ORWELLIAN

The dictionary definition of "Orwellian": "an adjective to describe official deception, secret surveillance, and manipulation of the past by a totalitarian or authoritarian state."

This year, at Thanksgiving Dinner George Orwell's 1984 was a topic of conversation.  I was disappointed in myself that I could not bring forth numerous "Orwellian" words and phrases other than "Big Brother is watching you", and "doublethink".

After the dinner guests left, I lovingly perused several volumes of Orwell's works and reacquainted myself with the wit and wisdom of Eric Blair.

"War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength."

"If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide from yourself."

"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stomping on a human face--forever."

"He who controls the past controls the future, He who controls the present controls the past."

"For, after all, how do we know that 2 and 2 make 4? Or that the force of gravity works? Or that the past is unchangeable? If both the past and the external world exist only in the mind, and if the mind itself is controllable--what then?"

"The choice for mankind lies between freedom and happiness and for the great bulk of mankind happiness is better."

Also, whenever I hear the word "dystopian", I immediately think of Orwell.

"I WAS TASKED......"

I know that using task as a verb is acceptable, but the usage sounds mostly self-aggrandizing.
I have an acquaintance who has repeatedly said, "I was TASKED" to...." (fill in the blanks!). After hearing him use the phrase at least three times, I finally asked, "Do you think that TASKED sounds important or impressive?"

Taking George Clooney to task?
Q: Twice in The Monuments Men (screenplay by George Clooney), Clooney the actor uses “task” as a verb: “We have been tasked to find and protect art that the Nazis have stolen.&#82…
GRAMMARPHOBIA.COM

HELPFUL HINTS FROM CAROL

My friend Carol shares HELPFUL HINTS with me.  Here are some of her favorites.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out.

Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of throwing away rusted, smelly and unused pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. A box of S.O.S pads now lasts me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get "sharpened'' this way!

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like a BLUE store receipt.) Put rubbing alcohol on paper towel and the mark will go away.

Crayon marks on walls? A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. The marks come of with little effort.

THANKSGIVING LEFTOVERS

It's always difficult to decide which delectable dish to prepare with turkey leftovers. I always make Turkey Carcass Soup the day after Thanksgiving--several people have told me the name just sounds unappetizing--but it is truly delicious. 

Just boil the turkey carcass and then use the broth to make a tasty soup. I also like turkey tetrazzini, turkey hot shots, and turkey ala king, but there's only so much leftover turkey!

The all-time favorite of my family is Turkey Croquettes served with gravy made from the drippings from the turkey. The gravy was so good this year I told Gerald I should just "mainline it in my veins!".

Mother's Turkey Croquettes recipe: adapted from The First Ladies Cookbook from Mrs. John Quincy Adams' Chicken Croquettes:

3 cups cooked turkey, cold
1 1/2 cups cracker crumbs
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon mustard
1 tablespoon ketchup
1/2 stick butter
2 eggs, beaten
oil for frying
extra cracker crumbs
parsley sprigs for garnish

Add cooked turkey, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, mustard, ketchup, and butter. Knead all together well until it resembles a meatball mixture. Shape into balls or cakes the desired size. Dip croquettes into beaten eggs, roll in cracker crumbs, and fry in oil until light brown and hot in the middle.

Serve hot with gravy or alone.

BON APPETIT!

THANKSGIVING NIGHT

Click on Pumpkin Pie at the end.

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,
BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.
I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,
I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -
THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE,
BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION
WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT.

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION,
THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.
SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR,
AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.
GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,
PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,
'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.
I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING, FLOATING INTO THE SKY,
WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.
BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED PAST THE TREES.....
HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.



MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

PUMPKIN PIE

NEVER SAY NO WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS YOU A BREATH MINT

Recently, I was going to be in close proximity to a product demonstrator and I recalled my brother Norman's advice: "Never say NO when someone offers you a breath mint."

That prompted me to think of other times one should not say "NO"!

NEVER SAY NO WHEN:

1.  My brother Les quipped, "Never say NO when asked do you want fries with that?"

2. Never say NO when someone offers you a place in line. Whenever I offer someone the opportunity to go ahead of me in line, I get really PO'd when they say, "Oh, no, that's all right!" Why the Hell would somebody turn down the chance?

3.  Never say NO when offered a different food.

4.  My brother Les also suggested that one should never say NO to pie!

5.  Never say NO to taking a nap!

6.  Never say NO to starting a healthier diet or exercise regimen.

7.  Never say NO to asking for help when you need it.

8.  Never say NO to trying a new activity.

9.  Never say NO to accepting an invitation.

10. Never say NO to join family for an activity.