Sunday, June 08, 2025

Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear.

There will be times when the struggle seems impossible. I know this already. Alone, unsure, dwarfed by the scale of the enemy. Remember this. Freedom is a pure idea. It occurs spontaneously and without instruction. Random acts of insurrection are occurring constantly throughout the galaxy. There are whole armies, battalions that have no idea that they've already enlisted in the cause. Remember that the frontier of the Rebellion is everywhere. And even the smallest act of insurrection pushes our lines forward. And then remember this. The Imperial need for control is so desperate because it is so unnatural. Tyranny requires constant effort. It breaks, it leaks. Authority is brittle. Oppression is the mask of fear. Remember that. And know this, the day will come when all these skirmishes and battles, these moments of defiance will have flooded the banks of the Empire's authority and then there will be one too many. One single thing will break the siege. Remember this. Try.

"Rix Road" is the twelfth and final episode of the first season of Star Wars: Andor. The episode is written by Tony Gilroy.

Read Josh Marshall

 https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/more-thoughts-on-the-unfolding-crisis-in-ca

Robert Reich: the infiltration of Big Money in our politics. It has corrupted our democracy — creating a vicious cycle that funnels more wealth and power to those at the top while drowning out the needs of regular Americans.

David Rothkopf‬: ICE is a much greater threat to this country than illegal immigrants. The current administration ia by far the greatest threat this country faces. The problem is not st our borders. It is in the White House.

 @djrothkopf.bsky.social‬ · 7h

Friday, June 06, 2025

Colorful Vegetables

So much of cooking is color and I am crazy over vegetables. I made my Presto German Potato salad (minus the bacon) and this time I added red onion, chopped carrots and green peas.

UPDATE: Next time I should add frozen peas AFTER the cooking to retain color! Oops! 

Lyrics of Black Coffee

 

Lyrics of Black Coffee by Pisk, Nat Gonella

Black coffee, I′m in trouble
Black coffee, I see double
Skibadip, Skididoop, Skibidibap, Doodie
How am I gonna get home?
 
Black coffee, I'm so dizzy
Black coffee, please get busy
Skibadip, Skididoop, Skibidibap, Doodie
Help me if I can get home
 
Black coffee, I′m in trouble
Black coffee, I see double
Skibadip, Skididoop, Skibidibap, Doodie
How am I gonna get home?
Ohhh,
Black coffee, help fella
Black coffee, what'll I tell her?
Skibadip, Skididoop, Skibidibap, Doodie
I'm afraid to go home
 
Writer(s): Al Goodhart, Al Hoffman, Maurice Sigler 

Buttermilk Chicken

This is a fantastic recipe, tender juicy and flavorful. I used skinless boneless chicken breasts and I used prepared mustard, paprika, and sriracha and fresh garlic in the buttermilk but no additional salt. It turned out those condiments provide a lot of salt. Our grill was not ready so we broiled it indoors on our (pre greased) cast iron grill pan 12 minutes a side (on high) and then allowed to rest. It was fantastic.  We marinated the chicken-buttermilk mixture overnight in the fridge.

https://foxeslovelemons.com/grilled-buttermilk-chicken/

Toast with Peanut butter and Pickle!

A Russian Superstition

Before leaving for a long journey, travelers, and all those who are seeing them off, must sit for a moment in silence before leaving the house. It is often seen as a time to sit and think of anything one may have forgotten. Another version of the superstition states that the traveler must sit for a moment on or beside their suitcase. An example in Russian: Присядем на дорожку., romanizedprisyadem na dorozhku, lit.'let's sit on the path')[1]

Returning home for forgotten items is considered a bad omen. It is considered better to leave it behind, but if returning is necessary, one should look in the mirror before leaving the house again. Otherwise, the journey will go poorly.

Books are a uniquely portable magic. Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Books are the perfect entertainment: no commercials, no batteries, hours of enjoyment for each dollar spent. What I wonder is why everybody doesn't carry a book around for those inevitable dead spots in life.     

Stephen King

All Power is Unitary

Article

The Healing Power of Exercise

For him, staying healthy means staying active. “The minimum I need to do to feel right is running three times a week, walking the dog daily, and yoga three times a week. If I do less, my mood starts to drop almost instantly. My self-esteem takes a hit, and my anxiety increases an extreme amount,” he says.

Jeff has since transitioned from swim coach to yoga teacher. He teaches various yoga classes, including classes for swimmers and yoga for mental health. The fitness aspect of yoga is incredible, he explains, “but even more helpful is the mindfulness aspect, which has changed my life.” source

Mood Boosters

The phrase "The body is your best friend in dealing with moods" means that taking care of your physical health can significantly help you manage and improve your moods and emotional well-being. 

Here's why:
  • Mind-Body Connection: There is a strong connection between your physical and mental state.
    • For example, stress and anxiety can manifest physically as headaches, muscle tension, and digestive issues.
    • Conversely, chronic pain can lead to depression and anxiety.
    • In essence, your body's physical state directly affects your mood, cognition, and overall emotional well-being.
  • Positive Effects of Physical Activity: Regular physical activity, such as exercise, releases endorphins, which are the body's natural mood boosters.
    • Endorphins promote feelings of happiness and reduce feelings of pain.
    • Exercise can also reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and boost self-esteem.
    • Research shows that exercise can improve or maintain cognitive function and help with memory and attention.
  • Balanced Diet and Sleep: Eating healthy foods provides the necessary nutrients for optimal brain function, which can help regulate mood and alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Also, sufficient and consistent sleep is crucial for physical and mental health and plays a critical role in regulating mood and emotions.
  • Addressing Physical Symptoms: Physical symptoms caused by negative emotions can be a sign that you are not coping with stress well. By listening to your body and addressing its needs, you can better manage your emotions and improve your overall well-being. 
Therefore, by prioritizing your physical health, you are actively supporting your mental and emotional well-being. This can lead to a more balanced and fulfilling life where you are better equipped to manage your emotions and cope with life's challenges. 

Swimming is Breathing Meditation in Motion

I tell my students that the first thing to learn is how to breathe. Close your mouth and hum while blowing air out of your nose. Practice bobbing 10 times. After a while you'll automatically blow air out of your nose when your face hits the water. Everything builds on this.

The best swimmers are the ones that almost don’t try the most… It’s just about relaxing and enjoying it.

 – Cate Campbell 

Thursday, June 05, 2025