Let's Meet Up!

Meet Up!

Do you have an interest that you want to share with other aficionados?  Then check out this website:

MeetUp.com

This website is the end all be all to any type of social activity group you might be wanting to find.  It connects you to people that share your same interests and if you are the type of person that likes to initiate then you can start your own group. 

I've used this website when traveling to parts unknown where I don't know anyone or if whoever I'm visiting is working and not able to take me around town so to speak at all hours of the day. 

 

I met an interesting group of sushi lovers out in the San Francisco Bay area a few years ago.  They get together every so often to try out different sushi.  I'm not as adventurous when it comes to raw fish and usually opt for the tempura roll or sweet potato roll, etc.  However I do enjoy Japanese food like shrimp tempura and beef teriyaki.  I especially like something called beef yakiniku which is absolutely delicious.  I think it rivals Korean bulgogi, but don't tell any Koreans I said so.  

For recipes for yakiniku sauce & some Korean favorites:  

Yakiniku Marinade & Korean Favorites

If you are gluten-free and looking for a good soy or teriyaki sauce alternative then try San-J products.  This is a tasty alternative to the normal soy sauce products and safe for celiacs.  San-J products can usually be found at Whole Foods or Giant Eagle Market Districts.  

Why Gingko?

Have you ever seen a ginkgo tree?  

I've seen one, actually two, only because my Dad liked them and had a couple planted in front of his house years ago.  They're quite tall now and growing taller with each passing year but my Dad won't be around to enjoy seeing them grow because he no longer resides among the living.  (He passed away after being in hospice for about a year with congestive heart failure.)  

What is a ginkgo tree?  Ginkgo trees are native to Asia and have been around for over 200 million years.  These trees are the only one of their species which makes them unique.  They are scattered all over Tokyo, Seoul, and Manhattan.  Their distinctive leaves are shaped like a fan.  These trees actually survived the atomic bomb and have stood resilient to smog and pests.  One downside is their unpleasant odor which comes from the seeds.  Ginkgo trees are timeless.

Reclusive artist lives in Abiquiu!

Abiquiu, New Mexico

Georgia O'Keeffe was an American artist who lived in New Mexico during her later years.  She described New Mexico as, "Such a beautiful, untouched lonely feeling place, such a fine part of what I call the 'Faraway'. It is a place I have painted before . . . even now I must do it again."  It's a place that I have visited more than once and like O'Keeffe, "I must do it again."

If you've never been to New Mexico then you simply have to go there.  Words don't do it justice.  It's a beautiful place, very rugged and unique.  It's exactly as O'Keeffe described.  O'Keeffe lived on the edge of a cliff.  I got to see her dwelling place from below where you are surrounded by so much color and so many rock formations.  I stayed at a hacienda in the area that was bursting with vivid blue and purple morning glories backlit by sunny skies.    

I wrote this poem after my experience by a man-made lake right in Abiquiu.  It's probably one of the few places I've ever been that was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.  And you were surrounded by the sheer wilderness of it all. 

Quiet & Content

Once by a lake called Abiquiu…

I watched as some friends fished…

In the lake of sparkling waters…

While I sat…

Content and saturated…

By the total stillness and the absence of sound.

Happy New Years!

New Year's Resolution

I was thinking about my New Year's Resolution for this year and how I wanted to clean up and get rid of clutter.

These are my action words:

Clean
Declutter
Donate
Motivate
Rejuvenate

I've done some cleaning but still have a lot to do.  It's funny how you can get sidetracked.  You have to be in the mood to clean if you know what I mean.

Rather than clean, I decided to go swimming today.  It was good to exercise.  You need to exercise as well.

The following website is for all of you that have DVD's that they never watch.  Guess what?  Vets want to watch them.  This website will tell you how to donate your DVD's to Vets.  So start cleaning!

Poem: Forbidden Fruit

Writing Group

I met with a writing group this afternoon.  This is the first time I have attempted anything like this and it did get my creative juices flowing.  So here is a new poem:

Forbidden Fruit

Adam and Eve 
living in paradise 
content 
yet curious 
about the tree 
in the middle 
bearing fruit 
they must never eat.

The serpent hissed
"Eve eat the apple.
The only reason
God forbade 
you this fruit 
was because 
he knew how wise 
it would make you so."

So Eve ate 
and shared the apple 
with Adam 
who ate it too!  
Eyes finally opened 
they looked at each other 
naked and 
devoid of innocence.  

"Now we know 
more than we should:
More than God 
would have us be.
Our eyes have been opened
and Pandora's box broken.
And now it's time to leave
our paradise forever."

Lazybones! Get up!

Lazy Saturdays

Isn't this what weekends are about?  Saturdays especially?  Just lazing around and slacking off?

When do you ever get a chance to do nothing?  We are so immersed in our busy lives that sometimes it's hard for us to slow down:  No time to smell the flowers or watch the clouds drift by.

Do you remember being a kid and spending your summer days outside playing?  It felt like summers went on forever.  I'd be outside with my siblings and friends from morning to night.  I used to be such a tomboy.  I'd play baseball, softball, kickball, etc. with my brother and his friends.  We also went bicycling and swimming, you name it.  We were all part of a club where we would speak in pig latin and the guys would jump out of the patio's windows.  Those were the days:  Endless days of nothing but play.

How crazy were we that we wanted to grow up and get a job?  Don't you look back on those days now and really cherish how good you had it?  Your parents took care of you and made sure you had enough to eat?  You had a roof over your head?  Friends to play with?  Siblings to fight with?

I recently stopped by to see a previous college professor of mine and got some advice from him.  It turns out he is also a published writer.  There are so many people with hidden talents around it seems.  He shared this quote with me:

For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: "It might have been!"  

This quote was written by John Greenleaf Whittier.  The only things you will ever regret are the things you don't do.  It's something to think about.

You are what you eat!

Being Organic

Organic is in, isn't it?  No one wants to eat genetically modified foods aka Frankenfoods.  You look at the people in Europe vs us.  They are slimmer, and shorter, and more petite.  We are taller, bigger, and heavier...  Ever look at an organic strawberry compared to a genetically modified strawberry?  There is a big difference in size.  Then think about what we eat because we are what we eat:  An organic strawberry vs a Frankenstrawberry; an organic human vs a Frankenbeing.  You see what I mean?

I was at Whole Foods tonight and ran into some friends.  Whole Foods has a wine tasting on Friday nights.  You pay $5 and get a free wine glass and get to try five new wines with food.  It's an interesting journey to a Friday night dinner and you do get some exercise since you're walking around the whole store.  Their cakes are too die for:  Melt in your mouth and so light on the tongue.  It's like catching snowflakes.

My favorite Moscato wines can actually be found at Olive Garden.  Just try a wine sample for a quarter.  They are sweeter than the average wine.  I also like Sangrias.  I happen to have a sweet palate.  I can't do dry and I can't do bitter.  And I've never acquired the taste for beer.  In fact, I remember a coworker offering to take me out for a beer on my birthday and I said, "no!"  I'm actually not a heavy drinker.  Maybe once a month if that.  

When I was younger I had a bad case of wanderlust and liked to travel and work summer jobs in different states.  Michigan has the prettiest sky.  You can see the stars go on forever.  I used to sit on a lounge chair at night just looking up at the stars.  While living in Michigan I went to Mackinac Island and Traverse City.  If you recall, Mackinac Island is where the movie Somewhere in Time was filmed.  It starred Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymour.  You can ride horses and bicycles there but no cars were allowed on the island.

Those were the days!  I never understood why people waited till they retired to do the things they wanted to do.  You need to seize the day and do it today because you may not have a tomorrow.  If you've ever had a near death experience then you are probably someone that makes the most of every moment because you know:  You know what I know...

Poem: A Phoenix Emerges

A Phoenix Emerges

Here's a poem that I was working on recently.  I've been going thru some changes in my life and this is what came out.  Things usually happen for a reason I've learned so if you are going through a tough time then hang in there because there is usually a light at the end of the tunnel.

A Phoenix Emerges

A flutter of a tiny wing

sweeps across the nation. 

And one day wars are won

because of a destination

that was set in motion.

Known as the butterfly effect. 

Sometimes things happen

that we don’t foresee

because we are too wrapped up in it.

But later as we gaze at

the bigger picture we realize,

“Aha!  Now I see!”

Sometimes you need

to give it time

to ripen and to age

until a finer wine

appears that is like

fluid poetry in motion.

Every little bit we do makes sense

one day and really matters. 

Don’t let anyone tell you different

cause one day looking thru the glass

you’ll see the bigger picture

as you were meant to be. 

You are stronger than you know

and your existence makes a difference

whether you realize it or not.

Someday you’ll realize

that you meant the world to me

and to think you didn’t matter. 

When you emerge from

your secret cocoon

and show off your silvery wings

with a shimmer and a satin sheen

you will know that you are finally

who you were always meant to be.

You, yourself!  Only you!

Show me the $!

Save $

Have you ever shopped at Aldi's?  I was running errands today and ran into their store for some paper plates and produce.  I'm one of those people that love bargains.  I am always cutting coupons.  Sometimes I can buy $50 worth of groceries for about $20.  The reason I like Aldi's though is because even without coupons you can get a better deal there than other places. 

I found out about Aldi's through a friend of mine.  She took me there when I broke my foot and was living on crutches.  I had never been there before that.  They have very good deals on produce and paper products:  Pickles too!

Here's a pic of Lake Erie.  I love water.  I never get bored looking at water.  This was taken sometime last year.  Definitely not in winter.  Now that it's starting to get warmer and snow and ice are melting we can dream of Spring.  Hopefully it's right around the corner.  Being that the temps got close to 60 degrees today makes me hopeful that we are thru the worst of the winter weather.

I Trust Smurfs!

Lose Weight & Being Trustworthy...

I was just watching this online: Perfect Origins

This is if you want to lose weight.  It's an entertaining way of informing you how to do it.  It's all perfectly natural.  I know that I personally go the natural route if I can.  I have no side effects and I get better.  In fact, I have an herbalist that I see for most issues and although I do see medical doctors, I feel that my herbalist does a better job of helping me especially in the long run.

Ever think about what trustworthiness is?  In the past two weeks, I have been in a public environment and have had a perfect stranger ask me to watch their stuff for them while they walk off to do whatever.  I have come to the conclusion that I must be trustworthy for them to ask me this because really I could just have walked off with their stuff.  I find this really surprising given the world we live in today.  One happened at a local university and another happened at Panera Bread.  I don't know if I would do it myself.

I remember my old roommate never used to lock her house when she went out.  She just trusted her neighborhood to not break in.  Some people trust easily and some do not.  I feel that smurfs are trustworthy.  I've always liked smurfs.  In fact I try not to eat blue M&M's because they remind me of smurfs and wouldn't that be sort of like cannibalism?  Except that I'm not a smurf and I've never been blue:  Literally blue that is.  My mood could be blue though.  Sometimes...

Well, the weather is finally warming up...  I'm looking forward to spring.

Would you dance for meat?

Bulgogi Dance

I was watching TV tonight and got to see someone dance a "bulgogi" dance...  I like bulgogi but have never made up a dance for it.  I wonder if I should?

Do you know what bulgogi is?  It's a very tasty Korean beef dish.  It's become quite popular throughout the midwest.  In fact, they sell it at Trader Joe's pre-marinated and Costco sells bulgogi beef jerky which is actually quite tasty.  I had it at a soccer game once.  

Korean dishes tend to be very robust and somewhat pungent.  Surprisingly I've met many non-Koreans that eat kimchi which is a very hot and spicy cabbage side dish.  If you've ever been to a Korean restaurant then you've see the array of side dishes that is put in front of you.  I consider this one of the perks at eating out Korean-style.  These side dishes are known as "ban chan."    

Thank goodness it's finally warming up!  I think I've seen enough snow this year to last a lifetime.

Anything green...

Treehouses & Forests

Today was an interesting day!  I got to meet with the author of the
Benjamin Bear books.  It's funny how you can know someone a long time
and not know everything they do.  It's always intriguing finding out new
things about the people you know.  People are so very multi-faceted.

Something that came up during our discussion was tree houses, specifically ones in the
Mohican Park area.  I never realized there was such a thing but you can actually rent a tree house to stay in.  Remember those tree houses you used to play in when you were a kid?  Well those are nothing compared to these tree houses.  Sometimes you wonder what it might have been like to live like the Ewoks from Star Wars.  So if you're looking for a forest adventure... 

Thinking of forests makes me think of the Portola Redwoods State Park.  The trees are ever so tall and the drive up to the forest is winding around a steep mountain.  If you are scared of heights, you will hate the drive but I have to admit seeing the trees are worth it.

Thank goodness it's getting warmer!

Winter Weather...

Brrr...  will this winter weather ever end?

It seems like it's been winter for months now, which it has.  We've had so much snow and wintry cold temps.  I must be getting old.  What am I talking about?  I am old.  Sort of.  I've never been one to feel the cold but I must admit that as I get older, I feel the cold more.  Brrr...

I remember playing in the snow when I was younger and building snow forts and snowmen.  I loved sledding.  However now I would really like just being in warm weather by a beach somewhere.  Mmm...  Beaches..  I've always wanted to try Sandals Resorts.  Their advertisements look so inviting.  

Well, tax season is upon us.  If you're looking for tax help, there is an organization that is helping people for free.  Just contact your local library.  They should know or will be able to help you find out who to contact.

With all this talk about the new health laws, who knows what is really going on?  I need to have my taxes looked at because I signed up for an HSA last year.  Turns out that you have to file a 1040 when you receive a 1099-SA.  Fun, huh?

Let's hope for warmer weather soon or I think I may freeze to death!

A Blog is Born!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

This is my very first post on my very first blog and I have my awesome friend Sheree to thank for it...  She and I were talking this morning about a Holy Spirit experience that she recently had and she had a divinely inspired word for me.  In fact she reminded me that I had wanted to start a blog on Valentine's Day this year.  If she had not called me this blog would never have happened. 

Without God this blog would not exist!

I have always wanted to write a book and thought this would be a good writing exercise...  And due to a change in circumstances I thought "Why not?"  So here it is and it will only make an impact if God wills it.  So here we are and it being Valentine's Day, I thought I would share a favorite love quote with you...




This quote is one of my favorites and the reason it is so profound is because so many people out of selfishness want what they want regardless of another person's feelings, wants, and desires.

They scream, "I want, I want, I want..."  Not, "What is it you want?"

A person who truly loves another person will want what's best for that person regardless of what he or she wants.

My challenge question to you is:  Do you have it in you to love someone else that selflessly?  Are you willing to give someone else free will?  Why not when God doesn't do anything less?