perk – autumn 2013 - St. Paul`s United Church

pause for a perk
gratis
autumn 2013
Seba Beach, Alberta, Townend photo
Rushed
The waiter set down the menus. “Family style only tonight, folks.”
She grinned. When dinner came, it was in big steaming bowls: rice, fish,
noodles, greens. We each took a ladle and passed the hot bowls around
the table. We talked. Dessert came and went. Tea, then she brought the
dessert menu back. There was a nice apple crisp. Maybe we weren’t
ready to leave?
And we weren’t. It had been so long since we’d sat together over a
meal. Well, the meal was incidental: it was so long since we’d sat and
talked. Did it take leaving home to notice that? Sitting around a table
that someone else set and would clean up, we realized we’d made a
commitment of time: 6 o’clock today, dinner.
In the busy-ness of our days, meals had become fuel. Here, though,
were the pleasures of the table: time to chat, the nuttiness of the day
to savour, ordinary events offered as conversation and cherished as
another’s precious story.
Next time? We opened our phones to look for the calendar apps. Then
we began to laugh. We live together. We have a family-style table. It
shouldn’t be so hard.
Want to be happier?
Stay in the moment
When are humans most happy? To gather data on this question, Matt
Killingsworth built an app, Track Your Happiness, that let people report their
feelings in real time. Among the surprising results: We’re often happiest
when we’re lost in the moment. And the flip side: the more our mind
wanders, the less happy we can be.
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveler, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth.
Then took the other, as just as fair,
and having perhaps the better claim,
because it was grassy and wanted wear;
though as for that the passing there
had worn them really about the same.
And both that morning equally lay
in leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
somewhere ages and ages hence:
two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference.
~Robert Frost
Day 5
perk: become more cheerful, lively, or interesting.
Look to this day:
for it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course
lie all the verities and realities of our existence:
the bliss of growth,
the glory of action,
the splendour of achievement.
For yesterday is but a dream,
and tomorrow is only a vision;
but today well-lived, makes
yesterday a dream of happiness,
and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Such is the salutation to the dawn!
Join us for Coffee!
~Kalidasa, 5 CE
Hallowe’en - Thursday, October 31
7:30 - 9 pm at Gracious Goods Café
Dear Grace,
My mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s recently.
She loves her garden and her independence – and she’s
always said she wants to die tending the tomatoes. I’m
concerned about how long she can continue to live on
her own, and her stubborn nature frightens me. How do
I talk to my very proud mother about moving?
Loving and Concerned
Dear Loving and Concerned,
The most loving thing you can do is listen. What are
your mother’s thoughts on the diagnosis? Then you get
to talk.
It can be difficult to “let” an older loved one make a
decision that jeopardizes her safety, but you need to
show her your respect. She is a grown-up. Sorry if that
sounds harsh. Your mother probably heard the diagnosis
and the causes for concern. Having said that, you love
her but you’re afraid she’ll make the wrong decision.
You could start with “I love you, Mum, and I want to talk
about your safety and well being.” And not but reminds
her that you’ll love her no matter what. It tells her you
respect her.
This first conversation could happen in the company of
your mother's doctor, minister, or best friend. From
there, together, you can figure out the kind of care and
living accommodation she will need over time. Planning
ahead is important.
Take time to make yourself aware of support groups and
up to date research on treatments. The Parkinson’s society is a good resource for you both. They even have a
choir! Meanwhile, “I love you, Mum” goes a long way.
(Grace invites your letters and questions. Send them to
deargrace@mail.com)
A Death Café is a relaxed & safe setting where you can join open, honest
discussions to explore the questions you’ve always had about death, dying & grief. We will look beyond euphemisms & platitudes, moralism or
morbidity. You are welcome to join us in conversation.
- hosted by Catherine MacLean
Green Hummus
3 cloves Garlic
1 (19-ounce) can Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup raw Kale, roughly chopped
1 bunch Cilantro or Parsley, washed and roughly chopped
3 tbsp. Tahini (sesame-seed paste)
3 tbsp. Lemon juice
1 tbsp. Honey
3 tbsp. Olive oil (cold-pressed)
2 tbsp. Water, or as needed
Combine all ingredients in food processor until well blended.
Enjoy with carrot sticks, snap peas, whole-grain pita, or even
apple slices! Can be used in place of mayonnaise in tuna
salad, or as a spread in a sandwich or wrap. Hummus freezes
well, so make a double batch and freeze some for later.
Serving Size 3 Tbsp (45 g.)
Calories 53 cal, Pro 1.5 g, Carbs 5.6 g, Fat 2.5 g, Fibre 1.1 g.
Through Wholehearted Nutrition, Susan aims to empower
others to find optimum health with simple nutrition and lifestyle
advice. She sees clients one-on-one at home, on the phone,
or on skype and also offers meal planning, private cooking
lessons, grocery store tours, and kitchen cupboard makeovers.
For more information, you can contact her at wholeheartedfood@gmail.com, or visit her online at www.facebook.com/
wholeheartednutrition.
Bumper Stickers:
Very funny, Scotty. Now beam down my clothes.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Without ME, it’s just AWESO.
Hallowe’en Carnival
for children ages 0—12
Drop by, play games,
win some candy!
Thursday, October 31 5 - 6:30 pm
St. Paul’s United Church - 11526 - 76 Avenue.
Hosted by the youth group!
Fill the 9 X 9 grid with letters so each column,
each row, and each of the nine 3 X 3 grids contain
all of the letters from the word BREATHING.
perk is published as a community service of St. Paul’s United Church, 11526 - 76 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6G 0K7 www.stpaulsunited.org