Fresh Fruit, Corn on the Cob and other Musings

Musings! I love that word! A friend of mine used it the other day and I just coudn't wait to use it any longer. Some words are like a pair of old comfortable socks: No matter how worn or,let's just say colorful, they fit just right. Goldilocks wasn't the only one who was particular. Truth be told, she was just a woman who knew what she wanted.

Nothing tastes better than the bounty of fruits and vegetables that can be found come Spring and Summer. Fresh Strawberries are my personal favorite followed closely by a juice peach. You know the type of peach I'm talking about: The kind where the juice runs down your chin as you take a bite and the flavor explodes as you reach close to nirvana. The other day I bought a fresh pineapple and cut it up. Mixed it together with some cantalope and watermelon. Heaven!

Haven't had any cob corn yet. Everytime I pass the bin at the grocery store people are ripping through it like ravenous wolves. I secretly thing they are just preparing for Christmas shopping. I like my cob with some melted butter, a smittering of red pepper flakes and maybe, if I am feeling dangerous, a dash of tabasco sauce. (I must admit I grow habaneros each year to make habanero jam, a pleasure that is near and dear to my heart.)

The Big Bad Wolf

One of my favorite towns in Northern Colorado is Windsor. There is just something about the place and people. Everyone I have ever encountered are friendly and have a salt of the earth quality. I've always told myself if I settled here that I would make my home in Windsor. I recently have been volunteering at the Windsor Severence Public Library, a library I would make special trips to Windsor for because I liked it so much. As such, I was left with a heavy heart for those who suffered at the hands of this week's twister. If any community has the heart to come back strong it is in Windsor. My thoughts and prayers are will all of those who suffered loss at the hands of Mother Nature.

Windor Tornado Footage

Jicama and Quinoa

Jicawho and Quinowhat? No, these are not nonsense words a pulled from the nether regions of my brain. They are also not a pacific island detective team. So, you asks yourselves, what are they Steve? For the jeopardy class you are probably way ahead of me. Have I told you of my affinity, dare I say passionate romance for all things trivia. While there are oodle of useful, efficacious facts and procedures logged and categorized in my noggin there is a special place, sort of a secret garden, guys room reserved simply for useless yet agonizing (if one cannot remember, even if it is on the tip of your tongue) facts, names, details, recipe ingredients, and anything else one can think of and some you can reaching to infinity. Sometimes I literally ponder where it all began. It is at that moment my head aches and a cloudy glaze covers my eyes. I was riding flat on my back in an ambulance once, the EMT requesting my telephone number and the only thing I could remember was my library card number which a repeated over and over. Go figure! (It is 23455001917482 by the way.)

Oh yes, where was I? Jicama and Quinoa. Both are wonderful and adventurious alternatives to things like Potatoes and White Rice, or Rice in general for that matter. The Wonder Twins (Ambigious 80's reference)have the advantage of not only be good for you but also being owners of a euphoric taste. Weight has been a challenge all of my life but it has never been a result of not liking healthy foods or a willingness to try something new. (Well, to be honest, I have not alway be a subscriber to such openmindedness. As a child I would only eat potatoes in one pure form, that of the mashed potato. It was a dogma. French Fries were heresy!)Healthy living is a process not an event. In, what I find very faith affirming way it very much reflects repentance. When patterns which herald the restored gospel come into focus, It is like one of those pattern pictures where a person stared until the image leaped forth into clear view. If our vision is focused and true the world and larger yet the universe testifies of Christ at every corner. When I toil in the garden, it is as if I am being tutored by the Savior as I watch infant plants struggle to grow under my nuture and care until they reach maturation. I see it when I become frustrated so completely frustrated with myself, filled with remorse, on the verge of self pity and loathing only to recognize that lasting endurance come from holding my head high, taking step forward even into the darkest night, no matter if I feel as if I will crumble, a broken man. And why is that? Because of my Savior. He lifts me up in a manner undenably literal. He is in a Mother who has sacraficed, forgiven and shown me compassion my entire life. He is in siblings that stand beside me and remind me how blessed I am to be counted among them. He is in friends who never quite given up on me and help me to see things in myself that left to my own devices I remain a mystery in the dark. But most of all I see him when I reach beyond myself to lift and comfort another. The special events and markers of life are magesty to behold but so often it is the moments along the way, whether it be the moments of contentment, often quiet and overlooked or the moments of peace and reassurance when life swirls around us that make the journey worth it. Most of all it is the memories we share with one another and the bonds we create with one another that are of infinite worth, a value that reaches into the eternities.

My head hurts, but in a good way.

Welcome Back

I now have a Master of Arts in Information Resources and Library Science. Yeah for me!

So, what have I been doing since last we spoke? Lots let me tell you but I won't. I would actually like you to stay awake long enough to finish reading this communication.

I love Netflix! I don't think I have any reason to enter a video store ever again. I like all films but also like indies and foreign films which can be sometimes hard to find. Netflix gives me greater selection in this regard. The relaunch of Doctor Who is the bee's knees. I thought it was hokey as a kid but it is amazing what CGI can do. I already have far too many shows that I enjoy. Some of my favs need to be canceled. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a couch potato. I rarely have the television on just to have it on and usually if I watch something it is on the internet or dvd.

Amazon Marketplace is so useful and I prefer it to e-bay for selling things. I had quite a few television seasons on dvd and sold all of them. Much cheaper to rent at a flat rate and let the wonderful people at Netflix worry about storage. I've sold quite a few books as well. What a great way to make some extra cash.

Since I seem to be focusing on all things entertainment, Is anyone else excited for Indy 4? I know I am. Good stuff! Haven't seen Iron Man or Prince Caspian yet but they are on my list.

I love springtime. The garden is planted. It is one of my most favorite activities. Haven't had a chance to watch too much baseball though.

Blog Reboot

Evolution is the natural child of experimentation and growth. As such I am redesigning my blog, simplifying it really and making it more efficent and efficacious. I am a tinkerer. (Is that even a word?) This blog is really meant as a personal blog where I can connect and share just about anything. The same goes for my podcast and webcast. Not much will change with the other two.

As you may have noticed I really haven't touched any of these since february. Why? School is stressful, at least that is the excuse I tell myself. I am all graduated now and on the job hunt so I'm back at it. Let's pray I am more consistent.

I have strived to send a weekly letter to family and friends and I will again strive to get back on top of that but monthly. That is a much more realistic expectation. Expect for the return of the letter, my podcast and webcast sometime in June.