Taking the Skin Off...

“We’ve all heard the health recommendations about reducing our intake of fats, though it’s certain that the human body does require some. Careful choices are made at the grocery store, and preparation at home is even more diligent – fat reduced menus somehow don’t taste as good, especially until one gets used to the new process.

When I was a young girl, delicious stews, soups and other meals all had the savour of marrow bones, skins and sometimes organ meats. When cooled, the fat was more or less skimmed off the top. Gravies were always prepared from scratch on the stove top -  in the roasting pan; and for those very special occasions, Yorkshire Pudding made from the beef drippings!

So now, naked chicken breasts and bared thighs. No salt, thin soups. And heaven forbid that a lamb shank should be allowed to simmer overnight in the pot. Seldom sautéed, broiled or baked, raised lean and sometimes less flavourful. Nowadays, it’s basically “what you see if what you get”, at least food wise.

I wonder, in this interactive and social world,  whether  we would be able to identify more readily and relate to others if we too could peel away the skin that hides so much and simply see each ourselves and each other without all the layers.

No more pretense …get naked!

In The Still Of The Night...

The highs and lows of relationships – whether fresh and thrilling or more established – must be an interesting cycle for anyone observing from a distance. Some couples thrive on an adrenalin rush of conflict, for others there is no thriving…….yet whichever way people handle the inevitable challenges may be what’s right for them.

Sleep deprivation can be a huge factor, as well as the everyday stresses and frantic pace of daily living. I’ve heard that the month of August is most often when crimes of passion are committed – the summer temperatures prompt irritability and short fuses.

New mothers, and new fathers – distraught with their own feelings of inadequacy and the upheaval from what was once comfortable –  sometimes feel totally overwhelmed by the immensity of new responsibility and commitment. Addiction counselors can readily affirm the affects of users’ choices on their families, co-workers and most immediately – partners and children in the household.

When personality “types” are pigeonholed into alphabetical classifications, it’s easy to be offhand and excuse someone’s inappropriate behavior as “oh, don’t pay any mind, that’s the way it is”.  What a convenient dismissal of acting out! People are often co-dependent on each other, one enabling their partner in deference to their own sense of what may be acceptable or not. Theories and actualities abound.

The appropriate opportunity will present itself to thrash things through and come to some resolution.  Strive to do the right thing – forgive if you can, apologize if you should, and know what your options are – evaluating then if the value is there.

Retrospection and comprehension come when the dust has settled…..when the world is in slumber and you find yourself in the still of the night. 

Ooh La La...

Here it is November – some say the greyest and most gloomy of all months.

Last year at this time holiday plans were in the making, not to our favourite destination, but at least somewhere warm.

I’ve always admired some of the fashionable attire that colleagues bring back from their Winter travels – not so much the styles but brighter, more impactful colours;  and sometimes weighed down with  more bling than one would see at any festival!

I myself am a jewellery hound – a trait which I must surely have inherited from my ostentatious grandmother; resulting in much head shaking and tongue wagging on the part of my immediate family who are more conservative. So imagine my absolute glee when my sister and I came upon a shoppe named Ooh-La-La, and better still, within walking distance of where we stayed.

Wrought iron benches and lush potted palms adorned the front entry patio – and gentlemen sat there glumly – backs to the store, awaiting the worst. Visa-City here we come!! Grandmas and their daughters solemnly coached younger girls in the niceties of layering bling so that everyone shook, rattled and rolled as they moved along. Velvet-covered trays, one for each customer, were a lovely touch too – how pretty and dazzling all the baubles were when piled thereon!

A colleague has just e-mailed that she has already picked up some goodies for me – she’s a beautiful woman who doesn’t need bling to dazzle, but nonetheless does like a little extra adornment now and then. Ooh-la-la …I can hardly wait till Spring when she returns!

On being a friend...

Recently, one zinger of a discussion about the definition of “a friend”. It was pointed out that, from one person’s point of view, that I use the adjective “friend” perhaps too casually…

                                                                                                           

We all know the clear difference between the feeling of “friend” or “acquaintance” – or additionally “colleague”. How does it feel to a person being introduced, as an example, as “this is my friend June” compared to “this is my acquaintance June” or “this is a business colleague June”? To me, the interpretation is tangible – perhaps it would be most lenient and appropriate to just say “I’d like you to meet June”, or “I’d like to introduce you to June” – without adjectives that categorize.

Adjectives are, hopefully, a wisely selected description.. A “bosom pal” is truly out of fashion, but the connotation is there of a deep, fulfilling relationship with that special someone.  Some partners feel that their “other half” is more than a friend, perhaps a “best friend” – other couples value and hold close the special feeling that they hold their partner in such esteem and affection that the other is a “cherished companion”.

The process of “being a friend” to someone is ongoing … we’ve all heard of people that come into our lives for “a reason, or a season” – while others are long-lasting relationships that survive the ups and downs of both people. I have been truly delinquent in caressing and fostering friendships – and am piercingly aware of my shortfall. If my best friend dies tomorrow, unless I post this to her sooner, the depth of my affection, regard, and dependence on those reciprocated  feelings will  not be so fresh that she could almost reach out and touch them.

National Friendship Day ( having been declared in 1935 by the U.S. Congress as the 1^st Sunday in August) has passed – but my beloved companion and a true friend – who just happens to be my husband -has jolted me into awareness and action. Time for a reminder… not only to my bosom pal but to others whom I hold near and dear to my heart, but perhaps haven’t actually said the words aloud.

Corporate Colours...

I was reflecting just the other day about how so many members of the working force can be identified by their corporate colours!  Never having really considered this before, the thought had merit, at least to me!

Years ago the trend for ladies, and eventually the fellows as well, was to have their “colours done” –  enhancing our confidence when buying clothes with the determination of Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter shades and hues.The psychology of “being” a colour also became popular, the ones that come to mind are Blue, Orange, Gold and Green.

For front desk or other “front line” employees, sometimes the purchase of specific items reflecting corporate branding and selected specifically for work attire can be included as a personal expense. Some employers provide uniforms – all reflecting the corporate colours.

This past weekend, wearing the colour red which reflects franchise branding, I actually found myself searching for the perfect backdrop of Fall leaves which would enhance the red in some new photos! While it is true that any form of print advertising is to either introduce or re-acquaint myself with readers, it’s not all about me! We’ve all heard the admonition that “you’re known by the company you keep”; this is true not only of people but of business.

And the best part of all is that I absolutely love red!