"I don't have time..."

"Book, book," our little one approached his daddy holding up a current favorite, unaware of the present Monday-morning race against the clock that was preoccupying this daddy.

"I don't have time. Go ask your mama," he said. "Don't have time," he reflected. "When I came to this country, I used to think that was a joke. A lot of new immigrants don't understand it." He went on to explain that they may take offense against this excuse, employed even by their own relatives, and wonder how this country has made people so callous. The longer they stay, the more they get it, however. Is that a good thing or a bad thing?

Functional gardens

One of the news stories I heard a couple of times yesterday was about ground breaking for the Obama's vegetable garden. It was noted that Michelle Obama was even intending to have the garden-fresh produce served at the White House. Is this the case of an idea so old that it seems novel once again?

Forty years later and still a bestseller

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a book I first encountered during story time in kindergarten. I was happy to pick it up again recently - in board book version this time - to read to my son. I knew it was a classic, but had no idea that it has been published in 47 languages, as the Telegraph reports, and is currently purchased at the rate of one copy every thirty seconds.

Rejection letter

I got another rejection letter recently. One professor of mine advised us to hang them up with pride. A rejection letter is proof one is a real writer.

My observation: their "thank-you-for-submitting" openings and "best-wishes-in-your-writing-endeavors" closings tend to convey a patronizing tone.

American Food and Drink

While doing the research for a recent article, I checked this book out and lugged it home--all 690 pages of it--before discovering just how much of a gold mine of information it is.

My sister who was visiting wanted to read the book. My husband was perturbed that I took it away from him one day in order to finish my work. I've enjoyed skimming the pages and learned lots of new tidbits in the process.

The book's entries cover nearly any topic you could think of related to food and its impact on our culture, as well as our culture's impact on food trends. It's got information on the history of specific foods, types of cuisine, chefs, inventors (related to food and drink), restaurants, cooking techniques and equipment, commercial products, food science, and traditions. Enough to keep even the most avid reader busy for weeks, or just a fun book in which to meander around.

Today's gifts

I've recently heard of a family whose dinner conversation includes an opportunity for each person to share the answer to the question, "What was today's gift?" It needn't be something big, but by relating a peaceful moment, describing a beautiful thing, or remembering a blessing they are multiplying their happiness.

One of my gifts today was some time for reading and reflection.
Another was an aunt's comment that our son is a people person just like his grandma (my mom) was.

So, what was today's gift?
Embrace it.
Savor it.
Pass it on.