I YAM WHAT I AM...LET IT BE!

 

 

 

 

Often it gets to the stage I need to reaffirm what I already know…and don’t know… to reach the realisation what is, is.  Facing the facts…I yam what I yam…let it be…

At the age I am now what’s the point of changing, anyway?  Only capable of being me, my own true self and I, trying to change would be a pointless endeavour.  I know there are some who would disagree with me.  However, that is how I feel…and only I feel how I feel…if you understand my meaning.

Who would I become and, who would I be trying to impress?  Attempting to impress others is a pointless exercise, in my opinion.  Accept me as I am, for who I am…or move along.  There’s nothing to see here.   A boring, old….am I! You can fill in the blanks as you see fit. I shan’t be offended.  The reality is, only I know who I am.  So be it…there is the answer, let it be.

A while back I wrote about watching movies and TV series, and reading books more than once.  I jumped for joy when “Dexter; New Blood”, the new season that has begun on Paramount Plus.    Without hesitation, I immediately subscribed to Paramount+.  I had to meet up with my old mate again!  It’s been eight years since “Dexter” left our screens.  I welcomed him back with open arms, and once again I’m hooked, after just one episode.  In bingeing mode, I’ve begun re-watching the original series.  So far I’m into Season 2…with still another six seasons to follow.  And yes…I am enjoying it as much as I did the first time around…if not even more.

Proving how boring and predictable I am, a few Sunday afternoons ago “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was again on TV.  For old times’ sake I intended watching only a couple of minutes of the movie I’ve seen numerous times. Two or so hours later, there I was still glued to the screen, tears streaming down my cheeks, as they always have done in past viewings. The final scene with Holly, Paul, and beautiful Cat in the drenching rain always gets me…nothing changes…

My initial introduction to Holly Golightly and Cat was in early 1963.  Back then, I, too, had a beautiful ginger cat, named, “Cat”.   My first viewing of the movie was one Saturday evening in Brisbane. Gympie was my hometown at the time. I’d travelled to the “Big Smoke” to spend the weekend at a friend’s place in Ashgrove.  It was love at first sight (for the movie). Being the person I am, the feeling hasn’t diminished…and isn’t likely to change. This I know for a fact, as if it were engraved on a Tiffany’s ring. Each time I hear “Moon River” tears make their presence known.  Yep!  I yam what I yam!  I can’t help it!  Let it be….

Among my treasured mementos I have a silver key holder and silver telephone dialer, both from Tiffany’s, 727 5th Avenue and East 57th Street, Manhattan.  Gifted to me they were from a special person, who, although, no longer with us, will always remain special to me.  It is Randall, my ex-husband, to whom I refer. I’ve mentioned previously that Randall spent nigh on a decade living and working in New York City from the mid-60s to the mid-70s before he returned home to our wonderful Land of Oz.  (Dorothy had nothing to do with it, nor did Toto, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, or Scarecrow. I admit there are times I could be mistaken for the Wicked Witch from the West…and for Scarecrow).

 Of course, it’s a laid-down open misère…it really should go without saying, but I here I go, anyway…I’ll watch “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” again; no doubt more than once again…because it’s what I yam!  Doing so hurts no others.  Does it matter in the whole scheme of things if I do?  A clue…the movie is permanently on my recorded list, too. Truman Capote didn’t know what he started when he wrote the novella upon which the movie is loosely-adapted. Years ago I read the novella…twice.  The book is here somewhere among my paper tomes. Perhaps, seeing I yam what I yam I should dig it out, and read it again.

Because of events beyond my control of late…the evil work of hackers…in the words of Holly Golightly, I’ve had a massive dose of the “mean reds”, with anxiety levels beyond the moon.  Eventually I’ll dig my way out…because I yam what I yam. In the meanwhile, I’m weary of being told to breathe.  I’ve been breathing for many years; through good times and bad, and all those in between; onward through the years as I’ve attempted to reach adulthood.  Maybe, I’ll achieve the later one day.   So be it…I yam what I yam…let it be…

 

Sweet Potato Fritters with Avocado Dipping Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together 2 cups grated raw sweet potato, 2 eggs, 1/2c Panko breadcrumbs, 1/4c flour, 1/4c grated Parmesan, 2tsp oregano, and 1/2tsp garlic salt, until well combined. Form mixture into 2-inch patties…total of 8 patties. In large pan, heat thin layer of oil over med-heat. When hot, cook fritters, 3-4mins per side. Serve with Avocado Dipping Sauce; Place ½ large avocado, 1/4c plain Greek yoghurt, 10 roughly-chopped basil leaves and salt in blender; blend on med-low until smooth.

Parmesan-Garlic Sweet Potatoes: Preheat oven, 200C. Line baking sheet with baking paper. Cut ends off 2 large sweet potatoes; slice into rounds. In bowl combine 1c grated Parmesan,  1/2tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1tsp salt, 1tbs minced garlic and 1tbs Italian seasoning.  Arrange sweet potato slices on baking sheet, slightly overlapping. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle the parmesan mixture over; roast for 25mins.  Meanwhile, cook 4 bacon rashes until crispy; drain; cut into small bits. Remove sweet pots from oven; sprinkle with bacon bits and freshly chopped parsley or chives. Serve immediately with grilled steak.

Sweet Potato Pizza: Crust: Pulse 1 sweet potato, some rolled oats, 1 egg, salt and pepper; add a few dried herbs, of choice, and garlic powder/fresh garlic, and/or a little Parmesan, if desired. Press mixture onto pan; bake. Then top with bbq sauce, shredded cooked chicken, thinly sliced red onion, thin capsicum rings, 1c Mozzarella; cook in 200C oven, 10-15mins.