I’ve no unexpected expectant news to announce. As would be expected, I’d expire if that exceedingly weird miracle
existed!
I’m expectantly living in hope;
hoping 2017 expands into a far better year than 2016.
Beyond
ridiculous, 2016 was excessively marred by excruciating events; mostly caused by the hands of Man. And, please don't go all "sexist" on me....you know what I mean; and I how mean it without me having to explain....
I’ve two exes. I’m on friendly terms with both my exes. No “Xs” are ticked off in the boxes beside
their names and mine. There’s nothing extraordinary in that. It’s how life should
be, in my opinion; and fortunately, for me, it is.
Through the years, my exes and I have exercised goodwill towards each other; never having reason not to do so. 2016 has been no different.
Through the years, my exes and I have exercised goodwill towards each other; never having reason not to do so. 2016 has been no different.
My first ex and I both spent our childhoods in
Gympie. Coincidentally, he and his
family lived in the street behind where I lived. We could see each other’s home
from our respective verandahs. We didn’t
need expensive binoculars to spy on each other, not that we had any interest in
doing so when we were kids. Mervyn was, and still is, five years older than me.
And when he started working, it was off to
Brisbane he went! My No.1 ex was an
ex-Noosa Heads Lifesaver, as was my late brother, Graham.
Ex, No. 2 Randall and I are in regular contact. We’re good mates, and I believe it’s excellent that we are.
How the years are rapidly slipping away, but fortunately
many friendships remain as the past expands. Some friendships have exploded through the years,
but I guess that is to be expected. Not everything remains the same, nor do some
people. However, there are exceptions to
the rule.... this I do sincerely believe.
2016 has been a shit year in so many ways, for far too
many people. It’s been a year overflowing
with too much violence; too much hate; too much heartache; too much stupidity; too
much short-sightedness, selfishness and envy.
I know I’m
not alone in having experienced sadness during the past year. On the scale, mine is minor to that experienced
by thousands of others. My fluctuations in emotions pale into significance when compared
to what many have had to deal with here in Australia, as well as with our kindred beings
in other countries throughout our exceedingly mixed-up world.
Thousands upon thousands were exposed to far greater,
unimaginable heartache; to unexplainable losses; too many were/are victims of
extreme violence.
Sadly, and disturbingly, there are no signs the
behaviours exhibited are going to cease any time soon, if ever.
I’m not a religious
person, but I think the world needs an exorcism to rid it of the over-riding, wide-spread
evil that exists. It’s expanding as rapidly as a pandemic. An excerptor is desperately needed to do some
culling!
2016 has been an extravaganza of hate; an exhibition of foolishness,
violence, avarice and disrespect; sadly lacking decency and dignity.
What is wrong with humans that they are so filled
with extraordinary hate, ignorance, stupidity, greed, envy, vindictiveness etc., etc., et al, and more?
With no exception, they need their heads
examined! The problem, of course, is there’s little or no brain matter in there
with which to work. A team of expert excavators
could be sent in and they’d still come up empty-handed!
You might think I’m being excessive in my
expressions of my thoughts; exchanges upon which, perhaps, I’m expending too
much; exposing myself, so to speak.
However, following due consideration, me, myself
and I made an executive decision.
After extracting excessive, redundant cogitation;
exercising a little restraint, I might add, I, myself and me decided to make an
explosive announcement.
I, me and myself exclaim loudly for everyone to hear
–not only on our own home front, but all areas far and wide – “Roll up our
sleeves! Let’s expel and expunge negativity from the world!”
Me, myself and I wish everyone an exceptionally
excellent 2017.
May happiness, good health, peace, positivity and love like manna from Heaven shower
down upon all of us. May humans take pride in themselves and others; may they respect themselves and others....
Let’s exalt our standards of behaviour, thinking,
being and caring.
It’s time to exhale....Happy New Year!
Exceptional
Egg Salad: Whisk together 6tbs lemon juice and 2tsp
honey; slowly drizzle in 1/2c x-virgin olive oil, whisking constantly; season.
Cook 8-10 bacon rashes until golden and crisp; transfer to paper towel to drain
and cool; then crumble into bite-size pieces. Preheat oven, 190C. Toss 2c diced
sweet potatoes in olive oil; season; roast, 20-25mins; cool briefly. Carefully
shave 30 Brussels sprouts with a mandoline; use fingers to separate layers;
fluff the sprouts. Toss Brussels sprouts with the other ingredients and the
vinaigrette; divide among plates. Shave some Parmigiano Reggiano into shards;
place on top of each salad along with a soft-poached egg on each.
Extra
Special Pasta Salad: Cook 240g whole-wheat rotini, fusilli or
similar pasta as directed; drain; cook; transfer to large serving bowl. Add
1-1/2c small-cut broccoli florets, 1c halved cherry or grape tomatoes, 1 small
yellow capsicum, diced, 1/3c sliced pepperoni, quartered, 1/4c diced red onion,
65g pitted black olives, 1/2c crumbled feta and 3tbs chopped parsley. Italian Dressing: slice 1 small tomato in half; rub inside edges (non-peel)
against coarse grater over small bowl; grate all tomatoes interior (juices and
flesh) into bowl; discard peel. Whisk in 1tbs red wine vinegar, 1tbs Greek
yoghurt, 1tbs x-virgin olive oil, 2ts Dijon mustard, 1tsp honey, 1/2tsp minced
garlic, 1/4tsp each salt, oregano and dried basil and 1/8th tsp ground
black pepper. Pour dressing over pasta; toss gently.
Exemplary Egg
& Spinach Salad: In saucepan heat 6tbs olive oil; add 1 thinly-sliced
onion; remove from heat; stir in 2tbs white wine vinegar, 2tsp grainy mustard, salt
and pepper. In bowl combine 2 trimmed bunches spinach, 240g ham, sliced ¼-inch thick
and into small sticks and 6 thinly sliced radishes; drizzle onion mixture over salad;
toss; garnish with 6 quartered hard-boiled eggs.
Eggscellent-Quinoa
Salad: Rinse 175g quinoa in sieve; place in pan; pour over 40ml vegetable stock;
bring to boil; cover and simmer, 20mins or until liquid is absorbed. Drain any excess
liquid; return the quinoa to pan; leave it covered for 5mins. Boil 6 large eggs for 7mins; remove from heat;
drain and rinse under cold water; then shell eggs. Cut each into quarters. Blanche
175g broccoli florets for 3mins; drain and rinse under cold running water; drain.
Toast 4tbs pumpkin seeds until they start popping; place in serving bowl; add quinoa,
broccoli, 4 sliced shallots, green and white parts, 150g halved cherry tomatoes,
3tbs chopped flat-leaf parsley, 3tbs x-olive oil, zest and juice of half lemon,
salt and pepper; mix well. Gently stir through the hard-boiled eggs.
Extreme Egg Avo-Go Salad: In bowl mash until creamy 2 ripe avocados in bowl with some lemon juice, salt, pepper, curry powder. Hard boil 4 eggs; peel then dice. Gently fold the eggs into the avocado along with 3tbs diced red onion and 3tbs finely chopped fresh chives. Re-season with lemon juice, salt and pepper (and curry powder) if necessary. Serve on rocket/arugula and rye bread.
Excellent
Smoothie: Blend until smooth, 2c honeydew melon, skinned and de-seeded,
1 large, seeded, quartered pear, 1 medium, de-seeded apple; add 4 ice cubes or cold
water, as needed/desired. Whack
in a Kiwi fruit or two, too, if you like...a little extra will make it extraordinary
extra special!
