The Star-Spangled Banner

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there,
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream,
’Tis the star-spangled banner - O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Francis Scott Key

My spicerack is much more sophisticated lately; having evolve from good ole salt and pepper and scant few other items in the more recent past.

My penchant for cooking has grown and increased with the advent of my new gas range with all the modern features ... as well as that hefty price tag.

Today is National Herbs and Spices Day.

It happens each June 10th annually. It's all about those flavoring agents typically used in those dishes we make out of the utility of hunger ... or culinary creativity.

Some of the spices are delicate. Others not so much. Regardless I like a good selection of herbs and spices from which to choose. These I use either sparingly or lavishly depending on both the taste and my mood.

There are several spice stores nearby with proprietors who are Asian Indian and of course they are excellent resources for advice on spices and cooking in general.

It is said that this holiday has been observed since about 2015 and they didn't do much in the way of keeping tabs on it prior to then. In 1999 it was referred to as Herb Day.

So if your going to cook anyway you might as well learn a smidge about herbs and spices and flavor things up more than they might be otherwise.
 

Meal preparation has become more important to me in my old age. Once upon a time I was content to go out and forage in the various eateries local to my area.

However, their heyday is long since past and I dare say the employees of some of those establishments all too often appear less than hygienically trustworthy by and large. I don't want to mention any names ...

McDonalds.

So I have invested in a really good dishwasher and a modern feature rich gas range with air frying and convection oven and am presently pursuing a good set of stainless steel pans in the name of nourishment and not having to eat out all the time. It's amazing how many people think it's okay to cook in aluminum cookware. They apparently do not follow the Alzheimer's dementia clinical data as closely as I have since the 1980s.

Today is National Meal Prep Day. It is observed on June 9th annually. Meal preparation is a much maligned yet essential activity of daily living. If you are to eat meals must be prepared.

I fondly recall the "lunch ladies" of Irving School in Blackfoot, Idaho and George R Fishburne Elementary in Hanahan, South Carolina to this day. They were ALWAYS some of my most favorite people.

As it was then I remain someone who appreciates proper nutrition and enjoys good food. I likewise hold those who prepare food in the highest esteem.

That gourmand which was me early on has evolved to gourmet status so to speak inasmuch as I like good healthy food and pursue it vigorously. Food preparation is essential toward that end if you aim to also diminish that need for restaurants in your existence. Not that a good restaurant experience is to be shunned at all.

Happy National Meal Prep Day.

See Also:

Fast Food Day 2021
 

I simply love it when a good plan is set into motion. Something counter to the insanity which the democrats have wrought upon the populace of the United States in all their subversive arrogance and lack of culture and decorum.

In that reality which is based on science it seems that some nations recognize the folly of allowing abnormal behaviors to become mainstream.

The right-wing government of Italy's Lazio region around Rome said on Monday it was withdrawing its backing from the capital's annual LGBT parade. Of course, this drew angry responses from their leftist libtard activists.

Thusly the degeneracy of Pride month as the abomination of America was thwarted in Italy where they launched Family Pride Month.

Georgia Meloni the Prime Minister of Italy made that decision to counter ‘Pride Month’ by launching ‘Family Pride Month’ in the name of the traditional family.

It is officially named “Family Pride 2023 We defend our Children".

It's good to note that there are pockets of sanity and morality in the world.

The utter brazen stupidity of those who think they can change their gender is truly astounding. Failing to recognize a falsehood in biology such as gender is not hate. It's reality.

Viva l'Italia !