Posted by Deidre Logan on January 12, 2009 at 6:08pm
There was a time when I used to be amazed at the number of seemingly grown men who were unwilling to be responsible for their own lives and for those of the families they made. Like everyone else, I’ve seen the increasing dismal statistics of fatherlessness in the American community. I would even go so far as to say there is pandemic manlessness as well. Men in our extended families are also becoming increasingly rare. What seems to be commonplace now are families with lots of women, young children, and old men. Young men are few and far between – and getting fewer all the time.Many women have rushed to blame the men for this. After all, ultimately it is their choice to leave; their choice to follow the examples, or the lack thereof, that preceded them. These are grown men and entirely accountable for their action and/or inaction – granted.However, I submit to you that many women – particularly many single mothers – are in the deepest denial about their contribution to this pandemic. In their zeal to raise good sons they have often neglected to raise responsible men who would actually be suitably productive husbands and fathers. So many single mothers, mothering from the own pains and issues, often deliberately or incidentally surrogate their children into “pseudo-spouses”. In the process, these children often receive severely mixed messages. On the one hand, they are constantly reminded of how much they resemble all the worst traits in their fathers. On the other, their mothers are quick to lay guilt trips on them if they dare to establish an independent identity or a different significant female relationship. These boys get angry and resentful, so the mother’s remedy is often to indulge them. They are rewarded with material things in return for their faithfulness to fulfilling their mother’s wishes.And so the cycle continues until the sex drive takes over. Now, these same young men start “mating and procreating” with no significant grasp of the level of responsibility that creates. However, thinking that they do, they often “try” to be there. That usually lasts until he gets overwhelmed and/or it’s not fun anymore. She wakes up one day without him; and grandma is raising babies once again. Why? Because we have spawned yet another generation of people who believe the universe exists solely to serve them. If it doesn’t, then there is clearly something wrong with the universe – it couldn’t possibly be something wrong with them. We’ve created yet another generation of perfect pimps and then we get mad at them when they behave accordingly. We often create the monsters that come back to kill us.How do we stop it? Here are three things we can do: 1) Put them out of their parents’ house by age 21 – sooner if they don’t go to college at 18; 2) stop letting them have sex in a home they don’t have a lease/mortgage on; and 3) stop letting them move their girlfriends into that same house.Brain surgery – it is not!Speaking the truth in love,Deidre
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Hello Ladies! I've been in the kitchen lately trying to get ready to retest some of my recipes for my cookbook coming out soon and wanted to share a little quick recipe I came up with last Saturday. This particular recipe will not be in my up and coming cookbook "Raising Chefs", it was a "just because I was hungry" recipe that I came up with and wanted to share with this community. Let me know if you try it and what you're honest opinions are. I also will start posting recipes that will be in the book in the weeks to come as I retest them and get them ready to be photographer and I need some quality feedback from the BBWO Community. So if you would be so kind and help me out in this matter it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much in advance!!!Texas Style Macaroni Pasta n/a Balsamic Red SauceINGREDIENTS1 cup texas style macaroni or your favorite pasta1 8 oz. can tomato sauce2 tbsp butter2 large garlic cloves minced1/4 cup chopped green peppers1 tsp italian seasoning1 tsp parsley flakes1 tbsp dried onions1/4 cup balsamic vinegar1 tbsp olive oilfresh mozzarella cubedsalt & pepper to tasteDIRECTIONSCut mozzarella cheese into small cubes and place in fridge to chill. In a saucepan bring 4 cups of water to a boil adding a pinch or two of salt to season the pasta. Pour in the Texas Style Macaroni or your favorite pasta and cook until al dente (approx. 7-10 minutes) or until as soft as you like your pasta to be. (Make sure before you drain the pasta you reserve at lease a few tablespoons of the pasta water for your sauce.)Next, in a different saucepan on med-high heat add butter and sauté the garlic, green peppers for 4 minutes or until soft but not mushy. Bring the heat down to med-low heat and add in your seasonings, tomato sauce and simmer for another 3 minutes. Now add in your balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and the paste water you reserved earlier, stir well and salt/pepper to your taste. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Toss in the pasta and coat very well with this beautiful bright balsamic red sauce full of unbelievable flavor.In a serving bowl place a few mozzarella cubes in the bottom of the bowl, then spoon in some of the pasta layering cheese and pasta. Once you've reach your desired proportion toss the pasta and cheese together and the hot pasta will start to melt the chilled mozzarella to its ooo-wee-goo-wee goodness!Serves 2Peace, Love, and Sweet Treats!!!Latrice FowlerAuthorRaising Chefs...not just good cooks!www.raisingchefs.com
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