My lifelong poem, a work in progress

This poem has been a work in progress for over 30 years.

It's based on my life experiences:


It doesn't take a genius or that Ph.D. of his, 
to know "it's nothing against you, but", always means it is.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much smarts, 
to know that "I'm not prejudiced, but", always means you are.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much thought, 
to know that "I am sorry, but" always means you're not.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much blue,
to know "I don't condone that, but" means you certainly do.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much fuzz,
to know, "I don't have a problem, but" means that person does.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a quote,
to know, "I pray for you, but" always means you don't.

it doesn't take a genius nor does it take much ado, 
to know that "I don't like drama!" usually means you do.

It doesn't take a genius, and it doesn't take another, 
to know,  when you say "BOTH sides!" you've already taken the other.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a squid, 
to know that "I'm not taking sides" means you already did.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much gumption, 
to know, when they say "you're paranoid!", they're up to something.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a fight,
to know, when they get really defensive, you were certainly right.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a burn,
to know, when you demand more proof, you really don't want to learn.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much luck,
to know, when you say "Don't judge!", you're judgmental as fuck.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much shelves,
to know, "Don't lump me in!" means they're telling on themselves.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take technology,
to know, "I'm sorry you were hurt, but" is not an apology.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a spigot,
to know, that only bigots, think bigots aren't bigots.

it doesn't take a genius and you don't go very far,
to know, whatever you condone or defend, you also are. 

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a spur,
to know, "Now I'm not an ally!" means you never were.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much filthy,
to know, "How dare you accuse me!" usually means you're guilty.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much biting, 
to know, "That's just your perception!" usually is gaslighting.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much glue,
to know, when "you are too negative!", they're being negative too.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a dancer,
to know, when they respond with silence, they've given you an answer.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much end, 
to know that "you just want attention!" means they're not a friend.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much fly, 
to know, "I don't hate anyone", is usually a lie.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much fire,
to know, demanding unearned trust, means that you're a liar.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a gem,
to know, when you say "but not all", you are one of them.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a sheath,

to know, when "I haven't said ONE WORD!", they're lying through their teeth.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a clown, 

to know, when they say "GET SOME HELP!", they are punching down.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a section,

to know, when they say "you're obsessed!" it's usually a deflection.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a custom,

to know, when they avoid a question, do not ever trust 'em.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a station,

to know, when they say "I'll wait!" that's not your obligation.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take an elf,

to know, when they say "You're delusional!", still don't question yourself.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much red,

to know, "Don't twist my words!" means "That's exactly what I said."

it doesn't take a genius, and it's very, very significant,

to know, when they immediately deflect, they're a willing participant.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a savior,

to know, "you weren't supposed to know" does not excuse behavior.

it doesn't take a genius and it's definitely not unreachable,

to know, when they say "Show me ONE SOURCE!", they're unteachable.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much bugs, 

to know, they constantly claim you're lying, because they lie like rugs.

it doesn't take a genius, nor does it take much defending,

to know that if they claim to fear you, usually they're pretending.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take permission,

to know, deflecting immediately is always an admission.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take resolve,

to know, when they say "I'm not getting involved!" they ARE involved. 

it doesn't take a genius and there's no need to involve you,

to know, that lying about the things you've done does not absolve you.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a user,

to know, when you disbelieve a victim, you have joined their abuser.

it doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a hater,

to know, when you blame a victim, you become a perpetrator.

It doesn't take a genius and there's no way to deny,

to know that people cry wolf, when they're caught in a lie.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much snow,

to know, "I have to pray about it" means the answer is no.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take the nation,

to know, denying discrimination, IS discrimination.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much flying,

to know that lying by omission also counts as lying.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take protecting,

to know, when they say "You're projecting!", usually they're projecting.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a stage,

to know that when they're playing dumb, you don't have to engage.  

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a seether, 

to know, when they say "How do you know?", they don't know, either.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a lodge,

to know, when they say "I don't know!" often it's a dodge.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a guess,

to know, when there is no denial, then the answer's yes.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much flaming,

to know that "I'm not victim blaming, but" is victim blaming.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a noose,

to know, when you silence a victim, you continue the abuse.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a song,

to know, when you hold a victim's abuse against them, you're just as wrong."

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a business,

to know that "I forgive you, but" isn't true forgiveness.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a mile,

to know, "I never said I did!" isn't a denial.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take a spot,

to know, "I never said it was!" isn't saying it's not.

It doesn't take a genius and there's no need to be wise,

to know that when they make excuses, usually they're lies.

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take much fuming,

to know, it's still not denial, when they say "you're assuming."

It doesn't take a genius and it doesn't take civility,

to know, defending an abuser makes you just as guilty.

It doesn’t take a genius and it doesn’t take much sway, 
To know, “I disagree with this poem!” means these are things you say.

21st recipe created by me: Green Beans turkey giblet gravy

As with all recipes "created by me", this recipe was created by accident.

I had made smothered fresh green beans for Thanksgiving.  I sauteed some "creole seasoning"** in olive oil in a cast iron skillet.  Added seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder.  Then I transferred it to a crock pot, along with fresh green beans, and added some chicken broth.  Cooked down the green beans overnight.

** "creole" seasoning is in the refrigerated produce section; It's finely chopped onions, celery, green pepper, and garlic, in a container ready to use.  I hate green pepper, but in the creole seasoning, you don't really taste it.  

So when the green beans were all gone, I still had a bowl full of broth.  So I decided to use the broth to make my turkey giblet gravy.

Roast the neck and giblets in the oven at 350 degrees.  When they're done, chop the giblets and remove the meat from the neck.  

Make a roux with butter (or turkey drippings) and Wondra flour, then mix in the green bean broth.  Add more Wondra flour, and more green bean broth, until you have the amount of gravy you want.  Add the chopped giblets and neck meat.  Warm on low until it's ready.

I discovered that using the broth from the green beans made the giblet gravy taste like... green beans.

Which if you like green beans, is good.  If you don't like green beans, you won't like this.

The Lodge Cook-it-All

Pictured above is the new Lodge product, the "cook it all".

It markets itself as a combination griddle, grill, wok, pizza oven, and dutch oven.

Which it basically is.  And when I saw the video, I immediately wanted one... until I saw the price tag.  Yikes!!!

So having said that, there are some things you should know about the cook-it-all:

It's got a ring on the bottom, that lifts the pot about an inch off the ground, just like camp oven legs.  So it is not practical to use on an indoor stove.  Maybe the oven.

It's meant to be used over a campfire.  Video reviews of people who tried using this to cook over coals, showed that the results were not good, because the coals burned out inside the ring underneath.  Using a camp oven, there's enough airflow that the coals don't burn out.

For all practical purposes, if you have a camp oven (the cast iron pot with a flat lid and legs), you have 90% of the capability.  

A camp oven is primarily used as a dutch oven.  But you can also use a dutch oven trivet or lid stand, and flip the lid over to use as a griddle.  Put your pot upside down over the flipped lid, and it's a pizza oven.  While the pot is not curved, there's no reason you can't do stir fry type dishes in the open pot.

The only thing a camp oven doesn't have is the raised grill part, but you can certainly cook steaks or burgers on a camp oven lid.

It all depends on whether you think an item that can only be used over a campfire, is worth spending $130.

Personally, I'd rather something I can use over a fire, AND over coals, AND indoors.  All regular Lodge cast iron cookware can be used over fire, over coals, and indoors.

The camp ovens can't be used indoors (only over fire and over coals), but if I already have one, then I have 90% of the capability of the cook-it-all.  

I think you're better off buying the new lodge Fire and Cook stand, for cooking over a fire using most Lodge cookware.  

It's very reasonably priced, and you can use the cookware you already have, to cook over your campfire.

20th recipe created by me: Mustard baby back ribs

Tonight I had a slab of baby back ribs that I had to do something with.

I've tried several different recipes for ribs, but tonight I decided I was going to try making one on my own.

First I put the following seasonings in a bowl:  Black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar.**

**I also added seasoned salt, but due to the salt content in yellow mustard, you don't need the seasoned salt.  Paprika might have been good.

Then I rubbed the slab of ribs with yellow mustard.  Sprinkled the seasoning mixture on the ribs.

Into the oven at 400 degrees.  I put the ribs vertically, in a circle in a cast iron skillet.

Those ribs were the bomb!  They were a little salty, which is why next time I will omit the seasoned salt.  Yellow mustard contains salt.

Past experience with the volcano stove, and trying to decide if I want one again

Years ago, I got a Volcano stove, after reading all of the hype about how great it was.

I used it several times, and experimented with it.  Some of my experiences were good, and some did not meet my expectations.

About two years ago, on finding that it was permanently stuck in a half-open position (would not collapse, would not completely open), I donated it.  

That was actually one of my main issues with it, that I never posted about.  The collapsible Volcano gets stuck entirely too easily.  In fact, I kept it in the open position, because it was too difficult to open once it was collapsed.  And then, when I brought it to an outdoor gathering, someone there decided to collapse it, for whatever god forsaken reason.  I was not happy, because it sure was a pain to get open again!

But it had its uses too.  A small charcoal grill / stove, a small propane grill / stove (but it's a hassle to install and remove the propane burner, so pick the one you like most).  Useful for wok cooking using coals or propane.  Useful for cooking in a camp oven WITH COALS, NOT PROPANE.  

So anyway, as it did have its uses, I've been considering getting one again.  But there are two problems:  1.  They're all out of stock at the moment, and 2.  They're expensive!

Not to mention, the helluva time I had opening it, once it was collapsed.  Oh, it wasn't exactly easy to collapse, either.

So... is it worth getting again?  or can I fulfill the same purpose with something else that I have?

Enter the 18 inch Old Smokey, a really nice charcoal grill that you can certainly bring on a camping trip.  The current price is $43.95.

Does it collapse?  No, but you already know how I feel about collapsing.  It's definitely lighter to carry than the volcano.  

Does it use propane?  No, unless you want to get a propane burner with regulator, and install it yourself.  Keeping in mind that this would be permanent, because it would require drilling a big hole in the side of the bottom.  Also keeping in mind that you definitely can NOT cook in a camp oven using propane.

Can you cook in a wok using this?  Yes, If you buy the small size Vortex, using the direct heat function.  It currently costs $35.95.

Can you cook in a dutch oven using this?  No reason you can't; just use the bottom part.  I know what they say about how much more efficient the volcano stove was, but in my experience, six of one, half dozen of the other.

Or you can get a Camp Chef cast iron dutch oven stand, 

Can you use wood?  The people at Old Smokey say yes.

So, for about $80 (Old Smokey 18 inch and small Vortex), you have the same capability as the "non propane" Volcano.  

Propane burners with regulator can range from $30 to $100, I found.  If you want propane.