Photo from the Past

In the past week or so I have been scrapbooking more and came across an old picture of myself.  It is from 1990 and I was 30 years old then. Oh my how time flies. I wish that I was 30 again and could live things over with a little more wisdom, well actually a lot more wisdom. I felt beautiful then. Life was ahead of me and I had dreams. Today, I am still dreaming and shall continue to do so until they put me in the ground. Never give up on your dreams or on life.  Sometimes we get whacked but stand back up and keep going and maybe give a whack back.  

You is Kind, You is Smart, You is Important

These words resonated throughout the movie called "The Help".  It deals with prejudice in the south during the 1960's. We are all important and have value, yet some think that they are better than others just because of skin color.  What amazes me is all of the white people who lay out in the sun to brown up real good. But if they bring someone home who is brown, then, oh my, the world is coming to an end. We all have our prejudices whether we want to admit it or not.  I think that if we look at people on the inside then the world will be a better place to live. 

Look beyond the cover to discover what is written on the pages. Embrace the difference and learn from others and other cultures. Who knows, you may have a richer life for expanding your horizons.

The Eagle and the Raven: It's all about perspective

The Eagle by Houshang Mostoufi

An eagle was flying high above the mountains when he saw a raven well below him.  He remembered that ravens always live longer than eagles and so he flew down toward the raven to ask him what the secret to his longevity was.

The raven told the eagle that the secret was two-fold.  “It is my low flying, and my diet.” “I can fly low also, “said the eagle.  “But I feed off of birds I catch in flight.” And that is the problem, said the raven.  You must learn to eat as I do. Come with me to the swamp tomorrow, and I will show you how.”

The next morning the eagle went to the swamp with the raven and watched the raven feasting on the rubbish in the swamp.  He watched the raven pull apart the decomposed carcasses and sift his beak through the mud.

And to this, the eagle decided, “My friend, the raven, I can fly low, for the rest of my short life, but there is no way I can feed on this scum that gathers on the swamp floor.” The raven looked up to respond to the eagle, but all there was in the sky was the small silhouette of the eagle flying high above.

The moral of the story is:  Do you want to fly with the eagle or go dumpster diving with the raven?

Picture from here

Wadia Boutaba a New and Upcoming British\Moroccan Artist

Wadia Boutaba was born in the UK but her roots are from Morocco.  Her parents are from Nador in northern Morocco.  Although she is British by birth she likes to call herself the Moroccan Artist.  You can view some of her work on Facebook

With a degree in Textile Design Wadia began painting again while on leave from work after having her first child.  Her husband, who is also Moroccan, encouraged her to show her work to the public.

The news media has focused on the negative aspects of Muslims and through her art Wadia wants the world to see that they are not all bad people. 

I like her style, it is simple yet lovely.  She has received a good response to her art and looks forward to what the future may hold.

What does one do with rice bags?

I guess that I may be wierd, and I will be the first to admit it.  I don't want to throw those rice bags away.  It seems wasteful to put them in the trash. Somehow they can be used for other things.  It doesn't matter if they are made of burlap or cotton.  The zipper will keep things in and the bag may prove to be handy.  Should I hang them on the wall?  Will people think that I am strange if decorate with them?  Oh what to do! 

Why in the world did I buy 20 pounds of rice in the first place?  I must be crazy!

City of Cholesterol and One of the Fattest Too: Fort Wayne

In Prevention Magazine this month Fort Wayne, Indiana was #2 on the Most Artery-Clogging Cities in America list.  Oh, I am so proud!  (with sarcasm) However, Fort Wayne made another list in 2002 & 2005 as being one of the fattest cities in the nation. Wow!  We promote healthy eating and exercise here.  The mall will allow people to come in and walk for free.  We have the River Greenway, promoting walking and cycling. There are various avenues for exercise and places that promote healthy eating. 

Eat less and move more is easier said than done. The place that I worked before allowed us to take breaks in the mornings and afternoons.  I would walk up to 3 miles a day. I felt great.  Now that I have a different job, my movement during the day is very limited to non-existent.  Instead of working exercise in my work day, I have to make time at night or get up at the crack of dawn. It is hard to stay in shape. Don't you think?  

Picture is from here

Turkey or Chicken Soup With Rice

Since the weather has been more winter like, it is time to start making soup.  I came home from work wanting chicken or turkey and rice soup.  I still had turkey left from Thanksgiving and thought that I should put it to good use. I like to eat a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich with soup. 

Ingredints:


3 cups of shredded chicken or turkey
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, sliced
6-8 sprigs of Italian parsley, chopped  
1/2 tsp oregano leaves
1/2 tsp thyme
6-8 cups of water
3 extra large chicken bouillon cubes
salt/pepper to taste
1/2 cup of long grain rice
2 tbs ghee or clarified butter
1-2 tbs vegetable oil

In a soup pan add the vegetable oil, onion, celery, parsely, and spices.  Saute until the onions are soft.  Add the water and bouillon and bring to a boil.  Next,  add the carrots, rice, and chicken or turkey.  Simmer until the carrots and rice are tender, about 15 minutes.  Add the ghee for flavor.  Adjust spices to your taste.  Enjoy!  Serve with crispy bread or a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich.

With the Intent to deceive

“With the intent to deceive” kept going through my head all night.  One of my co-workers asked me if I could marry someone just to get out of terrible living conditions. It didn't take me long to respond. I’m not sure that I could do this. Yet it happens all of the time. People marry for various reasons, some honorable and some, well, not so honorable.  Since my divorce, I have been having a hard time financially. But to marry someone just to help pay my bills is deceitful and has never entered my mind.  I say this because I would rather do without or make a way for myself than to hurt someone intentionally. But not all people think this way. The used person has a heart, has feelings, and has a soul. Yet many people are used as if they have no value once the user is done with them.  They are cast aside like garbage. I read of many people, especially women, who are deceived into marrying someone from abroad with talk of love and devotion, only to find out that it was all a lie from the very beginning. Their self esteem plummets. The ‘victim’ often doubts their own self worth or plays the “what if” game in order to try and make sense of what happened. Users lie to the spouse, each other, and most of all to themselves, it is no big deal to lie, because they have been doing it all of their lives. “She pushed me away,” he said, “she has trust issues.”  The list can go on and on.  But the truth is he had another plan, an agenda. He was planning the divorce long before the marriage ever took place. He scoured the internet until he found his victim. She was his ticket to freedom. I guess you can look at it as you helped one person out of their misery only to put yourself into misery for trusting.  A heart can be broken and trusting another will be harder the next time around. But this too will pass. I would rather have the intent to love sincerely and not be afraid of God and karma to come looking for me. 

Picture came from here

Beef Kefta Curry

I love curry dishes.  This one can be flaming hot or very mild.  Unlike Moroccan food, which can take hours to prepare, Indian dishes are usually quick and easy to make with just as much flavor.  This recipe is wonderful and you will feel like you are eating in India once the first bite is taken.  

Ingredients:

For the meatballs

1 lb ground beef or lamb

3 TBS onion, chopped

1 TBS chopped cilantro 

1 TBS plain yogurt

4 TBS flour

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp ground coriander

1 fresh green chili, seeded and finely chopped or you can use canned

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp black mustard seeds

salt/pepper to taste

1 egg

Mix all of the above ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.  Shape into balls and set aside.

For the curry sauce

2 TBS butter or vegetable oil or a combination of both

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 TBS curry powder

1 tsp cardamom powder or 4 green cardamom pods

2 1/2 cups of  chicken stock

1 TBS tomato puree

2 TBS plain yogurt

1 TBS cilantro, chopped

Heat the butter in a pan over medium heat.  Add the onion,garlic and cilantro and saute for about 10 minutes until the onion is soft.  Reduce the heat and then add the spices, stirring well. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir well.  Simmer for about 10-20 minutes.  You want the sauce to be somewhat thick when finished.  Slowly add the meatballs.  If you stir them too much they will break apart. Simmer for another 20 minutes.  If it becomes too dry add more water.  Serve with naan or over plain rice.  Enjoy!

Why would a grown man want to marry a 9 year old little girl?

I have just read the book, "I am Nujood, Age 10 and Divorced."  I saw this book in the book stores a couple of years ago.  Now I have decided to read it.  Long story short this book is about a little girl whose father arranged for her to get married when she was 9 years old.  There are many factors which would drive a father to marry off their daughters at such a young age: poverty, local custom, and lack of education.  Nujood's family is from Yemen and marrying a young girl has been going on there for generations.  There is a tribal proverb that says: "To guarantee a happy marriage, marry a 9 year old girl." By the way, Nujood's husband was 30 years old.  What can a grown man have in common with a child of nine? I felt very sad after reading this book and nearly cried.  I just don't understand the thought pattern here and I kept asking myself why. I know that they want to ensure that children will be born to them in the marriage but oftentimes at the peril of the mother.  A child will not be as developed internally as she should and faces serious injury or worse.

Picture comes from National Geographic

Nujood shattered a taboo. This child's story traveled around the world.  Her courage to seek a divorce from an abusive man three times older than she, gave other girls the courage to stand up for themselves too. In February of 2009, the Yemeni Parliament finally passed a new law raising the legal age of consent for marriage to 17 for both boys and girls.  I wonder if this law is enforced?  I doubt it very seriously.