Update on Benji, history repeats itself, and a kitchen surprise

Benji was a dream overnight—Jacob enticed him into the crate with a couple of small treats, and I never heard another peep out of him until morning. I know he woke about six, but he was patient until seven when I let him out and fed him. Then back inside, I grabbed an extra snooze, and he was quiet and good. This afternoon, even before I headed for a nap, he put himself in his crate and settled down for a long sleep. He’s responsive, enthusiastic about being loved and talked to, and easy. And he’s loving having almost constant access to the backyard, although when he is in the cottage, he now mostly lies by my desk while I work—yesterday he paced. Just now, he put himself in his crate. I guess, like Soph, he considers it his safe spot.

But  yes, there’s a downside. He has the highest, shrillest bark ever—and he barks, as far as I can tell, for no reason. Christian asked why it bothers me, since Sophie was also inclined to bark—but she barked at squirrels and was quiet for long periods outside. Benji barks every few minutes, and I am hoarse from calling him to come inside—which he mostly does happily. I don’t want him barking incessantly and offending the neighbors. I’ve had long conversations with him about this, but they don’t appear to be taking. It’s still early in the game. Christian’s theory is that Benji has discovered lots of new friends in the neighbors’ dogs and is talking to them.

AS I posted elsewhere, I was appalled to read that state troopers in riot gear were called out to quell a student protest at UT/Austin. For those of you my age and even a bit younger, I’m sure that brings memories of the horror of the sixties and the Kent State Massacre (actually 1970). Apparently it’s not just UT/Austin but there are student protests across the country. All on behalf of Gaza. I read something today that said, in effect, if you find yourself opposing the student protests and siding with the establishment, you are on the wrong side of history—and this has been true throughout history. I don’t know about such a sweeping statement, but I think it applies to the protests of the sixties and seventies and to today.

I feel great sympathy and a lot of connection to the Jewish people. I was once married to a Jewish man who is now deceased, but my children and I remain close to his family. I am not ready to throw Israel to the wolves, but I wouldn’t mind tossing Netanyahu and some of his cohorts in that direction. I think there’s a huge difference between Israelites and Netanyahu’s official policies. I think what they’ve done to the people of Gaza is beyond horrifying. Yes, October 7 was a nightmare and Hamas must be conquered—but at the cost of all those civilian Palestinian lives? Especially the children? Today I read of victims at two Gaza hospitals whose bodies were found with their hands tied behind their backs. I suppose we aren’t sure if Hamas did that or the IDF. Supposedly Netanyahu said recently, “You will not teach us about morality.” But I think someone needs to. If those poor hostages, the few left alive, never come home, it will be because of Netanyahu’s scorched earth policies. And we frequently read that many Israelis are as upset as we are.

My measured take on this: it is possible to grieve for both groups of people at the same time, and America should reconsider the extent of its longtime support of Israel until Israel changes leadership. I thought this even before this war, when Israel was being a bully and grabbing Palestinian land on the West Bank. Over the years Palestinian-occupied territory has shrunk to almost nothing, evoking in my mind some sympathy for the Palestinian people. Now, what we see is awful. I don’t understand the politics of campus protests and the positions of various campus administrators, but my instinct is to listen to the students.

On a lighter note, I tried a Southern Living recipe for roast chicken Caesar salad tonight. First of all, I didn’t read carefully enough to realize I needed a bottle of commercial dressing as a base. Luckily, Jordan had one. Next I realized I didn’t have croutons, so everything came to a halt while I fished in the freezer for odds and ends of bread, let it defrost, and made croutons. Then I realized the recipe called for lining romaine leaves on a sheet pan, brushing with oil, and broiling. A quick survey indicated that Jordan and Christian both share my antipathy to charred lettuce. Now, finally, the chicken is coated with dressing and broiling—and Jordan says it’s turning black. Ah, the suspense of dinner in the cottage! A PS I was quite sure this was not a keeper recipe: they both loved it! Go figure.

A mixed day, good and bad, and I’m tired. But like Robert Frost, I have miles to go.

Monday all day long

 

This is one of those days when I’m tempted to shrug it off with the explanation, “All work and no play makes Judy a dull girl.” I have nothing outstanding to report from my day—or maybe I do—and the national news did not inspire me to comment. One report I read was full of minute by minute reports of jury selection in the trump trial—well, ho hum! I’m waiting for something blockbuster to break loose, or maybe at least for Stormy Daniels’ testimony. And, mostly I guess, I’m waiting to see what the decision will be. You hear so many things—some pundits say this is the most consequential of trump’s trials, and other say it will be impossibly hard to prove that he had felonious intent. I’m not holding my breath. It seems to me the American public is going to have to consider, when they vote, not these cases and their many delays which may well stretch out beyond our November elections. What they must consider is the no former American president has ever stood trial for a felony nor ever been indicted on 91 counts. Meantime, I am really tired of trump everywhere in the news.

Otherwise, the international news is discouraging. Netanyahu is promising revenge on Iran where, if I’m not mistaken, he started the pissing war that is taking real human lives. I once saw a map that showed Israel’s geographic place in the vast Middle East—it is but a tiny dot. You’d think Netanyahu would realize the precariousness of his position, but I suspect he’s gloating because Israel’s defense network was able to deflect most of the attack, which of course is a good thing in terms of lives saved. That doesn’t mean they will always be able to do so. To me, they are like David and Goliath—only this time I’m not so sure David has righteousness on his side. I weep for the people of Israel and for the people of Gaza. I don’t know much about it, but I like the name of a group that sends me emails: Win without War.

And Mike Johnson has still refused to bring before the House a bill that would aid Ukraine and Gaza. He is so in thrall to trump that he does whatever the former, twice-impeached president wants. And trump apparently wants revenge on Ukraine because Zelensky refused to support his attempt to smear Biden during the 2020 election campaign and also is in thrall to Putin because he admires blind power. What a chain of thralldom they present. And how directly they violate the principles of American democracy. As for Johnson, I am tired of pseudo-sanctimonious Christians. There is no question in my mind that the American people at large understand the importance of supporting Ukraine and, despite our long ties to Israel, the humanitarian need in Gaza.

One of the things I’ve increasingly come to believe is that compassion and empathy are always more effective than punishment. I believe with all my might it holds true for our whole correctional/penal system which needs a massive overhaul. It is true in our treatment of the homeless—countries and local communities which have responded with compassion and provided homes and stipends for the homeless have seen that some large percentage go on to build productive lives. What do we accomplish by criminalizing those who would feed them, kicking them out of their encampments but offering no alternative. It is true for immigrants—in communities where they are welcomed, they become contributing members of society. “We have to stop criminalizing poverty.” When we yank lunch programs from children who are food-starved, we create a rebellious segment of society; feed them, and they become contributing members of our society.

Okay, I’m wandering around tonight in philosophical fields, and I am much more at home with the concrete, with specific facts. So I will say today I went back to Irene in a Ghost Kitchen, wrote a blurb and copy for Amazon. Then, with perfect timing, I got the beta reader’s comments. Lots for me to think about as I dig into yet another trip through the manuscript but basically good comments. He thinks it’s a book that will work. So now I have a project, and that makes me happy. Watch for a cover reveal soon!

Tonight my friend Mary V. came for supper. I had grave doubts what I intended to feed her—the spinach dish I didn’t make for my chef friend last week because I had no spinach. Now I had spinach, saved from my kitchen fail with spinach and scrambled eggs. Not a good start. But I chopped the spinach, added more salt, sauteed in butter and melted cream cheese—which made creamed spinach. I heated heirloom tomato slices, piled the spinach on top of them, and topped with grated cheddar. Ran the whole thing under the broiler—it was delicious. Mary brought grits; I added marinated cheddar, just a few cubes each, and cucumber salad, and called it a hodgepodge dinner. Mary called it a success.

So I have a positive reader’s report, with suggestions I understand and can see will make the book better, and I have served a good dinner. I think I’ll go to sleep with happy dreams tonight. But no dog news. I leave you with this quote from Ann Lamott: Courage is fear that has said its prayers.

Sleep tight, my friends.