Tuesday, November 3, 2020

It is Here. And I Am Afraid

 
It is Here. And I Am Afraid. Voting, in 2020 | Graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics #Politics
 
It is here. And I am afraid.

I'm not just traumatized by the last consequential November 3rd, and every chaotic day since then as the dems sat on their hands and shook their heads and clicked their tongues as the trump party publicly dismantled the heart and soul of this country piece by piece.

I'm not just afraid as an American. I'm not just afraid as an inhabitant of a planet under environmental attack. I'm not just afraid as a liberal in a conservative state. I'm not just afraid as someone who believes in the democratic practices of a constitutional republic. I'm not just afraid as someone who believes in human rights and expects compassion and humanity from those entrusted with molding the future of this country. I'm not just afraid that there's no stopping the power hungry insane man currently put in the White House (by nefarious outside forces), and all of those who usurped all semblance of morals and values at the first taste of power in order to keep him there.

Although I am certainly afraid of all of those things. 
 
Independence Cake, to honor freedom and independence, a moist red, white, and blue cake baked with raspberries and blueberries in the layers. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cake
Independence Cake 
Independence Cake, to honor freedom and independence, a moist red, white, and blue cake baked with raspberries and blueberries in the layers. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #cake
 
I'm afraid as a Jew. I grew up both revulsed and indignant at the seemingly never ending stories and clips and pictures of the Nazi atrocities we saw year after year in religious school. I felt attacked, emotionally assaulted. The response to my aversion was always the same "we must never forget." 
 
Listen, I've been to Yad Vashem. It is humanizing, humbling, overwhelming, mortifying. Forget? Of course we will never forget. 
 
And then, a few years ago, I heard the "president" of this country say that those men in Charlottesville, carrying torches and chanting "Jews will not replace us" were very good people. I guess we've forgotten.

And I'm afraid as a woman. Where do we, where can we, possibly maintain any standing in a country where credibly accused rapists and molesters not only walk free, but are elevated to the highest stations of power? We are on the precipice of losing the right to make our own reproductive decisions. But even more than that, I'm afraid it's going to be open season on our sexual safety.

And I'm afraid as a mother. How can I expect young adults, not just mine but all of them, to thrive in a country where bullying and persecution have replaced common decency? Where, if you are viewed in any way "different," not just your rights but your very safety is in jeopardy? Where dissent is not fodder for discourse but justification for retribution?

I'm afraid that evil brought a bazooka to a fist fight with good, and all that is righteous is bleeding out on the floor. Along with the last vestiges of hope.
 
Overly dramatic? Read Mein Kampf. Then replay the past 4 years of trump quotes. He's not even innovative, he's just following the play book. And don't forget what Barr (Hermann Goring) and McConnell (Heinrich Himmler) have done to advance that agenda. And how far they've gone to not only suppress our constitutional right to vote but to lay the groundwork for delegitimizing this election in order to turn a potential loss into an authoritarian power grab.

November 3rd. It is here. And I am afraid.
 
Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics




Independence Cake         

                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:   
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups canola oil
2 eggs, room temperature
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp vanilla 
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1 tsp red food coloring
1 tsp blue food coloring
1/4 cup red colored sugar
1/4 cup blue colored sugar
1/3 cup raspberries, if large, cut in half (if you're using frozen, drain the excess liquid)
1/3 cup blueberries

1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme
2 TBSP white chocolate liqueur (can substitute milk)
 
OPT: additional raspberries and blueberries to garnish
 
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8 inch cake pans.
*Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
*In a large bowl, beat the oil, eggs, vinegar and vanilla.
*Beat half of the dry ingredients into the large bowl, followed by half of the buttermilk. Repeat with the rest of the dry ingredients, then the rest of the buttermilk.
*Divide the batter in half (about 2 1/3 cups in each half). To half of the better, add the red food coloring and red colored sugar, to the other half add the blue food coloring and blue colored sugar.
*Pour the red cake batter into one of the prepared pans. Sprinkle with raspberries. Pour the blue batter into the other prepared pan and sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the blueberries.
*Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the center springs back to the touch. Remove from oven and cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, remove from the pans and allow to cool completely.
*Using a grease spatula, mix together the marshmallow creme and the liqueur (or milk). Place the blue cake onto a serving dish. Spread with about 1/2 of the marshmallow creme mixture. Top with the red cake. Drizzle the remaining marshmallow creme mixture over the top and down the sides. Decorate with additional berries. Refrigerate to set.


22 comments:

  1. I love your vulnerability. Thank you so very much for sharing. And thank you for your recipes
    A good way to self-care ❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True, as far as self care goes, the distraction of recipe development is most certainly a much needed diversion.

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  2. Here's to keeping our fingers crossed that Dixville Notch, NH, is a good omen.
    LOVE your cake!

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    Replies
    1. Yes, keep your fingers crossed. I know, although you don't live here, that you love this country too.

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  3. Alllllll of this.

    Every 👏🏻 Single 👏🏻 Thing.

    This country is heading in a very dark and terrifying place, either way. I feel certain riots are going to happened either way. It’s very scary.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Baking is the only remedy. And eating. Feelin' ya.
    Carol Cassara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, looking forward to the day when baking is again a want not a need.

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  5. You have voiced my concerns so clearly and succinctly. When other atrocities are ongoing or still within living memory, how can we possibly be choosing to walk the SAME PATHS? I am heartbroken and so frightened for my beloved sisters in my sister country.
    And please know that I'm praying for you all and that if things continue to degenerate, you have a warm place here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope it doesn't come to that, but I sure do love having such a generous offer as comfort.

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  6. I'm also afraid for all those reasons. I can't remember a more consequential election. Terrifying.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, it's heartbreaking to know that it's come to this.

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  7. Voting is something many take for granted not me it is something women fought so hard for

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    Replies
    1. I agree with you, and I hope more and more people take advantage of having that privilege.

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  8. It's a beautiful cake. As for your political thoughts, I grew up in New York City among holocaust survivors. My childhood best friend's mother was a concentration camp survivor and her father fought against the Nazis in Northern Africa (and contracted malaria there). Although they never talked about "it" we all grew up knowing, reading, and reading some more. So...you spoke exact truth. Let us also never forget that Hitler was elected, and he wrote down his plans in his book - which was ignored by too many. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. I almost never correlate anyone to Hitler, it lessens the level of severity of those atrocities when you just throw that around. But in this circumstance, I believe the severity of what has been done here has been very similar.

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  9. It is very scary. And if they ever come after Jews, i hope i will stand up and say you can take me, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's support like that which we, and all other minorities in this country need.

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  10. Baking is a great help in tough times. And i have no idea how you did that frosting, but it is a piece of art.

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    Replies
    1. I agree, it's saved me from sinking a number of times.

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Warning: Comment at your own risk. I have Comment Moderation, meaning I approve all comments before they show up here. So go ahead, I'm not scared!