Cathy Burnham Martin's Blog, page 84
March 25, 2023
Eyes and Ears Wide Open
“A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.”
— Dwight Eisenhower 1890 – 1969)
American military officer & 34th President of the United States
I find myself continually stunned by the confidence and innocence of many (thankfully, not all) American young adults. Very often I hear them loudly and laughingly express disdain for the very things that built the foundation on which they have built their lifestyles and enjoy everything that freedom enables them to have and do. Their laughter at those whose values and thoughts differ from their own rings with condescension and borders on haughty. And yet I know these same young people would never want to think of themselves as being close-minded, intolerant, or unaware.
My wish is that they learn sooner rather than later to understand the dangers of taking America’s unique freedoms for granted. Interestingly, nations that have lost freedom, struggle long and mightily. Yet, they never regain true freedom. So, my prayer is for people to learn difficult truths without having to live them.
March 24, 2023
National Cocktail Day
Sooo many cocktail possibilities exist. Plus, you can create your own. Not being a current fan of hard liquor, I do recall some truly fun cocktails. A piña colada on a hot summer day or a frozen strawberry daiquiri or a perfect, icy margarita still come to mind as favorites.
Personally, I opt for the original Harry’s Bar Bellini. In Venice, Italy, they serve it up in what we might think of as a juice glass. But you can serve it up in stemware and garnish as desired.
Simple and basic, the Bellini starts with white peach puree and a cold, bubbly prosecco wine. (Okay, some places take a Super Shortcut “clear” approach and simply pour champagne into a glass with some peach liquor.) What many folks do not realize is that it also includes a touch of raspberry puree, which balances out the potential uneven sweetness of various peaches, while adding a slightly rosy glow to the beverage. While the main two ingredients are easy to find, the same cannot be said for raspberry puree. So, you can push your ripe berries through a fine sieve orrrrr try my Super Simple fix. All I ever do now is stir a little raspberry sorbet into the peach puree. Make a family friendly Bellini by replacing prosecco with ginger ale. Seriously Super Simple and delightfully delish!
March 23, 2023
This is National Chips and Dip Day!
Sorry, but I did not realize this was not celebrated every day. Chips and Dips anchor nearly every Happy Hour we serve. Some are fancy. Some are sassy. Some are colorful. Some are hot. Some are cold. Some are cheesy. Etc., etc., etc.
The all-time champion is the old-fashioned California Dip. Yup… 1 container of sour cream and 1 envelope of dry onion soup mix. Serve it up with homemade chips, salty Ruffles, or a kettle-fried varietal. Many have munched on my onion dip, insisting that I must add some secret ingredients, as it tastes so different from when they’ve made it at home.
No secret ingredient, but I always share a not-so-secret technique. Stir your soup mix into the sour cream and scoop it all back into the sour cream container, but do this 24 hours ahead of serving time. This allows the moisture in the sour cream to fully rehydrate the dried onions, while also letting the flavors marry beautifully. Expect no leftovers. Yummy!
March 22, 2023
Let Love Live Large!
“It didn’t matter how big our house was; it mattered that there was love in it.”
— Peter Buffett (1958 – )
American musician
Sir Ronald and I feel mightily blessed. We have loving family and friends. Our home is often… okay, usually… overflowing with our tribe… our ohana… our dearest friends and family. Sometimes we can go spend time with them, and sometimes they come spend time with us.
This winter, during a time when we were not traveling, we have enjoyed an especially love-filled home. From both near and far, loved ones have filled our home.
We just enjoyed an especially fulfilling span of days. Family, including the grandchildren, kept us flying!!! Adam and Caiti also introduced us to our newest granddaughter.
Love and laughter reign supreme! May your days feel equally blessed!
March 21, 2023
Take a Bite Out of National Crunchy Taco Day
Soft tacos are fine, but today we celebrate the satisfying crunchy texture and fun of crispy tacos. Choose your fillings to suit your happy little taste buds! Go for traditional beef with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, diced avocados, sour cream, taco sauce, and jalapeños, if you so choose. Or switch out the beef for chicken or shredded pork. I also love crunchy fish or shrimp tacos, especially when jazzed up with a fresh mango or peach salsa and a nice slaw. Pile on whatever veggies, fruits, or legumes you love, too. Try roasted corn, black beans, grilled sweet pepper slices, sweet onions, refried beans, diced fresh pineapple (or other fruit), sliced radishes, grilled portobello mushroom slices, chopped fresh cilantro, pico de gallo, and guacamole. Anything goes! Use your imagination.
One must for me is plenty of melty, but mild cheese (to avoid overpowering the other filling flavors.) I start by sprinkling shredded Monterey Jack cheese in the bottom of my crispy, hot taco shell. Then I add the hot protein, followed by various toppings, a favorite sauce, and more cheese! Some rice and refried beans on the side never hurt either. And some fresh tortilla chips and a fresh salsa make a great starter.
I need a taco now! And I just happen to have a couple avocados ready to slice. Enjoy this Taco Tuesday along with Crunchy Taco Day!
March 20, 2023
International Day of Happiness
This is not just one of the thousands of silly holidays on the calendar. On July 12, 2012, a United Nations resolution officially proclaimed March 20th as the International Day of Happiness. The intent was “recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives.”
More than 20 years later, we can all agree that we very much need a far kinder, more respectful, and happier world. Kindness takes no money… and just the tiniest touch of effort. While many are struggling through a plethora of problems in life, we can and should still remind ourselves not to take it out on others, especially those closest to us. It can become so easy to take our loved ones and besties for granted.
To anyone I may have insulted in a moment of crass self-centered insanity, I sincerely apologize. To anyone for whom I may have overlooked an opportunity to remind you of your worth and precious value, please know I am singing that fact loudly!
I am mindful of my foibles and faux pas. I will continue to work harder to be kinder and more tolerant. I regularly strive to remind myself of everything for which I give thanks and everyone for whom I am grateful.
I find that simple acts and words of kindness return their value tenfold. Being nice to other people cannot help but bring happiness to them and ourselves.
On this day and every day, may you always give and find happiness.
March 19, 2023
Sometimes You’ve Just Got to Laugh!
This is one of those days… National Let’s Laugh Day. I like it. Laughter is infectious… in all the right ways! Everyone needs a mood uplift now and then. So, go ahead and share a giggle or a guffaw. Here are a few silly ones to get you started.
What do you call a lazy kangaroo?
A pouch potato
I used to run a dating service for chickens, but I was struggling to make hens meet.
What do you call it when a snowman throws a tantrum?
A meltdown
What do you call a fake noodle?
An impasta
A termite walks into the neighborhood bar and says, “So, is the bar tender here?”
And now some delightful Points to Ponder.
(I wonder who has time to sit around and think of these things.)
The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless.
Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision. The road is paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.
Happiness is not having to set the alarm clock.
When I get a headache I take two aspirin and keep away from children just like the bottle says.
Just once, I want the prompt for username and password to say, “Close enough.”
Becoming an adult is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.
If you see me talking to myself, just move along. I’m self-employed. We’re having a meeting.
“Your call is very important to us. Please enjoy this 40-minute flute solo”.
Does anyone else have a plastic bag full of plastic bags, or is it just me?
I hate it when I can’t figure out how to operate the iPad and my tech support guy is asleep. Okay… Okay… He’s 5 and it’s past his bedtime.
Today’s 3-year-olds can switch on laptops and open their favorite apps. When I was 3, I ate mud.
Tip for a successful marriage: Don’t ask your wife when dinner will be ready while she’s mowing the lawn.
So, you drive across town to a gym to walk on a treadmill?
I didn’t make it to the gym today. That makes five years in a row.
I decided to stop calling the bathroom “John” and renamed it “the Jim.” I feel so much better saying I went to the Jim this morning.
Old age is coming at a really bad time.
If God wanted me to touch my toes, He would’ve put them on my knees.
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven’t met yet.
Why do I have to press one for English when you’re just going to transfer me to someone I can’t understand anyway?
You don’t need anger management. You need people to stop pissing you off.
Your people skills are just fine. It’s your tolerance for idiots that needs work.
“On time” is, when you get there.
Even duct tape can’t fix stupid – but it sure does muffle the sound.
It would be wonderful if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes, then come out wrinkle-free…and three sizes smaller.
Lately, you’ve noticed people your age are so much older than you.
Yes, indeed. Several had me laughing so hard, tears came to my eyes. Have a laughter-filled day!
March 18, 2023
Character Building
Image by Jiao Tang
“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.”
— James A. Froude (1818 – 1894)
English historian and editor
March 17, 2023
Irish Fun Facts
Today is a great day to celebrate Irish fun facts. Ireland is more than whisky, beer, rain, and green hillsides. But, speaking of beer, in 1759 Arthur Guinness signed a lease for the land on which the Guinness Brewery stands. That lease is still in effect, as its term was 9,000 years.
More tidbits… You can see the Northern Lights in Ireland.
Halloween was invented in Ireland.
Ireland is home to more red-haired people than any other country.
Irish rugby teams regularly rank among the best in the world.
The place with the longest name in Ireland is Muckanaghededauhaulia. (Go ahead, say that three times… fast.)
Ireland is the only nation with a musical instrument as its national symbol. It’s the Gaelic harp.
There are some 30,000 standing castles or castle ruins in Ireland. (And, yes, I have kissed the Blarney Stone at the famed Blarney Castle.)
Ireland is named after a goddess. In Old Irish, she was known as Eriu… Eire in modern Gaelic. She and her two goddess sisters looked out for Ireland’s general well-being.
The O’ in Irish names means “descendant of.”
The shamrock is not a symbol of Ireland. The Anglicised form of “seamróg” (young clover) is, however, linked to St. Patrick, who is often depicted preaching while holding a shamrock.
Last, but not least, St. Patrick wasn’t Irish. Born in Roman-Britain, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and sold into slavery to tend sheep at age 16. He later returned as a missionary and is credited with the Christianization of Ireland in the 5th Century. His name was Maewyn Succat, but Patrick became his name when he was ordained as a priest. St. Patrick’s color was blue, not green. The transition to green is thought to have been the result of connecting symbolically with clover. March 17th is the date on which it is believed that St. Patrick died in 460 AD.
I have a little Irish blood from both my parents, but on this day of days, we are all a bit of Irish. We are also entitled to dish out a bunch of blarney. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
March 16, 2023
Freedom of Information Day
“The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.”
— James Madison (1751-1836)
4th U.S. President
Per the American Library Association, March 16th, the birthday of the 4th President of the United States, is celebrated as National Freedom of Information Day. President James Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. He was also the foremost advocate of openness in government. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of the idea of every citizen’s right to know the facts related to the government. Madison was one of the people who dedicated his life to giving power to the people and making democracy stronger for it.
