Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Truth and Dare: Word Counters


Word Counters, a multiblogger writing challenge | Developed, run by and graphic property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

 


Counting my words again. 

Today my fellow Word Counters and I are sharing our monthly group post. Each month one group member picks a number between 12 and 74. All participating bloggers are then challenged to write something (or a few somethings, as the case may be) using that exact number of words. Today we all share what we came up with.



The December number is 33. 
 It was chosen by Me.


As I've been doing in these Word Counters posts, I've chosen a theme and am using my word count multiple times in keeping with the theme. This month I've settled on the theme Truth and Dare.

~ This month was a first as far as choosing a theme goes. I chose, then I adjusted. Originally this post was called Truth or Dare. I've decided to call it Truth and Dare.
 
~ We're rounding the corner towards a new year, the finish line for this one in in sight, but when it comes to hoping for a better, happier, healthier year ahead, do I dare?
 
~ The truth is that the alternative, taking that big, fairly (well, completely) permanent sleep isn't an option, of course. And not something to joke about in the reality of this age of Coronavirus.
 
~ Another truth is that this past year has gone by mostly in a daze, almost feeling like a long sleep. Well, nightmare anyway. Actually, the last four years, but this past one especially.
 
~ I'm now seeing a prolonged period of the denigration of norms, of the reality of a society unwilling to protect each other, as a form of sensory deprivation. This has been our truth.

~ I choose to dare. I acknowledge that to hope for change has to begin with an active continuation of those things I'd considered my normal. I still write, still share what I bake.


Pina Colada Bread, for the holidays or any occasion, features the flavors of a favorite cocktail baked into a bread. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bake

Pina Colada Bread
Pina Colada Bread, for the holidays or any occasion, features the flavors of a favorite cocktail baked into a bread. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bake

~ Truth is, we're going to need to find a balance. Continuation of the norm can only be achieved in part. Some things are gone forever, acceptance of this, adjustments for this, are critical.
 
~ The song (maybe because it's almost New Year's Eve) "make new friends, but keep the old" is my current earworm. We all need to hold onto what we can while embracing the new.
 
~ For success, dare must be collective. Whatever it takes, we all must find the ability to hope, the determination to see the coming year as a beacon of light after a long darkness.
 
~ I wish for you what I hope for myself, a new year full of new opportunities, time spent with love ones, the ability to safely rejoin our communities, travel, health, happiness, and peace.



Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

Messymimi’s Meanderings 
On the Border 





Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics





Pina Colada Bread        
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com


Printable Recipe

Ingredients: 
2 1/4 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup toasted coconut
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3 TBSP grenadine
3 TBSP milk
6 TBSP Malibu rum
8 oz can crushed pineapple with juice
2 TBSP untoasted coconut
6 maraschino cherries
 
Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 X 5 loaf pan.
*In a large bowl, whisk the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and toasted coconut. 
*In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, grenadine, milk, and rum. Add these liquid ingredients to the large bowl of dry ingredients, along with the crushed pineapple with its juice. Mix until just incorporated.
*Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan and top with the untoasted coconut and the cherries. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until the center springs back to the touch.
*Cool in pan for 10 minutes before running a knife around the edges to remove.
 

12 comments:

  1. I am very fearful we are living the new norm. I am holding on to you as a friend. I love it that you will still share what you cook and especially bake.

    Wishing you and your family a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am grateful to have you as a friend too, Donna. Wish all the same to you and to your family.

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  2. A little hope, a little acceptance, a whole lot of determination and this new year WILL be a beacon of light!! Wishing you a phenomenal year! And look out. Once they let us huggers out of our cages, there's gonna be a WHOLE LOTTA huggin' going on!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I some how doubt that things will ever be the way they used to be but also we adjust to a new norm and life will go on

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, there's no way to go back and I do feel guilty for not having appreciated that level of freedom when I had it.

      Delete
  4. I am pessimistic about the future of our United States. There seems to be a limit of hate in our society that, once reached, can't be resolved without a major explosion. In 1861, that explosion was our Civil War. Another is one possibility, maybe not fought on the battlefield, but in social media and in the destruction of friendships, family relationships, and the ability of our government to get anything done. Another possibility is us coming to our senses and beginning the healing process. What will happen in 2021, I can't foresee, because how we react to what many call "the new normal" (once we realize some of these changes are not temporary)will determine which direction our citizens take. One direction will make us stronger. The other direction will destroy us. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to stay hopeful, but it's hard. I think we're already in the beginning of a civil war. And seeing that over 70 million Americans voted for trump the second time, knowing exactly what he is and what he stands for, and knowing how ruthless many of them are, I certainly do fear for us.

      Delete
  5. Every day that we wake up is a good day. Stay safe my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. We can only each be responsible for our own self. Act the way you want others to act, and keep hoping, it's all any of us can do.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, Mimi. We need to keep reminding ourselves to continue to live according to our own morals and values.

      Delete

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