A Grain of Salt

I’m fascinated with the study of why people do what they do. 

In my attempt to understand more I’ve run across something called heuristics. Heuristics are the short-cuts that we use in decision making that we are oftentimes unaware that we are doing so. 

One of the heuristics is something called the Familiarity Heuristic. This is where we lean toward the known over the unknown thinking that it is safer or more reliable. 

Recently I learned about a new type of salt. For over sixty years I’ve been using Morton’s salt with iodine to salt my food. I remember my mother cautioning me that without iodine I might end up with a goiter. 

I have been religiously checking my salt for iodine ever since then. However, after taking an on-line nutrition course I learned that basically white salt has been over processed and stripped of all its minerals. 

There was a time when the overuse of salt was strictly prohibited because it was thought to raise blood pressure. I remember once in my mid-twenties as I sprinkled a basket of chips at a Mexican restaurant with salt, thinking that once I hit thirty I would start watching my salt intake. That never happened. 

What I have since learned is that the right kind of salt actually has health benefits. Of course the overly processed traditional salt is not the kind that would provide those benefits. 

I purchased some pink Redmond Real Salt from Utah, and haven’t looked back. It is chock full of minerals, and flavor and is pretty darn amazing. I do add one drop of liquid iodine to my drink at lunch to make sure I don’t end up with that forewarned goiter. 

What I found interesting, though, about this familiarity heuristic was that in my mind because I had always used white salt with iodine it must be the better choice.  

Even though, this might not actually be true. 

This concept of finding comfort in the familiar can be misleading, though. Perhaps being aware of this bias might help when confronted with a decision in the future. 

“The known is not necessarily better than the unknown.”

Michael Frank

A Heart of Gold

The youngest, but not for long, grandson, really does have a heart of gold. 

The other day he and his Mom were grocery shopping, while his older brother accompanied Dad to work. Now usually she does car pick-up, but because of the snow storm there were no more open slots, so she ventured out with one in tow. 

She told him if he was good she would buy him a Hot Wheels car. Now if you know this little guy, he’s definitely a “racey” car aficionado, so this sounded like a “great idea” as he likes to say. 

When the time came to pick out the car he wanted to get one for his brother as well. Mom explained that since brother wasn’t at the store he hadn’t really earned a car for good behavior. 

He responded with, “Okay I’ll share my car with Bubby.”

Mom couldn’t resist after such a sweet statement, and decided to go ahead and let him pick out a car for his brother. 

The other day the two boys had gotten into a brotherly tussle and I was asking the older one to apologize to his brother. Before he could even get the words out his younger brother had enveloped him in a big hug and was reassuring HIM that everything was okay. 

It melted my heart to see how this younger one was so quick to forgive, and thinks so often about his brother’s welfare. That is if he isn’t pushing a button or two when he can!

(Of course while I’m writing this he’s quite unhappy with me because I made him put on a jacket. Oh the joys of being three!)

Meet Bucker

Bucker is a lamb who had the misfortune of being the twin rejected by his mother. He was born several weeks ago at my daughter‘s place. 

When this happens the lamb has to be bottle fed several times a day. My oldest grandson who appears to be the “animal namer” of the family, named him Bucker, and immediately became quite attached to him. 

My daughter FaceTimed me several times showing the lamb in my grandson’s arms. Once they were sitting on the swing together, and that lamb showed no sign of wanting to get free.

This week I got to see Bucker in person, and was enchanted watching him run full speed ahead, like a little dog, when my grandson called him. If I didn’t know better I’d say he knows his name. 

I watched my grandson lovingly pet him, and reassures him that everything was okay. Later that day his Mom handed him the bottle, and he expertly fed that little baby. 

The entire time the little lamb’s tail was wagging ninety to nothing. It was the cutest thing to witness. 

Although, it breaks my city girl heart that a mama ewe would reject her baby, I know little Bucker is in good hands and is loved. 

Reassurance

“Everything is going to work,” isn’t true. It can’t be.”

Seth Godin 

For me this lesson was learned over forty years ago the day my mother passed away. 

Up until that day nothing had occurred in my young life that didn’t square with everything’s going to work out. 

Even though I did not gave a boyfriend at the I knew one day I would be married. Even though, I was only able to procure a part-time teaching position I knew that the next year I would probably be working full time. 

Even though I still had acne I figured few sixty year olds did. 

You see in my naïveté I assumed everything in my life would eventually work out. 

Losing my mother at the age of twenty-two brought home the sad reality that not everything works out. 

Today when I hear of someone diagnosed with cancer, I know in my heart of hearts it might not work out. When someone struggles with infertility I know they may never have a child. When someone is still unmarried at the age of forty, the chances are they probably aren’t going to get married. 

As much as we may want something that doesn’t make it so. 

I’ve learned to make the best of situations knowing that our future is never guaranteed. 

Peculiar

What do you think of when you hear the word peculiar? Especially when in regard to a person?  Do you think being peculiar is a good or bad thing?

The word peculiar is an adjective whose meaning according to Miriam Webster is:

“Characteristic of only one person, group, or thing: distinctive, special, particular

Different from the usual or normal

Odd, curious

Eccentric, unusual 

According to Seth Godin in his book The Practice, “Of course, each of us is peculiar in our own way.” It is “an opportunity to bring our own experience and our own point of view” to the world. 

“We’ve been trained for a long time to hide that unique voice or to pretend peculiar.

it’s not there, because systems around us push us to conform.”

Seth Godin

Why would we be pushed to conform? There is safety in numbers. Someone who refuses to conform may be considered a threat. So many of our actions are hardwired into us. Think caveman here. 

I can’t help but be reminded that Jesus cautions us not to hide our light under a bushel. Each of us is made “peculiar” and should share our light with the world. 

Stop trying to hide what makes you 

Doing the Work

“Better to set aside judging yourself until you’ve committed to the practice and done the work.”

I just read an interesting account by Seth Godin, author of The Practice, related to a fly fishing experience he had. 

When approached by the guide he asked for a fly without a hook. He knew ahead of time that he had no real desire to actually catch a fish, even if he was going to release it back into the wild after the fact. 

So while those novice fly fisherman around him repeatedly came up empty and disappointed after each cast, he spent his day enjoying the beautiful day, and working on the rhythm of his cast. 

Now to some this might have seemed pointless, but I actually found it to be brilliant. By setting aside judgement of not catching a fish on each attempt, he was able to work on the craft of casting. 

Sometimes we are so focused and judgmental that we completely lose sight of the process, which will inevitably take time to get to a level of proficiency. In doing so we may give up too easily and quickly. 

“Doing the work,” as Godin says requires practice, patience and perseverance. He spent an enjoyable day practicing his cast, and not disappointed by his lack of bounty.

 Maybe we could learn a lesson regarding our new endeavors, and how rushing to the outcomes denies us the benefits of the experience. 

Polar Vortex

Well Texas has been experiencing extreme temperatures since the weekend. Sadly it has resulted in rolling blackouts which have in reality resulted in many homes being completely without power for days on end. 

We were braced for the blackouts this Saturday when we realized that we never lost power. As the weekend continued and the week began we learned that we may have been one of the few neighborhoods in Euless still to have electricity. 

We found out that the electricity was being kept on for essential businesses. Since we live only about five minutes from DFW airport, a major transportation hub in the US, we were fortunate to be included in their grid. 

Because of this we have not had to deal with a lack of heat. 

Early Tuesday morning we realized, though, that we no longer had hot water. Chuck attempted to warm up our tankless water heater outside, but to no avail. 

Luckily our cold water is safe to drink, unlike my sister’s water supply in Keller. On Wednesday I got a new respect for the ease of a shower and hot water. I attempted my own version of Little House on the Prairie by boiling water to add to my tub. 

Let’s just say I never actually accomplished my goal of a hot bath. Rather I sat in a tepid pool of water and quickly washed off. I was able to wash my hair ( which was in dire need) and will know from now on to keep a bottle of dry shampoo around for emergency use. 

What has been more of an inconvenience for us has actually ended in death for some Texas residents. A former colleague of mine has spent close to 60 hours alone and freezing, as her power has not come on at all. 

Another friend posted yesterday that her home was flooded, and she was having trouble getting anyone out to help due to the inclement weather. 

Even the governor has called for an investigation as to why our power grid failed so miserably. What I do know is that some of the “luxuries” that we have today are actually necessities since we have no other way to stay safe. 

We are very grateful, through no fault of our own, that we have been spared what many are going through. 

Blessings

Well there are some blessing in our family with the announcement of a third grandchild to be born this summer. 

The boys were betting on a sister, but God had other plans, and another brother will be added to to mix. 

The oldest grandson confided to a friend that they would be “Getting a baby come this spring.” Kind of like a new baby calf or lamb. 

Gotta love a country boy or boys as seems to be the case!

The Fiction Conundrum

I’m a reader. I’ve loved to read ever since about third grade when I read The Hundred Dresses. I remember walking home from school that day with my nose buried deep in that book. 

My true love affair with books began around fourth grade when I was introduced to Nancy Drew. I couldn’t get enough, and so badly wanted to be her. I really attribute a lot of my independent nature to Nancy, and I never once thought that any boy was better than I. 

Over the years I have gone through stages in what I’ve enjoyed reading, but sadly in the last several years I find myself reading less and less fiction. Unless it’s for Book Club, and even then it’s sometimes like pulling teeth, I bypass the fiction section of the library. 

I’ve become obsessed with information, and can’t seem to be interested in anything but nonfiction. 

As I’ve reflected on the fiction that I have read recently I do find that I am drawn more toward historical fiction. Knowing something really happened seems to give it more value as far as my time goes. 

What I have noticed about current fiction, though, is that the story is often written from the perspective of more than one person or time period. The author flips from person to person or time to time, and I’ve found that I don’t care for this. 

Just give me a linear story with a few characters and I’m fine. I’m sure editors are encouraging authors to write a certain type of book that sells these days. 

The other problem for me is that I’ve read so many books in my life that I’m easily bored by a predictable, dare I say formulaic story. There was a time when I was content to just play along as if I had no idea what was going to happen next, but not so much anymore. 

The other problem is my attention span, which with the invention of the i pad is about as long as a gnats. I’m so used to jumping from one thing to the next, unless a fiction story completely grabs me I just can’t stick with it. 

I figure if I’m going to be spending my time doing something it ought to be something somewhat worthwhile. However, this saddens me to some degree because reading has always something I’ve LOVED to do. 

Hanging out at libraries, and spending my time in bookstores are still some of my most favorite things to do. 

If you’ve read any good fiction lately or in the past, I’m definitely open to some new suggestions. Also, what are your thoughts about audio books, and do they really count when it comes to “reading” books?

Processes

“Lost in this obsession with outcomes is the truth that outcomes are the results of process. Good processes repeated over time, lead to good outcomes more often than lazy processes do.” 

Seth Godin

I’ve been struggling for a while with this whole weight maintenance thing. You see for me losing weight is a hundred times easier than keeping it off. 

When I make the decision to lose weight I‘m laser focused and NEVER cheat. I am able to do this for around three to five months depending on how long it takes me to lose the weight. 

Sadly as I’ve gotten older it seems to take forever for the weight to come off. Patience and perseverance are what is needed in this phase. 

However, once I’ve crossed the finish line now the hard work of forever comes into play. You would think that my eating habits would have changed with my rigorous weight loss routine, and they have to some degree. 

However, except for those diabolical ones that refuse to leave. Please don’t ask me about that bag of Nacho flavored Doritos that may or may not have made their way into our home on Super Bowl Sunday. Heck, Chuck and I didn’t even watch the Super Bowl, but we took it as an opportunity to partake in some pretty junky food that day. 

While reading Seth Godwin’s new book, The Practice, I found the above quote to be quite true. When I overly focus on just the scale then I lose sight of the process, and the control I have over that. 

Over time as I become lazy in the process I find myself making poorer and poorer choices. When I repeatedly stick to the good processes I know to work I have much better success, and feel so much better. 

After attending my WW meeting on Zoom due to the inclement weather I returned to the good process of walking for thirty minutes up and down our hall. I began this last March when our 15 Days to Slow the Spread ( little did we know) began. 

I enjoy walking and listening to podcasts as I make my way up and down my hallway, so this is actually a win win for me. 

Earlier that morning as Chuck and I ate a delicious, and filling  breakfast I made the comment that the process of eating a substantial, yet healthy breakfast set me on the right track for the day. 

I know how easy it is to become lazy, and make excuses for not doing what I know works. If I’ll repeatedly stick to the good processes then my outcomes will have a greater chance of being successful.

I’m feeling motivated again, especially knowing that my health is nothing to take for granted. Maybe Godin’s words can be of encouragement for you as well. 

Journey

Journey- traveling from one place to another

If I were to ask you to accompany me on a journey what would be your reaction? You would probably ask some questions like where we were going and how long would we be gone?

When you consider the term journey do you think of it as an adventure or as a burden?

Traveling across a desert toward perceived freedom could be considered both. Taking a trip around the world for many would be an adventure of a lifetime. 

Sometimes we refer to our life as a journey. Do we see it as an adventure or a burden. Maybe depending on the season we can see it as either or both. 

When you have entered your sixth decade of life, and are getting ready to sign up for Medicare you realize that you are on the back half of the journey. You really don’t have any time to waste, so if you are smart you’ll start looking at your journey through the eyes of adventure. 

I came across the following while reading The Practice by Seth Godin,

  “Focusing solely on outcomes forces us to make choices that are banal (unoriginal and dull), short-term, or selfish. It takes our focus away from the journey and encourages us to give up too early.” 

I was particularly struck by the word banal, which I had to look up. Unoriginal and dull was not a way that I wanted to live my journey. 

Focusing on the wrong things takes away from the journey, and as Godin says can impede our next step because we give up too soon. 

What does Lao Tzu say, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

It’s not to late to take that step. 

Read the Bible in a Year

Many years ago I purchased a special Bible that was designed to be read in a year. Each day I would read from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. 

To be honest the Old Testament was challenging for me, and for the first time I understood how those struggling readers must feel when they did not comprehend what they read. 

Having a formal structure to my Bible reading, though, made it easier for me to keep up daily with the readings, and sure enough in a year I had read through the entire Bible. It was a good feeling. 

Last year Chuck and I used a Bible app that actually read the Bible to us each day. Again it was exciting at the end of the year to know that we had accomplished our goal of reading the entire Bible. 

This year Chuck wanted to try reading a chronological Bible, and I decided to return to my One Year Bible plan that I had used years before. 

What I find amazing about reading the Bible is that every time I do I always find something new and relevant. Using some type of reading plan can help you stay on track if you are interested. 

If you’ve ever considered reading the Bible from start to finish, the beauty of the one year plan is that it can begin at anytime. 

Here is the app we used last year if you want to get started. 

Days Gone By

Well apparently the oldest grandson loves to watch The Andy Griffith Show. This morning while watching it with both of them I reflected on the message of this show. First there is a clear delineation between good guys and bad guys. 

The youngest, at three, is constantly reaffirming who is the good guy and who is the bad guy. 

This is something we don’t always see so clearly these days. Secondly, there is always a lesson to be learned by Opie. 

Today Opie unintentionally knocked a mother bird out of her nest, and killed her with his new slingshot. 

Clearly upset by his actions Opie sits at the dinner table ashamed to let his Dad know what he has done. Andy is aware of the situation after finding the dead bird on his way into the house. He also notices that the mother bird left a nest of hungry babies behind. 

Opie apologizes to his father for his actions, but Andy points out that just saying you are sorry doesn’t always make things right. Opie then takes on the responsibility of feeding the baby birds. 

His next lesson comes when it’s time to let the babies go. This is a hard moment for Opie because he has grown quite fond of the babies. Andy always has a way of leading Opie to the best solution. We all could take a lesson from his style of parenting. 

I thought about how glad I was to be raised on these types of shows. Remember The Munsters where everyone tries to make Marilyn feel better about being so unattractive.

It was refreshing to watch it again, and I was glad my grandsons were exposed to what we used to call “wholesome” tv. 

Something New

I tried something new for dinner last week, and it was quite tasty. What intrigued me about the recipe was the combination of wild rice, roasted veggies, raw veggies and pepitas. 

Now to be honest there were a few ingredients I left out, and I did fudge a little bit with the dressing, but it was still quite yummy. Next time I make it I will use wild rice, and not a blend I couldn’t find the real deal at my Walmart so I substituted the rice blend instead.

In the photo above are the basic ingredients: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, snow peas, green onions, mandarin oranges, roasted pepitas, and wild rice.

I cut up the broccoli and cauliflower, drizzled it with olive oil, added salt and pepper, and roasted it for around 30 minutes at 425 degrees.

I grated the carrots (watch your fingers) cut the snow peas in half, and only used the tops of the onions ( the recipe actually calls for chives), and sectioned the mandarins. (See photo below)

After cooking the rice I let it cool down for just a minute or two, added the raw veggies and fruit, then added the roasted veggies and topped it off with pepitas.

I used a simple WW dressing (broth, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and S & P) but next time I’m going to make sure to have the dressing ingredients on hand. I’ve included the recipe below if you are interested.

I served this with a different protein so don’t feel that you have to use his recipe for chicken if you don’t want to. Chuck gave it a two thumbs up, and I liked it as well. I’ll definitely be making it again.

https://www.flavcity.com/superfood-meal-prep/?fbclid=IwAR2KOOLs_MI8ww9oQnxK6uUxMLxejP2nzpXHQ75jTwHKJIH9m-eN2rk8Q0w

Your Voice

“You can choose to find your voice or you can continue to ignore it.”

Seth Godin

I think what Godin means here is that sometimes our true voice can be overshadowed by fear.

It’s just easier not to speak out. It’s safer not to take a chance of being rejected. 

In his book “The Practice” Godin talks a lot about art and the artist. An artist expresses himself. 

Without a voice expression is meaningless. 

If your soul has been talking to you lately, have you been ignoring it?

Find your voice. 

Cookbooks

I bought two new cookbooks at WW (Weight Watchers) yesterday. They were half price, and I couldn’t resist. 

One has a lot of plant-based recipes, and the other is all about lunch. Although, I do eat meat I really do love most plant-based recipes I’ve tried. With spring just around the corner (okay I know six more weeks) I’m ready for some new meal ideas. 

Although, I pretty much eat the same thing each day for lunch I thought I might try out some of the lunch recipes on Friday nights. I like to keep things simple on Friday for dinner. 

I’ve got a pretty extensive collection of cookbooks, and am not always good about referring to them when I sit down on Monday mornings to plan my meals. I’m excited that at our house on our property my kitchen will include a built in bookshelf just for cookbooks. 

I’m challenging myself to try one new recipe a week. So far I’m doing pretty well, and look forward to trying some of the recipes I got yesterday. 

Do you enjoy perusing through cookbooks, and are you good about trying out new recipes?

Watering the Garden

Yesterday while we were waiting for Brittany to return home from work the boys decided they would water their Mom’s flower garden. 

I had been sitting in the driveway watching them ride their bike when they moved on to the front porch. As I looked over I noticed the youngest carefully carrying an orange kid sized construction cone full of water over to one of the plants. 

It was actually quite clever because like a funnel it produced a steady stream of water. Meanwhile, his older brother had moved on to a five gallon bucket. Back and forth the boys worked for about ten minutes diligently watering each plant. 

Before long it became apparent that they were becoming quite wet. At one point the oldest had removed his shoes, and rolled up his jeans. 

I couldn’t help but laugh when the youngest one would holler at his Bubby when he couldn’t turn off the faucet. The older one would head over, turn it off, and send his brother on his merry way. 

When I went over to check it out a little more closely, since my view had been obstructed by the world’s largest Rosemary plant, there was water and dirt everywhere. 

Now if it had been me years ago I would have been all about keeping everything neat and tidy. What these two boys have taught me, and what my daughter knows naturally, is that water dries, and dirt can be swept up. 

But little boys will only be little for so long. They were having so much fun, and playing so well together that I didn’t have the heart to stop them.

 

When we went inside they changed into dry clothes and I placed their wet clothes in the laundry room to dry. Pretty simple fix if I do say so myself.