Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I want to share. This vote has already happened, and this terrible rule has already passed, but I thought it was important to point out exactly why it matters which Democrats we vote for and why "any old Blue won't do." Neolibs like Pelosi are going to kill the Democratic party.

Also, even though this vote has happened, you can still contact your elected representatives and tell them what you think about stunts like this. And you can also tell them you want them to have another vote and change it. Because that is possible.

Democrats in Congress need to know that we're watching if we want to keep them honest. Yeah, I know it's annoying that we can't depend on Democrats to do the right thing without constant pressure from the electorate, but that's the reality. Time to roll up our sleeves, again, my friends, and wade into the fray. It's going to be a long, hard fight to get the progressive policies this country needs, but it's one we can win if we work hard enough. And we need to let our elected representatives know we aren't going away and we will hold them accountable. Peace!

Easy Lentil Soup In A #Crockpot #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

This soup recipe is delicious and easy to make, but also healthy and low-fat. Perfect for a cold, winter night, but also easy on the waistline. ;-)

Ingredients:
2 cups dried lentils sorted and rinsed
8 cups water
2 carrots peeled and chopped
2 stalks of celery cleaned and chopped
2 onions chopped
1 cup spinach chopped
2 tbsp dried oregano
2 tbsp dried basil
4 cloves garlic minced fine
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup red wine (your choice)
Salt and pepper to taste


Put the water, salt, pepper, tomato paste, bay leaf, and lentils in the crockpot and set the temperature to high. Put the carrots, onions, celery, and olive oil in a saute pan and cook until the vegetables wilt. Add the garlic, dried herbs, and spinach to the pan and cook until the vegetables start to caramelize. Transfer the contents of the pan to the crockpot and deglaze the pan with the wine. Allow the wine to simmer until it reduces and add it to the crockpot. Stir, taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. Cook the soup on high until the lentils are completely soft, tasting occasionally for seasoning. Serve piping hot with a side of crusty bread.

Bon appetit!

Truth In Concept

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got a little more of Alyce's adventure to share with you, today! Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Answers From Alyce:
"They all do little besides seek to blame others for the failings of your society and avoid being stuck with any blame themselves. Just listen to them speak! In fact, between those of us who have been working on this project, we've termed this the Committee For Assigning Blame, for that is all they seem to do. When do any of them ever say anything that might result in any meaningful change or productive solutions?"

I stared at him for a few heartbeats, and then what he said hit me and I snorted. That snort led to a guffaw, which just opened the dam and the giggles poured forth. I laughed so hard my sides started to hurt bad enough to rival my head and tears flowed from my eyes. When my hilarity subsided, I wiped my eyes and said, "'Committee For Assigning Blame!' Well now, sugar, that is certainly the God's honest truth, there, isn't it?"

Squid-boy's arms settled back around him and he said, "I believe so. Though, what a divine being has to do with it escapes me."

I waved it away, still wiping my face. "It's just an expression." I looked at the representation of our government again ̶ the apoplectic expressions on those small faces, the pointing fingers and angry voices, those tiny, orange hands still gesticulating wildly ̶ and snickered. "'Committee For Assigning Blame', I don't think I've ever heard anything so appropriately named."

Yax stepped up and put a hand on where the shorter alien's shoulder would be if he were human. "We did ask her to critique our work for accuracy. Just because you, personally, find this tendency of her species to be more irritating than their other foibles, that's no reason not to listen to the feedback Alyce is kind enough to provide to us."

Squid-boy let out a gurgling squawk and then turned and bowed to me. "My esteemed colleague is correct. I have been irrational and discourteous; I beg your pardon."

I shrugged. "No problem, sugar. I guess I've been rude a time or two since you brought me here, too."

Yax smiled. "Then, perhaps we can all try to resolve to be more temperate in our words. Alyce, will you, please, try to explain why it seems that your elected representatives spend so much time trying to apportion guilt rather than trying to fix problems?"

"Because almost none of them are worth as much as a three dollar bill?"

The tall alien blinked at me. "I beg your pardon?"

I waved it away. "Nothing, just an expression. There's no such thing as a three dollar bill in our currency, so any that exist aren't real money."

"And so they're worthless."

I nodded. "Just like most of our politicians."

Now Out:

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2J40wLq

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2UODFWv

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/answers-from-alyce-mistral-dawn/1131322789

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/answers-from-alyce/id1460728769

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/answers-from-alyce

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/935471?ref=MistralDawn

#Animal #Rescuer's #Guide To #Staying ( #Relatively ) #Sane! #Free! :-)

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Just a reminder, for those who haven't checked it out yet, I've collected all my animal rescue/care posts together and published them as a small book.  If you'd like, you can download the book for free from Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.

Amazon

Smashwords

iTunes

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Thanks for stopping in today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#APC #Spotlight: The Rite of Wands By Mackenzie Flohr!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Mackenzie Flohr (Ami Lutkus-Phillips) in my APC spotlight, today! Mackenzie is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her coming of age, young adult, action-adventure, fantasy novel, The Rite of Wands, looks great! Here's the description:

One boy…one Rite… And a world of deadly secrets that could change the course of history—forever

And so begins the tale of Mierta McKinnon. When a horrible fate reveals itself during his Rite of Wands ceremony, he must find a way to change not only his destiny but also the land of Iverna’s.

Forbidden from revealing the future he foresees to anyone, he is granted a wand and his magical powers, but still must master the realm of magic in order to save himself and those he loves.

But Mierta is not the only one with secrets…especially when it’s impossible to know who to trust.

 If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 897

Hey Everyone! :-)

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Eight-Hundred-Ninety-Seven:

The night before last, the nearby hominids set off the gunpowder explosives they're so fond of. My hominid-servant informed me that it was because it's a "new year," but why that should necessitate a bombing festival is beyond my comprehension. In spite of the racket created by the unhinged hominids, it was an otherwise pleasant evening.

My hominid-servant consumed copious amounts of the sharp-smelling beverage she occasionally indulges in, which affects her behavior in much the same way the pernicious herb affects my own. It makes for an amusing interlude when she consumes enough of the beverage to put on music and accompany it with slightly spastic motions. Though, her attempts to vocalize in harmony, a term I use loosely, to the music are less pleasing.

But, once the beverage fully takes effect, she usually will settle down and allow the juvenile felid and myself to recline on her lap. For some reason, the beverage seems to cause her to emit even more waste heat from her body than usual, so the opportunity to bask in the warmth is even more appreciated. And the after effects of the beverage tend to make her drowsy and lethargic, so she is less inclined to disturb us by moving about. Overall, I believe it is a fair tradeoff for the noise the beverage tends to inspire initially.

Aww! Hominids can be so cute when they're drunk. ;-) You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. ;-) Happy reading, everyone!

#HappyNewYear!! :-)

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Happy New Years! :-)  It's that time again, which means it's time for another one of my status check-ins. ;-) First of all, congratulations to everyone, if you're reading this it means you survived another trip around the sun. And considering what's been happening, that's no small achievement! Now, down to business.

I wish I could say that this past year was all sweetness and light, but that would be a lie. There were some good elements, no question. The Democrats took back the House and they'll all be taking their seats later this month, which means there will at least be a brake on the worst impulses of our Tangerine Study in Moral Turpitude. But, unfortunately, the Democrats lost seats in the Senate, which means the Republicans will continue to do their best to dismantle the judiciary and turn the Judicial branch of the government into a flawless representation of the corporately-owned Christian Taliban. So, some battles won, some lost, and many more left to fight. But, on the list of positives, a significant list of strong progressive candidates will be taking their seats in the House later this month, so hopefully we'll see some noteworthy shaking up of the establishment there.

And another thing this year proved is that the progressive base is fired up and ready for action. So, hopefully, with the leadership of those progressives we elected, we'll be able to keep that momentum going and take to the streets in grassroots support of progressive legislation. Because without that pressure from below, no matter how hard those representatives fight, they won't be able to dent the wall of establishment obstruction they'll be up against. But, together, we can knock that wall down and bring those establishment sell-outs to heel. Because it's long past time our government started working for the interests of The People, rather than the interests of the oligarchs.

So, towards that end, I sincerely hope we will all stay strong, defiant, and determined, and that we'll all be around to toast each others' triumphs this time next year. To another year of overcoming adversity, progress, and positive change, and may we all have the strength and wisdom to stand against the storm of whatever life throws our way and emerge victorious on the other side. And, as always, remember, non illegitimi carborundum! ;-)

Peace!