I am truly saddened at what is going on in my country, and the world these days. I mean to the point that it is affecting my mood immensely. Add to that the fact that we are still not working real jobs (meaning we are still essentially living off of our 401Ks), and that just exacerbates the gloomy, sometimes despondent, mood I find myself in lately.
My heart hurts for Brussels right now. I’ve read that ISIS has taken credit for this horrendous act of terrorism, and reports say an ISIS supporter boasted via social media that, “what will be coming is worse.”
On the home front, in the good ole USA – I have been watching the debates, and many of the town halls, and other appearances by the presidential candidates. It’s no wonder, I have this sick hopeless feeling in my gut I’m having a hard time shaking off . . .
If we don’t find a way for at least most of us to get along in some form or fashion, and have the capacity to have thoughtful, considerate, compassionate, unifying conversations that may involve some compromise by all – we’re all screwed.
But this is what we have and our young people are watching this . . . and learning – good or bad . . .
What a horrible example Trump sets – and I realize as a journalist how sound bites can be manipulated, but his comments are just wrong in any context, as well as the fact that I actually watched him say most of the things in their entirety.
And this was one of my favorite, “Are you fucking kidding me?!?” moments. When asked who he consults on foreign policy issues, Trump stated – I shit you not! –
“I’m speaking with myself, number one. Because I have a very good brain and I’ve said a lot of things.”
AND that, my friend, is the front runner of the Republican Party. I’d call that the major ingredient in the beginning of WWIII and annihilation of life as we know it. Just saying . . .
I hope, in spite of all these nightmarish things going on around us, that this finds you all doing well in your part of the world.
On a final note, I’ve been busying myself making marmalades, lately. This was my first year to make them, and they’ve turned out quite tasty. I made ruby red grapefruit, orange and what I call Texas Sunshine, which is oranges, grapefruit, lemons, tangerines, pineapple, and cherries. Much of the citrus fruit came from the trees of family and friends, so that was really cool! It’s also beautiful to look at 🙂 Like a little jar of sunshine!
Anyway, just some things I’ve been thinking about . . .
Just something I was thinking about . . . 
The world is a sad place right now. But marmalade should make it better, right? Maybe with a few cookies and some coffee or tea? Since I can’t change what’s going on in the rest of the world, nor even what’s happening here in the USA, I’ll just have to be satisfied with sweets, hopes, and prayers.
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Hey CM! Sweets, hopes, and prayers for sure – with a little added Mexican food 😉 Cooking takes my mind off of things, and since I am not a huge jam eater, works better for me!!
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Jars of sunshine to offset the terrible state of affairs!! Just what we need. 🙂
I agree with you. I’ve been thinking and watching many of the same things. It’s hard to know what to do or how to help. I can’t begin to comprehend why that man is the Republican front runner. It baffles my mind daily.
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Yep, the jars of sunshine make me smile 🙂 I am so baffled, Helen, that it hurts my head!! I cannot even begin to make sense of it!!
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I’m right there with you.
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Good homemade marmalade with French butter on thick toast – even Trump can be tolerated then – with the volume muted. 😉
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Right Hariod!! (I’ve never had French butter – but I looked it up & it sounds so good!!)
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It certainly is Sadie, and though I’m not entirely sure why, here’s some sort of an answer.
https://lacuisineparis.wordpress.com/2015/05/20/french-butter-why-is-it-better/
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Yum! Marmalade! Love it. As far as the world is concerned, it will work out OK Sadie – there are far more sane than insane,it’s just that the sane are quiet.
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From your lips to God’s ears, Paul 🙂
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Well that marmalade looks tasty!!!
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Thanks OM! I am making fresh pineapple marmalade for the 1st time this week. I am excited & hope it turns out good!! I used to make pineapple jam a long time ago with canned pineapple (a recipe from my grandma) and it was really good, so I hope this turns out even better!
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Hi Sadie – I am late reading this – but still wanted to chime in on how wonderful the marmalade looks in the jars. It is a bit of sunshine. And I actually have a tradition of giving the school administrator some “homemade jam” – it all started when I refitted some local jam we had been given (too much for us to use) and then I gave him some more a couple times after that – with a “jams and marmalade” book too. Anyhow, it makes such a fun gift that usually is received so well – jam just makes life better. one more side note – I cannot recall where I read it a while back, but someone said they were all stressed out from work and life and they stopped to make jam…. and it centered them. If I find it I will come back and share the link… but either way, I think it is a gift to be able to make marmalade – we tried making jellies about ten years ago – with this kit that came with pectin and jars and well – let’s just say it was “fun” but no prizes worth sharing = lol
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I must admit, Yvette, it helps me quiet the demons when I jam/bake/cook!! Jamming is the least tempting (as I have put on 30 lbs since I got laid off) and I buy fruit on sale or given to me free, so it’s been a blessing. Especially since people have been paying me for it. (Which gave me heartburn at 1st, but has helped during this off-kilter time!)
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well I know you know this – but sometimes these off kilter times are just what God orders for our lives for reasons we will never see. It is just hard because sometimes we lose momentum or cannot always find the best groove because it is so off kiltered – hmmmm
and I can see folks buy it because nobody seems to make it anymore – or at least around where I live. and you offer variety too – hm!
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