tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50034051823591795512024-03-13T23:58:27.862-07:00The Curious HousewifeCuriosity. This blog is a home for my questions (and sometimes answers) on such topics as nutrition, fitness, general health and well being, spirituality and anything else I may be wondering about.Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-2319178298462828262021-08-06T12:42:00.001-07:002021-11-06T07:56:35.250-07:00That Way Madness Lies...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaAiYI5R_i3oFwqUjb6N8COspNU_2frBPTdE89rBTvrvBLBE4jdzquC8EuyXCWAqYrjqg3_IZZ5NRPBs3MXBNtCp_Qzy9n2qPsVcqby3wWLmRdcv_9AjefzTGr7nI_AWzYxIUGhoXpuw/s1974/IMG_7943+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1321" data-original-width="1974" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaAiYI5R_i3oFwqUjb6N8COspNU_2frBPTdE89rBTvrvBLBE4jdzquC8EuyXCWAqYrjqg3_IZZ5NRPBs3MXBNtCp_Qzy9n2qPsVcqby3wWLmRdcv_9AjefzTGr7nI_AWzYxIUGhoXpuw/w512-h299/IMG_7943+%25281%2529.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This looks like an artistic display doesn't it? Well, except for the outlet on the right. I haven't written a post in awhile and one of the reasons has to do with the above photo. To say that I have been preoccupied with all things bathroom related would be a real understatement. If you are squeamish about this sort of thing (poop talk), well, too bad. The post is really about my experience with OTC (over the counter) drugs and not entirely about poop.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just to give a little background, I was newly diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) earlier this year. (For those not familiar, IBS is a <u><i>disruptive</i></u> condition, causing diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. It makes it nearly impossible to be regular in your toilet habits in any meaningful way. The condition is chronic and takes a real emotional and physical toll.) My problems have been ongoing, however, and came to a head about two years ago. (Although in retrospect, I have likely had problems like this for much of my adult life.) Things came to a complete standstill in the bathroom, so to speak, and I was quite desperate for relief. I did what any normal person would do (after consulting not my physician but Dr. Google instead) and sped on down to CVS for some OTC action. Once home and with the problem remedied, (Thank God), I thought that was it. As can be imagined, I was quite wrong. Very wrong. My problems were only just beginning.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fast forward to now. I have had a colonoscopy (clean bill of health), have been assigned a GI doctor, and have been prescribed various medications. None of those medications have helped normalize my routine. I have been on and off a special elimination/reintroduction diet, I have increased and decreased my fiber, I have exercised and increased my fluid intake. And, oh yes, I have tried every OTC remedy known to man (and Amazon.com). It's been a lot of fun. And I have gone from being the person that can be depended upon to a completely unreliable person that I don't recognize. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">But back to that photo above. What is all of that stuff? The majority of the items are all medications that can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. (To be fair there are also five items there prescribed by my doctor.) Some of the medication is "natural" such as the peppermint capsules and is meant to relax the muscles of your digestive tract. People with IBS can experience painful muscles spasms throughout their GI system. On the flip side, a lot of what is pictured there is not so natural and is meant to speed up and stimulate peristalsis, the natural waves that your GI tract creates to move things along. Some of the medication is oral and some is well, not so oral. It works via insertion into the tail end of the body. Isn't that fun?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">The upshot of all of my experiences thus far has caused me to do a lot of thinking. Some of those thoughts are personal but some are a little more prosaic. They are based on my own delay in getting to the GI doctor. Why do we seek the drugstore first and not our doctors? It can only prolong the inevitable and while you are trying something out, your condition may get worse. What is the lure of the OTC solution that causes us to postpone? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something to consider is that OTCs really can help and it has been my experience that the doctor will suggest those things as a first line of defense. They mostly have a proven track record. Aspirin, band aids, cold medicine, topical analgesics, lip balm, and the list goes on. Many of the items shown above, such as the milk of magnesia and magnesium capsules, actually do work. And many people do get relief from fiber supplements or an osmotic like Miralax. Lots of times though, the remedies don't help. I don't mean that they don't work in the short term (many of them do) but they are not a long term fix for IBS. Nothing is and that is my point I guess. It's a chronic condition. Treatment is fluid, flexible, individual and ongoing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">In case anyone is wondering, I did eventually get to the GI doctor (it was a long process and not entirely my fault that I didn't get there right away). But why the delay on my part? Because I am like nearly everyone else. I believe in the power of medicine, even OTC stuff. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Much of what is available can actually work.</span><span> And, I think I can fix things myself. I am also just as susceptible to the Power of Dr. Google as the next guy. It's very easy to search on the Internet for solutions that can be readily purchased at the drugstore or online. It's much less embarrassing</span><span> than having to tell someone, even if that someone is your doctor who has the prescription pad ready! Ultimately though, can you really diagnose yourself and make things better with an OTC? Maybe yes, maybe no. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I said earlier that I had done some thinking. One of the salient questions that I came up with is this: Why do we try OTC medicines (and waste time in some cases) when we should really just go to the correct health care practitioner? See if any of these reasons resonate with you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;">1. To avoid going to the doctor because of fear, cultural norms, etc.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2. The need for a quick and proven solution, particularly in the absence of an appointment. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3. An OTC makes sense (to the person using it anyway).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4. Misinformation.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">5. Suggestion from a friend or relative.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">6. Self diagnosis.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7. Belief in "alternative" or "complimentary" medicines. (No knock here, I use them too.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">8. Frustration</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">9. Lack of health care, funds, transportation, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">10. Distrust of doctors, medicine in general, and horror stories heard on the news.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">11. Our fervent and undying belief that NOTHING IS WRONG! And an OTC is an acceptable level of medicine, one we can deal with emotionally, unlike an antibiotic or cancer drug that carries some serious mental baggage.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Being sick sucks. Having a chronic condition sucks. Thank God there are still drugstores and online pharmacies. But being really sick, having a bad disease that might kill you? That is a job for the Professional and a whole other level of treatment, certainly not one that can be had at CVS or Walgreens. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Is my problem with IBS over? No. Have I become my own GI doctor? Yes, in a way I have. I feel like each day I get a little closer to a better overall understanding of the condition. I have given up trying to find the perfect OTC remedy. (OTCs can help but can also in fact exacerbate the situation and leave you feeling worse than when you started.) I will be writing another post about what I am doing that is sort of working. But for now, I leave you with this question and challenge. Can you guess which medicine shown above actually works the best? There may be a special prize for you if you guess correctly.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for reading and as always, if you have a question or comment let me know.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-82208792742475571172020-12-30T05:05:00.000-08:002020-12-30T05:05:37.699-08:00Day 7 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style<p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;">___________________________________________</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">My exam day is finally here! I am offering up a prayer to the Poop Gods that my preparation is complete. (It sure feels complete, let me just say that.)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Yesterday (day 6, the prep day) went much better than I expected. For starters, the laxative did not cause the same side effects as it did the previous day. I was also contacted by the surgery center to see if I could come in for an earlier Covid test. I was supposed to have the test the day of the procedure first thing. Having it yesterday shaved an hour off of my arrival time. Much less stressful.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Part of my preparation yesterday was to drink an entire bottle of Miralax in the fluid(s) of my choice. I chose Gatorade which, as of now, I will never drink again. By the time the evening rolled around and I was nearly done I didn't think I could get any more down. I had also had my fill of vegetable broth and tea. I drank more fluids yesterday than I ever have at any one time in my life. And I can't say that I feel any better. I have read that the need to drink (8) 8 ounce glasses of water a day is a myth and not necessary for good health. OK then.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">I was able to keep myself busy enough yesterday and still drink the mixture. The worst part has been dealing with being hungry. And of course I haven't had any coffee this morning which isn't helping. I hope everything goes well today. It's a miracle to me that this hospital is still performing procedures, is still staffed enough to keep things going. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Update:</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">The procedure went very well. The doctor removed one polyp which I will wait to hear about. I apparently have mild diverticulosis and something called antritis which is an inflammation of the top and bottom of your stomach, roughly speaking. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">With regard to the procedure everything went very well. As others have noted online and in person, it's a bit of a non event. The only discomfort was from the IV and the endoscopy. My throat is very sore. No problem, I can handle that. I am very grateful to the nurses at the hospital where I had my procedure. I was well taken care of. Nothing beats a nurse for competency and compassion. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">My overall take from this procedure? The prep really was the worst part. Not the part about drinking the liquid and taking the pills so much as the complete disruption to my life for a week. I am so grateful to be able to resume my normal diet, drink my coffee, and just generally get on with things. Now that I actually have two diagnostic tests in hand, I hope to get some better answers as to the source of my issues. A colonoscopy really is the gold standard in the way of diagnostic and screening tools. </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">If you have read this far, thank you. I hope these posts help in that they are written by a real person describing an actual experience which could be helpful for someone facing this procedure.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Any questions?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></span></span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-79810737826613464782020-12-28T06:51:00.000-08:002020-12-28T06:51:29.190-08:00Day 6 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">_______________________________________</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Well. <i>That </i>happened! My bowel prep regimen includes Dulcolax stimulant laxatives and Miralax (an osmotic and "laxative"). Let's just say that the laxatives nearly did me in yesterday. And that is saying something considering I have had the Norovirus and have undergone chemotherapy. A good time was <i>not</i> had by all!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">I will be doing a repeat today (Monday) and adding on the Miralax (the generic is OK). I can hardly wait. I keep telling myself I only have to do it this one more time. In the meantime, I am weak and dizzy and have a bad "stomach" ache. (I put the word stomach in quotes because it is actually my abdomen that hurts but who wants to imagine your intestines being twisted into knots? That's exactly what it feels like.)</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Right now I am currently enjoying my vegetable broth. I bought Progresso brand low sodium broth and added a couple of drops of Braggs liquid aminos to it. It isn't bad. Not sure I want to drink it all day but I guess I am going to. What choice do I have? None, that's what. I want the test done, I want the results, and I want to know what is wrong, if anything. I am struggling and trying hard to be an adult.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">While these posts are meant to give some guidance to vegans on what to eat and a possible way to prep for this valuable screening test, I should also mention the reasons why I am going through all of this trouble in taking this test in the first place. I believe in this test as a screening tool for cancer. Also, it has been nearly a year and a half since I started having some difficulties with my bathroom "routine." And while my doctor has mentioned IBS, I don't actually know what, if anything, may be wrong. I do know that whatever it is, it is disrupting my life. This summer I turned into an undependable person who could not be counted on to show up for hikes. My routine and schedule is a distant memory. The whole situation has me depressed. And cranky. The bottom line is that I can't get anywhere with solving the problem if I don't have this test. And that's that. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">With all of that said, here are some observations from yesterday.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">1. Eat as much as you can on the last day before your prep day. I became nauseous from the laxatives and couldn't each much of anything afterwards. It would have been good to have a little more food on board prior to starting.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">2. There is no two ways about the fact that this whole process is incredibly disruptive. It's best not to fight this and to simply accept it. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">3. After the laxative debacle was over and several hours had passed, I was able to eat a bit. Just get up out of bed and eat something. Anything. It helps. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">4. The broth as a clear liquid option isn't bad. Add some soy sauce or liquid aminos to it if you choose a low sodium option. You could always make your own too.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">5. Be as clear as possible about your prep instructions ahead of time. Trust me, you won't be thinking straight once you start and that is no time to try and sort things out. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">6. Drink all of the liquids you can in as many varieties as you are allowed. Liquids, believe it or not can be a little filling and also sort of make you feel like you are eating something. Sort of.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">7. If you have family or other household members present, see if they can help you. My husband brought me water in bed yesterday which was really nice. He also got his own dinner ready, cleaned up, and watched TV on his own without complaining. I make him sound like a child but honestly, those are all of my tasks that I am now not doing.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">8. If you aren't working, try to stay as busy as possible while you are feeling well. Having a sense of purpose helps the time to pass.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">9. Know ahead of time about possible side effects from the medication. I was surprised about the nausea, chills and dizziness from the laxative tablets. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">10. If you can, make sure that your bed is clean and made. You are going to spend some time in it. Clean sheets help. Maybe you have a favorite blanket? Go get that and use it. My mom always told me that when you are sick, it's no good getting into an unmade bed with dirty sheets. She was right.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Well, That's it for now. I am on to do...something. Not sure what yet but something. (Oh wait! I know what I am going to be doing!)</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Libby</span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-72054390627109432122020-12-27T04:53:00.000-08:002020-12-27T04:53:21.311-08:00Day 5 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">_______________________________________</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">And it's on to day 5! Yay me!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Today is the first "pill" day. My regimen prescribed by the doctor is this: 4 Dulcolax pills on Sunday; 4 Dulcolax pills and 1 bottle of Miralax with Gatorade on Monday. That is 64 ounces of fluid which is ridiculous. I mentioned earlier that the fluid is not only for hydration and replenishment of lost minerals but is also meant to wash down the walls of your colon so that the doctor can better see what is going on. I am hoping that I can do this prep. effectively. I am very afraid of being sick to my stomach, dizzy, feeling unwell, and everything else that may happen (up to and including hyperventilation from anxiety!). I did read that if you expect things to go badly then they will. Well, duh.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Since I am the Curious Housewife, I wondered just exactly how far up into the colon the scope can go and what the colonoscopy test actually shows. The scope can travel all the way up to the end of the small intestine. (The endoscopy can cover everything else only from the other end of your body. Isn't that great?) A <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-the-results-of-your-colonoscopy" target="_blank">colonoscopy is useful </a>in that it can detect polyps or bowel cancer and may help find the reasons for unexplained bowel problems such as diarrhea or blood in the stool. It can also give your doctor a good view of things and give an idea of the structure of your colon or whether or not there is any inflammation. It's an important tool because often times, if there is a polyp or patch of badness, the doctor can do a biopsy right then and there to see what is going on. With a sigmoidoscopy the doctor can only view the rectum and a portion of the colon. This test is appropriate for some situations. With an at home colon test, the fecal sample can only show the presence of blood, changes in your DNA or possible polyps that might exist. I think it is meant for screening in people that don't have any risk factors or people that have already had a clear colonoscopy. The doctor decides on that.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">I didn't know this but colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. And it's preventable but you have to catch it in time. No one wants to talk about their colon or their rear end or what comes out of it or what hurts. It's private isn't it but honestly, I don't think it needs to be. My opinion is that we don't talk enough openly about the things that make us human. We are growing, moving, in-process physiological creatures. We aren't static, in other words. The more we talk about our fears, living and dying, what our bodies do, how our minds work, the better off we will be. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Colon Cancer isn't something that we like to talk about. (Though we seem to love our poop jokes.) I had never thought about colon cancer or any cancer for that matter until I was diagnosed myself with Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 30. Truthfully though, until that happened, no cancer of any type was on my radar. Cancer was for old people. That ignorance changed for me in 1998, when <a href="https://www.today.com/health/katie-couric-husband-undergo-his-hers-colonoscopies-t168440">Katie Couric</a> (then of the Today Show), announced that her husband, the late Jay Monahan, had died of colon cancer. I still remember seeing her on TV talking about his death and her subsequent efforts to get herself and other people screened. It was heartbreaking. He was only 42. Today the minimum screening age is 45. I am now 50. I think there is some wiggle room there with those ages but in any case, I am overdue. So while it feels like I am on a train headed down hill with no brakes at warp speed, I am doing this thing. I hope.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Some observations from Saturday:</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">1. It only took 2 days to notice changes in my bathroom routine. This tells me that the human body can be very responsive to diet changes. Extrapolating out from that idea, I think it is never too late to discover what foods can make you feel good or bad and what those foods can do to your body in a very real and tangible way. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">2. I miss my beans! (still)</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">3. If you experienced a life altering illness causing you to change your diet, it would be tough! I have a new found empathy for anyone with any kind of IBD type disease or any other sort of illness that necessitates a change in diet. While my diet adventures are temporary, many people have to make permanent changes in order to live.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">If you have been following along at all this far, thank you. Today (Sunday) things are about to get real, so to speak. Stay tuned!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Libby</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;"><br /></span></span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-64500390651698617602020-12-27T02:58:00.000-08:002020-12-27T02:58:17.536-08:00Day 4 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">_______________________________________</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">This morning (Saturday) I tried a larger breakfast all at once rather than several smaller meals. I had a slice of sourdough toast, a small serving of mashed potatoes, green beans, and a pumpkin cookie. I also had a little bit of water to help things along. That's a starchy all carb. meal so we will see how long it lasts and what happens to my blood sugar. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">*Update to the above: Blood sugar was fine. I was still hungry.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Some things of note:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444;">1. I am heartily sick of soft, boiled vegetables. Specifically, peeled carrots and g</span><span style="color: #444444;">reen beans. Although on the flip side, I really enjoyed the carrot puree. I cooked the hell out of the carrots and then blended them in the food processor. They became light and airy like whipped cream. Dreamy. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. Also sick of tofu which, as you might guess, is not good news. I will bounce back from this one. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">3. Eating more at lunch was helpful though uncomfortable. A nap helped. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. I have a soup planned for after the procedure. I can't wait to eat beans again but I think I will blend them into the soup to make things easier on my stomach. We will see how I feel. Maybe I won't want to eat much.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. I have been able to stick with my exercise routine which is nice. I do enjoy my walks. My energy level seems fine too. People live on all sorts of diets by necessity and manage to thrive. This one thankfully is only a few days.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">6. I have been drinking my water straight from the refrigerator. When it is cold like that for some reason it is easier to get down. Despite this tactic though I am still only drinking about 20 ounces or so a day. (This doesn't include coffee or juice.)</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">7. I am still very involved with myself with not much room for anything else. Wanting nearly seven days to pass so that you can get something over with isn't so great when you are my age. You really don't want any days to pass. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">And on that note!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">Libby</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-4315513770884973912020-12-26T03:59:00.003-08:002020-12-26T03:59:31.459-08:00Day 3 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep, Vegan Style<p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my own experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">_______________________________________</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">What a Merry Christmas! Actually, day 3 wasn't too bad. It is still just a low fiber diet day, not the prep day itself. I should mention that in following my own doctor's instructions, she specified 2-3 days of a low fiber diet. After a little research, I decided to do a few extra days in hopes of making the actual clean out easier. I eat a lot of fiber, nuts, seeds, and stringy type veggies and fruits and I don't actually know what my "transit" time is. The rate at which foods move through your system can vary from person to person and depend on many factors. I just thought a few extra days of a low fiber diet would be helpful. Afterall, the idea is to get all of that residue that might cling to the sides of your colon out so that the doctor can get a clear look. (I'd like to mention too at this time that the doctor told me what happens if she can't get a clear enough view. They wake you up, pump you full of a few fleet enemas, and wait for things to happen. No thank you!)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Palatino Linotype, Palatino, serif;">Let's talk about that low fiber diet shall we? It sucks. Sorry, I said it and I meant it. I actually had a tough time finding crackers and bread that didn't contain at least some whole grains, nuts, and seeds. I could, however, have a bought a whole fleet of Little Debbie cakes and cookies. (And a bunch of Twinkies too, no doubt. I didn't look.) Pasta was easy enough but honestly, I don't love pasta. I love my grains and I miss them dearly. Oats, quinoa, barley, millet, brown rice...I hope to see you all again soon! What I miss the most though (and it's only been three days) is my beloved beans. Oh, how I love my legumes, beans, peas and anything else in this category. It's my main protein staple. (Tofu is good but soy products in general don't agree with me.) I am here to tell you that my body needs protein and complex carbohydrates. Nothing else will do. I feel like doo-doo.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">So, what went well yesterday? I have been loving the mashed potatoes and pureed carrots for dinner along with the pureed soup of sweet potatoes, carrots and squash for lunch. The air fryer tofu has also been a help. I went back to the sourdough bread which is a great filler and way better than the shitty white bread that I bought. It's like eating cardboard! I also made some pumpkin cookies which helped a little. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">What didn't work? I continue to be really hungry in the morning. For some reason I just don't/can't eat enough food. My feeling is (and I am not a doctor or RD) that not getting enough calories early on in the day sets me up for overeating at dinner time. I have read about this though (from various RD sources) and it makes sense to me (and fits with what I know too about my personality). During normal times, this pattern isn't too terrible but right now, when my calories seem to be limited anyway and I am having a hard time with adequate protein, things aren't going so well. I thought about a meal replacement drink a little belatedly. I doubt my local CVS has anything vegan. So, I may try and eat my dinner items at breakfast time. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Lastly, since we are on the subject, everything came to a kind of grinding halt yesterday with my bathroom routine. (Didn't take long for bad eating to catch up with me.) Not great news. I also didn't drink enough fluids (not counting coffee and juice). So, a bit of a fail in this area. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">I do have a few things to recommend:</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">1. Prep your food early on and all at once. I have been piecemealing this and it's kind of tedious. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">2. I am thinking of prepping something to eat for after the procedure. Something simple that will be easy to digest. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">3. If you have issues with blood sugar, monitor that closely. I was really close to being hypoglycemic yesterday (from a technical standpoint) and from an anecdotal standpoint, I certainly felt like I was already there. I wasn't paying attention and it snuck up on me. </span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">4. Your digestive system can be very sensitive. A change in any kind of routine can affect it. It's not unreasonable to expect that quickly altering your diet might mess with the outcome, so to speak. Be patient. (Yah, right!)</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">Libby</span></p><p><span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></p><p><br /></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-76549141136349188202020-12-25T03:28:00.001-08:002020-12-25T03:30:03.700-08:00Day 2 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep., Vegan Style<p> <span style="font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">______________________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I woke up way too early this morning. I am very anxious and already feeling a little ill from nerves and not eating enough. My tendency is to experience stress a little belatedly, after the fact. Right now though, I am in the thick of it and experiencing it in real time. I am worried about eating too much and having a hard time with the colon prep regimen. It's a real concern. During the day I normally only drink about 16-20 ounces of water. (I am not including coffee or "water" from fruits and vegetables here.) I am very nervous about the 64 ounces of Gatorade that I will need to drink. To cope, I am trying to visualize how happy I will be when the doctor tells me that my colon is as clean as a whistle! Trying, trying.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">My hardest meal right now is breakfast. Normally, I eat my meal over the course of several hours. Generally I have some toast (varied grains) with flax on top, a warm grain dish with almond milk and raisins, and then a banana smoothie with brown rice protein powder. I may have some nuts in there too at some point. This is over the course of the morning as I mentioned and I eat lunch at 11AM. With a low fiber diet, I am at a bit of a loss for breakfast. The white bread toast with almond butter and smoothie with protein isn't cutting it. Not sure yet what to do. Should have bought those frozen waffles. Sigh:(</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Today (Thursday) I will be trying some things that I hope will help with my hunger and blood sugar control. I was a little low yesterday which I think was contributing to some discomfort. I was also hungry fairly often so I may have to step this up a bit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1. I will be eating a bit more and earlier, before getting hungry. (Testing of course to see where I am.) Better to stay ahead of the curve. I didn't try a cream-of-white rice with cinnamon idea but I think I may do that for Friday.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2. I am going to add a little more protein powder to my smoothie today. It's brown rice protein powder with no fiber so I think this should be OK.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3. Today I am also making some seitan. Yesterday's post mentioned eating this protein to help with satiety. It's also possible that I just might eat the tofu I have open. Feeling a little lazy I guess.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4. From my experience yesterday, I would say that if you can, have some prepared food on hand. Mashed potatoes, well cooked green beans and carrots, sweet potato, carrot and squash soup, and smoothies have all come in handy so far. I also have pumpkin muffins made with white flour frozen and ready to go. I would also suggest some crackers or pretzels and a very good gluten free bread, if it has permissible ingredients. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I don't have to go anywhere today so I am going to relax but stay busy as much as possible. I have already started to clean my bathroom. Why not? Apparently, I will be spending some time in there...</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Any comments or suggestions?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-85762384946931609022020-12-23T14:13:00.002-08:002020-12-23T14:22:34.171-08:00Day 1 of 7: Colonoscopy Prep: Vegan/Plant Based Style<p><span style="font-size: large;">It seems these days that nothing is out of bounds when it comes to documenting one's experience of anything. Doesn't seem to matter how trivial or important that experience is so long as it is either recorded and published via a video or a still picture or a carefully crafted written work. Everything is fair game. In the spirit of that no-limits approach and nothing-is-too-boring approach, I will be documenting my experience. It's not just any experience, mind you. It's the experience of a vegan/plant centered person and it's mine! I will be writing for the full seven days about what is working and what isn't. I hope you will follow along and maybe at the same time, I can provide some useful information. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">______________________________________________________</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">In April of this year I turned 50. I was looking forward to that, had a nice day in fact, and went on about my business after celebrating quietly. Just another birthday you say? Hardly. The age is significant because when you turn 50, among other things, you get a colonoscopy. There is no doubt that colonoscopy screening can catch cancer before it gets going in earnest. Who doesn't want to prevent that? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">It took awhile to get things going with an appointment though (wrong doctor, Covid, etc.) but finally, the date has arrived and prep time is here. I received a set of instructions from the surgeon's office: what laxative preparation to buy, what to not eat in the days leading up to the procedure, and what to do on the day of preparation and on the procedure day. The instructions, not surprisingly, aren't too detailed and they are geared to omnivores. What is a vegan supposed to eat? This problem sent me online in search of more information. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Well, as can be imagined, there is a lot of different and conflicting information. In general, it's recommended to go on some sort of low fiber/low residue diet several days prior to your procedure. (The length of time varies-anywhere from 7 to 5 to 3 days.) There are many lists of dos and don'ts, what can be eaten and what should be avoided. Unfortunately for vegans, these lists are sort of omnivore leaning. If you love tuna fish or chicken, this could be a great time for you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I continued to do some research and as I read further, I could see that all of the lists of foods had the same thing in common. You essentially have to eat some real crap (no offense to my omnivore friends) for a particular length of time in order to eat as little fiber as possible. (Fiber, while great for digestion and motility, can leave a residue on the inside of your colon. That residue makes it hard for the doctor to see everything including polyps and lesions and God knows what all else.) Anything with seeds in it is a problem as well. Seeds tend to get stuck and can look like other things that could be lethal. So, like it or not, low fiber it is!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">To move things along (ha! ha!) and to ensure some better nutrition, I made up a menu of sorts for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. I then made my shopping list. And that is where the trouble started.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">At this point, a smart person might ask why I needed to go grocery shopping. Don't I do that every week? Isn't my pantry Covid-full and ready to go? I do and it is. It sounds ridiculous but I don't actually have many of the recommended items in my pantry. Here is a list of what I bought:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Gatorade (lemon lime for the preparation day).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">White rice, white bread, crackers made with white flour, cookies made with white flour (I need a reward), apple juice, canned peaches, and white flour pasta (2 types).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I also bought acceptable vegetarian broth (no tomatoes), russet potatoes, green beans, carrots, summer squash, and apples. These are things I normally eat anyway. I also bought some high end carrot juice and veggie juice, two items that contain acceptable ingredients but most importantly, very minimal fiber (like, 0 grams per serving). I already had two boxes of tofu. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">The list I hope will be helpful for vegans or any plant powered people reading. Sweet potatoes are evidently OK too so long as they are skinned and super soft (pureed). I surmised that so long as the veggie or fruit is approved, cooked like mad, and pureed, things should be OK. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Why bring any of this up? Who cares since the information is mostly out there? I mention it because the shopping trip nearly did me in. It physically pained me to buy some of those items. I have been a vegan for about 3 years or so and just eat in a very particular way, which I happen to love and enjoy. Buying those foods felt foreign to me at this point and produced heaps of anxiety. It just felt like a lot of food too that I was now obligated to eat. (I don't like to waste food.) Plus, let's be honest, I eat what I eat not only because I enjoy it but because of fiber's main and well known benefit. Ahem! Fiber keeps things moving along. Am I gonna be able to be regular on this sort of diet? I am a little nervous about tomorrow morning!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Lastly and to wrap this up for day #1, I have a few tips to share. Well, maybe not tips exactly but some things that I am trying to do to make life better on both the day of preparation and the procedure day. Here they are:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">1. I am trying to drink more fluids than normal (including fruits and veggies). I will need an IV and if I am dehydrated (which I always am) the IV insertion may be that much more difficult. So far, cold water from the fridge seems to be the best option.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">2. Piggy-backing on the above, I learned why you have to drink so much damn fluid with the laxative preparation. It not only helps to move the laxative along but it washes down the walls of your colon making it easier for the doctor to see things. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">3. I am monitoring my blood glucose a little more than normal. Hyper or hypoglycemia is a real possibility. I am also trying to include enough protein and fat at each meal and have snacks in between. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">4. I am going to make some seitan since in theory, I think it would be OK to eat. It's all protein with very little fiber (say less than 1 gram a serving).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">5. I made a nice pureed soup of skinned carrots, skinned sweet potatoes, skinned and de-seeded zucchini. It is delicious! It needed just a little general seasoning and a pinch of salt. veggies are delicious on their own. I also made some white flour muffins using pumpkin as the binder. Very tasty! (monitoring my blood sugar too!)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">6. I am very involved with myself right now. I have very little head space for anything else. Is it Christmas or something? I couldn't tell you!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">7. After my freak out/melt down at the grocery store, I took a Xanax and layed down. It helped. I got some perspective. This is only for a short period of time and I can go right back to what I love to eat. I have made it through cancer (chemo and radiation), the norovirus, several bouts of the flu, major dental work, heart surgery and several other things that mercifully, are a distant memory. I can do this.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Got any suggestions or comments?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></p><p><br /></p>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-38220398948175079252020-04-28T05:56:00.001-07:002020-04-28T05:56:18.404-07:00Completing a Puzzle<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgiexX7LqEOSzKoiKATK_McdzVYHhKufd-I0UEcbknPBr7MprR5HVdjI-78N1RzWZbPg59UOJ1vYTMNLoE64RHGrazL0Vl5KQNhewxZKK46eyEdlRjgD9B3-gjK8xtPLgLSb0q_JNCsk/s1600/3+16+Puzzled+Port+Pic+1+IMG_2949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgiexX7LqEOSzKoiKATK_McdzVYHhKufd-I0UEcbknPBr7MprR5HVdjI-78N1RzWZbPg59UOJ1vYTMNLoE64RHGrazL0Vl5KQNhewxZKK46eyEdlRjgD9B3-gjK8xtPLgLSb0q_JNCsk/s400/3+16+Puzzled+Port+Pic+1+IMG_2949.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Puzzled</i><br />2016-Painted paper collage on board</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love mulling over ideas! Lately, I have been thinking a lot about creativity: how is it defined, what does it look like, and what are the ways in which we use it? In the past, I believed that only artists were creative. If you weren't making something such as a painting or a piece of pottery then you weren't creative. It's only recently that I have come to view the word "creative" differently. Being creative can mean more than making something with your hands. It can also refer to the ways in which we think. That statement may seem obvious but I think that we often overlook just how creative we can get when we put our minds to it, literally! Creativity, flexing your creative muscles, can happen in a number of different ways and in many contexts. Just as there are endless varieties of people and activities, there are also many different ways to be creative.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Creativity shows up in our everyday lives more often than we think. The way we approach problem solving, the ways in which we view and interpret the world and the ways in which we cope with the ups and downs of life can all involve imagination. Creativity, in other words. The word can be much broader if we let it be. Creativity, I believe, not only pertains to something that you might physically make or do, but it also can be used to describe a way of thinking. Things are not always black and white. Sometimes we need time to process ideas, to think about things. Very often, we haven't yet learned everything we need to know in order to make good decisions or to form solid opinions. Creative thinking helps us to work with many different and seemingly unrelated ideas. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">It's almost as if there is a kind of "storage basket" in our brains somewhere, holding these different ideas, waiting for us to sort through them and make sense of how they are related. It's when we bring these different ideas together, when we have different interpretations about people and events, that we really begin to think in creative ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The trick, I think, in accessing this storage basket of ideas in our brain, of bringing unrelated elements together, is to actively search out what we think are dissimilar ideas and to try and relate them to one another. It's kind of like working a puzzle that has no picture on the box top. You dump all of the pieces out of the box and try to organize them. Where do you start? What colors are alike and can go in one pile?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> This is what I think we do everyday to be creative. We are constantly looking at a jumble of puzzle pieces and seeing how they might work together. At some point, a kind of picture begins to emerge. It's a picture that we didn't see coming. Put in terms of something more concrete, we have gathered all of these disparate elements together, connected them, and we now have a new idea or thought about the world and the way it works. Maybe it's a new vision of a person we thought we knew. Or maybe we feel differently about a subject that we thought was settled long ago. I see it as a puzzle solving process that gets us making connections that previously did not exist. When we begin to make these associations we can have a real ah-ha moment. It's gratifying to know that you have flexed your creative muscles to create a new thought or feeling; a new way of looking at the world and the people in it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As an example of the above idea, of how we often make creative connections every day, let's look at a series of seemingly unrelated events. Maybe one day you are watching a news story about robotics (mechanization in an industrial application). Several days later you read an article about greenhouse gas emissions. Months later perhaps, you have a conversation with someone about food shortages. That conversation might trigger memories of the news story that you watched on TV and the article that you read. At first, none of those things seem related to one another (but remember they are all living in that basket in your brain waiting to be connected). But now they do seem related. You are digging around in that basket and pulling stuff out. Somehow, you begin to formulate an idea or opinion about world hunger and how mechanization of agricultural elements has shaped our global food supply. It's not a particularly revolutionary idea (others have already talked and written about this concept) but to you, it's a different way of thinking about feeding the world. The idea is totally new for you and it's exciting. To see the problem of world hunger through another lens is an eye opener. And it's a vision that you may not have gotten unless you took those seemingly random events or stories or conversations and put them together in a new and novel way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I realize that the above process is not new and that for some of you reading, it may not work or it may not feel natural. Like anything, it takes practice. I believe that if you are actively paying attention, you will see that this way of organizing thoughts and ideas happens more often than you might expect. We may not recognize it at first but in reality, this way of bringing things together happens quite a lot. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I see these bits and pieces of information waiting in my mental basket as puzzle pieces. It's up to me to root around in that basket from time to time and fit everything together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This process of joining unrelated things together to get a whole new idea happened to me just recently. I feel that this kind of process relies heavily on "mental flexibility." It's an important trait to me as I get older and one that I really want to cultivate in myself. It isn't easy because my thinking can be rigid at times, though in the last couple of years it has gotten more malleable. It just so happens that over the weekend I read a quote in an AARP article on successful aging by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. His quote is this: "I try to learn something new about myself daily. Self discovery is one of the surest ways to develop a greater appreciation for your life." I really love this since it mirrors my own</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> efforts to discover what and how I think. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On the heels of what I read in AARP magazine, my friend, Carol, posted something on Facebook that really resonated with me. It's a quote from author, Anne McCaffrey: "Make no judgements where you have no compassion."</span><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="color: #4d5156; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I thought this was a wonderful reminder to practice compassion. How many of us rush to judgement without putting ourselves in the other person's shoes? I see and hear people do this all of the time and I myself do it as well. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">When I considered the above two things that happened back to back, a memory for me was triggered that I now believe is related. I remembered that while on vacation recently, I listened to a podcast given by the noted psychologist and economist <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Kahneman">Daniel Kahneman</a>. He wrote a book called, <i>Thinking Fast and Slow. </i>During the podcast he talked about concepts from his book. One of the things he discussed briefly and sort of at the end in an offhand way, was the fact that (and I am paraphrasing this) the more he knows about something, the less sure he becomes. He wanted to remain constantly open to new ideas, never wanting to be absolutely sure about anything. I took away from his words that being sure about something was a falsity; we just think we are certain something is the truth. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The question here is whether or not a person should ever really be done with an idea. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">By remaining flexible in our thinking, we become open to new ideas and new ways of looking at things. Making up your mind is important. Sometimes we need to think and act decisively. More often though, it's best to remain open minded and maybe just a little bit skeptical. Not cynical but just quietly questioning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">This flexibility in thinking, the willingness to learn new things about ourselves and others (even when we disagree with those new things), and our ability to take in good and informed information is crucial as we get older. I was reminded very forcefully of that over the weekend. I had a rather upsetting conversation with a casual friend. Somehow we started talking about homelessness and the COVID-19 virus. (Probably, in addition to politics and religion, we should add the Covid virus to the list of things not to be talked about!) My friend informed me that homeless people want to be homeless. She went on to repeat what I feel are some other misconceptions about people living on the streets. Her statements upset me and challenged my current opinions which I felt were pretty firm. I left the </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">conversation feeling a little angry but also a little ashamed. Angry because her views, I feel, aren't informed and ashamed because I can hear my younger self saying the exact same things that she had just expounded upon; generalizations that are unfounded and based on fear and ignorance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">What to do when the apple cart of your thinking is upset? The conversation was disheartening. After I got home and settled down, I thought about things. I don't want to make myself feel better by bringing my friend down so that I can raise myself up. But I don't want to let my friend off the hook either. Her statements seem misinformed to me. As I considered the conversation, I absently rooted around in my mental basket for ways to approach the problem. I realized that I had three ideas to connect. How could I take those items out of my basket (self awareness, compassion, and mental flexibility as mentioned above) and create a new way of seeing things? This is where I think creativity steps in. The answer to the puzzle lies in the preceding question that I just asked. I want to let myself be guided by those three bits of wisdom. They belong together as pieces of a larger picture and by putting those elements together, I can do some things to help myself. I can continue to examine how I feel about homelessness and I can educate myself on the topic as best as I can. I can be compassionate towards my friend who may not feel the same as me (even though I very much disagree with her) and I can realize that my viewpoints are not stagnate and that they are not the only way of looking at things. And maybe what my friend said to me is worth thinking about. That alone might be useful. By rooting around in my mental basket and pulling out three seemingly disconnected ideas, I came up with a solution when I needed it the most. There is now something new to think about; a different way of looking at a problem that I thought I had already solved.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Anyone can do this. Anyone can problem solve in this way. By being creative, by bringing several unrelated ideas together, a person can make a kind of new paradigm for themselves. Creativity isn't just for the artistic or the talented. It isn't something that is beyond any of us. Being creative just requires conscious attention and memory and practice. Those skill are present in all of us I believe. It's up to us to access our mental baskets, pull out each puzzle piece, and see how they fit together. And before long, if you work at this problem solving consistently, a whole new picture will emerge, one which you never even imagined. </span></span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-42127174438816573582020-04-20T15:20:00.001-07:002020-04-20T15:20:31.913-07:00My Two Week Experiment: The Results Are In!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, I made it. Two weeks without visiting the grocery store. It's some kind of shopping miracle! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let me backup a bit to explain the challenge that I gave myself (and my friends on FB) two weeks ago. I had been watching a press conference with the President and his medical advisors, Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx. The doctors specifically said that the upcoming two weeks (the ones that just passed) would be critical in flattening the curve. It was strongly suggested to not go out, limiting time away from home for essential business only. They specifically said that now was not the time to go to the grocery store. I took that as a real mandate and frankly, it made me a little fearful. I am a compliant person (mostly) and so I decided to follow this advice. It's hard to know how to contribute during this crisis and this seemed a very concrete way of doing just that. I want to share what happened, what I found out and whether or not I would do this again. I came up with this "challenge" and shared it on FB. People chimed in to say what they were doing and the types of problems they were encountering, such as no delivery time slots and products that couldn't be found. I want to share the results of what I learned during my time of "no in person" grocery shopping. Here goes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As with any challenge, well, there were challenges. I have broken them down into categories to make things easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Fresh vegetables and fruits:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As to be expected, I ran out of fresh vegetables and fruits first. Items like kale, broccoli, and other leafy greens were used up right away. Root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> and sweet potatoes lasted much longer.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> What I learned is that I should buy a mix of perishable and semi perishable items. Leafy greens are eaten first but things like bananas, oranges and apples can all last longer in the freezer (bananas) or in the fridge. Berries can be frozen too for smoothies. Veggies are a little harder. You can blanch and freeze broccoli and probably green beans without too much sacrifice in quality. These suggestions are worth a try and some effort.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>Corn:</u> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Corn gets a special mention here. I am nearly sick of corn-frozen, canned, or otherwise! Corn is a staple in my diet, it's true, but boy am I getting tired of it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>Frozen Vegetables: </u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">From the get go, more frozen spinach would have been very helpful. Unfortunately, every person around here must have thought so too because the shelves at the store were completely empty. Also, frozen green beans are not the best. They are palatable but not my first choice. The freezing process in general is pretty good. Not as optimal as fresh but second best I would say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>Canned Veggies?:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">With the exception of beets and corn (obviously), canned vegetables are not my first choice. And before you get down on me, I understand perfectly that everyone has their preferences. I also acknowledge (and respect) that for many people, canned vegetables are the only option or canning vegetables might be culturally significant. Canning is also a good way to preserve food that you have grown yourself so I've nothing against it. It's just that the green beans were sad. Very sad. I felt bad for them being treated like that. But, any port in a storm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>Did I shop otherwise?:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why yes, I did! Quite a lot! I bought dry goods only since we don't have a CSA delivery in our area. Let me say that I am set for rice! Many businesses were low or downright out of products and so I had to hunt around. I found a couple of small family style retailers that I am happy to support: a small farm in Southern Illinois and a Native American farm in Arizona. Intuitively though, I know that shopping online is a 50-50 thing. Me shopping and having things delivered (dry goods only), means that trucks and their drivers are on the road. It also means that people somewhere in some warehouse are working to pack and ship my goods-also a risk. This activity is good for the economy but also puts workers at risk of getting the virus. It made me (and still does make me) very conflicted. Shopping though seems to be part of my makeup. I seem to have to do it. That isn't an excuse; I am just being realistic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>How often is enough?:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I realized rather quickly that I am very dependent on going to the grocery store as often as I want and to get whatever I want. This probably isn't good. There is the impact on the environment by my car and I am contributing to general congestion. Once a week would be sufficient. My plan going forward is to have a designated grocery day and to stick to that. I realize though that each person probably has their own comfort zone for how often they go to the store. It's probably dependent on habit, culture, location, season, transportation, and the ability to pay. Most people I know, myself included, are blessed with the means to go to the grocery store when necessary. I was reminded of this a lot during this two week period.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>Fear mongering:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I noticed some fear mongering online (looking at you, FB!) and in person regarding who was shopping where. Our neighbor told us that people from out of town had come to our little community and bought up all of the meat. (You can imagine my response to that!) On FB I saw that folks were worried about the same thing; people from "outside" buying up all of the supplies. There is a mentality at work here and one I can't quite put my finger on. I know that fear is often at the bottom of things. It's what motivates many of us to do seemingly irrational things such as buying mass quantities of toilet paper (and meat apparently). And I know that we instinctively fear the outsider. My feeling is that as long as people aren't ridiculous there is enough to go around regardless of where you choose to shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><u>Creative cooking?</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am uncertain if I expected to get creative in the kitchen when my fresh veggie and fruit supply ran low. Regardless, I will admit that I just got tired of thinking stuff up to cook that didn't involve what I didn't have. If I was single, things would be different. I am married though and I can't give Rich a waffle for dinner. He doesn't cook either so although he was sympathetic I feel that he wasn't actually standing in my shoes, so to speak. Putting dinner on the table every night is hard work, in my opinion. It isn't the physical act of cooking so much as the struggle to provide variety. I found that to be the hardest aspect of "missing" some ingredients in my pantry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There weren't any other real surprises other than what is mentioned above. I will say that after such a long hiatus, my trip to the grocery store today became kind of a big to-do. People were there shopping as if nothing was wrong. Some were wearing masks and observing the distance rule. Others didn't seem to care too much, which is disheartening. It's one of those things I think where stuff just doesn't get real for people unless it is happening to them personally. There were some gaps on the shelves. Who the hell bought all of the damn flour and what are they doing with it, other than letting it get stale? Other than that, the shelves were well stocked and the produce looked good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was a good experiment and I am glad I did it. Will I go two weeks again without going to the store? Probably not unless it is specifically mandated. I think once a week is sufficient and likely safe for the time being. I hope. There is still so much we don't know about this virus. We just don't have a lot of data to begin with to draw any conclusions other than to implement the precautions that are already in place. Could I have continued on without going to the store? Probably but the meals I made simply wouldn't have been as varied. I like to think my pantry is pretty diverse but it's hard to get away from the fact that fresh fruits and vegetables are a really nice addition. I am not sure that I will do anything differently after this exercise such as plant a more extensive garden or have groceries delivered. (Safeway is evidently doing that now in our area but for how long?) If anything has come out of this two week period, it's that I feel grateful for what we do have. It might just be rice and beans and canned corn but I can work with that!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-33051763173436564052020-04-07T07:27:00.001-07:002020-04-07T07:27:42.860-07:00I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW0g2V3-DLIVC8_RxmQQ04DhHbjtzqdoFFHRWUx3E7QucjhpSXv3Dl2-lY_jof_C0uVX7_PlaiJvltIjJMY0hJY20uefarEeeC5KbiV8liBTleyqPgvNzx8xEVVj-I1m-qgdCBV1S_hY/s1600/4+19+palm+desert+14+IMG_5546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="1600" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW0g2V3-DLIVC8_RxmQQ04DhHbjtzqdoFFHRWUx3E7QucjhpSXv3Dl2-lY_jof_C0uVX7_PlaiJvltIjJMY0hJY20uefarEeeC5KbiV8liBTleyqPgvNzx8xEVVj-I1m-qgdCBV1S_hY/s400/4+19+palm+desert+14+IMG_5546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Joshua Tree National Park-Cholla cactus </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">During the first part of March, I took a solo road trip down to Southern California. I had never driven anywhere that far by myself before. My goal was to see if I could really do it, drive myself 8+ hours somewhere and arrive safely at my destination without too much pain and heartache, i.e. getting lost!</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Spoiler alert: I made it! And I didn't get lost. Well, that is a small fib actually. I took one wrong turn but quickly corrected myself once I saw that I was headed in the wrong direction (my car has a navigation readout on the dashboard). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">During the next several days there were actually a few moments like the above; moments where I sensed I was going in the wrong direction and had to stop. I would check my notes, the map, and my phone, and then reset my course. After awhile, I became aware that I was actually navigating on my own, getting a good feel intuitively for which direction I was headed in. (I am very directionally challenged as a rule though in the past few years, I have made an effort to get better.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Luckily, I did have some help in finding my way around. For one thing I had done my homework prior to setting out. I had paper maps, written directions, and routes loaded onto my phone. I also had the addresses of places where I would be going so I could easily look those up using my phone as well. (Isn't the Internet swell?) Lastly, a hiking friend has tried in the past to help me learn about the sun's position in determining both time of day and direction. I actively used her advice in conjunction with my car's location readout. It was fun to see if I was guessing correctly. (Most of the time I was close.) All in all, I had only a few missteps in getting around. It wasn't too hard to correct my course and get going in the right direction again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lately I have been thinking about my navigational experiences in Southern California. So much of our daily lives demand that we be able to spot missteps and regroup; to change our minds, our attitudes, and our actions. Sometimes this has to happen quickly, much as it did for me as I missed an off ramp on the I-10. Not to worry though and cause an accident by trying to catch that exit! There is almost always another chance coming up to get off of the freeway. There can be times though when you may be miles past the correct turn before you realize you have made a mistake. It may take some maneuvering, but you can almost always backtrack and find the correct route. There may even be multiple ways of getting to that destination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">My time on vacation, of navigating by myself, has made me thoughtful in some surprising and unexpected ways. For example, as I was cooking this morning, I considered that finding the correct route and maneuvering around a new city or town is similar to many things that we do in life. We often have to correct course. I realized that I have gotten a little off track lately with my eating habits. Too much added sugar has crept back into my diet. I also love the Veganaise a little bit too much! None of that is going to do me in (I hope!) but it isn't going to help either. I simply haven't been actively paying attention. As <a href="https://www.ellenlanger.com/home/">Ellen Langer</a> might say, I have been <i>mindless</i> and not <i>mindful.</i> (I highly recommend checking out Ellen Langer, by the way. I listened to a podcast that she gave and it was an eye-opener!) Being mindful requires being awake and paying attention. It's noticing things and being aware. It's so important to do this; to be actively participating. That's a tall order, I know, but it's critical. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">We need to be flexible, to recognize that we are going in the wrong direction, and we have to actively cultivate those skills that are needed to self correct.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> You can't do any of that unless you are making an effort to really notice things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">There's no better time than now to hone these skills in a consistent kind of way. I felt that this morning I was really doing that, really paying attention. I am not making any big resolutions about that sugar intake or the Veganaise, but I am simply commiting to thinking about things. I am correcting my course just like I did in the car when I realized that I had made a wrong turn. And in the spirit of that self correction, I am not going to rid my pantry of the "no-no" foods (that would be too radical a move) but I will make some better, more conscious choices about "how often" and "how much". Same thing with the Veganaise. (It's hard to find this product in my area anyway now so that makes things a little easier.) I have a couple of hummus recipes picked out to try instead. It certainly can't hurt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Big changes are not my thing. I can make small moves much more easily. I would never swerve off of the freeway from the left hand lane in an effort to catch that missed exit that is rapidly disappearing in my rear view mirror. It's more likely that I would calmly change lanes safely, and exit further down the road, all the while trying to pay attention (and not beat myself up for not paying attention). I'd rather catch myself and correct course than to just go cruising past the exit, never realizing that all the while I was heading in the wrong direction!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Good luck with your navigation today! Thanks for reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span></div>
Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-74283896230866855272020-03-28T07:02:00.003-07:002020-03-28T07:02:44.311-07:00And The Beat Goes On...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTWbTRqxI8JzNqWLbY6dQQ7v115rq4UGWgREW4uAJRYSZ5AJLhT3_13RvyshncvWFz0nlN87e8j5bO0JwHkXzIiVgjZKg_ZdmvBVqEho6gux4ShOBfMTCsEwYPddvqFLKbrGbcJlw8KE/s1600/3+20+melones+hike+tower+climb+IMG_6542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCTWbTRqxI8JzNqWLbY6dQQ7v115rq4UGWgREW4uAJRYSZ5AJLhT3_13RvyshncvWFz0nlN87e8j5bO0JwHkXzIiVgjZKg_ZdmvBVqEho6gux4ShOBfMTCsEwYPddvqFLKbrGbcJlw8KE/s400/3+20+melones+hike+tower+climb+IMG_6542.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>The New Social Visit:</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This week my one "social" visit consisted of a trip to the cardiologist's office. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">(For those reading who don't know, I have coronary artery disease and a history of having had a heart attack and bypass surgery.)</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> I see him twice a year for a check up. He tells me that the blockage in my carotid artery has not advanced and that he is happy with my lipid panel and liver values. I tell him about some anxious heart related problem that I have been pondering and he politely shoots my worries down. It's a pleasant time though because he is a really congenial guy, nice looking, my age, and possesses a very calm and reassuring demeanor. He usually enters the exam room and shakes my hand warmly. He is the only one who gets to call me "Liz." We chat, he listens to my heart and kind of checks to be sure nothing has changed in my activity level. Nothing ever changes in our routine. Until now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As can be imagined, things were a little different for this visit because of the current pandemic. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> No handshake from the good doctor and he stood crammed into the corner of the room opposite to where I was sitting. Still pleasant but not quite the same. I guess this is the new reality up close, so to speak, though 6 ft apart. I feel lucky to have been able to keep the appointment. I am waiting in nervous anticipation for my upcoming doctor appointment</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> with my GP, hoping that it won't be cancelled. Selfish perhaps but true nonetheless.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After I finished up and went back out to the lobby, I ran into one of my trail buddies. (I walk every day at my local lake and there is a group of people that I see regularly-my "trail buddies.") I wasn't too surprised to see her (this is a small county and I manage to constantly run into people I know even though I don't know a lot of people) and so I said hello. I learned a while back that her husband has a pacemaker. I assumed she was there for his appointment and I asked after him. She said he was at home and that she was there for herself. Wow! She evidently had some trouble earlier in the month and was getting checked out. I said my goodbyes and walked out thinking that in the middle of a pandemic it's possible to have something normal happen, like running into an acquaintance at the doctor's office. Things are normal yet not normal. I continue to be surprised.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>My New Old Routine:</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Despite the colossal upheaval to life that so many are experiencing, my own routine and way of living hasn't been too disrupted yet. We are fortunate that Rich is still going to work for now and that our income and health care have not been affected yet. (I am omitting the stock market melt down here.) I keep roughly the same schedule that I always do and have been doing the same things, more or less. Last week I went on a hike (the above photo was taken on that outing) and I had another doctor appointment. I continue to go on my regular walks. The park that I use is closed to traffic and hence, no boating or fishing. No congregating in parking lots either. The bathrooms are still open, thank goodness, but everything else is closed. On my last walk I saw my regular trail buddies and we all stood 6 ft apart and talked. That was nice. I may start wearing a mask though just to be safe. We have 3 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in this county so far (small peanuts, I know) and I want to be safe. I also have alcohol wipes in my pack and use those until I can get home and properly wash my hands. For those times when I can't get out because it is too damn cold or it is raining too hard, I have added some aerobics DVDs and a yoga DVD to my routine. My art practice has slowed down a bit but I expect that it will pick up. It tends to go in cycles. There are no major cleaning projects in the works and I don't have big plans to learn a new language or to get together in any kind of a group online. As I said, my routine hasn't changed much. But it sort of has, really, since I can't go out as often. Like everyone else I am adjusting to this new reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>It's The End of The World...Or is It?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lastly, I had a really nice email exchange with an online "friend." (I put that word in quotes by the way because I have never met this person but consider her a friend. We are told though that people we have met online aren't friends since we haven't met them in person. Is this psychosocial parsing of terms and overkill? Let me know.) She sent me a wonderful article by an author called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307476812/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Craig Childs</a>. He is a commentator for NPR and a guy whose ideas I can get behind. I am not normally a doom and gloom paranoid kind of person but consider myself a realist. Just recently I had a huge revelation about our collective mortality; our time on Earth and where our civilization and planet are headed. It was a huge comfort to me to accept that eventually, all creatures become extinct. And this includes humans. Childs's ideas dovetail, I think, with what I am beginning to embrace for my life. I bought one of his books and am looking forward to reading it. I have some time, apparently.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I mention all of this, including what I wrote about above, because the conversation I had with my friend revealed that she has similar thoughts to mine; that life is cyclical and never ending. It's really a smallish big world that is shown to us just a little bit at a time, through chance encounters and emails, visits to the doctor's office and an online chat with a friend. Everything is interconnected. If I sneeze I might kill someone. (Extreme but true.) You can't pull one thread without nearly unraveling the whole tapestry. This year will wear on, like it or not, pandemic or not. Time marches forward. We keep our appointments, reschedule them, postpone vacations, all the while dreaming about the future. We cook dinner, go on hikes, and fantasize about an abundance of toilet paper for everyone. And the beat goes on.</span></div>
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Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-89809214663693228862020-03-22T14:41:00.002-07:002020-03-22T14:45:37.502-07:00Abundance and Scarcity: Two Sides of the Same Coin<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbnbZocBaTJNtCdz7Nt2JuAv371zQmkDxQ37i4CbpaC_4-5T5R3jfwM6QuUmk2yvBdpbQeWKqROXBLMEhpRc3RF7DdFE1FxbINAFA4CCw0JMvJ1DSZ6qIl_2cbo2P8i6aCKP_B2bA03E/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1600" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbnbZocBaTJNtCdz7Nt2JuAv371zQmkDxQ37i4CbpaC_4-5T5R3jfwM6QuUmk2yvBdpbQeWKqROXBLMEhpRc3RF7DdFE1FxbINAFA4CCw0JMvJ1DSZ6qIl_2cbo2P8i6aCKP_B2bA03E/s400/IMG_6543.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">A portion of my pantry. Don't judge!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This last Wednesday, I finally went to the grocery store. I had been putting it off. The first excuse was the rain. The next excuse was a doctor appointment. Then I was simply too tired. I knew that I was running out of reasons to not go. Finally, Wednesday came and that was my day. I girded my loins, got in my car, drove to the store, and guess what? It wasn't that bad!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why all of the delay then? What would cause someone to put off a normal everyday kind of activity? The reason is that now things aren't normal. Things are very, very not normal. I knew there would be empty shelves. There might be a crush of people running around with toilet paper rolls in their arms, grabbing canned beans and packages of meat. There could be people walking around with a silent virus or worse, outright sick and obviously infectious. But, as I said, it was fine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Mulling things over, for me, is a way to work through a problem. It was indeed a problem for me to not want to grocery shop. This is one of my duties at home. Rich goes to work and I do the grocery shopping, more or less. In examining my procrastination from the safe distance of my home, I realized that my real reason for not going was simply fear of the unknown. I experience generalized anxiety most of the time, you see, and now is no different. My current anxiety centers around something specific, something from my childhood, which is what I alluded to in the title of this post: the two issues of abundance and scarcity. As a country we have an incredible food supply; more than we possibly need and yet many people simply do not have enough. As a child, I worried about having too much and then, not having enough. Now, as an adult, I have more than I need and yet I still felt an urge to "stock up." Countless bloggers and websites told me that I needed to gather up the "essentials" so that I have enough. Numerous cooking sites suggested recipes to try for all of those newly purchased "staples." Everything that I saw on TV and heard on the news was directing me urgently towards the store. Now. ASAP. But the idea of having to stock up, of having more than is needed, makes me very nervous. It is indeed at the heart of what I often feel very conflicted about: we have so much but what if all of it was taken away? What if one day we needed something and couldn't get it? What then? And my current dilemma also contained an added layer of new anxiety. A previously safe activity was now potentially unsafe. Going to the grocery store meant taking the risk that I would have to face potentially infectious people. It also meant that I might find empty shelves. I just didn't know who and what would or wouldn't be there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Reason prevailed, and despite some misgivings, I did go to the grocery store. The shelves were a little picked over. That's all. Some things were not there: spaghetti sauce, pasta, some beans, and some grains. Oatmeal was in high demand evidently as well as bananas and onions and potatoes. I saw stacks of bottled water (will we never learn about those damn plastic bottles?) and an empty case where the eggs used to be. (Why eggs? Everyone here has chickens.) There was plenty of everything else. Seems no one wanted the kale (lucky me!) and the rest of the veggies and fruit were ready for the picking, so to speak. I bought a normal amount of food, paid for it, walked out to my car, got in and sanitized my hands. I then drove off with a reasonably clear conscience. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Now, to the point of the story: abundance and scarcity. Where does my own anxiety come from and, possibly yours too? For many of us, the perceived feelings of having either too much or too little are two facets of the same anxiety coin. In my opinion, both ideas are based on fear. Fear that could be real but could also be imagined. An example of anxiety based in reality can be shown by examining the behavior of my husband's late father. He grew up during the Depression and WWII. Food and other supplies were indeed scarce. People learned to make do and to be thrifty. The lessons learned from having lived through those hard times were passed along to his children, most notably my husband who doesn't like to throw anything away. Anything. For us, living in current times, we really have an abundance of everything. We are used to buying what we need and scarcity isn't much of an issue. That doesn't stop my husband though from being influenced by memories of his dad being very conservative in his habits. It's critical to remember when examining the roots of an anxiety that we all have a framework from which we operate. Time and experience shape us to make us who we are today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The example above is just one instance of why some of us are anxious in this new age of pandemics, shortages, and other related problems. There are many other reasons surrounding the anxiety we experience because of a perceived threat to our settled way of life; our routine, if you will. I like bottom lines though and for me, I feel the common denominator to this old/new anxiety is fear. This fear might seem irrational but it's real. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The idea of needing extra isn't always grounded in reality but it's</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> what drives seemingly reasonable people to do unreasonable things. In the simplest way, fear makes people hoard toilet paper and hand sanitizer and to appear utterly unreasonable in what they are doing. Fear is what makes us worry about going to the grocery store. It's what makes us stay at home and not speak out. Being afraid draws us to the Internet for answers and makes us believe outrageous claims. Fear is a pretty strong force and it can be </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">overwhelming and paralyzing. It's the underpinning of the unreasonable anxiety that we will not have enough even when that may not be true and factually when the items already in our pantries say otherwise. Anxiety is all about fear; fear of the unknown, the unreasonable, and the irrational. Resolution of that fear, getting rid of it and the only thing that will conquer it, is moving forward while feeling paralyzed. It's going forth, one small step at a time towards the unknown, minus the extra rolls of toilet paper of course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-16361815399894920042020-01-08T13:57:00.004-08:002020-01-08T13:57:52.914-08:00Perfect In My Imperfection!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCwMAoBmcwrEWnln63T8b-e4vWFQq0nKM6rwyN9vPD_CtAdG0f8UFAfezEcAHRw7stelsscpfWhBIZ3P5l_POiJ6ZknSOBzyfYklHkb7sWhIJf7QPoVvKFsSiBk5SnpauRCsAH8vGhgQ/s1600/IMG_6394%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCwMAoBmcwrEWnln63T8b-e4vWFQq0nKM6rwyN9vPD_CtAdG0f8UFAfezEcAHRw7stelsscpfWhBIZ3P5l_POiJ6ZknSOBzyfYklHkb7sWhIJf7QPoVvKFsSiBk5SnpauRCsAH8vGhgQ/s400/IMG_6394%255B1%255D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other day I told a friend that veganism is an imperfect way of living. At best, you can only hope to do so much. Each decision is fraught with a "good, better, best" type of mentality. It's OK though (even though it doesn't feel that way but it has to be for my own sanity) because I feel that in the long run, each day I am helping some animal somewhere to stay alive, even if my decisions aren't perfect.</span></span><div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I think my take on veganism can be extrapolated out to life in general. Life itself is imperfect. Living is imperfect. There is no other way. Take the above photo as an illustration of the point. (And bear in mind that this is just one example.) Today was market day for me and the above pic shows part of my haul. Do you see anything wrong with anything there? I do. I see stuff that I hemmed and hawed over, grappled with a bit and then settled for the lesser of several evils in my choices. Let's take things apart, OK?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Packaging</b>: One of my goals this year is to reduce the amount of packaging that I throw away (and buy to begin with). It's a tall order. Our recycling company won't take a Whole Bunch of Stuff! Plastic wrapping (like on the mushrooms) is one of the items that is a no-no. Likewise for the plastic bag that the slaw comes in. They will however take the plastic container that the lettuce comes in so that is good. Why did I buy those "bad" items then if they can't be recycled? The reason is because I am a work in progress. Remember I said above that life is not perfect? Well, I am not perfect either. I really wanted to try out that slaw. And next time, I am buying the mushrooms in bulk. I already decided. My reasoning though for the lapse in judgement is that I tried to use my own bags for most items that I bought and I also did buy some packaged things that can be recycled (see the cans of beans?).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What about those beans?: </b>I bought those beans in case of an emergency. An emergency could be as simple as I ran out of prepared beans from the freezer or as dire as our electricity has been cut off due to fires and I lost the beans in the freezer because they defrosted and I couldn't keep everything cold. The good news is that the beans are organic (yay, for good farming practices!), "lowered sodium", and the cans can be recycled. The bad news is that the beans came from a processing plant somewhere that probably uses a ton of fossil fuels and water to get the beans to market. So, bad news there. I don't even want to imagine about the workers picking and dealing with those beans.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>How about those potatoes?: </b>Most of that produce is not organic. To me, the organic designation makes a difference in two ways: how the land is treated and how seriously a company takes things. (Pesticide usage matters a lot too but in terms of eating the food, I don't worry too much. I do worry about the soil, water, and animals, however.) Now, there are plenty of companies that follow best practices and take very good care of their land and their product. I try to buy from those folks. An organic designation is very expensive though and time consuming to acquire. Many companies do without but also are very responsible. That designation is important though and I hope one day it won't be so expensive for small companies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What about the rest of the stuff not shown?: </b>I bought dry goods too and used my own bags. All of my produce, save the packaged items, went into my own bags too. So, that's a win. I did buy a bag of frozen vegetables (bag is not recyclable) and some tempeh (wrapped in non recyclable plastic). I bought some things in tetra packs and those are recyclable (Think almond milk and vegetable stock).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What about your car and the mileage?: </b>Well, goodness! Now we are getting down to the gnat's rear-end aren't we? Yes, I drove round trip about 5o miles to go to this store. My town has a grocery store but the produce isn't always fresh. I will be making some ferments tomorrow and the produce needs to be good to begin with. (Garbage in, garbage out!) I do this sort of long distance trip about once a month. The rest of the time I shop at my local store which, by the way, is also a split decision. The prices can be higher on some items but I have used less gas and non-renewable energy to get to the store. I am also supporting a local business which feels good.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Honestly, I am not complaining about the decision making. It's a gift to be able to choose isn't it? Many people can't and so that is important to remember when you are stalled out in the vegetable aisle. As I said above though and as I have been saying a lot lately, life is not perfect. I don't mean that my life is messy or chaotic. I work hard not to have that sort of stuff going on. But the choices I make every day are usually a split of some sort and the split is not always super. I believe strongly though in "the lesser of two evils" concept when making decisions. If I didn't take this tactic I would never make any decisions! This kind of approach has developed as I have gotten older and I think it works well. I am not advocating that you abdicate a conscientious approach to decision making because it is the easier way to go but simply that some degree of reasonableness has to come into the process. My belief is that veganism and whatever way of life you want to adopt is an ongoing discussion. It can't be perfect but it can't be put off either. Quite frankly, the longer you wait to act because things need to be 'just right", the more animals will perish, the more things will stay the same, and the less impact you will have overall. Now, go chew on a Beyond Meat burger and eat some organic vegetables!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks for reading,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Libby</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></span></div>
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Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-5861720229797422932019-12-20T13:43:00.002-08:002019-12-20T14:01:29.435-08:00How To Shop at Costco Without Losing Your Mind<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEgbVeULPh0OalfZyg_lEHjCpf6WdDo5Ru4AXxjqA5L8TuEjPTMJLP-TlkuKY7Or1pBVkQz80fE0McI6xVSVBNuFgB-p20QCxQKZ8cPqyyV0uHd9qj9PAnZxQSU4zuxAWszIRAqQ33Ws/s1600/12+19+rainbow+IMG_6350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEgbVeULPh0OalfZyg_lEHjCpf6WdDo5Ru4AXxjqA5L8TuEjPTMJLP-TlkuKY7Or1pBVkQz80fE0McI6xVSVBNuFgB-p20QCxQKZ8cPqyyV0uHd9qj9PAnZxQSU4zuxAWszIRAqQ33Ws/s400/12+19+rainbow+IMG_6350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Something positive to think of along with the tips in the article:)</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Why is it that shopping at Costco leaves me drained and depressed? Is it the overwhelming and insidious quest to consume? Marketing mayhem gone mad? Packaging overkill? I don't really know. Whatever it is, it gets me down. And what happens when I get down? I reflect. Reflection can be the antidote for anxiety. So that is just what I did after my last trip to the store. I turned things over in my mind and came up with some reasons for why a trip to this store is so bothersome and then some solutions for making those trips a little easier. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Costco really can upset me. Part of my distress has to do with trying to live a "healthy" life and the way I feel grocery stores undermine those efforts. There are whole aisles to avoid in a grocery store because the food there simply doesn't carry much nutritional weight. Those aisles contain "treats" (things that are for once in awhile) or foods that we know simply aren't great for us on a long term basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Other reasons for being upset have to do with portion size. What's presented to us as consumers in the way of pre packaged items is a very large package indeed!</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> And before you say anything, I know that large quantities of items are the point of Costco-you are supposed to save money by buying in bulk. The problem is that people are notoriously bad about portion sizes, myself included. When left to our own devices we will almost always eat more than we intend and part of that has to do with pre-portioned servings. We suck at cutting servings in half or saving some for later. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In addition to larger portions of things, there is also the excessive packaging issue. Our recycler here where I live won't take a bunch of stuff, a lot of which I saw on my recent shopping trip. That over packaging and use of unrecyclable materials creates another problem with putting things into the ever growing landfill. It makes no sense to buy beautiful, frozen organic broccoli which is encased in miles of plastic packaging that will only end up somewhere and never decompose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It seems like the list of badness is never ending but there must be a silver lining somewhere. There are some positive points. Costco (and other stores like it) do help in a sense. They are good for people who resell items in a retail setting. Large families can benefit from bigger quantities. Multiple households can also team up to buy together. There are foods there with stable shelf lives and so in theory, a family could stock up on essentials. People who give parties or who host family or work gatherings might also find the store helpful since it stocks prepackaged items meant for those occasions. And there are other services at the store such as an optical department and a photo center. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The store isn't so great for individuals or smaller families, however. There isn't much there that you couldn't get for a comparable price, say at a store like Safeway or at Trader Joes. One person doesn't really need a whole lot of food all at once to eat healthfully. Seriously, are you going to eat 12 breakfast muffins? Is that huge bag of potatoes going to last? How about 4 cantaloupes? Can you do that? Probably not. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am certain that others have done the math and that most likely, there are charts detailing why a store like Costco may or may not be more economical in the long run. Statistics like that don't really interest me. I don't mean that I have money to burn. Far from it. What I am interested in, however, is how to continue shopping at this store and not losing my mind. I should explain too that my husband probably would not give up the idea of belonging to Costco so quitting isn't an option. If you know me at all, I have some ideas on how to cope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">First, recognize that Costco is simply a giant grocery store. Take the Costco-generated marketing uniqueness out of the picture and it becomes way more manageable. Remember how regular grocery stores are set up. Healthy, perishable items are frequently found in the perimeter of the store. Things like fresh fruits and vegetables (also frozen), some meats, some breads and some dairy items are usually placed in a ring around the store. At my local Costco, there is one long section of the store that contains rows and rows of foods that are a mixed bag. This section is akin to the center aisles of a regular grocery store. These aisles contain snack foods, foods meant to be eaten as treats or in limited quantities, and foods that in general, contain lots of ingredients, many of which might not be so great for you on a long term basis. The big catch here is that there are also some pretty good items mixed in with the not so good items. Staple items like beans and healthy grains, plain pastas, canned vegetables, and some reasonably healthy snacks such as hummus and pre cut veggies. The drawback is that you are exposed to all of the other items while looking for the good stuff. You could get derailed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How then do you keep from going astray in the process of shopping? There are some ways to work the store more effectively. Some of the tips have to do with simple psychology or with being practical and some have to do with the foods that you select to buy. Keep in mind that this is my personal list and that I am a vegan. Everyone has their own definition of what "staples" are, what is "healthy", and what foods are for snacks, treats, and everyday consumption. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Make a list and stick to it:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't matter if it is electronic or written, a list is key. I believe firmly that you are less likely to overbuy if you have a list. Make sure to s</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">tick to the list. Cross items off as they go in your cart. (That also gives a sense of accomplishment and validates your list making efforts.) If something looks interesting and it isn't on the list, don't do a mind trip on yourself (Libby) about how you could use that item, just write it on the list and mark it as "saved for later." The strategy works pretty well. I only bought 3 extra items on this last trip (which is better than what I normally do).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Get psychological:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Part of the problem with Costco is FOMO-fear of missing out. Absolutely everyone in the store is consuming...and likely getting a good deal...and might buy what you are looking at too...and they are in a hurry. Somehow, being in that store creates a frantic sense of urgency. Maybe Costco pipes in some chemical through the air ducts that makes you crazy, I don't know. Whatever it is, it's bad news for us anxious types. In order to combat the above issues, I do a little self talk. It sounds like this: "I, personally, am not in a hurry. I can always come back for whatever I see and don't buy." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Do not shop when hungry!:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This sort of goes without saying but we all do it. The store opens at 10 and it usually takes me an hour to finish. My lunch time is between 11 and 11:30. I have to have my lunch with me or all Hell might break loose! I also eat a snack on the way there so as not to be hungry when I walk in the door. Whatever it is that you do, don't go into that store hungry to begin with and certainly don't end your trip with needing to eat lunch. Go after lunch if at all possible. Just don't go hungry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Focus on staples:</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If you look carefully enough, Costco has some great staple items. Apples keep very nicely in the refrigerator. Bread can be frozen. The store does carry some basic, unadorned grains such as quinoa, rice, and oatmeal. There are also canned beans and vegetables-just rinse them prior to use to alleviate some of the sodium. (They are also good in a pinch when you are pressed for time.) I also buy canned tomatoes (organic and very low in sodium). There is a good selection of unsalted nuts (may not be organic) and lots of dried fruit (great in small amounts as a snack or on top of that oatmeal). Costco now carries almond milk and they of course have regular milk and if you are into it, some cheese and plain yogurt. I don't buy the meat (except for Rich) but you can get salmon (of different origins) and skinless chicken. They also used to sell organic frozen chicken which I haven't seen in awhile. Organic peanut butter is another staple along with chia seeds and some unsalted spices. Please note that I am a vegan so these are all staples of my diet. As I mentioned above, everyone has their own staples. Make sure you know what they are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Make up your mind about prepackaged food:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many, many people eat prepackaged foods and for a variety of different reasons. They are convenient and do take the guesswork out of cooking. That convenience does come at a price, however. Prepackaged foods often have lots of additives which helps them to be tasty and shelf stable. It helps to look at the nutrition label when deciding. Many foods can fit nicely into an otherwise balanced diet. Some foods are special treats and some should probably be avoided. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Only you can decide. I will say that I pass up whole aisles of food items because they just won't give me the nutrition that I want. I have the time to cook from scratch and that is what I do. <b>Do your own thing please.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. Don't be fooled by healthy food that is over packaged:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I mentioned above about the frozen broccoli. It seemed like a total win until I saw that within that plastic bag each serving of broccoli came in a smaller, microwaveable plastic bag. That's a ton of plastic that my recycler won't take and that will go into the landfill. That stinks! Back it went. Look for other packaging gaffs like this and pass them up, even if they might be organic and good for you. Try to get them at the regular grocery store fresh and bring your own bags, for goodness sakes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>7. Know the reason for your visit to Costco:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is another psychological view on things. Are you headed to Costco to shop because you are bored or otherwise trying to fill some empty time? Nothing wrong with this of course but if you find yourself making multiple trips in a month, maybe more than you want to admit to or that are necessary, then perhaps it's time to reexamine your recreational habits. My point here is that you may end up overbuying (and overspending) because you don't need to and are shopping out of habit or boredom. There could be something else to fill your time that would be less costly and cause you less grief.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's likely that come January, I will once again make a trip to Costco. My husband likes the coffee that we buy there and shopping at the store is a deeply ingrained habit in my household. I have my list though and will be girding my loins for the psychological fight to stay sane. I hope the above ideas will be useful for some of you that belong to Big Box stores. And if you don't belong to one of these outfits, good for you! Hang on to your money, your time, and your sanity is what I say.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span><br />
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Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-28095834883059603042019-07-18T08:35:00.000-07:002019-07-18T08:35:19.227-07:00Toast, Toast and More Toast!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<img alt="BLACK+DECKER TO1950SBD 6-Slice Convection Countertop Toaster Oven, Includes Bake Pan, Broil Rack & Toasting Rack, Stainless Steel/Black Convection Toaster Oven" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81mD5%2B6YYTL._SY450_.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is hardly a revelation, but everything you own and everything you do takes up space and time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I just purchased a new toaster oven. After years of owning a traditional toaster, I decided to try something different. My move was prompted by a bread recipe. I make this bread that doesn't contain whole wheat flour and hence, no gluten. Gluten gives structure to bread. I like gluten, nothing wrong with it, but I started to make this quinoa/oatmeal bread to broaden my nutritional horizons. The issue is that the bread tends to fall apart in a traditional toaster. It just doesn't have the wherewithal to stand upright and to be subjected to the toasting process. So, laying the bread flat in the toaster oven works really well. The toaster oven works great for this purpose but now, what do I do about that toaster? (My husband still wants to use the regular toaster so it has to stay.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The answer is that I had to make room for it on the shelf in the pantry. That means that I had to move items on that shelf elsewhere which also means that I had to create space in another place. Furthermore, I now own two toasting appliances. Granted, they do different things but I own a traditional oven too. It uses propane. My toaster oven is electric. We pay a whopping amount of money to fill up our propane tank so using the propane powered stove for all of my cooking makes the best monetary sense. It just goes on and on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many years ago I read a book about simple living. In it, the author discussed what it means to own a lot of things. Every time you buy something, you must care for it in some way. Make room for it, clean it, service it, etc. It's there, taking up space in your home and it requires your effort and time. The author's point is not just about dealing with your possessions. Her larger point has to do with how you choose to spend your time. The more things you buy, the more you have to deal with those things and the less time you may have to do something else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That broader concept of what you choose to spend your time and energy on has stayed with me. These days, I tend to ask myself this question: How would I spend my time differently if I wasn't doing ______? (Fill in the blank.) My purchase of the toaster oven reminded me of this idea and the need to question where my efforts go. Are the activities and tasks worthwhile to me? Are they going to further one of my goals? It sounds a little mercenary and maybe it is. Asking questions is OK.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Am I sorry I now own two appliances that do similar things? No. I spent time researching the toaster oven and I am satisfied with the results. It's a luxury to own two appliances that will toast your bread. The experience has made me think though about how I want to spend my time. I am reminded that time is precious and how I choose to spend it matters. Do I want to take care of one more thing or could my time be better spent doing something else? I think I know the answer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
<br />Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-70370172721142433212019-06-29T14:09:00.001-07:002019-06-29T14:09:26.907-07:00A Walk in The Woods...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Lots of wildflowers!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzR2oU6WYefYS_KjOEO-KxnHyLKEBGhvgcs7UBlc82IsClIoWNdNd0HR82_LqtCpTf118OcTDdBelRKkHcehbNAuMnNF0YJDblduPdhy3IqYJ04K5Y8mxT3M_aaz__wyV-H6gDxRHFaw/s1600/6+28+19+Big+Trees+1+IMG_5849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="813" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzR2oU6WYefYS_KjOEO-KxnHyLKEBGhvgcs7UBlc82IsClIoWNdNd0HR82_LqtCpTf118OcTDdBelRKkHcehbNAuMnNF0YJDblduPdhy3IqYJ04K5Y8mxT3M_aaz__wyV-H6gDxRHFaw/s400/6+28+19+Big+Trees+1+IMG_5849.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Seems peaceful enough...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Bad selfie taken shortly before incident</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was bound to happen sooner or later. I have been hiking regularly for about 3 years now and I have been lucky. Let me tell you what happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Friday I took myself off to Big Trees State Park in Arnold. I needed some Libby-time. I know that I am home with myself all day and that should be enough time but really, I just needed some space not to think about the laundry and dinner and everything else like that. So off for a hike I went.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I have been to Big Trees State Park many times over the years and have always felt very safe. The park, particularly the North Grove where the visitor's center is located, is well populated. I haven't ever really been nervous. Yesterday was no exception. I hiked around the floor of the North Grove and headed up to the overlook. I got up there, slowly, and hiked out onto a kind of plateau/rock outcropping to eat my apple. I sat down, looked around, ate my snack and sort of spaced out. It's what I do when I hike by myself. I try to empty my mind as much as possible. I try to relax. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the midst of the peace and quiet, all of a sudden I heard a very loud air horn. That sound was followed quickly by the noise of a truck speeding off and going very fast down the road back towards the main parking lot. For the briefest of moments, I wondered if that sound was an air horn/bear horn sort of noise. (I even laughed at that expression!) People carry air horns to scare off wild life so that is why that thought entered my mind. My next thought, followed quickly on the heels of that one, was that couldn't possibly be the reason for that noise. I can't tell you how quickly my Rational Mind squashed my Speculating Mind. Kicked it to the curb in about ten seconds flat. That was that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I finished my apple, got back onto the trail, and started down the hill for the rest of my hike. I hadn't gotten very far before I saw two rangers coming towards me. As they approached, I asked them both what that air horn noise was all about. The one ranger spoke up and said that there had been a bear sighting at the top of the trail (where I had just come from) a few moments ago. They (the rangers) were coming up the trail to see if there was anyone up there (presumably to warn them). I said, well yes, I was up there. Or had been up there. I have a knack for stating the obvious so I asked them if they were telling me that there was a bear in the vicinity. They answered that yes, that was true, and she was there with her cubs. Three of them. Wow. Just wow. The ranger went on to say that they have several bears in the park and the bears are all very safe. (Safe? Seriously? A funny choice of words I would say.) This bear, however, was kind of a problem because of the cubs. She evidently had taken to putting them in the trees, at which point I glanced nervously upwards and then back at the rangers. They assured me that everything was fine (right) and that it was safe to go back down the hill. They had just come from that direction after all (right again).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Down I went, in a hurry. The quickest way to get me off a hillside or mountain apparently is to let me know that there is a bear in the area. I made some good time and didn't trip over anything in the process of descending. I finished my hike and got back to my car, crisis averted. For now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I say for now because as crazy at it seems, I am likely to go back. Maybe even alone. I can't always find someone to go with. People always wind these types of stories up with the fact that we live in the bears' territory and we need to get used to that fact. Duh!, is what I say. That isn't a consoling or helpful kind of comment. The fact that we have encroached on wild habitat is not new and that isn't what I was so interested in actually regarding the entire episode. What really got me going was how quickly Rational Mind squashed Speculating Mind. Rational Mind stepped right in and pushed all thoughts of bears out of the picture. I convinced myself in a heartbeat, without consciously deciding to do so, that the air horn sound had nothing to do with a bear. I wonder if that is some kind of survival technique? Sort of like if you fell over the edge of a cliff. Would you know for a very long time that you were going to die or would that part of your mind just shut off? I guess no one has lived to report on this question.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am laughing about things now but in reality, I have been soundly shaken. Every time I hike I am in someone else's home. I am the visitor. Being negligent by not paying close attention because you have become complacent or because you think you have a "right" to be there is a very dangerous thing. I am lucky that I got off with just a slap on the wrist, so to speak. When I got back to the forest floor where all the visitors were walking around, I wanted to tell all of them to pay attention, to wake up! I can assure you that I myself am now awake and will be vigilant the next time I go hiking. Oh, and I am ordering an air horn/bear horn from Amazon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading and commenting,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Libby PS-Happy Hiking!</span></div>
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<br />Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-75771942042581749052019-05-02T13:43:00.000-07:002019-05-12T10:57:31.709-07:00On Mothers, Mothering, and Memories<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Carol Fahrbach, my mom<br />Photo by my Aunt Corliss<br />1932-2014</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That is my mom pictured above. She sure loved her Red Hat Ladies and all of their fun events. Yesterday marked the five year anniversary of my mom's passing. I can't believe it has been that long. In many ways, the night she collapsed and was hospitalized and the following day that she died seem like things that just happened yesterday. Though there is an immediacy to my memories of that time, there is also a remoteness. The passage of time can soften the edges of things if you allow it to. There really is truth to the fact that there isn't a day that goes by without thinking about someone who you have lost. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Wednesday was no exception. The days leading up to that day were kind of vaguely hard for me. I couldn't really put my finger on why though. The best I can do is to say that I miss having someone to "mother" me. The last couple of days I have been considering how most of us need some kind of parental figure regardless of how old we get or who that figure might be. Even when our own parents are gone or absent in some way, I think we seek out the company of others who will fill that missing role for us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Over the years, I have been fortunate to work with some people who became "surrogate" mothers for me. For a time, I worked at a bank and had a group of older ladies that kind of "mothered" me. They provided different examples of mothering, ones that I hadn't considered or perhaps didn't think applied to me and my own mom. One woman showed me how to both love and be pissed off at her family at the same time! Another woman showed me how love is something that can be elastic and can overlook deficiency; her love for her wayward daughter showed no monetary (or emotional) boundaries. My manager at the time, also a mom of three older, married men, was the master of diplomacy. She seemed to be able to test the boundaries with both her sons and daughters-in-law just enough to get her point across. She was also the same person who "adopted" another young woman at the branch whose mom lived far away. They really were like mother and daughter. I got to see up close too how a mom's idea of the parental/child relationship can be unrealistic and that a parent can be disappointed and sad when those expectations don't work out. As a group, the ladies that I worked with turned their mothering focus on me occasionally. I was included in after work activities, events that included socializing at dinner, going to the movies, and attending concerts in our local park. I felt "loved" in a way and like I belonged somewhere. This all came at a time when my relationship with my own mom was still pretty good. I did find myself floundering however with regard to having "family" and these ladies helped to fill in that gap.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There are also times when I have received "mothering" from women who are older than me but who aren't moms, per se. My oldest and dearest friend is seven years older than me. She isn't a mom (to a human child at least, she is a dog mom though) but her experience is invaluable and when she offers advice or observations, I listen. Additionally, my oldest sister-in-law has been a tremendous help, giving me some gentle prodding and poking when I needed it most. Her support of me through a very difficult medical time (and at all other times as well) is a true gift and one I won't forget. Over the years too, I have had women friends who are without exception, older than me. I find that the age gap helps me somehow and draws me to them. I pay attention when they tell me things that they have learned over the years. Their life experiences help me to fill in the gaps that are missing in my personal education. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I had a chance to reflect these last couple of days, I know in my heart that mothering can come from a place where you least expect it. When my mom was dying, my aunt (her sister) came to help my dad at the hospital. Because my relationship with my mom at that point had been strained for awhile I hadn't really seen my aunt much over the past couple of years. She was there though at the hospital and was a tremendous help to me. My mom's passing created an additional "hole" for me. There is some extra pain I think, an added layer of grief that exists, when your parent passes and you haven't always gotten on well with them. My aunt though stepped right in to fix things. I now meet regularly with both my aunt and cousin (my aunt's younger daughter) for lunch. We are frequently joined by my other aunt too. She is technically my cousin's aunt but I consider her to be my aunt too. The three of them have provided some real comfort to me over the past five years. They are a gracious crew; no one says anything to me about past transgressions. There isn't anything but love and kindness. Every time I drive away after finishing one of our lunches, I am so grateful for the blessing of their company.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I mentioned above, the old adage of not a day going by without thinking of a loved one who has passed, is very true. Thank goodness that there are other people who are willing to step in, whether knowingly or not, to provide support, care and love; to fill the gap that a loved one leaves behind when they pass away. No matter how old you get, you still need a "mom" or "dad" to help you along on your journey. Thank goodness that families and friends are there for us when we need them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-75274967232309542982019-04-23T12:24:00.001-07:002019-04-23T12:26:41.886-07:00On Being Your Own Worst Enemy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqicgKAyCLphsQb-0geTqDL7fVjm_lnaZoVnwAUwm6zqcryDlemfpmfEdGWspudtnOyIcAJEcqEK2ubkBz4oDikmBvYpsD_1zcuY-RGDEoBabiTBsj_qAE0kVejdaVHtVG1kgEADSfNoI/s1600/4+22+19+hike1+IMG_5592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqicgKAyCLphsQb-0geTqDL7fVjm_lnaZoVnwAUwm6zqcryDlemfpmfEdGWspudtnOyIcAJEcqEK2ubkBz4oDikmBvYpsD_1zcuY-RGDEoBabiTBsj_qAE0kVejdaVHtVG1kgEADSfNoI/s400/4+22+19+hike1+IMG_5592.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoekkQ3naLgp46eYdXT81gYZbbxOJywO5CkN1dy3DOLuuhb31sAEISW99GggPgUN7sK5JqQYmx-NbJV9pMWEwqDgXwW2oKHKFI3iN_gsqKOgilEhREhHqy70iQzuAPFeDmzGdbXS89oo/s1600/4+22+19+hike+2+IMG_5594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoekkQ3naLgp46eYdXT81gYZbbxOJywO5CkN1dy3DOLuuhb31sAEISW99GggPgUN7sK5JqQYmx-NbJV9pMWEwqDgXwW2oKHKFI3iN_gsqKOgilEhREhHqy70iQzuAPFeDmzGdbXS89oo/s400/4+22+19+hike+2+IMG_5594.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pardee Reservoir, Calaveras County</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g-ZmLZsVJU7d6eZr_AOfSqhhu25UdzUNsARyJRmwmxH-vulklGrPDbtqmu9itYugRBlxrVWbv1kBAfseI6MWJxiBoevpoifZGjrGbeWdEjos_25moaBcVnxqqD8fhOLlwn8UigqDG9c/s1600/4+22+19+hike+3+IMG_5597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1g-ZmLZsVJU7d6eZr_AOfSqhhu25UdzUNsARyJRmwmxH-vulklGrPDbtqmu9itYugRBlxrVWbv1kBAfseI6MWJxiBoevpoifZGjrGbeWdEjos_25moaBcVnxqqD8fhOLlwn8UigqDG9c/s400/4+22+19+hike+3+IMG_5597.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuI3lHncPID1_Y95b7WioskMQc6BSXR1o_LGECeg1gICb7L8VgrelRumutz8_a_ufOi2R75pTUJ9oXl4RbqEZG2DI2oqqGlSNRhyDLQsPBS6sCFSagRIF5pexhFEO_0irDq4y2_NCL4k/s1600/4+22+19+hike+4+IMG_5599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuI3lHncPID1_Y95b7WioskMQc6BSXR1o_LGECeg1gICb7L8VgrelRumutz8_a_ufOi2R75pTUJ9oXl4RbqEZG2DI2oqqGlSNRhyDLQsPBS6sCFSagRIF5pexhFEO_0irDq4y2_NCL4k/s400/4+22+19+hike+4+IMG_5599.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is as green as our county gets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIrHnhO0bkvT9NSZSjHIqn_OeBJcwO-2HnQC-ng80lGv9RK4yUc7UGjqzj7zriLdJpCKvJxTiBB0bYpevKshbruyT3FVRSRILELFUN-cgRWBu2wOXEMR5jkC5loXdGZr43FUcg-SfK8o/s1600/4+22+19+hike+6+IMG_5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIrHnhO0bkvT9NSZSjHIqn_OeBJcwO-2HnQC-ng80lGv9RK4yUc7UGjqzj7zriLdJpCKvJxTiBB0bYpevKshbruyT3FVRSRILELFUN-cgRWBu2wOXEMR5jkC5loXdGZr43FUcg-SfK8o/s400/4+22+19+hike+6+IMG_5601.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This creek was difficult to pass two years ago. Yesterday it was just a hop, skip and a jump!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgIhHOfI1C_Gvr_kjqDqs3eRqzPlBBOjI2HJUlBXYNwU06BTaB5T9LRt2s1QMymVT7-PLeNiQCuju6zv5LHg3lQ2pRqmkxMxe9QQbxVFrl_UnvBmnRBXgF0tUdOrk5MThC5kGR0gNRJE/s1600/4+22+19+hike+7+IMG_5603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgIhHOfI1C_Gvr_kjqDqs3eRqzPlBBOjI2HJUlBXYNwU06BTaB5T9LRt2s1QMymVT7-PLeNiQCuju6zv5LHg3lQ2pRqmkxMxe9QQbxVFrl_UnvBmnRBXgF0tUdOrk5MThC5kGR0gNRJE/s400/4+22+19+hike+7+IMG_5603.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOkel6UXzMAPyHj7gL5r5emQeIXrTVMb84p7ElcCW5KJSWoAcQtF14egmDY08-WB_SZXvD0RMXxpJxEGASIGUJQCYiOaPLPoafMZwJJQ0lJkzuCS87AwQffjolceve1YNa6Y_SMps33I/s1600/4+22+19+hike+8+IMG_5606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaOkel6UXzMAPyHj7gL5r5emQeIXrTVMb84p7ElcCW5KJSWoAcQtF14egmDY08-WB_SZXvD0RMXxpJxEGASIGUJQCYiOaPLPoafMZwJJQ0lJkzuCS87AwQffjolceve1YNa6Y_SMps33I/s400/4+22+19+hike+8+IMG_5606.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_mkZWU97TYx9qvLwOtD2D8QLVGpIYgQM8TEpwBt8mJ3C_p5H_fftkg4IvZPVYmtZMNKqkkickSIzjlnxXmlYarM4W7J_AXaEZTfXwXY4Nk5caM572SfIHIipPxy5t7isq0ELdouhNfI/s1600/4+22+19+hike+9+IMG_5607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_mkZWU97TYx9qvLwOtD2D8QLVGpIYgQM8TEpwBt8mJ3C_p5H_fftkg4IvZPVYmtZMNKqkkickSIzjlnxXmlYarM4W7J_AXaEZTfXwXY4Nk5caM572SfIHIipPxy5t7isq0ELdouhNfI/s400/4+22+19+hike+9+IMG_5607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that little clearing at the top? We were on that ridge!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSba9WbWcrf6HvopXpbs5haDdqDVZ-VU2L2YOtH8XeINsjx0qUGxl4OL4KOZOR2pRbxeusD2FDbe6YOYTPrnCc2ILLXaUq6DyUeJLxpSYTI-vmR_NJPCogBsf5kEzuYRYl-fHCOgPe1fk/s1600/4+22+19+hike+10+IMG_5609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSba9WbWcrf6HvopXpbs5haDdqDVZ-VU2L2YOtH8XeINsjx0qUGxl4OL4KOZOR2pRbxeusD2FDbe6YOYTPrnCc2ILLXaUq6DyUeJLxpSYTI-vmR_NJPCogBsf5kEzuYRYl-fHCOgPe1fk/s400/4+22+19+hike+10+IMG_5609.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a profusion of flowers towards the end of the hike. A real treat!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlTnsI1Tu3NjTN5MjXbt2pb7TrxinusDhKOJT1b_p4a8lQERl05RvhpOEMAOK5ZjUSBjlONMljduI8QF3lNEwkULTsVPROdc0sqJMe0zO672r7FsriG5qYm3mmAktngQhV4TFBmqwj0/s1600/4+22+19+hike+11+IMG_5621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhlTnsI1Tu3NjTN5MjXbt2pb7TrxinusDhKOJT1b_p4a8lQERl05RvhpOEMAOK5ZjUSBjlONMljduI8QF3lNEwkULTsVPROdc0sqJMe0zO672r7FsriG5qYm3mmAktngQhV4TFBmqwj0/s400/4+22+19+hike+11+IMG_5621.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me, on Patti's Pt, with the Mokelumne River and Pardee Reservoir in the background.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGo3YfB5p64oJsycnL7HGYgdcmvcBN2H64djIT_uQPP2f-gRWsqaUES45QThQQSx8YkILlu__x5KYieOEdPoGdA6JxvjdT5o6Dxui5yihTkSpHbWH5jVhb1NLf1apXs9QwynLUxUh7Ws/s1600/4+22+19+hike+12+IMG_5623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGo3YfB5p64oJsycnL7HGYgdcmvcBN2H64djIT_uQPP2f-gRWsqaUES45QThQQSx8YkILlu__x5KYieOEdPoGdA6JxvjdT5o6Dxui5yihTkSpHbWH5jVhb1NLf1apXs9QwynLUxUh7Ws/s400/4+22+19+hike+12+IMG_5623.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hillsides were covered with all sorts of orange and yellow flowers.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Jzsn31xuLl5jzUcfCH8OdVwp_T7eoWrZ_eckBKKehowNBeb7Zy_r-AJczED1Vvi2e4u8yQ01WxSVNWExJukE4ME2Y0GyvqoMf7zp3GrEMku4My-vLfA2Gb1Hd1VjrzuINZy3O7-Qxo/s1600/4+22+19+hike+13+IMG_5624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7Jzsn31xuLl5jzUcfCH8OdVwp_T7eoWrZ_eckBKKehowNBeb7Zy_r-AJczED1Vvi2e4u8yQ01WxSVNWExJukE4ME2Y0GyvqoMf7zp3GrEMku4My-vLfA2Gb1Hd1VjrzuINZy3O7-Qxo/s400/4+22+19+hike+13+IMG_5624.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, Earth Day, was my birthday. I turned 49 this year, no mean feat! My friends, who are older than me, tell me that I am just a baby still. Let's hope so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I also went on a memorable hike yesterday to celebrate, quietly and inwardly, and to see what I could do for myself physically and mentally. It was a kind of perfect day really: great weather, an abundance of wildflowers, and enjoyable company. In short, a great day for a very long hike.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Originally, I was just going to start out with my friends, hike about 4 miles in and then turn around without them and hike the 4 miles back alone. I hike alone all of the time so no problem there. Turning back seemed like a good option for me because I felt it would be too hot to hike the full distance of 11 miles. I also believed that 11 miles was too long of a distance for me, physically. Eight miles is about my comfort level for the weather and terrain that we have here. (Note that I mention the weather and terrain. People always assume that it is the distance that makes a hike difficult or not and that is really only partially the truth. Factors such as the weather, elevation, elevation gain and loss, terrain underfoot, health conditions, sleep status and mental game are all variables to consider.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, that was the plan. Well, as they say about the best laid plans, things can change. And change they did! We got to hiking and arrived at a section of the trail that I hadn't seen in awhile. It was so beautiful. There were so many flowers to see already but my friend told me that there were more to come, particularly towards the last 2 miles or so. Physically, I felt good (we were about 4 miles in) and the weather was just right-warm with a cool breeze. Perfect as I said above. So, I felt I could walk a little farther. Who am I kidding? I knew I was just going to continue walking. And so I did. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At about the 5 mile mark I knew that I couldn't turn back so that option was off the table anyway. That made me nervous. Real nervous. What if I couldn't complete the hike? What if some body part hurt too much and walking wasn't possible? What if the heat made me sick? Did I really have enough water? Enough food? What if, what if, what if!!! I can "what if" myself to death. So, I just stopped and mentally decided that whatever happened, I would handle it. Just shut up, and handle it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All of the above mental discussion is typical. My friend pointed out to me that I worry a lot. Really? I think it is OK to worry. It's one way to work through things. The problem arises however when your worrying prevents you from enjoying something or worse yet, keeps you from doing something. In that way, it's possible to become your own worst enemy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How to get past it though. It depends. It's helpful to ask if what you are concerned about is realistic or not. Could it actually happen? One of the things I was concerned about was getting overheated and possibly becoming sick. I have had that happen before on a hike so the possibility is realistic. I was drinking plenty of water though, had on a wide brimmed hat, and was wearing sunscreen. There was shade on much of the trail too and the breeze was cool. So, I kind of talked myself down from that ledge. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I was also worried about getting hurt and not being able to continue. This is a realistic concern to some extent though I haven't had it happen yet. I try to be careful and I use a hiking pole. Still. The last part of the hike involved a somewhat short but steep descent. Could I do it if I was injured? The answer is likely "yes." I say likely because honestly, if I broke some bone or something all bets would be off. But what if I got a sprain or strain or scraped something? I could probably power through that and get down the hill. So, I mentally worked past this objection too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In the end, things worked out. I deliberately set the mental chatter aside and kept walking, carefully, one foot in front of the other, and as steadily as I could manage. For those of us with anxiety, fears can be addressed with logic and you can get past them with a little mental chit chat. Positive and realistic self talk can be a very effective tool. I am not sure how often people use it but in my experience, it does work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I want to stress though that there really are times when your reservations about something that frightens you are valid and those feelings shouldn't be ignored.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When considering whether or not to do something though, it's important to ask what is really real. A little "risk assessment" helps. All sorts of things could happen but winnowing down the likely possibilities and seeing how they might be handled is a useful exercise. When considering risk, remember that not every outcome can be anticipated. Taking that into account is a must. And sometimes things really are dangerous. I am thinking about weather conditions here or medical issues that might impact your outcome or you may not have the skills needed to complete the task. Those are important things, things that could be life altering. The rest of it though? Just mental chatter as I mentioned. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What did I learn yesterday? I learned that I have nice friends who will hike with me and make my day enjoyable. Being 49 is pretty good so far. I also learned that sometimes all conditions converge to make a day "perfect." What a gift that is. And I learned that it is possible to turn your "enemy" in to a "friend." It just takes a little convincing:)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for reading and commenting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-30518764451840026012019-03-24T13:40:00.001-07:002019-03-24T13:41:53.863-07:00Even a Housewife Needs a Vacation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjcQON0wbnuFeDqtb1FPZjpFVRfp5opb-a79DI-nj_VfO5uGMcta-mZ6XURZSb-_fi1C_s_jSrcr4ubVlRwHsBMuGNk56laa1kucirHjfhrAl5p9v0wmLD7UmDZodijwBcjdbzdjIPSE/s1600/IMG_5256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjcQON0wbnuFeDqtb1FPZjpFVRfp5opb-a79DI-nj_VfO5uGMcta-mZ6XURZSb-_fi1C_s_jSrcr4ubVlRwHsBMuGNk56laa1kucirHjfhrAl5p9v0wmLD7UmDZodijwBcjdbzdjIPSE/s400/IMG_5256.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Looking northwest, Point Lobos Park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Looking northwest, Point Lobos Park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">On the trail at Big Sur State Park</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO_9Aeytv1Y1-bWs-Net-ZNaGSsOLc6N1gFadBYwR1L4pDMBYWX0tJsrsjfG0ujqReYuuzozHbstz288LvWE5rPFjXnrQxZB3NqbhqiYmCFE_ZFK3WjM75RmAJzhMHEI9F599WuyRLk8/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpO_9Aeytv1Y1-bWs-Net-ZNaGSsOLc6N1gFadBYwR1L4pDMBYWX0tJsrsjfG0ujqReYuuzozHbstz288LvWE5rPFjXnrQxZB3NqbhqiYmCFE_ZFK3WjM75RmAJzhMHEI9F599WuyRLk8/s400/IMG_5298.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Looking towards the Santa Lucia Range at the top of the trail.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Banana slug!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Controversy! Could be wild morning glory or a non native invasive monster!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I just got back from spending 3 days on the California coast, down in the Big Sur area. Big Sur is south of Monterey and Carmel, maybe about 30 miles or so. I was actually in a little spot called Lucia, about another 20 miles or so away and staying at a monastery! The place is called <a href="https://contemplation.com/">New Camoldoli Hermitage</a> and the men who live there are Roman Catholic Monks. They run a retreat/hostel kind of place where people can come to do whatever they wish to do, in silence. It's a spot for religious contemplation of course but also a place where a person can be quiet for awhile. There is no available Internet, no television or radio, and no talking on the grounds. I live in a small rural area that I thought was quiet and not busy. Boy, was I wrong! This hermitage is the essence of quietness and non busyness. That is a good thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, while I was there, I went to a couple of spots to go hiking. The first place was Point Lobos State Reserve, as shown by the first two shots above. I also popped in to Big Sur State Park (next 3 shots). While I love the ocean, I really, really love a good redwood forest. Big Sur State Park had everything that you might want: redwoods, chaparral, bay trees, manzanita, wildflowers, and banana slugs! When I got to the top of all of the switchbacks, where the bees and manzanita were, I could see 360 degrees all around. I saw the ocean and then turned to see the mountains. What a treat all in one go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I was hiking, I must have greeted and talked with at least two dozen or so people. I was heartened to see all sorts of folk-people of color, kids, older people and everyone else in between. Good news I think. I have to say too that this was possibly the most joyful hiking experience I have had to date. I can't remember feeling so connected to my fellow hikers and being so appreciative of my surroundings. I think sometimes you are simply in sync with what is happening around you. And thank goodness for that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Before I left on my trip, my friend (and hairdresser) asked me why I was going; what I hoped to get out of the vacation. I honestly couldn't answer her. I didn't have a real agenda other than to be able to pry myself out of my routine and to go somewhere on my own, a place that I picked, and do <i>something. </i>I was kind of amused by staying with the monks and going to a service but that was it. I knew too that I wanted to hike, and I did that. Beyond those things, I didn't form any ideas of what might happen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What was the takeaway? I found that with the silence I was able to think a bit (big surprise that the Internet sucks up your thinking time and makes a bunch of mental noise) and to actually hear myself for once. I was able to do some personal writing which helped. I was also able to answer the question of what I was doing. I think that over time, a person can stop paying attention to themselves; can stop taking in new things that add to their own personal experiences. Those new things are part of what "builds" a person. If you are just focused on being part of a group or couple, or focused on working or being on the Internet or whatever it is that has you twisted up, you might stop "feeding" yourself, so to speak. You might even get a little lost. And it's insidious. It sneaks up on you. You might think that you are taking care to feed yourself well enough, but the truth is that you are probably falling short. You won't know it until it's a little later than you might like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I will share one of the questions that I wrote down. Maybe it's one you might want to think about too? "How will I continue to form my own ideas about God and my place in the universe?" This question, it isn't small! It's worth considering. My answers had to do with openness and flexibility of thought. Keeping an open ended attitude towards both the new ideas of others and your own ideas is important. I think where many of us fall down is in our rigidity of thinking. How often have you stopped hearing someone because you thought you already "knew" about that subject? Or you stopped listening because you already had an opinion on something? I call this a general kind of resistance and frankly, I do it a lot. I don't mean to suggest that every kooky idea must be considered but you can at least stop yourself from totally shutting down and can then say, "Hey, wait a minute. What about that idea?" I think that in the long run, a willingness to consider something (even if it makes you uncomfortable or you suspect that it is flat out wrong) will create a kind of fullness in your life and that may in turn help you to form your own ideas and to see just exactly where it is that you fit in to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">All in all, I am just as pleased as punch that I went. I was able to make the drive which is no small feat considering the shoulder, neck and back pain that often plagues me. The weather was pretty great and there were plenty of wildflowers to check out. My room was spartan but serviceable, I had my quilt and electric blanket, enough to eat and lots to see. Not a bad trip for a housewife!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Alright, thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a comment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
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Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-11833106672435231852019-03-20T05:36:00.003-07:002019-03-20T05:40:37.910-07:00On The Soap Box Again!<img alt="COACHELLA Reusable Produce Bags Washable (10-Pack) Heavy-Duty, Recycled Mesh Net Storage Totes for Fruits, Vegetables, Food | Ecofriendly Toy Bag, Zero Waste | Sale Compact, Portable Mesh Produce Bags" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/614pxo4wOJL._SY450_.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K7LLFQP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Coachella Recycled Plastic Bags</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When did shopping become a struggle in decision making? Part of going vegan almost a year and a half ago has been adjusting my buying habits to reflect my evolving morals. Not wanting to eat animals or to exploit them for my own benefit has morphed into trying to do right in a general way; trying to live responsibly in the world at large. It's very difficult because each choice that is made that benefits me also comes at a detriment to some other living creature. It's a real pickle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Most decisions are a mix of good and bad outcomes. For example, when we bought my car a while back, I asked the salesman if the car contained any animal products such as a leather steering wheel. (It does not so that's good.) But, a car runs on gas (we did not buy a hybrid car) and gas is a petroleum product which is a fossil fuel. Burning fossil fuels harms our environment by contributing to pollution, global warming, and tearing up the landscape (which affects the creatures living on said landscape) to dig for that oil. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Here is another example of a decision with a mixed outcome. Most of us realize that plastics, specifically plastic bags and bottles, are a serious issue. We have plastic garbage floating in our oceans and rivers, littering our landscapes, and piling up in our garbage dumps. This is indisputable. We are told to reduce, reuse and recycle. Great. Super. I can get behind that. With those concepts in mind, I purchased some mesh bags to use at the grocery store. One set is made of certified fairly traded organic cotton. The manufacturers claim that the product is compostable. The product is also made somewhere in China, likely in a factory that utilizes fossil fuels to power its operations, perhaps underpays its workers and which is massively polluting the environment. Not to mention the fact of the cotton fabric production itself and that impact on the environment. Oh, and by the way, these bags were shipped from China and arrived eventually at my house via a UPS truck. But, it's all good because I won't be using those pesky plastic bags anymore to buy my organic produce. Or will I? The second set of bags that I bought is made from recycled plastic bottles. That's a win right? Yes and no. The same problems exist for these recycled plastic bags as described for the cotton bags above. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I could go on, really. What do you do as a consumer? How can you make a decision at all, let alone a "good" decision? My evolving solution to this problem involves both conscious choice and flexibility of thought. Essentially, a decision comes down to selecting the lesser of many evils. Each decision contains some benefits but ultimately will affect some living creature or the environment. Decisions are not made in a vacuum and are not made without consequence. Here then are some things to consider when deciding to buy a product.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. <b><u>Necessity:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Have I run out of this product yet or do I simply want to replace it? There are still Ziplock bags in my pantry. Do I recycle them and buy better bags or use up what I have? I chose to keep using the bags as long as possible, wash them and recycle them. Waste not want not right? I realize that this decision may or may not impact workers somewhere that manufacture these Ziplock bags as well as the companies that sell the bags. (I am trying not to focus on the water needed to wash the bags either.) The other question that falls into this category has to do with desire versus need. Do I just want something because I want it or is it really going to benefit our household? Deprivation sucks and honestly, sometimes you do just want something. But by and large, I try and ask if the item is really pertinent or can it wait to be purchased.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>2. Human Impact:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">With each purchase, who am I impacting? In a global economy, workers everywhere get paid to produce, repair, assemble, fix or maintain things. They grow our food, harvest it, package it up and get it shipped off. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Workers in third world countries are often exploited. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Many are not paid a fair or "living" wage and perhaps have no chance to live a better life. When you choose not to buy something, you are affecting</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> someone. Not buying a particular product, even if the production of that product harms someone, might eventually affect someone's employment status. On the other hand, we are told to be the change that we want to see in the world. If that's true, we should buy from companies that pay fair wages, treat their workers well, and minimally impact the environment. Not easy to do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>3. Impact To Other Living Beings:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On one hand, this decision is easy. I don't eat animal products so that is good. On the other hand, I benefit from animal exploitation, which is bad. Starting with the medicines that I take, the glue that holds my shoes together, and the animals that get killed when fields are plowed to grow my food, my choices have a tremendous impact on other living beings. It's inescapable. This is the one area that bothers me the most since animals cannot speak up, engage in collective bargaining or walk off the job if they are unhappy. What can be done while striving for a clearer conscience? Knowing that there are some things that I cannot bypass, I am going to try and continue to do a few things: make good, better and best choices when it comes to buying something; be informed; continue to learn about the impact of humans and non humans living together and be consciously aware of my decisions while being as honest as possible in my thinking. Continuing to learn and to be thankful for the sacrifice of those that can't speak up may be the only responses for now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>4. Impact To The Environment:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We live in a rural area, by choice, without much in the way of shopping options. A lot of what I buy for our household comes to us on a truck, a plane or a train. I see that UPS has some clean air vehicles, which is great, but by and large we are talking about the use of fossil fuels. My initial thoughts are that these trucks are already out on the road. By not getting in my car to drive somewhere to shop, I become one less person impacting the infrastructure. It's not always possible though to have everything I order come in one shipment or from one vendor. I then have to ask myself how badly do I need the item and can I make due with something else? Lately, I have been trying to ask these questions prior to each purchase. I don't always get it right but the point is to think and to ask.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Specific Examples: Things to try</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Where can you start? I have 10 ideas that I am currently working with. These are as good a place as any in which to begin the process of hopefully reducing impact.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Use cloth napkins and towels instead of paper towels and paper napkins. Also, substitute handkerchiefs for kleenex (old flannel sheets work nicely for this).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Try switching out your coffee: fair trade that doesn't impact orangutans, the rain forest or workers. You may have to pick your battle here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. Gradually switch out your makeup and other personal hygiene products. One thing at a time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. Buy dairy locally if possible, including eggs if you eat them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. Re use existing plastic bags as much as possible and slowly replace with cloth, recycled plastic or glass containers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6. Use up what you have first prior to replacing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">7. Consider whether or not Costco fits with your goals. I'd like to ditch the place but my husband thinks otherwise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">8. Look specifically for products with minimal and recyclable packaging.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">9. Try the library. It will help to keep this resource alive and viable and will also keep the volunteers busy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">10. Turn the lights off when you leave a room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It all seems overwhelming doesn't it? Questioning each purchase requires conscious effort and as I mentioned above, flexibility in decision making is key. Accepting the imperfection of choice is critical to maintaining some sanity. It isn't an excuse to employ sloppy thinking but instead a call to be more educated and vigilant. I hope my decisions are supported by logic and reason (even if they may at times be a little illogical!) My final point is to remember to realize that any decisions I make will impact others. Even if I make the best decision available, someone or something is still going to be affected. Be grateful for options and be mindful of others. It's the best I can do.</span>Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-56661035021690080792019-03-06T07:21:00.001-08:002019-03-06T07:21:16.263-08:00Hiking: A Matter of Perspective<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUwD5VNn2TdWYiCx7zy0r53q4Z_vG8TgZaYvqsLQUfoQd2AwmCR-zBVzR4fdDmHwIgb15sjB8fiWnEXUwDE2VtOPLwFQtcnB0DFxTlKHQveqSqTCQT9UgXmDSSM4Y8Dtic7owbbloiVI/s1600/2+2019+middle+bar+IMG_5137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKUwD5VNn2TdWYiCx7zy0r53q4Z_vG8TgZaYvqsLQUfoQd2AwmCR-zBVzR4fdDmHwIgb15sjB8fiWnEXUwDE2VtOPLwFQtcnB0DFxTlKHQveqSqTCQT9UgXmDSSM4Y8Dtic7owbbloiVI/s400/2+2019+middle+bar+IMG_5137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Mokelumne River as seen from Middle Bar Bridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">New Melones Reservoir, Table Mt hike, Jamestown, CA</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzaYfdZrNLoRrA7cXyF6CCgILNjZPxQ-7pxeRAB4IeWvv7_j_SeZVVXekYRq4yFnJSH3h0zsbPXbJVt1nOuuvze2BM46cGG_wD1aNP9wNMkseHls7fYk7H4PP5L_T5cXVnAV1nqyFUkY/s1600/IMG_5151+table+mt+2+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzaYfdZrNLoRrA7cXyF6CCgILNjZPxQ-7pxeRAB4IeWvv7_j_SeZVVXekYRq4yFnJSH3h0zsbPXbJVt1nOuuvze2BM46cGG_wD1aNP9wNMkseHls7fYk7H4PP5L_T5cXVnAV1nqyFUkY/s400/IMG_5151+table+mt+2+2019.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Table Mt., Jamestown, CA</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROncEil3TLAzr4K2PAVB51CF6_7_wl9XyIMGb1BGnqphQvQaxk_vRUuO1ytI-BqWOHCi0XT5n3QxDhMcAbRatLPZx5WKOFd9Rfu_wVXcY8pDtX4cEp7wT8eFTFsGXkuO7_ycrppLxdww/s1600/2+19+Hogan+IMG_5123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROncEil3TLAzr4K2PAVB51CF6_7_wl9XyIMGb1BGnqphQvQaxk_vRUuO1ytI-BqWOHCi0XT5n3QxDhMcAbRatLPZx5WKOFd9Rfu_wVXcY8pDtX4cEp7wT8eFTFsGXkuO7_ycrppLxdww/s400/2+19+Hogan+IMG_5123.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lake Hogan, CA</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8MG8x7esokGSA09EcrV14TZQBzgBYDcDH2PSJVfXVEzfu_pUEe-4o49L8PNFs9Mn_D80zQD4qbTO5sBUVUtubXsb2WMs54ehOpOXaXMCnQ9_c2IxvRbMAk4oEQnK6lw2Ru906mS4e4g/s1600/2+2019+vista+dos+lagos+1+IMG_5165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8MG8x7esokGSA09EcrV14TZQBzgBYDcDH2PSJVfXVEzfu_pUEe-4o49L8PNFs9Mn_D80zQD4qbTO5sBUVUtubXsb2WMs54ehOpOXaXMCnQ9_c2IxvRbMAk4oEQnK6lw2Ru906mS4e4g/s400/2+2019+vista+dos+lagos+1+IMG_5165.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Indian Warrior Princess, EBMUD trail<br />Valley Springs, CA</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I haven't done a hiking post in awhile though I have been hiking. Winter and early Spring are the perfect times in my area for lower elevation hiking. The weather is just right for being outside: cool, high 40's to 50's, maybe some sun and clouds but more likely to be overcast. This year it has been particularly rainy so getting outside has been tricky. It pays to have a flexible schedule so that responding to the forecast is easy.</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The first pic shows an area that I enjoy quite a bit, the Middle Bar section of the Mokelumne River watershed. There are several trails there that are challenging and which afford views of the river and the surrounding hillsides. The next two pics are from Table Mountain in Jamestown, about an hour or so away from me. The mountain formation is so distinctive and does indeed look like a tabletop. Once you get up there, the views are quite wonderful and include some of the peaks of Yosemite. The fourth shot sort of sums things up don't you think? And the last pic is from a walk on the Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail in Valley Springs where I live. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There is just so much to see here and I feel so blessed to be able to hike around and have a look. Hiking not only provides beautiful scenery to enjoy but also presents the opportunity for thinking and reflecting. Just recently I had the chance to hike a section of one of the above trails on my own. Afterward, a new friend was kind enough to ask me what I had thought about while I was walking along. Honestly, not too much! I sort of just enjoyed the silence, listened to the birds and the breeze and kind of hummed to myself as I went about the business of walking. No heavy intellectual lifting in other words.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are times though when I do work out things in my mind while walking or hiking. I think a bit harder. I know that paying attention to my surroundings is what I should be doing but really, my inner dialogue just gets going. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lately I have been thinking about the nature of problems, how considering different perspectives can serve as a coping strategy when things seem overwhelming. I love constructs, ideas or theories that are subjective and not objective. Constructs are how I figure things out, how I explain what I think and feel and how I sort out the reasons why people do what they do. It's useful to be able to build a theory and to make an intangible problem tangible. Here is an example of what I mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">About a month ago I was told that I <i>could</i> have a problem. Without getting into what it is, I'll say that at first I agreed with the pronouncement. It does feel like I have something going on. So, I made a plan for getting more information about handling things. Hopefully I will know more soon. There isn't any real urgency though. It's not like having cancer or a toothache or some other acute medical issue where acting quickly is important. Time is not of the essence, so to speak, so there is the space to consider things. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The lack of any time constraint allowed me to get down to some thinking. Can I handle things on my own for a bit? Is there anything I can do right now? The answer is yes, of course there is. I realized that apart from professional input, there is also the personal assessing of a problem. Thinking about the problem, what light to see it in, can be a matter of perspective. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As a way to gain a kind of perspective on things, I have been putting an idea into action. Each day I have been asking myself some questions about the situation: Am I ahead of the problem, behind it or smack dab in the middle of it? I think this is a useful way of looking at things while you are waiting for other solutions to fall into place, particularly if you don't have control over those solutions. On some days, I feel like I am out in front. Things are getting handled, I am taking positive steps to cope with things, maybe even get ahead, and every little bit of effort counts. On other days, I am far behind where I could be, where I would like to be. I accept those days and tell myself that tomorrow will be better. If I am feeling especially positive, I even look for ways to improve the situation right then. Mostly though I have my eye on a new day. That does help. I admit that there are lots of days when I am right in the middle of things. I can't see anything clearly, good or bad. It really is like purgatory in the sense that you are neither here, nor there. There are even some days when I feel that <i>I am </i>the problem. Those days aren't good. Again though, I just try to get some perspective by telling myself that improvement is possible and hopefully nothing is forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The above question and answer scenario is a construct to me. I love having theories about things, even if they are scientifically unfounded, based more on my observations and interpretations. And I love things that actually work and this exercise does work. It's effective for me, a visual kind of person, because I can literally picture myself out in front, in the middle of, or behind a problem. My internal "gauge" tells me how I feel about things which helps in placing me on that spectrum of bad, somewhere in between, and good. And most importantly, I feel as if I have some kind of control in a situation where I am waiting for answers from <i>People In Authority</i>. 😏</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My friend asked me what I was thinking about while hiking alone. Truthfully, it may be nothing or it may be something. My thoughts could be about the landscape, the birds and flowers, or my hiking buddies. Mostly though it is this other kind of thing, this "thinking" kind of thing where I am working on problems and ideas. Hiking provides a real freedom for exploring all sorts of landscapes, both inner and outer. And a chance to see if you are behind, in the middle or out in front!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for reading and if you have a comment, let me know:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">libbyfife@ymail.com</span></div>
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Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-63491514873528765402019-01-23T08:41:00.000-08:002019-01-23T08:49:53.608-08:00Circling Back: The Ouroboros<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros">Ouroboros</a> Tattoo symbol-<a href="http://tattoowithmeaning.com/">Tattoos With Meaning</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If I were to get a tattoo, it would be some variation of the above image called an ouroboros. An ouroboros has many meanings that reflect a rich heritage of thought. The symbol can be understood in terms such as the infinity of nature, the beginning and end of something, or a circling back to the beginning of a place, thought, or an event. The snake eating its own tale can represent secular and non secular ideas, be culturally specific, and can have both an individual and group oriented meaning. The possibilities for interpretation of the </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">symbol are endless. (Pun intended!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For my own personal explanation, I see the symbol in terms of the circular nature of things. Through my own experiences I have come to believe that we are never through with things. We never come to the end of a problem or really resolve it for good. The same problem always shows up somewhere down the road, surprising us with its reappearance and sometimes its intensity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As an example, recently I read a blog post in which the writer talked about dealing with old issues that she thought she had conquered long ago. She had done hard work to get through the problem and so was surprised when the same issue resurfaced. The feelings surrounding the problem weren't as intense as before but still, they were there to be dealt with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My first thought upon reading her post was just as I mentioned above. I don't believe that we have ever completely conquered something. We never become our "best" selves but simply live with the messiness, finding a way to cope with it. Problems leave an indelible mark on our souls and in our brains and though we strive to eradicate those marks, they remain stubbornly affixed to our self conscious. I think that at the most, we simply live with the remnants of things and keep them at bay as best we can. And whether we like it or not, just as the snake will circle back on itself, swallowing its own tail, so will we continue to encounter our own problems from long ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My own personal example of never being finished with something involves my parents. My mom has been gone for nearly 5 years now. My dad is still living but I have little contact with him. Over the years, especially right after my mom died, I did a lot of work to get through some long standing problems that centered around my relationship with both of my parents. Even now, I do this kind of internal work almost daily. I feel, at times, that I have done really well to reframe my view of things. But, I am taken by surprise sometimes when old emotions resurface. My anger and frustration are immediate and right at the surface. There is no build up or threshold, the feelings are right on top of my consciousness. How can this be, I think? I have made all of this progress with handling these emotions. Will I ever get to the end of things? Why am I here in the same mental space again?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have tried to make sense of these seeming setbacks and the only way I can do it is by giving the problems (thoughts included) a kind of physical shape. It's almost like a visual that would be used in a meditation practice. In this way, I have come to see problems as being circular in nature rather than linear. When we think of a problem as being linear, such as a math or chemistry equation, we want to start at point A, proceed to points B, C, and D and then arrive at a solution. The mistake though is in believing that emotional problems are the same as mathematical problems. They are not. Emotional problems are nuanced and subtle and complex in a way that science is not. They also involve human beings which are just not the same as numbers (at least not yet anyway). Problems are also multi- faceted and can be both solvable and unsolvable at the same time. In this way, we are never done with something, we never come to the end of things. A someone quipped, it ain't over till it's over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">he early Egyptians saw the ouroboros as both a symbol of chaos and of renewal. The circular snake represented both order and disorder. This idea of duality</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> has been useful to me as an explanation for why I seem to experience the same things over and over again, despite having done "the work" to overcome those problems. Understanding the circular nature of how the world works, of there being both order and chaos simultaneously, somehow lets me off the hook. So long as I have made an honest solid effort to be better, I know I am doing OK. Some things are out of my control. And its this duality that drives my ability to cope when I am unhappy with the direction that my life is taking. I reflect on the circular nature of things and it somehow gives me comfort in knowing that I have been here before, worked on things, gotten to a good place and will undoubtedly be back again for more. Even though I may be frustrated, I know I have the skills to persevere. And that's everything isn't it?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>*If you have read this post and liked it, please let me know: libbyfife@ymail.com</i></span></div>
<br />Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-35198142237847185692019-01-04T14:24:00.002-08:002019-01-04T14:24:13.897-08:00New Year, A View and Some Thoughts From Outer Space<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container tr_bq" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">View From Lake Hogan Trail</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Stand in awe before your creator and all that you see. Know that there is something bigger. Take comfort in that thought and be satisfied.</span> </i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">On Christmas Day we watched a movie. It was <i>The Martian</i></span><i> </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">with Matt Damon. (Yes, I know I am very late to the party. We just don't watch many movies.) It was very entertaining and oddly enough, very moving in a real spiritual sense. I have included a quote from the film <a href="http://themartianquotes.tumblr.com/post/131032114904/commander-lewis-i-might-need-you-to-do-something">here </a>which really struck me. The quote from the movie is Mark Watney's letter to his parents to be delivered by his commander in the event of his death. In the letter he talks about his job, how he loves it and isn't giving up the fight but just preparing for an outcome. It's the last part though that really got me, the part about him dying for something greater than himself. He accepts this and seems satisfied with the knowledge of what may happen to him. It was a very moving scene. May we all be so composed and content as our end approaches.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I should mention now that I am notorious for not quite getting the "required point" of a story, an article, a quote, or someone's narrative. I always miss the main point and turn it into something slightly different. (This was a real challenge for me throughout my school career and continues to be so, obviously. I was constantly being corrected.) The above quote is no exception to this lifetime "rule." I am sure that even though I know what Matt Damon's character wrote, I really took it to mean something else entirely. I am offering my own take on things, as can be read in the opening lines of this post, and yes, I quoted myself! So there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">His words resonated with me and appeared at just the right time. There is some part of me that always wants to be at peace with my life no matter the circumstances. No matter what my past life has been like and no matter what the future holds, I would like to say that I am satisfied. Believing that there is something outside of myself, beyond my comprehension, would be wonderful. It is a relatively new way of thinking for me so I continue to work on the idea. I can't fully grasp it though just as I can't fully stand in awe of my creator as I would want to. I'd like to be able to look out at the mountains and lake each morning on my walks and really have that kind of faith; the kind of faith that is peaceful, complete, and sure of itself. The kind of faith that the character in the movie has. (Even though he is a fictional character the idea of his resolution seems true and firm.) And I know that having faith in anything is a lifetime endeavor, one that you never come to the end of. Still.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So for those of you who love New Year's resolutions, new beginnings, fresh starts, do-overs and all of that sort of stuff, may I suggest the above quotes as places to begin? Whatever your own spin may be, I wholeheartedly encourage it without correction!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year to anyone reading. May it be peaceful and full of satisfaction and awe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span><br />
<br />Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5003405182359179551.post-19781794753255852112018-12-09T15:11:00.002-08:002018-12-09T15:16:56.405-08:00Bread: The Stuff of Life (Stuff, Staff, Potato, Potato)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I thought a kind of catch up post might be in order. There are some thoughts that I want to share, in no special order, so let's proceed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Recently, I started making my own bread again. Why did I start making my own bread? Back in October, I took a serious look at the amount of sugar that I was consuming on a daily basis. For my investigation, I initially took a look at both added sugars, (those that I added myself to what I ate and cooked and those that were in prepackaged foods), as well as naturally occurring sugars such as those found in fruits and vegetables. I excluded fresh fruits and vegetables since they are a mainstay of a healthy diet. I looked only at added sugars. I was fairly astonished! Did you know that there are 4 grams of sugar in a teaspoon? Did you further know that the <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars">American Heart Association</a> recommends no more than 25 grams of added sugar (6 tsps) for a woman, per day. Let me just say that I was exceeding this amount nearly every day, both with what I added to my coffee and breakfast grains and also with eating many prepackaged products, such as my beloved <a href="http://www.daveskillerbread.com/#breakfast-slide">Dave's Killer Bread.</a> Now, before you label me an alarmist, please consider that there is no literature which supports a diet that is high in sugar. Period. There may be some arguing to do about how much is too much, what the research says about sugar and its role in various diseases, or what sugar can do to your health in the long run, but the bottom line is still the bottom line. It's not a great product for anyone to eat too much of. And there is no nutritional benefit of which I am aware.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Alright, back to the bread. Poor Dave and his bread! It's such a lovely product but it does have added sugar in it. I decided to go a little hard line on things. The bread had to go. I also dropped some other prepackaged things that I was eating such as granola bars. When you look at the sugar content they are really more like dessert. I cut out the sugar in my coffee and replaced it with Stevia extract, the kind that contains no added sugar as an enhancement. (There is some discussion about how your body processes Stevia-I believe that it goes right through your system so there could be a knock against the product for that reason.) I reduced the amount of sugar that I use in my favorite muffin mix and in general, became watchful of what I was consuming in the way of added sugars. It took some doing but I think I have been conscientious in my efforts, for the most part. (I am not perfect, OK?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The three pics above show the ingredients for the bread I make, the subsequent ball of dough ready for its two rises and the finished product. This bread is in no way similar to Dave's bread but I am just as happy. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The bread is dense of course but I like that.</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I just think of it as being European! In comparison to my favorite bread, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I got pretty close with the fiber content as well as the carbohydrate count. There is only 1 TBSP of added sugar per loaf. (An improvement over Dave's bread.) As long as I have the time, I will likely continue to make this bread. It suits me just fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the topic of bread, I am trying out a new recipe that I found on the blog, <i><a href="https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2013/02/the-life-changing-loaf-of-bread/">My New Roots</a></i>. The picture shows what the author calls <i>The Life Changing Loaf of Bread</i>. It is entirely gluten free, made of nuts, seeds, water and psyllium powder. What??? Psyllium powder is ground psyllium seed made into a powder. People take it for constipation (or diarrhea I guess) and it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Your body needs both types to moves things along in your system efficiently. Apart from that perk, (and there are other benefits to fiber relating to cholesterol, etc.), the powder acts as an excellent binder in a flour less bread. It's a win-win as the author suggests: good bread and good poops! I like the bread toasted, myself. It keeps well in the fridge and freezer. Do yourself a favor though and drink plenty of water:)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">TVP? What the heck is that? It stands for textured vegetable protein and it's a widely available product for vegans and non vegans alike. (I bought the <a href="https://www.bobsredmill.com/tvp-textured-veg-protein.html">Bob's Red Mill brand</a>-see above.) It's essentially a soy protein flour extruded into little flakes or shapes that can stand in for meat in a vegan diet. It acts a lot like tofu in that it has a very neutral taste and takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with. It's been around for quite awhile, is nothing new, and has gone in and out of favor over the years. It's quite versatile too. This article <a href="https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tvp-3376820">here</a> explains its many uses. It's high in fiber and protein and pretty low in calories. For a vegan (or anyone really) this is a good way to get added protein and fiber into the diet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">There are some caveats however. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textured_vegetable_protein">TVP</a> is suspiciously absent from many of the vegan blogs that I visit. I am guessing here but since this is a highly processed product, many "purists" may object to using it. (I don't mean that in a pejorative way either. Many of us don't like highly processed foods.) There are drawbacks. The argument can successfully be made that a varied and thoughtful vegan diet can easily contain enough protein and fiber and that TVP isn't needed; it's a kind of "crutch" I guess. Some producers may use hexane in the processing of the product though the negative impact of this could be negligible and debatable. There is no way to make TVP at home and this is another objection (it being a sort of an "unnatural" food).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My take on things? Yes, a varied vegan diet, first and foremost, if done correctly, can contain all of the nutrition that a person needs to thrive. True, there are some supplements that need to be considered, such as B12, but by and large a vegan diet gives you what you need. With that said, my opinion is that not everyone is super scrupulous with how they follow prescribed eating plans. TVP is a good addition to soups, stews, possibly breads and who knows what else? For the person on a budget, looking to extend a meal, this could be an additional solution. And for a person who is having difficulty consuming enough calories, this could be a welcome addition to the diet by helping them to feel fuller longer. </span></div>
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<img alt="Jarden Mason Jars Half Pint 8 Oz Wide Mout Kerr, Mouth 12 / Box Pack of 2" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81llY9PcUXL._SY450_.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Don't you just love jars? I do! Containers of any sort really. I have quite a collection of mason jars now- 16 ounces and 32 ounces. I just recently added these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kerr-Mason-Jars-Half-Pint/dp/B00WRBG08Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1544391855&sr=8-3&keywords=wide+mouth+8+oz+mason+jars">short half pint jars</a> to my collection. I have found myself defrosting too much food at once. Really, for my needs, I just need about a cup at a time of any one prepared meal. (These are leftovers that I am freezing and reheating.) These little jars are perfect: they hold 1 cup, go right into the freezer, and can be defrosted directly in the jar in the microwave. How great is that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Alright, that is a lot. I would like to add that I know not everyone has the time to bake bread. I am not knocking store bought bread. I have eaten it for many years and will eat it again. I would suggest though that it is a worthwhile effort to take a look at the amount of sugar in what you are eating. Where could you reasonably cut back? How does what you are eating (and love to eat) fit into a plan for reducing added sugar consumption? (I made room for my beloved chocolate chips!) Consider looking at the labels of things that you eat every day, even those things such as spaghetti sauce that you would think didn't contain sugar. Remember that one tablespoon of sugar is 4 grams. So, when you look at a product, such as a granola bar and it has 24 grams of sugar, just know that 24 divided by 4= 6. That is 6 teaspoons of sugar that you just ate! Would you stand at the counter and really eat 6 teaspoons of sugar? I thought so!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thanks for reading, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Libby</span></div>
<br />Libby Fifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13532162740012986996noreply@blogger.com0