Two of my favorite things... biking and baking.

It took me a long time to learn how to ride a bike... almost three years as a matter of fact. My early frustration and determination paid off in the long run, as biking has been and is still one of my great joys. I just got my new Trek, a lightweight frame with juicy, hydraulic, disc brakes and front shocks with a lock out feature and it sure is sweet. It was ordered last week and came in on the day of a major snowstorm. My husband knew how excited I was to get it and so we ventured out to the cycle shop to pick it up even though they were closing early. A little snow and ice did not deter me from the best ride of my life... like a kid at Christmas I just had to try out my new toy! The hum of the wheels on the wet pavement as the wind kisses my cheeks keeps a perpetual smile on my face as I ride to the tune of my own private thoughts... they are happy thoughts indeed! How do I thank my husband for such a sweet gift? There are many ways to show my appreciation, but when I am happy and thankful I put that joy and love into baking. This weekend I made a plate of almond crescents and an apple pie. I love the feel of dough being manipulated by my hands and I pride myself on being able to peel an apple with the skin in one spiraled helix. The aroma of the crushed Marcona almonds baking rival those of the spicy sizzle of the apple pie... it's a good thing we both ride as we do. The best part of baking is the tasting, and when you ride in the wind pushing the limits of endurance, the reward of a home cooked dessert is especially sweet!

Rethinking Animal Entertainment

I remember going to Florida with my two children ages 6 and 8, the perfect ages for visiting the Orlando theme parks. My kids, (much like me) were more enthralled with the marine life at Sea World than they were with all the rides and souvenir shops at Disney and EPCOT. They loved touching the sting rays, seeing the aquarium tanks, and enjoyed the show with the sea lions, dolphins, and at the time, Shamu the whale. As I recall, while all the smaller marine mammals seemed to follow their cues from the trainers with enthusiasm, the whale made me very nervous as he (or she) missed their cue several times and seemed much too big for the small pool of water where he lived. Somehow that part of the show and exhibit left me wondering what kind of training is needed to "tame" such a large creature who has a pretty advanced intelligence and whose size alone should demand a certain respect for distance from humans. It was the only attraction that felt wrong.

Fast forward to yesterday, when one of the Sea World "killer" attractions actually lived up to the reputation and fatally wounded an employee. While I am so sorry for the trainer and her family, I can't help but think that this is a tragedy that should not have happened. It's no secret that there have been many incidents and accidents at the park involving the Killer Whales, including three previous deaths. The latest death was different in that there were human spectators watching the horror unfold. Can you imagine the trauma of seeing that spectacle through the eyes of a child? I cannot. I think it is high time we rethink the hows and whys of using dangerous animals for entertainment. It doesn't seem fair to the animals who are following their natural instincts and it certainly doesn't seem fair to the children who are barraged with enough scary things in their lives. If people want to see Orcas, or Polar Bears, or Rhinos... there are plenty of nature shows whose skilled photographers can capture the natural antics of these beautiful but dangerous creatures. I don't think they belong in zoos and I certainly don't think they should be involved in the performing arts.

Food Shopping Made Easy... skip the poisons.

I do some form of exercise every day, have plenty of energy to clean and maintain a large Victorian home, and I've never felt better in my whole life. I have always been a good eater and quite frankly I have a fairly large appetite. I basically eat as much as I want and seem to maintain a healthy weight without spending hours in the gym or starving myself. I do a lot of research on the web and even though almost everything you read in regards to good health has conflicting viewpoints and rebuttals, common sense and trial and error have lead me to adopt a certain lifestyle that permits a feeling of health and well-being. There are three poisons that have been eliminated from my diet and yet they are so pervasive in American food that when I shop in the grocery store there are more foods that contain these poisons than not.

The first culprit to go is MSG, a flavor enhancer developed in Japan and used extensively in processed foods to make it taste better. It has been linked to migraine headaches, cardiac arrhythmias, Alzheimers, autism... and the list seems to be growing. This is one of the trickiest of chemicals to eliminate because it comes under a list of about 25 different names. Many of these names seem innocent enough: vegetable protein extract, hydrolyzed plant protein, yeast extract, autolysed yeast... why you would think these ingredients were based on natural flavors. Guess what? Natural flavor is an allowable buzz word for all these ingredients. They are just new names for Monosodium Glutamate. All fast food restaurants use this ingredient and as well as promoting weight gain, it is also addicting. Profits over health... I have no use for that!

The second poison is high-fructose corn syrup. This is probably the biggest contributor to obesity and the diabetes epidemic. It is basically fake sugar made from turning synthetic corn to "cornstarch", heating it to a "corn" syrup (keep in mind the corn is fake... you can't eat it). It is added to foods to make them taste sweeter than sugar and has the ability to extend shelf life of all those sweetened goodies. As a matter of fact, check most labels on any processed food and you will be sure to see its appearance... even in food products that are not supposed to be sweet. This poison is the staple ingredient in soda ( unless it is diet soda whose ingredients are just as bad) and although this beverage is known to cause obesity, our government subsidizes farmers (i.e big business conglomerates) who grow this fake corn. This poison is like a foreign substance when it gets into the body and in large quantities has the ability to harm the liver. The cost of convenience can be deadly indeed. When I want a soda I put a small amount of fruit syrup (containing real sugar) in a glass with seltzer water. It is just delicious!

Last but not least is the hydrogenated vegetable oil or trans fats that increase bad cholesterol levels, clog arteries, and contribute to heart disease. It's a molecular modified version of oil that is processed using heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, platinum... wouldn't this alone scare you from using the stuff? But buyer beware here, because now companies are using "no trans fats" on labels, when in fact products are allowed to have 0.5 mg of the poison and still be considered trans fat free. Even if the label says it's "free," the prudent thing to do is to severely limit the products that need to brag about their trans fat free label. I make all my baked goods from scratch using old fashioned butter, and although I like savory snacks like potato chips... I limit these items in favor of foods that are naturally missing the trans fat, like nuts and seeds.

My trips to the grocery store are much quicker now that I have omitted these chemicals from my diet... so many aisles are dedicated to the sale of products that contain them that most of the food that I actually buy comes from the outer perimeter of the store. I did my research... followed through on eliminating these three culprits, and can feel the difference in my weight, energy levels, and general well-being. I found that the more you eat healthy natural food, the more you will crave natural healthy food. It's that simple.

Painted Walls

I'm enjoying my own handiwork after a week of painting. No, not the creative kind of painting... I have no talent on that front. I'm talking about the application of latex flat finnish on the old plaster walls of my foyer, stairwell, and second floor hallway. Our house is 129 years old and is still settling, so there are cracks and lumps, not to mention old paint drips and roller marks from years gone by... oh, and all those nail holes where pictures were hung. I'm ashamed to admit that there were about three nail holes and cracked plaster beneath those hastily hung pictures and trickets that decorated the walls. I had a lot of spackling and sanding to do before I could even think about painting. Then, I had to cover all the trim with painters masking tape, as I only had a three inch brush and knew in my impatience that I would not be very careful with the edging. The real challenge was carrying up the aluminum ladder from the basement without banging up the walls and trim that will not get painted, and moving it along the slippery drop cloth without scratching the hardwood floors. Only minor dings occurred. Once I was prepped, and dressed in old clothes, I put on some Enya as background music to keep me calm and patient. I took my time alternating between brushing and rolling, climbing up the ladder to reach the high spots and then climbing down with brush in hand to crouch on the floor and paint the low spots. I thought the most dangerous part would be painting the 12 foot high stairwell ceiling as the ladder sat perilously close to the stairs, but the only danger that took me by surprise was when I applied the new roller to the holder and caught the covered skin on one of my breasts in the doing. YEOWW!!! All I could think of was, "that's gonna leave a mark that I'll have a hard time explaining." Anyhoo, I did slip off the step-stool as I vigorously rolled the paint a little too horizontally for my reach... and took off a layer of fresh paint as I slid down the wall. Other that those little mishaps, I did a pretty good job and I'm now ready to do the trimwork. I just need a few days to rest my sore muscles.

A Day for Love

Sunday was Valentine's Day, a day when sweethearts show their love for one another with gifts and tokens of appreciation. Although every day provides a chance for romance, holidays serve as reminders that we need to celebrate and share the joy of what is most pleasurable in life. The three things that come to my mind when I think of celebration are Nature, good food, and doing for others. My husband thrilled me with three miniature rose plants in which I lost no time creating my window garden. Now when I look outside at the wintry landscape I have the cheery heads of budding flowers to remind me that Spring is right around the corner. My garden gives me much pleasure, but I have to be careful not to over-mother the plants as I am apt to do.

I decided it was a good day to bake, and so I made my husband shortbread heart cookies. There were only three ingredients: 2 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup of sugar and one pound of sweet butter. The dough was sticky and before rolling out on a floured surface, I had to refrigerate it for an hour or so. It felt good to use a rolling pin, as of late I have been in favor of the drop cookie, but it was challenging to get them even. Even more challenging was getting the sprinkles to stay on the unbaked cookie. My bunny rabbit has a sweet tooth and I had to shoo him out of the kitchen with a broom as I swept the colorful jimmies off the floor. They baked at 3oo degrees for about 30 minutes.

I am a big fan of a hearty stick to the ribs type of meal and I love vegetables more than any other food. After I baked my token of love, Gerry took over in the kitchen. He carefully defatted a pork roast and browned then braised it with red cabbage, sauerkraut, onion and carrots. He then made a medley of brussels sprouts, parsnip, and garlic in a mustard glaze and baked them to caramelized perfection. To spice it up a bit he also baked some large jalapenos, which as long as you don't eat the seeds are hot but tasty. There was even a fat free gravy to pour over the top of the rich, hearty, vegetable laden meal. We had our dinner by candlelight ( which we usually do on the weekends) and I ate slower than usual to savor every morsel of the dinner. Then we retreated to the TV room to watch our Saturday night British sitcoms with tea and dessert. Since I am on a lowfat diet (not for weight loss though) I had mango sherbet with a topping of wheat germ while Gerry enjoyed the butter rich shortbread hearts. We even stayed up like regular grown-ups to watch a movie before retiring to bed to enjoy each other's night time company. A day spent like this is worth more to me than all the world's diamonds and jewels!

Aging Gracefully

In a world gone mad with retaining eternal youth, I welcome the sight of the stray silver hairs that streak my hair and the faint lines that circle my mouth and eyes. They add a new dimension to my look without any cosmetic intervention by me. Unless there is some kind of grotesque deformity going on as I age, there will be no botox or plastic surgery for me. I have always taken good care of my skin and hair as I take pride in my good looks, though it hasn't always been this way. In my younger years I was hyper-critical of everything from my freckles to the the dulling of the once blonde hair that I had in my youth. I was always too fat or too thin, too white, or too ordinary. There were years in my early adulthood when my hair was dyed and frosted, permed and clipped in every style and color imaginable... and still I never looked right. Somehow over the years all that changed and now... well none of that really matters, as I am content with the way I look. I still have my morning ritual where I apply moisturizer and sun block all over. I also apply the subtle make-up that accentuates without overpowering my fair features (my one vanity is to match the make-up to my outfit). But once my face is on I go about my business and except for a reapplication of lipstick before my husband comes home (another habit that dies hard), I don't think about how I look, as I am too busy finding simple pleasures to fill my time. I laugh alot and smile alot and so the lines and wrinkles I have are a badge of honor for me. At night, I always remove my make-up and gently butter my face with an inexpensive moisturizer (one that does not test on animals) and brush my hair with the thinest coating of oil after I have applied it to my hands and elbows and knees. My teeth are a natural yellow tint, but they get brushed vigorously twice a day and flossed as well and there is no need to bleach them as I will never be a part of the entertainment crowd. Probably the best thing that I do for my middle-aged reflection in the mirror is to look at it without harsh judgement and verbally affirm, " you look marvelous!" So let it be written, so let it be done!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday was a perfect snow day! I woke to the gray blur of dawn and the yard and roads were already blanketed in about 4 inches of snow. I got out early to make a feeble attempt at shoveling the walkway and then decided I was much better off just sweeping the porches with my broom. Better yet, I got my camera and dashed around the backyard looking for hiding spots to capture the snow covered branches and other odd items of my interest without getting the camera too wet. I was greeted by a family of deer known for loitering in my yard, and at one point I looked eye to eye towards the great buck that took a step in my direction to assert his power. Gently I talked to him and asked his permission to continue out back to photograph the stream. At his lead the whole family bolted over the picket fence and ran into the neighbor's yard. It was gray and cold and windy and I only lasted outside for about a half an hour. To warm myself I baked some coconut meringue cookies with cheery maraschino cherries on top just to keep things festive. It seems like years since we've had snow of this magnitude, so why not celebrate! There was warm pea soup and biscuits for lunch and lots of green tea! In the afternoon the winds started to kick up fiercely and the snow became almost blinding. Gerry and I started on a walk around the block and I had to go back to get my sunglasses to keep the swirling snow from blinding me. We walked about a mile and it was unusual to see people with their snow blowers stop and wave hi to us. Something about a storm must excite people and they seem to become friendlier. At one point an electrical wire fell into the street right in front of us and we had to wave a car down and let them know to detour, as running into the camouflaged wire would have been dangerous. The visibility was so poor we couldn't see the end of the street, but we could hear the sounds of cracking tree limbs in the distance. Once home, Gerry decided to start shoveling as I made a snow woman in the whipping winds. I had to work fast as it was indeed a true blizzard. We had hamburgers, french fries, and baked beans for dinner as all of the outside activity allowed us the extra starch and calories to really picnic by the TV for a game of Jeopardy. This morning the sun rose with striated colors of purple, pale blue, and apricot. By the time the sun fully rose, we were outside for more shoveling and car cleaning as the blizzard left a foot or more of snow. Yesterday was so gray and dark, but today the sun shone brilliantly in the blue sky, melting the snow off the branches and wires in the balminess of a 30 degree day. Everything looked so crisp and clean and vivid! Winter isn't as hard to take when we have days like these!

Here it Comes Again...

I wait in restless anticipation of another snow day, like a school aged child with a new sled, only for me it is a new camera and I am over a half a century old! Our last storm was less than a week ago and although some areas got over 2 feet, we had an enjoyable 4 inches. All day I waited at the window watching for the tell tale signs of a coming blizzard. I got to the store to buy the provisions for being snowed in... mostly snacks and juice and ice-cream... the important stuff. I got impatient when at the predicted time of 6 PM there was no snow falling yet. Well, the weatherman said it would start at that time! It actually didn't start until after midnight and as my bedtime is 9 PM, I couldn't wait up. But at the sound of whistling trees I awoke at 4 AM and had to sneak downstairs in the darkness to see the whirling of frosty flakes in the shadows of the trees and bushes that were illuminated by the back porch light. Just delightful... I felt like running outside in my robe and dancing barefooted on the patio, but at that hour there are many wild animals that lurk about and I wouldn't want to frighten them. I returned to bed with the thought that school was cancelled and now I could sleep in... and I did until sun-up. After a good breakfast of waffles and blackberries with syrup and whipped cream, I bundled up to go play in the snow with my trusted broom. It only appeared as I was cleaning cars and sweeping porches, as my imagination had me conjuring up snow fairies in chariots as the sweeping sting of diamond confetti whirled around my face. My ever ready camera was there to help me find the magick to share. Again I'm excited as this snow storm is supposed to be even bigger than the last. My pea soup was started at 5 AM, my snack shopping is done, and I had my daughter visit with baby Annabel in case I get snowed in for a few days... one can only hope. I have an urge to bake and so there will be biscuits with dinner tonight... rolled ones and not the cheater drop biscuits. Pardon me while I check the sky outside my window for the 100th time today... I'm a little excited anticipating a really big storm this time, and like a real adult I'll probably have to call out from work (my volunteer job) so I can have the guilty pleasure of a real snow day.

Made in China... no thanks.

I can remember a time way back as a child when anything made in China was considered junk. I didn't really understand why, I mean I thought the Chinese finger cuffs some relative bought me for Christmas one year were pretty cool, and so were my grandparent's glass and paper wind chimes. As I grew older and began to think things through, I thought globalization was a pretty cool thing... people from all around the world selling their wares to make a profit in the same way the US did. It seemed pretty reasonable until I realized that in some parts of the world children were still forced into unfair labor, and peasants still existed who made pennies a day for their hard work. But now the whole playing field has changed and it seems that in spite of poisoned food, unsafe product lines, and severe human rights injustices, China seems to have the market sewn up on most products offered for sale here in the US. Five out of five products I needed from the local Bed Bath and Beyond were all made in China. There were no other alternatives for these household items. I settled on buying four of the five (I didn't really need a silky puff to wash myself). REluctantly I purchased the four other items and made a mental note to check my labels more closely next time. We need jobs badly here in the states and how will we ever get them back if all the stuff we think we need is coming from China. They don't even play fair by the international monetary rules, so why are our shelves lined with all of their junky products. It's probably because no one else can compete with their low prices and so other countries including our own just give up. I know it is probably late in the game to expect people to pay more for American products, as everyone is so cost conscious nowadays, but I'm going to try really hard to shop and buy goods that are made in the US... or at least from a country who plays fair in the global market.

Brigid's Day

Yesterday was one of my favorite holidays on the Wiccan Calendar called Imbolc or Brigid's Day. In Celtic legend, Brigid was a Goddess who fed the hungry people of Ireland with her magic cow that produced lakes of rich milk. Although her cow was red eared, I'm particularly fond of the black and white variety seen above. Brigid was also the patron deity of silversmiths, poets, midwives, and ale-makers... a strong woman of many talents, so much in fact that when the Christians took over the spirituality of the Irish, the former pagans would not give up their beloved Goddess and so she was made a saint. In the Christian view she was the midwife to Jesus's birth. The word Imbolc means" in the belly" referring to the lambing time of birth that signifies the coming of the Spring. Brigid is associated with the fire of the hearth or purification, and so her day is a good time to get one's house (and spiritual house) in order.

I usually bake a special dessert on this day and yesterday I chose to make a French Apple Pie which has apples and raisins and is spiced with cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and nutmeg. Once baked I spread a vanilla glaze over the top which made the pie look like snow covered hills.

My ceremony is a simple one that includes various readings and incantations aimed at strengthening my connection with Spirit. I usually play soft Celtic music, decorate my alter with fresh flowers or leaves, and I light many candles and incense. After the readings there is a meditation and perhaps a divination. Then sacred magick is performed (that's the only part of the ceremony that is secret). At the end of the ceremony a toast of sparkling juice or cider is made to the God/Goddess as well as an offering of small cookies. This is referred to "cakes and ale" and it's important to partake of the refreshment as lots of energy is expended. These rituals that I perform are really no different than the connection that others would find by going to their own houses of worship on a holiday. The only difference is that I make up the rules and readings according to what feels right for me. Oh, and there is usually a celebratory dessert after the ceremony is completed. The pie served with ice-cream was just divine!

Feeling Old Musically

I love all kinds of music from classical to synthpop and almost all genres in between. So like many Americans I tuned in to the Grammys last night to hear some of the current musical stars and see their performances. Perhaps I didn't expect that much, as the glitzy stage was set and the stars began appearing with their music. I didn't expect to see cirque de soleil acrobatics or comic book characters coming to life. I was prepared for bright lights, handheld microphones and clothes befitting the genres... but somehow I was confused. The Grammys are supposed to celibrate the best of the best in the music industry but no one sounded all that good. Now I know most of the contenders who I usually hear on the radio... I'm not that out of touch. The songs are catchy and the vocals and songwriting are really good. I always liked Pink with her offbeat style, but even she seemed to be dressed like a Hollywood starlet with the blonde hair, make-up, and scanty outfit and although her acrobatic performance was stunning, it was a distraction from the music. The Black Eyed-Peas have a great sound, but I have to admit that the shouting and the weird robots dancing around reminded me of a high school musical... it did make me laugh though. I had never heard of the country music winners, I admit, but I looked forward to their performance with Leon Russell. Poor Leon looked like Rip Van Winkle but his voice was still clear as a bell if he was indeed singing live. He did a good service to the winners who I found uninspired. I waited impatiently to see Stevie Nicks perform with Taylor Swift, both of whom I like very much. Something was wrong, as I strained to hear the clear vocals that were muffled together and poorly mixed. I didn't feel the need to continue watching. I was a Michael Jackson fan, but the thought of seeing him dancing around posthumously knowing how he was ridiculed after his alleged "fall" would just give me the willies. It just seems so hypocritical. The whole production was so over the top in gaudy decoration, the music seemed flat in comparison. I admit that I'm probably just an aging crankster who doesn't enjoy all he theatrical hype that goes along with the Grammy awards. I'd rather watch the wonderful performances of the rising stars on a venue like you-tube (or better yet itunes) where the purity of the music really shines through.