Pho Satisfaction

Have you noticed your diet changing as you age? It’s a slow process, but before long friends will question your identity. You’ll hear things like, “Aren’t you the same person who used to eat a whole cake? Now you won’t touch sugar and you only use Splenda?” I supposed it happens to the best of us.   

One day, while discussing our morning routines, an older relative and I shared what we ate for breakfast.  I used to eat very little for breakfast, but with kids in the house, my morning meals have ramped up to include anything from scrambled eggs to French toast or waffles, and don’t forget the fruit and/or yogurt. My relative remarked that he often ate oatmeal, and sometimes…soup! I didn’t see that coming. But later I started thinking, “Why get locked into the same, old routine?” Shake things up a bit—go ahead and have soup for breakfast. Actually, I haven’t eaten it for breakfast yet, but I am reaching for soup more often. It’s light, yet filling. Last year I discovered a wonderful, new soup. If you’re ready for something a little different, try a bowl of pho.                         

Beef Pho (pronounced “fuh”) noodle soup is a Vietnamese dish. Our community has several new Vietnamese restaurants and, from what I’ve seen, some of the Vietnamese dishes resemble Chinese food, but pho is special. The hot, rich, brown broth hides a tasty mound of rice noodles, and you get to order one or two types of thinly-sliced beef such as brisket or flank steak to include in your soup.

Fresh basil, lime, chili peppers and bean sprouts comes on a separate plate so that you can add them to the pho as you wish. Usually Vietnamese restaurants keep several sauces like Hoisin ( a sort of Chinese barbecue sauce) and Sriracha (a flavorful hot sauce) on the tables to enhance the food. Mixing these sauces into your pho adds layers of flavor and gives the soup a savory, spicy kick.

Still looking to add adventure to your meals? Imagine yourself dining with these people at Trump Towers in NYC:    

I never encounter scenes like this when I’m out for lunch. Improv Everywhere filmed this prank for the Today Show, look closely and you’ll see Ann Curry.    

Despite the warnings to cut back on salt, sugar, fat and various meats, there are some foods we’re just not giving up. It’s interesting how we can become emotionally connected to certain foods and many times our favorite meals evoke our best (childhood?) memories. So, what’s your favorite food and why?

Don’t Count on It

From last week’s post we learned about a special light show that occurs over the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, South America.  For centuries, people living near these two bodies of water have experienced over 150 lightning storms per year with each event lasting about 10 hours per night. If you researched this unusual weather, then you know the prior post skipped over an interesting tidbit.

Are you ready for this? Between January and April of 2010, the lightning ceased. We’re talking nothing, nada. Incredible! I can imagine puzzled people peeking outdoors and searching the night sky for a tiny sign of “normalcy.” Scientists offer differing theories for the lightning’s presence and its temporary absence. Some experts believe geography and gases from the surrounding waters cause the lightning so when the lake and river dried up due to drought, the gases also disappeared—no gas, no lightning. Let’s visit Venezuela to hear what the local people think.   

Was it more startling to learn that this lightning show has existed for centuries or to hear that it stopped?  Do you think people in this part of Venezuela have expressions based on their lightning? For instance, we might say, “As sure as day follows night, I’ll return,” but people living near the Catatumbo phenomenon might say, “As sure as the lightning comes, I’ll return.” Some things you can count on and other things you thought you could count on. After all these years, even Catatumbo lightning is undependable.

In our culture where people, places and things change at lightning speed, who or what can you depend on?

The Dirty Side

Alas, I’m not the weather expert I thought I was. During all of our extreme weather conditions, I learned two new weather-related phenomena. Even if you’re not a regular weather follower, you’ll be surprised by these discoveries.   

Did you know that in a section of Venezuela, South America a lightning storm, with little or no thunder, lasts ten hours per night 140 days a year? Scientists believe rising gases cause this activity called Catatumbo lightning.  The region’s local people have witnessed this natural night light display for centuries. After hearing the story on TV, I thought, “What? That’s amazing! How could I not know about this?”

Then, a short time later, with the onslaught of Irene, I learned about the “dirty side” of a hurricane. It refers to the right or easterly side of the storm that carries with it extra power, more rain, and stronger winds. So how come I’ve never heard that term used in any other hurricane-related news before now?  

I thought I had a good handle on weather-related information, but apparently not. Aren’t we like that sometimes? We think we know ourselves until an incident or event occurs and we’re stunned by our ignorance or our responses. Oh yeah, others may say we’re nice, but I believe anyone is capable of anything at any time.  You’ve seen the news reports where neighbors describe the criminal as “the nicest person the block.” Whether we admit it or not, we all have socially undesirable “dirty sides.”

Let’s do some self-discovery. Have you ever taken a personality test? Its reliability may be questionable, but the tests can still be fun, interesting and informative. Grab a pen and paper and try this one:

Did the outcome surprise you? If you’re willing to hang onto a tiger, prepare for a wild journey. Speaking of wild, regardless of the reason, does it seem like there’s a rise in socially unacceptable behavior these days? I know you’re not a part of the problem, so what helps you keep your “dirty side” in check?              

In, Out of and Under Control

During our recent vacation we went horseback riding. It’s usually a lot of fun, even with the sore legs and stress I feel after the ride ends. It’s always a relief to return to the barn injury-free because anytime I climb onto a horse and grab the reins, I wonder who’s really in control.

Before our ride the guide told me that my horse had a “sensitive mouth” and then she showed me how to steer the horse with the reins, reins that connected to the horse’s mouth. Horses are smart, powerful animals with minds of their own, so I wondered how well the horse would respond to my commands. As we walked along the trail the horse kept stopping to eat the vegetation and that’s when our second riding guide showed me how to keep moving by pulling on the reins and slightly kicking the horse’s sides. So I’m supposed to pull at a sensitive mouth and kick. Was this a recipe for disaster?

Fortunately, it wasn’t. But after the ride, I heard that my horse had been bitten by a snake the day before. Was it in the mood to walk the trail? I don’t know. I can say that the rein instructions worked and my horse behaved. Despite my nervousness, the guides were pleasant and the ride was great—this time. In times past, I‘ve had some unsettling experiences with unruly horses.

Here’s a video of a horse not in the mood for a rider:

I like animals, especially horses, but they can have their moments. A trail guide can offer great instructions, but until animals talk, it’s mighty difficult to know what they think or what sets them off. You’ve heard the news stories about trained animals suddenly going on the attack and their handlers never see it coming.

We like to think that we’re in control, don’t we?  Who or what really controls the reins in your life? Is it money, an addiction, your job, you, the boss, your spouse, your parents or someone/something else?          

Happy Days are Here Again

We’re back from our Branson, MO vacation! I think people assume that we visit relatives there. When I assure them that we don’t, I get a blank look. I guess they’re wondering what “Branson vacation” really means. Apparently not many people realize that Branson is the vacation capital of the world. Okay, perhaps I’m exaggerating a bit, but believe me, that town is an extraordinarily enjoyable vacation destination.

Branson is like a Las Vegas for families because of its approximately one hundred musical, comedy and variety shows. During our trip we saw the Noah play at Sight and Sound, which featured a menagerie of live animals and a three-story high ark.  In addition to the shows, we went horseback riding, visited a water park, a wax museum, and rode modern-day rides in an amusement park where people dressed in attire from the 1880’s and demonstrated crafts such as glass-blowing and candle-making.

In Branson, it’s not the activities that make the place great, for me, it’s the people and the environment. Everyone is pleasant; the vendors and wait staff always provide service with humor and a smile. During our two visits to Branson, I can’t recall meeting a surly service person or encountering any unpleasantness. Even the local news seemed benign.

Visiting Branson is like stepping back into an era of good, clean fun. The experience reminds me of the Happy Days TV show set in the 1950’s.  Here’s part of an episode:

Oddly enough, searching through the Happy Days archives, I was surprised to see the number of segments that mentioned dating, girl-chasing, making-out, the draft and war.  I never associated those topics with my memories of the show. I wonder, do we generally filter out certain things from our past and focus on the more pleasant aspects? Are our “good old days” really that great or do we actually compare our current realities to distant and distorted memories?  

I know you cherish memories from your past. What’s wonderful about those special times or places? Why do your thoughts tend to linger there?                           

Don’t Go Changing To Try and Please Me

Last week my husband and I talked with our kids about the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The current list, established in about 600 A.D., identifies fascinating man-made treasures including an Egyptian pyramid, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Lighthouse of Alexandria and several other ancient statues and buildings from around the world. Invasions and natural disasters have destroyed six of the seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Since only the pyramid still exists today, various people and organizations attempt to modernize the list. Currently several updated Wonders of the World lists exist but the most recognized one includes a Mexican pyramid called Chichen Itza, Christ, the Redeemer, which is an enormous Brazilian statue and Petra, an ancient city in Jordan.      

One of my favorites, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights appears on the Seven Natural Wonders of the World list. This mesmerizing curtain of color ripples across the sky in Alaska during our fall and spring seasons. Words fail to describe this natural phenomenon. Take a look at it in this video:

Apparently, earth has an ample supply of wonders. As a society, we constantly toss aside the old in favor of the new, and seek the latest version or model, sometimes with unfavorable results. In the June 3 post, And Then We Will Change, I half-celebrate change as Sarah Vaughn performs a moving rendition of the song, Everything Must Change. The part-time realist in me recognizes that progress can be good, but the part-time idealist in me sometimes longs for an unchanging world.

What things, people or places are you glad don’t or won’t change? 

In the Center of a Storm

I’m a pseudo-meteorologist. You probably don’t hear that confession very often.  My mother said that, as a child, I always asked about the weather conditions. At my house, my husband or kids seem to think I have the inside scoop on the weather. Almost daily one of them asks, “What’s the weather today?” and “How hot is it going to be?” Maybe it’s because they catch me listening to the forecast about twice a day, and more often when a big storm is predicted. I just like to be prepared for whatever comes.

Although I dread getting caught in bad weather, that’s exactly what happened last week. Driving home, a curtain of wind and rain slammed across the windshield. I don’t usually pull over during storms but the blinding rain obscured everything. I couldn’t see and I couldn’t pull over. The curvy road offered no shoulder for the faint – hearted. Fortunately only small branches littered the street and nothing fell into my path. After the storm, numerous split tree trunks testified to the storm’s strength.

A tornado‘s power is amazing, and one videographer managed to capture beauty amidst chaos. Take a look: 

Despite a tornado’s massive size and destructive power, it can also create a majestic and tranquil scene. When you find yourself caught up in life’s storms, how do you reclaim peace?