Character means everything. Unless you're the President of the United States??

“If you don’t have any fresh ideas, then you use stale tactics to scare the voters. 
If you don’t have a record to run on, then you paint your opponent as someone people should run from. Make an election about the small [insignificant, meaningless, distractful] things.” 

-President Barack Obama

Those who know me well know me to be a pretty good judge of character. Sometimes it's an uncomfortable feeling in my gut. I can't help but cringe at their smile and instinctively distrust everything they say. But for times when it's not so obvious, I defer to the combination of actions and words which make up that priceless thing called character.

"Everyone tries to define this thing called character. It's not hard. Character is doing what's right when nobody's looking." 

- J. C. Watts

Although I'm "technically" a Republican, I don't have it in my head that Democrats are bad people. I know many of my Democratic friends to be smart, objective, analytical people. Most of the closest and dearest friends I've ever had are Democrats. We're not that different. We all want the same things---we just believe in going about them in a very different way.

I implore those friends, and all Americans, to consider this:

The thought process behind someone's ethical beliefs (or lack of) tells you everything, everything, EVERYTHING about whether or not they're someone you should be rooting for. If I paid attention to someone's words alone, I'm likely to build an unrealistic opinion of that person. No presidential candidate has ever been close to perfect; truly, we'd be naive to deny that sometimes the reality of the situation is a matter of choosing the lesser of two evils. But if we're objective---that is, if we're honest with ourselves (admittedly, the most difficult kind of honesty) and truly want what's best for the greater good---we can use our discernment to pick out the traits that comprise someone's character.

A good place to start is looking at someone's actions. Because as the old adage goes, "actions speak louder than words."

"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts." -John Locke

Do your own homework about the person you plan to vote for. What's their REAL history---the things the media has decided that you should overlook? What are the things they've said in the past that revealed their character before anyone was really paying attention to it? Do they take good care of their health, or do they allow their stress to manifest in unhealthy ways such as smoking? Do they maintain good relationships with others, or do they have immediate family in Africa who are reaching out to locals to help pay the medical bills for their child because their multi-millionaire brother has disowned them? (Ok, so it's obvious who I'm picking on a little bit! But don't shoot the messenger, do your own research.) Whether you like to admit that these things are indicators of character or not, they are. It doesn't mean they're a bad person, but it DOES mean you don't want them leading our nation.

Watch your thoughts...they become words.

Watch your words...they become actions.

Watch your actions...they become habits.

Watch your habits...they become character.

Watch your character...it controls your destiny. 

(Or, if you happen to be, like, the President of the United States, your character controls the nation's destiny.)

So many people these days say "eww! I don't deal with politics." If that's the case and we're being honest, can you please stop feeling special? An ostrich with its head in the sand is a worthless asset to society, but will be present and held accountable for its decisions nonetheless.

Character is everything. It's who that person really is. And like it or not, it WILL play a role in every decision they make.

Consider that this November.

Tastes like summa time

Don't you love those home cooked meals that are so good you leave it on the stove for three hours after dinner to "let it cool", then nibble it every time you pass by until your husband and dog are eyeing you like a fatty and you have to forego your evening workout because you can't move? I do. :) Especially when the ingredients are fresh, organic, local and in season, 'cause they're oh so tasty and better for you. I'm referring to summer corn chowder. Yes, I realize that my local forecast is a sunny 108 degrees, but if you can forget that minor detail you'll be good to be go! ;)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (I used coconut oil)
• 2 tablespoons butter (I didn't use that much)
• 1 large onion
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 5 cups vegetable broth
• 2 russet potatoes
• 4 cups fresh corn kernels (approximately 8 ears of corn)
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper (ew)
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper (ew)
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup half & half
• 2 plum tomatoes, seeded, for garnish
• thinly slivered basil leaves, for garnish

Place the oil and butter in a pot over low heat.

Add the diced onion until its transparent.

Sprinkle in flour; cook, stirring, for about five minutes.

Add the broth and potatoes; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium and cook partially covered for 10 minutes.

Add the corn, peppers if you like those things, and half & half; cook over low heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Top generously with garnishes and serve with a glass of sweet iced tea.

Summa time in the midwest at its best:)