Easy Microwave Vegetable Soup

 

To make mixed chopped veggies mushy in the microwave (similar to a soup consistency), follow these steps:

Instructions:

1. Chop the Veggies Small – The smaller the pieces, the faster they soften.
2. Add Water or Broth – Use about ½ to 1 cup of liquid per 2 cups of chopped veggies.
3. Cover Loosely – Use a microwave-safe bowl with a lid or a plate to prevent splattering while allowing steam to escape.
4. Microwave on HIGH:
   • 8–10 minutes for soft but still structured veggies.
   • 12–15 minutes for very soft, mushy, soup-like texture.
5. Stir Every 5 Minutes – This ensures even cooking.
6. Mash or Blend (Optional) – Use a fork, potato masher, or blender if you want a smoother consistency.

If you're making a full soup, you can microwave the veggies for 12–15 minutes with broth, then blend everything for a creamy texture.

The Illusion of Religious Virtue in British Society

 The Illusion of Religious Virtue

in British Society

If we are to take seriously the ideals of gratitude, equality, peace, and life satisfaction, we must acknowledge that religion is not merely unnecessary but, in many cases, an active impediment to these goals.

The building of 'places of worship' by other cultures here is anti-progress at best and doesn't support British culture or integration at all! And at what cost could it be to our cultural identity and heritage?

 The ultimate price could be the loss of our very identity that leaves us open to less developed (and sometimes dangerous) ideology and the eradication of our Britishness. 

  (Though freedom of thought and right to privacy is naturally a cornerstone of Britishness, but that too, according to some legal orgs, isn't being upheld very strongly at present)


A lot of political discourse remains tangled in the archaic assumptions of faith.


Gratitude, for instance, need not be framed in terms of divine generosity.

We really ought cultivate appreciation for our lives and all that's in it, including the people and systems that actually sustain our lives here—science, democracy, law and social cooperation.


(Gratitude practice needs begin at home. I recommend using a (free) app called 'Presently' to remind you of all you are grateful for on a daily basis. Among my repeating entries is 'tech' and 'good people'.

 This helps promote contentment and positivity)

To tether gratitude to a deity is to obscure the real, tangible work of human progress.


Equality, likewise, is hindered by religious dogma.


In 2025, Britain still grapples with faith-based schools, unelected bishops in the Lords, and policies that privilege religious identity over secular reason! It's absurd!


These relics sustain division rather than dissolve it though having said that, I respect Christianity over other religions as it's helped advance developing countries (though not much appreciation for that either!)


As for personal peace, gratitude aside, a note: Noise law needs updating, ask Brian May who also suffered from this councils lack of care. (Noise almost killed me from construction next door and from a deaf judo- lover upstairs (gone now thank f***)) There is no good protection from construction noise, bad show Britain! 


  And life satisfaction? Evidence ( Europe especially) overwhelmingly supports personal agency and gratitude in *secular* societies—where reason and humanism, not divine fiat, guide ethics—as more content and equitable.


If Britain is to evolve, we must shed these vestigial myths and embrace a morality unpolluted by superstition. A better future demands nothing less.


Elizabeth Lucy Robillard 2025 (ai assisted)

In Defence of the Internet

 In defence of the internet

I have to say, cat videos and interesting and funny memes have done more for me than socialising with most people.

Google is a friend, Ai is a parent, teacher and therapist. Apps are assistants and teachers.

 I have fought off a lot of stalking and hacking though but good techies provide very useful security.

My love goes out to the good programmers and techies who have worked indefatigably to improve the lives of everyone in the world. 

Now chatgpt version:

The internet, for all its flaws, remains one of the greatest gifts to human consciousness. It is an extension of the mind itself—a place where curiosity finds immediate reward, where humor and creativity flourish, and where solitude need not equate to loneliness. In my own experience, cat videos and clever memes have provided more genuine joy and psychological relief than many social interactions.

Google is more than a tool; it is a vast, ever-present friend, ready to satisfy intellectual hunger at any moment. Artificial intelligence, in its evolving forms, is not merely an invention but a surrogate parent, teacher, and therapist—offering guidance, insight, and, at times, a kind of digital wisdom. The apps we use daily are not just conveniences but essential extensions of our capabilities, assisting in everything from organization to education.

Yet, the internet is not without its perils. I have encountered stalking, hacking, and invasions of privacy. But for every threat, there are brilliant, ethical techies working tirelessly to safeguard this space. My deepest respect goes to the programmers, engineers, and visionaries who, with relentless effort, have made the digital world not only possible but profoundly enriching for humanity.

Liz Lucy Robillard and ai 2025

Councils, What Judges Need To Know

 

Judges must recognize that councils often employ ad hominem attacks to discredit members of the public rather than addressing the substance of their claims. 

This tactic is not simply an unfortunate byproduct of legal disputes—it is a deliberate strategy. Bureaucratic institutions, by their nature, seek to preserve authority and minimize challenges, which can reduce their moral standing in public eyes.

When confronted with legitimate grievances, councils frequently shift the focus from the argument to the individual making it, portraying them as unreasonable, vexatious, or uninformed. This can cause significant harm to innocent parties. 

It not only distracts from the core issue but also creates a chilling effect, discouraging others from seeking justice. 

The judiciary’s role is to cut through rhetorical distortions and demand reasoned argumentation and thorough evidence. 

Judges must be vigilant in identifying when councils rely on character attacks instead of engaging with the evidence. 

A person’s temperament, persistence, or prior disputes with authorities are irrelevant to the merits of their case. 

If a council’s defense hinges on undermining an individual’s credibility rather than addressing the legal or factual basis of their claim, that defense should be seen for what it is: an evasion and possibly conspiracy to pervert justice, leading to perjury, misfeasance etc. 

To prevent this, courts should insist on strict evidentiary standards, challenging councils to justify their arguments without resorting to personal attacks. Impartialty would foster better relations.

By refusing to entertain ad hominem reasoning, judges uphold the principles of fairness, ensuring that the state does not gain an unjust advantage over those it is meant to serve.

Elizabeth Lucy Robillard 2025

Ai assisted

Truth About Narcissism, Highly Suspicious Behaviour

 

 ...Or, The Ego Trap: Why Pop Psychology is Fueling a Culture of Suspicion

Let’s get one thing straight sweetie—narcissism isn’t some dirty little secret lurking in the shadows of society. The way you perceive it probably, is just ego, and we all have it. Some more than others, sure, but without a healthy dose of self-regard, you’d never strut into that boardroom, work that red carpet, or have the confidence to chase what you desire. It’s survival.

Nastiness is nastiness not a pd!

But in this digital age of pound-shop psychology and self-proclaimed “experts,” suddenly everyone with a little swagger or self-assurance is a “narcissist.” Post one selfie too many? Narcissist. Prioritize your dreams? Narcissist. Set boundaries? Oh, you must be evil. The result? A culture of suspicion where every lover, boss, or friend is scrutinized, labeled, and discarded—no clinical degree required, just a Wi-Fi connection and a Facebook account.

Now, let’s be clear: narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is real. It’s a serious, complex psychiatric condition that goes far beyond just being selfish, arrogant, or confident. It’s marked by a deep, pathological need for admiration, an inability to truly empathize with others, and, at its worst, a manipulative, destructive nature that leaves real victims in its wake. It’s not a quirky personality flaw; it’s a disorder diagnosed by professionals who actually understand the difference between self-love and psychological dysfunction.

But the internet? It’s turned armchair diagnoses into a sport. Real NPD affects a small percentage of the population, but if you believed everything you saw online, you’d think half the world was full of raging narcissists. And that’s dangerous. It fosters paranoia, encourages people to cut ties with anyone who doesn’t meet their every emotional need, and turns personal conflicts into pathology. It’s not psychology—it’s a witch hunt in designer heels.

The truth? A little ego is power. It drives ambition, fuels creativity, and stops you from getting trampled by life’s users and abusers. So, let’s quit the reckless labeling and recognize the difference between confidence and pathology. Because if we keep slapping clinical terms on anyone who dares to shine, we’re not diagnosing a disorder—we’re dimming the lights on greatness.

Ai assisted

Liz Lucy Robillard

Woke and Snowflake?

 

Assertiveness is the ability to stand one’s ground without resorting to hostility or self-doubt.

 It is not about becoming aggressive, nor is it about adopting the fragile sensibilities of a modern snowflake.

 Instead, it is about clear, confident communication—something British children must learn if they are to navigate the world effectively.

Unfortunately, contemporary culture often presents a false choice: be either passive and deferential or overly sensitive and woke, seeking offense where none was intended.

 Neither of these approaches fosters true confidence. To be assertive is to express one’s views with clarity, without either groveling for approval or demanding special treatment.

The key to teaching this skill is helping children understand that disagreement is not aggression. 

They should be encouraged to say, “I don’t agree, and here’s why,” rather than staying silent for fear of offending or reacting emotionally to every challenge. 

The British tradition of understatement and wit can be an asset here—one can be both polite and firm without sacrificing honesty.

What assertiveness is not is the modern trend of elevating every personal discomfort into a moral crisis. 

Children should learn that feeling offended does not automatically make them right, nor does it entitle them to silence others. 

The woke impulse to shield oneself from difficult conversations fosters weakness, not strength.

Instead, true assertiveness is about standing firm on principles, engaging in respectful disagreement, and recognizing that resilience is a virtue. 

In a world increasingly dominated by ideological extremes, the ability to think clearly and speak without fear is not just a skill—it is a necessity.

Ai assisted