What Is Your Persona Today?

I have many personas.  I don't mean different personalities, I mean personas like who I want to be right now or who I want you to see.  These are the many sides of me that come out depending on my mood.  I can have more than one in a day.  Right now I am the Suburban Country Lady sitting on my pink desk writing my blog!  We all have different personas.  If we didn't we'd either be quite boring or be bored with ourselves.

A simple definition of persona is the personal facade we present publicly.  This is how people see us and perceive us.  The other day at my hair appointment I complimented my hairdresser on how nice she looked in her outfit.  She usually wears jeans with a top and cowboy boots.  That day she wore an attractive dress with heels.  She thanked me for the compliment but went on to say she felt out of place and kind of out of body.  She said she used to dress up all the time but she somehow stopped doing that.

When I started seeing her my first impression of her was a sassy cowgirl kind of lady, but that day I saw her as a feminine professional hair stylist.  Either way, she does an excellent job with my hair.  When I started seeing her a year and a half ago I had short hair.  I told her I wanted to grow my hair long, keep it blonde and not have it look dorky in the process.  She managed to do that for me.  She turned me into a middle aged woman who felt frumpy and dumpy into a middle aged woman who feels perky and attractive.  Now I can use my hair for any persona I want to present to the world.  I can wear it up in a sophisticated style, I can wear a sassy ponytail or I can wear it down for a glamorous look.   

It is a known fact that how you dress will determine how people see you.  How you dress also dictates how you carry yourself.  If you are dressed formally you will glide as you walk, if you are dressed for success you will walk with confidence and if you are dressed casually you will walk with a swagger.   Personas can be fun and that can be useful.  When I run errands sometimes I feel like dressing up and being a confident and successful housewife!  Yes, you can be a successful housewife.  Other times I dress more casually and want to be seen as a easy go lucky, come what may kind of woman. 



You can use your personas to your advantage, too.  You can use them as a mood lifter when you are feeling down by dressing in some bright colors or wear a hat when you want to be mysterious.  You can be silly and frivolous by taking yourself on a picnic in a downtown park and be a people watcher or sit down in a busy mall and count the number of people walking around with cell phones up to their ears.  They will think you are a total loser who has nothing else to do, but you know better. 




Just follow your mood and see what persona you want to be.  You can start with the serious gotta get my work done person in the morning and end up being that silly hippy love child by the afternoon to that grateful blessed person in church tonight.  At least you know you are more than just a one dimensional cardboard cutout.  You are someone with substance.  Just go with the flow.

"For the Lord is good;

His mercy is everlasting,

and His truth endures to all generations."

Psalms 100:5

Curiosity

 I think curiosity is as important as imagination.  Having a sense of wonderment makes us all ageless.  Curiosity, along with imagination,  never grows old and it helps to keep us young.  Curiosity may have killed the cat but at least it didn't die of boredom.  How many times are your bored?  Or how often do you hear your children say they are bored.  Boredom stagnates us and gets in the way of enjoying life in the moment.



Our dog is curious about the feral cat.

I prefer to experience failure than not be curious.  Curiosity has
lead me to many adventures in my life.  Like when I  joined the Army.  I was looking for a way out of a somewhat mundane life I was living.  I was 23 years old, a two times college dropout in a dead end job.  I was curious where the Army would lead me and it was one of the wisest choices I ever made.  They used to have a motto that said "Be All That You Can Be" and in my case it was absolutely true.  As a journalist it was the perfect fit for me with my extreme curiosity. 

I had carte blanche to ask all kinds of questions, to meet all kinds of people, and to see many interesting things.  This was the perfect fit for me in the Army.  This experience helped me to use my curiosity in my professional life, also. The Army's eductional benefits provided me with my college education which eventually led to a career in the human resources field where I dealt, again with people from all backgrounds.  This is where my curiosity of the Army took me.

Curiosity drives me to experience new things all the time.  I took art classes at a vo-tech school and took an online writing college course and now I am taking horseback riding lessons.  My husband and I developed many new interests when we started camping.  Because we love American history we began visiting museums and this led to our collections of things from the past.  Our love of the outdoors led us to hiking and geocaching.

Curiosity places an important role in all these things because they require some degree of research. 
We buy books to read and research on the worldwide web.  Curiosity also plays an important role in my cooking.  I love to experiment and fortunately I've had more successes than failures.

Today's recipe of the week.

"Crockpot Vegetable Stew with Navy Beans"

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

4 carrots, sliced

2 potatoes, diced

4 celery stalks, chopped

1 can tomatoes

2 cans navy beans, drained and rinsed

1 small can of tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in the crockpot, cover with vegetable broth or water.  Cook on low for 8 hours.

Serve with cornbread or a crusty hot loaf of italian bread.

Enjoy.

If you use your curiosity along with your imagination,  I guarantee you will not experience one boring moment!

"You will show me the path of life;

In your presence is fullness of joy;

At your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Imagine

Can you imagine not having an imagination? I've been giving this some thought today and, well frankly, I can't imagine it!  I have a very active imagination as you can tell from my opening sentence.

I accuse my husband of not having an imagination.  He is very smart and he is a very good man, but he is not big on unnecessary conversations.  One day while we were waiting for our breakfast at a local restaurant I was determined to get him engaged in some sort of conversation with me.  I asked him what would he do if he was being chased by some angry tribal natives with poison arrows to the edge of a roaring river full of large boulders and rapids with only a rickety wooden bridge to cross it and a hungry, ferocious angry bear on the opposite bank.  He just looked at me like I was some kind of crazy woman and then our food arrived.  He didn't answer the question.  I accused him, yet again of not having an imagination.

Thankfully the world is full of imaginative people.   Where would we be without our favorite authors, our movie producers and most importantly our scientists?  It takes a mighty big imagination for scientists to think up the things they come up with.  We wouldn't have made such great strides in medicine, computer technology, and space exploration if it wasn't for their great imaginations.



When my husband and I visit museums, historical sites and antique stores my imagination goes wild.  When I see items used by women in their homes I picture myself using these items.  I imagine using a pretty set of china, setting the table with it and beautiful silverware.  I imagine the clothes she might have worn at that particular meal and if it was a special occasion or maybe a Sunday dinner with her family.  This explains why it takes me longer to get through these places than my husband! 

Or when we visit old cemeteries, as I look at the headstones I try to imagine what their lives was like.  Many headstones give you just enough information to have a good idea of what kind of life a person might have lead.  For example,  "Anna May Smith, Beloved Wife, Mother and Grandmother.  She will be dearly missed by all whose lives she touched."  This was a woman who devoted her life to her family and left a loving legacy.  Or, "Pvt. John A. Smith, 76 Regiment, WWI Veteran."  This was a young man taken before he had a chance to grow old.  He will remain forever young because he gave his life to his country.  He probably had a girlfriend back home waiting for him who had to go on with her life.  She eventually married a good man, had children and grandchildren, just like Anna May Smith, but her first loved remained forever in her heart never to be forgotten.

Yes, imaginations are very important.  We need them to grow, to survive in a hectic world and to stay sane.  It is a way to filter out the ridiculous things we see every day.  So, the next time you're in a long line or waiting for a food order with someone who doesn't talk, look at a person near you and imagine who she is.  She is probably in the witness protection plan working for the CIA, speaks fifteen languages and can wrestle a 200 pound bear waiting for her at the other side of the raging river while she is running from crazy tribal people carrying poison arrows!   Try it, it's fun!

"Now faith is the substance

of things hoped for,

the evidence of things not seen."

Hebrews 11:1

Nature's Garden

Gardening is one of my passions.  Whether it's the vegetable garden, flower garden or the herb garden, I love to watch plants mature from small babies and tiny seeds.  Try as I might, I have learned that I am not the one in charge of what these plants are going to do.  I am a minimalist when it comes to fertilizing and insect control.  I stick to organic components such as our compost for fertilizing when we first plant and later I use organic pest controls when necessary.  Once they are planted, they are on their own.

Volunteer pumpkin plant

As they grow and start producing what they feel like giving us I am always surprised and pleased when I get volunteer plants that come out of our compost.  I have several cantelope plants with five melons growing among the tomato plants this year.

Nature's bounty

I was also blessed with some beautiful pumpkin plants that came up from last year's halloween pumpkins I tossed out in the backyard.  I harvested four nice pumpkins this week.  From these I froze four quarts.  All I did was thin the plants as they grew and watered them.  No fertilizer necessary!



Some people are very talented with their gardens.  They know all the right fertilizers and secret tricks to make their plants grow big and produce massive amounts.  They are ardent weeders and feeders and dedicate many hours to nurture their plants.  These are the people you want to befriend because they just might share some of their abundance with you.  I, on the other hand, am a bit lazy and am content to enjoy what I get.  What I don't get out of the garden, I buy at our local farmer's markets. 


I am a suburban country lady, not an experienced farmer.  I know my limitations and accept them.  I am perfectly content to accept what nature's garden decides to give me.  You never know what surprise you will encounter each day as you walk in your garden.   All I know is I am not the one in charge and I love that fact.

SCL

"As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes."

Psalms 103:15

Recipe of the Week - Fresh Summer Squash Soup with Pistou

One of my favorite authors is Jan Karon.  She wrote a series of books called the Mitford Series with an Episcopalian priest named Father Tim as the main character.  The stories are set in a beautiful small town somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains intertwined with many colorful characters.  They are so eloquently written that you will be drawn into the drama and comedy of the townspeople.  You will experience a wide range of emotions in every book you read.

Homemade Relish I Canned

One of my favorite things about her books are the recipes.  Yes, food plays a very big part in the stories.  How can it not when there are wonderful folksy people and a church involved?   Some of the recipes I have copied and put into my cookbook scrapbook.  These include buttermilk biscuits, cole- slaw, pimiento cheese and many more.

 To experience these delicious recipes I suggest you march down to your local public library and start reading these fabulous stories.  There are nine Mitford stories.  Once you read the first one, you will be hooked.

This weeks recipe I created to use up some summer squash I bought at the farmer's market.  I made a large pot of it and froze the extra in jars.  This way I can enjoy some wonderful summer flavor on a cold blistery winter day and curl up with one of Jan Karon's delightful stories.

Fresh Summer Squash Soup

Ingredients:

4-6 yellow squash or zucchini  (I used both)
Onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Vegetable broth or water
Vegan pepper jack cheese or any cheese of your choice, shredded. You can use
parmesan, pepper jack or cheddar cheese.

Cut up the squash and put in a soup pot.  Cover with water or broth.  Add seasonings. 
Bring to a boil and cook until tender. 
Once it is done puree the soup in a food processor.  I used an immersion blender.
Blend until smooth.  Taste for any additional seasonings and add your cheese while it
is still hot.

This makes a nice creamy delicious soup.

Pistou

Pistou is a french pesto.  It is served with soups and fish dishes.

Ingredients:

2 cups of packed fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup of olive oil
Optional:  You can add 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
You may need to add more olive oil if the pistou is too stiff.

Blend in a food processor until it forms a paste.

Serve this separately and add a dollop to the bowl of soup.

Enjoy.


Have a wonderful weekend.

Cucumber Plants

"Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that

proceeds from the mouth of God."

Matthew 4:4

Comfort Food

Sometimes we all have down days.  Times when we feel blue.  Of course there are many kinds of  legitimate mental illnesses that, like any illness, needs to be treated by a professional.  The kind if blue funk I'm talking about are those that can pass within a few hours or a few days.

When I am in a blue funk everything is exaggerated.  Today while I was weeding in my herb garden I got stung by a little bee.  Yes, you heard me right, I was stung, again.  But because of my mood I exaggerated my reaction and I felt like everyone is against me, even the bees.  When I am in one of these moods nothing seems to go right.  I broke a light bulb while trying to clean up the cabinets in my laundry room and then after I swept up the broken glass I managed to drop it on the floor again.  What's a poor soul to do?  Eat of course.

Comfort food was my only cure for today's blues.  I decided to fry everything I picked today.  I fried eggplant, green tomatoes and okra.  I love crispy textures, especially when it can't get any fresher than today's pickings.  Sandwiches are another kind of my favorite comfort foods.  Since I became a vegetarian I have missed some of my old favorites like a good reuben made with tender brisket and tangy sauerkraut, a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with fresh tomatoes, a club sandwich and of course the ever delicious hamburger with a variety of toppings.  So I decided to share some of my modified vegetarian and vegan sandwich recipes that help me chase the blues away.

Boca Burger with Portabello Mushroom

This is best cooked on the grill but it can be cooked on the stove. 

You will need one Boca Burger brand Vegan Patty, one large portabello mushroom, blue cheese or any crumbly cheese of your choice, whole wheat hamburger buns, vegan mayonnaise or regular mayonnaise, lettuce, purple onion and tomato.

Brush the mushroom with olive oil on both sides then season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder or any seasonings you like.

Place the frozen Boca Burger and the mushroom on a moderate heat grill until the burger is done and the mushroom is juicy.  This usually takes about ten minutes, if the burger is thawed is takes less time.  Put the crumbled cheese in the mushroom until it melts.

To assemble,  spread the mayo on the buns, add the burger, the mushroom, sliced onions, lettuce and tomatoes.  This is a double hand burger that is juicy and delicious.  I'm sure you will be hooked once you've tried it. 

Grilled "cheese" sandwich

The ingredients for this simple sandwich is whole wheat bread, vegan cheddar cheese, or any sliced cheese you like, and organic Smart Balance whipped butter spread.

Spread the butter on both sides of the bread, layer two to three slices of cheese on once slice and top it with the other slice.  Cook on a medium hot skillet until it is brown, crispy and gooey with melted cheese.   You can also add a tomato to this sandwich before cooking for a delicious flavor.

Eat and enjoy.

Bologna Sandwich

Yes I can have a bologna sandwich too and not feel guilty about what it is made of!  There is a large variety of  "mock" meats in the stores made from soy and gluten.  Many of these products are used as fillers in hamburger mixtures served in tacos and hamburger patties at fast food eateries.

My favorite mock meats are made by Light Life Smart Deli.  They make bologna, hot dogs, chicken patties, turkey meat and hamburger crumbles. 

I make my bologna sandwich on Pepperidge Farms whole wheat Deli Flats bread.  Spread the bread with vegan mayo, place bologna, sliced tomatoes and basil leaves.  Season with salt and pepper.  The basil adds a wonderful fresh taste to this healthy alternative to regular bologna.

You can get creative with your spreads.  With mayonnaise you can mix in some organic barbecue sauce, pickle relish, horseradish sauce, soy sauce, hot sauce or organic ketchup.  These will each bring your mayo to a new level of culinary experience.

You can also use any variety of mustards and any of the other spreads that are on the market.

I hope you will try my sandwich recipes the next time you need a boost in your gloomy mood.  Sandwiches  have a way of bringing us back to happy times and childhood memories of picnics in the park .

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will  worry about its own things.

Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:34

The Wonderful World of Nature

Nature is wonderful.  It is so big and varied, no one can experience it in its entirety in a lifetime.  Nature's bounty includes plant life, animal life, aquamarine life and, let's not forget earth's atmosphere, which is in itself another whole entity.  We refer to nature as Mother Nature.  Mother Nature is blamed for everything from a devastating hurricane to a woman's phases in life (which is not a bad comparison).

A feral cat nursing her babies.

The amount of animals on our fair planet is countless.  All we know about is what has been discovered.  Of course we have the common animals everyone knows about.  The animals we eat, the animals we keep in zoos, those we keep as pets and all the others.  The other animals are those in nature, the feral (wild) ones that we prefer to see at a distance and those creepy crawly ones that most of us prefer to completely avoid.

I met one of those creepy crawly ones yesterday morning while I was weeding the vegetable garden.  I met it, I did not see it.  My contact with it came in the form of a bite that felt like a needle stick.  Try as I might I could not get a visual on the sneaky little thing.  All I know is I was left with a slightly swollen hand that is just now going down.  When I am gardening I come up close and personal with a lot of Mother Nature's little blessings.  I've met squash bugs, all kinds of spiders, little black bugs, little red bugs, grasshoppers of all sizes, worms, caterpillars, bumblebees, butterflies, centipedes and wasps. 

I am OK with meeting these precious little gems until they want to meet me.  Like yesterday, I was just minding my garden and my business until that stealth critter made a rash judgement on me and attacked me.  Not nice.  I've had wasps come down on my neck and sting me, I've met little bees on my toes, a scorpion on my back and a jellyfish on my legs (in the ocean of course!).  I even met a stinging nettle on my backside while taking care of some, um, personal business in Mother Nature's out house once.  If it stings, I've found it. 

Then there are reptiles.  I like snakes.  Yes I do.  My husband does not like snakes which is why I am the one who goes into the storage shed in our backyeard when we need something out of it.  I know there are dangerous snakes out there, but they don't sneak up on you like the black ops insect that attacked me yesterday.  Snakes are afraid of us.  They don't want a big tall giant around them.  Think about it, they are down on the ground.  They have to look way up high to see us.  That is like when we are at the bottom of a tall building looking up.   Snakes much rather run away from you than attack you.

Buffalo in the Tall Grass Prairie Reserve

I like to see animals in the wild.  When my husband and I are camping or hiking we get to see a lot of wonderful creatures.  We've seen deer, racoons, squirrels, road runners, rabbits, turkeys, turtles, buffalo, and all kinds of birds. 




Yes, Mother Nature has given us a big wide world full of things to be discovered.  Whether you like the desert, mountains, forests or the oceans, it's out there for you to experience and enjoy.  Try to experience it in every season.  Nature is constantly changing and it's beauty is never ending.

Just remember to watch where you walk and where you stick your hands!


SCL
 

"Let the rivers clap their hands;

let the hills be joyful together before the Lord."

Psalm 98:8