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Finally fall

I live in Florida.  That means if you blink you will miss fall.  It is October 21th and fall is finally here.  The temperature is below 80, for a few hours, the wind is blowing softly, and I don't sweat 3 gallons when I go for a run.  October is my favorite month here in Florida.  Everyone is so excited that it has cooled down and pumpkins are everywhere!!  

Unfortunately, I'm the only one in my family who likes pumpkin.  Well, maybe that's not so bad because I get to eat all the pumpkin recipes I whip up.  Here's one of my favorites:

Super duper moist pumpkin bread:

1/2 cup melted coconut oil
1/2 natural applesauce
1 3/4 to 1 cup Agave syrup
2/3 cup coconut milk
2 cups (one 15-oz can) pumpkin puree
3 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional)
2/3  cups unsweetened flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray. Mix wet ingredients followed by dry.  Bake 1 hour 15 minutes (if tops begin to brown before time, cover with foil).  Remove from oven. Leave foil on tightly for 10 minutes.  Transfer to plate to cool.  Enjoy.  

Want it a little sweeter?  Add 1 cup chocolate chips. 

Pumpkin bread

Update

Hello readers.  I haven't forgotten about the conclusion to "Happy Daisy for President".

I have been busy with book revisions.  Thus far, "Black Purple Sky"  has been revised on Smashwords, Kindle Amazon, and Create Space paperback.  "Captured"  is also now revised and re-published on Smashwords.  More to come.....

 

In My Head , Happy Daisy part 3

(This is a continuation of a short story, a dream really.  It's far fetched, not meant to have any basis in reality. After all, it was a dream).

The ballot was opened, revealing all of the names of the candidates for President, Senate, and all of the other seats open for re-election.  The author of the Happy Daisy blog was relieved to not see any familiar names.  In the write-in space, a name was written in.  The ballot was turned in, then the author went home, read a book, then went to bed.  A loud whirring noise and a ringing doorbell interrupted a nice dream.

"Are you Daisy Bell?" asked the police officer.

"Yes."  Daisy looked around.  There was a mob of police, reporters and spectators outside in front of her home and up and down the street.  "What is going on?"

"May we come in?  We'll explain inside."  The officer pointed to three men dressed in black suits.

"I guess."  Daisy led the men into her living room and offered them a seat.

"First," stated the officer, "I need some identification.  A driver's license, Social Security Card, and your birth certificate if you happen to have it."

"Okay.  But can you tell me what is going on? Why are all those people outside?"

"Did you vote yesterday, ma'am?" asked one of the suits.

"Yes."

"Did you watch the results?"

"No."

"Are you aware of the write in campaign."

"Vaguely."  Daisy's heart dropped into her stomach.  She was in trouble for her blog. She handed the documents to the officer.

"She's qualified,"  he stated.

"Qualified for what?"

"Ma'am," began the suit, "ninety percent of Americans voted in this election.  That's never happened.  Of those 90%, 85% of them voted for a write in.  They all voted for the same write in. That write in won in every state.  That write in was you?"

"Excuse me?"  Daisy dropped into a chair.  "I voted.  I wrote in a name, but not my own.  Wait, you're saying that my, name,  Daisy Bell, was the write-in?"

"No ma'am, not exactly.  Happy Daisy was the write in.  The electorate agreed.  Happy Daisy was traced to your blog and ultimately to you.  You won the election."

"That's not possible!" exclaimed Daisy.  "Is that even legal?"

"Write-ins are legal ma'am.  Since you are Happy Daisy, then you have been nominated as President of the United States, if you accept."

"You are Happy Daisy, are you not ma'am?" asked the officer.

"Well, yes.  But are you sure they meant me? I mean there could be someone else."

"No ma'am. You are it."

"Oh wow.  That's just incredible.  You know, I wrote that blog, not as a joke, but to get people to pay attention to the candidates.  To make an informed decision.  I'm not sure I succeeded."

"Ma'am," began the officer.  "I read your blog.  I voted for you.  I was well informed."

"Seriously?"  Daisy could not believe her ears or her eyes.  She looked out the window and saw people with signs saying 'I voted for Daisy'.  The onlookers were chanting her name.  "So what now?"

"You need to make a statement to the press," stated the officer.  "You should get dressed first."

"No, they've waited long enough," answered Daisy.  "They voted for me, well, this is me." Daisy opened her front door.  The crowd erupted into cheers.  The press rushed towards her with cameras and microphones aimed in her direction.  She raised her hand to wave and the roars became silence.  "Hello everyone.  My name is Daisy Bell and I accept the position you have elected me to."

The press began firing questions at her.  "What will be your first move?"  "Who is your cabinet?"  "What makes you think you can be President?"  "Was election fraud involved?"

....What do you think Daisy will do next?  What do you think she should do?

In My Head, Happy Daisy part 2

Mr. Thompson walked into the diner with his laptop at lunchtime.  He needed to get a little work done away from the office.  As he sat in his booth, he noticed the TV.

"Good grief, not another smutty political add," he grumbled.

"I know," agreed the waiter.  "I work here.  I have to see those idiotic adds all day long.  I have no idea what any of these guys are for.  All they say is, 'that guy did that terrible thing', and that horrid lady will take away your kids education'.   I'm so sick of it all."

The waiter took Mr. Thompson's order, pointed to the TV, then marched away to the kitchen in a huff.  Upon opening his laptop, Mr. Thompson's e-mail beeped.

"Mail from the wife.  Now what?"  he said to himself.  "'Did you see the blog?  My friends can't stop talking about it.  Look at all the comments.'  What comments?" Mr. Thompson opened the blog.   "Holy cow, she's getting a ton of traffic!" he said to himself, but outloud.

"What kind of traffic?"  asked the waiter who had returned with the soda.

"This blog my wife sent me.  It's by Happy Daisy.  She's suggesting we not vote for anyone on the ballot but instead write in a commoner."

"I think that's a great idea," agreed the waiter.  "I wasn't planning on voting because I don't like any of these people.  The people in office now don't listen to what we want. They are so  out of touch."

"Listen to this -  Miffed in Michigan says, 'I'm sick and tired of my taxes being raised, gas prices going up, being laid off and my house is being foreclosed on.  Mr. President blames the former president for messing up the economy and says if we give him four more years he'll fix it.  Well, that's exactly what he said four years ago.  If he couldn't then I wouldn't be in this mess.  Then the other guy says he can create 4 million new jobs but won't give any details.  He has no experience in the real world.  He's been a politician all his life, spoon fed.  No idea what I am dealing with.'   Then this lady says,  'If only the people running for office would listen to us, really listen to the people then maybe, maybe our country would get out of the toilet.'"

"Oh I like this one," joined in the waiter,  "'Can anyone tell me why it's okay for our sitting President to ignore the constitution?  The guy should be in jail.'  Who is this Happy Daisy?  We should put them on the ballot.  What's that web site?  I want to send this to my friends."

Two days later, the author of Happy Daisy blog turns on the news.   

"In breaking news, there is a viral email circulating that a new political party has formed.  It is the Happy Daisy party.  We have learned that due to extreme dissatisfaction with the incumbent and the opposing candidate that a write in will be on the ballot.  No word as to who the write in is or who is underwriting the ticket.  In other but related news, the incumbent rally in Iowa was canceled due to lack of interest.  In Missouri, the opposing candidate arrived at his rally and only a handful of people were there to greet him. Who is Happy Daisy?"

Dear Blog Readers;

I'm at a loss of words.  I'm happy to have sparked conversation and encouraged everyone to really look into who these candidates are.   Dig deep.  Don't vote for someone unless you know all the details of who they are. Chosing a write-in is a good idea.  Chose wisely.  Chose someone with real life experience.  Someone with values.  Someone who will listen to the people.  After all, the President of this country works for you!  We deserve better.  This country is not a dictatorship nor a monarchy.  Read your constitution.  Study it.  Power to the people!

To those who have asked, I'm a middle class worker, a Bible-believing Christian.  I've never known wealth, never held any office, not even student body council in school.  I'm just an average person like you. I believe in adhering to the Constitution of these United States as set forth by our forefathers.

The US Constitution - read it, readers.

Sincerely, 

Happy Daisy

... to be continued

In My Head 2 .4

It has been quite a while since I have written an "In My Head" post.  If you are unfamiliar, let me briefly fill you in.  These are far-fetched dreams that I have had.  They are really weird, so I remember them and write them down.  This one is titled,  "Happy Daisy for President".

Enjoy:

Dear Reader, I'm so sick of all these political ads.  I just want to throw my shoe at the TV every single time one comes on.  Thank goodness for my DVR.  I can pause then fast forward until my show comes back on.  Then, there is all the junk that I get in the mail every day and the endless phone calls.  Can we just take a deep breath together and scream?! 

Every single politician is a fraud.  Every. Single. One.  Now, I'm no expert.  I didn't major in political science or anything like that.  I'm just a simple working stiff trying to earn a living to pay the bills.  What bugs me is that these yahoos who are trying to get elected have no real clear vision of what they can do for us.  All they tell us is how bad the other guy is.  If I were to believe everything I see and hear.... you know, it's no wonder the rest of the world hates us.  When was the last time someone stood up and said, I am Joe Smith and this is what I believe in and this is what I think will help turn our economy around and create jobs and this is how we will achieve world peace.  And then... when Joe Smith is elected that is exactly what happens.   

But no... As soon as Joe Smith gets elected, Mr. Sourpuss loser digs up all kinds of dirt on our new leader and then the next four years is spent battling the court system.  Meanwhile, Mr. Joe Smith does a 180 and says, well, I did say and promise all those things but it isn't realistically possible.

So, my dear reader, lets protest.  Shall we buck the system and not elect anyone who is on the ballot?  I say we vote for a write-in.  Someone with absolutely no political background whatsoever.  Lets vote for a real commoner, a blue-collar worker.  Someone who understands my problems and yours.  Lastly, lets vote for someone who will abide by the Constitution and the ideals of our forefathers.

Sincerely, 

Happy Daisy

The next day....

"Hey you guys," said Bill.  "Did you see this blog?"  Bill took a sip of his coffee then reads the post to his co-workers.

"That's hysterical," says John.  "I agree with most of that but..."

"But what? You don't think the common man could be President?" asked Bill.

"Theoretically," stated Steven, "all of us are qualified, according to the rules."

"What are you guys arguing about?" asked Mr. Thompson.  He walked into the break room and put his hands on his hips.

"Not arguing, Sir," stated Bill.  "We were discussing this blog post by Happy Daisy."

"Oh, yeah.  My wife saw that this morning and read it to me.  I thinks it's brilliant.  Happy Daisy for President!"

.... to be continued.