dailyprompt – Page 46

Congee

This one never fails. It is an instant teleportation to another time and place. My mom picked this recipe up from a Chinese neighbor woman. I used to spend a lot of time at the woman’s place because her daughter was my friend at the time. Having lunch at their place was wonderful because you never knew what was on the menu for that day. It was usually something I had never heard of but I was more than willing to be a guinea pig. One time we had pig’s ears! Strange? Yes, it was but I liked it.

Coming back to congee. It is a savoury rice porridge made by boiling rice in a large amount of water until the rice is very soft, a sort of gruel. Mom used to cook this when I had a cold or wasn’t feeling well. She said it was a miracle cure! I don’t know about that but after a bowl of chicken congee, I did feel much better. Voodoo? Well, not quite. The soft silky mixture is easy on the tummy and hydrates the body. There are many different versions but I like the chicken or the fish congee. It is delicious but more than that, it takes me back to a place when life was simpler and filled with mystery.

Living in Asia was a wonderful experience. I learned many things both good and bad. The food was fantastic and though strange at times, I learned that everything is worth a try. You can always say no later. I’ve kept to that throughout my life but I hit the brakes on live monkey brains! That is a whole different story altogether for another time and place.

Daily writing prompt

Which food, when you eat it, instantly transports you to childhood?

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Martin Luther King

It was this memorable line from his, “I Have A Dream,” speech that caught my attention and pushed me towards a life of going up against injustice of any kind.

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

It was delivered during the March on Washington in 1963 but that speech which called for an end to segregation and discrimination will reach a young girl many years later and it would stop me in my treks as I listened to that voice, a forceful and rhythmic one which came droning out of an open window. I didn’t know what it meant at the time but I knew that it was important whatever it was.

I was far removed from a world of injustice. My world revolved around the fantasy world I had created in my safe childhood space but I would learn as I delved into books that the world was a cruel place and that even children were not “free” from the violence and injustices that segregation and discrimination brought about.

Martin Luther King was a civil rights activist but more than that he was a man of courage. It took courage to stand up against injustice and it still is. People have come a long ways from “Whites Only” places BUT there is still much to be done as we are seeing with the current administration.

“Let freedom ring,” was repeated throughout the speech and the last lines, “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!” concluded the speech. However, no matter how hopeful it was, discrimination as we all know is not a thing of the past. It is alive and doing well.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” MLK

He wasn’t a tall man but he came out as a giant using just his voice as a powerful tool and his stance of non-violence to get his message across. A one of a kind as far as historical figures go and therefore, my favorite historical figure.

Daily writing prompt

Who is your favorite historical figure?

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Tom Selleck

( I couldn’t get a pic of young Tom Selleck here.) This here is not him.

He was much older but I didn’t care. This guy blew in like a hurricane and had me in a “royal crush” from the get go. I loved everything about him especially that quirky grin that had millions of women around the world in a tailspin!

I had met three Aussies a few days earlier. Somehow they had managed to get my address from my younger sister. I came home one evening to find them in the living room cozying up to dad. I was not impressed. Suddenly I heard this music that caught my attention coming from the TV. I saw him and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I sat glued to the TV until one of the guys said, “Hey Tia, look over here.” I turned and there they were with their chests exposed!

Years later, much much later, I would have a talk with my crush. He was doing the Blue Blood Series at the time. Nothing much had changed, he was older but that smile was front and center! I told him about that story with the young Aussies. He broke out in laughter. I then told him that they had nice chests but they were smooth as silk. Unlike my mighty crush! He laughed again. All I can say is that he’s a super nice guy and the crush has dissipated but he holds a special place in my heart. Nice guys usually do.

Daily writing prompt

Write about your first crush.

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Sri Lanka

I’ve traveled to different parts of the world but if I choose to do it again, the place at the top of the list would be Sri Lanka. The next one on the list would be the Bahamas. They are still on my bucket list, not that I’m going to get myself out of being a recluse anytime soon and head to faraway places!

Coming back to Sri Lanka, also known as the Emerald Isle is a dream place I would like to see in person. The island’s lush, green landscapes combined with the sapphire blue sparkle of the Indian Ocean would be worth visiting. If I do get a chance, I would like to live with a local family and look at life from their viewpoint. I’ve heard the food is spicy but delicious and the seafood, especially the crabs might be something I would like to try. The Ministry of Crab is a restaurant I would like to spend some time in and maybe stay there for awhile! The wellness retreats have plenty to offer and a week at one of these places would get me back to where I want to be, relaxed, stress-free and full of energy again!

The people seem very friendly and the island life is appealing since I spent most of my childhood on an island and I do miss it. Kicking back and just taking it all in would be something that might just get me out of being a recluse! Oh, and going barefoot is very inviting too!

Daily writing prompt

What countries do you want to visit?

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Resilience

The ability to bounce back, to adapt in the face of adversity, and to take decisive actions are all things I like about myself. I didn’t know I had those things within me but after having survived two murders in the family, a huge breakup that almost broke me and a few other incidents, I would say that without resilience I wouldn’t have survived them.

Resilience didn’t happen naturally and it didn’t just show up one day announcing, “Here I am!” It took hard work, the kind that is only possible if it was a matter of survival and having this indomitable need within to stand back up again and to face the world with lessons learned tucked under my belt. There were times when I wanted to throw up my hands and there were times when I just didn’t see the road ahead and there were times when I said, “I am not this person. I don’t have the strength within to do this.”

There is strength within you, the kind you didn’t know existed. You have to dig deep to get at it but it is there and when giving up isn’t an option as it was in my case, it shows up.

“The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.” Robert Jordan

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite thing about yourself?

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My Retirement?

Hmm….haven’t really given it that much thought. Peace, financial freedom, free of health issues and a feeling of accomplishment. These are some things that would matter.

I want my son to be on his own two feet by then and I hope and pray that Chachi, the cat, will be by my side. Older but still the feisty macho man that he is. I also hope that I have someone by my side to take walks with and to enjoy the slower pace of life. Not just anyone but someone who looks at me and doesn’t see the wrinkles that time has brought on but the beauty within. I would like to have a bestseller under my belt as well but that is still up in the air. Who knows it might happen and even if it doesn’t, I can say I gave it my best shot.

I just want to have this feeling within that all is well and I can enjoy my life. Nothing spectacular just an easy going feeling to do whatever I want and to feel at ease doing it.

Daily writing prompt

How do you want to retire?

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A Ratty Old T-Shirt!

Photo by Francesco Paggiaro on Pexels.com

Frankly, I can’t think of anything old that I use daily. I wear two chains around my neck, a diamond solitaire that was a gift from the friend who passed away and a gold necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant. That was a keepsake from my mom. Both are precious and I wear them everyday.

The other thing I do wear more often than not is an old t-shirt that has seen better days. It is faded in places but you can’t beat the comfort factor. It is two sizes too big and I just love it! When the weather warms up, it’s my go to when I need something big and roomy to feel comfortable in. I almost threw it away earlier this year but NOPE, it’s back in the cupboard along with all my other PJs. It was actually a gift from a very good friend who traveled the world and each time he was in a different country, he would send me a t-shirt with that country’s emblem on it. I can’t tell where this one is from because it is too faded to tell! Nevertheless, I wear it all the time and if it wasn’t for winter, I would wear it the whole year round!

What am I going to do if holes show up? A question I’ve been pondering myself. No answers yet but I know there will be a solution when we get to that point. I’ll just say that I HATE parting with things I love!

Daily writing prompt

What’s the oldest thing you own that you still use daily?

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One Favorite Moment

Photo by Jean-Daniel Francoeur on Pexels.com

It’s hard to say since I have so many of them. Beautiful sunsets, walks on the beach in different countries, the birth of my son, the first time he called me mommy and so many more. All hold a special place in my heart and will stay there forever as special or favorite moments. However, there is one moment that has never tarnished and remains as clear as day even after so many years.

It was my first kiss. Did I get your attention? A love story? It was. I was 21 when I got my first kiss. What? Try living a normal life in a very strict Christian family. Mom used to say, “I have eyes at the back of my head and I can see everything you’re up to.” That put the fear of the devil in me, that and the fact that I was saving myself for marriage.

Anyway, he walked into my life and I was a goner! He was tall and handsome with piercing green eyes. Half Algerian and half French. Yes, quite a combination. If that wasn’t enough, he was a pilot, a captain no less. The fact that he was as old as my dad didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore. He didn’t see the sign plastered across my forehead either that said, “Saving myself for marriage.” He was a seasoned playboy. The two do not mix. Anyway, the first time I saw him in uniform I held up the, “I am in love!” flag. I didn’t know what it meant only that he was beautiful to look at and he made my breath catch in my throat! Looks mattered back then.

Our first date was fantastic. We had eyes only for each other. Then we took a walk on the beach and with a thousand or a million stars shining above and….wait for it….he kissed me. I felt like I was drowning, dying, flying and everything in between! I was putty in his hands but he sensed something and asked, “Your first kiss? Unbelievable.” It was a long walk back to the car but something was changing within me. It wasn’t just a moment, it was a new beginning. One that I have never forgotten.

What happened to him? We dated but like I said earlier, playboy and an innocent do not mix. I held on to my beliefs and he couldn’t change who he was. We went our separate ways. However, my first kiss was one of my favorite moments of a lifetime. I stayed up there for three days after that kiss. Just flying around in heaven somewhere!

Daily writing prompt

Describe one of your favorite moments.

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Something Remarkable?

What notable things happened today? Nothing much happens around here and things are usually on an even keel and that is a good thing. I don’t like changes and neither do I like anything unforeseen creeping into the picture.

It was a nice day. A friend came over to help in the garden because the weeds are enjoying their freedom after all the rain we’ve had and their freedom needs to be curbed! So this friend came over dressed in his grubby clothes ready to tackle the stuff that I hate doing. I love the garden but I don’t like doing the work!

He did the mowing, the weeding, trimming of the rose bushes and taking down the big and old barbeque pit. It needed to go. We had lunch at a nice Chinese place, picked up some stuff at the garden center and it was back for more of the same. I decided that the lounger would be nicer out back. It was under the terrace area but now we’ve moved it to the other side of the garden. It is shady there and it is a quiet spot to let my mind wander right under the big old magnolia tree and an old pine tree. A perfect spot to rest and relax so he moved it without complaining!

Later, we had a cup of coffee and CHEESECAKE and after a short conversation, it was time for him to go. He promised to come back and cart away the stones from the pit at another time! Sometimes it’s good to have friends who are willing to do the work without complaining!

If there was anything notable, it would be the fact that he did the work without wanting anything in return. It was always a song and dance about the same stuff and that he only gets a kiss on the cheek and a hug and nothing more. Today, there was none of that. He was actually very nice and we had a few laughs and there was no stress. Other than that, it was for all purposes a day like any other and that folks is a NOTABLE day in my opinion.

Daily writing prompt

What notable things happened today?

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My Passion

I am passionate about injustice of any kind. However, my focus has been justice reform, plain and simple. However, it is not that simple. Righting injustices is a passion of mine but it takes time, energy and writing about it to bring about some changes to the system.

I lost my mom to a horrific crime and she didn’t get the justice she deserved. The person who took her life was an immigrant. Someone she had taken in and treated as another daughter. This person took her life for a few pieces of jewelry and money. The perpetrator got 4 years plus time served! Yes, the uproar was great but there was nothing that anyone could do to right the wrong. Believe me I tried! According to them, it was due to some technicality but let me tell you, murderers and the like have too many rights these days. However, those that no longer have a voice suffer the consequences of an unjust system not that it matters to them anymore but the ones who are left behind to mourn their loss are the ones who have to carry that burden and continue on.

Since then, I have written about her case and other cases that screamed injustice of the highest kind. Most of the cases I’ve written about involved the killing of Black men by law enforcement and the brutal overuse of power where these men are concerned. Some of those posts are on this site but many more are elsewhere on other political forums. I think justice should be color blind but the reality screams otherwise. Speaking out is a must and using the written word to shine the spotlight on such atrocities is a definite must as well.

I think we are becoming jaded to the violence around us. It is escalating and the brutality is hard to comprehend. Take the Sade Robinson case for example. She was a young 19-year-old out on a first date. Evil took her life that night and her body was dismembered and strewn all over the county. Justice was served in her case, the killer is awaiting sentencing after having been found guilty on all counts. Will he get the life sentence? We’ll know soon enough but it won’t bring her back and that is the sad reality. Others have walked with next to nothing for the brutality they unleased on an innocent human being.

If I had it my way, I would lock them up and throw away the keys! However, that is a no go in a society that speaks the murderer’s language and sometimes condones their behavior. Change needs to happen.

Daily writing prompt

What are you passionate about?

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