Thursday, April 30, 2015

Thankful Thursday: The Last Thankful Thursday in April 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 3 Jamál (Beauty), 172 BE - Thursday, April 30, 2015 about 5:40 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am grateful
for fresh brewed coffee.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am thankful
for naps on a warm spring afternoons.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am grateful
for paid surveys sent to my e-mail accounts.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am thankful
for friends who deliver food to my home.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am grateful
that I have a working air conditioner in my apartment.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am thankful
that I have plenty of food in the refrigerator and freezer
so that I do not have to go grocery shopping
on the first day of the month.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am grateful
for the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am thankful
that I have a membership to AAA.


On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am grateful
for writing.com.

On the last thankful Thursday in April
I am thankful
that I have a membership to AARP.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Tuesday's Topic: A warm Afternoon in Las Vegas

Fiḍal (Grace), 1 Jamál (Beauty), 172 BE - Tuesday, April 28, 2015 about 2:09 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It's turning into a warm afternoon here in Las Vegas. The temperature at 1:56 pm was 84 degrees Fahrenheit and expected to get up to 86 degrees about 5:00 pm. This means I'm going to have to close the door and turn the air on in a few minutes. All though considering the commotion I'm hearing from outside, I should get up and close the door now. I don't know what's going on, but a police car just drove past.

I closed the door and stuffed a bath towel along with the long whatever you call it into the inch or half inch space between the bottom of the door and the floor to keep the cool air in. I also made myself a tall iced coffee with some water ice cubes. I would rather make my coffee with frozen coffee cubes, however, since this is the first day I've made iced coffee this year, I don't have any coffee frozen. I'll put the rest of the coffee from the carafe into trays after its cooled.

This is the first really warm day we've had this year. I turned the air from hot to cool in early March, so that I could see it the unit worked or not. It worked fine then, but since we haven't had any triple digits yet I don't know how well it will work this summer. It worked fine last summer and the only issue I had was the power bill. Of course, that's the main issue I always have in late spring and early summer. I can only hope and pray that we don't get any triple digits until August.



Monday, April 27, 2015

Meditation Monday: Poem Written on the Seventh Day of Ridvan

Kamal (Perfection), 19 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Monday, April 27, 2015 about 2:13 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I open my prayer book
I inhale the words of the God's Glory,
I meditate
upon the revealed word
and contemplate
the Divine Springtime.

I wonder
what it was like
to walk in the Garden of Ridvan
and listen
to the melody
of the Nightingale
of Paradise.

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Saturday Summary: Summarizing the Week of April 19 to April 25, 2015

Jalal (Glory), 17 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Saturday, April 25, 2015 about 4:01 pm Pacific Standard Time

I received the official news that there will be no Municipal General Election in Las Vegas because all the races were decided in the primaries. This means that I have all of June free to either work or look for another place to live. I also received my new triple A card through the mail.

I tried Gatorade again. I used to drink it several years ago, but stop for some reason. I'm not sure why I stopped drinking it because I've always like it. On Tuesday or Wednesday I purchased a box containing several 12 oz. bottles. I placed the bottles on the first shelf of my refrigerator when I clean it out on Wednesday or Thursday. Now I can take a cold bottle of Gatorade out of the fridge and drink it.

I wrote a number of blog entries, but I haven't worked on a story. I haven't written a story in two week. I suspect the problem was depression because I couldn't focus on anything except items less then 300 word. I'm not depressed today, but I don't know how long that will last. I think I will push myself to write at least one story in this coming week

Friday, April 24, 2015

Foodie Friday: Pasta, Chicken, and Canned Vegetable

Istiqlal (Independence), 16 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Friday, April 24, 2015 about 11:50 am Pacific Daylight Time

I decided to have pasta, chicken, and canned vegetables this weekend. I'm staying in my apartment (unless someone calls and offers to take me out Saturday or Sunday) to get some housework finished before the exterminator comes on Monday. I want something that is quick, easy, and tasty to worm up for my lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday. I cooked the pasta yesterday and I'm cooking the chicken today. Once the chicken is done then I will mix it with the pasta and then mix in the canned vegetables.


Pasta, Chicken, and Canned Vegetables

Step 1: Cook one bag of pasta (you chose the size and the type).
Step 2: Cook chicken legs and thighs with their skins on (breast pieces if you prefer or you can use a whole cut up chicken).
Step 3: When chicken is done then remove skin from chicken and the chicken from the bones.
Step 4: Throw the skin and bones away because it is unwise for you to eat the skin and for your pets to eat the chicken bones.
Step 5: Divide pasta into two containers before mixing in the chicken.
Step 6: Mix half the chicken in one container of pasta and the other half of the chicken in the other.
Step 7: Put one container of the chicken-pasta mix in the refrigerator or freezer (this depends on the way your family feels about leftover and how creative you are with the recipe).
Step 8: Open the cans of vegetables you want to put with the first container of chicken and pasta. I'm having sweet peas, corn, green beans, and green salsa.
Step 9: Season with whatever seasoning you want when you heat it up to eat.

Cook's Note: If you would prefer rice with this dish then cook the rice instead of the pasta. This recipe can be made in one day if you don't mind spending the entire day in the kitchen.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Thankful Thursday: The Fourth Thankful Thursday in April 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 15 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Thursday, April 23, 2015 about 8:37 am Pacific Daylight Time

On the fourth Thankful Thursday in April 2015 I am thankful...

01. ...for the bird singing in the pine tree across the street.

02. ...that Baha'u'llah declared in mission in the Garden of Ridvan in April of 1863.

03. ...for yogurt to put on my cereal of a morning instead of milk.

04. ...that the temperature at 8:20 this morning was a brisk 66 degrees Fahrenheit.

05. ...for the rooster that crows at dawn every morning no matter what type of weather we are experiencing here in Las Vegas.

06. ...that I have room on the top shelf of my refrigerator for my water, juice, soda, and sports drinks. I do not have bend down and reach into the lower shelves to get a cold refreshing bottle of juice.

07. ...for the gentle 8mph wind we are experiencing in Las Vegas today.

08. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn today.

09. ...for the security screen on my outside entrance because I can have my door open and still have the screen locked with two locks.

10. ...that I am not irritated by neighbors honking their car horns for no reason at all hours of the day or night.



Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Midweek Reflection: Earth Day 2015

Idal (Justice), 14 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Wednesday, April 22, 2015 about 10:35 am Pacific Daylight Time

White clouds race across blue sky,
as the wind shapes
and reshapes
them into
images of beauty
to decorate Earth Day 2015.

A cloud child sits
playing with a cloud toy,
while cloud dragon
is transform
while pursuing
a piece of spaghetti
or is it confetti
celebrating Earth Day 2015.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Tuesday's Topic: Litter in The Street

Fiḍal (Grace), 13 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Tuesday, April 21, 2015 about 6:14 pm Pacific Daylight Time


On non-windy days
litter hugs the curbs remains
where people throw it.


The wind is blowing again. The wind speed is about 14 mph, which means that both the regular litter and stuff from the palm trees are blowing down the street. Sometimes the dead palm frown lay in the middle of the street waiting for cars to run over them. The noise this makes is weird and frightening, especially in the middle of the night. I sleep next to a window so I hear every noise that anything or anyone makes outside. When a car runs over the palm frowns it wakes me up.

Litter in the street
blows down Sunrise Avenue
on a windy day.
 
 

Monday, April 20, 2015

Meditation Monday: My Methods of Meditation

Kamal (Perfection), 12 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Monday, April 20, 2015 about 7:14 am Pacific Daylight Time


Meditation Monday
I woke up giving thanks for
another beautiful day.

My normal method of meditation consists of sitting on the couch with a crocheted throw over my head. Sometimes I close my eyes and count my breath, but at other times I leave my eyes open while focusing on one of the spaces between the crochet pattern. This method I can use anytime of day or year. Recently I began a walking form of meditation after I get up and before I begin my workday.

My walking meditation
is a tranquil beginning
to another day.

This meditation exercise consist of a five minute walk between my door and my electric range. I do not go outside that early in the morning because I would have to get dressed and walk east or west on Sunrise Avenue in the dark. When I do my walking meditation I .either focus on walking, I repeat scripture verses I have memorized, or chant. It depends on how I feel and whether or not I have issues with my knees that morning. If my knees are stiff it is easier for me to focus on a scripture verse or chanting then on the act of walking. When my knees are stiff or painful my mind focuses on the pain rather then the act of walking.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Saturday Summary: Take Action

Jalal (Glory), 10 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Saturday, April 18, 2015 about 3:44 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Take action!
Move forward through your fear,
even when the voice
of your fear shouts
"It will do no good!"

This has been a week of ebb and flow negativity. A week of focusing and unfocusing on the fears that creep into my mind unbidden. This has been a week of prayer and taking action. Sometimes the only actions I have taken is to write or do surveys. I am waiting for a check that will take care of one financial issue for a little bit, but the check has not come. If the check does not come by Monday, I do not know what I am going to do because I have to deposit it to take care of a bill.

Take action!
Pray and work,
work and pray
do not allow the voice of fear
to paralyze
either your thoughts
or your actions.

I discovered the following quote by Richie Norton: “To escape fear, you have to go through it, not around.” As I read the thought I realized that I needed to take that advice. I have to go through my fear. I have to confront my fear and go through it because if I do anything else I can't find a solution to my problems.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Midweek Reflections on Chirping birds, wind, and writing

Idal (Justice), 7 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Wednesday, April 15, 2015 about 2:37 pm Pacific Daylight Time


A baby bird chirps
As wind blows the pine tree limbs
Rock-a-by baby

Last night the wind raged through Las Vegas. In some sections of town it knocked down trees and power lines. It did not do much damage on Sunrise Avenue. At least it did not do any noticeable damage. It did not knock the bird's nest out of the pine tree across the street. It did knock some dead palm fronds off the local palm trees, but I do not see many laying in the street so someone must have moved any that may cause difficulty for traffic.

Last night's horrid sound
Gave a momentary fright
While I sit and typed

I will continue to write and type as long as I have electricity and an internet connection. There is no use getting frightened when I can come up with a plausible reason especially when I have no intention of going out in the middle of the night to investigate. Since the electricity did not go off, the internet did no go down, and the roof did not fall in I continued working. I do not panic unless I have something to panic about.

I need batteries
Without electricity
My only illumination is my cellphone
 

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Spiritual Sunday: The Second Sunday in April

Jamal (Beauty), 4 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Sunday, April 12, 2015 about 12:26 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On the second Sunday in April,
I contemplate
the coming week
and wonder
what blessings are in store for me.

At 11:56 am the temperature in Las Vegas was 79 degrees Fahrenheit, with a predicted high of 88 degrees. Tomorrow's predicted high is supposed to be 87 degrees, but after that the temperature is supposed to go down into the low 80s or high 70s. I will keep a close eye on the temperature today because if it does get up to 88 degree I will have to turn on the cool air. If I turn on the air then I have to close the door and I do not like to have my door closed because I cannot see what is going on in my neighborhood.

On the second Sunday in April,
I listen to the neighborhood children
shouting joyfully
while I nibble on fresh vegetables
for my noonday snack.

It is about 12:41 pm Pacific Daylight Time, the sky is partly covered with thin clouds. The wind is not blowing today so neither the limbs of the trees nor the litter in the street is moving. People walking past my apartment are dressed for a warm spring afternoon. The dogs and the cats are in doors. The birds are silent, but then the birds are always silent in the afternoon. I think that is because they bless the morning with their songs.

On the second Sunday in April,
I intone my noonday prayer
and then listen to a Harley-Davidson echo
through the neighborhood.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Foodie Friday: Tuna Whatever AKA Tuna Casserole

Istiqlal (Independence), 2 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Friday, April 10, 2015 about 1:06 pm Pacific Standard Time

Blogger's Note: I am a creative cook! I am a senior citizen surviving on a fixed income. I create my recipes with what I have in my house, which meas I do not always fix a recipe of any type in the way one expects. Today my lunch and possible dinner is a version of tuna casserole called Tuna Whatever.


Tuna Whatever

1 can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can of tuna in water
2 cups of cooked macaroni or pasta
3 or 4 dashes of Mrs. Dashes Southwest Chipotle seasoning blend or whatever type of seasoning you want

Open the can of soup and then dump it in a sauce pan, electric skillet, or microwavable casserole dish. Measure in one can of water followed by the can of tuna and the seasoning of your choice. Heat this mixture either on top of the stove, in the electric skillet, or in the microwave. After this mixture is hot then add the 2 cups of pasta and anything else you think it needs. If you want to add cheese to it go right ahead; I no longer use cheese in my recipes because my doctor took it off my diet. I cut out the cheese because it is too difficult to figure out the amount of cheese I can eat on my diet. It is much easier measuring milk and cutting it down to a level my body can deal with.

Thursday, April 09, 2015

Thankful Thursday: April 9, 2015

Istijlal (Majesty), 1 Jalál (Glory), 172 BE - Thursday, April 9, 2015 about 1:10 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Today I am thankful...

01. ...that my checking account is not overdrawn.

02. ...for the birds singing in the pine tree across the street.

03. ...that I decided to clean out the refrigerator this afternoon.

04. ...for the beautiful white clouds decorating the blue sky.

05. ...that I was able to request money from two survey accounts within two weeks.

06. ...for the frozen oriental vegetables I had in the freezer because I am making them for lunch.

07. ...that the temperature at 12:56 pm was 68 degrees Fahrenheit in Las Vegas.

08. ...for spellcheckers because sometimes my fingers forget how to spell a word.

09. ...that I started my spring cleaning by deleting some items from my e-mail inbox.

10. ...for the beautiful of this early April afternoon.

Wednesday, April 08, 2015

Midweek Reflections: Overcoming Roadblocks

Idal (Justice), 19 Bahá (Splendour), 172 BE - Wednesday, April 8, 2015 about 9:19 am Pacific Daylight Time

One of the writing.com weekly newsletters for this week was titled Overcoming Road blocks. It discussed the roadblocks the editor was having in accessing the internet. In it she encouraged the readers to find ways to overcome the roadblocks they were encountering in their writing and their life. It got me to thinking about the roadblocks confronting me.

Some of the roadblocks I encountered recently were financial and physical. In order to overcome the financial roadblock, I worked thirteen hours yesterday. I enjoyed the job, but as a results I came home with back pain from sitting in an ergonomically inappropriate chair. When I returned home between 8:00 and 8:30 pm I was exhausted and in pain, specifically back pain. Even though I had difficulty focusing, I logged onto writing.com because I had two things I had to finish before 9:00 pm PDT.

I logged on, finished the writing I has to do, and then logged off. My back still hurt, but instead of taking pain medication (which has some side effects I don't like) I went to bed. It turns out I didn't need the pain medication to sleep. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep immediately and did not wake up before the alarm went off this morning. This is unusual because I usually wake up two or three times during the night.

The money I receive from the thirteen hours of work will help pay my internet bill. I need the internet connection so that I can do surveys to make money to deal with other bills I have to pay. I made some money last month with surveys that helped pay some bills and purchase some much needed personal items. I still have the power company to deal with and some other bills to pay before the end of April.

I am placing the financial and other roadblocks in God's hands, so that I can focus on earning more money to pay the bills. I have to place my worries in a higher power because worry distracts me and removes my focus from writing or earning money to worrying about bills. If I focus on doing surveys and other things to earn money then I can focus on both earning the money and writing.


Overcome roadblocks
Place the roadblocks in God's hands
Work without worry
 

Sunday, April 05, 2015

Spiritual Sunday: Prayer-Poem at the Beginning of a New Week

Jamal (Beauty), 16 Bahá (Splendour), 172 BE - Sunday, April 5, 2015 about 3:44 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Beloved,

At the beginning of a new week,
I ask your assistance
in finding the light
as I advance through the fog
and darkness
of this time in history.

Help me to
move forward
one step at a time
as I advance
one day at a time
toward the goal
at the end of the week.

Form: Free verse.

Saturday, April 04, 2015

Saturday Summary: The Week of March 29 to April 4, 2015

Jalal (Glory), 15 Bahá (Splendour), 172 BE - Saturday, April 4, 2015 about 12:12 pm Pacific Daylight Time

It is the end of an interesting and exciting week for someone. Was it such a week for me? I went to the optometrist on Thursday and then I went to the grocery store. It doesn't sound exciting, but it was because I learned something. I have a problem with dry eyes so I use an over-the-counter eye drop in addition to the prescription eye drops because I have glaucoma. I also have thyroid disease. After discussing the dry eyes with my doctor he came to the conclusion that I am sleeping with my eyes open. He suggested another over the counter drops to put in my eyes after I put the glaucoma eye drops.

The next exciting thing that occurred on Thursday was that I went to a different supermarket. Before I left for the eye doctor Thursday morning, I decided that I would go to the grocery store after the appointment. I like to plan my trips so that I can do at least two things while I am out. I left the optometrist's office and headed for the grocery store. I decided on a different supermarket this time because the one I normally go to was out of my way. Going to a different grocery store or supermarket is exciting because the aisle arrangements are different. It is always an adventure finding the items on my grocery list (when I take a grocery list) in a new store.

The third exciting thing to happen was earning money from two different survey groups. This will come in handy because I have to purchase two over-the-counter eye drops this week. In addition I have to purchase a package of Depends© which is the only type of disposable undergarment I will wear when I leave the house. Fortunately, I have coupons for all three of the items I need to purchase. Now the only thing to do is figure out where I can get them for the least money without the coupons. I will use the coupons, but I don't want to spend any more money then I have to.

Thursday, April 02, 2015

Thankful Thursday: A Thankful Thursday Afternoon

Istijlal (Majesty), 13 Bahá (Splendour), 172 BE - Thursday, April 2, 2015 about 5:51 pm Pacific Daylight Time.

On Thankful Thursday
I went to see my optometrist;
I am thankful
that I could drive myself
to his office and back home again.

On the first Thankful Thursday
in April 2015
I am thankful
that I did not have to turn
the cool air on today.

On the first Thankful Thursday
in National Poetry Month
I am thankful
for hot or cold vanilla coffee.

On this Thankful Thursday afternoon
I am thankful
for the wind
blowing through
the pine tree across
the street.

On Thankful Thursday
I am thankful
for the cut okra
I purchased today
and the swai
I have in the freezer
because I cook them
for lunch on Good Friday.

On Thankful Thursday
I am thankful
that I can hear
my neighbor's music
echoing through the walls.

On Thankful Thursday
I am thankful
that I live in
Las Vegas, Nevada.