Saturday Thought of the Day

One day our descendants will think it incredible that we paid so much attention to things like the amount of melanin in our skin or the shape of our eyes or our gender instead of the unique identities of each of us as complex human beings.  

Franklin Thomas

Friday Roundup

Happy Friday wishes to all.  Been a busy week for me.  So glad I was feeling better so I was really able to enjoy it.  I just have to realize these flares will come and go and find constructive ways to deal with them.  I think I did pretty good with this last one, and let me tell you, it was doozy.  The worst ever.  When it hits your feet, you know you got it bad.  

Noticed these blooms in front of our building.

On Tuesday I was an almost victim--two times.  I was on my way home from my daily walk.  It was about 10 am, and the usually busy sidewalk was devoid of people...except for two men walking ahead of me.  One was a chubby Spanish guy with a striped shirt, the other a very thin darker Spanish guy in a black hoodie, the hood pulled up. I was about halfway down the block when they crossed the street.  The guy in the hoodie turns, sees me, and says something to striped shirt.  They take a few more steps.  Hoodie turns again. Then, striped shirt ducks into the doorway of the building on the corner.  Hoodie takes a few more steps and ducks into the building's garage entrance.  Both were then out of sight. It was obvious that they were hiding. Luckily,  just as the light changes a Chinese girl arrives and crosses the street directly behind me. They hadn't seen her from their angle.  I walk in the middle of the sidewalk  so she can't pass me by. Out of the corner of my eye I see them watching as we pass.  They then step out and start out behind us, walking real fast to pass us. I do believe they were planning something, but she came along. Scary thought right on my own block.  It hit me yesterday that what would have happened would be one would be behind me and one in front of me when they jumped out.  I wouldn't have had a chance.

Later in the  I get a message from Google saying that someone in China had my password and was trying to log into my account.  They blocked it.  Had to change my password and make sure all security was in place.  Imagine that.  I didn't even know my password, and they had it.  

On Wednesday evening I participated in an online class--The Shadow of the Mermaid with Kai Elliot.  I have to say it was excellent.  It's part of a week long video summit called 'Summer of Magic'.  That one I have saved to watch again.  What an amazing woman.   Bedridden 22 hours a day, she suffers from Danlos Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.  But, oh, what a positive attitude and how much good she does for others.

I have also signed up for  'Woman Unleashed', an online retreat to unleash your personal power.  That's due to begin on June 20th and last until the 30th.  Can't wait.  These free online seminars are a great.  I always participate in them.

We mostly eat out on Thursday nights, a habit we got when we were both working.  Thursday was my late night.  I got off work at 7 and didn't get home until after 8.  Who wants to cook then?  So hubby, who also had it as a late night, always stopped at work to buy us take out.  Now retired we just sit back and order in.  Haven't for the past couple of weeks though because our one of our favorite restaurants closed its doors and we haven't been pleased lately with another one we order from.  The third we order from is a chicken place and just don't want to order from there every week, so until we find some new places to order, I've been doing some cooking.  Last night I made a huge pot of Sancocho.  

6 skinless chicken thighs
Carrots
Le Fay frozen Sancocho vegetables
2 potatoes, cut in quarters 
Le Fay frozen Sancocho vegetables
2 potatoes, cut in quarters
Onion
Garlic
Cilantro
Cumin
Spanish oregano
1/2 cup Recaito
Sodium free chicken broth
Salt and Pepper
Water
Heat oil and brown chicken. Add garlic and onions; cook until soft. Add broth, Recaito, water, potatoes, frozen veggies, and  cilantro.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Bring to boil and simmer until done.

My quirky avocado plant.  One day after finishing up our avocado I stuck it in an empty pot just for the heck of it.  I watered that darn thing for over a month, but nothing, so I shoved the pot under the little table next to my rocker.  About a month later I'm sitting there, and I see a stick pointing up.  "What the heck is that?"  I wondered.  I looked, and lo and behold, the plant was growing.  Hadn't been watered in a month.  It's actually to tall sticks with leaves on the end.  The stems alone are too weak to hold it up so that's why the ties are on there.  It certainly won't bring any avocados, but it's been an adventure.

Have a great weekend.

Throwback Thursday

With Father's Day arriving this weekend, I wanted to pay homage to my dad.  He was an alcoholic, and sadly, we never did have a good relationship. I don't know, perhaps I was a disappointment to him.  I was an only child, and I remember every Christmas dad would buy me a boy's toy....a truck, soldiers, etc.  I always wondered if he was disappointed that his only child was a girl. 

Dad, on the bottom, and a few of his friends.

Dad, on the right, and his twin.

Dad in the Army.

 Dad in the Army.

 Dad holding me in my grandparents' front yard.

 Dad with Tiny.

 Dad and me.  I guess I was about 14.

That's dad on the end, thin with gray hair.

Dad's grave.

I'm sorry dad.  Sorry that we missed out on so much.  Sorry because I know you couldn't help yourself.  You had a disease both physically and emotionally.  I miss you.  Wish I had had that chance to tell you I forgive you and love you.  But I know that you are watching over me now.  I feel that in my heart.  You know. 

Wordless Wednesday

This is how they sell fish in my neighborhood. And stink?  This is right out on the sidewalk in the hot sun. It turns my stomach. I would NEVER buy it.  And this isn't even the worst of it.  There's a guy buy the train station who puts his daily catch on a pile of newspapers right on the ground, and people shove and push each other to buy it. 

Tuesday Ramble

Ah, Tuesday morning, and aside from my daily walk I've nothing on my agenda.  I don't even need anything from the store.  Gosh, don't know what I am going to do with myself.  Some reading perhaps.  Making some jewelry is a possibility.  And if anything really catches my eye, it could be a day to plop myself down in front of the television...with breaks in between, of course.  When one suffers from osteoarthritis throughout their body, one cannot sit for any length of time without getting up and walking about.  Heck, I've been known to get over 6,000 steps just by walking back and forth throughout the length of my apartment.

Went to my classes yesterday.  In dance class I did the Electric Slide, Cuban Shuffle, and Viennese Waltz.  We are also learning the dance from Saturday Night Fever, but I must admit, I have a ways to go before I am even half as good as John Travolta.
 
In arts and crafts our  instructor taught us how to make a brooch out of the bottom of a water bottle.

Cut the bottom off the water bottle.  Cut slits and trim the edges.  2 to 3 coats of plain nail polish, then 2 coats of sparkly nail polish.  (This pin is actually greenish, but doesn't show).  Then glue little flower in the middle and pin on the back.

For dinner I grilled some chicken for hubby and I and on the side made some Moroccan spicy carrots. I like to find interesting recipes and then make my own little changes to suit our tastes.  And I especially love Middle Eastern foods.  The spices that go into them all have fantastic health benefits.

Olive Oil
Baby carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
Ground Cumin
Paprika
Cinnamon (just a pinch)
Lemon juice
Black pepper to taste

Boil carrots until just a bit tender.  Heat oil and add the garlic and spices.  Stir about 1 or 2 minutes.  Stir in carrots and lemon juice.  Toss to coat.

Managed to get 6004 steps in yesterday.  That's not counting over a hundred steps I missed out on because I didn't carry my phone.  Have to get another bracelet.

Monday This and That

Good morning.  A new week begins.  My weekend was fairly quiet.  I stayed true to my word and got my butt dress and out the door for a walk on both Friday and Saturday.  On Sunday I decided I was going to walk it to church again.  My back started aching about 2 blocks from church, but I kept going.  Can't give in to the pain.  It wins when you do that.  Besides, after 71 years I know my body, know when I can push it and know when I can't.  

On Friday a woman got on the bus and sat near me, striking up a conversation.  She spoke about having some surgery on her head and was wondering how her hair looked.  She said she had just gotten it cut so she could fluff it up and hide the scars.  She kept saying that 'he'll only see them if he is tall', so I assumed she might be headed on blind date.  She was obviously meeting someone she didn't know.  Well, we talked for awhile, and I assured her she looked great.  Actually, I loved her hair cut and wish I had the natural waves that she had.  As we neared my stop she said, "Thank you for smiling.  You made my day." The feeling was mutual.  When she said that, she made my day.

That's exactly why I prefer the buses to subways.  Not only are you above ground, but people aren't so friendly on the subway.  Maybe it's an underground sort of thing?   On buses, there is always someone eager to strike up a conversation, and after riding the same buses at the same time every day, you get to know a series of regulars who ride with you.  Even if it's just a "Good morning" and a smile, it makes you feel good....and somehow less lonely.

So I've been busy trying to put together a diabetic menu for Ralph.  His last blood test showed that his pre-diabetes has progressed to diabetes.  Not easy to plan meals for when you have a Dominican who was raised on rice and beans. He has agreed to less rice, 1% milk, no more ice cream sundaes, cut the sodas, and eat more vegetables.  That's a start.  I ordered a diabetic cookbook from Amazon and these recipes look so good that I am going to eat them as well.  

 I think with a healthier diet and a bit more exercise we can reverse it.  

It was time for a coloring so I decided to go a bit darker as the lighter auburn washes out too quickly and I turn blond again.  I was always under the impression that one must go lighter as she gets older, but that is so not true.  Blonde had me looking faded and much older.  A little color brings the brightness to my face.  

Today I am off to my classes.   Still not ready for the Monday qigong.  This leader is far too tough, but I will get there in time for dance and meditation and then spend the afternoon in arts and crafts.  It feels so good to get back in the groove again.  I was beginning to wonder if this pain would ever let up.  Life is good.

My oracle card for the day.  How appropriate.

 From the Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck

Have a good one.

Sunday Selections

Around this time of the year I get a yearning for the sea.  Fortunately, it's easy for me to satisfy that yearning....it's only 20 minutes away by subway.  But, I just don't get out there as often as I want.  On weekdays I am busy with my classes and meetings and on weekends the beach is overly crowded.  So I surround myself with relics of the sea in my home. 

This is my Sea Crown tealight candle set for honoring the Greek goddess and personification of the sea, Amphirite. She is the calming tides and sweet noises of the creatures of the deep--vanilla, rosewood, lotus, grapefruit, and patchouli.

From my Yemaya goddess bundle--cowries, selenite, and apatite.

Little mermaidgreen limpet Seashells,  small sea blue Starfish, pearlized turbo shell and pearlized shells in an abalone shell.

Blue Aragonite harnesses the wisdom of the sea, the caves below water, and the merfolk, and other ancient races.

 My pretty little mermaid.

This jar includes real beach relics from the Pacific Ocean--Sea glass, sea grass, sand and shells. Surrounding it are clear quartz chip points, Lapis Lazuli chip stones, tumbled Moonstone, and tumbled Amazonite.

 This shell was a gift from one of my HIV clients.  I treasure it.

 Ancient Stones from the city of Eilat in Israel.