It's Friday, and the end of my work week. For now I have decided to post 3 times a week. Some days I sit down not knowing what to write. Today is easy because I met a cook in one of my favorite stores. He is a produce manager and apparently a great chef. I asked him which tomatoes are best for roasting, and then realized I had found a treasure.
We have talked briefly before but today was thrilling. He is like the chefs on Foodnetwork. Awesome! I am making Bucatini all'Amatriciana pasta dish and have made it before but this time it will be fabulous. Being Sicilian, Italian cuisine is my favorite. This dinner will be for a going away party we are having for my friends Julie and her husband Loren.
This pasta dish is named for the town of Amatrice, a little south of Rome. But let me tell you about my encounter with Horacio. He is Hispanic and loves to cook many different types of dishes. His children love his cooking and his wife doesn't like anything he makes. I cannot fathom that. Horacio was very animated talking about tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh produce. I showed him my recipe and he seemed to like it so I offered to make a copy for him. He said thank you I got it. And I said you are a true chef! He simply smiled and went on to talk about one of his favorite dishes -Jerusalem artichokes with pasta. They aren't in season right now but when they are he will give me the recipe. I now know his days and hours he works and I will definitely be looking for him. He could be on television sharing his love of cooking and his knowledge of exceptional foods and fresh ingredients.
Eating is very pleasurable. When you mix the fresh, wonderful whole foods we are so blessed to have near us, we are spoiled. I love to eat and entertain, and then you add ambiance....what more do you need? This is my recipe for Bucatini all'Amatriciana for those of you who love eating good food.
1 lb bucatini pasta
8 roasted tomatoes - sweet ones (350 oven about 25 mins, dip in ice water to peel)
1 1/2 med. red onions
1/4 lb + pancetta - chop into pieces (Italian bacon) I don't like much fat, so I take out the big fatty chunks
2 Tbls parsley (American parsley)
chicken broth (guessing- 1+ cups)
olive oil
2 Tbls tomato paste (heaping)
parmesan cheese
Heat pan and add olive oil; brown onion, add pancetta; add tomato paste and roasted tomatoes, and lastly chicken stock. Cook down to thicken. Add cooked pasta to sauce. (I have not found bucatini pasta yet, and I use spaghetti.) Serve on your favorite large platter, sprinkle with parmesan, a little parsley, and finish with a drizzle of 'excellent' olive oil just as you are serving. (Buy an expensive olive oil, that gives you a peppery taste at the back of your throat, or if you prefer, buy a buttery olive oil. And only use this fancy olive oil for non-cooking. Olive oils are not for high heat. But use this fancy olive oil for drizzling on your pasta dishes, or your salads. You will love the enhanced flavor it gives your dishes.) One last thing. When you have the extra time (and money) and want to serve a spectacular meal, buy the very best ingredients. This one detail will make it a truly memorable meal.
Don't forget ambiance! Italian opera in the background and a good red wine. Your guests will remember this meal forever. Buon appetito!
Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"Food is our common ground, a universal experience." James Andrew Beard - American cookbook author and columnist
Friday, May 29, 2015
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
SECOND CHANCE FOR THE PROM
Most of my readers know by now I love CBS Sunday morning. (Similar to 60 Minutes, only they do more stories, at least 6, and I tape it to my DVR.) Last week they aired a story about an amazing high school boy, from Waterford Kettering High School, outside of Detroit, Michigan. His mother had grown up very poor and wasn't able to attend her high school prom. She said "you're going to do everything that I wasn't able to do". She cried every day she came home from school that year, and she vowed her son would get to do everything she missed out on. When she asked him about going to the prom, he kept being evasive, acting like he didn't want to go. Until about a month before, he finally told her. His mother said "what's wrong?". And her son said I want to ask you if you want to go with me.
His mother said, "yes, of course, and we have to start looking for some stuff!" Her son agreed we need to start looking for a dress. This young man helped his mom with everything. It was a short segment, maybe 5-7 minutes, but it was very sweet and uplifting. And wonderful to hear about a teenager that is thoughtful and considerate. Especially in light of all the negative news we tend to hear on television. The cameras filmed him walking down the hall in his high school, and sitting and talking with the interviewer. The teen is very courageous, and mature, and incredibly polite. I wished they were near me so I could meet them. I fell in love with both of them and wanted to tell them thank you, and how encouraging their story was.
The last scene was from the high school, mother and son dancing, among all the teens. Most teens don't want their parents any where near their dances. What a confident, loving son to do this for his mother, because he knew it meant so much to her. And courageous....courage is huge when you think of the peer pressure in high school. His statement at the end was "now she could say she went to the prom".
The mom said "it put a smile on my face and imprint on my heart that will last a lifetime"! Wow! What a special story that we all needed to hear. This family must be a loving, caring family, and they put others first. Thank you CBS for airing such an inspirational story. But mostly thank you to the young man for his courage and confidence and guts to do what he knew was right. Thank you to his mother and father for raising such a beautiful son, and thank you for sharing your story with the world!
Thank you, good night and God Bless!
"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." Michael J. Fox
His mother said, "yes, of course, and we have to start looking for some stuff!" Her son agreed we need to start looking for a dress. This young man helped his mom with everything. It was a short segment, maybe 5-7 minutes, but it was very sweet and uplifting. And wonderful to hear about a teenager that is thoughtful and considerate. Especially in light of all the negative news we tend to hear on television. The cameras filmed him walking down the hall in his high school, and sitting and talking with the interviewer. The teen is very courageous, and mature, and incredibly polite. I wished they were near me so I could meet them. I fell in love with both of them and wanted to tell them thank you, and how encouraging their story was.
The last scene was from the high school, mother and son dancing, among all the teens. Most teens don't want their parents any where near their dances. What a confident, loving son to do this for his mother, because he knew it meant so much to her. And courageous....courage is huge when you think of the peer pressure in high school. His statement at the end was "now she could say she went to the prom".
The mom said "it put a smile on my face and imprint on my heart that will last a lifetime"! Wow! What a special story that we all needed to hear. This family must be a loving, caring family, and they put others first. Thank you CBS for airing such an inspirational story. But mostly thank you to the young man for his courage and confidence and guts to do what he knew was right. Thank you to his mother and father for raising such a beautiful son, and thank you for sharing your story with the world!
Thank you, good night and God Bless!
"Family is not an important thing. It's everything." Michael J. Fox
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
JUST ANOTHER DAY!
A new week after a fun Memorial weekend with friends. One of my best friends, Aleida, stayed for the weekend with me. No, that is not a typo. I do have a friend named Aleida. She is Cuban and our names are very similar. It's funny to see people struggle with our names when we are together - they don't know what to call us sometimes. On Memorial Day other friends also came over and we had a BBQ, like a lot of other Americans probably did. There is nothing better than a good old fashioned hamburger, with all the fixn's. Though these days I can easily enjoy a burger on a big bed of lettuce with tomatoes and onions, rather than a typical hamburger bun.
Today being my work/write day, I am sitting here sounding more like this is a personal journal. And that's okay with me. Some days brilliant stuff comes out and I can't type fast enough. Other days it is dry, and a yawner....I realize that. I won't always enthrall or entice or even barely interest anyone. By the way, yes, I can say brilliant. If we can't toot our own horn, and if we don't know our own strengths, than we better pack up and go sit in a corner and lick our wounds.
This morning I started a Google calendar to share with a friend. My friend Keith had to help me get started, which made me mad because I wanted to do it myself. But the more techy stuff I do, the more I can do tomorrow, and the more I learn on my own down the road. And by the way, I now text like the kids and the 20 somethings! You know the double fisted texting they do....both hands and thumbs going on the phone!! I love that. I also went to the gym and now I am going to meet a friend. Today is a day to help a friend.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same." Elbert Hubbard- writer, artist and philosopher
Today being my work/write day, I am sitting here sounding more like this is a personal journal. And that's okay with me. Some days brilliant stuff comes out and I can't type fast enough. Other days it is dry, and a yawner....I realize that. I won't always enthrall or entice or even barely interest anyone. By the way, yes, I can say brilliant. If we can't toot our own horn, and if we don't know our own strengths, than we better pack up and go sit in a corner and lick our wounds.
This morning I started a Google calendar to share with a friend. My friend Keith had to help me get started, which made me mad because I wanted to do it myself. But the more techy stuff I do, the more I can do tomorrow, and the more I learn on my own down the road. And by the way, I now text like the kids and the 20 somethings! You know the double fisted texting they do....both hands and thumbs going on the phone!! I love that. I also went to the gym and now I am going to meet a friend. Today is a day to help a friend.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same." Elbert Hubbard- writer, artist and philosopher
Friday, May 22, 2015
A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE
PLEASE, please take the time to read this post, you may be surprised and happy you did. It's very near to my heart.
In many of my posts I talk about being blessed. Not only recently, but during my entire life. Including a time when I was 18 and walking home from a job. It was about 9 pm, a warm summer night. A time when children played outside and you could walk at night without any fear of violence.
When this guy grabbed me, the words "My God, what are you doing?" came out of my mouth. We know what he was doing and it seems so naive when I think about it now. But immediately after I said that, he let go and ran away. I truly believe those words woke him up and made him think twice. Whether that is true or not, I was very grateful. You can go back to my February 15th post to read about some other difficult things I have gone through.
Over the years I have heard some people say they don't like to go to church. And recently a friend talked about that very subject. Sitting in church this morning, I started thinking what a happy, fulfilling experience I always have at my church. The pastor gives messages that relate to everyday life, along with humor we can all relate to. The music is excellent with great musicians. It sometimes sounds like rock & roll, only the words are from scripture. Very uplifting, and of course the dancer in me is clapping and bouncing!
A church is a community of people. It's not a building. It's people who want to hear about the word of God, and see how it can help them get through their day to day life struggles. The saddest comment I hear is "people who go to church are all hypocrites ". I understand their reasons - they think that because of their experiences in the past. And there certainly are people who are "holier than thou". Holier than thou means they think they are above reproach, the rules don't apply to them, or they say one thing and do another.
Remember there are phony people everywhere, in business, or politics, or education, or your work, etc. We are all human and therefore fall short, everyday. We don't always tell the truth (little white lies), we cheat on our taxes, because the government takes too much of my hard-earned money, if we buy something and get charged a lesser amount, some of us would not go back and pay the correct amount, (because we deserve a freebie), if we dent a car and no one sees, how many of us will leave a note with our phone number?
The list is endless but my point is that's "human nature". The ugly truth about being human. We have all heard the statement "It's human nature". Having the nature of people - human frailty, ways of thinking feeling, and acting.
Here is what I see in my church. Young families, older people, single people, teenagers - all different people that go because they have found a place where they are accepted. And they hear messages that relate to their own personal struggles. Our church is growing incredibly fast and that's because people hear from their friends or neighbors about the great church down the street. We get to pray for each other. Some people aren't comfortable with letting someone pray for them. I wasn't either years ago when I didn't understand what it meant. Take this morning for instance when I was sitting a few feet away from a man who has liver cancer. About a year ago his wife asked if I knew where to get a wheelchair he could borrow. She happened to know I volunteered at a place, and was hoping I knew of one. Just that day someone had donated a wheelchair and I got to say yes, we have one for your husband.
Sometimes it's difficult to relate to a story like this. But try and put yourself into a similar situation. I am sure all of us know at least one friend or family member who has had cancer or any serious illness. When we are part of a community and people can help us with something, it makes all the difference. We can borrow wheelchairs, we can carpool the kids, we can get daily dinners while we are recuperating from surgery, we can simply help each other with the daily tasks of life. I can only imagine what life was like in the 1940's or earlier when we didn't have all the technology, or even television. We had to depend on each other more. I know you're thinking they weren't always nice then either. Yes, nothing is perfect, remember that "human nature".
We have a great church of people from all different walks of life. Some people go because they were brought up in a church, others because they had no where else to go, some because they have been struggling with alcohol or drugs for years and their friend said just come once and see, etc. I could go on and on. We have people wearing shorts and flip-flops, jeans and sweatshirts, leggings and sweaters, a few in a suit or sports coat, and some with tattoos up and down their arms.
But the common thread is we are all human with that. We all need a community of like minded friends. Now you know my strong feelings about going to church and why I think it's important.
Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer, with tears in my eyes, and say, Oh God, forgive me, or help me." - Billy Graham
In many of my posts I talk about being blessed. Not only recently, but during my entire life. Including a time when I was 18 and walking home from a job. It was about 9 pm, a warm summer night. A time when children played outside and you could walk at night without any fear of violence.
When this guy grabbed me, the words "My God, what are you doing?" came out of my mouth. We know what he was doing and it seems so naive when I think about it now. But immediately after I said that, he let go and ran away. I truly believe those words woke him up and made him think twice. Whether that is true or not, I was very grateful. You can go back to my February 15th post to read about some other difficult things I have gone through.
Over the years I have heard some people say they don't like to go to church. And recently a friend talked about that very subject. Sitting in church this morning, I started thinking what a happy, fulfilling experience I always have at my church. The pastor gives messages that relate to everyday life, along with humor we can all relate to. The music is excellent with great musicians. It sometimes sounds like rock & roll, only the words are from scripture. Very uplifting, and of course the dancer in me is clapping and bouncing!
A church is a community of people. It's not a building. It's people who want to hear about the word of God, and see how it can help them get through their day to day life struggles. The saddest comment I hear is "people who go to church are all hypocrites ". I understand their reasons - they think that because of their experiences in the past. And there certainly are people who are "holier than thou". Holier than thou means they think they are above reproach, the rules don't apply to them, or they say one thing and do another.
Remember there are phony people everywhere, in business, or politics, or education, or your work, etc. We are all human and therefore fall short, everyday. We don't always tell the truth (little white lies), we cheat on our taxes, because the government takes too much of my hard-earned money, if we buy something and get charged a lesser amount, some of us would not go back and pay the correct amount, (because we deserve a freebie), if we dent a car and no one sees, how many of us will leave a note with our phone number?
The list is endless but my point is that's "human nature". The ugly truth about being human. We have all heard the statement "It's human nature". Having the nature of people - human frailty, ways of thinking feeling, and acting.
Here is what I see in my church. Young families, older people, single people, teenagers - all different people that go because they have found a place where they are accepted. And they hear messages that relate to their own personal struggles. Our church is growing incredibly fast and that's because people hear from their friends or neighbors about the great church down the street. We get to pray for each other. Some people aren't comfortable with letting someone pray for them. I wasn't either years ago when I didn't understand what it meant. Take this morning for instance when I was sitting a few feet away from a man who has liver cancer. About a year ago his wife asked if I knew where to get a wheelchair he could borrow. She happened to know I volunteered at a place, and was hoping I knew of one. Just that day someone had donated a wheelchair and I got to say yes, we have one for your husband.
Sometimes it's difficult to relate to a story like this. But try and put yourself into a similar situation. I am sure all of us know at least one friend or family member who has had cancer or any serious illness. When we are part of a community and people can help us with something, it makes all the difference. We can borrow wheelchairs, we can carpool the kids, we can get daily dinners while we are recuperating from surgery, we can simply help each other with the daily tasks of life. I can only imagine what life was like in the 1940's or earlier when we didn't have all the technology, or even television. We had to depend on each other more. I know you're thinking they weren't always nice then either. Yes, nothing is perfect, remember that "human nature".
We have a great church of people from all different walks of life. Some people go because they were brought up in a church, others because they had no where else to go, some because they have been struggling with alcohol or drugs for years and their friend said just come once and see, etc. I could go on and on. We have people wearing shorts and flip-flops, jeans and sweatshirts, leggings and sweaters, a few in a suit or sports coat, and some with tattoos up and down their arms.
But the common thread is we are all human with that. We all need a community of like minded friends. Now you know my strong feelings about going to church and why I think it's important.
Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer, with tears in my eyes, and say, Oh God, forgive me, or help me." - Billy Graham
Thursday, May 21, 2015
ROMANCE AND ALL THE NICETIES MAKE THE RELATIONSHIP
Okay, I have a confession to make - I love watching romance movies, even Hallmark movies! Yes, those sappy, romantic movies always make me smile. Some say they are unrealistic, however, I still believe in romance, flowers, candles, cards, chocolate - all of it! I am an incurable romantic. Any love relationship between a man and a woman, whether a marriage or a long term commitment, needs to be revived with romance occasionally. It takes two to tango as they say. You will have no doubt about my romantic tendencies when you read my quote below!
Since I am writing about romance movies, it's time to briefly update my readers on my online dating. I met someone about 1 1/2 weeks after joining. We wrote back and forth for about 3 weeks, then met, and this was back in February. Suffice to say, we are seeing each other exclusively, we are crazy about each other, and he is wonderful! That's all she wrote - that's all you get! :-)
What do I like about romance movies? And I believe most women would agree with me. We want it in our lives, I know I do. I don't always know why, we could analyze all day long "why". I need to be adored and I like being treated like a lady. I like good manners and being treated with consideration. I like politeness and I don't like fighting or arguing. I detest game playing. I am not a drama queen but can certainly be emotional. I am also very affectionate and romantic, so these gestures come naturally to me. I love formalities and being lady-like, and at the same time am very down to earth.
You might be thinking "Wow, you are very girlie". Not really, we all have different sides to us, myself included. I can be a tomboy because I am very physical. Getting down and dirty never bothers me. One project I did a few years ago was paint my garage floor. It was a tough, dirty, and difficult job. I had to clear it and power wash it, all before painting. It is a warm clay/reddish brown color and I love it. A corner of the garage is my laundry area, and I wanted to make the garage comfortable for me. Many of my male neighbors have come by and said how they also wanted to paint their floors, and I inspired them. Over the years I have had to learn how to do handy jobs around my house. The odd thing is I find them interesting. However, if it takes sheets of instructions, muscles, or climbing high on a ladder, I am done. It's time to call my handyman friend. I am also stubborn and if you can do it, I can do it!
Back to romance. A little romance in a relationship makes a woman feel loved and desired. Staying married is the hardest thing we will do. Simply look at the divorce rates. Romance does not have to cost much. Good communication, undivided attention while talking, a smile, an unexpected love note, one single flower, a date night (with no cellphones?), coffee in bed when those eyes can't open, the list of little niceties is endless.
My thoughts on romance will no doubt resurface. But for now thank you, good night and God Bless!
Aleta
"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." Aristotle
Since I am writing about romance movies, it's time to briefly update my readers on my online dating. I met someone about 1 1/2 weeks after joining. We wrote back and forth for about 3 weeks, then met, and this was back in February. Suffice to say, we are seeing each other exclusively, we are crazy about each other, and he is wonderful! That's all she wrote - that's all you get! :-)
What do I like about romance movies? And I believe most women would agree with me. We want it in our lives, I know I do. I don't always know why, we could analyze all day long "why". I need to be adored and I like being treated like a lady. I like good manners and being treated with consideration. I like politeness and I don't like fighting or arguing. I detest game playing. I am not a drama queen but can certainly be emotional. I am also very affectionate and romantic, so these gestures come naturally to me. I love formalities and being lady-like, and at the same time am very down to earth.
You might be thinking "Wow, you are very girlie". Not really, we all have different sides to us, myself included. I can be a tomboy because I am very physical. Getting down and dirty never bothers me. One project I did a few years ago was paint my garage floor. It was a tough, dirty, and difficult job. I had to clear it and power wash it, all before painting. It is a warm clay/reddish brown color and I love it. A corner of the garage is my laundry area, and I wanted to make the garage comfortable for me. Many of my male neighbors have come by and said how they also wanted to paint their floors, and I inspired them. Over the years I have had to learn how to do handy jobs around my house. The odd thing is I find them interesting. However, if it takes sheets of instructions, muscles, or climbing high on a ladder, I am done. It's time to call my handyman friend. I am also stubborn and if you can do it, I can do it!
Back to romance. A little romance in a relationship makes a woman feel loved and desired. Staying married is the hardest thing we will do. Simply look at the divorce rates. Romance does not have to cost much. Good communication, undivided attention while talking, a smile, an unexpected love note, one single flower, a date night (with no cellphones?), coffee in bed when those eyes can't open, the list of little niceties is endless.
My thoughts on romance will no doubt resurface. But for now thank you, good night and God Bless!
Aleta
"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." Aristotle
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
OPERATION CHOOSE JOY!
My favorite show, CBS Sunday Morning, is always informative and inspiring. A 67 year old woman had terminal cancer and any treatments would only prolong her illness. However, her youngest daughter decided to try an unconventional treatment to help her attitude. Not only her mother's attitude but hers as well. She wanted her memory of her mom's last few months or years be a happy memory. As bazaar as that sounds regarding cancer, I believe we have a lot of control over our attitude.
Each treatment day they wore a different costume: a ballerina's tutu, tie dye clothes, big red noses like a clown, Disney costumes, anything goofy and fun. At first the woman didn't want to cooperate, and then after that first day her silliness kicked in and she changed her attitude. They decided to make chemo treatments "fun" - and it worked for the patient! They also started bringing gifts to the nurses and patients, like a single rose or any little thing to perk up their day. This cheerfulness has had a profound affect on her.
They called it "Operation Choose Joy". Laughter and a positive attitude can only do so much, of course, the cancer will eventually take her life. When that time comes the daughter said she thinks she will remember this as something she enjoyed. It's hard to imagine enjoying something like this, it's more like enduring! When you think about it, most of us have to go through health issues like this in our lifetimes. Finding a way to enjoy rather than endure is a much better alternative. Impossible things can become possible. I can only imagine how their attitude had a huge affect on the other patients in the hospital, what a legacy she will leave.
Thank you, good day and God Bless! Aleta
"Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. - American author
Each treatment day they wore a different costume: a ballerina's tutu, tie dye clothes, big red noses like a clown, Disney costumes, anything goofy and fun. At first the woman didn't want to cooperate, and then after that first day her silliness kicked in and she changed her attitude. They decided to make chemo treatments "fun" - and it worked for the patient! They also started bringing gifts to the nurses and patients, like a single rose or any little thing to perk up their day. This cheerfulness has had a profound affect on her.
They called it "Operation Choose Joy". Laughter and a positive attitude can only do so much, of course, the cancer will eventually take her life. When that time comes the daughter said she thinks she will remember this as something she enjoyed. It's hard to imagine enjoying something like this, it's more like enduring! When you think about it, most of us have to go through health issues like this in our lifetimes. Finding a way to enjoy rather than endure is a much better alternative. Impossible things can become possible. I can only imagine how their attitude had a huge affect on the other patients in the hospital, what a legacy she will leave.
Thank you, good day and God Bless! Aleta
"Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more."
H. Jackson Brown, Jr. - American author
Thursday, May 14, 2015
GINGER ZEE FROM GMA GOES TO CENTRAL VIETNAM - STUNNING!
Getting ready for my day I sometimes listen to Good Morning America. Meteorologist Ginger Zee loves adventure. She reported on a stunning cavern only just discovered in 2009. Quang Bihn, Central Vietnam, one of the world's largest caverns inside a mountain. The trip took several days of traveling by many different modes of transportation, and was dirty and very dangerous. The filming was about 400 feet under ground. The crew were all wearing headlamps with ropes guiding each step. You had to hold onto the ropes or you would fall to your death. From my vantage point, they were walking, crawling, ducking, climbing, and panting (on occasion) each step of the way. The path was very narrow, grueling, with pools of water below, boulders above, and it was not for the faint of heart.
They traveled on foot for more than an hour, and then a world opened up, like from a scene in the film Avatar. A hidden world, the planet's largest cavern (largest 'known' cavern), and visited by fewer explorers than in outer space. There was a jungle inside this hidden world, with trees and plants, and animals - under a giant skylight, more than 800 feet below the surface. The scientist/guide said you don't normally get trees and jungles in caves, that's why it's quite different. Plants and animals have adapted to this unique subterranean world. One of the mammoth craters was big enough to park two 747's inside, and tall enough to fit an 80 story skyscraper! The caves, with a flowing river, has been carving it's way through a limestone mountain for 2 million years - forming the largest underground chamber on earth. "More than 1.3 billion cubic feet of subterranean beauty." And 5 months out of the year, this underground marvel is under water. What else is out there?
At first glance, I thought how fabulous to go there and be part of this crew. But the moment they descended into the cavern, and it became dark and completely enclosed, I lost interest. Actually, I felt myself getting nervous just thinking about the claustrophobia. Claustrophobia is defined as the abnormal fear of being in enclosed or narrow places. Yep, that's the word I was looking for. We can no doubt look forward to a special to air on ABC.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
Aldous Huxley
They traveled on foot for more than an hour, and then a world opened up, like from a scene in the film Avatar. A hidden world, the planet's largest cavern (largest 'known' cavern), and visited by fewer explorers than in outer space. There was a jungle inside this hidden world, with trees and plants, and animals - under a giant skylight, more than 800 feet below the surface. The scientist/guide said you don't normally get trees and jungles in caves, that's why it's quite different. Plants and animals have adapted to this unique subterranean world. One of the mammoth craters was big enough to park two 747's inside, and tall enough to fit an 80 story skyscraper! The caves, with a flowing river, has been carving it's way through a limestone mountain for 2 million years - forming the largest underground chamber on earth. "More than 1.3 billion cubic feet of subterranean beauty." And 5 months out of the year, this underground marvel is under water. What else is out there?
At first glance, I thought how fabulous to go there and be part of this crew. But the moment they descended into the cavern, and it became dark and completely enclosed, I lost interest. Actually, I felt myself getting nervous just thinking about the claustrophobia. Claustrophobia is defined as the abnormal fear of being in enclosed or narrow places. Yep, that's the word I was looking for. We can no doubt look forward to a special to air on ABC.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self."
Aldous Huxley
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
WRITING FOR MYSELF
Sometimes I write about emotional turmoil that I may be going through, or something fascinating I learned, or something that just piques my interest. The Italian American story I have been posting has gone dry for me. I will not be finishing it. If you want to look it up, please refer to your local PBS station.
I love it when I hit the keys on my Mac, going a hundred miles an hour. I can think of 3 of my favorite, and most popular posts where this happened. The First Day of The Rest of My Life, my first post, early in February, also Part 1 and 2- I Am A Late Bloomer, I don't Care What Others Think About Me. It's the same thing for all writers, it won't always happen though. As in most things in life, sometimes we are on top of the world and other times we barely get through the day. Being aware of our own ups and downs, and then learning how to handle them is key to our mental health. I equate writing to sitting down with a psychologist. Talk, listen, and learn. Write, write, delete, re-write, and write some more.
What's important is to sit down and start writing! Something magical happens sitting in front of my laptop, whether it takes 10 minutes or a half hour, or whether I can't type fast enough, or I type laboriously, and delete more often than I type. It's magical and very therapeutic for my mental health.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle
I love it when I hit the keys on my Mac, going a hundred miles an hour. I can think of 3 of my favorite, and most popular posts where this happened. The First Day of The Rest of My Life, my first post, early in February, also Part 1 and 2- I Am A Late Bloomer, I don't Care What Others Think About Me. It's the same thing for all writers, it won't always happen though. As in most things in life, sometimes we are on top of the world and other times we barely get through the day. Being aware of our own ups and downs, and then learning how to handle them is key to our mental health. I equate writing to sitting down with a psychologist. Talk, listen, and learn. Write, write, delete, re-write, and write some more.
What's important is to sit down and start writing! Something magical happens sitting in front of my laptop, whether it takes 10 minutes or a half hour, or whether I can't type fast enough, or I type laboriously, and delete more often than I type. It's magical and very therapeutic for my mental health.
Thank you, good night and God Bless! Aleta
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
CAN WE TALK?
Why do we make life complicated? Emotions are wonderful when we are happy, but they sure aren't fun when something is bothering us. Am I the only one who overthinks things? As expressive and outgoing and emotional as I am, I am also a problem solver. What does that mean? I am a thinker and I tend to problem solve when I lay my head down to sleep. What a nuisance. I detest tossing and turning. I try to turn off my brain with television, or a book, or telling myself "go to sleep" repeatedly. When this happens it usually means I am awake for a few hours. Yes, the experts say don't look at TV or any technology before bed. But the TV, rather idiot box, does turn off my brain and I can fall asleep, at times. I have been taking melatonin with herbs for a couple of years and it helps, usually. The odd thing is even if I sleep for only 5 hours, I'm not a zombie the next day. So I have decided not to worry about not sleeping.
Aren't the different personality styles fascinating? From time to time I will bring up this subject. It comes to mind now because I am a combination of two opposites - emotional/expressive and analytical/melancholic. My emotional side drives me crazy at times. What helps me is writing. Writing in a personal journal which is well marked on the cover of my notebook - PERSONAL. So on the day that I die and my kids are going through my things, and they see these journals....they will toss them out! Yes, writing is very therapeutic.
Sometimes I write to God. I have even answered some of my questions or concerns by using another color of ink, to show God's response. Amazingly the answer shows up. We really do know how to solve our own personal issues. Writing is one of them for me. How do I get an answer? I think outside myself. I become a friend who is helping me by thinking logically. It is possible. Have you ever noticed how good we are at giving advice to friends? That's because we are not involved emotionally. We can therefore figure out the best course of action for them. I just answered a problem for me!
Leave the emotion out - stop thinking emotionally and begin to think rationally. Easier said than done. Yes, but I do think I'm on the right track. Even if I leave out some of the emotion, than I will still be more rational. So the next time I am up and down, emotions all over the place, or ready to cry (over a friendship usually), I will try something new. I will take myself and my emotions out of the equation, and think rationally. Then I will ask myself some questions. What is the worst thing that could happen? And then if such and such happens, what logical thing could I do? Some of my friends and kids are saying, Good luck on that one - we know you! But I still know myself better than anyone. I have pulled myself out of some pretty bad situations and come out on the other side unscathed. Trust your intuition!
I took a detour today - thanks for listening. Good day and God Bless! Aleta
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Ghandi
Aren't the different personality styles fascinating? From time to time I will bring up this subject. It comes to mind now because I am a combination of two opposites - emotional/expressive and analytical/melancholic. My emotional side drives me crazy at times. What helps me is writing. Writing in a personal journal which is well marked on the cover of my notebook - PERSONAL. So on the day that I die and my kids are going through my things, and they see these journals....they will toss them out! Yes, writing is very therapeutic.
Sometimes I write to God. I have even answered some of my questions or concerns by using another color of ink, to show God's response. Amazingly the answer shows up. We really do know how to solve our own personal issues. Writing is one of them for me. How do I get an answer? I think outside myself. I become a friend who is helping me by thinking logically. It is possible. Have you ever noticed how good we are at giving advice to friends? That's because we are not involved emotionally. We can therefore figure out the best course of action for them. I just answered a problem for me!
Leave the emotion out - stop thinking emotionally and begin to think rationally. Easier said than done. Yes, but I do think I'm on the right track. Even if I leave out some of the emotion, than I will still be more rational. So the next time I am up and down, emotions all over the place, or ready to cry (over a friendship usually), I will try something new. I will take myself and my emotions out of the equation, and think rationally. Then I will ask myself some questions. What is the worst thing that could happen? And then if such and such happens, what logical thing could I do? Some of my friends and kids are saying, Good luck on that one - we know you! But I still know myself better than anyone. I have pulled myself out of some pretty bad situations and come out on the other side unscathed. Trust your intuition!
I took a detour today - thanks for listening. Good day and God Bless! Aleta
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." - Mahatma Ghandi
Friday, May 8, 2015
THE ITALIAN FAMILY - LA ITALIANA FAMIGLIA - PART 3
By 1900 America was in the midst of a Second Industrial Revolution, and almost every industry was transformed. In the first 2 decades, over 3 million Southern Italian immigrants came through Ellis Island. My grand parents also came through Ellis Island, I believe in 1909. But my personal history is for another post. Coming to America to earn a living came at a high cost. Some traveled back and forth across the Atlantic multiple times. The trip across the Atlantic was an 11 day trip and they never planned on staying in America. They were known as "birds of passage". They were the lowest hierarchy of the working class and treated very poorly. At times given jobs that cost them their lives, jobs that would never be given to people today. Another part of history that I won't go into depth is the Secret Italian Society known as the Mafia. The name Mafia first started appearing in newspapers in the 1890's, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
LITTLE ITALY
Little Italy, Manhattan, was a busy place in those early days, filled with immigrants, merchants, push carts, and everyone speaking Italian - streets teaming with people. It was originally the Mulberry District, formerly home to Irish immigrants.
De Palos Market is one of the oldest markets in Little Italy and opened over 100 years ago. They make mozzarella cheese, with imported salt from the Sicilian Mediterranean. One place I want to visit when I go to New York! Other little Italys popped up in East Harlem, Chicago, New Orleans, and Boston, and the rest of the country. Italian immigrants were re-creating Southern Italian society. Their need for a close knit family and privacy is easily understood once we hear what most of them went through.
Part 4 next week.
Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." Michael J. Fox - actor
LITTLE ITALY
Little Italy, Manhattan, was a busy place in those early days, filled with immigrants, merchants, push carts, and everyone speaking Italian - streets teaming with people. It was originally the Mulberry District, formerly home to Irish immigrants.
De Palos Market is one of the oldest markets in Little Italy and opened over 100 years ago. They make mozzarella cheese, with imported salt from the Sicilian Mediterranean. One place I want to visit when I go to New York! Other little Italys popped up in East Harlem, Chicago, New Orleans, and Boston, and the rest of the country. Italian immigrants were re-creating Southern Italian society. Their need for a close knit family and privacy is easily understood once we hear what most of them went through.
Part 4 next week.
Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"Family is not an important thing, it's everything." Michael J. Fox - actor
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
THE ITALIAN FAMILY- LA FAMIGLIA ITALIANA - PART 2
Before 1861 there was no country called Italy. The peninsula was a collection of small kingdoms, divided north and south. In the north was Rome, Milan and Florence, and of course growth, commerce, and culture - La Scala Opera, Di Vinci, Michelangelo, to name a few. However to the south, where the majority of the Italian Americans originate, was the impoverished "mezzogiorno region". The northern Italians called it "the land time forgot". This explains a lot. Last November I visited Italy and people always say how much northerners do not like the southerners. South of Naples (considered southern Italy) is a totally separate world. Southern Italians didn't call themselves Italians and didn't even know what Italian was. There was no Italy!
Eighty five percent of the movement to the United States comes from Calabria (the most destitute of all the 9 provinces in Sicily). The Southern Provinces had long been under control by the Spanish Bourbon Monarchy, leaving the peasants in poverty. In 1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi (an Italian revolutionary) began a military campaign. Garibaldi wanted Italy to be unified as a democracy, with a representative government. Garibaldi and 1,000 volunteers battled the Bourbon army. Even though Garibaldi's men were not equipped, with their sheer determination they forced the Bourbon rulers out for good. However, now they had to contend with the northern Italians.
The northern government did nothing for the southern Italian peasants. People were barely surviving, barely eating. Women would scrape plaster from the walls of their modest homes to make the flour for their bread go farther. Then the northern Italian government started taxing everything: mules, food, any small garden. This explains why Italians are so close knit and private. Everyone in authority was the enemy. If the government found out about a secret garden spot, they could tax you more. Hence - don't tell anyone anything! That attitude came with them to America.
Thank you! Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"I find that other countries have this or that, but Italy is the only one that has it all for me. The culture, the cuisine, the people, the landscape, the history. Just everything to me comes together there." Francis Mayes - writer and professor
Eighty five percent of the movement to the United States comes from Calabria (the most destitute of all the 9 provinces in Sicily). The Southern Provinces had long been under control by the Spanish Bourbon Monarchy, leaving the peasants in poverty. In 1860 Giuseppe Garibaldi (an Italian revolutionary) began a military campaign. Garibaldi wanted Italy to be unified as a democracy, with a representative government. Garibaldi and 1,000 volunteers battled the Bourbon army. Even though Garibaldi's men were not equipped, with their sheer determination they forced the Bourbon rulers out for good. However, now they had to contend with the northern Italians.
The northern government did nothing for the southern Italian peasants. People were barely surviving, barely eating. Women would scrape plaster from the walls of their modest homes to make the flour for their bread go farther. Then the northern Italian government started taxing everything: mules, food, any small garden. This explains why Italians are so close knit and private. Everyone in authority was the enemy. If the government found out about a secret garden spot, they could tax you more. Hence - don't tell anyone anything! That attitude came with them to America.
Thank you! Good night and God Bless! Aleta
"I find that other countries have this or that, but Italy is the only one that has it all for me. The culture, the cuisine, the people, the landscape, the history. Just everything to me comes together there." Francis Mayes - writer and professor
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
THE ITALIAN FAMILY- LA FAMIGLIA ITALIANA- PART 1
My Sicilian Italian heritage is very important to me. Earlier this year, I found a documentary on PBS about Italian Americans. Thank God I recorded it to my DVR because I love learning this history. I watched the documentary and took notes, and did a little research on Google, of course.
There are certain traits that Italian American people have that are a little larger than life. We don't all fit those categories - talk loudly, talk with our hands, Italian women spend all day making pasta, and most have dark hair and brown eyes. Half of Italy has blue eyes. However, one tradition we have held onto: old family traditions.
Over 4 million Italians arrived in America in the early 1900's. I have always heard New York, and near-by boroughs, was where most Italians settled. One city, Roseto, Pennsylvania, was where Southern Italian immigrants also settled. Roseto was founded by Southern Italian immigrants 130 years ago, 1884.
Every year the little town of Roseto, has a reunion and they call it a celebration. (Population in 2013 was 1560.) This celebration is called The Big Thank You from the community, a celebration that "we are all here, alive, well, and we made it". La famiglia is most important to Italians. Researchers did a study (1961) of the people of Roseto. Calling it The Roseto Effect, doctors discovered the people of Roseto had an extremely low incidence of myocardial infarction. The socially cohesive community is protected - hence, the Roseto Effect. Even though they ate a lot of pasta and high fat meats, heart disease was almost unheard of. Their diet was high in fat and cholesterol, yet these people felt emotionally safe and this equated to good health.
Roseto was incorporated in 1912 and they proudly state on their official website "Rich in tradition and strong family values".
Part 2- early history on Italy before it was a unified country- next post.
Thank you, have a great day and God Bless! Aleta
"Life is too short and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0."
- Sophia Bush, actress and director
There are certain traits that Italian American people have that are a little larger than life. We don't all fit those categories - talk loudly, talk with our hands, Italian women spend all day making pasta, and most have dark hair and brown eyes. Half of Italy has blue eyes. However, one tradition we have held onto: old family traditions.
Over 4 million Italians arrived in America in the early 1900's. I have always heard New York, and near-by boroughs, was where most Italians settled. One city, Roseto, Pennsylvania, was where Southern Italian immigrants also settled. Roseto was founded by Southern Italian immigrants 130 years ago, 1884.
Every year the little town of Roseto, has a reunion and they call it a celebration. (Population in 2013 was 1560.) This celebration is called The Big Thank You from the community, a celebration that "we are all here, alive, well, and we made it". La famiglia is most important to Italians. Researchers did a study (1961) of the people of Roseto. Calling it The Roseto Effect, doctors discovered the people of Roseto had an extremely low incidence of myocardial infarction. The socially cohesive community is protected - hence, the Roseto Effect. Even though they ate a lot of pasta and high fat meats, heart disease was almost unheard of. Their diet was high in fat and cholesterol, yet these people felt emotionally safe and this equated to good health.
Roseto was incorporated in 1912 and they proudly state on their official website "Rich in tradition and strong family values".
Part 2- early history on Italy before it was a unified country- next post.
Thank you, have a great day and God Bless! Aleta
"Life is too short and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0."
- Sophia Bush, actress and director
Saturday, May 2, 2015
A MONTH OF GOOD BYES!
My friend Julie will be moving back to Washington in about a month, and that means I am losing my bff! I have wanted a best friend and sister for over 2 decades. I am very grateful we met, just a year ago, but will be very sad to see her go :-( Yes, we now have a special friendship and we can both visit. But what's funny about our friendship, we are like teenagers texting all the time about nonsense, and talking on the phone. Along with her husband, Loren, we are each other's family. And no one has ever made me laugh like Julie. She is hilarious, and has a very clever sense of humor. It is hard to explain but I will give one hilarious example.
We were playing Mahjongg, which we have done most Thursday afternoons for about 10 months. A fascinating game, very involved and creative, and I have never been a fan of games. Google it if you are curious. One of the ladies won a game very quickly, we were all astonished, and giving her high praise. (With Mahjongg there are stands like Scrabble, to accommodate the tiles. Except the stands are about twice as long.) Julie stood up, grabbed her stand holding it in front of the winner, as if it were a microphone, and she said "Tell us how you did it!!!" OMG!! I still howl with laughter over this. I hope this humorous story comes off in my prose. That is my friend and sister Julie. I hope everyone has a Julie in their life!
Yesterday was Thursday and we didn't have 4 people to play Mahjongg, it was mid 70's and sunny everywhere, so we headed for San Francisco. With work schedules, we have not been able to do tourist stuff in SF. Everything worked perfectly - Loren working late (he is a wonderful, hard working husband), great weather, Turbo their little furry buddy was cared for, and it was only lunch time. We drove to BART, our subway a half hour away, and parked my car. She got to experience our noisy but very convenient subway. I don't use BART often, so paying for parking and tickets is always nerve wracking. We usually end up laughing hard :-) if we don't know what the heck we are doing! Transit employees aren't usually the most patient people either. Which of course makes us nervous to ask anything. We experienced many miracles that day and the first one being, it only took us 15 minutes to get our tickets - not including all giggling. Try to make a pitstop before you arrive at a BART station - the bathroom was nasty.
The ride was uneventful, arriving at Powell station about 15 minutes later. If you have not visited SF, you will want to stand at Powell and Market streets and take a cable car ride. Lots of characters and a fun way to see many SF attractions. My preference is the Hyde line, because you pass right in front of Lombard Street (the most crooked street in the world). When you get to the top of Lombard Street, you ride down a big hill, toward Ghirardelli Square (a chocolate factory) with Alcatraz Island in the back ground. A few blocks later we got off and walked toward the bay, right in front of Ghirardelli. With the gorgeous, warm weather, lots of people were out, and even a few nut cases swimming. San Francisco does have beautiful weather occasionally, but it never has warm water. It is like ice water!
We did a quick tour of Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory and the adjoining businesses. (We had decided not to indulge in a sundae :-) Only 4-5 blocks away is the middle of Fisherman's Wharf. We walked and people watched and of course decided to have dinner. We went to Scoma's, a well known Italian restaurant. The food was delicious, the waiters and all the staff were exceptional, the atmosphere was great, and my Sangiovese wine was perfect. Julie had a New York steak and I had pasta with chicken. Delicioso!! We had a relaxing dinner and headed back to the cable car.
After our 45 minute wait, we boarded. Half way through our trip, we stopped suddenly and were told "There are VIP's in town and we were going to have to get off the cable car!" There were many very unhappy people grumbling in China Town - including us. However, we got great advice and took a bus that was only 2 blocks away and heading in the exact direction we needed. I wonder what politicians were the VIP's?? Or whomever??
Life is full of colorful people - thank God! Especially in big cities like San Francisco! But on Thursday we got more than we bargained for. At the bus stop was a man about mid-30's, clean cut, talkative, and definitely eccentric. When he heard us asking about the fare, he told us this long story of why we should not pay. He said if we pay, we will insult those who get on for free. He went on to say many people go through the back door without paying, or some just carry an old transfer and never seem to get asked to pay. Needless to say we did not like that idea! Can't you see the headlines: Two women from the SF coast try to ride our dear Muni bus lines without paying. How dare they come here to our fair city, women who can certainly pay their own way!
I'm just getting started with the characters. There were 2 vacant seats near the driver - which is usually my first choice in an unfamiliar setting. I sat next to a homeless guy, who definitely had not taken his meds in a long time, and had not bathed in weeks. He ranted and raved about anything that came into his mind. He was obviously bright with a great vocabulary. But he took offense at any laughter and got more angry as we approached our stop. Julie and I headed for the back door. He walked up to the driver and started yelling at him, pushing into him, threatening to dump his soda on his head, and telling him why doesn't he eat American food like french fries! I was hoping it was over when we see the driver getting out of the bus. The guy put down his bag and the two of them get in that stance "going to fisticuffs" (getting ready to fight).
Well I am horrified and my instinct to help the driver kicks in. NO...I did not get between them...but I did walk a little closer (guessing maybe 20+feet away) and I yelled "Don't hit him, get back into the bus, you might lose your job"!! By now Julie is freaking out and telling me to get back with her. Then two ladies, who are apparently seasoned SF bus riders, said if anyone hits a bus driver, they would get into serious trouble. In the mean time, the homeless guy decided the driver would probably knock him out, because the last thing we saw was the guy picking up his bag and walking away.
The rest of our trip, to the subway and subsequently my car, was easy. Were we tired? You bet, but we had fun making memories. And I would do it all over again. I am not the type of person to walk away from injustice, and I will always stop to help. Do I sometimes speak before thinking? Yes, but God always seems to protect me.
Have a great day, and God Bless! Aleta
"There is nothing on this earth more prized than true friendship." Thomas Aquinas - 1225-1274, theologian and philosopher
We were playing Mahjongg, which we have done most Thursday afternoons for about 10 months. A fascinating game, very involved and creative, and I have never been a fan of games. Google it if you are curious. One of the ladies won a game very quickly, we were all astonished, and giving her high praise. (With Mahjongg there are stands like Scrabble, to accommodate the tiles. Except the stands are about twice as long.) Julie stood up, grabbed her stand holding it in front of the winner, as if it were a microphone, and she said "Tell us how you did it!!!" OMG!! I still howl with laughter over this. I hope this humorous story comes off in my prose. That is my friend and sister Julie. I hope everyone has a Julie in their life!
Yesterday was Thursday and we didn't have 4 people to play Mahjongg, it was mid 70's and sunny everywhere, so we headed for San Francisco. With work schedules, we have not been able to do tourist stuff in SF. Everything worked perfectly - Loren working late (he is a wonderful, hard working husband), great weather, Turbo their little furry buddy was cared for, and it was only lunch time. We drove to BART, our subway a half hour away, and parked my car. She got to experience our noisy but very convenient subway. I don't use BART often, so paying for parking and tickets is always nerve wracking. We usually end up laughing hard :-) if we don't know what the heck we are doing! Transit employees aren't usually the most patient people either. Which of course makes us nervous to ask anything. We experienced many miracles that day and the first one being, it only took us 15 minutes to get our tickets - not including all giggling. Try to make a pitstop before you arrive at a BART station - the bathroom was nasty.
The ride was uneventful, arriving at Powell station about 15 minutes later. If you have not visited SF, you will want to stand at Powell and Market streets and take a cable car ride. Lots of characters and a fun way to see many SF attractions. My preference is the Hyde line, because you pass right in front of Lombard Street (the most crooked street in the world). When you get to the top of Lombard Street, you ride down a big hill, toward Ghirardelli Square (a chocolate factory) with Alcatraz Island in the back ground. A few blocks later we got off and walked toward the bay, right in front of Ghirardelli. With the gorgeous, warm weather, lots of people were out, and even a few nut cases swimming. San Francisco does have beautiful weather occasionally, but it never has warm water. It is like ice water!
We did a quick tour of Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory and the adjoining businesses. (We had decided not to indulge in a sundae :-) Only 4-5 blocks away is the middle of Fisherman's Wharf. We walked and people watched and of course decided to have dinner. We went to Scoma's, a well known Italian restaurant. The food was delicious, the waiters and all the staff were exceptional, the atmosphere was great, and my Sangiovese wine was perfect. Julie had a New York steak and I had pasta with chicken. Delicioso!! We had a relaxing dinner and headed back to the cable car.
After our 45 minute wait, we boarded. Half way through our trip, we stopped suddenly and were told "There are VIP's in town and we were going to have to get off the cable car!" There were many very unhappy people grumbling in China Town - including us. However, we got great advice and took a bus that was only 2 blocks away and heading in the exact direction we needed. I wonder what politicians were the VIP's?? Or whomever??
Life is full of colorful people - thank God! Especially in big cities like San Francisco! But on Thursday we got more than we bargained for. At the bus stop was a man about mid-30's, clean cut, talkative, and definitely eccentric. When he heard us asking about the fare, he told us this long story of why we should not pay. He said if we pay, we will insult those who get on for free. He went on to say many people go through the back door without paying, or some just carry an old transfer and never seem to get asked to pay. Needless to say we did not like that idea! Can't you see the headlines: Two women from the SF coast try to ride our dear Muni bus lines without paying. How dare they come here to our fair city, women who can certainly pay their own way!
I'm just getting started with the characters. There were 2 vacant seats near the driver - which is usually my first choice in an unfamiliar setting. I sat next to a homeless guy, who definitely had not taken his meds in a long time, and had not bathed in weeks. He ranted and raved about anything that came into his mind. He was obviously bright with a great vocabulary. But he took offense at any laughter and got more angry as we approached our stop. Julie and I headed for the back door. He walked up to the driver and started yelling at him, pushing into him, threatening to dump his soda on his head, and telling him why doesn't he eat American food like french fries! I was hoping it was over when we see the driver getting out of the bus. The guy put down his bag and the two of them get in that stance "going to fisticuffs" (getting ready to fight).
Well I am horrified and my instinct to help the driver kicks in. NO...I did not get between them...but I did walk a little closer (guessing maybe 20+feet away) and I yelled "Don't hit him, get back into the bus, you might lose your job"!! By now Julie is freaking out and telling me to get back with her. Then two ladies, who are apparently seasoned SF bus riders, said if anyone hits a bus driver, they would get into serious trouble. In the mean time, the homeless guy decided the driver would probably knock him out, because the last thing we saw was the guy picking up his bag and walking away.
The rest of our trip, to the subway and subsequently my car, was easy. Were we tired? You bet, but we had fun making memories. And I would do it all over again. I am not the type of person to walk away from injustice, and I will always stop to help. Do I sometimes speak before thinking? Yes, but God always seems to protect me.
Have a great day, and God Bless! Aleta
"There is nothing on this earth more prized than true friendship." Thomas Aquinas - 1225-1274, theologian and philosopher
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