No, He Wouldn't

"It's My Favorite Time of Year"! Dru Hill was referring to Christmas. I am talking about Easter or Resurrection Sunday. The time of the year to commemorate the time that Jesus was Hung Up for My Hang Ups. We talk about the fact that It Wasn't the Nails, but love that kept him on that cross. Don't ask What Love, because there is No Greater Love than a man that would lay down his life for his friend.

That's in the scriptures. But also in the Bible in Matthew 28, we find out about what happened after he died. Three days later, an angel had to tell the three ladies named Mary, "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said". Yes, Jesus Rose like he said he would. It's that Great time of the year.

You did know if I ever did a post about my favorite Easter song, it was going to be religious. Not just because I am a Christian, but because the only known secular songs for this time of the year are Here Comes Peter Cottontail & Easter Parade. Sacred songs are popular for this holiday. Well, the songs you hovered and clicked to listen to are on my favorites list but still not my favorite.

My favorite makes me grateful that I was not the savior. It jars my mind. I wouldn't have come down from the cross. Unlike Jesus, I wouldn't have ever made it to the cross. That sounds crazy, but I don't say any of this in total jest. I knew it was my destiny. I knew it was my father will. But I have a tendency to go into a few of life's tests making an F. Pray for me to do better! In the Garden of Gethsemane, I would've lost it as soon as Judas kissed me. Tears would've blinded me, but as soon as I saw the religious leaders, I would've told them off. The heads of the synagogues were jealous that Jesus was healing all kinds of people (Men, Women, Children Jewish, Gentiles, "Righteous", "Non-Righteous") physically, emotionally, & spiritually. He was helping people be their best and they essentially were not. And Jesus was doing all this in 3 years and they knew they will never do any of it. I would've taunted them and laughed at their trump up political & sanctimonious charges they used to arrest me. I would've died, maybe by stoning. But do you think God would be pleased with me? I doubt it. But he knew that.

Jesus did none of that. He Decided to Die. If He had come down from the cross, then my soul would still be lost, as the lyrics say. And I'm grateful that he did stay and that He Got Up with all power in his hands.

Did I mention your favorite Easter song? What is yours? Would you have been more Jesus? While you're commenting, I'll still be humming & smiling. Why? Just Because He Lives!!!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

Settling These Easter Candy Debates

My favorite holiday, Easter is about Love. So, Love will not let me tell you that Jesus didn't die & get up on the third day for Peeps, Carbury Eggs, & Black Jelly Beans. Yeah, I won't say that. (Yes, you can giggle) Easter was one of the holidays other than Halloween & Christmas that we got candy as children. You know what? I'm going to tag my sister, A & cousin, D.D.  aka my Easter Candy Cohorts when I post this on Facebook and maybe they will post in the blog comments they're rankings. But here are the favorites that I love to have in my Easter basket.

5. Snickers Eggs
There is something grown-up about this candy. And it feels lighter than a regular bar.

4. SweeTarts
They are shaped like bunnies & chicks. It's a fun candy.

3. Starburst Jelly Beans
I know I will not accidentally eat a licorice-flavored jelly bean. It is not a flavor provided.

2. Robin's Eggs
They're candy-coated Whoppers. Who can't like these pretty colored malted milk balls? Then hand them to me.

1. Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs 

*happy sigh* I've loved this candy since I was a child. Also, Peanut Butter is probably my favorite flavor. I can't think anything with this flavor I dislike. This candy is simple. It is egg-shaped and nicely portion controlled. It is only one in the wrapper. And if it melts, it is still recognizable. (Yes, giggle at melted Christmas trees)

So, what did you like in your Easter baskets? Leave your faves in the comments. Shout out to blowing bubbles. It is not candy, but it was fun to play with them in our front yard.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms! 

Settling These Chicken Debates

I don't cut up chicken well
Whoever did this is my Soul Sibling

This topic was inspired by the Righteous & Ratchet podcast. They were playing One's Gotta Go, Chicken Edition. It was a little passionate discussion. One host got rid of Breast. The other got rid of Legs. And of course, my preference choice differs. In order from like to dislike here is how I rank chicken portions;
Wings
Breast
Legs
Thighs
Thighs are too oily for my palate. I mostly use them in soup, casseroles & salads. If I must eat dark meat, I'll take a leg. When I was a child, Church's brand breast taste just like chicken soup. And when I got older, I was eating more of those. And wings give you two pieces of meat. Well three, if you like the tip. Also, wings seem to be the perfect balance of white & dark meats.

I don't know why we, humans have such vocal opinions about chicken pieces. Have you ever had a discussion about ground beef choices of chuck, round, or sirloin? I can't recall arguing over chops or steaks when it comes to pork. But since we all feel so deeply about chicken, in comments list your preference in chicken pieces.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

The First Lesson (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA's Favorite Recipes)

In January, I challenge everyone who can cook to help someone who can't, learn to make some dishes. I feel like all adults should know how to cook. And anyone not helping them is doing them a disservice. Well, a lady, whose blog name will be Emma asked what was my goto dish to teach people to make. I actually have two. One for pre-teens for breakfast & lunch and one for ages 13 and older for dinner.

Grilled cheese sandwiches are the simplest hot sandwich known to man. Advance sandwiches add meat and vegetables, but the basic recipe is bread with melted cheese inside. And it's easy peasy.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Ingredients

• 2 slices white bread
• 1 tablespoon butter, divided in half
• 2 slices American or Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat skillet over medium heat. Generously butter one side of a slice of bread.
2. Place bread butter-side-down onto skillet bottom and add 1 slice of cheese.
3. Butter a second slice of bread on one side and place butter-side-up on top of the sandwich.
4. Grill until lightly browned and flip over; continue grilling until cheese is melted.
5. Serve & Eat Immediately

Contrary to popular belief, every meal is not an elaborate one. Most people who cook will admit to at least to three favorite simple favorites. Ask them. Here is one of mine.

Chicken & Spinach-Lemon Rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 (16-ounce) package chicken breast tenders
• 1 teaspoon purchased minced garlic
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice of your choice
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cups spinach leaves, cut into thin strips

Directions

1. Heat oil in 12-inch skillet; add chicken tenders and garlic. Cook over medium heat, turning occasionally until browned and no longer pink.
2. Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
3. Add all remaining ingredients except spinach to same skillet. Cook over high heat, 2-3 minutes, until mixture comes to a boil.
4. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook for 10-20 minutes, until all of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Stir in spinach.
6. Serve chicken over rice immediately.

One day I hope those I've helped to make a dish understand I just want them to be self-sufficient in feeding themselves. Especially these two, Alura & CJ, the niece & nephew in my auntiest looking picture to date. (No, I don't drink dark liquor & listen to Jeffrey Osborne while I make the good potato salad. I listen to Dru Hill & drink tea. LoL) The Chinese proverb says, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime". Well, a man can't eat raw fish all the time.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!!!

Cancel Culture is Like Comedy

It is Subjective!
Yeah, I said it. Cancel Culture is based on personal feelings, tastes, or opinions, just like what we think is funny. What is Cancel Culture? Let me define for the not as hip as me. Yes, you can laugh. It is the phenomenon of no longer morally, financially, and/or digitally supporting celebrities, events, songs, films or TV shows, or things that are deemed unacceptable or problematic. (Thank You, Wikipedia) Cancel Culture is not new. For years, I just said "I'm boycotting...", but you know pop culture(Blame the Millenials LoL) and it's naming stuff. And I think arguing or discussing intensely on who & what to cancel is a waste of time.

I use Comedy because it is one of the most negatively passionate debated forms of entertainment of the times. In my experience, people are quick to say or react who's or what is not funny.

How many conversations have you had on favorite comedians? Now, compare that to the conversations on who in comedy that you don't like. I bet dollars to donuts the ratio is off. But comedy is maybe set up that way. There are acceptable levels of heckling & booing that get to pass through. Negativity boosts it sometimes.

Negativity fuels Cancel Culture. Instead if pumping up what we are for or like, we are quick to talk about the stuff & people we are deleting. And it's all based on our experiences, feelings, opinions, & perceptions.

For example, let's talk about the Katy Perry face shoe incident. I looked at the black shoe by itself, could be seen as blackface. And because the racist images put out by Gucci, Burberry, Prada was in the news at the same time, Katy Perry's products were automatically canceled by some. I saw the shoe with the same face in the color, beige and saw a goofy face on a shoe. I couldn't cancel the products. I just don't want her to make face shoes anymore.

That is my subjective feeling. And to argue with me about is futile, in opinion. I mean there are known liars, killers, bigots, rapists, child molesters, sexual harassers & thieves with apologist fans & support.

Save your fuel to pump up those who aren't. Oh wait, that not negative enough to do. Oh well, go take them down. And Cancel Culture, you have unwittingly made your mark in our lexicon & way of debate. Hope, you're proud of yourself.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!

I Will Rather Start Over

When I leave this blog world, know that I never dealt with fake numbers & views. This week I looked at my stats & views. I do that every quarter. Weirdly, I had 3 posts with abnormally high numbers. They were the last posts that I posted on Google+. And I almost went with the surge in viewership being because the site was being shut down. But that reason didn't sit well with me. So, I just erased & reposted them. The posts are:

 THIS

 

 THIS

and THIS

One post had 342 views. WTF I know crap when I see it. The post (3rd highest viewed before I ever posted these 3) I did when my brother died has 107 views. And most of those were because my sister posted it on her Facebook page. And they stopped a week after the service. These posts were posted in January and were still "being viewed" until I deleted the old links. I am Not saying I'm not worth 300+ views. But I will say I am Worth views that are Consistent & Real. Not high views because of a weird glitch or hacking.

If you guys want to hover & click on any of the "This", and re-read those posts again, Please, Be My Guest. I would appreciate that. If you don't, that is fine. You know I don't have a blog for the views. And shout out to you guys, my readers. Thank You for your Real views. Maybe next blog year(July) you guys will get a nickname. All because you guys are Real Ones!!!

As Always Talking To You In Adult Terms

He, She, & B

I see this picture of these three adult-age people  I frown. That is B. Smith. She is a former restaurateur, model, author, and television host. I enjoyed her show, B. Smith With Style when it was on the air. 

Also in the picture is her husband Dan Gasby and his girlfriend, Alex Lerner. Yes say, "Oh" but don't shrug it off. B. Smith has Alzheimer's disease and has no clue what is going on. And her husband has become defensive about having a live-in girlfriend while taking care of his wife. HERE is one of the articles about him, the girlfriend & B. 

There is one key point that I don't see in any of the stories where Dan & B had a prior discussion that having a live-in girlfriend is okay.

I wonder that not because Gasby needed permission, but because what if B. has a lucid moment one day. That does happen. There is also Terminal Lucidity where some people with mental decline have mental clarity and memory shortly before death. I'd rather not have to explain that situation but hug and savor the clear moments that we have.

"I love my wife but I can’t let her take away my life!" Dan Gasby wrote on Facebook.

I know Dan Gasby was probably lonely. I understand. I came back home to help my mother with my late grandfather and brother & ailing grandmother, years ago. Being a caregiver can be very isolating. It is a life few understand.

So, I understand him having a friend to talk to and having some free time away from his current life. But a live-in just seems disrespectful. I think Dan Gasby feels some guilt. If he didn't, he wouldn't be defensive. He would've revealed Ms. Alex Lerner and went on to live life. His Facebook statement might as well say, "It breaks my heart my wife doesn't recognize me, but a man has needs".

Maybe not the case. But he put the "story" out. Have a feeling a little discretion would help him.

*sigh*

Learn how to tell a story!

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms