Remembering How to Breathe: Word Counters

 

 

 

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 50. 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.

 This month's number is 17. 
It was chosen by Diane of On the Border.

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 chosen the theme (remembering how to) breathe.

~ Four chaotic years, especially this past month, proves it's possible to hold your breath while still breathing.

~ It's psychological, emotional, the difference between automatic respiration and the cleansing, deliberate ability to really, freely, breathe.

~ Virus, mass death, disinformation, selfishness, herd immunity, all inhibit the ability to breathe, even while still breathing.

~ Alliances, relationships, reputation, diplomacy, democracy, safety, science, medicine, environment, elections, education, stability, security, all dangerously at risk. 

~ Blacks, browns, Jews, gays, liberals, Muslims, police . . . with targets on our backs. No wonder we can't breathe.

~ You can cook, write, binge watch Schitt'$ Creek, and torture your kids. Diversion's necessary but not cleansing.

Parmesan Garlic Loaf

 

~ No administration's perfect, either party. I'd been disappointed through the years, but at least I could breathe. 

 

~ History will judge us all. Harshly. Can we at least show that we've learned from these atrocities?

 

~ The people's house is welcoming new occupants. Finally. Goodbye Putin, narcissism, deceit. Welcome back norms, decency, decorum.

~ This ends not the damage done, but the spiraling, frenzied calculated chaos. And I intend to breathe.

Here are links to the other Word Counters posts:

On the Border 

Messymimi’s Meanderings 

Parmesan Garlic Loaf         
                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
1# frozen bread loaf

3 TBSP + 1 tsp garlic and herb butter spread, divided

2 TBSP + 1/2 tsp grated parmesan cheese, divided

2 TBSP flour

Directions:
*Spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and wrap around the frozen bread loaf. Refrigerate for 4 hours (or overnight) until defrosted.

*Spread the flour on your counter, remove the plastic wrap from the dough (keep the wrap) and place the dough in the flour. Allow to sit for 1 hour.
*Grease a loaf pan. 

*Press the air bubbles out of the dough and roll into a square about twice the length of your loaf pan. Carefully spread 3 TBSP of the butter spread onto the dough, leaving about 1/2 edge. Sprinkle with 2 TBSP grated parmesan.
*Fold the dough in half so it's about the same length as your loaf pan. Roll it up and place into the pan. Cover loosely with the plastic wrap and move to a warm dry place to rise for 4 hours.

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove and discard the plastic wrap.

*Bake the loaf for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately, gently, spread the remaining butter spread over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining parmesan cheese.
*Run a knife around the edges to release, then remove from the pan to serve.