My subject is: So, you've won the lottery. What are your plans?
It was submitted by: P. J. of A 'lil HooHaa.
We've been lucky enough to have had P. J. join us for these Secret Subject Swap posts since February. This is his 8th time sending in a prompt, so he'd have no way of knowing what subjects have been submitted since the beginning. I run these things and even I can't remember them all. In fact, this is my 109th (yes, you read that right) Secret Subject Swap post.
I do know that this particular prompt has come up a number of times before. I even got a similar prompt myself, back in March of 2013. On the occasion that someone receives a subject about which they've already written, they have the option to ask me to go back to whoever sent it in and get an alternative prompt. As I began to contemplate doing that, I realized that although the question may not have changed much from the one I received back in that 10th Secret Subject Swap, the answer most certainly has.
Back in 2013, before the world turned upside down, my answer was frivolous. It was lighthearted and fun and funny, worth a read (if I do say so myself). But it is just not where I am now. So thank you, P. J., for the opportunity to address this in a more thoughtful way.
At this point in my life, in this moment in history, what would I do with my winnings? I've given it much thought and have come to the conclusion that I'd most like to find a way to use that money to follow in the footsteps of a con man.
No, not that con man.
Oscar Zoraster Phadig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, a circus magician and con man from Omaha, NE, to be exact. Quite a name that guy had. His initials weren't much better, although good for a laugh (O.Z. P.I.N. H.E.A.D). No wonder L. Frank Baum shortened Oscar's name to his first two initials, Oz is so much easier.
Whether directly or indirectly, The Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz ultimately impacted many lives in some very meaningful ways. He was responsible for the Cowardly Lion's courage, for the Tin Man's heart, for the Scarecrow's brains, and for Dorothy's return to Auntie Em's home cooking.
Somehow, some way, I'd like to have that impact too. So, however it requires me to spend that money, I'd give every penny of it in this quest:
For all those who don't believe in science, I hope to equip you with a brain.
For all those who believe their right to do harm to others supersedes their obligation to humanity, I hope to equip you with a heart.
For all those who find your courage, your optimism, faltering, I hope to surround you with encouragement and support.
And then there are those of us in this country who are the Dorothys. Be it ever so humble, we know there's no place like home. So whether it takes a fleet of hot air balloons or an Imelda Marcos sized closet full of ruby slippers, I hope to find a way for all of us to click our heels three times and succeed in making America home again.
Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup, and check them all out. See you there:
Zucchini Cornbread Bake
©www.BakingInATornado.comPrintable Recipe
Ingredients:
2 large zucchini
1 beefsteak tomato
6 mushrooms
2 TBSP chopped roasted red pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 TBSP grated parmesan
1 cup shredded mozzarella
3/4 cup dry cornbread stuffing mix
1/2 cup canned crispy fried onions
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 X 8 baking dish.
*Rinse and pat dry the zucchini, tomato and mushrooms. Slice the ends off of the zucchini, then chop and add to a large bowl. Chop the tomato, slice the mushrooms, and add all to the bowl along with the chopped roasted red pepper.
*Mix the vegetables with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Add in the parmesan, mozzarella, and cornbread stuffing and mix again.
*Pour the vegetable mixture evenly into the prepared dish and bake for 50 minutes. Leave the oven on, carefully uncover the dish, crush the canned crispy fried onions over the top and return to the oven to cook, uncovered, another 10 minutes.
I love it! That is exactly what is needed these days! I hope the rest of the country (or at least enough) believed enough to make a change.
ReplyDeleteI hope our system hasn't been so corrupted that we're able to have any impact on our "home."
DeleteAmerica needs so badly to find its way home. On a side note (I do love those side notes) L. Frank Baum grew up in Chittenango, New York, which is near Syracuse,NY, about 80 miles from where I live. Every year they have what used to be called an Oz Fest. Except this year, of course. I've never gone to it but I understand it's pretty interesting. So I don't know if they serve zucchini cornbread bake there. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWell if they don't they should!
DeleteBest use of lottery winnings yet!
ReplyDeleteIf only I could.
DeleteWhen I was a kid I read all the L. Frank Baum books, but I didn't remember Oz under that name.
ReplyDeleteI didn't either, Kathy, I googled his name for this post.
DeleteTHAT is an excellent choice! I salute your heart!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Chris, that means a lot.
DeleteIt was always my wish to be a philanthropist when i grow up. If i win the lottery, after fixing our broken, flood damaged house, that's what i would do.
ReplyDeleteBaum's books, Oz books and otherwise, were lots of fun.
I hope you win, a broken flood damaged house doesn't sound like a healthy place to live, and your dream to be a philanthropist is commendable.
DeleteYay, a brain and a heart for everyone, what a difference this would make in the world!
ReplyDeleteI also loved your 2013 approach with your island, your own laws and the cookie and cupcake days.
Yes, just what we all need these days, a heart and a brain.
DeleteThank you for reading that first post too!
Try fixing my children and grandchildren’s lives and then skip town.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds ominous, Donna. Maybe you should just let them fix their own lives and you go right ahead and skip town.
DeleteSounds good to me. They are all self supporting, but I could make it better. Then get out of town.
ReplyDelete1: I love those lotto winnings!
ReplyDelete2: Because of this post, I have a Hamilton song stuck in my head now. lol
Don't blame me, you always have a Hamilton song stuck in your head.
DeleteAs long as we don't have to fight flying monkeys and evil witches in the process! oh wait...
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget the orange buffoon.
Delete