FLOTUS Friday: Nabob Edition

"In the United States today, we have more than our share of nattering nabobs of negativism. They have formed their own 4-H club -- the hopeless, hysterical hypochondriacs of history." – Vice-President Spiro Agnew

I’ve had it with the nattering nabobs of negativism, and no amount of covfefe will help.

Honestly, wishing a pandemic on the country in order to kill our own economy in order to take down a President they don’t like? Who does that? Deranged ideologues, that’s who.

While then Vice-President Spiro Agnew gave a series of speeches in 1969 criticizing the media for their negative coverage, the phrase was actually directed  at politicians critical of the Nixon administration policies during the 1970 mid-term congressional campaign; not a word was uttered about the “press” as media was known at the time. Within a year’s time however the media, desirous even then of being the story rather than simply covering it, began the fiction that that delicious turn of phrase had been directed at them. Fifty years later everyone believes that to be true: such is the power of owning the franchise known as “the press.” Thank God for the internet where the truth still leaks out in certain venues.

I must say I find it curious that just two weeks ago the modern day Democratic Party/Media complex was criticizing the President for shutting down flights to and from China as an “overreaction” is now complaining that he’s not doing enough to address the dreaded Coronavirus crisis. Only a cabal can have it both ways. I wonder if they consider the North Korean response “adequate.”

In what appears to be a rather drastic measure to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID 19), North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un allegedly sanctioned for the execution of the first North Korean patient tested positive for the deadly strain of the virus.

But as I said, enough. Rest your eyes instead on our most elegant FLOTUS.

When the media can’t find anything kind to say about such a lovely representative of our country you know they are the enemy.

The Future Comes Soon Enough

“People like us, who believe in physics, know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.” - Albert Einstein

My problem: I can’t decide whether to go back in time and be considered a genius, or forward in the hope that mankind has improved and life on earth is truly better.

“I fear the day that technology will surpass our human interaction. The world will have a generation of idiots.” - Albert Einstein

Who am I kidding, I have seen the future and it is as Einstein feared: a video game. Perhaps time didn’t matter to Einstein - he’d be considered a genius in any time warp – but knowing what I know now I’d go back in time and pretend. I’d take enough money to buy a nice sized piece of land in northern California, sometime during the Great Depression, where I’d plant mostly grapes. I’d invest in Microsoft, Apple, Google and Amazon early on, cash out and retire to my own private island in the Caribbean.

There I would spend the rest of days not worrying about COVID-19.

“I never think of the future - it comes soon enough.”
― Albert Einstein

Note: for those of us living in the present, please remember to keep Ripley’s Mom and Succotash in your prayers and add MnTo who is having surgery tomorrow.

Fight Club: Not A Good Look For the Dems

“Welcome to Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.”

And after last night’s cage fight that is a very good rule indeed. However there are actually eight rules of Fight Club:

1. One does not talk about Fight Club.
2. One DOES NOT talk about Fight Club.
3. The fight is over once a person yells ''stop'', taps out, or goes limp.
4. Only two guys are involved in a fight.
5. Only one fight occurs at a time.
6. No shirts, no shoes.
7. There is time allotment associated with the fights. They go on until they end.
8. First timers at the club must fight.

And the only rule the Democrats seem to be following is #8. And aside from Bernie and Joey they’re all first timers who felt compelled to fight each other. So everybody was fighting, all at the same time.

Heil Bernie!

I don’t know what all the MSM bobble heads were even doing there last night; everyone knows there are no moderators in Fight Club. It’s a losers free-for-all.

Forget the Coronavirus Pandemic: It’s Mardi Gras!

Here we are – Fat Tuesday, Carnevale, Shrove Tuesday. The final debauchery prior to the Lenten season of penitence and prayer, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins and almsgiving. So…laissez les bon temps rouler!

Back in the day we’d always celebrate at Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen in downtown Detroit where they had the best catfish beignets, oysters Rockefeller, crayfish étouffée and Jambalaya this side of New Orleans.

And one year we actually went to New Orleans for the last few days of Mardi Gras, it was crazy and fun and exhausting. It’s the sort of thing you should only do once and even then only when young. So today we plan a much more laid back celebration; we’re going to go play in the snow for awhile. Then there’s some of Raj’s world famous gumbo – chicken, shrimp and andouille - in the freezer for dinner. And since Raj wanted a King Cake but forgot to order one, we decided to make a cheater version. Truth be told I’m not all that fond of King Cakes, even the good ones, so I find this easy-peasy version quite appealing, if not entirely authentic.

Easy King Cake  - from Mom Loves Baking

Ingredients

• 2 cans store-bought cinnamon rolls I used Pillsbury Flaky Cinnamon Rolls with Butter Cream Icing
• Yellow green and purple sugar
• 1 plastic toy baby if desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place cinnamon rolls sideways on a large cookie sheet that has been greased or lined with a silicone mat. Arrange cinnamon rolls in a circular pattern. It should look like a flower when you're done. Press down on cinnamon rolls with your hand to flatten them slightly.
3. Bake according to package instructions. Let cool.
4. Frost with the buttercream that comes with the cinnamon rolls. Add yellow, green and purple sugar. Serve immediately or store covered for up to 24 hours at room temperature. It is best when eaten the first day.

I don’t have a Bundt pan or I would modify the assembly per this Cinnamon Roll King Cake version that uses extra butter and brown sugar. I do think I’ll add a bit of cream cheese to the pre-made frosting though.

So no paczki (poonch-kee or punch-kee, depending on where you hail from) this year.

We’ll be indulging ourselves instead with the likes of a yellow, green and purple King Cake imposter.

While I’m out and about today I’ll be wearing my Cajun/Acadian flag pin that Cajun2 was kind enough to send me a couple of years ago.

As I understand the flag’s symbols, the gold castle on the red field represents the Spanish kingdom, who  assisted the Acadians in settling their new homeland.  The silver fleur-de-lis on the blue field represents the Cajuns’ French heritage. And the gold star on the white background represents the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Acadians. It seems a fine heritage and proud flag, I will wear it with pride and hope that I run into at least one other person who recognizes it. It only happened once before and it was very cool, like being a member of a secret society with a special handshake.

Anyway, that’s about it from casa MOTUS this fine Fat Tuesday. Please remember as you go about your Mardi Gras celebrations to keep Ripley’s Mom and Succotash in you prayers as RM is having her second knee replacement today and Succotash will be having glaucoma surgery tomorrow.

Monday Reminder: Put Your Best Foot Forward

File this under “there are only 2 genders, and one of them is female.” And girls sometimes have different priorities.

Play to your strengths: while anyone can skateboard, only girls understand the importance of looking good while you’re at it.

So put your best foot forward…

and get out there and carpe diem!

There’s Gambling Going On In Nevada.

Fifty years of inculcating young minds of mush with communist values at government indoctrination centers, and all I got was this old white socialist:

Sad, isn’t it?

Cats, Dogs, Pheasants and General Badassery

This doesn’t answer the perennial question of “which species is better, cats or dogs?” but it definitely settles the issue of which species is more badassery.

In other news: my nephew poochie is home and resting as comfortably as one can in the dreaded cone of shame. My sister won’t have the test results until late next week but the vet said the surgery went well and the tumor appeared to be encapsulated which is a good sign. So thank you, everybody, for the doggie prayers.

On the kitchen front, Raj and I are cooking pheasant tonight for the neighbors. I don’t as a rule cook wild things as my tolerance for “gamey” flavor is limited. I have a staple of venison dishes that ameliorate that issue and I’ve done both elk tenderloin and an elk roast that turned out delicious. On the other hand some farm raised lamb is too gamey for my taste: I prefer the New Zealand because it’s milder and fully recognize that it is unconscionable on my part to eat meat with such a large carbon footprint.

But back to the dinner – don’t ask; I would normally not take on the preparation of wild birds. These were shot by our neighbor, which means bird shot. In the birds. Raj’s job is all the prep work which at this point involves a stud finder and a strong, neodymium magnet.

I’m not a very happy camper but like many tales involving doing things you don’t really want to do it’s a long story that involves a fair degree of human drama that I can’t elaborate on but we got sucked into. The upshot (no pun intended) being a pheasant dinner in our dining room tonight. I don’t like gamey things so this is the recipe I’m using. I figure I can fill up on sauce and mashed potatoes.

Wild Pheasant In Mushrooms and Wine Sauce

Finally, don’t miss Kurt Schlichter’s latest on the stupidity of socialism and socialists who promote it: You Bernie Suckers Are Going to Get Fooled Again.

Let me briefly address your whiny protests.

Yes, I say “socialist” like it’s a bad thing. This is because it’s a very bad thing. Like, to the tune of 100 million corpses bad thing. I’ve actually lived in the ruins of socialism and you, well, you had a man-bunned sociology TA tell you it was swell. And you believed him because you are a dupe. Be glad that I am assuming that you are stupid instead of the only other reason one would ever cavort with these blood-stained goblins: that you are evil.

I’ve got to go brine my birds so have an enjoyable day wherever you are.

FLOTUS Friday: Haters Gotta Hate

Having taken a wee break to focus their hate on a different billionaire this week, the Democrats are getting back to form with their Hating On All Things Trump® theatrics. Accordingly, they was “push back” against Melania having been presented with a “Woman of Distinction” award from Palm Beach Atlantic University.

But of course, why be classy when you can act like a 2 year old having a tantrum?

Never mind that she received a standing ovation on Wednesday when she stepped on the stage at The Breakers Hotel to accept the award.  And never mind that the proceeds from the luncheon event (which quickly sold out when it was announced Melania would attend) are used for a scholarship fund for female students - haters gotta hate.

So of course there was “pushback” from some students and faculty.

"This award has historically gone to women whose character and impact in Palm Beach has shaped the culture of our home, and I have not been convinced that the first lady's character or impact here is worthy of that recognition," said Graysen Boehning, a senior studying biology and zoology at the school.

How about that, objections from a senior majoring in biology and zoology: I wonder if he learned there are 31 genders in his classes. I’d be more concerned about that than who his (or whatever preferred pronoun Graysen chooses) school gave an award to.