Five random acts if cuteness.

Good Morning,

Not too long ago this mysterious clip went viral (or okay was at least a big hit among cat lovers) on YouTube.



Thanks to my favorite language expert (hello Eto : ) I've learned there was a huge trend in Japan where people discovered that if you put kittens beside a nabe pot (those pots you see in the video), they will climb in and curl up like it's a box. This is a particular game show in which they decided to do it en masse. At the very end of the show, the hosts declared it 'a success' because most of the kittens climbed into the nabes...

There really seems to be no further explanation. Kittens are cute and, okay, the Japanese are odd.

or maybe they are just really more in tune with finding the joy and delight in the everyday. With two weeks left of winter and a solid study routine, I feel myself slipping into the mundane...

Now, inspired! I've challenged myself to see if I can find at least Five Random Acts of cuteness...in one morning.

Five Random Acts of Cuteness

1. A little girl in the bathroom stall at church. I listened as she was schooled on what not to do with the communion bread. This little one had torn off a piece and instead of dipping it in the cup of Christ had left it to bob and swim in the grape juice.

2. The children of St. Andrew were called to the front for special prayer and community praise. They had been keeping coin collections for their brothers and sisters in Haiti (?) who as one child put it "Do not have as good a walls as we do." All sat with attention toward the woman kneeling with the microphone except two. Two random children turned to look for their parents both with fingers sticking in their noses. (I've been told they think better this way : ).

3. The 11:00 service Adult choir soloist. I know you're not supposed to have favorites but i do. A very tall woman in her 60's (59 and holding) sings with such spirit and energy it is catching. Her solo was a planned event but sitting in the back with obstructed view it seemed random. Halfway through the folksy bluegrass spiritual I saw her rock the page boy and lift her somewhat shrill soprano in jubilant vibrato. My heart leapt as she beamed and then acceded the planted microphone to an equally expressive (i.e. cute) "Man of (In)Constant Sorrow..."

4. Pastor Holly she is sometimes random and is cute...

I wasn't feeling too well but somehow perked up as she managed to equate Jesus' Transfiguration i.e.,

"Atop a mountain, he became radiant, spoke with Moses and Elijah, and was called "Son" by a voice in the sky..."

to a young child in the 1950's patiently kneading a yellow dye tablet into an opaque blob of lard.

5. Okay, sorry just a random thought. How did they discover that kittens will sit in nabes? According to Wikipedia, a nabe pot is Japanese earthenware typically used for communal eating of stews and soups. How did more than one person discover...I mean what was the conversation that occurred to discover that both of us have kittens that might curl up nice n easy in the communal stew pot? Just a random thought.

okay off to study or see if I can get Mitty (the pen stealing kitty) to sit in a crock pot : ),

Happy Monday,

Amanda

a brother's love is...

Good Morning,

Here's a very quick story from my youth. As I bent down to set up the BB-gun target, a row of Coke cans, I heard the unmistakeable click, click blat...of the "pump" gun. To this day, it is unclear whether the true bulls-eye was my butt or the bottom of my shoe but as I knelt to do my apprentice duty...I suspected the hee hee hee of my brother's voice was not meant to leave my sweat-panted hiny unscathed.

Perhaps this is why I was so moved this weekend as I looked out my apartment window to see Eric (my brother) bent over clearing a path for me with such meticulous care. It iced-over hard here this weekend. My brother was in town for a business meeting and up early the next morning to make his flight.

I'd gotten up early too to see him off. After hugs and safe travel wishes, no sooner had I turned to tend to Mitty "the treat jonesing" kitty than I heard a little knock on my door. It was Eric! He said, "Hey I just wanted to let you know, it's a sheet of ice out there. Be careful. I just fell."

Surprised, I checked to make sure he was okay then turned on the TV. The winter weather news crew flashed onto the scene and reveled in their morning horror stories.

"It's ICEY out there Bob! I live 30min. from the station and had a 1 1/2 hr. commute this morning!"

only to be out done by the next...

"Yes Carol, as you can see traffic here at I-69 and 435 is crawling. If you don't need to be out this morning stay in, and if you do be sure to leave yourself plenty of extra time!"

Although I would have loved it if he could have stayed, I also did not want my brother to have to extend his travel. Thus, I quickly urged him to be careful (TURN AROUND AND COME BACK if needed...) and advised that he head slowly to the airport right away!

Eric stood there looking concerned. My interpretation?...contemplating how to leave yet still do his duty to care and protect his little sister from hazardous foot steps.

I know! I thought. I have the quick solution to our problem! By my door I have a bag of rock salt. That is, a bag of salt maintenance crews use for spreading on icey sidewalks and walkways.

I handed my brother the bag and a plastic cup and asked that he throw some down...implying quickly as I parroted out the news crew's growing alarm, "You need extra time if headed to the airport!"

(...we had planned for a morning with a leisurely departure time not one of triple drive time and jack knifed semis!!!)

Doo do doo...

I looked out the window proudly at my brother in his smart looking pea coat and nifty running shoes.

Yes, i thought, that's my brother! Look at him putting down that salt for me!

I looked out the window still proud...

See how careful he's being!

I looked out and at the clock concerned...

Now what can be taking so long? Just exactly what is he doing?

This was not the simple maintenance man scatter. There was some sort of systematic planning going on out there. There was bending and stooping almost like a golfer setting up his put. He surveyed and turned and sprinkled...

Desperate to help or understand, I stepped out onto the door mat in my PJs. "Brother!? Brother? Are you done?"

I went back inside. Checking the freezer for more overnight provisions, there is no way I thought this boy's making it to the airport. Luckily, I had food...

Finally, I heard some foot stomping at the door. I can't help but tear up a little when I think of the words that came next. "Well Sister, I made you a path!" My sibling companion who used to shoot BBs at my behind had...cared enough to make me a path! It was the best path every made! It went directly from my door, down the sidewalk, around my neighbor's car and straight to my driver's side car door!

This person who used to bitterly complain about arrival times (a Senior providing car pool service cannot arrive at the early bird Freshman's time!) had seen through to my needs and let the demands of schedules sit to make a way for me to be.

This person who made me use the broom while he got to use the hockey stick...

okay...He indeed made it to the airport in time and is now home. I believe in you and love you Brother.

Happy Tuesday,

Amanda

Simply a Great Man

Good Morning,

This time of year there's a message on my phone the "Voice Mail Lady" would really like for me to erase. When I check for messages she lets me know...

"You have one saved message." She plays it for me then with voice unmoved asks me to press "7" if I'd like to erase the message or "9" if I'd like to save...

In a rush of anxiety, I'm always jamming on the 9!!!!! You see this is the last message I received from my Fishing Buddy Bill. He died two weeks after this recorded message.

It goes...

"This is Bill. Just callin to see what you was doin. I'll talk to you later. bye."

It may seem like an insignificant memento like somewhere over the course of two years I should have hit 7 but it's not! What the "Voice Mail Lady" has yet to understand is that this is not an unhealthy holding onto...I'm actually using it as a crutch for "letting go" into something else...simplicity.

In Bill's voice and words, I'm reminded of how very little we need to be okay...(And maybe that he's out there somewhere checkin in)...

An apartment with heat. (check)

clean underwear...OR a place you can clean it (check, check!)

a warm breakfast. or knowing there's always time for cereal...(check!)

a place to go where everybody knows your name...some people call it church (check!), TV called it Cheers...it could also be the gym (check!), work, school, AA meetings, or a hole in the wall diner called Stan's : ).

a good relationship with denim- i.e., a single item of denim clothing that fits comfortably (check!)

curiosity and a project to work on (check!)

the love of at least one good woman- preferably one you can take fishing and to car shows...(check!?!?)

In short, what I'm doing is using this message as what Buddha Teacher Gil would call an invitation to "let go" into simplicity. As noted in the frantic number punching, 9!!!! 9!!!, I haven't quite mastered this one yet, but I know there will be many more opportunities to practice...now, sorry I must go. Time to make some phone calls!...

Happy Monday,

Amanda

Gettin' crafty in the kitchen...

Good Morning,

In my immediate circle of family (Mom, Dad, and Brother), there really weren't too many favorite meals or recipes. I suppose this is in part why I like cereal so much...Instead, we had one treat that made special appearances on birthdays and occasions like Valentines Day--THE RED VELVET CAKE!!!

The red velvet cake aka the "Roosevelt Chapman" cake in honor of a favorite UD men's basketball player in the 80's*, is silky smooth and curious in color. It is a mixture of chocolate and vanilla that like "Velvy Baby" can't be beat!...

While red food coloring provides its deep rich red appearance and the South's Paula Dean perhaps its resurgence in popularity, Mom did one better than the armadillo cake (see groom's cake in the 1989 film Steel Magnolias)...she always made this cake in the shape of a heart. Perfect!!! indeed for Valentine's Day!!!

So...this past weekend inspired by LOVE I finally learned what sound my oven makes when it reaches the pre-set and made my first red velvet cake from scratch!

I thought I'd share "5 Good Things to Know About Making a Cake" for those of you who are also decidedly uncrafty. For those who do know their way around the kitchen, I've provided the recipe for Mom's Red Velvet Cake at the bottom of this e-mail. Just to allay any fears the verdict on this one was/is "yum!" (wheeeewh).

5 Good Things to Know about Making a Cake

1. You must be fully committed to it. There is no half-a**ing it when making a cake from scratch. Once you have recipe in hand, be prepared to go shopping for oddly specific items...Cocoa (unsweetened) means unsweetened...butter (no salt) means without salt... bring an eye for detail. There's also making the cake then baking the cake, then clean up.

2. Much effort goes unnoticed (or gets curiously noticed). You need to be okay with that. For example, on Valentine's Day securing red food coloring...may involve standing on the lower shelf using the neighboring handy cornbread package as a reacher aide...driving around aimlessly looking for a parking spot...asking where they keep white vinegar?...No, it is not cool to recount your frustrations at Wal-Mart.

3. Yes, it's okay to borrow an electric mixer. These puppies will save you time! and rotator cuff injury.

4. Cognitive dissonance. You will experience cognitive dissonance when faced with your cake batter... "an uncomfortable feeling caused by holding conflicting ideas simultaneously" e.g., I'm gonna make the perfect cake! Oh do I love my people!...Can I stick my finger in it?...Do my loved ones really want my germs?...I decided the best thing to do here is take a position (e.g. I am not sticking my finger in the batter) and stick to it.

5. Don't start too late. Things that involve careful measurement, hot ovens, and blood red food coloring are really not great late night activitiezzzz.

And, the recipe!!!

Mom's Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients:

2-1/4 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of salt
1 c. buttermilk
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 tbsp. cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2 tbsp. red food coloring (1 bottle)
1-1/2 sticks (unsalted butter)
1-1/2 c. sugar

Pre-heat oven 350

Mix

in 1 med. bowl- flour, salt, baking soda

in 1 lrg. bowl- butter (softened), sugar, eggs

in 1 lrg. glass measuring cup- buttermilk, vanilla, vinegar

in 1 sm. bowl- cocoa, red food coloring (mix until makes a paste) *set aside to add last when mixing to prevent staining and splattering)

*stir up, whisk, mix, beat the heck out of everything in it's bowl. then using the ELECTRIC MIXER combine everything in the large bowl adding just enough (about 1/3 of contents) each time to keep a smooth creamy looking mixture. IMPORTANT-finally add the cocoa and red food color paste last. Once everything is incorporated mix on HI for about 2 minutes.

*be sure to use your spatula to keep wiping down batter splatter from insides of mixing bowl

Pour equal amounts batter into 2 pans. square and round. (not sure size)

Bake

25-30 min. use tooth pick test for doneness

Cool

10 min. before removing from pan. to make the heart. cut round cake into equal halves. orient square cake in front of you like a baseball diamond and then stick semicircles on to make heart shape.

Frosting??? Buy 1 or 2 cans of something at the store you like that is white fluffy and spreadable. goes best with cream cheese or butter cream fluffy frosting.

Wheeewh alright. Good luck and Happy Valentine's Day,

Amanda

10 Tips for Surviving Winter Weather

Good Morning,

The weatherman has promised 5 more days of crummy weather so I've asked myself WWBTGD? (What would Buddha Teacher Gil do?) After bending down to straighten out his meditation mat, I believe he would hold up an apple and say,

"We suffer less if we create meaning from it."

The apple of course suggesting I unplug from my iPod the straightening of the mat an invitation to consider the trajectory of William Tell's arrow had he a shortened leg and a stiff wind at his back.

(SPLAT?!!?)

so...

I've delved into my winter experiences so far this season and come up with

10 Tips for Surviving Winter Weather

1. Take control of your falls. When caught in the midst of an icy patch, try not to panic, tighten and/or flail. Go down on your own terms. It's best just to go limp and drop. Remember this little phrase "To bruise means I can reuse!" (the corollary "If I fight it. i'm really gonna bite it!)

2. A toe-drag gait (tracked with the windy path left in the snow...) is facilitated with a light snow dust. A fluffy snow can also offer a padded landing space. Do not get out the snowblower too soon.

3. When walking it's important to use a cane or other poking device such as a fallen tree branch to explore the path ahead. "If it's snow it's a go. Again, "if it's ice think twice!" Please disregard if traveling on ice skates.

4. Be extra careful in parking lots. Watch for icy patches like hazard lines and disability markings in the painted areas. I believe it's unfortunate how so far through use of modern man's initiative and planning we've made things worse. I propose a grass routes initiative. We need an army of people wearing fanny packs filled with road salt, sand or kitty litter!!! When out running errands or on a Johnny Appleseed walkabout drop a handful whenever you come upon a spot of painted ice.

5. Remember most wheelchair tires do not go in the snow. I'm learning this one the hard way. Three times this year I thought the walk was passable from my car to the doors of the gym. What I did not account for was snow drifting...

It's common knowledge do not drive a car into standing water in flooding conditions. What looks like 3 inches of water is actually 3 engine flooding feet.

The same can be said for wheelchair travel conditions in wiiiiindy Kansas. A dusting of snow soon becomes a tire sinking, panic huffing cussing !@#$ mountain in spots.

It is important NOT to wait for helicopter rescue. Rely on some Good Samaritans to make use of their workouts and ask for a 25 yard shuttle push!

6. Flares!...flares. Always pack the emergency kit, in case you get stuck in a crowd, with attention grabbing flares. (*social psychology bystander effect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bystander_effect).

7. Remember in a blizzard you are on “own time.” Let go ever so briefly from the discipline of external pressures and demands of routine. Here are two things you may want to do while trapped indoors.

Work on weight gain goals
Look out the window and pretend you’re in a snow globe
Call a friend and offer support as they try to potty train their puppy

8. Cut back on the caffeine. Cold weather makes for tight muscles ready to spasm and contract. Caffeine ensures this will happen often when your bladder reeeeeally has to pee.

9. Cultivate your practice of compassion, loving kindness and generosity. Everything hurts less when you do this.

10. I've just done a little research and learned yes, birds who winter up north DO suffer in the cold. I'm not sure what to do about this yet but I will start by keeping up the outdoor feeders...while I dress in layers, wool underwear, waterproof boots, gloves, scarves and then take off my gloves to throw the bread and put back in my iPod.

keep on keeping on everyone!!!

Happy Monday,

Amanda