It’s my moon Daddy!

When I was a girl my father and I used to have “date” nights. He would take time every now and then to spend time with just me. Many times we would simply take a walk at night to star gaze and dream together about the future. I would tell him about the six grandkids I would provide for him and he would tell me about being a boy and the kinds of games he used to play or jobs he had. Many times, when the moon was full, we would set on our front porch with our legs dangling and argue over just exactly who the moon belonged to. I would tell him that when I was born God and given it to me and he would tell me that it was still his and I wouldn’t get it until he said so. We would go on like this until he eventually caved and would say, “Yes, yes … you can have it, I gladly hand it over to my little girl.”

Needless to say as a grown woman now I understand the gift my father was really giving me.  He may not have been able to give me all the latest and greatest toys, clothes or gadgets but he gave me the moon.  He instilled within me a wanderlust for the truly big things in life. As it turns out I didn’t give my father six or even one grandchild. The future had other plans for me I suppose. I don’t think he minds so much because all I have to do is call him when the moon is full and remind him about our night time excursions. He falls right back into the rhythm of the conversation and the argument starts all over again.

It’s because of these memories that I truly cherish the moon. I can set and stare at it endlessly. If I had the opportunity to travel there, I would go in a moments notice. It’s mysterious, calming, creepy, comforting and always a dream. Tonight is the so called, “Super” moon, when the moon is closest to the earth during it’s annual trek. I most certainly feel it’s effect. I’m feeling anxious and homesick but the moon soothes my troubles and makes everything just a bit easier. I’m so thankful for those special moments with my father. Because of them I inherited the moon.

I love sweet potatoes. I’m not talking about those marshmallowy sugar bombs you get during the holidays. Those don’t really qualify in my mind. I’m talking about solitary sweet potatoes. I sometimes bake them like a potato and eat with just a bit of salt and pepper. Other times I boil and mash them and eat them with a bit of maple syrup and lavender (they are truly amazing that way let me tell you). I dice them and fry them with regular potatoes, onions and peppers – country style. They are so much tastier than a plain potato. They’re really good with curry too. Oh, my!

Tonight I decided to shred one and make hash browns. Oh WOW! I had half of a large sweet potato left over from a week ago and it needed to be eaten or thrown out. It was really just a very impromptu event. I shredded it, dusted it with about two tablespoons of flour, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder then cooked them in two batches. I used a non-stick skillet in 1 tablespoon of very hot olive oil and a tab of butter. Each batch took about five or six minutes. Then I put them in the toaster oven at 300 for about 10 more minutes. They were so delicious!

I served these with baked bar-b-que chicken breast and an arugula salad. YUM-MEE!

Here’s why . . .  First of all, I can exercise outside. Yesterday I found a lovely place to do just that, even though it’s twenty miles away from here. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is an actual forest where there are a multitude of paths, hiking and biking trails, and vistas to explore. There is a bridge overlook that extends out the side of the precipice to give you an amazing view.

I tried to walk out to the end but a damn bumble bee was blocking my path and yes, I know I’m much larger and scarier than him but I deferred to his territory anyway. Besides, the trees are still mostly brown and the view (although lovely) will be that much more lovely once the world has turned completely green. I will be going back regularly.  They have an amazing facility where they educate and grow a full range of trees, shrubs, flowers and I was told there’s a prairie portion that blooms entirely of Black Eyed Susan’s. Cool. I can’t wait to see that. In the mean time, the ground cover was blooming very nicely and I took a picture of one flower at a cemetery tucked away on a hillside there. Really, it’s an amazing place. I’m so glad I found it.

I love this little wild flower. I don't know what it's called but it is lovely.

Second reason:  Well, the flowers of course. Nothing inspires happiness more than flowers. I especially love those I grow myself.  I am still amazed that my tulips are blooming and I have some really pretty ones. I especially love this one.

Once again I'm not sure which variety this is but it's so beautiful.

The third reason: The world is once again turning green, thank you Lord! Fall and winter are so drab and cold. I’m a spring/summer gal all the way. I like the world green and blue. So I guess it’s fitting that I’ve moved to the Bluegrass state. I took this photo last summer in Lexington.

Serenity and bliss ...

Thanks to the springtime weather in March. Can you believe I’m wearing shorts in March? Amazing. I know, I know what a scintillating blog, she’s talking about the weather. I apologize but I love spring and it inspires me to get outside and plant and mow and exercise. I do have a wedding coming up in September that I am in no way ready for. In fact, I have gained weight since I bought my dress NOT lost weight. Thank goodness for spring and summer coming. I can get my sweat on so much better then.

So, what has kept me busy, you ask? Well, I mowed our nearly one acre yard with a non-propelled mower. It took nearly three hours and I was so worn out by the end of the night I could barely move. Talk about good exercise. It was exhausting but rewarding once completed.

Yesterday I traversed my four mile walk and burned up some calories plus started to work on my summertime tan. Which basically consists of a sunscreen farmers tan. I’m no teenager anymore. God made me white, why fight it? Following that, my plan was to put up my hammock and kick back for a bit but upon setting the beast up I realized I was missing a part and therefore needed to run the Lowe’s, where I found fresh herbs and flowers to buy and had to have them. I bought and planted basil, lavender, spinach, poesy’s and snapdragons, all my favorites.

Snapdragons from my previous garden.

I also bought some zinnia’s seeds to plant but I’m not sure where I’ll put them yet. I’d like them in front but that means I have to talk D into that and he’s so finicky about stuff . . . We shall see.

Today I fertilized my lawn again, I’m trying to kill the damn onions growing rampantly throughout our entire lawn. The little buggers are a pain and really stink up the place when you mow. I’m told it’s nearly impossible to get rid of them unless you dig them up and let me tell you … I would have to just dig up the entire lawn to do that and D say’s absolutely not. So … I’ll do what I can and we’ll see what happens.

I did manage to get the hammock up and it’s a beautiful morning, I should be out there now enjoying the beautiful weather before the rain sets in. Here is the view from my hammock. It’s so much nicer than my previous back yard.

The view from my hammock.

Well, boredom is about to kill me. I cleaned my firearm this afternoon. I’ve done laundry. I made the bed with clean sheets and now … rather than work out … I’m baking. WTF? I am experimenting with molasses. Oatmeal, raisin, with browned butter, and molasses cookies. The batter tastes great. RICH but lovely. The cookies themselves are still in the oven. I’m afraid I haven’t used enough flour but I always think that so I’m trusting that once baked they will be fine. I hate crunchy cookies. I like my cookies soft and chewy and occasionally cake-y. Mmmm . . . cake.

Derek is going to kill me. Oven timer is chiming … be right back with the results.

Oatmeal, Raisin, Browned Butter and Molasses Cookies

WOW! They are rich and and chewy. If I make them again I’ll definitely add more flour. I think they’ll be better if they’re cake-y.

mmmmmmmm . . .

Yes, sometimes I feel like I'll fall on my head.

For years I’ve done yoga at home just following a dvd or video. Last night I went to my first “class”. What a joy it was. Painful at times, yes but so calming and relaxing. I think I have found my niche. My body was made for this stretching and control. Once I get my strength back my knees may even stop hurting so much. It’s honestly the only exercise I look forward to doing. It doesn’t feel like exercise to me though. It’s more like a fine tuning you do to your body, connecting your mind to your body so they can work better together. I suppose that aspect of it makes it feel spiritual. It does make me want to pray while I do it and not just to ask God not to let me die while

Most of the time it makes me feel strong

contorted into a crazy position but since we are triumvirate beings, this gets me working on all three levels simultaneously. It connects all three in a way that running, elliptical, or weight training does not. Simply put, it never feels like work the way other exercised do. I realize I’ll still have to get my “cardio” in but if this frees me from having to go back to that tedious weight lifting trying to remember my reps and sets … AMEN!

This was the second adventure I’ve had on my own since I moved here. That sounds sad, huh? Tuesday I went hiking with a group at a beautiful place in Louisville called Iroquois Park, map. Here’s a view from the summit of the park.

You can see for miles into Indiana and over the entire city.

We climbed up this staircase which was quite a heart pumper for this out of shape lump.

I can't wait to see the park in summer time when it's all green again

So this is what I’m really looking forward to about Kentucky. It’s so beautiful. It’s so wild in many places with giant hills and forests to explore. Many of the parks encircle these hills so not only do you get a versatile work out but a scenic one as well. I can’t wait for my friends to come see it.

If you watch nothing else the rest of this year … watch this.

I don’t have children of my own. I have nephews and nieces. I cannot imagine them being kidnapped and forced to murder, rape, be raped or mutilate. I have known this happens in the world for a while. I have done nothing about it. It sickens me to think that mankind can be so evil to each other and we continue to watch or allow others to do so. Especially to children.

I want to believe that people working together can actually cause something like the arrest of this evil man. I do very little to help others in this world. I plan to help this cause.

KONY must be stopped.

… What the heck I’m supposed to do with my life. Right now I feel kind of paralyzed. It’s not an uncommon feeling. I guess I’ve felt that way most of my life. Some parts of my life really are working great. D and I are just so happy. It’s amazing. He’s trying so hard to make me feel at home here. To prove this point this weekend he surprised me by getting a new faucet and light fixture for the kitchen. Look . . .

They're part a leafy theme we have going here in the Venetian copper style. Eventually we'll replace the sink, counters, cabinets and flooring.

Also, the bulbs I planted in October are blooming. They’re so pretty. Check them out . . .

I'm pretty sure it's a crocus ... but don't hold me to it.

I did something today that may come back to haunt me. I applied for the daytime show The Revolution. I need a revolution in my weight, my style, and most especially my career. Something has to change and I’m at a loss for how to make it happen. The one thing I know for sure is I know how to keep on keepin’ on … whether it’s healthy or not. I’ll let you know if they responded.

For dinner last night I made curried turkey burgers. Yummee! I served them with Major Grey’s Mango Chutney on whole wheat buns. They were so good! Of course now, the house reeks of curry. I love curry!

So, it’s a new day and a new week. I’ve joined a hiking club in Louisville. Tomorrow is my first hike. I’m hoping this will translate into new friends and some physical fitness. The wedding is getting closer and my waistline is not shrinking fast enough.

Press on. Keep learning. Eat well folks!