Disregard the naysayers, Anne. Caring about the protection of human life shouldn’t be seen as political. In a time where empathy is seen as sinful (crazily enough) there need to be voices that speak truth to power around what is moral and just. Thank you.
Beautiful cake, and likewise, a beautiful post that makes so much sense in today’s world. Keep it going as you always brighten my day. Not my original idea, but I saw a post that noted how the U S Attorney General likened the vandalism of the Tesla dealerships to domestic terrorism. What do you call the slaughter of school children and teachers with the gun availability that Congress cannot seem to stop, given that they receive so much in contributions from the gun lobbies? They say they are deporting migrants to keep us safe. Do something about the guns, and that will really keep us safe!
Anyone who thinks food, like every other aspect of human life, is not political is in deep denial. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this recipe.
Absolutely! They are either not shopping for eggs or clipping the same Good Housekeeping recipes from 1960 if they think food isn’t political. I tried to approach a subject close to home that is still an issue in everyday life. Every morning parents drop their children off at school - what for many has been a safe haven - and they worry about a shooting. They’ve told me. I used to worry about mine falling off the jungle gym at playground. Much worse now. Needs to stop.
Anne: Thank you for this post. What a beautiful cake! And just in time for Easter.
Enjoyed the history about subtle messaging with cakes, especially the angel food cake. I used to try to make this cake while at home during summers as a child (while my mother was at work).
I agree with you about guns. Glad to hear that Alabama passed a law banning Glock switches (a start and important). Unfortunately as you know in Tennessee we are behind with gun control..there is always hope for the future.
I remember that terrible day all too well. It still haunts me. Our state legislature has been seized by extremists, and I don't think we will get any common sense gun legislation in our state of Tennessee any time soon. As Anne Applebaum has written, Tennessee is not really a democracy any more, as our legislators don't have to listen to constituents, and Republicans face no real threat of not being re-elected, so they can do whatever they want. I probably won't make a strawberry cake, but thanks for telling the truth about gun violence in our state and in the US.
Love your perspective on important issues as well as your recipes! This strawberry cake will be the perfect dessert to serve when I host bookclub in May. Our group has been together for over twenty years and has weathered many political and social issue discussions. A particularly heated argument on abortion rights threatened to destroy our group, but fortunately we were able to recover by realizing that there are more things that unite us than divide us. I’m hoping those in our country and government come to the same conclusion sooner than later and put an end to the chaos!
There's another problem with guns which is lead. Lead, as we know, is very toxic. Recently a condor was released into the wild after being carefully raised. The young condor enjoyed only a brief few months of freedom because it was soon killed after ingesting a very small amount of lead. Possibly a hunter left some meat scraps which contained fragments of lead bullets.
Here's another politically connected organization behind shooting and killing...Safari Club International. https://safariclub.org
The website seems to be very sanitized in order to look like something safe and wholesome. Clever sales and marketing. They seem to be toning down the issue of cruel trophy hunting and trying to sound environmentally correct. Baloney!
I do eat meat. I am not against hunting within reason.
It has long been common knowledge that lead is toxic, but hunters also regularly eat the meat of animals killed with lead bullets. I have never heard any concern about this but I am not involved with hunting so maybe I am overlooking something.
Behind a lot of decisions is the politically powerful NRA. I see them as having no morals or principles, completely profit motivated and heavily into sales and marketing. My impression is they would not let any gun or bullet go unsold. (I used to read their monthly magazine.)
Thank you, Anne. I own all of your cookbooks and love them! And now I appreciate and admire you for another reason: your position on common-sense gun regulation. I believe strongly that each one of us needs to speak out in whatever way we can to address the wrongs in our government, across all issues, especially these days. Brava!
I’m grateful for your post today! I remember how beautiful Tennessee was when I was a kid. It is sad to read about the politics that will render so much pain and vulnerability to the people of this country. It was good to read about cakes that were baked to show how we can make change and gather around the table together! I know we can’t stop working to stop gun violence!
Yes! Food and baking and especially a love of cakes are something we all have in common. A good reason for food writers to make the connections when we can.
I’m sitting here sipping my morning coffee and I can smell your strawberry cake by looking at the beautiful picture. We are days from strawberry picking here in Georgia and I can’t wait. For me, it signals spring and flowers (along with the yellow pollen spluge). I don’t know if it was the caffeine or Peter Frampton that sent my heart racing 😊. It was probably both. His message is so relevant and I wish the politicians would take note.
Disregard the naysayers, Anne. Caring about the protection of human life shouldn’t be seen as political. In a time where empathy is seen as sinful (crazily enough) there need to be voices that speak truth to power around what is moral and just. Thank you.
Mischa I will continue to speak up for those who cannot. It is mind boggling that from the top down this country has zero empathy.
Amen Anne…. It’s not political ! As you say it’s humane
Yes!
Outstanding post Anne. You always give me so much to think about. Your writing also gives me hope. We all need to speak up.
We do indeed. And as a career journalist I could not look myself in the mirror without speaking up and reporting the backstories.
Beautiful cake, and likewise, a beautiful post that makes so much sense in today’s world. Keep it going as you always brighten my day. Not my original idea, but I saw a post that noted how the U S Attorney General likened the vandalism of the Tesla dealerships to domestic terrorism. What do you call the slaughter of school children and teachers with the gun availability that Congress cannot seem to stop, given that they receive so much in contributions from the gun lobbies? They say they are deporting migrants to keep us safe. Do something about the guns, and that will really keep us safe!
ABSOLUTELY! You are spot on, Mary. Step one to keep a child safe? Remove guns from the home.
Anyone who thinks food, like every other aspect of human life, is not political is in deep denial. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this recipe.
Absolutely! They are either not shopping for eggs or clipping the same Good Housekeeping recipes from 1960 if they think food isn’t political. I tried to approach a subject close to home that is still an issue in everyday life. Every morning parents drop their children off at school - what for many has been a safe haven - and they worry about a shooting. They’ve told me. I used to worry about mine falling off the jungle gym at playground. Much worse now. Needs to stop.
I needed this post today— to remind me to keep resisting, keep fighting the things that are morally wrong.
Keep it up, Lou Ann!!And don’t let anyone tell you it’s about politics. It’s about morals as you said.
Anne: Thank you for this post. What a beautiful cake! And just in time for Easter.
Enjoyed the history about subtle messaging with cakes, especially the angel food cake. I used to try to make this cake while at home during summers as a child (while my mother was at work).
I agree with you about guns. Glad to hear that Alabama passed a law banning Glock switches (a start and important). Unfortunately as you know in Tennessee we are behind with gun control..there is always hope for the future.
Tennessee legislators have sold out to NRA. We need new voices. And thank you Deborah for your kind words.
I look forward to your article every Tuesday and the recipe based topic! Not necessarily wild about politics… but guns need to be banned!
Thank you! That’s the sweet spot I was hoping to reach. Gun safety could be viewed as a positive by all no matter red or blue.
I am Thanking God for JOURNALISTS everywhere!
Thank you Gina!
I remember that terrible day all too well. It still haunts me. Our state legislature has been seized by extremists, and I don't think we will get any common sense gun legislation in our state of Tennessee any time soon. As Anne Applebaum has written, Tennessee is not really a democracy any more, as our legislators don't have to listen to constituents, and Republicans face no real threat of not being re-elected, so they can do whatever they want. I probably won't make a strawberry cake, but thanks for telling the truth about gun violence in our state and in the US.
You lay it all out for us, Shannon. Well said. Sad but true.
Love your perspective on important issues as well as your recipes! This strawberry cake will be the perfect dessert to serve when I host bookclub in May. Our group has been together for over twenty years and has weathered many political and social issue discussions. A particularly heated argument on abortion rights threatened to destroy our group, but fortunately we were able to recover by realizing that there are more things that unite us than divide us. I’m hoping those in our country and government come to the same conclusion sooner than later and put an end to the chaos!
Amen, Susan! Let’s find the common ground. Life is too short to spend it arguing.
There's another problem with guns which is lead. Lead, as we know, is very toxic. Recently a condor was released into the wild after being carefully raised. The young condor enjoyed only a brief few months of freedom because it was soon killed after ingesting a very small amount of lead. Possibly a hunter left some meat scraps which contained fragments of lead bullets.
Had no idea! But it makes sense. Why do we need to be shooting to kill? I understand hunting is a sport, but look at the fallout.
To be more clear, the condor was poisoned by eating lead, not shot by a hunter. Condors are sensitive to small amounts of lead.
I understood what you meant. Yes terrible that the byproduct of shooting for sport kills birds.
Here's another politically connected organization behind shooting and killing...Safari Club International. https://safariclub.org
The website seems to be very sanitized in order to look like something safe and wholesome. Clever sales and marketing. They seem to be toning down the issue of cruel trophy hunting and trying to sound environmentally correct. Baloney!
I do eat meat. I am not against hunting within reason.
It has long been common knowledge that lead is toxic, but hunters also regularly eat the meat of animals killed with lead bullets. I have never heard any concern about this but I am not involved with hunting so maybe I am overlooking something.
Behind a lot of decisions is the politically powerful NRA. I see them as having no morals or principles, completely profit motivated and heavily into sales and marketing. My impression is they would not let any gun or bullet go unsold. (I used to read their monthly magazine.)
Thank you, Anne. I own all of your cookbooks and love them! And now I appreciate and admire you for another reason: your position on common-sense gun regulation. I believe strongly that each one of us needs to speak out in whatever way we can to address the wrongs in our government, across all issues, especially these days. Brava!
Diane, it takes courage to speak up even within small groups of friends. But you are right that we need to speak out any way we are able.
I’m grateful for your post today! I remember how beautiful Tennessee was when I was a kid. It is sad to read about the politics that will render so much pain and vulnerability to the people of this country. It was good to read about cakes that were baked to show how we can make change and gather around the table together! I know we can’t stop working to stop gun violence!
Yes! Food and baking and especially a love of cakes are something we all have in common. A good reason for food writers to make the connections when we can.
I’m sitting here sipping my morning coffee and I can smell your strawberry cake by looking at the beautiful picture. We are days from strawberry picking here in Georgia and I can’t wait. For me, it signals spring and flowers (along with the yellow pollen spluge). I don’t know if it was the caffeine or Peter Frampton that sent my heart racing 😊. It was probably both. His message is so relevant and I wish the politicians would take note.
I wish, too, Leslie. Where has compassion gone?
I loved your references to the ‘political' cakes. I always learn something new from you.
I am not a cook…..but I share your politics and so appreciate your writing.
I had no idea until I started listing them that there were so many. Probably more!