Monday, November 10, 2008

Heart of Darkness

Phew, what a book. Although I am not really enjoying the book, I am enjoying the thoughts it is provoking. Is the title "Heart of Darkness" referring to the Darkness of the Congo--or The Darkness of the heart?
Some people when presented with dire circumstances, rise above their predicament, while others prefer to take the path of least resistance, giving themselves power and a boost to the obviously faltering ego. (E.g Mr Kurtz). Take Hitler and his entourage who carried out the atrocities of the Holocaust--compare them to Sister Mother Teresa, who spent most of her life in true poverty and saw first hands the atrocities these poor souls had to endure, yet she choose to shine through the plight that lay ahead of her and those in her care--she rose above the situation. She did not want her station in life to be elevated, yet, in her death, she is put on a pedestal, to which we would never be able to aspire. What she did not want in life, was thrust upon her in her death. Now Mr Hitler, he could only put himself on a pedestal by taring down other human beings. It is interesting to note that Mr Hitler in his death, achieved the opposite of what he wanted in life, he is now seen for what he was and will forever be remembered as as the epitomy of evil.

6 comments:

edie said...

Who may I ask is the author of this thought provoking post? I think I hear a faint British accent?

Pam said...

Yes It was me. Am I the only fool reading this book?

edie said...

No, I am barely started. Knitting and having company and reading Twilight too much. But I'm now wholly devoted to it. I promise.

Pam said...

Holy smoke, it's a good job we changed from "Portrait of a Lady" (600) pages to Heart of Darkness.
I am in the middle of Wuthering Heights--Oh my Lord, Healthcliff is a maniac--he even tries to hang a dog, while Cathy is bi-polar and is phisically and mentally abusive--she actually has a child. (I do not remember that!) Considering Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights were written by sisters--I find it hard to believe they even lived under the same roof. The book is soooo much darker than I remembered. Yet--I am loving the different observations I am finding within myself with each new re-reading--not very good english, but you know what I mean.

Pam said...

I know how to spell physical, my little finger just got carried away and I forgot to spell check, I have no other excuse.
Pam

edie said...

Didn't even notice. Just love that you're here...keeping us on our intellectual toes.

Our Recipes

Our Recipes
Baked Brie

Baked Brie

1 Whole Wheel of Brie
1 Sheet Puff Pastry or
1 Sheet Regular Pastry
3 T Orange Marmalade
1 egg for glaze



Bring the Cheese and Pastry to room temperature.
Do not remove the rind from the Cheese
Place the Marmalade on the center of the pastry.
Place the Brie in top of the Marmalade.
Wrap the Pastry around the Brie, use a small amount of a water wash to help the Pastry adhere to itself.
Invert the wrapped brie on to a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and coat with the egg wash.
At this point the Baked Brie can be stored in the refridgerator for up to 4 days, when you are ready to finish the cooking of the Brie, pre-heat your oven to 350', bring the Wrapped Brie back to room temperature, place in the hot oven and cook for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Do not serve immedistely, but place on your serving platter and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
Serve with Crackers or French bread

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu
Chicken Cordon Bleu

This recipe can be served as an entree or cut into bite size pieces as an Hor'sD'oeuvre

Awaiting recipe

Petite Fours and Croissant

Petite Fours and Croissant
Petite Fours

Petite Fours and Croissant

Recipe to be submitted

Mini pickled Okra sandwiches

Mini pickled Okra sandwiches

Mini Pickled Okra Sandwiches

This recipe can be made up to 2 hrs in advance, due to the Cream Cheese acting as a barrier and preventing the Bread from absorbing the liquid from the Pickled Okra--simply make your sandwiches, cover them with a slightly damp piece of paper towel , then some Saran Wrap and refridgerate for up to 2 hours. The Cream Cheese mixture also works well with Cucumber Sandwiches.

1 Loaf of Bread
8 oz cream cheese
2 T Dill.Herb Spice Mix (Tastefully Simple)
1 Jar of Pickled Okra
Bring the cream cheese to room temp and add the Spice mix.
Remove the crusts from the bread and roll out with a rolling pin.
Take 2 pieces of bread apply some of the cream cheese add the Okra cut in to desired shapes and serve.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Chocolate Pecan Pie

Recipe to be submitted

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

This recipe is dangerous, Why? because you are only 5 minutes away from Chocolate Cake at any given time of day.

4 T Flour
4 T Sugar
2 T Cocoa
1 Egg
3 T Milk
3 T Oil
# T Chocolate Chips (otional)
a small dash of Vanilla Extract
1 Large Coffee Mug

Add all of the dry ingredients to the mug and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and again mix well. Add the chocolate chips ( if using ) and vanilla extract, after you have mixed well, place the mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1,000 watts ( high ). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, do not be alarmed! Allow the cake to cool a little and then invert on to a plate. This recipe can serve 2 ( if you want to feel slightly more virtuous ).
Recipe by Tina Faust