Support Local Farmers

This week the farmer's market that is a bike ride away from my home closes until November. At this time of year the majority of the produce has to come from to far away which results in a shorter shelf life; November is when local produce begins to harvest again.

I love supporting them, not only because of the garden fresh tasting fruits/veggies and great prices, but also because they are one of the few people in this area that hasn't sold out to big money. Right next to this tiny little market and land filled with goats sits a Publix grocery store, restaurants, condos and apartments. It is really nice to see a piece of what old Florida used to be like. Unfortunately, if you blink you will miss it.

A Love Squared Experience

When I first moved to Fort Myers, I had heard about a place by the airport that had delicious chocolate. Later I learned that this pastry chef, Norman Love, collaborated with Godiva to make a special "G" collection. Yet, when I hear the name I always think of tunes from "G Love and the Special Sauce". Possibly, for a full-sensory experience one could combine Love chocolate & music together.

Graduation

This past weekend I excitingly received my Masters degree. After lots of hard but satisfying work, it was nice to be honored. From the speeches at the graduation, one stood out among the rest, a scientific researcher receiving an Honorary Doctorate for his work in intermolecular forces. In short, Dr. Israelachvili started his speech by telling the audience that "we are lost" but that is ok. It is ok to not know what our futures hold. Rather it is more important to do whatever we are doing in the moment to our greatest ability; the future will come soon enough. It seemed to me that Dr. Israelachvili must have found some of life's basic lessons even in the complex research he is studying.

Transport Portal

With a simple shake, a snowglobe has the magical ability of surfacing wonderful thoughts and emotions within us. Regardless of where we are right now, a snowglobe can transport us to a different place and time. For me, a time of innocence; the smell of cookies baking in the oven, snowflakes falling outside, and Christmas music playing in the background. After a simple shake and a turn of the music knob, my portal destination is a wonderful melancholy feeling and a grimace.

Young Buds

Those times in our lives when we are on the verge of transitioning into something new can be exciting but also very scary. Once we have accomplished the change, it is easy to look back with a different view point. Yet, at the time of our budding, we often feel unsure of ourselves. Fortunately, in our time of uncertainty, we can look all around us to see that change is part of God's plan and through change we can turn into something even more beautiful.

Q-TIP

As children we have used mnemonic acronyms to learn things like the Great Lakes (HOMES – Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior) or algebra (FOIL – First Outer Inner Last). Yet this educational technique can be beneficial for adults as well. If ever faced with a conversation leading you to question your self worth, simply think of a Q-tip. A Q-tip can act as a mnemonic reminder to not overanalyze the situation by swabbing the words: “Quit Taking It Personal" softly in your ears.

True Sweat

Although going to the gym can help keep you in shape, there is nothing more refreshing and rewarding than breaking a sweat from doing yard work. Not only does your heart rate quickly increase from the laborious work but it also soars with satisfaction when the work is complete.