Moments of Bliss (Remembering the 27th of July)

There's something special about late July. It's still summer and the summer moments appear in different ways; amusement parks, bike rides, fresh squeezed lemonade, picnics on the beach, swimming in a lake, ocean, or outdoor swimming pool, eating ice cream, picking blueberries, enjoying the sunshine, boating, paddle boarding, camping in the woods....there's plenty more to add to the list. I even remember coming across "Late July" organic crackers in an adorable box that I loved eating in late July. Now the company is famous for their "Late July" tortilla chips available nationwide and I'm certain sales are the highest in late July.

I have my reasons for liking the 27th of July, my favorite uncle was born on July 27th, I had one of the best days of my life in Vermont on July 27th, and today on July 27th I did some incredible swimming in a pure fresh water lake, got to paddle board for free. was treated to a meal at a Mexican restaurant by a friend and found the perfect dress and shoes for only $25.00.  It is moments like these that we can really be grateful and give thanks for those blessings. Yes, life is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, highs and lows, good and bad.....so when special days come along that brings some bliss, we can treasure those moments and keep them in our memory.

Everyone deserves "moments of bliss." Happy Summer wherever you are, and yes there are parts of the world where's it is winter, not summer but you can still have "moments of bliss" in all seasons.

LATE JULY PRODUCTS EXIST TOO:

LATE JULY: Nicole Bernard Dawes founded Late July Organic Snacks in 2003. I vividly remember being in a natural foods market in Manhattan, NY and stumbling across a box of her crackers. They were cheese crackers and they were delicious. I wrote Nicole a letter praising her for her amazing product and packaging. The printing on the box of the little boy with his dog on the beach was in fact her little boy. Nicole was so grateful for my encouraging and letter of praise that I received a personal letter back from her with a case of LATE JULY ORGANIC CRACKERS included as a gift.  The company now generates over 100 million in sales. So you see, good things happen in Late July. 

Happy Birthday to those born in JULY.

Music Moments with Kellie

When we get depressed it can sometimes be challenging to stay motivated but it's important to keep moving and to keep trying. Yesterday I decided to drop in on choir practice and was so enchanted by the new musical director at the church named "Kellie." I was in awe of how she conduced the choir. This beautiful and young 20 year old is so musically gifted. She can play the piano, organ, and violin, her singing voice is lovely, she knows Latin, and her method of teaching and conducting music is impeccable. Kellie inspired me so much yesterday at practice that my insecurities vanished, and my singing voice returned to its professional sound, making me realize I can still sing. Hooray!!!!

Kellie will have much success in her life because she's so hardworking. She hasn't even received her college degree yet, one more year to go but this woman just doesn't stop. She's so motivated and driven, and remains so grounded despite her extraordinary talents. Thank You Kellie, for being so inspiring!

When we have moments of doubts and depression, it just takes a bit of motivation from others to keep going and not giving up. 

Wising everyone success in their life journey!

BIRTHDAY MOMENTS OF BLISS!

They only come once a year, BIRTHDAYS!  Some people celebrate their birthdays, others not so much. I personally think everyone should celebrate their day of birth, because they've lived yet another year on the earth and that's a gift especially in times like these; inflation, pandemics, mass shootings, wars!! It's all mentally draining, heck just going to work day after day can be stressful. 

Yesterday I talked to an acquaintance of mine and told her that every year I do something fun for my birthday. Her reply was, "That's the best thing ever. You know my Grandmother acts and looks twenty years younger than she is. In fact I asked her once what keeps her so enthusiastic, happy and youthful and she told me that she celebrates her BIRTHDAY three months before and three months after her actual birthday. She believes in precious moments and having just plain fun, and it makes her life so much brighter." Since I just had my birthday it made me happy that I did something fun. I took an overnight trip with my friend to Grand Haven and Holland. I got to  eat Indian food, indulge in Ice Cream, swim in a pool, walk on A sandy beach, visit a State Park, and spend two amazing hours at "Windmill Island Gardens" a Dutch themed park that feels like the Netherlands, Europe. The windmill is from the Netherlands and all the buildings are replicas of Dutch villages throughout the Netherlands. I had the whole "Windmill Island Gardens" to myself even the employees told me it's rare for things to be so quiet. That in itself was a birthday present to enjoy a beautiful place with plenty of open space. I even got to ride the CAROUSEL my favorite ride in the whole world. This exquisite CAROUSEL was made over 100 years ago in a Dutch Village in the Netherlands and shipped to Holland, Michigan's "Windmill Island Gardens." 

My time spent at "Windmill Island Gardens" was so priceless and I was able to buy some souvenirs from the gift shop like wooden colorful tulips, cheese and crackers, and chocolates all made in the Netherlands! Yes, life has enough responsibilities so why not reward yourself once a year with a BIRTHDAY PRESENT?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL THE JUNE BABIES! 😍

Moments Honoring Amie, a Terrific Person Who Recently Died!

May 28th, Saturday....this is the last day that I saw my colleague and friend AMIE. She came to work that day cheerful and kind. I was managing that day and Amie's day was short as she only had to come in for a few hours to give the sales advisors their breaks. I was supposed to give Amie a belated Birthday present that day and I forgot to bring it in. I NEVER thought it would be the last time I'd see AMIE. Two days later Amie's husband Ron called to say that AMIE was in the hospital. Two days after that Amie's husband Ron came in person to the business to let our event manager know that AMIE had passed away. When I first heard the news I was in shock, then in denial, then depressed. One and half years earlier I had written a story about AMIE because I found her to be so inspiring and such a storyteller. One month earlier AMIE and I had run into each other at the local supermarket. We stopped at a resale shop to look at clothes and afterwards she drove me home with her adorable dog Charlie in the backseat. She was such a fun gal.

AMIE'S death was due to a health issue. I had a talk with Ron (Amie's ) husband a few days after AMIE'S death and we reflected on AMIE and her life. Ron said to me "Enjoy life, for we are all on borrowed time." How true that is. As stressful as life can get it's important to cherish our gift of life and not take anything for granted. Poor Ron will miss his wife AMIE, they were married 30 years. AMIE was entertaining, talented, full of wisdom and so much more. She was a professional hair stylist, a fashion designer, a great baker and golfer, she was creative and always intuitive and knowledgeable about many topics. RIP beautiful AMIE, you were a terrific woman!

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN:

I couldn't get AMIE out of my mind for several days. I remember when AMIE wore pink sneakers to work. They were such attractive shoes and AMIE said they were super comfortable. She always wore those pink sneakers to work. Shortly after her death I yearned for one last connection with AMIE and I got it. I was shopping at TJ MAXX and something led me to the shoe aisle. On the clearance rack for only $15.00 were a pair of pink sneakers similar to the ones AMIE wore in my size which usually doesn't happen on a clearance rack. I bought them as a way to honor AMIE and let me tell you those shoes are so comfortable and whenever I wear them I'm grateful for the honor of knowing AMIE.

CHERISH the people in your life for they might not be here tomorrow! LIFE is full of moments, treasure them!

Shoe Moments!

Most of us have to wear shoes, unless we're at home or perhaps hanging out on a sandy beach or doing yoga. Did you every have a malfunction with a shoe or shoes? I did today. Out the door by 6:30 am I put on the wrong pair of shoes, sandals that I bought at Costco last summer. By the time I got to the bus stop I knew something would go wrong with those sandals. Sure enough after a meeting in the morning I took a walk to the supermarket and while at the supermarket my entire back of the sandal tore off and tumbled onto the floor. Just the straps of the sandal kept my foot stable but the entire bottom was torn off and all I had was a bit of cloth. I still had errands to run and I knew I couldn't spend my day limping with a destroyed sandal. Fortunately I was able to get a bus into town and I headed straight to a resale shop called "The Roost Consignment Boutique." I told the saleslady what happened and she walked me over to a shoe rack and informed me that more shoes were scattered throughout the store. A woman named Cindy, who was shopping overheard our conversation and wanted to be of help.

I frantically looked for shoes in size 8 not having much success until Cindy pointed me to some shoes on a ledge near the window. "Try this black pair on, they'll be a good match with most clothes," said Cindy. Well....Cindy was right, those shoes fit perfectly and they were adorable. They had a strap on them and were really comfortable. I could wear them with a dress, a skirt, slacks, jeans, shorts.....I put them on and was ready to go the register to pay for them but Cindy and I couldn't stop talking, we clicked immediately and realized we had quite a bit in common. When we finished talking and wished each other the best in life, I paid for my new pair of used shoes. The price? $20.00

Now I was back to normal, I could walk, walk, and walk. Although it was hot today, I did plenty of walking reaching 24,000 steps on my "Step Tracker"app. Those shoes at "The Roost Consignment Boutique" were a real blessing and I really scored with those shoes. Not only do the shoes look attractive but they're super comfortable too. Sometimes a setback does appear, and we have to do the best we can to resolve it. Always be certain your shoes are in walkable condition. "Shoe Moments" are important.

June 12 Moments! My BIRTHDAY!

I have this philosophy that once a year for your birthday you should just take it easy and give yourself a "me" day.  I've been doing that for years but today is different. I woke up this morning and did one task after another, cleaning, laundry, washing dishes, helping a friend with a task.....I didn't even have breakfast yet. That's okay though, I've decided that even though todays my BIRTHDAY, I still need to do some work. Surprisingly in the early afternoon my adventure began and I was blessed with some delightful "birthday moments' indeed.

Celebrate your BIRTHDAY for it only comes but once a year! Eat Cake and Ice Cream, Go Out for Lunch or Dinner, Go To The Beach, Take A Boat Ride,  Visit an Amusement Park, See a Show....the choices are endless.

Birthday Moments, Happy Birthday Mama!

No matter how old I get, my precious Mama (Mother) Alexandra is always the #1 person in my life. I'm so blessed to have such an incredible Mother but now that her Alzheimers has advanced rapidly it's sad to see her declining so much. She was always so full of life, such a kind and talented soul who could do so much from cooking a fantastic meal, to playing the piano and teaching lessons. She was a church organist and  a choir director. She spoke two to three languages and traveled to many places. She excelled at Scrabble and was an amazing actress. Her house and backyard were immaculate and she always made everyone feel welcome in her home. She fed the birds, squirrels, and stray cats, She was a wonderful writer, a brilliant storyteller, and loved reading books. She owned adorable cats that she treated so well, and a greyhound dog too. She liked arts and crafts, baking, cooking, and exercising. A beautiful woman inside and out with a models figure. She was a dear and devoted friend, a loyal and devoted wife, and the best Mother in the world. I can't even list all the other outstanding things she did in her life but a short list includes her humble beginnings as a child living in Ukraine and Germany, to her later years in Rochester, New York hired as a church organist at only age 14 to play for several masses while still going to school, and helping raise her brothers and sisters, to being accepted as a student at Eastman School of Music and University of Rochester  and having top grades. She was such a devoted daughter to her loving parents too and helped them run their grocery store on Joseph Avenue.

Today I got to celebrate my Mother's birthday, May 26th. Although my Mother is in a wheelchair, and only can speak a few words, I'm so thankful to have her in my life even though she has advanced Alzheimers. It was such a blessing to come visit her today and bring her some homemade lasagna and a trifle dessert. Her next door neighbor made her a cake so there was plenty of food to share as a few of us gathered around the dining table to share a Birthday feast. The caregiver Ceceilia was there, my brother Mark, my friend Patty, and I, her daughter Adrianna. Her cat Sari joined in on the celebration too. Although my Mother didn't really know we were celebrating her Birthday, she still enjoyed herself.

What a birthday gift to still have my Mother, Alexandra. We don't have conversations since she can't comprehend words anymore, she's no longer my confidante or mentor, we can't take walks or bicycle rides, we can't pick flowers, or sing songs together or speak Ukrainian to one another, or take ballet classes but I can still look into her eyes, hold her hands, feed her meals, and give her hugs. She's still my one and only, brilliant, beautiful fun loving, kind, and precious Mother despite all her challenges and although things aren't the way they used to be, I'm so grateful for all the MOMENTS I still have with her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA...... ALEXANDRA!!!! WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR YOU. YOU'RE GOD'S ANGEL!!

Diet Moments

Gosh....it's hard to diet these days. All around me, people are losing weight. They're so disciplined with their "keto diet," "weight watchers diet," "gluten free diet," "vegan diet" "30 day challenge diet," "paleo diet," "Mediterranean diet,"and a host of other diets. I envy them because I just can't get on track. Exercising isn't the problem, that's easy, bicycling, walking, pilates, yoga, skiing, paddle boarding....that's fun but giving up comfort foods isn't easy. Every time I challenge myself to give up something tasty, I find myself eating it the next day. That's why I'm writing this post. I'm pretending that 5 million people are reading this post and encouraging me to "eat strictly to survive." You know... living on healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, salads, and soups.

Gotta do it, gotta get into that size 2 dress I got for free on Friday. Such a lovely dress. I can zip it up half way and that's it, but with proper dieting, I plan on getting into that dress before my birthday in three weeks. Goodbye to all those comfort foods and hello to nutrient rich foods that shed the pounds. Rather be skinny now than indulge in foods that increase my dress size and make it impossible to get into a size 2 dress. So goodbye to burgers, cookies, ice cream, and potato chips and hello to salads, and smoothies. Summer's almost here, and the winter blubber fat must fade away.

Dieting Moments don't have to be difficult, after all "we are what we eat." So here's to eating right and feeling good. May we all aspire to be the best that we can be and be motivated to reach our goals.

HAPPY SPRING!

Iris, the Pekin Duck, What an Astounding Duck!

IRIS, that's the name of the adorable pekin duck who lives at a historic ski lodge. My connection with Iris made me realize just how amazing these ducks can be as pets. Last week my friend took me to the historic ski lodge that he works at and it was there that I met Iris, the pekin duck. She was so beautiful but even more profound was her delightful personality. She came inside the kitchen to eat and drink water out of her bowls, she was held and cuddled, she followed my friend and I on our long walks through the woods (which is quite a challenge for a duck), Iris ate fresh popped popcorn with us, she played with Joe the golden lab who belongs to Sam the owner of the ski lodge, and Iris even slept in her own special bed inside the lodge during a snow blizzard on one of the nights I was there. 

Yes, life for Iris is good these days but last year things weren't so good. Poor Iris was found in an abandoned car with her baby. The two of them were hungry and frightened but thankfully Sam who runs the historic ski lodge, rescued the Mother and her baby and brought them to his lodge. He nursed them with nourishing food and rest. Iris survived but unfortunately her baby didn't make it and died days later. Iris was left alone or so she thought. These days she's best friends with Joe the golden lab, Frank the rooster and his family and of course with Sam. I hope to become Iris's best friend too. Iris is a one of a kind duck that wins the hearts of those who have the pleasure of meeting her.

What's in store for IRIS? She'll continue living at the ski lodge and spend as much time indoors as she pleases but a pekin duck companion is what Iris needs next and hopefully we'll find a mate for her real soon. Iris is even going to have a tiny home built on the grounds so that she and her mate can be safe from foxes and other animals that might harm them at night. Will I ever eat duck meat again? Absolutely not!!!! Iris has taught me that a vegetarian/vegan diet is the best. Oh, IRIS, I love 💗💖💔💗you so much!

Here's to you IRIS, may you live a healthy and long life. You're the best duck ever IRIS! Moments with you are astounding!

Left Over Food, Moments!

On Monday, late afternoon my friend and I got two large cheesy bread orders from a local pizzeria. I remember going up to the counter to pay for my order and thinking, "Wow, $25.00 for this meal seems like a lot of money." Today is Thursday and I've changed my mind. I was able to have 5 meals from those two large cheesy breads. My friend had two meals out of them and I had three. Four sauces were included with our cheesy bread too. The reason I feel fortunate today is because I had a long day at work and when I got home I was hungry. I remember putting some of the cheesy bread that lacked cheese on it in a storage bag and wanting to feed the birds but instead I warmed up a pan with olive oil and grilled the leftover bread. I sprinkled some cheese on top and dipped the bread in marinara sauce and thoroughly enjoyed every bite of my meal.

Sometimes we fret about mistakes we think we've made but now I have no regrets because that $25.00 meal on Monday ended up costing only $5.00 per meal since it turned into five meals. Food has gotten so expensive lately that food budgeting is becoming my new trend. Oh yes we all love to splurge on comfort drinks and food, that's what makes life enjoyable but it's also wise to be mindful and cut some corners here and there so that you can really enjoy those indulgent moments you deserve.

Yesterday I bought a ready made large vegetarian burrito at the natural foods store for $8.99. I was able to have three meals out of that. Hooray!!!!

What leftover foods do you enjoy?

                               This is what became of my leftover Cheesy Bread! Pretty Tasty!

Luck of the Irish Moments, Celebrating Saint Patricks Day, March 17th!

It comes every year, March 17th, the day to celebrate Saint Patricks Day with music, parades, parties, drinking, eating, and wearing green.  There are over 70 million people worldwide who claim Irish heritage so the joyful celebration is enjoyed in many countries. IRELAND, the Emerald Isle with enchanting beauty is a country famous for many things; Leprechauns, Shamrocks, Guinness Beer, Irish Coffee, Irish Whiskey, Music, Riverdance, Genius riters, Farms with Cows and Sheep, Amazing Cheese, Ice Cream, Beef Stew, Soda Bread, Shepherds Pie, Salmon, Corned Beef, Cabbage, and more. When it comes to scenery, Ireland has it all from the ocean waters to the towering cliffs, to lush farmland and majestic mountains, crystal clear lakes, and winding country roads with charming villages in each county. Yes, the Irish certainly are lucky. 

I've been to Ireland twice, the first time I travelled solo through Dublin, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park,  and the Ring of Kerry. I stayed at an adorable and affordable hostel/bed and breakfast and felt right at home. The second time around, I worked in County Clare on Sunrise Farm which was an amazing experience. Yes, I too love Ireland. But the important question today since it's March 17th, Saint Patricks Day, is who was Saint Patrick?

SAINT PATRICK:

Patrick was born in Britain to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century. He is believed to have died on the 17th of March around 460 A.D.  At the age of 16, Patrick was taken away by a group of Irish raiders who were attacking his family's estate. He was transported to Ireland where he spent six years in captivity. During his captivity it is believed that Patrick began dreaming of converting the Irish people to Christianity because he was lonely and afraid, turning to religion for solace and becoming a devout Christian. He eventually escaped back to Britain but he experienced a revelation where an angel told him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick began religious training which lasted 15 years and after his ordination as a priest he returned to Ireland with a mission to minister Christianity to the Irish people. Patrick spread Christianity throughout the whole island. Saint Patrick is well known as being one of the patron saints of Ireland and he is still honored to this very day.

If you're celebrating Saint Patrick Day moments today, enjoy the day and honor Ireland, a country that is loved by millions of people around the world. Happy Saint Patricks Day! ☘☘☘☘☘☘

Cupcake Moments!

CUPCAKE: A small cake baked in a cup-shaped container and typically iced. When you make cupcakes you mix up cake batter and instead of baking it in large pans, pour it into a cupcake or muffin pan. Cupcakes are wonderful for celebrations and are a popular dessert with kids and adults.

After church service today I went downstairs to the piano room in hope of practicing but instead I found a large table filled with all kinds of cupcakes. Minutes later folks gathered in line to enjoy cupcakes, donuts, and coffee. Those cupcakes caught my eye immediately and I couldn't resist taking a picture of them before they were snatched. I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed to a table to sit down. It was so relaxing to sit and watch kids anxiously heading back and forth to the table for more cupcakes and donuts. About a half hour later everyone slowly left and I headed to the piano room to play some songs but I couldn't stop thinking about those  CUPCAKES!

Although eating too many desserts is unhealthy, an occasional dessert surely brings a smile to those who love the sweetness of something as wonderful as cupcakes. CUPCAKES are more popular than ever and in the United States cupcake shops are popping up in big cities and small towns moment after moment. What is it about cupcakes that make them so irresistible? 

SEVEN REASONS WHY WE LOVE CUPCAKES!🧁

1)  There are so many flavors! What's your favorite flavor?

2)  Portion Control! Cupcakes are fairly small, so less guilt.

3)  They're so Pretty! Oh yes, cupcakes are so pleasing to the eyes!

4)  It's an Economical Treat! Compared to other desserts, cupcakes are pretty affordable.

5)  They're Easy to Make! Check out hundreds of recipes on the internet!

6)  The Frosting! Mmmh, frosting! The frosting is amazing!

7)  They're Irresistible! Let's face most adults and kids can't resist eating a cupcake or two.

Now that I'm inspired so much by cupcakes, I think I'll make some and share them with the homeless people in the community. Cupcakes do have a way of putting a smile on people's faces.  Here's to  "Cupcake Moments!

Icy Moments

When we think of WINTER, we think of cold dark days and snow but there's another thing that WINTER comes with and that's ICE. There are wonderful things associated with the word ice; ice coffee, ice cubes, ice cream, ice fishing, and ice skating. However when ice accumulates and freezes up walking paths, parking lots, trails, sidewalks, and streets, that's another matter.

Although "WINTER" is coming to a close, these past couple months in northern Michigan have been icy, icy, icy. So icy that many Michiganders have found themselves falling on ice. Let me tell you falling on ice is not only embarrassing but it's painful too. Some folks even end up in the hospital with broken bones concussions, and terrible cuts and bruises. I too fell on ice. A week ago this past Friday, I was heading to a stream to look at the ducks and boom, I slipped and fell on my back, buttocks, neck, and head....one after another, boom, boom, boom. Thankfully I got up without any broken bones but the next day my back and neck hurt, as did my head. There's still soreness on my body, and my head hurts on and off again so now I'm petrified to walk on or around ice. (Ski poles are now my support system). My two friends who are nurses described symptoms to look for before heading to an emergency room or urgent care, after falling on ice. So far, I've avoided "Urgent Care."

If you live someplace where there's harsh winter and ice galore, be careful. In just moments a simple walk outdoors can turn into catastrophe when that slippery ice makes us lose balance and fall. Always carry your phone with you when you're walking outdoors in the winter. It's always best to be cautious and safe because if you fall and get hurt, your phone is available to make a call for help!

If you live where it's still winter, HAPPY WINTER! Enjoy the beautiful moments that winter does bring like cross country and down hill skiing, ice skating, sledding, snowshoeing, snowboarding, sitting near the fireplace with a cup of hot cocoa, or eating comfort food like homemade chili.

May your moments be blessed with all good things!

COMPETITION, is Part of Life!

COMPETITION, it's all around us. There's competition in school, work, sports, relationships, heck even animals compete for food, and a mate. Now more than ever, competition seems even harder with social media and comparisons. It's so hard to stand out and be a shining star. Some people get lots of appreciation and attention, while others are just a tiny dot in this big vast world. No wonder some of get depressed and insecure. But we don't have to let completion control us. We can find contentment in being happy with the small things, like being satisfied that at least we tried our best. Success comes in all shapes and sizes. One doesn't have to be a famous politician, movie star, or sports figure to feel important. All of us are part of the big puzzle that keep the world ticking.

If you're feeling defeated, just know that there's always an opportunity out there. Sooner or later, you'll have that chance to be a bright shining star in the vast sky. Recently I have been overwhelmed by social comparison by thinking to myself, "I wish I was beautiful like her", "I wish I could be as intelligent as him or her,"Oh, if only I could have an exciting life and romance like this couple does." However the more I talk to people who I believe have a charmed life the more I learn that all humans no matter how successful they are in the world's eyes, face hurt, pain, rejection, and insecurities sooner or later. They key to contentment is not to be in COMPETITION or to SOCiALLY COMPARE yourself to others but to find happiness in the gifts you have and to use them to the fullest. In the Bible, there's a scripture in Matthew 25 about the "Parable of Talents." Yes, life will bring plenty of disappointments and rejections but there are also triumphs.

"GERALD"

 In the fall of 2020, I was promoted to the position of supervisor where I work. The current manager was constantly missing work and so I filled in for her many times, with no extra pay or bonuses. I went beyond my call of duty and received very little recognition. My company management hardly noticed my devotion but the store director where I was working out of noticed me. I wasn't even employed by his company but he took notice of all I did in his store and thanked me for it. Those words of encouragement meant the world to me but I was still hurt that the company I work for simply didn't care. Thank goodness it's an employees market out there because I would love to work elsewhere at this point.

Last year "GERALD" was hired as a sales advisor at my company. Gerald soon became the shining star. He was given an award for "Employee of the Month,"got promoted two days ago to a lead position, and has received all kinds of recognition cards on the office door praising him for all his awesome work. Gerald is so perfect that I feel it's mu duty to step down from my position and let him take over. After all I've done for the company I'm no longer needed because a new event manager was hired to take over the office and she loves Gerald and is constantly putting him on a pedestal. Does he deserve it? Yes, because he's always kind and helpful, and knows how to impress the manager. I'm happy for Gerald, I really am. I even told him that he'd be better as a supervisor than I am.

So you see it doesn't matter if you're an accountant, doctor, lawyer, or movie star, COMPETITION is everywhere. To keep on going we have to be happy for others and find contentment within ourselves to plant ourselves where we feel needed, happy, and wanted!

I HOPE ALL PEOPLE  FIND CONTENTMENT AND HAPPINESS IN THEIR LIVES DESPITE COMPETITION AND OBSTACLES!

For the Love of Cookies! (A Friend in Need)

 

What I thought was going to be a fun-filled Saturday with my male companion turned into a disaster. It was my day off and I had hoped to take a day trip to the countryside to ski or to go to the city to shop. I was quietly doing some work on my computer  that morning when all of a sudden my friend demanded that I cook him something to eat. While he was in the bathroom I got some ingredients together and began cooking on my stove top. Minutes later my male companion got into a rage and screamed, "How can you cook me such horrible food? Who do you think I am, a homeless person who eats food from a shelter?" He tossed the food into a pot and stormed out the door. I was so frustrated with Mr. Nameless that I went outside to take a walk. When I came back inside my condo, he was was back, this time screaming that he received a call to go to work and needed to borrow some gasoline money. I told him I was short on cash and then he really blew it. He began throwing everything he could get his hands on. He called me horrible names and broke some drinking glasses, a room divider, and a broom. Then he threw the couch against the wall and pulled my curtains off the window. I was petrified and the worst part was I didn't have my eyeglasses with me, so I was squinting to see what was going on. Ten minutes later feeling guilty Mr. Nameless began sweeping the floor that was full of glass. Through a miracle I was able to get my eye glasses in the bathroom and throw on a fleece jacket and my boots. I grabbed my wallet and ran out the door. I thought for certain that he would stop me but he didn't.  It was freezing outside and I had no coat, hat, or gloves to wear. Luckily there was a gasoline station nearby and I went in there to keep warm and make some calls with my phone to see if my brother or any of my friends could help me out. My brother wasn't answering his phone, either was my friend down the road. Then.... I thought of Mary, from church who I was in a prayer group with.I called her and I was delighted that she answered her phone. Within 20 minutes she arrived at the gasoline station to see how I was doing and insisted I call the police to report what had happened. 

After some stressful moments, I was able to return to my now empty condo, retrieve some personal belongings and go with Mary to her house to spend the night. It was only a 15 minute drive to her house but I felt as if I was transported to another world. We were in the wilderness away from noise and traffic. The solitude was priceless. Once inside Mary's house, I was introduced to her husband Tom. I felt right at home at Mary and Tom's. house. Mary showed me around the house and then took me to the bedroom I'd be sleeping in. After I unpacked a few of my things I went to the kitchen to have some tea. How about some cookies with your tea?" asked Mary. How could I resist? I love cookies. Tom sat at the table with me and said "I eat Mary's cookies everyday, it's a must." Within moments Mary put an assortment of cookies on a plate for us to enjoy. There were chocolate chip, coconut, ice-box, peanut butter, oatmeal raisin, sugar, and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies to choose from. "I always have cookies on hand and I usually keep them in the freezer because Tom can't live without cookies," said Mary. She opened up the freezer and said "You can help yourself anytime to cookies. In fact I'll be baking more cookies tomorrow morning."said Mary. The three of us enjoyed those cookies very much and we were smart to set most of them aside to save for after dinner.

                                                Just baked "Oatmeal Raisin Cookies"

Dinner? I provided the dinner. The early lunch that I had started preparing for my angry male friend was much enjoyed by Mary and Tom. I had made pasta with grilled chicken and vegetables. Once it was heated up, I added some sauce to the meal while Mary grated some delicious cheese to put on top. We all enjoyed the meal and Mary said to me, "Your friends loss to a good cooked meal, is our gain." Tom agreed and even asked for seconds. How wonderful it was to be in the company of two devout Christian people who offered me such gracious hospitality. Mary even drove me to work and back the following day and insisted I stay another night. I did stay another night and it was so relaxing to sit in Mary and Tom's cozy house and just take it easy. In the evening we all sat near the wood burning stove and listened to some relaxing music while watching bits and pieces of the SuperBowl.

Mary, was my friend in need. A genuine friend who helped me calm down and encouraged me to stay away from Mr. Nameless. Later that day I checked my voicemail and was shocked that Mr. Nameless had left me 14 voice messages apologizing for his behavior and begging me to call him back. He even came to my work place the following day, asking for forgiveness. It's important to forgive, but I'l never forget the anger and pain he caused me. How grateful I am to my friend Mary and her husband Tom. Sometimes, life brings us some lemons, but we can turn those lemons into a refreshing lemonade, or better yet we can turn to the comforts of homemade cookies. Those cookies that Mary makes are made with love and kindness and they were especially extra nice when I was faced with anxiety.

Bad Moments Fly By When We Have A Caring Friend to Provide Precious Moments. I hope all of you have friends to turn to when you're in need of a friend. A genuine friend is a real blessing! Be Safe and Be Well! May abundant blessings shine upon your lives!

                                             Mary and Tom's Home, (It's like a Bed & Breakfast)

The Wallet

Do you own a wallet? Most people do because it's where they carry their driver's license, credit card, cash, and other important items. Imagine losing your wallet and frantically searching for it for hours and not finding it? That's what happened to me on Wednesday evening when I returned from work. I realized that I had misplaced my wallet when my friend invited me for dinner. Fortunately I didn't need my wallet since he was treating me to dinner but the next morning I had to go to work and still no sign of my wallet. I called the bus company BATA since I take the bus regularly. That was the last place that I had my wallet, on the #14 bus that departed my place of work at 5:55 pm.

I called BATA and no lost wallet was found. I left a message with the supervisor Zack and less than an honor later he called me to find out what bus I was on and about what time I was on that bus. Zack was so kind and helpful. I prayed and prayed for a miracle and my miracle occurred thirty minutes later when Zack called to tell me the good news that my wallet was found and that it would be waiting for me at the Hall Street bus station stop. Because I had no money, BATA arranged for a free ride to work since they knew my wallet was with them at the station and my bus pass was in the wallet. My boss felt sorry for me and gave me $8.00 to hold me over for the day since I wouldn't be getting my wallet until 5:30 pm.

How heartwarming to have had so many people reach out and help me out with my circumstance regarding my "Wallet." I hope none of you ever lose or misplace your wallet, because it's a very stressful situation. Always stay on guard because it only takes a spit second to get distracted and it that split second you can lose your valuable wallet.

I'm forever grateful for having my WALLET again and let's all be careful with our "Wallets" now and always!

Judy Garland and a Ham Sandwich at the "Drive In"

A cold winter night, relaxing on the couch and listening to an old time radio drama series called "Suspense" which was broadcast on CBS Radio from 1940-1962. I discovered this program on "You Tube" and now I'm hooked. The stories are haunting, mysterious, full of suspense and major stars appeared in many of the episodes....Lucille Ball, Joseph Cotten, Tony Curtis,Kirk Douglas, Olivia De Havilland, Alan Ladd, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Lana Turner, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Vincent Price.....the list goes on.

One of my favorite episodes is "Drive-In" staring the one and only Judy Garland. I loved this particular episode so much that I listened to it three times. It's a rainy night and Mildred (Judy Garland) a server at a drive-in has one last customer to wait on. A male customer appears in his car close to midnight, ordering a coffee and ham sandwich and minutes later when Mildred comes to his car to give him his order she is shocked that something wet gets on her hands.....blood. The man claims he's a doctor and that he just handled an injured passenger in a serious car accident. Distraught that she will miss her last bus to Glendale, Mildred accepts a ride from the doctor to the bus stop only to learn that this doctor wants to kill Mildred. He passes the bus stop and drives her to a dangerous canyon and Mildred must do everything in her power to outsmart the crazy doctor and save herself from being murdered because the doctor fears that she will report him to the police. Incidentally, the maniac man is not a doctor, he has killed the doctor and disguised himself as the doctor. Years ago he had murdered his wife and now out of prison he has murdered again. The ending is great, in fact the whole story is amazing. 

So now I've made myself a ham sandwich, and I'm going to listen one more time to "Drive In" as I sip on some warm coffee. It's 12 degrees outside, cold and dreary, so why not spend several moments getting into suspense with a radio program that everyone should check out at least once. Sometimes doing something old fashioned can have a positive effect and decrease anxiety and stress. Since I love acting, I can listen to the best of Hollywood's performers and wish that someday before I die I'll get my lucky break and people can listen to me perform a role on a show like "SUSPENSE."

ADVICE: Lesson learned, listening to "Drive-In" is a valuable lesson on how dangerous it can be to accept a ride from a stranger. Fortunately, Mildred had a pepper shaker in her pocket and that's what saved her life. Here's to moments of SUSPENSE!

"Diva Moments"

 Diva: A self-important person who is difficult to please (women are typically divas).

As I sit here on my couch with pain in my back, foot, leg, and neck, I ask myself was it worth it to invite my friend to spend the night at my place with her dog? Last year I had stayed in her beautiful home back in the Spring and Fall. It was the perfect retreat to stay off the beaten path and be surrounded by nature so this time I felt it was my turn to have my friend come for a visit.

It was a disaster from the beginning. First she was upset because she saw me get off the bus and right away assumed I'm still working at the same company. She told me several times to quit but the bills pile up so I was scared to quit. She was right, I had taken the bus to and from work and I was working the same position for the same company even though I had promised to quit to find something more meaningful. I guess she could have been more understanding but she wasn't. She said to me "If you want me to spend the night you need to buy me these stress relief products. I can drive you to the store to buy them. I need these stress products or I'm not staying here with my dog Skyy." Well....being that she drove almost an hour to visit me I obliged and spent more than I wanted to on her stress products.

When she came inside my condo I helped her sort things out and offered her some chai tea. She complanied it wasn't warm enough in the condo and when I cranked up the heat, she said she couldn't bear the heat. Although she liked my condo, she felt it needed work, yes improvements that really aren't in my budget since I already put quite a bit of money into improvements. We sipped on chai tea and now it was time for me to make dinner.

I prepared an Indian Seafood stir fry dish that she said was too spicy. I had to give her a spinach artichoke dip to change the taste. She liked the dish but couldn't stand the spice and yet I did tell her that I wanted to make her an Indian dish since she doesn't eat Indian food and it would be something different for her to try. Personally I didn't think there was much spice at all but I did respect her comment. While she was eating she complained that my floor needs to be mopped, I need to install my windows with more plastic, and I need to get rid of my shelves. She was shocked that I don't own a microwave and said "You should be ashamed of yourself, not to have a microwave." (Sorry, I have never owned a microwave and never will).

She was up all night complaining she couldn't sleep and was eager to leave the next day to go home to bed. The night before I had helped her carry a heavy dog crate up three flights of stairs. In the morning she was insistent that I made coffee for her with her coffee beans not mine because she only drinks Starbucks. After I made breakfast for her I had to help her carry the same dog crate to her car down three flights of stairs. Little did I know that I had pulled some muscles and the next day my body was in pain, I could hardly walk. I had to leave work early from the unbearable pain yesterday and I'm still in pain this very moment.

Was it worth having my friend the diva over? No, it wasn't. I spent too much time pleasing her every request that it burned me out. By the time she left I needed the $40.00 worth of stress free products I had bought her. I think she could have been nicer. She lives with her Mother and isn't on her on own like me. I'm trying my best to survive and be self-sufficient so I didn't need "Diva Moments" with my friend. Lesson learned....don't over please anyone, it can make you crazy. We are meant to help and serve others and be genuine friends but when someone is as demanding and critical as my friend was I ask myself, is she really a friend?

Reflecting on "Christmas Moments"

For those that celebrate Christmas, there's something extremely special at this time of year when people around the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As we all know it's a time to gather with family & friends, exchange presents, indulge in tasty beverages and food, and attend church services. Sometimes we wish for something special to sprinkle upon our lives when "faith and hope" are intertwined with the Christmas season.

As you reflect back on your moments of Christmas, is there something that really touched you in a profound way? Christmas can be lonely too, for those that have no family,  no friends, no money, to spend on food or gifts. Then there are those that are sick at home or in the hospital and aren't in the mood to celebrate Christmas. Each person has a different experience with Christmas but with "faith and hope" a miracle can happen. If you've ever seen the film "Miracle on 34th Street" there's a famous line in the film that stands out. "FAITH IS BELIEVING IN THINGS WHEN COMMON SENSE TELL YOU NOT TO."

My experience of precious Christmas moments occurred in a small town named "Frankenmuth" in the state of Michigan. Frankenmuth is known as "Little Bavaria, Germany,"and at Christmas time the whole place glows with the beauty of Christmas. There's a lighted Christmas tree in the center of town with Christmas carols playing all day and night, skaters love the outdoor ice skating rink near the river, and taking a break for a cup of hot cocoa and beignets. Idyllic shops are decorated to the fullest, and they each resemble a Bavarian style home. Looking for cuckoo clocks, hand -made pretzels, shoes, chocolates, wool socks, cheese and meat, scarves and gloves? It's all in Frankenmuth. Visitors also head to the Bavarian Inn or Zehnder's, two popular restaurants the size of football fields. The interior of these establishments is breath-taking and the food is so good that it's often an hour wait for a table. Visitors can walk the sidewalks of quaint Frankenmuth and bask in the Christmas magic or take a festive carriage ride with bells jingling as the horses trot along the streets covered in white snow.

However the best part about Frankenmuth is the "Silent Night,t" chapel just one mile away from the bustling Main Street. This lovely chapel is the exact replica of the chapel in Obendorf, Austria, Europe where the carol "Silent Night" was composed and performed for the first time on December 24, 1818. In the darkness, the "Silent Night" chapel shines like stars in heaven. "Silent Night" is played 24 hours a day, in different languages, but mostly in English and German. There's a heart-warming Nativity scene at the front of the chapel and when one goes inside the chapel there's a feeling of "faith and hope." My precious "Christmas Moment" occurred when my friend James pointed to a painted angel on the wall of the chapel. "See, I told you that where there's an angel there's hope, and today we see the angel brightly shining upon us we know just how important the meaning of Christmas truly is." Tears rolled down my eyes as I gazed at that angel and listened to the beautiful voices singing "Silent Night" and knowing that the LORD is with us whether it's Christmas or not.

HOPING you all had a joyful Christmas filled with kindness and love. May your NEW YEAR be filled with "faith, good health, hope, love, and peace."