Inglath Cooper's Blog, page 22

Juicing With Kale

Juicing with kale may sound a bit extreme if you’re just learning how to juice. Because yes, it is that green thing that was occasionally boiled into submission in your elementary school cafeteria. De-powered of all nutritional value. Who didn’t frown upon spotting that little tan bowl on the tray?

As it turns out, kale has been grossly wronged. It’s actually a beautiful, vibrant green color, set on a stalk with curly edges as pretty as the eyelashes on a blue-eyed toddler.

Kale and I became reacquainted when I got interested in juicing. And yes, I’ll admit I steered clear of the recipes touting kale as a nutrition powerhouse. Cafeteria memories and all that.

Only, I kept seeing those descriptions, and curiosity got the better of me. What could it hurt to add one little piece to my juice?

The first time I saw that vivid green dripping from the juicer into the pitcher, I was struck by just how rich it looked. Like liquid gold, actually. And based on what all it can do for our health, I guess it kind of is. Check out this link for some kale bragging and the benefits of juicing.

 

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Inglath Cooper

I love books! From my earliest memories, I loved being read to and then reading practically every book in my elementary school library. There’s something about taking a little trip into a wonderful story that is its own unique pleasure. Over the years, my favorite authors have provided me with glimpses into worlds I would never have known had I not picked up their books. From Beverley Cleary to Lavyrle Spencer to Jodi Piccoult to Anita Shreve and so many others, I am grateful they chose to become storytellers. A great story has the power to move, change and shape its readers. To me, that’s an honorable calling and a task I aspire to.

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/inglathcooper

Like my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/inglathcooperbooks

Well, Well Kale

Yes, it is that green thing that was occasionally boiled into submission in your elementary school cafeteria. De-powered of all nutritional value. Who didn’t frown upon spotting that little tan bowl on the tray?

As it turns out, kale has been grossly wronged. It’s actually a beautiful, vibrant green color, set on a stalk with curly edges as pretty as the eyelashes on a blue-eyed toddler.

Kale and I became reacquainted when I got interested in juicing. And yes, I’ll admit I steered clear of the recipes touting kale as a nutrition powerhouse. Cafeteria memories and all that.

Only, I kept seeing those descriptions, and curiosity got the better of me. What could it hurt to add one little piece to my juice?

The first time I saw that vivid green dripping from the juicer into the pitcher, I was struck by just how rich it looked. Like liquid gold, actually. And based on what all it can do for our health, I guess it kind of is. Check out this link for some kale bragging.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/kale3.htm

Bleeding Heart

Someone called me this the other day in the context of my love for animals. It’s a phrase I’ve heard all my life, and one I haven’t generally taken to be a compliment.

Not that many years ago, I believe I would have taken it to mean something wasn’t exactly right with me. But this time, I thought about what had been said, and I looked up the phrase and its exact definition.

“Generally used to describe one as being too soft-hearted.”

The word that jumps out at me in this definition is too. I remember being called soft-hearted as a little girl. I cried for every dog I saw left on the side of the road. I cried for the pigs on my grandpa’s farm who were slaughtered at Thanksgiving. I cried for the horse standing in a neighbor’s pasture with icicles hanging from his whiskers and no hay in sight. Their suffering made me feel incredible sadness.

Is it possible for a human being to be too soft-hearted? If we are willing to accept that this world comes with a good deal of suffering, much of which is brought about by human choices, then maybe the answer is yes. Feeling for another’s pain is painful. It hurts.

But I would rather feel this hurt than not care. I would rather my heart bleed love and compassion than indifference.

Bleeding heart? I’m okay with that. Really okay with that.

Giveaway on Goodreads!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Truths and Roses
by Inglath Cooper

Giveaway ends January 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

25 winners will receive a paperback copy of Truths and Roses! Enter to win at Goodreads!

**************************************

Inglath Cooper

I love books! From my earliest memories, I loved being read to and then reading practically every book in my elementary school library. There’s something about taking a little trip into a wonderful story that is its own unique pleasure. Over the years, my favorite authors have provided me with glimpses into worlds I would never have known had I not picked up their books. From Beverley Cleary to Lavyrle Spencer to Jodi Piccoult to Anita Shreve and so many others, I am grateful they chose to become storytellers. A great story has the power to move, change and shape its readers. To me, that’s an honorable calling and a task I aspire to.

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/inglathcooper

Like my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/inglathcooperbooks

Goodreads Book Giveaway!

Goodreads Book Giveaway


Truths and Roses
by Inglath Cooper

Giveaway ends January 15, 2013.

See the giveaway details

at Goodreads.

Enter to win

25 winners will receive a paperback copy of Truths and Roses! Enter to win at Goodreads!

Drive: Just Entertainment?

Last night was one of those nights when I wanted to watch a movie I could get lost in. Not think about the real world for a couple of hours. Few things let me do that like a good movie or a good book. I searched around Netflix and came across Drive with and decided to watch it on his appeal alone.

From the start, his character draws you in. He’s got this faraway look in his eyes and a determination on his face that immediately make you want to know what his story is.

Drive

I wanted to LOVE this movie because it had so many appealing elements. Super sexy Ryan Gosling in this role makes you think if he drove by, stopped and rolled down the window, you’d be crazy tempted to hop on in and see where he took you.

I wanted to know what happened to him and to the other two appealing characters in the story, his love interest Irene() and her young son, Benicio. The quality of the movie – acting, filmmaking, soundtrack – was all top notch. I’ve always loved Albert Brooks, and he was convincing as Bernie Rose, even if it was a far stretch from his Broadcast News character that I’ve always loved.

The soundtrack is amazing. One of the main songs is called A Real Hero. I love it.

Driver – the main character of this movie – is a hero in that he saves the girl and gets rid of the bad guys.

But as the story went on, and the scenes of violence increased, I began to think about what was actually being shown. A woman’s head gets blown off when a bad guy comes through the bathroom window, firing an automatic weapon.

The main character stomps a guy to death in an elevator. Multiple people are stabbed to death with knives.

I guess I’m thinking about this more in light of the recent mass shooting in Connecticut. We’re all asking the question – why did this happen? What creates a person who can commit such atrocities? I haven’t heard anything yet that makes sense.

It’s easy to say what’s the harm in showing bad guys getting killed in movies? It’s just entertainment. It’s not real. But if it’s undeniable that we as human beings are shaped by what we see and hear, should we wonder what influence this kind of visual violence has on the more impressionable members of its audience?

I don’t know the answer. But even the question makes me uncomfortable. It seems like an answer we should be sure of.

**************************************

Inglath Cooper

I love books! From my earliest memories, I loved being read to and then reading practically every book in my elementary school library. There’s something about taking a little trip into a wonderful story that is its own unique pleasure. Over the years, my favorite authors have provided me with glimpses into worlds I would never have known had I not picked up their books. From Beverley Cleary to Lavyrle Spencer to Jodi Piccoult to Anita Shreve and so many others, I am grateful they chose to become storytellers. A great story has the power to move, change and shape its readers. To me, that’s an honorable calling and a task I aspire to.

Follow me on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/#!/inglathcooper

Like my Facebook Page at: www.facebook.com/inglathcooperbooks

Just Entertainment?

Last night was one of those nights when I wanted to watch a movie I could get lost in. Not think about the real world for a couple of hours. Few things let me do that like a good movie or a good book. I searched around Netflix and came across Drive with and decided to watch it on his appeal alone.

From the start, his character draws you in. He’s got this faraway look in his eyes and a determination on his face that immediately make you want to know what his story is.

Drive

I wanted to LOVE this movie because it had so many appealing elements. Super sexy Ryan Gosling in this role makes you think if he drove by, stopped and rolled down the window, you’d be crazy tempted to hop on in and see where he took you.

I wanted to know what happened to him and to the other two appealing characters in the story, his love interest Irene() and her young son, Benicio. The quality of the movie – acting, filmmaking, soundtrack – was all top notch. I’ve always loved Albert Brooks, and he was convincing as Bernie Rose, even if it was a far stretch from his Broadcast News character that I’ve always loved.

The soundtrack is amazing. One of the main songs is called A Real Hero. I love it.

Driver – the main character of this movie – is a hero in that he saves the girl and gets rid of the bad guys.

But as the story went on, and the scenes of violence increased, I began to think about what was actually being shown. A woman’s head gets blown off when a bad guy comes through the bathroom window, firing an automatic weapon.

The main character stomps a guy to death in an elevator. Multiple people are stabbed to death with knives.

I guess I’m thinking about this more in light of the recent mass shooting in Connecticut. We’re all asking the question – why did this happen? What creates a person who can commit such atrocities? I haven’t heard anything yet that makes sense.

It’s easy to say what’s the harm in showing bad guys getting killed in movies? It’s just entertainment. It’s not real. But if it’s undeniable that we as human beings are shaped by what we see and hear, should we wonder what influence this kind of visual violence has on the more impressionable members of its audience?

I don’t know the answer. But even the question makes me uncomfortable. It seems like an answer we should be sure of.

Homestead Hotel for a Virginia Vacation

I know I’m biased, but Virginia is beautiful pretty much any time of the year. A trip to Hot Springs, Virginia over Christmas vacation reminded me how wonderful it is in the winter.

If you haven’t visited the Homestead Hotel in Hot Springs, I highly recommend putting it on your list of places to visit. It’s one of those classic hotels that leaves you feeling like you’ve stepped back in time. The outside is breathtaking, and the mountains that embrace it truly magnificent.

The enormous lobby plays host to Tea every afternoon at four. Skiers come back down the mountain in a hurry so they don’t miss out on it. Piano music sets it off with style.

Most amazing during the Christmas season is the live tree at one end of the lobby. It is huge and a wonderful thing to see. I can’t begin to imagine how they get it inside and all set up.

Christmas at the Homestead Hotel

The Gingerbread Town must have been so much fun to make. I just wonder who gets to eat all of that when the holidays are over!

Homemade Gingerbread Houses

 

Truly. Loved.

Nate

We let our Nate go today.

We’re not sure how old he was, just that he’s been with us some seven or eight years.

Nate came into our lives when a friend of mine who had been going to the Franklin County Animal Shelter to take pictures of the dogs and cats there, told us about a big, black dog who had been brought in by animal control. He had been hit by a car, apparently, and had injuries that went untreated during his entire hold time.

On his release date, we went to pull him from the shelter through the Franklin County Humane Society. But on this morning, Nate had reached the end of his ability to go on in the pain he must have been in, and he would not get up. Volunteers carried him to the car.

We took him to the Rocky Mount Pet Clinic where Dr. Eric Lorens found that Nate’s left front leg was broken in several places. Dr. Lorens determined that Nate’s injury had gone so long without treatment that there was little hope of saving his leg. Not only was he in pain, he was malnourished. His teeth were worn and broken in places, often seen, we were told, in dogs who are fed on the ground for most of their lives.

We did opt to remove Nate’s leg, and as it was healing, he had to learn to walk again. Dr. Lorens and his wonderful staff cared for Nate, not like a dog from the county shelter that no one wanted, but with tenderness and kindness.

And Nate surpassed everyone’s expectations for recovery. He had his will to live back, and he flourished, every rub, every treat, every hug accepted with a grateful wag of his tail.

I brought him to our house to foster, and it didn’t take long to realize that he was meant to be with us. He was an absolute joy to watch with my young daughters. They loved on him and hugged on him, and he soaked it in like sunshine he had been long deprived of.

Nate

Nate loved everyone, and everyone loved him. He became a model for our business advertising, and was featured in national magazines, making the Uttermost Company known for its love of dogs and support of rescue. He prompted my determination to somehow find a way to make a difference for other dogs in our county like him. Nate is the reason my husband and I became involved in the building of the Franklin County Humane Society Adoption Center.

Less than a year ago, Nate developed lymphoma. We opted for treatment because he was otherwise so healthy. He improved, his lymph nodes returned to normal, and he had some good months of being his old self again. Not too long ago, the cancer returned. We tried a second, less powerful medication that appeared to help for a bit. He had good days and bad days.

I’ve been waiting for Nate to let me know when he’d had enough. When the battle was too hard to keep fighting. He let me know this morning. He didn’t want to get up or eat. My daughter and I helped him outside, but he was too weak to stand and lay down on the ground.

The two of us carried him back inside and put him on his favorite red pillow. Harley, his best buddy, came to sit beside him. During the many vet visits throughout Nate’s illness, Harley has cried for Nate until he came back home. Mournful wails that I might not have believed had I not heard them time and again. There has been a special bond between these two that made me dread Nate’s loss even more. I sat with them both this morning and explained to Harley that Nate might be leaving us soon. But the truth is, I think Harley already knew.

This afternoon, my husband, four daughters and I were with Nate as he took his last breath. As much as it hurt, I’m so grateful for the time we had with him. Grateful, too, that his life did not end on a concrete kennel floor, never having known what it means to be truly loved.

Because he was. Truly. Loved.

 

Sandy Hook Elementary: Do Not Forget

Sandy Hook Elementary will be forever etched in our memories as the awareness of the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut last Friday begins to lose its edge of disbelief and settle around us into acceptance. And I keep thinking about what I felt when I first visited the Nazi Concentration Camp of Dachau in Germany several years ago.

I’ve never had an easy time putting into words what came over me as I walked through that place, taking in the horror, the absolute inhumanity of the atrocities committed there against innocent living beings. Babies, children, teenagers, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, grandmothers, grandfathers. All individuals, with hearts and souls.

It was beyond anything I knew how to process.

And that is the case for what was done to those twenty beautiful children. To the six adults who acted in their defense and gave their lives as a result. And to the mother who no doubt loved her son only to have her life taken by him.

It’s unfathomable. Unthinkable. Unconscionable.

But it’s not impossible. If we have learned anything by recorded human history, it is that the depths of human cruelty can be boundless. Certainly, it was in Dachau, Germany. And it was at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut.

Innocents. Victims. Beautiful lives extinguished in a moment.

Do we call it madness? Anger? Hate? Is there a difference?

I think of the monument at the Dachau Concentration Camp. Do not Forget.

Do Not Forget

How can we possibly forget the horrible things human beings are capable of? But how do we prevent them from happening again?

I wish, oh, I wish. . . I knew the answer.