THE GIFT WHICH I AM SENDING YOU…

 

“The gift which I am sending you is called a dog and is, in fact, the most precious and valuable possession of mankind.”

~Theodorus Gaza~

“Theodorus Gaza (c 1398 - c 1475) was born in an illustrious family in Thessaloniki, Macedonia. He was a Greek humanist and translator of Aristotle, one of the Greek scholars who were the leaders of the revival of learning in the 15th century (the Palaeologan Renaissance). At the time of his birth Thessaloniki was under Turkish rule (it was restored to Byzantine rule in 1403). On the final capture of his native city by the Turks in 1430, he escaped to Italy. In December 1440 he was in Pavia, where he became acquainted with Lacopa da San Cassiano, who introduced him to his master, Vittorino da Feltre. During a three year residence in Mantua where Vittorino held the celebrated humanistic school “La Giocosa”, he rapidly acquired a competent knowledge of Latin under his teaching, supporting himself meanwhile by giving lessons in Greek, and by copying manuscripts of the ancient classics.” 

I am always fascinated to learn of people I never knew existed. One short quote I found and liked enough to share on here, always gives me a stepping stone, one after the other, to not only fascinating people, but also to a fascinating time in history.  History was always a favorite subject of mine at school. You can learn more about him if you like, by clicking on his name below the quote.  

 

ONE MUST ASK…

“One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.”

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe~

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - JULIUS CAESAR?

 

There are new guests at the birdfeeder this week. Camera Lady has no idea where this is going to go right now.

Side story: Caesar Salad is often believed to have been created by Julius Caesar, but it was another Caesar in the 1920s that came up with it. His name was Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad. 

According to his daughter, Rose Cardini, the restaurant was overrun with American customers. Short on ingredients in the kitchen, her father assembled what was left: lettuce stalks, olive oil, raw egg, croutons, parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce. Originally intended as finger food, the original Caesar salad recipe called for whole lettuce leaves, which were to be dipped in the dressing and then eaten with the fingers. It was a hit! Cardini's salad became so popular that it was soon being served in restaurants all over the world. Today it is one of the most popular salads in America.

And that's how it goes on a Saturday morning at the bird feeder, where Camera Lady never really knows what kind of groaner she is going to write about until it's written.

Thanks for groaning along with me my friends,

and have a great weekend.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - HERE IS THE STORY OF MY PET RAT

I had a 24-hour pet rat when I was about eight years’ old, a vivid memory to this day, given to me by a little boy I knew in the neighborhood. When he showed me I immediately fell in love with that sweet little thing. I toddled off home carrying it in a small cage, very excited to tell mother about my new pet, that it was a gift and then proudly, I didn't have to spend any of my pocket money (all three-pence of it). Mum took a good long look, smiled and said something like, how nice dear.

The next day, on my return home from school, my new pet was nowhere to be seen. Mum, looking serious as she sat me down, explained with great sympathy, that it missed its mummy badly, and its mummy missed her child. They were very sad and she felt they should be reunited immediately. Then she said to me, I would miss you and you would miss me, right? Sadly, I agreed and I went out in the back garden to seek comfort from my pet rabbits. 

Mum was used to me bringing things home. Worms were really interesting, and frogs. I drew a line with spiders after playing in a long, narrow gully on open land a month before. At great speed, I ran through thousands of tiny hatchlings on thousands of tiny webs floating on the air at face level. My friends ran off screaming in all directions. Mum heard me screaming from the next street over and spent a long time clearing them off my face and out of my hair. Why mother's go gray, I think I've heard that somewhere before. Mum was a good egg. She didn’t grow up with animals but when she married Dad, they came with the territory. We already had a dog, Skipper, a cat, Binky, a budgerigar, Kim, and lots of rabbits named after Dad’s western shows. There was Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Maverick, Rowdy and Miss Kitty to name a few. 

As for my newly departed pet, I found out several years later from my sister, that Mum marched up to my friend's home, and gave the little rat-child back to its mother, my friend’s mother that is. She apparently was not happy to get it back.

I wrote this story for our son, and I am very sorry I didn’t buy you a pet rat. We did, however, have Bridgette who was our sweet dog-fur-baby, and Big Al, (I don’t know where son got that name from). Big Al was a turtle rechristened Big Alice by son when she laid an egg. I called her Popsy on the quiet. 

And coincidentally a mouse fell into a bucket in the garage found by son. With great pride he announced he had a pet. A few hours later on his return from school, I told him that his mummy missed it too. (I released it into the hills behind our house and asked it nicely not to come back.) Son was around the same age as I was when I had my 24-hour pet rat. He also was not very happy mouse-ling went home, but he understood. That's when we went to the pet store and bought Big Al/Big Alice/Popsy. Bridgette arrived a couple of years later. They were with us for many years and will never be forgotten. They brought us a lot of joy, many smiles, and even more tales I'll tell one day.

 And that's the end of the story of my 24-hour pet rat. 

 

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - DOGS, CATS, FLOWERS AND QUOTES

 

"Dogs own space and cats own time."

~Nicola Griffith~

"If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow. But the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much."

~Mark Twain~

"What's one thing that we have in our lives that we can depend on? A dog or a cat loving us unconditionally, every day, very faithfully."

~Jon Katz~

"You cannot share your life with a dog or a cat, and not know perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings."

~Jane Goodall~

"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to."

~Alfred A. Montapert~

"Dogs love us unconditionally and cats are big on redemption. Our sins and shortcomings don't bother them as long as we delight in their presence."

~Sarah Ban Breathnach~

MONDAY MORNING RECIPE POST - CUCUMBER AND LEMON INFUSED WATER

No recipe for this one, or a proper photo, but very simple to do. With these summer temperatures, we wanted a change from just plain water. I remembered being given a glass some time ago, and decided to make it this week. There has been a double batch in a large pitcher sitting in the fridge ready and waiting. I replenish the water if needed but will not keep for more than 24 hours as it can get a bit too strong. A good idea would be to make it first thing in the morning and finish it by end of day. You may have your own versions. It certainly is a very refreshing drink, if you like this taste combination.  Also great to sip on a hot, humid day. I am adding it on here to remind me how much we both enjoyed it.

Cucumber and Lemon Infused Water - serves 8

8 cups (2 quarts) water (you can use tap water but I don’t like how ours tastes so I usually fill up my measuring jug with water from the refrigerator filtered water dispenser, and pour it into the pitcher. You might have great tasting tap water.)

1 large thinly sliced hot house cucumber, the kind without seeds. You may see them as English Cucumbers. (These were the only kind we could get when growing up, and as is often the case when you have anything as a child, we often prefer them to anything else. You don’t have to deseed them and they seem milder in taste to me. Three of the smaller regular cucumbers could be used probably, the type with seeds. We reached our own taste combination after a couple of tries.)

2 to 3 large lemons, thinly sliced

2-3 sprigs fresh mint for garnish (optional)

Extra slices of cucumber and lemon for garnish  (optional)

Wash and dry the cucumber and lemon. Thinly slice them and add to a large pitcher.

Fill the pitcher with water and refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.  

Making and serving right away works too, but it won't have as much time to infuse.

To serve, pour the cucumber and lemon water over a glass of crushed ice. (I am not one for a lot of ice and water only is enough for me, especially if that water has been well refrigerated.) Garnish with some of the lemon and cucumber slices from the pitcher or add fresh to the top.

As you drink the water, you can top up the pitcher with more water. Add extra cucumber and lemon if you think it is needed.You will know when it is time to make a fresh batch. As I said in the beginning, it is very refreshing but I found the flavor too strong the next day. It is much better to put together first thing in the morning and drink it all before going to bed.

Not that the following were the reasons why I made this, but I have read several articles online that I found encouraging.

Here are 7 benefits. 

1. It alkalizes the body. Lemons and cucumbers are alkaline forming foods that will help the body function at its optimal level.

2. It is packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants and silica, good for cleansing toxins from the body.  Silica is supposedly nature’s anti-aging secret.

3. The silica in cucumber is a mineral necessary to keep connective tissues healthy. Add a few slices to your workout water bottle.

4. Vitamin C and antioxidants can double as an immune system booster. 

5. Aids in digestion. Citrus flavonoids stimulate and purify the liver. An entire cucumber averages about 45 calories and a lemon only 17, so a few slices to your water is not going to add many calories.

6. May help you drink more water. We like things that taste good. Better tasting water just may prompt us to drink more.

7. Lemon-Cucumber water first thing in the morning gives a nice boost. All thanks to the Vitamin C, potassium and phytonutrients.

There is all kind of information on line when you put what are the benefits of Cucumber-Lemon Infused Water in your search engine. I don’t necessarily believe everything I read, so I go to several places in my search and compare information.

And, when it is anything to do with our health, the first advice we should get is from our own physician.

I am also including this link from the Mayo Clinic.  The article is about the benefits of drinking water, and if you scroll down the page, there is a list of various food combinations I will enjoy trying at some point.

(For non-French speakers, 'Tchin-tchin' means 'Cheers' in English)

A SHORT CHILDREN'S STORY FROM DENISE

Grandfather came to visit today, a dear and kind man with a sweet smile. After an hour her Daddy left them in the garden so that they could get to know each other a little more. Grandfather lived very far away, and she had been a baby when he visited last. They sat on a blanket placed on the grass and shared a pot of tea and shortbread. 

Grandfather was curious about her garden friends Rabbit and Hedgehog. He wanted to know how long had she been able to understand them? She told him since she was a little girl. He chuckled and said that must have been a very long time ago. “I have known them forever” she said. 

Grandfather told her how much she reminded him of her Grandmother, Daddy’s Mother. She had the same smile, and the color of her hair and eyes were similar, that she had also understood her animals when she was a child. 

He asked if Rabbit and Hedgehog had names, and she told him no, they hadn’t chosen ones for themselves yet, and were content to be called Rabbit and Hedgehog. They listened to everything she had to say and she listened to them. She knew one day they would leave, but for now the three of them kept each other company, and they had wonderful conversations. “They are my family as Daddy is, and as you are Grandfather."

Her Daddy had given Darling Little Girl several rabbits for pets during her life, from the time she was a baby. She had learned how to take care of them and keep them safe. However, she didn’t like to keep them locked up. 

Daddy had built them homes and lined them with the softest hay. These homes were like mini mansions, small to us but not to them.  They were very comfortable and didn’t let in the cold during the winter, even on the coldest day. He always made sure they were snug and cozy. One morning, however, she decided it was time to open their doors and set them free. She didn’t just consider them as pets, they were her family, and you don’t lock your family up in cages she told her Grandfather. He agreed with her wholeheartedly.  

Her rabbits didn’t all leave, Rabbit stayed. After a day of exploration, he said to himself, "Okay, that's enough." He returned to the garden, jumped up on her lap and had been with her ever since. Hedgehog arrived soon after. Each day at teatime you will find them in this spot chatting away and telling each other the day’s happenings.

Grandfather asked Darling Little Girl what she thought if he were to move here, to live with her and Daddy. She did not hesitate, gave him a big hug and told him he had made her heart very happy. His smile matched her own. Between them they could have lit up the sun. Rabbit and Hedgehog could see their joy and they were happy also.

Sensing what they were about to tell her, Darling Little Girl turned to her furry family and they told her it was time. She was not sad she told them, as she knew other little girls and boys needed them as much as she had. She was happy that they would be taking care of those who needed them the most.

They did not say goodbye. Rabbit and Hedgehog knew that one day they would be back for tea and shortbread, to listen to the stories of another Darling Little Girl. She would look very much like her Grandmother, with the same smile, and similar color of hair and eyes. She would also be able to understand them as her Grandmother had, and her Grandmother before her.

As Grandfather and Darling Little Girl went into the house to be with Daddy, they closed the door behind them and laughter was heard. Rabbit looked at Hedgehog, and Hedgehog looked at Rabbit. They smiled and were content. It was time to hop through the gate, knowing that one day after having many adventures with other darling children, they would return.

The End, or perhaps The Beginning?

Thanks so much for reading my whimsical tale, and

I hope your day is a great one.

CLIMBING

 

High up in the apple 

Tree climbing I go,

With the sky above me, the

Earth below.

Each branch is the step of a 

Wonderful stair

Which leads to the town I see 

Shining up there.

Climbing, climbing, higher

And higher,

The branches blow and I see a

Spire,

The gleam of a turret, the

Glint of a dome,

All sparkling and bright, like

White Sea foam.

On and on, from bough to bough,

The leaves are thick, but I

Push my way through;

Before, I have always had to 

Stop,

But today I am sure I shall

Reach the top.

Today to the end of the marvelous stair,

Where those glittering 

Pinnacles flash in the air!

Climbing, climbing, higher I go,

With the sky close above me,

The earth below.

Climbing 

By

Amy Lowell (1874 - 1925)

Amy Lawrence Lowell (February 9, 1874 – May 12, 1925) born in Boston, Massachusetts, was an American poet of the imagist school, which promoted a return to classical values. She posthumously won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1926.

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYONE - LESSONS OF LIFE FROM A 90-YEAR-OLD

 Whether we agree with all or not, they are definitely food for thought.  If you have an opinion about any of these, feel free to share.

With thanks to Carole from My Carolina Home, I can now tell you the author of these Life's Lessons is Regina Brett of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland Ohio.  Thanks so much Carole!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22.  No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

23.  Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

24. Always choose life.

25. Forgive but don’t forget.

26. What other people think of you is none of your business.

27. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

29. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

30. Believe in miracles.

31. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

32. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

33. Your children get only one childhood.

34. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

35. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

36. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

37. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

38. The best is yet to come...

39. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

40. Yield.

41. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

THE GREAT SECRET…

The great secret that all older people share is that you really haven’t changed in seventy or eighty years. Your body changes, but you don’t change at all. And that, of course, causes great confusion.

     ~Doris Lessing, 1992~

Doris May Lessing CH OMG (née Tayler; 22 October 1919 – 17 November 2013) was a British novelist. She was born to British parents in Iran, where she lived until 1925. Her family then moved to Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), where she remained until moving in 1949 to London, England. Lessing was awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize in Literature. In awarding the prize, the Swedish Academy described her as "that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has subjected a divided civilisation to scrutiny". Lessing was the oldest person ever to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, at age 87. In 2001 Lessing was awarded the David Cohen Prize for a lifetime's achievement in British literature. In 2008 The Times ranked her fifth on a list of "The 50 greatest British writers since 1945"

You can read more about her life here, which is where I read the information above.