Peace

I remember the first time we commemorated Martin Luther King Day as a nation.  Since that time, I've taught many American Diversity classes about the tactics Martin Luther King Jr. used in trying to make positive changes for African Americans.  His civil disobedience tactics were often patterned after Gandhi, who was a great man of peace.  Gandhi was assassinated 65 years ago today.  I think we should have a day to commemorate him.  Ironically, he was murdered while at a prayer meeting. He was the world's greatest advocate of non-violence in this century.  If you haven't watched the movie "Gandhi," you owe it to yourself to rent it now and watch it. 

Canadian Caper

Sometimes we have events that don't seem like anything important at the time....until later.  For example, 29 years ago today President Ronald Reagan announced that he would seek re-election.  Looking back, we realize that he was a very good president and many believe his wisdom could help our economically troubled country now.  It's easy to look back and remember things as being simpler, easier.  But I remember when President Reagan warned us that we would all have to make some sacrifices in order to achieve a more economically prosperous time.  He gave us a time-frame and at the end of that time he asked us to reflect on whether or not we were better off than we were before his presidency. It should be that way with every presidency, every governorship, every parent, every person.  Did we make  improvements?  Did we work hard?  Did we make a positive difference in the lives of others?  Are we willing to sacrifice to help others?

In 1980, 33 years ago today, there were six Americans being held hostage in Iran who escaped because there were people who were willing to make a sacrifice, willing to do something difficult in order to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of their families.  Thank you to the Canadians who saved their lives.  Thank you to people who were willing to issue Canadian passports to US citizens because lives are more valuable than rules/laws.  This real life drama,known as the "Canadian Caper," was recently the subject of a 2012 film, "Argo."

My point is that a simpler time is now.  We can make lives better through simple acts of kindness and love.  We can simply be courageous in doing what is right. 

The Day After Pie

Yesterday, when I opened a bag of chocolate chips, my seven-year-old son came and held out his hand for the customary sample of chocolate chips.  (Keep in mind the chocolate chip ratio is  # of chips:age) He looked in his palm and said, there are only six! I added another one.  Then he said, "Mom, does that mean you get about ninety chocolate chips?"  Very funny. He doesn't know I can set the clocks forward an hour and his bedtime will suddenly come sooner.

There are too many things to do today!  When this happens, sometimes it is difficult to clear your head of the mundane things in order to focus on the more creative things.  On the other hand, I have a writer friend who spent quality time with her moldy shower and wrote an interesting prose piece inspired by the different colors of mold.  I guess that goes to show that we can draw inspiration from just about anything.

Try finding a bit of inspiration from something simple today.  Write about it, looking for words that make vivid images, and see what results.
Ciao!

National Pie Day

In honor of National Pie Day, here is the best kept secret of the chocolate chip world:  Hershey's Special Dark chocolate chips.  They are so versatile, I try to keep a few of them near me at all times.  Everyone knows they come in handy for chocolate chip cookies, but they are also a great snack all by themselves.  The basic rule of chocolate chips as a snack is that you get one for every year old you are. (If you lie about your age, then you can only eat the lie number, it's a punishment for lying.)  But the other thing about these chocolate chips is they make a great Chocolate Ganache Pie, here is the super easy version, you can all thank me later:

1 Oreo crust
1 package Hershey's Special Dark or Ghirardelli dark chocolate chips
1 cup of heavy cream
1/2 cup of caramel syrup

Pour the caramel syrup evenly in the bottom of the pie crust.  Melt the chocolate chips and cream over a low heat and then pour mixture into the pie crust.  Chill until hardened.  Garnish with whipped cream.

Let me know how you like it by leaving a comment!