7.31.2008

Are things sometimes the opposite of what we think they are?

I've always been much better in one-on-one situations. I can chat you up like nobody's business if its just the two of us. When it comes to being in a group of people, I'm much more content sitting back listening, taking it all in, observing, making mental notes. I've always told myself its because I don't require the limelight. I don't need to be the center of attention. I prefer to let others play that role. I'm better as the supporting cast than the leading lady.
I've been thinking lately, as per my usual, and I came up with a brand new theory.
Do I need the attention so badly, to be the focus *so* much that I hide in the crowd preferring to wait for that special, one-on-one, complete and utter attention upon me situation to come out of my shell? Am I secretly pouting, wishing I was the entertainment that I could capture an audience and keep them all mesmerized with me, just being me?
I don't really think so. But the thought did sneak into my mind, so as I ponder it, are there parts to your personality that you call one thing, but maybe, just maybe, really aren't what you consider them on the surface? Maybe they are a type of opposite, but its easier to not think of them as they really are?
Did any of that make sense?

7.30.2008

NOVA and the Dimming Sun

I really like NOVA. Do you watch it? I'm not a tv person, per se, but when I catch NOVA, I'm always glad I did. Our local public broadcasting station, OPB, is who carries it. NOVA's a science show. They delve into current hot topics. Its on Wednesday's at 9:00 and Tuesday's at 8:00, I think the Wednesday show is called Science Now, or something. Anyway, because we are OPB members, I get the online notices of upcoming broadcasts and other stuff. NOVA has a show coming up about the dimming sun. I read the blurb and am constantly amazed at how many aspects of our planet are affected by our pollution, how its all being compounded and how it seems (I'm not a scientist, obviously) but it seems like this 'global warming' is becoming a juggernaut that is increasingly getting out of our control. There are so many things I never could possibly think of that scientists are thinking of like the dimming sun thing. What else is happening that we aren't noticing, yet, that will take off and compound our problems?
Anyway, Dimming the Sun, on NOVA, Tuesday, August 5 at 8:00 PM.
Its *very* scary, at least to me, but I think so important that we all pay attention, make note, and do what little (or big) things we can to help alleviate this problem that will not go away until each and every one of us make the hard choices, every day.
Oh, Oh, and last night, while watching NOVA - Car of the Future, there was a commercial for like the Saturn car company encouraging men to shave less because it will save water and women will find you hunkier and for women to wash their hair less, again saving water, and suggesting a fashionable hat or trendy up-do. Have you seen that commercial! It cracked me up. I'm sure it's online somewhere, my 25 seconds of searching so I could add a link brought me nothing. But, I'm not the most search the internet savvy person around.
Anyway. Happy Day to you all.

7.29.2008

Oatmeal Spice Cookies

This is my stand-by cookie recipe. I've used it since I was in cooking 4-H. Yup, they had that, pretty much thought they made it up so I'd have a group to belong to, but no, it was real. Anyway, I got some great recipes including this basic oatmeal cookie recipe that I tweak depending on my mood. Its oatmeal cookies, you can't go wrong changing it up, adding raisings, chocolate chips, walnuts, other nuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, butterscotch chips... you name it. Whatever you like, it can be added. This weekend though, as I was trying to figure out how to satiate my sweet tooth, I thought I wanted ginger cookies. I couldn't find the recipe I had in mind, so bummed. I then got a wild hair and decided, why can't I make my own ginger cookies, the way I like them. Putting in them everything that would make ME happy in a cookie.
I give you my very own cookie recipe. Adopted from just about every other cookie recipe out there with a nod to my original 4-H recipe.

Here goes: Oh, and they turned out superfantasico!

Oatmeal Spice Cookies

  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance margarine
  • 1/2 cup Earth Balance shortening
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 c molasses
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups oat flour*
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2+ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 cups oatmeal
  • 1 cup yellow raisins, soaked in boiling water for softness then drained an patted dry
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Do the regular cookie making thing, cream... add, mix well, sift together... you know how it works.

The dough was rather soft so I baked on parchment paper 12 minutes at 350. The cookies are very chewy/soft so I after I took them out of the oven, I let them sit for a couple minutes then slid the entire parchment paper laden with cookies onto a cooling rack (or really just a chopping block). After they cool (who am I kidding, they were piping hot when I tried them) they are soft and chewy and the perfect cookie for me.
I put the raisins and walnuts in half the cookie dough and chocolate chips in half for Mister. I'm not a chocolate gal, but his were tasty too.
* Oat flour, I take oatmeal, any cut will do, and grind it in batches in my food mill (i.e. coffee grinder) until its quite chopped up and slightly chunkier than run-of-the-mill flour.

Other Notes: I love spice and these were NOT too spicy for me or my mother in law. They seemed spiced just right to me. You'll have to decide your own spice level need.

7.27.2008

The Pioneer Woman

I clicked out of a website last week and ended up at this woman's blog. The Pioneer Woman. I clicked out originally because of a photography link, but ended up finding just a ton of really great looking recipes. I could not stop reading the recipes in part because they just sounded super yummy, if a bit more carnivorous than my personal tastes. And the other reason was that this woman lives and cooks at her home which is a ranch. So, ranch food. Things are cooked in the left over bacon fat from breakfast. You know the type of cooking I'm talking about. The kind I don't think I realized people actually did any more. Also, I had a BBQ to go to this weekend and wanted to take something different from my usual offering.
I read and read and read got more and more hungry. I ended up on THIS recipe. PERFECT for a BBQ. Although, I did double it and wish I hadn't because it ended up making enough to feed 4 BBQ's. It's a different take on the classic Asian Noodle Salad. But this one caught my attention because its chock-full-o-veggies. First off, I'm not a pasta girl. I can completely leave noodles alone with the exception of twice a year when I get a hankering for spaghetti. You know the really good spaghetti where you simmer the home made sauce all day.......OY. I much prefer rice and/or potatoes. Mmmmmmmm don't get me going on the potato tangent.
Anyway, if I'm at a BBQ or other function where there's the asian noodle salad, we've all seen and had and everyone raves about, well I just leave it completely alone. It never tastes like I want it to and (see above) I'm not a pasta person. So, when I saw this version of the classic asian salad, I stopped in my tracks, there were tons of veggies. That's up my alley.
The Pioneer Woman calls it her very most favorite salad ever, ever, ever...... I would have to agree that it is right up there on my top five list. I was going to do my usual thing when I made it. You know, substitute ingredients, its what I do. Mister balked and *suggested* that I make it true to form the first time and boy-howdy, I'm glad I did. The bean sprouts and the cilantro and the cashews MADE it. Oh, yeah and all the other really great stuff that's in it too lime and sesame oil and ginger. So, the only changes I made were I left out the napa cabbage. I only did this because it was the last thing I had to chop up and I already had my two largest bowls filled to the max with all the other ingredients (remember, I doubled it for a potluck). Also, I only put in two cucumbers (doubling would have called for four cukes) again no room in the bowl and I only used two jalapenos' , but I figured for a potluck, better to err on the side of mild so it gets eaten.
I had a container of veggies and a container of noodles left in my fridge and took the other million pounds of salad to the BBQ and it was a complete hit. I was relieved and happy I found a new recipe. No pics though. Check out the Pioneer Woman's blog plenty of pics there. Let me know if you try any other her other recipes and how they turn out for ya.

7.24.2008

Is it only Thursday...

... and holy cow, its nearly August already!
  • I still want mashed potatoes w/gravy.
  • I feel like I need a vacation.
  • I wish more of my friends had blogs.
  • I (sometimes) wish I was less of a home-body.
  • I am in awe of people who are good parents.
  • I am very happy for my good friends.
  • I am sad for the friends I have, that are troubled in one way or another.
  • I am glad Mister is also a home-body.
  • I may keep adding to this today.
  • I may not.
  • It seems a bit sad that I want my friends to have blogs because its just too hard to keep in touch all the time and that would be a great way to keep tabs on them and when I think it through and write it down I can't believe that I would rather read about my so called friends lives than to just call them up or meet them somewhere. That was a bit of an eye opener for me. What will I do with that info? Hard to say. Life is still really busy no matter how much I wish to be able to afford to not have to work seemingly creating more time in the day and there's never enough time to get everything done. I'v digressed a bit, but now that I think about it, this blog is pretty much about digressing so, I guess I'm right on topic.
  • I really hope you are still with me after that long winded diatribe.

7.22.2008

Harley Tuesday

No words today. Just kitty pics.

If you'd like to humor me today, click on the next photo and just check out the cute look on his face and the bunny-esque way he's holding his paws. I could just eat him with a spoon!

Oh, and I've been craving mashed potatoes w/gravy. Doesn't that just sound like heaven! Might just be me.

7.20.2008

Berries berries berries - Summer's Candy

I am a country girl wrapped inside a city girl. They coexist rather well, I think. At least they do for me. I love to cook things and love that Mister and I now have a CSA membership which is the next best thing to actually growing vegetables and fruit yourself. I cook and bake the foods we get each week and love walking through the farmers' market with my man on Sunday mornings. We check out all the farm stands and decide if anything strikes our fancy that week. Last week I was on a mission - RASPBERRIES. I thought they were in season and had a hankering for home made freezer jam. There's nothing quite like fresh raspberry freezer jam on toast or a toasted english muffin or french toast or pancakes or even on ice cream. Its one of my favorite foods.
When Mister and I were picking up our weekly CSA food, we found a berry stand and asked about the rather large raspberries. Turns out they weren't large raspberries at all, they were loganberries. Inside I'm really bummed, now we have to fight our way through the crowds and find my berries at a different stand. My smile must have immediately faltered because the women behind the counter said, "Here, try one." I did and I was SOLD! heavens to mergatroid!! They were amazing. Now, I didn't *just* fall off the turnip truck and I've heard of loganberries forever. BUT, I'm a bit of a purist. I want blackberry or raspberry jam and don't give me any weird other stuff. I'm not into those 'hybrid' berries or whatever they are.

My mind and taste buds are forever altered. I am now a dyed in the wool loganberry admirer. I've researched and they seem to be a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. Who Knew?! A cross between my two favs created my all time brand spankin' new fav. OY! All excitement aside. I bought 3 pints and immediately took them home to make freezer jam. Altogether it made 6 jam sized containers of heaven. I shared one with mom-in-law and the rest were for me. Mister doesn't like jam. Never eats it. He prefers honey. Fine with me. More of the heaven for me to enjoy - what he doens't miss I'll be very happy with.

The only problem is, I asked Mister if he wouldn't "just try it, please, for your wife?" Lo and behold he loved it too! He will just eat it with a spoon or a fork. I had to put an immediate stop to that and this week, buy more loganberries to make more jam. 5 containers (we are now down to 4 actually meaning 1 container was eaten in just a week) won't last me until next season. I also dug through the deep freeze and found blackberries and raspberries that were a bit dehydrated. I thawed them and made a batch of blackerry/raspberry freezer jam and a batch of loganberry jam and had 3 pints of loganberries left over that I individually quick froze for later use. That was a long winded way of letting you know, you should definitely check out loganberries and make fresh freezer jam if you have the opportunity. It *so* easy and delicious.

That would be it for now.

7.18.2008

Rhubarb Pie

This recipe is totally geared toward your own personal tastes. Rhubarb is a wonderful tart and tasty stalk of weirdness (those are my words) that has a bit of a short season. I look forward to it every year. My mother would make a rhubarb sponge pie (I persaonlly can't stand that particular pie, and I'm not sure if the link is how my mom made it, but, you decide what you like, who knows, it may sounds delicious to you.... anyway). She made it because it was my dad's favorite. Once I was old enough to realize I could bake, I started making my own rhubarb pie and have been a rhubarb fan since.

My no fail recipe is basically an apple pie recipe in which I substitute rhubarb for the apples. Its that simple. You may want to ramp up the sugar a bit in that rhubarb is a bit more tangy than apples, as a general rule. It really depends on the rhubarb and how sweet/tart you like your pie.

So, these are guidelines, there aren't really any set-in-stone amounts because, well, are you making a deep dish pie or hand pies, etc. You get the idea, right? Go, be creative, have fun.

Rhubarb Pie

Pie crust

My rule of thumb is:

  • 2 parts flour
  • 1 part cold shortening
  • dash of salt
  • pinch of sugar
  • ice water

Filling

  • 4-6 cups (or more) ripe rhubarb peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • ½ - 1 cup, more or less sugar
  • 1/3 - ½ cup, flour, depending on how thick you want your filling to end up
  • tsp +/- cinnamon and/or nutmeg and/or whatever spices you like in apple pie or omit altogether
  • pinch of salt
  • splash of orange curacao or other orange liqueur - optional
  • a few pats of margarine

  • milk of choice – soy or almond are my choices.
  • extra sugar

Crust: mix all the until its a medium to fine meal. Mix in enough of the water to form a ball. I try to let this rest in the fridge while doing the next part, but don’t always.

Filling: stir the rhubarb, lemon, sugar and flour together, add the spices (if you are using them) then the salt and orange curacao and combine well.

Roll out just slightly more than half the pie dough for bottom crust. Pour in the filling and top with the pats of margarine. Cover with the balance of the dough rolled out. Cut steam slits in the top. Brush crust with milk of choice, sprinkle with sugar and bake at 425 for 30 minutes, reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for about another 25 – 30 minutes. Until the pie is all bubbly and smells amazing.

Bon Appetite

I forgot to put in the cinnamon this time, so I sprinkled it on top with the sugar. It was a good try, but ineffective solution. Oh well. The pie won’t go to waste because of it.

PS - I also forgot to upload the photos, so check back in a couple days if you have an interest.

NOT the best photos. I've realized I don't photograph my food creations much these days because our kitchen has no natural light. I sometimes take food outside to photograph, but its a real pain. So, crappy food pics for you. Sorry!

    7.17.2008

    Love Thursday

    I'm loving this right now and hoping it will be a new chapter in my photography life. We'll see.

    Happy Love Thursday.

    7.16.2008

    Just Watched: The 11th Hour

    Gloom and doom and the makings of nightmares.

    Leonardo DiCaprio narrates this "planet earth in crisis" documentary. The film talks about how global temperature change issues and out of control population growth are hastening the demise of our planet. It also talks about some interesting ways we can make a difference and that we should do it now while we actually might have a real impact rather than later, after we've passed the tipping point of no returning to life on this planet as we know it. Not my favorite type of movie, but I know its a necessary thing to immerse myself into so I can get past the paralyzing fear and move toward doing my part. It inspires me to be creative in thinking up new ways or just researching ways others have already thought up, to cut my personal impact.

    They say every vote counts (for example) or that dropping a pebble in a pond creates a ripple effect with an impact that is practically unknown. So, I'm dropping my pebble, here and now. I hope it will have some slight, little, tiny, but perceptible impact somewhere, somehow.

    Its a difficult thing to watch, but a must see for everyone who wishes to live on this planet we call earth.

    7.15.2008

    Just Read: The Great Age of Discovery

    I think it took me nearly 5 (or more) months to get through this book. It was interesting, I've just had a lot, it seems, going on. I usually listen to this type of book on my drive to work. This type of book being non-fiction and non-high-drama i.e. book I have to pay slightly more attention to in order to get all the information. With a novel, it seems less important to rewind or go back a few pages if my mind has wandered away from the book even as I read /listen to the words. Does that happen to you? So, speaking of wandering, I'm off on a tangent again. My drive to work is half what it used to be before Mister and I got hitched, so half the listening time possibility per day. Also, since Mister and I got married, I have exponentially less time to myself each day. Now, I am so very happy with my Mister, but I did not wait until my quite late 30's to get hitched because I was lacking for suitors. I just hadn't met anyone for whom I was willing to give up *my* time and energy for. I hadn't met anyone worthy of something so precious to me as my alone time. I like my alone time. I crave my alone time. I need my alone time. These days though, the only truly alone time I get is on my drive to and from work. I've started turning off the radio and the audible books and just being **quiet**. Blissful, serene, stress-free, quiet time. Don't ask me what I'm pondering, that's not the point. The point is quality time with myself. I know everyone is different and all types are required or we'd all be living alone forever, I just know so many people who don't seem to want or need time alone and it boggles my mind. So, these small increments of time driving in my car are wonderful but don't do much for helping me get through books I've started.
    The book was good, but a bit dry and seemed long. It wanders through some of the more interesting times of historical discovery and the inevitable plunder of the discovered. Names I remember from 4th grade history classes and heroes of days gone by with their not-so-heroic deeds layed on the table.
    For me it was a slow read, but as with most books, I am glad I read it.

    7.14.2008

    Seaside Hike

    We didn't get to Opal Creek this weekend like I wanted. We did go for a wonderful hike at the beach though. All that really mattered was that Mister and I got away from the house and the chores and hung out together out in nature. Being out on a hike away from nearly everything manmade is a necessity for me. And Mister and I needed some time to just hang together. Its not something we get to do every day. Too many responsibilities. I think we all probably feel that way. Anyway, we hiked from Seaside to Indian Beach and back.

    The weather was amazing.
    The berries were delicious. When we got to Indian Beach, there were people all over the beach having a great time playing volleyball, playing in the surf, surfing and just hanging out enjoying the early evening sun and sand.
    It was gorgeous and peaceful and took much longer than we thought. I think we got back to the Jeep aroung 7:30. So, that was the weekend. Now back to Monday.

    7.11.2008

    More tibits for today

    ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
    Tidbit #2:
    I want to hike HERE this weekend. Opal Creek to Cedar Flats. (Image borrowed from the linked website.)We hiked it once before. I loved it, Mister was ambivalent. The problem is that its about a 2 hour drive to get to the trailhead from our house, the first part of the hike is pretty much a gravel road, the trailhead is a dead ended gravel road with no real parking and no shade, the car gets pretty hot by the time its mid-afternoon and you are hot, sticky and dusty from the hike and the first part of the hike is wrought with people of all ages, mostly young teens and early 20's with children in tow wearing flip flops and carrying only soda pops. I abhor seeing people out in the wilderness with children and dogs and no water to drink. What are they thinking? Or maybe they aren't thinking...I digress and my tidbit is getting a bit long-winded.
    Long story short, if I can talk Mister into it, we'll be hiking there tomorrow. YEAH!

    I'm such a sucker... & other tidbits

    << Wordle >>
    I'm a dork.
    I love *cool* internet things.
    Check out the link above.
    ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~

    Tidbit #1: This morning as I drive to work, I have to pass a certain cell phone store location which is launching its new iphone today. There was a line of people down the block at 6:45AM waiting for the store to open. I was amazed and immediately wished I had my camera with me to photograph the oddness. Well, odd to me anyway.

    7.10.2008

    Refreshing Cuke Salad

    Some yummy cucumbers from our now in full swing CSA produce.

    Sliced cukes, rice vinegar, olive oil, s&p, pinch of sweetener. We usually julienne red onion, but didn't have any this time.

    Bon Appetite!

    7.08.2008

    Newly Wedded

    Not maybe the best photos ever. My favorite brother and his new wife. Didn't really take many photos, and I think Mister actually took these. A bit blurry, but I just love the shot anyway. Happily ever after.

    The wedding was beautiful. The bride and groom were blissed out. The guests were supportive and happy. The food was very good. The cake was great. Over all, a wonderful wedding.

    We hung out with my parents which was nice. Talking and walking and just being together. We picked up some honey from the local honey guy. We get it from him because the honey isn't pasteurized or treated in any way. Good for you and yummy! We're hoping to alleviate some allergy symptoms with it.

    Rehearsal and fireworks Friday evening. Mister and I don't have children but most of brother's friends do so had such fun watching all the little ones run around and lite things on fire that smoke and snap and pop. The fire work display over the bay was pretty good too.

    Didn't really see my sister and her family much. It always amazes me how time flies when I am there visiting.

    Saturday was the wedding and then Sunday we drove up the coast and had a nice leisurely day of stopping whenever we wanted to see whatever we wanted. Our normal trip home is a drive straight through not really stopping anywhere, just focused on the prize.

    Overall, a great weekend.

    7.07.2008

    Thoughts on Love and other Ramblings of the Morning

    Its so easy to love pets. I love my Harley like a furry little son. He can't saunter by without me scooping him up and me rubbing my face on his soft, white belly or me scratching his ears or under his chin. Even when he tracks in dirty paw prints or pine tree pods or just starts smelling a bit ripe and needs a bath, he's just loved. Easy. Done. No problem.
    Why then do I have to remind myself that *love* is a verb. Its not a noun. Its not something that I cand find laying around, pick up and use or administer easily the put back on its shelf. Its a verb, an action, something that I pretty much have to initiate and nurse and coddle and plain old remember to do. Its not that I don't love my Mister, I do. * He's a bit dreamy.* When I remember to actively love him. When I remember to think of how much joy he brings to me in one billion ways instead of wishing he'd make the bed more often or focusing on all the dirty glasses and plates and utensils on the kitchen counter. Unfortunately, I get into a rut or just inside my own head and forget that I need to partcipate and instigate and make the love flow.
    This is me reminding myself to LOVE. To let the little things go because in the long run they don't matter much. And, my guess is, Mister has an (albeit short) list of things I do or don't do that make him crazy too.
    Does this make any sense? Does this happen to you? I think I finally am understanding so many things that are unknown to single people around the world. You are so happy with your mate you wish that happiness for everyone. Its not that you think only married people can have this much fun, you just know how much fun you are having, as a general rule, and want that for everyone. I'm also finally understanding how it is that married couples and I can only imagine its exponentially exaggerated when you throw children into the mix, get side tracked. I understand how life and car problems and commutes and bills and house cleaning and yard work and family obligations and stressing about retirement and aging parents and on and on and on... can end in forgetting to love each other. I can understand (I think, maybe, sort of, although not condoning, don't get me wrong) how some people look outside the relationship for the excitement they are missing. It would just be easier, I imagine.
    OY! I've digressed a bit. Next I'll be rambling on about lions at the zoo or something. I'll quit while I'm ahead.
    I hope your 4th's were wonderful. Remember to *LOVE*. Get out there and love someone you've loved a long time and maybe give a little love to someone new too. Love is free and so easy, if only we remember it.
    Ciao!

    7.02.2008

    ...

    Why do I see women of the world as such beauties, not just in a fashion magazine kind of way, although in that way too, but in that earthy and loving and kind and simple beauty way. I see such loveliness and purity everywhere in life, on the street, in my friends, on the blogs and photo journals I stalk. I see women who seem to be radiant no matter what the time of day or the circumstance. They can be dressed up in crazy '70's outfits dancing on YouTube to the BeeGees and somehow they emit a sense of wonder to me. They are pretty if the photo is posed and pretty when they don't even know the camera is pointed at them.
    I don't see any of it in the mirror.
    Is it there and I just can't see it or is it really not there and I am seeing reality. Am I wearing some strange rose colored goggles when I look out into the world that when I turn back to myself morph into reality lenses. Is the beauty really there or is it what I want to see. If I send out more love, will some law of Newton's bring more love and beauty back to my me? Do I need to seek out more beauty and then it will somehow be reflected back out to the world? I don't know the answer but I do know that beauty is out there and I don't have it and I want it. Can it be mine or am I doomed, lost, without hope. All rhetorical questions by the by.
    Right now, all I want to do is eat chocolate. And, if you know me, you know I'm not really a chocolate gal. I prefer non man made sweets like fruits and berries. For example berry pie rather than chocolate pie. Or anything sweetened with molasses. I'm really digressing. Easier to do that though than to stay on track when the track is difficult.
    Its where I am. There are some times when all I feel is overwhelmed by it. I don't really like it much, but that only compounds the issue. Making me want more chocolate.
    ...breathe...

    I wrote this post last night. This morning I read THIS BLOG post at Shutter Sisters, and it seems my question sent out to the universe is, in some small way if not fully, answered.

    Maybe, just maybe I'm not as open as I could/should be. Maybe my soul is tucked way deep down behind a rib or two, hiding there when the camera or the mirror is turned in my direction. I freeze and my soul tip-toes into the shadows, waiting for all the hubub to quiet down so it can creep out into the light again. Or maybe, its always hiding there behind my kidneys, never out on my sleeve where my heart and soul would get the most light and air and be able to breathe best.

    It makes total sense when I read about it. I have this blog, which seriously is read by like 2 people, if I'm lucky, and they aren't people I see or chat with everyday and I have the most difficult time putting my true deep, wounded or hurt or what I deem ugly self here in print because, well, someone might read it and then, well, the cat would be out of the bag and I'd be "less". I don't see other people as 'less' when they are able to bare their souls. I actually admire them just a bit more probably. I've rarely shared my true self with people. Its not necessarily a pretty thing. I'm emotional and can be moody and although I have an innate trust of people, I usually believe that they'll screw me in the end. OY! Is this the definition of a true pessimist. Am I just a pessimist hiding behind the cloak, this thin veneer of optimism.

    So, I opened up, just a smidge, and the universe gave me a glimmer of an answer. Rather immediately too. Maybe I need to remember this, its ok to let my "self" out of its cage a little more.

    Again, me rambling and hoping for some clarity whilst doing it.

    Be true to yourself. Its sort of my motto. But, I don't know that I'm all that good at it.

    Oh, and I could truly eat a ton of chocolate right now. What is up with that!