Feel Good Friday: Cinco de Mayo

Since it’s Friday, we’re going to start the Cinco de Mayo party a little early. First, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army winning the Battle of Puebla against the French army—known as one of the most powerful military forces at the time--in 1862. Today the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, mainly in the United States and Mexico.

But it IS a celebration with food and music and dancing and…margaritas. No one is quite sure how, when or where the margarita came about, but tequila was smuggled over the Mexican border during Prohibition, and it was becoming more popular by the 1940s. One origin story credits an Irish bartender in Tijuana for accidently making a tequila “daisy”—a popular genre of drinks at the time using spirits, citrus and sweeteners. “Margarita” is Spanish for “daisy.”

Another version points to a drink called the Picador, made with tequila, Cointreau and lime, documented in 1937 London. The drink’s popularity really took off when the frozen margarita machine came on the scene in the early 1970s. A Texas restaurateur modified a soft-serve ice cream machine and started a new craze.      

One of the best margaritas I’ve ever had was at a Mexican restaurant in Carmel, California. It was a Cadillac margarita made with Jose Cuervo Especial Gold tequila and Grand Marnier. Mmmm, mmm, bueno, and here’s the recipe:

• 1 1⁄2 ounces tequila
• 3 ounces prepared sweet-and-sour mix
• 3⁄4 ounce triple sec
• 3⁄4 ounce lime juice
• Grand Marnier

1. Add tequila, triple sec, sweet and sour mix, and lime juice to a shaker with ice; shake.
2. Pour over ice in salt-rimmed margarita glass.
3. Top off with Grand Marnier, and garnish with slice of lime.

There is no fiesta without music, so here’s a fun video--"Bailando (Dancing)"--to help you get shaking. Viva the weekend!

Feel Good Friday: Working at Play

How many of you play on the weekends? I have an invitation to play in Pittsburgh tomorrow, but I’ve turned it down. I’ve had a busy week and next week will be crazy. There is a good chance of rain, too, which means I could go through some of the basement boxes, read some social media guides, work on my next feature article, make more photo tiles, take some photos at home with my Holga lens and post them to my blog, start outlining my book—whoops, Monday already.

My work and play become intertwined easily thanks to a Chinese proverb: “Who you are and what you do should not be a hair’s breadth apart.” I took this to heart many years ago. Like the Golden Rule, there are many versions of this “to thine own self be true” motto. I started working for myself, doing "jobs" and projects that I wanted to do, turning "hobbies" like photography, making luxury throw blankets and sculpting hypertufa pots into income. That's how my work and play became the same thing. It's a choice and a process--maybe not a one everyone might make. This week, a friend, Chris Hughes, posted the article at the end of this link on her Facebook page, RV Happiness, and the stories are familiar. It's good Friday reading because you have the whole weekend to think about it. While you're thinking, check out RV Happiness, a group site with many people who live the travel life full-time and write about their experiences, as well as Chris's site, CUontheRoad.net , for her family's travel adventures. She's a great storyteller. 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/laraparker/inspiring-stories-of-people-who-left-normal-life-and-emba#.okmwnypxa

As for this weekend, do take some time for play. To loosen up, click on the link below for recipes for “Wine Floats” from VinePair. Now how much fun is this? They combine two of my favorite things—wine and ice cream—and a couple even have chocolate! Obviously this isn’t a time to bring out the Opus One, but it could add a little dazzle to some basement chores or watching a baseball game or planning a vacation or whatever you're doing for the next 72 hours. After all, weekends are supposed to be fun. TGIF!

http://vinepair.com/wine-blog/4-wine-cream-floats/?utm_source=The+Drop+by+VinePair&utm_campaign=64d22eef58-April_22_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b653fb8c99-64d22eef58-44666873

Feel Good Friday: Our "Pale Blue Dot"

Next Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day. Started in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson to raise awareness about and begin addressing air and water pollution, the event and concept was a hit and began the environmental movement in the United States. 

This year NASA is sponsoring a fun social media campaign called #NoPlaceLikeHome.  They are inviting everyone to post photos and videos of their favorite places on the planet, identified by that hashtag. Since the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, it might be a  good time to enjoy some of YOUR favorite locations and post them. I'm planning to head out and about myself for a badly needed photo day. 

Oglebay Institute is hosting "Monticello at the Park:  the 2015 Wheeling Gardening Symposium" on Saturday, April 18 and EcoFest at the Schrader Nature and Environmental Education Center on Saturday, April 25. Clicking on the event titles will take you to the information pages.  

If you need any more reasons to spend some time celebrating the Earth, studies have proven that being outside in nature relieves stress, gives you more energy and, well, makes you FEEL GOOD--Friday or not. 

And, finally, here is one of my favorite speeches: an excerpt from Carl Sagan's "The Pale Blue Dot." There really is "no place like home." 

Feel Good Friday--Have a Little Faith

Even as the forecast calls for snow showers in April, we know Spring will arrive (eventually,) and flowers and leaves will burst with color. I really did see some daffodils blooming along the road yesterday. 

In Christianity, this weekend is about faith, specifically, witnessing Jesus Christ dying and then “rising” from death. This cemented the beliefs—the faith--of His followers, who were now sure of a higher power, if they had any doubt before.

 “Some things have to be believed to be seen.”  Madeleine L’Engle

Faith is walking on a path in the fog, one foot in front of the other, maybe slowly, but moving forward. I can recall specific points in my life where faith was it. I saw no other next step and had to trust the Universe to just be there with the path. I feel that I am at a similar point now. I want to believe, but the head steps in front of the heart. Do I take that leap, that leap of faith?

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.”  JRR Tolkien

Since it’s “Feel Good Friday,” I’ll add that research on faith and those who practice it are rewarded with not only spiritual benefits, but physical health benefits as well. These include less anxiety, more patience, less stress, more contentment, less depression, more optimism. The faithful have even been shown to suffer less physical pain and live longer.

Have you been at the point of, as the saying goes, “letting go and letting God?” Faith must be sincere, and it isn’t always easy, but the more of a habit faith becomes, the more inner calm you’ll feel. Focus on something you need to improve in your life; visualize that improvement. It’s already in progress.  

“Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe.”  Mitch Albom  

Feel Good Friday--"Let Your Hair Down & Let Yourself Go"

This feels like a “bluesy” Friday. At Spirited I loaded up the CD player with blues and jazz tunes for Friday happy hour. People came in to pick up wine and cheese for the weekend, do a little tasting and chill out from their drives from Portland or Seattle. This week’s song was one of my favorites, from Putamayo Music’s “Blues Lounge.” It makes me move and makes me smile.

I talked with my friend Carol this week. She is full of Light energy and makes me feel better, energized. I’ve been muddled about direction and choices for awhile. I think things are beginning to clear, but it was good to get some validation and a perspective outside of my head. THAT, she said, is part of the problem: I’m living in my head rather than my heart.

The gist of her advice was 1. Follow what path makes me happiest; 2. Spread love all along that path; 3. Dance down the path, laughing. I’m passing this along because I know other people whose days rush by after they hit the ground running.

Where is your path taking you? Are you laughing? For today at least, turn up the volume, tap those toes,  and “let your hair down and let yourself go.”  Rev it. 

Feel Good Friday--New + New x 2

What if you could have the (relationship, job, home, vacation, lifestyle) that you want? What if you could be part of a collective energy that will improve the world? What if the Universe could help you get these things?

Well, unlike last Friday (the 13th,) today’s your lucky day.

By now you’ve probably heard about the unusual combination of the New Moon plus the solar eclipse plus the vernal equinox here in the northern hemisphere. You may have even read yesterday’s ArtSoulWine Facebook page post about this event, shared from Erin Bowers (thank you.)

Believer or not, this is a powerful energy combination and is part of an ongoing shift all over the world over the past couple of years. Here are some more facts about and suggestions for today, a power Friday that has the very real potential of changing your life. Doesn’t the excitement make you feel better already?

• The vernal equinox and fall equinox are the only two times of the year that the sun rises due east and sets due west.
• In the Ohio Valley the actual sunrise today is 7:29 a.m. and sunset will be 7:35 p.m.; in Rochester, NY those times will be around 7:15 a.m. and 7:21 p.m.; in Cannon Beach, OR the times will be 7:20 a.m. and 7:27 p.m. (Thanks to www.sunrisesunset.com, a very cool site.) Daylight and dark were nearly equal on March 18 in the Ohio Valley, when the sun rose and set at 7:32 a.m. and 7:33 p.m., respectively.
•  The onset of spring tends to lift our spirits anyway, and there’s a scientific reason for that. First, there is more daylight because the Earth’s axis tilts slightly toward the Sun at this time of year, giving us more daylight. Ingrained in our ancient genetics, the brain picks up the increase in daylight through the retina and reacts with a hormonal change that gives us more energy and less melatonin. The body comes out of hibernation and becomes more active while cravings for carbohydrates and winter’s “comfort food” decrease.  
• Regarding “spring and a young man’s fancy,” well, science says it's the wrong time of year. Testosterone levels historically peak in summer and fall.  
• This New Moon takes place a few hours before the Zodiac sign of Aries begins. New Moon energy is always about setting intentions, beginnings and manifesting. The sign of Aries enforces that as a sign of initiating action and pioneering ahead. The solar eclipse magnifies the existing energy. It’s time to forge a new path.

Take advantage of this opportunity today and this weekend by staying positive, sending out good thoughts, and being open to possibilities. (Remember that negative thoughts can be magnified and manifested, too—keep it Light!) There is a balance, however, within the Universe. In order to bring in the new, positive energy we have to make room for it by releasing old thoughts, ideas, relationships or attachments that have become tiresome or burdensome and have outlived their usefulness on our Paths.

If you get a moment, spend some quiet time, light a candle, and think consciously about what inspires you and where you want to take your life. You’ll get some extra help from the heavens in making those dreams come true.

Have a Fearless Friday, and Happy Spring!.  

The Feast of St. Joseph and Zeppole

Since the first millennium, Christians have recognized St. Joseph on March 19. He was the husband of Mary and the step-father of Jesus Christ, a carpenter by trade and of royal blood as a descendant of David. In Spain, Portugal and Italy, this is also Father’s Day. It’s customary to wear red on this day.

Many Sicilians consider him the country’s patron saint, so during the Middle Ages when drought was causing famine in Sicily, they prayed for St. Joseph to intervene. It began to rain, and the fava bean crop was saved, and people had food. They held a banquet in St. Joseph’s honor and the wealthier families fed those less fortunate.

Today, churches host St. Joseph’s Table celebrations. A three-tiered altar is constructed with a statue of St. Joseph on the top tier. People bring meatless dishes—many including fava beans or almonds--like pastas, breads, soups, vegetables and fruits and a doughnut-like pastry called zeppole. All are welcome to partake when there is a meal. Otherwise, the food is distributed to the hungry.

In some places bakers make a special St. Joseph’s bread during Lent. It can be an egg bread or a sweet bread containing fruits and almonds.

This zeppole recipe, from Allrecipes.com, is super easy (mix all ingredients in one saucepan over very low heat) and fast (under 20 minutes.) There are many variations to this pastry: topping it with cannoli cream, fruit, almonds, granulated sugar, powdered sugar and savory versions with anchovies and spices. 

Enjoy, and in the spirit of the day, while you’re at the grocery store, consider picking up a few extra non-perishables to donate to your local food pantry.   

Feel Good Friday--Uh oh. It's Friday the 13th

Are you one of the nearly 20 million people who fear the day? Though nearly all of the “Friday the 13th” hoopla is superstition and association, it seems to have stuck. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in North Carolina, up to an estimated $900 million in business is lost on these Fridays because of people postponing purchases, travel and contracts, and even staying home from work.

Here's a little trivia and background on how it all got blown out of proportion, and when you venture out of bed, click on the link below--Stevie Ray Vaughan and his cat will get you smiling and feeling much better about "Superstition."

Be careful out there...

• The word “Friday” is a loosely translated “day of Frigg.” Frigg (or Frigga or Freya) was a Norse goddess queen, Odin’s wife, watching over married women, love and destiny while she spun clouds. The death of her son Balder by the trickster Loki was her great tragedy, but there are some hazy references to the conversions of Norse and Germanic tribes to Christianity.  The male-dominated Catholic church thus labeled Frigg a witch and banished her to a mountain. The story says that she gathered with 11 witches and the devil on one day each week to plan spiteful deeds. From then on the evidence against Friday began stacking up.

• British seamen were notoriously superstitious about many things but were most adamant about setting sail on Friday. One (albeit unsubstantiated) tale begins with a frustrated British government commissioning a special ship, dubbed the H. M. S. Friday, whose entire history centered on “Friday:” selecting the crew on that day, launching her on Friday, hiring a Capt. Jim Friday and finally setting out to sea on her maiden voyage on Friday. The ship was never seen again.

• When it comes to the number "13," the history and suspicion are more prevalent. Back to Valhalla, haven of the Norse gods, where 12 gods are having a party. The guests include Odin, Frigg and their son Balder. Uninvited guest Loki, the trickster god, shows up as the 13th guest. Miffed that he wasn’t invited, he plays a trick that sends an arrow of mistletoe through Balder’s heart, killing him. The gods and earth go into mourning.

• In Christianity, the 13th guest at the Last Supper is Judas, who ends up betraying Jesus Christ. On October 13, 1307 (which happened to be a Friday) France's King Phillip IV sent out soldiers to round up the Knights Templar alleging crimes of Satanism and “unnatural” acts and practices. Many were tortured into “confessions,” and others were executed. This was the end of their official order. 

• Speaking of death, the hangman’s noose was made with 13 knots, and the convicted trudged up 13 steps to the gallows. A guillotine dropped 13 feet to make the fatal cut.

• In architecture, 80% of tall buildings do not have a 13th floor. Some hotels and hospitals have no "Room 13," and it's the same with apartment buildings. In some Italian cities, the house number between 12 and 14 is 12 1/2. Airports have also been known to skip “Gate 13.” 

• Is there really a mysterious energy about the date? Mathematicians say, "No." The Gregorian calendar with its leap years, 28 year cycles, 40 year cycles and 400 year cycles is to blame for day 13 falling on Friday more than other days of the week. No year can have zero Friday the 13ths. There is always at least one, but no more than three. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JL9eO4-aDMs&list=RDJL9eO4-aDMs

Feel Good Friday--Giving is Receiving

A story I posted on the ArtSoulWine Facebook page yesterday got me thinking. A customer in a Philadelphia pizza restaurant started an entire movement that has provided 10,000 slices of pizza from that shop to those who can’t pay. This customer left an extra $1 for a slice to someone who needed it, which the shop owner tagged with a post-it. One small action—one small dollar—has spread out in ripples that have helped hundreds, maybe thousands, of people. Brings a tear to my eye every time I think of it. 

As grumpy as you might feel after this miserable winter--maybe all the more reason--I would suggest for Feel Good Friday that you consider a similar act. Just one, just something simple. There are opportunities everywhere. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal rescue. Drop off blank note cards or writing tablets and pens to a nursing home. Pick up some spring flowers for an elderly neighbor, or send a hello card or message to someone you’ve been thinking about.

A shout out here to Vagabond Kitchen in Wheeling for giving out free cups of soup during yesterday's snow storm. Awesome. 

Though you should give without reservation or expectation, there is actually something in it for you: lower blood pressure, longer life and a happiness. Turns out that warm, fuzzy feeling is a real thing, but don’t take my word for it. There’s scientific evidence from the University of California/Greater Good Science Center and the Cleveland Clinic.

That makes Feel Good Friday feel even better. Have a wonderful weekend!

How to Get Away: Step-by-Step RVing from CUontheRoad.net

Does winter--and, hopefully, the impending spring--have you dreaming of vacation, getting away, a change of scenery? Well, Chris Hughes has some handy tips and travel suggestions, the results of her research and experiences, via her blog, CUontheRoad.net. 

In "Finding Our First RV" Chris compares the pros and cons to different types and classes. She and her family, the Roadsters, then take readers with them as they walk the Watkins Glen ravine and bob around on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls. You can even enter to win a fun campfire gadget for your first outing. So pour a glass of wine, settle in and get away.

http://cuontheroad.net/finding-our-first-rv-motorhomes-vs-travel-trailers/

Feel Good Friday--Let your fingers do the walking

It's been a long month, and I've been putting together two websites, working until midnight or after nearly every night on those in addition to my regular job workload. And are my shoulders killing me. 

But it's FRIDAY, and it looks like we're in for another cold weekend with snow on the way. Sounds like a good time to unwind and get rid of the tension whether from countless hours at a computer, stress at work or home, the kids' crazy school schedule. How about a massage? 

This article from WebMD gives you some techniques that you can do yourself while listening to some favorite music, watching TV, or, even at the office. 

Later, take a trip to your happy place with this calming bedtime meditation from Begin With Yes. (Thanks to Mike Gouin for this Facebook post.) 

Have a nice, relaxing weekend to recharge your body and soul. And nighty-night.