Desiderata: From the original text​

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. --Max Ehrmann, 1927

 Medicare

Being labeled non-compliant can get you in real trouble, like being refused services when you really need them, or maybe your mental capacity being questioned by those with more power than you.

I'm not a big fan of drugs of any kind except those found in plants, herbs, foods, which are plenty.

I think I'm pretty sneaky about avoiding Rx drugs and non-compliance labels. I say, "Okay, I'm pretty busy right now, I'll think about it."

Also, the doctor can't put you on drugs if you're not there. Avoid him in situations where it's safe to do so. Eat an apple. Take a walk outdoors. Read the best sources on the best course of action for your ailment. Pay attention to your lab work.

 Maple, like cantaloupe, is a strong flavor, overtaking all others in many recipes.

 Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

To avoid tough biscuits, keep everything COLD as possible until it goes in the oven.

I kept a covered bowl ready in the fridge at all times for biscuits. It contained

2 c. flour

1 TB baking powder

1 tea salt.

1/4 C. cold butter, cut in (to consistency of small peas)

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When ready for biscuits, stir in most of

1/4 C. milk curdled with a bit of vinegar.

Quickly now, stir, knead just to mix, roll out to 1/2-inch thick, cut rounds with a drinking glass, bake 10-12 minutes in 450-degree oven.

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Sausage Gravy

Fry 1 lb breakfast sausage. Stir/mash in in a couple tablespoons flour. Cook a few moments. Gradually add milk or water, stirring, cooking as you go until consistency is reached. Simmer until flour is cooked. Add salt and pepper if desired.

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Split a biscuit and butter it. Heap with gravy. Top with an over-easy egg. Garnish with an orange twist.

 

Climate Change?

We don't know, we're not as smart as we think we are, but what difference does it make?

We can't poison the oceans with impunity.

We can't cover the earth in concrete without consequences.

Or surround the earth with end-to-end space junk.

These and other unfortunate choices are being taken out of our hands by means of lower birth rates and the poisoning of our bodies with man-made toxins.

We're doomed and I'm sure, objectively speaking, that it's about time.

 

The Health and Well-Being of our Youth

There is tremendous sympathy today for mental illness. But what is not considered by many is the widespread permanent damage drug abuse is doing to our young people --the future of our country.

Drug use, both rx and illegal can permanently damage the brains of our youth. That is why China keeps us supplied with illegal opiates.

Education and discipline and, sometimes, forced commitment to excellent institutions is called for, not sympathy. Sympathy encourages self-pity, self-indulgence, paranoia and worse.

It's worth noting that excellence in our institutions does NOT translate to costliness.

**America's public enemy number one is drug abuse. --Richard Nixon paraphrased, 1971**

 I Remember

... when my mother-in-law reported that she caught my daughter looking out the window and laughing.
"Reminiscing?" she asked her.
My daughter nodded. "We took Dad's brand-new red canoe to the top of the hill for sledding. Us,and all the kids in the neighborhood jumped in and down we went. And we'd drag it and push it back up and sled down again.
"But here came Dad over the horizon. We all bailed and disappeared into the woods. Only Chrissie was left sitting in the canoe --holding the bag."
Chrissie was my youngest. He took the rap for the whole caper

** Kids' eternal cry: But I dint DO nuthin! **