I HOPE IT’S NOT TRUE...

I’ve retained a newspaper article which I read a few weeks ago.  Disturbingly, the article’s heading is; “One in three kids don’t like to read...” 

By the way, “doesn’t” should have been applied, not “don’t”.  The blunder is understandable if the article’s content is factual.  Hopefully, the alarming article is an example of “Fake News”.

Added to the article’s dismaying contents, I also heard the ‘cancel-culture-woke bandits’ are outlawing Snow White because the prince kissed her while she slept!  Seeing she lived with seven dwarfs I suppose her reputation will no longer be snow white.  Size didn’t matter to Snowy.  Tsk! Tsk!

Sleeping Beauty’s prince woke her with a kiss, as well, so he will be in trouble...off to the sin bin with him, too.  

Red Riding Hood’s wolf will be pilloried for being secretive for years about being transgender.  

Melons of every variety will be rolling around everywhere because they weren’t chosen to be Cinderella’s carriage.  As for the Cinderella’s handsome prince, he’ll be accused of having a foot and shoe fetish! 

Things are looking pretty grim in the fairytale department. 

My heart bleeds for fairy penguins.  The dear little birds, both male and female, were unfairly stripped of their title a few years ago.  

Big Brother soon will be no more.  Big Sister, or Big Person, will be forced to take his place.  

I could go on, but I think you get the picture. 

Back to the lack of the book-reading problem...often and openly I admit I’m old-fashioned.  I refuse to succumb to digital e-books, or to audio-books.  

For me, a book is made with paper. Similar applies to newspapers. 

 I’ll bet a new e-book doesn’t smell as good as a new book does.  Half the pleasure gained in opening my Christmas and birthday presents when I was a kid was savouring the smell of the new books I received. Always, books...lots of them...were among my gifts. 

There is nothing quite like the scent of a new book. 

Book shelves lined with books are, along with the kitchen, the heart of a home.  How on earth can e-books replace the beauty, and intrigue, of a filled bookcase? 

I believe children should be introduced to books...books made with paper...from when they are very young. 

How sad it is to think today’s Aussie kids...”no longer like books, with two-thirds of all Aussie students saying they disagreed with the statement: ‘I like to talk about books with other people.’  It found 31.5 percent of them said reading was a ‘waste of time’.”

 Oh! Dear! If the above is true, it’s a tragedy.

The article’s content regarding reading habits of today’s children is lamentable. To not experience the joy and quietude of losing one’s self in a bookstore, or wandering the aisles of a library, while slowly browsing book-filled shelves would be missing out on pleasures of living. 

To not lose one’s self in reading the author’s teasing preface introducing his/her story; to not enjoy being teased and tempted by the intention of the author’s words while feeling a book’s cover between one’s fingers; to not hold a book...a hard-cover book, or paperback...is to deprive one’s self of more of life’s pleasures. 

To hold a traditional book...not a cold, digital device...in your hands is akin to holding the author’s imagination, soul and heart.

To quote Eartha Kitt...”I’m just an old-fashioned old girl with an old fashioned mind....”

 

Cauliflower Bites: Preheat oven 230C.  Put 1 large cauliflower, cut into bit-size florets, in bowl or plastic bag; drizzle with olive oil to barely coat; add 2tsp garlic powder, 1/4tsp salt and 1/8tsp pepper; toss to coat. Place on ungreased baking tray; bake 15mins; turn once. Check after 10min for tenderness...not soggy! Remove from oven. Add 1/2-3/4c Buffalo Wing style hot sauce, or preferred hot sauce. Toss florets in sauce; start with half sauce, adding more to taste; return to oven; cook 5mins. Serve with dip of choice e.g. ranch dressing or blue cheese dip.

Spicy Chickpeas: Place 2-1/2c drained chickpeas in sieve; rinse under running water. They should be as dry as possible before placing in 190C pre-heated oven.  Line baking tray with foil; place chickpeas on baking sheet; add 1tbs olive oil. Toss with fingers until they’re evenly coated with oil; spread out to an even layer. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 40min. until golden and crispy. Halfway through baking, shake tray to ensure they cook evenly. While chickpeas are cooking, prepare spice mixture; add to bowl 1/2tsp smoked paprika, 1/4tsp each, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, black pepper, oregano, 1/8^th tsp each chilli powder and chipotle chilli pepper.  Cool chickpeas 5 mins; add to spice bowl; toss to evenly coat; serve immediately.

Oatmeal-Blueberry Banana Bread: Preheat oven 190C; grease 8x8 square baking pan. Combine 2-1/4c rolled oats, 1tsp baking powder, 1tsp cinnamon, and1/4tsp salt. In another bowl, whisk together 1c mashed banana, ¾ c milk (almond, if preferred) 1 large egg, and 1tsp vanilla; add to dry ingredients; mix until combined. Fold in 1/2c blueberries, 1/2c sliced strawberries and 1/2c raspberries; pour into baking pan. Bake 35-40mins. Cool 15mins; slice; serve warm, or cool.