On My Mind Today

No matter how much you love someone, if you have ever had to play nurse maid to them after an injury, you know that it will test the strength of that love. Even the best of us have our limits when it comes to the added stress to our mental and physical health. In less than one year I have had to play nurse maid due to injuries he has sustained. Last spring it was surgery on his Achilles tendon, and now he has a broken right arm (he is right handed). Now, this would be difficult enough with most men, but if you live with an Italian man it's a whole different world. On a good day, when they are healthy, they can be demanding enough. Let's face it, their mothers have made these Italian men think they are the greatest gift ever. In their mind they can't imagine that anyone wouldn't want to take care of them - after all it must be a joy to do so. Of course they don't realize they are delusional. Add to this an injury and your life is no longer your own. It was diff...

Every once in a while, we get one of those weeks in the latter part of winter that feels more like spring. This third week of February has been just one of those weeks. We all know it is a teaser of what will come down the road, and are keenly aware that this brief snippet of warmth will not last. Even so, I have embraced these signs of spring; it has made me anxious to get my hands in the dirt of my flower bed. There really is not much I can do, but I did clean up my rose bush to prepare for its inevitable awakening from winter. The few plants that were covered have been exposed to allow the nutrients from the late winter snows to nourish them. Nothing better than the sun shining on my back with a warm breeze blowing through my hair as I work. When the small amount of work is complete, j oy fills my soul as I stand in silence, breathing in the smell of fresh air with only the sound of a few winter birds. It makes me feel alive after being behind closed doors much of the winter....

Several years ago we were watching a Boston station on a Sunday morning. Their guest was a chef who prepared these tomatoes stuffed with couscous, onions, carrots, red pepper, and feta. They are easy to make, and full of a delicious combination of flavors. You can serve the stuffed tomatoes as your main course with a salad, or as a side dish to a larger meal. Couscous Stuffed Tomatoes 4 each 5x6 tomatoes with tips cut off and seed scooped out 2 cups couscous 2-1/4 cups vegetable broth 1/4 cup diced white onion 1/4 cups diced carrots 1/4 cups diced red peppers 1 tablespoon curly parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons feta cheese 2 tablespoons olive oil salt and pepper to taste 1. Heat oil in sauce pan over medium-high heat. 2. Add couscous, carrots, onions, peppers stirring until onion is translucent and couscous is a light golden brown. (5-7 minutes) 3. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. 4. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until all cubes a...

It sometimes seems that my grandchildren are getting older much faster than is possible. In my mind I still see them as infants or toddlers, but the reality does not sync with what I envision. I do know they are just fond memories, however they are ones I choose to hold on to. Each birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, etc. I do try to spoil them as much as possible, but no gift can ever be as valuable as time and attention. These are something all children look for; something that makes them feel special. A few years ago I started writing letters to them. I wanted to ensure they knew me not only as their grandmother, but also as a person. They each receive a letter every 3 weeks - something to make them feel important. Now that they are a bit older, they are involved in many extra activities. Although these are good for them in terms of social development and being a part of a team, it does make it more difficult to spend time with them. It doesn't mean they don...

A very dear friend presented me with a copy of Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh over a year ago. I started reading it a few times, and was able to finally finish on the 3rd attempt. Lindbergh wrote Gift form the Sea in 1955 while taking a short vacation at the ocean, and found inspiration from the shells on the shore. Her insights on a woman's life are both interesting, and so familiar in many ways. An excerpt from the Oyster Bed chapter: Many people never climb above the plateau of forty-to-fifty. The signs that presage growth, so familiar, it seems to me, to those in early adolescence: discontent, restlessness, doubt, despair, longing, are interpreted falsely as signs of decay. In youth one does not as often misinterpret the signs; one accepts them, quite rightly, as growing pains. One takes them seriously, listens to them, follows where they lead. One is afraid. Naturally. Who is not afraid of pure space - that breath-taking empty space of an open door? But d...

From Averie Cooks, this moist and tender pull-apart French Toast is filled with a delicious blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, maple syrup and more. Prepare the night before, refrigerate, and just bake in the morning. Even those who have trouble getting their day started can serve a hot and delectable brunch. Sure to make an impression. Pumpkin Cinnamon Overnight Pull-Apart French Toast with Vanilla Maple Butter For the French Toast About 8 cups bread, diced in 1½- to 2-inch pieces, or about 12 ounces (French bread, a French Baugette, or a crusty and hearty bakery-style bread is necessary; something that can stand up to overnight soaking without disintegrating) ½ cup unsalted butter, melted 2 large eggs 1 cup pumpkin puree ½ cup milk or cream ½ cup granulated sugar ⅓ cup maple syrup ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ¼ teaspoon ground cloves For the Vanilla Maple Butter (do...

Music, the universal language that can bring people together in times of joy, and in times of great distress. Even if you don't understand the language the music speaks to your soul. As far back as I can remember music has been a part of my life. Our parents enjoyed listening to music, so we grew up with the sound of country melodies. As a teenager I can't say I was a big fan of country music; I grew up in the 60's so when the Beatles came along, and then the Rolling Stones, rock and roll became a part of my life. In the 80's and 90's I was raising my children, and as my parents did, I introduced them to music as infants. As they grew up we enjoyed much of the same music, but it's funny how they too were not big country fans as teenagers. Perhaps it has something to do with rebelling against parents. Over the years I have come to appreciate many genres from country to classical, rock, soul and much more. I learned that good music comes in many forms and if...

STOP!!! If we have to endure one more show that insults our intelligence we should all boycott TV. Each "new" season they might give us 5-7 episodes of a program worth watching, and then we are back to repeats on every channel, or the so-called "reality" TV programming that is in no way reality. And the cable and satellite companies are making buckets of money for "over 200 channels" to watch. They don't tell you that there is nothing worth watching on most of them. I don't know about you, but I am tired of being insulted with shows about sister wives, searching for sister wives, bachelors or bachelorettes, strangers living in a house together, teams "competing" to survive, and so many others I can't even begin to count them all. We wonder why people have become obsessed with doing the ridiculous? They are all trying to find their 15 minutes of fame in reality TV. If they truly knew how these shows were produced, they might think tw...