Thursday Photos

The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.

Wyland

Good morning, everyone.  Had a wonderful day yesterday.  After class I went to Coney Island for the afternoon.  The weather was warm and sunny.  Had a hot dog at the world famous Nathans...

I was good.  Had the hot dog but skipped the cheese fries. 

My son and I have a date for opening night here.  He's a regular on Blue Bloods and has gotten close to Donnie.  Hoping to get a picture with him.

Wouldn't catch me on this.

This man had a gadget that found metal in the sand.  He was up and down all day.  Said he found about $5.

All and all I had a wonderful day, so much different than last year.  I was heavier back then and had so much trouble just making it to the boardwalk.  I was short of breath and in so much pain that tears came out of my eyes.  I had to stop every few feet and almost turned back and went home.  This year was much different.  I had pain, yes, but not enough to stop me from going again.

Have a good one.

Wednesday Quote

My first attempt at drawing a fairy

When you're touched by magic, nothing's ever quite the same again.
What really makes me sad is all those people who never have the
chance to know that touch. They're too busy, or they just don't hold
with make-believe, so they shut the door without really knowing it
was there to be opened in the first place.

Charles de Lint

Monday Morning This and That

We are responsible for what we are and what we wish ourselves to be; we have the power to make ourselves. If what we are now has been the result of our past actions, it certainly follows that whatever we wish to be in future can be produced by our present actions, so we have to know how to act.

Swami Vivekananda

Wanted to take this opportunity to wish you all a good morning as we start this new work week.  I didn't do much this weekend.  Had a report to write for Population Health, and that took up most of my time.  Been a long time since I had to write something so in depth.

I made the following this weekend.  Tasted so good.  I forgot to take a photo when I took it out of the oven.  Luckily I had some leftover.  Surprising even hubby, the cauliflower hater, loved it.

Roasted Spiced Cauliflower

Head of cauliflower
3 Tbs. Fat free butter
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp pepper
Paprika
Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy
1/2 tsp turmeric
Dash of cinnamon 

Melt butter and mix it with the sugar and spices in large bowl. Add cauliflower and toss to coat. Lay pieces in a single layer on baking sheet and roast until Brown. I usually do about 20 minutes. 

Hard to believe that Beltane is almost here.  Certainly fooled me with these temperatures we've been having.  This is the time of year I should have the windows open and air out the stale winter apartment.  But, it's 37 degrees in the morning.  Brrr!!!!  What is with this weather? 

It's been over 3 weeks since I planted the Chia seeds, and of those I planted on the Chia sponge, not one of them sprouted.  The only Chia seeds that just started to sprout was the Cilantro I planted in my regular potting mix.

So I dumped all of them and replanted in my good potting soil. Waiting to see what happens.  If nothing in two weeks I am just going to buy my own seeds.  

My Forget-Me-Nots have sprouted...

And look how well my Moon Flowers are coming up.

That's about it for now.  Have a good one.

Friday Roundup

  
We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.
Mother Teresa

Yesterday I got on the bus to return home from Weight Watchers, and there was a guy on the bus giving her a hard time.  I sure gave her a lot of credit for keeping her cool because he was pretty darn rude.  He finally got off the stop before mine.  I pushed the button for my stop and moved up.  "Sorry you're having such a bad day." I told her.  She sighed and told me she was pretty used to this.  When I went to get off, I looked at her and smiled, "Hope the rest of your day is a good one".  She smiled back and said, "Thanks, you just made my day."

Brrr!!!  Winter has returned.  The sun was out for a short time, a very short time only. My hands were so cold I needed my gloves yesterday.  Big difference from those wonderfully warm days I spent in the park.

Coyotes in the city?  Who would have guessed?  Most of them are living in city parks, This is our fault.  Mankind and our need for more and more territory.  We've taken their land away, and they have no place to go.  Hope they don't decide to take up residence in my park.

I've reached a plateau in my weight loss.  After losing 33 pounds I gain .2, then lose .2, then stay the same.  Can't seem to move that scale any further.  Not giving up though.  I know exactly what it is.  Because of a fibro flare and now a bout with sciatica, I've been unable to walk as much as I was.  Perhaps in my haste I pushed myself too far too fast.  16 to 17 blocks a day is quite a bit for someone who is not used to long walks.  Now I am taking it easier.  3-4 blocks at a time, and I'll slowly move back into it.  

I am so, so happy.  I received mail yesterday from the New York State Department of Taxation.  My first response was, "Uh oh, here we go."  I am so afraid of them and the IRS.  Not that I am guilty of anything.  I've got to be the most honest person around, but sometimes we unintentionally make mistakes.  I've been audited before and paid what is due.  I was so fearful this time because I am so broke.  My son's birthday is this weekend, and I've no money for a gift.  I'd agreed to make him a lasagne dinner for he and his girlfriend, but I honestly didn't know where that money was coming from.  This living on a tight budget is all so new to me, and, in all honesty, being this broke was my own darned fault for being frivolous, but I am not going to get into that now.  I'm just going to do better from now on.

So, when I opened the letter I was thrilled to find a check for $348 from 2013.  I'd been audited again, but this time it went in my favor.  And this time I am going to use it wisely.  It's not often we are blessed so.  This time it's going into the bank and staying there.  No more money spent on Facebook game cards.  Yes, I was addicted, I admit it,  and learned my lesson the hard way.  That's why it's good to be back in classes with homework taking up much of my idle time.  By the way, I dropped out of Beginning Chinese and instead took up a course on population health.  So much better.

And with that I bid you a wonderful, fun-filled weekend.

Thursday Pics

When I'm out in nature, I feel a stronger sense of gratitude
and awe, and I see more clearly just how beautiful this
world is. I need that feeling every once in a while if I'm to
keep a clear perspective in my daily life on just what is truly
important and just what isn't. We nourish our souls when
we get in touch with nature, and our souls are the part
of ourselves that we so often neglect.

Tom Walsh

Yesterday I packed up my lunch before leaving for class and afterwards, instead of going straight home, I got off the bus and sat in the park for awhile. What better way to spend Earth Day. It was a beautiful day with rain expected later in the afternoon and cooler temperatures on the way. So, I took advantage of it when I could. Not much to say today, but some pictures to show.

One view of the park. It sure does need a good cleaning.

From my bench.  I've started calling it my bench because this is where I always sit.  It's funny how we resist change in the smallest ways sometimes.  I sat on another bench and just was not comfortable.  As soon as the people left, I ran to sit on 'my' bench.

Directly over my head.

A nest on the pole?  Lots of chatter comes from there.

On the walk home.  A sure sign that summer is on its way.

Another sign of spring.

Look at all that beautiful nature.  Shame of it is that those are the subway tracks, and we aren't allowed any closer.  I'd love to walk through those woods.

Beautiful sky.  Do you see anything in this cloud?  I kind of see a kitty--two legs and tail, to outstretched front legs, not so sure about the head.  Maybe I am just seeing things in nothing now.

Hard to believe that rain was on the way.

Final stop was the fruit stand for Mandarins.  Picked up some blueberries along with Muscat grapes and Heirloom tomatoes.  Always finding something new at that store.  

Have a good one.

Wednesday Quote

The question, "Which is the happiest season of life?" was asked of an aged man. And he replied: "When spring comes, and in the soft air the buds are breaking on the trees, and they are covered with blossoms, I think, 'How beautiful is spring'; and when summer comes and covers the trees with its heavy foliage, and singing birds are among the branches, I think, 'How beautiful is summer.' When autumn loads them with golden fruit, and their leaves bear the gorgeous tint of frost, I think, 'How beautiful is autumn.' And when it is severe winter, and there is neither foliage nor fruit, then I look up through the leafless branches as I never could until now, and see the stars shine in God's home. 

Unknown 

Happy Earth Day

Monday Morning This and That

The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain. This is the kind the anonymous medieval poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you’d just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency.

Susan Allen Toth, England For All Seasons

Happy rainy Monday to all. It's coming down in torrents this morning. You know that I will be staying in. Have a wee bit of homework to complete and some letters to write. I do love having penpals. It just feels so good to find something in the mailbox other than bills.  I've given up on the gift swaps though.  Seems like I was always getting the wrong partner, the one who takes your gift but sends nothing in return. 

Spent some quality time in the park on Saturday. We actually hit 80 degrees. I packed myself a nice lunch--peanut butter and apple butter on a whole wheat Tumaro wrap, yogurt, and a mandarin. Sat and ate my lunch while I people watched and then read a bit on my Kindle before taking my slow walk home.

No leaves budding on the trees, but the sky was simply amazing.  
 

It will soon be two months since my little angel crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and still I cry for her every day.  I miss her so darn much. I don't cry all day like it used to be, but I will be sitting in my rocker, and suddenly it will hit me that she is not lying at my feet. I still find myself gazing at all her special places--her many pillow beds, her food dishes--and when I see them empty tears begin to flow. As I posted last week I've been blessed to have several signs from her--photo, feather, fur, rainbow--and  I feel blessed that she has reached out to me. The other night something amazing occurred. 

In her elder years, especially during this past year, Miss Minga had a habit of 'screaming' for me. She never wanted me to leave the room, and she didn't want to come with me either. She'd cry out for me, and if I happened to be busy in another room, she'd muster up all her strength and let out the loudest scream. To the neighbors, it probably sounded like she was being hurt, but it was only my little angel being her spoiled little self. "I want what I want when I want it." And I am so glad that I took the time to give her whatever she wanted. I have no regrets.

I was sound asleep, having a nice dream.  I totally remember the dream, and cats were definitely not a part of it.  Suddenly,  I was awakened by one of her loudest cries.   I awoke with such a start and headed for the living room to look for her.  Hubby was watching me perplexed.  I just KNOW that that was her. Not only did I recognize her voice, but I live in the rear of an apartment house. My windows all open to a little square courtyard that is enclosed on all sides by the building. There are definitely no cats there so it didn't come from outdoors.  She knew that when I was sleeping or near sleep, my vibration is the closest it can get to the vibration she is in now,  and she mustered up everything in her to reach out to me. What a precious gift that was! 

Last night I made Italian Salisbury Steak. Couldn't figure what to make with it so I settled on some veggie pasta. Very simple to make, and cheap.  Few ingredients.

1 Egg (beaten)

1 tsp. low sodium Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 cup seasoned Whole Wheat breadcrumbs

1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Black Pepper
1 lb. lean ground beef

1 can Diced Tomatoes with basil, oregano, and garlic (do not drain)

1 can Tomato sauce

1/2 tsp. Red Pepper flakes (or as spicy as you like)

Mix first five ingredients.  Crumble beef into the mixture and mix well.  Shape into oval patties and brown on both sides.  Pour diced tomatoes and tomato sauce over the meat.  Season with red pepper flakes.  Bring to boil and simmer until done. 

Hubby doesn't like tomatoes, but he does like tomato sauce.  Go figure. So after sauce cooled somewhat I put it in the blender. 

Have a good one.