On My Mind Today

We are children of the 60's and changing times. Witness to an escalation of the Vietnam war, anti-war protests, the civil rights movement, the feminist movement, and sexual revolution. We were the love generation, the hippie generation, and the counterculture movement. Psychedelic colors, drugs, and rock music were an integral part of our world. We saw the assassination of President Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King's March on Washington. We all believed when he spoke so eloquently, about having a dream for a better tomorrow. We challenged our government, and brought great change politically and socially. We were young Americans rebelling against tradition, men wore long hair and women miniskirts. We embraced Mother Nature, and became environmentalists. Demanding change and protection, through political activism. We saw the Soviet Luna 9 land on the moon, and Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. The FDA approved the first birth control pill, changing how we looked...

It's that time of year when zucchini is plentiful. There are many options available for finding new recipes, and I found this one on social media. I thought it was worth trying and I'm glad I did as it is amazing! I love zucchini and find that there are always new ways to prepare this versatile vegetable. Give it a try - I'm sure it will become a favorite for you too. Zucchini Boats 2 medium zucchini, stem end cut off and sliced in half lengthwise olive oil minced garlic salt and pepper grape tomatoes plain or seasoned breadcrumbs small mozzarella balls grated Parmesan fresh basil 1. Scoop out center of zucchini halves. Mix olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper, and brush on the zucchini. 2. Cut grape tomatoes in half and place on the zucchini, then sprinkle breadcrumbs over the tomatoes. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes or until just turning tender. 3. Remove from oven and place mozzarella balls on top of each zucchini half, then broil until melted. Brush with a ...

Spirituality: the quality or state of being spiritual. of or relating to religion or religious beliefs of or relating to a person's spirit When I think of spirituality, the second definition is the one I relate to. I do believe in God, but I do not think of myself as a highly religious person; one who follows a specific religion. However, I am a very spiritual person. Spiritual in the sense that I feel very connected to the earth and nature. I do believe we are linked far more than many may think. Those outside the Native American culture often confuse religion with spirituality. Native American spirituality includes a strong reverence for animal life, the environment and each other. Although many tribes practice different spiritual ceremonies and rituals, the main feature is the relationship of man with the land. There are times in my life when I have felt that I was losing my way, or when outside forces have easily overwhelmed me. These times have also coincided with periods when...

My old-fashioned traditional Whoopie Pie recipe is great; they are always delicious and other Whoopie Pies never seem to compare. I recently decided that I would like to make adjustments to my recipe for a new flavor. Since I am a fan of Mexican chocolate cake, I came up with some changes and additions. I added chili powder and cinnamon in the cake and substituted some cold brewed coffee and cocoa powder in the filling. Not only did they smell amazing while they were in the oven, but the results were outstanding! Mexican Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Mocha Filling 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup shortening 2 eggs 1/2 cup sour milk* 1/2 cup cocoa and 1/2 cup hot water (I used dark cocoa powder) 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 cup mini chocolate chips * To sour milk, add 1-1/2 teaspoons vinegar  or  lemon juice and enough milk to make 1/2 cup) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 1. In a me...

As decades pass, it seems the years fly by at a faster pace. We believed in our youth that we had forever and could not foresee fewer years ahead than behind. And yet, we reach this point sooner than we could have imagined. What we find as we age, is how precious time is with our children, our grandchildren, family and friends. The love, joy and laughter we have shared over the years, we hold onto in our memories like they are precious gold. At this point in my life, my grandchildren are close to, or at, the adult stage of their lives. The time with them is far and few between with their busy lives. When I receive a call saying they want to come and stay for a few days, my only question is, "when are you coming"? I was blessed this past week to have my two granddaughters, ages 15 and 17, come stay with us. They are intelligent, funny and filled with contagious energy. Don't get me wrong, they do love their technology and spend time looking at phones, but they also still l...

Growing up we were outside as much as possible. The thought of staying in the house and looking at a screen was boring; we couldn't wait to go outside and play games with our friends. Back then playing in the street was not a big deal. We simply moved to one side whenever a car came by. Back in the 60's, few cars did come by, and for the most part we could play without interruption. Of course today, playing in the street is not advisable, but you can certainly play in the front or backyard with your children. Getting them outside for fresh air and exercise will be easier once they see how much fun it can be. There are many outside games, but I have some from my childhood that I wanted to share, along with the rules of each game. We had many hours of fun playing these games, and I hope that you will enjoy playing them with your children. Red Rover Two teams make two lines of kids facing each other and holding hands.  One side begins by calling out to an opposing teammate: "...

This soup from Food Network Magazine is low calorie and delicious. With our gardens filled with fresh vegetables it's a great time to prepare this for your family or to serve to dinner guests. Serve with some crusty rolls for a great meal. Summer Vegetable Soup with Andouille 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 - 12-ounce package fully cooked andouille sausages, halved lengthwise and sliced into 1-inch pieces. 1 pound red-skinned potatoes, cut into chunks 4 ounces wax beans, trimmed and halved 4 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved 1 ear corn, kernels cut off 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 cups low-sodium chicken stock 1 large tomato, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, stirring often, until browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. 2. Add the potatoes, wax beans, gre...

Sight, sound, touch, smell and taste - things that most take for granted every day. So used to having the ability to experience these that we ignore what they bring to us. Acknowledging only when our senses are offended by something. Let your eyes truly see the beauty around you each day. The smiling faces of your family when you awaken in the morning. The green grass, blue skies, trees, oceans, lakes and rivers that Mother Nature offers up to you. Really take the time to observe and appreciate what is there in front of you. Take in every vision and store it in your memory to recall a treasured moment. Hear your children as they play and enjoy every moment of laughter. Take in the sound of the waves as they crash in on the sandy beach, the wind blowing through the trees, and rain as it gently hits the ground. Listen to the many different songs of the birds or the music on the radio. Every now and then, just enjoy the silence. Feel the downy softness on your lips as you ki...

There is an old saying   “When we walk in someone else’s shoes, we gain a deeper appreciation for their struggles and triumphs.” – Unknown We all have struggles throughout our life, some of them we will push through and come out the other side in a better place. Then there will be things we experience that will test us to our core. Eventually these hardships will improve, but some of them may be our cross to bear for the rest of our lives.    When we are maneuvering our way through life's obstacles, it is easy to fall into " why me?" Of course, none of us knows why certain things are thrown into our path. Some may say it is to test us, to put us on a new path, or to teach us a lesson. Perhaps it is to open our eyes so we can see what others endure, to have a greater understanding and appreciation for their struggles. To learn to have empathy.   Augusten Burroughs once said, “When you have your health, you have everything. When you do not have your health, nothing e...