Odd Fellows Cross

Turnstyle

 

I used to have a recipe for a quiche that called for skinny Japanese eggplant. It was delightful, but so complicated I only made it once. I make a mean ratatouille, and once in a blue moon I try my hand at eggplant parmesan. But this is the easiest and possibly the tastiest eggplant recipe I’ve made so far. You take just about any variety of eggplant – globe, Italian, Asian, whatever – and cut it up into one-inch cubes. In a large bowl, toss the cubes with a splash of olive oil, coarse salt and fresh ground pepper. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread the eggplant on top. Roast in the oven at 450F for half an hour, until they’re golden-brown and tender. You can eat them as is, or seal and store them in the fridge a few days. Roasted eggplant is a delicious and nutritious addition to salads or savory bowls. 

Eight Friendship Stars

 

Today is Constitution Day. The Continental Congress of the United States of America was tasked by representatives of the 13 colonies with coming up with a constitution for our newly formed country. The group’s final meeting was on September 17, 1787. The meeting’s purpose was to sign the Constitution of the United States of America, a document they’d painstakingly labored to create and perfect. Eventually, they realized more laws and a set of declared rights were also needed. Subsequently, the Bill of Rights and the first ten Amendments were adopted December 15, 1791. After the meeting, there was still much to do. Individual states then had to meet and vote on it. The U.S. Constitution did not go into effect until two years later on March 4, 1789. The Constitution is what makes our country what it is. It’s why our President, members of Congress, federal officials, and new citizens all take an oath to support and defend it.

Butterfly

 

The lyrics to the 1958 song go, “Splish splash I was taking a bath.” It was Bobby Darrin’s first big hit. You probably know all the words, and there’s a chance you’ll have the tune stuck in your head the rest of the day. But I’ll bet you’ve never asked yourself, “Why splish-splash? Why not splash-splish?” There’s actually a rule governing these things. It’s not one you were taught in school, but you KNOW it. If the vowel order reverses, it just sounds WRONG. We say, “criss-cross” and never “cross-criss.” Someone making sharp turns is “zig-zagging,” never “zag-zigging.” Clocks don’t go, “tock-tick.” We don’t complain about “raff-riff,” and Mary Poppins never says “spot-spit.” If you can’t make up your mind, you might be called “wishy-washy,” but never “washy-wishy.” Or you may “flip-flop,” but not “flop-flip.” The phenomenon is called ablaut reduplication, and it isn’t strictly an English thing. Evidently the Japanese, Chinese and Turks do this, too.

Orange Pinwheel

 

My best advice for young adults: learn to cook five inexpensive, easy meals that you like. Yours will be different, but here are mine:

Mac & cheese. No blue box: macaroni, milk, butter, flour, cheese. It doesn’t have to be cheddar. What a yummy way to use up odd bits of cheese!

Fried rice. Here’s a fun way to 86 leftover rice and veg. Toss in scrambled eggs, bacon or ham if you have them. If not, it’s still a delicious, filling meal.

Jacket potatoes. Poke and bake at 400F one hour. Add butter and salt and you’re set. If you have cheese, sour cream, tuna and sweet corn, chili, leftover meat and veg, even better.

Buttered noodles. Any pasta will do. Toss with butter or olive oil, minced garlic, and pepper flakes. Add a little pasta water, too.

Creamed eggs on toast. Just chopped hard-boiled egg, toast points and white sauce: the ultimate comfort food.

Six Friendship Stars

 

“Feeling we don’t belong, struggling with doubts, or being limited by traditions are just a few of the reasons we don’t immediately answer the call to come home. But life’s deeper questions do not go away. As President Nelson taught, ‘The truth is it is much more exhausting to seek happiness where you can never find it!’ President Oaks declared the journey home starts by reanchoring on the Savior. Only Jesus Christ can fully restore that light and joy into your life. We all struggle. We need patience, service, and love from others. To those who are trying to help those they love, hold on to the truth. Keep your covenants. Helping others requires you to stay in your covenants. To those who are struggling to come home, know it is your Savior calling you back. In the end, everyone must make their own choices to come home.” – Elder Clark G. Gilbert

In Session

 

Early Wednesday morning, August 26, there was a glacial collapse that caused a catastrophic flood along the Trishuli River in the border area between Nepal and Tibet. Rajendra Dawadi, the principal of Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School in Nuwakot, Nepal, was teaching a class when a colleague rushed in to tell him the news. At 9:10 a.m., only the older students (ages 11 through 18) were in the school. But the younger ones would soon be there. Rajendra knew he had to act fast. He rang the school bell and told everyone to evacuate the area for higher ground. He called the bus drivers who were still on their way to tell them to turn around and avoid the danger zone. Roughly ten minutes later, a wall of mud, rocks and debris destroyed the entire area. Rajendra’s quick thinking saved over 900 people: every student and all but two of the faculty and staff.