Always Something New to Try!

...be it a recipe, project, book to read, place to visit, or something else, I find that I am continuously discovering new things to try. Today's discovery was a recipe for pinto bean fudge. I created a keyword search for pinto bean recipes and encountered several dessert recipes that include pinto beans. I am so intrigued, I may just have to try making brownies or fudge with pinto beans. What a clever way to include more fiber in a fun way. I wonder what my dad would think? I'm not sure I'd tell anyone not allergic till AFTER they try the treats. What do you think?

It reminds me of the miniature carrot drop cookies my mother made when i was little. I absolutely must determine where i saved that recipe because I want them rather badly. I remember taking these to school, complete with a sweet orange glaze icing, and sharing them with friends but not telling them till after they said "YUM!" that they actually had carrots in them! Leave it to a mom to make something "good for you" taste good enough to get people to actually eat it.

I have a few other tasks this week to which i must attend, but i promise to update with candid commentary regarding anything i try with the pintos. I welcome your suggestions and favorites, as well.

Have a bright week!

April Fool's--a little late?

Upstate New Yorkers are used to some pretty crazy weather, but many were caught by surprise yesterday. You see, many of us are familiar with expressions like "In like a lion, out like a lamb" for March and even "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes--it'll change!" but yesterday, the best I could think of to describe the day was "April Fool!" because we got, according to the local news, "The biggest snowstorm of the season."   While that's technically true, we had an incredibly mild winter so this late "storm" was most shocking simply because it was, well, LATE. After such a mild winter, and even summer-like temperatures in March, some areas saw accumulation of heavy, wet SNOW yesterday. Some saw tree damage, power outages, and deep puddles. I saw a deep, slushy mess that warranted a "personal safety" decision not to walk down the street at 6am. Even more amazing, most of the evidence of yesterday's precipitation had vanished by this afternoon! I suppose this is further evidence of the importance of both dressing in layers and allowing oneself enough lead time before morning departure to ensure proper assessment of immediate surroundings. Hope you had as much fun as I did experiencing it--I got to take a vacation day to read, write and relax.

Thank You, Gentle Readers

Thank you, Gentle Readers, for your patience with my previously inconsistent schedule and style of writing. After reflecting today about that which brings me joy and value, I recommit to write regularly. Sometimes I fail to hold myself fully accountable unless that accountability extends beyond myself. Whether there be one or many of you today or in future, I will assume that someone is expecting a new post at least once a week. This begins as an exercise for me but I hope it will enable all who encounter it to grow as well. If it generates joy, new ideas and projects, or income, all the better...for today, it suffices that I have taken a decisive next step on my journey and invite you to join me if you like.

Peace, Love, and Bright Days!
~pma

Come Join the FUN!

Toastmasters demo meeting and Area Contests in Ithaca, NY
TOMORROW, 3/22! If you'd like to participate, or if you are just curious and need more info, let me know.
We would love to share with you the benefits of a safe, fun, professional club environment in which to learn and grow one's communication and leadership skills.

A Challenge

When I was young, one of the challenges (or expectations, you may say) my grownups presented me was to [always] leave a place better than I found it. Over time, that has manifested in many ways, from the simple, physical appearance (like wiping a counter or dusting a corner) to sometimes less tangible yet still palpable "aura" of a place (like people taking the time to affirm each other and their efforts). I offered it on Twitter today for anyone who might like to give it a try.

Perhaps you enter a community room and see a coffee mug or a plate in the sink. Do you send an email blast to the entire list serve, or do you rinse it and put it away? Depending on your take on things, either of these behaviors might be acceptable, even warranted, given surrounding circumstances.

Maybe you say "Good morning" to someone who's already convinced that today will be anything but a good day. Do you disengage, or do you interact with that person a little bit? To what end? Are they smiling by the time you part ways?

You or someone you know has been transferred or downsized. Although it may be tough to leave, can you walk away with head held high, knowing you made a difference while you were there?

If those are too big for today, just focus on your own mood the next time you walk through a doorway. Are you glad to be there? If not, what are you going to do about it right now?

I'm Back! I Hope You Missed Me!

Time keeps on ticking. I have so many things I need or want to do, I always have to choose among them. I never mean to ignore any of them, or diminish the importance of the ones that take me longer to accomplish. Some time ago I learned an economic concept known as "opportunity cost" and began applying it to most of my "major" decision-making. It involves the idea of assessing the trade value of one choice over another. Sometimes the choices are "no-brainers" but sometimes they are difficult. I find it challenging to choose when there are two or three (or more) things that are very desirable but scheduled for overlapping times, or perhaps competing for some other resource, like money.. The "opportunity cost" is what you theoretically lose or give up when choosing the alternative(s). Sometimes the cost is great, and sometimes simply necessary. Sometimes I just take entirely too long to think about the choices whether or not they have any significant consequence. Today's reflection came as a flash for a tweet. As it came to me, I felt a release of tension and a burst of positive energy! I focused on the directive and decided to share it with you.

Do not allow opportunity cost obsession to stall your decision-making or adventure-taking.

Monumental Milestone

Thirty-five years ago, a couple braved a blizzard to welcome their own firstborn baby into the world. Through the years that baby became a dreamer and a doer, and at 12:18pm EST, she became age-eligible to pursue the United States Presidency (though not really interested at this time).

I'm sorry i haven't written in so long, but what a neat way to reconnect--my last post was about deconstructing the word "can't." My parents acted like the word didn't exist and always encouraged me to try anything I wanted. Throughout my life if someone else tried to tell me "You can't..." it often made me want to prove I could. Always participating in a variety of activities, challenging myself to try new things, and even agreeing to do things before I knew how to manage the logistics. I think it's become the manifestation of my hallmark yes.

I'm going to start reading You Can't Be President and see if I'm crazy enough to prove the world wrong. It's exciting and also a little sad that I still have the opportunity to become the FIRST female president of the U.S. Though I personally am not a big fan of politics I wanted to make the announcement to get people thinking. This year most of my graduating class will also become age-eligible to run for the Presidency, and we are quite a group.We have become the future.

From gametes to golden years, thanks Mom and Dad for life, opportunity, and the drive to keep reaching.