Boredom in a Universe Full of Wonder?

I was watching Discworld, the episode about Hogwatch, and at the end Death says something akin to, 'In a universe so filled with wonder humans have managed to invent boredom.' Just then I looked out the widow and saw some amazing lighting on my yard. The greens popped, the trees turned ghostly white and the sky was formidably dark, yet a very small section of a rainbows arch (out of frame to the right) was showing above the neighbors palm tree. Such richness in color and the contrast of bright sun to dark storm in the same section of valley. Beautiful!

How often do we miss beauty or amazing events because we looked the wrong way or were too busy to care? The old saying stop to smell the roses is great advice, but don't forget to look around while you do it!

Misconceptions of Food Advancements 2

This morning while eating my breakfast the flavors in my mouth reminded me to continue this article. Last time I covered briefly that food is often ripened using hormones and chemicals after the fruit has been picked way too early. The lack of essential nutrient load was mentioned.

Food that is picked too early also is missing many flavor compounds. Lackluster taste is the hallmark of early picked food. I currently live in an agricultural area and at the end of summer I bought a crate of nectarines for the low sum of $9. An entire crate, what did I do with it all? I ate some fresh, I made juice, added them to Jello, I handed them out to city friends, and I prepared some for freezing. Freezing preserves the fruit with a small breakdown in cellular structure from the water in it expanding. In the case of the nectarines this is a useful feature. I like to freeze then in small containers so I can use them easily.

Yesterday I defrosted a container of nectarines and this morning I opened them up. Yum! The aroma of late summer filled my kitchen and I had not even done anything with the fruit yet. Going to the cupboard I pulled out the rolled oats and bottle of ground cinnamon (grinding fresh spices is a great way to add mega flavor). A layer of oas, some cinnamon, a layer of oats, the fruit spooned in, a layer of oats, some sugar crystal (just a pinch) then some water. I put it in the microwave for a minute. Took it out and oh my goodness, the scent was so good, reminded me of peach pie, stir and replace for another minute. Piping hot greatness! Notice I said greatness not goodness, the flavor is so intense because the fruit was not picked until ripe and about ready to fall on the ground.

The orchard I picked them up from supplies grocery chains in California and abroad with many types of fresh fruit. The thing is, for the shipment the fruit is picked a week earlier than what I purchased at their roadside stand. The difference is really noticeable.

The same can be said of the groceries I am growing in my backyard. Fresh out of the ground, with no chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Heck even the wild bunnies and fowl like going in the garden to help themselves it is so good. No need for me to fret, I planted enough to go around.

If you get the chance grow some fresh herbs, vegetables or fruit and visit your local farmer's markets. Seasonal food surprises that will not find on any grocery shelf await your taste buds!

Ear-bud Laws

I read this article, and have read prior articles on proposed laws that would fine a person for having head phones on or ear buds in place while doing a wide variety of activities. First let me state this is nothing new, since I was a teen with my head phones on back in the early 1980s these types of laws with fines have been discussed.

If I were a lawyer I would take a case as a class action against these laws. Why? Because if a deaf person can walk freely down the street then a hearing impaired (due to ear phones) person should be allowed to.

What really needs to happen is the end user paying attention around them, be aware of your surroundings! That applies also to the guy in the car rocking out to AC/DC and head banging the whole trip. For the very low number of people hurt or killed by these incidents making a law against it is outlandish and a waste of taxpayer money!

Religion in Business?

Is it 'wrong' to make items to sell that include symbols from or are known to be going to another religion?

That question formed while I was working out details on an upcoming project I chose to start. My hobby and side business involves me creating various works of art in a wide set of categories. Normally I make jewelry, which is worn publicly by my patrons, other times I do small sculpture or paintings, and I have taken to writing now and again. I am not looking for an answer to my question for myself, I already know my answer and it only applies to my own works.

This is more an informative article. Throughout history artisans have been creating works for patrons that are not from their own religious background. On occasion this has led to some interesting mistakes being made and artwork being altered after the fact. Where art and goods are concerned it would seem that one's religious views are often set aside. Further, the viewpoint can be applied from both patron and artisan/business.

The patron may want a project created and lacks the skills to do so. Solution, go out and find someone with the skills, this is where it gets interesting. Looking through the phone book, or on the web, even while walking down the street, it is rare to see a business owner openly showing their religious affiliation. Doing a targeted search looking specifically for a fellow of your own creed will produce results, but there is a draw back, it may not produce the best provider of a service. What if a person of your beliefs does not own a particular business? The obvious solution is the patron must make a small sacrifice to get what they want.

From the artisan view point, or any business owner really, the dilemma is similar. Often we open businesses in an area that we know has certain beliefs like our own. But what if I am a displaced person, running from a war or catastrophe? Suddenly I may be in an area I know nothing about, but I still need to provide for myself and family. Yet, if I start my business will those around me accept that I am not of their belief system? Will they even know? How safe is it to proceed, and where do I learn the local symbols?
Perhaps the artist is extremely skilled, sought out by everyone for the ability they alone seem to possess. This has happened many times in history. For that person it is a choice, they seem to be above the limits of religions.

What I see in the world around me are multinational businesses that sell goods made by people in all countries of the world, from all beliefs and backgrounds. Here in the United States it is even a little funny to me because I see persons that are devout to their faith and they are unknowingly supporting another faith by purchasing those goods, goods that are sometimes symbols of their religion made by another religions energy. I do not have a problem with it at all, I revel in the idea that we can be one world without borders and without hatred at any level.

It is my hope that readers of this article take away a bit of wisdom in the form of understanding we are all in this together as one human race and that variety truly is the spice of life!

Misconceptions of Food Advancements

Food. In the most simple definition food is a set of nutrients and potential energy in a stored state. It is once we eat the food that it becomes the energy and life sustaining particles that we all need.

I may have an unusual advantage, and by that same advantage a larger loss, when it comes to understanding food. Food production has been part of my families heritage for generations. My grandfather and his family were dairymen, and farmers. He brought his skills with him from Europe and continued to raise dairy animals here in Southern California. The area was mostly pastures at the time, I still have photos and my memories as my proof. Since that time however the area has changed from one that contained agriculture to one that is urban/suburban sprawl. This is important because the it also represents a change from small farms spread throughout the country, to a more mass produced style of food production.

When I was growing up my parents taught me how to raise animals and crops. Not grains, which require vast fields, but small plot crops such as carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and a great many others. I ate fresh food directly out of the earth or off of the plant. Delicious, needing only a wipe on my pants or shirt to remove the surface dirt. We used natural fertilizers and if memory serves, no pesticides, unless you count the chickens and good insects. The food was always ripe when I ate it, naturally so, no chemicals used to bring the fruit to 'maturity'.

Think about that a moment. To make bananas yellow, or tomatoes red, etc. the stores have to use chemicals/hormones to ripen the fruit while it is in storage at shipping facilities. The fruit and vegetables are picked while still green, unripe, not ready to be eaten. These crops have to be picked that way because tit helps the goods to endure lengthy trips via boat,train and truck to the store bins you buy them from. This food is not complete, it is missing nutrients that would be there if it had matured on the plant.

I end the article there for now, to be continued...

Who am I?

This is a question that I believe can never accurately be answered. In the moment an answer can be given but should the answer be built on the last month or the lifetime events of an individual? Does my answer change if on the way home a catastrophic accident befalls me? What if the accident happens to another person, known and close to me or a stranger?
My usual answer is I am myself. I am unusual and complicated. I am human and yet part of everything around me.