Wednesday, 26 February 2025

Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

 

We had a "pretty mild for this time of year" day yesterday and some of the snow started to melt. At least that icy crust across the top of it has settled down. They brought in their john deer tractor and ploughed out our driveways finally, from the ice and snow from last week.  It's all laying on the middle of my front lawn and it looks dirty, dirty, dirty. That's the type of snow I don't like much in winter.  The dirty snow and that is pretty much what we have at the moment. Snow is lovely until it gets all dirty.


I forget where I saw it, but somebody had melted a whole glass of white pristine snow, and the water left behind was filled with smut and pollution. It was quite an eye opener.  That's if you can believe it. Half of what we are shown today is unbelievable thanks to AI, but if you look closely, you can spot the difference between reality and the lie. It's getting harder though.




Microsoft has this new program called Microsoft Designer. It will make you a picture of anything you ask it to.  For instance  . . . 


AI Papercraft


I put in (at their suggestion) "3D papercraft oranges on a light green background with soft even lighting."  This is what they came up with. Its kind of cute.  But I think this is a double-edged sword.

Yesterday I also put in, "Creamy Butter Chicken Poutine with Fries, Cheese Curds and a side of chutney."



AI Butter Chicken


 This was one of the pictures that it generated.  It looks okay, but it's not hard to tell that it isn't real. Well it isn't for me anyways.


I also put in "A delicious looking burger on a sesame seed bun with tomatoes, lettuce, onions and cheese."


AI Cheese Burger


This was a little bit harder to tell the difference. It looks pretty real to me anyways. This new technology just made it easier for the world to lie to us. I'm not sure what to think about that. I suppose if used properly it's not a totally bad thing, but if I was an illustrator or designer, or a commercial artist, I would be a bit afraid that I was going to lose my job. It took literally seconds for four very tasty looking burger images to come up. All I had to do was to describe what I wanted to see and presto bazinga! There it was.

I know that most social platforms are requiring people to declare that what they are showing you is AI generated, but   . . .  you know how it goes.

For the record, you can see the "real" Butter Chicken Poutine at the bottom of this post for my recipe of the day and the differences between it and the AI generated one are glaringly obvious. Who knows where this technology will lead or where it will end. I, personally, think it is a bit scary to think about, but then again, everything these days is a bit scary.


 

Truth and trust are really big deals to me. I, really REALLY hate being lied to. I was lied to for over 20 years with devastating consequences. I experienced one of the ultimate betrayals of trust. Perhaps that is why I feel so strongly about this.


 

I got out of the house yesterday morning for a bit.  Would that it was Paris, lol, but it wasn't. It was just my local Foodland Grocery store. I had a few bits and bobs to pick up. I had a list and stuck to it for the most part although I did pick up a few things that were not on the list, like donut holes and cheese crackers.  I always find it really hard to go into the shops and come out with just what is exactly on my list. I always pick up a few extra unplanned bits.  I walk through the shop picking up things on my list and before I know it, a few other temptations have jumped into my cart.  I suppose it is quite natural . . . that is why Costco have their delectably affordable rotisserie chickens right at the very back of the store. You have to walk through the entire Costco to get to them. I know very few people who can go through all the way and back to the tils with just a chicken.  I have only met one person who could do that, and I was married to him. Perhaps that should have been a clue! ha ha


 

My Granddaughter Maryn turned 14 on the 24th.  I did end up sending her a card with her Birthday money in it.  I am assuming she got it as I had sent one to my Grandson Gabriel at the same time and he got his.  I dreamt about her last night. Maryn.  In fact, that was the dream I was having just prior to getting up and it has stayed with me, making me feel somewhat sad.  In the dream I was at a family gathering and she was there. I went to introduce myself to her and told her who I was and asked her if she had gotten my Birthday Card.  And in the dream, she told me, I never get any cards from you. They all go in the garbage.  (I suppose that is my secret fears coming out.)  Anyways, it has made me feel very sad this morning. Her mother and my youngest son make me feel like garbage and try as hard as I do not to think about these things, they are always there and these hurt feelings pop to the surface every now and then and give me a good old slap in the face.  Even in dreams, which I cannot control.

You know . . .  I was bullied mercilessly in Junior High, which left terrible scars that I will always carry with me. Anyone who has been bullied knows what I mean.  My second husband was a bully.  He never hit me, but I was always afraid of him. He was abusive mentally and always gaslighting me before I ever knew what the phrase meant. My last husband was a gas lighter as well. (Amongst other things.) And now I have these two children who are repeating this bullish behavior towards me.  Sometimes it is really hard for me to believe that there is not something terribly wrong with me that makes people behave this way towards me. 

I must try not to let it totally color my day.


 

Someone asked me a few weeks ago had I ever made Belgian Buns. I had never even tasted a Belgian Bun, so I had to look them up. I found a recipe and I tried it out.  I ended up throwing the entire tray of buns out to the birds because they just didn't come out well. Belgian Buns resemble cinnamon rolls, but are filled with lemon curd and raisins. They are glazed with a sweet icing glaze and topped with a cherry.  

That is a very British thing I think . . .  topping things with icing and a cherry. Lots of things they bake are topped with icing and candied cherries.   


Actually, when I think of it, I am reminded of the film Calendar Girls and am reminded of the scene where one of the ladies says that they are going to need larger buns.  I think those must have been Belgian Buns. I am going to try making them again one day, but only when I find a recipe that I think I can trust.



I got a lot done yesterday and at the same time I got nothing done, or at least it seemed like I got nothing done.  Ever have days like that? I have been thinking about things I want to get done before the really warm weather hits.  I want to go through all of my cupboards and get rid of anything that is really old and out of date.  When you live on your own inevitably you end up with some things that don't get used, no matter how hard you plan. 

I got a few loads of laundry done and I managed to vacuum the house. Cleaned the bathroom. I find that these days I need to do things in spurts.  Do a chore. Have a rest. Do another chore.  That is probably why it takes me longer to get anything done.  I fell asleep three times on the sofa without even trying.

I have finished 5 squares on my newest blanket. I think it will be nice when it is done.

I think I will finish this now. I am trying to fill my page with sunshine but today is just not shaping up to be a good day. I guess it got off to a bad start. Tomorrow will be better.

A thought to carry with you . . . 



° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★

 *.There is no condition so severe
that you cannot reverse it by
choosing different thoughts.
~Abraham Hicks
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •° * 。 • ˚


Butter Chicken Poutine


In The English Kitchen today . . .  Butter Chicken Poutine. This was really quite delicious and as you can see looks not very much like the AI version at all, lol. 


I hope that you have a beautiful day. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!


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And I do too!    

   

11 comments:

  1. Jacques has been telling me for a long time that AI will change everything.I see it in food blogs but mostly on my daughter's FB account.I hate fake. Its ok to sharpen your own pic adjust exposure..But no AI unless you say it..and in effect it will make everyone else's photos pale.I hate theft of pics too ..without saying its not yours.
    I was bullied..mercilessly.Never in school.Neighbours..It does affect you.Funny when I lost 40 lbs the whole world changed.I never forgot the bullies..To this day.Karma.One boy who laughed me off the swim team.. I met later in life..Karma..had hit him:)

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    1. Like you I despise fake. I much prefer reality. So many using AI profile photos etc. How can we know what to trust anymore? It is hard! I think if you are a quiet person, and gentle, for some reason the bullies see this as a weakness and then you become a target. Karma is a b**** they say. I keep waiting, lol xoxo

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  2. Not a fan of AI and I can tell what is fake and what isn't especially in garden flowers. So many folks fooled by it. I prefer your butter chicken photos to the generated ones, sure can see the difference. Sunny today, melting happening, lovely to see bits of the garden poke through, not a lot, but the corners of some logs, a slight bit of driveway edging etc. Gives one hope. But then the weather forecast says more snow tomorrow!! Yuck!! I do chores in chunks of time too, the only way to do things. Hope your day is 'sunny'.

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    1. Yes, many, many people are fooled by it. I prefer real any day! No garden poking through here yet. More snow at the weekend. Spring is far from here to be sure! xoxo

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  3. Yea, dreams we cannot control, for sure, Marie. And it is hard for so many these days I think, on one count or another. But this life is so very short...ah, and thinking of the next one, the one with NO FENCES that people erect here in this life...how will some manage?? NO WAY to cut others out?? I think they are so very ignorant...very. But maybe also a form of mental illness. For anyone who mistreats those who have not mistreated them especially...scripture says evil will never leave their house...that is not a good prediction. And in our day, Marie, we had access to washing any baby down the drain if we did not want to be pregnant...we had A CHOICE!! They are lucky to be wanted. Well, take gentle care of yourself dear lady. May GOD cover you with HIS comforts. The world of truth is coming...we see the birth pains of it already I do believe...but it is painful indeed. But TEMPORARY. All these years of missing my brother and other kin, I have tried to remember these sad separations are all temporary. So hang in there!!
    HUGS, Elizabeth xoxo

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    1. Thank you for your very kind thoughts Elizabeth. I appreciate them very much. Hugs.xoxo

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  4. My dear Marie, you are not garbage! The fault lies with your children, not you. Do not let them be in control of your emotions or live rent-free in your mind. These sad separations are temporary, as Elizabeth says. I’ve got Millionaire’s Chicken in the oven. It smells so good. Love and hugs, Elaine

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    1. Thanks very much Elaine. It's hard sometimes to get them out of my mind. I do really well most of the time, but when I am asleep I cannot control what happens I suppose. I will usually wake myself up and try to do something else like read for a bit to vacate my brain from the bad thoughts and dreams. I bet your chicken was really delicious! Love and hugs, xoxo

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  5. Oh Marie, I had two grandmothers who were successful and great cooks! …one was especially DELIGHTFUL…😁….im so sorry that Maryn does not share that special relationship with her darling, talented grandmother, YOU!♥️
    She’s really missing out!! 14 is such a difficult age.
    I bet everyone has been bullied at some time in their lives…even the bullies…I hold no malice towards them…like my sweet Mother would say… ‘say a prayer for them’ …oh, sometimes that was SO very hard…tears, tears, tears…but we learn to hold our heads up high—- AND, the BEST revenge is success and happiness😍⭐️
    You’ve done a million and one jobs, learned and prayed and raised children, taken care of family and traveled and wrote books and survived many things…give yourself some grace…you deserve it and those who don’t see that are the ones who are just sad, sad people. I truly hope your distanced family will come to their senses soon. 🙏🏼. Your quote today is spot on!
    Gee, I’m sorry to ramble!
    Just one more thing…AI is scary! Have a good day, Virginia

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    1. Unfortunately not mine, nor her choice I believe. Perhaps one day we will be afforded the opportunity to do so. I live in hope! It is hard to pray for your enemies but I have been doing it for years with the hopes that eventually I will come to love them. Hasn't happened yet, lol But again, I live in hope. Never worry about rambling. I enjoy them! xoxo

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  6. Marie, I'm waiting for you to publish a recipe for Belgian buns. I must admit, I get quite a lot of my recipes from you. I just don't do instagram or anything. Speaking of gaslighting, I certainly know what that's like. My mother does it to me all the time. I wish we had a good close relationship, but it is never to be. I know what you mean about extra things jumping in your grocery cart, I always have a list, but come home with more. (((Hugs)))

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