Bambooed

HELP!

Two years ago, I bought a single short stalk of bamboo.

It's a lovely little thing, and I put it in a small ceramic dish that was hand made for me by a friend a long time ago.

I was hesitant to purchase bamboo, as my very dearest JReed told me in no uncertain terms that killing a bamboo plant would bring worse bad luck to me than walking under a ladder across the path of a black cat and breaking a mirror all in the same day.

"Much worse!" he said.

Knowing that I have about the same luck with plants as I do in the kitchen... ahem... he advised me quite seriously NOT to buy one.

"Don't tempt fate!" he said.

I thought "Meh... I could do it." I have two plants who've managed to hang on by the roots for several years.

So I bought one from the Dragon Boat Festival. I loved it. Talked to it daily, kept it watered, and enjoyed it devotedly.

Last year, since I'd done so well with my single stalk, I felt courageous... bold, even. And I bought two more stalks. Same festival. I put them on my desk at home, on either side of my computer. They lived harmoniously and happily. All 3 were doing quite well. Until...

I came to work on Monday and the single bamboo was yellow. It has since turned black. There are 3 yellowy brown leaves and three kind~of green leaves, so I am doing my utmost to nurse it back to health; but I have my doubts as to the success of this endeavor. Shhh... don't tell the plant.

The two at home are also not faring well... as of this week.

They have begun to shrivel and wilt... sad little bamboo stalks.

WHAT is going ON?

How does one save bamboo?

What if it's too late? How do I fix the luck?

Anxiously waiting...

Scarlett

4 x 4 Squared

Absolute Vanilla has tagged everyone with a meme of 4's. As I've not done a meme of 4's B4 (4give me, please), I am inclined to acquiesce.

Four jobs I've held: I'm going to do 4 jobs I want instead.

Pilot
Photojournalist
Artist/Musician/Singer
Teacher

Four movies I've watched over and over again:

To Kill a Mockingbird
A Walk in the Clouds
Auntie Mame
My Fair Lady

Four places I've been:

In warm, sunny places of serenity where I can feel my soul breathe and dance.
On rugged mountain peaks in frigid screaming wind; but I always make it to the other side.
In new, unfamiliar and strange places where I must be courageous and brave and learn my way.
In old and familiar places worn with time and life, that I touch with my fingertips and my memory, places that remind me where I've been and illuminate where I am and the road ahead.

Four places I've lived:

Do we not live everywhere we go?
My second post ever was on this very subject, and it's one of my best and most favorite posts... please take a moment to read it!

Four TV shows I watch: For the most part, I don't watch TV. Monumental waste of time. This is the best I can offer:

Pro football
College basketball (WOO HOO March Madness!)
Superbowl
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Truly; I think that's it. For the year.

Four radio shows I listen to:
I wake up to KLOVE (a Christian station), and after that I channel surf all day.
It's very nice to wake up to a positive message in the morning. Helps set the mood for the day.

Four things I look forward to:

Each new day
Time with family and friends
New or favorite experiences
Fridays!

Four favourite foods: Mexalianesethai!! oh...

Chocolate
Pasta
Warm Bread
Fresh fruit and Veggies

Four places I'd rather be:

With friends and family
Flying
Sailing
On my first assignment for National Geographic

Four people I e-mail regularly:

Family
Friends
Co-workers
Business associates

I'm not going to tag 4 people; if you'd like to do this meme, then please feel free to play along!

My Love

Mi Amore,

It's been such a long day, it seems like such a long time since I've seen you. Every eternal moment passes almost without moving, with no cadence or rhythm, it just drifts through me, past me... and it feels as though time does not carry me with it, to you. The ache weighs so heavily in my body that it reaches into my soul. How much I miss you.

But somehow I will arrive tonight, when at last I lay my head down and close my eyes. Then the darkness will open up and I'll walk through the door of our home there by the sea, and you will be waiting for me, just as you are every night, with your laughing, dancing eyes and your open arms. When those strong arms close around me, everything else that has worried my mind and heart will slip away into the highland mist that hovers over the green hills and moors beyond the house.

You always have a fire ready in the fireplace for us, and tea to share as we snuggle up together under our quilt in front of the fire. I love to watch its light in your eyes and that dimple in your cheek as you smile while you tell me stories. The softness of your voice fills the air around me like the deep quiet notes of a cello playing a melody that I alone can hear. It ripples through my body and soul and its sound synchronizes everything within me to my core.

The tips of your fingers, gently tracing my cheek and lips are the only tether that keeps me from floating away into the deep sea blues and greens in your eyes. How far do those eyes reach? Eternity? In all the times I've lost and found myself in them, I've only ever seen a beautiful sanctuary where we exist as one, without beginning and without end.

I tangle my fingers in your dark curly hair, and laugh at your endearing ways. I only pout playfully when you tease me a little, but then you pull me so close and kiss it away as though it were a shadow hiding from the sun. There isn't anything in the world that comforts me so much as your strong arms around me, nothing could penetrate that bond. I rest close to your neck and you lean your head on mine. The scents of you; faint sea, wood, wild heather and the highland mist... are intermingled on your skin and breathing it in deeply while I'm in your arms fills me completely with a blend of heady desire and warm serenity.

How the nearness of you takes me away to places I never imagined could exist, and you are in all of them, and I am with you, part of you ~ always. That look of hunger and need that haunts your face when you see me coming to our bed always undoes me; it's as though you are caged in desperation until the touch of your fingers on my skin releases you in that instant, and you are suddenly able to breath again. It mirrors my own desire for you.

Strong and gentle, your touch, your lips and arms, every part of our bodies, your need and mine, until we are one; shivering in the power of passion and ensconced in the fullness of love. Blanketed in the stillness of the night, wrapped so closely around each other, we sleep until the soft light of dawn touches the edge of the tall windows.

I rise to your beautiful smile as you hand me steaming coffee and kiss my face as delicately as a feather touch, my cheeks, my forehead, and at last my lips. We tease and laugh and play as we ready for the day and you walk me to the door. I know what's waiting beyond it and I want nothing more than to bury my face in your chest and stay, but we know I must go.

"We'll go to Paris tonight when you come home, and stay for the weekend, alright my love?" you tell me in the soft quiet voice that is meant only for me. I nod my head. Your finger reaches under my chin, and tenderly lifts my face to meet yours and I look into your serious eyes. "The time will fly, and I'll be with you, in your heart, every moment..." you tell me in a whisper.

And I slowly pull myself, unwillingly, from your arms while you stand as still as a statue and watch me so intensely, your face solemn, making yourself let me go. It is only our hands that touch now, and as I step through the door, our intertwined fingers slide slowly apart.

The door closes and I force myself back here, to my own bed where I am laying alone without you. I only open my eyes when I know I must, and I stare silently out the window at the day that has begun. The long day that I will find my way through, somehow, until the night brings me to you again. It is a half life, my half without you, and it is something, but it will never be everything until you are with me, once again.

You are the breath of my soul, my love, a timeless constant... the other part of me that I only barely exist without, and I will find you again. Somehow, somewhere along this journey that I wander through, I will find you again, and when at last your arms are around me, we will never let go.

Until then, I will wait to see you in my dreams, wait until my head is deep in my pillow and I close my eyes and the darkness opens up and I see the door of our home, where you wait for me.

I love you.

Photoplay

I recently did a photo shoot at a church and I liked this shot of a large marble sculpture of Jesus of Nazareth so much that I decided to play with it. It's original is a black and white printed on 8x10 pearl paper. I decided to have a little darkroom fun and 'solarized' it... that is, dabbled in developer, water and high contrast... and the outcome was such that I wanted to share it. It was so much fun to make!

I hope you like it as much as I do!

Belum...

Belum... not quite yet.

Pron (bay-loom)

Leonardo da Vinci, upon his death, regretted leaving so much work unfinished (?!!) and I often wonder what the world would be like if he had been given more time... and if we could bring him back and put him in our world today, teach him what we have learned (a great deal of which originated in his mind) and then see what he can make of it to progress us even further, as I am absolutely sure he could.

And I think about what I have done, and left undone.

Have I finished my pilots license?
Have I finished that painting of the polar bears?
Have I finished either of the novels I've written?
Have I perfected my tango?
Read all the books I want to read?
Seen the places my heart yearns and aches to know?
Told all of my family and friends just one more time how deeply I love them?
Done my best...
Given what I could...
Loved as much as my big heart is capable of...
Been patient as often as I could...
Listened as often as I ought...
Gone as far in every direction that I can possibly go?

Belum.

They say mediocrity is best... no extremes one way or the other. I'm not going for extreme, and I don't know how much time I have left (doesn't that make it priceless?), but my list is ever growing in many ways, and will never end.

I'll never really complete everything - and in the end, my magnum opus; my great work of a lifetime, will be what I did accomplish.
I just want to make sure that I didn't leave anyone or anything behind, unnecessarily.

A fellow student asked me recently where I find the time to do everything I do, and I answered, I do bits at a time, here and there, not all at once, and that way I can do more.

Another friend warned me about becoming a jack (jill) of all trades, but master of none.
That will not happen... if I do not give up on learning as much as I can about each thing, or working on each passion without end, even in moderation. It just takes a little longer.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

A Renaissance woman. A person that Leonardo da Vinci would be inclined to enjoy spending time with, then or now.

Are you as far as you want to be? Are you complete?

I'd be willing to bet...

Belum.

Happy Valentines!

I sincerely hope that you felt the love of someone you care about today, be it family, friend, lover or Lord.

Happy Valentines Day!

Rolling Out The Red Carpet

Absolute Vanilla has definitely started the awards season off with a bang! She very generously gifted me with an armload of awards which I am very glad to pass along!

And so without further ado... (I didn't tuck my dress into the back of my pantyhose, did I?)

For my kitchen shenanigans and mishaps:

To:

Jon at Writing in a Vacuum

Irrelephant

Diana at Piffle

The Laughorist

Hearts at Guilty with an explanation

Christina at Single City Chick

Because I am a Blogger of the World in 2007 and 2008:

This is gifted to each and every one of you, if you're bloggin', you get it. Keep on blogging!!

Because Vanilla loves us!

This one is also for every single one of you... missed you lots, so glad to be back!

Kisses for everyone!

The purpose of this award is motivated by:
the desire to hand some of that love and kindness back around to those who have been so very, very, very good to me in this bloggy world. My hope is that those who receive this award will pass it on to those who have been very, very, very good to them as well. It's a big kiss, of the chaste platonic kind, from me to you with the underlying 'thanks' message implied. I really do appreciate your support and your friendship and yes, your comments. ... Mwah!

And from Viaggiatore and I, for the Shameless Lions Writing Circle (please choose whichever color you like):

My incredible friend Shannstress at Shannon

My very funny and dear friend Robin at The Road Less Traveled

Rel, whose words I devour like a fine buffet at Under the Microscope

Sognatrice whose words always find a mirror in my soul at Bleeding Espresso

Some Pink Flowers, who takes me on many wonderful journeys of the mind and heart

Taking Care

There are no New Years' resolutions.

But there has been a promise that is late in being fulfilled, one which is being brought to fruition every day now, by me ~ bit by bit.

You know how people who care about you a little, or love you a lot, will smile when you say good-bye and they'll tell you:

"Take care..."

We say it to others, too. What we mean is, take good care of yourself. Because we care. They care. We all want the best for each other. But when others say it to us, do we do it? When we say it to others, are we practicing what we preach?

How many times have I answered, "I will..."

But I do not. I work a lot. I study a lot. I don't quite eat what I should, but I do eat what I shouldn't, sometimes. I could exercise more. I could rest and relax more. I could pray more. I could be kinder to myself, as kind as my friends and family who love me... who have requested of me to take good care of myself, as they would care for me, were we not parted.

I could learn more. Share more. Laugh and love and risk more. Go beyond the fuzzy boundaries that are my comfort zone... if I was outside of myself, if I was someone else watching over me, would I take better care of myself then? Of course. I take good care of other people.

I think of those people who have requested of me that I take good care of myself. They've asked that because they care about me and want me around as long as possible, as healthy and happy as possible. There are people who depend on me. I depend on myself a great deal, totally... in fact.

But I do not afford myself the care and consideration that I so wholeheartedly give to those whom I love.

And why not?

I don't know, but that makes little sense.
How can I give my best, if I am not functioning at my best? Where is the balance in that?

And so that promise that I have made... to take care of myself, is being fulfilled - not as a resolution, but as a lifestyle. And not for a year... or a few months.... a handful of weeks. No.

For all of my days.

Time flies, and those 'some days' and 'one of these days' and 'tomorrows' never ever get here.
It's important to start now. Right now.

Take good care of yourself.

Retrospect and Introspect

Happy New Year!!!

Sognatrice inspired me with a 'look at last year' meme... it is important to look back in order to gain a good perspective of the untraveled road ahead. We must remember the ground we've covered, and learn from our experiences.


1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before? Many things, some of which are: Started this blog, did ALL homemade Christmas presents (will not do that again any year soon), started a second novel, been the photographer in a photo shoot, bought furniture from out of state and then left it in the state I bought it in, got up VERY early to drive to the mountains to take photos of the sunrise on the Rockies (cold... so cold...), marched in the Martin Luther King Marade in Denver (YAY!!!!!), gone to a movie at the Mayan... and much, much more.


2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions at the new year - but I do look forward to accomplishing goals that have already been set.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes! My brother and his wife welcomed their third son. Yay!


4. Did anyone close to you die? Yes, Colton Brice. Rest in peace, sweet boy.


5. What countries did you visit? None outside of the US in 2007.


6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007? Time... balance... more focus, more determination.


7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? As many as possible, I hope, to remember the wonderful times with fondness and the hard ones with solemnity and wisdom.


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? There was no single biggest achievement; I think so many little things that we accomplish build us up, improve us individually and improve our lives and the world around us, that singling one thing out would diminish the positiveness of the little things.


9. What was your biggest failure? I fell below my own standards and failed myself when I allowed my temper to get the better of me with someone who is an unpleasant constant in my life, instead of taking the high road and being patient, tolerant and peaceful. The extremely negative ensuing results lasted three months before they were resolved.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Yes, internally and externally, some of the worst I've known, but I recovered and am much stronger for it.


11. What was the best thing you bought? Time


12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Every one of my good friends


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? My... how apropos. Those few who I believed I knew well, and who proved to me that I did not.


14. Where did most of your money go? As soon as I figure that out, I'm plugging that leak.


15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? I get excited about many things, I don't know that there was one thing that rose above the rest. Family, friends, holidays, trips, events, there are so many things to enjoy!


16. What song will always remind you of 2007? One song? One?!? Right.


17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier with myself, sadder from the loss of friends, thinner in trouble, fatter/broader in mind, richer for the love of family and friends, poorer in short sightedness.


18. What do you wish you’d done more of? I wish I'd been kinder, wiser, more patient, more balanced and more productive. I also wish I'd read, painted, written, traveled and danced more.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Leaving things unfinished.


20. How did you spend Christmas? With family and friends; enjoying all of it. This was one of my best holidays ever.


21. Did you fall in love in 2007? Of course! Every time I see the beautiful state I live in, every time a child gives me a hug or a kiss, every time I read a great book or watch a wonderful movie - in particular, Gregory Peck in To Kill a Mockingbird... and Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind.


22. What was your favorite TV program? I don't watch TV. Only movies, and yes... they are different.


23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? It is a cardinal rule of mine not to hate. No good comes of it, which consequently makes it a monumental waste.


24. What was the best book you read? Too many good ones to choose just one. Although, I love 1000 Days in Tuscany, enough that I carry it with me often, and I also love "How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci".


25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Again... there were several worthwhile discoveries, but I very much like Mozella.


26. What did you want and get? I wanted to spend wonderfully memorable holidays with my family and friends ~ And I did! I wanted good grades, and got them as well. I wanted Katy's cheesecake on my birthday and got it. Actually, this could wind up being a long list, I usually get what I want, if it's not outrageous or unrealistic.


27. What did you want and not get? World Peace, healing in Darfur, Benazir Bhutto to be Prime Minister of Pakistan again, ....a vacation...


28. What was your favorite film of this year? Once, which I enjoyed watching at an obscure little theatre with a very dear friend who treated me to it for my birthday.


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was at work all day and school all night, but I did get to have a pre-birthday party with dear friends - it's impolite to ask a lady her age. Hush.


30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Traveling to places I actually want to go to.


31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? an improved work in progress.


32. What kept you sane? Who said I was sane?


33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? The same one I always admire the most: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., time does not diminish it.


34. What political issue stirred you the most? Darfur, and Benazir Bhutto.


35. Who did you miss? Everyone I love who isn't near me.


36. Who was the best new person you met? Storm


37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007. There are SO many to chose from, several lessons were refreshed, but I think it would be something in between "That which does not kill you makes you stronger" and "I am stronger than I ever knew".


38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. The Beatles... "Here Comes the Sun"

Easter Chicken

I had company over for dinner last night. People that I like very much, and wanted to impress.

Fire in the fireplace
Candles all over the place, lit and glowing
Christmas tree up and decked to the nines
Holiday decor on everything that doesn't move
In every room
Festive red table cloth on table
Golden flatware laid out (more on this in a minute)
Table set with every dish possible
Several appetizers laid out
Meal in oven, set to finish when company arrived
Christmas music playing
Snow falling outside... (this wasn't my doing, but it was a lovely touch)

Now. Let's backtrack a little bit, so that you can get the whole picture.
Scarlett is not a fabulous cook.
Far from it.

So I called Cecilia who is a fabulous cook. She walked me through a recipe over the phone, it went like this:

C: lay the chicken breasts flat in a well greased pan
S: okay
C: spoon the bread/nut/olive oil mixture over half of each breast
S: okay
C: fold the breast over and skewer it closed
S: uh....
C: no... wait, let's keep this simple, nevermind that, just spoon it over the chicken
S: okay...

....at this point, I sniff in stubbornness and look down my nose and think to myself, I can do that. I have bamboo skewers, God knows why, but I do. How hard can it be to skewer chicken shut. Closed. Whatever.

I prepare the chicken later on... to begin, I pull the -foot long and then some- bamboo skewers out and look from them to the shallow baking pan and think... um... these are too long.

I can break this bamboo into short little pieces and have splinters in the chicken and probably my fingers or... hmm... TOOTHPICKS! I can use toothpicks... they are short skewers! I was quite pleased with myself, I thought I was very clever for thinking of this.

Necessity is the mother of invention, no?

I baked the chicken and was on the phone with another friend who was walking me through "what the heck order does the flatware go in on the table... forks here.. no there... and OH NO I forgot to take the chicken out of the oven," my friend is laughing at me, she says "it's only been 10 minutes more, just baste it, it will be ok."

I pull the chicken out and gasp - NO! - and panic and start whimpering near tears... 'what?' she says... 'what's wrong with it?'

The toothpicks I used were colored toothpicks... their color bled into the chicken, so I had blue... green... red... yellow... pink... and turquoise holes in the chicken. Easter egg chicken.

And of course, my company was expected 15 minutes from then. My friend on the phone just roared laughing at me. She said, Scarlett... that's edible food coloring, it has to be because people put toothpicks in their mouths and food... it's ok. Just explain the chicken to your company.

So... it was ok. My company laughed and ate it all and no one died that I know of yet.

Happy Birthday!

To a man who had such an eventful life... and who is 613 years old today.

James' life was in danger at a very young age, so his father sent him from Scotland to France for safety, but during this escape, he was seized by the English and was held as a prisoner by them for 18 years. When his father heard of his sons capture, he died of a broken heart.

After his long imprisonment in England, James' countrymen finally paid a kings ransom for his release and he was able to return to his home country. He brought with him his wife, Joan Beaufort, a cousin of King Henry VI.

At long last, he was crowned King of Scotland and thus began one of the most significant reigns of royalty that Scotland had seen since his great-grandfather, Robert the Bruce, had ruled. James and Joan had eight children together, but sadly only seven survived.

Once he'd reclaimed the throne, he found that his work was cut out for him; Scotland had fallen apart during his absence. This king had to fight to unite his kingdom, and once that was done, he was determined to make his country one of the most powerful in Europe. James made many changes to the Scottish economic system and to their government. In many ways, he advanced the nation much further than it had ever grown in such a short time, and while this was good for the country, it was not appreciated by all.

King James was killed by his own relatives in a power move that ended their lives as well as his; rumor has it that he was stabbed 28 times. His children and grandchildren kept the throne of Scotland, but I don't believe that another Scottish King did as much for his country until the reign of King James the VI of Scotland who was also King James the I of England (son of Mary, Queen of Scots).

And so it is to the memory of this great man, in honor of his strength, courage, endurance, determination, and his devout loyalty to his people and his country that I bow in respect and celebrate the day that he was brought into this world. King James I of Scotland, your life made a great difference in your time and it's ripple effects are still moving today.

To my 15th great-grandfather, Happy Birthday, the strength of your legacy lives on.

King James I of Scotland

These are 12 of My Favorite Things

A Christmas Meme!

I am originating it, it is my gift to all of those who have gifted me with so many fun memes all year.

Thank you.

Please share 12 of your favorite Christmas things: they can be memories, traditions, songs, presents, beliefs, whatever it is about this season that you love.
Send it to 12 people, and be sure to link to them so that everyone can enjoy the many variations!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

1. The reason for the season ~ the birth of Jesus! I love the story of the Nativity.

2. All the kindness, compassion, love, good cheer, and magic that is tangible among people during this season. I wish it lasted every day of the year.

3. Drawing nearer to and spending time with family & friends, that closeness is precious.

4. I *LOVE* Christmas decorations, movies (don't you just love Charlie Brown and Rudolph?) and definitely the music; singing and playing it everywhere!

5. There must be snow at Christmas. Snow angels, snow people, snowballs, sledding, ice skating...

6. I love the way Christmas smells ~ pine, cider, baked delights (cookies, pies, ham), cinnamon, clove oranges, cranberry...

7. Driving around looking at Christmas lights, going to Zoolights at the zoo and Blossoms of Lights at the Botanic Gardens with loved ones, drinking cocoa, singing Christmas songs and playing in the snow! I also love watching the lights on the tree; used to fall asleep under it when I was a very small Scarlett. Oh wait! I still do that!

8. The candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve - the best part of which, is singing Silent Night by candlelight, and everyone gets their own candle (which adds an immeasurable element of danger to the soft and tranquil solemnities...) I always shed a few tears at this service.

9. The wide eyed wonder of children during the whole month; especially when they get to tell Santa what they want for Christmas... (You'll shoot your eye out kid!)

10. Dressing up in our best to go out for a special evening of dinner, a carriage ride and then to see a professional ballet company perform The Nutcracker Suite; something we never miss and always enjoy!

11. The solemn beauty and blissful thrill of Christmas Eve, there is no other night of the year that is filled with more magic, possibility, love or excitement for me than this one night.

12. The bright, welcoming, wide open opportunity of Christmas morning/day - for me it is the culmination of all the wonders of the month preceding it, and it is a spiritual renewal... for Christ our Saviour has been born... rejoice, rejoice Emmanuel.

Christmas Tags:

1. Absolute Vanilla ~ who constantly remembers me on her tag list...

2. Sognatrice at Bleeding Espresso ~ for whom a candle is lit, and with whom I am very pleased to share my tree (see above)

3. Seamus the Shameless Lion Tamer ~ I can't wait to hear his Christmas thoughts!

4. Jon at Writing in a Vacuum ~ Christmas in England...

5. Christina at Single City Chick ~ I know there will be good stories here!

6. Rebecca at Cre8Tiva ~ A very lovely and creative Christmas...

7. Caroline Smailes ~ How does such a creative and busy woman handle the holiday?

8. Heart in SF at Guilty With an Explanation ~ A blend of Christmas and Hanukkah?

9. Dee at the Mundane and the Profound ~ She'll cook up quite a masterpiece, I am sure!

10. Jules at Thinking About ~ This will be a thoughtful and humorous ride...

11. Some Pink Flowers ~ Ahhhh... Christmas in Florida!

12. Jeni at Passionate Palate ~ Presto! A sweet and rich offering we'll all enjoy

If anyone else would like to play along, please join in! Just let me know and I will add a link to your page so that everyone can come by for a visit!

Don't forget the mistletoe!

XOXO

Scarlett & Viaggiatore

Eggs

Let me preface this post with a brief reminder that I have been ear deep in school work and have had zero time for blogging, I miss it tremendously, and have been writing more than I've ever written in my life. I think I did the NaNo writing project through school in three weeks instead of here in four, and I was graded on it!

One of my papers was on whole brained thinking as opposed to predominantly left or right. When we focus on whole brained thinking, we experience SO much more. In explaining the benefits of examining what's beyond the obvious (developing and using the senses to experience and learn more), I considered the following example as a metaphor for realizing the benefit of learning about that which is outside of our familiar comfort zone.

The eggs are the variable... the eggs could be anything; material, emotional, moral... anything.

Eggs. Let's say someone doesn't like eggs at ALL. Hates them.
Doesn't want to learn about them or have anything to do with them, ever... absolutely no eggs.
Even though they don't like eggs, if they'd taken the time to learn about eggs, then they might have discovered that when eggs are mixed with flour and milk, the result is cake - and this person would have LOVED cake.
But our egg hater will never know about the cake, because they turned away from the initial/basic idea (the eggs), and consequently missed out on a million other great things.
No eggs = closed doors. One can't get very far if they close doors.

~A closing request:

Please look beyond your little world that you walk around in every day, the sphere of your reality that makes up your life... the people you know, your job, your church, your friends, your family and your comfort zones. That's where you live. Go outside of that and find all of the things you never knew you were missing out on.

Look up. Look farther. Look deeper into people, into yourself, into our world... experience more of it, through all of your senses. When you listen - really listen, to more than words, listen to the meaning and the origin of what is being shared with you, even if you disagree, listen. You could learn something. When you speak, be certain that what you say is what you mean, and that when you say it, it's understood clearly by those you say it to. Speak well. When you touch, when you feel the world around you, be careful but be curious - discover your environment in every way possible. When you smell and taste, take your time. Let the scents and flavors of life penetrate you to your core, enjoy them each time as if it were the last time.

There's so much more out there than we allow ourselves to reach.
Don't miss out on the cake. It might be the best part.

Reflection

Turn your sound up...

and REFLECT.

Properly Incensed

I am completely incensed.

Perhaps it is my independent, strong, proud nature.

I don't like labels to begin with, but I realize that for certain purposes they simplify organization.
Categories.
Who are you?
What do you do?
Why are you here?
Where are you from?
When did you come here?

I was reviewing work that had been done by someone else today.
An application.
It is the habit of this particular person to rank people in her esteem according to her opinion of their worth, and typically, old rich white men (and occasionally old rich white women) are worthy to be revered in her lofty perspective. It is seldom that anyone else rises above that sharp angle at the edge of the nose that she looks down.

I see it as a serious injustice and a shortcoming of her personality. I have my own shortcomings; I don't say anything. Often.

Today, however... it bothered me enough to blog about it.
I must vent, I beg your indulgence.

In reviewing the application, I saw that she'd noted the man's occupation neatly and put him first as she always does. Fine. It could be done the other way but I think this hasn't occurred to her. Fine.
I then discovered that she had entered the ladies occupation as HWF.

*****STEAM*****

THAT is short for Housewife.

Deep sigh.

Perhaps she has not noticed that I have corrected ALL of her previous entries of housewife to those of HOMEMAKER. Yes, I am politically correct in this ilk.

We are not in the 50's.

I think at the very least, a modicum of dignity and respect ought to be afforded to those women who choose not to enter the workforce; those who have the daunting task of running a household in the new millennium, something which is no small task and which- if it were a paid position- would net the woman OR MAN (note Homemaker is not gender specified) about six figures a year, currently.

It is without a shred of doubt, a position that commands respect and dignity.

The women who fought and died for equality and recognition at the turn of the last century, did not do so with the vision that women in the coming century could have the freedom to be indifferent to their sacrifices!!!



I cringe and shudder at the thought.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Sojourner Truth would be infuriated, not incensed, at the complacency of some women today.
We are the granddaughters of warriors of justice, integrity, dignity and HONOR.
We are absolutely NOT of a lesser value or worth than our male counterparts.

I certainly hope that each person who reads this remembers what was sacrificed willingly by our foremothers... so that WE could be granted the equality that should never have been a question.

God Bless the Homemakers.

Scarlett & Viaggiatore