One Good Quote

Tonight I was sitting outside in the bitter cold here in Indiana, and I remembered a quote I had read in high school:

"In the depth of winter I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer."

---Albert Camus

What I Saw Today

One good thing I saw today was a redwood tree in the light fog, presiding over a beautiful rose garden. I wish I had taken a picture of it; didn't have my camera.
This one doesn't do it justice, but you get the idea.

The Angels' Share of Bourbon

30% of the alcohol evaporates off whilst the bourbon is aged in the barrel---the Angels' share---I love that.
I have a nice bottle of Maker's Mark in the pantry--I will have to try these recipes.

Iraqi Weddings

Read about how the Everymen and Everywomen of Iraq are promoting peace by doing normal things--like getting married. Hope springs eternal. :)

A New Kind of Tupperware Party

Read about these women who make beads for positive change.

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!!

One good thing about Christmas is the music! Here's one of my favorites.

Why Am I A Sucker for United Airlines Commercials?

God, this one brings a tear to my eye EVERY time I see it on CNN!!! It is so sweet!!!

The Church of Stop Shopping

"...He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone..." John, 8:7

I put that quote here because I went to Nordstrom this evening, Christmas shopping. Having said that, since Sunday is about religion and spirituality, one good thing to remind us of what the holidays are really about is Reverend Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping. Check out Rev. Billy's Blog-Allujah. He also has an online confessional, to which I will be soon paying a visit to be absolved of my consumerist sins.

:)

PS-- Ok, so Rev. Billy is really a perfomance artist. But his message about sweatshop-free goods, fair trade, reducing waste and promoting economic justice is a good reminder for us all this holiday season. And I love what Reverend Billy says: "Love is a Gift Economy."

One Good Thing--What I love to eat

I didn't get a chance to post last night--I was tired!! So in honor of the Friday theme of food, here's an interesting link to a message board on chowhound regarding what people love to eat but would never serve to anyone else. I had never even imagined cold spaghetti sandwiches!!

I love a mini-pretzel (6 lb. bag available at Costco for $3.99) with a small slice of cheddar cheese on top. It's best when paired with a Diet Sprite--the salt from the pretzel and the carbonation of the Sprite go well together. This is an absolutely hoopty food/beverage pairing and I would never serve it to guests. But if I were stuck on a desert island this is probably what I'd want to eat first upon returning to civilization. That, and some dried Blenheim apricots from Andy's Orchard. Andy's a true hero, lovingly cultivating rare and delicate varieties of stone fruit so we can continue to enjoy their wonderous flavors. If you visit me, I would serve you the apricots! :)

Gift Idea x 2

Sunlight Solar was founded by a diplomat with the mission to: "use the latest scientific advances in solar and lighting technology to provide light to people in developing countries who would otherwise be in darkness or forced to use outdated, expensive, and harmful sources of illumination. "
For every bogolight that is purchased, one is donated to a relief agency for use in developing nations. Imagine---in order for kids to do their homework and read after dark, they need light.
These nifty lights are 100% solar powered--You just leave them on the window sill, and they charge up and last for hours. What a perfect solution for emergencies, or camping, or just regular household use! (I love mine--I have a pink one!!)
And what a good thing that for every one you buy, a life across the world is illuminated.

A Special Post for My Dad

One good thing I found today is: My Dad's favorite music video from the 80's. We would watch it on VH-1 and we kids all loved it. I am not exactly sure why, but it probably had something to do with the airplane and the lady's blue hair.

The Meeting

This kinda sums up my day today.
The really good thing: Just like the commercial, my day had a happy ending. :) Someone was kind to me in the end.

Be a Tigger!!!!

Many of you may have already heard of this, as it's taken it's trip around the web, but just in case you haven't, it's worth your time to take a look at this excerpt of Randy Pausch's Last Lecture.
Dr. Pausch is in his mid-forties and has untreatable pancreatic cancer.
He reminds us what's really important in life and why dreams are so crucial and to never give up on them, or on other people.
This story seems, on the surface, VERY depressing, but I urge you to listen to his message (the lecture itself is about 12 mins--so it doesn't take too long). You won't forget it. :)

The Fr. Mulcahy's of the 21st Century

I really enjoyed the book: "Here If You Need Me" by Kate Braestrup, the Chaplain for the Maine Warden Service. In this wonderful book, Kate describes the death of her husband, her decision to enter Seminary School, and her experiences as a chaplain.
My favorite passage was this, when her four children asked why their father was killed in a car accident (whist on duty as a Maine State Trooper), Kate replied:

"It was an accident...No one meant it to happen. It just happened...God does not spill the milk or bash the truck into your father’s car. Nowhere in Scripture does it say ‘God is Car Accident’ or ‘God is Death.’ God is justice and kindness, mercy, and always, always love. So if you want to know where God is in this or in anything, look for love.”

Here's a story from the Christian Science Monitor about how Chaplains minister in the military today.
Have a great week. And look around for the good things, and always the love.

Cooking is an Act Of Love

One Good thing that happened to me today was:

I picked this story up from one of my favorite websites: chowhound.com, about a chef who takes care to prepare special meals for the Alzheimer patients in his care:

http://www.chow.com/grinder/4279