Monthly Archives: July 2011

On Food: Delicacies For The Strong Stomach

Posted on 31/07/2011 | 19 Comments

“Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

On Food: Delicacies For The Strong Stomach... How about snake for lunch?

I’m a huge fan of the Travel Channel and the escapades of Andrew Zimmern, Anthony Bourdain and a host of other talented, adventurous gourmands on that TV station. So the WP prompt on food brought back memories of oddities I’ve tried in my lifetime…  It’s funny that I am now vegetarian but back in the day, I was as curious as the next person and when a bolder cousin dared me to try something new; albeit odd, I went for it. Yeah, I actually enjoyed eating snails and roasted termites. Flying termites are seasonal and gathered by lamp light in basins of water and then roasted with salt in large clay pots. Goats’ brains are made into a very popular and tasty dish with other ingredients that could be equally barf-worthy to people unfamiliar with the dish. As for frogs’ legs, the French still eat them and they aren’t bad at all.

Mini Recipe – Fried Flying Termites ;-)
Gather them by lamp or candle light
Start a wood-burning fire outside
Dig up your metal or clay wok
Add rock salt to the mix and roast till crispy. Bon Appétit

I’m not sure why I bothered to try snake meat other than because I was eager to prove a point. I don’t like snakes and whenever I would come across even a garden variety on our farm, I would run off. One of my male cousins, Chuks, found a garden snake one day and killed it. Before we knew it, kids gathered, a small wood fire was started, and the bloody thing roasted to an oily, crispy treat. Pieces were handed out and when I refused, another cousin dared me to eat it and not wimp out. I tried it. The Snake was oily and I barfed.

On Food: Delicacies For The Strong Stomach... Puffer fish, anyone?

I am no Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods fame, but I can understand how foods are appreciated and tastes for certain foods are acquired by people around the world. For instance, I love hot peppery foods and can handle some pretty hot stuff.  Another person may love raw meats and fish or other delicacies unique to their culture; even drinking sour milk is an acquired taste and while it makes one person wonder why, it makes another smile. What do you think? More below…

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Reflections: Seven Gifts We All Need…

Posted on 30/07/2011 | 39 Comments

“Born for success he seemed, With grace to win, with heart to hold, With shining gifts that took all eyes.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Reflections: Seven Gifts We All Need... the gift of wisdom in all things

Reflections: Seven Gifts We All Need... some of our first batch of tomatoes

This afternoon, I observed an encounter between two birds that got me thinking about the seven gifts of the spirit and their practical application to daily living. The bird in the photo above, flew over to my tomato plant and started eating a tomato I had intentionally left on the vine for birds in my yard to enjoy. I photographed his delight in finding and feasting on fresh food. After a few shots, I put my camera away and turned my attention elsewhere. A short while later, another bird arrived, eager to enjoy the tomato too.

My little feasting friend looked at the second bird and would have none of it. “We won’t be sharing this today… go away!” He seemed to say. The second bird stood his ground and, as I watched the scene unfold, the first bird turned away from the tomato, probably had his fill, and went into attack mode. Soon they were fighting and chasing each other around the garden, screaming and shouting… the rest of the tomato long forgotten and uneaten. This is what my mom used to describe as being a dog in a manger  … Greed.  It made me shake my head in disbelief; it was a reminder that we all need to learn how to share wisely. We need the  seven gifts of the spirit; wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and wonder/awe of God and life…

Wisdom: Wisdom to know that sharing with others enriches us too.
Understanding: Understanding that a world where only a few feel entitled to life’s bounty is a world where we all end up losing even our meager share.

We need gifts that help us live peacefully and wisely in this world; the more the better. Above and below are seven adapted from those special seven that I believe we all need; especially during troubled times. What do you think?  More below. :-)

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Inspiration: Dreaming of Rain…

Posted on 29/07/2011 | 26 Comments

“He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth…” Psalm 72:6-7

Inspiration: Dreaming of Rain... the rains bring renewal and grace

If you encounter rain in your dream, then this suggests that it is time to communicate with others. An impressive downpour demonstrates that you are conscious of spiritual development.

Have you ever had a dream that is not only vivid but also palpable? What do you remember about it? How did it make you feel? Rain is a very powerful symbol in almost every culture. It is known as the water of life. We pray for rain to grow our crops, we honor the rainfall for our harvest, the heavens rain when a great soul is lost, and God‘s promise to Noah is part of that popular biblical rain story…  Recently, I had a powerful dream about rain; a torrential, heavy, unrelenting deluge, and it prompted this post.

The Dream: I was at a book signing with Toni Morrison. It was a wonderful event and lots of people were there in a brightly lit space. My children and many others were there chatting away and doing the usual things that occur at a signing. It was  a happy event and Ms. Morrison was in her element.

“The spiritual person is so shaken with fear of the Lord as to break out in tears, just as CLOUDS draw their water from the upper reaches and pour it forth as rain.” Hildegard of Bingen

Inspiration: Dreaming of Rain... rain is cleansing and healing

Jimmy Cliff – I Can See Clearly Now

A gift or assistance from God.  Nourishment and replenishing (as rain nourished plants). Spiritual presence. Cleansing, washing away the old, and starting new .

The Dream: After a while, I decided to head out as I had errands to run. I joyfully said my goodbyes and headed out the door. It was a bright and sunny day and I remember as I opened the door, a gust of wind and a few droplets of rain fell on me.  As I stepped into the rain, I realized I had stepped into a deluge. It was the heaviest rainfall I had even been under that it took my breath away.

As I struggled with my open umbrella, I could hear myself gasping for breath, and the rain showers fell on me like heavy sheets of glass. Interestingly, the rain felt like a deep cleansing even as I struggled to catch my breath. I was drenched and my umbrella couldn’t compete with the rainfall… and then, as my breath grew weak, I prayed out loud for help and almost  immediately, I felt a release; awash with grace I awoke and bolted out of bed.

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.” William Shakespeare (Portia from Merchant of Venice)

Inspiration: Dreaming of Rain... even the deluge brings forgiveness

Dreaming that you get wet from the rain means that you will soon be cleansed from your troubles and problems. Rain also symbolizes fertility and renewal. Seeing and hear rain falling, symbolizes forgiveness and grace.

The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (Portia speaks)
The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God’s
When mercy seasons justice

Even in a deluge, rain is also a symbol of forgiveness. The image of that rainfall has stayed with me, and I remember the feeling of it around me; the heaviness, the struggle, the words of prayer, and the release. The rain was relentless; yet forgiving, once I accepted the power and grace behind it…  What do you think? More below… :-)

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Posted in Musical Notes, Positive Advice, Post A Day 2011

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