“Unity is an anomaly. Polarization is normal. Skepticism about liberal democracy is also normal. And the appeal of authoritarianism is eternal.” –Anne Applebaum, Twilight of Democracy It got pretty lost amidst the other news of FBI arrests of violent insurrectionists and whatnot, but last week the POLITY scale – an official scorecard that measures and…
Kale and Broccoli Yogurt Caesar with Torn Croutons
“If you’re just now getting on the boat of recognizing that Trump is an autocrat, a fascist, and a menace to democracy, welcome aboard. But please don’t take the most comfortable seats and feel entitled to navigate. Some people have been aboard awhile and their feet are tired.” —Anand Giridharadas 2020. It’s over. Finally. I…
A Very Wrong and Offensive Vodka Martini
In the absence of having anything valuable to add in kissing off this dumpster fire year we called 2020, I wrote some satire about one thing that always makes me laugh: the War on Christmas. “Dear Valued Antifa Members, I trust this letter finds you well, or as well as possible under these trying circumstances,…
Kale and Bacon Hash Brown Casserole
“…elected officials are not saviors to praise but employees to hold accountable, and we do this by not backing down. Biden’s win does not signal an end to civic engagement and a return to brunches and blind allegiance. Voting Biden and Harris in was harm reduction; it doesn’t mean we can fall asleep at the…
Chocolate Pecan Scones
I don’t wish to dwell on what we cannot change any more than you do – this is fine, we’re all fine! – but I want to give voice and space to everyone feeling beyond exhausted and weary by this whole dank, brutal, terrifying year. Apparently Covid cases spiking again wasn’t quite enough heartbreak and…
Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce
Before our small, homebound, slightly depressing Thanksgiving break began, I devoured Helen Rosner’s latest essay in The New Yorker, “The Joylessness of Cooking”. Rosner writes of her quarantine cooking journey; how it began as enthusiasm and resourcefulness but then waned and morphed into obligation and exhaustion. I read this wonderful piece chuckling a little though,…
Cranberry Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Sandra Lee taught me to cook. I feel certain I have destroyed any credibility I may have or could have had as an authoritative voice in cooking and recipe development by stating that, but I must because it’s true. I didn’t gravitate toward cooking as a child. When given dinner prep chores, I always chose…
Pumpkin Cornbread
It’s been over a week since our pro-Trump mainstream media finally stepped up and said what everyone already knew: Joe Biden and Kamala Harris won the presidential election. Nowhere near enough Americans cast their vote against fascism, but those of us who did whooped it up for a day. As was predictable, dust is settling,…
Wild Mushroom Pizza with Basil Oil and Gruyère
“It’s time to stop worrying about what the Republicans will say. It’s true that if we embrace a far left agenda, they’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. If we embrace a conservative agenda, you know what they’re going to do? They’re going to say we’re a bunch of crazy socialists. Let’s…
Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sours
“This is the worst-case scenario, my friends. Don’t take anything for granted. Yes, you are voting. But they are not trying to win an election anymore. Those words should chill you, to your very bones. Because the truth is that more often than not — coups succeed.” —Umair Haque I’m dedicating today’s post, published on…