Trina Spillman's Blog, page 3

Great Bartender Joke and Why Humans Need to Laugh

A misogynist, a fascist, and a racist walk into a bar. Bartender asks, "What can I get you, President Trump?" Do humans need to laugh? Science says yes, and as a human being, I would have to agree. I don’t know about you, but I use humor a lot. I try to ease tensions through humor; sometimes it is effective, and other times not so much. Apparently, I am not the only one who does this. As an integral part of human interaction, humor has been on the minds of thinkers for centuries. In the book, The Humor Code: A global search for what makes things funny, authors Peter McGraw and Joel Warner explain, “Plato and Aristotle contemplated the meaning of comedy while laying the foundations of Western philosophy.” Charles Darwin looked for the seeds of laughter in the joyful cries of tickled chimpanzees. Sigmund Freud sought the underlying motivations behind jokes in the nooks and crannies of our unconscious. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed “humor is ostensibly about mocking the weak and exerting superiority.” I personally like the quote from author, Scott Weems, a cognitive neuroscientist who says, “My first thought when I think about humor is it’s a great way for us to have evolved so we don’t have to hit each other with sticks.” In his writings, he formulates a hypothesis that humor is a coping mechanism that helps people deal with complex and contradictory messages, a “response to conflict and confusion in our brain”. Take the jokes immediately following the explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986. Remember this one...What does NASA stand for? Need another seven astronauts. In bad taste? Yea. Did it help the nation deal with a horrible tragedy that didn’t make sense in their brains? Maybe. Turning to humor as a way of coping with stress and adversity seems to be part of our psychological make-up. In fact, I would argue laughter is more important than sex. You don’t think so? When is the last time you went a day without LAUGHING?

Magick vs Prayer

What is magick? Some believe it is the manipulation of the natural energies that surround us, and in order to tap into that energy, spells are used to focus one's intention in order to manifest a deep desire. So how is this different from praying? Repeating a chant and using prayer beads to tap into the surrounding energies, allows one to focus on a deep desire; a prayer. So why is it socially permissible to say "I'm going to go pray", but throughout history, saying something along the lines of, "I'm going to go cast a spell" has resulted in being burned at the stake. For that, we'll have to travel back to the advent of religion. "He who controls the religion, controls the region." This has been a basic tenant of conquerors and rulers for centuries. One could argue the Roman Empire never really fell, but rather morphed into what we now know as The Holy See. Just an aside, and speaking from experience, if you have an opportunity to visit the Vatican, and decide to take a tour of St. Peter's tomb, don't ask the tour guide where the church has Jesus stashed, it is likely get you escorted from the building by two guards. Maybe not this guard, but I bet he knew about magic. Throughout history religion has been used to establish norms in order to control an otherwise superstitious and unruly population. But as in any society there were those that marched to the tune of a different drummer and had no intention of following their teachings. These groups worshipped nature, not a man. In order to control these alleged "dissidents against the state" a propaganda war against witches, druids, and yes, magick, was launched, resulting in multiple belief systems, rooted in the laws of nature, being forced under ground. Today, the same stigma exists and practitioners of magick are forced to do so in private for fear of what their neighbors might say. Casting spells for good using herbs, essential oils and candles do not make the practitioner evil. What makes an intention, or prayer evil? If a spell or intention is meant to do harm, then it is using negative energy and is therefore dark. By contrast, if positive energy is released in creating a spell or prayer, positivity will reign upon you. So instead of this... Try this ... Prosperity Spell Here is a prosperity spell I wrote several years ago. Who couldn't use a little prosperity right about now? Try it out, just make sure your mind and intention are clear. What you will need: A Green Candle A Glass Bowl 7 Coins Instructions: Place the items listed above on an alter, or a spot that is special to you. Arrange the 7 coins around the bowl, and place the green candle near the bowl. Every morning for 7 days, clear your mind and light the green candle. Stare into the candle while chanting the following mantra 7 times: Money Flows Money Shines Money Grows Money's Mine Nothing evil about it, and maybe it will help relieve some anxiety. Try it, I promise, you won't sprout horns and a tail. That is bullshit anyway, as evidenced in my new book... #wiccan, #magic, #prayer, #witches, #whitemagic, #kitchenwitch, #goodwitch, #druid

Writers Will Never Be Silenced

"People under a dictatorship, it has been well said, are condemned to a lifetime of enthusiasm." This quote is from an article written in 1937 by author Eugene Lyons, and begs the question, who keeps the enthusiasm going? Writers do. Throughout history, rulers have never been able to silence the social advocates, orators, or court jesters. In reality, jesters throughout history from countries like France, England, China and India have had the unique freedom to speak honestly, without fear of reprisal. Unfortunately, other scribes throughout history, have not fared as well. Take for instance the countries of Russia and Germany in 1937. In order to control the population, they put restrictions in place to control the flow of ideas and tagged anything they didn't want exposed as fake news. The similarities between now and then are astounding, and those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. As a public service, let's examine how it happened so we can prevent it from repeating itself. In the 1937 article by Mr. Lyons, he writes, "Censorship of the word is more rigid in Russia than anywhere in the world, with only Germany as a runner-up within hailing distance. Every book, before it is even considered by one of the government publishing organizations, must be read and passed by Glavlit, the literary censorship office. Ditto every play. Magazines and newspapers, besides being subject to a series of political checks and counter-checks to eek out possible heresy, have special persons on their staffs charged with the responsibility of detecting and casting out anything faintly off-color politically." While this external censorship from the state was bad enough for a writer, the psychological toll was even more sinister. These controls lead to self-censorship, and as every writer knows, we are our own worst critics. But what about those writers who believed the propaganda? The article explains, "Censorship of course does not affect the writers whose views are identical with those of the censors. Certain Russian writers of my acquaintance have insisted that the pressure is so light they scarcely feel it. But these were, in every case, hundred-percenters for whom compliance with the official catechism was second nature. The relative freedom of press and conscience in any nation must be judged by those out of step rather than by the ardent goosesteppers." Authors in Russia that towed the party line were well compensated. Their works were published by state sponsors of propaganda, earning the authors royalties in the neighborhood of 10-15 thousand rubles a month, compared to the average Russian citizen who earned a mere 200 rubles monthly . But alas, not all writers sold out. Many kindred scribes found writing the truth was much easier than keeping track of all of the lies that easily unraveled after one of the story's many threads was tugged upon. In 1937 Russia, authors who disagreed with the state were dissidents, many of whom were brutalized and imprisoned for speaking the truth, a truth that would be labeled as fake by the state. It is hard to wrap your head around the irony. The history of how writers were brutalized under this regime is eerily similar to what is happening today. The following quote from Mr. Lyon's article was so close to today's reality that I had to double check to make sure it wasn't fake! Read for yourself and see if you agree, remember, the following excerpt was written in 1937: "For reasons of international diplomacy Russia, which is eager to be accepted into the company of democratic nations like France and England, is seeking to create the impression that it has accepted democracy. How any one-party system in which political thinking that deviates from the prescribed “Party line” is punished as treachery can be made democratic is a mystery." This is a page out of Papa Putin's playbook for the love of all things holy. Russia has of course expanded their influence by attempting to control the thought process of writers on social media. Same principle as 1937, just a different mechanism by which to get there. History allows us to put our present into focus while offering 20/20 hindsight. As historical oracles we possess the super power of knowing what happens next. Writers of the world unite, and remember, no lasting good has ever come from knowingly drinking the cool-aid. @DorisKGoodwin, @jmeacham, @BeschlossDC, #historyrepeatingitself, #writers, #historians, #journalists

Dear Chefs:

@kenjilopezalt @chefjoseandres @ChefRoyChoi @abrowntable @andrewzimmern @altonbrown During my tenure running a charitable feeding program, I held numerous fundraising events and have come up with a cash-flow idea for chefs, far and wide, that are struggling during this challenging time. I'm calling this idea, Virtual Virtue Restaurant (by all means, tweak the name) Here's how it would work: Host a virtual cooking demonstration and meal service using a platform like Zoom Recruit a food sponsor to provide your virtual patrons with the ingredients for the dish you will be demonstrating and that they will be cooking at home (maybe approach #WholeFoods, #Publix, #Aldis, #Walmart) Sell tickets (the price will include the cost of the ingredients to be delivered to your patrons from your food sponsor) After your demonstration, visit each virtual table and talk to your patrons as they enjoy their meals Do this nightly? Weekly? Get other chefs involved? I would personally love to spend an evening at an exclusive restaurant, where a celebrity chef comes to the table and asks if I am enjoying my meal. But in the best of times, an evening like that would be cost prohibitive for many. In our new reality, maybe access to a celebrity chef doesn't have to break the bank. And an added perk? If the kid at the table next to you starts screaming, just hit MUTE! Make your event unique - raffle off autographed cookbooks, cooking equipment, signature sauces, whatever you want, just make the night awesome. I hope someone, somewhere, may benefit from this hairbrained idea. Good luck and Bon Appetite! Sincerely, Chef and Author, Trina Spillman

Guess the Year

In a simpler time, men and women dressed to the nines and danced their Saturday nights away at clubs like The Trocadero. Located on a strip of land near Henderson, Kentucky, "The Troc" nightclub featured a ballroom, bar and a restaurant on the first floor that served only couples and enforced a strict dress code. I remember the light in my grandmother's eyes when she would pull one of those exquisite ball gowns from an equally exquisite gold padded, zippered garment bag, and hold it out for me to see, as she recounted her memories from a different time. A time when men wore tuxedos and women wore glittering gowns of gold and silver as couples danced to big band music and sipped cocktails with names like Old Fashioned, Cuba Libre (Interesting name given the year) and Side Car. During regular operations at The Troc, couples saw no cover charge at the door, but they were required to spend a minimum of $2, roughly equivalent to $40 in today's money.  Beer cost 25 cents and cocktails cost 35 cents. The club also featured touring jazz and big band musicians, drawing in Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway in its heyday. Lastly, a large, yet illegal casino operated out of the second floor with numerous slot machines and gaming tables. While neither of my grandparents told me about the second floor of The Troc, I have no doubt they frequented that particular level of the club. My grandparents were skilled gamblers, and lucky to boot, which usually makes for a winning combination. Looking back on it, I should have put two and two together after my grandparents took me to Vegas for my 21st birthday and said it reminded them of The Trocadero. I just thought they were having a senior moment. I wish I still had one of those ball gowns my grandmother used to show me, but alas, her dresses, like The Trocadero, are only memories. Admittedly, this is one stroll down memory lane I would have liked to have experienced first hand. Did you see the prices on the menu? Not only were the prices amazing, the cocktail menu provided a recipe for each drink... Unfortunately, The Troc would eventually be shut down by officials, leaving my grandparents forever in search of a Saturday evening destination where they could dance their cares away. If I had a time machine, what year would I need to go back to, to experience this little slice of history?

When Did Humans Start Celebrating Birthdays?

To my daughter Elizabeth, may you enjoy a very happy birthday and a healthy dose of birthday cake. Have you ever wondered when humans started celebrating birthdays, and why? Early man recognized the relationship between age and death, and in order to track their own mortality, humans began marking their births with the help of the phases of the sun and moon. The advent of the calendar made this birth day observation much easier and finally provided humans with a specific date they could use to annually track their births. When you stop to think about it, the day of our birth became a macabre marker of our death. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why humans decided to make the day a happy time and celebrate life instead of serving as a grim reminder of our limited time on Earth. Was there always birthday cake? No, the invention of birthday cake is attributed to the Germans, who, it is believed, baked the first birthday cake as part of the celebration known as Kinderfest. Originally a coarse, bread-like product, these cakes were eventually transformed into sweeter cakes called, Geburtstagorten. These were the predecessors of the modern day birthday cake. Where did the candles come from? The tradition of lighting candles on a cake and making a wish before blowing them out was borrowed from the ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks used to place lit candles on the top of mooncakes as an offering to the moon goddess, Artemis. Once the candles on the cake were blown out, a wish would be carried to Artemis on the wisps of smoke rising from the extinguished candles. And the pointy party hats? Some historians have asserted the pointy hats are a reference to dunce caps, once worn by misbehaving children in the 17th and 18th centuries. Other theories attribute the pointy party hat to the ancient Egyptians. Cone shaped headgear has appeared in ancient Egyptian sculptures and murals. According to archeologists, these hats have a particular association with childbirth, fertility and healing. This association with childbirth would make these pointy hats the perfect birthday party choice. Where Does the Birthday Song Come From? The song's base lyrics have been translated into at least 18 languages. The melody of "Happy Birthday to You" comes from the song "Good Morning to All," written by sisters Patty and Mildred Hill in 1893 for school children. The original lyrics and melody were written to make the tune easy for children to sing. Happy Birthday and may all of your wishes come true.

Best Easter Knock Knock Joke of All Time

I have told my children this joke every year for the past 20 + years. Telling this joke is an annoying tradition only a parent can appreciate. Share every year, and now that we are all home with together, it is less likely that anyone will run away when you tell the joke! Knock Knock Who’s there? Ether Ether who? Ether Bunny! Knock Knock Who’s there? Cargo Cargo who? Cargo beep beep and run over the Ether Bunny! Knock Knock Who’s there? Boo Boo who? Don’t cry, Ether Bunny is okay. He’ll be back next year!

There's Something Fishy Going On

I recently asked for some ideas for recipes when my husband sent me the following picture of my brother-in-law's big catch of the day. His mantra, "Coronavirus be damned, there's fish to catch." Kudos on the catch of the day. Here's a recipe that will transform that catch into some delectably, decadent fish cakes. The recipe is easy, and I think you'll enjoy the result. Bon Appetite! Ingredients:
4 lb Cooked cod (or one of the fish substitutes listed below) 4 lb Potato purée What's the difference between mashed potatoes and a potato puree? Great question. A potato puree has a significant amount of butter (or heavy cream) beaten into the mashed potatoes. 3 each Whole eggs 2 each Egg yolks to taste --- Salt to taste --- White pepper pinch --- Ground ginger as needed --- Flour, for standard breading procedure as needed --- Egg wash, for standard breading procedure as needed --- Bread crumbs, for standard breading procedure as desired --- Lemon or tartar sauce Procedure: 1. Flake the fish until it is well shredded.
2. Combine with the potato, egg, and egg yolk. Mix well.
3. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and a little ground ginger.
4. Scale the mixture into 2.5-oz (75-g) portions. Shape into round, slightly flattened cakes.
5. Pass the cakes through standard breading procedure.
6. Deep-fry at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown.
7. Serve 2 cakes per portion. Accompany with tartar sauce and a lemon wedge. Recipe makes 12 portions/6 servings Variations: Salmon or Tuna Cakes The Best Fish To Substitute For Tuna, Salmon And Cod Cod substitutes: Haddock, Pollack, Black Cod, Striped Bass, Hake, Mahi Mahi, Grouper. Salmon substitutes: Arctic Char, Ocean Trout, Amber Jack, Mackerel, Wahoo, Striped Bass, Milkfish, Bluefish. Tuna substitutes: Swordfish, Salmon Steaks.

Mixed Vegetable Salad with Pasta

I love finding recipes that allow me to make a big bowl of salad, soup, chili, pasta, just about anything, that lends itself to being snacked on for several days. As I find myself quarantined, I have dusted off some idle recipes that I wanted to share with you. What recipes would like me to share? Do you have any recipes you would like to offer?We are all in this together. We might as well eat, drink and be merry during our alone time. Ingredients: 8 oz Cooked ditalini pasta, cold 6 oz Cooked chickpeas or other dried beans, cold 6 oz Zucchini, medium dice, raw or blanched 16 oz Green beans, cooked, cut into .5-in. (1-cm) lengths 4 oz Red onions, diced 3 oz Small pitted black olives 3 oz Celery, diced 2 oz Green bell pepper, diced 2 oz Red bell pepper, diced 1 Tbsp Capers, drained 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated 4 oz Italian dressing Lettuce leaves for underliners Tomato wedges or cherry tomatoes Procedure: 1. Combine the pasta, beans, vegetables, and cheese in a large bowl. Toss to mix. 2. No more than 1-2 hours before service, add the dressing and toss. 3. Arrange the lettuce leaves on cold salad plates. 4. Just before service, place a 4-oz portion of the salad on each lettuce leaf. 5. Garnish each salad with a tomato. Portion Size: 4 oz Variations: Add diced or sliced salami, pepperoni, or mozzarella cheese to the salad mixture. You can also throw diced apples, sliced berries, nuts, sprouts and any other vegetables you might have hiding in the fridge, into your salad. Get creative and go nuts!!!

History Repeating Itself

The German liner, St. Louis, set sail on May 13, 1939 from Hamburg carrying 937 passengers, most of them refugees seeking asylum from death, in this instance, death from the persecution inflicted by the Nazi regime. Captain Schröder was a German who went to great lengths to ensure dignified treatment for his passengers. Food served included items subject to rationing in Germany, and childcare was available while parents dined (note, children were not ripped from their parents arms and thrown in cages below decks). Dances and concerts were put on, and on Friday evenings, religious services were held in the dining room. A bust of Hitler was covered by a tablecloth. Swimming lessons took place in the pool. Lothar Molton, a boy traveling with his parents, said that the passengers thought of it as "a vacation cruise to freedom." Unfortunately, the vacation was short lived. Shortly before the ship made it to Cuba, the country adopted Decree 937, which restricted entry of all foreigners, except US citizens. As a result of this new rule, only 28 passengers were allowed to disembark. With his passengers prohibited from landing in Cuba, Captain Schröder set sail for the United States. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, advised President Roosevelt not to accept the refugees. Captain Schröder considered running aground along the coast to allow the refugees to escape, but acting on Cordell Hull's instructions, US Coast Guard vessels shadowed the ship and prevented such an action. After the St. Louis was turned away from the United States, Captain Schröder negotiated and schemed to find passengers a haven, as conditions on the ship had begun to decline. At one point, he made plans to wreck the ship on the British coast to force the government to take in the passengers as refugees. He refused to return the ship to Germany until all the passengers had been given entry to some other country. The ship returned to Europe, docking at the Port of Antwerp (Belgium) on June 17, 1939, with 907 passengers. Twenty five percent of those passengers would die in Nazi detention facilities, historically referenced as concentration camps. Today, at various points along the southern United States border, refugees, who are trying to follow the rules and seek asylum legally, are being told there is no more room for them, and are being turned away. Those who do make it across the border risk being detained in facilities that have been dubbed "Hielera", which is Spanish for icebox. Call these places what you will - iceboxes, death camps, concentration camps, detention centers, internment camps - "a rose by any other name is still a rose". Refugees seeking asylum are fleeing death. These refugees may not be fleeing Nazi's, but they are fleeing violence and starvation. History is repeating itself. America is once again turning it's back on those that need our help. It was Mahatma Ghandi who said “A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”