No, it’s not Thanksgiving. It’s Veterans Day and I know that many people are confused about who exactly we are celebrating, so let me clarify:
Veterans Day is a day not only to remember those who died in service to our country, but also to recognize those who continue to serve today. Past, present, old, young – everyone who answered the call to defend our freedom.
Take a moment to think about (and thank) all those who have served and are serving right now – they deserve at least one minute of your busy day.
Humans are complex. Humanity is even more complex.
I don’t usually write much about affairs of the world. I tend to keep this blog light, fun and based on my inner world.
I hope you don’t (those of you who don’t know me) think I’m shallow because of it. I’m well aware of the plight of the world. I pause daily at news stories and my thoughts go out to the people involved. I just figure you get enough of it in your face and I don’t need to repeat the desolation in my blog.
In spite of any tragedies we face ourselves, we should always count our blessings. Every day.
You have complaints about a bad day? Your cable went out and missed the big game? Your investment fund went belly up? Your car broke down and you had to hitch a ride to work? The fax didn’t go through? You didn’t get the client/gig/job/ you wanted? Your cell phone call was dropped? The light turned red just as you were about to cross the intersection? Your patent idea fizzled? Your girl/boy friend broke up with you? The shoes you wanted aren’t available in your size?
Those things are valid to some degree. They are important to you at the moment – based on your configuration of life that you are currently living. You may need some cheese with that whine. Especially if you are upset about things like not getting the shoes you wanted. (If this is you… don’t even get me started!) Please try to remember the big picture and where your plights fit in the scheme of this world.
Most of the world lives in poverty… Tragedy happens every day…
People you meet daily, may be going through their own personal hell, but don’t say a word about it — as you complain to them about the price of figs or that your grocery store was out of your favorite bottled water. I’ve experienced my own tragedies, but never voiced them to you.
Seriously. Take a breath. Think. Listen to yourself. Most importantly listen to what’s happening in the world.
There are so many tragedies every day – I could pick from several – but today I was thinking about a recent Human Trafficking story where 92 people died – mostly women and children. Not your problem, you say? I beg to differ. We’re all in this together.
THIS is real life. It ain’t always pretty. And it ain’t for the weak or weary.
Now, go be a better person. Create a better world. And find a deeper meaning in your life and for others in any small or big way you can think of – humanity is counting on you!
I love trying new recipes, but hadn’t done so in a long time. Two babies back to back (or other life changing events) will do that to you.
Now when I try something new, I have to pick things that I think (hope and pray) the kids will eat too. It’s a gamble. The food fickleness runs deep in my two year old.
I was so excited to try a new butternut squash and apple soup – I made a little center piece for the table. It was only up for about one hour. As soon as Max woke from his nap, I took it down. Otherwise I’d be chasing down those apples all over the house!
I snapped a pic of the pears I’d just bought too. The bright green contrast with the white bowl was just so pretty to me.
I love having raw, fresh fruit and vegetables piled up in my kitchen. And I love working with them – washing, peeling, chopping. I think it’s just the earthiness of it.
The Halloween fun started early around here. There are a few neighbors with kids Max’s age plus our hood has a great ‘trick or treat’ block within walking distance.
The area has so many trick or treaters that half the people set up a table in front of their house instead of opening their door every 5 seconds.
For the houses that did open their door, Sarah wanted to move in. She would attempt to walk in to every house we visited and would get upset when the trick or treat part was over and we had to move on. It was so adorable.
And Max had so much fun he didn’t want to take off his monkey costume at the end of the day. He wanted the fun (and the candy) to last forever.
Last year it didn’t happen. But this year we did it. We got out to a pumpkin patch!
We went to a new one – Mr. Bones – right here in center of Los Angeles. And we went during the week so it wasn’t busy and the kids could run and run and run… and they did! I think Max ran the whole time we were there! They had so much fun! And I had so much fun watching them have so much fun ;-)
