Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"

Carrots, Eggs, or Coffee; "Which are you?"

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not k...now how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they got soft.She then asked her to take an egg and break it.

After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked. "What's the point,grandmother?"

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity--boiling water--but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her granddaughter.

"When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff?

Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Our Cats - Baby & Bulive

Bulive - Can I please have some of your popcorn?    Pleeeeease




Can I help you?

Monday, February 21, 2011

No Emails Today

I can't respond to any emails today.
Something has crashed on my computer

and the mouse is missing, too...

Received as a forward from Des

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Birds of Kaua'i

Red-crested Cardinal
the one with the brown head is a juvenile,
getting feed by the older one.

Zebra Dove



Spotted Dove


Rock Pigeon


Cattle Egret


This guy made me jump while taking a picture of a flower.
I didn't know he was there and he wanted me to come over
and talk to him.
Mejiro

Chestnut Munia


Chicken and her chick at the beach.
They are everywhere!!!!!!



Red Junglefowl (Moa) he was up at a waterfall.


Great Frigatebird ('Iwa) flying over the ocean during the sharing time
at Ashly's baptism.


Red-billed Topicbirds roosting for the night.
There were so many different birds flying around
before they started roosting.
Wish I could have recorded the sounds.
They sounded like cats screeching and owls hooting.

Newell's Shearwater ('A'o) they sounded like cats screeking.
I couldn't see what I was taking a picture of until later.


Sunday, January 31, 2010

Ode to January:

‘Twas the month after Christmas and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist,

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber)

I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I’d never said “No thank you, please”.

As I dressed myself in my husbands old shirt,
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt.

I said to myself as I only can
“You can’t spend the winter disguised as a man!”

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracked and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
‘til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won’t have a cookie, not even a lick,
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won’t have hot biscuits or cornbread or pie.
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I’m hungry, I’m lonesome and life is a bore.
But isn’t that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot;
Happy New Year to all & to all a good diet!…..

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The New Upcoming Garden - 2009

After hours of work the bottom garden is getting ready to plant.
Isaiah's 10th birthday he wanted to work on the yard.

Max is watching them work.

Max is a great dog.

Dream Big - Bulvine - Dream Big

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Dog - Cat Funny

Usually I don’t do this but in the dog vs cat world this was cause for some serious chuckles. P.J.S.

This was a forward of a forward, which I asked Mary to forward to me. We laugh and laugh at this. Only it isn't true of our cat. ~P.C. : -)

Dog Diary:
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Ran back and forth in the hall! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm - Got to play tug! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

Cat Diary:

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my Dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them I once again vomited on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear in to their hearts since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Slime heads! They continue to pick me up and handle me; an obvious attempt to subvert me. There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released -- and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. Tonight I will again lie on their heads while they sleep and hope to smother them.

Monday, February 9, 2009

It All Started This Morning When I......

Made breakfast for the cranky youngsters
And fed the baby a bottle She dribbled milk all over herself and my new blouse I loaded up the kids in the carseat
and took them to daycare & school I was late for work, and traffic was a nightmare My husband called my cell phone
to tell me, he got laid off from his construction job
I got to the office (I'm a Tech Analyst) My supervisor chewed me out For misplacing the mouse I went out for lunch
and got caught in the rain I left work early to pick up my new eye glasses (wrong size) I then picked up the kids from school & daycare
Fed them all a quick meal Drove the boys to karate lessons And, then the girls to tap & ballet When we got back home,
all they wanted to do was watch TV
And, sing karaoke instead of doing their homework
After much chaos,
they took their baths
and got ready for bed
And after much hounding,
they brushed their teeth
Then I read them their nightly bedtime stories They finally went to sleep So, I tried doing some aerobics in the living room
Uh oh, I don't think all the 'fast-food'
and exercise is agreeing with me
Now, I think I'm getting a migraine And a runny nose I'm pretty certain it's the flu After a long and grueling day,
I crawled into bed
and was just drifting off when I realized I had forgotten something Dear Lord, despite the topsy-turvy day I've had,
I give thanks to You and For all the blessings You've bestowed upon me
and my family!


That's how MY life is going......so, how are things with YOU?

Forwarded to me from my friend - Des Steffens