My Thoughts on Living Mindfully

Gifts We'll Never Forget


"Several years before my first husband died, he surprised me with one of the most memorable gifts of our 37-year marriage.  He was not a man who gave gifts.  One night he met me in the driveway, where he blindfolded me and led me through out back gate.  He told me to take off my shoes and sit down in a chair.  Still unable to see, he started playing romantic music, left briefly, and then returned and took the blindfold off.  Dressed in a suit and bow tie, he set a plate down on a little table that had a streak, baked potato, and broccoli in front of me.  We were in a rubber raft.  As he served me a glass of wine and dinner, he said, "I can't take you on a cruise you would like, so I brought the cruise to you."       Ann



"My husband brought me a couple sprigs from a lilac bush on an ordinary spring day, no holiday, no special occasion.  The ordinary became extraordinary when he told me the lilac came from a bush at the farm where I grew up.  He'd been trucking grain there, saw the lilacs in bloom, and thought of me as a girl there.  I pressed them in my Bible for safe keeping."     Jayne



"After my husband died of cancer, I was organizing some of his things and came across a list of 10 things he loved about our son, who has always had problems dealing with his high-functioning autism.  I framed this beautiful list for my son as a Christmas present that year.  I'm sure nothing means more to him".     Christy

A Photo I Like

Fancy-Schmancy Beef Tenderloin

Serves 4
Serving size:  4 oz beef, 1/4 cup mushrooms


1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tsp canola oil, divided
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
6 oz portobello mushrooms, cut into 1 1/2-inch slices
4 (4 oz.) beef tenderloin steaks, sliced crosswise into medallions
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1. In a resealable plastic bag, combine the vinegar, 2 tsp of the oil, and the crushed red pepper flakes.  Add the mushrooms and turn to coat completely; set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, sprinkle the beef medallions with the salt and black pepper.  In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining 1 tsp of oil.  Add the beef and sauté for 2 minutes on each side, or to desired doneness.  Place the medallions on a serving platter and cover to keep warm.
3. Remove the mushrooms from the marinade, reserving the marinade.  In the same skillet, over medium heat, cook the mushrooms and onion for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened.  Add the reserved marinade, broth, and parsley.  Bring to boiling and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the sauce begins to thicken.  Spoon the sauce over the beef and serve immediately.

Per serving:

calories 230

fat 11 g

cholesterol 70 mg

sodium 230 mg

potassium 660 mg

carbohydrate 6 g

protein 26 g

phosphorus 300 mg

Playlists for Pets - Part 2

Each Species Grooves to its Own Beat cont'd


Dogs Hear Up to 45,000 Hz


"People hear in stereo, animals in mono", says Janet Marlow.  It's why dogs tilt their heads left to right--to allow more sound waves into their ears--collecting information from various angles.

Sound frequency and intensity keeps an animal alive in nature; they learn to flee in another direction, not analyze.  Separation anxiety is often due to a sound the dog doesn't recognize or misses, Marlow explains.  Sound triggers behavior, whether good or bad, as dogs relax or are stressed.  Music releases tension from their being ever-vigilant as seen in their posture.  To understand what a dog hears, sit or crawl on the floor.  Electronic speakers are usually positioned at heights conducive for our ears, not theirs.

"For the holidays, my dogs and horses like We Three Kings, The Holly and the Ivy and especially Greensleeves for their baroque roots and repeating patterns." notes Sally Morgan.


Cats Hear Up to 64,000 Hz

Marlow credits her cat, Osborn, with inspiring her interest in music for animals.  When Osborn was injured, she visited the veterinary hospital and sang to him to keep him calm.  Her home state's Litchfield Veterinary Hospital became her initial testing ground for species-specific music.

"We use Pet Acoustics music boxes in the car ward, recovery rooms and exam rooms", says Heather Florkowski, a certified technician at the facility.  "In our experience, stress inhibits the healing process.  Like people, animals are anxious when ill and visiting the doctor's office.  Music helps ease their stress.  At home, when I move the music box to another room, my dog follows it."

"During  TTouch session, cats are completely relaxed when I play New Age music for them," says Morgan.  "Pick music that fits the cat's personality.  You can tell what they like from their body language; it's not always what you'd expect."


Aquarium Fish Hear Up to 3,000 Hz

"Fish are frantic animals that must always anticipate their next meal," says Sam Williamson, a former marine biologist in Edinburgh, Scotland.  "When I started playing classical music at feeding time, I noticed my three betas became calmer.  A piece by Benjamin Britten, started two minutes before feeding, led them to expect food only when the music played."


Domesticated Birds Hear Up to 8,500 Hz


In the wild, birds are part of a flock.  At home, they're often solitary.  "Birds are the most musical and communicative of all animals,"  remarks Marlow. "Without companionship, birds can get neurotic and pull their feathers out.  Provide a sense of the outdoors by including nature sounds in played music."

"Animals need us to be aware of their hearing,"  Marlow advises.  "Holistic pet people have addressed improved diet and medical procedures.  Understanding how music supports their well-being also enables us to better care for them."

A Quote I Like

Happiness can be found, even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.



J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

My Thoughts On Living Mindfully

GIFTS WE'LL NEVER FORGET


"When I was 17, my dad gave me a Samsonite carry-on suitcase.  At the time, I was disappointed it wasn't a CD or makeup.  However, that suitcase has been with me almost 20 years now, well past its 10-year warranty.  It has been dragged through the streets of New York City, San Francisco, and New Orleans, just to name a few.  And internationally, the suitcase came with me to Mexico City, Paris, London, Bangkok, and as far as Perth, Australia.  Every trip I have been blessed with I've gotten to take part of my dad with me thanks to that suitcase.  I couldn't appreciate the gift at the time it was given, but now see it as a reflection of my father's wisdom and insight into my own life."     Bridget



"The prongs on my wedding ring wore away and I was in danger of losing my diamond.  We were down to rubbing our last two nickels together.  I had tucked my ring into a box and nestled it in one of my drawers where it sat for several years.  A new friend asked about my ring, so I explained and vowed that one day I would fix it.  During a small Christmas gift exchange she placed a huge box in my lap.  I opened box after box until I was left with one small square box.  I opened it and there was my wedding ring, repaired, polished and sparkling."     Jennifer



"Gifts--giving and receiving--are my love language.  When I turned 40, a sweet friend gave me 40 small gifts, wrapped in coordinating tissue paper, nestled in a big box.  I had such fun opening them all.  Most were under $5, but the sheer joy and thoughtfulness of that gift was priceless.  And yes, I returned the favor when she turned 40!"    Tanya

A Quote I Like

Earth's crammed with heaven...But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.


Elizabeth Barrett Browning