The last day of 2023 is now here. I welcome 2024 with excitement and anticipation.
I watch the daily sunrise with a prayerful attitude. I think of three simple words: gratitude, love, and forgiveness. How much more peaceful, happy, and beautiful each day would be for everyone if we lived with gratitude in our hearts, love for each person, and forgiveness of others and ourselves for transgressions.
This is a photo I took as a storm was making its initial entrance from the west. Each individual must learn from the storms of life to have joy and peace.
Christmas literally means the Mass of Christ. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus, emphasizing love, peace, and goodwill towards all.
Now that we are in our 80s, the celebration of Christmas has mellowed and changed. It is less about Santa Claus or Kris Kringle. It is more about sending love and peace to everyone, even to those who are rude and grumpy. We remember the message of the play and story Scrooge.
Decorating the house with a tree, fewer lights, candles, and garland. Over the years, the tree has become smaller and artificial.
Baking cookies in smaller quantities but keeping the tradition of old favorites.
Sending fewer Christmas cards via the postal service. Grateful for email cards and letters.
Amazon! No trips to department stores.
Quiet celebration at home or with friends instead of large groups, as shown in paintings by Norman Rockwell or Currier & Ives.
Magic walnuts are still made, just fewer as the kids and grandchildren have become adults.
Our memories of Christmases past bring us joy. Each year we treasure the gifts of:
New engagements
Weddings of grandchildren
Graduations
Retirement for some, plans for early retirement by others
Births of great-grandchildren
The joy of watching our children be parents and grandparents
The gift of having stimulating, informative, and interesting conversations.
And, the gift that they are now looking out for us, making sure that we are safe and able to still take care of ourselves.
We are very proud and deeply love our 6 adult children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Who could ask or want any more than them for Christmas?!
To celebrate the Christ-mas is by treating everyone with love every day.
Gallettes are French cookies made with a waffle iron. My mother-in-law would make them for us every Christmas. She passed this recipe down to me for which I am very grateful. I make the Gallettes every Christmas season and I have passed the recipe down to my sons and grandchildren.
The tradition continues!
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
6 large eggs, separated
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups all-purpose flour
Recipe:
Step 1: Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: Separate egg yolks and beat slightly; lightly add vanilla and almond extracts with a fork.
Step 3: Gradually add egg yolk mixture to the creamed sugars until incorporated.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Step 5: Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form; fold into dough
Step 6: Beat butter at medium speed until smothered and creamy. Beat in both sugars until well combined, light, and fluffy.
Step 7: Drop batter by 1-2 teaspoons onto a preheated waffle griddle and bake until lightly brown. Carefully remove with 2 forks to cool on a rack.
Serve and enjoy!
SANTA’S FAVORITE COOKIE
My thanks to Staci Troilo for this year’s cookie exchange.
A box full of laughter, which is the best medicine. As long as we have a smile, giggle, or uproarious laugh, life cannot get us down.
Two boxes filled with positive, loving thoughts. If we think gloom and doom, our life will be such. No matter the challenge, think about what you can learn from it and become a better person.
Three (or more) healthy meals a day rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fruits and vegetables. Cut down or eliminate processed foods and sugars.
Exercise at least four times a week. Opening those four boxes will improve your heart health, body weight, stamina, and will put a smile on your face and happy thoughts in your heart.
Do deep relaxation or meditation at least five times a week. This is a way to calm stressful thoughts, relax the whole mind and body, commune and listen to your God or Higher Power, and find peace.
There is no better gift at Christmas (or anytime) than the gift of health. Our bodies are each unique and beautiful, packaged and wrapped just for us. They do need to be taken care of, cherished, and listened to for good health physically, emotionally/mentally, and spiritually.
I like to think that our bodies are God’s gift to us, and what we do with them is our gift to God…and to ourselves.
When we speak of family, we usually are referring to our parents, spouse, children, and our “blood relatives.” During the holiday season, we envision a family gathering around the table as painted by Norman Rockwell.
According to a man in his 50s, family is the group of people or individuals with whom he is very close to. “My family is not defined by blood, but rather by friendship, trust, and love for that person.”
Here in Florida, commercials presented by the Publix Corporation, always have families gathered together or in contact with one another via telephone. Everyone is smiling, happy, and middle to upper class. There is laughter, hugs, and well-behaved children. The commercials are like the Rockwell painting shown above. The families might be what we dream to have, but unfortunately may not.
I do not want to end this blog on a negative note. The importance of family (however you define family) is what matters. It is my hope that however one celebrates Thanksgiving Day, it is a loving, meaningful, and blessed day.
Fear can be caused by many things or events. In the fable about the Lion and the Elephant, Aesop teaches us to think differently about our fears. When we let fear take over, we are living a less-than-healthy life. For example, fear of cancer can prevent our bodies from performing in the healthiest manner.
Physiological effects of fear: High blood pressure, racing heart, faster breathing, and blood flow away from your heart out to your limbs. These reactions are good if you are in an immediate “fight or flight” situation. Long-term effects are not healthy.
The lion was more powerful than all the other animals. ‘Yet great though I may be,’ said the lion, ‘I am terribly afraid of roosters!’
It was when he was in this frame of mind that the lion came upon the elephant. The lion greeted the elephant and stopped to converse with him. When he saw that the elephant kept on flapping his ears, the lion inquired, ‘What’s the matter with you? Why do you keep on flapping your ears like that?’
As the elephant began to speak, a gnat came whizzing by and the elephant said, ‘Do you see this little thing, this little buzzing thing? If it gets inside my ear, I’m doomed.’
‘Well then,’ the lion concluded, ‘why should I die of shame? I am an excellent creature indeed, and in much better shape than this elephant. Roosters are more formidable than gnats, after all!’
Lesson for us: Focus on our strengths rather than our weaknesses or fears. When we are facing cancer or any life-threatening or changing illness that is the time we must be like the elephant and do what we can to overcome the illness AND use our strengths to face our fear.
Albert Camus wrote, “Autumn is a second springwhen every leaf is a flower.” Is this not a beautiful quote?
My life before cancer was like spring: full of energy, optimistic, and blooming with ideas and projects. When cancer became a part of my life, it was like the coldest and most severe winter.
However, I have been in remission for 6 years, during which I am free of the drugs and treatments that destroyed the cancer. Just as spring is a time of rebirth and rejuvenation, so my body healed and became strong.
The warm summer days and sunshine filled me with Vitamin D, energy, and positivity. I became like the beautiful flowers and trees. I bloomed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In the fall, I was like the autumn leaves, full of color and vibrancy. The coming winter season did not affect me as I had gained strength and fortitude to face whatever storm or cold days might appear. This season of fall, I smile with joy at each autumn flower.
How often do we use the words “down“and “up” in everyday life. The more times we use the word up the better life can be.
She bent down and then raised up.
Turn the music down; no, turn it up.
Johnny knocked me down, but Charlie lifted me up.
The sun goes down, but at dusk it comes up to start a new day.
I sat down next to her but soon got up.
I put the luggage down so he could lift it up
Life has its ups and downs.
It will cool down tonight, but warm up tomorrow.
We lay down to sleep but get up when awake.
A frown is formed when our mouths have down corners, but up corners create a smile.
She fell down but then picked herself up.
Each life is full of downs and ups! It is best to learn from each experience and enjoy the rollercoaster ride called “life.”
I hope you have more “up” times in your life, but know that we have the opportunity to learn more during our “down” times.
My thanks to Isaac Deas, PhD, who presented this topic at one of our Teal Magnolia Luncheons. Author of Don’t Let Go, he has a doctorate in education, a masters in counseling and human resources. https://deas.consulting/about/
Owl Manor by Zita Harris:The Owl Manor is haunted, yet 3 best friends buy it and try to convert it into a stage theater, restaurant, and art gallery. Each of them uses their talents and desire to be successful as individuals and as a group. The book travels back in time to the 1800s and back to the present. It is well-written, and I would highly recommend it.
“Once Upon a Time in the Swamp” is my favorite book by C.S. Boyack. The main character, Mari, is on a quest to find the men who killed her husband and family. The sheriff is not offering any help, so she loads her wagon, hitches her ox, “Dirt,” and follows the trail of the killers. Along the long, arduous, and sometimes dangerous trip, she learns about how to live alone in the swamp. She learns how to track the killers and how to shoot a rifle. A great read.
My apologies to my fellow authors whose books I have read and yet not written a review or promoted. It takes me longer than usual to read a book and to write anything on the computer. As most of you know, my eyesight is a challenge though I am grateful to say it has not deteriorated any further in the last 6 months.
To all my followers, I say thank you for your support and understanding.
There are over 200 types of cancers, which can be grouped into 5 categories: carcinoma, sarcoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as brain and spinal cord cancer.
The term “cancer” originated from the Greek word “karkinoma” which means “crab”. It was named so because tumors were observed to resemble the shape of a crab, with a central body and extending “legs”.
Approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States in 2022.
Approximately 609,360 individuals are estimated to die from cancer in the United States in 2022.
Ovarian cancer is a serious health concern. In September, we raise awareness about this disease. The number of new cases is 10.3 per 100,000 women each year, with a death rate of 6.3 per 100,000 women. Unfortunately, these numbers haven’t improved much over time. In 2023, it is estimated that there will be 19,710 new cases and 13,270 deaths due to ovarian cancer. These statistics are quite alarming.
The reasons behind this issue are:
Insufficient funding for research.
Lack of education for doctors and nurses.
Lack of awareness among women and girls about the warning signs, which can be subtle.
I want to raise awareness about this dangerous cancer. Women and girls, please pay attention to your bodies, know the signs, and see a doctor. You can support research by donating to organizations like OCRA or NOCC. You can also donate to our local fundraiser (bidpal.net/teal).
KAREN INGALLS, AUTHOR, BLOGGER & SURVIVOR 