Sunday 06.28.15

Hoping you are having a relaxing Sunday with your family and friends.  I am spending the day with my sweet daughter - getting a pedicure together and going to our favorite outlet mall.  In two weeks she will be starting a new chapter in her life in Virginia!!  I am so very happy for her and thankful for the blessing of her in my life..

Some interesting links I like:

How to control your skin naturally

Calm your nerves instantly

Create a moody, cozy interior

How to travel on a budget

Sunday 06.21.15

Today is Father’s Day, the day proclaimed to honor the men in our lives.  I am a firm believer that we should honor one another daily, for the spiritual, emotional and physical influential roles that key male figures have played in our lives.

I am thankful for my father, grandfathers, brother, uncles, nephews, cousins, husbands and male friends that have had a direct or indirect affect upon my spiritual and core values.  They have all helped to set my life compass.  While we may not have always seen things in the same light, I was aware of an abiding love for my individuality, even though they found that frustrating at times.  I’ve never been afraid to stand for what I believed.

Because of the men in my life, I have a deep faith that has sustained me on this journey.  I know the value of helping others and how it is returned three fold.  I have a strong work ethic and take pride in my accomplishments.  I give myself permission to make mistakes and know it is not the worst that could happen.  I know how to laugh and enjoy playful times.  I hope you take pause today to reflect on the male influences in your life, whether positive or negative, it still has an affect upon you and influencing your authentic self. 

                         Happy Father’s Day to all of the men that have wondered into my life!!!

 

Sunday 06.14.15

Today is Flag Day - a day to observe and display our national flag. Below are some interesting web sites containing history surrounding the "Grand Old Flag":


Flag Timeline

National Flag Day Organization

Flag Day Quotes

Flag Day Activities

Flag Day Food Ideas

Unhappy Flag Day


Enjoy your Sunday with your family and friends, while proudly displaying the flag of the USA!

Aging and The Mind

I recently watched the movie Still Alice with my beautiful young adult daughter.  The movie is based on a novel by Lisa Genova. The main character Alice Howland, is happily married with three grown children and a renowned linguistics professor who starts to forget words. When she receives a diagnosis of Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease, Alice and her family find their bonds thoroughly tested. Her struggle to stay connected to who she once was is frightening, heartbreaking, and inspiring.

Being in the third stage of my own life journey and having parents in their mid-eighties, this movie resonated with me.  This woman had a life style that would seem to ward off the disease - exercise, diet, mind games and challenging work.  What she couldn't prevent was genetics, which unfortunately neither could her children.

In the aging process people face developmental challenges with emotional consequences such as retirement, loss of status, reduced physical and mental abilities, loss of family and friends, and the inevitability of death.  It is important to recognize and discuss these challenge with family and friends so that proper diagnosis and medical treatment is received.  Otherwise depression, anxiety, diabetes and heart disease can complicate the mental challenges.

As older adults we need to be advocates for our health and well being and not ignore the signs of impending symptoms.  Often times a word or person's name cannot be immediately recalled due to fatigue and dehydration, however when this happens more frequently, it might be time to take more aggressive action.

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14

Sunday 06.07.15

I enjoy reading during the summer for both pleasure and knowledge.  So whether you are on the beach, poolside, lake, hammock, patio either soaking up rays or dodging storm clouds, below are some great summer reads:

The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself by Michael A. Singer, involves the reader in a liberating process from life's drama to soar beyond your limitations and discover inner peace and serenity.

The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins, is an emotionally immersive Hitchcockian thriller about a female riding the same morning commuter train every day who becomes entwined in the lives of a couple she sees daily and witnesses something shocking.

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey, a compilation of Oprah's column of the past fourteen years based upon a question to her by Gene Siskel that caused her to take stock of her life.

Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 Into A Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran, best advice for anyone starting a business that provides unconventional lessons learned from Barbara's homemaker mom that inspired her to gradually create a $6M company.

The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon, an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment - at work and at home.

Pilgrims by Elizabeth Gilbert, short stories that explore the revelations of diverse and memorable characters, each pursuing a singular American pilgrimage.

Enjoy a restful and relaxing Sunday!

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Onion Revealed

Onions may make you cry, but their flavor is enjoyed by people around the world.  Below is the pick of the crop:

Yellow - also called globe or cooking onion are the most common.  Ideal for soups, stews, sauces and caramelizing.

Spanish - milder than the yellow and can be eaten raw in salads and sandwiches.

Red - have a cleaner, sweeter flavor and are delicious in salads and on the grill.

White - mild flavored yet become stronger the longer stored, great in Mexican dishes.

Sweet - large specialty onion with names like Vidalia, Walla Walla and Maui.  Only available for a few weeks in spring and summer and don't keep well.

Green - also known as scallions, have tender white bulb and green tops and can be eaten raw or used in dishes for garnish.

Pearl - sweet, mild flavor available in white, red or gold best when creamed or pickled.

Shallots - mild onion that when peeled separates into cloves like garlic and the smaller the milder the taste, used in sauces or custards.