Market Day!

Kevin usually works at the Market, but today, I decided to go in for the day.  How lucky we are to have such bountiful fruits and vegetables at hand 24/7.  I paid our good fortune forward today by giving out lots of freebies.  Felt good.  These gorgeous raspberries are from our own back yard.  Magic.

If I ever figure it all out...

This is where it will happen.  This is where I meditate daily, enjoying the silence, which is interrupted by only breezes, the sounds of the geese playing, and the water in the river flowing over the rocks.

I think, and think, and think.  Sometimes, I am quite certain that it's not my responsibility to figure it all out, but to let it just flow, like the water over the rocks.  Namaste.

Meet Beatrice!

Or, "BEA" or "BEE" for short.  My new scoot.  In an attempt to do my part, and, the fact that we live in a tiny little village, just outide a booming city, I've decided to go from 4 wheels, to 2.  Everything we need is right here in Dimondale, and, if needed, I'll drive my automobile to haul big stuff.  But, truly, this is all I need.  I just got her yesterday, and I'm already IN LOVE. 100mpg, baby.  I've already stripped all of the racing flames and skull stickers from her, and they will be gradually replaced with bedazzles!  Stay tuned!

I have become an accidental vegetarian...

Not for any type of animal rights, not for the environment, not for any specific reason, besides, the thought of eating flesh really disgusts me.  And I don't kill things.  Anything.  No, I will not even kill a spider.  SO...gradually, meat has disappeared from my plate.  I've reaped many benefits, one being this glorious grain, Quinoa.  I made this salad for dinner last night, and am enjoying it today for lunch:

The recipe is quite simple, prepare your Quinao (pronounced "KEEN-WA"), add fresh, finely chopped veggies...( I used tomatoes, cukes peppers, fresh basil, and finely chopped fresh garlic), and toss in a lemon juice, olive oil, s&p dressing.  DELICIOUS.  And, Quinoa is a complete protein!  WIN WIN!

We are very fortunate to work at the Lansing City Market, the produce and information there is just so bountiful!  My next "Martha Stewart" endeavor will be preserving, canning, freezing and trying to save as many of these delicious, organic fruits and vegetables, so that we can enjoy them over the winter months!

I RISE - By Maya Angelou

This is a photo that I took in my gardens after a soothing, warm, summer rain, and it made me reflect upon my favorite Maya Angelou writing:

I RISE - BY Maya Angelou:

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I got gold mines

Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise

I rise

I rise.

NAMASTE.

In OTHER NEWS....

This is a photo that I took on our lastest outing to P.J.Hoffmaster State Park, our very favorite mini-vacation.  There's something magical to me about the beach.  When our lives can be reduced to only sand and water and the big, huge sky, the insignificance of ourselves takes over, and we realize that were are mere Human Beings.  It's such an existential, zen moment, to realize that we all came from one place, and if we could only TRY to simple it up, how much happier we would be.  These seagulls are just being seagulls.  That is all.  With that affirmation, I find it very comforting that all we really have to be is ourselves.  If, and when, we have the courage to do so, life falls perfectly into place, in just the perfect sequence.  Just be.

On The Cover of the ......Business Monthly!

OK,so it's not the Rolling Stone...but we made the cover of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly!  And, don't we look so cute? HAHA!  Someone said that this looks like an advertisement of some sort.  I like it, though...