My two cents worth . . . yes it is disgraceful and deeply disturbing and many things I would prefer not to put into print.

A word about Trump still being president two months after losing the election . . . that part of it is not Trump's fault, that's how we always do it over here.  Election day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, but inauguration day is 20 Jan.

Regarding the soup kitchen, I really messed up the first batch.  I overcooked the onions.  I later came to realize that it tasted better that way, with well browned onions like you would see in a French onion soup.  I might have to mess up like this more often.

I also tried something new in the delivery.  I baked some bricks at 200F (95C) and packed a picnic cooler with the bricks and the tubs of soup.  The additional thermal mass of the hot bricks kept the soup hot, even for the last delivery across town.  Food safety is important, with or without a virus.

Another puzzle or two would be most welcome, but I must add that we should not ignore our responsibilities to our friends and to our communities.  Here in the US we have very little support for hourly workers who have no benefits, no sick days, nothing.

I met a friend this evening and overheard her immediate fears.  She was in tears, being "just that close" to making rent for the month but if her workplace shut down she would be homeless.  She dried her tears and got back with the rest of us.  Others had also overheard, and they said she could "call if she needed anything".  Alan, please pardon my language, but screw that.  I slipped her enough money to make rent and buy some groceries.  It didn't take much, but a small sum of money can be a big obstacle if you don't have it.

That gave me an idea.  Andy's soup kitchen is open for business!

We should not disparage soup.  This can be not only nutritious and cost effective, but breathtakingly delicious.  No, these are not soups out of a can.

I had been scheduled to help teach at a music festival this coming weekend, but the festival was cancelled.  I still have the time off, but nothing to do . . . maybe cook some food for people who need it?  Probably not a bad idea.

- A

If the compassion and generosity of the Good Samaritan and the giving and charitable spirit of Christmas are not considered one and the same, maybe they should be?

Please also consider that the officially recognized date of Christmas has been twiddled with so much that we now confuse the beginning of winter with the middle of spring.  The date is irrelevant.  What we do is highly relevant, no matter the date.

Yes, it would be horrible for the Christmas shopping season to last throughout the year.  Can you imagine the credit card bills?  When would those carols ever stop?  How would Santa take off, when his sleigh is bogged down in the springtime mud?  Maybe if he had a monster truck . . .

- A

Photos as requested . . .

A few forumites enjoyed similar posts in years gone by.  Here is what I am up to:

I enjoy building toys for needy children, distributed by the US Marines "Toys for Tots" program.  In the past I have made various toys, but lately I have concentrated on biplanes.  These are not the cheap "throw away" toys that this charity usually receives, they are hand made from solid oak.  For me, the hours spent in my workshop are absolutely the best way to get into the Christmas spirit. 

This year I started with only a half squadron, and mistakenly ruined one of them.  I'm down to only two toys to donate, but at least it's more than zero.

Photos to follow; without photos it didn't happen.  I am not going to touch them until the top coat of varnish dries (tomorrow).

This spring we had a bumper crop of wild raspberries.  Seriously, every bit of roadside with a vacant lot was overflowing with them. An embarrassment of riches!

I mentioned this at the pub and the server said she did not like raspberries.  They had no flavor; she liked blackberries much better.  She had only tried the ones in the supermarket.  We made a date for me to introduce her to the real ones.  I made some wild raspberry muffins.

She really liked them, but I didn't bring enough.  The next time I brought more.  After that there were no more wild raspberries.  I tried it with commercial blueberries, but it's just not the same.  Since June she has been looking at me with sad puppy-dog eyes asking for more raspberry muffins.

I had an idea.  Maybe use pomegranate berries?   Maybe with some orange zest in the muffin batter?  Maybe a little apple pie spice?

I will have to see how that turns out.

You might be mistaken.

EN means it is a European Normative.  These are the standards by which compliance to the essential requirements of the European directives can be proven.  Reference EN 62368-1.