Cal Orey's Blog, page 53

Wildfires, Mudslides, Flash Floods, Earthquakes, Hazardous Air Quality...

 2022 Forecasts Made in January Coming True 

By Cal Orey

It's Happening--the West is challenged by hazardous air quality caused by wildfires, flash floods, mudslides--and a Northern California 4.4 earthquake felt in SF Bay Area (on the Rodgers Creek Fault connected to the SAF -- making local and national news last night and today)

As the New Year greets us, it’s time. It’s the year to buckle up, get comfortable, and prepare for Mother Earth’s twists and turns.  While 2021 shook up the world with West Coast wildfires, Midwest twisters, and a blizzard in Hawaii to continual quakes and tsunami warnings in the Pacific Ring of Fire, this year unfortunately may be a sequel. So, sit down, cozy up, sip a cup of tea and breathe...

The happenings in 2022 will often be linked to two words “climate change” but also history will repeat itself in many regions around the globe. It is the year to get your go bag to be ready to experience the fight-or-flight response during eye-opening events. That means  snowstorms, shakers, twisters, and hurricanes in odd places that’ll get “ohs” and “ahs” – and make international news. Last year was likely a drill.

So, dear readers, keep your ears and eyes open for anything unimaginable because it is almost certain humanity is going to be blindsided by shocking happenings each season. It’s a year that will be unforgettable.

 

* Scientists know the San Andreas is overdue for a major earthquake and as they say, “It’s not if but when” the Golden State moves. The regions to get a big jolt include: offshore Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay, South Bay or coastal regions near the San Andreas Fault – and Southern California (Greater Los Angeles or near coast and, of course, the Salton Sea).

* In December 2021, an aggressive swarm or earthquake struck offshore Oregon. It’s possible it could have been foreshadow for the Cascadia Subduction Zone to wake up and shock people with a great quake like it did in the 1700s.

* Europe is often challenged by major earthquakes. At least one Mediterranean great shaker will hit the region and be felt in multiple countries.

* Finally, the Pacific Ring of Fire will be on a huge roll that explodes with volcanic activity, shakers, and tsunami warnings to the real waves.

 

Rain and Snow Events

As Earth changes continue to shock us, in 2022, according to the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts reports drier, warmer temperatures in the South, a wetter North, and drought may linger in the West.

The West Coast has experienced a historical dry period but this may be the year to change it up and welcome needed rain – but it still may not be enough for tourism or crops. At the end of 2021, the Pacific Northwest was slammed with rain, while California got its overdue snowstorm(s).  While the regions embraced the help of water, it will come with flooding (especially flash floods in  burn areas from wildfires). Also, all of the entire West Coast is not immune to mudslides, coastal erosion – chunks of Earth will fall into the Pacific Ocean – and avalanches in the sierras.  

Speaking of snow, the Deep South states will experience unusual snow, hail, and some flooding. And, European countries will get noteworthy rainfall and unprecedented flooding, especially in coastal regions in any season or all four seasons.

 

Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Wildfires

 Hurricanes will happen and not in the likely Gulf States. This year expect Hawaii may get the newsworthy Category 5. And, NOAA agrees, the Atlantic seaboard folks may be boarding up and hunkering down unless there is time to evacuate. At least two historical hurricanes will shock the world and leave unbelievable destruction. Tornado outbreaks will be part of nature’s wrath.

Wildfire season is now an annual challenge – it’s no longer just smoky skies during summertime in the Western regions. Worse, unhealthy air quality is part of the new normal. People up and down the West Coast will likely migrate because living indoors 24/7 with air purifiers running and facing the ill effects of hazardous air outside while being surrounded by wildfires is no way to live.

 

 Despite the crazy Earth events (blame changes in the Universe), as always, humanity will be forced to be self-reliant. And yes, the ongoing pandemic, virus and its variants will cause more challenges and chaos for the world.       That means more people are growing their own food, leaving big cities and our diet will become more plant-based as the supply chain of food will be shaky. It’s the year of challenges (and putting plans to travel on hold). But survival of the fittest (stock your pantry and medical kit for people and beloved pets) will get us through this year – and 2022 will undoubtedly go down in history books.

 

 On the Fringe

So, as we all cope with surreal climate chaos you may wonder, “What else is in the stars” – and surprises are in store. I’m talking a major, earthshaking solar event – solar flares may be the culprit or something related. Now this could be a minor solar storm or a shutdown the Earth event. That means, blackouts, communication lines affected, to disturbance for airline flights and road travel. The solar storm may wreak havoc for a while that’ll affect the world.

And note, in 2022, Mercury goes into retrograde four times: Jan. 14 and ends Feb. 3. May 10 to June 2; Sept. 9 to Oct. 2; and Dec. 29 and end Jan. 18, 2023. So, plan ahead for these periods. Expect rough air and avoid non-essential travel to making major financial or legal decisions, and be ready for miscommunication at work or play. Best advice: Chill, this too shall pass and we all may welcome 2023.
BIO: CAL OREY, M.A. Meet a versatile non-fiction health author who also pens fiction: True Crime, Humor, Romance, Sci-Fi & Adventure, and creative non-fiction thrillers based on real events, including historical, political and science topics... Plus the writer is a known on-air personality...NEW RELEASE: The Healing Powers of Herbs & Spices: Timeless Treasures #9 was published in 2021 by Kensington... It has made its way to being a pick in Woman's World Magazine Book Club, and covered by Booklist, American Global News, GlobalInformerNews, NYC Daily Post, New York Daily, City Buzz News, Huffington Post, on board with Newsmax, and in more than 200 libraries worldwide... Orey also holds two degrees in English-Creative Writing from SFSU. She is the sole author of the "hugely successful" Healing Powers Series, nine books have been graced with online bookstore Bestseller banners; (translated in 25+ languages), many featured by Good Cook and Lite

Herbs and Spices a Must-Have for 2022 as Inflation Soars

By Cal Orey

The word is, an uptick in herbs and spices has left manufacturers scrambling to fill orders for hungry and lonely consumers. What gives? Blame the spike on the stay-at-home lifestyle to survive the lingering pandemic -- and essential during lean times as inflation soars and food prices skyrocket.

Actually, herbs and spices have been touted as timeless treasures. Their draw goes back centuries ago, to the days of the spice trade. Seafarers searched for pepper, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg which were priceless commodities. And now, during a 21st century plague, we are experiencing another spice explosion, sort of.

The Covid-19 challenge has already played a role in our food chain. Back in March, we endured bare shelves – a lack of flour to sugar to eggs and butter — in our grocery stores.  But spices were growing in demand, too, because we were cooking more, dining out less. As months passed, during quarantine home-cooking, using herbs and spices became a hot trend around the globe.  

A Pre-Pandemic Introduction to Aromatic Seasonings

Flashback to 2019, when I began my book research for The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices: Timeless Treasures, I found a big cardboard box on my doorstop—a gift. When I opened the package, I was greeted by a strong wave of different aromas. The box was filled with dozens of individual packets containing a variety of herbs and spices.  It was if they were all are saying, “Look at me! Choose me!”

I took out each cellophane wrapped and labeled packet. There were rows of small packages on my dining room table. Each one was filled with powders, pods, seeds and stems–some familiar, some not. I brought out a kit of glass bottles with stick-on labels which I had ordered online and went to work filling each container with a dried herb or spice. Foolishly, I did not wear a mask. (Fast forward: Now a mask is my best friend.) My eyes began to water, and sniffles started. I sneezed several times. I was experiencing the potent and healing compounds in the botanical plants. Within a few hours, all my seasonings were inside the glass bottles and labeled.

Little did I know these timeless treasures would end up making a huge comeback during a pandemic stay-at-home lifestyle.

Home-Cooking Is Chillaxing

            Why Spice Sales Saw a Rise During the PandemicAs more people look to natural remedies as a way to slim down and healthy up, the demand for usage of herbs and spices continues to skyrocket.Celebrity chefs increasingly promote more natural, plant-based diets that include many herbs and spices for flavor, texture, and visual appeal.During the fall and winter — spice companies will likely enjoy a greater demand for immune-boosting food paired with seasonal favorite seasonings.During tough times people often turn to baking bread or making pizza – familiar comfort food and cheaper than going out to eat. While we cope with  money challenges, home-cooking links you to a sense of normalcy.

Using herbs and spices provide different adventurous flavors and can create different cuisines — a tie to traveling which we cannot easily do right now.  It’s an escape to embracing different cultures and humanity – a way to feel connected during physical distancing.

Herbs and Spices Heart-Warming Lure

 Staying well is on our minds. And the key to vibrant health for all generations is in your kitchen… Anise, bay leaf, oregano, paprika, parsley, and more—for thousands of years, have been praised for flavoring food, as well as preventing and even curing illnesses.

Nature’s gifts including cloves, garlic, thyme, and turmeric are immune-boosting and can help us stay well. Since American households will be hunkering down for a while, spicing up home-cooked meals adds pleasure. And yes, herbs and spices can even ease stress and anxiety providing comfort during challenging times.

So, cooking up herb-alicious recipes like a Banana Cardamom Bread, Mediterranean Oven-Baked Garlic and Marjoram Pizza, Jumbo Anise Biscotti or a Spiced Star Anise Hot Chocolate will help get us through tough times. But note, post-pandemic days are ahead – with promise of gatherings and traveling – indulging in the variety of spice to its fullest once again.

The mega-popular Healing Powers series from bestselling nutrition writer Cal Orey continues with its 9th installment, The Healing Powers of Herbs and Spices, exploring the many ways fresh herbs in your fridge and dried spices in your kitchen cupboard can provide medicinal powers, home cures, weight loss benefits, beauty treatments, and adventurous flavors for better health this fall and beyond.

Falling into Autumn Love

By Cal Orey

Fall is my fave time of year--autumn babies, like me, are believed by some researchers to live longer, quality lives.

In the sierra fall is flaunting its true colors. The aspens are golden, leaves are dropping, and the heater is kicking on with and without my help. I wonder if cooler October temps is a sign of a colder winter.  I have to turn to my sixth sense and rain-sensitive Aussie for a weather forecast. 
This post is from the past but timeless. But somethings change -- climate change. My 2022 forecast for the autumn is the wildfires will settle down by November. More drought, and come December and early January the West Coast may see rain, rain, rain... Snow? Not so much. Those days are over at Lake Tahoe. 

To Do Autumn List:
Ah lavender is all around me for fall.OUTDOORS STUFF: The firewood is in the back  covered with tarp, but not stacked as of yet. I'd rather go swimming this AM. Will put in garage when the weather clears up in a few days. I took a poll and the wood people told me I really don't have to have the chimney cleaned because I didn't use a cord of wood last fall/winter.  Pine needles? Check. They are in green bags and were hauled away yesterday. And the needles are off the rooftop.  2022 Update: Due to climate change a fireplace is not the first thing on my mind for comfort. THREADS FOR WARMTH: Received earthy colored sweats, jeans, and sweaters from Victoria.  What was she thinking? I got a long and lean sweater (love it) but it's too thin! Skinny jeans fit and will keep me skinny. Got light golden colored flannel sheets as a birthday present. Cozy, cozy, cozy. 2022 Update: Paid off my Victoria card...now I get all cotton clothes (tees, jeans, sweaters) online at other stores.BRING FALL INSIDE: Pine cones...I am beating the squirrels. There are piles in pots on the deck and will bring some more indoors and place in baskets. After all, these are a signature of where I live. I don't remember so many pine cones on the ground but I like it--they're big, fat, and fresh. And throws. Still need to wash--the green and maroon ones. The aquarium heater is keeping my goldfish and catfish swimming. They are happy. I pray that we do not get a power outage like the 3 day blackout. Not fun. I always worry about my water-loving kindred spirits. 2022 Update: I've added fish to my tank: Goldfish, mollies, snails, a frog, and Siamese fighting fish. STAY WELL: Not getting the flu shot. But it's mandatory for my Aussie when he is kenneled. Note to self: Stay clear of people. Going swimming...Bliss, the pool/hot tub are mine. Tourists are AWOL this time of year. It's a local's dream. 2022 Update: Favorite pool resort has changed owners. Got a rowing machine and walk the Aussie.GET A MOVE ON: When I return home, I sense it's time to put up the storm windows (I took them out of the closets) for added warmth. And I will let the dogs, pup and senior, outdoors--and may let my young Aussie enjoy the treadmill before our afternoon walk. It is human heaven this time of year--less threat of big canines running loose. 2022 Update: One dog now and one cat.CLEAN PANTRY:  I did it late summer! All clean.  That means I need to replenish power outage type food: Nuts, dried fruit, nut butter, chocolate chips, whole grain crackers, all natural juices, spices, herbs, and water. 2022 Update: Stuffed with healthful foods. Will add baking goods when the temps plummet.BAKING/COOKING. Today, for both the book and cooking column I pen weekly, I'll do a stir-fry with plenty of seasonal veggies and bake an apple treat with a special creative touch. The scent of fruit and spices in the house will give me incentive to clean the fireplace--a place I will make my first fall fire, most likely within a week or two. 2022 Update: No fire is not on my mind thanks to the Mosquito Fire and California's wildfires.
So, as I enjoy the cues of the Mother Nature's finest season, it's time to embrace off season. Fall has sprung and I'm loving it! 

ON THE ROAD: WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND (Excerpt from New Audiobook)

By Cal Orey

Like a wayward honey bee in flight, in early fall I traveled through the New England states and two provinces—Quebec and Ontario—with my Lhasa apso/Maltese, Tiger. He was sweet and bold. I had rescued the white shaggy-haired pooch in Washington State, where blackberry honey is popular. It was this Bohemian lifestyle—hitching rides with my dog and eating a simple, natural diet (including honey when I could afford it)—that kept me lean and healthy.

    With my white fluffy, fun-loving pooch in tow I headed toward Canada. (I had to smuggle him into the country because I didn’t have paperwork that was required.) Once we crossed the border, the closer to the city we got, the more disoriented I felt, not accustomed to being like a honey bee in a swarm. The locals spoke fluent French. (I did not.)  The street signs were foreign and the metric system on food labels confused me. I was lost, cold in the mornings and nights, but I had my warmhearted dog that was American.
          One night my canine companion and I spent the night in a forest off the main road. We snuggled up in my sleeping bag. Another creature comfort I enjoyed was the foods I guarded stuffed in my backpack: fresh fruit, nuts, whole-wheat bread, peanut butter—and a jar of clover honey. It was a reality TV show real-life moment when I used my finger to scoop out the creamy butter and gooey honey. And yes, I shared a bit of honey, butter and bread with Tiger (today reminding me of Cerberus, the three-headed dog who was fed a honey cake). *Click on image of book and listen to a sample.

          Tiger and I had cuddled and slept in the backyard of an estate on the outskirts of Quebec, on beaches in Mississippi to the Florida Keys, on an Indian reservation in Arizona, in a cornfield in Kansas, and in the back of a pickup truck under the stars at a motel in Tennessee. From rest stops to national parks, this dog and I were inseparable, like bees and their beekeeper. Tiger was my protector and sounding board. It was comfort foods, honey, peanut butter, and whole-grain crackers from the United States, that didn’t spoil, kept me energized—and I shared with my best friend.

          And while I didn’t know it then, later on as a health author I learned I was eating foods of the Mediterranean diet—heart-healthy honey and peanut butter (in moderation) with a dog that provided heart health benefits, too, by keeping my blood pressure down during stressful and lonely times. 

Wheel of Misfortune, Leaving Las Vegas

I faced sweet and bitter experiences on my road travels, like a honey bee in flight; I was stricken by untimely challenges. On afternoon in Las Vegas, Tiger and I were in front of Lady Luck Casino. It was my idea to leave my long-haired partner in the shade with water at the doorstep of the entry way while I tried to hitch a safe ride back home to California. As I was walking inside, an older man called out to me, “Nice dog!" I got an uneasy vibe but tuned it out.

Fifteen minutes later, I left the casino. My beloved companion was MIA. Shocked and disoriented like a beekeeper with stolen bee colonies, I stood outside in the hot sun. I tried to fight back the tears. After a long search through nondescript streets and talking to people with unknown faces--there was no rescue. My canine buddy was gone. I cried all night long.

At dawn, at a café I ordered a cinnamon roll, tea, and honey. I was like a devoted beekeeper without his bees. I was alone. It was one of the worst experiences I endured on the road. And flashbacks of our travels from coast to coast haunted me then but now are cherished memories of a dog and a girl—an amazing human-animal bond. I left a photo of me, the hippie girl with her dog in Ontario, on the bulletin board at the local animal shelter in Vegas. Through all the pain and loss, I moved on.

A few months later, fate paid me a visit. A black Labrador pup with soulful brown eyes came into my life on the road. We rescued each other at Ocean Beach, San Diego. We bonded instantly like a beekeeper with new queens, and Stone Fox and I, California Butterfly, continued on our journey together.

(Excerpt from The Healing Powers of Honey, published by Kensington). 

Superfoods (Healing Powers Series) Author Speaks on Fave Foods for Fall

Discover more at newsmax.com/superfoods The 20 Most Surprising Superfoods -- Gift Book

By Cal Orey

32 Color Photos!
#7 Healing Powers Series Did you know the keys to a long life and vibrant good health can be found on the shelves of your local supermarket? 

If you haven’t heard by now, listen up. Your health—mind, body, and spirit—may depend on it. Chances are, you like me, already have superfoods in your kitchen fridge, cupboards, and on the countertops. I’m talking about whole foods—good, clean, edible fare—most processed junk with ingredients you can’t pronounce or define.The verdict is in, and it has been evident since the ancient caveman and hunter-gatherer days. Eating a whole foods, natural, plant-based diet is the path to good health and well-being. The best superfoods can and do vary, but despite controversy between the food of the week in the media and scientific nutritional studies backing them, superfoods are functional foods—not a gimmick to sell products or a brand despite what some medical doctors believe. Yes, superfoods are real food with super nutrients that provide super healing powers.

Graze with Mediterranean Cheese Plates Infuse Water to Detox and Energize
Lose Unwanted WeightThe top U.S. ranked heart-healthy Mediterranean diet includes all of my top favorite picks! In an A-Z order, common foods of the groups include: cheese and yogurt, fruits, grains, nuts, vegetables, and water—an overlooked superfood for survival. Here, take a look at Mother Nature’s favorite functional foods.

1 CHEESE:  Cheese can be upgraded into superfood status by using the right kind and right amount and pairing it with whole-grain bread, nuts, and berries. Grilled cheese sandwiches were common kid food in the twentieth century, and they were budget friendly during the Great Depression. But some nutritionists do not believe cheese—any kind—deserves to be included on the healthiest-foods list, let along tagged a superfood, because of its high fat and high sodium content.

“Cheese is a ‘good’ food!” I find myself saying. Cheese is a super source of calcium, which is good for calming your nervous system and for your teeth and bones. Past medical research shows that people who get an adequate amount of calcium by eating a moderate amount of dairy, which includes cheese, may be likely to keep their blood pressure numbers in check—lowering their risk of heart disease and stroke.

2 GREEK YOGURT: The popularity of yogurt grew in the 1950s and 1960s, but it made it mark at health food stores. In twenty-first-century supermarkets, there are an array of brands and types of yogurt, including low-fat and fat-free varieties. But it’s Greek yogurt that is gaining popularity—and for good reason.

Homemade Granola with Greek Yogurt
Nutrient-RichLike cheese, Greek yogurt and regular yogurt are superfoods—and taste great drizzled with raw honey or mixed with fresh fruit. In moderation, this dairy staple is touted for its heart-healthy powers, bone-boosting merits, and immune-enhancing perks thanks to its probiotics. Plain Greek yogurt is also rich in the mineral potassium. Both calcium and potassium may help you keep your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers in check.

3 MAPLE SYRUP: By the 1900s, maple syrup was used throughout the United States, mostly as a topping for pancakes and waffles. These days, maple syrup is pair with other superfoods, such as homemade granola, all-natural ice cream, whole grain oatmeal, smoothies, and sweet potatoes.

Antioxidant-rich Maple Syrup, 
egg-y whole-grain bread, berriesWhile honey is touted as one of nature’s top superfood sweeteners, premium antioxidant-rich maple syrup is getting more recognition for its nutritional benefits. One-fourth cup of premium maple syrup contains fewer calories than high-fructose syrup, corn syrup, or brown sugar. It boasts more calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, riboflavin and zine than most sweeteners. And maple syrup has more disease-fighting antioxidants than raw cabbage—also a superfood.

4 PIZZA (with Toppings): Food historians will share with you that in Naples during the 1700s and 1800s, pizza was a food popular with money-challenged folks. The food was called “flat breads,” and it had toppings such as cheese and tomatoes—two superfoods on the top 20 list.

Greek Pizza--Thin Whole-Grain Crust,
Tomatoes, Spinach
Feta Cheese--Moderation! Scientists give a 
thumbs up to sauceYes, a slice of pizza.  But it is whole-grain crust and superfood toppings that make it a healthful food. The crust gives you lost of energy and a dose of good-for-you nutrients. Choose superfood cheeses, such as goat cheese, feta, that provide you extra protein benefits. Not to forget a tomato-based (or basil-rich pesto) sauce.

5 POTATOES (RUSSET/SWEET):  As the story goes, the first potato reached Spain in the sixteenth century. Back in 1578, Sir Francis Drake introduced potatoes in his around-the-word adventures. Later, in 1662, it is believed that the British Royal Society sponsored growing potatoes, and by the early 1700s, potatoes were embraced by people in the United States.

Sweet Potatoes are a Superfood!In the southern United States, folks love their sweet potatoes (whether it’s sweet potato fries or sweet potato pie), and it’s not just the super taste they’re getting. This potato has a whopping amount of vitamin A, which can enhance your immune system to stave off colds, flu, and even cancer. Medical researchers believe the carotene in them can guard again some types of cancers, perhaps because it can boost white blood cell activity in the body.

            So now you’re in the know about which superfoods are super for you—whether you live on the West Coast, East Coast, Midwest, or in the Deep South. Despite changes to Earth due to man’s tampering and nature’s wrath, we still can enjoy nature’s healthiest foods. But sometimes you have to go the extra mile to get the real deal.

Garden of Apples

During one harvest season time in California, I envisioned going to an out-of-town farm in Placerville to pick apples (another superfood) off trees. I had images of  my younger sibling and me meeting a friendly farmer who’d take us on a tractor followed by a couple of herding dogs. The autumn sunshine would warm us up while we carried baskets to fill with big, fresh apples. We’d climb on stools and pick nature’s finest fruit. Excited about the rural experience awaiting us, we drove down the winding road, off the hill, there was a glitch.

Organic Apples Are BestI didn’t see apples on trees. Not one. A big sign read: “No apple picking.” I left and drove up the road, but the farms and small stores all had signs reading “Closed.” Locals told me, “Tourists can’t pick apples.” I ended up at a busy tourist attraction. Pumpkins and Christmas trees were visible and for sale, hot dogs and cotton candy to pricey fruit—including apples.

Disappointed I drove back up to the hill. I ended up at our local grocery store and picked up a bag of organic apples at a good price. Later, I discovered I wasn’t the only one who had endured such a wild ride at the apple haven. I was told by the apple organization that it had been a busy harvest time and we had come late in the season. There were farms, though, that did offer apple picking, but I had missed the apple boat. So my fantasy remains in my imagination until next year. Nowadays, it’s places like Apple hill, farmers’ markets, and supermarkets that all do sell organic produce and superfoods for you to enjoy.

Adapted from The Healing Powers of Superfoods: A Complete Guide To Nature’s Favorite Functional Foods by Cal Orey (Kensington Books, Citadel, 2019). All rights reserved. 

Lose 5 Pounds on the Caveman Diet!

  By Cal Orey

Dump Pounds on the Pre-Fall Caveman Diet

It’s almost a new season. Living in the mountains brings four distinct seasons and four different ways of enjoying superfoods. Once the weather cools down, it’s time to change it up up with superfoods and slip into jeans, crop sweaters, and boots. A spike of energy happens when you take it off so you can put your fave fall clothes on and feel cozy.
Before a trip to the Pacific Northwest, I wanted to dump five pounds. For a few days, I ate a semi-Stone Age diet: leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and fruit; no catching fish or fowl at the lake for me. It worked. At Sea-Tac Airport one evening, I was standing in skinny jeans, two tee shirts, two sweaters, a thick coat, neck scarf and UGG boots. I was lean, layered, and cool, right? Wrong.

Shocked by the crowd of people, I felt like a creature from another planet. Seattle locals and visitors were clad in Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and thongs. I looked like I was transported to the wrong terminal. One man asked me, “Are you going to Alaska?” Embarrassed, I answered, “Nah, Vancouver.” 

Note to self: Savor skinny superfoods for their amazing pounds-off powers but forego piling on clothes when going to a destination known for its warm Mediterranean climate.

Eat Like a Caveman, Sort Of

I followed a semi- Paleolithic diet, Paleo diet, caveman diet, or stone-age diet. The main foodstuff avoids processed food and includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, roots, and  excludes dairy products, grains, sugar, legumes, processed oils, and salt. (I included 1 cup Greek yogurt or 1 cube cheese or an egg (hard boiled or scrambled) I felt deprived and one cup of coffee, no meat, no cheese, no bread.)

Here is the super jump-start diet plan. It is not intended to be used long-term. But you can use it one day per week or as needed after the first time which is one or two days, since it gives your body a vacation from too much overindulging in food on special occasions that include rich and high-calorie fare.

Eating clean foods from a caveman, plant-based diet (such as berries and leafy greens fill you up) and will help give your body a break – detoxing your body. Taking a mini-fast food staycation right at home can help you get fit and dump the muffin top,

This diet plan is adapted from mini-fasts I’ve created with the help of nutritionists. It also uses superfoods in the top ranked Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (the plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, teas, and water). Add raw honey, herbs and spices for flavor. Forget the poultry, meat cavemen ate...it's the other fare they enjoyed, too.

The Superfoods Stone-Age Diet Rules

·        Do not go below 1000 calories. Two days only.

·       Do not eat after 7 PM. If you are dying of starvation, you may eat a piece of fresh fruit with herbal tea.

·       Health authorities advise you to drink seven to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. The amount depends on your size and weight, activity level, and where you live. (Seasons count, too, you may require more in a hotter climate.)

·       Consult with your health practitioner before starting this diet or any new diet plan. Do not use if you’re pregnant, nursing, or have diabetes.

·       Take a daily multivitamin to help you get adequate nutrients.

Now that you’re ready to spring into autumn and healthy up with superfoods without starving – you’ll feel super during the season to love with a new you.

Adapted from The Healing Powers of Superfoods, Kensington. *This book has gone back to press for a third printing. Gift Book, too!  newsmax.com/superfoods 

 

-- Cal Orey, M.A. Is an author and journalist. Her books include the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey, Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, Essential Oils, Herbs and Spices) published by Kensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cook Book Club.) Her website is http://www.calorey.com.

Going North to Alaska 2.0 and Seattle -- But Things Are a Bit Different

I wrote this post Sunday, August 30, 2015...But today it's September 2022. Yes, I feel fall is coming but we're having an extreme heat wave throughout the Golden State. Nights are 76 degrees in the cabin -- not 35!. Days near the 90s! Booked to go north to Alaksa with the northern lights on my mind--not Canada...Alaska 2.0 and the PNW coming back home.  Fish aquarium in Seattle and taking a ferry to a special island will be the plan.

Since the pandemic I've only traveled once and that way last summer to flee the Caldor Fire. Three weeks away from South Lake Tahoe and not knowing if we would have a home to come back to. But the "what if it all works out" did happen. So, as I feel the high anxiety of the unknown, going north like I did in December 2019 through hurricane force winds with a possible divert to Fairbanks, it just may work out. Once again, it's time to fly out of my comfort zone. 

Pre-Autumn is Here at Lake Tahoe!

Aspens of TahoeBy Cal Orey

Living in the Northern California sierras has its perks. One of them is that you can feel the oncoming seasonal change earlier than other places. The temps are beginning to get cooler in the mornings (35 degrees Monday morning, heater kicked on!) The pine needles are brown and falling right after you get them off the rooftop.  Flannel sheets have arrived but still at night the windows remain open. Caveat: Companion animals sleep on the bed and not floor...
It's coming. Fall is on its way. Baking and cooking is on my mind but I will wait a little bit longer as autumn begins to trickle into the mountains. That said, pre-fall cleaning is on my mind. The fridge, pantry (update and stock like a squirrel), and windows all need to be cleaned as well as the oven (a bit). It's that time and summer procrastination lingers. 

Today, the pool is closed (I did break and go to the outdoor one). But soon it's time to make way to resort swimming pool because shoulder season is right around the corner. One more holiday madness day is coming up: Labor Day Weekend. Then, it's celebration time. Quietude permeates the Sierra...


Amtrak 1 way; glorified bus the other Hotel is booked Will revisit  Seattle after Canadian Coffee & Tea ShowSeattle/British Columbia So why am I booking a trip to the Pacific Northwest? Because I was invited to the Canadian Coffee and Tea Convention. I couldn't say no. It's a B-Day present to me as a work-fun trip and a fairly short one at that. I haven't told the boys yet...but the kennel, sibling know mom is going north one more time for the coffee, tea, environment, and boost of endorphins from going away and out of my comfort zone.
Here I sit getting ready to book the Seattle rooms for the first night of arrival and last night and then done. I wait. 

The upside: Courtesy press pass to the event; US dollar means great deals in Canada; I have my autumn clothes; chipped molar will be done; I will network with tea people and revisit an awesome hotel in Vancouver (another invite) for tea and scones. I'm there.

September is National Honey Month

National Honey Month is a celebratory and promotional event held annually during the month of September. Its purpose is to promote US beekeeping, the beekeeping industry and honey as a natural and beneficial sweetener.  The awareness month was initiated by The National Honey Board (a US government established, USDA-overseen, organization) in 1989. September is significant for honey producers as it is the month that marks the end of the honey collection season for many beekeepers in the United States. 

 By Cal Orey
Buy the Book (Click) GIFTS FROM THE HIVE

v  Eating honey can help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes—even help reduce body fat and unwanted weight!—and increase longevity.

v  Pure, raw, unprocessed honey is a healthier sweetener than table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. It’s chock-full of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins—and only has 21 calories per teaspoon.

v  Super “bee foods” (including nutrient-rich bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly) are used and touted for their healing powers by beekeepers and medical experts in the present-day.

v  Honey can relieve a variety of ailments, including coughs, colds, fatigue, pain, and seasonal affective disorder, as well as boost libido.

v  You’ll also enjoy Cleopatra’s milk-and-honey beauty treatments and eco-friendly beeswax household uses—all made with the amazing honey bee’s gifts!

 * * *
The Vanishing Honey Bees

“If the bee disappears off the surface of the globe then man would only have

four years of life left.”

–Albert EinsteinOn September 26, the UK’s Daily Mail reported the chilling story that up to 12 million bees dropped dead from hundreds of apiaries in the Brevard County, Florida. Local beekeepers and authorities pinpointed pesticides (perhaps from spraying one night by a helicopter for mosquito control) as the culprit. These bees within a one-and-half-mile distance died at the same time and were found on the premises.So, while this chilling story is about the demise of honey bees and their beekeepers, is the honeymoon over and how will the absence of this insect affect our planet? Here are some questions and answers, straight from experts I interviewed for my book The Healing Powers of Honey: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Remarkable Nectar! And the problem has humans in the U.S. and around the globe buzzing.

NEW AUDIOBOOK! TAKE A LISTEN!
5 Questions:

Where Have All the Honey Bees Gone?

Q. Colony Collapse Disorder was excluded as a cause of the dead bees in the Florida incident. So, what exactly is this term?

A. Back in 2006, an apiary owner in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, made the problem known. Penn State researchers took note of the bee colony decline, due to a condition now known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). This condition causes honey bee colonies to simply vanish without a trace—go AWOL leaving their hives in the dust—lending to eerie images of The Happening and I Am Legend sci-fi films of human and animal extinction.

Q. What are some of the theories behind CCD?

A. Theories include climate change, diet, mites, pesticides, and viruses. Also, the stress of traveling for pollination of crops and the usage of cell phones (perhaps due to the radiation) are in the mixed bag of possibilities for why the bees are vanishing and leaving their beekeepers out of work and shocked by losing half or more of their prized colonies to an unknown cause.

Q. How will the die-off of the honey bee affect our food chain?

A. Millions of acres of U.S. fruit, vegetable, oilseed, and legume crops depend on insect pollination—and that includes the sacred honey bees. This little insect gives human gifts from the hive but also helps pollinate our crops, home gardens, and wildlife habitat. And don’t forget most beef and dairy products enjoyed in the United States count on insect-pollinated legumes, such as alfalfa and clover. Worse, if the bee disappears our food chain would decline in diversity and quantity, and images of the futuristic doomsday films without fresh food like Soylent Green and The Road could become a grave reality.

Q. What are scientists doing about CCD?

A. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is trying to help get a handle on Colony Collapse Disorder. In 2010 it dished out $6 million in emergency assistance to beekeepers who had lost their bees. And scientists are busy at work trying to discover what exactly is causing the vanishing of honey bees.

            California bee expert Dr. Eric Mussen of UC Davis says, “None of us know why the bees are not as vital as they used to be. In many cases this may be due to limited access to a good varied supply of pollens.” He hopes in our lifetime scientists will discover what is killing the honey bees. “But,” he adds, “even if we find the cause, will we be able to overcome it?”

Q. What can you do to help keep the honey bee alive and well?

A. Devote a portion of your property to growing annual and perennial plants the bloom consecutively over the whole season that honey bees are collecting nectar and pollens for food. Reduce the pesticides of all kinds to a minimum.  In areas with extended dry periods, supply fresh water in a way so that visiting bees don’t become a nuisance.

Consider donating funds to bee researchers around the country who are trying to determine the cause of CCD and what can be done to bolster the bee populations.  

SWEET POTATO PIE

* * *

7 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes                1 cup Savannah Bee

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg                                        Company Orange

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                                     Blossom Honey

2 tablespoons vanilla extract                                      4 jumbo eggs

2 teaspoons lemon juice                                              2 deep-dish pie shells

2 ¼ cups sugar

            Preheat oven to 350 F. Place sweet potatoes, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon, juice, sugar, Savannah Bee Company Orange Blossom Honey, and eggs in large bowl. Blend ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed. Equally distribute the sweet potato mix into the pie shells. Place some aluminum foil on and around the edges of the pie shells so the crust will not burn when the pies are baked. Place pies in the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before serving. Serve with whipped cream. Makes 2 pies/16 to 20 servings.

(Source: Courtesy Savannah Bee Company.)

10 HONEY BUZZ-WORTHY BITS

       Since the honey bee and mankind are connected because of our food chain, it makes sense to dish out a spoonful of honey trivia to show you just the honey bee is a un-bee-lievable man’s best friend (click for amazing trailer). Take a look at these ten factoids that’ll get you thinking about the amazing small creature and what it can do.
It takes about two million flowers for honey bees to tap to make one pound of honey.

1. The average honey work bee makes a mere 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.

2. Utah is known as the beehive state.

3. Honey bees communicate by dancing. The waggle dance alerts other bees where the nectar and pollen are.

4. A honey bee must tap about 2 million flowers to make one pound of honey.

5. On average, each person in the United States consumes about 1.31 pounds of honey each year.

6. The USDA estimates that there are approximately 3 million honey producing colonies in the United States.

7. It would take about two tablespoon to fuel a bee’s flight around the world.

8. A worker bee visits about 50-100 flowers during each trip

9.  A honey bee flies about 15 miles per hour.

10. A hive of bees flies more than 55,000 miles to bring you one pound of honey.

(Source: National Honey Board)

            As you can see, the remarkable honey bee flies the extra mile so it can produce honey—a superfood (a food that has super health benefits) for people, like you and me—that can be enjoyed solo or in a cup of tea or both. Here is a perfect recipe to whip up and savor with a cup of tea and honey as you fly away with me on a journey into Honeyland. 

UN-BEE-LIEVALBE HEALING HINTS TO CATCH

            Research, especially in the past decade, shows that quality, dark honeys, which are derived from a variety of flowers, plants, and trees produce the nectar for the honey around the globe—may help you to:

ü  Lower your risk of heart disease.

ü  Enhance your immune system.

ü  Stave off diabetes.

ü  Treat respiratory diseases.

ü  Heal wounds.

ü  Slow the aging process.

ü  Add years to your life.

August 30, 2021: Mandatory Evacuation at South Lake Tahoe: The Untold Story of a South Lake Tahoe Wildfire Evacuee

 By Cal Orey

I will never forget last summer--or August 30 at Tahoe
August 20, 2021, It is ApocalypticAsh falls. Can’t see mountains. Tourists flooding town. It’s surreal. Looks like a nuclear winter. Ordered fourth air purifier. Headache, raspy throat, ears ache. Nowhere to go. Unhealthy air quality in surrounding towns. Current Air Quality: 231. “Caldor Fire, growing rapidly, forces Highway 50 closure” notes one newspaper headline.I feel like it’s a monster headed into South Lake Tahoe. My biggest fear of a firestorm with one road out is coming true. Confirmed by credible sources in town -- there is no way out. Last night when the tourists left –they were told Hwy 50. was going to close -- it was reported "nightmarish" gridlock. Read: We will all be trapped if the wildfire reaches us. We're surrounded. Scared.
AUGUST 22, MidnightTahoe Daily Tribune: “Caldor Fire grows to 98K acres: More resources ordered to keep blaze away from Tahoe” … Online AirNOW.Gov air quality index reads 611 Hazardous! Evacuating tomorrow. The smoke is very unhealthy. Others are leaving too. Scared. Found a place – 6 hr. drive due to closed roads.Called sibling. “We’re leaving tomorrow early afternoon. I’ll pay for the trip.” No hesitation. He was in denial but admits: “I see smoke in my living room.” Afterall, for months he, an intuitive, like me, said, “South Lake Tahoe is going to get hit this summer.” And I chose to evacuate early so we wouldn’t be caught in the chaos of a mandatory mass exodus.
A SAFE PLACE, SORT OFAUGUST 23, 7:00 PM, MondayThe drive was calm. Zen kitty got car sick. Aussie dog happy to go. Clean air ahead! No more sneezing pooch. Arrived. We are now in a safe place. Hello Gilroy, a town I know for its garlic; and doing a past book signing. I chose a pet-friendly inn. It looked cozy with trees nestled around the outside. Note to self: Tent city next to the premises. Red flag but considering we are evacuees now how can I discriminate?Inside the corner suite. It’s spacious with a king bed, sofa bed, one TV, coffee/tea maker, fridge, patio, and close to the door to let the dog do his business. Sibling is thinking vacation, “What can we do that’s fun?” I’m pondering, “This is survival” to verbal warnings: “Do not let Zen get out.” After all, my Siamese is a senior indoor-only super sensitive cat. First road trip. I do not want to lose my fur child.
AUGUST, 25, WednesdayReality hits. The Caldor Fire is out of control. Watching the news, A.M and P.M. is grueling. It is like watching a disaster movie but it is real-life. The monster firestorm is creeping closer and closer to South Lake Tahoe – my home for 22 years.  The wildfire is less than 10 miles away. I call the neighbor who stayed behind in the hazardous air like so many others did. Yes, he is feeding my fish and watering the tree gardens. But the air quality is bad. Will he stay or will he go? I think he is in denial or optimistic. But my gut says the wildfire is going to hit home. Embers fly in the air; winds kick up at night. Is it an uphill battle? We don’t have enough firefighters. Locals are on edge.
AUGUST 27, Friday MorningAre you kidding? My brother gave me the news. The inn has a policy. Guests with pets must leave after five days. The room will be cleaned and vacant for 24 hours. “Where are we going to go on a summer holiday weekend?” I asked. Displaced again. Uprooting the fur kids is unfair. The rule seems odd. My gut told me something didn’t ring true. Now we were homeless, too, like the Tent City people.
Saturday Night, Hello Los GatosLady Luck. I scored an upstairs corner suite at a pet-friendly inn. I grew up here—an affluent area that makes me feel safe. The air is hazy from our fire at home but isn’t labeled unhealthy air. The room has superb views of trees and hills. We are happy, sort of. Two rooms, two TVs, a door between us and quiet. It is an oasis. Caveat: Zen has cystitis; so, do I. We don’t like change. Need to drink more water.Week two: I do not want to leave kitty (potential loss of my home has left me vulnerable; putting chair against door as a safety precaution). No dining out. Living on Subway sandwiches: Vegetables, cheese, olives, whole grain bread. One night it’s too bland, another too spicy. Heartburn pays me a visit. Mornings? Inn to-go breakfast: Yogurt, cinnamon roll. Stuff mini fridge with survival food: Natural OJ, nuts, dried fruit, chocolate… Thank God for chamomile tea.
AUGUST 29, Tahoe Evacuations Are HappeningBroken sleep puts us in Zombie mode. Anxiety, stress, and “what ifs” as we watch the nightly news. The word is: The wildfire is less than five miles from the Lake Tahoe Basin. Like a poisonous snake coming straight for South Lake Tahoe. Residents are on alert to be ready to go.  One highway out. Panic. Gridlock. Dangerous air. Why did locals wait? Nobody wants to go to a shelter, pay money for a hotel, sleep in a car. The haves leave, the have nots stay. And first responders and essential workers keep working. To make things worse, Covid-19 can spread easier in a wildfire environment we are told.
AUGUST 30, Monday Morning Mandatory EvacuationText from neighbor. His family is leaving before forced evacuations. “I guess the fire crept through the cracks,” he wrote. We were right.  My fish, trees will die. Worse, our cabins (and my antique furniture, books/mags of 30 years; fave clothes gone); Our historical resort town may burn down – wiped out like Paradise north of us. Worse, the mayor said:” Prepare for the worst. We will rebuild.” Where will we move?At night I call a bank to make a hefty credit card payment. In shock I say, “This is for the evacuation.” The phone rep is distant.  Robotic. Dazed and confused I break down. I cry hysterically. No words. She took the payment. I don’t understand why some people can’t empathize with evacuees from a natural disaster. Nobody is immune.
SEPTEMBER 1, Tahoe and Stateline are Empty – Bears Roam StreetsThe military arrived and more firefighters! Casinos at Stateline, NV close but open their doors to first responders. Bears roam the vacant streets in town. The wildfire is less than five miles away to ravaging South Lake Tahoe. I can feel the collective spirit of residents waiting, waiting, waiting. Will we have a home to go back to – or will we have to relocate?Los Gatos inn moves us to downstairs; somebody had previously booked the suite. Separate rooms. Pros and cons. Twenty days with a sibling is challenging. I am Type A, he is Type B. The break is good. When we are together, we talk about moving to Utah, Arizona… We only brought basic clothes, computers, the dog and cat. We didn’t really think we’d lose our home. Did we?Speaking of home, nobody lives above me. On Saturday evening I hear movement. Earthquake? No. Dinosaurs! Guests on the second-floor walk; and I hear every step they make like in that popular dinosaur movie. On the upside, when I take Skyler, my protective canine outside -- no stairs, inn electronic cards to get into the pool area and out. So, no more boot camp exercise for dog and me.
SOS!  More Firefighters, Please!!!Been posting nonstop on social media: “SOS! South Lake Tahoe needs more firefighters and the military!” And they finally came fighting to save our town from burning down. Some residents returned home by September 7 despite the bad air quality. I wait…September 12 we go home. As whooped as I was, I tossed all toxic air exposed food, hosed off ash on the deck, and inside the cabin. My fish survived 10 days without food; lost one and one tree. I listened to more than 100 phone messages -- from concerned people “Are you okay?” The “Evacuate Now…” words from the El Dorado sheriff greeted me – and I grinned because leaving sooner than later alleviated me hearing the orders like I did for Angora Fire in 2007.
OCTOBER 8, I Survived a Natural DisasterToday, I enjoy the changing color of autumn leaves on trees surrounding the cabin. The air is excellent quality; poor air forecast for the weekend since the sequoias south of us are burning in another California Sierra wildfire. I had a snake nightmare last night and it was trying to attack my cat, Zen.In the afternoon, I pulled down the outdoor living room blind for a warm, fall effect. Ash fell to the deck. A sobering memory of Caldor Fire and how our community survived. A heartfelt thanks to the fearless firefighters. Tahoe strong locals, and the grace of God. We defeated Mother nature’s wrath this time. But was this nightmare the new normal?
(Published in Oracle 20/20 Magazine, November issue)


FYI Facts: Caldor Fire 2021·       The wildfire began on August 14.  The cause is unknown but climate change helped the fire cross the Sierra Nevada.·       Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for El Dorado County. (Lake Tahoe had the most unhealthy air in the U.S.)·       Nearly 1000 structures were destroyed, no deaths, the clarity and ecosystem of the Lake are affected.·       Lake Tahoe registered the unhealthiest air quality in the nation due to the Caldor and Dixie Fires surrounding the El Dorado, Alpine, and Amador counties in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California.·       The dangerous air quality has both short-term and long-term effects on humans, pets, and wildlife.·       It was estimated that the Caldor Fire will be fully contained by mid-October.

The Waiting Game from an Author's POV

By Cal Orey

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. 
-Carl Sagan

Today, during the hot and dry dog days of  summer, I wonder if the variants will keep me away from Alaska this autumn. Ah, waiting. I ponder if two books I co-authored will succeed. I wonder if my new audiobook on honey will do well in September, the National Month for nature's nectar. These bittersweet topics have been on my brain for days, weeks, and months. I get patience but that doesn't mean I embrace it.
I've done my share of playing the waiting game, past, present, and future. The other day as I answered the phone rings to dish out reading for the psychic network I thought: "If he/she waited for a day, week, or months they would have the answer." But folks want answers yesterday. I understand. I do. Waiting for snow during a West Coast drought
BOOK(S): The first waiting game prize that comes to mind is that after 15 years--I finally got the book project I've wanted all along. It is a surprise that I'll share in months (yes, you'll have to wait) but it did come when I least expected it to arrive. It was welcomed and well deserved. 
Also, I was assigned to write the third edition of The Healing Powers of Vinegar--my best-selling book in the Healing Powers Series. I am not surprised and I am looking forward to giving my oldest "child" a new and improved makeover. After all, I owe it to him. You see back in 1999, I was given this book project. It was an accident, of sorts. The editorial consultant believed red wine vinegar would take this book to success. During my research is when I discovered his idea was novel but I accidentally fell into the world of  a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle that paved the way for the series. I waited four years to receive my first royalty check and the rest is history. The book has been translated in more than a dozen languages and it was a bestseller in South Korea! As the consultant forecasted: "The book will have a long shelf life." And I waited for his prediction to come to fruition.

MY FUR KIDS:  I am a doting mom and will do anything for my two dogs and one cat. I've gone through waiting for the diagnosis and results of neutering, tumors, ear infections, to seeking the perfect feline and searching for the right dog to replace the one I lost too early. 
Dec. 2-Feb. 2 --worth the wait, see above
 2 yr old
Aussie of my life 

Watching the clock while your "kid" is in surgery or waiting until the appointment that'll give you a clue of what's going on is a challenge. 
But each time I do it, as you have done it, it's another lesson in life. Whatever happens it happens on its own time table. Yes, you can toy with fate (a bit) and speed up the process of happenings but in the end the results are likely to be the same as if you didn't do anything and just waited.Waited yesterday for vet verdict
No dental surgery!
And speaking of my furry friends...I read dogs live in the moment. So does that mean they don't miss me when I run humanoid errands or go on a trip? It seems they do remember me and attitude is almost non existent.  So if they do play the waiting game they seem to do it better than we do.

BOOK SIGNINGS/SHOWS/COLUMNS: This week was full of anticipation as I waited for outcome of a potential repeat book signing to be booked in Roseville, CA, and a guest appearance on a popular San Francisco radio channel. Both arrived. Both are booked.  
The local food column "What's Cookin' at Callie's Cabin" that I penned for years? I finally decided (after waiting for the right time) to discontinue it. I loved doing it every week for a long, long time. I've gone through countless editors and publishers. But it was time to say goodbye. I admit it. I exhaled.  Done. I have bigger fish to fry: More books to write, more traveling for research.  It was the right to time to cut my losses and move forward. It happened--I waited. I quit. And it feels so right.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIP: Take two? After being blindsided by a bathroom redo similar to a major hurricane that hit every room in the house and outdoors, I was forced to reschedule a long planned book signing in Seattle and research in Vancouver. It was an event that hit like a natural disaster and affected my family. A lot. But once I picked up the pieces the trip was back on again for early Spring--and life goes on.
Anticipation for Seattle/Vancouver in MarchSo, here I sit. I wait for going north in a rainy month (probably a storm will provide roller coaster "rough air") and savoring the getaway.
Ironically, I just returned from the grocery store which including the big wait; I read five mags while waiting in a swirl cookie line. I sat down cross-legged on the floor (similar to when I was grilled by the French Canadian immigration officer at 1:30 AM).  I chilled. Sadly, one elderly man had a mega meltdown: "I can't wait in this f****** line any longer! Fifteen minutes is ridiculous." Good for him. 
But hey, I learned how to make a lean mac and cheese, how sipping tea can soothe my frazzled nerves, and umpteen ways to bake pork chops (no matter I'm a vegetarian/vegan). Oh well, thank the store gods for magazines at the checkout stands. The wait was worth the new reading glasses, scented pine cones (90% marked down), and cozy socks to keep my feet warm when I make a fire tonight and wait for it to ignite.