Buddha Mommy

Congrats USA! Just one thing…..

Jen — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:23:14 +0000

The years of 2008 and 1968 have a great deal in common. Both will be remembered for social upheaval and change. During each of these years, events occurred that changed the course of country and world. This year, our country grew up/woke up with the election of Barrack Obama. Whether he be blck, white, hispanic, or asian, this man brings intelligence, calm, and hope to a country that feels lost and scared. We have gained so much except for one thing…
Here in California, Prop. 8 passed. This Prop will change the State Constitution to exclude a group of people: gays, lesbians and presumably, transgendered. The race barrier may have been permanently eliminated, but not the sexual preference barrier. Are Gays the new minority to be barred from main stream society? It appears to me they are.
I believe if Martin Luther King, Jr. where here with us, he would support the civil rights of all people. Despite being a Christian preacher, he was a man of love and logic. Those who call on the Bible as the source of state and federal law are ignoring those of us that believe that the bible is not the only source guide of moral guidelines. When the civil rights of any group are taken away, my civil rights are threatened. I feel the joy and the sorrow our civil rights leaders must feel as we have elected a Black president yet Gays are denied their civil rights.

Book of Love

What’s going on?

Jen — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:55:19 +0000

Some of us are concerned about the many areas in our world that changing in ways we have never seen. I usually chose to look at change as a positive force as I am largely powerless to make a “macro” indent in what is happening. Climate change? I have made positive changes and try to live consciously to preserve our resources/environment. The economy? My New Year’s resolution is to decrease my own consumerism…an on going goal, for certain. The Election? Have already voted (absentee) but have not felt driven to whole hog support the candidate I voted for. The Wars? Hopefully my vote will make an impact there, but again, I haven’t gone out and protested or been financially supportive.
I am a fairly standard representative of my demographic. I see my greatest impact being within the community I live. I focus my energy there, rather than the Global arena. I hope there is such a thing as the “trickle up theory”.

An important part of my life

Jen — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:41:49 +0000

Recently, a good friend formed a group of women who all share involvement in a pandemic. All of us, different ways and for different reasons, have a personal story to share around this topic. Her goal is to take our stories and the stories of other women, and publish a book. Writing my story took about three months. After attending a conference this past week where I was surprised to find others where thinking about accumulating like stories, I thought I’d like to post my story on my site. You’ll find it on the sidebar (to the right side of screen).

The Wisdom of Anne Delich circa 1987

Jen — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:05:05 +0000

They’ve gone down under

Jen — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:46:39 +0000

On Friday the 19th, Rob and Kristin fly off to their big adventure. We got to see them and have dinner on Tuesday. It is hard describe the feelings I have as a parent seeing your child go so far away. I don’t know why it should be such a big deal as Steve and Suzy have been gone for quite awhile. We get to see them infrequently due to distance. I guess it is the idea of how far away they are, how long it takes to physically get there, the fact that it is a foreign country, and the real bottom line, I won’t get to see them for quite awhile.
As a parent I strived to raise them to be independent, happy, self-motivated and adventurous people. I also knew that if when their raising was complete, if I could look at them not just as family, but as friends, I would have done my job well. I have to say that it is that trait that makes having them all so far away the hardest.

Changing Seasons

Jen — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:15:34 +0000

Fall is slowly wrapping herself around us. Cooler nites intertwined with hot days, leaves slowly turning and falling, Fall plants setting out their last hurrah before the real cold comes, the birds fattening themselves for the time to come. It is time for our hummers to seriously store energy for their long flights South. I will miss them, but not their massive consumption of sugar water (16 cups every 2 days). The people at the grocery store will miss by weekly purchase of ten pounds to white sugar!
I love this time of year more than any other. It’s sights, smells, texture help me slow down and get ready for what the next year will bring. I need that. I get so involved in what is happening, what has happened and what will happen, that I need reminders of what each moment has to offer me.
As I practice gratitude, non-attachment, contentment, non-violence, acceptance, tolerance, generosity, truthfulness, and compassion (whew!), I will try to stay focused on the beauty of each moment I am given. And today, remember particularly, what community means, as I hold our country in my heart.

The Worms and I ( this was first posted 5/08)

Jen — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:49:11 +0000

Vermiculture is composting your food scraps (non meat) thru the action of worms. In other words, having worms eat your garbage. I have been composting garden wastes for years and had always wanted to have a worm bin to feel like my composting efforts where complete. In September 2002 after purchasing the “Can O’ Worms” plastic worm bin, we received our first (and actually only) batch of worms. I think about this topic today because I just completed the job of cleaning out the Can O’ Worms.
The task of Can cleaning is not one that I look forward to. It is recommended that you clean the Can every year, but I let it go for two years this time. After the worms consume the garbage, their poop (castings) is left. It is very high in nitrogen, making it a excellent, concentrated and organic fertilizer. One can imagine that separating the worms from their poop is neither stimulating nor particularly difficult. It is tedious. I completed the task in 5 hours (1 break and lunch included).
As I was separating the little lives from their excrement, it occurred to me that this task had many Zen like qualities. Appreciating the work of these creatures and their prior/future generations, being mindful to return them back to the Can and not into the the casting bin, thinking about how many little lives and generations of lives have been in this Can over the last six (!) years with little attention from me, I find rather humbling. I keep and use their castings and give it for gifts to other gardeners ( imagine getting a bag of poop for Christmas or your birthday!). Cleaning the Can today provided me with an opportunity I never appreciated before. Life goes on. It’s supposed to.

Doing the speed limit this coming year!

Jen — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:21:19 +0000

This will be my 55th year. I always get a bit introspective right before my birthday. I guess it is an evaluation, planning, course correction time of the year for me. Most of us need to slow our driving down to 55 mph. This reminds me that I too am slowing down in many ways. Driving 55 mph saves gas. Being 55 years old and going forward, I am reminded of conserving my own energy and directing it in even more meaningful ways.
“They” say it takes about 3 months to integrate a new habit (good or bad) into our life. Awareness is the first step to changing in ourselves those habits or ways of being that may not be the best for us. As I begin my journey at 55, tank full, I anticipate a year of learning, sight seeing and health.

Great Artisan Bread- you need this No-Knead recipe

Jen — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:04:22 +0000

At our house, we love crusty bread. When we get to Berkley, we always stock up bread from ACME Bread Company. Of course, we don’t get there very often, so when I found this recipe, I was excited. First saw it in a Williams-Sonoma catalogue then found out that it is a well traveled recipe. According to what I have read, it started with a printing in the New York Times by Mark Bittman. NYC baker Jim Lahey of Sullivan Street Bakery developed it. What Willams-Sonoma did was jazz it up with Rosemary and Lemon zest. Then Cook’s Illustrated (http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipe.asp?recipeids=4748&bdc=56976#topOfPage ) added perfection with the addition of beer and white vinegar. Hope you enjoy this as much as we do!

From Peace Pilgrim

Jen — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 16:07:54 +0000

” Every good thing you do, every good thing you say, every good thought you thinks, vibrates on and on and never ceases. The evil remains only until it is overcome by good, but the good remains forever.”