"God Speaks to Me, and Drag"
While reading this Chronicle of our conversations and dinner tonight, absolutely no offense is meant, directly or indirectly, to any person who for whatever reason, has an innate desire or need to dress in the clothing of the opposite sex. Such people, if they moved in to any farm in our broad community, would be welcomed just as any other neighbor would. What we do find offensive, is the president of the United States constantly dressing up.
As A.J. passed around Boston Sours made with bourbon and Angostura bitters, he told us that W had strutted and pranced around in so many costumes, the only one left for him to strut around in is the one that other cross-dresser wore: the suit of armor Joan of Arc wore all the time. Of course, she, who also heard voices from on high, was burned at the stake, and we, well, we can only hope.
Kim told us that Dubya's latest little outfit was the workman's gloves, jeans and hard hat, all to pretend that he was helping build housing for Katrina victims. Funny thing, though, Kim pointed out, he didn't know how to hold the hammer and the late-night comedians were calling his technique the girlie-man technique. Tap tap tap, tee hee hee. Kind of cancels out any advantage he thinks he's gained from all those belated trips to Louisiana and Mississippi. The gasoline expenditure to fly Air Force One down there, what is it, six, seven times? That expenditure could probably have built a couple of small houses for those who need housing. Anyway, Kim said, the most he accomplished was looking like one of those "guys" from the Village People.
Saint Joan
Big difference here. Joan of Arc was actually fighting for her country. She was even willing to die for her country, whereas our costumer-in-chief has been fighting against his country since he announced in 1999 that he was going to invade Iraq; since he decided to enrich the über-rich; since he decided to disenfranchise the middle and poorer classes by taking Social Security away from them, and since he spent like a drunken sailor (not like his daughters) and mortgaged most of the treasure of the United States to the Chinese. Also, I doubt the words he says he hears from God are the ones that tell him to condone, promote and encourage the use of torture. Jeez, if anybody in recent history deserves to be burned at the stake, it's old Saint Joan wannabe but YMCA look-alike little lord Fauntlerbush.
Liz found this wonderful quote by Bill Moyers: "You have to pursue the ideals of Joan of Arc with the political prowess of an Adam Clayton Powell. Whatever you say about Joan, her purpose was noble. And whatever you say about Adam, his politics are effective; they get things done he wants done."
Not a Medieval Royal Banquet, but Oh, What a Dinner!
Kim and Barry wanted to prepare most of tonight's dinner, and from experience, we knew we'd be fed like royalty. Kim first served us an absolutely velvety Shrimp Bisque. She prepared it with brandy, and paired it with a Lustau Amontillado Los Arcos sherry. The sherry was deliciously dry. Barry thoroughly enjoys helping Kim cook, and his contribution was Coquilles St. Jacques with a Ginger Sauce, served very simply on a bed of exquisite white rice. He and Kim brought over a rich Rhône white Hermitage from their wine cellar to pair with the delicious sea scallops.
As an interlude, Judy served us all small dollops of Guava Sorbet, to prepare us for the dish that she and Bob had prepared, Roasted Beef Tenderloin served with Fried Zucchini and a Fricassee of Wild Mushrooms. During both the seafood course and the beef course we enjoyed Max's freshly baked Zucchini Parmigiano-Reggiano bread.
Before returning to the great room to rejoin the kids, we enjoyed Biscotti with Vin Santo, dipping the biscotti in the wine, just as they do in Italy.
Winding Down
Today was a busy day. One of the horses didn't want to get in his trailer, and before long several of us were out on the road trying to catch him. Fortunately, a small patch of still-green grass caught his attention long enough for Barry to be able to catch him, and four of us struggled to get "old stubborn" in the trailer for a short trip to the vet. With the portable hot water "bathers" all the horses got perhaps their last bath of the season, so you can see why we were anxious to call it a day and sit down to dinner. I also know one thing, we're going to pray to St. Joan, the Patron Saint of soldiers; soldiers doomed to suffer for one man's childish folly, a man who cannot be trusted. As people were bundling up in sweaters, getting ready to leave, Liz told us what Confucius once related:
Tzu-kung asked, What is kingcraft?
The Master said: "Food enough, troops enough, and a trusting people."
Tzu-kung said: "Were there no help for it, which could best be spared of the three?"
"Troops," said the Master.
"And were there no help for it, which could better be spared of the other two?"
"Food," said the Master. "From of old all men die, but without trust a people cannot stand."
And we cannot trust Bush anymore.
Summary:
When those who govern you tell you they're getting their marching orders from God, and you can see that all they do is evil, beware, and change your government. Quickly.
