Quote for the Day

"A dream doesn't become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work" -Colin Powell

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Something to Do with All that Zucchini

Zucchini seems to be growing hot and heavy everywhere you look. I guess due to all the rain everyone has been getting. No matter who I talk to they all seem to have alot and sometimes are at a lose as to what to do with it all.

Over the years I acquired a taste for it myself. While I was growing up I couldn't stand them, (kinda like the avocado's we were overwhelmed with 2 trees) but believe me I have learned to love it. I have eaten sauteed with onions, mixed with tomatoes, had a zucchini cheese bake, of course the always sneaky zucchini bread (I have alot of different recipe's and you would never no it is inside the bread) cookies well you get it the list it goes on and on.

The other day it again must have been a slow news day because one of our local areas had a zucchini derby. What you may ask? For all of you who have had sons in boy scouts you can relate. Scouts wasn't without its yearly Pinewood Derby. But yes they had a race apparently the 4th annual of its kind. They decorated there zucchini's and raced them down a hot wheels strip. Strange you might think but apparently loads of fun if you have nothing to do. Seems like a waste of a good item but I guess if in doubt, race them..

The one thing the Pinewood Derby keeps the memories forever and the zucchini derby doesn't is that, the memories of my son and husband making it together. They worked long and hard on the little car, painted, whittled, weighted in just the right place, put cute stickers all over it and proudly ran it down that track. If my mind serves me I think they came in second place. Another plus is that car is a part of his memory box. I rather doubt that the top winners in the zucchini run will be able to preserve their winner.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

One Determined Man- Skating Across America

Usually every morning I read our paper on-line. There are usually a couple stories that catch my eye and this one definitely did.

Kenichi Yamasita is a 62 year old Japanese man who is making a trek across the country via rollerblades to thank Americans. During World War II he said many helped him and he wanted to thank Americans for doing so. He started his journey in Santa Monica, CA and will hopefully end it in Provincetown, MA before his six-month visa expires.

His determination is inspiring and personally I can't imagine going across country via rollerblades. He stopped in Sedalia and people graciously took him in for a meal.

Sadly, a story such as this also makes me think of my grandpa who fought during World War II, who wouldn't even let a grain of rice in the house. He was a very opinionated man and never forgot the time he had to spend away from home and all that he had to fight for. I can understand his feelings but also it is extremely heartwarming to also understand Mr. Yamasita's life-long determination and for him to make a trip to America and give words of thanks.

I wonder if there will ever be people in years to come who will thank us for all our country has done to allow their lives to be different-only time will tell...

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Old Movies-They Do It Every Time

When David is home we always try and do a "date night" which usually means dinner and a movie. We try to be fair to each other and I usually like the chick flicks and he the action adventures. This time it was my turn to pick and we saw Grown Ups. It was a cute movie, which brought back memories of growing up way back when and the lessons learned. One thing I found interesting with all the comedians that starred in it was that they was really no explicit language. That is a rarity by today's standards of sex, drugs and four letter words.

Yesterday while flipping through channels I came upon an old movie that I hadn't seen for a while. It brought me back to a time as a child when Sunday afternoons was usually a movie fest and tv dinners. One movie after another starting at 1:00 and going until dinner time was usually what we did. William Holden, Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Myrna Loy those were the actors and actresses in the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's that was a household name and one's that I grew up with in the 1970's.

Not many actor's of today come close to the glamour of those times when the glitz and glamour was a mystery to everyday people. Nothing like today's sex, drugs and problems of many of them plastered on the tv, and tabloids.

Even after seeing Love is a Many Splendid Thing with William Holden and Jennifer Jones which depicted an American with a Eurasian woman was pushing the envelope. The story itself still made me cry even after all the times I have seen it, but what can I say, I am female and most movies make me cry at the drop of a hat.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

A Long Weekend to Celebrate


With the 4th of July long weekend just hours away, many will be bbqing, having picnics and getting together with family and friends.

We will go a short distance and celebrate with family and friends. Hoping that the weather will hold out since it has been a fabulous week as far as weather for us.

July 4th weekends growing up sometimes meant trailing along with my Dad who was a fire prevention officer with the fire department. He had to observe fireworks being displayed to make sure they didn't catch each other or anything on fire. Fireworks displays are always better viewed from far, far away rather than up close and personal which is usually what we had to do.

My favorite display of fireworks of all times was when I was much older and a friend asked if I wanted to go to the Rose Bowl Celebration. Although it was the most beautiful I had ever seen and by that time I had seen many, I couldn't hear for several days after because the sound bounced off the stadium. Back then they didn't suggest you bring ear plugs or headphones.

The food and the togetherness is much more than the fireworks. Independence is something everyone should strive for. The American flag is a symbol of what Americans have worked so hard for, which today's seems like it gets harder and harder.

No matter what your opinion is of what is currently going on in the world today, if you don't get a little lump in your throat or a tear in your eye when you hear any of the patriotic music that will be heard in the next several days, remember many many people have and will continue to give their lives for what we enjoy each and every day.

Have a great weekend everyone.