Shopping for Scout’s first Christmas may have gotten out of control. I realized while gift wrapping Sunday that he’s going to have more presents under the tree than most kids will have this Christmas.
Here he is after a busy day of helping me wrap presents. He was all tuckered out so he curled up with his blankie in his favorite chair. He tried to supervise a little longer but his eyes were just too heavy to stay awake.
That little cat won the lottery when he picked me up in the street.
I’m fortunate to work for a company that encourages community involvement among employees. Last week, my department volunteered at an organization that serves local senior citizens. Here I met two very sweet ladies who I’m still thinking about days later.
I stopped by yesterday to drop off some prizes for bingo and Christmas cards for the ladies. One of them was there, providing opportunity to sit and visit a while.
She’s 96 and still lives alone. She cleans her home, orders her own medicine and is quite proud of her independence. Her grown children help with her laundry but she shakes her head and frowns when she admits they don’t want her going to the basement anymore.
Someone else cuts the grass now. She stopped gardening two years ago but has no intention of slowing down in any other way.
When asked her secret to a long life, she said that staying active and social has kept her going. She also advised living below your means and saving as much as possible. She doesn’t have a large income but says she doesn’t have to worry.
First of all, she is the sweetest lady and I was happy to talk with her. More importantly, she seemed happy to have someone to listen. It took no effort to sit there for a few minutes and show interest in what she had to say. And yet, I walked away with a wealth of wisdom and the feeling that the conversation had made a difference to us both.
It was one of the most positive human interactions I’ve had in a long time and I’m grateful for it. Older folks have wisdom to share and can benefit from having someone to talk with. Never discount the value of a friendly conversation.
Have a nice day, friends. Be good to one another.
I celebrated the completion of my Christmas shopping by catching a matinee on Saturday. For 108 minutes I sat in a nearly empty theater, lost in the world of Fred Rogers and the cynical reporter assigned to write a fluff piece about him.
Friends, you need to see this movie.
In fact, I think that everyone needs to see this movie. It’s an uplifting glimpse into how Fred Rogers treated people. He loved people and could always spare the time for a sick child or to inquire about what was upsetting to another adult.
“I like you just the way you are” is a line he used often and meant. He truly was interested in the well being of others and he believed in the power of a kind word.
Personally, I’m trying to do better at offering kind words, especially to strangers. I don’t do small talk very well but never hesitate to compliment a stranger’s accessories. It sounds silly but most women beam when you notice their scarf, cute hat or broach and it often inspires a conversation.
The bottom line is that this movie has a happy ending, something the world so desperately needs. I’m sick of political bickering. I miss the days before Facebook when I didn’t know that so many neighbors and friends are actually selfish racists and homophobes who mainly want everyone to be exactly like them.
I’m tired of being disappointed by the world. We need more Fred Rogers and less of what’s on the news every day.
Tom Hanks does a beautiful job bringing to life this man who was an icon of so many Americans childhoods. I was also pleased to see his wife, Joanne Rogers, had a quick cameo.
In short, this movie made my day and I’m excited to add it to my collection.
If you’re so cynical that you think you don’t need to see the film, you need it most of all. Go. Report back. We’ll chat about it.
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about healthy eaters, especially plant based eaters, is that their food is dull or that they just eat salads and big bowls of broccoli.
Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.
I went plant based just a little over three months ago and think of myself as an imperfect vegan. That means that all the food I prepare is plant based but that healthy eating in the real world is hard. So when I’m out, I just do my best. Sometimes that means an Impossible Burger with a side of fries and broccoli. Sometimes it means a grilled pimento cheese sandwich and chips at a fabulous old soda fountain.
I aim to eat plant based 90 percent of the time. However, I want to eat good food all the time.
Yesterday I made some delicious pancakes to freeze for a rainy day. These wheat pancakes with plump blueberries are as delicious as any restaurant pancakes I’ve ever tasted, especially when paired with pure maple syrup.
I also made some hot chocolate with cocoa, a little stevia, almond milk and vanilla. There was a companion recipe for homemade marshmallow that I was too lazy to make despite how easy it sounded. Nonetheless, it was a tasty cup of hot chocolate to finish off a day of Christmas wrapping.
While it was good, it was missing something- maybe the homemade marshmallow? Maybe just a little more sweetener? I’m not sure but will work to improve it until I’m happy.
Then there was the pot of homemade bean soup – three kinds of beans, vegetable broth, onions and carrots simmered to create a mouth watering soup for work lunches this week.
The point is that I’m not deprived and am as happy as a clam with most of the food I make.
It’s actually a lot of fun to play in the kitchen, trying new things and learning from the occasional mistake. The mistakes are ok because I typically learn a valuable lesson and rarely make the same mistake twice. Also, it’s a sign that I’m trying new things and that my diet is no longer limited to the same five things I used to make all the time.
This is a good thing!
Thinking about reducing your meat and dairy or maybe just trying to eat a little healthier? Try choosing one dish that you enjoy and seek out a healthier recipe for that dish. Pancakes or soups are a great place to start. Try healthifying just one dish a week and you might be surprised how much you enjoy the changes.
Not much makes me happier than chasing a church steeple. This one is in a little place called Paris, Virginia. Isn’t it pretty?
I had turned off a main highway onto another road to look at a barn but was quickly distracted by the way the light reflected off the steeple.
Even the smallest towns often have beautiful old churches with steeples that reach to the heavens, high above everything else.
This one is lovely. Have a happy Sunday!
Off the beaten path is the real world. Go find it.