Author: boomingbanter

As a teenager my eyebrows were light brown and thick. So, they were plucked regularly into a tiny little arched line.

Of course they grew back and my Mother would say each time she saw me with mouth open in front of the mirror « you’ll regret that my girl »

Needless to say the plucking continued until as if by magic they stopped growing. Who knows why, maybe the hair follicle gave up the fight.

What remained was a fine little uneven line that was totally indistinct until that is disaster struck.

What grew was grey and sticking outwards. So out came the scissors.

Until that is the light dawned that these third generation brows are no longer insipid. They are strong again and have character and stick out boldly.

Like a lion all they need is to be tamed.

Blessing # 101 –  Another Chance

One hundred days have past since the first Blessing was posted on Booming Banter.

This has been a fun challenge and one that will continue.

Looking for something unique to share each day has been easy at times but on occasions a little more digging was needed.

The pursuit of blessings as a source of peace and happiness is nothing new. There are many examples including the Berakhah and the Beatitudes.

Blessing Hunting has helped me transition from full time work to more leisurely employment.

It has reinforced awareness of simple pleasures and thankfulness and as the Beatles put it so well that « money can’t buy me love »

Blessing # 100 – 100 Blessings

All along the hedgerows at the minute and in the fields too there is an abundance of rag week.

It has a beautiful yellow color but it is murder for people with allergies like Krishna. He is coughing all the time and even  Aaron is suffering with itchy eyes and sneezes.

Along our road, which runs beside the river there is another bright yellow flower blooming. It is a bit like a small sun flower.

I know for sure it is not a Black Eyed Susan because I bought two of those plants last year and the deer have scoffed them

Funny enough the only place I see it growing, unlike the rag weed, is by the river where it is in abundance.

Today I cut a bunch and brought it home.  Anyone know what this flower is?

Todays events reminded me of gathering blackberries from the hedgerows in Ireland at this time of year and making jam or fruit crumble with them.

There must be a bit of the stone age left in me because I do love picking up wild things.

Blessing # 99 – Natures Harvest

 

 The anniversary of the dreadful terror attack on the USA brings back so clearly the memories of where we all were that morning.

Krishna and I had arrived in Shanghai and had just moved into our apartment.

With the time difference we were fast asleep when the attack happened and only heard the news when we woke the next day.

This morning for the first time ever we didn’t see Aaron off to school.

For some reason I’d not switched on the alarm and we had slept through his getting up and out.

He left us a little note which we both appreciated very much. It is short and sweet but says all that needs to be said so well.

Thousand left for work that morning 17 years ago.

Many may have left very early to catch flights, others may have slept through alarms like we did today and missed the usual bye bye hug.

Aarons note on this particular day is a good reminder that it only takes a minute to say how much you love your nears and dears.

Blessing # 98 – Thoughts to Treasure

Many girls dream of being a Ballerina.  Not me. Not for a single moment.

The Tutu was more likely the feature of  a nightmare.

The willowy ballerina didn’t fit with the figure my Mum described as a Mullingar Heffer. These Irish beast are renowned for having “Beef to The Ankles”

So today it was fun to go to a class at the gym called Barre Burn. My friends had been going for sometime but I’d resisted the temptation of the Plie and Arabesque.

Well it was great. Very enjoyable and for sure I’ll be back although there is a fair chance with all those movements that tomorrow I’ll feel like dying !!!!

Blessing # 97 – Swanning Around

We have been on the hunt for bar stools for our kitchen for months.

We have seen many, some at popular stores, others on line and at tag sales but nothing was quite right.

This weekend we struck gold at a garage sale and bagged these beauties for only $60 for the three.

They are in perfect condition and a great match with the kitchen.

Just goes to show that sometimes it pays to wait!

Blessing # 96 – Finding What You’re Looking For

Yesterday this post by Oleg Visnepolsky was on Linked In.

It is a powerful message and it made me think of my Mother.

As you will have realized by now my Mother was a wise woman.

Among her many pieces of advice was that if someone or something is annoying “let whatever it is run off you like water off a ducks back”

Oleg’s post and my Mother’s wisdom begs the question what is it that builds impermeability?

Many things come to mind like the strength that bonds to family and friendship bring. Another is experience and knowing how to respond rather than react.

Most important perhaps is knowing that there is not just one ship that can sail.

We can always choose a different boat and steer a different course.

Blessing # 95 – Building Resilience

With a teenager in the house it’s tempting to try to understand the latest social media trends.

This is not my forte and for sure I’m years behind most people.

Aaron set me up on Instagram when we were on vacation. Only now is it starting to dawn on me how this works.

One recent discovery has been BOOMERANG that transforms the worst selfie into a cute little face. It put lots of gloss on and takes about thirty years off.

Loving having some fun with this. Sure helps me understand why today’s technology is so addictive.

It’s all a bit like a Fairy Tale with little pointy chinned critters popping up that bear a very slight resemblance to a more witch like woman!!!!!

Blessing # 94 – Friday Feeling Young & Funny

This morning on NBC TODAY, host Hoda Kotb covered a beautiful story.

Hoda interviewed Muriel Bowser the Mayor of Washington DC who has recently adopted a baby girl.

Muriel shared her story of how this little baby has made her very successful and happy life complete.

Muriel explained how Hoda, who recently adopted a little girl herself, had inspired her.

Hoda in turn said that the actress Sandra Bullock who adopted a little boy had been her inspiration.

No doubt someone inspired Sandra and so on.

All this brought back memories of another Sandra that Krishna and I met when we arrived in Shanghai in 2001.

Our Sandra (Sandy) was a teacher at the US School and lived in the same complex as us.

We quickly became friends and Sandy shared that she, like many of the teachers, volunteered at the Shanghai Children’s Home. We decided to volunteer too.

Soon after Sandy told us she had filed all her papers and was planning to adopt a little baby. Sure enough about a year later her little girl came home.

Sandy was a single Mom in her forties like Muriel Bowser is today.

She was our inspiration. We filed our papers in June 2002 and in April  2003 we received the biggest blessing ever this photo from the Childrens Home introducing us to our very own Zhang Ming Biao aka as Biao Biao and now known as Aaron.

Blessing # 93 – Finding our Families

We are fortunate to live close to a Dutch Amish Community and to many great local farms.

The produce, baked goods, and deli selection that can be found at these stores and farm outlets is exceptional.

There are also some unusual items like Birch Beer that we haven’t tried yet, pickles , jams and huge blocks of butter.

Yesterday we had a bonanza shop at The Chesse Barn and at Yutzy Farm Market getting wonderful ham, salami, bacon, cheese and farm fresh zucchini and apples.

So yummy and such a shopping experience. It is really like taking a step back in time to the days of what’s in season and slicing fresh.

Blessing # 92 – Lovely Locals