Child Witches - it doesn't have to be a bad thing.

I was watching Nightline, which my mom got me hooked on, and there was a segment on witch craft 'cursed' children.  Christian Pastors deemed them jinxed and their families rejected them, as they are told by people of the church, these young kids are bad luck.  To make things better the Government wont help the kids.  

First off, I am sure Christian missionaries taught these pastors how the function of the church works and these men have manipulated it into a profitable craft.  If there are Human Rights groups out there that are thinking they need to get involved in the Congo, they should take the kids to Ashland and their witch craft talents will be adorned!  Save the world and spread the wealth. 

To watch the video go here. 

Seatbelts?

You would think by now most of the people who are driving in cars would have a healthy habit of wearing their seatbelt.  Automatic reflex.  Mom instilled it, didn't she?  I was wide-eyed and found myself even exerting a small gasp at the sight of not just one but 2 drivers mid-corner-turning-pulling-seatbelt-over-to-latch.  I was shocked.  I thought not wearing your seatbelt was so passe?  I wanted to call my mom and express my exasperated reaction.  Although, then I would be creating another hazard?  Who am I to talk, on the contrary I think its fine for people to talk on their cell phones when they are on highways, heck I do it all the time!  

Solution:  only allow people to talk on their cell phones while driving if they are not wearing their seatbelts.  Now that would get me to stop talking! and I would bet a little darwinism would kick in! 

I appreciate all of you who wear your seatbelts! 

The Togo box war

When I go out to eat, I try to order the amount of food I am actually going to eat.

But I must be honest with myself, it rarely happens, the portions are just too big. On comes the war- the box, the squarish shaped container that brings my personal life to an inner and often times outer battle.  If the box comes and its biodegradable, I practically hug the server and get a huge grin on my face! But, if the schreatchy white stuff comes out...the material that doesn't bio degrate for eternity.  I freak out. Literally.  I battle, the box is now on the table, they are going to toss it out if they are compliant with health codes.  If the reuse it, is that unsanitary?  Should I just take it?  Is wasting the food just as bad?  The questions go on.  My solution differs.  In my ideal world, I would carry around my own container.  Realistically, its just going to be a war, espeicailly since my dining out issues don't stop there. 

Hand Dryers?  

Here is a more thorough article by someone else who shares my pain.  

'I want to talk about take-out containers, one of my biggest pet-peeves. Restaurant portions being what they are, we usually end up taking leftovers home. And they almost always come in those horrific styrofoam or polystyrene containers. So, it’s a quandry: waste the extra food or carry home wasteful packaging with practically no re-use value (not that that stops my mother, but that’s a story for another day) and non-recyclable to boot. I’ve made it my resolution this year to try to get at least one place I eat regularly to switch to bio-degradable or at least. I somehow doubt I’m going to convince this city to ban them, like Emeryville, California, but one step at a time, I always say.

For the rest of the article: 

http://river2sea72.wordpress.com/2007/04/05/take-out-the-trash/

Mixologist - Re Post from 'Where and What'- Blog

After tasting and experiencing Organic Nation Vodka in drinks made by several different great bartenders we were delighted to meet the people in charge. As a result of our conversation, we inquired about their mixologist, Melodie Buell. After we give you her award winning Oregon "Goose's Pear'd Up" we'll share her background in her own words. It needs no enhancement or spin from The Tandem Tasters.

Goose's Pear'd Up

1/4 ounce Southern Oregon home grown organic Black Peppercorn simple syrup

2 ounces Organic Nation Vodka distilled in Ashland, Oregon

8 gooseberries from Wit little field farm in Phoenix Oregon

1/8 Comice Pear from Eden Vale Orchards in Medford, Oregon

Float of LongSword Vineyard "Accolade" Semi-sparkling Chardonnay from the Applegate Valley

Directions:

Chop the pear into 7-8 cubes.

Put the gooseberries and pear into a pint glass.

Muddle lightly (make sure you break the skins of the gooseberries)

Add Organic Nation Vodka, Black Peppercorn Simple Syrup, Ice and shake.

Strain and serve in a 9 ounce Martini glass.

Float of Long Sword Sparkling wine.

There should be at least a few little specks of black peppercorn in the bottom from the syrup.

Garnish with 5 gooseberries, 1 generous slice of Comice pear on the side of the Martini Glass.

Now on to our mixologist's bio.

"At the age of three, I was caught in the kitchen naked wearing nothing more than my sunglasses and pink gun holsters slung around my hips. I had loaded my guns with the only real ingredients I could think of, and was pretending to shoot them at people. I was on the way to my passion, and NO it wasn’t guns."

"Getting caught in the kitchen became a regular occurrence for me. Whether making a mess, concocting wild creations, or experimenting with one’s senses, I constantly honed an emerging talent. At an undisclosed age I was inevitably a part of my mothers catering business, I was hands-on, in the kitchen and helped my mother craft and refine her recipes for the business.

From my humble beginnings built on simple infusions, to the incorporation of unexpected tastes and flavors that have won awards, my progression into the world of Mixology seemed predictable. My story now continues to include a career position with an incredible Oregon Distillery, Organic Nation Spirits, where I continue to lend my sensory interpretations and random moments of inspiration to create menus and viable marketing strategies."

"While the path still winds, I will never forget where I came from and how my creative passion was nurtured by my mom and family. They are the ones who allowed me wear my holsters and finish my mission of stuffing my guns with, what in my mind was the most appropriate ammunition, dough and a little love."

"Cheers! Lots of Love Mom! Thanks for letting me peruse your lovely garden and use up your spices in my moments of inspiration." --Melodie Buell, Mixologist, Oregon

We hope you enjoy. We'll feature some easier cocktails from Melodie soon.

Maralyn D. Hill and Brenda C. Hill

International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association

Books By Hills Success Log Global Log

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Posted By Maralyn to Where and What In the World at 4/03/2009 12:01:00 PM

The little girl on the Big Wheel

I was 3 years old.  I was pedaling madly behind my 41/2 year old friend crying cause my little legs just couldn't go as fast.   I didn't give up.  

What is it about the reactions and emotions we have as a young child and how we develop into adults.  While everyday I remind my self that I don't have to catch the 4 1/2 year old on the big wheel, I do have to enjoy riding that low slung toy.  

Now, I have converted my energy into other endeavors.  My recent favorite (picked up a couple of years ago), DH mountain biking, which I do to scare my self and challenge my mind to stay within 'me'.  It works.  My mind is totally silent when I am riding, especially a technical feature, the peace is beautiful and therapy is free, well sorta. 

Hello World

I have an unscrupulous amount of clutter in my brains sometimes, to the extent that I so vainly think it might actually interest someone else by sharing it.  At the moment I feel as if the echo of my voice is so clear with its lack of disruption in travel as it comes back to me, hence I know no one is listening ... yet. 

I hope to accomplish a variety of potentially intriguing things in my blog. 

1. Inspire someone else

2. Inspire myself by others. 

3. Share ridiculous thoughts stories and experiences as they happen. 

4. Whatever else I feel like

What privies me to think what I am doing is blog worthy? Nothing. That's just the point. 

I have almost done lots of things, tried so hard and almost made it, gotten something so close I was almost there.  I am not at the top of the hill shouting freedom, but 9/10 of the way there wanting the secret and by this point likely getting distracted by some great idea I think I need to pursue. 

Next Vital Question: 

Who the heck are you?  

This question will be answered in time.  Through stories and thoughts.  If I wanted to validate my self to you, this would be the obvious place to do it.  But I wont.  There is nothing that makes me more worthy or valid that anyone else. 

Cheers.