Wonderingwoman

It's been a long time since I've blogged but something has happened in my life recently that I wanted to share. A year or so ago, I read the book, " The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, " by Marie Kondo. I had to admit that the book made an impact on me and I put several of the ideas she suggests into practice. I haven't done everything (I couldn't bear to get rid of a book I haven't read regardless of how long it has been on my shelves) but there are several that I really like such as bare kitchen counters. I used to be someone who had crocks that held utensils and other cutesy things. I thought it looked homey but, in reality, made it very hard to easily clean because everything had to be moved back and forth while wiping off the counters. I like this one so much that if I find anything on my counters now it is irritating to me. I like the sparse, "naked" look. It makes preparation of meals super easy. I don't have to clear a space just t...

I haven't posted about the mysteries of the Rosary for quite awhile but one has been buzzing around in my brain for awhile. Here goes: Most people have heard the gospel story of the Wedding at Cana. It is often referred to as Christ's first miracle. The family hosting the wedding has run out of wine. Mary, Jesus' mother, tells Jesus that the family about the situation. Jesus responds to his mother that His time has not yet come. Mary goes to the family servants telling them to, "Do whatever He tells you to do." Jesus tells the servants to fill some jars with water and when the water is poured for a drink, it has become the best wine to be served. Much has been made of the idea that Jesus, even though He is the Son of God, does what his mother asked him to do. Jesus' miracle of turning water into wine is a miracle and ripe with symbolism. My focus is on the phrase, "Do whatever He tells you to do." It's easy for the reader or listener to men...

Came across some lovely stories in old paperwork. They are too good not to share. Here goes: BE A QUEEN Oprah Winfrey said the following in a commencement address to the graduates of all-female Spelman College in 1993: Be a queen. Dare to be different. Be a pioneer. Be a leader. Be the kind of woman who in the face of adversity will continue to embrace life and walk fearlessly toward the challenge. Take it on! Be a truth seeker and rule your domain, whatever it is--your home, your office, your family--with a loving heart. Be a queen. Be tender. Continue to give birth to new ideas and rejoice in your womanhood. My prayer is that we will stop wasting time being mundane and mediocre. We are daughters of God--here to teach the world how to love. It doesn't matter what you've been through, where you come from, who your parents are--nor your social or economic status. None of that matters. What matters is how you choose to love, how you choose to express that love through y...

How many times have we said those words or similar ones to someone who is hurting or in some sort of crisis? How many times have we heard those words? When someone is hurting, they don't need to hear platitudes such as above. They want to know you understand their pain. Deep down we all know that eventually, "It will be alright!" But, in the midst of pain, sorrow, and/or suffering those words sound hollow and meaningless. I don't want to be told that, "it will be okay." I want someone to reflect back to me that they understand I'm hurting and that it's no fun. Imagine this conversation: You: I just found out my best friend has cancer. Your friend: That's awful! But it's going to be okay. Everything always works out. Compare that with this: You: I just found out my best friend has cancer. Your friend: Oh, that's awful. You must feel so much sorrow and helplessness right now. You probably feel pretty scared, too. Which reson...

The bandage was wound around the wound. The farm was used to produce produce. The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse. We must polish the Polish furniture. He could lead if he would get the lead out. The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert. Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was to present the present. A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum. When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes. I did not object to the object. The insurance was invalid for the invalid. There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row. They were too close to the door to close it. The buck does funny things when the does are present. A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line. To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow. The wind was too strong to wind the sail. After a number of injections my jaw got number. Upon seeing the tear in the painting, I shed a tear. I had to subject the subject to a series of tests....

I found these in some old paperwork and thought I would post them for others to use. Here goes: Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips. Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake bater onto the hot griddle--perfect shaped pancakes every time. To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. To prevent egg shells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling. Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan--the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing. To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove-top--skillet will be much easier to clean. Spray your tupperware with nonstick coo...