Reading Can Be Fundamental To Our Life

Reading has been an important part of my life as long as I can remember. Largely because way back when it was something my parents did when we didn't watch the limited television channels that we had in the olden days. Each week we would go to the local public library and check out books. Those adventures in storytelling made my life as an only child much more interesting. As a young girl I read the Nancy Drew Series and alot of the childhood classics. Way before the Harry Potter or Twilight Series of today it seems as though they are trying to make reading cool again.

As part of our school curriculum we had a series of literature books we were required to read then we could add others throughout the year. I don't think there hasn't been a time in my life that I didn't have a book on my bedside table. Although for some reading puts them to sleep, it doesn't for me.

My variety of subject matter is pretty extensive. I love just about any type of stories. I heard recently about how the more you read to your children when they are young their interests in reading will be cultivated. Well sorry to say it didn't happen with either of my children. Although my daughter probably reads more than my son, neither got the voracious reading habits that I have had over the years. I found out also that my biological mom was the same way. Guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

I have recently been on a biography kick. I have read several of people who grew up during my time. Marie Osmond, Valerie Bertinelli's two books and now I am reading Melissa Gilbert from Little House on the Prairie fame. I think the one truly unusual parallel to all these women with myself is how similar our families were. I don't know if it was because of the 70's or what but alot of the same things they went through was the same for me. It doesn't matter if you are a big star or a little sprinkle in the universe I guess.

Reading can be many things for many people. For lonely, only children its an escape. Knowledge is golden from any perspective. It's just a part of life. Since my blog inception I have included some of the books I have read as suggestive reading for other's. It's always wonderful to get lost in the story of other's it's amazing sometimes how it can be much like our own.

It's Thanksgiving It Must Be Time for Christmas

It just doesn't seem possible. We are days away from a Turkey Dinner and mixed in with all that presents are being bought, and the signs, sights and sounds of Christmas are intertwining in right along with everything.

Weeks ago I drove down one of our local streets and I passed several homes that already had their Christmas yard decorations out. Today on my way for my walk I noticed that one of the local residents who goes beyond the usual 2 or 3 yard decorations already had his 100+ (I am truly not even sure how many he puts out. I am assuming he will light them up on Thanksgiving night like many around town do.

It seems as though the ceremonial putting up of the lights gets earlier and earlier. Of course in the mid-west you have to do it "when the weather is good". Way back when we lived in California it was usually 2-3 weeks before Christmas.

As each of these little hints come to pass, I still am not their yet as far as the Christmas spirit. I guess it is different for everyone. It seems as we get older we try and keep the true meaning of Christmas in our hearts. It's not just the presents or the food. It's who you can spend this time with and remembering the religious meaning. Traditions are important and starting new traditions can be tough for those who fight changes.

Their is rumors we may have a little snow this week. Maybe that will help to kick start the holidays. What do you think?

Driving Along Life's Highway

Unfortunately, no one is immunized from life's struggling economy. It happens far to frequently then any one of us would like to admit but we hope that we can make lemonade out of life's lemons.

Even in our little town of 23,000+ we see homeless people. Either standing at the end of the parking lot at the local Walmart or walking around town. You never know what their situations are but one of the first things I think of is I would hate to end up like them. Sometimes due to mental illness, substance abuse or sometimes just generalized reasons; it is sad.

I worked for several years blocks away from Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles. Most would not ask for handouts but just lay on the bus benches or on the curb sides or walk down the street amongst the working class. The shelters are usually filled to capacity each night so many sleep where ever they can.

The other day David and I needed to drive to Columbia to get some things done. While we were waiting to turn onto the street from the freeway I looked to my left next to the freeway underpass where I saw a shabbily dressed man with a sleeping bag and backpack on the ground gathering his small amount of belongings. As we sat in our car I thought to myself this is all this man probably has--what is laying there on the ground. It made me think how extremely fortunate we are to have a house, food and clothes to wear.

When ever I get frustrated about the daily struggles that are so small, I think I shall think about those people I remember from my days in L.A. when I was more desensitized. I guess it's the fact as we get older and worry about life more frequently it comes to the forefront that things can happen in the blink of an eye, even driving along life's highway.

Preparing Your Own Therapy

People find different experiences therapeutic. Some exercise, some read, garden or work on their cars. I have many things I like to do that help me to de-stress but one I put at the top of my list is cooking.

As a kid I would watch my family prepare different items, my grandparents loved baking. Especially during the holidays their were always those special cookies and once a year items. I did more watching than helping back then but now I love to create different things. Those observation sessions were wonderful but it's also great to concoct your own things too.

This past week I needed to come up with several items for an auction/bazaar at our annual church chili dinner. Since cranberries are a seasonal favorite I prepared my cranberry/white chocolate cookies and cranberry orange glazed mini loaves. Our annual dinner includes dessert for each person so I also made coconut pies. These items kept me busy for a couple days but again this was my therapy.

Then it was what to make for a progressive dinner. I had agreed to make an appetizer but again I wanted to make something different so I made little mini muffins with Gouda, Sundried Tomatoes and Maple Syrup. Yummy!! They actually seemed to have a pizza flavor to them in a little bit.

Usually my best critic is David. I can always gauge how good something is buy two things. One if he takes multiple portions; that's a good thing. If you ask him how something is and his reply is "It's alright". You probably don't want to make it again. I have been lucky he doesn't say this very often but over the years their has been a few.

It's taken me along time to learn how to cook in "bulk". Now when I really don't have too, I still do sometimes but hey their is always leftovers.

Another good point of this "therapy" is it's probably cheaper than a real therapist.