Putin is about as transparent as my Jack Russell, but at least I can trust my dog! She doesn't lie.

It is obvious now, just what Putin and his cronies in Ukraine are up to. They are steadily increasing the pressure on the East and South of this beleaguered country. First they took the Crimea and to a certain extent I understood that; it was the low down lies that went along with the process that got me. Now, under the pretext that 'things are out of control' and that locals want to unite with Russia, we see Russia preparing to go on to eastern Ukraine in order to 'establish order' and to conduct a phony referendum. The spectre of masked men, presenting as 'concerned citizens, taking over government buildings and building barricades is nothing short of comical, if it was not for the sinister forces behind such actions.
 Russia is now on a course that is going to see it being labelled a pariah state. Who can trust the despotic leader of Russia? He has pummelled his opposition, something easy to achieve in Russia, given its tragic history. I have tried to be neutral in this affair but now, I genuinely believe that Russia is hell bound on rebuilding the Soviet Empire of old, the Cold War re-established and the tension we all lived under for a generation, about to be reignited.
I am not saying that the USA is innocent in this struggle between East and West, but at least there is still a modicum of means to object when the USA goes too far. For Russia, no  such mechanisms exist. Russia is the very 'fascist State' hat it says is being established in   Ukraine. 
The EU needs to cut its dependency on Russian gas and develop alternate energy sources. I am sure that this is happening at a pace now, never seen before. When  they achieve that position, they should cut off support for trading with Russia while it follows such dangerous expansionist policies. The USA too, should take a message from these events. The world is well over the concentration of power in the hands of the Great Powers. We all inhabit this earth; not for the purposes of meeting the needs of the major players. In the meantime, Putin---pull ya head in! To the USA and the rest of the world---remember those fateful words of yesteryear about 'peace in our time.' They were spoken about another tyrant!

Eggs rule---but even they need a 'lift' sometimes.

Since my bariatric operation a year ago, I have come to value the importance of eggs. Gone are the days when we were told that they were our enemy. I well remember the old advert that said, 'if you have an egg in the house you have a meal.' That of course was put out by the 'egg industry,' and when measured against the 'fear of cholesterol,' ,many of us, avoided more than a few eggs a week.
Thankfully, today we have a more 'balanced' approach to eggs and the part they play in a healthy diet. For me, in those early days after my operation, they were a God-send. Those runny poached eggs (well it was one at first) went down a treat and they provided a protein and mineral hit that my body needed and craved. I go through at least 8 a week now and before you get alarmed--they consist of the only protein I have in the meal when I am eating eggs, except when I hit a local café. That they are not raising my cholesterol level is backed up by the fact that I don't take any Statins now for that previously worrying condition. Now, once again before the woe-betide brigade, I am not saying that everyone should follow my dietary journey. One should always take into account their particular health issues and discuss those with their doctor. My journey is just that---mine.
Now that I have discarded all the 'but you shouldn't' or 'you're mad,' comments and lets face it---I am not here to convince anyone to jump onto my regime, I can get on  with the real purpose of this blog---I shall share my lovely upmarket (OK--it's not really) version of poached or, yes, fried eggs.
1) Make some wholemeal toast. (one small slice for me)
2) Heat up the fry pan, wok ort whatever you cook your eggs in.
3) Either poach (I put in boiling water with vinegar added, to help keep the whits together) or fry your eggs in a little olive oil, until done top your idea of perfection.
4) Take your toast and lightly spread with some marmite or vegemite and then stick a slice of cheese ( I use the 'tasty Chesdale) which can be as flash as you wish.
5) Cut the toasty/cheese into bite slice pieces and sprinkle with capers.
6) Dish up the eggs and enjoy. The capers provide an enticing lift to the eggs. I love this 'all-day breakfast' with my coffee made in my AeroPress coffee maker. (see an earlier blog about this amazing cheap little implement.\\
Oh so simple and yes---healthy.