Monday, July 13, 2026
Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.
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Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn’s A People’s History of the United States is a landmark work of social history that reimagines American history from the perspective of ordinary people rather than political elites. First published in 1980, it has since sold over four million copies in English and been translated into more than a dozen languages Howard ZinnHoward Zinn.
Core Approach
Zinn’s method is to tell history “from the bottom up” — focusing on the experiences of women, factory workers, African Americans, Native Americans, the working poor, and immigrant laborers Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. He challenges the traditional “great men” narrative of U.S. history, emphasizing grassroots movements and the struggles of marginalized groups.
Themes and Content
The book covers the period from Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1492 through the Clinton administration, analyzing pivotal events such as:
The Civil Rights Movement and fights for racial equality
Labor rights — fair wages, the eight-hour workday, child labor laws, health and safety standards Women’s rights and universal suffrage Anti-war movements, especially against the Vietnam War Immigrant rights and resistance to imperialism Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1 Zinn shows how many of the nation’s most important victories were achieved through mass mobilization and sustained resistance against powerful opposition. Style and Impact Known for lively, clear prose and scholarly research, the book is accessible to both students and general readers. It has been widely used in classrooms to broaden historical perspectives and is praised for its ability to bridge generations Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. Legacy The 35th anniversary edition (2015) includes a new introduction by Anthony Arnove, who notes that Zinn’s work fundamentally changed how millions think about history, but that it was shaped by his active involvement in social movements during the 1960s–1970s Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. The book has appeared in popular media, including The Sopranos, The Simpsons, Good Will Hunting, and the History Channel documentary The People Speak Howard ZinnHoward Zinn+1. Why It Matters A People’s History of the United States remains a critical resource for understanding U.S. history through the voices of those often excluded from mainstream narratives, making it essential reading for anyone interested in democracy, justice, and the role of ordinary people in shaping the nation’s past.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Timothy Snyder, author of On Tyranny--comments on movie Supergirl--
Because the makers of this film were so careless in the plotting, they cannot have seen that carelessness is the center of their story.
We are meant to understand Supergirl as an anti-hero; but she isn’t; she’s a slob who mindlessly endangers herself and others. An anti-hero is someone who represents virtues that are in tension with the established order; it is not someone who is just unhappy and who, when the stars align, can beat up everyone else.
The Athenians who gave us the notion of tragedy believed that art allowed us to see a flaw in others and thereby recognize the possibility of unseen flaws in our own character; we should therefore be careful in our judgements, because the reality of freedom depends upon the practice of self-criticism.
Later, in their decadence, the Greeks gave way to the idea that everything was written in the stars, that gods and heroes rise or fall with this heavenly body or that. Gilbert Murray called this the “failure of nerve.” We are meant to be joyous when the yellow sun emerges, but should we celebrate our submission to careless powers?
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PS: Please also see my positive review of Superman).
PPS: Next week, likely Wednesday July 15th, will see the rollout of the public version of my University of Toronto course “Hitler and Stalin Today.” The ten-lecture class will be accessible free of charge to anyone around the world.
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Wow--Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in Chief of The Atlantic--fromWikipedia
Many years after his first trip to Israel as a 13-year-old, he became a dual Israeli citizen. Goldberg recalled the sense of empowerment he felt Israel embodied.[9] In a 2013 interview with the Washingtonian, he said he had decided to give up his Israeli citizenship, saying that "If Israel goes much further down the road I think it’s on and becomes more of a theocratic, totalitarian-style state [...] how could the liberal-minded American Jew support that?"[7]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Goldberg
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Literary agents accepting romance novels. Write it first, make it the best you can-.
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There are numerous literary agents actively seeking romance manuscripts across various subgenres, from contemporary and historical to paranormal and romantic suspense.
Notable Literary Agencies and Agents
Folio Literary Management (New York City, US) represents romance among other genres and prefers email submissions. They have worked with authors like Julie Murphy and Laura Sebastian ReedsyReedsy. Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC (San Diego, US) handles romance and women’s fiction, with clients including Kate Quinn and Jennifer L. Armentrout ReedsyReedsy. BookEnds Literary Agency (Newark, US) accepts romance submissions through QueryManager and focuses on character-driven stories ReedsyReedsy. Spencerhill Associates features agents such as Ali Herring, Nalini Akolekar, Amanda Leuck, and Sandy Harding, who represent contemporary, historical, paranormal, and inspirational romance TCK PublishingTCK Publishing. Irene Goodman Literary Agency agent Whitney Ross specializes in romance and has extensive editorial experience Writing Tips OasisWriting Tips Oasis. RF Agency agent Rebecca Friedman represents commercial fiction and contemporary romance Writing Tips OasisWriting Tips Oasis. Nelson Literary Agency agent Kristin Nelson, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency agent Kevan Lyon, and Bradford Literary Agency agent Laura Bradford are also --cut off accidentally
Literary agents accepting poetry submissions--
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Several literary agents are currently accepting poetry submissions, offering guidance and representation for poets seeking traditional publication.
Finding Poetry Agents
Working with a literary agent is often the most effective route to traditional publication, especially for debut poets, as most major publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions. Agents not only help you get your manuscript in front of publishers but also provide editorial guidance to refine your work and navigate the publishing process ReedsyReedsy.
Notable Agents Accepting Poetry Submissions
Some literary agents currently open to poetry submissions include:
Joy Harris – Works with literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and poetry. Submission guidelines are available on her website TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Sorche Fairbank – Interested in literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and children’s books, including poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Jenni Ferrari-Adler – Agent at Union Literary, open to literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with some interest in poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
Deborah Ritchken – Focuses on lifestyle, women’s issues, biography, and fiction, occasionally considering poetry TCK PublishingTCK Publishing.
For a more comprehensive list, Reedsy provides a directory of literary agents seeking poetry submissions in 2026, which can be filtered by genre, location, and other preferences ReedsyReedsy.
Tips for Submitting to Agents
Research Each Agent – Study their manuscript wishlist and previous publications to ensure your poetry aligns with their interests.
Personalize Your Query Letter – Tailor your submission letter to each agent, highlighting why your work fits their portfolio.
Follow Submission Guidelines – Adhere strictly to formatting, sample length, and method of submission as specified by the agent.
Prepare a Cohesive Manuscript – Most agents prefer a complete, polished manuscript, typically 48–100 pages for poetry collections adeptghostwriting.comadeptghostwriting.com.
Alternative Routes
If you are also considering publishers directly, many poetry presses accept submissions without an agent, including Red Hen Press and Copper Canyon Press, which run open submission periods and contests Rafal ReyzerRafal Reyzer. University presses like University of Pittsburgh Press and Yale University Press also offer competitions for debut poets adeptghostwriting.comadeptghostwriting.com.
By combining agent research with careful manuscript preparation and adherence to submission guidelines, poets can signuthors
Top poetry literary agencies
End post
Temporary seasonal agricultural US Visas.
Well--allow them in or no strawberries, blueberries, apples, raspberries, lettuce, salad greens etc.
Expect farmers to come dump their spoiled produce in front of the WH or Mar a Lago.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/one-us-visa-program-is-growing-rapidly-no-one-is-happy-with-it/ar-AA27FcNg?ocid=BingNewsSerp
Cyclosporiasis warning--from food or water contamnated with feces.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cyclosporiasis-outbreak?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
US extends Temporary Protected Status to immigrants inclduding from Myanmar--
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-extends-work-permits-haitians-other-immigrants-with-temporary-protected-2026-07-10/
Most might be working in low paid jobs or in Amazon fulfilment centers.
From NY Times--
Mexican officials said on Thursday they planned to file criminal complaints in the United States over the deaths of several Mexican nationals during immigration operations, in the nation’s most confrontational protest yet against President Trump’s immigration policies.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/10/world/americas/mexico-criminal-complaints-immigration-deaths-usa.html
Roberto Velasco Álvarez, Mexico’s foreign affairs minister, announced the move in a news conference on Thursday, two days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot a Mexican man who had lived and worked for decades in the United States and was trying to obtain legal residency.
Mr. Velasco said Mexico would file the complaints with U.S. state prosecutors and the U.S. Department of Justice, requesting criminal investigations into the deaths of 14 Mexican citizens in immigration detention centers and of three others during enforcement raids under the current administration.
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security did not deny Mexico’s tally of its citizens who have died in the department’s custody, but rejected accusations that migrant deaths have spiked since Mr. Trump returned to office. The U.S. Department of Justice did not respond to a request for comment.
Friday, July 10, 2026
Thursday, July 09, 2026
Wednesday, July 08, 2026
using oats in place of flour--It's easier to use roasted chick pea flour.
Pe Hmont--roast in a dry pan.
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Oats can be used as a substitute for flour, offering a gluten-free, fiber-rich alternative, but adjustments in texture, liquid, and binding agents are often necessary.
Types of Oats for Substitution
Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned Oats): Ideal for making oat flour; provide a slightly coarser texture suitable for cookies, muffins, and bars thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com+1.
Quick Oats: Can be ground into a finer flour; absorb more liquid and work well in pancakes, muffins, and cookies decorwithstyle.comdecorwithstyle.com+1.
Steel-Cut Oats: Not recommended for baking as a flour substitute due to their coarse, chewy texture thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com.
Making Oat Flour at Home
Use rolled or quick oats, not steel-cut or instant oats.
Blend or process in a high-speed blender or food processor until a fine powder forms Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place or refrigerate to maintain freshness Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Recipe Adjustments
Texture: Oat flour lacks gluten, so baked goods may be denser and drier than those made with wheat flour Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Binding Agents: Add xanthan gum (½ tsp per cup of oat flour) or a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) to improve structure Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Liquid Content: Oat flour absorbs more liquid; you may need to increase moisture in the recipe to prevent dryness Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
Leavening: Extra baking powder or soda may be needed to maintain a lighter texture Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Partial vs. Full Substitution: Start by replacing 25–50% of wheat flour with oat flour; full substitution requires more adjustments Chef's ResourceChef's Resource.
Nutritional and Dietary Benefits
Gluten-Free: Suitable for celiac disease or gluten intolerance when using certified gluten-free oats Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life+1.
High Fiber: Rich in beta-glucan, which supports heart health and digestion thekitchenpursuits.comthekitchenpursuits.com+1.
Nutrient-Dense: Provides iron, magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins foodblogalliance.comfoodblogalliance.com.
Lower Glycemic Index: Helps regulate blood sugar levels decorwithstyle.comdecorwithstyle.com.
Practical Tips
Experiment with coarser or finer oat flour to achieve the desired texture Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Begin with recipes specifically designed for oat flour for best results Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Gradually increase oat flour in familiar recipes to adjust to taste and texture changes Our Everyday LifeOur Everyday Life.
Using oats instead of flour is a versatile and nutritious option, but successful substitution requires attention to texture, moisture, and binding to achieve the best results in baking and cooking.
Movie versions of the Ramayana.
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Movie Versions of the Ramayana
The Ramayana has been adapted into countless films across India and beyond, spanning live-action, animation, and regional cinema. These adaptations range from faithful retellings to modern reinterpretations.
Major Live-Action Films
Sampoorna Ramayana (1961) – A Telugu/Tamil epic covering Rama’s life from birth to coronation, a milestone in devotional cinema MoneyControl.
Lava Kusa (1963) – Bollywood’s take on Rama’s twin sons and their confrontation with their father MoneyControl.
Bajrangbali (1976) – Hanuman’s heroic exploits, starring Dara Singh MoneyControl.
Mahabali Hanuman (1981) – Indo-Japanese animated film introducing Ramayana to global audiences MoneyControl.
Ram Setu (2022) – Modern retelling of Rama’s bridge-building with VFX-heavy visuals MoneyControl.
Adipurush (2023) – Prabhas as Rama in a VFX-heavy, modernized adaptation MoneyControl.
Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana – Planned live-action cinematic trilogy faithful to the epic MoneyControl.
Raavanan (2010) – Tamil film blending myth with modern drama Wikipedia.
Raavan (2010) – Hindi adaptation with a darker tone Wikipedia.
Animated & International Adaptations
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1993) – India-Japan anime following Rama’s valor and moral lessons Telly Express.
Hanuman Patal Vijay (1997) – Hanuman’s journey to Lanka Wikipedia.
Hanuman Vijay – Animated retelling of Hanuman’s role in the epic Wikipedia.
Mahiravana (2018) – Hanuman vs. Ravana’s brother Mahiravana IMDb.
Regional & Specialized Films
Sampoorna Ramayanam (1958, 1972) – Telugu/Tamil full-length adaptations Wikipedia.
Bhookailas (1940, 1958) – Early Indian Ramayana films Wikipedia.
Sathi Ahalya – Focus on Ahalya’s story Wikipedia.
Sita Kalyanam (1934, 1976) – Depicting Sita’s marriage to Rama Wikipedia.
TV & Series Adaptations
Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan (1987–1988) – Live-action TV series starring Arun Govil as Rama, Deepika Chikhalia as Sita Telly Express.
Siya Ke Ram (2015–) – Retold from Sita’s perspective Telly Express.
Notable Modern Retellings
Lav Kush – Mythological adventure with a modern twist MoneyControl. Kalki 2898 AD (2024) – While not a direct Ramayana retelling, it draws on mythological themes IMDb. Tip: If you want a faithful, full-length epic, Sampoorna Ramayana or Sampoorna Ramayanam are classics. For modern visuals, Adipurush and Ram Setu are recent highlights. For animation, Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama and Mahabali Hanuman are standout choices.
Tuesday, July 07, 2026
Copilot Search --Raisonovsky--History of Russia.--Actually it's Riazanovsky.
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A History of Russia by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky
A History of Russia is a widely acclaimed, comprehensive survey of Russian history from ancient times to the post-communist era, authored by Nicholas V. Riasanovsky (1923–2011) and, in later editions, co-authored with Mark D. Steinberg. It is designed as a one-volume introduction to Russian history, suitable for students and general readers, and is published by Oxford University Press Oxford University Press+1.
Scope and Approach
The book covers the entire span of Russian history—from the early medieval period through the Soviet era and into the modern, post-Soviet state—examining political, military, economic, social, and cultural developments. It maintains a commitment to objectivity, fairness, and balance, while incorporating recent research and scholarly debates Oxford University Press+1.
Editions and Updates
Tenth Edition (2025): The most recent version, with extensive revisions across all chapters, updated coverage of the Putin era and developments in Ukraine and Russia’s “near abroad”, and a reorganized Soviet period for greater clarity. It also adds more voices from the past, expanded coverage of empire, nationalism, and the challenges of a multinational state, and updated maps and illustrations Oxford University Press.
Ninth Edition (2018): Streamlined organization, new chapter titles reflecting updated scholarship, and expanded attention to ordinary people’s experiences, imperial expansion, and diversity. Includes new photos and a map on shifting Ukrainian borders Oxford University Press. Earlier editions (e.g., 8th edition, 2010) introduced new chapters on politics, society, and culture since 1991, exploring Russia’s post-communist challenges and prospects Amazon. Key Features Narrative synthesis: Weaves a continuous story of Russian history with introductions to historiographical debates. Thematic depth: Explores political ideas, empire and nation, economy and society, class and gender, literature, arts, religion, and Russia’s role in the world Oxford University Press.
Pedagogical tools: Updated bibliographies, new sections on online primary sources, and reorganized research guides Oxford University Press. Accessibility: Available in print and digital formats, including e-book subscriptions with Bookshelf Online access Oxford University Press+1. Availability Print: Available through major booksellers (e.g., Amazon) and university bookstores. E-book: Oxford University Press offers digital editions with 4-year access; single-user, non-transferable license Oxford University Press+1. Archive.org: Older print editions (e.g., 1993, 2011) are available for free download and reading online Archive+1. Why It’s Valued
The book is praised as the best one-volume history of Russia for its breadth, balance, and integration of recent scholarship. It is used in university courses and by readers seeking a clear, authoritative overview of Russia’s complex past Amazon. If you want the most current and comprehensive version, the Tenth Edition (2025) is recommended, as it reflects the latest developments in Russian and Ukrainian history and scholarship. Oxford University Press Oxford University Press
Monday, July 06, 2026
"Today I want to laugh, said my grandson"--then age 8. Visiting Jim Henson's workshop--Smithsonian Magazine.
The work that’s come out of this shop—and its sibling locations in London and Burbank—has so thoroughly shaped the national entertainment landscape that Lintelman calls it “the default American puppet style.” Henson puppets are known for their extraordinarily expressive faces and fuzzy texture, achieved through a process called flocking, wherein the carved foam base is covered in glue and electrostatically charged to attract small fibers. The look is familiar enough to inspire parodies like Avenue Q and such a reliable source of nostalgia that Disney’s most recent attempt at rebooting the Muppets, a one-off Muppet Show revival special that premiered in early February of this year, garnered 7.58 million viewers over its first week on ABC and Disney+.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/a-peek-inside-jim-hensons-creature-shop-where-sesame-street-characters-and-other-whimsical-puppets-are-designed-180989051/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
For the people who make these puppets, this is no surprise. Henson’s creations, and those of his successors today, teach toddlers to count and children to feel, all while winking at their parents, who grew up with the same characters.
Trawling for Trash as Treasure--from Maine Magazine--
Today, Brooks has his own scrap pile next to his driveway, in Raymond, filled with odds and ends unearthed from roadsides and construction sites and gifted by friends and family. Mostly, he uses its contents to make fish. Since graduating from Maine College of Art and Design (where he finished his bachelor of fine arts), in 2009, Brooks has focused on piscine sculptures. “The thing about fish is they’re so accessible to people,” he says. “Everybody knows they have a tail, fins, a face. And I feel like in between is where I can fill in what I’m thinking creatively at the time.”
Working on the tailgate of his truck, Brooks cobbles the fish together with layered wood scraps, sometimes adding pattern and texture with items such as old cassette tapes and lengths of metal chain. One specimen has a fan-like tail fashioned from the head of a rake. Another has a plastic tricycle wheel for an eye socket. On a tarp in the driveway, he spray-paints his compositions matte black to create a uniform backdrop, then coats them in brilliant shades in his basement workshop. Next, he paints expressive, overlarge eyes—variously conveying sleepiness, surprise, annoyance—and covers the bodies in dizzying polka-dot and striped patterns that loosely suggest scales and gills.
Sunday, July 05, 2026
When Nathan Thompson, now CEO of the Atlantic, spoke kind words of me--
At that time I did not connect the "Thompson" in his name with Scott Thompson who helped us at Free Burma Coalition a great deal.
I'm not that good at outreach or making connections.
I guess I live in a misty world like those wild geese--
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/poetry-myanmar-southeast-asia-globe/
Saturday, July 04, 2026
How Magnesium helps leg cramps--
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How Magnesium Helps with Muscle Cramps
Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and relaxation Healthline+1. It helps regulate calcium levels in muscle cells — calcium triggers contraction, while magnesium helps pump calcium back out, allowing the muscle to relax Drugs.com.
Why Magnesium Deficiency Can Cause Cramps
Low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia) can disrupt this balance, leading to involuntary muscle contractions such as cramps, spasms, and weakness Drugs.com. Deficiency may result from:
Poor diet
Certain medical conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal disorders)
Medications (e.g., diuretics)
Chronic alcohol use Drugs.com
How Magnesium May Help
Supports muscle relaxation: By helping regulate calcium, magnesium prevents prolonged contraction Drugs.com.
Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress: This can ease muscle soreness and improve recovery Verywell Health.
Improves nerve signaling: Ensures proper communication between nerves and muscles Healthline.
May help pregnancy-related cramps: Some studies suggest magnesium can reduce leg cramps during pregnancy, though evidence is mixed Verywell Health+1.
Evidence and Limitations
In people with confirmed magnesium deficiency, supplementation often resolves cramps and weakness Drugs.com.
For cramps without confirmed deficiency, results are mixed — some people report relief, others do not Healthline+1.
Magnesium citrate is often recommended for better absorption and muscle pain relief Health.
Sources of Magnesium
Dietary: Leafy greens (spinach, kale), nuts (almonds, cashews), seeds (pumpkin, chia), legumes, whole grains, avocados, dark chocolate Drugs.com+1.
Supplements: Magnesium oxide, chloride, sulfate, citrate; citrate is more absorbable Health.
Topical: Magnesium chloride (Epsom salt baths) may help some people, though absorption varies Health.
Practical Tips
If you suspect low magnesium, get tested before starting supplements.
Address overall electrolyte balance (potassium, calcium, sodium) alongside magnesium.
For prevention, include magnesium-rich foods in your diet; for acute cramps, try a short magnesium-rich bath or supplement if deficiency is confirmed.
Bottom line: Magnesium helps muscles relax and supports nerve function, so it can be effective for cramps caused by deficiency. For other cramps, evidence is less clear, and results vary by individual Verywell Health+2.
From (what is Leidos--formerly SAIC)
In June 2001, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) paid SAIC US$122 million to create a Virtual Case File (VCF) software system to speed up the sharing of information among agents. But the FBI abandoned VCF when it failed to function adequately. Robert Mueller, FBI Director, testified to a congressional committee, "When SAIC delivered the first product in December 2003 we immediately identified a number of deficiencies – 17 at the outset. That soon cascaded to 50 or more and ultimately to 400 problems with that software ... We were indeed disappointed."[52]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leidos
Friday, July 03, 2026
Thursday, July 02, 2026
3 books to read in July--check online--for summaries and how to buy
1. Sister Helen Prejean: Dead Man walking--also a movie with Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon--
2. Walter Isaacson--Leonardo da Vinci
3. Kai Bird: American Prometheus--also movie Oppenheimer--about development of atmom bomb.
Kaung--7-2-2026
Wednesday, July 01, 2026
In my 3rd year of college at Rangoon University, I didn't take English Literature but went to
Economics--much to the disappointment of U Myo Min--the Department Head.
I remember going to see him and explaining I could read English literature on my own, but for Economics I needed Guidance.
U Myo Min shook his head sadly: "It's not the same."
So I missed Mr.Raymond Adlam's brilliant lectures and sometimes my brother would talk to me about his classes--
Prometheus Unbound, Paradise Lost,Percy Shelley's heart that did not burn,Mary Shelley and Frankenstein--
Mourning becomes Electra, George Bernard Shaw, Pygmalian--
but they were just words in a stew, in chunks as Salman Rushdie might have said.
Adlam left in 1962 after the first coup.
So I never really got around to "reading English Literature on my own," until 1994 when I deposited my Ph.D. dissertation and I felt so empty I immediately started to write rushed summaries of all the stories pent up inside me.
After discussing with my friend Dr.Sharon Ann Yaeger who had TWO doctorates back to back, both in poetry--I took several classes with the Rittenhouse Writers Group
and had my first short Story, published in America in The Philadelphia Inquirer Sunday Magazine. Thank you James Rahn and my classmates.
https://www.rittenhousewritersgroup.com/wordpress/
It's been an incredible journey.
Kyi May Kaung
7-1-2026
Percy Bysshe Shelley--a short life--full of death, depression, debt--
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley
But he inspired Gandhi.
Amazing.
And with her pathbreaking Frankenstein, his 2nd wife Mary Shelley single-handedly pioneering the whole new genre of science fiction.
Kyi May Kaung
7-1-2026
On my LinkedIn--
Trump viral over small crowds--well--"small crowds" is an oxymoron.
If it's small it's not a crowd.
Small turnout better.
The reporter asked a white couple--the man speechless and seemed to show signs of dementia. The woman did all the talking.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-crowd-size-state-fair-national-mall-250-b3006937.html?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Wow--the real Prometheus.
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Prometheus was a Titan in Greek mythology, known as the god of fire and a master craftsman. He is celebrated for stealing fire from Zeus and giving it to humanity, which enabled progress and civilization. This act of defiance against Zeus led to severe punishment, as he was chained to a mountain where an eagle would eat his liver daily, only for it to regenerate each night Mythology.netMythology.net+2. Additionally, Prometheus is often regarded as a benefactor of mankind, introducing them to various crafts and the art of sacrifice Encyclopedia.comEncyclopedia.com+1.
The book that inspired the movie Oppenheimer took 25 years for
2 authors to write--American Prometheus
https://www.amazon.com/American-Prometheus-Triumph-Tragedy-Oppenheimer/dp/0375726268/ref=asc_df_0375726268?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80401998413558&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=91335&hvtargid=pla-4584001476496805&psc=1&hvocijid=14469501715215136700-0375726268-&hvexpln=0
Co-pilot search results #2--read everything from the bottom up
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Chen Ning Yang’s Research and Its Connection to the Atomic Bomb
Chen Ning Yang’s work was not directly about the atomic bomb, but it was deeply connected to the same era of nuclear physics that underpinned both nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. His most famous contribution, made in 1956 with Tsung-Dao Lee, was the discovery that parity (mirror symmetry) is violated in weak interactions Britannica+1. This meant that certain particle decays behave differently in a mirror-reflected universe, a finding that revolutionized particle physics and helped establish that the primary currents in weak interactions are left-handed Institute for Advanced Study+1.
This research was part of the broader post–World War II effort to understand the fundamental forces and particles that govern matter. During the 1940s and 1950s, physicists like Yang were working alongside those involved in nuclear weapons research, as both projects relied on advances in nuclear theory, particle physics, and quantum field theory. For example, Yang’s doctoral work under Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago coincided with Fermi’s own contributions to the Manhattan Project Wikipedia.
While Yang’s own research did not design or build atomic bombs, the theoretical framework he helped develop—especially in particle physics and symmetry principles—was part of the same scientific ecosystem that advanced nuclear science. His work on Yang–Mills theory with Robert Mills in 1954 provided a mathematical foundation for describing forces like the strong nuclear force, which is essential for understanding how nuclei are held together Wikipedia+1. This kind of theoretical work indirectly supported the deeper understanding of nuclear structure and interactions that was critical for both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons. In short, Yang’s research was not about the atomic bomb itself, but it was part of the nuclear physics revolution of the mid-20th century, a period when theoretical advances in particle physics and quantum field theory were closely linked to the practical challenges of nuclear science, including weapons development.
Co-pilot search results--
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Particle physics is the branch of physics that studies the universe’s fundamental particles—such as quarks, leptons, and bosons—and the forces governing them, as described by the Standard Model developed in the 1970s.
Overview
Particle physics (also called high‑energy physics) investigates the smallest known building blocks of matter and the fundamental interactions between them. It explores both matter particles (quarks and leptons) and force‑carrying particles (bosons). WikipediaWikipedia
What Particle Physics Studies
Elementary particles: Quarks, leptons, neutrinos, photons, gluons, W/Z bosons, and the Higgs boson. WikipediaWikipedia
Fundamental forces: Strong, weak, electromagnetic, and gravity (though gravity is not yet fully integrated into the Standard Model). web.cern.chweb.cern.ch
Antimatter: Each particle has a corresponding antiparticle with opposite charge. WikipediaWikipedia
Quantum fields: Particles are excitations of underlying quantum fields. WikipediaWikipedia
The Standard Model
The Standard Model is the dominant theoretical framework describing:
Three generations of quarks and leptons
Force carriers for strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions
Predictive structures that have been experimentally confirmed, including the Higgs boson web.cern.chweb.cern.ch
How Particle Physics Is Studied
Particle accelerators (e.g., the Large Hadron Collider) smash particles at high energies to reveal subatomic structure. WikipediaWikipedia
Detectors observe the resulting particle interactions and decays.
Theoretical physics develops mathematical models to explain and predict particle behavior. WikipediaWikipedia
Why It Matters
Particle physics helps explain:
The composition of matter
The forces shaping the universe
Phenomena such as the early universe, symmetry, and the nature of mass
Particle physics remains a central field for understanding the fundamental structure of reality.
What is Particle Physics--from wiki--
History
Main article: History of subatomic physics
see caption
The Geiger–Marsden experiments observed that a small fraction of the alpha particles experienced strong deflection when being struck by the gold foil.
The idea that all matter is fundamentally composed of elementary particles dates from at least the 6th century BC.[1] In the 19th century, John Dalton, through his work on stoichiometry, concluded that each element of nature was composed of a single, unique type of particle.[2] The word atom, after the Greek word atomos meaning "indivisible", has since then denoted the smallest particle of a chemical element, but physicists later discovered that atoms are not, in fact, the fundamental particles of nature, but are conglomerates of even smaller particles, such as the electron. The early 20th century explorations of nuclear physics and quantum physics led to proofs of nuclear fission in 1939 by Lise Meitner (based on experiments by Otto Hahn), and nuclear fusion by Hans Bethe in that same year; both discoveries also led to the development of nuclear weapons. Bethe's 1947 calculation of the Lamb shift is credited with having "opened the way to the modern era of particle physics".[3]
Dr Chen Ning Yang--
Examining symmetry in nature
Yang served for a year as an instructor at UChicago before joining the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, where he worked alongside Robert Oppenheimer. In 1954, Yang worked with Robert Mills to develop the Yang-Mills theory, which describes the behavior of elementary particles and is the basis of our understanding of the Standard Model of particle physics.
Two years later Yang collaborated with fellow UChicago alum Lee, PhD 1950, on landmark research that would revolutionize the field of physics. Exploring long-held assumptions that the laws of physics were the same in a mirror image as in reality—and that all forces conserved parity—Yang and Lee proposed that parity might not hold for interactions with weak forces. A team led by Chien-Shiung Wu of Columbia University confirmed Lee and Yang's theory, observing that the decay of cobalt-60 did not happen in the exact same way as its mirror image—and that the left-right symmetry law was violated by the weak interaction.
https://news.uchicago.edu/story/chen-ning-yang-world-renowned-physicist-and-nobel-laureate-1922-2025
For their breakthrough, Yang and Lee shared the 1957 Nobel Prize in Physics for their research on parity laws, which the Foundation wrote “led to important discoveries regarding the elementary particles.”
Deep devotion to China
A prolific author, Yang went on to make other important research contributions in statistical physics, quantum groups, and related fields of physics and mathematics, serving on the faculties of Stonybrook University and Tsinghua University. In addition to the Nobel Prize, Yang won numerous honors, including the U.S. National Medal of Science, the Albert Einstein Medal and the Benjamin Franklin Medal.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Monday, June 29, 2026
This is like my magnet poetry--I tried to submit it to Poet Lore but it was rejected by E.Ethelbert Miller--a lovely man and a lovely poet.
https://www.nplusonemag.com/online-only/online-only/the-expansiveness-the-new-air/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
But I do like this poet (above's) book-laden rooms in Cambridge. Yesterday a
driver from "Great Supermart" delivered me $200 worth of groceries for 4-6
weeks.
He kept saying "I can't complete the delivery without the 4 digit code." While I
was opening my email,he glanced at my space and said, "Books! Where do you
sleep?"
I said,"I sleep in my bed with my books."
Finally I found the code and shouted it out and he could leave.
Here is a recent poen by E.Ethelbert Miller.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/1731781/from-the-gaza-suite
E.Ethelbert did accept one poem from me,"The Seeds of Truth,"
And another,"Elephants on the Mae Rim Road," I had already posted on this blog
when she was young, so he passed.
Kyi May Kaung
6-29-2026
Helmut--a great name for a Hero--also compatible with Mars--
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Helmut--name&mid=68E3E24DB443AEDA2B4D68E3E24DB443AEDA2B4D&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCexqmeueNOXiXAJeMfuVOPQ&FORM=VIRE
How to pronounce--"Hay-hoot--lann" as in Burmese Lann--Road
Sunday, June 28, 2026
Just posted on Linked In--genocide in Gaza--
View Kyi May Kaung’s graphic link
Kyi May Kaung • You Founder CEO at Words Sounds and Images 2m •
And the world's largest skin bank incrseases.
It's like the gold teeth, human skin for lamps, and human hair for upholstery, ovens, gas "showers."
I will never forget the warehouses I saw in Auschwitz, the hill of human ashes in Mydanek.
Look for my poem They were just following orders--in Picking off New Shoots will not stop the Spring--edited by Ko Ko Thett and Brian Harmon,Echo Press, Singapore, 2022.p. 229
Sara B.
Sara B. • Following Technologist bridging humanity through shedding light, not heat. Views expressed are my own & not those of any organization/s. 5h •
This is today’s Israeli Massacre in Gaza.
Daily Massacres make up the Israeli Genocide in Gaza.
Rest in Peace Today’s Victims of Israeli Genocide.
The War Criminals will be ultimately punished.
hashtag#ICC
La Boheme--complete opera--Musetta's Waltz is at about 50: 27.
Withe Pavarotti and Mirella Freni.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=La+Boheme+complete+opera+yoy+tube&mid=F663F3F48FE46B428EDEF663F3F48FE46B428EDE&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCtN-gfLdoDYUlnNiiAt6sZw&FORM=VIRE
Colline's aria (basso profundo) from La Boheme--this is a modern
rendition--the Bohemians as homeless persons.
I think Colline is unable to part with his TV Camera and so has to say goodbye to his coat.
The coat or jacket in this version is a nice touch.
I bought one like this from an Army Surplus truck in West Philadelphia about 25 years ago. Now it's in another state,
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=bWZQKk%2F1&id=8D471B86FA2F7EC1EDA80B1A57887191EA8353ED&thid=OIP.bWZQKk_14bn09ogIuzXaGwHaEK&mediaurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fx1iVhQbn68Q%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg&cdnurl=https%3A%2F%2Fth.bing.com%2Fth%2Fid%2FR.6d66502a4ff5e1b9f4f68808bb35da1b%3Frik%3D7VOD6pFxiFcaCw%26pid%3DImgRaw%26r%3D0&exph=720&expw=1280&q=Colline%27s+arai+from+La+Boheme&form=IQFRBA&ck=BDCA055D8DCD947B02BFF2EA118A3232&selectedindex=1&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0&vt=0&sim=11&mid=8D471B86FA2F7EC1EDA88D471B86FA2F7EC1EDA8
Saturday, June 27, 2026
Movies about Tiananmen--
Copilot Search Branding
Movies Set During the Tiananmen Square Protests
Several films and documentaries have addressed the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, ranging from fictional dramas to historical documentaries. These works often reflect the political sensitivity of the subject, with some banned or restricted in China.
Documentaries and Historical Films
The Gate of Heavenly Peace (1995) – A three-hour documentary by Richard Gordon and Carma Hinton, using archival footage and interviews with participants and officials to chronicle the six weeks of protests from April to June 1989 Wikipedia.
Tiananmen: The People Versus the Party (PBS Frontline, 2019) – A two-hour documentary examining the events, participants, and aftermath of the protests www.factualamerica.com.
Tiananmen Tonight (2025) – A documentary blending student protest footage with CBS News journalists’ coverage, focusing on the hunger strike, crackdown, and the iconic “Tank Man” image Alexandria Times.
The Man Who Defied Beijing (2019) – A portrait of Liu Xiaobo, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and witness to the 1989 protests The Movie Database (TMDB).
Dissidents (2025) – Explores the lives of Chinese dissidents and their activism The Movie Database (TMDB).
Tiananmen Square Massacre – Black Night in June (2019) – A short documentary recounting the June 4 assault on demonstrators The Movie Database (TMDB).
Fictional Films with Tiananmen Context
颐和园 (Yihe Yuan, 2006) – Directed by Lou Ye, this drama uses the 1989 protests as a psychological turning point for its characters, banned in China for five years cinenoir.net.
Rapid Fire (1992) – An action film with an opening sequence depicting the Tiananmen protests, filmed in Mexico to avoid Chinese restrictions cinenoir.net.
千言萬語 (Qianyanwanyu, 1999) – A Hong Kong drama linking the 1989 movement to earlier activism, focusing on ordinary people cinenoir.net.
These films vary in tone and approach, from politically charged documentaries to fictionalized narratives. Many were produced outside China or in exile, reflecting the difficulty of openly depicting the events within mainland China.
Novels set during Tiananmen--
Copilot Search Branding
Novels and Fiction Set During Tiananmen
Several novels and literary works have been written about or set during the Tiananmen Square protests and crackdown of 1989, often using the events as a backdrop to explore personal, political, and historical themes.
Notable Fictional Works
Looking for Tank Man by Ha Jin (2025)
This new novel follows Lulu, a young Chinese woman at Harvard, who encounters a protester holding a sign about the “Tiananmen Square Massacre.” The encounter forces her to confront a buried family secret — her parents were Tiananmen protesters — and to breach a sealed chapter in the national record chinabooksreview.com.
The Crazed by Ha Jin (2002)
A later work in Ha Jin’s oeuvre, it continues to engage with the aftermath of the 1989 events, blending personal narrative with political commentary chinabooksreview.com.
Beijing Coma by Ma Jian (2008)
Ma Jian’s novel is set against the backdrop of the protests and their aftermath, portraying the psychological and social impact on individuals and society chinabooksreview.com.
The People’s Republic of Amnesia: Tiananmen Revisited by Louisa Lim
While primarily nonfiction, this work is often included in literary discussions of Tiananmen because of its deep engagement with suppressed memories and silenced voices Goodreads+1.
Bullets and Opium: Real-Life Stories of China After the Tiananmen Square Massacre by Liao Yiwu
A collection of short stories and essays documenting the years following the crackdown, blending fiction and memoir Goodreads.
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang
Though not set directly in 1989, this sweeping family saga spans much of 20th-century China, including the late 1980s, and reflects on the political climate of the time Goodreads.
Context and Themes
These works often explore themes of political awakening, memory, censorship, and the personal cost of dissent. Many protagonists are young or middle-aged, born after 1989, and discover the events only later in life, mirroring the delayed awareness of many Chinese citizens chinabooksreview.com.
Where to Find Them
Looking for Tank Man and The Crazed are available through publishers like Other Press and Vintage.
Beijing Coma is published by Picador.
Bullets and Opium and Wild Swans are available in English editions.
The People’s Republic of Amnesia is widely available in literary and academic circles. If you are interested in reading these, start with Ha Jin’s Looking for Tank Man for a contemporary, personal lens, and Beijing Coma for a more literary, introspective take. For broader context, Louisa Lim’s The People’s Republic of Amnesia offers a critical, nonfictional framework for understanding the events and their portrayal in fiction.
co-pilot search results--operas that include both basso profundo and soprano roles-List.
Copilot Search Branding
Operas Featuring Both Bass and Soprano Roles
If you’re looking for operas that include both a bass and a soprano role, there are many examples across the operatic repertoire. Below is a selection of notable works and their lead roles, along with brief descriptions.
1. The Magic Flute (Mozart)
Soprano role: Queen of the Night (Die Königin der Nacht) – a dramatic soprano with a wide range and powerful coloratura.
Bass role: Papageno (Papagena) – a comic bass role, though sometimes cast as a baritone.
Why it works: The Queen of the Night’s Act II aria “Der Hölle Rache” is one of the most famous soprano arias in opera Muskegvalleyrabbitry.
2. La Traviata (Verdi)
Soprano role: Violetta Valéry – a dramatic soprano portraying a courtesan.
Bass role: Giorgio Germont – a bass-baritone, but often cast in the bass range.
Why it works: Violetta’s Act II aria “Sempre libera” is a staple of the soprano repertoire Opera-Arias.com.
3. Otello (Verdi)
Soprano role: Desdemona – a lyric soprano portraying Otello’s wife.
Bass role: Otello – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range.
Why it works: Desdemona’s Act II aria “Dio, che m’hai” is a lyrical soprano highlight Opera-Arias.com.
4. Don Giovanni (Mozart)
Soprano role: Donna Anna – a dramatic soprano.
Bass role: Don Giovanni – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range.
Why it works: Donna Anna’s Act II aria “Là ci darem la mano” is a famous soprano aria Opera-Arias.com.
5. Carmen (Bizet)
Soprano role: Carmen – a dramatic soprano.
Bass role: Escamillo – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Carmen’s Act I aria “Habanera” is one of the most famous soprano arias Opera-Arias.com. 6. Madama Butterfly (Puccini) Soprano role: Cio-Cio San – a dramatic soprano. Bass role: Sharpless – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Cio-Cio San’s Act II aria “Un bel di vedremo” is a soprano highlight Opera-Arias.com. 7. Aida (Verdi) Soprano role: Aida – a dramatic soprano. Bass role: Radamès – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Aida’s Act II aria “O patria mia” is a soprano showcase Opera-Arias.com. 8. La Bohème (Puccini)
Soprano role: Mimi – a lyric soprano. Bass role: Colline – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Mimi’s Act II aria “O soave fanciulla” is a lyrical soprano aria Opera-Arias.com. 9. The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Soprano role: Susanna – a lyric soprano. Bass role: Figaro – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Susanna’s Act II aria “Non soffermarmi” is a soprano highlight Opera-Arias.com. 10. The Barber of Seville (Rossini) Soprano role: Rosina – a lyric soprano. Bass role: Figaro – a bass-baritone, but often sung in the bass range. Why it works: Rosina’s Act II aria “O, mio fido” is a famous soprano aria Opera-Arias.com. These operas span the classical to the verismo repertoire and offer a mix of dramatic and lyrical soprano roles alongside bass-baritone or bass roles, making them ideal for exploring both voice types in performance.
2 arias from Mozart's The Magic Flute--Rene Pape sings--
Oh Isis and Osiris--guide them--
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Rene+Pape+Oh+Isis+and+osiris&view=detail&mid=0A0E4810DE92FAAB60EA0A0E4810DE92FAAB60EA&churl=&ru=%2fsearch%3fPC%3dA1AM%26PTAG%3d20231227%26q%3dRene%2bPape%2bOh%2bIsis%2band%2bosiris%26FORM%3dA1AMMC&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=WRVORC
and Within these Sacred Halls--
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Rene+Pape+wihin+these+scared+halls&view=detail&mid=915D5E8ACC910DF28596915D5E8ACC910DF28596&churl=&ru=%2fsearch%3fq%3dRene%2bPape%2bwihin%2bthese%2bscared%2bhalls%26qs%3dn%26form%3dQBRE%26sp%3d-1%26ghc%3d1%26lq%3d0%26pq%3drene%2bpape%2bwihin%2bthese%2bscared%2bhalls%26sc%3d12-34%26sk%3d%26cvid%3d3911098780E448F98FF7E2E142AB35AC&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=WRVORC
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Lovely Indian epic movie--but failed at the box office--Samrat Prithviraj.
Based on a real king and a real poet.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samrat_Prithviraj
The Princess is lovely, the king of another kingdom comes for her on a white horse, but like all great love stories, it ends in tragedy.
I just love the war chants,the dialog (probably modernized for woman's rights) excellent casting,costumes,epic battle scenes--masterly editing--placing Chand the poet's premonitions and the wedding for instance--back to back.
AI manipulated vast battle scenes not too stiff and clunky,
villains look vile and the heroes and heroines are martyrs--
and no animals were harmed during the filming.
You can watch free on Amazon Prime if you are a member--
here are the relevant wikis of the historicalc characters.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prithviraj_Chauhan
Court poet Chand was his hpwar bet taw--born on the same day at the same hour.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chand_Bardai
The dances and the choreograpy are excellent, especially the sati dance.
Practice of sati--widows'self sacrifice (Hindu)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sati_(practice)
I give it 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars on my KMK index.
Highly recommended--New Yorker interview of Colson Whitehead.
Highly recommended--New Yorker interview of writer Colson Whitehead.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/06/29/colson-whitehead-profile
I really must read Underground Railroad.
The is a good e.g. of how real writers fictionalize their family and themselves.
Incidentally, 2 writerly friends of mine
1. a poet--is writing about his father
and 2. a village expert--is attempting to write about her mother.
Also,oddly enough, 2 sightings of 1987 stock market crash--
1. in Alan Greenspan obit
2, in this article--where interviewer learns Colson's father was affected by stock market crash and "never recovered.
--about alcoholism, my novella Black Rice touches on my Kamayut extended family, "drunkard father and over-eating mother"
--about stock market crashes, I never had any stock and so was not affected.
affected by other things, --
--about Harlem Renaissance--my Boulder Friend knew Langston Hughes.
Kaung
6-23-2026
Monday, June 22, 2026
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Neil Diamond--
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=NeilDiamond+Be+you+tube&&mid=1415F82E2946AAA9D18E1415F82E2946AAA9D18E&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCQh2Gh5NaHaiZvHnf58ZYhg&FORM=VAMGZC
Video by Jan Hammer. Neil Diamond—Be!
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Be%20Neil%20Dimaond&mid=4450681557B5F14BA91D4450681557B5F14BA91D&ajaxhist=0
lyrics:
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Be+Neil+DimaondLyrics--I+amI+sadi&&mid=0E2A34C00AA169013D8B0E2A34C00AA169013D8B&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUC7dcQTNxkYteKOax3iLIobA&FORM=VRDGAR
Neil Diamond—I am I said.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Friday, June 19, 2026
What is maida?
Maida is a finely milled, refined white wheat flour commonly used in Indian cuisine for breads, pastries, and snacks.
Maida is made from the starchy endosperm of wheat grains, with the bran and germ removed, resulting in a soft, white, and ultra-fine flour NDTV.comNDTV.com+1. The production process involves cleaning and conditioning the wheat, grinding and milling to separate the endosperm, sifting to achieve a fine texture, and often bleaching to enhance whiteness and smoothness NDTV.comNDTV.com. This refining process strips away most of the fiber and nutrients, making maida less nutritious than whole wheat flour NDTV.comNDTV.com+1.
Culinary Uses
Maida is highly versatile and widely used in Indian cooking and baking. It is a key ingredient in:
Leavened breads like naan, tandoori roti, and bhatura
Bakery items such as cakes, biscuits, and pastries
Indian sweets including jalebi, gulab jamun, and barfi
Street foods and snacks like samosas, kachoris, and papdi Tarla DalalTarla Dalal+1
Its low protein and gluten content give baked goods a soft, airy, and tender texture, while its fine texture allows for delicate dough handling in fried and baked preparations Conscious EatingConscious Eating+1.
Nutritional Considerations
Because maida is refined and bleached, it lacks fiber and many nutrients found in whole wheat flour. Consuming it in large amounts can lead to blood sugar spikes and digestive issues NDTV.comNDTV.com. People with gluten intolerance or wheat allergies should avoid maida Conscious EatingConscious Eating. Despite these concerns, it remains a staple in many traditional and modern recipes due to its texture and versatility.
In summary, maida is a refined white wheat flour prized for its smooth texture and ability to create soft, fluffy, and crispy foods, but it should be consumed in moderation for health reasons NDTV.comNDTV.com+1.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
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