New and experienced climbers over 50 #37

I was just reading an article about GOP concerns about mid term losses due to cutting Medicaid. A quote from one of the Reps who voted for it:

“You would be foolish not to worry about it,” Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) said in a brief interview. “If you don’t keep the voters right with you, you’re going to awaken to a bad, bad, bad day.”

Umm….shouldn’t that be more like, ‘if you don’t act on the will of the voters who put you in office, you’re going to...’

This little slip struck me as telling of the orientation of politicians (of any Party)- that they believe they are leading the people who will follow them, as opposed to our (supposedly) representative government system where they take action based upon what the citizens wish to see happen.

Speak plainly and homely in your drift . . .

My blue berries are not ripe yet. Just commenting that when I run into blue berries on lead I stop to eat them. 

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

Blue berries on the cliff slow down my leading significantly. I brought some friends out to mtwishicouldtellya yesterday. The vegatation is flourishing but we got some good climbing in.

But when you have huckleberries on the hike in, that really slows things down.  One of the hazards of climbing around McCall.

We need some rain for our blueberries, they are coming in but microscopic in size. 

Like blueberries, but different...

Now in New England, it's Scape season. They're the tops/seed heads of garlic.  (Pictured are volunteers from some  "Mexican Garlic" cloves planted 20+ years ago. (They may have started out as immigrants ; but, they've worked hard, naturalized and become part of the American ideal..))

Blend: scapes, cilantro, parsley,  pepitas, salt, pepper, lime juice, and fine grated hard cheese and olive oil until smooth.

Uses: Use straight on pasta like pesto (you've got to be a big fan of garlic...)  Or:  mix with a good quality mayo(sport climber version) to make a scape aioli which is great on grilled chicken or beef burger.   Thinned down, it makes the base of a great dressing for grilled shrimp or scallops. Surprisingly,  it's also really good on grilled pork tenderloin.  Blended into butter, and spread, makes the best "garlic bread."" 

Scout says: "We hold these truths to be self evident..."

edited to include the missing olive oil....

. . . and turn this households rancor into pure joy. If you keep your feet off the furniture. 

Paula made a bunch of scape pesto and we still have a big bag of them in the fridge.

I like scapes but any time you add cilantro to anything you immediatly make it inedible.

Alan Rubinwrote:

Jim U. I admit, maybe because I'm just a stupid 'pinko' or something, but I found your last 2 posts pretty incoherent, but I was able to decipher one point of actual agreement---neither 'side' will succeed in convincing the other.

Still, since, undoubtedly naively, I still believe that truth and actual facts matter, I want to make two points---as unlikely as it is that they will have any impact on you. First, I don't believe that any of us posting on these political topics from the 'left' of you ( pretty much all of us), believe that the 'Dems', Biden, etc. are always right and can 'do no wrong'. I surely don't believe that and have never said anything on which such an assumption can be based ( though believing that much of what Trump et al are doing is bad, well, yeah, that is correct---well, because...!!!).

As for Medicaid cuts. First, that there are 'millions' of lazy, non-working, able-bodied people on Medicaid is a myth---there are undoubtedly some, but not enough to make a real impact on the costs. However, the key point that is ignored by the 'cutters', is that having people---whether 'illegal immigrants', the elderly, the lazy, children, whomever--medically insured saves money in the long run. Unless you are advocating that the uninsured just be left to die, if they become ill, they will receive treatment, if they ignore minor ailments because they aren't insured, many will get worse and require more expensive interventions later, same if they don't receive regular 'wellness checkups'---someone will be (is) paying for such medical attention---and that 'someone' will be/is all of us. And without such payment, we will continue to lose medical facilities and professionals at an increasing rate. Medicaid --and Medicare and private insurance isn't perfect--far from it, and I'd love a better functioning healthcare system, but the current cuts are going in very much the wrong direction and, whether you believe it or not, there will in fact be major costs for all of us.

"well because" is always an awesome response.  right up there with "cuz I said so"

only two points I will bring up regarding medicaid then I'm out.  1- Clinton admin required 30 hours of work/com service or is that also a myth? OBBB requiring 20 hours for able bodied individuals the end of the world?  also nice job lumping elderly, lazy, children, immigrants all into one category.  Biden admin greatly expanded eligibility, this is trying to claw back some of the bullshit.... everything else is hysterical ranting 2 - I've been on here for quite a few years, I don't ever remember seeing any of the political thread hysterics unless of course a Republican admin in charge in which case it is always always the sky is falling.

Everytime the federal government puts its heavy hand onto a business segment or industry it ultimately screws it up.  sub-prime mortgage, health care, "green" energy  pick one uncle sugar screwed the pooch.  don't even get me started on regime changes.... iraq, ukraine, hell even iran.

Kevinmurraywrote:

I like scapes but any time you add cilantro to anything you immediatly make it inedible.

Here is the recipe that we use. Basil not cilantro.

Ward Smithwrote:

Here is the recipe that we use. Basil not cilantro.

I think I'll go with that version. I have a bunch of basil. Grazie mille.

M Mwrote:

We need some rain for our blueberries, they are coming in but microscopic in size. 

One of our local blueberry zones on Kezar is producing  plump blueberries…do you also know about Foss Mtn?!  

cilantro tastes like cat pee and in most cases I do not like it but in certain Mexican dishes made by folks who know what they are doing it's fine.

I had a bug this weekend and did not know it..   did not sleep well Friday night and felt like real crap on Saturday and assumed it was because I stayed up to late fri night, ate too late and had acid reflux for much of the night. I had a climbing date with a group from out of town and I was the rope gun. I felt exhausted but lead two climbs and set up the ropes. made some funny grunting noises leading a 5.8 ...  slept good sat night and woke up exhausted. Isa suggested we go hiking Sunday  instead of climbing which was a good call. I drove like crap to the mountain and it was not until I started hiking that I realized something must be wrong with me.  Leaning on my trekking poles it occurred to me that this is what the 1st covid vaccine felt like. Even though I felt better than Saturday it Took me 3 hrs to hike 1.5 miles from the top of the pass to the peak.. 

the wild flowers were beautiful

I was chilled when we got back to the van. Isa drove us home and when I got home and took my temp I had a low grade fever. I suspect the day before it was a solid fever.  no stuffyness or sore throat so I did not recognize it.  slept gud last night and had normal temp this morning so went to work and got my butt kicked... But made it through the day. 

Hugi came out to the stream for my after work soak

not enough light for the little point and shoot to choose a fast shutter speed. Or perhaps Hugi is too fast to be caught ;)

Nick Goldsmithwrote:

cilantro tastes like cat pee 

Uh, I don’t want to know how you know this…

and in most cases I do not like it but in certain Mexican dishes made by folks who know what they are doing it's fine.

Some people tell me cilantro tastes like “soap.”   Apparently, this is caused by a genetic defect.   Others, just don’t like the taste because they have boring taste in food.   

Personally, to me cilantro tastes “citrusy.”  I use it and lime juice to balance the heavy garlic of the scapes.  They’re “bright” in contrast to the “heavy” garlic.

I don’t like to use basil because the result is closer to an ordinary, everyday “basil pesto.”  Also, basil has a clove/licorice flavor that adds to the heaviness. 

  I’m sure Paula’s recipe tastes great, but I’m trying to make something that also tastes great, but is different and maybe a little bit unexpected.  

Ok,  enough about food; let’s get back to discussing why rounding up brown people and deporting them without due process is great for America….

Ed “my mom was a terrible cook….” E

ed esmondwrote:

Ok,  enough about food; let’s get back to discussing why rounding up brown people and deporting them without due process is great .

Oh come on Ed, I’m sure there is plenty to argue about regarding my breakfast.  Are four eggs too many?  Should I have used salt AND pesto?

Ward Smithwrote:

Oh come on Ed, I’m sure there is plenty to argue about regarding my breakfast.  Are four eggs too many?  Should I have used salt AND pesto?

you’re asking all the wrong questions….

Nice color, (local, free-ranging chickens, I’d guess…) but, since you want to squabble:  

they look a little hard, too much high heat for too long.  High heat at first, just until they start to set. Then lower and stir gently.  If you get it right, you can take it off the direct heat and it will finish perfectly just with residual heat.  5 star would be fully cooked, but still creamy.

Plating could use some work….

ed “quoting some strong French climber from years ago: ‘it’s not enough to do a route, one must do it beautifully …..’” e

apogeewrote:

This is a very good podcast that explores the role of militias in England, how this impacted the Constitution and the role of militias and military in the America, and how the Second Amendment has 'evolved' in its 'modern' interpretation.

If you haven't listened the Constitutional podcast, it's a very strong recommend. Very concise, objective description of the origins of all of the aspects of the Constitution, and provides great insight into how America has developed to where it is today.

Thanks for this suggestion, I've really been enjoying Constitutional podcast. So many things that I likely should have known already.

Ed, can I substitute cat pee for the cilantro and lime then? I don't have any cilantro and I have to round up a cat to have something to put the sauce on anyway.