On My Mind Today

   Self-Centered - concerned solely or chiefly with one's own interests, welfare, etc.; engrossed in self; selfish; egotistical.  Although there are many kind, compassionate, and giving people in the world, all one needs to do is look around and they will quickly find a society that has become more self-centered than in the past. For some it is all about their own wants and needs; never thinking about those around them. Over the years, in an effort to build up our children’s confidence, we may have failed in some ways by making them think that they are “special” compared to others; that it is all about them and their needs. We want to raise children who are confident in who they are, but not at the expense of thinking less of those who are different, or who don’t have as much. If we want a peaceful and kinder society, we need to recognize it will be accomplished by the children of the world today; our time has passed, so we need to ensure they are educated and ready to ta...

Paris at last. It seems like it has been a very long journey to the city of love. We have been looking forward to the sights and sounds that Paris has to offer. Since we arrived late afternoon on day ten, we would only have one full day to explore. After checking into our room and freshening up, we asked for directions to a good Italian restaurant. I know, you would think we would go to a French restaurant in Paris, but I live with a Sicilian.  The concierge recommended Tripletta (triplettapizza.com) .  With directions in hand, we headed out to walk the city streets and find our destination. Easier said than done. Somehow, we zigged when we should have zagged, and were lost in the small side streets. We asked a young couple if they could help, but they did not seem receptive. Another couple observed this interaction and asked if they could assist. These wonderful people spent fifteen minutes helping us search for and find the restaurant. We could not thank them enough for thei...

While on our cruise recently, the chef gave a cooking demonstration one afternoon for the ship's guests. On the menu was Flammkuchen. Flammkuchen, literally translates from German as “flame cake”. It became popular in the 1960s at the beginning of the pizza craze. There are variations of it in much of Europe. It has a thinner crust and different toppings than a typical pizza and is great served with a side salad for lunch or a light supper. Ingredients:  Dough 1 C all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt 3–4 tsp olive oil ⅓ C water Topping 2 Tbsp sour cream 1½ oz bacon, finely diced ½ white onion, thinly sliced 2 Tbsp dry white wine 1 Tbsp spring onion, green part only finely chopped Directions Dough: Preheat oven to 425°F (see note below). Combine flour and salt in a bowl; stir in oil and water until mixture begins to stick together. Knead well until dough forms. Let dough rest 30 minutes. Line baking pan with a piece of parchment paper. Flour prep area and roll dough out to 1/8 inch thick. T...

 Such a short time ago we patiently waited for spring's warmth to unthaw the ground. The long cold days eventually surrendered, to allow the dormant to awaken again.   As if overnight buds appeared on the trees, giving hope of what was to come. Green leaves sprouted, and their edges unfurled, giving rise to the shade they would bring. Warm summer days were upon us, and we searched for a cool place to lie. Those beautiful trees, leaves whispering with a breeze, gave respite from the heat of the day. What is this that appears before us? Autumn has once again come to our door. Those green leaves of summer we cherished, have now turned to red, orange and gold. The color of the leaves is a joy to behold, and we wish it would last forever. Sun shining through the branches make a brilliant display and we thank God for the gift he bestows. Soon the leaves will turn to brown,  and be pulled from the branches by cool winds. As they are tossed through the air  they will appear ...

And so, the time arrives to make the final departure from our ship. There is sadness when we think of leaving behind peaceful days cruising along the Rhine, and the gourmet meals and excellent service and care we received while aboard. These are memories we will keep with us and think of fondly in the years to come. There will be a long day on the bus before we reach our final destination of Paris. However, the two stops we make enroute will leave lasting impressions. As we travel through France, we pass by cities and towns, interspersed with farmland and vineyards. As in Germany, the use of wind power in France is very evident by the number of wind turbines that we see. The first stop is the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg, France. The U.S. 5th Armored Division liberated the site on September 10, 1944, and a temporary burial ground was established on December 29, 1944. Free use as a permanent burial ground was granted by the Grand Ducal government in perpetuity without char...

Apple season is upon us, and there is nothing better than home baked apple cakes and pies. This recipe is from the pages of the Live Longer cookbook. Although not as sweet as a traditional coffee cake, it is moist and delicious. Quick and easy to put together, and great swerved warm from the oven. A nice addition for those watching their sugar intake. Apple-Cheese Coffee Cake   1 cup unsifted all-purpose flour 1 cup unsifted whole wheat flour 2 tablespoons sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces) 2 Golden Delicious apples (or apple of your liking), peeled, cored, and grated (2 cups) 3/4 cup buttermilk 1 large egg 2 tablespoons vegetable oil   1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour a 9"x9"x2" baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt; mix in the cheese and apples.   2...

If only these days could last forever... On our last two days aboard the ship, we would travel up the Moselle River ending our journey in Trier, Germany. Beautiful scenery, wine tasting, a tour of Cochem, and sailing overnight to Trier for another day of sightseeing. As the ship sailed up the Moselle for Cochem, we would be greeted by breathtaking scenery along the riverbanks. The valley's famed Riesling is showcased in the nurtured vineyards that are blanketed across the slopes. Quaint German villages with half-timbered buildings beckon you to come and explore. It would be easy to get lost for several days slowly cruising up the river. We arrived in port at Cochem early afternoon. Cochem is surrounded by steep vineyards, guild homes and winding streets, and is known as one of the Moselle River's prettiest villages. On a hilltop high above the city is Cochem Castle, a 1,000-year-old imperial castle. With its large rectangular keep and many towers, it leaves a very strong impres...

  A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination. - Nelson Mandela We do not come into this world with preconceived ideas about people or hatred in our hearts. From the moment we become aware of others our instinct is to connect to them with kindness and love. We all know that prejudice and hatred are taught. What I do not know, is why anyone would want to take an innocent child and teach them to dislike/distrust others, and to treat them disrespectfully. What kind of life is this for a child? How can this behavior be of any benefit to them, or society, as they grow into adults? If we watch children at play, it is very apparent which ones are being raised to be kind and accepting, and which children live in a household with intolerance and hatred. The first group welcomes others to join them, while the second group will belittle and bully pushing those unlike them away. It can be easy to dislike a child who is mean to others, especially if it is directed...

The Germans affectionately call their river Old Father Rhine. The Rhine begins in the Swiss Alps and flows 820 miles through several countries to the North Sea. The Upper Rhine carves out Germany's borders with Switzerland and the French Alsace. The Middle Rhine provides picturesque forests, vineyards and castles in the heart of Germany. Leaving this area, it levels out to the Lower Rhine, the Netherlands, and the Rhine River Delta. Castles and wine are the star along the Middle Rhine and the area is filled with history. Grapes are still harvested by hand along the steepest riverbanks, which is a tradition that dates back 2,000 years when Romans introduced wine growing to the area. Later on, medieval noblemen built towering castles to oversee trade, collect tolls, and defend kingdoms from pillagers and power seekers. The Middle Rhine River Valley extends from the old Roman town of Koblenz to Bingen and Rudesheim, with steep vineyards that produce the famous Rhine wines. During the ...