Fav. Foto Friday
May 30th, 2008The girls and I had a great time in DC last weekend,
visiting my cousin and his family.
visiting my cousin and his family.
Rhetorical Question – Memorial Day Edition
May 27th, 2008What lengths would YOU go to
to retrieve a 35¢ balsa airplane off your sister’s roof?
to retrieve a 35¢ balsa airplane off your sister’s roof?
And how LONG would you spend contemplating it?
Inspiration for the Week
May 26th, 2008“Well, I listen to the wind come howl,
telling me I have to hurry
I listen to the robin’s song saying not to worry
telling me I have to hurry
I listen to the robin’s song saying not to worry
So on and on I go, the seconds tick the time out
There’s so much left to know,
and I’m on the road to find out.”
Cat Stevens (a.k.a. Yusuf Islam)
Fav. Foto Friday
May 23rd, 2008When your 4 year old comes to you and says, “Mama, I want to make a dress for myself out of paper,” here’s what you do:
(1) suppress your desire to respond, “Honey, I don’t think paper is going to be able to make a dress. Is there something else you’d like to make?” [and trust me, it took all my strength to fight back those words, being the practical person I was/am]
(2) stand back and marvel at the incredible creativity that can be released from a child with the desire, encouragement and raw materials supportive of that creativity.
Happy Anniversary to Us!
May 20th, 2008WOW! Thirteen years… seems like forever ago AND just yesterday.
Inspiration for the Week
May 19th, 2008(Congratulations David!)
“One must have a large dose of humanity, a large dose of a sense of justice and truth in order to avoid dogmatic extremes, cold scholasticism, or an isolation from the masses. We must strive every day so that this love of living humanity is transformed into actual deeds, into acts that serve as examples, as a moving force.”
* Che Guevara, 1965
* Che Guevara, 1965
“Che’s life is an inspiration for every human being who loves freedom. We will always honor his memory.” Nelson Mandela
Fav. Foto Friday
May 16th, 2008
This is the first page of a scrapbook I began recently. I took part in a workshop that guided me through a reflection on my beliefs about life. It was a wonderful experience – I pondered things I’d long ago taken for granted. So know I have a guidebook, should anyone ever want to take a quick tour through my head and heart.
"Getting to Knoooow You.." (you MUST sing it)
May 15th, 2008So I stole this great “meme” idea from foolery – here goes…
What is your name?
Favorite foods:
Relationship status:
Celebrity crushes:
[oh wait… I was supposed to stop at three, wasn’t I? 🙂 ]
Favorite TV shows:
Musical performers you like:
What you had for breakfast:
Something you are wearing:
Favorite colors:
Favorite electronic items:
Something fun you did in the last 3 months:
How do you feel right now?
Kitchen Math
May 14th, 2008In a large pan, sauté 1 chopped onion in some oil, add 4 chicken thighs (or 3 breasts) cut into chunks, and throw in some salt and pepper for fun.
When chicken is just shy of cooked through, add the sauce – our favorite:
but they have a variety, and we also like Korma and Rogan Josh.
When chicken is just shy of cooked through, add the sauce – our favorite:
but they have a variety, and we also like Korma and Rogan Josh.
Serve over rice (long grain basmati from a burlap bag is the best – must have something to do with the burlap):
Don’t forget the yogurt on the side, and ENJOY!!
Of course, if you’re a vegetarian, have your mom pick out the chicken chunks before she serves it to you, even though you wish she’d find a way to make you some without the chicken juice!
Women’s Prayers for Peace
May 13th, 2008Given the proximity of Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, I’ve been reflecting lately [see quotes below] on what one mom (this mom) might be able to actually DO to further the cause of peace. I’ve decided that, for now, I’ll encourage the women I know to join me in an exercise of positive intentions. I invite YOU to join me in honoring all those who have served and sacrificed for their country (ALL countries — but here are the stats on some of America’s fallen; this doesn’t include the current war, which can be found here and Iraqi casualties are currently over 50,000), by praying for peace.
For the next 5 Tuesdays (May 20 thru June 17), let’s take a few moments in the beginning of our day to remember/pray/meditate/reflect on peace. I’ll be inviting friends to join me at my home at 8:00am Tuesdays, and though you may not be able to be here physically, you are certainly welcome to join us spiritually. Soon I’ll post a link to a lovely collection of interfaith prayers I’ve accumulated on peace, in case you’re looking for something appropriate to use. If you have a favorite quote or prayer about peace, I’d LOVE it if you’d share it with me.
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“Therefore, strive to show in the human world that women are most capable and efficient, that their hearts are more tender and susceptible than the hearts of men, that they are more philanthropic and responsive toward the needy and suffering, that they are inflexibly opposed to war and are lovers of peace. Strive that the ideal of international peace may become realized through the efforts of womankind, for man is more inclined to war than woman, and a real evidence of woman’s superiority will be her service and efficiency in the establishment of universal peace.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 284
“Today there is no greater glory for man than that of service in the cause of the “Most Great Peace.” Peace is light whereas war is darkness. Peace is life; war is death. Peace is guidance; war is error. Peace is the foundation of God; war is satanic institution. Peace is the illumination of the world of humanity; war is the destroyer of human foundations. When we consider outcomes in the world of existence we find that peace and fellowship are factors of upbuilding and betterment whereas war and strife are the causes of destruction and disintegration. All created things are expressions of the affinity and cohesion of elementary substances, and non-existence is the absence of their attraction and agreement. Various elements unite harmoniously in composition but when these elements become discordant, repelling each other, decomposition and non-existence result. Everything partakes of this nature and is subject to this principle, for the creative foundation in all its degrees and kingdoms is an expression or outcome of love. Consider the restlessness and agitation of the human world today because of war. Peace is health and construction; war is disease and dissolution. When the banner of truth is raised, peace becomes the cause of the welfare and advancement of the human world. In all cycles and ages war has been a factor of derangement and discomfort whereas peace and brotherhood have brought security and consideration of human interests.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
“Briefly, I have traveled this long distance, crossed the Atlantic Ocean to this western continent in the desire and hope that the strongest bond of unity may be established between America and Persia. I know this to be your wish and purpose also and am sure of your cooperation. We shall, therefore, offer supplication in the divine threshold that a great love may take possession of the hearts of men and unite the nations of the world. We will pray that the ensign of international peace may be uplifted and that the oneness of the world of humanity may be realized and accomplished. All this is made possible and practicable through your efforts. May this American democracy be the first nation to establish the foundation of international agreement. May it be the first nation to proclaim the universality of mankind. May it be the first to upraise the standard of the Most Great Peace, and through this nation of democracy may these philanthropic intentions and institutions be spread throughout the world. Truly, this is a great and revered nation. Here liberty has reached its highest degree. The intentions of its people are most praiseworthy. They are, indeed, worthy of being the first to build the Tabernacle of the Most Great Peace and proclaim the oneness of mankind. I will supplicate God for assistance and confirmation in your behalf.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 1912