Some Behaviors That juliana Needs To Learn and Remember and Put Into Practice:

Being Direct is a Very Good Thing.

Being Direct does not equal Being Blunt and Tactless.

Being Direct does not equal Being Rude to People You Do Not Like, especially when in Social Situations.

People You Do Not Like may turn out to be People You Like, or People That Can Help You.

Even if People You Do Not Like remain People You Do Not Like? Being Polite and Civil to them helps grease the wheels of Social Situations.

It is better to err on the side of Too Polite and Civil. Use the many drawing-room comedies and BBC dramas you have seen as your Model.

If the People You Do Not Like are nasty to you, be even more Polite and Civil to them. They will go crazy wondering what you are Up To.

Even People You Do Not Like can be Amusing at times.

Being Polite and Civil can co-exist quite comfortably with Being Direct. It's simply a matter of Place, Time, and Mode of Expression.

Semi-regularly revisit and reassess your Opinions of People, especially the People You Do Not Like.


And Most Importantly:

To Thine Own Self Be True. Just remember that Thine Own Self can always be Improved.




(Actually, to be Blunt for a moment - I tend to think that most people in my personal aquaintance could stand to learn and remember and put this into practice. I can only speak for and to myself, however. And it's not easy, by any means.)

(There will be Addendums as Thoughts Permit.)

Addendum to Some Behaviors That juliana Needs To Learn and Remember and Put Into Practice:

If Someone's Behavior is Confusing, Befuddling, or Upsetting you? Ask them for Clarification.

Also, sometimes Being Blunt and Tactless is Necessary and Right. Not often, but sometimes.


(Additional Addendums as Thoughts Permit.)

A question.

I am a cheesecake purist. Give me ricotta, cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, butter, sugar, and not much else. A dash of lemon zest is not amiss, nor is a splash of vanilla. The crust can be from Ritz crackers or graham, as long as it holds nicely. Give me this, and I am as happy as a clam. Actually, give me the ingredients two days ahead, and I'll happily bake them for you.

However, this is not enough for many people. They like margarita cheesecakes, or cheesecakes with strawberries on top, drenched in strawberry syrup. Chocolate cheesecakes, or berry, or orange, etc.

I understand this. Variety is good. I may not like the varieties, but people do.

However, I continue to be puzzled by the topping idea. The various berry syrups, for example. Or, in this case, the apricot jam and peanut brittle topping that is for the peanut butter cheesecake that I have been asked to bake. It just sounds like too much. Too Much Richness in one cake.


So, pray tell, what do you like in and on your cheesecake, and why?