postaday

If only more people spayed or neutered their pets

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Dog emaciated
A very sad reality for some domestic animals.

I know that pets are so significant in many of our lives. Most give us unconditional love, make us laugh, become integral members of our family, and much more. As a person with bipolar disorder (a mental illness), I’ve also experienced pets as a source of great emotional support. During my life, I have primarily been a cat or parrot owner, but I love all animals. When I see any animal struggling or injured (or dead alongside the road) it breaks my heart. The sad thing is that such observations are far too numerous. Obviously some of these occurrences are just the reality of nature, others are clearly caused by humans, unintentionally, and tragically sometimes intentionally. Though many of us wish we could end humans’ negative impact on animals, often we have to become partially numb to it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to do some things that can make a difference. Continue reading →

Dieting while on vacation?

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Cafe in France

In the near future, my husband and I will take a vacation to celebrate a special event, but just recently, I started a serious weight loss effort. I still have weeks to go before our trip, but the topic of dieting while on vacation has already popped up in my head. Continue reading →

I have always loved a good brew! Reflections of a beer lover.

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Beer froth

I remember being no more than four years old when my dad asked me to grab him a beer from the refrigerator. That was way back in the mid-1970s. I’m not sure what inspired me to open the can the first time. Was it the challenge of opening it, which back then had the old pull-tabs? Or the curiosity of what that drink tasted like? Either way, I did taste it, and probably unlike 95% of children that age, I actually liked the way it tasted, despite it being what I now call “cheap American swill”. Dad obviously knew I stole a taste, and got a kick out of it. From that point on (as a child), I’d always take a taste. As time went on, the “tastes” grew more substantial. Continue reading →

Long haul healthy weight and fitness efforts – creation of a Friday post series

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diet

Like many people, I have embarked on serious weight loss/healthy living missions a number of times in the past. Some I saw through until I reached my desired goals. Others started only to peter out prematurely. Right now I know I would greatly benefit from losing some weight again and want to create some plan. Continue reading →

Bohemian boy with baby bunnies

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Smile at the bunnies

How on earth could one imagine not smiling from ear to ear with handfuls of baby bunnies? I don’t know who I want to kiss first. Maybe that little blond boy!

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter!

So you know, the mother did continue to care for her baby bunnies. Also, I was corrected that these are actually wild baby hares (leverets) and not rabbits.

Exploration and finding “it”

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RainbowIn my blog, I have written a lot about myself as a child and as young woman. I told stories about my almost continuous daydreaming. I detailed my many trips around my town by bike, trips with my parents from sea to sea, and my own exploration of over 20 countries around the world on my own, and with my love. I have always been very thirsty for knowledge about the world around me close and far, including its people, cultures, beauties, and even uglier aspects. My daydreams have taken it further and placed me in shoes I never really wore, giving me alternative and often idealized perspectives. Continue reading →

The Obsessive Overuse of Garlic in Modern Day American Cooking?

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garlic heads

When I was a little girl, my mother noticed I was getting rashes on my arm and behind my knee. She took me to my pediatrician who recommended I go to an allergist. I went, and the results of the allergy testing were pretty sad for me. He said “No peanuts, no chocolate, and no oranges or orange juice.”  So every Easter, I’d get the white-colored bunny rabbit and various jelly beans in my basket. Yuck! My siblings had the delicious-looking chocolate ones, plus Reese’s peanut butter eggs, and other chocolate goodies. Imagine the envious look on my little face?

I wasn’t the only one in my family that seemed to have an allergy. It was discovered early on that when we ate something containing garlic, my brother became nauseous and red in the face, and would even throw up. Continue reading →

An Assortment of Sweets Found in Bohemia (part of Czech Republic)

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Jpeg
Jpeg

I’m a gal from New Jersey (in the USA) who met and married a sweet Czech from Prague. With him came some recipes from his Bohemian mama, all of which I’ve made to keep my hubby happy. Me, too! All of the sweets above are a selection of ones he grew up eating frequently. They include (from top left clock-wise): Continue reading →

Almost all of the best of all worlds in my hometowns

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Home area

Like many people, I have a deep affection for my hometown. Actually both of my hometowns; the one I grew up in, and the one I’ve spent over 20 years living in with my dear husband. Actually, they’re in the same state, and luckily only about 18 miles (29 kilometers) from each other. Continue reading →