What a question but I’ll give it a go. First of all, I wouldn’t bring any of them back! They are a thing of the past and I hope they stay there.
Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, Brontosaurus, and T-Rex, we’ve had them all and more. Dinosaurs were my son’s favorite things to play with when he was 7 or 8 years of age. They were miniature forms but still they seemed larger than life as they sat all over the place in his playroom and when he finally got tired of them, he boxed them up and they are still up there because he refuses to give them away. He says, “My kids might want them so I’m saving them.”
His kids? He does the same with his books and other stuff and you’ve guessed it, they are all sitting up there waiting for one of his kids to show up and take interest! It is going to be some time before that happens or at least I hope so!
Anyway, I wouldn’t bring any of them back. Some are cute and some are downright scary but why do that when the world is a better place since dinosaurs roamed the earth? Onwards and forwards, I say, and the past can stay in the past for all I care.
Daily writing prompt
If you could bring back one dinosaur, which one would it be?
I might just pack up my bags for that! Where to? Sri Lanka would be my destination or Grenada for that matter. Both are fabulous places and they have everything I would be in interested in.
Nature, beautiful beaches, great food and friendly people. However, my first choice would be the pearl of the Indian Ocean. I would definitely try out the Ayurveda wellness retreats, they are said to be the best in the world. A week of doing nothing stressful is appealing and meditation under the stars and getting all those wonderful massages would be definitely something I would want to do and give my “recluse” life a boot out the door for a little while at least.
Grenada is a Caribbean island and it is known as the Spice Isle. The country’s most popular spice is the nutmeg but it has various other spices as well. Besides that, it has natural landscapes, lush rain-forests, stunning beaches, 49 white sand beaches and nine black sand beaches, and add to that the gorgeous waterfalls and the friendly locals and you’ve got a dream vacation on your hands.
Those are my two picks and if it ever happens, winning those two free plane tickets, I might just consider giving up this paradise where I’m at to one that is closer to water! I’ve always loved water, I grew up on an island and I do miss the sound of the waves and the starlit skies at night.
Fingers and toes crossed!
Daily writing prompt
If you won two free plane tickets, where would you go?
There is no real story behind my nickname. It just came to be and one day someone decided that Tia seemed to fit me and it stuck. Or perhaps, it’s because I have this exotic look about me. Whatever the case maybe, it is what I go by.
The name itself has several origins and meanings. In Spanish and Portuguese, it means aunt. In Greek, Tia is related to the name Theia, a goddess of sight and the blue sky and it also means “goddess” or “godly.” In Haida mythology, it represents the goddess of peaceful death.
I don’t think the person who gave me that name had “goddess” in mind. I was a little rascal and so I think it was a mere slip of the tongue that set well with me. Tia it was and still is.
Boosting health and wellness doesn’t necessarily mean just the physical aspects of it but also the emotional well-being part as well. I do a lot to get myself back on track as far as these two things are concerned.
Physically, I do workouts almost everyday. Sometimes 7 days a week and when I do take a day off I feel guilty. My workouts are varied because the same old stuff is boring and doesn’t keep me motivated. I do cardio, weight-lifting, stretches, yoga, pilates and just about anything that is out there now. I’ve stepped back from kickboxing, although I used to love it but my muscles scream, “Bloody Murder!” when I go against the norm. So that is off the list now.
Emotionally, I do a lot there too. Meditation, walks in nature, beauty evenings and a whole host of other stuff that I can’t remember now! I write and that is a good way of releasing emotional stress. Playing with Chachi, the cat, brings everything into focus and I’m a happy camper again. Some days, just taking time-out for myself and shutting the world out is a great way of escaping what bugs me and it usually works for a while anyway!
Those are some of my strategies for staying happy, healthy, and well-tuned to face up to life’s challenges. It works but not all the time. Sometimes I need more drastic measures to get me up there. I’m still working on them, but getting it down pat is not guaranteed. Just like life, I suppose.
Daily writing prompt
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
I have absolutely nothing in mind as far as future travel plans are concerned. However, it is strange that just a few days ago I was talking with a good friend, a Chilean guy, who suggested that I should take off somewhere and have a nice vacation. He goes home every year and spends winter back in Chile where it is nice and warm.
Nice thought but I can’t see myself doing that. I’m stuck here or rather I think I am. Going somewhere alone doesn’t appeal to me and packing my bags, getting on a plane and going to places unknown even more so.
I’ve come up with a new plan and that is to vacation at home. I can’t think of a nicer place to do that in. No packing, no stress and pure relaxation. Add to that a trip to the beauty salon to get my nails done, a facial and a few other things and that sounds like heaven with very little effort!
Stick-in-the-mud? Absolutely and I can’t see myself changing anytime soon. If by chance, I change my mind I would like to go to the Caribbean where the weather is nice and the scenery breathtaking. Add to that the wonderful seafood selection and I might just consider doing it but the lure of vacationing at home is unbeatable plus I can’t see myself leaving Chachi, the cat, with a cat sitter. He would hate it and I would miss him terribly. What a dilemma! I know, it is one of my own making.
These are things I would like to see more of in our society. We are sorely lacking when it comes to empathy, morality and honesty.
EMPATHY
What is empathy? Barack Obama described it well.
“Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins. And it’s up to you to make that happen. Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world.”
We’ve become a closed door society. Empathy is often nowhere to be seen and we live in a bubble where selfishness reigns supreme. What’s happening out there is none of our business is what we adhere to, but it is. We need to go back to being a kinder and gentler society with caring for our fellowmen front and center.
MORALITY
You know my thoughts on this one, I’ve voiced it often enough! Morality, old-fashioned morality where doing right is a mainstay of a person’s character has flown the coop. These days if they can get away with it, they’re just fine with it. Martin Luther King said:
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
This one holds true even if no one is looking. Unfortunately, modern society is sorely lacking in this aspect. I would like to take morality back in time. I truly feel that going back in time to a more moral society will eradicate a lot of the problems we face today.
HONESTY
“When you walk a life of honesty, you live a life of truth.” Therese Benedict
AND
“Honesty is a very expensive gift. Don’t expect it from cheap people.” Warren Buffett
If you live a honest life, your stories don’t have to keep changing. Unfortunately, this one has flown the coop as well. We live in a world where LIES are aplenty and being paraded as the truth. Just look at the internet. You know as well as I do that there are many out there who hide behind their computers and pretend to be someone they are not. It is easy to do when you are able to hide behind a screen and portray a persona that is far from the truth. Unfortunately, it is what it is in our modern society and I would like to see changes made. Let’s go to the heart of the matter and cut out some of the scamming that is going on in more ways than one.
Those are my top three picks as far as changing modern society. However, I think we are too far gone to reel it back to where we once were. Empathy, morality and honesty needs to make a come back. How? That is the question.
I call it his symphony, a soft soothing and calming influence. The little guy in the fur coat is my constant companion and from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed, he is there, his eyes trained on me singing his own kind of melody.
I love the soft purring, the deep guttural meow when something doesn’t go his way and the sweet soft whispering of a cat in love. I am used to the sounds by now and when I’m working either around the house or at my computer, those sounds are my daily companion. It is akin to a symphony but it carries more weight than that. Coming from my little companion and best buddy, it makes my heart do a dance unlike any I’ve ever known. It also comes from a source that tells me that I’m his world and he isn’t afraid to show it. Add kisses and cuddles to it and it is a magical symphony that takes me to new heights.
Am I waxing lyrical about the Little Macho? I am. He makes and brings music into my life and just a look from Little Einstein has me singing songs as well! Oh well, that’s what I listen to. The pitter-patter of little feet, the chirps and trills, the purring, the chatters and sometimes a growl or two. They all go to make up Chachi’s symphony and it is absolutely beautiful!
If there ever was a comfort food, this is it! It is warm, high caloric, and it makes you feel safe and comforted. This is one dish that does all of those things and more! It is the South’s answer for when you are feeling down in the dumps and need some cheering up.
It also gives a sense of security in stressful situations and it activates dopamine, the feel good chemical in your brain. Its hearty satisfying nature is enveloped in a rich thick broth and together with the fluffy dumplings, it can take you places! This dish has its roots in Southern and Midwestern American cuisine and is hard to beat as far as comfort foods go. The key ingredients are chicken, vegetables, chicken broth and all-purpose flour to thicken the broth. Add heavy cream and butter to make the dumplings and you’ve got a one-pot dish that is not only full of flavor but enough to chase the blues away.
I used to love it but these days I cut out the high calorie content plus the dumplings and go just with the chicken and veggies in a thick broth. It is healthier and does the same job of giving comfort on a cold wintry night or when I am feeling under the weather.
Nothing comes to mind! I was never big on card games, board games or video games for that matter. However, I look forward to the Daily Prompt questions because it makes me think and it is a sort of challenge to get something out there. This question had me stumped!
I used to play card games, and my ex and I did play board games with friends. I can’t remember any of those names either, just that they were fun and it was something we did after dinner when we had friends over. That’s about it except that the house was filled with laughter and it was a great way to bond with friends.
Let’s see how the next question goes.
Daily writing prompt
What’s your favorite game (card, board, video, etc.)? Why?
I’ve picked up a lot of recipes from my travels around the world. The travels weren’t just about getting to know another culture but it was also about the variety of food that was offered. I was pretty adventurous as far as food was concerned so I always made it a point to try everything once although there were times when I had to say an absolute NO!
Anyway, I’ve perfected this German recipe and I’ve made it several times for my son, ex, and just recently for a friend. It is pretty simple but delicious. A casserole with a bed of spinach, frozen or fresh, it doesn’t matter, I prefer fresh. Then you add salmon fillets and the best part is this creamy sauce that goes over the whole thing. It is smooth, scrumptious and melt in your mouth good. Bake it in an oven till the top is slightly browned and serve it with just about anything. I served it with Mexican rice last week and it went over well. The message I got said, “Food was delicious!” It is delicious and doesn’t take much effort at all but you come off looking like a winner. This is one dish that I would like to keep making and each time I tweak it to make it better. This last time I added some chili, not too much, and it turned out perfect.
The other thing I wanted to try was this thing called Tuna Melt. I picked this recipe up in Tennessee and loved it but my son went crazy over it and it is one of his favorite foods. I must say, Tennesseans know their food well. It is not always healthy but some of their stuff is finger-licking good! The tuna mixture is creamy and topped on a wholewheat bread roll and baked in the oven till the grated cheese melts and it is ready to go. Not much effort here either but it is delicious and when my son comes home once in a while, it’s the thing he asks for. He places the order a week in advance!
I have a big repertoire of foods I have picked up from around the world but the two I mentioned stand out for their easy-peasy way of putting a great dish on the table in record time. I don’t cook much these days. Chachi, the cat, gets canned food and as for myself, I’m into healthy foods and most days, no creams, no sauces, lots of veggies and something that I can whip up in a flash without going to too much trouble.
What foods would I like to make? Nothing much really. I’ve cooked just about anything and now it is time for rest and relaxation! Oh well, the single life does have its perks I suppose.
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