Slice of Life

Once in a blue moon, something brand new comes along and makes a real difference in our everyday lives. Think about the invention of the automobile or Marconi's invention of the wireless. Where would we be today without Edison's electric light or Bell's simple telephone? In the Dark Ages, perhaps, but certainly not in this current age of instant mass communication and effortless travel.
Well, just recently, I was gifted with such a life changer. I now own a Pineapple Corer/Cutter. It wasn't an expensive item, and apparently several versions of this nifty little thing are available for sale, both in store and on the web. But, I had never seen one, or knew that such a thing existed. I just bought into the idea that, although I love to eat fresh pineapple, I rarely purchased one, because they are so darned difficult to prepare. Way too much trouble, for the result.
Well, this little item, cores and slices the entire pineapple, in just one process. All you need to do is cut off the leafy end and stick the Cutter/Corer in the cut end, and twist. Voila! Perfectly sliced pineapple and a separate core are at your fingertips! No more "eyes" to dig out. No more uneven slices. Beautiful!
So there you go. I'm a happy camper.
No, my slicer/corer won't alter this world, in a huge way, but it has changed mine for the better.

Dear Lord. Help us to celebrate the little things in life.

Yesterday, it was bitter cold. The morning temps were in the early twenties. Tomorrow, it is supposed to reach the mid 60's. Typical February weather for Mid-America. I don't really think so, but we have to deal with it.
Daily weather is a good analogy for life. We know that we will have cold weather in February, but occasionally, we have an unusually warm day...and that surprises us. Our lives go along at the usual pace and then POW....we get hit with a big whoop surprise.
Sometimes, the surprises are personal. They can come in the form of a sudden illness or because some of us are older, a fall. Have you watched a child fall lately? They fall. They bounce right up. As we get older, we can't do that.
Remember how you used to laugh at that old commercial..."I've fallen, and I can't get up! Well, suddenly, it's not funny, anymore. It's us! Falls are a great big deal.
Falls change lives.
Please, be careful out there, folks. Watch your step, whether it's sunny or icy. Walk carefully and deliberately. Stay upright!

Dear Lord. Watch over us. Help us to remember that life is a gift to us.Your grace is a blessing.

Take it off....take it all off!

I'm writing about pounds, of course. Since we are now in the second month of the year, and most of us have already broken our January promises to loose a few pounds, we might as well think about giving up a few things for Lent. Sort of a second shot at doing something good for our bodies. It sounds like a good plan, to me.
Lots of the youngsters at work (Staff, not residents..the residents are all elderly, like me) are following a diet that allows them to eat only fat and protein. They are not allowed to eat sugars or carbohydrates. I've chosen not to follow this regimen (not that they asked me to join them). I just can't see that my slightly elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol numbers are going to improve with stuff like deep-fried pork rinds.
The other diet, that is currently enjoying popularity is very simple. It is "not eating anything after seven p.m." I like this one, although I don't think it is going to help me much. I hardly ever eat anything after seven p.m., anyway!
Another one is the "Cut out French Fries and Soda Diet." My friend is doing that and has lost 9 pounds in two weeks. That's amazing, but the trouble is.....I not a regular soda drinker (maybe once a month) and fries don't agree with me. Fried food give me a tummy ache.
What's a girl to do?
I will cheer on the dieters and I will not offer to share any chocolate that comes my way, on February 14th.

Dear Lord. Help us to respect our bodies and our souls. You have given us many great things and we are thankful for our blessings.