Month: November 2019

Mrs. Broughton’s Asparagus Supreme

Another that needs to get back up for the holidays. It was a favorite of mine, need to look at how to make it keto…

Equipment:
Knife
Egg slicer (optional)
Casserole dish
Boiler
Grater
Oven

Ingredients:
3 large cans white or green asparagus
2-5 hardboiled eggs
1/2 -1 cup grated cheese
1.5 cup cream sauce
1/2 cup blanched almonds (sliced or slivered)
1.5 T butter
3 T flour
pepper
salt
1.5 cups hot milk

Directions:
Cream Sauce for Asparagus Supreme
Melt butter and add seasoned flour and stir until well blended. Gradually add hot milk while stirring constantly.  Bring to boiling point and boil for 2 minutes.  Add cheese just before pouring over the asparagus.

Slice eggs.  Add grated cheese to the cream sauce.  Place alternating layers of asparagus, sauce, eg, and almonds in casserole and bake 20 minutes at 350-375 degrees, or until golden brown.

Options/Extras:
First, I always double the cream sauce, and more than double the cheese.  What is above is NOT doubled. 

Use good cheese in the sauce, and I had great luck using real smoked cheese as a part of the mix.  I used some good sharp cheddar, a real smoked cheese, and one other type (can’t remember, used what was in at the cheese store) to add flavor. 

Also, I prefer to use the sliced almonds, and to toast them a bit beforehand.  Adds to the flavor and the crunch

You Try To Be Proactive

My nature is to be proactive in terms of preparedness. This applies to healthcare as well, and my current insurance even encourages you to do preventative steps via a small rewards program.

Well, it came up recently that I had never gotten the shingles vaccine. In fact, according to the system, I was about eight years overdue to get it. So, I got it Saturday.

Now, I’ve gotten 2-3 dozen vaccinations of various types over the years. My yellow card is full and I need to get a new one. I’ve never had a problem or a real reaction to any of them. The shingles vaccine shot was the first one that truly hurt, and the site is still tender.

Saturday afternoon/evening, I was not feeling good. I put it down to the plunging barometric pressure triggering arthritis and/or a pain flare. Sunday was hell. Monday morning, upon seeing something off near the site of the injection, it finally hit me that I was having a reaction to the vaccination.

I got in touch with my doctor’s office and asked to come in. When the nurse heard my symptoms, I was ordered to the ER. IV steroid and antihistamine were administered, and I’m on steroids the rest of this week. It’s one of the first times in my life where trying to be prepared didn’t pay.

Things may be a little off here this week as I recover. Carry on.

Some Unpalatable Food For Thought On Our Military Leadership

I’ve written a small bit about the purge of the military that occurred under Obama. If you were a warfighter (especially a proven warfighter/leader), didn’t embrace making the military a social experiment, or otherwise didn’t toe a very progressive line, you were gone. While most focus on the officer corps, the NCO ranks also were thinned out.

There is far less data on the enlisted loss, but the purge — and there is no better word — of the officer corps was unprecedented. There is some bitter fruit to come from that purge, as I am very concerned that despite a lot of effort on the part of Chaos and others, the rot could cost us dearly on many levels.

Bookworm has two excellent pieces you need to read. The first one is here, and the second one is here. Read them. Also, read Jim Hanson’s take here.

The uniform matters. It matters on many levels. On that note, I leave you with some extremely unpalatable food for thought. I would also add my thoughts that with the purge and the rise of those like Vindman, that our troops face peril because they will not be up to the task of leading in real conflict.

Powers Pepper Jelly

Realized that this is one of several recipes I need to get re-posted.

Pepper Jelly has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember. In the summer, Dad raised bell pepper and hot peppers in our garden, and come the fall he (and later we) would make pepper jelly — usually two or three cases of it — to give at Christmas. To say that family and friends looked forward to it is an understatement, and so did we. It was not unusual for Dad and myself to polish off a jar (along with a block of cream cheese and most of a box of Ritz crackers) “testing” it to be sure it was good.

Dad’s recipe has been semi-guarded for some time, but I have decided that now is the time to share it with the world lest it be lost. One of the things that has helped make this year a good Christmas for me is that I grew hot peppers (the drought was not kind to the bell peppers) and made a batch and have shared it with family and friends. It is good to continue some traditions, and so I share this one with you.

Hardware:
Large pot
Cutting Board
Knife
Food gloves
Large pourable container
Strainers (I use at least two, one medium one fine)
Jelly Jars
Measuring cup
additional container
Jar funnel
Canner

Ingredients:
1 cup finely chopped hot peppers
1 cup finely chopped bell peppers
13 cups white sugar
3 cups apple cider vinegar (use only real!)
Green food colouring
1 box Certo

Dad used, and I use, a mix of hot peppers. Usually about half a cup are home-grown jalapenos and the other half are home-grown small Thai peppers. This year, I used home-grown Thai, jalapeno, habanero, and one home-smoked jalapeno. It is not necessarily the heat, but the flavors that count. That is also why you need to be sure to use real apple cider vinegar and not the artificially flavored stuff that so many places try to pawn off. Always read the label…

Trust me: use food gloves while handling and chopping the hot peppers…

Prepare jelly jars and lids per directions. I run my jars through the dishwasher with heat-dry on, and it is an excellent sterilizer.

Put all ingredients except Certo into a large saucepan/stockpot. Bring to a rolling boil, cut off the stove, and let cool for 10 minutes. Strain into pourable container, add about three drops of food colouring and the packets of Certo. Stir well without adding a lot of air, then pour into the jelly jars. A uniform green colour lets you know that everything is well mixed. There is usually a bit left over, so pour into spare container to let set and serve as your “proof” batch for taste-testing. Seal. Dad could always get them to seal as is, but I never have so I bring a canner to the boil and can for about 10 minutes.

Enjoy.

The Myth Of Abused Becoming Abusers

I mentioned briefly yesterday the myth of those who are abused in childhood becoming abusers themselves. This myth was particularly vicious towards those who were sexually abused.

If you go and research current literature, the original study on this topic was — to be polite — seriously flawed. When more rigorous studies were undertaken, the myth was rather thoroughly discredited.

Today, it is generally accepted that — particularly for males — there is only about a ten percent rate of those sexually abused becoming abusers themselves. There are some studies that show that victims of other types of abuse (physical, mental) may have about a thirty percent rate of becoming abusers.

That said, the sexual or other abuse is not the prime indicator. The other factors that seem to matter more are: the sexual or other abuse being done by a female; maternal neglect; exposure to serious/extreme violence on a regular basis; and, lack of support.

This is a topic I promised someone I would cover, and am glad to do it. Frankly, the myth of those sexually abused — particularly males — becoming abusers has done extreme damage. It has adversely impacted reporting as well as getting help to cope with the abuse. It continues to create prejudice that has and can hound people (male and female) out of social organizations, churches, and even employment. The ignorant bigotry of this myth continues to hamper helping those who need it, as well as research on the topic.

With all the coverage of Epstein, this has come out even from people who should (or do) know better. Along with the mis-labelling of Epstein, rather than focusing on helping victims of pedophiles and ephebophiles, a good bit of the coverage and commentary is focused on sensationalism and poor information. That can cause problems for those who are victims of sexual abuse. As noted before, however, I don’t expect accuracy or precision out of the media or pundit classes.

I will probably create a page for citations related to this and other sexual abuse information, but for now here is a brief start on links and citations pertaining to this myth.

Outcome following child sexual abuse

Myth of the abused becoming abusers

Myths and facts about male sexual abuse and assault

Development of sexually abusive behavior in sexually victimized males

There is more to come. In today’s politicized environment, I am concerned that solid research on the topic of sexual abuse/other abuse (especially as it pertains to males) will become impossible. Why? I attended last year an event where the field leaders of a major non-profit involved with helping victims of domestic violence, abuse, etc. talked. Those field leaders made very clear that women were always victims, women never lied about rape or abuse, women never committed such crimes unless forced to by a male, and even males who were victims were perpetrators.

This is a mindset that is rather entrenched in social services (which is heavy SJW to start). It is why I would recommend strongly that any male who is a victim of sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, or other abuse be extremely careful about using public organizations or services. My recommendation is to find a good therapist, as they can help you navigate services to avoid such bigotry.

Also, if you are a victim of childhood abuse — sexual or otherwise — I will recommend finding a local chapter of Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse. It is a good organization that provides self-help meetings around the country. While it is heavily formalized, there are good reasons for that. If you are in Indianapolis, however, and male, I can’t recommend the local group as it is hosted by the organization referenced above. Until another group is started that is not associated with that particular non-profit, there’s not a lot of help for male victims in Indianapolis.

This is a personal topic for me. I’ve known many male and female survivors of childhood and adult abuse. Talking with the victims of childhood abuse, particularly given the intense coverage of Epstein, is an interesting experience. If you are a victim or current or past abuse, please do reach out and get help. You are not alone.

Veterans Day

For those who have not served, today is the day to thank those who have served or are serving. On Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Today, we honor the living.

Thank them, buy them a drink, pick up a tab — whatever you want to do. All I ask is that you show respect to them and their service. Even a simple nod does the trick.