Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you and that you enjoyed celebrating America’s birthday. This week also contained a massive milestone for me. I have been writing weekly blogs for the RiseUP Cooperative for three years. This is my 139th submission. It also coincides with my personal blog, Tips from the FLIP Side (FLIP stands for “Fully Loving & Inspiring People”), which first appeared in July 2019. I have not been as regular with posting it as I have for RiseUP. Another cool thing that happened this week is that I found out the Brooklyn Public Library purchased a copy of my book, A Crossville Christmas.
Quote of the Week: “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” –Thomas Jefferson
Song of the Week: I want to jump into the classical music realm for this week’s song. When I was looking for songs that represent motivation and perseverance, I found “Pictures at an Exhibition” by Russian composer Modest Mussagorsky. I was first exposed to this song in the early ’80s, when I had a record that mashed classical music with disco. It is a happy-themed composition, and I hope you like it.
Joke of the Week: Persistence is like a bad haircut; it might not look great at first, but it grows on you.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: Persistence is continued effort, usually in the face of obstacles, to achieve a goal. This does not necessarily mean working nonstop to pursue the goal, but it does mean putting in consistent effort over time. The families who founded the United States of America persisted in their dream of establishing a republic where they could enjoy the fruits of honest labor, as well as fundamental rights of self-government that included “no taxation without representation.” If America had lost the war with England, the consequences for Patriots would have been sudden death. The colonists knew it would not be easy to forge an entirely new government, but still they were willing to go the distance. I am proud and grateful to live in a country where we can continue toward the goals of equality under the law and freedom from oppression.
Recipe of the Week: Crockpot Hoisin and Honey Drumsticks
What you’ll need:
¼ cup hoisin sauce
¼ cup honey
3 tbs. ketchup
2 tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbs. minced garlic
¼ tsp. chile flakes, optional
8 drumsticks, with skins on
2 tsp. Chinese five-spice powder
1 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
3 scallions, thinly sliced
steamed white rice for serving
In a bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients. On a plate, sprinkle the drumsticks with the five-spice powder, salt, and pepper. Place the drumsticks in a crockpot and cover them with the honey mixture. Using your hands, toss the drumsticks around inside the crockpot to coat them with the mixture. Cook on low heat for about 4 hours, until chicken is very tender when poked with a fork and the sauce is a bit thicker. Transfer the drumsticks and sauce into a bowl, then add the scallions. Serve over the rice. Enjoy!
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to shout out to the people who are doing hard things. Keep up the good work. You’ve got this. To quote Tom Hanks’ character from A League of Their Own: “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t, everyone would do it. The hard…is what makes it great.” Though he was talking about baseball, we all face situations that we feel are too hard for us, such as difficult children, unfulfilling employment, or loneliness. Keep on persevering. You are much stronger than you think.
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
