Tilapia discipline

I'm sitting here, close to the end of my work day, and thought I'd tell you about my lack of fish discipline. I sauteed 1 1/2 lbs. of tilapia fish in a little butter and olive oil last night and ate it all today. Now before you think me to be too much of a glutton, I must tell you that i've only had a small bowl of cereal and a scrumptious salad of romaine, pecans, parmesan, with strips of fish in it all day! But, I agree--I should have had more will power! I think I will only cook about half pound a day when I have it. It's pretty hard to get too excited about frozen fish that isn't ready for my voracious appetite. Anyway, enuf fish stuff.
I was thinking today of how I usually go to Chapel Hill, NC to see Daniel, my son, and his wife, but this year I'll have to use my vacation time to work at my mother's house, getting it ready to sell. I'll miss going to the most beautiful spot I know of in the Spring. Chapel Hill is a sight to behold, filled with homes of the early settlers. I remember the first time I traveled to that beautiful southern state--I was so curious about all the stone walls. They were everywhere! I thought of how much labor it must have taken to craft them and how expensive they would be to make today. It was obvious that they were heirlooms gifted to us from generations past.
Well, being the curious one I am, I was not going to give up finding the answer to WHY there were so many stone walls--so as I walked and walked I asked anyone I could see if they knew the answer I was seeking. Finally, I hit paydirt. When I was venturing forward on a lovely street graced with beautiful estates I met a lovely lady named Nancy who told me that the slaves built the walls. That was how they earned their freedom!!
Have a great day!!

life is so beautiful

Driving to work this a.m. I was receding into yesteryear as usual. Now for those of you who believe I live in yesteryear--you're absolutely correct! But remember--today is yesteryear by tomorrow!! Life is so incredibly beautiful. On my way to work I saw some huge pine trees at a religious retreat and it reminded me of how, as a child, I would climb the huge pines at Lincoln Park with my friends. Often times we'd walk home from Longfellow school, up the hill and through the park. Sometimes we'd play act on the magnificent stage, replete with Corinthian columns. We were so lucky to have that stage, which was used by the Genesius Guild for its Shakespearean plays. My father loved attending the plays and of course, we kids would tag along. I didn't really understand much of what was said, but I knew I loved the majesty of it all--the pond that graced the front of the stage, reflecting the mighty cast with perfect illumination.
Other ruminations emanating from the treadmill, which I promised would be forthcoming are: SEEDS!!
Wonderful seeds! I just picked up some lemon basil herb and Cleome flower seeds. Cleomes are beautiful tall annuals with lovely showy flowers. They're a rather vintage type flower. Just looking at the seeds was so wonderful! I remembered last summer, planting basil for the first time! It was so great! I got in the fabulous habit of having insalata caprese almost every day. I couldn't get enough of that dish! I would gather tomatoes I grow behind the store in the warm daylong sunshine, basil, and add virgin olive oil, turmeric, paprika, and curry, along with fresh mozzarella.
So, when I purchased that packet of basil, I was salivating for insalata caprese, which would never taste the same without my homegrown basil and tomatoes. I think I'll start my tomatoes inside next week. Are we lucky or what to have all these wonderful spices, vegetables, and fruits that can be grown in this rich fertile earth?!!
I have black raspberry bushes on the south side of my home. My father gave those to me shortly before he died, so they are very sentimental to me. I love those berries, which are fairly abundant around Father's Day. I love to put sugar on them. Something about the texturey granules of sugar and tart combination! When I was a young girl, my parents had black and red raspberry bushes that extended about 1 1/2 blocks long. I remember picking them at dusk and mosquitoes sucking my blood the whole time. My legs and arms were covered with bites, but I still did it cuz we could sell the excess for 75 cents per quart and keep a quarter commission. Very enterprising!
I talked to my dear childhood friend, Jill, last night. She was diagnosed with arthritis of the spine recently. She has a wonderful upbeat attitude about it. The glass is always half full for her. She shared with me a recent shopping expedition with her twin grandsons. There was a big firetruck cart they were pushed around in, in the store, and they were so THRILLED that they behaved like perfect "firemen" on the entire excursion. Jill's son, Jason and his wife are wonderful parents and have taught the boys great manners. I lamented how great it is for ALL of society when parents take their jobs to discipline (disciple) their children seriously. Manners are so important to society. Society sans manners is fraught with havoc.
May your day be fruitful!

Treadmills and thought provocation

At first I was going to get started on my work, but then the thought occurred to me that if I did my work first, I wouldn't get this posted today!
This morning I had a beautiful start to the day. I sat in a state of sweet repose as I read the daily newspaper and sipped my morning coffee. Then I ate a breakfast of Special K with almonds and flakey stuff and orange juice.
After that I headed to the treadmill. For 45 minutes I walked away and thought and thought and thought! What precipitated the first run of nostalgia was hearing "Eminence Front", by the Who, on the Today show. I remember many years ago, driving in to the Quad Cities, my old stomping grounds, listening to 97 X, when they played that song. I'll never forget that night. I had Bose speakers in my car and we were close to the radio tower, which gave us a very strong signal, with zero distortion, making it so unbelievably incredible to hear the endless instrumentals that introduced the lyrics. I thought it would never end and I didn't want it to. I don't think my auditory senses had ever been stirred to that degree before, other than perhaps some early Traffic on my friend's powerful stereo system, over in Bettendorf. Jim Morrison's long version of "Light my Fire" and "The End", and INXS's "Suicide Blonde" also race my heart.
Great music, more importantly, great imaginative instrumentals, can transport you to an altered state that would have to trump any state induced by drugs. When I close my eyes (not when I'm driving, of course) I'm carried very far away.
A funny story that goes along with that, which Daniel and Marissa will remember---
I went and bought the Who's tape so I could play it at home, on Daniel's stereo with his fab speakers. I kept fiddling with the bass and turned it up so he could feel the impact--til I blew the speakers!!
Now I really have to get to work. I'll tell you the other thoughts I had tomorrow! May your day be filled with love and music?

tuesday's child

i must apologize because i promised i would post in my blogring last week and time got away from me. i'm sorry!
last night i measured for an oriental runner for stairs for one of my customers. what a nice couple. i couldn't help but notice the beautiful smile and very sweet demeanor that the husband had. i don't know what he has been through in his life, but it was obvious to me that he was happy to be alive. we all have the choice everyday to embrace life and triumph over its challenges or to crumble under the pressures.
every day that we are alive, we are given the opportunity to find solutions and solve problems. nothing is ever so serious that we can't solve it through developing strategies, and following through with determined execution. We must make commitments to use ALL that comes our way as a springboard for growth and betterment, and then honor those commitments with an allegiance to one's self.
as i drove away, after measuring, i decided to take the scenic route--campton hills road--and realized i hadn't placed that in my favorite roads list. campton hills road is definitely in my favorites!! i love that road--so many curves and bends, rolling hills and trees. breathtaking beauty awaits one at every turn.
another road which doesn't necessarily elevate my senses in its entirety is denker road in st. charles, but there is a spot on it that is unbelievable!! just south of silver glen road and on the east side of denker there is a true eden. as you bend left, headed south, your eyes are treated to a forest of pines surrounding a lake. its as if u have entered heaven. there are homesites just north of this area for sale. i think of all the areas i've seen, this area ranks very high, with its textured landscape and wondrous view. a retreat just west of urban sprawl.
last night i had some more old photographs scanned and copied. One was of my sister, dorothy, in first grade! what a cutie! it's so fun to take a tiny picture, with her classmates, and crop it and enlarge it to see the detail better. i'm sure she'll get such a kick out of it!
i also found an old photo of my father at age 22, his sisters, and his father, standing by an old car in front of a very cool house--in 1936. it also was a tiny photo. Amazing what can be done nowadays.
my father's sister--my aunt Frances, is the only sibling still alive. she will be 87 on St. Patrick's Day! she is a lovely, lovely woman. i spoke with her for about an hour and a half last week. she has a beautiful heart and fortunately she's still in pretty good health. she lost her mother at the age of 15, and went to live with her mother's sister and cousins. she then went on to moody Bible institute, where she met her husband while he was studying theology. he was a minister all his life. my father stood up at their wedding! i have an old photograph of uncle darrell and my dad in their early 20's with darrell playing the saxophone and dad, the accordian. that photo was an awesome find.
back to work! have a wonderful day!!