Food Stamps and Farmers’ Markets

Posted on September 18, 2011 by a moment with god — 1 Comment

Inside our local Whole Foods

Good Morning, God!

Yesterday, after a trip to the Farmers’ Market I stopped at Whole Foods. They had lots of local produce — which was great. But, the prices were significantly higher.

I can’t imagine anyone who uses food stamps — or SNAP debit cards, the new version — shopping at Whole Foods. But, can they shop at the local Farmers’ Markets?

I had never given this a thought until I read the article, A Double Win for Fresh Food, in the current issue of YES magazine. It seems the state of Michigan has a program called Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) It’s funded by the non-profit Fair Food Network, and it allows SNAP card users, shopping at a Farmers’ Market, to get up to $20 back in tokens. One token for each dollar spent. The tokens can be used only at a Farmers’ Market and only to buy local Michigan produce.

It’s a double win, God! The families get more nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables and the farmers get more customers. It’s the UP side of my DOWN side question, “Why is it that people are allowed to buy soft drinks with food stamps?”

While reading the rules, God, I learned of a strange one: SNAP cards can’t be used for alcohol or tobacco (good), but neither can they be used for vitamins or soap. HUH? They can’t buy soap?

I’m feeling small, God. I was judging what I considered to be poor choices made by folks on food stamps. But, judging isn’t helping. How much better to create a program that makes good nutrition a good economic choice. I wonder, God, could OUR STATE do what Michigan is doing?

Tagged with: Double Up Food Bucks, good nutrition, helping local farmers and the poor, using SNAP cards at Farmers' Markets
Posted in choices, Farmers' Markets, food questions, Understanding

Full Moon: A Constant in the Flow of Changes

Posted on September 17, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Full Moon in a Lavender Sky

Good Morning, God!

It has come to me that the regularity of the Moon may well be one of the reasons I love it. It cycles so predictably! I can check my calendar. Plan in advance. Count on it.

So many other elements of my life — really my world — seem more changeable than I would like. Just last Sunday a friend was confessing ruefully that while he says he loves change — and honestly thinks he loves change — he is resisting switching from his old computer program (Word) to another (Pages).

Oh, God! I so understand! I remember when I bought iLife ’11 and was so upset — yes, angry even — when it turned out all the things I knew how to do in iPhoto had been “hidden!” Aargh! On one, perhaps two occasions, I might even have raised my voice against the lovely staff at Apple Care.

Sigh. As I told folks at the retirement residence at which I worked until recently, “We are all victims of involuntary upgrades!” Bad enough our memories are not “water tight,” without having programs we know and love morph on us.

Changes far exceed involuntary upgrades, God! Entire mindsets get turned upside down — backgrounds become foregrounds and visa versa. Take the article in the March 2011 Discover magazine The Ecosystem Inside. (Click the title to hear it.) It turns out taking antibiotics is like setting off an internal “bomb,” hoping more bad guys die than good guys. We have 20 times more microbes (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.) inside us than we have cells! Like 200 trillion! And lots of our troubles come because we have damaged the Good Guys to the point they can’t protect us from the Bad Guys. Good bacteria? Shoot, God, it’s hard to keep up!

Tagged with: Full Moon, involuntary upgrades, the accelerating flow of change
Posted in accepting my ability to REDESIGN, accepting my need for help, adjusting, being a beginner, Changing, complexity, Humility or Needing Help!, Rethinking

Too Many Cattle Egrets?

Posted on September 16, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Too many Cattle Egrets

Good Morning, God!

I remember the first time I saw cattle egrets. It was back in the 1980s and I saw two or three of them in the watercress patch below the Pearlridge Shopping Center. I thought they were beautiful.

I still think they are beautiful, God. But, they are multiplying! And I am beginning to suspect there are too many egrets. I can usually count 20 to 30 in the park across the way. I took this photo as I was poised to come out of our driveway — because there were nine egrets together on the fence across the street. Usually they are spread out — each in his or her own territory.

I was curious if anyone else thought there might be too many egrets and found an article about them in the current issue of the Hawaii Audubon Society journal, ‘Elepaio. These birds didn’t come to the United States until 1941 (to Florida) and now they are in almost every state and in every continent except Antarctica.

Hawaii brought in cattle egrets on purpose — to reduce the number of flies, which were damaging cattle hides. In 1959 the Hawaii Board of Agriculture & Forestry began the introductions, in cooperation with ranchers, the Honolulu Zoo and the bird club Hui Manu. They brought in 150 birds — followed by 32 more. Hmmm. Now how many are there?

I guess, God, I wouldn’t mind their number if I weren’t concerned about our golden plovers. Egrets don’t just eat insects. They also eat small birds and the eggs of larger birds. Cattle egrets are not good neighbors, God. I guess they, like most of us, don’t think about that.

Tagged with: a moment with God, cattle egrets in Honolulu, too many cattle egrets
Posted in complexity, interspecies contact, web of life

Djokovic: The Gluten-Free Poster Boy!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Novak Djokovic -- World's Top Tennis Player

Good Morning, God!

Our daughter, Suzanne, loves tennis and as Kit played on Punahou’s tennis team — she likes to “talk tennis” with him during major tournaments like the U.S. Open.

That’s how it happened that I actually watched Novak Djokovic playing and winning last week. Still, I wasn’t a “fan.” His repeated bouncing of the ball before serving irritated me.

However, all that was “erased” after I read an article that Suz sent me about him in the Wall Street Journal. It was about how Novak discovered he was allergic to gluten — and since last year has sworn off pasta, pizza, beer, bread, pretzels, empanadas — anything with gluten in it. Now he’s burning up the Courts! Physically stronger and mentally more focused. That last part sounded really good!

I knew about gluten and Celiac disease, God. But I had never thought of just being allergic or sensitive to gluten. I know we crave what we are allergic to. Maybe that’s why eating bread makes me want to eat EVERY THING? For years — off and on — I’ve been on a no grain diet. But, I clearly need help with motivation. Djokovic’s mental fitness has provided extra motivation.

But, I was still left with the problem of HOW to CHANGE. Imagine my delight just yesterday when my friend, The Blonde Vegetarian showed me a prototype of her new cookbook called The Freedom Cookbook. The recipes are gluten free, soy free, dairy free and EVEN have FISH and FLOCKS recipes! Great news to this “Meat Eater!” And she let me buy that copy!

So, now I have both a Poster Boy — AND a book full of easy recipes and great tips. Thank YOU, God!

Posted in Changing, food questions, freedom, healing, health

Reflections on Retirement

Posted on September 14, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Koko Head reflected in the window of the Blu Water Grill

Good Morning, God!

Decompression (from my second retirement) is happening rather slowly — but it IS happening. My week seems a bit more free. My time is more my own. And, I have more time to share with others — yesterday celebrating (a bit early) a dear friend’s birthday!

What’s my view from this slower lane? Mostly wonderment that I didn’t move over sooner. Smile. Yes, God! I am a slow learner. Hmmm. And in some areas, a non-learner.

I need help, God, in not putting stuff into the spaces and places left open by retirement. Actually, an Event here or there hardly counts. What tired me at “work” was the ongoing nature of diverse responsibilities. What was “tiring” was never really ever being “done.” And having far more that needed doing than I had time or energy for.

Now, even as I say that, God, I realize that I was only aware of the “weight” after it was gone. Humph! If I had been AWARE I would indeed have retired earlier. Our ability to ADAPT — our ability to get used to things — is, mostly a great gift. But, sometimes it means that we just don’t pay attention to ourselves. We Fail to Notice — especially we fail to notice situations that change gradually.

Please, God, we don’t have dials to check so please help us get far enough away from our daily lives to “see” our “reflection” — see and act. Thank YOU!

Tagged with: a moment with God, reflections, slow decompressing in retirement
Posted in a series of molts and upgrades, living within limits, rest, seeing, setting my life in context

Understanding Mom’s Cat — Hearing What Is Not Said

Posted on September 13, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Queen Katrina, my mother's cat

Good Morning, God!

I have finally discovered that Queen Katrina, Mom’s Cat, loves to be scratched sort of roughly. I grew up with cats that loved to be petted gently — not handled “roughly,” so it took me a while to figure it out.

My first clue was when a person visiting my mom used her feet to pet Katrina. FEET? I was amazed. But, after that I tried it myself and the cat definitely liked it.

So I have taken to really scruffing her fur up and she keeps coming back for more.

This is a great relief to me because for so long I had no idea what it was that Queen Katrina wanted when she would come and sit and LOOK at me. Now I have know at least one thing she wants.

Still, I have the feeling that The Queen has “other issues,” and I do wish that I could understand her better.

Understanding — standing with — creatures and people is so important! And, I tell You, God, some people are as hard to “hear” as my Mom’s cat. Still, I am hoping that “trying” counts. And I’d love Your Help!

Tagged with: cats, communication, hearing, Hearing what is not said, understanding
Posted in Communication, Hearing, interspecies contact, small mysteries, so much to learn

Moon Rise on 9/11 — Anniversaries and Remembering

Posted on September 12, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

9/11/11 Full Moon Rising over Koko Crater

Good Morning, God!

Last night the moon was full and we went with friends from out of towm to The Shack on Koko Marina. It has long been one of my favorite views. And, somehow, the almost Black and White quality of this photo seems appropriate for the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.

America got through the day all right, God. Thank You! I realize now that I was sort of “holding my breath” coming up to that date and then all through the day. I managed to hold the Fear down to a background rumble. But, it was there.

Traumas have a reverberating effect, God. And it seems that our very cells remember the Date. Some Inner Part of us keeps track of the days and the years — keeps track of Anniversaries. I don’t think I have read about this, God. I have just slowly observed it in my own life — over time.

Actually, I just stopped and DID read a little about Chronobiology and found a whole book about it called Chronobiology: Biological Timekeeping. I did note that these scientists tend to think of biorhythms as a pseudo science. It is all very interesting, God.

And the thought comes to me — reluctantly — that perhaps “civilizations and cultures” have a Time Cycle, too. MANY TIME CYCLES! But, back to small things, God! I have been sitting here watching, out of the corner of my eye, a video of “the light-emiting firefly enzyme luciferase.” It is amazing to see them all pulse together.

It makes me think of how women who are housed together for any period of time do synchronize their biological periods. Now I am wondering about Nations. Sometimes, God, I feel altogether TOO curious . . . . I am off to go walking.

Tagged with: anniversaries, cellular memory, Full Moon and 9/11, grief, remembering, traumas
Posted in time, Transitions

A Window into Our Valley and Our Thoughts

Posted on September 11, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Looking out the window of 24 Hour Fitness and up our valley

Good Morning, God!

I do love seeing familiar things from new perspectives. Amazingly, I was at 24 Hour Fitness the other day — yes, exercising — when I looked out the window and saw Our Valley.

The angles were such that I got lots of reflections and just half the valley. But, no matter, I think it looks “arty.” I’ve been into Art recently, God. Enjoying the simple creativity of design. I’ve done four “displays” in the last few weeks. Hmmm. It isn’t really that simple as Too Many Words get in the way of the message. The images should speak — with words as supporting pontoons.

What is it that Jesus said? “Do not babble on like the pagans who think they will be heard by their many words.” Well, it isn’t just “pagans” who go on for too long. I remember getting a three page letter from the President of a major university. I was astounded that no one had explained to him that One Page is the limit.

And speaking of communication, God, years ago I realized that People “HEAR” what we THINK. That may not be strictly true — but it is true enough. I think our unconscious does it by taking in micro-fast facial expressions, body language and tone of voice. Anyway, realizing that people “know” what I am thinking is a major motivator in cleaning up my thoughts.

We don’t need a lot of words. And You don’t need a lot of words, God. I was going to say that our words to You should be truthful (about ourselves) and trusting concerning Your Nature. But then, You look into our Hearts, and You don’t need any words at all.

Tagged with: different perspectives, Hearing what is not said, reflections and reflecting, the limitations of words
Posted in Communication, Hearing, living within limits, seeing

Work Hardened — in Metal and Men

Posted on September 10, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

Kit under a tree at Sandy Beach

Good Morning, God!

You caught me by surprise, yesterday. I had no idea I You were going to point out my “Gollum” potential. Sigh.

But now, God, back to “my” topic about the jewelry class. The instructor explained that when we hammer or bend metal it becomes “Work Hardened.” The molecules form crystals and become rigid — very hard to bend.

As soon as I heard the phrase, “Work Hardened” I thought, Oh, yes! So many of us have become “work hardened.” Hard to bend and not so flexible. But, metal doesn’t have to stay in that rigid crystalline structure. It can be annealed! “Annealing [heating] is used to induce ductility, soften material, relieve internal stresses . . .”

In the Jewelry class we used blow torches to heat the copper wire and return it to a softer more flexible state. In class, I started to twist my wire and it didn’t budge. I had forgotten the annealing step! A minute under the blow torch and the wire twisted easily!

Now, what about US, God? Blow torches won’t work! How are we to be delivered from our crystalline structure? I’ve been pondering this. My first thought was that anything that heats us up — causes sweating — might help relieve internal stress. Running, brisk walking, even saunas?

On another level, there is also the Warmth of the Heart, God. Love has the power to “anneal” us — soften us, relax inner rigidities. For me, those 10 day silent retreats in Snowmass really helped to “soften” me. My Wednesday Prayer Group also helps me experience Your Love. YOUR LOVE is the best “annealing” agent of all. Please, God, help us open to Your Healing Love!

Tagged with: crystalline structures and rigidity, God's healing Love, the annealing of the Heart, work-hardened
Posted in accepting my need for help, Hearts, LOVE, Work

A Hand-Made Ring and the Unexpected Gollum in me

Posted on September 9, 2011 by a moment with god — Leave a comment

A copper ring -- made in my first day in jewelry class

Good Morning, God!

I loved my first jewelry class, God! LOVED IT! The instructor is super and this ring is his design. We all made one. Well, actually, I made two. That’s because I messed up following directions and I hammered both ends of my first copper wire.

It was important to start over as each step introduced us to a skill. At the end of the class, I had 15 minutes left over. So I took the wire with the “mistake” and quickly made a second ring.

The first ring was lovingly polished. I thought it was perfect. I really did! Alas,God, Gollum, from The Lord of the Rings has sprung to mind. I am afraid, God, I would not qualify as Frodo, the Ring Bearer.

This was not The Ring of Power. This was just made from a copper wire! But it had power over me. The power of the Created over the Creator. Hmmm. You are the Creator. We are the Created. Perhaps that might help explain Your Love for us?

Well, God, I guess the good news is that the “enchantment” didn’t last. I took this photo of My Ring and in looking at the photo I noticed on the bottom right spiral of the ring a ROUGH SPOT! My hand went to my perfect ring — ARUGH! The rough spot was really there. I could feel it!

A plain old nail file and nail buffer got out the rough spot and brought it back to almost perfect. But, now that I have recovered, I realize that I prefer the irregularities — the hammer marks — on the ring that I made in such a hurry I didn’t have time to polish it perfectly. I hope, God, that You feel that way about our irregularities.