Thursday, February 26, 2009

Lent 2009

Lent is upon us. It happens every year, right after Shrove Tuesday, starting on Ash Wednesday, as a pre-cursor to Easter.

Quote "a period of 40 days that Christians observe before Easter. During Lent, Christians imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for 40 days before his trial and crucifixion. It is a time of soul-searching, fasting and repentance. It is a time when Christians pause and refresh their souls."

As a youngster in a Catholic school, this meant that we observed Lent, and went to church for Ash Wednesday (and were so proud of the Ash imprint on our foreheads)a regular part of going to a Catholic school. We had been blessed.

As an adult, these teachings harbored a place in my being, and Observing Lent has always been something that I did....that is to say that I gave up some vice.

But, since I do not have a lot of vices, it becomes more difficult each year to find something to give up. One year it was chocolate (THAT nearly drove me crazy!). One year it was peanut butter (also nearly drove me insane). This year it is coffee and french fries. Not too bad, right?

I need to clarify. I am not a big coffee drinker, in fact I have one tea in the morning, and I used to have an instant cappuccino coffee in the afternoon (you know the one...the little packets to which you add boiling water). Not a biggy, but by 3PM, I usually look forward to that hot capp.

The french fries are maybe a weekly treat that I enjoy with my Happy Meal....*sniff*...now those I will miss, for the time being anyway.

Now, in retrospect, giving up these little things is really just that....little. Some people have nothing, and can hardly afford any luxuries or extra amenities.

My sacrifice is small in comparison.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Tini's

There's a practice happening around town which seems to be pretty popular nowadays. Special and personal 'tini' drinks. I don't recall this being a happening thing until recently. A couple of friends have celebrated milestone birthdays, and these 'special' drinks were served at the party....I guess the idea is to make some concoction of various alcohols, when blended together yield a martini of some sort....hence a Lynn-tini, a Carol-tini, a Barbara-tini.

I am not sure how popular my Mau-tini would be. It wouldn't have any alcohol in it.

Monday, February 09, 2009

Grammy-Phone me would ya?

Every year I tune in to The Grammy's. Been watching them for as long as I can remember getting into music. I remember as a child, before the days of PVRs and VCRs, I would sit as close to the TV as I possibly could, just so that I wouldn't miss anything. Nowadays, Ilook for my faves to make an appearance, that is unless they have gone to the big Grammy-Phone in the sky. Paul McCartney is still rocking as is Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson. Of course, there are many new performers on the scene.....rappers, hip hop, blues, rock. Some of the rapper and hip hop types I even recognize, and like, from my BodyJam classes. Way cool.

Last night, there were 2 highlights for me. One was Sugarland, starring Jennifer Nettles. She has a magnificent set of pipes. Sad song, but what a voice. Now, I am not a country fan, but I do like this....


The other was Robert Plant and Alison Krauss who walked away with a boat load of Grammy awards. Now, while they did not perform the following, it has to be my favourite at the moment.....Please Read the Letter


Happy listening....cheers.