World View / Veterans Day

             Living in Western New York State without a TV, my refuge for entertainment was the Canadian Broadcasting Commission commonly known as the CBC. CBC Toronto was at 94.1 on the FM band while the independent CJRT was at 91.1. From the time I got my apartment in 1976 till I left Lockport in 1998 these stations were my lifelines to sanity.

I’ve written in the past of Bob Kerr’s programme “Off the Record”, one of my favourite CBC shows which aired 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. It was one of his “Remembrance Day” (the Canadian equivalent of Veterans Day) broadcasts in the 1980’s he played Eric Bogle performing “And the band Played Waltzing Matilda”. This is probably the most powerful anti war song I have ever heard which explains why it is virtually unknown here in the states. I cannot hear this without tearing up. The message is universal.

I imagine it was this constant contact with the world outside the USA which developed a world view in me which is considered pretty radical here in Alabama. I know for a fact this world view was responsible for turning me away from “friends” of 30+ years. These “friends” pretty much told me I could not be considered an American because I did not accept and believe Fox News as the absolute truth. Bluntly let me say, “Life is too short to put up with that kind of shit.”

There are enough political rant diaries here at OD. I’ll see them occasionally on the front page when I sign in. Usually there will be an inflammatory heading with partisan cut and pasting serving as the entry.

Growing up gay and in the closet until my early 30’s I know what it is like to live life from the outside looking in. Here is where I kick into “passive aggressive” mode. I don’t write here to forward an agenda or cause. I just want to record my life as it passes.

A private note was left on a recent entry asking for my perspective on certain aspects of the gay community. I answered back. Not long after came a reply. I’ll not go into detail, but it was like I was dealing with Ted again from the rowing club and my past 30+ year friends. Every red warning flag went up. If there is one survival technique I have learned, it is to listen and act upon my gut instinct. My reply to her reply may have been harsh, but I know what I need to do to maintain my sanity. An argumentative/abrasive on line correspondence to back up my worldview is not in my best interest.   

It is going to turn colder later on in the week which means cooking time. Michelle has a huge Pecan tree in her back yard which is dropping nuts like crazy. She leaves them for the squirrels. I picked a sack last Wednesday and hope to get more today. Pecans are in great demand this year according to a NPR story I heard last week.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/11/08/243975568/the-enigmatic-pecan-why-so-expensive-and-how-to-pronounce-it

These nuts are a pain to break open, but they are so good!

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On the way home from Homo Depot Saturday I stopped and got some food supplies. I did not want to even think of going to Publix on “The Strip”. The old Brunos around the corner on 43 is operating now as Bella Foods: Supermarkets here have merged and changed here so in the past decade. Bruno’s in the day was pretty upscale. This Bella store was a sad affair with half stocked shelves. I wanted to get a frozen pie shell for the pecan pie I plan on baking. No such luck. They did have unsalted butter so the trip was not in vain. Hell, I’ll make the pie shell from scratch. To give one of my mother’s favourite oaths, “Piss on it!”

Here is a link to the recipe I plan on using: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/utterly-deadly-southern-pecan-pie-50400000116225/

I cannot let Veterans Day pass by without giving homage to my mom and dad who both served in WWII. How they loved each other….enough said.