Tuesday, November 16, 2021

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
. 

 




21 comments:

  1. I also am what I am and have no intention of changing, people can like me or leave me, I don't care. I'm not one of those people who "need" everyone to like them and get upset if someone doesn't.
    I heard about the new Dexter series, but I wasn't impressed with the last series after season four or five I think, don't even remember why now, so I won't bother catching up with what Dexter is doing now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, River...take me as I am, or take me not at all.

      As written...I really liked "Dexter"...and am liking it as much the second time around. The new series is looking good, too...from all indications.

      I like Michael C. Hall...I liked him in "Six Feet Under", too. Another series I've watched twice. He did a terrific Broadway show on the last music gifted us by David Bowie, before Bowie's passing.

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  2. Good for you to watch movies, TV series, and reread books.
    Your three potato recipes look worth a try.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In this household there are only my two furry mates and me to entertain...and they're quite happy watching what I watch! :)

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  3. I am not about (or even able) to change to suit other people. If you don't like it move on...
    I hope that the damage from the hackers has subsided.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, EC...I'm not changing. Too old to do even if I wanted to...and I don't.

      No...the after-effects from the hackers is still being felt by me...and my bank account. I'm feeling exhausted by it all. My hope is that the money is refunded to me by Westpac...they should never have released it in the first instance.

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  4. People can take me as I am, I've never changed for anyone.
    Haven't seen Breakfast at Tiffany's for a very long time.
    Don't recall Dexter at all Lee...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to hear, Margaret. It's exhausting enough being one's self without changing to please the whims of others.

      Michael C. Hall from "Six Feet Under" is "Dexter"...he is a forensic expert, working for the police department. Secretly he is a serial killer...but he kills only those who deserve to die! The series is based on the books written by Jeff Lindsay.

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  5. There must be a point in life when a rubicon is crossed and change is well nigh impossible. I am sure that my mannerisms, habit and beliefs are all well entrenched by now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am who I am, David. My inner thoughts and reactions have altered little over the years.

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  6. I don't think changing who I am would be possible even if I should want to do so. And I don't because I know it wouldn't work. Being me is too deeply entrenched. Anyway, I'm sure I wouldn't do being someone else near as well as I do being me. Does that sense? One of my unique abilities is to easily confuse others! You carry on being you, Lee, wouldn't want you any other way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pauline...every thing you say makes sense. :)

      Take care...thanks for coming by. :)

      Delete
  7. I loved Breakfast at Tiffany but so disgusted with her tossing it out in the rain. No excuse.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Holly was in a high state of anxiety and agitation at that time...but she quickly pulled herself together, finding "Cat", gathering him close to her...and the tears flowed!

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  8. We like what we like, and we shouldn't have to apologize for it. After all, it's the fact we all like different things makes the world interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is true, messymimi...so very true. :)

      Thanks for coming by...take care. :)

      Delete
  9. No apology ever needed for being ourselves, Lee, unless of course, we are mean and nasty which I am sure all of us are not, The exception, of course, being those nasty spammers, but enough said on that topic. I liked the sweet potato recipes but the pizza crust one did sound a bit unusual. I tried cauliflower pizza crust and was less then impressed with the results.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sure am not going to change for anyone, Beatrice. Take me as I am, or take me n ot.

      More should be said on the scammers, the hackers...the more of us made aware of the problem the better. My electrician who came here yesterday to do a job told me he was hacked a few months ago and lost $10,000.00 from his bank account. It is just nor right what the hackers are getting away with...the damage they are causing not only to the bank balances, but to the mental welfare of their victims...of which I am one.

      I've never tried the cauliflower pizza bases, nor have I tried the sweet potato ones...I'll stick to the tried and true original.

      Thanks to coming by...take good care. :)


      Delete
  10. I did not become the person my parents expected me to be but thankfully they were proud eventually.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know my mother and Nana were both proud of my brother and me. We weren't perfect, but they instilled many old-time, good values within us. Life wasn't always easy (and that's a bit of an understatement), but the importance of honest, respect for others and our own self were high on the list of life's lessons.

      Thanks for coming by, Annie...take care. :)

      Delete
  11. A big YUM for your Sweet Potato Fritters with Avocado Dipping Sauce recipe :)

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete