Say Yes

Look at all the sacred scriptures, yours and mine.

Consider graffiti and cross stitch and your journal entries and doodles and numbers scribbled on the back of matchbooks.

You’ll be reminded that

it’s never about becoming anything.

It’s about saying Yes.

Again and again and again.

I know it's scary...but consider asking for exactly what you want.

one possible answer…

♦ Because it always matters ♦

steps

You can change your path and still love the footprints behind you.

Sometimes

When you’re doing things that are powerful beyond measure,

remember to give yourself rest, powerful beyond measure.

Morning Prayer

I allow the day’s embrace to enfold me;

I allow this world to touch me;

I allow myself to touch this world.

Question of the day:

How much thinking is overthinking?

Action

I think it’s possible that

Enjoyment

is the action verb of

Gratitude.

where do you live?

willing to inhabit Evolutionary Road

unstationary compassless

wiling to step right or to step left off the stoop each morning and

resist editing the desire to cross the street

willing to call home someplace new each night

Double Helix

I’m recoding my DNA with such clarity,

my ancestors don’t have a word for fear.

Conditions

I always smile when I hear people replace the expression unconditional love with unconditional positive regard.

It’s the unconditional part that’s hard, not the love.

I don’t think Jesus ever healed anybody.

He was just willing to see their wholeness.

A Choice

Thinking about the experience you’re having

and experiencing it

are two distinct possibilities.

Choose well.

To Do List

To spend our days creating peace

and our nights resting in it.

To get something beautiful,

you have to be brave enough

to want something beautiful.

It’s trickier than it sounds.

Advice from Penny

We’re all guinea pigs in somebody’s experiment.

So, take long naps.

Enjoy your food and your companions.

And,

when it’s time to go,

don’t make such a big deal about it.

The resplendent Penny, c2002.

Turns out nothing is any more sacred than anything else.

You’re welcome.

On Making Curry: Eleven Easy Steps

I usually start with curry paste and a can of coconut milk and build the flavors from there, but the other day at Trader Joe’s, I saw a mob gathered around a display of curry simmer sauce. People were grabbing up jars like they were puppies during a pandemic. So, I said to myself, don’t be such a snob. just try it.  

Here’s what happened next….

 This Cauliflower Cashew Carrot Curry

A not-great photo of a life-changing dish.

Method:

1. Put about a tablespoon of coconut oil in a saucepan and let it get good and sizzly. Be sure to watch it in the pan as it transitions. What’s more fun than coconut oil when it comes to solids becoming liquids?

2. Add one head of cauliflower cut into florets. Be sure to activate any OCD you might have and use it to obsess over creating florets of uniform size and shape. Alternatively, chop the whole head, stems and all, with a very big knife. You'll know what to do.

3. Anyway, get that cauliflower all up in that coconut oil until every bit of it is coated and says to you, “now we're talking.”

4. This is the time to add 1 whole coarsely chopped onion. If you tear up while chopping the onion, remember: reduce/reuse/recycle! If you’re crying anyway, why not consider the losses you’ve sustained over the years? Or relive your magnificent victories? In a pinch, I recommend imagining the breathtaking eulogy and exuberant mourning at your own very well-attended funeral.

5. The onion and cauliflower should make sweet love in the pan until they are both sated.

6. Now add a big handful of cashews. Unsalted whole cashews. Now add another whole handful. Now, think to yourself, is there any reason on earth not to put more cashews into this dish? Think about it seriously. I beg you. And if you can’t come up with a reason not to, go ahead and add another whole handful of cashews.

7. Add some carrots, maybe two or three, peeled and sliced lengthwise and cut in half. Cut extra carrots for the dogs. They’ll flash you a disappointed look, but they’ll take them just the same.

8. Now stir up all of that yumminess and let the coconut oil tell its sweet sweet story into the ears of all the tender fruits until they fall into a soft and gentle slumber together.

9. Now add a jar of Trader Joe’s Yellow Curry Sauce. Plop.

10. Blend and simmer for a while, enough time to do one fun and engaging – but shortish - activity. Be 92% invested in the activity, but be sure to reserve 8% of your engagement for listening to the voices of the soup, and tending to your own interest in its development.

11. It’s almost time to serve. It’s a big moment. Sprinkle with a bouquet of golden raisins and a generous snipping of fresh cilantro leaves and give it all one last stir.

Additional notes:

1, Wearing an apron will always increase your joy by 26% - 37%, and using one to make this curry is no exception. Although you will likely use your pants and shirt sleeves to wipe your wet hands, wearing an apron will create a nostalgic and warm feeling throughout the experience. It also might feed your idea that you're working at something. You're on the job. A professional. I recommend it.

1a. You can up your satisfaction quota in the apron department by wearing, or even making yourself (side project!), a Regency era apron. You know the kind that slips over your head with a crisscross back and two large patch pockets in front, maybe in a swiss dot pattern or a delicate floral, the smallest embroidered rose…

....sorry, I started to swoon...

There is a very good chance if you choose to use this kind of apron, you will be transported to another time, thereby greatly enhancing your experience. Also recommended.

2. On Golden Raisins  -  This dish can be made without golden raisins. It hurt to write that sentence, but while you can make this dish without golden raisins (ouch) remember that you can also experience Fall without foliage or a gin and tonic without lime. Trust me on the golden raisins.

              2a. Please don’t mention the other kind of raisins to me. Ever. Seriously. It’s a deal breaker.