Thursday, July 31, 2014

Day 29-30-Cousin Fest/ RV Park


(Please see Day 1, "Why this Blog" if this is your first visit)
Accept yourself and the  uniqueness in others.
My  blog inspiration, Everything I Need to Know I Learned from a Little Golden Book and Maslow's theory, both apply to “Cousin Fest”.  Golden Books reminds us to “break bread together.” In Maslow’s theory obtaining social needs or a  sense of belonging, is 3rd from the top of his ascending pyramid to reach  self - actualization.

HOW MANY COUSINS FIT IN RV?

Answer=9cousins


Therefore, when  my cousins from Eastern Pennsylvania (see Day 12) decided to pay me a visit with their RV and requested driveway space and an electrical outlet, I took no offense in serving as their RV park. I thought it would be a great opportunity for a new experience. I decided, 1) to serve as an RV park and  2) to unite and reunite, the cousins from the east with the ones from the west  and to have a  pot luck dinner, hereinafter "cousin fest. "

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Day 28-Support a Friend, a Cause- Alzheimers

Tuesday July 29th Blog

(Please see Day 1 "Why this Blog" if this is your first visit)

Support  a new cause when you can.
My friend who is on the board for the Alzheimers's Association,  invited me to a breakfast to rally support for the walk on October 11, 2014. Here is the kicker, the breakfast was at 7am at PNC Hall of Fame Club. Thus, I started this day very early but for a good cause and more importantly, to support my friend.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Day 27-Enjoy The Ride


(Please see Day 1 "Why this Blog" if this is your first visit)

Giving up the car wheel on a trip and being the passenger while your child drives was this challenge. I have driven the entire duration on two trips this summer.  I am not sure what happens when you child turns 18 that makes them the driving expert. Their one year experience or less, makes them think that they are ready to start their own driving school. Can I get a witness here!
My son often quotes state driving  rules and  points out that I am not in compliance.  I guess it’s so fresh in their  mind because they JUST TOOK THE TEST! So this time I said, “if you can do it better you drive.”

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Day 24, 25, 26 Lake Person Now-Deep Creek


The simplest  things can bring joy and contentment.
Please see Day 1 if this is your first Blog visit
[I have not relinquished on my mission to do a daily blog this summer but three (3)days post in one blog is due to the lack internet access at the lake]
I have always been a beach person. In fact, the beach  has been a yearly thing with me but this is a new  journey and   Little Golden Books reminds us to, “try new things.” Thus, I accepted an invitation to try a lake escape weekend.  
Reflection  

Taj Mahal where we stayed
When I arrived I had no idea that I was going to the Taj Mahal of lake properties, with a spiral staircase, private dock, landscape better than a 5 star hotel, and a bedroom the size of my living room -not to mention the bath. Even so, the best part was just the simple things that we did and the exploration of new friendships.  
I was also trying to squeeze in some time and make some memories with my son before my nest is really empty. I thought, “what am I going to do at the lake to make it memorable.”  I remembered one the lines from my Cyrano de Bergerac friend, “It can be exhausting just trying to make it all great for your kids and keep them happy.”  

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Day 23 Belly Dance Basics


(Please see Day 1 if this is your first visit to this blog)
I  had this  Belly Dance book and tape since Borders was in business! I never had time or the nerve to open it, so for this challenge  yesterday and today,  I cracked open the book and explored  belly dancing. 


Yesterday we all laughed (Day 22) as we tried to do the moves in the book. I have done that  Zumba thing at the gym, love to dance, and took ballet all through college, so it was doable when I did  one move at a time.  However, when the music started, I forgot all the moves and ended up just moving my arms around and doing the shimmy. I am sure I would have been kicked out of  the harem.   

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Day 22-Just Hang Out

(Please see Day 1 if this is your first blog visit)

There is a peace when you are comfortable to just hang out with someone.
Little Golden Books  reminds us to sometimes “just hang out”.  Likewise, in  Maslow's theory,  having  a deep appreciation of basic life-experience is a characteristic of a  self -actualized person (Maslow-Simple Psychology). So today, again I turned off my hyper speed, and my son and I both hung out with our friends.   
This was a special moment because my girlfriend’s only son, just seven months ago, cracked  his skull in a severe car accident  and there was a time when we were not sure that he would ever get out of the  hospital bed. In addition, 13 years ago his mother, my girlfriend, was in a severe car accident and in a coma for several months. Therefore, being able today to just hang out with our friends was a deeply appreciated  event; and a reminder to never lose  hope,  to keep loving and to   value our friendships. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Day 21-Exercise Tailor Made


(Please see Day 1 if this is your first blog visit)

Little Golden Books recommends that we “get some exercise every day.” Maslow's Self Actualization  includes achieving  aesthetic needs or  the appreciation and search for beauty and balance which  is part of reaching ones full potential.

I always exercised but never had a personal routine. My friend decided that for this challenge, I should  have my own  exercise routine, professing that  8(eight)  little exercises  will give a full body work out in  20 minutes and that if I do them 3 times a week for a month, I will be on my way to looking like Carman Electra.  He said, do this “workout like it’s your books for a class, ”  another words- take it seriously.

Monday, July 21, 2014

Day 20-Paradoxical Shopping Spree




(Please read Day 1 if this is your first visit to the blog.)
Today I am not really empty nesting because my child will be here tonight! However my new challenge today was shopping for college dorm stuff.  
Reflection
Who does not like to shop. You get that temporary “high” buying new stuff and it’s so fun just to keep putting stuff in the cart. I have a good reason to go on a spree, “my child needs that for school.”  
Then you start thinking, “my child needs that for school;  he will be 6 hours way;  he is going to school; he will be 6 hours away.”  You then look over the list on line, or your neighbor or friends ask "Did you get ...."  Hundreds of dollars later you realize that you still need a bunch more stuff! 
Oh well, I still like to shop.  
Anyone have a good list?
Spiritual Reflection
Bring your (your children) up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4)
We send  our children out into the world with knowledge and training in the teachings of the Lord. Now we hope they use the background as they make their own way.
Other Sources
 



 
 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Day 19 Vintage Grand Prix



Day 19-Vintage Grand Prix
(Please see Day1   if this is your first blog visit)

To assist in my journey of new adventures, a friend invited me to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. I never went in the past because I thought loud cars going in circles, like on TV Nascar, just seem too boring and might spark my motion sickness tendency.  However, Little Golden Book commends “stay curious”  …so off I went.

Reflection
This was so much more than cars going in circles.  This  was also not a “haute-taute” event ( if so, I would have hated it) but a way to view really interesting looking cars, not too fast or too loud (top 60mph) ,and the Schenley Park course was interesting.   You could view different vantages all over the park and get there by shuttle. Plus this event is free, has been going on for 32 years, and has raised 3.5 million dollars for the Autism Society. That is a good enough reason to go and no wonder it was so well organized. 

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Day 18-Can't do Nothing -So Swing?


(Please see Day 1  (Why This Blog)  if this is your first blog visit)

I guess that I  have to work on  that “do nothing thing” in Day 17 because at 9pm yesterday,  I decided to go swing dancing at the James Street Tavern. The Little Golden Book says “dress up and go dancing…any kind of dancing.”              
Reflection
One thing about dancing is that no one seems to be sad when they’re dancing. Everyone here had a simile on their face even if they were just learning. I watched the dancers  to see if I could pick up the steps again. My mother taught me  the jitter bug as a teenager.  After watching, I felt  like Gene Kelly and wanted to yell "Gotta Dance, Gotta Dance". I picked out the young Gene Kelly  of the group and I was off! The great thing was that everyone danced with everyone –they just wanted to dance.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Day 17-Nothing

My Hammock

Day 17- Nothing

Little Golden Books instructs, “take a mental health day”.  Maslow encourages meditation and reflection to reach your potential. So today I really did “nothing.”


Reflection
I am usually going at hyper speed and keep going and going like the  Energized Battery Bunny, therefore it’s a challenge to take that  “nothing” day. I had a relaxing pedicure with my son’s girlfriend and found the hammock  in the backyard.  Does blogging count as something?  This is my 17th day so I suggest this for the tool box- take a rest day.

Spiritual Reflection
For all who enter into God’s rest will find rest from their labors,  just as God rested after creating the world (Hebrews 4:11)

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

 

 

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Day 16 Croquet, Food and Champagne


(Please see Day 1 if this is your first blog visit)
In my new challenge quest, I discovered that  The Frick Art and Historical Center had a specal  croquet event today –how perfect!  So off I went to an evening of croquet on the Frick lawn. 
Reflection
When I think of croquet the scene from  Alice and Wonderland pops into my head but there was no screaming Queen of Hearts in my group and everyone kept their head. To avoid being totally inept before I went, I viewed a “how too” U-tube video. However it did not help because I still came in second to the last.
 I often thought of croquet as a cross between golf and putt-putt. Croquet was harder that it looked but luckly for me, my group was not taking the game to seriously. They even let me make up a new rule-  “if your ball  hits  the wicket you get another try.” I am sure that this rule would have prompted the US Croquet Association to yell- off with her head.  
        It was a perfect cool evening  and the sky was a brilliant blue.  With the Frick mansion in the background, I felt like a “somebody” holding a glass of champagne and playing croquet. The event put perfect strangers together  just to have fun and  when you think about it, everyone  is a somebody.  It was everyone’s  inviting and lighthearted attitude that made it a perfect evening. 

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Day 15-Change the Music-Jazz


Day 15-Change the Music-Jazz

(Please see Day 1 if this is your first visit)
Little Golden Books recommends that you “make music a part of your life.” Music has always been a part of my life and  long  long  ago I even played the saxophone but  for many years  it seems like I was listening to live 50’s or classic rock music (due to other’s preferences ).  Since this is my new journey it is time to “change up” the music.
Reflection
My real passion had been listening to  jazz. My CD collection is practically  all  jazz, so this challenge was to find some live jazz. I also challenge you to  “change- up” your music.  
I was surprised that I found a place that had live great jazz during the week. I ended up in dimly lit basement room with great acoustics James Street Gastropub and Speakeasy. My head started to bob as I was  lost in the free flowing base rhythm and scat of the saxophone (my favorite instrument).  There was a terrific  women saxophone player and since it was an “open mike” night, a lot of seasoned musicians were changing places.  It  is time to get the CDs out (or download on pandora ) again and listen to some of  my Michael Breker, Grover Washington, Ella Fizgerald , Miles Davis , and Michael Franks. (This blog is interactive. Click on  name to listen and enjoy.)
I really forgot how much I loved this music! Right now I am listening to my all time favoret song -Doctor Sax. I have to take a  break and dance in my living room now!  

I say to you go and "get you some jazz" or just change it up! This is a keeper in my new box.
Spiritual Reflections

Then Moses and the people of Isreal sang this song to the Lord.. (Exodus 15:1)

Music is a celebration and  way to praise!

Other Sources
Music
Dr. Sax -Michael Franks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-H2JrE1mmM and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4rs-FwO48Y








 








 

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Day 14, Absorb Art-Degas

Degas

Day 14, Absorb Art -Edgar Degas
(Please see Day 1 if this is your first visit)

On Day 7, tattoo day, I was headed to the Frick Art Museum in Pittsburgh when it was thwarted by the “Monday hiatus of museums.” Therefore today I tried  it again.  I love the art of the  impressionist area and so I wanted to experience the  lecture that the museum offered on Degas, the artist known for his paintings of ballerinas, horse, and bathing women. I have never taken the time to go to a lecture as a preview  to viewing  the art. This was my  challenge today.  

Monday, July 14, 2014

Day 13, Kayak and look up


Day 10, Challenge-Kayak  and look  up
(Please see Day 1 if this is your first visit)

Little Golden Books recommend  that we “exercise and take the time to look up.” Today’s challenge is a peaceful kayak day. I have kayaked before but my experiences have been in rough water.  When ocean kayaking in the past  I had high hopes of seeing all kinds of fish. However,  I did not see flipper, turned green from the waves, and I had to leave the group to find relief on the sand.  I also have kayaked several times in the river which is great until you go against the current, then you feel like  your  in one of those TV commercials for a home swim spa. So this time I am going to something new-  kayaking in a  local lake.

*Blogging integrity requires that I reveal that I went a  few days ago.  

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Day 12, Keep in Touch


Day 12 Challenge -Keep in touch
(Please see Day 1 if this is your first visit)

We often focus on our own lives but when we reach out to others the rewards can be great.

The Little Golden Book advises to “keep in touch” and Maslow places social needs or feelings of belonging, smack in the middle of his self-actualizing  pyramid. In the past, I was so busy in my nurturing role with my child and with my relationship, that I did not always  “keep in touch” with non-immediate family- except for sending the yearly Christmas card.  

With the help of technology (email, smart phones, and blogging), we can connect somewhat easier. However, it's still  a challenge to make a call, write a letter and/or plan a visit. Sometimes before a visit is comfortable you still need the initial steps of keeping in touch.

This  road trip weekend started out as a visit between my mother and her 91 year old sister who several years ago moved into a nursing home across the state. The weekend ended up blooming into connections with my cousin (my aunt’s son and daughter) their three children and spouses, and two new family additions (my aunt’s great grandchildren).   

Saturday, July 12, 2014

Day 11 Volt or Tesla


(Please see  Day 1  -"Why this blog" if this is your first time visit )

In my effort to explore new experiences, today I drove an electric car.  It seems like an altruistic move  to go electric and save the environment, even if I am on the fence on the existence of global warming. I also explored the king of electric cars -the Tesla.
Reflection

Both seemed futuristic to me, and after pushing a button to start, the dashboards light up like a rocket ship. What was most striking about my Volt drive was that it was such a peaceful ride. There was  no engine sound and  the stereo  music sounded fantastic with no background sound interference.  It was like being in a sound proof booth with music. The cars are really quiet and have no gears for acceleration noise. The ride is really conducive to daydreaming.
Volt                                                                                       Tesla

Little Golden Books recommend that we “Day dream” and I could see riding this car on a beautiful day like today  with puffy white clouds listening to my music.

Sources
 About Testla at http://www.teslamotors.com/




 


Friday, July 11, 2014

Day 10 Brewery and Ice cream












Please see Day 1-"Why this" blog if this is your first visit)

This short but “sweet” challenge is the result of my fatigue  from a  long car drive  to Philly area.
Ice-cream  made by a beer company?  This introduction  was made by my cousins from Eastern Pennsylvania.  What better way to follow the Little Golden Books  prompt to  “Treat yourself” than with ice cream and of course ice cream is a basic food group to me and food is a basic need on Maslow’s scale.  

The beer company, Yuengling,  made ice cream during the prohibition and they just started to do it again.  I have to clearify that the Yuengling brewery is run by Dick Yuengling and his daughters, Jennifer and Wendy, and the ice cream business is run by David Yungling. How about that, they are second cousins. 

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Day 9, Goat Soap


(Please see Day 1- "Why this blog" if this is your first visit)
Day 9 Challenge Goat Soap
I have heard of goat cheese and goat milk but never goat soap.  Another nice fair lady talked me into this one because she was so excited about her goats and her new business. The Little Golden Books direct you to “treat yourself.”  Therefore, I splurged and bought a bar of goat soap for $4.50. My rational was that maybe it will result in  a beautiful ivory facial glow like hers but maybe she was radiant because she was talking so fondly about her eight (8) pet goats. 

I thought goats were stupid and could eat you out of "house and home.” She said that her husband told her that if she was going to keep the pets that she had to find something to do with them so she started a business.  In Pittsburgh, a nonprofit group even bought goats to clear up a hill side.  This  sweet  lady also excitedly  calmed that when she called  “here goats” they came running  but that her dogs did not.  Maybe what I need is a goat!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Day 8, Take a new kind of ride-The Van Ride


 Don’t be afraid to be out in public when you’re  not looking “your best” -it’s a sign that you are strengthening  your  self -confidence.

(Please see Day 1 -Why This Blog if this is your first time visit)
Day 8, Challenge The Van Ride

When Little Golden Books suggested that you take a “joy ride” I don’t think the author  meant in a jalopy like my cousin’s 35 year old van with shaggy fake fur inside. This was  my first ride in a  vehicle  that looked like it belonged in a 60’s sit com or was owned by Cheech and Chong( I assure you no smoke  was coming out the doors). 
Reflection
This day’s challenge assisted in strengthening  my self- confidence. I say that it assisted because I opted -out of picking up something at work that I really needed in fear that a co-worker would  spot me riding in this banged up, two toned, rusted, fur lined van.  Maslow would be proud that I was working on mastering  self-esteem which is the fourth level in his hierarchy of basic needs. According to Maslow, prestige or what others think of you should be less important than what you think of your- self (Simple Psychology). 

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Day 7, Museum day jinxed -so tattoo?

(Please see  Day 1-Why This Blog if this is your first time visit)
Art can be found where you least expect it. 
Day 7, Tattoo Parlor

LIttle Golden Books dares  one to  “express yourself and to try a new look.” A tatoo for me is trying something extreemly new and not keeping on the same path, which is the behavior Maslow says leads to Self- Actualization.
 The origin of Art is self - expression. Monday, I had my heart set on seeing a new art exhibit  but one(1)   block from my destination, it hit me like a brick, ALL MUSEUMS ARE CLOSED ON MONDAYS. Now what?  So as I aimlessly walked around the neighborhood of the museum, I saw a Tattoo establishment and  I thought,  “Tattooers” are called artist and to get a tattoo would be a momentous new look for me, therefore I ventured in.  (You might be wondering, did she do it? You will have to read on to find out.)

Monday, July 7, 2014

Day 6, Growing an Air Plant

(Please see  Day 1 -"Why This Blog" if  this is your first time visit)
Day 6, Tropical Air Plant
This summer, the weather  around here (in Pittsburgh )  has been  like the tropics: torrential rain for two( 2) minutes  then beach like sun and/or sun with rainbow inducing mist. So why not try to grow a tropical air plant or a Tillanssia. Now this is something really new to me because I never saw or heard of a plant not needing dirt.  The testimonial of the nice lady at the fair  was  that they grow anywhere and that they are easy to grow.  I thought what can I lose for $3.00,  since I have killed many ,or should I say most, plants brought in to my humble abode. Maybe an air plant is the answer!
So in the challenge today  I am going to take The Little Golden Book advice  to “stop and smell the strawberries” by looking at nature and by  trying  something really new and not keeping  on the same path, which is the behavior Maslow says leads to  Self- Actualization.
Reflection
The  little green thing below is my new air plant

Could an air plant need me as much as child-of course not? Could it look at me with cute little animal eyes- of course not?  For some reason, and don’t ask me why, I am excited about nurturing this little plant.  Maybe it’s just the plants  daily need for my spray bottle-you have to  spray them every day.   
This made me think about the pet rock that I had in the 70's/80's. Can you believe that we bought rocks!  My son looked at me as if I was an alien when I told him about my rock pet.  I guess it’s just a matter of perspective and we all need something to nurture. So little air plant you are going to be my little project  for the summer.
If this is a good thing or bad thing for my survival tool box only time will tell. If it blooms like the nice festival lady says that it would, then bingo! If it dies, I am not taking the blame like instructed in the attached disclaimer .
Spiritual Reflection
Think of ways to encourage one another to outburst of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage …(Hebrews 10:24-25).
You must crave pure spiritual milk so that you can grow into the fullness of your salvation. Cry out for this nourishment as a baby cries for milk now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness (1 Peter 2:2-3).
These  passages  direct a nurturing attitude toward one another. We are called to interact and serve  in a kind and  loving way, similar to how a mother cares for her child . By doing this,  we can help to cultivate  spiritual maturity in others and in ourselves. 
Other Source:
 Buy at Essencepottery.com


Simple Psychology Maslow Hierarchy of Needs  at  http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

 

 

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Day 5 Visit a War Memorial


(Please see Overview of why this blog on Day 1 if your first time visit)
Day 5, July 6, 2014
We learn about our future by looking into our  past I know someone said that first but I have no clue who. Maybe it was someone really profound like Thoreau or someone with a lot of good quotes like Mark Twain  but that  is one idea that surfaces when  you look at a war memorial.
Day 5, Visit a War Memorial
I never took the time to stop and read many of the war memorials that are so  often  scattered around parks or cities.   One of my empty nest journey guides pointed out that right in front of me, on my favorite bike path, were  three War Memorials the: Vietnam, Korean  and WWII. I explored  the last one today.

The Little Golden Books mind us to always “give thanks” ,and the acquisition of basic needs such as  food and shelter are essential before you can even think about  Maslow’s pinnacle of self improvement. If you’re hungry, you are only going to think about food and nothing else.  Therefore it is good  to give thanks for those who have sacrificed much so we can enjoy all that we have in our country and one small way to do that might be to take the time to look at the memorial(s). 
Reflection  WWII Memorial
Although reading a memorial can evoke sadness, it at the same time can be uplifting and inspiring. It’s like riding a teeter tauter when one reads about the events of a war.  During a war there seems to be many inspiring stories of how people “stepped up to the plate” to help others and at the same time  a“ war is a war” -it’s all about death.   This WW2  memorial breaths by telling  the  Pittsburgh connection to the war  which for me made it  impactful, alive and  so much more than just a bunch pretty stones. There was  a story about a surgeon and wife reunion, about two women who were the first to fly a military plane coast to coast, and how a local prototype Jeep was developed and that 2,675 of the them were made for the war.  
This is memorial is worth a visit. I hope I will remember to take a moment and not just pass bye the next war memorial that I see and take the time to give thanks and share the lessons of the past.
Spiritual reflection
From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Psalm 130:2-3. I am counting on the Lord; yes I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. Psalm130-5.
“I cry for help, but no one hears me. I protest but there is no Justice.”(Job 19:7). “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God (Job 19:25-26)
In war and in extreme hardship which are our “depths of despair”. Its  at these times we often do pray and we are called to have faith that God is in control. In these really dark times, there is comfort that God is with us and we realize that we can not bear it without him.
The hard part to understand is when our prayers do not seem to be answered or there seems to be extreme injustice like in a war.  I heard a sermon today, that suggested in those times God invites us to be with him . Also like Job, in the mist of extreme pain and suffering  and like Jesus, before the cross, both  focused on what they knew about God and not on “the why is this happening.” Often out of something bad comes something better.
Other Sources
Southwestern PA WW2 Memorial at http://www.swpawwii.org/

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Day 4, Bicycle Heaven

 


(see Day 1 for complete overview of- Why This Blog if this is your first visit)
Today when I road  my ride bike I was  constantly changing gears, especially when navigating  the hills and valleys of Pennsylvania. Life forces us to  keep switching  our gears to get up our hill(s) . 
Day challenge-Bike ride to Bicycle Heaven
Maslow and the Little Golden Books recommend that “we learn something new.” What a better place to do that than in a museum.  I am a museum buff and I have often frequented art and science museums but I have never heard of a bike museum and I did not know there was one in my hometown backyard!  A friend stepped up to the plate to assist in my daily new challenge quest to take me here.
Reflection
This was not  “Rock in Roll Heaven” but a real Bicycle Heaven!  When I walked in my eyes bulged out like a Looney Tune Cartoon! Everywhere, there were so many bikes with histories, themes, crazy values, and  just plain  really cool stuff on them. I know very little about bikes so to me it is just cool stuff . What  I do know about bikes, I learned from Mike and Frankie’s adventures on the TV show “American Pickers.” 

There is something so nostalgic about bikes especially when we  see a bike like the first one we had. I had the cool purple one with the white shinny banana seat and basket. This museum had plenty of bikes with banana seats.  I can remember when I first learned how to ride and there is something about the bonding experience if you learned with a parent. Likewise, I remember how excited I was when my son after careening back in forth finally, took off all on his own.  Maybe that is why this museum brought  a smile to my face.
 I think the best thing about this museum is taking others to the experience and seeing their surprise and their joy. (A line from one of my Cyrano De Bergerac(s) friends )
 
Spiritual Reflection  
As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you. But we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children.  1 Thessalonians 2:7
Even though we might want to correct or make demands  of others we are often called to act with  gentleness and kindness. Just a thought as I  go forward in teaching my child  new things on his life journey and in my interactions with  others. 
Other Sources:
Bicycle Museum of America at  http://www.bicyclemuseum.com/


 
 
 
 
 
 
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, July 4, 2014

Day 3, Flashback 4th July Cake

(Please see Day 1,Why this Blog if this is your first visit)

Day 3, (July 4, 2014)
Independence day today and our chick(s) are looking for their independence leaving our nest and our control
Day  Challenge-Make a 4th of July cake
The NY bestseller,  Everything I need to know I learned from a Little Golden Book   suggests that we “Learn to cook ….and be proud of your country”.  Likewise, in  Maslow’s , pyramid stages of development, before you can even think of reaching “actualization,” which is on the top of the triangle, you must master food and shelter, which is at the bottom. So today why not try to make  a patriot cake!
 This might seem easy for most of you  with some culinary skills but I, who spent most of my time in school, am not a cook or even close. I can do very little without a cookbook and I am not even close to a Rachel Ray or Wolfgang Puck .  So it must be fast and easy, and  look somewhat patriotic. Thinking back to my Golden Book days, I remember my mother making some kind of jello cake – a poke cake? In those days everything was made with jello and I remember that she had a book called,  Joys of Jello.
Reflection

This is not  a picture of my cake and I am not sure that mine will even look like this but I am aspiring to have it turn out like the picture. Take it from a person who had to read the directions on the jello box. Even then I messed  it up by putting the one cup of  hot water together with the cold  and thus  I was stirring what seemed like water with beach sand at the bottom.   

Making this cake seemed easy enough and it should be good tasting. I am sure that the “culinary actualized people” out there  are cringing but this my journey so I am going to keep it in my tool box. 
News flash update. Below is MY CAKE!!!  

Spiritual Reflection
Like an eagle  that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spreads his wings to take care of them and carried them aloft on his pinions. The Lord alone guided them.. Deuteronomy 32:11-13.
Great biblical imagery used here and it makes me reflect that as a  parent we care for our child and likewise how strong the Lord cares for us and our child.
Other Source:
Forgot how much you can do with jello.  http://www.joyofjello.com/?cat=4