Scrambled Eggs--Fast!

For anyone who hates to have anything but perfect uncrusted scrambled eggs, I have a new method of preparation and I love it.

You forkwhip an egg with a little water or milk plus salt and pepper and put in a glass in the microwave. Run for 30 seconds and then stir it up again and run for another 30 seconds. Look at it and if you like it a little dryer run 10 seconds longer.

Lately I have been cutting up canadian bacon to put in it. Really Yummy.

Dump it on a plate and spread it around and you have light, fluffy delicious scrambled eggs with no fuss or muss and in less than 2 minutes from start to finish. Who knew?

Have a V-8 Juice with it and you are on the South Beach Diet.

Maria, the Writer!

I am not positive if Maria will like me sharing this but the Author who put on the Writer's Conference last week critiqued a few of her stories and came back with fantastic feedback. Following is what she said. (Of course, we all know she is a terrific writer. But wouldn't it be great if the rest of the world knew it.)

Maria, you are a terrific writer.

I read many of your pieces and must say, your work is publishable. I don’t know if you ever submitted any of your personal essays to magazines/journals, but I honestly believe they are good enough to be accepted. Just examples: Such work as The Wardrobe Box and The Missing Piece always well received by popular magazines, your religious quest in any number of journals, (the United Church of Christ wants to hear from members of all religions and from those who question their faith on occasion) and many of your “change” essays could end up in “My Turn,” column Newsweek, etc. Those are just the ones I know – am sure there are many other outlets.

Finally, I think you have the makings of a memoir – it would be just getting the form in place, then writing your guts out.

I do wish you well, in your writing and in your life. You are a remarkable woman.

Candace

Reading is a Great Gift...

I have given myself the gift of reading the past few weeks. So often in my life I have felt reading was an indulgence I didn't have time for. But now I do! It has been too cold to work outside and with gas so high I don't go driving anyplace. I check out about six books of my favorite authors, get my tasks done in the morning, and then start up the fire and read, read, read. It is very hard to be lonely when you are so involved in other people's lives.

Yesterday I read a 555 pager, stayed up till 3:30 am to finish it and...I had actually read it before, but couldn't remember any of it. It was "The Glass Lake" by Maeve Binchy. I became acquainted with her books when I first moved up here--a neighbor had said she liked her. I have read most of her books now.

When I was in Maryland, a Fema lady turned me on to Jan Karon and "The Mitford Series"--I think I have read all her books also. When spending so much time in hotels and motels while on disaster duty, you always have to have a good book to read.

Another author I became acquainted with while on disaster duty is Judith McNaught and I have read most of hers. Anita Shreve I became acquainted with when they filmed "The Pilot's Wife" and I have only one or two left to read of hers. Rosamund Pilcher also I became acquainted with when they made her book into a movie and another into a tv show. She has retired from writing but I loved all of hers also.

After buying many books I didn't finish I finally decided to keep track of the authors I like and just look for their books. I also have a list of the "Classics" and trying to periodically finish reading those as well. Although most of my favorites are women authors, I have read all of Nicholas Sparks and Nicholas Evans and most of Dean Hughes. "A Town Called Alice" by Neil Schute was also great.

Lately I have been marveling at all the different ideas, plots, and imaginings a writer has to have to keep us turning those pages. I think I admire writers more than any other people. It is always amusing to me though that characters in books are so good at knowing what other people are thinking. It doesn't seem that way in real life.

Right now I am reading "The Jane Austen Book Club" by Karen Joy Fowler and I know I am going to want to read her other books as well. Some people just have a gift for writing.

I remember so well in first grade walking to the library with my brothers and sisters and bringing home books to read. I loved the whole atmosphere of the library and I loved reading. My favorites that year were the "Flicka, Ricka, Dicka" and "Snipp, Snapp, Snurr" books. We are very fortunate to have a really lovely library here in Chester.

In junior high I became very involved in any books that had stories of countries that were occupied by the Nazis in World War II. They always had brave young people doing spying and outwitting the German soldiers. I also remember I would always have to make myself a white bread and cheese sandwich with milk because that is what they would always be eating.

In high school the two books I remember best were "Going on Sixteen" and "Seventeenth Summer". It would be interesting to read them now and see how mild they were. I also liked the Nancy Drew series but not the Hardy Boys.

As Meagan once said, "I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't like to read."

I Must Be Happy! The Test Says So!

You Are 84% Happy

It's unlikely that you know anyone happier than you. You know how to be happy, no matter what life throws at you.

How Happy Are You?

On Richard, the Index Cards and His Mother

Yesterday I was reading about Enos being influenced by his father and it triggered something in my memory. I went to the Biblebox that contained all of the condolence messages to Richard's mother Vida after her husband Merlin died. In there were the index cards of a talk Richard had written about the messages in the box. I had not thought about them since James found them when he was preparing a talk for his own Dad's funeral. Richard was only 11 when his father died so it was his mother who was to be the great influence in his life.

It was over 11 years ago that James found the cards and used them in his funeral talk. Since then I have prepared a 3 inch Memory Book on Richard's life and sent messages about him to the children periodically over the years. Why had I never thought to get those index cards out and recreate the talk he gave? I have no explanation. I do not know.

It was actually a very good talk expressing his feelings on finding the box of all these messages to his mother. He was obviously assigned to give an Easter talk on the resurrection in church, probably in 1987, as I was able to deduct from his memos. He had very tender feelings thinking about actually having a reunion with his father and all these other relatives and friends at the time of all their resurrection.

It is really a testimony of Richard's belief in Jesus Christ and the atonement, and his understanding of the gift of the resurrection and eternal life. He talks about the free agency that Heavenly Father has given us and the choices we all must make and the need to continually seek our Father's guidance and keep going in the right direction until that final day of resurrection when we will all be together again.

I am glad I was able to finally share this testimony with his children and grandchildren. It is important for them all to have it in writing.

As I was looking for something in a journal of letters Richard wrote to his mother (and she so faithfully saved from college and navy days) it was obvious of the influence she had in his life. She wanted Richard to serve a mission and as he went from high school and then to college and then to the Korean war and then back to college it was obvious she never let him forget the importance of a mission. He did finally serve that mission but not at 19, he was 24 years old! And I know he loved his mission and it was a great blessing in his life. It took Richard 10 years from the time he entered college to when he graduated. But he did it all, college, mission and service to his country.

Richard's mother was very patient with him but she never let him forget his roots and his destiny. It was she who carried on in place of Richard's father, she was the influence his father couldn't be. I pay tribute to Vida, a great mother.

Carole, My Sister, The Artesian

My sister Carole took the Keirsey test and WOW, they sure got this one right. Carole was born six years after me in our family of six children and from then on I was no longer 'Baby Anderson'.

She was the only blue eyed blonde in the group. She was also adorable, charming and everybody loved to love her.

She was the one who brought home every stray and always had her faithful dog by her side.

She was the one who always had lots of friends and fun going on in her life.

She was the one who was a cheer leader in high school.

She was the only one of us to dare ditch school for a day with her friends.

She was the one who had all her kindergarten parents and children at her wedding.

She was the one who stubbornly refused to accept the Dr's view of her son's destiny from his TBI.

She was the one who made us all laugh at our Mom's funeral as she talked so charmingly of our Mom.

She's the one who always has something positive to say about everybody.

She's the one who raised 6 very clever, very active, very independent, very creative, very talented, very athletic children, 5 boys and one daughter. Her neighbor worried about the children who always seemed to be getting into danger (she thought) but finally consoled herself with "they must have Mormon angels watching over them."

She's the one who is always ready to listen and boost up your morale.

She's the one who is always the optimist no matter what tragedy is in her life.

She's the one who can always tell a story you will want to listen to.

She even made Mom remember and smile when Mom was on her death bed.

She is the creative one who can make a beautiful bouquet or anything else look like a designer had created it.

Carole has definitely been the "fun one" in our family and the explanation point on the rather serious side the rest of us have.

I think Carole was the unplanned baby in the family but we are all glad she joined us with her upbeat nature and zest for living.

Meet Carole, The Artesian

Carole with Author Dr. Foster Cline of "Love and Logic", the Parenting Class Carole taught in Glendive for several years.

Artisans are excitable, trust their impulses, want to make a splash, seek stimulation, prize freedom, and dream of mastering action skills.

Artisans pride themselves on being unconventional, bold, and spontaneous.

Artisans tend to be fun-loving, optimistic, realistic, and focused on the here and now.

Artisans make playful mates, creative parents, and troubleshooting leaders.

Artisans are most at home in the real world of solid objects that can be made and manipulated, and of real-life events that can be experienced in the here and now.

Artisans have exceptionally keen senses, and love working with their hands. They seem right at home with tools, instruments, and vehicles of all kinds, and their actions are usually aimed at getting them where they want to go, and as quickly as possible.

Thus Artisans will strike off boldly down roads that others might consider risky or impossible, doing whatever it takes, rules or no rules, to accomplish their goals. This devil-may-care attitude also gives the Artisans a winning way with people, and they are often irresistibly charming with family, friends, and co-workers.

Artisans want to be where the action is; they seek out adventure and show a constant hunger for pleasure and stimulation. They believe that variety is the spice of life, and that doing things that aren't fun or exciting is a waste of time.

Artisans are impulsive, adaptable, competitive, and believe the next throw of the dice will be the lucky one. They can also be generous to a fault, always ready to share with their friends from the bounty of life. Above all,

Artisans need to be free to do what they wish, when they wish. They resist being tied or bound or confined or obligated; they would rather not wait, or save, or store, or live for tomorrow. In the Artisan view, today must be enjoyed, for tomorrow never comes.

There are many Artisans, perhaps 30 to 35 percent of the population, which is good, because they create much of the beauty, grace, fun, and excitement the rest of us enjoy in life.

TV and Me...

This afternoon I was reminded of the visit my Mom and Dad made to Richard and I soon after we married. We were living in a small apartment in East San Diego with furniture we had bought at a Used Furniture auction. They wanted some light in the living room so bought a couple of lamps, but otherwise, just appreciated our meager offerings. They were close to 6o years old, but Dad had already retired and they were living in Idaho Falls. I was still teaching school, also in East San Diego, and Richard was working for a bank in downtown San Diego.

I don't know if it was vacation from school or what but I do remember doing things with them during the day. I was very much amused by the fact that no matter what we were doing we had to be home in time for the soap opera they faithfully watched. I don't remember what it was. Evidently with Dad home fulltime and living in an area where there was more shows available, they had become hooked. They would sit there on the couch like a couple of teen agers at the movies. Now mind you, they never had TV until their youngest child was in college and then in Glendive the offerings were very meager. At any rate, they had their routine. I didn't understand it then as I was as yet not hooked on TV but I do understand it now.

Every afternoon after our walk and during what I used to call the "witching hour" (the time before supper when the children were most demanding and I was most exhausted trying to get dinner on and finish for the day) anyway, this is when I always sit down and watch a movie. Now that I can record movies, it is easy, and I have a lot to choose from and not subject to Oprah or some of those shows I have become bored with.

Routines are good for old people I have decided and this has become 'one' of mine.

Yesterday I watched an old 'rock and roll' film and wondered when what we called 'jitterbugging' changed into 'rock and roll'. The dance was so similar. I found the difference was when the instruments went from the swing bands to the guitars, electric and otherwise. I had never thought about that before. Anyway it was a good time for me to get in a little 'dance' exercise while I prepared dinner.

I remember (not so long ago) when I seldom had time to sit down for any extended time and watch TV, now I can sit down any time I choose. My schedule is my own.

This season (besides my movies) there are already some really good primetime shows, so I am looking forward to a busy spring of 'must see' TV with lots of time for viewing.

I guess there are some good things about growing old.

SBA

Yesterday I had my fingers printed for the last item to send in to SBA. Since it is treated as a total new hire, I will be investigated before the appointment is complete. Therefore, some of you may be called. Please say nice things about me. Anyway, it reminded me of my last assignment with SBA, which was Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

I was called in August 2005 just as John, Marjorie's son, was putting down new carpet in my bedrooms and most of the furniture was in my living room. SBA gave me two days to get things in order and then I reported to Sacramento. We had training and prepared materials and then the following week a few of us were sent to Houston to acquire cars. We then drove to Baton Rouge. We slept in a gym most of the time while there. The stories from the victims were heartbreaking.

The next week, I was sent to head up the Port Arthur center. I was there one day and then the warning of Hurricane Rita was given and we had to evacuate north. We spent one night in Tyler, Texas and then headed for the Fort Worth office. As soon as things were calm we went down to Houston, Texas and I drove each morning to east Texas to a small town of Spurger where I was the SBA rep for a month. East Texas had been badly hit by Rita and trees had crushed many homes. This is when I lost 20 lbs as there was little palatable food to be found. Many of the churches were helping the victims. That was really good to see. Unbelievably, I was able to fly to San Diego to attend Kristi's wedding!

Luckily, I was assigned to head up the Galveston office soon after I returned and that was a really nice part of my trip, just because Galveston is such a pleasant place to be. By then the restaurants were all in business and it was like a vacation. We were seeing both Katrina victims, who had fled from Louisiana, and Rita victims. When things slowed, it was back to Beaumont, where I stayed until my back went bad and I went home in March.

I was so tired and depleted after this trip I decided to retire from SBA. I thought I would be able to manage things without working and I was anxious to be able to work on my little plot of land.

Now, here I am again, preparing for disasters...we will see how this goes and if they ever call me out...and if I can handle it!

Laurie's Mourning Garden

Last summer my sister's daughter Laurie passed away. In the fall I created a little Mourning Garden in remembrance of her.

The daffodils have just bloomed and the snow has melted.

The sun comes first in this area, so John's Mourning Gardens are not in bloom yet.

I am a Guardian...according to the TEST!

Well, I took the Kiersey Tempermental Test Maria shared with us and as expected I ended up being the dull, boring, responsible one. All Guardians (SJs) share the following core characteristics:

Guardians pride themselves on being dependable, helpful, and hard-working. (I guess that is me)

Guardians make loyal mates, responsible parents, and stabilizing leaders.

Guardians tend to be dutiful, cautious, humble, and focused on credentials and traditions.

Guardians are concerned citizens who trust authority (Not really), join groups (Not), seek security, prize gratitude (Yes), and dream of meting out justice. (Not)

Guardians are the cornerstone of society, for they are the temperament given to serving and preserving our most important social institutions. (HMMM)

Guardians have natural talent in managing goods and services--from supervision to maintenance and supply -- and they use all their skills to keep things running smoothly in their families, communities, schools, churches, hospitals, and businesses. (Well, maybe I used to)

Guardians can have a lot of fun with their friends, but they are quite serious about their duties and responsibilities. Guardians take pride in being dependable and trustworthy; if there's a job to be done, they can be counted on to put their shoulder to the wheel. Guardians also believe in law and order, and sometimes worry that respect for authority, even a fundamental sense of right and wrong, is being lost. Perhaps this is why Guardians honor customs and traditions so strongly -- they are familiar patterns that help bring stability to our modern, fast-paced world. (I guess)

Practical and down-to-earth, Guardians believe in following the rules and cooperating with others. They are not very comfortable winging it or blazing new trails; working steadily within the system is the Guardian way, for in the long run loyalty, discipline, and teamwork get the job done right. Guardians are meticulous about schedules and have a sharp eye for proper procedures. They are cautious about change, even though they know that change can be healthy for an institution. Better to go slowly, they say, and look before you leap. (yes, I guess)

Guardians make up as much as 40 to 45 percent of the population, and a good thing, because they usually end up doing all the indispensable but thankless jobs the rest of us take for granted. (it used to seem that way)

Mitch the Musician

Today I had to go to Susanville to the bank and Walmart and since Maria couldn't join me for lunch, Mitch did. We were talking about Mitch working at McDonalds and saving his money for a guitar. Then he began explaining all he is learning about notes and chords and he understood it all so well.

In fact, he said it was so easy. It is not so easy for me at all. I remember how hard it was and still is for me to understand and I had several years of piano and have attempted my organ music books many times. I just "do not get it".

I was telling him that John "got it", too. When he took piano, he wanted the theory, the chording, the understanding, not just practicing the songs. Anne Riggs, the music teacher, gave it to him.

I definitely think this "left" (I think) brain understanding of music is a direct gift from God. You either understand it or you don't.

I am so happy Mitch understands it, loves it, and is enjoying his pursuit of the music world. What a great talent to develop and I definitely believe it is a gift.

My son John

It is the four year anniversary of John's death this week. These are just a few pictures I enjoyed reviewing. I am so thankful I had a few days with him the summer before he passed away. We talked as we had not talked in years. Such a full life in such a short life, so sad to be taken so soon. John, we miss your zest for life in our ordinary lives.

John fishing at Lees Ferry in Montana.

John in Malaysia

Child in Valley near Cordillera Blanca, Peru photographed by John

Bhutan girls photographed by John

"Be Still and know that I am God..." This picture of Solokurmbu, Nepal, photographed by John, has always reminded me of the above scripture.

See more of John's pictures by going to John's Space.

Sugarholic? Hellooooo...

Today as I was checking out of the grocery store the thought came to me that I wanted to learn moderation in my life regarding sweets. As it is I cannot have sweets in my house as I will eat them immediately until they are gone. I wanted to learn once and for all how to take a piece one day and a piece the next day, etc. Certainly I could do it!!! I have proven I can go without sugar, but only if it is out of sight and out of reach.

So I bought 5 small hershey bars that were on sale....to start my plan... They are all gone tonight. So much for moderation. My only consolation is that I have never cared about drinks, smokes, or drugs, just certain sweets. However, the addictive behavior is there and is certainly something that needs to be overpowered.

This is a test I found on the internet...answer True of False...

"TRUE OR FALSE?"

I don't eat refined sugar every day.

I can go for more than a day without eating some type of sugar-containing food.

I never have cravings for sugar, coffee, chocolate, peanut butter, or alcohol.

I've never hidden candy or other sweets around my home in order to find and eat them later.

I can stop after one piece of candy or one bite of pastry.

There are times when I have no sugar of any kind in my home.

I can go for three or more hours without eating and not experience the shakes, fatigue, perspiration, irritability, depressions, or anxiety.

I can have candy and other sweets in my home and not eat them.

I don't eat something sweet after every meal.

I rarely drink coffee and eat doughnuts or sweet rolls for breakfast.

I can go for more than an hour after waking up in the morning without eating.

I can go from one day to the next without drinking a soft drink.

If you answered "false" to more than four of these statements, chances are that you are sugar-sensitive. You probably are allergic to sugar, and probably are also addicted to it - the same way an alcoholic is addicted to alcohol. You crave sugar, have withdrawal symptoms when you don't get it, and probably feel better for a short time after you've eaten it. In eating sugar to feel better, you are actually making your condition worse.

If you're a sugarholic, your body is telling you quite bluntly that sugar is causing problems. Addiction is closely related to allergy; the body has become so accustomed to compensating for the presence of the allergenic substance that when the substance is removed, withdrawal symptoms occur. Your sugar cravings are a direct indication that sugar is at work destroying your immune system."

I suppose I could blame my mother for my dilema. We always had dessert after our supper meal. It was homemade desserts like: prune whip, rice pudding, bread pudding, pie, cake, cookies, cinnamon rolls, etc. And then, of course, my mom was an expert at making fudge, taffy, penoche, sugared popcorn, popcorn balls, homemade ice cream, homemade rootbeer. And probably we did not have money for a lot of protein, mostly cheaper carbs.

When we were all in the car together and supposedly "sleeping" the rattle of a papersack in the front seat would immediately jar us all awake to ask for a piece of whatever goodie my mom had in the sack. Oh, yes, we lived to expect desserts and treats..

However, we did not have "snacks" we could reach for anytime but meal time or after school treat or special evening treat. So... weight was never a problem and the small waist was with us until we bore children.

So when did the sugar become a problem????

I think whenever I wanted to treat myself because I was "overworked", "depressed", "sad", "happy", "excited", "needed a reward", "needed love". In other words, it is all emotional eating, whether happy or sad. It was always a form of reward. How often did I hear? "Who wants a treat? Let's have a treat? What treat shall we have?" So it has become a part of my life.

I remember one night at college when I was living in Helamon Halls and the little store that had the licorice candy I loved was not only across campus but down the hill--at least a half hour or more away. I just had to go get that candy, nothing else would do, and I went... My roommates thought I was crazy.

I also remember when a boyfriend and I had a spat. As soon as he left, I went to the kitchen and made some penoche.

The most successful and happiest I have been is when I have been able to go 30 days without sugar and then I lose the craving for a time. However, I CANNOT HAVE IT IN MY HOME. And if I go somewhere else and it is offered I will probably succumb. Truly it is like an alcoholic.

So how am I going to conquer this? No one can make a suggestion unless they have the same problem and have conquered it! Guess I need a Sugarholics Anonymous Club.

Nightmare...

I just awoke from a nightmare and was actually yelling "Help, Help, Help...several times. I was in a hotel corridor and as I reached the door two hooded boys rushed me. One of them had a large something under his jacket as if he planned to push whoever opened the door down with it and in the meantime I would have fallen backward into the room.

All was foiled however, when no one answered the door. We just stood there looking at each other while I yelled Help. Finally I woke up and turned the light on. Not even Bandido was looking at me. Is that a message or what???

Earlier in the day I had visited another widow and I had asked her if she was ever lonely. She said when she had something she wanted to say and no one was there, that was especially lonely. Sunday I had asked another friend that question and she said she was never lonely.

I must admit I do get very lonely at times...and I ask the question again, what is this with so many widows in the world? What great scheme is it accomplishing?