Booming Banter

 

We adopted Aaron when he was 28 months old. All we know about his background is that he was born on December 16, 2000 in Shanghai.

We very much want to help Aaron find out more about his birth family although we know this will be a big challenge.

As a first step Aaron did a DNA assessment in 2017 using 23andMe

This has given some very good information on genetic traits that could be helpful for him to know in future.

We get regular updates from 23andMe each time there is a new discovery. For example we got an update recently to say Aaron is likely to have severe reaction to mosquitoes and also funny enough have a fear of heights. Whoever would have imagined there is a gene that can predict this but guess what it is TRUE.

All this to say that we trust 23andMe and their work. So yesterday when we got a message saying some new family links had been uncovered we were excited.

We have found the closest link yet a person with 37% match on Aarons DNA. That would be like a third cousin.

Thanks to 23&Me we were able to message this person and she has already replied. She is living in the USA but her parents both were born in China.

Isn’t this exciting?

Blessing # 106 – Applied Science

A few days ago a Buddy posted about the importance of using the good things we have rather than saving them for special occasions.

The point was clear. Each day is special!!!

Our family, like most, have glassware and china that gets aired only at Thanksgiving, Christmas or dinner parties.

We have found that as an item in a set is broken the likelihood of use of the remainder increases exponentially. The set is no longer perfect so might as well be used.

Such was the case with a set of fine glasses that Krishna bought before we met. They were really top class as he had nothing better to spend his cash on in those days.

There were glasses for each wine type and for water and liqueur too. So quite an extensive and exquisite collection.

The glasses travelled the world with us. The most used being the large reds.

Over the years the numbers diminished apart from the  liqueur set that remains complete. Who drinks liqueur?

The red numbers fell until just one remained. This last soldier became my glass from which an evening tipple was taken. Until that is it bit the dust this weekend.

The long stem broke in two but the glass itself stayed in one piece.

Many people enjoyed these fine glasses and of course what was in them. They weren’t ornaments or dust collectors but they were special.

If they could speak they would tell many tales and no doubt the red would tell the liqueur how good it feels to be valued most!!!

Blessing # 105 – Being of Use

 

Krishna cooks with great finesse. He is a master of the spice blend  as many know and appreciate.

His skills have only rubbed off a little on me as I haven’t the patience needed to perfect the art.

One thing that’s very therapeutic for me though is chopping. This was generally my Sunday afternoon exercise but now it can happen anytime.

This afternoon we are going to Yutzy’s farm market with Aaron as he loves the Amish goodies so this morning a get rid of all remaining veggies chopping session took place.

This reminded me of my Dad. On the very rare occasions when Mother was away from home his attitude to cooking was never to measure or follow a recipe but to take what came first to hand and to BUNG IT IN.

We had some experiences and delights such as fried apples and bacon but we had fun. We always had a spud or two too!!

Who knows what today’s dinner will be like, for the minute we’ll let it stew!

Blessing # 104 – Culinary Surprises

Our home is in a northern suburb of Columbus. If we head just a few miles out we are in the country.

Short cuts, to avoid traffic lights and highway traffic, take us onto roads that cut straight through the farms and that are always a joy.

The fields are massive and flat compared to the rolling hills of Ireland but they have their own beauty at each season.

Right now the soybeans are ready for harvest and their color gives the most fabulous contrast to the blue sky.

Yesterday’s color was quite impressive and the day was very hot.

For sure this photo doesn’t do justice to the scene but it reminded me of John Keat’s “To Autumn” that many of us leaned by heart in our English classes.

Little did we appreciate the value of those lessons and that they would be seeds we would harvest for a lifetime.

Blessing # 103 – Fruitfulness

 

There is nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night and tossing and turning for hours.

Yet if we sleep sound and wake up very early there is nothing sweeter.

Our alarm is set every day just a bit later on weekends. This morning it was set for seven but that bell was well and truly beaten.

I was wide awake at 5:30 and up at 6:00.

Being accompanied only by Dibley, and keeping silent with the lights low to watch the dawn, it is such a gentle way to start the day hearing the first bird tweet.

It wouldn’t be so enjoyable though if I was to spend the day alone. Instead, I’ll be on the road soon to meet a whole bunch of friends and I’ll wake Krishna and Aaron up before I leave.

Blessing # 102 – Just a Little Time Alone

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