Meredith Kendall's Blog, page 113
December 29, 2011
it's what's for dinner
Really, isn't food the most boring topic? Don't you hate to hear people list off what they will and won't eat? I do.
Pics on the other hand. I like pics of food. I like see what you're having for dinner.
That said, be prepared to be bored, or simply click away right now. Because I feel compelled to explain. Why? Partly the looks I get, the reaction to my meals and my cooking, and partly because it does seem to be a topic that interests people. Here goes.
I like nuts, seeds, berries, roots, fruits, tofu, tempeh, and all kinds of beans. Breakfast is oatmeal, eggs, blueberries, or yoghurt with walnuts and maple syrup. Lunch and dinner is beans and brassicas. I like dark chocolate, black coffee, green tea, and red wine. I try to eat local, organic, and raw. Perfectly normal, right?
So why do my coworkers stare at my lunch, grimace, and say, "What's that?" And why isn't there a word for that thing they do: they make a face like they're about to hurl.
What's that? "Cabbage," I respond.
"Raw cabbage?" in disbelief.
"Yes," I respond slowly and clearly. "Like coleslaw."
"But where's the mayonnaise?" in continued disbelief and nausea.
"No mayonnaise. Cabbage with raspberry vinegar, chia and sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, walnuts, and avocado."
"Chia seeds?"
You see how it goes? So many explanations. It's easier to eat at my desk and answer emails than to face the questions and disgust in the lunch room. And frankly, their lunches disgust me too. Bony pieces of meat, processed microwaved mush, leftovers microwaved in plastic, or stinky greasy fast food.
There, either you read all the way through or clicked off ages ago in boredom, disgust, or nausea. Yeah, should have simply posted a pic of what's for dinner. Care for a falafel ball?[image error]
Pics on the other hand. I like pics of food. I like see what you're having for dinner.
That said, be prepared to be bored, or simply click away right now. Because I feel compelled to explain. Why? Partly the looks I get, the reaction to my meals and my cooking, and partly because it does seem to be a topic that interests people. Here goes.
I like nuts, seeds, berries, roots, fruits, tofu, tempeh, and all kinds of beans. Breakfast is oatmeal, eggs, blueberries, or yoghurt with walnuts and maple syrup. Lunch and dinner is beans and brassicas. I like dark chocolate, black coffee, green tea, and red wine. I try to eat local, organic, and raw. Perfectly normal, right?
So why do my coworkers stare at my lunch, grimace, and say, "What's that?" And why isn't there a word for that thing they do: they make a face like they're about to hurl.
What's that? "Cabbage," I respond.
"Raw cabbage?" in disbelief.
"Yes," I respond slowly and clearly. "Like coleslaw."
"But where's the mayonnaise?" in continued disbelief and nausea.
"No mayonnaise. Cabbage with raspberry vinegar, chia and sunflower seeds, dried cranberries, walnuts, and avocado."
"Chia seeds?"
You see how it goes? So many explanations. It's easier to eat at my desk and answer emails than to face the questions and disgust in the lunch room. And frankly, their lunches disgust me too. Bony pieces of meat, processed microwaved mush, leftovers microwaved in plastic, or stinky greasy fast food.
There, either you read all the way through or clicked off ages ago in boredom, disgust, or nausea. Yeah, should have simply posted a pic of what's for dinner. Care for a falafel ball?[image error]
cold in Maine
December 29 and it's cold.
Forecast: windchill of twenty below tonight. Just checked handy online temp conversion: -20F degrees is -28C. Either way: cold.
We had three big snowstorms here, and all three melted away in abnormal warmth. We had rain two nights ago. This is odd weather for Maine in December. Usually we get a snowstorm in late Nov or early Dec, and that snow stays til April.
My sons (and one girlfriend) are in Portland, Maine tonight. I hope they stay inside, stay put, stay warm, and stay safe. [image error]
Forecast: windchill of twenty below tonight. Just checked handy online temp conversion: -20F degrees is -28C. Either way: cold.
We had three big snowstorms here, and all three melted away in abnormal warmth. We had rain two nights ago. This is odd weather for Maine in December. Usually we get a snowstorm in late Nov or early Dec, and that snow stays til April.
My sons (and one girlfriend) are in Portland, Maine tonight. I hope they stay inside, stay put, stay warm, and stay safe. [image error]
winter break 2011
... is going by way too fast. I had big plans to write a scholarly article, join a local gym, and paint my bathroom.
Instead I spent time with family: ostensibly resting and relaxing; but actually shopping, wrapping, driving, cooking, serving, cleaning, and facilitating the happiness of others. I answered work emails daily, went in to work three days, and traveled other days. I haven't spent a full day at home the whole time.
I learned some new board games: Apples to Apples and Catan. I read The Descendants (SO good), and started Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (excellent). Changed oil in car, washed car, saw a few friends, and checked on my assisted living facility.
So I've kept busy and connected. But no article, no gym, and my bathroom remains baby boy blue. [image error]
Instead I spent time with family: ostensibly resting and relaxing; but actually shopping, wrapping, driving, cooking, serving, cleaning, and facilitating the happiness of others. I answered work emails daily, went in to work three days, and traveled other days. I haven't spent a full day at home the whole time.
I learned some new board games: Apples to Apples and Catan. I read The Descendants (SO good), and started Major Pettigrew's Last Stand (excellent). Changed oil in car, washed car, saw a few friends, and checked on my assisted living facility.
So I've kept busy and connected. But no article, no gym, and my bathroom remains baby boy blue. [image error]
Reiki stance, Reiki dance
Yesterday during our Reiki afternoon at the outpatient center, I watched the four other practitioners. I watched how they sat or stood, where they placed their hands, and how they moved.
One stood at the client's head. Her eyes were closed and sometimes her lips moved slightly, as though she was reciting something.
Another practitioner stood across from me. Her eyes were closed too. Sometimes her hips swayed side to side, in a Reiki dance, to music only she could hear.
I took a wide stance, to lower myself a bit. I tensed and relaxed my muscles and stretched my neck to my shoulders. When I thought of the symbols my face spontaneously lifted to the sky: Sun and stars.
The other two practitioners demonstrated slow, gentle, and deliberate movements.
When it was time to change hand positions, we made eye contact, smiled, and readjusted. I noticed that at beginning and end, several made Gassho motions.
That's it for the Reiki stance, Reiki dance. Someday I'll write about Reiki breath. [image error]
One stood at the client's head. Her eyes were closed and sometimes her lips moved slightly, as though she was reciting something.
Another practitioner stood across from me. Her eyes were closed too. Sometimes her hips swayed side to side, in a Reiki dance, to music only she could hear.
I took a wide stance, to lower myself a bit. I tensed and relaxed my muscles and stretched my neck to my shoulders. When I thought of the symbols my face spontaneously lifted to the sky: Sun and stars.
The other two practitioners demonstrated slow, gentle, and deliberate movements.
When it was time to change hand positions, we made eye contact, smiled, and readjusted. I noticed that at beginning and end, several made Gassho motions.
That's it for the Reiki stance, Reiki dance. Someday I'll write about Reiki breath. [image error]
Reiki hands
I worked with four Reiki practitioners yesterday. We spent the afternoon sharing Reiki energy with clients at an outpatient center.
One practitioner was a relatively new Level 1. As we walked out into the cold evening wind, she stared at her hands in wonder and told me that she could feel the symbols in her hands. She said she started to feel them after her attunement.
I thought about how my hands pulse with energy when I share Reiki. I thought about the rush of heat that blossoms along my spine. I thought about how people tell me that my hands burn, palpable through jeans and sweaters.
Reiki hands. [image error]
One practitioner was a relatively new Level 1. As we walked out into the cold evening wind, she stared at her hands in wonder and told me that she could feel the symbols in her hands. She said she started to feel them after her attunement.
I thought about how my hands pulse with energy when I share Reiki. I thought about the rush of heat that blossoms along my spine. I thought about how people tell me that my hands burn, palpable through jeans and sweaters.
Reiki hands. [image error]
December 28, 2011
lights
Some people walk a long ways with you. Some people run for a short time. Some people light up your path momentarily. [image error]
Reiki
What could be more rewarding? It's my favorite part of my life. I feel immense gratitude when I get to share Reiki energy.
It's a time to relax, give, and meditate on health and possibility. It heals you and me. We meet, share a moment of connection and agape, and say goodbye.
Reiki. I'm here for you. I will witness your struggles, your pain, and your persistence. You are fighting cancer. You got yourself here and you open yourself to the possibility of insight. Thank you and best wishes. [image error]
It's a time to relax, give, and meditate on health and possibility. It heals you and me. We meet, share a moment of connection and agape, and say goodbye.
Reiki. I'm here for you. I will witness your struggles, your pain, and your persistence. You are fighting cancer. You got yourself here and you open yourself to the possibility of insight. Thank you and best wishes. [image error]
One word: plastics
Dude in The Graduate, "Just one word: plastics."
Revolutionary word, amazing product of my youth. Made of oil. Now there's way too much of it. It's in my clothes, food, and furniture. It's in our oceans and soil. We package everything in plastic. It blows through city alleys and along country roads. It swirls in a giant vortex in the Pacific. Too much plastic.[image error]
Revolutionary word, amazing product of my youth. Made of oil. Now there's way too much of it. It's in my clothes, food, and furniture. It's in our oceans and soil. We package everything in plastic. It blows through city alleys and along country roads. It swirls in a giant vortex in the Pacific. Too much plastic.[image error]
new practitioners
Experienced Reiki this afternoon.
I worked with 3 new practitioners and 3 clients; demonstrating the paperwork and process for the new practitioners. The practitioners are awesome: experienced, compassionate, humble, and intelligent. Beautiful souls, full of gratitude and dedicated to service to others. The clients were awesome also, brave beautiful souls.
The clients relaxed as we gathered around and placed our hands. Pretty sure I heard some snores. From the table, not the practitioners. I felt my heart open and ironically imagined rainbows, unicorns, and glitter pouring out. Candy canes too. It amused me to imagine this. I felt pulsations in my hands as I held them over elbows and knees.
Afterwards it was all hugs and smiles. Reiki. What could be better?
[image error]
I worked with 3 new practitioners and 3 clients; demonstrating the paperwork and process for the new practitioners. The practitioners are awesome: experienced, compassionate, humble, and intelligent. Beautiful souls, full of gratitude and dedicated to service to others. The clients were awesome also, brave beautiful souls.
The clients relaxed as we gathered around and placed our hands. Pretty sure I heard some snores. From the table, not the practitioners. I felt my heart open and ironically imagined rainbows, unicorns, and glitter pouring out. Candy canes too. It amused me to imagine this. I felt pulsations in my hands as I held them over elbows and knees.
Afterwards it was all hugs and smiles. Reiki. What could be better?
[image error]
December 27, 2011
hopes for 2012
Despite horrific stories in the news, weather anomalies, and economic difficulties...
despite blinding sunlight changing to flat cold white light today,
despite misunderstandings, unmoorings, excessive solitude, and monotony...
I have hopes for 2012.
I hope to love, learn, laugh, and serve. I hope for long stretches of contentment and moments of joy. I hope for peace, health, prosperity, and enlightenment for all living beings.
I think that following the Reiki principles is a good way to get there. So here they are, as rewritten by a group of my Reiki students.
Just for today, forgive.
Just for today, have faith.
Honor your parents, teachers, and elders.
Earn your living honestly, in a way that benefits others.
Respect and be grateful for all living beings, and all things have life: people, animals, plants, rocks, and planets. Everything.
[image error]
despite blinding sunlight changing to flat cold white light today,
despite misunderstandings, unmoorings, excessive solitude, and monotony...
I have hopes for 2012.
I hope to love, learn, laugh, and serve. I hope for long stretches of contentment and moments of joy. I hope for peace, health, prosperity, and enlightenment for all living beings.
I think that following the Reiki principles is a good way to get there. So here they are, as rewritten by a group of my Reiki students.
Just for today, forgive.
Just for today, have faith.
Honor your parents, teachers, and elders.
Earn your living honestly, in a way that benefits others.
Respect and be grateful for all living beings, and all things have life: people, animals, plants, rocks, and planets. Everything.
[image error]
