A Rain of Frogs

So, I’ve had a couple days to absorb the results of the Canadian election. Because I work in the news industry, the elections weren’t something I could digest – I had to work on Tuesday night to make sure things went well for us. Now I’ve got a few moments to consider.

The Conservatives won another minority government – one that the MSM has been calling a ‘muscular minority’. I don’t know what that means, other than once again Prime Minister Harper creeped out significantly large numbers of Canadians. If ever there was a man on which a smile looked like it was surgically removed from some happily insane person and grafted to their chin, it’s Harper. When he smiles, he looks like he’s about to go for someone’s neck, regardless of what colour his sweater is.

Basically the taxpayer just spent 300 million dollars to be exactly where we were eight weeks ago. There were some bright spots (or dark ones, depending on your point of view) – in my riding the Liberal candidate (Gerrard Kennedy) beat the incumbent NDP candidate (Peggy Nash).

I know some people are terribly upset about that, but from my point of view, the riding once again has an experienced elected representative who is invested in the neighbourhood. He was an MPP (Minister of Provincial Parliament – the equivalent of a State government in the US – for my non-Canadian readers) for many years and has a proven track record of doing good things.

Those who supported Nash will inevitably point out that Kennedy ‘ran away’ from Provincial politics to run for the leadership of the Federal party. I think that’s complete hogwash. He threw his hat into a heated leadership race, and didn’t win. I say good on him for trying, though I don’t thank him for being instrumental in Stéphane Dion’s successful leadership bid. He’ll have to answer for that, as far as I’m concerned. I’m waiting for my letter of explanation, Gerrard.

What did Nash do while she represented the neighbourhood? She voted for a bill that stripped a long-standing right from Canadians and made everyone I know – including my parents – criminals. Not only that, she proudly announces her support for it on her website. And sent me a really disappointing form letter when I emailed her to ask her why. I couldn’t bring myself to vote for her even though the NDP have the best party colour.

Regardless of how one feels about this election, I think we all know that there’ll be another one some time in the next 24 months. The Liberals will hold a new leadership convention, and choose a new leader to replace Stéphane Dion. He was a puzzling choice when he won 20 months ago, and I suspect it’d be devastating for the Liberals if they chose to keep him as their leader now. Only time will tell, I guess.

As a final note, the Green party, with more public funds and more MSM exposure than EVER before continued to gain absolutely no traction in Canada. I doubt they ever will. Even in Guelph, probably their strongest riding, they only came a distant third.

Tomatoes out of our back garden. We picked them the day before the first frost of the season, which would have otherwise rendered them mush.

The US senate just passed a bill that transfers the remaining money the middle class somehow managed to hold onto into the hands of its fat-cat friends.

In someone else’s words, “What started as a three-page “blank check” request for $700 billion to buy “toxic” assets on Wall Street, has now passed the Senate as a 451-page pork-laden piece of detritus.”

Seriously, did they think no one would read this thing?

Seriously. Did they?

They were right, it seems.

The recipe I promised the other day, and the perfect thing for apple season. It’s more or less the Joy of Cooking recipe, and we absolutely love it. We don’t make it often – deep fried apples! – but usually a couple times a year, Christmas morning for example.

For your enjoyment:

Apple Fritters

In a medium sized bowl, mix:

1 cup all purpose flour
2 tablespoons of sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

In another bowl, whisk together:

2/3 cup milk
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon melted butter

Gradually stir this mixture into the dry ingredients until smooth.

Pour into a shallow baking dish the juice of one lemon.

Peel and core four large firm apples. Cut into ¼-inch slices. Add these to the lemon juice, then turn to coat the apple slices.

Fill a deep, heavy-bottomed pot (we use our awesome orange 5 qt Le Creuset pot) with 3 inches of vegetable oil. Heat to 375°F (medium, then reduce to medium low)

In another medium sized bowl, beat 2 large egg whites (room temperature) until the peaks are stiff, but not dry.

Fold the eggs into the batter. Working with a few apple slices at a time, shake off the lemon juice and dip them into the batter, letting the excess drip off. Immediately drop the slices into the hot oil and deep-fry, turning once, until golden brown and puffed. Drain the fritters on paper towels and keep warm in a 250°F oven until all are finished.

You can serve the fritters sprinkled with a bit of powdered sugar, but we prefer them with real maple syrup.

Cherry beach at dusk.