It's good to win
It's better to hate to loose
It's best to be gracious either way
This is:
What now?... With Paula
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Early morning thoughts
Your heart distorts it's voice with desire and passion
Your conscience speaks clearly with truth and rational
Your future is determined by which voice you choose to listen to.
__________________
I heard a bird sing and my ears danced
I saw a flower bloom and my eyes danced
I thought of you and my heart danced
_________________
Some of my favorite things:
The flit of a butterfly's wings
A baby laughing
Church bells in the early morning
A birds song
My family
My cat purring in my lap
Being comforted by my dog when I'm down
Laughing so hard my stomach hurts & eyes tear
My Grandma's artichokes and homemade pizza
Being by the sea
Exploring Italy
Feeling the sun warm my face
The moon
ladybugs
Hyacinths
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Your conscience speaks clearly with truth and rational
Your future is determined by which voice you choose to listen to.
__________________
I heard a bird sing and my ears danced
I saw a flower bloom and my eyes danced
I thought of you and my heart danced
_________________
Some of my favorite things:
The flit of a butterfly's wings
A baby laughing
Church bells in the early morning
A birds song
My family
My cat purring in my lap
Being comforted by my dog when I'm down
Laughing so hard my stomach hurts & eyes tear
My Grandma's artichokes and homemade pizza
Being by the sea
Exploring Italy
Feeling the sun warm my face
The moon
ladybugs
Hyacinths
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring is in the air
It's March 25, 2010 and a balmy 56 degrees in the Big Apple. Spring is making its usual ceremonious entrance. I saw my first crocus of the season today. The bravest of flower buds are starting to break ground and birds are already filling the early morning air with their melody.
I have two favorite ways to wake up in the morning, one is to the sound of church bells ringing (preferably in Italy) and second to the sound of a live feathered symphony. I always feel like it's going to be a good day when the birds wake me, even if it's before I'm ready to wake up. It makes me feel alive.
Spring comes in a very close second as my favorite time of year. Second only to Autumn. There's just something about the dry crisp air, the sound of leaves crunching under foot and the colorful trees that I just can't place second. But watching flowers bloom, the rebirth of nature, hearing the birds sing and seeing that reawakened bounce in every one's step, that can't be beat. Spring is the answer to the promise Mother Nature makes to us each Autumn.
So tell me, what's your favorite time of year? Why, what makes it special for you? How does it make you feel? I want to hear from you.
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
I have two favorite ways to wake up in the morning, one is to the sound of church bells ringing (preferably in Italy) and second to the sound of a live feathered symphony. I always feel like it's going to be a good day when the birds wake me, even if it's before I'm ready to wake up. It makes me feel alive.
Spring comes in a very close second as my favorite time of year. Second only to Autumn. There's just something about the dry crisp air, the sound of leaves crunching under foot and the colorful trees that I just can't place second. But watching flowers bloom, the rebirth of nature, hearing the birds sing and seeing that reawakened bounce in every one's step, that can't be beat. Spring is the answer to the promise Mother Nature makes to us each Autumn.
So tell me, what's your favorite time of year? Why, what makes it special for you? How does it make you feel? I want to hear from you.
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Within my heart
I looked within my heart today to see what I would find
written in every corner were names of every kind
Some were new and some were old
Some were faded and some were bold
But right there in the middle like a beacon in the dark
I saw your name was written and left a giant mark
No matter how I turned it I still could see your name
From within the middle came a glowing flame
Love kept pouring through it, that much I could see
'cause when God created you, He created you for me
So I think of you and smile and feel the flame within
Looking to the heavens with that knowing grin
I'm grateful that I have you to call my special friend
And knowing that you're in my heart until the very end
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
written in every corner were names of every kind
Some were new and some were old
Some were faded and some were bold
But right there in the middle like a beacon in the dark
I saw your name was written and left a giant mark
No matter how I turned it I still could see your name
From within the middle came a glowing flame
Love kept pouring through it, that much I could see
'cause when God created you, He created you for me
So I think of you and smile and feel the flame within
Looking to the heavens with that knowing grin
I'm grateful that I have you to call my special friend
And knowing that you're in my heart until the very end
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Take a stand!
To put this mildly, we as a society have a problem in America that we are not paying enough attention to. One of many, I add, but that's not the point. Our children are angry and violent and many of them seem to have no regard for life of any kind nor do the understand or fear the consequences of their actions. And it's our fault!
Yesterday MSNBC reported that a second teenage child, a girl, was arrested as an accessory in connection with the vicious and premeditated beating of a 14 year old Ft. Lauderdale, Fl girl, Josie Ratley while she waited for her school bus outside of her middle school.
15 year old high school student Wayne Treacy reportedly punched Ratley in the head until she fell on the ground, then continued beating her by smashing her head on the pavement, kicking her and stomping on her while wearing steel-toed boots. Treacy has been arrested and charged with premeditated attempted murder. This is no simple school yard fisticuffs.
This heinous attack is reported to have stemmed from a cell phone text message, however the local authorities are investigating further and believe that the attack was prompted by the recent death (possibly suicide) of Treacy's only brother. The day before Treacy's 15th birthday in October he found his brother hanging from a tree.
Ratley was airlifted to Broward General Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition and is currently in a medically induced coma.
Josie's parents are pleading with the public to have open discussions with your children about right and wrong, violence and consequences as well as the unseen dangers of texting and the Internet.
Don't think for one minute that I'm taking this out on boys. This situation just happens to involve a boy. Almost on a weekly basis I either read somewhere or see on the news how our teenage girls are out of control. Videotaping their back lot brawls & posting them on YouTube for "Street Cred" (street credibility), which in the videos I've seen they are just as dirty, bloody & violent as any boy fight I've ever witnessed.
I want to know WHY in 2010 should any family have to be suffering this way? Was that boy put into therapy after finding his brother hanged? Where does a 15 year old boy get the notion that it would be ok to place a hand on another child, scratch that, boys will be boys right? Hmmm. Where did he get the notion it would be ok to put his hands on, to BEAT, to kick in the head with steel toed boots a 14 year old girl? Why are our children so violent? What are we doing about it? Do we even know our kids? And seeing these types of articles as often as they are in the news, WHY are we surprised when we have "Trench Coat Mafias" & the like gunning down our kids in school? Would that have been the next step for this boy had he not been caught this time?
I'm taking adults to task on this - I ask you: What are we going to do about the mess our society is turning into? Are you teaching your children morals, ethics, compassion, empathy trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and citizenship. Where do you think we will be tomorrow if we don't make a change today?
Don't hold back, tell me what's on your mind. I want to hear from you.
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Yesterday MSNBC reported that a second teenage child, a girl, was arrested as an accessory in connection with the vicious and premeditated beating of a 14 year old Ft. Lauderdale, Fl girl, Josie Ratley while she waited for her school bus outside of her middle school.
15 year old high school student Wayne Treacy reportedly punched Ratley in the head until she fell on the ground, then continued beating her by smashing her head on the pavement, kicking her and stomping on her while wearing steel-toed boots. Treacy has been arrested and charged with premeditated attempted murder. This is no simple school yard fisticuffs.
This heinous attack is reported to have stemmed from a cell phone text message, however the local authorities are investigating further and believe that the attack was prompted by the recent death (possibly suicide) of Treacy's only brother. The day before Treacy's 15th birthday in October he found his brother hanging from a tree.
Ratley was airlifted to Broward General Medical Center, where she remains in critical condition and is currently in a medically induced coma.
Josie's parents are pleading with the public to have open discussions with your children about right and wrong, violence and consequences as well as the unseen dangers of texting and the Internet.
Don't think for one minute that I'm taking this out on boys. This situation just happens to involve a boy. Almost on a weekly basis I either read somewhere or see on the news how our teenage girls are out of control. Videotaping their back lot brawls & posting them on YouTube for "Street Cred" (street credibility), which in the videos I've seen they are just as dirty, bloody & violent as any boy fight I've ever witnessed.
I want to know WHY in 2010 should any family have to be suffering this way? Was that boy put into therapy after finding his brother hanged? Where does a 15 year old boy get the notion that it would be ok to place a hand on another child, scratch that, boys will be boys right? Hmmm. Where did he get the notion it would be ok to put his hands on, to BEAT, to kick in the head with steel toed boots a 14 year old girl? Why are our children so violent? What are we doing about it? Do we even know our kids? And seeing these types of articles as often as they are in the news, WHY are we surprised when we have "Trench Coat Mafias" & the like gunning down our kids in school? Would that have been the next step for this boy had he not been caught this time?
I'm taking adults to task on this - I ask you: What are we going to do about the mess our society is turning into? Are you teaching your children morals, ethics, compassion, empathy trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and citizenship. Where do you think we will be tomorrow if we don't make a change today?
Don't hold back, tell me what's on your mind. I want to hear from you.
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Friends and travel
Porto, Portugal what a magnificent night time sight!
Several months ago I had the good fortune of befriending a gentleman who hails from the charming and picturesque city of Porto (as in Port wine), Portugal. Again to my good fortune this gentleman, Jose, in his never ending generosity has shared with me many fascinating tales of his youth and has even been kind enough to dot those stories with breathtaking photographs.
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It boasts six vast bridges and the Douro River (river of gold) where golden wine grapes grow abundantly making a river ride on a port wine boat a romantic and scenic adventure. Additionally, one would have to indulge in some of the freshest and tastiest seafood around.
As it turns out, Jose has a pretty vast knowledge of his family's history which he has written a number of essays on and allowed me to read. I for one can't wait for them to be properly published since they tell the story of a family who struggled to make a better life for their children and who even went so far as to ship off their youngest child (Jose's grandfather) to another country so he could grow up with more privileges and (hopefully) carry the family on to more affluence, or at the very least, less struggles and poverty. Reading those stories reminded me of the books (Angela's Ashes and 'Tis) written by Frank McCourt, and Irish immigrant who grew up in a very similar situation where food and privileges were few but the family love was deep and the bonds were strong.
Jose also happens to be quite well traveled and well versed on European travel which happens to be a deep passion of mine, so conversations with him are sort of a mini vacation for me. The one thing, good or bad, that I've noticed is that all this talk about Europe, it's foods, art, architecture, music, cultures has reawakened several passions in me that I had allowed to go dormant for some time now. Once again I am dreaming of returning to Italy to continue (and complete) my country tour, and then to move on to neighboring countries. To meet the people, (attempt to) speak the language, eat the food, soak up the cultures and to broaden my knowledge and passion for these places. I'm also writing more (again). And thinking about writing more. So wouldn't it be wonderful if I could somehow combine the two? Oh to dream a little dream... Per chance to return to traveling and start a travel blog? Who knows, maybe a travel news letter, a city guide? Well, I have my work cut out for me and I'm happy for that.
I can't wait for our next conversational adventure. I dream of the characters I'll meet in these stories and the streets my eyes will wander down... until I can "go" and see Portugal for myself, what a wonderful way to visit!
Do you have a travel adventure to share? I want to hear from you.
This is:
What Now?... With Paula
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Ultimate Chocolate Mint Snow-top Cookie!
This is one of my all time favorite comfort food style cookies to make. Stored in an air tight container they travel well if visiting or sending as a care package. They're great with coffee or an afternoon tea and a truly special treat with a steaming mug of cocoa.
1 1/2 cups (10 ounce bag) Nestle Toll House Mint Flavored Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (divided)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons of butter or margarine softened
1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
powdered sugar
Microwave one cup of morsels in a medium sized microwave safe bowl on high (100%) power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate. Beat in eggs. Slowly beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining chocolate morsels. Cover bowl and chill until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake approximately 10-12 minutes or until sides are set but center is still slightly soft. Cool for 2 minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
***Note: This cookie can also be made with Nestle Toll House Raspberry Chocolate Morsels for a fantastic and unexpected berry flavor!
1 1/2 cups (10 ounce bag) Nestle Toll House Mint Flavored Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (divided)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons of butter or margarine softened
1 1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
powdered sugar
Microwave one cup of morsels in a medium sized microwave safe bowl on high (100%) power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave at additional 10-20 second intervals stirring until smooth. Cool to room temperature. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl beat butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Beat in melted chocolate. Beat in eggs. Slowly beat in flour mixture. Stir in remaining chocolate morsels. Cover bowl and chill until firm.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake approximately 10-12 minutes or until sides are set but center is still slightly soft. Cool for 2 minutes then remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes about 3 dozen cookies
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