bulbous

BULBOUS

man I hate that word

37

Every year for my birthday I try to have a catchy little saying.... a theme if you will.... for the up coming year. I really didn't want to have to rhyme something with seven, so I changed my tactic. I am calling this my year of 37's.

• Read 37 books
• Try 37 new recipes (on page 37 if at all possible)
• Meet 37 new people
• Write 37 "thinking of you cards"
• Loose 37 pounds (which has been hard with the previous goal of trying 37 new recipes)
• Run 3.7 miles
• Visit 37 new places
• Do 37 Temple Ordinances
• Memorize 37 scriptures
• Try 37 new things

Gotta get crackin'! 37 is almost up and I just started!

Fried Green Tomatoes

When life hands you green tomatoes...

fry them!

When LIFE hands you red tomatoes,

onions,

fresh basil and oregano...

sauce them!!

The Bridge

A Bridge stands
Stoic
Over the chasm of the deep
Linking ones heart to another
Held strong with beams of support
Braced with the power of Love
This is what bridges
The soul of a Father
To his child.

Happy Father's Day!

I love you!

Pathways!

Most of my life I have walked on pathways that I did not create...

Ancient pathways that have been worn down from excessive use,

paved by many an ancestor feet.

Pathways that lead and guide and direct.

Pathways I want to follow.

Yet there comes a time when a person has to stop and create a pathway of their own.

One that is good and beautiful,

One that can be followed by those yet to come.

Those Dreaded Things....

Many families have Those Dreaded Things....

You know.....

Those things that randomly show up in the oddest places

and that are found in the most embarrassing of times...

(especially when they are not found by you!)

You know what I am talking about.....

That moldy cheese sandwhich that floats throughout the country, being delivered in a bright golden package,by your boss, in honors of wishing you a happy birthday....

That black and white picture of Merlin Olson that shows up in your wallet....

The picture of Angela Landsbury that suddenly replaces your Drivers License....

Well, for me...

Those Dreaded Things showed up again...

A Firbee in my spice cupboard...

and the most dreaded of all....

That STUPID, red haired, flat backed, smirky little faced, Satanic, Troll Angel doll showed up in my cottonballs!!!

Thanks a lot Angie!!!

Sheer Pleasure

I'm pretty sure that if you took a poll on the world's favorite, #1 Candy, it would have to be Cadbury Mini Eggs.

I don't know what it is about this delectable piece of decadence... maybe it's the sweetness of the vanilla, pastel shell..... or the crisp crackle of the coating as it is about to dissolve.... or maybe, it is the creamy smoothness of the velvety chocolate as it envelopes every taste bud, turning the mouth into a holy shroud of goodness! All I know is that I get the chills when I talk about it!

Sheer Pleasure!

Perspective

It's amazing what you see...

when you look a little closer!

That All Might Be Satisfied

When walking through Chongwe Village, I first met a bright, happy child of about 11. Agnes was beautiful! She was excited to see us and approached me with a gleaming, white smile. "You have such a beautiful smile." I said. "I know. Smiles are what make us beautiful. You have a beautiful smile, too." She responded. Immediately, I could tell I had just met someone very special.

Agnes and I became fast freinds and we spent most of the day together. She showed me her home and introduced me to her mother and grandmother. She showed me her school and the closest well, which was about a quarter of a mile away.

On our return trip from the well, the children surrounding me started chanting.... Tawali!!......Chakari!!......Tawali!!......Chakari!! I soon joined them, much to their delight and then found myself leading the chant! Tawali!!! Chakari!!!! Tawali!!! Chakari!!!! Agnes was beaming! After a while of making a huge rucous, I turned to her and asked. "What am I saying?" ...... "Food!!! Yes!!!" My heart just dropped. They were celebrating and anticipating a long awaited meal.

After the children washed their hands and found a rare plate to eat from, they were served a big lucious spoonful of Nshima and little fish relish. Those who ate, cherished every little morsel. I noticed that Agnes had missed the first round of serving. When the second round came, she stood in line with eager anticipation, sneaking a peak at the full Nshima pot. Her freshly used plate was also eager to be filled once more. Just as she got close to the pot, I saw her get out of line and hand her plate to her friend who was sitting across the way. I approached Agnes, "Agnes, are you not hungry?" "I am satisfied." "What?" I responded. "I am satisfied." I stood there so confused.... I had just seen her face as she got closer to some food. I knew she was hungry!

A little while later, that same plate made it into Agnes hands, when she ran to the Nshima pot to get her meal.

That all might be satisfied when giving up what they most want to serve someone else.