tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61581941497296897262024-03-13T16:06:00.760-04:00 The Writer's PadThere are two things I love to do, write and cook. I hope you will enjoy the combination!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-37244396008187546112018-06-09T06:53:00.002-04:002018-06-09T06:54:48.482-04:00Risotto with Shrimp<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Risotto with Shrimp</b></div>
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I love Risotto. As a matter of fact, I love any type of rice, but Risotto is creamier, smoother, and richer. It does take more work, for you can't just boil water, simmer rice for twenty minutes, and forget about it. Risotto needs to be stirred, constantly or you loose the creaminess. The other wonderful aspect of Risotto is that you can add any ingredient to make it more interesting and even more delicious, or you can make simple pudding style risotto as a base for spicy, complex dishes. The one I created the other night is not complicated but let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious!! The following recipe will feed four.</div>
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<b>Ingredients for Risotto</b></div>
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one small onion - chopped</div>
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three cloves garlic - chopped</div>
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2 tbs. butter</div>
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2 tbs. olive oil</div>
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1 cup risotto rice</div>
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1/4 cup wht. wine ( you can use any light wine)</div>
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6 cups chicken stock (add gradually not all at once).</div>
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1/4 cup chopped parsley</div>
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1/2 cup peas</div>
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1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano</div>
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1/4 cup smoked Gouda </div>
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pinch of salt</div>
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pepper to taste</div>
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<b>Directions for Risotto</b></div>
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In a saucepan, melt butter and add olive oil. When somewhat hot, add onion and garlic and allow it to become transparent. Add your risotto rice and still until well covered. Include the wine and stil. Gradually add chicken stock and stir, when you notice that liquid is nearly evaporated, add more and continue to stir. Keep this up until rice is completely cooked. Only then, begin adding other ingredients like parsley, peas, cheese, salt, and pepper. Once the risotto is a nice, creamy consistency, you may take it off the stove.</div>
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<b>Ingredients for Shrimp</b></div>
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1/2 onion chopped</div>
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3 cloves garlic chopped</div>
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2 dozen shrimp</div>
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1/2 cup white wine</div>
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1/2 cup chopped parsley</div>
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salt</div>
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Pepper</div>
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<b>Directions for Shrimp</b></div>
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Prior to beginning your Risotto, chop 1/2 onion and two cloves of garlic, and clean two dozen shrimp.</div>
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Once your Risotto is on the back burner (no flame), melt two tablespoons of butter in a large skillet and on medium heat, include your onion and garlic and then add your shrimp. Bring your burner to high and include 1/2 cup white wine till the alcohol dissipates (about three minutes). Then add 1/4 cup parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until shrimp is pink and tender.</div>
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<b>For Serving</b></div>
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Place a healthy serving of Risotto onto center of plate</div>
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Add shrimp on top and spoon some broth</div>
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Sprinkle some of left over parsley around dish for effect</div>
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Enjoy with a rich glass of Chardonnay!</div>
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© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-7241823119806740422018-06-09T06:18:00.000-04:002018-06-09T06:55:04.341-04:00Enough is Enough!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fellow Americans, when are we going to say, “Enough is
Enough”? We have accepted outrageous lies and numerous denials, but what is
happening today, as I write is unforgivable. How can we stand by and accept the
fact that our Attorney General Sessions, under the jurisdiction of our
president, is separating parents from children?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> News has exposed the new law that allows illegal
immigrants who come into this country with children to be separated. Though
within the new law there is a limit to separation of seventy-two hours, the
time has been extended indefinitely. In some cases, children are being housed
in cages or in warehouses! In some cases, children are given to foster homes
and then misplaced documents make it difficult to reunite the children with the
parents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Parents are being
treated as criminals when all they’ve done wrong is trying to enter a country
they assumed was sympathetic to their plight. This was the country that
welcomed the poor, the homeless, the “tempest-tossed” to our land. My fellow Americans,
I am begging all of you to make America great again. Please, let’s return to
the time when we were compassionate and a time when we believed in truth and
the Christian belief that we are all created equal, and that we are a giving
and loving people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Natala Orobello</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-1591159814316605882018-04-09T10:41:00.002-04:002018-04-09T10:43:51.765-04:00Correcting the Disconnect of Social Media on Today's Student<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> Smart phones and social media are
wonderful tools for communication and research, or are they? For several years
now, I walk into my classroom and witness every single one of my students
connected to their smart phones. Some are texting, some are viewing their
Facebook page while others are sending tweets or sending memes via Instagram.
Regardless their method of connection to their friends or family, research
shows that they are disconnected from the social interactions enjoyed in the
past. Gone are the days of long phone conversations or face to face discussions
about the weekend romance, family, vacations, or school. Today, my students rely
on Facebook for a look into a friend’s or family’s home or recreational life.
Twitter allows 140 characters of dialogue without any sense of tone or mood. Texting
asks, replies, and truncates communication while Instagram delivers memes
instead of words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social media is not
only causing a social disconnect that might become irreversible but also
affecting the way in which students research data, often gathering information
that is unreliable or simply untrue.</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Each of these “social” connectors may
appear to socialize our youth, yet one would beg to differ. Recently, while having
lunch with my husband, I observed several young women silently eating their lunch
with one hand while texting either others or the very individuals with whom
they were having lunch! I have also witnessed the nuclear family dining yet no
one is talking, each person, including the young children, were immersed in
their smartphones. The dinner table discussion has gone into the ether of the
past. According to writer Katherine Hobson and researcher Brian Primack,
today’s youth does not feel socially involved; instead, they have deep feelings
of isolation. The study indicates, “people who reported spending the most time
on social media — more than two hours a day — had twice the odds of perceived
social isolation than those who said they spent a half hour per day or less on those
sites” (2017). However, when I ask my students if they feel isolated, they
answer with a resounding, “No!” It is my belief that this form of communication
is all they know, so they may not think they are isolated. We, those of us born
prior to 1980, know there is a different form of communication where one looks
into the eyes of the other, or notices the mannerisms and expressions of the
one with whom we speak. There’s comfort, we know, when the connection is tangible.
It is my opinion that this is what’s missing, and an article written for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child Mind Institute</i> confirms this
belief. Author Catherine Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist states, “As a
species we are very highly attuned to reading social cues. There’s no question
kids are missing out on very critical social skills” ( qtd. In Ehmke, 2017).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">As educators, how should we assess and
handle our student’s preoccupation with social media? An empirical paper
written by Paul A. Tess, conveys a multitude of research that has been
conducted with findings that promote social media use within the classroom to
the various negative aspects of such. According to the article, students
refrain from using social media in learning because they view social media as
their form of entertainment; whereas, if they were to use it for learning, it
would be connected to their definition of work (2013, pg. A62). The appeal of
Facebook, Twitter, and other social media tools for the student is most often
the ease of communication and least of all the ability to handle class
assignments (2013, pg. A63). What we usually see, when we walk into our
classrooms, is not students fervently completing their assignments; instead,
what they are most likely doing is learning what new post is on Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram. Or, they could be texting their friends from across the
room, in another classroom, or outside of campus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Social media, if used properly, may be
used to enhance learning. Some instructors will incorporate social media within
their classroom activity. In a study conducted by Northeast college, nearly
2,500 students were surveyed. The study wanted to examine if there was any
“relationship between type of and frequency of Facebook use and student
engagement.” The study seems to indicate that social media played a minor role
in student engagement (Tess, 2013, pg. A63). One particular study found that
the level of communication within Facebook was, “superficial… and exposed
unsophisticated study skills (A64). It appears that unless a communication or
learning activity is directed and guided by an instructor, the effect of social
media on education is nominal and unproductive because students would rather
follow a more carefree attitude toward their social media accounts and not view
it as work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Perhaps, instructors can apply these
technical tools within the classroom because as teachers we want our students
to use any if not all methods of learning available. The classroom can become
the forum where students understand the positive application of technology,
i.e., their smart phone. Facebook can be used to gather information for a
survey and Twitter can be used to ask questions and receive quick, succinct
responses in return. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A recent in-class assignment for my
Composition class proved to be a positive implementation of this tool. The
class had read, “Invisible Women” by Yun Yung Choi. After a lengthy discussion
on Confucianism and the role of women in Korea then and now, I asked students
to form groups of four. Once the groups were created, I passed out poster paper
and color pens. Each group chose a writer and speaker. Then, they were to use
their phones to research the progress women have made within the United States
during the past 50 – 70 years. They were also asked to make contact via
Facebook and Twitter if they wanted to ask questions of their moms or
grandmothers. The subtopics included: educational, political, professional,
social, and cultural changes. Students worked on this for nearly forty-five
minutes. A few groups completed their research while others decided to take
their project home for the weekend. Time was productive and cell phones were
used exponentially for the sole purpose of research. I walked around, inquired
about their findings, and discussed some of their surprise findings. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">In a study conducted at the University of
Adelaide. Professor McCarthy explored the way in which instructors can use
social media for class assignments. He designed a lesson so students would
incorporate Facebook to complete submissions and to gather peer critique on
information found. His findings indicate, “that Facebook was the ideal host site
for a blended learning environment. The researcher also found an increase in
course engagement particularly with an assessment task as indicated by the
Facebook activity logs (2010, pg. 1202).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There are many studies researching
the positive and negative impact social media may have on students; however,
there is one fact that will not change. Students will continue to check their
smart phones for social contact, however minimal and barren it may be. We as
instructors are able to design and create assignments that incorporate social
media in order to introduce the ways it can be used for everyone’s benefit.
Today, we can use Twitter within a classroom assignment (Literature,
Composition, History, Sociology classes) to evaluate how political and social
norms are changing the ways leaders maintain a connection with their
constituents. Regardless the assignment, I believe that students who are taught
that there is an assortment of possibilities for their Facebook, Twitter, or
Instagram account.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">References</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Ehmke,
Rachel. (2017). How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Child Mind Institute</i>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Hobson,
Katherine. (2017). Feeling Lonely? Too Much Time On Social Media May Be Why.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> NPR</i>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">McCarthy,
J. (2010). Blended learning environments: Using social networking sites</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">to enhance the first year experience. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Australasian Journal of Educational</i></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Technology</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">,
26(6), 729–740. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Tess,
Paul A. (2013).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Role of Social Media
in Higher Education Classes (real and virtual) –</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A literature
review.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Computers In Human Behavior</i>.
Elsevier, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A60 – A68. </span><br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-53373068909960979992018-04-05T08:46:00.001-04:002018-04-05T08:49:46.966-04:00The Impact of DNA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My children gifted Mike and I with Ancestry DNA packets for
Christmas. As we filled in our application, neither Mike nor I expected a surprise outcome. I was born in Italy of
Italian parents whose parents and grandparents had also been born in the
southern part of Italy, Sicily to be exact. Mike was born in Brooklyn, New York
and that was almost as good as being born in Italy. His parents and
grandparents were also Italian born and bred. However, we both expected some
other race because Italy, especially Sicily was conquered by many. I was expecting
some Middle Easter, Moors specifically, and some Ethiopian, but what I didn’t
expect was the breakdown. The results were entertaining, especially for my
husband!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Michael’s results were 76 % Italian, 17 % Middle Eastern,
and 8 % other. Mine were 69% Italian, 14% Middle Eastern, and 4% African.
Nothing surprised us as much as the percentage difference between Mike and I in
being Italian. I understand that having been born in Italy is not proof
positive of my authenticity, but come on now, he’s more Italian than I am?
Suffice it to say, that as soon as he heard the number, he became quite haughty
regarding his 76%. “So, tell me again, what is my percentage compared to yours?
And, where were you born? Oh yes, Italy!” He taunted. I allowed him his moment
of glory, but I’m now more interested than ever to find my story because as I dig deeper, I learn that I have Jewish heritage as well as an Egyptian background! I did not realize I was so exotic; however, I have always had an inkling that Cleopatra and I were once close.</div>
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-19849628076020649892018-04-03T08:32:00.000-04:002018-04-03T08:46:35.400-04:00Nightmare of One - of Millions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "calibri light" , sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some are
leaving for Mexico</span><div style="text-align: left;">
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</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Signaling a
reverse of trails -</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some are
leaving for Canada</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With promise
of better days -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Some are
sticking their head in the sand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pretending
everything’s ok,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">while others
are losing their mind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Because
Trump rules our land.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
------------</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">“How did
this happen?” We question,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As our
country falls apart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">When did we
misplace our decency,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">compassion,
and giving heart?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Alternative
facts are passed on as truth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Though the
truth is before our eyes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He convinces
his followers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By repeating
and repeating his lies.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With Russia
he is kind and gentle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">With China
he dictates and scorns</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And his
people whom he governs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Pretends he
loves with throbbing thorns.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our economy
once secure and sure</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Now balances
on his next tweet spool -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And never before
has a president been</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The subject
of so much ridicule.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He’s a moron</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He’s
illiterate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He’s a
malicious narcissist</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He’s too
insane to rule.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">--------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Yet, he
remains in office</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And
Republicans genuflect</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As though he
is their god.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">His
followers believe he guides America</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As the
leader of the Alt-Right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
-------------</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">They must
rejoice as they observe</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Gay rights
receding</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And women
ridiculed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">While Blacks
are maligned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And
Mexicans’ papers reviewed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our country
is divided</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By a
malevolent reprobate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And when he
says “Make America Great Again”</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">He means
before 1958.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I cry at
night -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">My
nightmares repeat his Tweets</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And my
prayers are mostly for my country</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">That mourns
and silently weeps.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">-------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">How much
longer can we endure</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">A president
who lines his pockets </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Who cares
more about his bank account </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Than the
millions of poor without.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">--------------</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The American
Dream is dead</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">It died the
day he spoke</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">An inaugural
speech condemned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By the
masses in their living room</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Calibri Light",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Not the
million supporters in his head.</span></div>
</span><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
© Natala Orobello</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-66943560279916044262017-02-27T12:30:00.000-05:002017-02-27T12:32:07.706-05:00Witness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Witness me in everything</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in rapture and abyss</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God alone in sight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
judges my dissonance.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
© Natala Orobello</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-71155920886874783432017-02-22T11:03:00.004-05:002017-02-22T11:03:31.898-05:00Hail Trump<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rise of Trump reminds me much of the rise of Stalin who
said, “It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who
cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide
everything.” And, let us not forget Hitler’s belief that, “If you tell a big
enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.” </span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many Americans did not vote for Hillary Clinton because of
the email scandal and the Bengasi Attack. Few of these Americans took the
trouble to learn the facts, but that’s past history; she’s not our president.
Donald Trump is. Here’s what I learned about him during the campaign.
Everything he accused others of doing, he did first. “Crooked Hillary” was his
code name for her while he kept his tax records a secret, asked Wiki leaks to
leak some more emails of hers, and plotted her demise with emails being found
one week before the election, later proved unimportant. “Lying Ted” was another
method of removing the attention from his lies to someone else. What did he lie
about? Check Politifact to learn that he lied over 70% of the time during the
campaign and continues to lie as president. “Fake News” to all media as he sets
up his version of Fake News, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it
frequently enough, it will be believed.” Trump believed and stated that if
Hillary won the election was rigged. I believe that he did rig the election,
once again taking the mirror away from his face and placing it in front of
someone else, Hillary. How did he rig the election? How about the leaks? How
about the lies? How about the last minute attack by the head of the FBI? How
about the obvious affiliation with Russia?</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Americans were promised a return to a Great America. I’m not
sure what that means anymore. Great for whom? It is obvious it is not great for
our farmers, our immigrants (legal or not), our free speech (when all who speak
against him are accused of being part of fake news), not for women, blacks, Jews,
or minorities when you have someone like Steve Bannon looking over Trump’s
shoulder and helping him write policies. </span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hitler’s economy rose exponentially during his first years in
office much like our Stock market reflects the rise of our economy; however,
let us not forget where Germany gained his figures through the annihilation of
an entire religion, the forced labor of many young men, the elimination of
women in the workforce, and the rise of his military regime. Trump is deporting
many Mexican workers, so who will work the farmlands? Who will work the roads? Who
will mine the coal? Will our young men be told that there is work to be done
and forced to work? Will our workforce dwindle because everyone will be put to
work regardless the lowly level of the job? Like Hitler will America try to
decrease importation and exportation? It sure sounds that way.</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My concern is that few who voted for Trump researched
anything. They voted based on his propaganda of how he would make America Great
Again. They did not research his business dealings or his past regarding
blacks, Mexicans, and other immigrants. They did not think hard on his opinions
regarding women or his opinions regarding Putin and Russia. They did not think
that repealing ACA (Obama Care) would mean a loss of their insurance. They did
not think that friends of theirs would not be allowed to reenter our country
even if they were legally here. They did not think…</span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br /><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-61874632012917747162017-02-14T09:06:00.000-05:002017-02-14T09:06:48.882-05:00My Love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uIbmuB3S9U/WKMOspMP9cI/AAAAAAAAG0I/b8dwzEiy1TkRTa9iK_xF4g-t1zJzLmVZACLcB/s1600/valentines.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5uIbmuB3S9U/WKMOspMP9cI/AAAAAAAAG0I/b8dwzEiy1TkRTa9iK_xF4g-t1zJzLmVZACLcB/s1600/valentines.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My love is diversified </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It’s mystified by years of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">pain and joy combined.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My love requires much attention</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">in the give and take emotion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of learning truth.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I look into the soul of love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I see bright red outlined in white</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Intensity of passion so bright!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">When I look into God’s masterpiece</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">the goodness possible, I believe </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">paradise found in the heart of love.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
© Natala Orobello</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-24018633814807769282017-02-08T10:09:00.000-05:002017-02-08T10:18:49.622-05:00A Nightmare<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9xozOvkL1g/WJs1brSof_I/AAAAAAAAGzs/Zx1PY63prmMoavsYpajt-_fhQFsq3oVHgCLcB/s1600/bombing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t9xozOvkL1g/WJs1brSof_I/AAAAAAAAGzs/Zx1PY63prmMoavsYpajt-_fhQFsq3oVHgCLcB/s1600/bombing.jpg" /></a></div>
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Last night I dreamed a war had begun</div>
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I dreamed dust and clouds around the sun.</div>
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My family was with me, weeping in fear as</div>
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we packed our bags for higher ground.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Traffic was heavy so travel was slow</div>
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we talked of the past and of tomorrow.</div>
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It seemed our horizon was dim at best</div>
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our climb to the mountain a survival test.</div>
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We passed by cars with signs for TRUMP</div>
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Inside passengers were crying, ENOUGH!</div>
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Airplanes flew toward foreign seas</div>
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as missiles exploded on yonder trees.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We had voted for a GREATER tomorrow</div>
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yet we were given infinite sorrow.</div>
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My dream made me cry but not for me</div>
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it made me cry for the uncertainty -</div>
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of where we are and where we will go.</div>
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I wept for my children and their children too</div>
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I wept for decisions made by emotional fools</div>
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who believed the fallacies of the Devil's tool.</div>
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© Natala Orobello</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-6488047531847077102016-12-01T19:25:00.003-05:002016-12-04T07:32:44.241-05:00I Don't Understand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UC-G_BmBiI/WEC_ZtRIC0I/AAAAAAAAGy4/TVkjgnqJ_rIF925rgAMbkd7By-ghHicHACLcB/s1600/dont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UC-G_BmBiI/WEC_ZtRIC0I/AAAAAAAAGy4/TVkjgnqJ_rIF925rgAMbkd7By-ghHicHACLcB/s1600/dont.jpg" /></a></div>
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I am aghast of people who live in ignorance of a reality based on nothing more than opinion. These individuals do not follow up on statements made or on what the media says. They believe hook, line, and sinker.</div>
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These are the individuals who voted for Trump. They rarely double checked his statements, his accusations, or his bombastic remarks. They bought his "truths" because his "truths" are their truths. They believe in white power. They believe in the power of men and the submission of women, whom they regard as sexual entities worthy only of locker room talk.<br />
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Today, December 1, 2016, he saved one thousand jobs for the United States and he is thought of as a leader and savior, yet Obama brought back our dying economy, saved hundreds of thousands of jobs and is said to have achieved very little.<br />
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I've heard Republicans say Obama has been a horrible president, yet the man has brought grace, intelligence, pride, and honor back to an United States that desperately needed these virtues after an horrific Bush and Cheney era.<br />
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I don't understand my fellow Americans. I am at a loss. I go around these days saying, "I don't understand." I say it so often that I am probably beginning to piss people off. I don't care anymore. Trump pisses me off. His Twitter fingers piss me off. His facial expressions piss me off. Need I go on? Honestly, I don't understand how or why intelligent people did not research fact from fiction. Why they didn't care that Trump lied nearly 70% of the time compared to Hillary's 17%. What's going on in this country? Who are we? Where are we headed?<br />
<br />
Some people, not my friends, are telling me to let it go, but I can't because I just don't understand.<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-85191110268070028422016-12-01T19:11:00.000-05:002016-12-01T19:11:03.555-05:00Our Next President<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWI9GxBd1M4/WEC7-qkun1I/AAAAAAAAGys/YxN7YttHMRIydelDkttG3C0XyHPPuqbUwCLcB/s1600/trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BWI9GxBd1M4/WEC7-qkun1I/AAAAAAAAGys/YxN7YttHMRIydelDkttG3C0XyHPPuqbUwCLcB/s1600/trump.jpg" /></a></div>
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According to the National Center for Education Statistics,
which concluded its findings in 2015, the United States lags behind (we are
sixteenth) in world literacy as well as in Math and Science. Perhaps this is
why we voted for a Reality TV host who can barely complete a sentence without
repeating himself or without using words that are sixth grade level.<br />
<br />
<div class="MLABody">
It would seem that the dumbing down of America has finally
caught up with us. We would rather have a president who knows nothing about the
political system or our government than a well-educated individual who has
worked in government since college. Ignorance is not golden or blissful; it
leads to chaos and upheaval. How did this happen? Why did the citizens of one
of the greatest countries in the world vote for a philanderer, tax evader,
liar, bigot, and near illiterate? The first answer I heard regarding this
question was that the only other choice was worse. Really? But, I don’t want to
get into defending Hillary Clinton. What I want is to explain why I believe
this happened. As far as my projection of what will happen to our great
country, in Trump’s famous words, “I will keep you in suspense.”</div>
<div class="MLABody">
<br /></div>
<div class="MLABody">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>I believe Donald Trump, the great
manipulator of an audience, played the
citizens of this country. He played the blame game by telling his audience
(mostly made up of white, blue collar workers) that our country could be great
again if only we got rid of the Muslims and the Mexicans. The beauty of his
message is that most white, blue collar workers believe that anyway and he
confirmed and validated their fears. They really do believe that once the
Muslims and Mexicans are deported, our country will be Great Again! </div>
<div class="MLABody">
<br /></div>
<div class="MLABody">
His audience believes that Obama, the first African American
president, created the problems we face in our country, i.e., low economic
growth, Islamic terrorism, and Washington dissonance. Unfortunately, they
forget what this country looked like nine years ago. They forget who was in
power when the Towers went down and they forget who took 1.3 trillion dollars
from Social Security to pay for our military debt. Hint, it wasn’t Obama or
Hillary. They feared a continuation of Obama, yet they forget who got us out of
the great recession and who got us out of Iraq. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MLABody">
It is frustrating to note how easily so many Americans forget
the not so distant past, for they cannot mean a great America from ten years
ago, or a great America from forty years ago, so what America do they hope for?
Should women go back to the kitchens, so they can prepare a hot dinner for their
man? Should blacks go back to segregation? Should refugees be turned away
regardless of the persecution they escape? Should back alley abortions resume?
Should we bomb the hell out of the Middle East and steal their oil? Should we
round up all Jews? Is this the America we want?© Natala Orobello</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-88300826534777464162016-11-17T03:00:00.001-05:002016-11-16T20:09:57.867-05:00Thanksgiving Dinner - Italian Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkXsw5L99JI/VHD0QVNAarI/AAAAAAAADHU/gOoLMvXJW8k/s1600/thanksgiving%2B(250x166).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UkXsw5L99JI/VHD0QVNAarI/AAAAAAAADHU/gOoLMvXJW8k/s1600/thanksgiving%2B(250x166).jpg" /></a></div>
<strong><span style="border: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0in;">Turkey<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong>17-18 lb. turkey<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>Defrost in refrigerator the morning before (24
hours).<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>Clean exterior with salt and
lemon, rubbing the two ingredients into turkey skin. <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>Remove all gizzards (can
be used in gravy later and don't forget to check beneath neck flap), and clean inside of turkey as well with salt and
lemon. </strong></div>
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<strong>Rinse with ice cold water. Drain
thoroughly and continue to drain overnight in a deep bowl which has a small
soup bowl at bottom. This will catch excess water. Keep refrigerated!<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="border: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0in;">Stuffing</span></strong></div>
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<strong>2
cups rice</strong></div>
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<strong>1 package
mushrooms chopped, cooked, and drained<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>1 small
package baby peas<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>1/2 cup
grated cheese<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>2 stalks
celery deveined, and chopped fine<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>1 large
onion chopped fine<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>3 cloves
of garlic chopped<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>2 sprigs
of parsley - chopped<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>salt & pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></strong><br />
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<strong>2 tbs. olive oil</strong></div>
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<strong>1 small
onion<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>3 cloves
garlic<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>½ cup
grated cheese<o:p></o:p></strong><br />
<strong>2 sprigs parsley - chopped</strong><br />
<strong>1 loaf Italian bread (3 days old), soaked, squeezed, and broken into bite size chunks</strong><br />
<strong>salt & pepper to taste</strong></div>
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<b>Rice Mixture:</b></div>
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<strong>In large skillet warm
2 tbs. olive oil , when warm and soft, add celery and slowly cook till soft,
then add onion; when slightly soft, add chopped garlic. Add mushrooms, peas, parsley, salt & pepper. <o:p></o:p></strong></div>
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<strong>Cook rice. When rice is cooked, add to mixture from skillet, which has
been placed in a very large bowl. </strong><br />
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<strong>Bread Mixture:</strong></div>
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<strong>Begin
with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the same skillet you used for rice portion. Add more chopped onion & garlic. Once these are translucent, add the bread, which
has been soaked, squeezed dry and broken into bite size chunks, till it ABSORBS the olive oil and mixes well with ingredients, add cheese at end. </strong><br />
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>Then mix all ingredients together (rice and bread mixtures). Stuff both cavities of the turkey. Bake according to turkey directions.<o:p></o:p></strong></div>
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-72875152157334734512016-11-17T03:00:00.000-05:002016-11-16T20:08:58.025-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhIc-lM5o0U/VHYoIajm55I/AAAAAAAADOg/J_-NTNepx4w/s1600/bskets%2B(223x226).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhIc-lM5o0U/VHYoIajm55I/AAAAAAAADOg/J_-NTNepx4w/s1600/bskets%2B(223x226).jpg" /></a></div>
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As we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's put aside all differences, prejudices, bias, and arguments. It is true that there is much that needs change, and the change must begin with the individual. A friend of mine spends all year long being kind, generous, and loving. She treats everyone with respect and expemplifies the true model of a good neighbor.<br />
<br />
This morning, as I peeked inside her office, I saw baskets stuffed with food, toys, and lots of other goodies. She was gifting them to needy families. Her generosity comes naturally; it is obvious she doesn't even think of it as something absolutely wonderful.<br />
<br />
Her charity spreads from one person to the other because every individual around her wants to give as well. Maybe that's what we are missing in the news, more stories about people who give even when they don't have much to give. That might promote more charity, more generosity, more love.<br />
<br />
Many of us have plenty to be thankful for. We have health (never take that for granted), a roof over our heads, shoes on our feet, and loved ones who care about us. Some of us have pets who love us unconditionally, and food on our plates. Some have less and some have more, but I'm sure many have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, even if it's just the ability to walk, talk, and love.<br />
<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-51535812708781795012016-11-15T18:31:00.000-05:002016-11-17T18:32:59.798-05:00I Tremble<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n64A6-aDAcw/WC49rQL-e0I/AAAAAAAAGyE/wUFVEL25p-EYsebXOCPhxsNXKBXi-L1SQCLcB/s1600/flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n64A6-aDAcw/WC49rQL-e0I/AAAAAAAAGyE/wUFVEL25p-EYsebXOCPhxsNXKBXi-L1SQCLcB/s1600/flag.jpg" /></a></div>
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How do we rise from the abyss?</div>
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So deep the well of fear.</div>
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Violence already erupting</div>
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From sea to shining sea</div>
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Is this the America </div>
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We want to be?</div>
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<br /></div>
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Women like cattle call</div>
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Blacks denigrated in shame</div>
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Mexicans derailed regardless</div>
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How long they’ve lived this land.</div>
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Not even president and yet</div>
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He’s frightening with choices he’s made</div>
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Threatens to build a wall</div>
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Nominate justices progressively small</div>
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I tremble at our future</div>
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I tremble for us all.</div>
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<br /></div>
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© Natala Orobello</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-13431454799144912772016-11-02T08:57:00.001-04:002016-11-02T08:57:13.688-04:00Women in Literature<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This Spring, I am offering a new course created and designed by me!! I am very excited about this course as it has always been my dream to offer a course where women can discuss the trials and tribulations, the joys and elations of being a woman.<br />
<br /><br />
FSW State College, where I teach, is offering this course online. I believe it will be interesting, challenging, and motivating.<br />
Join me as we travel the historical road from Mary Wollstonecraft to the smasher and crasher of that proverbial "Glass Ceiling," Hillary Clinton (regardless of whether she becomes president or not).<br />
<br /><br />
Registration has begun, but there is still time!! <br />
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnctGpLxczg/WBniX8kgHYI/AAAAAAAAGxs/g_zFuxRIwaMZMsxEnf4CESJpDAxipQldwCLcB/s1600/women%2Bin%2Bliterature.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pnctGpLxczg/WBniX8kgHYI/AAAAAAAAGxs/g_zFuxRIwaMZMsxEnf4CESJpDAxipQldwCLcB/s320/women%2Bin%2Bliterature.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-5942813544426293682016-11-02T08:28:00.000-04:002016-11-02T08:28:03.177-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrntJSK_f4k/WBna-LZSd3I/AAAAAAAAGxE/IeMxSd8Ibhwtu3b--jKi5VSBRDnVXRZZACLcB/s1600/stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NrntJSK_f4k/WBna-LZSd3I/AAAAAAAAGxE/IeMxSd8Ibhwtu3b--jKi5VSBRDnVXRZZACLcB/s1600/stars.png" /></a></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><strong>When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer</strong></span></div>
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<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When I heard the learn’d astronomer,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before
me,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide,
and measure them,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with
much applause in the lecture-room,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick,</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time,</span></div>
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<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I recall
teaching this particular poem by Walt Whitman to my tenth grade students. I stayed late the day
before, so I could stick stars on the classroom ceiling. The next day, as my
students filed in, they noticed my black robe and my Astrological map (onto
which I had attached the poem), but they did not see the stars. After they were
finally seated, I introduced Whitman and then read his poem, and at the very
end, I shut the lights. All the stars twinkled and shined!! There were "ohhs" and
"ahhs." </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yes, some poems can be inspiring, entertaining, and witty. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Here is one
I wrote that commemorates a similar experience.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Ode to the Poet</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She spoke from the interior</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Of a warm library</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Where a roaring fire glowed.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She spoke of yellow daffodils</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And dogwood trees</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Yet she never touched its folds.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">She was a poet of old</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Viewing through the looking glass</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I swear that listening to her</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Was truly a pain in the Ass.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I left the interior prison</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Stepped on the dew kissed grass</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I breathed the great outdoors</span></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">At last.</span></span></div>
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-41110739712669043852016-10-12T08:41:00.000-04:002016-10-12T08:57:25.253-04:00Humor in Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">One of my favorite poems was written by William Carlos Williams, titled:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">This
Is Just To Say</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I have eaten</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">the plums</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">that were in</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">the icebox</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">and which</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">you were probably</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">saving</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">for breakfast</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Forgive me</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">they were delicious</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">so sweet</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">and so cold</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">The poem is simple, apologetic, and to the point, and that perhaps is
what makes it so humorous. Don’t we all have moments like these?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I have had several similar moments. Though, I have written
few down.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Here’s a story and poem I would like to share. The premise
reminds me very much of “This is Just to Say.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">My husband cheats. When I first caught him, I laughed out
loud! Though there was evidence, and I did not think he would dare deny, he
did!! Repeatedly!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">True story. It was late at night, and I was very tired, (I
had probably been grading papers). I gave him a goodnight kiss, and proceeded
into our bedroom. I changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth , and washed my
face, but then I realized I had forgotten to take out the steaks for the
following night’s dinner, so I opened the door to the living room, where he was
watching Law and Order, and low and behold there he was CHEATING! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Michael,” I said smiling, “what are you doing?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Nothing,” he mumbles.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Really?” I ask, “so, what are those dark spots on your
beard?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Nothing,” he sputters.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Have you been eating Oreos?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">“Who me? Of course not,” he responds remorsefully.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I reach behind him and what do I see? A bag of Oreos half
finished!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">So, here’s the poem I wrote about Michael’s cheating ways.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSz8P4MQuDM/V_4vM3UVwNI/AAAAAAAAGwk/w0cN6tPEjXcS5fQkt9o75qAayuGOpZMMQCLcB/s1600/Oreos.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aSz8P4MQuDM/V_4vM3UVwNI/AAAAAAAAGwk/w0cN6tPEjXcS5fQkt9o75qAayuGOpZMMQCLcB/s1600/Oreos.png" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Cookie Crumbs</span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I saw the crumbs</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">on your greying beard</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">And instantly knew</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">what you had done.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Oreos leave a trail you know?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Your shamefaced smile</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">admitted all</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">It said, “I’m guilty,</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I thought you’d gone.”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Mike and I
had promised we would not eat after dinner, so our tummies would not have to
work overtime while we slept. I kept my promise; unfortunately, he finds it
very difficult to do so. Recently, I heard him open up the fridge while I lay
in bed and once again he was in the living room and when I heard the rustle of
a bag opening, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was getting into the
Chips Ahoy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">© Natala Orobello</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-27182732150732230842016-07-18T13:40:00.001-04:002016-07-18T13:40:39.504-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdPDdXztrgc/V40UjXstiHI/AAAAAAAAGwA/-A1gdG1HzXoZKGNKmGZp10-RXWh9WaQLQCLcB/s1600/stuffed%2Bflounder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TdPDdXztrgc/V40UjXstiHI/AAAAAAAAGwA/-A1gdG1HzXoZKGNKmGZp10-RXWh9WaQLQCLcB/s1600/stuffed%2Bflounder.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Stuffed Flounder (The
economical way) For two <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four flounder fillets</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ bag imitation lobster</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ bag imitation crab</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 garlic cloves (chopped)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ onion (chopped)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 lemon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh oregano</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh thyme</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh sage</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fresh parsley</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 tbsp. olive oil</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 tbsp. butter</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Flounder fillets :</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In mini blender, blend: 3 garlic cloves, thyme, oregano,
parsley, sage, 1 tsp. olive oil, ½ juice of lemon, and blend together. Smother
fillets with this blend. Set aside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Stuffing: place 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter in
frying pan, add remaining garlic cloves (chopped) and chopped onion. Add
imitation lobster and crab until everything is warm. Add parsley and ½ lemon
juice with grated rind. Next place in food processor until pieces are very
small. Add grated (large hole side) Parmigiano Regiano to stuffing. Set aside.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to Fillets:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Place one fillet on bottom, cut the second fillet in half
and place on sides of bottom fillet, and stuff middle. Place into the oven for fifteen minutes until fish is cooked through
and flaky.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Serve with Hollandaise Sauce</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 tbsp. sour cream</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 egg yolks</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Juice of ½ lemon</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Paprika</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cayenne pepper</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blend all ingredients and then place above a double oven
until creamy and hot. Whip the entire time!!!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-28184170963519572782016-05-17T19:12:00.002-04:002016-05-17T19:17:20.656-04:00Summer Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDgO0KDTGas/VzulXhH_b2I/AAAAAAAAGu8/qDPGGeh9YgA9JlZjpL_xE7PllMQF6H9AACLcB/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PDgO0KDTGas/VzulXhH_b2I/AAAAAAAAGu8/qDPGGeh9YgA9JlZjpL_xE7PllMQF6H9AACLcB/s1600/sunrise.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
It's Summer Time and I am once again reevaluating and reexamining who I am, what I do that is right, what I do that is wrong, and how I can improve as a wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher. Of course it goes without saying that I am reevaluating how to be a better Christian, for none of the other categories would be possible if I didn't attain this one first.<br />
<br />
Every Summer for the past decade or more, I look toward summer not as a time to vacation ( what is that anyway?) but as a time to gain wisdom about myself and my surroundings. Have I learned a lot? Maybe, but everytime I think I am learing something, there's some other lesson I have not learned, like understanding my neighbors and why they do the things they do. I end the summer thinking I am guilty of assuming (I do that often) that they have better things to do than call me or invite me over or come over, when suddenly the end of August approaches and wouldn't you know it several of them call to invite me to lunch!! What the heck? I thought I had it all solved!<br />
<br />
Sometimes I evaluate my personality and realize I am guilty (notice the word guilty comes up quite often) of not only assumptions but also of arrogance. I think I know it all. Surprise!! I don't. I learn that my assumptions are wrong; I've miscalculated someone's intentions, someone's motives, and someone's kindness. Then I think of Mother Theresa's prayer and apply it to myself.<br />
<br />
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<span style="color: #009900;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #009900;"> </span><b><span style="margin: 0px;">P</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">eople are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Forgive them anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">f you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">f you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> enemies. </span></span> <span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">Succeed anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">f you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">W</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">hat you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">f you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span> <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">T</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">he good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span> </span><span style="margin: 0px;">G</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">ive the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span><span style="margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">n the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.</span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">More often than not, I come to Summer's end realizing once again that I am not perfect, not by a long shot, but dammit I try!! </span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-32594879702630766102016-01-08T14:08:00.002-05:002016-01-08T14:18:20.245-05:00Christmas Eve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i7mx6-UCLY/VpAI1qVH_iI/AAAAAAAAGtw/kEaPruEKOzU/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3i7mx6-UCLY/VpAI1qVH_iI/AAAAAAAAGtw/kEaPruEKOzU/s1600/tree.jpg" /></a></div>
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This Christmas was wonderful. My son and his family visited for five days and my daughter and son in law have a new member to their family, Rachel. She's our angel from China. They stayed for seven days!<br />
Mike and I prepared the cabin, so it was not only comfortable but also festive. We were adamant that this Christmas was going to be special, and it was.<br />
<br />
<br />
When my daughter and her family arrived, I could hear Rachel's shouts of joy at finally having arrived to our mountain cabin in Georgia. She had been prepared by both her momma and babba. She easily found her bed and took her time looking at every nook and cranny of our home. Her smile never left her face, but I will say it was not as special as the night she met Santa. At first she was hesitant but she warmed up soon and then sat on his lap. The next morning, she marveled at all the gifts she received and immediately joined her cousins at play, but even Rachel's joy was a bit overshadowed by my son's love letter.<br />
<br />
<br />
Frank writes with such passion that I often marvel at his poetic talent. This particular piece of poetry/prose expressed his love, respect, and admiration for every member of the family. It rained on Christmas Eve and there were flood watches and floods where roads had been damaged, so we didn't venture out to evening service. We held our own service around the kitchen table and then Frank read his poem. We laughed and we cried, and we acknowledged once again how fortunate we are to be a family who truly loves, respects, and admires each other. Frank said what we felt with such grace and compassion, with the glow of genuine love.<br />
<br />
<br />
So, Christmas this year was more splendid than years past. My daughter and son in law found the courage and love to adopt a beautiful little girl, and my son reminded us how very blessed we are.<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-69591914684197776692015-11-30T15:59:00.000-05:002015-11-30T15:59:20.310-05:00I Don't Know<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As an older woman, I think I should know so much<br />
when asked questions of import and substance<br />
and I hate saying, "I don't know."<br />
<br />
I should know all about tradition,<br />
spiritual growth, and how to have<br />
lasting relationships, but the truth is<br />
I don't know.<br />
<br />
I've come close to the golden ring of success<br />
as it is defined by my petty mind<br />
and I'm just beginning to learn that success<br />
is measured not by what I know but by<br />
what I've done.<br />
<br />
My actions speak volumes to my friends and family<br />
to those neighbors near and far.<br />
My actions reflect who I really am, so it doesn't<br />
matter what I say or what I know.<br />
<br />
I'm an older woman who needs to learn so much more<br />
from those things I've done and those words I've spoken.<br />
If I survive another decade or two, I need to learn<br />
that wisdom comes from figuring out how to answer<br />
those tough questions of which we do not know the answer<br />
now.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-42133216167191865802015-11-19T12:18:00.000-05:002015-11-19T18:07:30.449-05:00Thanksgiving Blessings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KESDBFr9SFc/Vjo9whu18dI/AAAAAAAAGrc/aczet7GWqsM/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KESDBFr9SFc/Vjo9whu18dI/AAAAAAAAGrc/aczet7GWqsM/s1600/turkey.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Halloween is in the graveyard, and the fallen leaves are
becoming crumbled dirt beneath our feet. Yet, there are places where the
colorful quilt of orange, red, and yellow cover mountain tops and everyone
rejoices at nature’s loving grace.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Thanksgiving approaches, I think about those blessings in
my life. I’m not one to sit at night and list those things for which I am
grateful. Nor, do I wake up every morning with a grateful heart, but I am.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, as I sit writing, I realize that my actions might
speak louder than words; for example, when I wake up and see my husband, I
smile and kiss him good morning. I hold my little yorkie in my arms and cradle
him like a puppy, telling him how much I love him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love the smell of freshly brewed expresso and look forward
to my first sip. I smile as I get ready to go to work, acknowledging that I am
so fortunate to have a job I love. I think about my grandchildren each and
every day, and bask in the joy of being a grandmother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When my day is over and I trek to the gym, I work out
knowing this is GOOD for me, and then I race home (literally), so my evenings
can begin with my husband. He is by far the best cook I know, so I eagerly look
forward to the meal he has prepared. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Phone calls from either my son or my daughter cause my heart
to skip a beat because they are two of the most respectful, loving,
affectionate, and incredible people I know.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Above all, I am constantly reminded by the loving God who
has provided me with these blessings, and that without Him, I would be and hove
nothing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-28459423571189811502015-09-30T17:15:00.001-04:002015-09-30T17:15:21.937-04:00 Healthy Eating<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KiJaFwokG8/VgxQz6cxOCI/AAAAAAAAGqw/hhgCUcEpzcY/s1600/EAting%2Bwell%2B%2528165x250%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9KiJaFwokG8/VgxQz6cxOCI/AAAAAAAAGqw/hhgCUcEpzcY/s320/EAting%2Bwell%2B%2528165x250%2529.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mike and I recently sat down to discuss how we could eat a bit
healthier than we already do. We love to cook fancy like Chicken Picata or Veal
Marsala. These are wonderful dishes as are lasagna, steak and potatoes, but
after months or in some cases eating some of these wonderful dishes can add
pounds and diminish health. So, we decided we needed a change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This week began
with baseball bat zucchini ( they look like a bat because they are shaped like
one), simmered in vegetable broth and served with less than 1/4 lb. of broken
up linguini. It was delicious and less than 300 calories per person. Tuesday,
Mike made Chicory with Cannellini Beans. This particular dish was around the
same number of calories and left us feeling full and comfy all over. Tonight
we're having Lentil soup, and that's around the same caloric intake. Tomorrow
night will be left over’s and Friday night will be our first helping of bread
as Mike is making pizza with spinach and Portobello mushrooms!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Mike has already
lost five pounds (in only three days!) and I've lost three pounds. Yes, one
might think, and one might be right, that it's water we are losing, but to tell
the truth we are drinking more water than ever. We stopped bread, meat, pasta,
and snacks. We have doubled our intake of vegetables and fruit. Neither of us
feel deprived and both of us have agree we are going to continue this for at
least another week until we begin adding fish and chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This is our own
idea of a diet because both of us love food too much to deprive ourselves of a
good fulfilling meal. If you would like the recipes, let me know and I will
supply them next week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-8555528408870830892015-09-23T19:50:00.000-04:002015-09-23T19:50:08.242-04:00Priorities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRYW-dHi1BM/VgM6mif3KRI/AAAAAAAAGqY/hOIV2VKzFvU/s1600/priorities.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NRYW-dHi1BM/VgM6mif3KRI/AAAAAAAAGqY/hOIV2VKzFvU/s1600/priorities.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">My priorities have always been God and family -</span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sometimes I do get
confused and think it's things- <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Friendships that
upon reflection are acquaintances -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Some closer than
others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Sometimes I am bewildered and wonder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Where have I gone wrong?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Then<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I realize my priorities and know I am not wrong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">But<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Right in my belief and my faith that first is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">God – then husband – followed by children and grandchildren<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The rest I will love with compassion, gentleness, and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
© Natala Orobello</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02625881220102471640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6158194149729689726.post-82800976236185699592015-09-07T19:51:00.003-04:002015-09-07T19:51:38.434-04:00Georgia Poetry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4iwuy3D9Aw/Ve4i2xNPuuI/AAAAAAAAGmA/1FYI0-u7ms0/s1600/IMG_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p4iwuy3D9Aw/Ve4i2xNPuuI/AAAAAAAAGmA/1FYI0-u7ms0/s320/IMG_0021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
I have recently published my poetry book with Kindle. Here is a poem from the book. I hope you will like it enough to check out the rest.<br />
The book is titled: Respite: Ode to Owl Town Farm<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Respite in Ellijay</span></b><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The dirt road uphill and through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Brings wild flowers to sight<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Welcoming my
arrival <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">By day instead of night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Crunching roads meander<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Round turns shaded by pines<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Shadows allow streaming sun<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">To touch melodious miles<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Camouflaged by Hickory and Oak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Serene and peaceful break<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Two roads converge toward<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">my cabin by the lake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">And herein lies my respite<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The place where I retrieve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Energy for my spirit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Air for me to breathe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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© Natala Orobello</div>
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