into 4” rounds. Press into medium-size tart pans. Mix all ingredients together; fill tart shells 2/3 full. Bake in a hot oven ( 450 degrees ) for 8 minutes; reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake 15 – 20 minutes longer or until pastry is delicately brown.

    Makes 12 – 15 tarts

    Hope you’re feeling better soon!
    Val

  13. For a short time I had a bit of hope that enough Republicans would show strength of character and enough love of country to vote against this horrible bill. In the meantime ,let us hold out hope for the mid term elections. Feel better soon.xo Annette in Ca.

  16. everything you’ve said is true. everything. every post.
    I finally had to ‘lay low’ from it all because I have what is called malignant hypertension.
    i retired at 60 when it was 270/160.
    my blood pressure can spike at any time to stroke level. and usually it requires an ER visit to get it down. it is always higher than normal anyway. but at those times it is life threatening.
    I know what my triggers are. and our current political situation is definitely a trigger.

    i think that having the little festive lights up would be a wonderful welcome for your Don!
    but YOU are the light of his life. so whether you feel well enough to do it or not… you will be there shining for him! xo

    • You must take care of yourself, Tammy. If anything is a trigger, it’s this crap. Glad you reminded me about the lights! I’m going to put them up right now.

  17. Roll on 2018! We are represented (insert sardonic laughter here) in the Senate by Cornyn and Cruz, so although I call and email and voice my views, it’s an exercise in futility. The state government is deplorable in the word’s truest meaning. I heartily recommend the online comic strip “Two Party Opera” as well as Vicente Fox’s anti-DT videos; you can laugh through your tears. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

    • They seem extremely dreadful, Siobhan. Just ran across a Christmas Card I got from the Obamas in 2010. It made me tear up.

  19. We all miss Barak Obama. It was such a lovely time when we had a sane and intelligent president who grew the economy. The things they are passing now seem bent on killing our country and making it weak and susceptible to invasion, of one kind or another. I keep thinking of The Handmaid’s Tale. I cheered myself up by buying a snake plant, sanseveria, like your new one. I have been looking for a spiky tall one but haven’t seen one in years.

  20. Sorry to hear that you are not feeling well. Hope you get better soon. The news has been awful these last few days. I am sick over the not guilty trial of Kate Steinle’s murderer. I feel terrible about her family and what they must be thinking about this country’s judicial system.

    • I know of the trial and the murder but haven’t been following it enough, I think. I’ll have to read up on it

  21. A year ago, when my BP was rising out of control due to the election results, people told me to calm down. They claimed that our government has a series of checks and balances in place so I should feel assured that one idiot couldn’t do much harm. I guess everyone forgot that the government works in its own way ~ in its own time, (and that idiots surround themselves with more idiots.) and that the time it takes is very very very slow. And this regime hit the ground at warp speed. “Give them a chance” they said on news shows. Leaving jobs unfilled certainly helped them. Laughing at the Ethics Board continues to be a daily occurrence. Unqualified people, including children and their spouses in high ranking positions….. no problem! And my BP continued to rise….. but still they told me everything will be just fine. Remember those checks and balances!!

    I don’t listen to those people any longer. I laugh at them. They still have those rose colored glasses on and act as though this is just a passing insignificant moment in time. Everything will be fine. So I now count them as idiots, too. I’m not quite sure what has to happen to convince them that our country is being sold off in pieces, in so many ways, to the highest bidders.

    We now have a sexual predator as the president. A whining moron who is afraid to leave the side of his wife as a vice president, Representatives who feel health care and fair taxes are best left to the wealthiest in the country, and they are all actively working to get a pedophile elected to Congress. They believe women’s health issues are best decided by them, and that the life of an unborn baby is supreme to all else in the world. UNTIL, of course, that baby is born to a family who isn’t among the wealthy. Then they say to deny all benefits and “entitlements” as they are worthless programs and don’t work anyway, and besides, people should be pulling themselves up by their bootstraps to make it in this great country where opportunities abound.

    I no longer wonder why my BP is so high.

    • They ARE idiots. Anyone who isn’t terrified at the direction this country is taking is wearing blinders. Cult mentality. I am enraged and I want my country – the land of the free, ‘give me your tired and poor’ – all of that…BACK.

  22. I hope your congestion and under the weather situation gets better fast, Claudia.
    I really can’t engage in even mentioning what the Conservatives have done.
    Writing without using “my words” is impossible right now. I am so damn mad.
    Eff #### etc etc etc. and so on .

    Love to you.
    Katheryn

  23. The show in Washington makes me feel very ill…Pretty lights and butter tarts will make a great homecoming for Don!

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