Bena Mae’s Kitchen: What is a psychopath?

Indulge me folks, I have something in my craw that I have to get out. I’m having trouble getting my head around the jury’s decision on whether to give Jodi Arias the death penalty in her heinous killing of her ex-boyfriend.
I was drawn, or sucked into the enormity of the slaughter she inflicted upon him. I spent (wasted) five months of my life trying to find one scintilla of evidence that warranted such a murderous attack and found none. The rest of the country was mesmerized by the senselessness of the massacre, so I was not alone.
The one word that described the defendant was almost unanimous. She is a psychopath. She showed no remorse whatsoever and never said the words, “I’m sorry.”
So I went to the internet to find the true meaning of what a psychopath really is and got this answer:
“Psychopaths are social predators who charm, manipulate and ruthlessly plow their way through life, leaving a broad trail of broken hearts, shattered lives…” You could put Jodi Arias’s picture beside the definition because it describes her to a tee.
I am on the fence when it comes to the death penalty. There are times when I agree that it should be enacted; the killing or rape of a child, cop killers, serial killers. and especially heinous premeditated murders. I would have no trouble attending the execution of one of these predators.
It’s not that I want Jodi to get the needle in her arm that would end her life. I know that will not happen in my lifetime, owing to the retrials, pleas for a new trial, arguments for inefficient defense,etc., etc. All I want for Jodi is an 8X9 foot cage with no windows, no outside interaction with anybody, 23 hours of being completely alone, no interviews, complete isolation. For the rest of her life.
 Let her think about the old saying “The truth shall set you free.” Not to worry, though, In the words of Jack Nicholson in the movie, “A FEW GOOD MEN,” Jodi can’t handle the truth and she will never face it.
That’s enough of that. Now if I can only get rid of the image of Jodie that has been etched on my TV screen for these past five months. I never want to see her face again.
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For a change of pace, and to lighten up this Memorial Day that I hope you are enjoying with your family, here are some innocent but witty things said by the little tots in a classroom when the subject was on writing about the ocean. My thanks to Judy Estep for the email.
If you are surrounded by the ocean, you are an island. If you don’t have ocean around you, you are incontinent. (Mike, age 7)
Sharks are ugly and mean and have big teeth. Just like Emily Richardson. She’s not my friend anymore. (Kylie, age 6)
I’m not going to write about the ocean. My baby brother is always crying, my Dad keeps yelling at my mom, and my big sister just got pregnant, so I can’t think what to write. (Amy, age 6)
Mermaids are in the ocean. I like mermaids and I like their shiny tails but how on earth do they get pregnant? Like really? (Helen, age 6)
My dad was a sailor on the ocean. He knows all about the ocean. What he doesn’t know is why he quit being a sailor and married my mom. (James, age 7)
When ships had sails, they used to use the trade winds to cross the ocean.  Sometimes when the wind didn’t blow, the sailors would whistle to make the wind come. My brother said they would have been better off eating beans. (William, age 7)
There were several other funny examples, but kids being kids sometimes inadvertently speak in grownup language that I had to censor. But God love them. They keep us grounded.

Glazed Peaches on the Grill

It’s grilling time and with peaches about to come in, this is a delicious way to combine the two.
 Toss 4 quartered peaches, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 tablespoons butter, and cinnamon to taste on a sheet of foil.
Form a packet. Grill over medium-high heat, 12 minutes.