What am I today?

Recently in the media the current administration has been calling me names. I remember when I was a kid sometimes other kids would make fun of me. I wore glasses and they called me "four eyes". I could usually answer all the teacher's questions , she called on me a lot and I got the name "teachers pet". Like many Americans I have taken a great interest in how my country is being run. I try to let my feelings be known by writing my elected officials and attending "Tea Parties" and other patriotic meetings. My political beliefs are conservative because I believe that is what the Constitution is all about. It, the federal government, should be "for the people, by the people". However, when I support these ideals, I'm called a "a right wing extremist" and more recently a "right wing terrorist". It could be said that there is nothing wrong with extremism in defense of liberty. But, a terrorists! Terrorists blow up buildings and fly airplanes into skyscrapers. I don't do that! And now, since I am a member of the Republican Party, a high level government official calls me an A****le. By the way, my tax dollars help pay the salaries of the folks doing the name calling. Your taxes too. Could we stop payment? Is our current administration so desperate that it resorts to name-calling? I think so. When the government forgets whom it serves there will be resistance by the unserved. And may it grow to facilitate change to a government "for the people, by the people".

The names I am called may change but what I believe will never change. What I believe begins with: "We the people...".

Do They Know Who You Are?

In today's political climate the average folks often ask the title question. Do they(they being elected officials) know who I am? Unfortunately, probably not. Until recently the "unknown majority" was not quite so vocal and the word accountable did not exist in many politician's dictionary. It was simple: People voted, the elected took office, and did exactly what they wanted to do. Such was representative government as we knew it. Maybe this would have continued if we had not elected a new president with very different ideas about things and the country suffered a financial collapse The "unknown majority" isn't quite so unknown any more. The vocal protest, in most cases, has made known the feelings of thousands of formerly silent Americans heard. They are demanding accountability from their elected officials. "Tea Parties" are being held. The name based on the 1776 protests of "taxation without representation". The elected have answered by holding "town hall" meetings. I believe the this intercourse between the government and the people is a very healthy thing. Modern media plays a big part in this as well. The many cable channels carry different points of view and a plethora of websites and blogs carry alternative ideas on issues at the forefront of the meetings. The ease at which the average person can broadcast their ideas via blogs ,websites, andvideo sharing networks allows many people to be heard the first time by others. The voices of the voters via meeting or media is changing the current political environment. They, the government, will know who you are!

Ode to the Sweet Potato

I've just finished dinner, London broil with sauteed mushrooms and baked potato. It was accompanied by a cabernet sauvignon we had picked up in White Oak Vineyard in Napa. However, the peace de resistance was desert, homemade sweet potato pie. Like in the Randy Owen song, "Song, song of the South, Sweet potato pie and a shut my mouth..." The wedge had an old golden color to it somewhat like burnt sienna. Slightly warm with a flaky crust and a dollop of whipped cream. It was the food of gods. We had bought the potatoes at Cook's Produce stand in Edgefield, South Carolina. The recipe was my mother's. The texture was a course but creamy. The native sweetness of the tuber enhanced slightly by the spices of the Orient. So quickly it was gone. No crumbs were left. But in the middle of the saucer was one lonely tear. When the last bite of this undeniable icon of southern cuisine is gone it is, indeed, a time for sadness and morning.

NO SUCH THING

"An ambitious story that scorns sensational journalism. Beatrice (Sarah Polley) is a naïve reporter sent to find out what happened to a camera crew that disappeared in Iceland. Instead, her focus turns to a depressed and suicidal monster she encounters there. She promises to help the monster but instead feeds him to the hungry international media. The first-rate cast includes Helen Mirren and Julie Christie." says Netflix.

We thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Although the premise is sort of hokey. I mean a monster in Iceland? Get real! The performances really make this movie. Dame Mirren is right on. But then that is not a surprise. The music is good as well. But most of the monsters I've seen in movies did not have X-rated dialogue. But all this adds up to a thoroughly entertaining movie. This is one of the best of the fantasy/science fiction films.

Grape Stompin'

Yesterday, we went to a grape stompin' at Irvin House Vineyards on Wardmalaw Island. It was the first grape stomp for either of us. Traditionally, harvested grapes were placed in a huge wooden vat and the harvesters would stomp on them to remove the juice from the ripened grapes. Part of the process of making wine. This Carolina vineyard only cultivates native American grapes and from it create their five varieties of wine. The Grape Stompin' celebrates the grape harvest and is a family event with grapes being stomped in half wooden barrels with live music, arts and crafts sales, barbecue, games and, of course, wine. We found it enjoyable and reconnected with some folks we hadn't seen in awhile. We would have enjoyed it more had we brought some chairs and some friends to have shared the joy with.