Bernie Sanders Wins Nebraska, Kansas and MAINE..."Yuge".

And so what do The Headlines look like this morning?

Well...how about MSNBC?

Well...surely ABC is reporting something on Bernie...

Oh for fuck's sake...

Now do you still think the Media blackout is some Conspiracy Theory???


They know exactly what this achieves. If you are a voter that doesn't pay attention and just skims the headlines...you would have no clue how well Sanders did yesterday.  That would be The Point. 
 Feeling manipulated yet???

So...in case you think I made the wins up. 

Kansas Results:   Sanders 67.7% to Hillary's 32.3 %

and

Nebraska Results:  Sanders 57.1 % to Hillary's 42.9%


Kansas reports in their local news that it was the biggest turnout they have ever had. 

Actual Current Delegate Count

Why do they continually try to show Clinton as having the Super Delegate Advantage?  The same reason some designers have started calling a size 8/10 a size 5...Vanity Labels.  An illusion. A trick to make you believe she has a greater lead than she really has...and is therefore the shoo in candidate.  It reeks of desperation and is (in my opinion) pathetic. 

I guess why the whole MSM thing pisses me off so bad is this.  I would EXPECT this kind of Media Blackout...if this were North Korea or China...but it makes me sick to see it happen in the United States of America. It is Ridiculous. Shameful. Pathetic. Un-American.

So today we set our sights on Maine and hope for the best. Later this week...Michigan.

Remember...if we turn out in huge numbers and VOTE...we will win this thing!

And keep focused on the long game.  There are many many delegates left to win. And don't play into that psych-you-out game that they are playing with adding in the Super Delegates right now to the numbers. Trust me...in July they will be swaying all over the place.

Well, except for maybe Howard "A Scream in the Wind" Dean...who says he isn't going to be influenced by any of us mangy voters...WTH???

He has his Pharmaceutical Buddies to Answer To,You See...

But most of the rest of them have political careers to worry about...ergo...they won't piss us off.

For the true activists among us...here is this year's list of Super Delegates. Write 'em a note. Give them a call. Remind them who employs them.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_superdelegates,_2016

I also recommend a hand written note to MSM outlets...because it is easy to dismiss e-mails and such. Much more difficult if the complaints start coming in the form of  50 pound mail bags.

And YES...I have always been like this (activist).  You would be amazed what an individual can accomplish.  


This is the best (just the numbers...without Super Delegates) state by state delegate update I have found. Live in real time updates. Percentages won and lots.  In short, News...not Entertainment, Factoids, Misinformation and Suppression. Manipulation.


http://www.vox.com/a/presidential-primary-delegate-tracker


also TYT.com Independent Network and "Democracy Now" with Jane Goodman are very good sites to check out.

You're Welcome. 

 Viva La Revolution! 

Looking toward Maine, today! 


                                     We CAN do this!





Postscript:  Maine was a LANDSLIDE.  64% to 34%.  It was truly amazing! So many people showed up to caucus that the polls were literally overwhelmed and they are changing to a Primary Election! Thank you, fellow Berniacs! If we show up in large numbers...we WIN!

On to Michigan on Tuesday!!!!

Vox actual won delegate numbers

Hillary 669

Bernie 479

After this weekend.





 

A SUPER Upcoming Week in Politics...Plotting and Planning the Gardens...A Trek to Avon...and "Windshield Time"

Excited for the upcoming primaries and caucuses...this week alone we  have

Kansas (R&D), Kentucky (R), Louisiana (R&D), Puerto Rico (R), Maine (R&D) , Nebraska (D), Michigan (R&D) , Mississippi (R&D), Florida (R&D), Missouri (R&D), Hawaii (R) Guam (R), Idaho (R), DC (R), North Marianas Islands Caucus (D), Illinois (R&D), and Ohio (R&D).

Busy Times.

Thusfar...and no, I do not add the Super Delegates in these counts...

The Won Delegate Count stands as follows:

Hillary Clinton-   577  

Bernie Sanders-  394  

Donald Trump-   336

Ted Cruz             231

Marco Rubio      110

John Kasich          27

These numbers will change by the end of today.

Right now there is only 183 delegates separating Clinton and Sanders. Leaving 3,792 still up for grabs.  Do you see how the Mainstream Media is feeding us a bunch of crap about the inevitability of a Clinton Nomination at this point?

There are many many many delegates who have not been won. Democrats have 4763 and Republicans have 2,380.  To win the nomination a Democratic candidate must have at least  2,383 delegates...To win the nomination as a Republican a candidate must have a simple majority of 1,191 delegates.  At this point it is still an open anybody-could-win race...although we could conceivably see Kasich drop out by the end of the week, if his numbers do not improve. Carson dropped out by Super Tuesday.

The reason I do not add in the Super Delegates is because historically they tend to shift their votes with the way the current political wind is blowing, and they are not even allowed to cast their votes until July. Also because there has not been one instance of Super Delegates deciding a Primary Winner. Traditionally they back the candidate with the popular vote by the end of the Primaries/Caucuses. 

Here in Indiana, our Primary isn't even held until early May. 

(...and yes...for a politiphile, like me, the wait is excruciating...)

So excited. Woke to the sound of the early songbirds with my Morning Cup. Spring is right around the bend. Actually it is only

days until Spring Proper.

Nicole and I talking late last night about the location of the garden bed, and all the wonderful veggies we are planning. Beans, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Zucchini, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Corn, Hot Peppers (way the hell away from everything else to prevent cross-pollination) for James and the Boys, a Strawberry bed (for the girls and for jams and shortcakes and such!) and so much more...flowers and herbs!

Floppy garden hats and ice cold sweet tea. 

Can't wait!

(...best daughter-in-law you could ever ask for...seriously...and she makes my son sooooo happy, too...)

Spent yesterday afternoon with Chris in Avon. Found the perfect carboy at Great Fermentations (supply shop)

for not only starting my Portugal Aperitif (ginjinha) but also to use this Summer with the cordials and liqueurs I want to learn to make.  It hold roughly two quarts and the handle makes it much easier for me to manage. We tried Hops Candy together here, as well. Kind of...well...disgusting, actually. But at least we both we tried it.

Then off to the bookshop he has touted.  

You know what? He was right. They have pretty much EVERYTHING.  Even some signed first editions!  I'm impressed.

And after perusing the stacks and making a couple of purchases we headed over to The Mediterranean Grill which is hands down my very favourite Greek Restaurant and Opa'd our way through Saganaki and then Lamb and Tzatziki and Pita...with Baklava for afters.

On the long drive (ride) home this perfectly beautiful red sunset! Couldn't ask for a nicer day.

During dinner and chat he shared his plans for his first solo (driving) road trip in the Moonlight Sonata...

and at the end of next week is heading out Old Route 66 through the Illinois/Missouri stretch...

 So he is pretty chuffed, himself.  Looking forward to real "windshield time",
I think!

I gave him "George".

Our Old Travel Bunny.
George accompanied Bill and I across the entire Country as we travelled.  

Passing the Gypsy Torch. 

He and I will be doing a Brown County/Nashville Indiana Day as soon as the Spring flowers are up and the temps, as well.


As for now...back to a Cinderella Day here...Mop, Dust, Sweep, Launder, Scrub...so I can enjoy a wonderful relaxing day tomorrow...make Pasteis de Belem and paint a bit more!

Later...

  




 









          

Porto...Lavadores..and Blue Tiles

Porto (pronounced por-tu in Portuguese) is one of the oldest existing European cities and recognized by The Historical Society. Relatively small (only 150 sq. miles) it boasts a population of 1.4 million people.  Beautiful despite its dense population.  Another perk to virtual travel, I suppose, avoiding the crush of all those people.

 Even the cable cars here sport the "blue tiled" theme. It is everywhere!

The city is dotted with crafts, speciality, and coffee shops filled with amazing pastries and cookies.

One of which I learned to make today.

Lavadores (la-bah-dor.s) is Portuguese for one of these

Washboard

But it is also the name of a deliciously simple Portuguese cookie.

Named this because of the ridges you press in the dough with the tines of a fork resembling ridges on a washboard.

The Recipe below makes a dozen cookies. It can be doubled.

Lavadores


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In mixing bowl combine

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup soft (but not melted) butter

Cream together.

Add

2 whole eggs.

Zest (grated peel) of 1/2 lemon.

Beat until mixed completely.

Add 2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Stir together until dough follows spoon around bowl.

Roll into 12  one inch balls and roll each ball in granulated sugar.

Place on ungreased baking sheet.

Press washboard ridges in each ball flattening it as you go.

Bake for 15-18 minutes or until edges barely begin to brown. By then the house smells lovely.  (...the dough is also pretty wonderful...and one of my 12 cookies never even made it to the BAKE stage of our program...)

Cool completely before plating. 

Sprinkle with a bit of confectionery sugar if desired and garnish serving plate with a sprig of mint.

So good with hot tea or coffee.

So, I scouted around on eBay and found this to commemorate my travels to Port.

The laugh being, this is a used (pre-owned vintage) tile from Portugal.  Just one used corner tile. Leaving me to wonder if someone prised it off a wall there, much like I once prised a corner of a broken brick from the bricked streets of Savannah Georgia...just to bring a small bit home.

I sincerely hope so.

Heading out to get a small container to start my ginjinha  (tart cherry type aperitif/liqueur specific to Portugal) it will take most of the month to soak before it an be sampled. 

And have managed to find a PDF of Chancer's manuscript to begin. 

http://www.chirurgeon.org/files/Chaucer.pdf

Also want to try my hand at Pasteis de Belem this weekend.

Until then...

 
                                                                               Goodnight...

Portugal's Maritime Museum...but first a word on Bica...

BICA....ohmygod!


The Portuguese equivalent to Espresso...served in a demitasse and nipped down. This may be my new "Wake-The-Hell-Up" Cup.

Seriously, two of these and you can do anything!!!!!

To try a reasonable substitute if you do not have an espresso machine...try this...the taste is very similar.

In a demitasse cup (holds about 2.5 ounces) put two teaspoons of good quality instant coffee...add one teaspoon of condensed sweetened milk...and stir...then top off with boiling water. It will foam and is very sweet and strong. A pinch of cinnamon makes it perfect. 

Not quite Turkish Coffee...but along that line.  My heart is still pounding...

~laughing~


So...thoroughly bica'd, off this morning to explore the Lisbon Port Area and the Maritime Museum.

And yes...I did manage to VERB bica. If you try it, you will see...it really is a verb. Think along the lines of crack in a tiny cup.

Vasco de Gama Bridge

Torre Le Belem

Maritime Museum

A few of the sights. Everything from full sized crafts, to models and historic paintings. Detailing the navigational historical importance of Lisbon. Part of the museum is still a cathedral, Jerinomos Monastary, where early explorers would often pray before leaving on their dangerous adventures.

And the final resting place of Vasco da Gama

 

A Portuguese Explorer and the first European to successfully navigate a Trade Route to India.

Fun Fact:  He would later build Jeronimos Monastary solely from a 5 cent tax levied on spice (specifically pepper).

Early explorers, poets, monks and crusaders would be immortalized in stone carvings in the Monument To The Discoveries, nearby Port Lisbon.

Such a beautiful place!

Tomorrow we will check out Porto...and learn to make Lavadores (Washboard Cookies) to have with our Bica.

Bica may be what Warren Zevon was referring to when he said

"I'll sleep when I'm DEAD,"

Just saying.




Until tomorrow...

Feeling The Bern...Results from Super Tuesday

Stayed up last night late watching the returns for Super Tuesday.

This Morning Feeling the Bern.

Thus far, Bernie has won New Hampshire, Vermont, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Colorado...and tied or very narrowly lost in Iowa, Nevada, and Massachusetts.

Hillary has won South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Virginia, Alabama and Arkansas,Tennessee...and tied or very thinly won Iowa, Nevada and Massachusetts.

And Trump, Rubio and Cruz are not pulling in more than in the mid-30's for the entire GOP...so I am feeling REALLY good about that.

And here is why that the Major Media sucks...in case you ever wondered.

These headlines came from our local Star...and CNN...

You see that number under Hillary Clinton's face. That number is composed of both the delegates she has actually won...and the Superdelegates that they added in to give her the appearance of doing soooooooooooooo well. 

Here is a fun fact. Superdelegates are notoriously fickle. Just like they turned on her in 2008. They vote at the very end and usually right in step with the popular vote.

Here is another...

South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas are all predominately RED states...which means in the General Election they will probably NOT vote for a Democrat.

Just sayin'

So yeah...feeling pretty damned good this morning. 

And CNN...your attempts to placate your corporate overlords are transparent and shoddy...but, whatever get you through the night.

And speaking of transparent and shoddy...

WTH?

Bill Clinton showing up at Polling sites in Massachusetts and stumping for Hillary with the Mayor...

Even though it is blatantly illegal.

And his Bubba routine

"Huh...what...er...sorry man."

How could he KNOW? I mean, seriously, he was only President of the US for 8 years...ran two presidential candidacies of his own...and got caught doing this very same thing for his wife in 2008 when she ran against Obama.

Must have slipped his damned mind.

Or maybe...just maybe he knows it is always easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Especially when what you are doing is Illegal.

My only thought on the matter is

REAL Winners don't have to CHEAT to win . 

Just Saying.

But the road is long...and we've miles to go before we sleep.  The last primary is in June...and it is July until the Superdelegates cast their votes.

Stay focused, fellow Berniacs. More importantly...show up and VOTE.  

We can do this!

 















And my recent "older than dirt moment" occurred over posting this picture on FB...(Bernie Sander's Group) when a millennial asked

Millennial: "OMG...WHAT is that???"  (horrified)

Me: "That ,my dear, is a Bernie Deadhead."

Millennial:  "What's a DeadHead?"  (still horrified)

SMH....and pass the damned Geritol...okay? 



Jerry was right...what a long strange trip it's been.


More anon...

March...Beginning Virtual Portugal...and Super Tuesday

It may be 19 days until the Spring Equinox...but the arrival of MARCH has always signified Spring to me...let the house-cleaning, decorating, "garden dreams" and budding flowers and trees (and accompanying pollen season) BEGIN!

My Daughter-in-law and I, discussing gardening plans over coffee this morning. She and I are going to work together out at her house and make a nice combined effort kitchen garden!  And a strawberry patch for some of those Tributes, again.  Yeah...we are both pretty excited!

Seeing a gradual green up of the lawn, the Weeping Willows thinly veiled with yellow green, trees budded and the daffodils and just starting to pop up long dark green blades. Wake up in the morning to the sound of the Canadian Geese back honking over in formation during their morning commute to where ever...they fly by at 6 every  morning. You can set your watch by them. It is uncanny.

So began Virtual Portugal this morning in Lisbon  (Lisboa)

https://youtu.be/mnnfYtKsuN4

with a dish of creamy Flan with caramelized sugar sauce and cinnamon. (recipe to follow)

A City on the Edge.

With long angling streets much like San Francisco and cable cars/trains winding up, down and through the same.

The above video giving a close tour of Lisbon (the capital) and sights within.

I can't believe I've never given any thought to exploring this ancient city. So much to see and learn!

Beginning with the Port.  

Incredible carvings...architecture...and hand painted tiles.

Grand castles and monasteries, parks and fountains.

So much to see.

And try. 

Picked up this book from my local library to accompany my virtual journey...so
I can sample some of the cuisine (and share here).

Which is where I found this morning's Flan Recipe.  Flan with a Portuguese Twist.

Also accompanying my journey with Rick Steve's: Europe Through the Backdoor
which gives some wonderful tips on what to do/see/try.

And listening to some Portuguese language/dialect which is a mash-up of Spanish/French/Italian and some as yet unidentified quantity...agreeing that several of the vowel combinations do have a particular "sounds heard before only by the use of a washing machine" quality.  How does Carlos end up Car-Loosh, anyway?

Without further ado...that Flan Recipe.

Pudim Flan



Caramel Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
Pinch of Cinnamon

Cook together over medium heat until sugar reaches a golden brown...add a pinch of cinnamon. Remove from heat and pour inside custard cups or baking dishes coating inside evenly. Set aside.  Mixture will cling nicely to the walls of the ramekin. 

14 ounces whole milk.

14 ounces sweeetened condensed milk.

Pinch of Cinnamon.

4 whole eggs

Use a blender to mix all of the above ingredients thoroughly then pour into prepared dishes. 

Sit ramekins/custard cups into baking dish filled with 1 inch of water. 

Bake for 1/2 hour or  until set.

Chill well.

Invert over serving plate. Caramel will flow over flan.
Garnish with a sprig of mint.

 Best (and easiest) Flan EVER.


Tomorrow we will continue to check out Lisbon Port and Maritime Museum.


Here back in The Real World we have

Super Tuesday

and excuse me for going off on a small rant here...but is it too damn much to ASK that the major media just cover the damn FACTS for a moment.

Seriously...all day I have attempted to just get the numbers. Just the numbers so far.  Not CBS or MSNBC or FOX or CNN's SPIN on what is happening...just the raw numbers.  I have come to the conclusion it is IMPOSSIBLE.

The last polls close around 9:30.  Maybe someone will be reporting by then, eh?

What the hell happened to Journalism...and GOD do I miss Walter. 

"Now, you kids get off my lawn..."

Happy to hear Bernie will be staying in through all 50 States (caucuses and primaries) so in this for the long game...regardless.

Kind of anxious to see how Hillary makes out through all of this. Evil, lying. manipulative creature.

And admittedly, kind of amused, in a decidedly shadenfreude kind of way, at the GOP who are now basically soiling themselves when they realize that the Frankenstein Monster they built from scratch has suddenly turned on THEM  (Trump) and they can no longer control it or kill it.  Mary Shelly wrote a book about this. They should have taken notes.

So...relaxing with a glass of wine, acrylics and a fresh canvas. Beginning a Spring landscape!

Until Tomorrow...