Rolling In The Dough or The Leaning Tower of Pizza

Flat Breads, aka Pizza, with toppings were eaten in ancient times by Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks.  Such a delight passed on by generations tells the story of why today’s Pizza is loved!  

I delighted in my children helping me make pizza as long back as they can remember.

I’ve been baking bread for 50 years, love the idea of rolling in the dough - even partnered in opening a pizzeria - Monroe Street Pizza in Dearborn MI about 1982.

My daughter Renee, born 7-7-77 at 7:14 AM, delighted in spending the day with me making pizza. She was 5 years old when when I put her up to the counter on the foot stool to punch pizza dough, and let her put her favorite toppings on her rolled out dough.

The next generation.  My email to Renee recently:

“Thank you Renee and Ferran for hosting a beautiful Birthday Party for Aunt Laura…

and enjoyment for my making Pizza, and to my delight with little Estelle’s fingers touching the toppings for everyone’s delight…”  This little 7 year old granddaughter loves making pizza.

My pan fried (no oil) flat bread: 1 cup flour, couple tablespoons wheat germ,, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, couple shakes with salt shaker, 1/2 cup water (or veggie broth), mix until wet dough (add tablespoons flour to firm), spread non-stick pan with wet fingers, sprinkle bagel seasoning, cook mod heat 8 min. covered, flip 7min. covered, let rest 2 min. then transfer to cooling rack.

Pizza recipe:  basic white bread dough (ab 1 1/2 cup flour) spread non-stick pan, cover & cook 7 min flip & cook 5 min other side, flip again.  Cook zucchini, veggies stove top in another pan, and top cooked pizza dough with tomato sauce, veggies, cheese, put on cookie sheet, then  under broiler for until cheese melts.  Enjoy! 

Life has always been celebrated with gatherings, and food the source of the gathering.  We cherish our Pizza Parties with fond remembrances.

VA Health Care

They ask “is it free?” and I respond with “no, it’s at No Cost.”  With all the Developed Nations, the U.S. ranks lowest in Universal Health Care , statistically equivalent to Third World Nations.

My argument is Socialized Medicine is GREAT. VA Health Care is the prime example.

Here’s a typical visit:  schedule a Blood Draw for analysis, pickup a Blood Pressure Cup, visit Physical Therapy for a measure for Compression Socks, visit Dermatology for skin rash, visit the Eye Clinic for glasses, and be diagnosed by Kresge Eye Institute University of Michigan Ophthalmologist, stop into the Eye Shop for no cost eye glasses, schedule cat scan, x-ray, Flu Vaccine, Shingles Vaccine, prescriptions, and more.  VA also provides for Emergency Care at a hospital near you. And, it’s at No Cost!

My wife Bobbi, a Home Care RN, had a patient with wound care, insufficient with Medicare Advantage, suffering daily.  She suggested VA Nursing Home where he received around-the-clock nursing care. Subsequently, his wife exclaimed the wonderment.

As an ICU Nurse in the private sector, Bobbi said that the warm smiles on all VA staff is from "patient ratio", compared to For Profit Health Care.

And, let's not forget the foundation of good health with an appointment with the Nutritionist, treating food as medicine.  The Primary Care Physician writes the Order.

Senator Bernie Sanders proposal of Medicare For All would be similarly Great!

We need a national health plan!  Medicare For All.

Reminded of Representative John Dingell, 1955 to 2015, Veteran and the John d. Dingell VA Medical Center Detroit.

As a veteran of the Army Security Agency, served in Turkey, I visited the City of Taylor Veterans Museum.  So proud to witness the City's many displays, especially the Honorable John Dingell Military Tributes showcased.

Wealth Legacy Lost

"To be African American is to be African without any memory, and American without any privilege." - James Baldwin

White Privilege has secured wealth legacy down the food chain to the poorest.  That “Wealth Legacy” aka White Privilege and Legacy of “Slavery” is mutually exclusive. Wealth of using enslaved labor to build the Entire US obviously is transferred to White Privilege and conversely the wealth legacy of the Enslaved Persons is lost. Restitution is in order!

“The Capitol, which has housed Congress since 1800 is the most recognized symbol of democratic government in the world.  Although this magnificent structure is visited by nearly fine million people a year, few are aware of the use of Enslaved Labor to build it. “ US Capital Historical Society

Where’s the Legacy of Wealth, like the Plantation Owner’s Legacy?  Or the wealth transfer enslaved labor building the U.S. Capital?

The  Story of Europe by Christopher Clark told the history of the culture of Europe’s quest for dominance of the world, going to Africa and stealing persons for enslavement.  England emerged as the leader in African Slave Trade, spreading their plunder throughout the Americas, thus assuring their Wealth Legacy. 

On a PBS episode: the entire history of US was predicated on Slavery and ingrained in every aspect. England abolished Slavery with the Colonies, and America being afraid lead to the Revolutionary War. 

Arlington Cemetery was Lee’s home, deservedly the hero’s of Civil War fight for freedom from Slavery/ Enslavement were buried in his front yard, taking his property for posterity. Lee was a Traitor who owned people, making them slaves…Robert E. Lee personally owned slaves that he inherited upon the death of his mother, Ann Lee, in 1829.  

The pivotal point of the last great divide manifested itself over Slavery, with the underlying point being Money and Oligarchy. We cannot rewrite the History of Confederate States, they were full blown fascism.  Slavery was the domain.

Slavery. Enslavement of an Individual.  A horror story!  Needs to be Told Every Day!

What digs deeper than Fear for Life compounded by Misery of Existence?

Flight or Fight emotion is so powerful in all and triggers stress.  So terrible a fear to deal with anyone, especially one held in Slavery.  So shameful!  And, those who ignore this history are part of the past and equally guilty.

To deny Slavery as an Ugly stain on American History, is in itself a crime.  History of Slavery, with the guilt of the past and those who were responsible for this horrific tragedy has no expiration date and woe for the future of those who cling on. 

“To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child. For what is the worth of human life, unless it is woven into the life of our ancestors by the records of history?” ― Marcus Tullius Cicero 108 BC - 43 BC

Reminded Juneteenth is beyond the idea of Slavery but more significant is Individual Enslavement! Morally speaking, Who Does This?

For every dollar spent on G.I.Bill after WW2, 7 dollars returned to the Treasury.  It was the best investment in America.  All other democracy countries invest in their future.  However, Black Servicemen were denied B.I. Bill benefits.  A wealth legacy lost.

A PBS episode: history of slavery, man’s inhumanity to man, “Under Ground Railroad” - a glimmer of hope, then hope crushed with ‘Fugitive Slave Act’ 1850 - such inhumane cruelty, heartrending … 

reminded

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” composed by Wallis Willis about 1865 metaphors for the Underground Railroad, carrying Hopefuls to Freedom.

Mark Twain wrote for restitution:

''I do not believe I would very cheerfully help a white student who would ask a benevolence of a stranger,'' Twain wrote Francis Wayland, the law school dean, on Dec. 24, 1885, ''but I do not feel so about the other color. We have ground the manhood out of them, & the shame is ours, not theirs; & we should pay for it.’’

“Who controls the past controls the future, who controls the present controls the Past” George Orwell

Sen Henry Clay gave us the Filibuster back in 1850’s thereabout to prevent states changing Anti-Slavery - Slavery still exists, with the 13th Amendment: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States,…”

Reminded: To be a Republican one must be Rich, Cruel, or Ignorant, and it’s not mutually exclusive.  Underscore Cruel.  

“Returning hate for hate multiples hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.  Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr.

“In a real sense, all life is interrelated.  All people are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in the single garment of destiny.” Martin Luther King Jr. Strength to Love 1963

“In a free society, some are guilty and all are responsible,” wrote Abraham Joshua Heschel. 

“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. …we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” Martin Luther King

For the White Privileged, try thinking of one’s worst bad day, then multiply by 365, then by 400 and not even come close.  I grew up not having to think about my skin color and the repercussions for the day.

Those who refrain from acknowledgement of history's slavery / enslavement of individuals abhorrence and necessary reparations bear the same shame and are guilty of same even back to the named day of legality.

The Power Of Prayer

While serving in the Army Security Agency from 1963 to 1966, but In Turkey for an 18 month tour, some of the relaxation activities on our Post Det 27, located 20 miles south west of Ankara, was the Service Club, NCO Club to imbibe and play Bingo, the library, and the Gym.  

On one occasion on a Sunday I joined a group from the barracks to play basketball at the gym.  I’m not a good basketball player but agreed to join in the fun.  But the fun turned sour when I jumped for the basket and landed badly spraining my ankle.  

I had to loosen my shoe, and limp to the movie theater.  While watching Marlon Brando in the 1963 hit Mutiny On The Bounty, my ankle swelled. 

While limping back to the barracks I feared the worse:  tomorrow Monday was the beginning of PT (Physical Training).  I dreaded having to fall out of formation with an injury.  What a dilemma!  

My remedy was prayer.  I prayed for my foot and ankle while lying in my bunk, pulling the blanket from my left foot because of the pressure.  I fell asleep praying.

Upon awakening in the morning, 6AM wakeup for PT, my ankle was completely healed. 

I was amazed.  I jumped up and down for feeling.  There was no swelling, no pain, and my foot was back to normal!  

Going Green

Today was wash day. We washed our clothes in “soap nuts”, a berry shell that naturally contains a cleaning agent that works like detergent called saponin, hung the clothes on our backyard clothes line, sun shinning with a soft breeze. Using soap nuts, a family of four can wash clothes for about  $30 per year.  GOING GREEN 

We recharge our e-bikes with the solar panels - normaly takes about 2 hours 

using the Jackery 1000 watt battery - plugging into the bike batteries allowing their  battery controllers to except the charge without worry.

With my Solar Panel hook-up, it takes about 7 hours to fully charge a 1000 watt battery

in full sun, receiving a charge of about 140 watts.  I made the legs for the solar panels with PVC pipes. 

We took Lucky, our little Jack Russell, for a walk in the park, then went for a 7 mile bike ride. When we got home I cut the lawn with our battery lawn mower, recharged the batteries with our solar panel, used hot water for our dirty dishes in the sink with our new Tankless Water heater, hung our clothes on the backyard clothes line after washing the clothes with Soap Nuts.

Our dish washer broke. Rather than repair, we wash our dishes by hand and use it as drying rack. We save the rinse water and use it on our plants (sudsy water repels bugs on roses). An important note: one cycle of your dishwasher is equivalent power of 20 hrs of TV.

Here’s a Thought:

Going Green starts with your changing lifestyle.

• Ride bicycles with basket for small errands
• Wash clothes with Soap Nuts - 
• Hang clothes on backyard clothes line

• Cut grass with battery lawn mower
• Solar panels to recharge batteries 
• Rain Barrels 100 gal 
• Backyard garden
• Recycle
• Compost
• Vegetarian 

A change of diet to vegetarian would reduce carbon emissions greatly.  Feeding animals consume great amounts of resources.

Livestock farming adds significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through methane from digestions and nitrous oxide from manure.  These emissions are less toxic than carbon dioxide but impact climate change.  Also lifestock farming impact the climate through deforestation for pastureland.

“Thousands – millions and billions – of animals are killed for food. That is very sad. We human beings can live without meat, especially in our modern world. We have a great variety of vegetables and other supplementary foods, so we have the capacity and the responsibility to save billions of lives.”  Buddhist Quote

Vegans Live Longer. The exception but still a good rule for strong bodies, Roman Gladiators had vegetarian diet from analysis of bones from a cemetery where they were buried. 

Climate change.

Truckers calling The Thom Hartmann Program stating years ago traveling across country, would have to stop often to clean windshield of Bugs. Today, no Bugs

A remarkable Nutritionist following on Bluesky, Dr. Kristie Leong MD said "The planet doesn't need saving - we do.  Protecting nature means protecting ourselves and all the beautiful plants and animals."

Just an added delight in Going Green and a further thought about preserving our Climate.  Another mystery of our Universe is butterflies, pollinators along with watching out for Nature's Bees.

My wife Bobbi grows butterflies, from picking itsy bitsy caterpillares on the dill from our backyard garden, placing them in a cage, feeding them dill / parsley / carrot tops until they're big enough to form chrysalis.  Then in about 7 to 10 days a butterfly emerges, a miracle.

Adding to this mystery is the time when the chrysalis stops evolving in the Fall, waits through winter to emerge in the Spring.  We had 14 chrysalis last Fall ( right around the Fall Equinox) when they went dormant, and placed the dormant cage in our garage over the winter.

We brought the cage into our Study the last week in April, and released our first born butterfly Swallowtail 5/2/25 at 5:15 PM.  Wow! An exillerating celebration of Spring has Sprung!

Yesterday May 14, Bobbi released number 8, 9, 10 butterfly, Swallowtail from last Fall's 14 Chrysalis stored in a cage in our garage over the winter.  Wow!

Reminded:

“The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life.” - Tagore

Conspiratorial Capitalism

The text book definition of Profit is the measurement of efficiencies between competitive companies. Since we no longer enforce the Sherman Anti Trust Act via Ronald Reagan, profit has morphed into a destructive force entity with Crony Capitalism  thrust upon us today coupled with the monopoly factor.  

We see, for example, the increase in prices for life saving medicine increasing 600% to 3,000% for no other reason but that Big Pharma can.  We have replaced text book Capitalism with  Conspiratorial Capitalism, or Crony Capitalism - a systematic, corrupt system bought and paid for by legislators and corporate lobbyists.

Conspiratorial Capitalism is the collusion among legislators, right-wing judges, and corporate mass media.  The Federal Government lowers the tax rate for the wealthy, stops enforcing the Sherman Anti-Trust Legislation, anti-labor and essentially gives corporations and Wall Street free will.  

The powerful right-wing network that hijacks state politics and government through the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) continue their nefarious agenda of wealth redistribution upwards to the Rich. 

Composing legislation, calling for a conference of all state legislators to attend, then handing out previously composed legislation for the legislative attendees to take back to their state legislation to vote upon is what ALEC is about. And, with a majority of Republicans in many state legislatures, the vote is “Aye.”

We now have a Corporate Press free from regulation thru the FCC relaxing the Fairness Doctrine, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the FCC revoking Net Neutrality.  Today’s News is mainly infotainment!

There is nothing in the Corporate News about the decline of the middle class, which the last 35 years has left America destroyed while the right-wing agenda of closing factories in the United States to the tune of 50,000 factories and moving American jobs to China continues. 

Capitalism in a competitive world Profit was a measure of efficiencies, comparative advantage. Remove competition and Profit morphed into Greed, a cancer rooted in Reaganomics, deadly in its effects and it has metastasized.

Our cities throughout the Rust Belt, the name given to our devastated industrial heartland, resemble the bombed ruined cities of WWII Germany.  Detroit, for example, had a population of over 2 million residents in its heyday and was listed as the richest city in America due mainly to its industrial base revolving around the manufacturing of automobiles.  

Today’s population of Detroit is under 700,000 with the difference in resident’s abandoned houses resembling what time did in lieu of bombs.

A rewarding model for business is government subsidies. This business model sets the condition whereby companies pay their workers below substance wages, then their employees apply for food stamps and medicaid in order to live.  All subsidized by the American taxpayer.

Republicans in the U.S. Senate continue  blocking legislation to restore the American manufacturing industry. We do not enforce our tariffs that all other countries use to protect their manufacturing base!

Republican Senator McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, continues to object to Legislation from the House of Representatives dealing with all sorts of remedies, from Russian  interference in our voting, voter security, monopolies, and more. 

Ronald Reagan’s infamous 9 words: “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”  And, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”  

From this foreboding idea that government is incompetent sprang the buzz word “privatize”.  Let’s privatize everything! 

Perhaps the enemy is only an idea, albeit a bad idea.  The solution would be to educate the American public through the Mass Media.  

But the Mass Media is owned by 5 multi national corporations!  Therein lies the problem.