All posts by Monna

Jan 17
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Response from a Native Arizonan to the January 2011 Tucson Shooting

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The January 8, 2011 shooting of 19 people and the death of 6 at Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ “Congress on Your Corner” event united Arizonans and Americans in mourning last week. Unfortunately, for some – misplaced anger and ignorance also characterized this last week. Anger, apparent via some serious finger pointing, rose in the hours immediately following the shooting.

Anger has defined my own response – as I witnessed people with no real understanding of American or Arizona history – make statements about the current political climate and alleged shooter Loughner’s motives. Last week, I was too grief-stricken and angry to write about this. This week, I am ready to share my own thoughts on this horrible event and the real history of politics in Arizona and our country.

After the shooting, we heard the usual statements of condolence, promised justice and solidarity made by politicians to the families and community affected by the shooting. But, almost before we could absorb what had happened, news outlets, politicians, bloggers and pundits began making accusations about the “vitriolic” nature of the Arizona political climate that no doubt led to alleged shooter’s, Jared Lee Loughner, choice to open fire on an innocent crowd of people. Reporters, whose job it is to report on the most extreme aspects of our society, couldn’t wait to talk about what a terrible political climate exists in Arizona and share that they just knew this was going to happen.1,2,3 Yet, there were still some legitimate responses from news outlets, trying to report the news fairly. 4

Additionally, instead of investigating the shooting with dispassionate professionalism, Pima County Sheriff Dupnik immediately voiced his opinion that the shooter was influenced by extreme political language – before he’d even investigated the young man.5 Sheriff Dupnik was/is apparently friends with some of the victims and was understandably upset by the shootings. Nonetheless, when he’d had time to cool down, he still spouted the same blaming rhetoric about talk show radio hosts and Arizona’s climate of hatred and bigotry.6

While I am not naive enough to believe that law enforcement professionals always perform their roles in a manner unbiased by their own personal opinions and beliefs, I do think they should at least pretend they’re not letting those opinions cloud their investigations.

I am no stranger to the concept that “if it bleeds, it leads” (in the news). All my PoliSci buddies heard it with me in classes till it oozed out our ears. I understand the tendency of politicians to couch every hot issue in the most extreme terms. After all, extreme terms are what catalyze voters on both sides of the political aisle to move to the voting booth. However, understanding these things doesn’t mean I have to like it. Also, it doesn’t mean those of us who don’t use extreme language to define ourselves or our beliefs should stay silent on issues that are important to understanding this event and the real nature and state of American and Arizona politics.

As a rule, I haven’t really written about political topics on this blog. And, I’m not sure that I’m about to start doing it regularly. It’s not my desire to become a political blogger or try to convince you that my way is the only way. It is, however, always my intention to be a voice of reason and to provide a space where we can discuss those topics about which we are passionate about in a respectful, informed and thoughtful manner.

So, over the next few days, I’ll be sharing some of the things that have been on my mind with regard to the shooting and the history of American politics in general. Yes, my major was History and my minor Political Science – so I am passionate about these things! I hope that you will take a little time to read, to comment and to think about the choices that you make daily which make define the kind of Arizona or America we’ll pass on to our kids.

In the end, if those of us who are reasonable – sit back and say nothing – we can only blame ourselves when life (or our society) takes a direction we do not like.

As always, I love hearing your opinion. However, in the spirit of respectful discussion, please keep your comments and responses informed and courteous.

For a historic perspective on whether Arizona’s political climate is really getting more heated, click here.Copyright (c) 2011

Sources/Examples:
1  Dick, Jason.“Wild West’s Violent Ethos Deeply Ingrained in Arizona’s Gun Culture.” National Journal, January 12, 2011. http://nationaljournal.com/member/wild-west-s-violent-ethos-deeply-ingrained-in-arizona-s-gun-culture-20110110

2 Krugman, Paul. “Assassination Attempt in Arizona.” The New York Times, January 14, 2011. http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/08/assassination-attempt-in-arizona/?ref=politics

3 Newton, Casey. “Some Thoughts On Arizona.” Crumbler, January 10, 2011. http://crumbler.tumblr.com/post/2677943230/some-thoughts-on-arizona   

4  Picket, Kerry. “Liberals blast Palin and ‘rhetoric’ following AZ shooting.” The Washington Times, January 13, 2011. http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2011/jan/8/liberals-blast-palin-and-rhetoric-following-az-sho/ 

5 Dupnik, Clarence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVOCPO_a_MI, the comments made on that page about Sheriff Dupnik are not necessarily my opinions but it was a good video of the Sheriff’s own words.

6 Netter, Sarah. “Arizona Sheriff Blasts Rush Limbaugh for Spewing ‘Irresponsible’ Vitriol.” ABC World News, January 13, 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/arizona-sheriff-blasts-rush-limbaugh-spewing-irresponsible-vitriol/story?id=12583285

Jan 14
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Dairy-free, Barley-Oat Pecan Pancakes with Homemade Applesauce

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This morning, my husband was home for breakfast. So, we celebrated with a rare treat, delicious Barley Oat Pancakes with Homemade applesauce. If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know by now that I don’t buy many pre-made packaged products and this is no exception. But, that doesn’t mean it has to be difficult.

I don’t usually like pancakes – simply because only 1 leaves me feeling full and kind of sluggish for the rest of the day. This recipe is a nice alternative. The dairy-free version tastes lighter and has a better flavor overall.

The original recipe appears on the back of the Arrowhead Mills Barley flour package. But, I made a few changes to include almond milk, remove oil (since you’re cooking with oil anyway) and add pecans. Barley flour and oat flour are available in most health food stores. However, you don’t have to buy oat flour. If you have rolled oats at home, just whiz them around in a food processor till they are flour-like. And – presto! Oat flour. You can also use less honey or leave it out since you’ll probably be putting something sweet on top of the cakes anyway, like my homemade applesauce.

Enjoy!

Dairy-free Barley Pancakes
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
1 c. Barley flour
1 c. Oat flour
1 T. aluminum free baking powder
1 t. fine sea salt
1 c. chopped pecans
2 T. Honey (optional)
2 eggs or 1/2 c. egg substitute*
1 3/4 c. almond milk
2 t. vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Mix together dry ingredients and whisk thoroughly
2. Whisk eggs and mix with other wet ingredients
3. Gently fold wet ingredients into the dry.
4. Cook pancakes by 1/2 cup fulls on a lightly oiled skillet or griddle on medium heat. On my electric stove, that’s somewhere between 4-6. If you’re doubling this recipe, a griddle would be a great choice. It really shortens cooking times.
Here’s the secret to good pancakes.
Make sure your pan is good and hot before you start cooking your pancakes.
Pour the batter in the pan. When the surface of the pancake begins to show bubbles, flip the pancake. After you flip the cake, it’ll be done very quickly so keep an eye out.
If your first pancake burns, just turn down the heat for the next one. The first one’s usually experimental anyway.
Also – once I start cooking the pancakes, I only oil the pan if it dries out and the cakes seem they might stick.
**Egg substitute – 2 T. ground flax seed in 1/2 c. water. Mix it when you start measuring ingredients so it has time to get squishy like eggs.

 

Jan 14
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Wicked Witch’s Homemade Applesauce

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Once, when my oldest was about 2 1/2, she came into the kitchen and asked for an apple. Pleased she wanted such a wholesome treat, I gave her one – even though it was bedtime. She took one bite and slumped to the floor dramatically. Then, she looked up at me out of the corner of her eye and in a theatric whisper said, “It was poisoned!” Apparently, I was playing the role of the wicked witch! Thus began our family’s obsession with drama – and with all things apple. After all, if it’s in a fairy tale…!

Today, I’ll share with you our easy recipe for homemade applesauce. In fact, this recipe is so easy, it’s almost not a recipe. I made these to go with our pancakes today but they’re just as good by themselves. Just a note – apples tend to cook down quite a bit since they have so much water in them – so you can add more if you’re cooking for a crowd. This is the kind of recipe that you can adjust without messing it up too much!

Applesauce
Ingredients
5-6 good sized apples – I like to mix sweet and sour apples like Gala, Honeycrisp or Fuji with Granny Smith
1 c. water
juice of 1/2 lemon – optional if you’re not canning your sauce – but it does balance out the flavors
1/2 c sweetener to taste – like honey or brown sugar
Instructions
1. Core and chop apples to desired size. We like chunky applesauce and we don’t remove the peels. More fiber! If you like smoother applesauce, core and quarter your apples and then pulse them in the food processor. Remember they’ll get squishier as they cook so they don’t have to be perfect.
2. Toss apples in pan with the water and lemon juice and set to medium-high heat.
3. Once the ingredients start warming up nicely, turn heat down to medium. 
4. Keep an eye on your apples and stir regularly while they’re cooking or they will burn.
5. After they get close to your desired texture, remove a bite of apple from the pan, cool and taste it. 
6. If you want to add sweetener, do so now – only 1/4 c. at a time.  
7. Let apples mix with the sweetener and taste again. Chances are you won’t need much sugar since they’re so sweet on their own.                                                  
Tada – Homemade applesauce!
Jan 11
0

A Sense of Belonging

By | Honest Mothering | 2 Comments

Last weekend, we went to Rob’s cousin’s house for New Year’s Day and had a wonderful time. I love both sides of Robert’s family because they are all lovely people – but this side of his family reminds me a little more of mine. They are just sort of “down home” people, you know? Warm and welcoming, give-you-the-shirt-off-their backs kinda people – the kind I hope my girls grow up and emulate.

I think because my own mom and dad are gone, I am even more grateful for family connections like these ones. And, while we were there I got to spend some time with Aunt Pat. I’ve loved Aunt Pat since the first day we spoke. When we met, I felt I’d found a rare kindred spirit – and and it’s my good fortune that she loves me right back!

While we caught up, she told me that she recently mentioned me to someone who doesn’t know me and said, “I wish you knew my Monna. She is a wonderful mom and does a great job loving her kids and having fun with them.”

On some occasions we receive genuine words of love and kindness that reach straight into our hearts. This was one of those occasions. Something about that possessive, “my Monna” left a lump in my throat. I batted back some tears so I could maintain some sense of self possession while we finished talking. But when I got to the car and told my husband about it I found tears streaming down my face.

It’s really rare for me to hear compliments like this these days without my mom around to give them. I felt loved – and reassured of my mothering value. My confidence had taken a plunge in December with the crazy schedule, excess amounts of sugar and sleep deprived kids who were way less responsive than usual. Even more than the boost of confidence, Pat’s words left me feeling that I belong to my chosen family. That is a good feeling.

The little exchange got me to thinking. When was the last time my words gave someone else a sense of belonging? A real genuine word of encouragement – that reminds someone they are good at what they have chosen as their life’s work?  Today, I’m going to find someone who needs a word like that and pass on a little of the love I’ve received…

Blessings.