February 5, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Cancer: It Doesn’t Have to Be This Bleak

woman xray magnifying glass study

Yup, I have a cancer-phobia. For reasons logical and panic-based, I worry about this disease destroying my life and the lives of those I love.

I make a point of not reading a lot of cancer focused articles. So many of them are based in sensation and fear, and I simply don’t have time for that kind of anxiety.

This BBC piece on the predicted global wave of cancer, however, seems important. Bottom line: No one can fully erase their risk of getting this pervasive illness. But there is so much each person can do to create favorable odds. One estimate says that half – HALF – of all cases could be prevented.

A lofty goal, and a worthy one.

Personally, I have little patience for cancer and the current medical approach. I imagine the society of 500 years from now viewing it the way we view leeches and bleeding. Please take a glance at this article, and consider making at least one change for the better.

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January 27, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Lunar New Year and Snowpocalypse II

father toddler lion dancers chapel

This past weekend, we braved the snow and cold – Round II of what the natives are calling Snowpocalypse and Snowmageddon – to check out some Lion Dancers.

January 31, 2014 begins the Year of the Horse. Our little family is not of Chinese heritage, but that’s no reason not to join in a wonderful celebration that just happens to break up the monotony of late January. The coming weekend will see us at the second Chinese New Year shindig with my husband’s brother, his wife and their four kids. Again, it’s a great winter diversion, and a fabulous excuse to eat too much East Asian food and buy a paper dragon from the novelty store.

Chinese New Year is often called Lunar New Year because the Chinese Calendar is lunisolar.

I used to see the post-holiday, pre-St. Patrick’s stretch as a slump. It still isn’t summer, but I’ve got some new warm socks and determination to make the best. So far, so good.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

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January 24, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Creative Non-Fiction

Autumn Story painting Jose Roosevelt

Write what you know

Make it up as you go

Edit later

To your audience cater

*

I’ve been thinking about the idea of personal essays… sometimes the form seems most approachable for me. A little blurring between the lines of auto-biographical, informative and creative writing might be the reason for that.

Years ago (10, maybe), I made a list of the personal essays I was going to write and then compile into a collection. I never wrote them. It’d be interesting to see how different the list might be today.

Consensus: I need to make a greater effort to write creatively.

Information on pictured painting and the artist, Jose Roosevelt.

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January 22, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Beans, Beans, Cat

close up orange cat faceMy nine-year-old, practically feral cat has a cold. He’s gettin’ a little stir crazy in the house with a toddler.

Work and life are keeping me busy. It’s wonderful. I’m beginning to feel like a real freelance writer. I also almost think I’m a grown up sometimes.

The frigid temperatures have returned, and I strive to accept that on no soon day will I frequent a warm beach with zilch to do.

There’s nothing for it but to make soup!

Iris and I will be enjoying a play date this evening, for which I am making my latest obsession – creamy white chili. I tweak that recipe a little with no chicken, no butter (it’s rich enough with the cream cheese), veggie broth and tomatoes. Extra onion and green pepper thin sliced into strips adds a nice texture. I might throw in some black beans for fun contrast. Blue corn chips with salsa and guacamole on the side and clementines make the meal complete and ROY G BIV compatible (Eat the Rainbow).

Last night I tried out tomato chic pea stew, as we’d not eaten Mediterranean in a while. In the interest of time I used minced garlic, red pepper flakes, dried mint and parsley and lemon juice, and threw in some bulger. It was a hit with man and child.

Also, I learned what chiffonade means. Thanks, Web 2.0.

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January 20, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Winterfest 2014!

people on frozen lake snow

My husband’s step-family has a wonderful tradition called ‘Winterfest.’

Essentially, we get together somewhere with an expansive outdoor area, and spend hours drifting between sleds, four-wheelers, bonfires and tables of food and drink. It’s awesome.

At my first Winterfest in 2009, I forgot that I wasn’t 10 years old, and ripped the knees of my mom’s old snowpants when I tumbled during a rousing game of “Wolf.” I also ate squirrel. It was good – tasted like chicken.

This year, we gathered on the family’s 80 acre “resort,” which is actually the recently (officially) acquired plot of land, lake and cabins that the group has frequented as renters since the 1950s. The weather was perfect for it – cool and snowy but mild enough for us to spend a few hours by the frozen lake. Iris and I took a couple trips around the ice behind a four-wheeler, during which she uttered numerous “Whoa”s.

I still prefer the lake in the summer. And the cabins (dormant plumbing = communal bucket). But we had a wonderful weekend, rounding out the cold with the pool and card games at the hotel. Already looking forward to next year!

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January 17, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Freelance Uniform Uniformity

woman comfortable clothing by stairsI’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: One of the best things about working from home as a freelance writer is being able to wear whatever I want.

Please realize that I do like to dress up, and understand that professional clothing serves to boost the awareness of professional behavior. But I don’t care who you are – you don’t want to spend 40 hours a week in tailored clothing and heels. If you do, you likely maintain an attendant who sees to the cleaning, pressing and storing of said articles.

Anyway, pictured is my current work uniform. In keeping with my desire to exercise responsible consumerism while also wearing pretty lounge pants, I requested another pair of Punjammies for Christmas. Yes, I still catch flack for living in pajamas. No, I have not come to care.

It’s Friday, my lovelies!

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January 13, 2014 · 1:00 pm

One Final Holiday Kiss

woman glasses kissing basset houndI’m quite close with my sister’s basset… The camera angle makes it look more involved than it was…

For a number of reasons, we don’t generally do Christmas with our parents and siblings until after December 25th. Changing schedules and family structures have long made for a stretched out holiday season.

On Saturday, we finally managed to gather at my mom’s house for dinner and gifting. Fish, potatoes, salad, pomegranates, roasted and steamed veggies, apple pie and, of course, wine filled our bellies, familiar company engaged our minds. A wonderful time was had by all.

It seems like so much of the festivity happens before the actual holidays. It might be in part because my birthday is in December, but my family’s always tended to drag it out a bit. It’s kind of nice, and leaves us something to look forward to after things calm down. Further, it spreads out the gift bombardment for Iris… she’s still young enough to get overwhelmed with the whole ordeal.

So now the holidays are officially over. But that doesn’t mean winter’s got nothing fun left in store. Other branches of our family maintain traditions like Winterfest (outdoor activities, indoor eating and drinking) and Chinese New Year (more eating and drinking). It’ll be March (and Birthday II/St. Pat’s) before we know it!

 

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January 8, 2014 · 1:00 pm

We Got to Use the Word “Vortex”

blue black white winter vortex

It’s a memorable day when the word “vortex” becomes a common part of the local weather report.

My time is short, but take a minute to glean the gist of this article on the polar vortex and climate change.

Whatever your thoughts, it doesn’t hurt to be mindful of the planet, environment and eco-system – all of which we each depend upon for survival – in daily choices about consumption and refuse.

Happy Hump Day!

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January 6, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Back to It

george martha washington wedding painting

On January 6, 1759, George Washington married the widowed Martha Dandridge Custis, making her and her two surviving children active characters in 18th century U.S. history.

On January 6, 2012, my mother’s eldest sibling married a sweetheart he’d dated six decades in the past. She’s brought so much to our family with her love, generosity and culinary skill.

Sometimes, we have to circle back, and connect with pieces of our earlier selves. It might be an old flame; it might be a lingering (albeit nerdy) fascination with a long dead figure of patriotism. These pieces usually still have things to teach us.

Getting back to a routine after the holidays has its pros and cons, but the truth is that I’m ready for the structure. I have a new guide for prioritizing, and plenty of plans with which to fill my time. I’m nurturing various pieces of me that are the foundation of who I am now, and feel, as much as ever, that I’m doing it right.

As we start the new year, I want to pause and thank you. The fact that you’re reading this blog is something I appreciate, and also means that you might know me better than some folks do in “real” life. But more than that, you may be one of the many people who, through direct contact, have encouraged me to continue doing my thing. You’ve helped me look to 2014 with positive anticipation, and better, expect things from myself. Man in the Mirror and all that.

To the week, me hearties!

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January 1, 2014 · 1:00 pm

Resolute

calendar january 1 red grayHappy 2014! I hope you’re looking to the new calendar with anticipation of all things lovely.

I don’t typically make resolutions for the new year.

Not that I have no room for improvement. My efforts to “do better” have simply been more gradual and ongoing in recent years.

This year, however, I have something. New Year’s Day 2014 will see me make an effort at less time with Facebook – hopefully. It’s time to step back a little, and put more energy into my people and work.

You might remember this post about why I think Facebook is valid. It still stands. But despite the lure of my community, constant access does little for my skills of time management.

Along with my continuing goals to observe structured exercise and stay on the quality/clean eating wagon, I think this is good new year’s resolution. Of course, I recognize the challenge it’s going to be when I inherit my sister’s old iPad…

Fortunately, I have Zumba plans and a new Jenny Cornero yoga DVD with which to reclaim some of my “me” time. Piece of cake, right? Right?

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