The Good Lord Bird
It weren’t slavery that made me want to be free. It was my heart.
If the cover of The Good Lord Bird did not disclose the author to be James McBride, the reader would think that Mark Twain was the genius behind this novel. Winner of the National Book Award (2013), The Good Lord Bird is the story of the years leading up to the historic raid on Harper’s Ferry in 1859 from the perspective of a young boy named Henry Shackleford, who is known throughout the book as Henrietta when he is mistaken as a girl and decides to play the part to save his hide. Read more 
Chewie Fruities
Chewie Fruities are chewy squares of orchard fruit candy not unlike Starburst except that Chewie Fruities taste remarkably fruity and are made with organic, all natural ingredients with no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, With three flavors to choose from: Meyer Lemon & Raspberry, Pomegranate & Nectarine, and Blood Orange & Honey, Chewie Fruities satisfies the kid in all of us who subscribe to the motto “It’s all about the candy.” Read more
How to Make a Plant-Based Plate
When making a vegan or plant-based dinner plate, there are four things to consider: color, texture, nutrition, and flavor. Starting with color, think multi as in orange and green (although there are infinite combinations). Bright orange sweet potatoes and green broccoli florets look fantastic together.
For texture, consider mushy and crisp because a combination of textures is simply more appealing. Nuts and seeds add crunch and flavor to steamed, baked, puréed, and roasted vegetables. A well-balanced meal will contain protein, carbohydrates, and fats along with vitamins and minerals. But, the most important factor is flavor. Choose plant-based food that tantalizes your taste buds and satisfies your appetite. Know that tofu – a bland high protein soy bean based food – needs seasoning (usually a sauce). Read more
Elie Wiesel, Night, and July 4th
Three years ago, I posted a book review of Elie Wiesel’s Night – the story of his family and how the teenage Wiesel survived the Holocaust during World War II. On this July 4th as we celebrate independence and the passing of 87-year old Wiesel just a few days ago, it seems only fitting that we honor a man who spoke out against violence, racism, and repression, told us why we need to stand up to injustices, and how important it is to listen to those with the courage to speak out. With that in mind, the post of Night – one of Wiesel’s most important works – is reprinted below: Read more
Bright Shards of Someplace Else
Twenty years ago, George Dawes Green wrote a book entitled The Juror about a young mother (Annie) chosen for jury duty for a high-profile murder trial of an organized crime mob boss. The story is filled with suspense and tension with the creepiest, most memorable part involving Annie’s best friend, Juliet – a strong, tough, and protective character – the type of person we all want watching our back. Read more
Paddock Post 