Just a quickie...

Will probably be even slower-than-usual responding to email, IM, etc... the next week or so, as my home 'puter is on it's last legs (it's been getting slower, and s-l-o-w-e-r, and s--l--o--w--e--r for awhile now, but can't complain, got many years out of it.) Already ordered a new one (Dude, I'm getting a Dell- again!) which hopefully should arrive this weekend/early next week.

More thoughts, on other topics, but they'll hold...

"He said he's going back to find/What's left of his world/The world he left behind/Not so long ago..."

A lil introspective on a wind-swept rainy Sunday evening...

Increasingly, I'm feeling as if I don't make a difference in the lives of folks I know. I'm no activist of any sort, of/for any particular cause; I commend- most of- those who are, those who are willing to take a principled public stand on issues important to them. But that's not my way, it never has been. I've always been more comfortable dealing with and trying to help or lend support on a one-on-one, personal kinda way, not the great or particularly visible or noteworthy acts, more the acts of simple kindness and support, lending a sympathetic ear or providing individual assistance or offering practical suggestions based upon my similar experiences with what they may be currently dealing with and what has worked for me in managing and/or overcoming them. Again, I realize these aren't necessarily the grand, life-altering things some folks offer. And my life is hardly ideal or perfect or trouble-free; I'm not offering myself up as the Shell Answer Woman. But I often feel as if I have or make no impact, when I try to be supportive, try to help, and my efforts are of little benefit or help, and seem to have little-to-no impact or are simply disregarded and/or ignored. And more selfishly I know, but I often also feel as if my efforts go un- or at the very least, under- appreciated. I wish I could do more, help more, make more of an impact, but also the occasional recognition of the effort extended wouldn't hurt, either.

And in larger things too... As I said, I'm not an activist, that's just not me. But I wish I had the time, and the means, and I suppose to a degree the gumption and motivation to get more involved with activities beyond my personal, immediate, day-to-day life. I know several people who do, from all of my walks of life. I have tremendous admiration and respect for them, giving of themselves, giving something back, in ways they are competent and comfortable doing so. They're making a difference, they're involved with things greater than and beyond simply and solely themselves, and in ways that don't seem burdensome or a chore, but add to the measure- and pleasure- of their lives.

I told ya this was gonna be a bit introspective tonight! (And I didn't even touch on l'affaire Imus... yet! ;)

"Am I not pretty enough/Is my heart too broken/Do I cry too much/Am I too outspoken..."

Thawing out from all the April global warming this evening, BRRRRR... could've been worse- they got 18" of global warming up in Maine the other day; maybe Al Gore can help them shovel out!

Good recipe:
Smashed Parmesan Potatoes
3 pounds baby red-skinned potatoes, unpeeled, halved
2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine the potatoes in a large pot of water. Cover and bring the water to a boil. Continue boiling until the potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Return the potatoes to the pot. Coarsely mash the potatoes, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Using a large fork, stir in the Parmesan and the oil. Season the potatoes, to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.
(Little-appreciated Kellie fact: I am one heckuva cook!)

Here's hoping everyone who celebrates Easter had an enjoyable one today! Mine was nice, had dinner at my mom's- yummy lamb, asparagus, the above-mentioned potatoes, and strawberry shortcake w/ whipped cream for dessert!

The Sopranos finally resumes tonight- ostensibly the last season. I've said it before, but Italian mobsters always seem to be depicted as having more style and panache than, say, their Irish counterparts; perhaps because it's true! The Sopranos is a great show that sadly was never filmed on a steady-enough basis. Viewers often have to go back and watch the previous seasons' episodes simply to remember the many story lines and such because of the too-long time lapses in production. It'll be interesting to see how this- alleged- final season ties up all loose ends, all "family business" as it were. I'm thinking they may leave things somewhat open-ended, in case a big screen production is in the works at some point. (On a somewhat-related note, I finally saw The Departed recently, on On Demand- very good! While not the Whitey Bulger story, certainly similar... and they got it right, too, in that the characters were thoroughly working-class Irish-American, not romanticized Irish from Ireland; no brogues, no reminiscing about the Old Sod over a Guinness and a seisiun, but- mostly- scruffy guys in dingy bars drinking Bud and smoking Winstons looking to score the next easy buck. An outstanding film... and fun to try and pick out all of the local shots!)

RIP- Darryl Stingley.

"When you woke up this morning/You got yourself a gun..."