Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Thursday, April 4, 1968.  I can remember the shock I felt listening to Walter Cronkite telling us that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had been assassinated in Memphis, TN.  He was there in support of striking black sanitation workers.

I knew my life would never be the same, our nation had changed. And I instinctively knew this event meant that I was probably not going on my senior class trip. We were scheduled to leave the next week for Washington, DC and New York.

We stayed glued to the television over the next few days, watching as our nation came unglued over Dr. King's assassination. Cousins living in Milwaukee left to avoid the unrest, others wished they could.

I did finally go on that (postponed) class trip after a huge strung out argument with the whole family. Against orders from my mother, other family members, and against an agreement signed with the school to not stray from the trip itinerary, I spent every free moment observing the burned out neighborhoods that resulted from the riots following Dr. King's death.

I remember that first glimpse of blocks of burned out homes and businesses. I remember asking the black man sitting next to me on the bus, "Why?"  I remember what he told me. I remember the lack of anger in his voice. I was changed in that moment. I have never been the same.

"There comes a time when silence is betrayal." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sleeping Beauty

Each spring Missoula Children's Theater works with students at Kimball school on a musical production. This year it's Sleeping Beauty.  

Performances are Saturday, Mar. 19 at 4 p.m. and  7 p.m. in the Kiote Den.  And I'm hoping there will be a meal between performances. 

Missoula Children's Theater
presents...

Serandepity, What Exactly Is It?

Huge fan of Michael Feldman's Whad'ya Know?, yes I am. Been listening to the radio show since it started way back in '85.
 
Serandepity happened last week while I was tuned into Whad'ya Know...listening and laughing along...whilst working on an article about the South Dakota Hall of Fame - if you have not visited you need to...and that's a whole 'nother story.

You can listen in to what Michael has to say about all that by clicking on this Whad'ya Know link. The action starts at about 1:35.

Michael, YOU ROCK!

Great grandma's Molasses Cake Recipe

Oh, my great-grandmother made the most delicious molasses cake!  And she mixed it by hand in a bowl with a wooden spoon.  No electrical appliances for her.  Today, I use that same bowl in my kitchen.  Here's her recipe. Enjoy big pieces of this cake, it's good for you.

Molasses Cake
1 cup blackstrap molasses
1 cup cold water
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons ginger, more if you really like ginger
1 teaspoon allspice
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add molasses and eggs and beat well.
3. Add water and beat well.
4. Mix together dry ingredients (flour, ginger, allspice, salt, baking soda).
5. Add dry ingredients and water, a little at a time, and beat well.
6. Don't make batter too stiff. Add more water if needed.
7. Pour into buttered 9 x 13 cake pan or 2 round pans.
8. Bake at 325 for 35 min.  Test with toothpick to make sure cake is done.  This is a dense cake.

Enjoy.  I like mine with milk or warm tea.  Frosting is an option. 

If blackstrap molasses is too strong tasting for you, use light molasses.  Gingersnap blend from The Spice House is a good substitute for the ginger and allspice.

World News

In July Southern Sudanese voted on whether or not they wanted independence.  The world learned the results on February 7th:  98.8% of those voting wanted independence. Decisive to say the least, and extremely good news for those wanting independence.

This past week after 18 days of intense protests calling for his resignation, Hosni Mubarak did just that: resigned as President of Egypt.

Two historic world events, wouldn't you agree?

It has made me incredibly sad to be surrounded by folks who don't care, are not interested, and wonder what this has to do with them. I'm not guessing what they are thinking or feeling, they are telling me this - in very plain and sometimes profane language.

Why are we not interested when a nation gains its freedom in a peaceful fashion? Why are we not interested when a dictator is overthrown with minimal bloodshed on those last 18 days of his power.  Why?

I have my ideas...what are yours?

Epiphany

Today is Epiphany, the day my Grandmother always took down the Christmas tree and all the other Christmas decorations no.matter.what.  Fondly remembering removing tinsel from the tree so we could use it the following year, and wrapping all those delicate ornaments in tissue paper and packing them in their boxes.

The Gift

Mid-day on Christmas Eve I heard a vehicle door slam.  A quick glance out the window revealed a red truck, and a good friend walking towards my back porch holding a box.  This is not unusual as this particular good friend comes over on a regular enough basis with boxes of stuff. This past summer it was produce to preserve and split with her. Other times it is a box of goodies for some project or other that we are working on.

As I opened the door and said "Hi", she thrust the box into my arms and retreated back to her truck for another box. "Merry Christmas" said my friend with a smile on her face. It was present exchanging time! We've been known to exchange very practical gifts - food, baked items, hats, school supplies (I love school supplies, but that's another story) or silly stuff, like necklaces from those machines outside discount stores.

I was stunned, and happy and deeply moved by her kindness and her gift of love.  She knows me, and so packed those two boxes with stuff I desperately needed and would truly appreciate.  I got laundry detergent without fragrance, and dish soap that won't remove the skin from my hands, toilet paper, stew meat and bacon - I love bacon and stew meat. Oranges - I'm particularly fond of oranges this time of year.  Potatoes and oatmeal.  Oatmeal is on the menu here most winter days.  And then there was the big package of duplex cookies. A favorite treat for me since childhood - and I do try really, really hard to eat only a couple a day.  Oh, yes, flour and sugar so I can bake.

I'm touched, and grateful. It's wonderful to be loved. It's more wonderful to be loved by a woman on a Calling. Thanks, good friend.