A daily series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us every morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved. The comment thread is fun and light-hearted, but we're serious about moving the progressive political agenda forward.
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Good morning Kogs and Kossacks in Dailykosland!
Let's start the working week with a Moral Monday.
Are there any foods you used to hate but now love?
I used to be afraid of mushrooms.
A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing, especially for a bright child. Somewhere along the way I heard about poisonous mushrooms and death caps and that was all I needed to know. Even though I saw others eat mushrooms with no ill effects, I was unmoved. I even had a friend whose mom ate raw mushrooms (at the time I thought that was completely ick) and she didn't die either, but I could not be swayed.
I don't remember how this got changed. It could have been a time when my mom was making spaghetti and meat sauce and she made one batch without mushrooms for me and one batch with mushrooms for her and I ate some of hers by mistake. All I know is that by the time I was a teenager I *LOVED* mushrooms and especially my mom's spaghetti sauce with mushrooms. I even learned to love raw mushrooms in salads. I cook with mushrooms a lot now, and although the trouble of cleaning raw mushrooms is enough of a pain to stop me from using them often at home, I do enjoy raw mushrooms in salads when eating out. In winter I stretch thin meals by throwing in a can of cooked mushrooms, and in summer I can easily eat a whole box of raw mushrooms as an odd snack.
I think my original problem with eggplant was the name. Who would plant an egg? The insides also looked weird—like a life form from another planet. I also make the mistake of chewing a piece of raw eggplant one time. Ick.
My mom was fond of making breaded fried eggplant (similar to fried green tomatoes) and one day I tried it. Savory fried foods have always been a weakness. The strange texture was transformed and the hard skin was softened. The color was still unusual (that was before I learned to love purple) but I was able to get past that once the texture was improved. Shortly after that I moved to Boston, land of “eggplant pahhm” (known elsewhere as eggplant parmigiana). Fried eggplant in a sandwich with melted cheese? Where had this been all my life? I also learned how to make a layered eggplant casserole that was like lasagna except with thin sliced eggplant instead of noodles. YUM!
Grapefruit was a much longer haul. That is a taste I have only acquired in mature adulthood. Mom loved grapefruit and used to have it on Sunday mornings. It was a special treat for her—I guess good grapefruit was expensive or hard to find in our area back then. (The local grocery stores were not known for a wide variety of fresh produce.)
Mom really enjoyed her grapefruit. She could easily eat a whole one at a meal, not just a half. She had those special grapefruit spoons. She had a grapefruit knife! She was glad I didn't like it. More grapefruit for her!
Lots of little kids have trouble with bitter or sharp tastes. But I had a problem with grapefruit for decades. When Fresca debuted in 1966 I thought it was the nastiest concoction I had ever tasted. I tried it several times over the years and I continued to find it vile.
But a few years ago I was desperate one day for a drink that had neither sugar nor caffeine and the only cold drink available meeting those criteria was Fresca. I intended to take only a few sips. But it was very refreshing! The tartness was pleasant and helped get a bad taste out of my mouth. I looked at the bottle to see what was in Fresca that made it taste so unusual. Grapefruit juice? WTF? It was GOOD. Then I discovered Peach Fresca—O YEA BABE. And during the summer of 2014, I bought and ate grapefruits and peeled them and ate the segments like oranges.
I still have a list of things I will not even try to eat. I wasted a fair amount of good caviar at my cousin's wedding—like Josh in “Big” I was tempted to take a napkin and wipe off my tongue. The slimy texture of cooked okra makes me ill just to look at it. Even though I am (sadly) a big fan of fried food in general and a big big fan of fried seafood in particular, fried clams taste like rubber bands to me (I'm told I need to eat a higher quality of clams), and calimari (fried squid) is just ICK.
But who knows? Maybe someday I will come to love them.
Do you have any foods that you used to avoid, or dislike intensely, that you changed your mind about over time and now enjoy?
Are there any foods you love now that you used to hate?
start up soundtrack
Let's Build Communities!
Our team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events.
We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in.
If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
Instructions on HOW TO FORM A NEW DAILY KOS GROUP
List of All Existing Meatspace Groups
Where the Kogs Are: Index/Directory of the 130+ Localized Daily Kos Groups
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY
by mimi ♥ for New York City
Here's a great photo recap of all the Kossacks marching in NYC at the People's Climate March on September 21, 2014.
L-R: Raines and Tool holding the banner
L-R: ?, mole jr., Mrs. Mole333, boatsie, The Poet Deploreate, WarrenS, ? mole333 and kathny
Please visit mimi's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New York City by sending a Kosmail to kathny.
Coachella Kossacks MeetUp and How to add a link to your signature
by Susan Grigsby ♥ for Coachella Kossacks
Susan Grisby put out the call for other readers of Daily Kos near Palm Desert and now we have the beginning of organizing there.
Here's the charter group! Go Susan! Special thanks to susans for driving down from L.A. to lend support.
L-R: ruscle, ruscle+one, Susan Grisby & blue drop
Look at all that orange! Shirt, tops and a hat! Sweet.
Please visit Susan Grigsby's diary for MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Coachella Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to Susan Grigsby.
by tmservo433 ♥ for Kansas & Missouri Kossacks
tmservo433 organized a registering-to-vote event for Ford County, Kansas in Dodge City to reach out to Latino voters there. He partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the Ford County Democratic Party. 150 people attended to listen to John Thomas (KS House District 119 Candidate), Jean Schodorf (Secretary of State Candidate), Jim Sherow (US House, KS District 1 Candidate), Mark Low (Kansas House Candidate, District 115).
"LULAC volunteers sat at their table and handled registration after registration as people came to the event to listen to how they could change their state. We knew that not only were we helping to register new and first time voters, we were helping to bring a message into a community that has been ignored - and to help them take that message back to their friends and families."
This is a great example of reaching out to disenfranchised communities and helping them vote. Because If Democratic base voters turn out, we win. Can't be said enough. More regions need to do this.
Please visit tmservo433's diary for many MORE photos! Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join Kansas & Missouri Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to tmservo433.
Meetup Success! C+J/NE Kossacks Sept 6th
by nhox42 ♥ for New England Kossacks
The New England Kossacks got together at the home brillig and mik north of Boston. Kossacks drove from all over New England to attend. Looks like a great time was had by all.
Folks in attendance were: brillig, mik, K1, K2, Simple, nhox42, Ed Tracey, GreyHawk, Kathy, TrueBlueMajority, theKgirls, Bill in Portland Maine, Common Sense Mainer, mayim, dtheo, RubDMC, AnotherMassachusettsLiberal, Debbie in ME, ialonelady, CwV, sardonyx, Noor B, Andy, James and Alex.
New England Kossacks
Please visit nhox42's diary for MORE photos! Including yummy food pr0n. Enjoy! You can still REC it. You can join New England Kossacks by sending a Kosmail to nhox42.
Event Organizers! Please contact wink from Netrootsradio.com by KosMail to schedule airtime with them to live broadcast the date of your Event. Wink & Justice will then promote it on The After Show radio program!
Saturday, October 4th
Four Corners Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 3:00 PM
LOCATION: Carver Brewing Company
1022 Main Avenue • Durango
ORGANIZER: Send Thinking Fella a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Thinking Fella
2. nzanne
3. Lady911
4. ERRN
5.
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Maybees:
several lurkers!
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Four Corners Kossacks: First Official Meet-up! Please join us!
Seattle City Council member
Kshama Sawan
Saturday, October 4th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
SPECIAL SPEAKER: Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant who gained national attention in her successful campaign to get $15.00 min. wage passed in Seattle
TIME: 12:30 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
SET MENU COST: $25.00 per person (includes non-alcoholic beverage, gratuity, tax and your choice of entree from a limited-choice menu)
Space will be limited to the first twenty who RSVP for this event and I'm working to have the room filled to capacity, so don't delay. CAPACITY REACHED. Waiting list only now.
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. Basilia B. - guest of John Crapper
3. Alan H. - guest of John Crapper
4. John Crapper's SO
5. bleeding blue
6. momomia
7. doingbusinessas
8. cinnamon68
9. Piren
10. Eagle Keeper
11. LarisaW
12. Rennie S - guest of Larisa
13. Phil H. - guest of Larisa
14. Nelson S. - guest of Larisa
15. Diachronic
16. FlamingoGrrl
17. Grey Fedora
18. PennyGC
19. anonymous
20. anonymous
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Waiting List: |
Latest diary: Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks - Meet Kshama Sawant - Oct. 4
Saturday, October 4th
Dkos Asheville Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: The Cantina at Historic Biltmore Village
10 Biltmore Plaza • Asheville
ORGANIZER: Send randallt a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
. randallt
2. davehouck
3. Joieau
4. Lamont Cranston
5. DawnN
6. SteelerGrrl
7. SteelerGuy
8. swhelden
9. Ottery Scribe
10. Burns Lass
11. Mary Beth
12. smiley7
13. people power granny
14. Gordon20024
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Maybees:
munchkin
raincrow
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Latest diary: DKos Asheville: Weekly Open Thread
Sunday, October 5th
Connecticut Kossacks Meet-up
It's prime door knocking and phone banking time, so thankgodforairamerica is hoping some Kossacks will come to the Democratic headquarters (next door from the Shamrock) to meet some of the people working on the campaigns to connect.
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Shamrock Restaurant
210 Meadow St • Waterbury
ORGANIZER: Send thankgodforairamerica a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. thankgodforairamerica
2.
3.
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Maybees:
Actbriniel
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Latest diary: Connecticut Meetup Sunday Oct. 5
Saturday, October 11th
Silicon Valley Kossacks' Day of Action Canvassing and BBQ with the Mike Honda Campaign (CA-17)
TIME: 11:00 AM
LOCATION: Mike Honda for Congress
10601 S. De Anza Blvd. #106 • Cupertino
ORGANIZER: Send Glen The Plumber a KosMail or tweet to attend
RSVPs:
1. Glen The Plumber
2. remembrance
3. TheLittleOne
4. Lusty
5. slowbutsure
6. madhaus
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Maybees:
navajo
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Latest diary: Silicon Valley Kossack’s Day of Action with the Mike Honda campaign 10/11
Saturday, October 18th
DC Kossacks Potluck Picnicking on the National Mall
DC Kossacks is a regional group intended to organize meet-ups, discuss issues, strategize participation in pertinent activism, and build community for those of us who live in and around Washington DC.
TIME: NOON
LOCATION: National Mall
Take the Blue/Orange line to Smithsonian Metro Station. Exit the escalators and walk straight ahead across the first small lawn to the trees and grassy areas directly ahead. Look for a large plain orange cloth. That'll be us. It will help us recognize each other if you bring something GOS orange! • DC
ORGANIZER: Send NinthElegy a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. NinthElegy
2.
3.
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Maybees: |
Latest entry: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Sunday, October 19th
NYC Kossacks Meet-up with navajo
TIME: Noon
LOCATION: Spitzer's Corner
101 Rivington Street (Ludlow) • NYC
ORGANIZER: Send kathny a kosmail to RSVP
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. ericlewis0
3. belinda ridgewood
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Maybees:
mconvente
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Saturday, October 25th
SFKossacks Attends Daily Kos Day at MoveOn.org's GOTV Offices
TIME: 10:00 AM
MoveOn's Voters Rising Office Location
Berkeley
2177 Bancroft Way (map)
Berkeley, CA
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. navajo
2. Meteor Blades
3. kimoconnor
4. skywriter
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Maybees:
Glen The Plumber
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Latest diary: Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do You Cold Call Well?
Saturday, November 8th
Seattle & Puget Sound Kossacks Meet-up
TIME: 1:00 PM
LOCATION: Pyramid Alehouse, Brewery & Restaurant
1201 First Avenue South • Seattle
ORGANIZER: Send John Crapper a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. John Crapper
2. Kitsap River
3. Charles Curtis Stanley
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Maybees: |
Latest diary: Seattle Meet Up - Dog Day Activities
Saturday, December 13th
SF Kossacks Holiday Party at Daily Kos HQ
The usual Pot Luck drill - sign-up list posted soon
TIME: 6:00 PM
LOCATION: Daily Kos HQ
Address given privately by kosmail • Berkeley
Near Ashby BART
ORGANIZER: Send navajo a kosmail to attend
RSVPs:
1. Markos
2. Will Rockafellow
3. Susan Gardner
4. Meteor Blades
5. Faith Gardner & Roxie!
6. navajo
7. side pocket
8. Mrs. side pocket
9. smileycreek
10. paradise50
11. remembrance
12. Glen The Plumber
13. TLO
14. jakedog42
15. 714day
16. dharmasyd
17. catilinus
18. boatsie
19. liberated spaces
20. citisven
21. kimoconnor
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Maybees:
Thinking Fella
Azazello
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navajo maintains the above event list. Kosmail her if you have any diaries
about your event or if you have changes or additions.
EVERYONE is welcome, tell us what you're working on,
share your show and tell, vent, whatever you want.
This is an open thread. Nothing is off topic.