Its my birthaday today, the big five zero. They say that age is just a number well when you reach the fifties,  things change. Aches and pains come along too. 

 Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70th birthday…Oprah asked her what 
she thought of growing older. 



And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'

Regarding body changes, she said therewere many, occurring every day.....like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back...'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn...'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

 

Spinach Fettucine

1 pkg 10 oz (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3/4 lb (375 g) fettucini or linguini pasta
olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Bacon  (I used left over steaks, cut into strips)

Salt and pepper to taste

instructions

Place thawed spinach in a sieve. Remove water by firmly pressing the spinach with the back of a spoon or by squeezing with your hands. Set aside.

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, bacon or steak, cook for few minutes. Add spinach and let it fry for awhile.

Toss sauce with fettucine. I added a little more olive oil. You can serve with parmesan cheese. 

You do not have to be tall to be beautiful.
You do not have to be thin or long-limbed.
You do not have to have long, straight, shiny hair.
You do not have to be an hourglass or a string bean or a pear.
You do not have to be blemish-free, without freckles, scars, or tattoos.
You do not have to fit or demolish certain physical paradigms.

You do not have to be buxom to be beautiful.
You do not have to possess va-va-voom curves or full lips.
You do not have to resemble a movie star, or a lingerie model, or a porn star.
You do not have to sexualize your exterior to be beautiful.
You do not have to neuter your exterior to be beautiful.

You do not have to wear makeup to be beautiful.
You do not have to wear skirts and heels.
You do not have to cover your grays or disguise your cellulite.
You do not have to shun or accept practices of dressing or personal presentation.

Those who quantify beauty as genetic makeup, symmetry, mathematical ratios are, to me, as wrong as those who accept beauty as a set of societally-imposed ideals and standards. To rank beauty, classify it, assign it biological markers and geometric requirements is to say to some people, “No, you cannot have this. It is not for you.” And although many will disagree with me, I believe that beauty is a feeling, a freedom, a pulse from within that says, “I am worthy, lovely, strong.” And I believe every single human being has a right to feel it.

Beauty is not definite, it is relative.
Beauty is not exclusive, it is infinite.
Beauty is not for others, it is for you.

And to be beautiful, all you have to be is you, you, you. 

Sally McGraw 

Beautiful Paints

                           Happy Valentines Day

Cross Stitch Pattern

Even after all this time,
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with
A love like that.
It lights the whole sky.

- Hafiz of Persia 

We are told that people stay in love because of chemistry, or because they remain intrigued with each other, because of many kindnesses, because of luck. But part of it has got to be forgiveness and gratefulness.

- Ellen Goodman

What a happy and holy fashion it is that those who love one another should rest on the same pillow.

- Nathaniel Hawthorne

A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night.

- Marilyn Monroe

Love is like a mustard seed;
planted by God
and watered by men

- Muda Saint Michael -

Love is in the air

Wise Words