The Irony of the Apple

I find it somewhat disconcerting and a bit strange that eating an apple always increases my appetite--I'm trying to up my ingestion of fruits and veggies, so opt for an apple instead of the chocolate chip cookies calling to me from the breakroom--but invariably I am hungrier after the apple than before...

Do You Like Pie?

One day a frog was sitting happily by the side of the river when a scorpion came along.
“Oh Mr. Frog,” said the scorpion, “I need to get to the other side of the river to be with my family. Will you please carry me across?”
“But Mr. Scorpion, if I do that, then you will sting me!” replied the frog, somewhat aghast at the request.
“No, I won’t,” said the scorpion.
“Do you promise?” asked a rather doubtful frog.
“I really promise! I will not sting you,” said the scorpion.
“Do you really, really promise?” asked a still-dubious frog.

“Yes, I really promise,” replied the scorpion, very sincerely.
“Okay,” the frog said reluctantly. “Hop on.”

The scorpion climbed on top of the frog’s back and they set off. Halfway across the river, the scorpion stung the frog. In horror, the frog, unable to continue swimming and with both of them about to drown, finally managed to gasp, “Please, Mr. Scorpion, just tell me one thing before we both go under. Just tell me why, when you promised you would not, why oh why did you sting me?”
“Because it is my nature,” replied the scorpion.

Meanwhile...

Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning. One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process, he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl, and again the scorpion fell in the river. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung.
The other monk asked him, “Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting?”
“Because,” the first monk replied, “my nature is to save.”

So, what is your nature? Are you a frog, a scorpion or a monk?

I am going to have to admit to being a monk. It harks back to a saying in our family, "Moms aren't really very fond of pie..." which, is code for how mom is often the one who sacrifices for others, giving up what she wants so her family/child/husband can have what they want.

Recently I've managed to turn down "pie" three times: one involved a Costco card, one was an AAA card and another was the larger shower stall at the lodge...I just can't help myself--it is my nature.

A quarter saved is a quarter needed

I'm not really sure what to do with this, but the irony was too much to ignore. We were at the Hands On Children's Museum this morning to celebrate Paige's and Renee's unbirthdays. On our way out Rich and I stopped at the gift shop and picked up a couple unbirthday gifts for them for later that evening. The sign said, if you pay with cash, you save 50 cents. Couldn't pass up a bargain like that, so I paid in cash. Next stop was the Olympia Coop, where we picked up 3 items. My annual membership was also tacked on to the total, which came to $25.77. Now the Coop only takes cash...I had exactly $25.27...I was 50 cents short. The clerk threw in the change and said I could pay her back next time I was in. But if I hadn't paid cash at HOCM to save 50 cents, I would have had plenty of cash to cover my bill at the Coop...I know. I don't know what it means either.

Two are better than one

My mom had sent me some savings bonds she'd bought for her great-grandchildren. She wanted me to keep them safe, but I misplaced them soon after getting them, such that I almost doubted having received them at all! I looked and prayed to be able to find them, but months went by and I finally admitted to Mom that I couldn't find them and did she really send them? Yes, she had the confirming email I sent to her when they arrived...She told me to pray about it, and said she would also pray that I found them. The very next day, I found them! (Or, rather, Rich found them among his papers...mystery explained...). So why didn't I find them when I prayed about them? Are Mom's prayers more efficacious than mine?? I believe the answer came after I told Mom so that she could also have a faith-promoting experience in their discovery. After I told her they were found, she sent me a beautiful email testifying to the power of prayer in her life. We both "stand all amazed..."

Happy New Year!

This was the first time Rich and I celebrated New Years' in a bar...It was a surprise trip Rich engineered, which began when we left work early and drove to Portland. We checked into the Modera and went out to look for the restaurant Rich had selected (but didn't make a reservation for). They were fully booked (0f course) but had a table in the bar that wouldn't be used until 7 pm. As it was only 5:30, we were able to have a fabulous meal there and be out in time for the concert. Rich had tickets for RAIN, which is a Beatles tribute band. They played 2 hours of incredible Beatles music, with the look and sound of the originals. Some friends were also there and staying at our hotel, so we met them afterwards and hung out in the hotel bar to ring in the new year. I nursed a virgin daquiri and Rich a Sprite, and we had an unusual pizza made with Feta and figs. Yum! The next day we hiked in Forest Park in the drizzle and fog. Magical! It takes a lot to surprise me (Grants are known for opening presents early and my secret name does contain the word, DETECTIVE...) but he did a great job. Thanks for a wonderful start to 2010!

Thieves

I've been talking about the Vinegar of 4 Thieves for years now, ever since I first learned of it while Dustin was on his mission in the Amazon and picked up some parasites. I cultivated the herbs the summer before he arrived home so I'd be ready to treat what ailed him. He dutifully took it, then went to the doctor, who couldn't find a trace of the parasites anymore. I've since used it with varying success over the years to treat colds and flu. I say "varying" because it depends how close to the onset of symptoms I can take it--the earlier the better. Those who put it off til they are miserable (that's you, Richard) usually don't see much effect. This week I was in a health food store and saw several 2-ounce eye-dropper-type bottles on the counter labeled "Thieves" selling for $23.00 each. I burst out laughing and asked the clerk if that was for real? I have a gallon of it at home from the last batch I made that is easily worth over a thousand dollars at that price! Well, it is now colds and flu season and last night I was awakened with a stuffy right nostril..I got up and began the Thieves Regimen. In the morning, having had little sleep, I was feeling yucky, but had to go in to work for a meeting. At noon though, I came home, self-medicated again with thieves and vitamin C, and sleep a couple hours. I just woke up without any cold symptoms! I wonder if knowing how much it "costs" has anything to do with it's effectiveness now??

A few of my favorite things

Several blogs that I follow, Cornflower, Brigitte Dale, and Sami's had entries recently about the little things (emphasis on little and things) that make us happy. Here's my attempt and will try not to be too influenced by their suggestions (although "new box of crayons" is right up there...).

1. Macaroni & Cheese (Martha Stewart's recipe, not the Kraft boxes...)
2. Hyacinths and lilacs (Hmm. Neither of which are in my garden...at the moment...)
3. Small blank books--oh! the possibilities!
4. Scarves--a new obsession since being in London.
5. Hot, hot showers.
6. Ok, I give up. New box of crayons. Doesn't even have to be the 64 size, but it helps.