Why I Think Kittens Should Stay Young Forever and Where to Stand on Top of the World

It's been awhile and I feel compelled to write something today. However it appears that my creative ability has decided to go on vacation because today’s post is definitely not my most eloquently written. I won't blame anyone who feels like skipping it, but for anyone wanting to read on here a few of the things in my life this week...

I'm going to start off with my least favorite event. First, let's go back in time to July 3rd when I first brought home Faelina. I had brought her home as a foster because in Maine it's not legal for shelters to adopt out cats and dogs who aren't fixed, and Faelina didn't yet meet the 2lb weight requirement to have that surgery (all her brothers and sisters had). She was so tiny she could easily sit on my shoulder and observe as I walked around the apartment doing whatever I needed to.
Now back to present day. Yesterday Faelina went to the vet for her last set of vaccines for the year and of course the first thing that happens at a vet appointment is getting the weight of the animal. I am unhappy to say that she now is 4.4 lbs. I am not surprised by this as now whenever she attempts to sit on my shoulder she ends up having to drape herself over it and cling desperately to my shirt with very sharp claws as she moves around. This all leads me to a question: WHAT is the point of kittens growing up? I understand why puppies need to; they need to be house trained, have obedience classes etc... But kittens basically start using the litter box from go, and trying to train a cat in obedience is futile, so again I ask what is the point?

Now on to books....
This year a large number of the books I have read either have mentioned the story of Alice and Wonderland or had the story as a central theme of theirs. I was never a fan of the Disney Alice in Wonderland movie and so had never felt a desire read the book. I did like the Tim Burton movie version that came out a few years ago though (and not just because Johnny Depp was in it), and so I figured that maybe the appearance of the story in all these other books was a sign from the universe that I should actually read Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I got my book from the library along with the second story "Through the Looking Glass". I am happy to say that I did enjoy reading both of them. They may not make my list of all time favorite classics, but I would recommend both to others. The Disney movie actually combines both stories, and I'm glad that I now know that. Of course since I was reading the stories from library books I couldn't follow my usual way of underlining any lines that strike my imagination. Some of them are well known such as "We're all mad here" and "sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast". Here are two others I loved..
"I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt, and perhaps it says, "Got to sleep, darlings 'till the summer comes again" 
and the second...
""What—is—this?" he said at last.
"This is a child!" Haigha replied eagerly, coming in front of Alice to introduce her, and spreading out both his hands towards her in an Anglo-Saxon attitude. "We only found it to-day. It's as large as life, and twice as natural!"
"I always thought they were fabulous monsters!" said the Unicorn.

I am now reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. I feel somewhat ashamed to say that I lived in Brunswick for over a year before I realized that Harriet Beecher Stowe had lived here too and that her old house was just one street over from mine. They say that she got the idea for this novel while sitting in a church that still stands just down the street from my front door. I'm not far into the book yet, but so far I find it compelling. There are some beautiful phrases in there as well and since I'm once more reading a library book and can't mark it up (I so wish I could) I will share those words here...
...a pair or large dark eyes, full of fire and softness"...
.."a whole volcano of bitter feelings burned in his bosom and sent streams of fire through his veins" ..
..."a sword will pierce through your soul for every good and pleasant thing your child is or has; it will make him worth too much for you to keep"...
Hopefully the rest of the story will be written in this same fashion.

This next little bit has to do with food! Whoever the genius was who picked up a julienne peeler then looked at a zucchini and thought to themselves "I wonder if I can use this to make pasta out of zucchini", that person is my hero. I LOVE zucchini pasta, and this week I found a wonderful recipe for it: the pasta (of course) with avocado, garlic, lemon juice and figs! I had never had figs before and it's a fact I am now seriously regretting because they are AWESOME!! That recipe is too and I highly recommend that everyone try it.

And finally, today for the first time this year I went hiking!!!!!! I go to Bradbury Mountain at least once a week but hiking there is really more like a nice easy walk through the woods. Today I did some real hiking full of steep trails, sheer cliffs, and real mountain views! I drove to Grafton Notch and hiked the Table Rock and Eyebrow loop trails. I got there early and started on the Table Rock trail up into a mountain of fog. When I got to the top, I could see clear blue skies above me and only the tops of the mountains and trees surrounding me, everything else was lost in thick blowing clouds. With the wind blowing in my face only myself and nature in sight, I felt like I was standing on the top of the sky. God how I loved it!

Finding Truth in Words

Today I just want to share with you all a few phrases I have read or heard this week which have touched me in some way….

In an effort to ease myself out of the heartache of finishing Written in My Hearts Own Blood, I have started the newest book by Neil Gaiman “The Ocean at the End of the Lane”. Gaiman is my favorite living author because of the way he so effortlessly uses the English language to create delight phrases and to form the truest statements. Here is one such statement…

“Books were safer than other people anyway”

This second quote I heard Tuesday on my way home from work. I was listening to PRI’s The World, and the host Marco Werman said this to segue into a new story. I feel for the people of Iceland who are in fact living this reality, but it’s a good thing for the rest of us to think of whenever we get caught up in minor trials and tribulations…

“If you’re having a bad day count your blessings. You’re not on a glacier next to a volcano that’s about to blow.”

Next is something I heard while listening to Episode 10 of the the Dear Book Nerd Podcast. The guest host, author Jonathan Auxier, was the one who uttered these words. Obviously the topic was about opinions of books, but I think it is an excellent creed to follow in any part of one’s life…

“A lot of strong opinioned people think theirs is the absolute best opinion. Your goal should always be to find a better opinion, be like “My current opinion is the best one I have found, but I would love to be proven wrong because that would mean I have learned something and I just grew as a human being””

Then last night I listened to a Ted Talks Podcast on happiness. One of the featured speakers on this episode was Monk David Steindl-Rast and he stated this beautiful truth…

“It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy”

On that note, I have decided each morning I will say out loud a handful of things I am grateful for. This morning I had quite a list and one was that I am grateful for having a kitten, Faelina, who so diligently helps me make the bed each morning. We each have our own distinct role; I straighten the sheets, blankets and pillows to make it look nice and neat. Faelina protects me from harm by attacking all the faeries and spirits hiding beneath the sheets that are invisible to my eye. She does this with such delightful zeal that I am always left smiling. When both jobs are complete we have a nice well-made fairy free bed!

I’ll leave you all now with two more words from Neil Gaiman, until next time…

“Be Whole”

Desiderata

I grew up with the Desiderata on our wall at home. It was a poem that my dad loved, something I had forgotten about until my sister recently reminded me. I am drawing a lot of comfort from these words today, and I think some of you out there might find the same. 

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

=

Dare to be Awful!

Happy Monday Everyone!!

More importantly though, HAPPY BAD POETRY DAY!!

This is a fantastic holiday because you can fail sensationally when you celebrate it! And you’re not even failing because you’re supposed to write bad poems! So I’m challenging you all to take part, and take up your pens (or pencils, or keyboards) and a scribe a few lines. And once you do, don't be afraid to share it with others and encourage them to have fun with this holiday!! 

Here is what I came up with -  Remember it’s supposed to be bad so have some fun with it!

Coffee how I love thee let me count the ways

Coffee how I love thou you complete my days

From coffee bean to coffee cup, everything I coffee I love,

Coffee, coffee, coffee, chocolate – wait, where did that come from?

Have a magical day everyone :) 

Three Years

Three years ago today, tired, dazed, hating traffic, exhilarated, excited, and a little scared, I drove into Maine. I had just made the big trek across the country to the state that was to be my new home. I had no idea what to expect, no idea if my move would be a successful one, no idea if I would like Maine, or if it would in fact all turn into a phenomenal disaster.

Looking back on the last few years I know I couldn’t have imagined I would experience half the things I have. I have indeed had some phenomenal disasters, but I’ve also had some spectacular successes as well. I have learned much about myself – both good and bad – that I don’t think I would have if I had stayed in Alaska,  and I am so grateful for just how far I have come in discovering who I really am and what I value and want most in my life. And I think that for the most part I have done a pretty good job at creating a life here. While there a definitely plenty of times where I have felt so lost, overwhelmed and in over my head I can hardly breathe (some of these moments have been much more recent then I would have liked), most days I am happy and proud of what I have accomplished. Of course there isn’t a second that goes by that I don’t miss and ache for Alaska, but I have come to deeply love and appreciate Maine.

I remember exactly when I first realized just how much truth there was to that statement. It was October 2012 and I was hiking through the woods of Bradbury Mountain State Park. I had been thinking about when the time would come that I would leave Maine, and imagined what it would feel like to know exactly when that would be to. To know there was truly a finite number of times I would hike those trails, a limited number of visits to the Portland Head Light, a definite date where I could no longer go to Gelato Fiasco. I thought of the sadness I would feel then in those final few days, and I suddenly realized that I don’t just love Maine. I am completely head over heels in love with this place. I love the long fall seasons where apple picking is everywhere. I love the beaches that actually have sand. I love the fact that people here focus so much on greener living and eating organic fresh foods. I think it’s fantastic that so many restaurants here make an effort to buy ingredients from local farms. I love Bradbury Mountain State Park and White Mountain National Forest. I love all the lighthouses. And I love living in Brunswick. I love walking through Bowdoin campus, Music at the Mall (park) in summer, cappuccinos from Little Dog Coffee Shop, the Gulf of Maine bookstore, Wild Oats Bakery, and sushi from Little Tokyo. I love that Frosty’s Donuts is just down the street and how in the summer when I have my windows open I wake up to the incredible smell of fresh donuts! And I love, love, love everything about Gelato Fiasco. I love the Curtis Memorial Library and how much richer my life is because of everything I have access to through it. I love the 98.9 WCLZ radio station and their Acoustic Sunrise radio show on the weekend. I love that there is a Whole Foods here, and the small health food store – Morning Glory – that is literally a 1 minute walk from the front door of my building. I love fresh steamed lobster. I love Maine Maple Sunday and everything that entails. I love the smell of sea salt in the air when it rains.

Most important of all I love the people here. I have met so many wonderful individuals it blows my mind. Sometimes these encounters have turned into some great friendships, while others were simply brief moments where our lives crossed once and never will again.  Regardless of the kind, I have been overwhelmed with kindness, generosity, and good spirit in the people of this state and I am forever grateful. And then there are my friends the Granades. I say friends, but really they have been my guardian angels. They have gone over and above the normal bounds of friendship in the support, love and guidance they have given me these last 3 years, and I know I would not have made it without them.

It is very likely that this next year will be my last here. I have a few more places I’d like to explore before heading home for good and I figure four years is a good length of time to live in one place. In my time left I plan on enjoying as much of this beautiful state as I can by taking part in all the things I already know and love, and also exploring new places, trying out new things. Some of these include making a trip up to Sugarloaf Mountain, visiting Baxter State Park, catching a movie at one of the drive in movie theaters here, and actually going to the LL Beans Flagship store at 2am just because I can.

Leaving Maine will be incredibly hard, because I know that, unless I suddenly win the lottery or become the next JK Rowling, it will be permanent with only short visits scattered over years. Some might wonder why I could go considering how much I’ve come to love it here. The answer is simple. It’s because when I close my eyes I see Alaska. And when I dream it’s of the mountains in Denali and blue glaciers, of long winter nights and the midnight summer sun. I miss too much moose roaming the streets, rivers run with salmon, and the howling of huskies at the Iditarod. I can’t breathe right unless I’m there, and I know this is true because the two visits I’ve made back are the only two times in the last 3 years I have felt truly whole and complete. But if I had never left there’s no way I could have known that Alaska was where I truly belonged. I know that if I had stayed, if I hadn’t taken the chance – the road less traveled so to speak – that I would have regretted it in the end. I would have woken up 20 years from now looked in the mirror and wondered “What if…”. Now I don’t have to.

A Simple Sunday

When it comes to baking I usually do not have the time, or money for ingredients, to experiment and turn the recipes I find into those of my own creation. With cooking however it is a completely different story. Rarely do I ever follow a dinner recipe to the letter.  Instead I usually find one that looks delicious and add/remove/edit the ingredients based on what’s currently in my kitchen, my weekly food budget, and my own personal taste. If I find something that looks really good but requires a lot of ingredients I don’t have, I usually pick one or two that will add the biggest wow factor to the meal and then use ingredients I already have to fill in. I almost never follow the actual ingredient amounts, choosing instead to put in as much of each as I want at that particular moment.

Another way I create a meal is by seeing a popular idea, reviewing a bunch of recipes, and combining the factors of each to what I think will be good. This is what I did last night when I made zucchini boat pizza. I first saw this awesome idea on Pintrest (of course!), and have been wanting to try it for months. Last week, Whole Foods had some gigantic zucchini and I decided that the upcoming weekend would be the perfect time to try it. I didn’t have any pizza sauce so I made my own, again taking popular sauce ingredients (tomato paste, garlic, oregano, basil, red onions, and red pepper flakes) and just putting in as much as I wanted to serve my purposes. For toppings I went with sliced yellow summer squash, artichoke hearts, and fire roasted corn, and I covered it all with rich Gouda cheese from France. The end result made my taste buds smile with deliciousness, the perfect way to end a weekend!

Overall, yesterday was a pretty great day, one with a confluence of beautiful, simple events that celebrated the art of being alive. It started off with Faelina. My adorable little kitten loves to show her affection by giving me sandpaper baths (aka licking) every chance she can and  my morning dreams were brought to a sudden end when she decided 6:00 am was the perfect moment for this. I would have been annoyed (I was definitely not ready to wake up), but when I opened my eyes to see her little face radiating such a perfect sense of joy and  happiness I couldn’t help but smile. I went on cool walk through the Bowdoin quad, and then spent most of the day at home reading, writing, cleaning, and getting ready for the week ahead of me. At times I had soft French music playing in the background, at others songs from the Scottish Highlands. I laughed at the jokes from Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, and was awed by stories I heard on Snap Judgment. I did head over to Bradbury Mountain for a short hike, and loved the quietness of the woods and the music of the wind through the trees. I wrote letters to friends, watched my favorite tv show (Once Upon at Time) and lost myself inside the words of “Written in My Hearts Own Blood” a story so good I’m pretty sure the world will end when it does.

 And then of course, last night was the full moon. My love of the stars is matched only by my love of the moon and last night’s was magnificent. I couldn’t help but go out and celebrate it. I hope you all got the chance to as well…