Category: Chat

My Mom used to make Mac and Cheese pie on special occasions. Mom and Dad were not too fond of  pasta but they knew the kids love it.

I try to duplicate her recipe, but it does not turn out the same. It was as if she had this touch for such a simple dish. I know it is just mac and cheese, but it tasted so different from any other I have ever tried.

I remember seeing her measure out everything just right. Then she would put it all together.

Then bam!

Presto!

It would be so nice and yummy.

She continued to make it when I was an adult. I would sit and eat it thinking about those long summer days playing outside in the playground, then coming home to such a nice snack.

Mac and Cheese pie my Mom’s way, reminds me of those hot, lazy days of summer.

A time when life was so simple.

Yes, I remember my first crush well.

Our eyes meet across the playground. He was the popular kid, and I was, well, I was just me. The fastest kid in grade one track and field with no other claim to fame.

He was tall with an engaging smile. He lifted one hand and ran his fingers through his hair.

I gushed at the gesture. My heart began to pound hard and fast in my chest. I could hardly breathe. He finally noticed me.

Then, as  I stood on the merry go round, he approached and pushed it hard. Around and around I went so fast my head began to spin and my stomach felt like it was about to give up my lunch. I was sick, but I held on for my safety, I needed to look like a cool kid. All the while, I wanted the world to stop turning.

As his face became a blur in the movement, I heard a shout.Our teacher approached and told him off. She stopped the merry go round allowing me to gratefully stagger off. With my head still whirling, I searched for him and spotted him in the edge of the playground with a big smirk on his face.

I sighed, collected myself with as much dignity i could muster, and plotted my revenge.

It came swiftly the next day.

As he ran past me onto the baseball field, I tripped him, making him fly forward face down on the green.

“Oops,” I cried. “Sorry. Did that hurt?

Tears streamed down his face, a face I once thought was so cute. Now, he looked like a little boy crying for his Mommy.  It was my turn to smirk.

We moved later that year, and I never saw him again.

The creep.

I did a European tour after my graduation as a gift from my parents.

It was wonderful.

I loved a lot of places but Italy was great. Next time, I would love to go to the Amalfi coast. It looks so romantic with the clear blue waters, stone structured dwellings, and beautiful coastal views.

I try to be positive in most situations. At first, I may jump to speak, but ninety percent of the times I hang back to wait for the right words or the right moment.

Trying to be positive is hard when things don’t go the right way or the way I think is correct.

When I am confronted with a dire situation, I tend to think it out and pray it out. It helps. At First I may cry.

But smiling and laughing is so much better than crying. Crying only messes up my makeup. It does nothing for my look. 😊

I will be blessed to retire healthy mentally and physically. Hopefully, we will all retire someday. The best thing is to retire well and be happy.

It is best to take care of yourself and enjoy life one day at a time.

Money is always good, too.

You have to eat and pay for rent or some kind of overhead, but if money is fixed, then putting away for the future is essential. Paying off debt is an excellent idea before hanging up the shingles. It is hard to dish out extra money when you don’t have a regular pay cheque to fall back on.

It is best to save your money. Remember, short-term pain means long-term gain.

Walking across the stage at my high school commencement was a great moment. Hearing my name being called and taking that diploma from the presenter was amazing.

Then I did it again when I was presented with yet another diploma after my years at university.

Smiling into the camera as my sister snapped a pic with my parents beside me, remembering at that moment that teacher so long before saying I would not make anything of myself.

I’ve come a long way for a shy child who was bullied because of her color and her name. I hated school because of the people who taught with the exception of a few I can count on one hand and still have two fingers left over.

I know now that a good education takes you places, and by the grace of God, the sky is my limit.

I am indeed blessed. That stage and my diploma in hand were one of my favorite moments.

I do not consider myself an artist, but I love to paint, doodle, and write.

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder well if that is the case, my skills leave much to be desired.

I don’t paint for others but for myself as a way to destress. In my writing, I create characters for the world to see. I love creating a world that has the ups and downs of real life. I like having characters work through their own situations and see them grow by their experiences.

In all things, I get to enjoy my craft. It is a wonderful feeling.

I love the fall. I know some say it is a time when the earth is about to go the sleep. In some countries, not all.

I live in a country where the seasons are marked by the changes in nature.

Fall is beautiful where I live. The leaves on the trees turn color, making a lovely canvas of brightness.

The weather at night gets nippy, the perfect time to start up the fireplace and cuddle up with a good book or with your honey.

I like a good book because I get to put it away whenever I get bored. A honey can be annoying after a while. With a book, I am in control.

Back to fall…

I like the summer, too, with all that heat, perfect welcome after a long, hard winter.

But fall is great because, for some reason it reminds me of change. As the leaves turn colour, they will curl up and eventually fall to the ground. Then the next season begins. One generation passes, making way for the next generation. The cycle of life begins again.

It is a bittersweet time but a pretty time.

Is water a luxury?

You better believe it.

I call it the elixir of life

With all the problems in the world: natural disasters, war invasions and the like, where you have to take shelter in some camp with strangers, you realise that hot running water, a flushing toilet, a nice clean bed and food are all beautiful luxurious things.

Once you lose these things we take for granted, they become precious.

Next time I take a shower, drink, clean water, or snuggle down in my bed, I will remember I am blessed because these are things no human should be without.