Prejudice and Ignorance

“I’ve come to see that ignorance is a privilege, too.”
~ Jodi Picoult.

“Educate yourself,” Jodi Picoult urges us in the book, Small Great Things. She maintains that,

“Differences between people make it harder for some to cross a finish line,” encouraging her readers not to ignore or let pass a racist joke, but rather to call the speaker out on it.

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

The book details a midwife’s struggle with race and prejudice, after a tragedy occurs at work. In writing this story, the author notes it made her aware of the distance she had yet to go when it came to racial awareness.

In the Author’s notes, Jodi suggests that a comment one might assume is sympathetic to racial sensitivities may not necessarily show empathy and be tinged with hurt – to one side or another.

In her research, she spoke with white supremacists and reformed members of skinhead groups, to develop a vocabulary of hate for a character who is a white supremacist. She says,

“These men taught her that white power groups believe in the separation of the races and think they are soldiers in a holy racial war.

They explained how recruiters for hate groups would target kids who were bullied, marginalized or who came from abusive homes. They would distribute anti-white flyers in white neighborhoods and see who responded by saying that the whites were under attack. Then they’d approach those folks and say, ‘You’re not alone.’

The point, she says, was to redirect the recruit’s rage into racism. Violence because their release – a mandate. White supremacists dress like ordinary folk. They blend in, and she believes this is a ‘whole different kind of terror.’

Finally Jodi says we have a choice:

“If you are white, as I am, you can’t get rid of the privilege you have, but you can use it for good.”

and adds,

“We can turn our backs or we can fight it. Talking about it [racism] is hard to do and we stumble over our words…. but then even more of us will overhear and I hope the conversation will spread. ” Jodi Picoult – March 2016

The book finished with a surprise twist as you would expect from a skilled and successful author. It reminded me of landmark novels like To Kill a Mockingbird.

Recommended reading.

Singing about Sunscreen

Question – What does Baz Luhrmann, Kurt Vonnegut, Australian wines and a columnist named Mary Schmich have in common?

Answer – Sunscreen

Photo by PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.com

I first heard the iconic ‘Sunscreen,’ song when I worked as a Telemarketer in a call-centre selling Australian wines!  The Lyrics are inspirational recommendations for a contented life, avoiding common frustrations and,

surrendering to the messiness and unpredictability that is thrown our way and our attempts to find moments of beauty and comfort within ourselves and through our connections with others. bespoken.org.uk

I played the song for my two sons, believing it was a school leader delivering a landmark speech to graduates.

It wasn’t.

Baz Luhrmann 1999 remixed version, “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)” was a spoken-word track narrated by Australian actor, Lee Perry.

But again, Baz wasn’t the author. Nor was Lee.

Columnist Mary Schmich – Author of Sunscreen Song

Widely speculated to be a MIT graduation speech given by iconic American Author, Kurt Vonnegut, the original author of the ‘Sunscreen Song,’ was Mary Schmich, a columnist working for the Chicago Tribune.

She published the words in essay form in the Tribune in 1997, describing it as a commencement address she would give if she were ever asked to deliver one.

A darn good one, too.

Wikipedia state that Schmich’s column of June 1, 1997 began with the suggested to wear sunscreen and continued with discursive advice for living without regret.

When Kurt Vonnegut was contacted by reporters to comment on Mary’s words, he told The New York Times,

“What she wrote was funny, wise and charming, so I would have been proud had the words been mine.” Kurt Vonnegut

In 1998, Schmich published the column as a book, Wear Sunscreen.

In 1999, Baz Luhrmann released “Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” in which this column is read word for word as written by Schmich, who gave permission and receives royalties.

Lyrics below cite Nigel Andrew Swanston / Tim Cox as songwriters! No mention of Mary.

Quote by Eleanor Roosevelt or Mary Schmich?

The song and the original essay includes the sentence,

 “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

This statement was Schmich’s original work, but in another error, was mis-attributed as belonging to Eleanor Roosevelt.

Lyrics to 1997 Version of the Sunscreen Song

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '99
Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience. 
I will dispense this advice now -
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they've faded, but trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back
At photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future
Or worry, but know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum.

The real troubles in your life
Are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you
Saying, don't be reckless with other people's hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy -
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements
Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life
The most interesting people I know
Didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to your knees
You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the 'Funky Chicken'
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.

Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they're your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future
Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get
The more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once but leave before it makes you soft
Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders
Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you never know when either one might run out
Don't mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
And recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Songwriters: Nigel Andrew Swanston / Tim Cox
Everybody's Free lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing.


Thank you Mary Schmich! 

Wear Sunscreen! 

You can hear the song here: youtu.be/

Schmich won the annual Pulitzer Prize for Commentary, recognizing 2011 work with the Tribune, citing “her wide range of down-to-earth columns that reflect the character and capture the culture of her famed city. ~Wiki

A 1970s Birthday Surprise

Living in the 70s

“Boys will be boys,” the dated adage states.

Young boys are renowned for teasing young girls – often with something so gross or provocative that young girls recoil in horror. Brothers are complicit in providing ‘intel’ on their sisters’ and sharing it, without discrimination, with other schoolboys in a conspiracy to terrorize female peers.

It was a lesson I learnt on my 12th birthday.

Let’s step back in time to the mid-1970s and the mindset of that era.

A Birthday Surprise

A party is planned for my 12th year around the sun. Not a lavish affair, just a few girlfriends and fun games – harmless giggles and 12 year old me hoping for lots of laughs and memories.

Tommy was my older brother’s school friend.  Arriving uninvited, as my party was getting underway, Tommy stood in the door to the ‘rumpus room,’ (where my girlfriends and I were assembled). He held a wrapped gift in his outstretched hands. 

With a wry smile, he said, “Happy Birthday!”

I was surprised at this sudden kindness from my brother’s friend, who’d so often jeered me at the bus stop. Later, I’d wonder why I didn’t suspect something was amiss earlier.

I was naive. But, I could not refuse a gift.

“Happy Birthday,” Tommy said again.

In accepting the package, I wondered if this boy had aspirations. Was I someone more than a mate’s annoying little sister? Perhaps his taunts were a slanted way of attracting my attention?

[To wit – It was a time when girls were developing an awareness that boys were something other than an annoying schoolyard blight].

I sort of squinted at the odd timing. Why turn up uninvited with a birthday gift?  Shouldn’t he be watching TV or doing teen boy’s stuff with my brother?’ [such as mysterious doings with mechanical apparatus?]

I had questions, yet I remained silent.

Tommy had calculated his move well. He knew a young girl, his mate’s sister, would be less likely to suspect something amiss if the surprise gift was accompanied by a kiss.

I was stunned.

I suppose it was intended as a kiss.

Tommy’s inexperience was obvious when his spiky, pubescent stubble grazed my cheek.

The fringe of girlfriends behind me, closed ranks. For a moment,  they were transfixed. This was high drama in a 12-year-old’s world.

Giggles and muffled whisperings followed: “What? OhMyGawd!” and “He just kissed her!“

I wiped away Tommy’s kiss and looked at the package. It felt light. Maybe it was empty, and this was a mere practical joke?

I squeezed the parcel. There was something  inside, but what?

Whatever it was  it was wrapped in wrinkly tissue paper. Used tissue paper – I noted. But hey, I was cool with that. Pocket money didn’t stretch too far in the 1970s.

I paused, catching a whiff of …something.

I paused, again not able to pinpoint the smell. It wasn’t familiar. It was almost a stink.

Disguising my skepticism by chuckling softly, lest I appear ungrateful, I glanced up at Tommy, questioning.

A wide grin and laughing eyes looked back.

Mumbling ‘What is it,’ I unwrapped the tissue paper.

When I saw the contents, I was stunned.

I didn’t understand. Was this a mistake?

Had Tommy confused me for a collector or budding naturalist, or, or … was this some kind of boyish prank?

On the ick scale of birthday gifts, this topped the charts.

My girlfriends drew back and squealed. There were gasps and raucous laughter from my brother. A toothy grin from Tommy who flopped back on the couch, his work done.

My cheeks grew hot. Tiny electric shocks of disbelief, embarrassment and disgust speared my body.

I wanted to cry.

But how do I respond? How should I?

– to that thing?

Wrapped inside the gift were two flattened, lifeless eyes atop the desiccated carcass of a Cane Toad. One that had been killed by a car wheel, or perhaps the tyre of a truck.

It was a ‘Toadally Ick‘ birthday.

If this happened today, it would probably go viral.

I am glad I grew up in the 70s.

I wrote this story [memoir] after posting about the environmental disaster the Cane Toad wrought on Australia. Read more about the disastrous introduction of the Cane Toad.

The Flash Fiction Reality Check

A Reality Check

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.com

[Flash fiction in 150 words]

“Granny?” said eight-year-old Millicent to her Grandmother as they sat together, colouring-in.  “I identify as a Unicorn.”

“What was that, Dear?”

“I said – I identify as a Unicorn!”

“That’s interesting,” said Granny in a kind tone, “So, if you identify as a Unicorn, we had better start preparing.”

Millicent looked confused.

“Well, where are you going to sleep? Unicorns don’t sleep in a bed, do they?”

“No.”

“And what will you eat? Unicorns can’t eat regular food, like spaghetti, can they?”

“They eat… grass.”

“Okay – so you’ll sleep outside and eat all the grass you want! But what about school?

“School?”

“Well, Unicorns aren’t allowed at school. What will happen then? Won’t you miss all your school friends?”

Millicent grew quiet. She looked outside.  

Later that evening, Millicent snuggled up to Granny on the couch.

“Granny,” she said. “I don’t think I want to be a Unicorn any more.”

#FFFC and Sadje’s #Whatdoyousee challenge

What do you see # 272- Jan 20, 2025

And given the story, I had to ping back to The Unicorn Challenge.

The Unicorn Challenge-24/01/25

Cooking with Japanese Condiments

Japanese Condiments

From convenience stores to restaurant meals, you’ll find some interesting variations on the salt, pepper, and balsamic condiments on offer, in Japan. A surprising number of them are available in my Asian supermarkets, including Bonito and Furikake or Seaweed Flakes.

Bonito Flakes

Bonito Flakes, or katsuobushi, are tissue-paper thin fish shavings from a tuna-like fish that is dried, fermented, and smoked. Bonito flakes can be used to create Dashi stock.

Cod Roe Salad

I discovered a delightful snack during a recent Japanese visit. Comprised of potato, carrot, mayonnaise and fish sauce, the spicy cod roe salad is topped with Bonito flakes, making it both delicious and nutritious.

You can find this dish at most 7-Eleven or convenience stores in Japan such as Lawson, which are far different from the convenience stores in Australia, or possibly elsewhere. Japanese 7-Elevens are not only convenient, the food is ultra-fresh and of exceptionally high-quality.

I have tried to replicate this salad at home with mixed results, even with the kewpie.

I will persist.

Japanese Kewpie Mayonnaise

Japanese Mayonnaise gives many dishes a unique and delicious flavour and Kewpie is the very best Mayo! Made from egg yolk, it’s sweet and tangy. It is the secret to that unique Japanese flavour in salads and spreads.

Kombu Algae Threads with Sesame Seeds

Kombu is a type of Japanese algal seaweed, mostly harvested in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan.

Komby is sold dried and can be cooked and eaten. It is used as a condiment, marinated in soy sauce and mirin, or used to accompany rice and other dishes. I tried it as an accompaniment to chicken and salted mackerel.

When placed in water, it makes a liquid called kombu dashi, which can be used as a broth or a basis for soups. Hydrated kombu can be used as a wrapping around other foods or as a topping for ramen.

N.B. Oyster sauce can also be used as a substitute for Dashi broth.

Furikake

Furikake is a modern addition to Japanese cuisine, containing ground fish bones and poppy seeds. Invented in the early 20th century, it was originally a nutritional supplement designed to address calcium/ nutrient deficiency.

Furikake (literally “sprinkle”) is a flaky or powered Japanese seasoning consisting of sesame seeds, seaweed, and dried seafood, meat, or vegetable. The commercial variety contains a mixture of bonito flakes, toasted sesame seeds, nori seaweed, sugar, and salt.

Some include salmon flakes, dried baby shrimp, shiso, egg, wasabi, and vegetables.

Reference: www.justonecookbook.com

If you would like to try these flavours in your cooking, you can add Bonito flakes and Furikake as a condiment to stir-fry dishes, meats and pasta sauces, plus any rendition of the Spicy Cod Roe Salad.

Enjoy!

Scone or Biscuit Recipes

I was asked for my scone* recipe. They are quick to make and taste awesome with a cuppa and some jam (jelly). Make this recipe your own by adding some dried fruit or berries.

*NB. In some parts of the world a scone is called a biscuit.

Here are three tried and tested recipes:

Butterless Scones

–  Granny Mac’s Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups Self Raising Flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup  full cream milk
• 3/4 cup cream

Method

1. Cut and mix dough with a knife
2. Roll out to 1″ high, no less cut-out individual rounds.
3. Brush the top of each scone with a little milk.
4. Bake in a Hot oven  – 210 C (400 F) for 15 minutes

Easy Scones

Ingredients

• 2 cups Self Raising  flour or (2 cups plain flour and 2 tsp of baking powder)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 ounce butter
• 1 cup Evaporated milk

Method

1. Sift flour and rub in salt and butter.
2. Add milk.
3. Pat out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into shape.
4. Brush the top of each scone with milk and bake in a hot oven at 210 degrees Celsius (400 F) for 10-12 minutes

Pumpkin Scones

pumpkin scone with jam

• 1 cup mashed cooked pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• 2 cups Self-raising flour (or plain flour with 2 tsp Baking powder)
• Milk

Method

1. Beat together the pumpkin, butter and sugar.
2. Add the egg, salt and flour.
3. Add enough milk, if needed, to make a soft dough consistency but not so sticky you cannot roll it out.
4. Working quickly, roll out and cut into rounds or keep as a whole loaf, marking it with a triangle cut on top to allow rising and the middle to cook through.
5. Brush the top lightly with milk.
6. Bake in a hot oven 240 degrees celsius (460 F) for 10 minutes for small scones or about 20 – 25 minutes for a loaf shape.

Enjoy with some butter or jam/jelly.

My Mysterious Avoidance

Photo by Erika Pugliese on Pexels.com

It is irrational, and I know it.

I have it, Steve Jobs had it, and it may have even led to the development of the iPhone touch screen.

Mind you, I can live with it.

In fact, it is quite easy.
I just avoid wearing anything that has buttons, visible or otherwise.

Koumpounophobia is the name for a fear of buttons. [Crossword puzzlers take note].

I dislike that word butt-ons. It even sounds ugly.

Mind you, there are some, I can and do tolerate.

The clear small fasteners or fabric covered variety – but they have to be small and delicate to be accepted.

The worst buttons of all are the large round or square buttons – hideous, shivery things that bring on nausea.

Zips, velcro, ties, and clasps are fine, but the B word uh ah. No way. Not on my person.

Research states:

People with Koumpounophobia may: 

• Be afraid of the texture of certain buttons
• Feel that buttons are dirty  – not entirely accurate but okay
• Only fear touching or wearing buttons
• Koumpounophobia can have its roots in childhood trauma. 

Roots of Koumpounophobia

I don’t recall having a bucket of buttons fall on my head when I was 2 years old, nor do I remember being bullied for not being able to button my clothes, yet according to Google, these are identifiable causes.

A cousin has a similar fear – so is it genetic?

She prefers to wear buttons on the back of a garment.  I am on the fence whether I can do that.

Pretty weird, hey?

No Ai

Shortbread and Swedish Cinnamon Cookies

Christmas is over but there is still loads of butter in my fridge and rice flour in my pantry. The rice flour will likely sit there for ages, so I was determined to use it up, even it that meant more challenges for the waistline. 2025 is the year for minimal/zero food waste.

The good thing about the shortbread recipe is that it can be frozen and then pulled out and defrosted to cook at any time you need it. It really doesn’t need much in the microwave to soften up enough to slice it into rounds.

Shortbread 

• 115 g rice flour
• 225 g plain flour
• 115 g castor  sugar
• 225 g butter ( softened )
• pinch  salt

Method

1. Mix both rice and plain flour and the rest of the dry ingredients
2. Rub in the butter till the mixture forms a dough
3. Roll into a cylinder and wrap in glad/cling wrap.
4. Place in fridge for 30 mins
5. Cut into 1 cm rounds crosswise
6. Bake in slow oven 3/4 – 1 hour. On fanbake, if your oven is fan-forced.

Swedish Cinnamon Biscuits/Cookies

• 3/4 cup butter 
• 1 cup sugar ( I used castor but it does not matter)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• (1 tbsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp sugar extra)
• Perlsukker ( Pearl sugar )

1. Soften the butter and mix to a cream with the sugar, which has been gradually added. 
2. Beat in egg and vanilla.
3. Sift the flour along with the baking powder and 1 tsp cinnamon in a bowl.
4. Stir in the nuts.
   
5. Add to the egg-sugar mix and blend thoroughly.
6. Cover and chill for 30 mins to 1 hour.
7. Roll 1-inch balls of the mix in the cinnamon/extra sugar and place on a baking tray 3 inches apart.
8. If you can find it in your local store, add the Perlsukker on top (optional).
9. Bake for 12-1 5 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius 
10. Enjoy.
    

NB. Both these recipes were sitting in my drafts and have been there for years. So long in fact – they are still in the old wordpress editor form!! {If you can’t see it or it looks weird, do let me know}. I am posting this for the Daily prompt.