"Great souls take advantage of every moment and every opportunity to give happiness to others through kindness in their thoughts; such souls are willing to overlook weaknesses and mistakes and have the desire to help everyone reach their potential."
I found this quote today and loved it! I want to be a great soul.
It reminded me of this quote --
Love generously, Praise loudly, Live fully ~~ Elias Porter
Nothing much else really going on. I've been keeping up with things around the house today, just didn't feel like going out. Lots of laundry to keep me busy.
Last night, I watched the movie Waitress. it was that typical story of someone who has it tough, really, and oh wouldn't it be nice if someone just came along and helped them out - some great soul - and they did.
The movie wasn't what I expected it to be at all, but it was a (mostly) happy ending, and I love happy endings.
My caterpillar has passed. This makes me sad. I looked up everything I could find today about it, and there are so many things that could have gone wrong. Some of them could have been my fault, but it is difficult to know for sure. But I will correct those things I know about, you can be sure, before I try this again.
"Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind." ~~ Mary Ellen Chase.
So don't be frazzled by the season! ~~ Be dazzled for the Reason!~
Have some hot chocolate and relax!! It's a lovely evening.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
On the 5th day before Christmas....
I can-not be lieve it is almost Christmas! I know I am sure to catching on to things - but, goodness gracious somebody needs to light a ball of fire under me!
I don't have that much to do, really. Some things are last minute no matter what --
talked with an old friend last night. That was cool. She called me at 10:13 PM - so my cell phone said - and that's my birthdate so I think that's cool beans.
Last this afternoon I had to make a run to the dentist with Madam Blueberry, as she had chipped a tooth and didn't have a clue as to how - but they took us and charged us - gosh, it's good to be a dentist - and then we went to Barnes and Noble for some last minute shopping. I still have one more thing to pick up, aside from food and such.
It's raining bullets from the sky and they are not paper -- (see Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing) ...
The presents are wrapped.
The tree is shining brightly.
The house smells like candles -- fragrances like vanilla and sweet treats.
My daughter is reading.
My husband is listening to music.
Our new kitty is sleeping peacefully now, so he will be up all night (grrrr, can't wait till he gets tha feeling that he has conquered everything in the house and finally settles down. Ooops, why? Because then, Madam B will want another kitty, because kitties are so lovable and cats are too settled....)
My caterpillar, Willie, is in sleeping on his Milkweed plant. I bought myself a fish tank for housing caterpillars. I know I'm like a first grader with them, but I really love them! and -- well, they are not mine, they are God's, but I figure I'll just babysit them until they are ready to fly ...
Listening to: Hard Times, by Charles Dickens. What a wit he has with character names -- Mr. M'Choakumchild? Hysterical! The novel is not so.
"So, Mr. M'Choakumchild began in his best manner. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of headbreaking questions. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and leveling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council's Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. He knew all about all the Water Sheds of all the world (whatever they are), and all the histories of all the peoples, and all the names of all the rivers and mountains, and all the productions, manners, and customs of all the countries, and all their boundaries and bearings on the two and thirty points of the compass. Ah, rather overdone, Mr. M'Choakumchild. If he had only leamt a little less, how infinitely better he might have taught much more!"
Yes, indeed ..."how infinitely better he might have taught much more!" - if only he had learnt a little less ....
That's about all for now.
Take care out there ...
Don't be frazzled by the season. Be dazzled for the Reason.
I don't have that much to do, really. Some things are last minute no matter what --
talked with an old friend last night. That was cool. She called me at 10:13 PM - so my cell phone said - and that's my birthdate so I think that's cool beans.
Last this afternoon I had to make a run to the dentist with Madam Blueberry, as she had chipped a tooth and didn't have a clue as to how - but they took us and charged us - gosh, it's good to be a dentist - and then we went to Barnes and Noble for some last minute shopping. I still have one more thing to pick up, aside from food and such.
It's raining bullets from the sky and they are not paper -- (see Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing) ...
The presents are wrapped.
The tree is shining brightly.
The house smells like candles -- fragrances like vanilla and sweet treats.
My daughter is reading.
My husband is listening to music.
Our new kitty is sleeping peacefully now, so he will be up all night (grrrr, can't wait till he gets tha feeling that he has conquered everything in the house and finally settles down. Ooops, why? Because then, Madam B will want another kitty, because kitties are so lovable and cats are too settled....)
My caterpillar, Willie, is in sleeping on his Milkweed plant. I bought myself a fish tank for housing caterpillars. I know I'm like a first grader with them, but I really love them! and -- well, they are not mine, they are God's, but I figure I'll just babysit them until they are ready to fly ...
Listening to: Hard Times, by Charles Dickens. What a wit he has with character names -- Mr. M'Choakumchild? Hysterical! The novel is not so.
"So, Mr. M'Choakumchild began in his best manner. He and some one hundred and forty other schoolmasters, had been lately turned at the same time, in the same factory, on the same principles, like so many pianoforte legs. He had been put through an immense variety of paces, and had answered volumes of headbreaking questions. Orthography, etymology, syntax, and prosody, biography, astronomy, geography, and general cosmography, the sciences of compound proportion, algebra, land-surveying and leveling, vocal music, and drawing from models, were all at the ends of his ten chilled fingers. He had worked his stony way into Her Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council's Schedule B, and had taken the bloom off the higher branches of mathematics and physical science, French, German, Latin, and Greek. He knew all about all the Water Sheds of all the world (whatever they are), and all the histories of all the peoples, and all the names of all the rivers and mountains, and all the productions, manners, and customs of all the countries, and all their boundaries and bearings on the two and thirty points of the compass. Ah, rather overdone, Mr. M'Choakumchild. If he had only leamt a little less, how infinitely better he might have taught much more!"
Yes, indeed ..."how infinitely better he might have taught much more!" - if only he had learnt a little less ....
That's about all for now.
Take care out there ...
Don't be frazzled by the season. Be dazzled for the Reason.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Just another Manic Monday
Part 3:
Just when you thought, oh please, not one more thing - you run out of gas. Stone cold - O.U.T.
I do thank God that I was IN a parking space at the grocery store when I KNEW for sure that I was OUT of GAS! I cannot imagine my horror of that situation had I been with one of my nephews at the time! I would never have out lived that story.
I called Mr. B. who had not even left his job site - it was almost 6:30 - and he was over an hour before getting home, so he started rapid fire asking me, "have you called ??? or ??? or ???" --
"No. Darling. I called you first." I know he loves me and worries about me because he knows I don't do gas cans.
So calmly, I called #2 son.
The conversation was simple:
"Hey Sean, you home?"
"Yes."
"I'm up at Publix, and I'm out of Gas."
"Be right there, Mom."
Now. Who could ask for anything more?
So - how does someone run out of gas in this day and age? Broken gas gauge. Oh well.
So - Sean came up with a 5 gallon can and as he poured it in my tank, and any conscientious observer would have been able to tell it was, indeed, Stone Cold Emp-TEE!! Goodness Gracious, I am a lucky woman!! Sitting in a parking space! How lucky is that!
Part 2:
Our house is a haven for some furniture my oldest son has come to possess for a home theater he and Mr. B plan on building together. The furniture was a deal. Couldn't be passed up, so - there are theater seats in my already small living room and our Christmas tree was on the front porch.
I came home this afternoon and Voila!! Madam Blueberry had the furniture rearranged so you can walk around, the tree inside the house, decorated, and the house in now decorated and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! She's been wrapping all the presents and has them under the tree. Oh, she does spoil me.
Part 1:
"What's well begun, is half done." ~ Horace
I must be well begun, because I am always half done!!
Just when you thought, oh please, not one more thing - you run out of gas. Stone cold - O.U.T.
I do thank God that I was IN a parking space at the grocery store when I KNEW for sure that I was OUT of GAS! I cannot imagine my horror of that situation had I been with one of my nephews at the time! I would never have out lived that story.
I called Mr. B. who had not even left his job site - it was almost 6:30 - and he was over an hour before getting home, so he started rapid fire asking me, "have you called ??? or ??? or ???" --
"No. Darling. I called you first." I know he loves me and worries about me because he knows I don't do gas cans.
So calmly, I called #2 son.
The conversation was simple:
"Hey Sean, you home?"
"Yes."
"I'm up at Publix, and I'm out of Gas."
"Be right there, Mom."
Now. Who could ask for anything more?
So - how does someone run out of gas in this day and age? Broken gas gauge. Oh well.
So - Sean came up with a 5 gallon can and as he poured it in my tank, and any conscientious observer would have been able to tell it was, indeed, Stone Cold Emp-TEE!! Goodness Gracious, I am a lucky woman!! Sitting in a parking space! How lucky is that!
Part 2:
Our house is a haven for some furniture my oldest son has come to possess for a home theater he and Mr. B plan on building together. The furniture was a deal. Couldn't be passed up, so - there are theater seats in my already small living room and our Christmas tree was on the front porch.
I came home this afternoon and Voila!! Madam Blueberry had the furniture rearranged so you can walk around, the tree inside the house, decorated, and the house in now decorated and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! She's been wrapping all the presents and has them under the tree. Oh, she does spoil me.
Part 1:
"What's well begun, is half done." ~ Horace
I must be well begun, because I am always half done!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A Color Test
I found this on a message board ~ Try it --
The Color Test
So, are you left brained, right brained ....or do big words bother you, too?
Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering....Winnie the Pooh
The Color Test
So, are you left brained, right brained ....or do big words bother you, too?
Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering....Winnie the Pooh
The Brain and Music
Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself. ~Henry Ward Beecher
There are some interesting facts on this that I am sure most people have already heard about.
Browsing through the library yesterday, I came across a book - Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. - and since "I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother Me," this book looked like it might hold some interesting keys for me.
The chapter on music talks about how the brain listens to music. It listens with it's whole self. We hear often about 'left brain' and 'right brain' but rarely 'whole brain' -- unless you mean bread. Oh wait, that's ...something else.
Anyway,
The book states that certain types of music can enhance the function of the brain, the memory, and emotion. While other types of music can help us solve problems.
And because the brain can process music with both of its sides; music is found to be healing and enhancing of any function it needs to make because music does integrate the whole brain.
Singing is supposed to be good for our brain. The book speaks to singing, not singing well. Singing stimulates the parts of the brain involved in memory. Bet you can still sing the "ABC" song, can't you? So did you know, you know Mozart? See just how cool you are?
Thomas Jefferson used music to help him write the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to use just the right wording, and if he should get stuck, he would play his violin. And voila! We are all created equal!
Music also makes you move. If you can feel it, why couldn't you heal with it? Studies say that following surgery, those patients in intensive care where background music was played needed lower doses of medication than those where no music was played at all.
I'm all for it. Music everywhere! Let Music be the Food of the world -- It's good whole brain substance.
So, go listen to your favorite stuff. Take your newfound or rediscovered calmness, happiness and less stressful being out into the world tomorrow and make this a better place! And I will do the same.
Tu Tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.
~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton
There are some interesting facts on this that I am sure most people have already heard about.
Browsing through the library yesterday, I came across a book - Making a Good Brain Great by Daniel G. Amen, M.D. - and since "I am a Bear of Very Little Brain, and long words Bother Me," this book looked like it might hold some interesting keys for me.
The chapter on music talks about how the brain listens to music. It listens with it's whole self. We hear often about 'left brain' and 'right brain' but rarely 'whole brain' -- unless you mean bread. Oh wait, that's ...something else.
Anyway,
The book states that certain types of music can enhance the function of the brain, the memory, and emotion. While other types of music can help us solve problems.
And because the brain can process music with both of its sides; music is found to be healing and enhancing of any function it needs to make because music does integrate the whole brain.
Singing is supposed to be good for our brain. The book speaks to singing, not singing well. Singing stimulates the parts of the brain involved in memory. Bet you can still sing the "ABC" song, can't you? So did you know, you know Mozart? See just how cool you are?
Thomas Jefferson used music to help him write the Declaration of Independence. He wanted to use just the right wording, and if he should get stuck, he would play his violin. And voila! We are all created equal!
Music also makes you move. If you can feel it, why couldn't you heal with it? Studies say that following surgery, those patients in intensive care where background music was played needed lower doses of medication than those where no music was played at all.
I'm all for it. Music everywhere! Let Music be the Food of the world -- It's good whole brain substance.
So, go listen to your favorite stuff. Take your newfound or rediscovered calmness, happiness and less stressful being out into the world tomorrow and make this a better place! And I will do the same.
Tu Tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies.
~Edward George Bulwer-Lytton
Saturday, December 08, 2007
The Heisman Trophy Winner 2007
Congratulations Tim Tebow - This year's winner of the Heisman Trophy. A homeschooled Florida Gator!
On January 7, 2007, Tebow was featured prominently in an ESPN “Outside The Lines” feature on homeschooled athletes seeking equal access to high school athletics in other states. In fact, his popularity inspired "equal access" supporters in Alabama to name their bill in the Alabama Legislature "The Tim Tebow Bill"....
On January 7, 2007, Tebow was featured prominently in an ESPN “Outside The Lines” feature on homeschooled athletes seeking equal access to high school athletics in other states. In fact, his popularity inspired "equal access" supporters in Alabama to name their bill in the Alabama Legislature "The Tim Tebow Bill"....
Happy Birthday Nate the Great
And he's thrown the pass that is life ......
Twelve years ago today, Nathan was born and shifted my status up to The Great Aunt Sasha. I loved my new title. He was only about 4 lbs, as he was born a little earlier than expected, but against all odds, and he is still overcoming odds and continuing to conquer the world - he came home to be loved by us all.
We wish you a Very Happy Birthday, Nate the Great! And many, many Happy Returns.
And he scores!!!! Best wishes, Nathan, from Uncle Desi, Aunt Sasha, Bill, Sean, Scarlett, Shadus, Harley and other assorted family members and friends.
Friday, December 07, 2007
19 Days till Christmas
"Tis the Season to be jolly...." Deck the Halls
Madam Blueberry went shopping with her dad to get a tree last night. They came home empty handed because the trees were a little bit pricey for what you are getting. Madam B is a very sensible girl. More sensible that we had thought, actually. Maybe we will put lights on a pole?
Yesterday was my sister in law's birthday. She is another ageless type person. Her spirit is forever young. Seven of us celebrated at Chili's fine foods restaurant because Shannon has just started to work there as a hostess. Her very first job! So, what we did tonight was make a memory! Making a memory is one of the best gifts you can give someone.
We have all our gifts wrapped up to date (thanks to Madam B - who has really wrapped them twice because as soon as she put them on display, Shadus, the new kitty, 'played' with them....grrrr).
I still have more thinking to do as far as what to buy for whom. I did order somethings on line because I really don't care much for shopping. I like browsing. Probably what would work best for me is to buy a lot of things that I think people would like ,during the year, and then shop from my closet. I think people find my standing and thinking in public places annoying. And sometimes I talk to myself. Out loud. But really, today that shouldn't matter to much because people will just think I'm on my cell phone. Hahahaha.
I'm going to head out today and do some think-shopping in public.
I had a good look at my butterfly garden this morning. Gosh, I really love it. I recommend gardening to anyone for just the most beautiful and delightful experience. Boy, I need to get some new photos~~
"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind...." Ephesians 5:23
Madam Blueberry went shopping with her dad to get a tree last night. They came home empty handed because the trees were a little bit pricey for what you are getting. Madam B is a very sensible girl. More sensible that we had thought, actually. Maybe we will put lights on a pole?
Yesterday was my sister in law's birthday. She is another ageless type person. Her spirit is forever young. Seven of us celebrated at Chili's fine foods restaurant because Shannon has just started to work there as a hostess. Her very first job! So, what we did tonight was make a memory! Making a memory is one of the best gifts you can give someone.
We have all our gifts wrapped up to date (thanks to Madam B - who has really wrapped them twice because as soon as she put them on display, Shadus, the new kitty, 'played' with them....grrrr).
I still have more thinking to do as far as what to buy for whom. I did order somethings on line because I really don't care much for shopping. I like browsing. Probably what would work best for me is to buy a lot of things that I think people would like ,during the year, and then shop from my closet. I think people find my standing and thinking in public places annoying. And sometimes I talk to myself. Out loud. But really, today that shouldn't matter to much because people will just think I'm on my cell phone. Hahahaha.
I'm going to head out today and do some think-shopping in public.
I had a good look at my butterfly garden this morning. Gosh, I really love it. I recommend gardening to anyone for just the most beautiful and delightful experience. Boy, I need to get some new photos~~
"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind...." Ephesians 5:23
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
December 4, 2007
What is reality but a concept of our own daily perceptions?
~~Miss Roxie
Now the 5th --
The Christmas Shopping and Planning of Baking and Feasting begins. (Actually, began on December 1, but I didn't get that post posted.)
One Shopping Hand Off --
The Place - Bath and Body.
The Hand Off Strategy
~~~Bath and Body is giving $10.00 coupons with a $30.00 purchase. My daughter went in and made her purchase while I browsed around. After she made her purchase, she gave her $10.00 coupon to me. I made my purchase and my son looked at me and smiled and reached out his hand for the $10.00 coupon, so he could use it for his purchase! All legal and no animals were harmed.
We later met for coffee to discuss who should get the $10.00 coupon that Bill got, and I said it should be me, and he says it should be Madam Blueberry. I guess there's a technical call in there somewhere. It's becomes a philosophical question --
Wrapping -
Madam B jumped right in. We have paper and bows, etc from last year! Hooray! The gifts we have purchased so far are all wrapped! (Of course, you can't walk in this room, the new kitty has destroyed all remaining paper, and will probably get some rare disease from eating the wrapping paper.)
So - We organized a place for the wrapping goods - a large bag from Bath and Body suited that purpose.
Now we are moving things around in our living room to make room for the tree. All the furniture is askew and we abandoned that project and Madam B is outside working on Christmas lights. (We are the original creators of the rash last moment decision to beat the early rush into the realm of holiday insanity. Please be advised we do not promote the state of it, we only suggest that it does exist.)
You, after all, are the one who defines your existence. Be kind to yourself and other people during your time of definition.
~~Miss Roxie
~~Miss Roxie
Now the 5th --
The Christmas Shopping and Planning of Baking and Feasting begins. (Actually, began on December 1, but I didn't get that post posted.)
One Shopping Hand Off --
The Place - Bath and Body.
The Hand Off Strategy
~~~Bath and Body is giving $10.00 coupons with a $30.00 purchase. My daughter went in and made her purchase while I browsed around. After she made her purchase, she gave her $10.00 coupon to me. I made my purchase and my son looked at me and smiled and reached out his hand for the $10.00 coupon, so he could use it for his purchase! All legal and no animals were harmed.
We later met for coffee to discuss who should get the $10.00 coupon that Bill got, and I said it should be me, and he says it should be Madam Blueberry. I guess there's a technical call in there somewhere. It's becomes a philosophical question --
Wrapping -
Madam B jumped right in. We have paper and bows, etc from last year! Hooray! The gifts we have purchased so far are all wrapped! (Of course, you can't walk in this room, the new kitty has destroyed all remaining paper, and will probably get some rare disease from eating the wrapping paper.)
So - We organized a place for the wrapping goods - a large bag from Bath and Body suited that purpose.
Now we are moving things around in our living room to make room for the tree. All the furniture is askew and we abandoned that project and Madam B is outside working on Christmas lights. (We are the original creators of the rash last moment decision to beat the early rush into the realm of holiday insanity. Please be advised we do not promote the state of it, we only suggest that it does exist.)
You, after all, are the one who defines your existence. Be kind to yourself and other people during your time of definition.
~~Miss Roxie
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Since the Monday Tempus fugit
Again. I have eight Save As Draft posts sitting -- to sum up. I have been busy as the bees in my garden. But aren't we all? Or is busy just a philosophy?
I've been attending to my normal everyday things - and rocking and rolling along with everyone else's normal everyday things. But there is always a thing or two to add to the everyday.
My biggest accomplishment? My butterfly garden!! I can't wait until I can get a photo posted. I got it together this week and last and two days ago, I was visited by my first butterfly!! yes! He was just beautiful -- and then today! a yellow one! Pale and lovely. It was such a great feeling!
I have several butterfly plants - When you go to sites on line listing butterfly plants, I couldn't always find those so we have -- Scarlett Milkweed, Verbena, (and some other lovely white and lavender flower), and some others I'll just take photos of.
When I was visited today by a Monarch and a yellow butterfly... It was such a good feeling to have two visitors!...I felt like,* feast your majesty; I'll bring in more color for you tomorrow.*
My husband is thinking because the children are so big and don't need mama in the ways they used to, he says I am enthralled with this because it is taking care of living things - "they need you," he said," you make them better, I'll bet they know you - and you always said you wanted a butterfly garden..." This is so much fun!
So I've got the knack of it. The butterflies are coming. Now, next, I will be finding the necessary plants for my moon garden or night garden as some people call them. This will be fun and exciting.
Good things on the horizon -
1. Madam Blueberry got her driver license!! Oh and wow - she is a good girl, an amazing girl, and she is a good and cautious driver. But still - my prayer closet will have new padding installed today.
2. My only sister is coming sometimes during the holiday time, and my niece and nephew, who are of very fine standing with me (and always fun), are also coming. I think they are coming for New Years - so the band is ready to rock and roll!!
3. Mr. B. is actually getting -vacation time - around Christmas!!
4. I am getting a laptop for Christmas!! I am really exxcciitteedd about that!
5. More later ~~
I hope everyone does not go crazy with holiday shopping. I have a survey to post in a day or two, maybe I will do that --something to think about anyway -
Whatever you are doing today, live for it - Today. The past is like a foreign land. Things there are done differently. Wave goodbye and Live in the Now.
Tu tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
I've been attending to my normal everyday things - and rocking and rolling along with everyone else's normal everyday things. But there is always a thing or two to add to the everyday.
My biggest accomplishment? My butterfly garden!! I can't wait until I can get a photo posted. I got it together this week and last and two days ago, I was visited by my first butterfly!! yes! He was just beautiful -- and then today! a yellow one! Pale and lovely. It was such a great feeling!
I have several butterfly plants - When you go to sites on line listing butterfly plants, I couldn't always find those so we have -- Scarlett Milkweed, Verbena, (and some other lovely white and lavender flower), and some others I'll just take photos of.
When I was visited today by a Monarch and a yellow butterfly... It was such a good feeling to have two visitors!...I felt like,* feast your majesty; I'll bring in more color for you tomorrow.*
My husband is thinking because the children are so big and don't need mama in the ways they used to, he says I am enthralled with this because it is taking care of living things - "they need you," he said," you make them better, I'll bet they know you - and you always said you wanted a butterfly garden..." This is so much fun!
So I've got the knack of it. The butterflies are coming. Now, next, I will be finding the necessary plants for my moon garden or night garden as some people call them. This will be fun and exciting.
Good things on the horizon -
1. Madam Blueberry got her driver license!! Oh and wow - she is a good girl, an amazing girl, and she is a good and cautious driver. But still - my prayer closet will have new padding installed today.
2. My only sister is coming sometimes during the holiday time, and my niece and nephew, who are of very fine standing with me (and always fun), are also coming. I think they are coming for New Years - so the band is ready to rock and roll!!
3. Mr. B. is actually getting -vacation time - around Christmas!!
4. I am getting a laptop for Christmas!! I am really exxcciitteedd about that!
5. More later ~~
I hope everyone does not go crazy with holiday shopping. I have a survey to post in a day or two, maybe I will do that --something to think about anyway -
Whatever you are doing today, live for it - Today. The past is like a foreign land. Things there are done differently. Wave goodbye and Live in the Now.
Tu tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A Thanksgiving without left overs?
No leftovers! What? That is almost unAmerican! But it happened.
Well, it's weird. I got 'some' leftovers;
1. corn (boring),
2. cookies and brownies (fattening - but I ate them any way),
3. creamed spinach (I don't know about anyone else, but I don't trust creamed spinach that's been sitting out. It looks bad enough when it begins, but it's ending ...don't know that we would recognize it!)
4. a pumpkin pie that I made for my son Bill who did eat a piece and the rest they gave to me because Bill went to Gainesville to see the Gators do something -- something with sports and a ball of some kind.
5. raspberry tea (guess no one liked it so that gave it to me)
6. 2 globs of stuffing. I ate it for breakfast.
7. 2 packages of the 4 packages of rolls that I had brought. They are the Hawaiian Sweet rolls, so I've been eating them, and I'm sure I've gained 6 pounds.
8. Now I ask you, how can anyone have a successful left over feast with that?
So, I decided I am cooking a Turkey dinner. What day? Maybe Monday or Tuesday. Depending on wheather or not the turkey I buy is frozen. I have a friend who didn't know that you had to thaw the turkey, so she cooked it frozen. Interesting. This is the same friend who preheated her oven to make cookies and didn't know that her husband had loaded all the dishes, tupper included in the oven....the smell revealed all.
Anyway, I'm going to cook the whole shebang and I think this will become my Thanksgiving tradition. After Thanksgiving - I'll cook a proper Thanksgiving meal for all the people who didn't get the proper amount of left overs for a proper go at a second time around with Thanksgiving! Hey, sounds like a plan!!
Well, it's weird. I got 'some' leftovers;
1. corn (boring),
2. cookies and brownies (fattening - but I ate them any way),
3. creamed spinach (I don't know about anyone else, but I don't trust creamed spinach that's been sitting out. It looks bad enough when it begins, but it's ending ...don't know that we would recognize it!)
4. a pumpkin pie that I made for my son Bill who did eat a piece and the rest they gave to me because Bill went to Gainesville to see the Gators do something -- something with sports and a ball of some kind.
5. raspberry tea (guess no one liked it so that gave it to me)
6. 2 globs of stuffing. I ate it for breakfast.
7. 2 packages of the 4 packages of rolls that I had brought. They are the Hawaiian Sweet rolls, so I've been eating them, and I'm sure I've gained 6 pounds.
8. Now I ask you, how can anyone have a successful left over feast with that?
So, I decided I am cooking a Turkey dinner. What day? Maybe Monday or Tuesday. Depending on wheather or not the turkey I buy is frozen. I have a friend who didn't know that you had to thaw the turkey, so she cooked it frozen. Interesting. This is the same friend who preheated her oven to make cookies and didn't know that her husband had loaded all the dishes, tupper included in the oven....the smell revealed all.
Anyway, I'm going to cook the whole shebang and I think this will become my Thanksgiving tradition. After Thanksgiving - I'll cook a proper Thanksgiving meal for all the people who didn't get the proper amount of left overs for a proper go at a second time around with Thanksgiving! Hey, sounds like a plan!!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Go ahead and be thankful right out loud
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." ~ Epictetus ~
Ah, Thanksgiving ...it was so much easier when I was not one of the cooks! Hahaha.
What a child waits for on Thanksgiving Day is just to be called to the table. Then, they graduate to setting the table. Then, they bring the food to the table and then, they all try to disappear before clean up and hope that Aunt Nan and Aunt Sheila just keep on washing those dishes!
It's like a graduation process, this participation in the food preparation for Thanksgiving ....
After I moved away from home, there came the day I was assigned things to bring - it began with bringing paper plates and napkins (she's young, she can't cook yet). Then, rolls were added to my list. Maybe after that, I brought some cans of something the corn or green beans, or maybe the cranberry sauce.
Then one day, after I had kids to be called to the table -- I made the turkey! and someone else brought all the other stuff. (And since then, my daughter has made the turkey!! Of course, now, she wouldn't eat a turkey ever/never.)
And then one day, I made everything, and people came and brought stuff besides what I made!
I became exhausted, and held a new appreciation for my mother and mother in law, but it was always a great time.
Many Thanksgiving years in the Tallahassee house, I put three tables together in the dining room, so we could all sit down together. Nobody cared that the tablecloths didn't match. What a challenge that was to get the food on the table, still hot, at one time! -- and to make my mother in law SIT DOWN so we could say the blessing! She was always serving, serving, serving, and still is, bless her heart.
But all the Thanksgiving memories are good.
I remember when my oldest niece was born. My sister was in the hospital for an extra day because of a complication, and we had Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant after our visit with her and our newest family member, first niece, first grandchild...
This year we are having somewhere between 22 to 25 people for Thanksgiving dinner. How much food is that? If the turkey leaves the train station at 4 PM and travels at 35 mph (hahaha, not really...turkey's never take the train, know why? They don't have to - they fly!)
How much turkey per person? One is called upon to do the math, but only after one decides whom to believe. One site says if you are cooking a 12 lb turkey, that's leaving the train station at 4 PM going 60 mph (hahaha, not really, I just threw that in there about the train station) -- one site says 1/2 lb person, one site says it depends on how much turkey you want them to have, another site asks you what else are you serving (like anyone has just turkey?).
Anyway, up to a 12 lb turkey, so it says you are to figure 1 lb of meat per person. But if your turkey is 12 lbs, you decrease that to 3/4 lb per person. I haven't figured out why that is ....We have two 10 lb turkeys and one boneless turkey breast, and one ham, and 25 people. Oh well.
I love the answer to How much Turkey to buy for 40 guests. Actually, I could put in here plenty of discussion on line on how much turkey you need per person, and they are hilarious -- as people can get cheeky being asked to pinpoint such things as How Much Turkey Do You Really Need?
The winning answer, and it's mine is -- It all depends.
1. Do you want leftovers?
2. Does everyone eat turkey?
3. Don't forget kids will waste, so you have to figure them a least a half of the adult serving not a quarter. Parents will put the food on their plates, and they may or may not eat the turkey depending on how good the Sweet Potato Casserole is.
4. Are Des and Gene and Don going to be there? Then add an extra turkey to serve the three of them.
5. Count up what you think you need, and then buy more than that.
6. Bring ziplock bags to send home the leftovers in.
I know the story of Thanksgiving is being told differently than when I was in school. I know that a lot of people don't believe in the Pilgrims and Squanto and the first founding fathers sitting down together. But, all that aside -- What can you do on a day about Thanksgiving?
Just be Thankful. Right out loud. Go ahead and be thankful. Tell your spouses, parents, children, friends, neighbors ~ anyone you need to ~ all the things that you are thankful to them for. No one gets through this crazy world without the help of someone. So go ahead and be thankful - and say it right out loud. No better sound could you make.
"Thank God--every morning when you get up--that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know."
~ Charles Kingsley ~
Ah, Thanksgiving ...it was so much easier when I was not one of the cooks! Hahaha.
What a child waits for on Thanksgiving Day is just to be called to the table. Then, they graduate to setting the table. Then, they bring the food to the table and then, they all try to disappear before clean up and hope that Aunt Nan and Aunt Sheila just keep on washing those dishes!
It's like a graduation process, this participation in the food preparation for Thanksgiving ....
After I moved away from home, there came the day I was assigned things to bring - it began with bringing paper plates and napkins (she's young, she can't cook yet). Then, rolls were added to my list. Maybe after that, I brought some cans of something the corn or green beans, or maybe the cranberry sauce.
Then one day, after I had kids to be called to the table -- I made the turkey! and someone else brought all the other stuff. (And since then, my daughter has made the turkey!! Of course, now, she wouldn't eat a turkey ever/never.)
And then one day, I made everything, and people came and brought stuff besides what I made!
I became exhausted, and held a new appreciation for my mother and mother in law, but it was always a great time.
Many Thanksgiving years in the Tallahassee house, I put three tables together in the dining room, so we could all sit down together. Nobody cared that the tablecloths didn't match. What a challenge that was to get the food on the table, still hot, at one time! -- and to make my mother in law SIT DOWN so we could say the blessing! She was always serving, serving, serving, and still is, bless her heart.
But all the Thanksgiving memories are good.
I remember when my oldest niece was born. My sister was in the hospital for an extra day because of a complication, and we had Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant after our visit with her and our newest family member, first niece, first grandchild...
This year we are having somewhere between 22 to 25 people for Thanksgiving dinner. How much food is that? If the turkey leaves the train station at 4 PM and travels at 35 mph (hahaha, not really...turkey's never take the train, know why? They don't have to - they fly!)
How much turkey per person? One is called upon to do the math, but only after one decides whom to believe. One site says if you are cooking a 12 lb turkey, that's leaving the train station at 4 PM going 60 mph (hahaha, not really, I just threw that in there about the train station) -- one site says 1/2 lb person, one site says it depends on how much turkey you want them to have, another site asks you what else are you serving (like anyone has just turkey?).
Anyway, up to a 12 lb turkey, so it says you are to figure 1 lb of meat per person. But if your turkey is 12 lbs, you decrease that to 3/4 lb per person. I haven't figured out why that is ....We have two 10 lb turkeys and one boneless turkey breast, and one ham, and 25 people. Oh well.
I love the answer to How much Turkey to buy for 40 guests. Actually, I could put in here plenty of discussion on line on how much turkey you need per person, and they are hilarious -- as people can get cheeky being asked to pinpoint such things as How Much Turkey Do You Really Need?
The winning answer, and it's mine is -- It all depends.
1. Do you want leftovers?
2. Does everyone eat turkey?
3. Don't forget kids will waste, so you have to figure them a least a half of the adult serving not a quarter. Parents will put the food on their plates, and they may or may not eat the turkey depending on how good the Sweet Potato Casserole is.
4. Are Des and Gene and Don going to be there? Then add an extra turkey to serve the three of them.
5. Count up what you think you need, and then buy more than that.
6. Bring ziplock bags to send home the leftovers in.
I know the story of Thanksgiving is being told differently than when I was in school. I know that a lot of people don't believe in the Pilgrims and Squanto and the first founding fathers sitting down together. But, all that aside -- What can you do on a day about Thanksgiving?
Just be Thankful. Right out loud. Go ahead and be thankful. Tell your spouses, parents, children, friends, neighbors ~ anyone you need to ~ all the things that you are thankful to them for. No one gets through this crazy world without the help of someone. So go ahead and be thankful - and say it right out loud. No better sound could you make.
"Thank God--every morning when you get up--that you have something to do which must be done, whether you like it or not. Being forced to work, and forced to do your best, will breed in you a hundred virtues which the idle never know."
~ Charles Kingsley ~
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving Week 2007 - Day Two
1. Woke up late. Again. (Must make note: see therapist for underlying reason for waking up late when there is so much to do!)
2. Wash hair. Haired turned out worse than it ever has. Ever. Wore a pony tail. (Must make note: Don't bother to wash hair on busy days. Wear a pony tail.)
2A. Put contact lenses in backwards. When wearing monovision contacts this makes everything blurry.
3. Went Shopping. Did not have a pencil to cross off items on list that looked like it had been through the washer and dryer and than rolled in oatmeal exploded from the microwave. Bought pencil.
4. Came home. Unloaded groceries. Found that I had bought wrong Items for Madam Blueberry's special dessert of something that looks like a turkey you can eat. Got too many of one thing and wrong thing of another thing.
5. Went to work.
6. Came home from work.
7. Cooked dinner.
8. Turned television on to catch Oprah. Immediately turned it off, as Oprah's show was about buying gifts that costs way more than I make in a day for each gift!
9. Wrote down a list of things to be grateful for --
10. Turned on some music and danced
2. Wash hair. Haired turned out worse than it ever has. Ever. Wore a pony tail. (Must make note: Don't bother to wash hair on busy days. Wear a pony tail.)
2A. Put contact lenses in backwards. When wearing monovision contacts this makes everything blurry.
3. Went Shopping. Did not have a pencil to cross off items on list that looked like it had been through the washer and dryer and than rolled in oatmeal exploded from the microwave. Bought pencil.
4. Came home. Unloaded groceries. Found that I had bought wrong Items for Madam Blueberry's special dessert of something that looks like a turkey you can eat. Got too many of one thing and wrong thing of another thing.
5. Went to work.
6. Came home from work.
7. Cooked dinner.
8. Turned television on to catch Oprah. Immediately turned it off, as Oprah's show was about buying gifts that costs way more than I make in a day for each gift!
9. Wrote down a list of things to be grateful for --
10. Turned on some music and danced
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thanksgiving Week 2007 - Day One/half way through
1. Got up late. Very late. I've been getting up at 7:30 AM and today I got up at 9:45. I thought, surely, _surely_ I had my clock set it's usual 45 mintues fast - at least. But no. I had overslept.
2. Went to Home Depot. I needed plants. Doesn't everyone need plants during Thanksgiving week when they have so many other things to do besides buy plants and play in the dirt? I took my mother in law, so I'll count that as a good deed.
I am expanding my butterfly garden. I bought a Scarlet Milkweed along with a couple of other things. I want to build a Butterfly House! I'll expand on that later.
Mr. B says I have attracted a new type of bee in my garden. It's one he's never seen and he has been stung by many bees. I got stung last week, and good grief, I thought I would cry forever!! Anyway, I want to help bees and butterflies exist.
3. Exploded my oatmeal in the microwave. Good Grief. What is the matter with me. Do I not think I get enought attention?
4. Go shopping. Make list. Come to terms with the fact that you will make more then one trip and it's okay!!
2. Went to Home Depot. I needed plants. Doesn't everyone need plants during Thanksgiving week when they have so many other things to do besides buy plants and play in the dirt? I took my mother in law, so I'll count that as a good deed.
I am expanding my butterfly garden. I bought a Scarlet Milkweed along with a couple of other things. I want to build a Butterfly House! I'll expand on that later.
Mr. B says I have attracted a new type of bee in my garden. It's one he's never seen and he has been stung by many bees. I got stung last week, and good grief, I thought I would cry forever!! Anyway, I want to help bees and butterflies exist.
3. Exploded my oatmeal in the microwave. Good Grief. What is the matter with me. Do I not think I get enought attention?
4. Go shopping. Make list. Come to terms with the fact that you will make more then one trip and it's okay!!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
What do you Want Then?
1. Want wealth? Then don't need much.
2. Want happiness? Then be happy.
3. Want food? Then work.
4. Want music? Then sing.
5. Want to be comfortable? Then relax.
6. Want to bear the mark of a distinct individual? Then think for yourself.
7. Want to live life without regrets? Then learn from everything that happens to you.
8. Want to be right all the time? Then plan on learning to live alone.
9. Want to be loved? Then love people unconditionally
10. Want to turn your whites a creamy salmon color? Then wash them with yours daughter's pink socks!
2. Want happiness? Then be happy.
3. Want food? Then work.
4. Want music? Then sing.
5. Want to be comfortable? Then relax.
6. Want to bear the mark of a distinct individual? Then think for yourself.
7. Want to live life without regrets? Then learn from everything that happens to you.
8. Want to be right all the time? Then plan on learning to live alone.
9. Want to be loved? Then love people unconditionally
10. Want to turn your whites a creamy salmon color? Then wash them with yours daughter's pink socks!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Kitchen Confessions
1. My oven is full of salt. There was a fire in my oven. A big fire. I stared at it for a little while and then said some Mark Twain words under my breath. Thought I might be in a wee bit-a trouble there, and salt was the only thing I could think of. I had no baking soda. And I did baking soda once and it's a bigger mess than salt. Salt works. And, I'm here to testify, salt does not change after you turn on that self-cleaning unit. Salt is still there waiting for you.
2. I opened the burritos on the wrong side. I never notice that one side is correct or incorrect. I am not of the generation that recognizes these types of rules.
3. I cut through all the plastic things that say "tear here" with a knife. If I tear them, they do weird things that defy scientific terms of explanation of all things plastic. I detest them actually. I'm not sure what would make me happy. I think if someone just served me a burrito, that might make me happy.
4. I forget to run my dishwasher.
5. I spill things in that teeny weeny tiny little space between my oven and the counter top, gosh, I am still seething at the person who invented such a thing as that space. It's like you might as well put up a sign that says, "Welcome all bugs of any species. Come dine in the crawl spaces of my oven walls."
6. I never clean my refrigerator often enough. That is one of the problems of refrigeration. It keeps bad stuff as well as good stuff at a reasonable temperature. But soon, there will be no mistaking that you need to throw*X* out. However, sorry to the one who tried to eat something that was nearing it's time of being *X*, but not quite reaching *X* point, still looks like a *V* maybe ...Nahhh, stay away from *V*, too. I think too much refrigeration is responsible for global warming.
7. These are not necessarily in the correct order of importance, but I store things in whatever I find handy to put a left over in. I've put whole pots in the 'fridge. I know all about the to quick cooling of pots ruining the pots (how do you think I found out?), but that does not stop me. When I am in a hurry to get out of the kitchen, let's say it's almost time for Ugly Betty -- anything could happen.
8. That's all I can handle posting right now. The tea kettle is whistling away and that means that steam is going all over everything and there won't be any water in the kettle when I get there ...and, oh yeah, burnt pot bottoms, hmmmm, that's another thing....
2. I opened the burritos on the wrong side. I never notice that one side is correct or incorrect. I am not of the generation that recognizes these types of rules.
3. I cut through all the plastic things that say "tear here" with a knife. If I tear them, they do weird things that defy scientific terms of explanation of all things plastic. I detest them actually. I'm not sure what would make me happy. I think if someone just served me a burrito, that might make me happy.
4. I forget to run my dishwasher.
5. I spill things in that teeny weeny tiny little space between my oven and the counter top, gosh, I am still seething at the person who invented such a thing as that space. It's like you might as well put up a sign that says, "Welcome all bugs of any species. Come dine in the crawl spaces of my oven walls."
6. I never clean my refrigerator often enough. That is one of the problems of refrigeration. It keeps bad stuff as well as good stuff at a reasonable temperature. But soon, there will be no mistaking that you need to throw*X* out. However, sorry to the one who tried to eat something that was nearing it's time of being *X*, but not quite reaching *X* point, still looks like a *V* maybe ...Nahhh, stay away from *V*, too. I think too much refrigeration is responsible for global warming.
7. These are not necessarily in the correct order of importance, but I store things in whatever I find handy to put a left over in. I've put whole pots in the 'fridge. I know all about the to quick cooling of pots ruining the pots (how do you think I found out?), but that does not stop me. When I am in a hurry to get out of the kitchen, let's say it's almost time for Ugly Betty -- anything could happen.
8. That's all I can handle posting right now. The tea kettle is whistling away and that means that steam is going all over everything and there won't be any water in the kettle when I get there ...and, oh yeah, burnt pot bottoms, hmmmm, that's another thing....
From "Just Here for Now"
It's a Friday -
Again --
When I first started blogging, I lost my blog. I'm not sure why now, that was so long ago and life continues on at a perpetual pace of 5th gear with a grinding tranny and unbalanced tires. But since this was my official first blog post, ever in the whole entire world, I wanted to save it and I decided to repost it ---
So here I am, and there you are, and we are looking at the same sky.
You be well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a Friday
August 26, 2005
I do believe it's the last Friday of the month of August. August being such a long month. And August being the reason February has only 28 days because of being jealous of Julius and all...did you know about that? Augustus Ceasar was jealous that Julius got 31 days in his month of July, so the calendar had to be redone so that Augustus got 31 days in his month. But I don't think that's what makes August a long month ~ I think it's because it's hot. And somehow when we get to August, we are ready for a change. But that is probably not the case in Figi.
Perhaps I should introduce myself. Hello. I hope you are doing well and all is fine in your world.
My world is crowded with things to do.
I am married with children.
I am older than most of my friends.
I am taLLish with hair that graying, and I can't decide what to do about it.
I am bad with commas and proper spelling, but I try.
I am currently homeschooling one daughter who is 30 somewhere in her head, but 15 according to her birth certificate.
I have two boys that are not living at home. One is living on his own, and the other is attending a junior college and rooming with his brother. Look for the expansion of that relationship! LOL!
I am a mediator for many.
Today was a normal day by most standards in that it was boring and I was safe. I say safe because there is a war in Iraq and I can't quite understand a war in which men and women are dying and we are safe at home going through the drive through windows of the bank and shopping at our local markets.
In all of history, I am trying to remember about times that wars were fought and people were comfortable in there homes watching their favorite tv program ~ well, it just doesn't seem right that there should be a war and not all are involved. I find this very confusing, and honestly admit, I feel some guilt about it.
I don't mean to leave you feeling down or sad. But if you are a person of prayer, please pray for those young men and women who are serving in the armed forces.
And in my part of the world, it's that time of the evening where one would go and clean a kitchen and make their husband lunch for the morning ~ yes, he is working on Saturday.
And I am leaving on a trip tomorrow!
So ~ this is my first official blog posting. I guess now ~ I am a blogger!
tu tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
(who really is, Just Here For Now)
Again --
When I first started blogging, I lost my blog. I'm not sure why now, that was so long ago and life continues on at a perpetual pace of 5th gear with a grinding tranny and unbalanced tires. But since this was my official first blog post, ever in the whole entire world, I wanted to save it and I decided to repost it ---
So here I am, and there you are, and we are looking at the same sky.
You be well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a Friday
August 26, 2005
I do believe it's the last Friday of the month of August. August being such a long month. And August being the reason February has only 28 days because of being jealous of Julius and all...did you know about that? Augustus Ceasar was jealous that Julius got 31 days in his month of July, so the calendar had to be redone so that Augustus got 31 days in his month. But I don't think that's what makes August a long month ~ I think it's because it's hot. And somehow when we get to August, we are ready for a change. But that is probably not the case in Figi.
Perhaps I should introduce myself. Hello. I hope you are doing well and all is fine in your world.
My world is crowded with things to do.
I am married with children.
I am older than most of my friends.
I am taLLish with hair that graying, and I can't decide what to do about it.
I am bad with commas and proper spelling, but I try.
I am currently homeschooling one daughter who is 30 somewhere in her head, but 15 according to her birth certificate.
I have two boys that are not living at home. One is living on his own, and the other is attending a junior college and rooming with his brother. Look for the expansion of that relationship! LOL!
I am a mediator for many.
Today was a normal day by most standards in that it was boring and I was safe. I say safe because there is a war in Iraq and I can't quite understand a war in which men and women are dying and we are safe at home going through the drive through windows of the bank and shopping at our local markets.
In all of history, I am trying to remember about times that wars were fought and people were comfortable in there homes watching their favorite tv program ~ well, it just doesn't seem right that there should be a war and not all are involved. I find this very confusing, and honestly admit, I feel some guilt about it.
I don't mean to leave you feeling down or sad. But if you are a person of prayer, please pray for those young men and women who are serving in the armed forces.
And in my part of the world, it's that time of the evening where one would go and clean a kitchen and make their husband lunch for the morning ~ yes, he is working on Saturday.
And I am leaving on a trip tomorrow!
So ~ this is my first official blog posting. I guess now ~ I am a blogger!
tu tranquilo,
Miss Roxie
(who really is, Just Here For Now)
God, clouds, diamonds and love
Got time for a chat? It's kind of a long story. I
hope I can remember it all, so I need to get it down
before I forget it ...
I was taking my 8-year-old nephew, Zack, to Hebrew
School. As we rode along, over to the west we saw this
beautiful sun setting into this dark cloud formation
and the sky was brilliant with the sun streaming
through those ominous clouds. Somewhere in between
talking about the clouds being dark and the sun
shining through them and marveling at their beauty,
Zack asked me if God had a beard.
I told him, "Well, I didn't think so myself, but that
people might think so because people most often think
of things in a way they can understand, and they might
think that one as wise as God might have a beard, in
their minds. I said I thought God was more like the
clouds than like an actual person like we are.
We talked about what God might be like if he wasn't
like a man, and how God would be like clouds.
I told him that we can see clouds, and we think
because we can see them that we can feel them, and we
think we can imagine exactly how they feel. I asked
him if he had ever been in an airplane. He said no.
I told him that when you are in an airplane, you can
fly over the clouds and you can clearly see them, they
even look like you can walk on them! But when you fly
through them, they don't appear like anything you have
seen from the ground or from above them, but you know
you are in them.
He declared to me, "But clouds are made of water!!
And you would be flying through water!" I told him,
yes, but the water was "fine, fine, fine."..He
interjected quickly "Why did you say fine, fine, fine?
Why did you say fine three times?"
I said I used 'fine, fine, fine' three times in an
effort to explain something that is more than you can
imagine it to be from the word you actually know. I
used the example of 'really, really, really tiny' -
"How tiny is that?" I asked him. "Oh yeahhhhh", he
said, and I could tell by the way his voice sounded
that he had gotten the idea.
And we went back to talking of what God would be like.
I asked Zack, "What is the strongest, most beautiful
thing you can think of?"
"Diamonds," he answered.
What a a very good analogy was to be made from his
choice of examples of what God might be like! -
I agreed with him that he was making a very good
point. I began, "A diamond was a good example of
something that illustrated people thinking they know
what something is, but that they might not really know
what it is because if they didn't know about diamonds,
had never even seen a diamond, and didn't know what
the properties of diamonds were, they would think
diamonds might be ...what?" I asked him,---and he
filled in the blank ...'glass', he answered assuredly
.
Then we talked about the different properties of
diamonds and glass (I'm not even half way to our
destination yet) - Zack knows all the differences
between diamonds and glass!! LOL -- He gave me a
qualified, scientific, genuine correct answer!
So, I said, God is like the diamond (we discussed the
good things about diamonds). But, if someone doesn't
know about diamonds, they might think that God was
like glass, and all the while they might be thinking
they were looking at the very same thing.
Then, I asked him, how would you describe what love
is? (hummms from the backseat)
"Can you see love?" I asked him. (I hear, louder
hummmmmms, from the back seat) and I heard the door of
understanding open as he breathed, and I knew he did
understand.
He said, "You could sort of see love, but you really
couldn't because love is a feeling."
I said, "To me, God is like love, too. Something you
can feel and maybe see evidence of, but maybe not see
clearly, but you do know it is love".
Then he said, "Without love there would be nothing.
Without love," he said (or more exclaimed), "Nothing
would be here at all. If Adam didn't love Eve," he
said, "and didn't kiss her and make a baby with her,
there would be nothing here at all," he declared this
emphatically!! I told him, he was right, that love is
that important.
We also talked other things; like about the sun being
93,000,000, miles away and that if you can't look
directly at it here on earth that must be an
indication of just how hot it must be, and Pluto not
being a planet and we couldn't remember the name of
the new planet, maybe it was Sharon, he said, but it
has a small moon and he could ride his bike around
it!!
Then, as we road past this little airport we pass
every Wednesday on the way to Hebrew School, he hoped
excitedly that we would see another airplane that
looked like it might land on us (as that had happened
last week). "Remember that Aunt Sasha? Wasn't that
cool?"
"Yes, it was, Zack," I said, "It was very cool."
Then we talked about what he wanted to be when he grew
up. He said he didn't know. But, he wants to be
something that's hands on, but not dangerous. Not a
fireman or a policeman because those things are
dangerous but he wants something that is definitely
hands on. And he also said he can't bother making up
his mind now because what if he changes it when he
turns 9?
That's all I can recall at the moment, and I am
smiling. There aren't too many things more
stimulating to the mind than riding to Hebrew School
with Zack on a Wednesday afternoon.
~~Zack's Aunt Sasha
a/ka Miss Roxie
Monday, November 05, 2007
Thoughts in a notebook
The shelves fell down again. I found an old notebook of mine -- here are some of things I have written down. These things are not dated but I got this notebook in the year 2000.
These thoughts can be recognized by some people, I am sure. I'm not taking credit away from people, I just had these things written down. I'm sure some of these things are paraphrased established quotes from someone, or even exact quotes. I have no wish to offend any writers.
1. You can't give away what you don't have. Do you have love?
2. There are no justified resentments.
3. No blame - no responsibility
4. All living creatures will respond and will cease to feel fear or enmity or anger in the presence of those who can send love in response to hate.
5. Don't die with your music still in you.
6. You can't get wet from the word 'water'.
7. A closed mind looks for ways to be offended.
8. Have a mind that is open to everything but attached to nothing. (I have some question marks after this thought and the name 'Thalopa'.)
9. No one knows enough to be a Pessimist.
10. Progress can be made in yourself if you can make an effort to give up your personal history and let go of some of the things from the past.
11. You can't solve a problem with the same mind that created it....Albert Einstein
12. Admit your error and choose differently and you can free yourself from blame.
13. We love the things we love for what they are....Robert Frost
14. Savor the moment. It is true that life is short. Live each moment one at a time. Slow Down. Find things to Savor. Find things that will wholly devour you. Find something that gives you life - something that will uplift you. Color!
15. Called Leslie from the Sushi Bar.
These thoughts can be recognized by some people, I am sure. I'm not taking credit away from people, I just had these things written down. I'm sure some of these things are paraphrased established quotes from someone, or even exact quotes. I have no wish to offend any writers.
1. You can't give away what you don't have. Do you have love?
2. There are no justified resentments.
3. No blame - no responsibility
4. All living creatures will respond and will cease to feel fear or enmity or anger in the presence of those who can send love in response to hate.
5. Don't die with your music still in you.
6. You can't get wet from the word 'water'.
7. A closed mind looks for ways to be offended.
8. Have a mind that is open to everything but attached to nothing. (I have some question marks after this thought and the name 'Thalopa'.)
9. No one knows enough to be a Pessimist.
10. Progress can be made in yourself if you can make an effort to give up your personal history and let go of some of the things from the past.
11. You can't solve a problem with the same mind that created it....Albert Einstein
12. Admit your error and choose differently and you can free yourself from blame.
13. We love the things we love for what they are....Robert Frost
14. Savor the moment. It is true that life is short. Live each moment one at a time. Slow Down. Find things to Savor. Find things that will wholly devour you. Find something that gives you life - something that will uplift you. Color!
15. Called Leslie from the Sushi Bar.
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