ok... I am hearing from people all the time, they are out of work, can't pay the bills. I am reading in the paper that the economy is getting better. Confusing messages right?
I remember growing up in the 60s. I never remember our economy being very good. Seems there was always a struggle to pay the bills. Dad worked two jobs back then and mom worked one job. We kids all had jobs too by the time we were teenagers. Then in 1967 dad died, the economy for us got pretty difficult after that. We always had a roof over our head and plenty to eat, though. I don't really remember a time when things were easy, when there was an abundance of money. So the recession just seems like kind of the way things are to me. I still have always had a roof over my head and plenty to eat (probably too much). Anyway, when I see the people in Haiti or other places around the world where there is no roof over their heads and food on the table then I think..that is hard times. I am not unsympathetic to those out of work and especially those losing their jobs with families to support. I pray for them and hope that our greedy political and economic systems can become more honorable. Give people a fair wage and the right to be able to afford a doctor when they really need one. It is so much a matter of perspective. There are those that have more and those that have less. My childhood was so rich with family and friends....with playtime and work time, it never really accured to me that we were lacking anything. So let's try to fill the world with love and with purpose and with hope and dreams.
Give to those in need and expect to receive when we need something. Because if you are looking in the newspaper or at the Capitol for some relief or answers, you are gonna be disappointed.
Look to yourself, use the creativity and energy that you have and make the world a richer place, one smile at a time.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
red is the color of love
From birds to strawberries , red is the color of love. Red is awesome! The cardinal is my favorite bird and the strawberry is my favorite fruit.... guess what my favorite color is... you guessed it, RED.. you are so clever! How did you know?
John once did progams with another American Indian friend and at the end of each program this gentlemen would pull out a quart of strawberries and give each child one. He would tell them that when Creator was finished creating the whole world, he created the strawberry, with no other reason then to let the created know love. Now think of the last time you bit in to a truly ripe luscious strawberry... can you feel the love?
Well, we are a few months away from this taste, but I am sending along a recipe to get you ready for the real thing.
Yummy Yummy!!
STRAWBERRY SOUP
15 oz frozen strawberries, thawed with juice 3 oz powdered sugar
15 oz. sour cream 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
1 oz. vanilla extract 2 oz half and half
Mix strawberries and sour cream. Beat slowly until well mixed. Add grenadine, vanilla and sugar while mixing until smooth consistency. Add half and half last mixing only until well blended. chill and serve. Shake well before serving. Serves 6 (or 1 in need of much love)
John once did progams with another American Indian friend and at the end of each program this gentlemen would pull out a quart of strawberries and give each child one. He would tell them that when Creator was finished creating the whole world, he created the strawberry, with no other reason then to let the created know love. Now think of the last time you bit in to a truly ripe luscious strawberry... can you feel the love?
Well, we are a few months away from this taste, but I am sending along a recipe to get you ready for the real thing.
Yummy Yummy!!
STRAWBERRY SOUP
15 oz frozen strawberries, thawed with juice 3 oz powdered sugar
15 oz. sour cream 1/2 oz grenadine syrup
1 oz. vanilla extract 2 oz half and half
Mix strawberries and sour cream. Beat slowly until well mixed. Add grenadine, vanilla and sugar while mixing until smooth consistency. Add half and half last mixing only until well blended. chill and serve. Shake well before serving. Serves 6 (or 1 in need of much love)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
my bird friends
I have a routine each morning that I am at home, off the road. Morning is my favorite time of the day.
I wake up and check my e-mail... then to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee which I enjoy with a English muffin with peanut butter. I put my feet up and begin to watch the birds. I can see how their colors change thru the season. I can see how they share, or don't share the space.
One thing I particularly love, the pileated woodpeckers who come and who are redecorating my deck. I consider that it will take them about 20 years to destroy the deck completely and it probably would have fallen apart in 21 years without their help, so I just let them create the circular ridges up and down the bannisters. But what is very cool is how they eat the suet.
I have a simple square suet feeder up close to the window. They will eat from the center of the suet, forming a perfect circle in the center and then eat out from there, like it were a tree.
And since circles form much of our spirit belief, I get so excited to see that even when they eat, they are eating from the perspective of circle. I don't know much about birds, I just love them.
We have two hawks who circle above our deck at about 10:00am each morning. We have at least 10 different types of birds that come to feed each day and at one time I can have over 50 birds on the deck. I have never bought curtains for the huge windows overlooking the valley. I know that many of you have the same love for birds that I have. Oh and the crows, I always have fed them left overs, but one morning a couple of years ago they had a true feast. We were traveling to Grandpa Bob's house and I made 2 pans of lasagna to take along for us to eat. I decided that there was not much room in the refrigerator so I put them out on the deck. I put one pan in the grill and covered it. The other pan I put on the side of the grill and covered it with a heavy lid. I went back into my office to write. An hour later I heard quite a commotion and went out to check where the noise was coming from, since you don't hear much in the middle of these mountains. I came around the corner and saw about half a dozen crows take off... those suckers had eaten my whole pan of lasagna. Good thing I had one left. They were kind of mad at me after that because bread crumbs just aren't the same as lasagna. Needless to say, the word is out in the crow world that 200 Medicine Way has great appetizers. I suppose I love those birds so much because I am present in those moments that I am sharing with them. We are one in this universe and as we love to provide for them, Creator God loves to provide for us.
I wake up and check my e-mail... then to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee which I enjoy with a English muffin with peanut butter. I put my feet up and begin to watch the birds. I can see how their colors change thru the season. I can see how they share, or don't share the space.
One thing I particularly love, the pileated woodpeckers who come and who are redecorating my deck. I consider that it will take them about 20 years to destroy the deck completely and it probably would have fallen apart in 21 years without their help, so I just let them create the circular ridges up and down the bannisters. But what is very cool is how they eat the suet.
I have a simple square suet feeder up close to the window. They will eat from the center of the suet, forming a perfect circle in the center and then eat out from there, like it were a tree.
And since circles form much of our spirit belief, I get so excited to see that even when they eat, they are eating from the perspective of circle. I don't know much about birds, I just love them.
We have two hawks who circle above our deck at about 10:00am each morning. We have at least 10 different types of birds that come to feed each day and at one time I can have over 50 birds on the deck. I have never bought curtains for the huge windows overlooking the valley. I know that many of you have the same love for birds that I have. Oh and the crows, I always have fed them left overs, but one morning a couple of years ago they had a true feast. We were traveling to Grandpa Bob's house and I made 2 pans of lasagna to take along for us to eat. I decided that there was not much room in the refrigerator so I put them out on the deck. I put one pan in the grill and covered it. The other pan I put on the side of the grill and covered it with a heavy lid. I went back into my office to write. An hour later I heard quite a commotion and went out to check where the noise was coming from, since you don't hear much in the middle of these mountains. I came around the corner and saw about half a dozen crows take off... those suckers had eaten my whole pan of lasagna. Good thing I had one left. They were kind of mad at me after that because bread crumbs just aren't the same as lasagna. Needless to say, the word is out in the crow world that 200 Medicine Way has great appetizers. I suppose I love those birds so much because I am present in those moments that I am sharing with them. We are one in this universe and as we love to provide for them, Creator God loves to provide for us.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
mis-takes
"Even when we stumble, even when we fall, even then there is light around it all!"
words from Nancy Cooper Maier.
Today, March 2nd 2010, I am thinking about mis-takes.
I have made my share and I know why. Even with this blog thing, I just jumped in with both feet, clothes on and nose plugged. Then I learn as I go.... should have, how to, shouldn't have, try this, try that.
So bare with me, this is the way I roll. It drives my husband absolutely crazy. (Sorry)
I must have been born this way because it is the only way I remember I have ever been. The results have been a life full of adventure and learning. You see, we mostly learn from our mistakes. You would think I would be a genius by now, but if I am you would never know it because you would probably just see my errors.
I am making light of this (also my way), but this light that illuminates our frailty is an important light to keep turned on. Next to my bed on my light on the night stand is a little sign that says
"Always make new mistakes".... Not the same mistakes - that would be stupid - but new mistakes means taking new steps, taking a new path accepting a new adventure, being alive, taking risks. The more fully you live, the more new mistakes you will make. Playing it safe is not really safe. How about risking it all for love! Why do you think they call it falling in love? They might as well call it stumbling in love (lots of mistakes to be made here).
Humility is born of being able to be wrong...... being wrong is cool.
What is cool is being ok with yourself when you are wrong, and even better, being ok with others, because we are all just human. Sounds like acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness... that is for another day.
Go out and play today and try to make some new mistakes!
words from Nancy Cooper Maier.
Today, March 2nd 2010, I am thinking about mis-takes.
I have made my share and I know why. Even with this blog thing, I just jumped in with both feet, clothes on and nose plugged. Then I learn as I go.... should have, how to, shouldn't have, try this, try that.
So bare with me, this is the way I roll. It drives my husband absolutely crazy. (Sorry)
I must have been born this way because it is the only way I remember I have ever been. The results have been a life full of adventure and learning. You see, we mostly learn from our mistakes. You would think I would be a genius by now, but if I am you would never know it because you would probably just see my errors.
I am making light of this (also my way), but this light that illuminates our frailty is an important light to keep turned on. Next to my bed on my light on the night stand is a little sign that says
"Always make new mistakes".... Not the same mistakes - that would be stupid - but new mistakes means taking new steps, taking a new path accepting a new adventure, being alive, taking risks. The more fully you live, the more new mistakes you will make. Playing it safe is not really safe. How about risking it all for love! Why do you think they call it falling in love? They might as well call it stumbling in love (lots of mistakes to be made here).
Humility is born of being able to be wrong...... being wrong is cool.
What is cool is being ok with yourself when you are wrong, and even better, being ok with others, because we are all just human. Sounds like acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness... that is for another day.
Go out and play today and try to make some new mistakes!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Wings
REPOST of First blog on 2-27-10
I am reposting this because people were having problems reading it.
Welcome to the birth of my blog! 6 lbs, 3 oz, right on time..born Feb 27th 2010.
I will call this new creation "Wings". Thirty-some years ago, before the birth of my first son, I would have nightmares that I would forget to feed him, or leave him in the stroller on some forgotten street.
I had quite a few of those dreams. So, for some, motherhood is born of fear and unknowing. Thirty-some years later, with more children and now grandchildren, I now understand those dreams. They say that when you dream about babies, these dreams are powerful, creative dreams that launch new ideas and products and plans. I've had plenty of dreams.
So here is my new baby, "Wings". I hope you enjoy the thoughts, poems, emotions, triumphs and failures in this, my new endeavor.
A book will also be born of these entries... but more on that later.
To all you mothers... Mothering takes wings of steel. You are heroes and martyrs. Each day brings more burdens of joy, more swelling of pride, more heartache inside. Give yourself a pat on the back, if you can reach your back, otherwise, just grab a snickers!
Thanks Cynthia for the push!
I am reposting this because people were having problems reading it.
Welcome to the birth of my blog! 6 lbs, 3 oz, right on time..born Feb 27th 2010.
I will call this new creation "Wings". Thirty-some years ago, before the birth of my first son, I would have nightmares that I would forget to feed him, or leave him in the stroller on some forgotten street.
I had quite a few of those dreams. So, for some, motherhood is born of fear and unknowing. Thirty-some years later, with more children and now grandchildren, I now understand those dreams. They say that when you dream about babies, these dreams are powerful, creative dreams that launch new ideas and products and plans. I've had plenty of dreams.
So here is my new baby, "Wings". I hope you enjoy the thoughts, poems, emotions, triumphs and failures in this, my new endeavor.
A book will also be born of these entries... but more on that later.
To all you mothers... Mothering takes wings of steel. You are heroes and martyrs. Each day brings more burdens of joy, more swelling of pride, more heartache inside. Give yourself a pat on the back, if you can reach your back, otherwise, just grab a snickers!
Thanks Cynthia for the push!
Wings
I was thinking about play. As a child that was my number one preoccupation.
Can I go out and play? When can I play? Do you want to play?
I really feel sorry for kids today. I really do. I have never seen a video game that could match the fun and laughter of a game of four square, roller skates, kick ball or actually making up a game.
I am not who I am today because of what I learned in school but because of what I learned playing.
In the late 50s when I was a young child, I don't remember any kids on ritalin in those days. We were probably all hyper... but we got tired when we played. Obesity, what was that? We burned off more calories then we could take in. Our diets were not all that good, we were naturally balanced. I went to school for 2 reasons: one, my parents made me, and two, for recess. Eventually there were three reasons once I hit puberty. Anyway, playing... I still like to play. Maybe I would have more money in the bank, a larger retirement and be a more responsible person if I didn't like to play so much. Or maybe not.
I was wondering about the sales of bouncing balls. I wouldn't put my investments in those today, but as a child everytime I went with my mom to the store I would beg for some new kick ball or volleyball to play with. I could stand on the church parking lot for 3 hours either throwing a ball into the air or throwing it against a wall. Math, critical thinking, balance, physics, perseverance, imagination, all developed in those parking lot universities. Maybe the good ole days actually were the good ole days. Anyway, for all you grandparents out there who remember, instead of a video game for birthdays and Christmas, how about buying those kids a real toy... a bouncing ball.
Can I go out and play? When can I play? Do you want to play?
I really feel sorry for kids today. I really do. I have never seen a video game that could match the fun and laughter of a game of four square, roller skates, kick ball or actually making up a game.
I am not who I am today because of what I learned in school but because of what I learned playing.
In the late 50s when I was a young child, I don't remember any kids on ritalin in those days. We were probably all hyper... but we got tired when we played. Obesity, what was that? We burned off more calories then we could take in. Our diets were not all that good, we were naturally balanced. I went to school for 2 reasons: one, my parents made me, and two, for recess. Eventually there were three reasons once I hit puberty. Anyway, playing... I still like to play. Maybe I would have more money in the bank, a larger retirement and be a more responsible person if I didn't like to play so much. Or maybe not.
I was wondering about the sales of bouncing balls. I wouldn't put my investments in those today, but as a child everytime I went with my mom to the store I would beg for some new kick ball or volleyball to play with. I could stand on the church parking lot for 3 hours either throwing a ball into the air or throwing it against a wall. Math, critical thinking, balance, physics, perseverance, imagination, all developed in those parking lot universities. Maybe the good ole days actually were the good ole days. Anyway, for all you grandparents out there who remember, instead of a video game for birthdays and Christmas, how about buying those kids a real toy... a bouncing ball.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wings
You will find my thoughts and passions are eclectic. Back to dreams later, this morning I am thinking about food. If you will afford me my rambles you will be rewarded with a wonderful recipe at the end of the blog... so...
I grew up in a culture of food. Mom was a great cook and still is. When I think of my most fond memory as a child, it will include vividly, trips to Miami Street Bakery for a chocolate covered donut, which I would take to morning mass with me before school and secretly lick off the chocolate icing when Sister Theresa's attention was focused on scolding another child. My rationalization for this sin was that certainly Jesus would want a taste. Yes, the remainder of the chocolate donut would get scarfed down with the cold sweet carton of chocolate milk at my desk before the bell would ring. After that bell I have no memory.
But I also remember mom making home made french fries and also spaghetti and meatballs, family and friends always around the table. A fall or some other tragedy would usually warrant a cookie or ice cream. So I understand emotional eating (whats the big deal). A cookie and a tear tastes very good together. My mom makes mashed potatoes to die for. I really think this has been the secret of my long term happy marriage to John. Her secret: probably the pound of butter and cream she uses, but that won't hurt you because I am convinced that a plate of love will balance out a multitude of calories. Love is the key. So find someone who loves you and let them cook for you, or better yet, how about you cook for someone you love.
This is one of Tony's favorite recipes... it is easy and yummy.
Let me know how you like it...
Italian Noodle Casserole
1 80z skinny egg noodles (the only skinny thing about this recipe)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
1TBsp butter
3 (8oz) cans tomatoe sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1Tbsp sugar
1 cup cottage cheese, 1 (80z) pkg cream cheese, 1/4 c sour cream
1/3 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup chopped greem pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese
Cook noodles according to package directions, Brown ground beef and garlic in butter.
Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper and sugar. Blend cheeses (not cheddar) and add sour cream, onion and green pepper. In a greased 9x13 inch dish, put half of cooked noodles, then a layer of the cheese mixture and rest of noodles. Cover with the ground beef mixture and top with the Cheddar Cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Serves 8... (yeah right) ENJOY!
I grew up in a culture of food. Mom was a great cook and still is. When I think of my most fond memory as a child, it will include vividly, trips to Miami Street Bakery for a chocolate covered donut, which I would take to morning mass with me before school and secretly lick off the chocolate icing when Sister Theresa's attention was focused on scolding another child. My rationalization for this sin was that certainly Jesus would want a taste. Yes, the remainder of the chocolate donut would get scarfed down with the cold sweet carton of chocolate milk at my desk before the bell would ring. After that bell I have no memory.
But I also remember mom making home made french fries and also spaghetti and meatballs, family and friends always around the table. A fall or some other tragedy would usually warrant a cookie or ice cream. So I understand emotional eating (whats the big deal). A cookie and a tear tastes very good together. My mom makes mashed potatoes to die for. I really think this has been the secret of my long term happy marriage to John. Her secret: probably the pound of butter and cream she uses, but that won't hurt you because I am convinced that a plate of love will balance out a multitude of calories. Love is the key. So find someone who loves you and let them cook for you, or better yet, how about you cook for someone you love.
This is one of Tony's favorite recipes... it is easy and yummy.
Let me know how you like it...
Italian Noodle Casserole
1 80z skinny egg noodles (the only skinny thing about this recipe)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
1TBsp butter
3 (8oz) cans tomatoe sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1Tbsp sugar
1 cup cottage cheese, 1 (80z) pkg cream cheese, 1/4 c sour cream
1/3 cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup chopped greem pepper
1 cup cheddar cheese
Cook noodles according to package directions, Brown ground beef and garlic in butter.
Add tomato sauce, salt and pepper and sugar. Blend cheeses (not cheddar) and add sour cream, onion and green pepper. In a greased 9x13 inch dish, put half of cooked noodles, then a layer of the cheese mixture and rest of noodles. Cover with the ground beef mixture and top with the Cheddar Cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 min. Serves 8... (yeah right) ENJOY!
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