Sandy Andina: Blog

A correction, indeed.....of my invective in the previous post. Watching the Tucson memorial service tonight, and listening to Pres. Obama's heartrending and inspiring speech, I have indeed been shamed out of exploiting this tragedy as an excuse to play the blame game. Our President is correct:  it is wrong to usurp this event, regardless of our underlying ideologies and suspicions of each other, as yet another opportunity to accuse each other of being "the other," and for vilifying and ascribing base motives to those with whom we disagree. We are each other's opponents, not enemies......we are all Americans and we MUST get along--objecting without being objectionable, disagreeing without being disagreeable.  Let us all, from this moment forward--without laying blame, without naming names, without keeping score, without ascribing or speculating cause, without claiming to stake out the moral high ground--cease violent invective and start a new era of civility. Everyone---politicians [...]

 
Regardless of whether the Tucson shooter was a Giffords-obsessed psychotic loner; regardless of who first started spouting the hate-and-violence-metaphor-laden vitriol; regardless of which side has used more of it; regardless of when it started; regardless of whether and whom this rhetoric has spurred to dangerous action......
Why are influential conservatives so adamant about not agreeing to stop using these metaphors, when liberals are vociferously vowing to refrain from doing so?  What's wrong with agreeing to use freedom of speech considerately and responsibly? Could it be because this incendiary rhetoric is effective for Republicans' and Tea Partiers' base?
What is so controversial about saying "We don't care who started it or who says more of it--let's ALL put a sock in it?" Instead, conservative pols (e.g., Palin) and pundits (e.g., Limbaugh) alike are blaming only the psychotics but refusing to condemn a poisoned atmosphere of political and racial hatred---and going [...]

Holiday food season is upon us, and so  I sing the praises of GOOD EQUIPMENT.  It's said "a poor workman blames his tools," but even an ace can be stymied by cheap implements.  Prepping yesterday's Thanksgiving dinnner, for the first time I had NO cooking mishaps: nothing burned, no broken sauces, all seasonings perfect. Not even an injury (unless you count a chipped French manicure nail tip from dishwashing).  If you are setting up your first kitchen, re-equipping one, putting together your gift-shopping list for your pals and loved ones who cook (or even putting together your wish list if YOU'RE the cook), here are my recommendations:
First, good, sharp knives.  Stay away from the ones you find hanging on cards at the supermarket and discount store. Ditto infomercial or home-shopping channel ceramics and Ginsus. They are flimsy, not well-balanced, don't take or hold a good edge and are not conducive to good ergonomic knife technique (which skill will not only [...]

Whoa--have I been THAT remiss in updating this blog? Life sure does get in the way these days.  First, thanks to all who expressed touching and heartfelt expressions of sympathy over my father-in-law's passing.  So many of his friends, neighbors and loved ones attended the funeral and the wakes in Chicago and New York.  Next, the Local 1000 Board meeting answered many questions and produced some hopeful and exciting developments, especially our upcoming member gathering at Highlander, TN this coming May.  NERFA was exhilarating and rewarding--and again, I was overwhelmed by the comforting hugs and wishes from fellow attendees. We did a terrifically enjoyable (and very-well attended) show at the Bremen up in Milwaukee with the dynamic and charismatic acoustic rocker Annie B, and hope to return the favor in Chicagoland. 
Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and I roasted my first turkey in six years!  It was also my first-ever organic free-range bird (from Kelso, WA), [...]

No, not the election. That may be sad but it's hardly news any more.
Bob's dad, Peter T. Andina, graduated from this life shortly before noon on Thurs. Nov. 4 at the age of 90. He had suffered two massive strokes since late September and did not regain consciousness after the second one two weeks ago. He was in a nursing home on hospice care, and passed away peacefully. Funeral and burial information available on request; his favorite charity was Catholic Charities. May his memory be for a blessing.