Religion and Politics, What?

I usually don't write about religion or politics; however, I was moved at the church service this morning to write a post. I was born/brought up Jewish, but not very observant. My sister and I went to Sunday School for a short while, and on high holidays we went to my grandparents orthodox shul in the Fairfax district in Los Angeles, we celebrated Hanukkah, and attended our cousins bar/bat mitzvahs.

Then half-my-life ago, I did something unexpected. I believed Jesus is the promised Messiah. This created an interest in reading and learning the bible, understanding my Jewish roots, and I loved going to church. My family did not disown me but they weren't thrilled about my zeal. Over the past 25 years, I went to various non-denomination city churches, Calvary Chapels, and Presbyterian churches. During our travel year I went to a service at a Calvary in Santa Fe, NM, and a Presbyterian church in Dublin, Ireland, where I met this interesting woman Frida Wolfe, who created her own line of tea. (www.wildirishfoods.com)

Now I attend Calvary Centro in Santiago Plaza, because they have an English service at 9am (and a Spanish service at 11am). Pastor Robert and his family came here from Calvary Ft. Lauderdale. I really like his teaching, and being part of this small faith community. Today we studied the story in John 11, about when Lazarus was sick and died. Jesus allowed this so the glory of God would be seen and consequently, for the believer's growth. Jesus felt deeply moved and troubled. And of course the shortest verse 11:35, Jesus wept.

God loves us, and is with us in all tragedies and difficulties, no matter what we feel. We are in His hands and by faith, we can trust what He allows into our lives will ultimately be for His glory, and our good. I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I am just sharing a little bit of my experience, and I choose to do the best I can. I hope I can remember this if a big trial hits my life. In the meantime, smaller challenges and emotional frustrations could be met with less defensiveness on my part.

Awareness is the first step, right? So I catch myself in these situations quicker and TRY to respond more favorably, whatever that means at the time. Yet, I mess up plenty which makes me grateful for God's grace. So, my short sermon, if you will, is just sharing a bit of my faith story. No matter the state of this world, I believe God is love, and God is good.

My mini pumpkin...<3

On to politics, briefly, I consider my views to be somewhat liberal (like pro-choice), but not extreme. Well, we got our voting-abroad information in order and plan to send our ballots in early. It's so important to vote in this election! Honestly, I still cannot fathom how Donald Trump became a presidential candidate. I don't keep up with all the daily press or it would make me a crazy person. I do think Hillary Clinton is a qualified, and mature candidate. I'll leave it at that for now.

Dear October

 Dear October,
You round and orange month
you are beautiful,
though you look different in the Yucatan.

I don't see your vibrant changing leaves
but the morning light arrives a bit later now.
The air does not feel crisp and cool
but the heat has begun to slightly wane.

Halloween appears in the stores
(and so does Christmas?!)

There is
fall foliage
cozy sweaters
and pumpkins in my mind.
But there are pink bougainvillea petals
and yellow blooms in my view. ~ a.a. 10/1/16

 

Green Enchiladas

It's Friday evening and while chopping an onion and mincing some garlic, I heard the horn of the guy who rides a bike with a cart selling 'pan Francoise' and other breads every evening. It's convenient if you need a fresh roll for dinner, we usually get two rolls for seven pesos! A light rain is still falling.

I chop zucchini, a small chili poblano, and tomatoes to add to the saute pan. More than ever now I loosely follow recipes adding items I prefer or have on hand, and personalize them. Tonight I am adding pinto beans, mushrooms, and frozen spinach because I don't have fresh. It's quiet and the sun has started setting earlier, as autumn has just begun.

Living here in the Yucatan, I miss the actual attributes of autumn like cooler weather and crisper air, everything pumpkin, chunky sweaters and boots, fall foliage.  So far I only notice the daylight changing.

Next I prepare a baking dish with some olive oil, and make a sauce combining two small cans of green salsa with plain yogurt. I don't actually roll and fill the tortillas into enchiladas, no, I layer it like a casserole. Corn tortillas, saute mixture, beans and mushrooms, a little sauce, and repeat. On the top layer of tortillas, I pour the remaining majority of the sauce on top and add a little bit of cheese, and cilantro. Then it goes in the oven (at 350 f) to bake for 20-25 minutes. I am serving this with a side of rice tonight. (I am happy to report, the result was very good.)

Frida

As you probably know, Frida Kahlo was born, and lived in Mexico City, but I see lots of Frida here in Mérida. We recently had desayuno at the the restaurant Las Platos Rotos de Frida/La Casa de Frida restaurant. I love the bright colors, and there are lots of Frida pictures and mementos.

I have taken pictures of places around Mérida that have Frida painted on walls or Frida items..... She is a fascinating artist and really became known after her death. According to Wikipedia - It was not until the end of the 1970s and the early 1980s, with the beginning of Neomexicanismo, that she became well-known to the public.

Below are more pictures I have taken of my 'Frida sightings around Mérida':

Dolores Alba hotel in Centro

Dolores Alba hotel

Dolores Alba hotel

Dolores Alba hotel

Bistro Cultural patio Frida, and my friend Mario

Frida items

I will post again as I discover more Frida sightings around the city.









 “The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint whatever passes through my head without any other consideration.” ~ Frida Kahlo

You Only Live Twice

Isla Mujeres (and the beautiful Caribbean water) was a perfect place to spend my birthday. It's strange to me, celebrating 50! First, I never knew if I'd make it to 50 (I had some reckless years). I never thought I'd still be trying to figure out what I want to 'do'. (In reality, I already do the things I love most and it's just figuring out what to pursue for income-generating work.) I don't feel 50, whatever that means anyway.

After breakfast on my birthday, I walked over to the Yoga Tree House and took a class with instructor Greg, and met Sarah, from North Carolina, who was there celebrating her 40th birthday the same day! What are the chances?

George rented a scooter and we rode around the island and stopped at the sculpture park/Ixchel.

The beaches are beautiful and the water was warm.

  

We had a nice dinner at the Oceanus restaurant where we dined at a table on the actual sand. We brought a piece of tiramisu back to the hotel to share later. Yum!

Back on the ferry to Cancun, and head home to Merida on the 4+ hour bus ride. I won't tell you my actual wish, but my intention is to spend more of my days present and aware, whatever I am doing. (Thanks yoga and breath and prayer and gratitude for being great tools!)

Here's to another trip around the sun. Salud!

After all, "You Only Live Twice."

Short and Sweet

Radish Heart

I wanted to share this website that has some interesting programs to listen to. 
http://www.onbeing.org/


Getting ready to go turn the big 5-0 at a little get-away on Isla Mujeres. Did you know Star Trek turns 50 too? It first premiered September 8, 1966. I saw the episode "City on the Edge of Forever" with my husband (when I was 40) and was hooked on the original series ever since! I never knew it had such brilliant writing/stories. I guess I am a late-bloomer-trekker :)


Check this out:

Chocolate-Avocado-Pudding Deliciousness

I tried another pudding recipe and this one is really good (my favorite so far). The avocado makes it super creamy, but not very sweet, but whipped topping fixes that :)

 

Chocolate Avocado Pudding (source link)

 Ingredients:

• 3 large avocados, ripe and soft
• ¼ cup raw cocoa powder
• 3-6 tablespoons coconut milk (or whatever you have, I used rice milk and added a little more to get it to blend)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons raw, unfiltered, local honey
• I also added one banana

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend on high for 1 minute or until smooth. (It's very thick, that's why I added a little more milk)
2. Spoon into individual serving cups and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

  I add whipped topping and viola!