Stille Nacht in Oberndorf, Austria (Christmas Wish Fulfilled)

                                          Stille-Nacht -Kapelle, Oberndorf bei Salzburg
                           

2019 is over and I'm so joyful that my two Christmas wishes were fulfilled in December. Although I didn't make it to Austria for Christmas as I had hoped, I was able to bring a bit of Austria to where I live in the U.S.A.

In the town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, United States is the exact replica of the famous "Stille Nacht" chapel located in Obendorf bei Salzburg in beautiful AUSTRIA. I was able to spend a half hour in that chapel in Frankenmuth, praying, and thanking the LORD for my blessings as I listened to the famous Christmas carol being sung in several languages in mid December. A week later on Christmas Eve I sat at the piano and sang "Stille Nacht" next to the glowing Christmas tree with European ornaments to my mother who has Alzheimers.

It was Christmas Eve, 1818, in Obendorf when the carol was first performed as "Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht." Joseph Mohr, a young priest who wrote the lyrics and played the guitar, sang along with Franz Xavier Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody. A calm village, in December 1818 where a simple carol was created and sung and now over 200 years later it's sung throughout the world in over 140 languages. That in itself is a Christmas miracle.

December 2019 for me was filled with precious moments indeed for it revolved around my love for the country of AUSTRIA where I got to live and work for two summers. I will return again to AUSTRIA but for now I'm grateful that I was blessed to have my mother for yet another CHRISTMAS and that I was able to sing to her my favorite Christmas carol, "STILLE NACHT."

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎄🎄

"Faith is believing in things when common sense tell you not to"

"With GOD all things are possible"

Walking, step by step...a positive way to improve health and brighten your moments!

I miss living in an environment where I can bicycle, walk, or take public transportation. Not that I can't do those things where I currently live, I can but it's a lot more challenging in the winter months when there's no walkway and the conditions are icy, snowy, and cold.

We're in the shortest days of the year in North America and any sunlight is truly appreciated. This morning after taking care of 25 children for "Mother's in Christ" at the local church, I walked on a highway with no sidewalks to get some groceries. Let me tell you, when I first began walking I thought it would be easy but as each step turned into another step it became challenging. There were ice patches all over and I had to do most of my walking on snowbanks.

When I finally made it to the supermarket I was thrilled. I took my time shopping and than I had to return back home in the same conditions but now it was getting colder and the traffic was getting heavier. It was a miracle I made it home without sliding and falling down with all my groceries.

To reward myself with some comfort food, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato slices after returning home feeling cold, wet, and hungry. We can't always be dependent on our vehicles or public transpiration to get us around. Sometimes we have to use our legs to get around. Walking really is one of the best exercises for human beings and we should walk as often as we can.
Start your new years resolution early and make walking a part of your daily routine.

                                 My long walk today was to get some groceries, pictured above!

Benefits of Walking:

1) Boosts mental health
2) Weight Loss
3) Reduced risk of chronic disease
4) Improves Digestion
5) Improves Cardiovascular Health
6) Increased Lung Health

Where do people walk the most?

1) Hong Kong. 6,880 steps per day
2) China, 6,189 steps per day
3) Russia, 5,969 steps per day
4) South Korea, 5,775 steps per day
5) U.K. 5,444 steps per day
6) Italy 5,296 steps per day
7) Hungary, 5,258 steps per day

A "To-Do List" just like Santa Claus at Christmas

This time of year SANTA CLAUS certainly has a long list of things to do and having a "to-do" list is a very good idea because CHRISTMAS is a busy time of year.

Today, I had a list of things to do and I've only checked a few off my list but thankfully the day isn't over yet. When you find yourself overwhelmed with things you have to do just write a to-list. It's amazing how good it feels to cross off the things that you did accomplish on the list.

1)  ballet class
2)  cross country skiing                                                                                    
3)  pay the bills that are due
4)  sort out paperwork
5)  clean and tidy
6)  choir practice
7)  work on my play and short stories
8)  a few minutes playing my ukulele                                    
9)  study Dutch, French, and German on "Duolingo"
10) cook dinner
11) do laundry
12) make chocolate truffles
13) bake cookies
14) call some friends



The list goes on.....and eventually it gets smaller. As human beings we have pretty jam packed days whether we're 12, 85, or somewhere in between. Whatever we get done in our 86,400 seconds/24 hour day is fine. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it all done. Just make a to-do list and check off the things you were able to accomplish.

Poor Woman's Crepes in A Hurry!

Poor Woman's Crepes













Came home after work yesterday and wanted to make something simple. Crepes entered my mind but I had no eggs or milk. Amazing what you can do with a traditional recipe when you have to alter the ingredients. My creation is "poor woman's crepes" which in my opinion is just as good if not better.

Can't always get to the store to buy things and it's one way of saving money and compromising.The result yesterday evening and this morning were poor woman's crepes.A friend of mine owns an apple orchard and a couple of months ago she invited me to pick some apples off the trees. It was a blessing to have some left because an apple was what glorified my crepes. An apple a day keeps the doctor away and one of those apples went into my crepes.

So, if one day you find yourself hungry and having to create a dish in a hurry with whatever's left in your cupboard or fridge, create your own recipe and delight your taste buds. We need moments to eat and it's amazing what we can come up with when we use our own imagination.

Adrianna's Poor Woman's Crepes

1 cup of flour
1 cup of water
1 apple sliced into small pieces
1-2 tablespoons of butter
cinnamon spice

In a bowl combine the flour and water to make a batter. The batter should not be lumpy. If it is add more water, if it's too watery add more flour. Once the flour and water are mixed put a 1/4 cup of small cut pieces of apple into the batter.

Heat a skilled with 1-2 tablespoons of butter. When the skillet is warm enough pour the batteronto it and cook the crepe on both sides. When the crepe is cooked on both sides flip it onto a plate.

Roll it up and sprinkle some cinnamon spice on top and enjoy!

If you want to make your crepe richer in taste, there are other options to glorify it; fruit preserves,lemon and powdered sugar, and Nutella hazelnut spread are excellent fillings for a crepe. 

You can also put some stir fried vegetables in your crepes!


Note: Keep it simple or make it grand. We have choices moment after moment!

Halloween with "The Addams Family" & a plate of Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Even though I'm not a kid I wanted to get into the Halloween spirit when I came home from work last night. What a night too. Dark, dreary, chilly, rainy, and sidewalks full of puddles. I took a walk in the woods and than sat in front of my computer to watch a Halloween episode of "The Addams Family."

What a treat it was to be entertained by such a terrific episode with an entertaining cast and awesome storyline. Sitting there in front of the screen and eating some of my homemade chocolate chip cookies was all I needed to brighten my Halloween evening.
Sometimes it's the simplest of things in life that brighten our moments.

How was your HALLOWEEN?                                                      

                                                   Halloween treats!

Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone is sometimes a good thing!

Some of us like change and some of us don't. It's easy to get into a routine that makes us comfortable but is it good to be too comfortable? I use to be very adventurous but lately I've been shy and timid not taking many chances. I had to make a change soon to feel satisfied so yesterday I drove myself to the city of Charlevoix and took a ferry ride across Lake Michigan to the enchanting emerald isle named BEAVER ISLAND.  I was alone on this trip and yet I kept drawing people who reached out and brightened my day. I chatted with amazing people on the ferry ride to BEAVER ISLAND and when I got to the island I immediately felt at home. After settling in at at a cozy family run motel  I began exploring the island by foot. About twenty minutes later a man offered to give me a ride (this is the norm on Beaver Island where it's common to leave your car and house unlocked and get rides from strangers). His name was Brian and he was born and raised on Beaver Island. Not only did Brian drive me to the lighthouse I wanted to see but he gave me a tour of part of the island without expecting anything in return. Brian showed me a lot of interesting places and he told me about some of the people that make BEAVER ISLAND their part or full time home. Some of them are very rich and powerful people and yet you wouldn't know because everything about the island is so down to earth and unassuming.

It's been a stressful year for me, full of endless responsibilities and this getaway was much needed even though it was brief. The people I met on Beaver Island gave me encouragement and were kind. It gave me hope to know that I can move elsewhere and start a new beginning, especially to a place like Beaver Island where life is simple and people help each other through thick and thin. It's a very Irish island filled with hospitality. I didn't want to leave but I had to.The biggest challenge of this trip though was returning back to Charlevoix where I began my journey.  The Beaver Island Boat Ferry Company wasn't operating their ferry today so my only choice was to fly in a small plane over Lake Michigan. I'm fearful of flying especially on a small aircraft but when I got to the airport five women who were close friends told me they would bring me comfort and they certainly did. What I thought would be a nightmare turned into something quite adventurous. The six of us women and the pilot took off from the tiny airport lifting up on a grassy runway. We flew over Beaver Island and then over Lake Michigan which has deep waters with dangerous currents. All five of those women kept assuring me that everything was fine and not to worry.

Within 15 minutes we were back on land. Everything went by so fast that I almost forgot that I was flying over deep waters in a small aircraft. The pilot was amazing, the five women on board were amazing and I got out of my comfort zone today. I've flown plenty of  big commercial planes (always with some fear) but today my fear vanished because these five women encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and trust that all would be good. It certainly did turn out to be an adventure and now there will be more adventures to follow.

Feeling trapped? Feel like you need a little change? Don't hesitate to take the plunge and take a chance at something that makes you fearful. I shall remember today until my dying day because I got out of my comfort zone. Praying also played a key role. Trust the Lord to guide you and protect you. This morning I attended a church service and prayed for a safe journey and I'm thankful that the LORD was our co-pilot during our flight with "Island Airways."

Getting Out of Our Comfort Zone is sometimes a good thing! Blessings to all of you!

BEAVER ISLAND BLESSING: Numbers 6:22-26

"May the Lord bless you and keep you; May he let his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.; May he turn his face toward you and give you peace." All the days of your life' until we meet again.....

Ice Cream and an Angel

This morning I went to church and prayed on bended knees for strength because I'm tiered of being a failure in society's eyes.

Usually I drive to work but today I took the bus and after work I didn't have a way to get home so my co-worker Judy offered me a ride. Judy is a strong Christian woman who never seems to be doubtful or insecure but today she opened up about her pain and struggles. She told me that recently she was really feeling sorrowful and just as she was ready to burst out crying somebody approached her and said, "Be happy and joyful because you are loved by God." Judy said that those simple words of hope kept her smiling all day and she felt that God was watching over her. We both agreed that life is easier to cope with when we have faith and trust in the LORD almighty.

Since I wanted to walk the rest of the way home, Judy dropped me off on the Tart trail which is perfect for bicycling and walking. There are trees and streams all around and the divine nature is soothing.  I knew I was about 30 minutes from home but the time went by so fast walking that before I knew it I was at my favorite store for ice cream.  The woman behind the ice cream counter was so sweet and gave me samples of a few ice cream flavors. When I decided on the flavor she generously filled the ice cream cup to the very top. What a blessing! I enjoyed every bite of that ice cream but it was hard to walk and eat ice cream. I found a picnic table to sit at and while I enjoyed my ice cream a man said hello to me.

He was waiting for his pizza order and wanted to talk. The man's name was Tom and he was a faithful and religious man who trusted God. All day I was feeling like a failure but after hearing Tom tell me how important it is to count every single one of our blessings and not to think of ourselves as failures in society's eyes I felt an inner peace.

This is what Tom said: "Be thankful for your blessings! I can tell you right now what you have to be thankful for"

#1 You're eating delicious ice cream in beautiful surroundings,
#2 You have your health and a job

#3 You are walking home without any difficulties.
#4 You have a roof over your head and a comfortable bed to sleep on.
#5 You can be an inspiration to others without traveling the globe or being famous. You've been put where you are for now and you can touch many lives with all your interactions in this small city."

Soon Tom's pizza arrived, and I was finished eating my ice cream. I enjoyed those few minutes talking with Tom because he was the angel God sent me. I was feeling so discouraged all week and now I felt hopeful and thankful.

In moments when life seems hard and unfair it's reassuring to know that we are not alone and that no matter how gloomy things may seem there's always blessings to be thankful for.

                                                    My delicious ice cream/ half eaten!

Grilled Cheese at the Lakeside Cafe with the American Red Cross!

The American Red Cross staff in the town I live in has invited me time and time again to help out with the fire disaster team. There's nothing more fulfilling then helping others, especially with the prevention of fires. This past Thursday I spent most of the day helping install smoke alarms in people's homes and informing them of ways to prevent fires in their homes. It was my training day and I had the wonderful guidance of a staff member named Maya.

Things were running smoothly until we got locked out of the SUV. I had pressed the lock button as I walked out of the SUV, the engine was still running and Maya closed the door with the engine still running not realizing I had pressed the lock button. We were stranded on somebody's driveway with all of our belongings in the SUV. Fortunately another staff member was in a separate vehicle. Since we had to wait over an hour for somebody to come and open the door, we all decided to go get something to eat.

                                                            Grilled Cheese Sandwich

                                             

Enter the "Lakeside Cafe" a cozy cafe overlooking a lake. The three of us were greeted by the friendly servers and given a table facing the lake. Maya had a burger, Scott had the breakfast special and I went with a grilled cheese sandwich. The portions were generous and the food so good. I got to meet the cook in the kitchen and he certainly had a way of making everything taste so special as if you were his personal friend.

Maya and I had no money since all of our things were locked in the SUV but Scott gave us a loan and said we could pay him back later. The three of us enjoyed the warmth of the "Lakeside Cafe." It's not often these days to find a cafe where everyone is treated like family. I even got a complimentary cup of coffee.

With my stomach full from the GRILLED CHEESE sandwich I didn't feel so stressed anymore, neither did Maya or Scott. We drove back to the house where the SUV was parked and minutes later somebody from the American Red Cross office arrived with the SUV keys and we were able to unlock the doors.

Lesson learned; things will go wrong in our day, it's just part of life. Fortunately Maya, Scott, and myself were able to make a negative things into a positive thing. We were able to eat a lovely meal at the Lakeside Cafe and have plenty of energy to continue installing smoke alarms to residents needing them.

SMOKE ALARMS CAN SAVE LIVES

Lost and Found, a true miracle

Ever lose something and think you'd never find it again? Materialistic things can be replaced  but some items we own are dear to our heart. For me it's a savings bond my mother gave me years ago as a graduation present. She told me to hold onto it and cash it when I needed money. Well now I need some money. The bills are piling up and I don't have a very good income.

Something told me to go to the bank in early August to cash that savings bond but I procrastinated and put my focus on my job and other projects. Then there was a five day trip to Canada which was my mini summer vacation. When I returned home from Canada I couldn't remember where I put that savings bond. I spent hours looking for it, I prayed and prayed that I would find it. I was in tears.

My inner voice told me that I would find it. "Have Faith" kept repeating in my head. My miracle happened yesterday evening. It was a rainy and stormy day. The rain just wouldn't stop and shortly after coming home from work, I fixed myself a cup of tea and once again began looking for that savings bond. Just when I was ready to give up, I found it in one of my folders. I had looked through that folder three times in the past and didn't see it BUT this time it appeared.

I'm so grateful for finding that savings bond. I plan on going to the bank right after I write this post.I've also decided to use some of the money towards a volunteer project. One of the most satisfying things to do is to help those that are less fortunate. I truly feel that the dear LORD is calling me to do something kind and helpful towards others. No saying how much longer I'm on this earth but I don't want to die until I've helped make the world a better place. Perhaps I'll do mission work in Kenya or India.

Lost & Found:

If you lose something, don't give up. It can be found.
Have faith that you'll find it and a prayer won't hurt either.
Keep praying.....miracles do happen.

I blew my Vegetarian Diet!

A Beef Burger:

We humans aren't perfect. I make mistakes all the time. When I make up my mind to be a vegetarian, I stick to it for several months but than I end up eating a piece of salmon or meatball and I feel guilty afterwards. My motivation is declining and that's bad. I really blew my vegetarian diet on Sunday and I'm feeling very guilty.

I've been eating veggie burgers all summer long but on Sunday there were $1.00 beef cheeseburgers on a pretzel bun at a market close to where I live. For five minutes I stood in front of the counter contemplating          should I or I shouldn't I get that $1.00 cheeseburger. Well....I got the cheeseburger and ate half of it on the waterfront next to a market called "Leland Mercantile." Did it taste good? Not really.

Lesson to be learned: When we have a few moments to make a decision we have to think about the final result. Just because the cheeseburger was only a $1.00 didn't give me the right to blow my vegetarian diet. I feel terrible now but the mistake was done.

I started a journal today and I'm going to really stay focused. Sometimes we only have a few moments to make a decision and my advice is writing down the Pro's and Con's.

May all of you make the right decisions in your moments!

A Veggie Burger; I'm eating veggie burgers again!

Getting what you wish for, free bananas, dollar burgers, dollar cookies, and a trip to Fishtown!

Sometimes you really get what you wish for. On Sunday's I take care of my mother who has Alzheimers. We had a frustrating morning and by early afternoon I wanted to take her and her friend Arch to the beach so that we could all have a change of scenery. As much as I wanted to take them to the beach, I dreaded driving there. "I wish someone could drive us there," I thought to myself. Seconds later there was a knock on the door. It was Arch's son Chip. He came to visit his father and wanted to take him on a drive. My mother and I were welcome to come.

Ten minutes later we were in Chip's car heading to Leland, otherwise known as Fishtown. The sun was shining and the one lane country road to Leland had a hint of changing leaves on the trees. We passed by cow and turkey farms and finally landed in Leland. Tourists flock to this picturesque town nestled between Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan. It's a walking around town with a lovely harbor and a fishing village. Many of the shanties have turned into shops; Carlson's Fisheries, Dam Candy Store, and Village Cheese Shanty are my three favorites.

Arch, Chip, my mother Alexandra, and I had a lovely time in Leland. We walked on the boat docks, sat near the harbor and I excused myself for 20 minutes to do some adventurous exploring. In those few short minutes I sampled some fish sausage at Carlson's and glanced at shirts in a clothing store. Afterwards I went inside the Leland Mercantile (a supermarket called Merc) by the locals. It was so delightful in there and I marveled at all the treats from homemade apple pies to vegetable pot pie. Since the Leland Mercantile was closing soon the deli was getting rid of all the hot food for $1.00....there were french fries, chicken wings, and cheeseburgers in a pretzel bun for only $1.00. How could I resist a $1.00 cheeseburger?

Sitting near the registers was a table filled with apples from a nearby orchard. Only $4.00 for a big bag of apples, now I could make my own apple pie. Next to the apples was a sign that said "Free Bananas." I grabbed five of them. The man at the register said I was welcome to take as many bananas as I wanted but five was enough. My last stop was the Village Cheese Shanty to get a bag full of chocolate chip cookies for one dollar. (The best chocolate chips cookies too).

What a day it was, a trip to a gorgeous Fishtown called Leland and I didn't have to drive. My mother Arch, and Chip were so happy and relaxed sitting on the harbor. I opened up my bag of treats and gave everyone a banana and a chocolate chip cookie. We sat around a bit longer and than took a short walk on the beach. 

Sometimes when you have a frustrating day it's amazing how a little escape can melt the stresses away and give you a whole fresh start. The best part about this trip was the happiness it brought to

four people but the free bananas and $1.00 burger was a bonus.

It's certainly nice when a wish comes true in a matter of moments!

The Worst of Days /The Best of Days

Have you ever had one of those days where everything seems to go wrong and you can't wait for the day to end? How about a day filled with such extraordinary moments that you wish the day would never end?

                             The best of days in lovely Empire, Michigan. "MY NORTH" image

Yesterday was the worst of days. I could hardly breathe because of an allergy and asthma attack. I was suppose to go to work but I couldn't even get out of bed. My head was spinning in circles, my throat was sore, my eyes were tearing, and my nose was clogged. There were so many things I wish I could have accomplished yesterday but aside from walking to the nearby church to say a prayer and making a salad and eating it outdoors at a picnic table the rest of the day was spent sleeping in bed and watching a few very old television shows on "You Tube."  I felt miserable. I spent the entire day by myself not communicating with anyone except a brief moment with the church secretary who was closing the doors because she was finished working for the day. She told me it was fine to exit on my own since the doors locked automatically.  I prayed for several minutes and asked the dear LORD to brighten my day in some special way.

Well......yesterday is history. It's the kind of day I'm glad to have seen end BUT today, well today is another story. The dear LORD blessed me with an extraordinary day today. I took the bus to what GOOD MORNING AMERICA calls the most beautiful place in America' "SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE." From the moment I boarded the bus everything ran so smoothy I thought I was inside a fairytale living the life of Duchess Meghan Markle.

I'd been craving "oatmeal raisin cookies" all week but didn't have a chance to make them at home. Ironically the very first place I walked into was the Riverfront Deli in "Glen Arbor" the Gateway to "SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE" This deli had all kinds of mouth watering desserts. I was opting for the classic "seven layer bar" but among all  the other ready to eat desserts was one plate of homemade "oatmeal raisin cookies." These were the very last plate of oatmeal raisin cookies and I got them. I ate some immediately, absolutely delicious.

From Glen Arbor I rode my bicycle on the uphill and downhill Sleeping Bear Heritage trail that goes right through the "SLEEPING BEAR DUNES." The steep powdery dunes had several climbers and I would have attempted the climb myself except I still felt a bit out of breath. No worries, the bicycle ride was extremely enjoyable and I was able to spend a bit of time at North Bar Lake which wins the hearts of many for it's picture postcard scenery of Lake Michigan.

Empire, Michigan has always been my favorite. It's like a Norman Rockwell scene where things have stayed still for years and years. Just a simple Main Street with a couple of cafes, a  public library, and three down to earth shops. Beyond the Main Street is the breathtaking Empire Bluffs trail that makes you feel as if you're in Bermuda. A public beach just down the road from Main Street has not one but two lakes; the grand Lake Michigan and the smaller South Bar Lake. Everyone is mesmerized by water, water, everywhere and spectacular views of the sandy dunes.

For those that love submarine sandwiches the "Shipwreck Cafe" is the place to go.  They make and bake their own sandwich buns from scratch and each submarine is made uniquely. I got the "Lady Elgin" which is a veggie sub made with fresh cut vegetable and herb mayo. Truly one of the best submarine sandwiches I ever ate in my life. You can eat indoors or outdoors at "Shipwreck Cafe" or better yet why not take the sandwich to the beach? I'm thankful for eating this delicious sandwich on the beach overlooking Lake Michigan.

After eating my sandwich I swam for several minutes in the fresh cool waters of Lake Michigan. No salt or sharks in these waters. The Atlantic Ocean has a competitor. On Lake Michigan you can kayak, paddle board, and swim. EMPIRE BEACH is a standout and the crowds get bigger every year.

So although yesterday was the worst of days today was the best of days. I didn't have to drive to the "Sleeping Bear Dunes" because the bus was only $3.75 round trip and I could sit back and enjoy the scenery.  I did all the outdoor activities I love, and got to eat a yummy sandwich and melt in your mouth oatmeal raisin cookies. I met amazing people and enjoyed "America's Most Beautiful Place" all day long.

Please share if the worst of days turned into the best of days for you. It's amazing how each day has something different to offer us. SEIZE those sweet precious moments that bring bliss and blessings!

       These oatmeal raisin cookies from Riverfront Deli in Glen Arbor taste heavenly.


HAPPY SUMMER WHEREVER YOU ARE!

It's a mystery why life isn't fair.

She just couldn't stop bragging about herself and her life. The middle- aged woman carried on and on about how charmed her family's life was. I listened to her and confirmed to her how wonderful her life is. I don't know the woman's name, I met her early last month when I was sampling cookies at a market I work at. I'll refer to her as "Ms. JOY"

Ms. JOY and I started chatting about her cookie business  She was spending the summer away from her big family home in the city and summering at her lakeside cottage. Since her daughters are now at prestigious universities she has plenty of time to bake cookies at her summer cottage. Oh....I should mention that Ms. JOY is the ultimate cookie baker and has a special art of baking like nobody else. When she's not relaxing at the private beach, golfing at the country club, or on her yacht she likes to make cookies and sell them at the farmer's market for $2.00 each (for some pocket change).

Ms. JOY and her family have lived in several countries around the world (expenses paid) because her husband has "a very important job and makes lots of money." Ms, JOY is so proud of her amazing life. She doesn't really seem to care much about anybody else's. Why should she? She's too busy boasting about her own charmed life. 

Shortly after Ms. JOY finished talking to me and walked away with her high self esteem a man in a wheelchair appeared. He had a big smile on his face. I noticed he had only one leg and some of his fingers were missing on his left hand. I felt sad to see this but the man didn't seem to have any pity on himself. He greeted me with "Hello, how are you on this lovely day?" We chatted for a few minutes and he was so inspiring and terrific to talk to. I gave him an extra cookie as I tried to fight the tears and ask myself "Why is life so unfair?"

Perhaps because I'm so sensitive I have a hard time dealing with the unfairness of life. Yes, there are those that have worked very hard to accomplish what they have. They were determined, driven, and focused. Some had a supportive family and lots of money to help them along. However I know plenty of other people myself included that "paid their dues in life"and lived with integrity but for some reason the right opportunities in life didn't come their way and they do their best to get by day to day. How about the children who are diagnosed with cancer and have only a few months to live?  a stillborn baby that never had a chance to even have a day of life? What about abusive relationships, family conflicts, lack of funds? There are those that truly suffer and that's why I conclude that "IT'S A MYSTERY WHY LIFE ISN"T FAIR.

In moments when we feel discouraged by life's obstacles it's important to count our blessings because even though life is filled with unfairness there are still things to be grateful for. Take moments everyday to find things to be thankful and grateful for like being able to hear and see, having shelter, food, and water, being able to walk and talk. By finding things to be grateful for I find that my moments of dwelling on life "being unfair" makes me appreciate the blessings that life does have.

Eat a Brownie in the Moment!

I really envy the people that get a care-free summer. I had a few of them myself and I know how good it feels to free oneself from major responsibilities. Yesterday was one of those rare days that I had the almost perfect day. I had the day off and said "the heck with my piles of work, I'm having fun." With no planned itinerary I drove to a idyllic small town that felt like a dream; gingerbread cottages dotted along a crystal lake with a bicycle trail, a public beach with powdery sand, a lush green park with outdoor games, and a quaint Main Street with non pretentious shops and restaurants.

                                   Summer Fun on Crystal Lake!

The whole place was as sweet as summer lemonade. Strangers smiling and saying hello, the sound of church bells in the distance, a band playing music in the town square, and a cloudless blue sky up above.  People were enjoying life and taking advantage of the lovely summer day in late July.All my stresses were melting away as I rode my bicycle around the fairytale setting and took a swim in the tranquil waters where I could see the bottom crystal clear. There were more adventures ahead; blueberry picking, paddle boarding....but now it was time for a bit of lunch. So...to make things simple I went into a cafe to get a homemade potato salad and a made from scratch bagel.  A lot of carbs I know.....but I'm not dieting and we need carbs in our diet too. Now the ultimate splurge was a
decadent brownie inside a dream like cafe with dessert galore. What was I do choose? The BROWNIE oozing with chocolate and nuts won my heart.

Sitting under a shady tree facing CRYSTAL LAKE, I indulged in the moist brownie filled with walnuts and hints of coffee and thanked GOD for my glorious day.

If you like chocolate......
take some moments to EAT A BROWNIE.

     

The Miracle Shoes

TEN YEARS AGO:

I heard a story about two young African sisters who shared the same pair of shoes. Each would take turns walking barefoot to school and back so that the other could wear the shoes. The parents were just too poor to afford shoes for both daughters. Time went on.....then one day a wealthy American woman was visiting the village where the girls lived. By chance the three of them met and talked. This American woman was enchanted by the sweet girls and told them she would like to give them a gift.....whatever they felt would make them happy. She expected them to ask for something like a mobile phone but no....all these sisters asked for was a pair of shoes so that they wouldn't have to share the same pair anymore. The American woman was so humbled by their simple request that she said to them "Girls....I'm going to give you enough money so that each of you can afford a pair of shoes for the rest of your lives."

YESTERDAY:

I went to the shoe aisle at a store I work at to see if by chance the shoes I've wanted since early June were around. They were too expensive in early June and by early July there was a price reduction on them but all that was left were small sizes. However to my surprise one box was sitting off to the side and it was the shoes I loved in a size 8 (which is my shoe size) Sofie who worked in the department said "These are the very last pair left, somehow they ended up here. Check if they fit." The size 8 shoes (which is my shoe size) fit perfectly.....I felt like Cinderella.

To me this was a miracle. I stand all day on my feet at work, I bicycle and walk almost everywhere since I haven't owned a car in years. A pair of comfortable shoes for only $9.50 was truly a gift from the universe since I haven't been able to find a good pair of shoes in my budget for months. Sometimes.....it's the simple things in life, like a comfortable pair of shoes that can make a difference.

Just like those sisters in Africa I too felt blessed by a pair of:

MIRACLE SHOES!!

Airplane Pilots are my Heroes

December 17, 1903 was the first controlled, sustained flight in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina by the Wright Brothers, Orville & Wilbur. Aviation has come a long way since then. Today there are an average of 100,000 flights per day, globally.

Every few minutes a plane is taking off somewhere in the world and never has flying around the globe become so advanced. Do you like to fly? Do you have a fear of flying? Have you been able to fly to different places? I love to travel but I also have a fear of flying. You never know what can happen once you're up in the air but flying is the safest mode of transportation and that's why airplane pilots are my heroes.

Airplane pilots are my heroes because without them I wouldn't be able to fly to different countries around the globe. Airplane pilots log in lots of flying hours, they have to get us safely to our destination and know hot to handle emergency situations. Every time I get off an airplane safely I'm forever grateful to the dedicated and harworking pilots. Air traffic controllers are my heroes too.

Next time you fly remember all the peoplewho make flying possible, the air traffic controllers,maintenace technicians, and the pilots.  AVIATION is a fascinating industry and this past week I've spent hours learning lots of valuable information about AVIATION. 

Interesting Facts:

A commercial aircraft flies at an average speed of 800 kilometers per hour.

A Boeing 747 is made up of six million parts.

More than 80% of the population is afraid of flying.

Pilots eat a different meal; the pilot and co-pilot must eat different entrees served on the plane to guard against cases of food poisoning.

Only 5% of the world's population has ever flown on an airplane.

The lifespan of an airliner is not measured in time but on pressurization cycles.

KLM Dutch Airlines is the oldest airline in the world, estalished in 1919.

The Tenerife disaster in 1977 was the deadliest accident in aviation history. It involved a collision of two passenger jets, KLM Flight 4805 and PAN AM Flight 1736. The planes collided on the runway at Los Rodeos Airport (now Tenerife North Airport) on the Spanish island of Teneife, Canary Islands.