She Was In Prison

She lived in a beautiful house with her husband and family. Every day, she kept her house clean and cooked delicious meals. She baked bread and cookies. The smells wafted through her home, making it appear to be a happily lived in sanctuary.

She kissed her children often and told them she loved them. She hugged them and saw them off to school, waving as the bus pulled away from the driveway. Then she went back inside when she was alone and crumpled to the floor. She was in prison.

She felt the pain of the past, the let downs of her life. Her failures, her lost dreams, her wishes that seemed to have washed away with the rains of the seasons. Her nerves were frazzled. Her heart ached. She grasped for the knowledge of how to start over, for the energy to become who she seemed to be on the outside to transform her insides. But the knowledge eluded her. She was forever in prison.

Her children came home and gathered around the dinner table. Her husband sat on the couch and ate. She and her children talked. And laughed. They told her tales about their days. She smiled as she listened to them. She really loved them. Their cheerful voices and their exuberance brought life into her barren soul.

She truly cherished the moments she spent with her family. She went through the motions of each day, but at night's end, as she crawled into bed, she cried. Desperation filled her. Though she lived a life that others wished for, she was in prison.

She was tormented by thoughts of overdosing.  Of slitting her wrists with razors.  She wished for her existence to be over, but she hung on for the love of her children.

Was it fate that kept her alive?  Was it hope in things one day being different?  She wasn't sure. But she didn't want to give up and leave a dark legacy for her children.  So she continued on although she was in prison.

How many people live lives of quiet desperation? Lives filled with depression, PTSD, fear, addiction, physical pain and mental torture? There are many. Too many to count. They feel alone. They feel useless. They feel they can barely make it through another day, let alone another minute.

This blog is for those who are suffering. You are not alone. There are many who feel tortured, some of whom you would never guess.  Keep hanging on and searching for the love to heal. Because it is there.  And you can find it.

You don't have to be in prison.

Brokenness

There is nothing worse than the feeling of a dry, barren soul. A spirit that is broken. Bare and lonely, empty and despised.

When we feel that nothing can help us, that life will never get better, that is when we need refreshing. Many of us feel that we need a vacation, and maybe we do. But a vacation will never permanently rejuvenate us. We feel like a desert; dry and barren. Like a land that needs rain to seep into our pores for weeks on end. But there is no rain.

Nature can refresh. So can loved ones. But the biggest refresher is God. Only He can fill the dry, empty cracks inside of us. We can seek to find relief anywhere else and it will never fully recharge us.

So the question is: where can we find God? The answer: in your heart. He's not in a building. He's not in any specific place. He's everywhere around....in the trees, in the breeze, on the face of the person who smiles at you at the grocery store. He's in the helpfulness of the man who holds the door open for you and in the woman who tells you she loves your hair. He's everywhere. His essence can't be held by any specific thing for He's omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. That's the beauty of God. He's everywhere all the time. He even sings to you through music. He tells you He loves you when you feel the peacefulness of an ocean roaring. He fills your heart as you listen to birds chirping happily in the trees. And when you read His word, the Bible, you find out just who He is and what he stands for.

As in any relationship, you must know Him. Just as you build a relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, you must also build a relationship with Him. The difference is, your relationship with Him will rejuvenate you throughout your entire life. It won't wax or wane unless you allow it to. It is completely up to you as to how well you get to know Him. And then He will fill your brokenness, your dry places like nothing else and no one else can. When you get to a point in life where nothing can satisfy you, that's when you will realize the beauty of God. For He can satisfy anyone. Anytime.

I spent many years broken beyond the point of repair. It was extremely difficult. It was excruciating. I didn't realize He could fill my broken pieces like glue. How I wish I would've understood so much sooner what He had to offer. I would've been able to mend so much more quickly. But, as roses have thorns, we have our problems. And sometimes those problems are necessary in making us change for the better. It's painful. That's why I'm sharing this with you. So you know there is a solution.

Focus on Him. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is the solution. For everything. We just need to trust Him to light the way.  For only He knows how to enlighten our understanding in just the right way to make us take notice.  Only He can fill in the cracks of our desperation and need.  And only He can give us peace to make our despair disappear.  He is the ultimate answer.

God Gives Us Heart Warmers

When I say "heart warmer", I am thinking of those people who God puts in our lives to make us happy, to make us believe in ourselves more and to give us a heart glow like nobody else can.

It's not every day that we receive a heart warmer. Usually it is a rare occurrence. A sibling, a parent, a child, a grandchild. Someone that makes our heart beat with more purpose. Someone that makes us laugh without trying. Someone that brings tears of joy to our eyes without even knowing. Those people are precious....and they are rare.

When you receive a heart warmer, embrace them. They are a gift...a true gift from our loving Father. He knows we need people here whose hugs are monumental and whose kisses are sweeter than chocolate to our souls. Those are the people who God indwells in order to physically meet our needs of love.

I was always told that if we have made at least five good friends in our lifetimes, we have been blessed. And they don't all necessarily stay through the course of our lives. Some are only around for a few years. Some last longer. But those who are heart warmers live inside of us all of the days we fulfill on this earth. They are cherished. They are precious.

Some of my heart warmers were loved ones who passed away.  They changed me in profound ways and still linger with me through each day that I spend here on earth without them. Luckily I have more heart warmers that are with me, living on this earth, their hearts beating in unison with mine. They are my children. And my grandchild. The most precious things God has ever given me.

Some of my heart warmers have only been with me a short while.  But still they live inside of me.  I have experienced authors who have been heart warmers.  Their words have etched marks upon my soul.  I am grateful for them.  I am also grateful for the friends I have met over the years...all heart warmers of one degree or another.  That's the wonderful thing about heart warmers.  They all change us in some way for the better.  We don't even have to know them personally, or for very long.  We only have to internalize their words, their emotion, their caring, their love.

I consider myself fortunate for all the heart warmers I have known. Through the years I have been blessed. And I wish to be a heart warmer for others. Those who feel the words that I write in their souls and spirits; those who can empathize with what I express. I challenge you to take notice of your heart warmers. God, in His wisdom, knows exactly the kind of hugs, kisses and encouragement we need to keep our hearts beating with His love. He loves us. Our heart warmers love us. We love each other. And that's what it's all about at the end of the day. Love. And truly loving. And being grateful....for love.... and for our heart warmers, His gift to us.

We Are Like Snowflakes

We are like snowflakes.  Each of us is unique.  None of us is exactly the same.  Like snowflakes, we can be very similar yet we each still have our own unique properties.

It is so important to cultivate our uniqueness....to be grateful of our differences.  Can you imagine how boring the world would be if we were all the same?  Our differences are a reason for celebration and learning and growth.  Without them, there would be no exploration, no causes to work toward, no understanding to gain.

The thing we must be wary of is the fear of our differences.  That fear has the potential to turn the beauty of our differences to ugliness.  That fear whispers that we are not acceptable unless we are alike.  The fear of unacceptance and misunderstanding is what we need to truly be afraid of because it not only robs us of our individuality, it robs us of our compassion and our destiny in life.

We each have a unique destiny;   a reason why we are here.  If we were all the same, we would not have a destiny, a soul-searching aspect for being alive.  It is freeing to know that we are all unique like the snow the falls softly in the winter.  Each snowflake is different, yet they all fall in peace and unity just outside our windows.  They don't wonder or worry about being different. They just are.

My wish is for us to be more like snowflakes.  At peace.  In unity.  Not comparing ourselves to each other.  Think of the beautiful snowfalls of destiny our combined efforts could accomplish! If we were not divided against ourselves, how much stronger we would be as a whole!  As the saying goes, a whole is greater than the sum of its parts!

Heavenly Salad

It has been a while since I posted a recipe, so tonight I will post my recipe for Heavenly Salad.   You may wonder why I call this salad Heavenly Salad.  It has been deemed to be heavenly because of its wonderful sweet and tangy taste.  It is also a very versatile salad; it can be eaten with a wide variety of main dishes from turkey to beef to seafood.  It is a wonderful side compliment for many different meals.

This salad is composed of three food groups:  vegetable, fruit and protein (nuts).  Therefore it is also very healthy!  What do you need to make this salad?  Here is a list of the ingredients:

• 1 apple, cored and diced into bite sized pieces
• 1/2 c. dried cranberries
• 4 c. mixed greens ( I like spinach, romaine and leaf lettuce)
• 1/2 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Ingredients for sweet and tangy dressing:

• 1/4 c. olive oil
• 1/8 c. rice vinegar
• 1/8 c. balsamic vinegar
• 1 t. sugar
• 1 t. lemon juice

In a bowl, combine chopped apple, dried cranberries, mixed greens and nuts.  In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients and whisk together until mixed well.  Drizzle dressing over salad and toss lightly to coat salad ingredients completely.

This salad is wonderful when served fresh.  It doesn't keep well in the refrigerator overnight because it is tossed in dressing.  Therefore, it is better to only make what you need for your meal at one time so the remainder doesn't go bad.

Just one taste and I know you'll be hooked!  This salad has quickly become one of my all time favorites!  I hope it will become one of yours too!  Bon appetit!

For The Love Of A Cat

She was a cat. She was crafty and cunning, graceful, sublime. She knew her place and it was a place of lofty heights. She took no orders from anyone but the High Priestess of her temple.

There were times when she lay in the warmth of the sun, stretching her legs out before herself. She moved for noone. Unless a fly or bug caught her attention. Then she crept and crouched, her tail lurching forcefully back and forth. She knew what she liked, and she attended to it with great abandon.

There were times when love filled her and she leapt from her lofty height to grace the High Priestess with her presence, rubbing her soft, fluffy fur against the High Priestess' legs. Warm, fuzzy purrs emanated from deep within her belly as she hugged the High Priestess with much admiration. When she loved, she loved fiercely. But ultimately she grew tired of the affection and left to once again to attend to other interests.

During other moments, she became sociable and would follow the High Priestess around as she chatted happily in her native tongue. The High Priestess always seemed to understand although she spoke in another language. They had a communion between themselves, a communication that surpassed their language barrier. When the High Priestess pet her, all was well with the world and she was free once again to explore her terrain.

Through the years, she and the High Priestess shared many wonderful moments together talking, listening to the birds, snuggling and reading books. The days passed quickly and the years quietly passed.

She began to get old and she moved more slowly than before. Her voice became hoarse when she spoke to the High Priestess. But she noticed that the High Priestess was also going through changes. She thought nothing of it. Besides the obvious, things were the same.

The chatting continued, just a bit more slowly. The time spent reading and cuddling increased. It was a season of wonderful communion. The High Priestess seemed to have more time for her now. She spent less time in the lofty heights and more time on the floor in the sunlight, the warmth radiating through her velvety fur as the High Priestess attended to her duties. There was more time for sleep and less time for play.

Until one day when the High Priestess called for her. She was much too tired. She answered quietly but her voice was barely a whisper. She listened as the High Priestess searched through her domain, calling her name. Finally the High Priestess found her and her voice sounded strange. She knelt next to her cat, stroking her fur as teardrops fell to rest in her downy fluff. The cat was so tired that she peacefully purred and listened to the High Priestess' voice float further and further away. As the intense need to sleep overtook her, the cat graced the High Priestess with one final wave of her tail. She meowed a faint goodbye and shut her eyes, feeling the sadness of the High Priestess emanating through her heart;  a feeling she did not enjoy. She knew she would see the High Priestess again. She was only falling asleep.

And she resolved to wait patiently until that time came.  She only hoped that the High Priestess knew they would be reunited;  in a place where they both had the energy and vigor of the days when they had first met.  Then they would talk, play and read books together once again as she waited to jump down from her lofty height to greet her High Priestess anew.

I Love You

I L earned O ver everything that V aluing you improves my E xistence;

Y O U.

-Diamante Lavendar

Interview With A Purple Fairy About Brianna And Yashire

  Interviewer:  Today we will be interviewing a fairy from Yashire, who helped Brianna on her journey.  May I ask you your name?

Fairy:  My name is Purple.

Interviewer:  Just like your color?

Fairy:  Yes.  Our names are our color!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  That's cute!  Would you like to sit for the interview?

Fairy:  No.  I prefer to fly!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  Could you at least hover in front of me?  It's hard for me to concentrate when you're flying all around my head!

Fairy:  Yes!  Hee hee!  Forgive me, sir!

Interviewer:  Very well, then.  Tell me a bit about Brianna.

Fairy:  Well, when she came to Yashire, she was kind of a mess, hee hee!  And she was worried about her journey, too.  But when she met us, we gave her the gift of laughter and then she felt better!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  What do you mean, she was a mess?

Fairy:  Well, she had a lot to learn, hee hee!  I guess you could say she had a lot of problems.  But we helped her by giving her the gift of laughter to make her problems a little better, hee hee!

Interviewer:  What do you mean, 'the gift of laughter'?

Fairy:  We gave her laughter so that she would enjoy, hee hee, her soulmate more!  And focus on her problems less!  After all, humor is, hee hee, very important!

Interviewer:  Yes, I agree that it is indeed.

Fairy:  Oh yes!  Especially when you are on a dangerous journey!  Very important!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  So Brianna's journey is dangerous?

Fairy:  Well, of course it is!  She is rescuing the land of evil!  It really couldn't get any more dangerous!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  Was Brianna worried about her journey?

Fairy:  Oh yes!  Quite worried!  But after she met us, she learned to focus more on happiness!  Hee hee!  To make it a bit easier!

Interviewer:  It sounds to me like you gave her a very important gift, then!  Perhaps it will help her be able to finish her journey successfully!

Fairy:  We certainly hope so!  We are all rooting for her!  We need her to make Yashire better again!  Hee hee!  And for her to do that, hee hee, she must find her soulmate!

Interviewer:  How is she doing as far as finding her soulmate?

Fairy:  She's trying!  She's getting gifts to help her have a good relationship with him!  But she hasn't found him yet!

Interviewer:  Do you anticipate that it will take her a while?

Fairy:  I don't know!  We shall see!  Every step she takes is a step closer to her goal, hee hee!

Interviewer:  Well, I will be waiting to hear how Brianna is doing.  Is there anything you'd like to tell our audience today?

Fairy:  Yes!  Remember to laugh!  Often!  Hee hee!  It will help you to accomplish your goals because you will be able to focus on the positivity of laughter!  Hee hee!

Interviewer:  Great advice!  Thank you, Purple!  Say hi to all the other fairies for me!

Fairy:  I will!  And thank you!  Hee hee!  Everyone needs to know of Brianna's journey!  It may just help them with their own journeys to know what she has been through!

Interviewer:  Thank you again, Purple!  More great advice!  We appreciate everyone tuning in.  We will be checking in with Brianna's progress again soon!  Until then, remember to add a little humor into your day!

Life's Meaning

  I have felt pressure, I have known pain;

The darkening sun, The advancement of rain;

The drops of doubt, The sting of fear;

The awful regrets, The loss of ones dear;

And I have wondered, The reasons why;

The pangs of pain sting, And the woes of hearts cry;

But then I remembered, The awakening within;

The dawning of love, The forgiveness of sin;

And I came to accept, And to understand;

That all of our days, Are held in God's hands;

The good and the bad, The struggles, the strife;

Are all building blocks, A composite of life;

For it is the passions, The pains, the chagrin;

That have made me seek light, To find hope once again!

Seeing The Big In The Small

There are many things that make life worth living. One of those things is seeing the big in the small.

When you look at a tree, do you only see a tree? Or do you see a living being, a life-giving gift? A beautiful creation of colors in various shades and hues?

I am convinced that when you see the big in the small, or the extraordinary in the ordinary, you will experience life in much richer ways.

For example, when you see a cat, what do you see? Something with color that meows? Maybe a bit more...something soft and fluffy? Something that makes cute noises and likes to cuddle? Perhaps a companion? A friend?

The more you see in what is considered normal, the more interest and experience and depth open up. Even for something inanimate. Like a sink. Most of us go to the sink and turn on the water. We don't think much about the process. But if you stop and ponder upon sinks and water and all of the pipes that combine to bring us our much needed resource, our awakening opens. How the water is pumped through all of those pipes and brought to us and then heated for our use...is quite amazing! The technology of it all and the cleanup in the water facilities afterward to enable the water to continue to be used is lengthy and somewhat complicated. It is designed by human ingenuity! The engineers who have come up with the process and educated people as to how to build everything to exact specifications is nothing short of amazing! And we have this resource to use every minute of every day if we wish!

So much of life is this way; seemingly simple but so much more to the story. Some of us have more conveniences and blessings than others. Many times those with less are so very appreciative for the little they have! They are able to see the big in the small.

What a gift for us to be able to cultivate this concept in our lives. To see the big in the small. To appreciate the untold or unnoticed portions of life. The cultivation of this concept makes us richer right where we stand! Without owning anything more! Just to simply behold more understanding of the story around you! Try to begin noticing the big in the small today and watch the amazing ways in which it will broaden your outlook! It will definitely bring more blessings into your life!

Life

From the dust we are made,To the dust we return;

In the days of our lives, Many lessons are learned;

To believe is a key, To take risks is a cost;

To feel true joy and peace, We must understand loss;

Life is indeed a game, That we must play with care;

And its greatest achievement, Is the love that we share.

-Diamante Lavendar

Recipe for Happiness

1 1/2 c. love1 c. prayer 3/4 c. enlightenment 3/4 c. acceptance 1/2 c. peace 1/2 c. wisdom 1/3 c. understanding 1/4 c. faith 1/8 c. discernment 4 T. gratitude 3 T. fortitude 2 T. goodwill to others dash of hope sprinkle with abundant laughter

Mix together. Add some dreams. Toss in positivity. Allow time to process!

Take Time To Know Me

I am here, child;Take time to know Me;

All of creation Exists to behold Me;

My essence is found In the beauty of spring;

I sprinkled the dust On the butterflies’ wings;

I painted the skies With brushstrokes of blue;

I did this for Me And I did this for you;

I made the grass green Under your feet;

I blessed you with children, Their kisses so sweet;

I sprinkled stars In the darkness of night;

So you would not fear, You would still see My light;

I admire your beauty As you mature and grow;

There’s so much I wish for you, Want you to know;

Be still; hear My whisper In the soft, blowing breeze;

“I love you, my precious child; Take time to know Me.”

-Diamante Lavendar

Weeds

I am looking outside at my yard.  It is not manicured to perfection like the other yards in my neighborhood.  Little yellow dots are sprinkled around in my grass.  Dandelions!  (Gasp!)  The dreaded word of the suburban community!

I must admit I never got really bent out of shape over dandelions.  I suspect it's because I have always been side tracked by multi-tasking other things and being consumed by the demands of life in general.  If I have taken the time to cut the grass, I have always reasoned that I'm doing okay.  It may also have just a tiny bit to do with the fact that I'm allergic to dandelions.  When they are in bloom and I go outside, I sneeze and wheeze and my eyes puff up.  (Good reason not to manicure my lawn, is it not?)

Recently, I've been thinking about weeds.  They are so common and they actually have many excellent reasons for being alive.  Of course, that depends on your outlook.  But I choose to remain positive!  Therefore, when I look at a dandelion I see many wonderful things.  For one, I know they make great tea and wine, although I have never made any!  They also make good salads, I hear.  Never tried that either, though.  Dandelions are colorful and quite cute in their own right.  I have decided they are here for a reason.  And prevalent for a reason.

Just as the "weeds" in our lives;  people we don't get along with, irritating situations that occur and annoying botherances that we must deal with day to day, dandelions teach us how to be happy among the weeds.  As significant as their annoyance can be, they, along with the "weeds" of life can be great teachers for us.  We can be eternally irritated or complacently peaceful with the weeds surrounding us-the choice is up to us.  What a wonderful thing it is to learn to be happy among the weeds!  So what if there's a field of dandelions next door?  Things could definitely be much worse.  I admit, if my yard was manicured to perfection, the dandelions would bother me a lot more.  But that would just give me more practice at acceptance and peaceful contemplation!  A changed, more positive, "internal outlook" makes every aspect of life better and brighter!

Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that weeds are quite useful.  (No, that is not an excuse to ignore my lawn!)  They help us to grow by being prevalent in our lives; they teach us patience and stamina!  Maybe that's why they're here in such high concentrations-to point us toward paths of happiness and peace.  Sometimes a little altered perspectives can go a long way!  And all of us could use more time to enjoy the important things in life rather than spending our excess time fighting weeds!

Next time you take a look out the window and have a nagging desire to begin grumbling, think about the positives.  You may just find yourself spraying the dandelions less and enjoying them a bit more!  Who knows?  Anything is possible!

The Colors Of Life

Today is a day to rejoice in the colors of life; a day when I recognize the beauty of the variations of colors in the natural world. So today I will celebrate nature by sharing a recipe for Colorful Cucumber Salad.

This salad is made in a sauce; a type of marinade. Just as I love to soak in the beauty of nature, so this salad soaks in a slightly tangy but sweet sauce. It delights the taste buds just as a beautiful day delights the senses!

In this salad, I add crisp, green cucumbers which remind me of the beauty of trees and leaves. The cucumbers are the base of the salad just as trees and leaves and all things green are the base of nature! Then I add a sampling of purple cabbage and carrots; the colors of sunsets, birds and blooms. I think of the perfect touch these colors add to my natural surroundings  as I mix the ingredients together. The swirling of the blending colors in my bowl reflect the beauty of nature mixing with my perspective, giving me peace and comfort.

Life is colorful.  And expressive.  And profound.  Simple things hold great meaning in the natural world like the gift of life and breath the trees and plants offer us.  And the gift of love and beauty the flowers and birds grace us with.

This recipe is a simple gift of life and love from me to my family. Feel free to give it a try and pass the love offering along!

Colorful Cucumber Salad

• 2 cucumbers, peeled and diced
• 1 T. minced garlic ( you can use more if you like)
• 1/8 c. shredded carrots
• 1/8 c. chopped purple cabbage
• 3 T. rice vinegar
• 2 T. sugar

Mix together. Enjoy!

Who You Are Meant To Be

We all have ideas of who we are meant to be, whether they are ideas from others close to us or ideas built on experiences and interests we hold.  Most of the time it is an accumulation of all of the above.

But if we are what we believe we are, can we reach our highest potential?  What if we believe there is no limit?  We can keep growing and changing until we pass away from this earth!

Over the years I have come to believe that we are each put here for a specific reason.  Every one of us has different talents and abilities, strengths and weaknesses.  We compliment each other through the things we are and do.  I believe we all have a special purpose that we grow into during our lives.  But I believe that in order to find our purpose, we must keep our eyes focused Heavenward and our minds positive.

Everything around us is a sign; a marker showing us the path that we should choose.  Each situation that happens to us is a potential for growth and maturity to lead us on that path.

It is my thought that we are all meant to be happy.  For some, happiness is elusive because they haven't noticed the signs along the way.  My hope for each one of us is that we will keep our minds open and responsive to the signals of life.  What a wonderful world it would be if everyone was content and accomplishing their goals and dreams.  It would be a world where pain slowly dissolves away and is replaced by peace and goodwill for all.

Take the time to enjoy the things around you; your family, your friends, the place that you live and the beautiful things that you find there.  Everything is a stepping stone to a new beginning.  And each of us has our own unique destination and contribution to offer!

Better Days Will Come

This blog is being written as a tribute to a family member that just suddenly passed away.   He was the victim of a deadly addiction that ended up taking his life.  It is hard to accept the death of a loved one, especially when it seems premature.  The questions of why run through our minds.  But when it comes down to fate, our days are numbered.  Life is fleeting.  We must enjoy it as much as possible while we are here.

We all have days of sadness and unrest. Days that we wish would never happen. Days of a death in the family or a sudden accident. Unfortunately, these days will come whether we want them to or not. It is just the way of the world.

Fortunately, these days don't last forever. Sometimes their effects do and it takes us months or even years to work through the lasting impressions they have on us.

It is important to remember that it will pass. Sadness and suffering won't continue without end. Sometimes it's hard to remember this when we are in the midst of turmoil and agony. But every cloud does eventually have a silver lining.

We must attempt to keep a positive attitude as much as possible during these excruciating moments. For most times these moments shape us into better people if we allow them to.

Life doesn't always make sense but if we keep the proper perspective, we will come out victorious.  Joy always comes like a sunrise on the horizon and hope always resurfaces to anchor our souls.

Interview With Brianna (Part One)

 

Interviewer:  We are joining Brianna, from Yashire, for a brief interview.  Tell us a little about yourself, Brianna.

Brianna:  Well, I'm a teenage girl who just found herself in Yashire. I'm travelling here with some friends.  Abiba and Angelos are with me.

Interviewer:  For those who aren't familiar with your story, could you elaborate a bit?

Brianna:  Well, Yashire is a land that I'm travelling through.  I'm travelling with a bird named Abiba and a tiger named Angelos. Unfortunately, I have amnesia and I can't remember where I was before this.  That is one reason why I am travelling in Yashire.  I am hoping that when I complete my journey here, I will remember who I was before and where I came from.

Interviewer:  So you have no idea where you were before, who you lived with or anything?

Brianna:  No.

Interviewer:  What exactly are you doing in Yashire?

Brianna:  Well, I woke up here.  I was near Libban's castle.  Libban is the keeper of Yashire.  After I was here for a night, I found out that I was the chosen one who was supposed to rid evil from Yashire.  I don't know why I was chosen, but I guess I was.

Interviewer:  How are you expected to rid evil from Yashire?

Brianna:  I am supposed to find my soulmate.  Somehow that will rid evil from the land.

Interviewer:  Do you have any idea who your soulmate is?

Brianna:  No idea.  At all.  I am travelling through Yashire and receiving virtues in order to have a lasting relationship with him.

Interviewer:  And how are the travels coming along?

Brianna:  Okay, I guess.  I've had some pretty scary moments and some pretty awesome moments.  A lot has happened.

Interviewer:  Tell me about some of those moments.  What was the scariest moment you encountered?

Brianna:  Hmmm.  I think the moment I slayed the serpent was probably the scariest moment so far.

Interviewer:  Wow!  You slayed a serpent?

Brianna:  Yes.  I got training on how to use a dagger and several other weapons.  One of Libban's helpers trained me.  It gets quite dangerous in Yashire at times.

Interviewer:  Fascinating!  And what was one of your happiest moments?

Brianna:  I think the moment I first heard Angelos sing.  His voice has a way of melting into your heart and making you feel peaceful and happy beyond words.  Every time he sings, it affects me like that.

Interviewer:  What do you mean, Angelos sings?

Brianna:  Angelos sings the purest sounds of love.  Zolan-that's the evil wizard in the land-can't stand the sound of his singing.  Neither can Zolan's workers.  Angelos saves me every time with his beautiful voice!

Interviewer:  Describe Angelos' voice to me.

Brianna:  It sounds like a choir of thousands of angels.  It's awesome. It gives me goosebumps.  Every time I hear him sing, it's like I'm hearing him for the first time.

Interviewer:  Wow!  Angelos sounds awesome!  I'd like to hear him sing sometime!

Brianna:  Yes, it is a sound you'd never forget.  He is amazing!

Interviewer:  Does Angelos talk too?

Brianna:  No.  He only sings.

Interviewer:  So you aren't able to have a conversation with Angelos. He sings instead of talking?

Brianna:  Yes, but he is very expressive.  He gets his point across without even having to say anything!

Interviewer:  So Angelos is like a singing bodyguard!  Imagine that!

Brianna:  Yes, he is!  I know I'm safe with Angelos at my side!

Interviewer:  How does Abiba help you on your journey?

Brianna:  Abiba knows Yashire very well and he helps me navigate my way through it.  Plus he has a lot of friends that help us out.

Interviewer:  Have you encountered a lot of evil so far?

Brianna:  Yes, I've had my fair share of it.  As I get deeper into Yashire and receive more virtues, it seems that the evil gets more intense.

Interviewer:  Have you met Zolan in person?

Brianna:  I haven't actually talked to him.  But I've encountered his evil workers like the serpent that attacked me and the shadow people that hunted me.

Interviewer:  Whew!  Sounds scary!  Serpents and shadow people?

Brianna:  Yes, they are fearsome.  The serpent was huge but I slayed it!  I'm quite proud of myself for that one!  The shadow people are fearsome too, but I did get away from them with Angelos' help.  They don't enjoy being stabbed!  When they outnumbered me, Angelos sang and scared them away!

Interviewer:  Well, thank you, Brianna!  It has been a fascinating interview!  I understand that soon you'll be embarking on the next segment of your journey.  We'll keep in touch.  I can't wait to hear what you have to say the next time we meet!

Stay tuned for part two of Brianna's interview!

Make Some Time To Have A Crazy Night

Make some time in your schedule to have a crazy night. Crazy nights are good every once in a while; nights when convention is thrown out the window and responsible fun is the focus! These are nights that make you feel like you're truly living. When the boredom of life threatens to strike, go out at midnight to get ice cream and then sit in a park listening to owls and nighttime wildlife. Or wake your kids up late and take them with you to swim in the rain in the summer. Make some crazy nights happen where there is no routine, where the world does not revolve around the human time schedule.

You can make crazy days, too. When you wake up, make a spontaneous decision to go on a road trip. Or to go take nature pictures. Or go to a park or a favorite spot. When you break out of the routine, that's when great memories happen.

Many of those nights I go out with my kids to get a smoothie. Then we stop at a park together and talk, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the moonlit trees, water and scenery. There are usually other people out too, enjoying life at that late time. Some ride their bikes or skateboard through the areas with street lights and others walk their dogs. Some laugh and goof around and others enjoy a moment of peace in the moonlight.

Many times we have spotted beautiful wildlife at night. Coyotes, foxes and deer are some that we have had the pleasure of watching. It is very surreal to see animals roaming about their natural habitat free from fear of man. It brings to mind a mystical perspective of what goes on when the sun sets. It is freeing and inspiring.

I have many fond memories of my crazy nights with family and friends. Those are the times that I remember most: the unconventional moments, the surprises, the fun.

Crazy nights will set you free and give you a renewed mindset. Make some happen for you and your loved ones! You will create cherished memories that will last a lifetime!

Today Is A Day For Chocolate Pie

I am craving a chocolate pie.  I love chocolate pie. First of all, I am a chocoholic. But I prefer the taste of chocolate mixed with other flavors, like strawberries or bananas or even a touch of vanilla in one form or another. Usually when I make chocolate pie, I put it in a graham cracker crust and top it with whipped cream and grated semi sweet chocolate crumbles. The combination of the different flavors is amazing.

Today, I shall compare my life to a chocolate pie.   At the moment, I am the chocolate; content, creamy and smooth.  My family is the topping, adding a sweet compliment to my life. My friends are the crumbles on top, a welcome surprise to my taste buds as I rejoice in how they add to the overall experience.  My beliefs are the graham cracker crust holding everything together.  When I prepare the pie and place it on the table for my beloved family, my heart has been poured into its preparation.  My pie is my offering.

Cooking is a metaphor of life;  when we cook we prepare, plan, offer and receive.  We make our food special for loved ones and guests.  We commemorate our time with each other by gathering together to enjoy creations made with love out of our favorite ingredients.

I love the tastes and varieties of life. And I love to experiment with new ways to make chocolate pie. Maybe a new experience will be strawberries on top. Or perhaps a new realization will be like nuts ground into the graham cracker crust to give it a tastier foundation. Then according to my mood, I adjust my pie.  It may taste quite different from day to day, but that's the beauty of cooking and living!

What is one of your favorite recipes? A dessert, a hot dish, a salad? Maybe your prefer something simpler like a delicious piece of your favorite candy? Whatever the flavor of your favorite recipe, it describes you and gives a bit of insight into who you are.  Do you prefer a complicated, detailed recipe or something easy and tasty?  It may vary from day to day, even moment to moment.  Thank goodness the tastes and combinations are endless!  We can share and adapt according to who we meet,  where we go and what our prevailing mood is at the moment! The abounding variety of recipes makes life itself into a bountiful buffet!

Share your recipes with loved ones and friends, perhaps even new acquaintances! You may just inspire someone to try something new!

Simply Delicious Chocolate Pie:

• 1 graham cracker crust
• 1 1/2-2 cups milk ( you can use vanilla flavored soy or almond milk as a substitute if you wish)
• 1 box of instant chocolate pudding
• 1 small container of whipped topping
• semi sweet chocolate squares, grated

Combine milk and pudding.  Prepare according to directions.  Pour prepared pudding into graham cracker crust. Chill 30 minutes until pudding sets firmly.  Top with whipped topping. Grate semi sweet chocolate squares over the top.  If you are in an imaginative life perspective at the moment of cooking, decorate with fruit or nuts or candies!  Enjoy!