A Spicy Love Story
By zigzagbuddha
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
United States
September 28, 2008 2:31pm CST
This morning I got up at around 10:30AM. I was in the mood for blue so I put on a pair of dark blue cotton pants and a baby blue zipper sweater and went for a jog down by the river. The river was clean, the moss was green and woods smelled like rain.
When I got home I did some yoga. I felt lithe and strong as I breathed the cool, energized air deeply into my lungs. After that I messed around with my lovely compost piles for awhile before taking my recyclables down to the bin, which always makes me feel organized and efficient. Then I puttered around on the porch rearranging some plants and admiring their healthy looking foliage. It was about 2PM by then and I was getting good and hungry. Time for breakfast!
I put on a pot of coffee, which I doctored up with lots of cinnamon, some allspice, and a pinch of ginger, and I splashed a bit of vanilla in the pot. Then I chopped some bacon and fried it up. After removing the bacon from the pan I tossed in some dandelion greens and sautéed them briefly before adding the eggs that I had whipped up with some cream cheese, and scrambled it all together, tossing the bacon back in too.
I am now sitting here with the last of the coffee and a couple of hand-rolled cigarettes feeling vibrantly alive and full of energy. And since the coffee is my own version of Arabic spiced coffee it reminded me of one of my favorite poems by Robin Williamson (again). It goes like this:
When I first arrived in Fez
I found on the ground
A small coloured paper hand of Fatima
Torn but for the middle finger
Pointing for me to follow
Following it I became lost again
And haltingly asked a man the way
In smiling Arabic he replied
Go where you wish
Did anyone else start their day so wonderfully? Or am I the only one around this place who is in love with life?
6 people like this
8 responses
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
29 Sep 08
Today? Well, I dunno if I can label it "wonderful." It was alright, I guess... not that great, not that wonderful, yet not like any other day. I woke up early in the morning (around half past four) feeling desperately thirsty and decided to get a drink of water. I got back to bed and realized after five minutes that I was still feeling thirsty, so I went back to the kitchen again to get another drink of water.
I got back to bed again and tried to sleep, and after five minutes when I was just dozing off, I heard some funny noises from my table. The cat were playing with the telephone, AGAIN!! "Get off Puttu," I said. But no Puttu got off the table, and the sounds just got louder and louder. I realized with a shock that Kitty was on top of the phone too. "Oh god, they are going to wreck it. And if the darn thing falls and breaks, I won't have any Internet for an eternity." So I got off the bed again, (third time?) and glared at them. Two pairs of lovely green eyes, all excited, looked at me. I think they were upset when I chased them off. One fled to the terrace, and the other sat with her back to me on the windowsill.
So, I got back to bed again. Sweet sleep held me in a close embrace. How sweet!! And this time it was the neighbor's dog that woke me up. It barked its head off for an eternity. I was literally boiling by this time, and decided to cool it off by meditating. Ever tried to meditate while you were sleepy? It doesn't work. Your head keep falling forward toward your chest. So, I thought I would go back to sleep again. The dog had also taken a break.
I went back to bed, and really slept for a few minutes. One of the cats dug her (or his)claws into my legs and woke me up. So, finally, I really woke up, at around half past six, took Tina for a walk, watered my garden, did some weeding, had my breakfast, cleaned the house, and then decided to start my day's work. So what sort of a day is it? Not bad, eh? LOL!! Not "WONDERFUL" exactly, but quite interesting!!
Cheers and happy mylotting
1 person likes this
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
30 Sep 08
That is interesting! I have had so many nights/early mornings like that, and I am really glad I am not the only one!! Puttu is my tomcat. Of course, ever since we neutered him, he has turned into an angel (no gender). However, he was very much a tomcat when I first got him, so I decided to call him "Peter," after my ex boyfriend, whom I very much wanted to murder at that time. After a few days, I decided I did not want to insult my cat by giving him my ex boyfriend's name. So, I just twisted it to the sweet Indian name "Puttu." It simply means "little one" or "darling" and sometimes, it is even used in the sense of "sweetheart." Well, this little guy grew up and now since he thinks no end of himself, my Mom has changed the name slightly. When he behaves like an outdated aristocrat, we call him Reverend Puttaswami J.S. (J.S. stands for Society of Jesus, popularly called Jesuits, among bunch of g**s married to the Lord Jesus Christ). But most of the time, we call him just Puttu.
My female cat, Kitty is not as complicated as Puttu. She is just Kitty, short for Queen Catherine. ;)
Cheers!!1 person likes this
@positiveminded1977 (7072)
• India
28 Dec 08
The cat in my avatar is not my cat. It is just a picture someone sent me on email. I happen to like so; so I made it my avatar. You can see Puttu in the picture. A friend was trying to take his picture, and he was trying to run away. I had to hold him.;) That's Puttu and that's my hand holding him.
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
28 Dec 08
I can't believe your comment here is just now coming to my attention! Or maybe it is that just now I am inclined to tell you how much I like the story of your cat's name. And to mention that you never answered the question whether the cat in your avatar is one of your cat's? I don't remember what discussion I asked you that in, nor do I remember you ever answering.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
28 Sep 08
You are inspiring me to go construct a pizza and nuke it in our countertop infrared oven thingee. My basil plants need pruning back and a handful of the cuttings will be divine in the sauce. Maybe I can rustle up enough salad greens from our indoor hydroponic planters, too. I don't drink coffee, but Arabic is the only way to go, and I think after that pizza I will be ready to put a splash of it iced over a glass of French Vanilla ice cream and milk. Now, where do you suppose that dark chocolate fudge sauce went to?
Aside from the funny kind, did you ever grow your own mushrooms?
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
29 Sep 08
Ah, yes, and I saved this one for you, too:
http://www.spores101.com/cart.php?m=product_list&c=3
My family used to forage for mushrooms when I was a kid, mostly for morels, which is about the only one I know that has no known poisonous look-alikes. There is one that is similar enough that some people call it a look-alike and proceed with dire warnings, but you know, they don't look at all alike to me. Still, if people have any doubt it is best not to take a change.
I don't have one of those contraptions, but if we had space to waste, I'd have to get one just to try it out. It looks very recreational, but I'm pretty busy with my AeroGrow stuff.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
29 Sep 08
Once when hubby and both had really crummy jobs, a long time ago an office mate had one of those posters that read "They must think we are mushrooms, they keep us in the dark and feed us..."" --well, you know the rest, and I saw that sign every day and hubby and and used to kid about we should grow some mushrooms and every time we saw a kit for sale, we were tempted to try it. We do love mushrooms, but not the funny kind. And I know YOU will love this:
http://www.mushbox.com/macrodome.html
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I love foraging for wild mushrooms, and I'm sure I would love growing them. That mushroom growing kit looks fantastic! I would like to grow some of these mushrooms for my salad, then I would have to store leftovers under lock and key, hehehe.
http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_cultivation_az1.shtml
1 person likes this
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
30 Sep 08
Well I certainly do try to start each day with gratitude and a zest for life but I can't even come CLOSE to topping that! I am unfortunately not yet at a point in my existence where I may cater to my whims in life however I may wish but it is a definite goal! I never in my widlest dreams thought I would ever be saying this zigzagbuddha; but after reading that, and at this moment in time I wanna be YOU!
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
2 Oct 08
I'll eat pretty much anything so the pita bread combination you just described sounds perfectly fine to me! I will commence my appreciation training immediately! (But not necessarily with that sandwich OK, I will use that in the advanced classes even though it does sound like something I would eat!)
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Hahahaha, well James, if you were me you would start your day with appreciation rather than gratitude - gratitude implies lack... "I am so grateful I have this when I could be without", and while yes, that's certainly true, nevertheless, I prefer appreciation because that is just looking for and admiring the beauty in everything.
Not only that, but you would have to 'appreciate' (hehehe) sardine and cucumber sandwiches in pita bread with anchovy mayo... you up for that???
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
2 Oct 08
PS: To get to a place where you are in a position to cater to your whims requires skill... best to start practicing now!!!
1 person likes this
@violetdreams (658)
•
28 Sep 08
Wow, that sounds like a brillient way to start the day - wish I had that much energy.
My morning went something like this ... wake up with 3 kids bouncing on me (after 2 of them managed to get me out of bed 3 times during the night), got hubby and kids out of the bed eventually. Hubby gave the kids breakfast and made coffee. I picked up my book and made the most of my hot coffee and a bit of peace while the monsters ate their cereal. They all left me in peace for a while, but eventually wandered back in and spent a while bouncing on me, drawing me pictures, bouncing on me some more ... so in the end I gave in and got up, got showered and dressed and after making lunch a while later I spent the afternoon sorting out my vegetable garden.
Not as invigorating as your morning, nor as healthy I'm afraid, but busy nontheless.
Violetdreams
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Hahaha, yeah, I don't know how I would have ever handled 3 at a time!!! How old are they?
I only had 2 children and I spaced them about 8 years apart, and I got them on the same page I was on right from the start... by allowing them to stay up as late as they wanted, that way they slept late too! Of course I had to train myself to ignore the disapproval of my peers but oh well, it was worth it!
But nevertheless, yours is a love story too, just painted with different colors is all!
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
29 Sep 08
Those are such 'little darling' ages! What won't they listen to?
And yeah, I am used to disapproval from others, as others are used to disapproval from me... I'm trying to get out of the habit myself, but I believe in absolute freedom and don't take kindly to suppressive, controlling speech & actions that others usually view as normal. And if you knew me you would certainly find more than my childrens' bedtimes to disapprove of, I guarantee. In fact I would be shocked to find anyone who wholeheartedly approved of me and my beliefs. But welcome to my friends list anyway! I have a lot of affinity for violets and one of the first pieces I ever had published was called 'Sailing on a Violet Sea', so I will give you a whole lot of leeway, hehehe.
@violetdreams (658)
•
28 Sep 08
Thanks for your great comment. Sometimes I don't handle them too well I have to admit. They are 5 (boy) and twins of 3 (boy/girl) so they really are a handful at times. They are great kids, generally very good kids, BUT, for some reason the just won't listen! Guess it is the age or something. They behave like angels when we are out, but at home it is often a slightly different scene.
You are right about it being a love story painted in different colours - how true.
Sounds like you did it right with 8 years between yours. I'm not sure I agree with letting them stay up as late as they like - sorry (I guess I'm one of the disapproving peers). I find a routine works best in our house and at least it gives us some peace once they are in bed - lol. I think it was about 7.30am when they woke up this morning so not that bad these days - lol
Violetdreams
1 person likes this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Wow. Such a simple morning, and yet so alive and invigorating. I do enjoy life, and the most simple things in it make me the happiest and make me feel most alive.
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I love your username bohemianheart! I have a very bohemian lifestyle! Thank you for stopping by this afternoon, and I would like to take this opportunity to tell you that I always enjoy reading your posts in other discussions! I enjoy your sense of humor.
1 person likes this
@thebohemianheart (8827)
• United States
28 Sep 08
Thank you.*S*
Most days, I am not even aware that I have a sense of humor.*L*
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
28 Sep 08
I don't believe you for a minute! 
What is *S* and *L*??
What is *S* and *L*??1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
19 Aug 09
I also used to have days like that 'from time to time'... sometimes the times were exceedingly far apart. I was overjoyed, elated, and ecstatic to discover that it is entirely in my power to create days like that for myself EVERY day! Eternally. It's our birthright and it's called Paradise.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Yikes lady! You have all that energy before having any breakfast? And especially before having a cup of coffee?? Wow! That coffee sounds heavenly...can I get the same effect with instant coffee?
Well its funny my day didn't start out too keen...overslept, when I had intended on getting up earlier, so was in kind of a rush to get out to do my errands...but it turned out great...I needed to go to the bank and get money out for my rent, then needed to get a money order at the post office, which generally has a line from here to Terre Haute no matter what day or time you go...but my jaw dropped as I went in the PO and I was practically the only person there...a MIRACLE...on top of that one of the people on line was a person I hadn't seen in ages which made me feel terrific to bump into...and odd..I was just thinking about her the other day! The whole day just really left me soooooo upbeat and feeling good with life..so nope, you're not the only one that can appreciate and be in love with life
Well its funny my day didn't start out too keen...overslept, when I had intended on getting up earlier, so was in kind of a rush to get out to do my errands...but it turned out great...I needed to go to the bank and get money out for my rent, then needed to get a money order at the post office, which generally has a line from here to Terre Haute no matter what day or time you go...but my jaw dropped as I went in the PO and I was practically the only person there...a MIRACLE...on top of that one of the people on line was a person I hadn't seen in ages which made me feel terrific to bump into...and odd..I was just thinking about her the other day! The whole day just really left me soooooo upbeat and feeling good with life..so nope, you're not the only one that can appreciate and be in love with life1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
2 Oct 08
PS: Of course you realize that if you had not overslept you would have most likely caught a long line at the PO, AND missed running into your friend! That kind of thing has happened to me so many times that I no longer try so hard to have things go a certain way, I just let them go however they want to go, and I focus the whole of my attention on feeling good.
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
29 Sep 08
Sounds like a very wonderful day, zig. I must say just reading about your day (part of it anyway) is encouraging me more in my quest to reclaim my own enjoyment of life and its opportunities.
Today, I woke up early, had coffee and went out for some fresh air. Watered the plants around the house and even washed my car. I went for a drive, did some errands and unexpectedly dropped by my mom's house to say hello but she wasn't there. This afternoon, I'll work on putting some more of my resumés out. And organize things I should have weeks ago.
Continue loving life, zig. I am on the road...
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
29 Sep 08
I used to find myself on my walk with the river flowing beside me, the birds chirping above me, the wind rustling the leaves all around me, the clean mountain air in my lungs... and I was walking along oblivious to it all, busily worrying or dwelling on negative situations with my neighbors, etc., my face all scrunched up, my breath very shallow, and not the slightest bit aware what I was doing!
I figured if I wanted to stress myself out and bring myself down with a bunch of worrisome thoughts, I had plenty of time to do that when I was at home, and instead I started making a conscious effort to notice and appreciate my surroundings when I was walking. That little bit of effort has paid off immensely! Not only are my walks more refreshing now, but my entire life has benefited as well.
Enjoy your journey!!
1 person likes this
@SaintAnne (5453)
• United States
30 Sep 08
OoooooOooh, zig, my back hurts from spending most of the afternoon in front of the computer sending out resumés. But I'm really happy with what I've done so far. And I'm applying to jobs that I want even if they pay a little lower. I've been focused on and fretting about getting a job that I don't really have experience and much knowledge on the last months and now I'm much happier and less stressed out during the whole process.
I'm going to dance out this back ache! Thank you zigzag... for the positivity and everything else.
1 person likes this
