Having a January birthday, falling directly after the holidays, has always brought its share of interesting, after-thought birthday gifts from my family. I grew up with an Uncle who was famous for gifting the girls in our family with man-gifts that he wanted to play with himself like hunting knives, fishing poles and fly-fishing supplies. So when my husband surprised me with a "home theater" for my birthday, I just smiled and said thank you, honey . . . I was used to it. But what I really wanted to say concerning this behemoth, 60 inch wide screen invasion into our house, my life and our children's innocence was: "Do we really need this?"
Of course, the answer is no . . . we don't need television. There is nothing on anyway. I am the small voice in our family that once a year suggests boycotting the television entirely! We could pretend that we were watching an Andy Griffith marathon and sit on the front porch with Sheriff Taylor and Aunt Bea after a family dinner at the table. We could listen to the sounds of the crickets and a few folk songs on the guitar, explore our dreams and futures and have real conversations. Is this such a far-fetched desire?
But the sad truth is that this large screen is a powerful altar. Look! We can watch really meaningless stuff in high definition, stereo sound, blue ray and 3-D coming soon . . . and on my schedule! Give me the ring, Frodo! Let me know when we can watch more meaningless stuff in hologram projection or just connect it directly to my head. Tell me what I need to buy next, what prescription sounds inviting? . . . I really need some suggestions. During Super Bowl week, I will acquiesce . . . nothing like zooming in on a touchdown pass. And then, I will pry myself away from the altar . . . and try to talk my family down from the ledge, before we lose ourselves entirely.
(A very simple Super Bowl dip - but we do need simple after the television invasion)
Mix together in a bowl:
16 oz cream cheese
16 oz shredded Swiss cheese
One can of sauerkraut - squeeze out the liquid
16 oz corned beef, chopped
Place mixture in a casserole dish and bake in for 30 minutes at 350*. Don't worry if you get distracted, 45 minutes is fine, too. Or, microwave it . . . more time to watch TV. Serve with pumpernickel breads, crackers and lots of beer. My Dad recommends Natty Light . . .
Jill Marcus
Founder, Green Goddess Alliance
President, Something Classic
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