Earth, Teach Me

Copyright 2011 by R.O. Robbins

 

“Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.

Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.

Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone. 

            Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.

Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.

Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.”  – Ute Prayer

Need a Break from Holiday Preparation?

Thought you might enjoy a little break from all that holiday cooking.  Sit back and enjoy!  Or get up and dance if you’d like.

Thought for Today

English: Online Learning
English: Online Learning (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Learn everything you can, anytime you can, from anyone you can – there will always come a time when you will be grateful you did.”  — Sarah Caldwell

Help with Thanksgiving Cooking Questions

English: Photo showing some of the aspects of ...
English: Photo showing some of the aspects of a traditional US Thanksgiving day dinner. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Not sure how long to thaw the turkey? Can’t tell if a turkey is gluten free? Have a pumpkin or cranberry question? Need to know how long you can let the Thanksgiving feast safely sit out on the table?

We’ve all had those questions. But don’t worry, there is help. The following are hotline numbers with people waiting to answer your questions.

Butterball Turkey Talkline 800/288-8372 or talkline@butterball.com Available November 1st.

Libby Consumer Hotline 800/854-0374 Available year round for your pumpkin questions.

Ocean Spray Consumer Affairs 800/662-3263 Answers to your cranberry questions available year round.

USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 888/674-6854 or mphotline.fsis@usda.gov Answers to food safety questions.

Thought for Today

Above's non-profit fundraiser poster titled &q...
Above’s non-profit fundraiser poster titled “HOMELESS, NOT HOPELESS” where Above worked with the homeless population in Portland, Oregon. Above sold out every print and donated 100% of all the profits to a homeless shelter in Portland, U.S.A. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of thanksgiving.” 

~W.T. Purkiser

Celebrate Homemade Bread Day!

Sourdough bread.
Sourdough bread. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I love to cook.  But what I love most are the stories of cooking in the family kitchen, eating at the family table, and sharing food with friends and strangers.

Bob says the smell of fresh baked bread makes a house a home.  When his mother made bread it was served with hot cocoa to dip chunks of fresh bread in.

My mom made the best hot rolls.  We always knew fresh rolls would be at the table for holidays and other family celebrations.

Now when I make bread it is gluten free.  I have a couple of recipes that are quite tasty but not as much fun to make.  You don’t get to punch and push around gluten free dough like you do wheat dough, but that’s another story.

Do you have a favorite bread story?  Did your mom or grandma make bread?  Do you?  Tell us about it.

Grattitude Journal

What one good thing has happened to you today?  Did you say thank you?

Angels Above
Taken at the Grotto of the Redemption in Iowa
Copyright 2008 by R.O. Robbins

 

Thought for Today

Concrete Slab in Bloom
Copyright 2010 by R.A. Robbins

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” ~Epictetus

Thought for Today

Poor Man, Rich Town
Poor Man, Rich Town (Photo credit: xcode)

 

“He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich–both come to poverty.”  Proverbs 22:16

Give of Yourself

English: NORFOLK (Feb. 19, 2009) Sailors sort ...
English: NORFOLK (Feb. 19, 2009) Sailors sort through food items checking expiration dates while volunteering at The Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia. The volunteer project was part of a two-day training conference at Naval Station Norfolk to promote the Navy’s Community Service Program. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Maddelin Angebrand/Released) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do your holiday celebrations include giving back to your community? Think about ways your family could share their blessings with others. Perhaps you could volunteer to help serve the meal at the homeless shelter, make tray favors for a local nursing home, or help pack the food boxes for the needy at your local church or community center. Remember, your volunteer efforts are needed and appreciated throughout the year, not just at the holidays.