Geri Dreiling's Blog, page 4

Surprising results from zombie tomatoes

What do zombie tomatoes, a little bit of love, a touch of neglect, and ultimately letting go — without giving up — have to do with success? Well, I’m going to tell you. In March of 2017, my husband and I decided to grow tomato plants from seeds. We planted them in our basement under… Continue reading Surprising results from zombie tomatoes

Pikes Peak: Stunning vistas at the summit

What do Bigfoot, “America the Beautiful,” and a hundred-year-old car and motorcycle race have in common? Pikes Peak, the third-highest mountain in Colorado. Sun Mountain and Sun Mountain Sitting Big were the earliest names for Pikes Peak. The Arapaho dubbed it Long Mountain. Spanish explorers gave it the title El Capitán, according to the website… Continue reading Pikes Peak: Stunning vistas at the summit

Is it possible for breakfast to be both healthy and sinful?

  The three beignets crowded the plate. The warm pastries, fried dough about the size of fist, were topped with a generous coating of powdered sugar that spilled onto the table when the waitress at Springs Orleans restaurant set the dish down. I looked at the fritter-like treat and wondered: Would my Greek yogurt topped… Continue reading Is it possible for breakfast to be both healthy and sinful?

Cruising up Pikes Peak in a Mustang

“I can get you a good deal on a convertible Mustang.” How did the Budget rental car agent get inside my head? It was after 1 a.m.—and two flight delays. My husband and I were going to pick up a Ford Fiesta at the Denver International Airport car rental office. But then the Mustang offer… Continue reading Cruising up Pikes Peak in a Mustang

A summer interrupted by sorrow

Maybe it is a vestige of childhood. But when May approaches, something in me stirs. The anticipation of long days filled with warmth and sunlight. A time when each morning of the season holds out the possibility of a new adventure. And yet, it is an illusion, as this summer has cruelly reminded me. Three… Continue reading A summer interrupted by sorrow

How do you connect with your muse?

The nine muses were Greek goddesses presiding over literature, science, and the arts. Even now, writers, poets, painters, musicians and yes, even scientists, ask their muses for help when it comes to solving problems, tapping inner creativity, or just finding a bit of inspiration. But the muse – or at least mine — is elusive.… Continue reading How do you connect with your muse?

Advice about art from The Swan Thieves

“I believe in walking out of a museum before the paintings you’ve seen begin to run together. How else can you carry anything away with you in your mind’s eye?” The Swan Thieves –Elizabeth Kostova

My existential questions after reading The Swan Thieves

If using your artistic talent to its fullest potential meant hurting those you love, what would you do? How much pain are you willing to endure to love a truly gifted individual whose singular focus is his or her work? Because of sexism, racism or classism, how many artistic masterpieces were never created and how… Continue reading My existential questions after reading The Swan Thieves

My love-hate relationship with the opossum

The first thing I noticed was the long, creepy tail. This morning, I was surveying my backyard through the kitchen window while waiting for the coffee to brew. An overnight storm brought rain and hail. As the sun rose, I was trying to figure out if my cucumbers and tomatoes had survived the night.

Fear and courage: Advice from Eleanor Roosevelt

“Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.”