ANOTHER TEARDROP FALLS....

 

 

Other than stubbing a toe, or toes, slamming a door on a finger or peeling onions, there are many things that cause a monsoon to emanate from my eyes!  

For the past couple of weeks the cause of my flowing tears...and they have been flowing freely without embarrassment...has been the awe-inspiring achievements by the Paralympics athletes.  One and all they take my breath away.  The Paralympics should be made compulsory viewing for the young thugs who spend their time terrorising others...stealing cars, breaking into businesses and homes...those, with no concern for others...who cause mayhem and distress.  The Paralympics should be compulsory viewing for thugs of every age.  Much is to be learned from the athletes...about the strength of the human spirit.  The determination to be the best one can be despite the obstacles one has to face is shown by every athlete participating in the Games.  They are heroes.  Their feats of courage, of purpose, their special achievements show great courage and strength.  

Watching the athletes leave me more than just misty-eyed and in awe. Their performances make me speechless (something that doesn’t happen often even though I live alone – I do talk to myself – often (and answer) – and to my two furry rascals equally as often. They answer me as well…so it’s a pretty gabby household on all accounts.

 

Other causes of my tears....A song; a sad movie; a happy movie; a book; animal documentaries; man’s inhumanity to man; man’s inhumanity to animals: the soaring voice of Pavarotti; a beautiful sunset or sunrise; some trips down memory lane; an unexpected kindness; insensitive remarks; anger; frustrating people; inspirational people and moments. The list goes on and on - at this rate, it sounds like I’m crying all the time! There's never a drought around here!

To name but a few, movies such as “Little Women”, “Out of Africa”, “The Way We Were”, “Message in a Bottle”, “P.S. I Love You” and “The Notebook” (also, the endings of “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and “Roman Holiday”, of course.  The latter two movies I’ve seen a million times), for instance, cause an avalanche of tears - no light precipitation there; more like the monsoon season.

With clarity, I remember the first time I watched the movie, “Imitation of Life” starring Lana Turner, Sandra Dee and Susan Kohner. The year was 1959. My mother and I one Tuesday night went off to Gympie’s Olympia theatre to view it...on a school night. Once my tears began to flow, they couldn’t be dammed. (It was I who was damned!) It was such a sad, sad movie! Walking home, still distressed, I cried all the way,  

I’m sure you, like me, have slunk out of the movies desperately trying to hide red, swollen eyes.

Unfortunately, I viewed both “Beaches” and “The Horse Whisperer” at afternoon matinees!! I’ll never fall into that trap again!  I’ve not been to a public cinema in years, preferring to shed my tears in the privacy of my four walls.

My Nana, who was a gentle, calm lady of Scottish heritage always said: “We, in this family pee out of our eyes!” Oh! Dear! I fear what she said is true…in my case, anyway!

Where was I? Oh, yes…tears...back to onions.  Wipe those tears from your eyes…use a very sharp knife for chopping onions, peel under water (the onions, not you).  The best idea is to store onions in the fridge crisper. When cooking in restaurants etc., I learned very early on to keep my supply of onions in the cold room.  If not, I would have been howling all the way through my shifts!

 

Onion & Artichoke Salad: Place 3 finely-diced red onions in a bowl, cover with boiling water; stand 10 minutes (the onions, that is!). Drain, rinse under cold water and drain on absorbent paper. Combine 1/3^rd cup caster sugar and 1/3^rd cup red wine vinegar, 1tsp salt and cracked black pepper to taste in a bowl. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add drained onions and chopped tomatoes. Stir to combine; stand for at least 2 hours (you can sit). Stir in 400g can drained, quartered artichoke hearts; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Before serving, add some black olives and chopped feta, if desired.

Stuffed Onions: (Or Stuff the Onions): Preheat oven to 176C (350F). Slice about a half inch off the top off 4 onions. Hollow out a bowl shaped space to hold about 1/4 cup filling. Slice enough off the bottom to let onions stand upright. Place in baking pan.  Combine 2tbs honey, 1/2c finely-chopped walnuts, 1/2c wheat germ or breadcrumbs, 1/2tsp salt. 1/4tsp pepper, 2tsp Dijon mustard, and 1tbs red wine vinegar, Place about 1/3 cup of water around onions. Bake 30 minutes, adding water, 1/4 cup at a time if needed. Stuff onions with prepared filling; bake another 30 minutes or until softened. Garnish with chopped Italian parsley Serve warm.   (You can add chopped bacon or pancetta and grated mozzarella, if desired...go wild!)