TWISTED FAMILY VALUES

Before he died, Thomas Trump let loose about his nephew, “The Donald.”

I looked into the family Trump on-line and learned that Donald’s brother, Fred, chose not to be in the very rich family business and became a pilot instead. He also became an alcoholic and died of his alcoholism.  Donald Trump’s father, Fred Trump Sr., cut his son, Fred Trump Jr., out of the will on the grounds that the man was an alcoholic. This was done at the instigation of his other son, Donald. Fred junior’s children took the issue to court to contest the will. At which point, the Tyrant Trump, the adulterer, racist, misogynist, isolationist, preacher of hate, showed his true family values.  One of Fred Jr.’s children, a young boy with cerebral palsy, suffered from seizures. Trump had been paying for the child’s treatment. Once the will was contested, Donald decided that he wouldn’t pay for the boy’s medical care anymore. Such a nice guy.

If Trump has absolutely no scruples about screwing his own family over for money, including a  sick little boy, he also shows that he will have no remorse about destroying the lives, families and children of others if he becomes president. Especially if they’re unworthy like Hispanics, Muslims, low women or ordinary blue-collar American workers. For all his bucks, I didn’t see any philanthropy in Donald’s business.  Too bad he didn’t equate himself with his Uncle Thomas, the Carnegies, the Standfords, Bill Gates and other men of wealth who were thankful for the opportunities offered by a great nation.  I guess he doesn’t believe in true American values.

 

SPREADING THE SEASON

With logistics in large families, its not always possible to get together on the actual holiday. It matters little when the really important element is just to get together once in a while. This week was siblings week. Three out of five brothers and my sister managed a holiday dinner that included brother Clark’s daughter, Melissa and her daughter Stella.

Sweet Stella brought cookies she decorated for the occasion.

Norman, far left, last visited with family members 19 years ago. Far too long we decided.

Clark’s family is complete, so of course we posed for pictures.

Brother Bill has been a bachelor for a long time. When his wife Sandi was alive, he teasingly called her Loni which stood for Little Or No Ironing. Now he demonstrates the way a bachelor can heat up leftover pizza if he doesn’t own a microwave.
Catching up was fun. We looked at old family photos and enjoyed a lot of humorous stories of a life we shared long ago.
Since I haven’t had a signal I spent over an hour on the phone with technical support and finally got back on -line this evening. Even so, its with a catch. I have to stay plugged into my office attached directly to the modem. No wireless for me. It reminds me of the days when you had to stand within five feet of the phone to speak to anyone while the kids plundered the dresser drawers knowing you were tethered.  But, it was fine for its time. Now, wireless is the way to go.

THE SPICE OF LIFE

I really get into cooking Thanksgiving dinner because its always exciting to try new dishes and use everything in the spice cupboard. Well, in my case, that isn’t actually possible because I have soooo many spice choices. In fact, the spice cupboard is full.

It has spilled over and taken up a shelf in the pantry. Some items are dried fresh from the garden and put in little bottles and jars.

And then, there are seasonings I have to have handy to the stove that I use the most.

I tend to plan for weeks ahead, choosing and discarding recipes, favoring this one over that one. I like to make paella with saffron rice. No stores in my area carry saffron anymore because it is too expensive. I should have thought to go online. Gosh, what bounty we have in our country. I’ll remember next year.

 

New this year is a kale recipe my daughter and her mother-in-law tweaked from a deli dish they tasted. And, as always, her pear with almond paste desert that has become a family tradition over the last five years. Its nice that family traditions change a bit with time, giving the feast an element of surprise.

 

Normally, the whole family arrives with their own special treats, and usually some extra friends or brothers, or cousins.  Daughter-in-law Laurie, daughter Virginia and son Douglas are all good cooks and love to make special dishes for Thanksgiving. Doug picks summer berries and freezes them especially for holiday pies. He plans to smoke the turkey this year and I plan to make two different stuffing recipes on the side with a zinfandel and apple gravy. We always have something with pumpkin and corn to remember the Pilgrims.

 

Laurie always surprises us with some exciting new recipe. She is an artist and designs special place markers for everyone attending. This year, they will not attend since grandson Mason will be playing in the Macy’s Parade and at Carnegie Hall. He is part of an awesome band from Green Valley High School. He plays clarinet and will have some camera time because a group of the boys will do a little spotlight take-out on the street.

 

Today is my major cooking day to prepare everything that can be made ahead. Ain’t life grand? The spice of life probably isn’t spices, but at Thanksgiving time, they play a great part of making life exciting.