What really matters...

Recently I wrote posts on the  love I have for my three children and my passion for politics; now I have food on my mind. This might be my life trifecta: children, food, and politics and intersecting through that is working with students as a librarian. I love my work, enjoy helping students find books, information, and fresh ideas. 

And at the end of most days I love coming home and cooking in my kitchen. My kitchen is too small for a lot of cooks in the kitchen and in fact it is only enough room for Groovy Girl and I to cook together. And we have to do a well-executed dance to not bump into each other. Having music on helps. Usually I just play my own jams but if she steps into the kitchen to help then she she plays her own music. Just like with anything good in life it is most perfect when you have all your ingredients right there and ready. I like a well-stocked pantry and when I have the space and time to put things together, relaxed with a glass of wine.  More often though it's rushed after school but even quick I can pull something together that is unique and delicious. 

{Curried Lentils}

Last week I made Maharajah's Rice from Meera Sodha's Fresh India cookbook and it was very easy to make right after school. I loved the flavors of the basmati rice mixed with the soft apricot, almonds and aromatic cinnamon. It's quite similar to this basmati rice recipe from Analida's Ethnic Spoon.  And while browsing her site I found this chickpea and lentil recipe that I'll have to try soon. A few weeks ago Groovy Girl said she needed some comfort food when she came home the next time; something like lentils she said. That's like a special invitation connecting your children with food. I searched for the perfect lentil recipe and found a curry that we all loved and will make again. She said "this is the perfect comfort food, mama" while holding the bowl up and breathing in the smells and heat. I found that easy recipe, Creamy One-Pot Curried Lentils and Quinoa on Yup..It's Vegan!    That same weekend I also whipped up blueberry lemon muffins for her to take back to school. 

My second favorite place to be in the kitchen is at my brother's house where I can just be the sous to his chef. He has a beautiful kitchen and makes a wide variety of foods. It's nice to relax there and not be in charge of the meal. I can watch him cook or help along the way. 

Now why is Prince gracing this post about food? Because I often listen to music while I write and today I thought he deserved to be on top. Let's go crazy. 

Each and everyone of us are multidimensional and hopefully you've found things in your life to feed your soul. Enjoy! 

Talking about love and other important stuff

We should love one another. We should be accepting of other's thoughts and ideas, be open by way of love with empathy at the core of all we do. This does not seem to be our Republican-led legislators are starting off our new term. We have a host of new bills introduced that take away from our democratic means of living and equality for all. 

Senate File 160: Student First Scholarships; basically vouchers for private/religious schools, taking away  money from public education, a right granted to us in the Bill of Rights. This is a terrible idea for Iowa. (Kim Reynolds) 

House File 222: will reduce funding for any school (K-12 and higher education) for using the 1619 Project created by Nikole Hannah-Jones and The New York Times. Hannah-Jones won a Pulitzer Prize for the essay that started the project. We should be celebrating her as a fellow Iowan instead of censoring real history.  (Skyler Wheeler - skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov

House File 193: prohibits transgender kids from receiving medically necessary treatment. (Sandy Salmon - sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov) Why, just why? 

House File 109: This would give the legislative rule over Supreme Court decisions. Again this is a crazy idea as the judicial branch is purposely separate from the other two branches so as to be fair. (Sandy Salmon)

Senate File 41: would prohibit tenure at all three of our public universities in the state. Also it was proposed that all faculty at these universities should reveal their political affiliation as the Republicans say with more Democratic professors students are getting a biased education. (face plant) Just because we are teaching the truth, history, and independent thinking...(Brad Zaun) 

Each one of these laws is draconian and we need to put up a fight. Please contact your representatives and talk about why all five of these bills would be terrible for Iowa. With such an overwhelming amount of Republicans voted in this last round and with our Trump-loving governor Kim Reynolds we are indeed in trouble here. Send logical help please.  

I sent an email to Skyler Wheeler right before I typed this. Sandy Salmon, bless her heart, is next on my list. 

 

Showing UP: a love letter

 I love the three children that grew up in our house together. I tried my best to show up and be a good mama. It didn't happen every day or every moment but I hope my children remember times that I was there for them, that I supported and encouraged them. All three are adults now off in the world doing their own things. 

Kaylee, the oldest of the three and my stepdaughter, produces a podcast, Heavyweight, for Gimlet Media and she lives in Brooklyn, NY. She's been stuck in NY throughout the pandemic learning to live there without the restaurants and live theatre that brought her great joy in previous years. 

Tristan, my first born but middle in our family, manages the McGrath Kia & Hyundai dealership in Hiawatha, IA. He finished a degree in Political Science at the U of I two winters ago and loves working with cars.

Japhy, my youngest and better known here as Groovy Girl, is in her freshman year at U of I in Iowa City. She is learning to navigate college life through a pandemic with virtual classes and a very different dorm life than expected. 

All three children enjoy spending time together, and I hope will continue to seek each other throughout their adult lives. After a few ups and downs with each child I'm most interested in their happiness. I hope they find good life partners who bring out the best in each other. I hope they enjoy their work and lead socially responsible lives. 

I've reflected back recently on my talents as a parent and I realized I am good at cuddling and we spent hours curled up reading or talking together. This makes me a great emotional support animal: you can bring me anywhere. I'm also a pretty good personal chef.  My kids have a wide variety of food they eat and don't eat.  Kaylee eats chicken but not red meat, Tristan went from begging for meat in our mostly vegetarian diet when he was a middle school student and is now a fully committed vegan. Japhy eats a wide variety and loves to cook but learned this summer that she is allergic to eating tomatoes after she did the elimination diet. She has had digestion problems throughout high school and we can't seem to find all the culprits.

I am there for them when they need food or drink-most of the time. I've faltered a few times. In my beginning stages of learning to cook vegan I had some rough patches but as we usually do- we made it to the other side. Forgive me if I can't remember who likes apples, kiwi, cranberries, or extra cheese! I love all three of these amazing adult children with all their unique personalities. I know they will show up for me as well. The empty nest feels strange but I'm happy to share these three humans with the world.