Dove's Eye View

Solar Geek President

P021709PS-0250
Originally uploaded by The Official White House Photostream

Look I don't agree with Obama on everything; in fact, he's too centrist and cautious for my political taste. But I like his style. He's a skinny guy with a funny name, just like my own father, just like I was (I'm no longer skinny).

I love this picture of Obama on the roof with the solar panels. I spent a lot of time in childhood on roofs, or craning my neck at bridges and cathedrals, with my father, a civil engineer. Dad loved solar power, too. He worked on the structure of the solar array for NASA's space station as a research project while he was a professor at NC A&T State University.

Gobama!

Wild chicory with caramelized onions

Wild chicory with caramelized onions
Originally uploaded by bedouina

As served at the Tyre Rest House, South Lebanon, October 2008.

Mark Bittman just blogged caramelized onions with lentils and rice. You and I know he really means mjaddarah, right?

I get several hits a day from people looking for mjaddarah recipes. I first published it five years ago, from a recipe I'd put in a family cookbook and maybe posted to an old cooking newsgroup, too, I don't remember. The internet changes but mjaddarah never dies. Anyway, how cool is Mark Bittman for promoting our favorite onions with lentils and rice?

This picture reminds me to braise some greens and garnish them with caramelized onions.

Claudia Roden always has the recipe you want. From The New Book of Middle Eastern Food, the Twitterized version of wild chicory with onion (Hindbeh wa Bassal):

Boil chicory+salt til soft, drain chop; carmlize lrg onion sliced in EVOO, add 4 clovz garlic, salt pepr, cook 2-3 mins, garnish lemon+EVOO.

'Mr. Horowitz, tell us what you think of the two-state solution'

This is six weeks old, but I feel like linking to it today:

Mondoweiss: 'Mr. Horowitz, tell us what you think of the two-state solution'.

"there are several principles that any just solution will have to meet. Some of those principles are equality (in the personal and collective sense) and self-determination. These are principles that can be met in theory in any configuration of solutions, whether they be one state, two states, a confederation, etc. I have heard compelling arguments for the need for one democratic state in Israel/Palestine and for separate states called Israel and Palestine. In the end it is up to people living on the ground to find a solution that works for them.

From our perspective in the US we just need to know that regardless of what the solution looks like, the conflict will not end until these principles are met."

Living Beyond War

Len and Libby Traubman, tireless organizers for dialogue and peace, send word of this new book:

Living Beyond War - A Citizen's Guide - Winslow Myers - public peace process how-to book.

I will be ordering it. No matter how bad the problem, you can only "win" by envisioning the solution - the positive outcome you want to see, to live. You cannot win by fighting the chaos.

The Happiness Project

Gretchen Rubin has been doing this blog for a while now and has made a real name for herself. I didn't used to read it because I pretty much knew everything she suggested; have been working on my own happiness project for years.

The Happiness Project: Eight tips for making yourself happier IN THE NEXT HOUR..

But hey, I need a reminder, and you might, too.

No matter what is happening, if you are still breathing, you can enjoy this moment.

Gaza in the Bay Area

Jewish Voice for Peace' Bay Area chapter announces several events and a lecture series on Gaza and Palestine:

Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish: A Voice of Healing and Reconciliation from Gaza
Friday April 24th, 7-9 PM
First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
Join us for a conversation and memorial ceremony with Dr. Abuelaish, a Palestinian who has devoted his life to caring for the health of families and children, and reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. Tragically, his three daughters and niece were killed in January during the latest attack on Gaza, by Israeli mortar fire while in his home in Jabalya Refugee Camp. He is now working tirelessly to promote a vision of peace, reconciliation and healing to sustain his daughter's memories.

Citizen Hearings on the Impact of US Weapons on Civilians in Gaza
Sunday April 26th, 2-5 PM
Department of Health, Commission Hearings Room #300, 101 Grove Street, San Francisco
Israel is conducting its own internal investigation, but refuses to cooperate with an open UN investigation. Our own Congress has yet to demonstrate interest in learning what happened in Gaza with our own tax dollars. If they won't hold an open hearing, we will. Join the Interfaith Witness for Middle East Peace on a Citizen Hearings on the Impact of US Weapons on Civilians in Gaza. We will feature eye-witness testimony from residents of Gaza, weapons experts and first hand responders. We will give you resources so that you can share this information with your congressperson.

Joel Beinin: The United States and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: U.S. Culture, Domestic Politics & Global Strategy
Monday April 27, 7-9 PM
American Conservatory Theater, 405 Geary Street, San Francisco
This is the second of a five-part lecture series organized by our local JVP-Bay Area chapter. Come hear Stanford Professor of Middle East History Joel Beinin place the current events in a larger historical context. Prof. Beinin's lecture will last approximately 50 minutes, followed by a 45-minute moderated discussion.
More info.

Alice Walker: The Siege of Gaza is an Attack on the Common Heart
Tuesday April 28, 7.30 PM
First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison at 27th Street, Oakland
The world famous writer reflects on her recent visit to Gaza in a deeply thoughtful interview with Malihe Razazan, of KPFA's Voices of the Middle East & North Africa.
More info.

Poythress for Governor

I qualify as a true Lebanese and true American Southerner because I have cousins without number, and I enjoy meeting all of them. David Poythress is my mother's first cousin, son of my grandmother's sister, born and raised in Macon.

Poythress for Governor.

Lt. General in the National Guard, lawyer, served as Secretary of the State of Georgia under Jimmy Carter among other offices.

Guess what? He's a Democrat! The only one in the race. I am happy. The only thing that makes a Lebanese happier than finding a cousin, is finding a cousin IN POLITICS! Yes! If I ever need anything done in the State of Georgia, I know who to call!

Brooklyn Forever

LeilaBrooklyn85Fish
Originally uploaded by bedouina

Photo of me taken in 1985 outside a fish market in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. I sewed that jumpsuit myself. Clever girl, huh!