Friday, October 30, 2020

Amazon COVID-19 Writers Block

Since my layoff, I've been writing a novel and also my annual children's book; which is my son's Christmas present. Both books are about COVID-19. Today when I went into my Amazon publishing account, I found that my children's book has been blocked. After much difficulty contacting anyone I found that Amazon is blocking all books related to COVID-19. They don't come out and say that anywhere, but I did finally get to speak to someone who verified this.

The children's book features a little boy from Minnesota; and breaks the virus and reactions to it into "pieces" that are easily understood.

It is disappointing that I can't publish, but more disappointing that this gift to my son has been blocked by an unforeseen and unforgiving business decision. -KJC

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Healthcare Guilt

As I was thinking about healthcare in the USA, my mind replayed an unfortunate scene I witnessed at a Minute Clinic a while back. A man was there with a young girl and he was asking about cost. After being told it would be over $100, he looked at the sick child and said, "You should have to pay for this." I saw the girl shrink under the comment and I wondered why healthcare in America is so difficult. No child should have to feel guilty and no parent should feel so low on resources as to guilt a sick child. This should not be happening.

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Potato Pancakes

When my mom was a child growing up on a farm, potato pancakes were a good way to feed a lot of people. Her recipe as I remember, was pretty basic. It was shredded potatoes, chopped onion, salt and pepper, and an egg. My "recipe" includes, garlic, ginger, turmeric, cilantro, some dried herbs and seasoned salt. I have never had potato pancakes at a restaurant that I thought were very good. My mom's were hard to beat, but I think I've done a pretty good job. For me, the simplicity and flavor makes potato pancakes true comfort food.

Trump Lying

"I also can fly by flapping my arms really fast! Joe Biden can't fly. He can't even walk. He just crawls across the floor with his baby bottle. I don't know what's in there, but I think it's juice he got from China. It's bad! It's really really bad. I also know how to walk on water..."

Friday, October 23, 2020

Chili Recipe?

I have no chili recipe. It is a little different each time.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Bald-Faced Hornet Nests

Since I did not see any indication that the snow is going to go away soon, I winterized the lawn mower and put things away in the shed. It was also a good time to remove the Bald-faced hornet (sometimes called paper wasps) nests from inside of the shed.

Monday, October 19, 2020

More Positive

It seems that so many of our daily interactions have become negative. Negativity becomes a disease that can unfortunately be passed on to successive generations. I recently thwarted an attack from a pair of individuals who were angered because I suggested that some people need to become more responsible. This went against their beliefs. So I refused to engage them even though they came after me on my own turf. But it seems that some people live for those confrontations because they assume many things--including that they are always right. While I'm in favor of constructive confrontation, there are times when no good will come of the debate. Typically, I am fine with whatever you want to post as long as you do it on your own venue and not mine. I don't tend to go tell you when I think you're wrong; even if I don't believe anything that you said. In fact, sometimes it's interesting to see or hear other people's differing viewpoints. So as I'm trying to find more positive things in the world, I have in some cases, chosen silence rather than to be baited into a pointless, negative experience. Granted there is much negativity right now with our divided nation and a pandemic. We have also seen that discrimination does exist; and some people do not know how to act when confronted by police or authority figures. That said, no one should assume that these people are incapable of acting responsibly. Children need to be taught responsibility. Instead, it seems that they are being taught our societal negatives such as racism. Having played with other children when I was young who were a different race, I don't believe that children are born racist. That is a learned idea. Having matured, grown up, and married a woman who is not of my race, I can tell you that while there are differences, there are more similarities. And people of all races can act responsibly and follow rules. And if you are one of the people who thinks that they can't follow the rules and these rules need to be adjusted, then perhaps you are exhibiting a different form of racism. The world is not what you see on the TV news. The world is not what you hear on a political commercial. Our world is not one thing or one way; it is many things and many ways and many different people all blended together. I don't believe communism can work, and I don't believe in fascism. I reside in the middle. Unfortunately very few people seem to see the middle right now. The middle is where I find my truth. The middle is where I find my positive perspective. I'm going to stay in the middle and I'm going to try not to let anyone drag me into the negative. I believe our better way of life and our better days depend on us becoming more positive as a unified people. -KJC

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Carrot Harvest

Today my son helped me harvest the carrots. Our crop is moved by (Tonka) truck to the washing and drying stations. Finally they are sorted by size, bagged and put in the refrigerator.

Vote by Mail Worked!

https://mnvotes.sos.state.mn.us/AbsenteeBallotStatus.aspx

"Your ballot was accepted on October 6, 2020 and will be counted."

Monday, October 12, 2020

Thursday, October 08, 2020

Pasta Sauce with Excess Vegetables

I used the excess of tomatoes to create a sauce for my penne pasta and excess zucchini, with turkey and vegetables. It was easy and a good use of surplus garden vegetables.

Michigan Kidnap Plot


 

Monday, October 05, 2020

Saturday, October 03, 2020

Tamarack Nature Center 10/3/2020

COVID-19 and Anti Maskers

From my vantage point, it seems the anti-mask people are now being infected by COVID-19 in more alarming numbers. It isn't just the President. A friend's cousin in the Dakotas is in a coma clinging to life. Even more alarming is the mask is supposed to keep others around you safe. If people refuse to wear them, like the now infected people around the President, the pandemic will rage on. Yesterday I went to a Cub foods in St. Paul. It was a quick trip. Yet, I saw four individuals scattered throughout the store without masks. I couldn't help but notice--since I had just watched a news story about African-Americans being disproportionately affected by the virus, all four were black. I hurried past, to remove myself from the area; wondering if they didn't care, or if they were hoping to incite trouble. Surely they saw the sign on the door while coming in requiring masks to enter. Whatever the reason, I wanted to remove myself from that place immediately. It's time to be responsible.

Friday, October 02, 2020

Another Homemade Wine!

We had the second sampler bottle of a different homemade wine. This one was made from mulberries and wild black raspberries. I made it ten years ago. It was deep purple and delicious. It was also pretty strong.

Any Functioning Adult

Trump Undergoing New Covid Treatment


Trump Undergoing New Covid Treatment
UnAssociated Press
October 2, 2020


Shortly after testing positive for COVID-19, President Donald Trump has begun a new treatment. Twice per day for the next two weeks, the Trump will have a powerful UV light shining up his buttoxical region for 30 minutes. Immediately following, he will slam down a chocolate donut and two cups of bleach. Mr. Trump is said to be in good spirits, and has already fired two doctors and a nurse. The flowers, compliments of the Proud Boys, are said to be lovely.

Trump + COVID-19

Thursday, October 01, 2020

Homemade Wine

We had a celebration tonight that included a delicious wine I made ten years ago.