We have a prairie growing in the middle of our townhouse enclave. The native plants have deep roots that absorb excess runoff water reducing misquitoes. It attracts birds, including owls and hawks. It doesn’t require watering, fertilizing or mowing. It smells wonderful. We’re hoping to expand it.
Different prairie plants bloom each week. This means the praire changes color from week to week. A path meanders through it. People stop to observe the plants, birds and butterflies. We walk the path often. Here’s what the prairie looks like this week.
Photo R. MesharPhoto R. MesharPhoto R. Meshar
The daylillies below are not part of the prairie. They are blooming en masse in the front of our townhouse.
Photo R. MesharPhoto R. Meshar
Here you can see the sky tonight near the end of my walk.
Here’s how my fabulous Friday turned out – we went to Stillwater for lunch with good friends. Stillwater, Minnesota is a small town on the St. Croix River about 40 minutes from the Twin Cities. The town is reminiscent of an earlier time when horse and buggies were seen on the road, shop owners waited for merchandise that arrived by steamboat and traders worked the river.
I’ve always enjoyed its steamboats which give you a scenic view while you dine, the great paddle turning as you move slowly up the river.
On other visits I’ve wandered through Loome’s Theological Bookstore on Olive Street. The old Swedish Covenant Church was converted into one of the most complete used theological bookstores I’ve ever seen. The original wooden floors and stairs creak. Books neatly line the main level, but also the choir balconies, winding up stairways and around columns.
Today we sat land side as we ate lunch at the Dock Cafe. We had a table near the water’s edge with a river view. A steamboat even rolled by as we ate.
The day started out rainy – but then cleared up after lunch. Afterward a meander through some of the antique shops in town was in order, of course.
A celebration of recent life changes with close friends in a wonderful old town – truly a fabulous Friday!
Photo R. MesharPhoto R. MesharPhoto R. MesharPhoto R. MesharPhoto R. Meshar
Summer is underway. How will you enjoy your summer? To make sure I take time to savor this summer I am dubbing Fridays as fabulous. Fabulous Friday. This way I will be reminded to create at least one day each week that is fabulous. Of course I can do the same thing with other days. But Friday, at the end of the work week, is a good way to begin a fabulous weekend don’t you think?
So what makes a fabulous day for you? Fabulous takes a little alchemy or transformation. What should be added in? Or maybe, something should be removed, minimized or transformed? Fabulous is adding a some fun or a little bit of flare.
What would a fabulous day look like for you? Take a few minutes and imagine what it would be like. Play with it. Now take one step toward creating it.
For me, being able to observe and watch a little, rather than doing, is part of a fabulous day. Good conversation can be part of it too. I also like to include nurturing or service. Sometimes the nurturing is for me.
Maybe you can imagine sinking into a hot tub, or listening to a concert. What about time with your kids or a bike ride as the day cools off? It could even be giving yourself a bit more time in the morning so you don’t feel rushed or time to read something intriguing before bed.
Maybe fabulous means rushing less, seeing more and turning down the volume and noise. Think of a day without TV, email or cell phone.
Inviting others for a fun meal and conversation, or providing a meal to someone can make for a fabulous day in my world.
Tonight maybe a picnic of bread, cheese and wine for dinner with friends? That’s fun, fast and easy – but can be enjoyed slowly. Add a candle. Or perhaps something else? That’s Fabulous Alchemy . . .
This article from the BBC highlights just how thoughtless and wacky the mainstream media has become. Publishing common sense as ground breaking research is lazy journalism at its best. Here’s an exerpt:
“Andy Bell, deputy chief executive of the Centre for Mental Health, said: “We know that unemployment and the fear of unemployment are major risk factors for poor mental health.
“This research shows how important it is that we treat the mental health of people who are not just out of work but also in work but fear losing their jobs as a major public health issue”.
Of course unemployment increases depression. This requires research?
Plus, in addition to not being able to care for themselves or their families, the unemployed lack health insurance. This means preventive health care suffers and healthcare is a basic human right.
People without jobs that provide health insurance can’t afford regular checkups, anti-depressants, or even cold medicine for kids.
Transportation to get care or medicine can be a problem for the unemployed even if they qualify for state-funded health insurance. Without a car, it may be too difficult to get to a healthcare facility. How willing would you be to wait hours for a bus to get to an urgent care center if you had a high fever, chills or worse?
There are so many delicious savory summer salads – without lettuce. Here are three I like to make:
Broccoli-Raisin-Peanut Salad: chop fresh broccoli into small pieces. Add a handful of raisins and peanuts. Drizzle with a sauce made from 1 tbsp mayo/1/4 cup milk/1 tsp. sugar. Toss, chill, serve.
Thai Peanut Pasta Salad: cook coucous or Acini de pepe pasta (tiny, round pasta). Add chopped green onions, garlic scapes, chives, tomatoes or other in-season vegies of your choice. Drizzle with Thai Peanut Sauce. Serve warm or chilled with a fruity red wine.
Orange Chicken Salad: four chicken breast halves (boiled for 7 minutes) and cubed, sliced pimento stuffed olives, mandarine oranges, 1-2 tbsp. mayo or yogurt. Toss. Top with crunchy chow mein noodles. Serve with hot croissants, chilled white wine.
Optional: replace olives with green onions or green grapes. But then add a pinch of salt.
Here’s a wealth of creative and fresh salad ideas using in-season ingredients for every taste: 101 Simple Salads from Mark Bittman at the New York Times.
