Nourishment for Webbed Feet

I live in the Pacific Northwest. It's been about twelve years now. I know for a fact that coffee is essential nourishment for the webbed feet. Most of mine is made at home with my French press. The drive through lattes are a special treat, my latte of choice is a tall honey soy latte.
I live in the Pacific Northwest. I try to live my life as eco-friendly as possible. I always have, but it seems the time and place where I live makes it more significant. Once my daughters started school and took their lunches we made an effort to pack them with only reusable items from cloth napkins to Tupperware. The other day at Starbucks Jim and I thought we should have something besides the cardboard sleeve to keep from burning our hands. They are a nice idea, they are recyclable and all, but how many really go into recycling. So when I got home I found all sorts of alternatives online. This one is fun to make. I keep one in my car and one in my purse.
If you're interested in some for yourself or as gifts I am selling them on my etsy:

CageFreeFibers.etsy.com

Even if you don't live in the Pacific Northwest you've got to love coffee or tea or hot cocoa. Or like our precious Em warmed V-8, but that's another story...

Cabbage Burgers aka Runza

This is my 92 year old mom's recipe -- healthier modifiacations can be made and it will still taste better than what Runza Drive Inn offers now. Driving through would be much easier(except if you are like me -- 1,000 plus miles from the nearest Runza Drive Inn). It's to hot to bake anything here today, so I'll just dream about it while throwing together a tuna salad.

Runza

Rolls: 1 pkg. yeast dissolved in
1/4 c. water
2 c. scalded milk cooled to lukewarm
 Combine yeast & milk
 Add:
1 beaten egg
8 T. melted bacon grease or shortening
1/3 c. sugar
2 t. salt
6 c. flour (or enough to make a stiff dough)
 Knead about 15 minutes. Grease top, cover with cloth and let rise until double. Knead down in bowl and let rise again. Roll out in small amounts for the buns.
Meat mix: 1 to 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 medium head cabbage
2 to 4 medium onions
 Simmer meat until pink is gone. Grate cabbage and onion and steam in a small amount of water until tender. Season to taste. you can combine meat and cabbage when beef is browned. Simmer until done.
 Place a spoonful of the meat mixture on roll squares and seal dough completely. (For cheese runza place a slice of cheese on the dough before adding meat mixture.) Grease, being careful not to get grease in the creases of dough. Let rise. Bake about 15 minutes at 350 F. Grease with bacon or margarine when done.

Linda L. O’Rourke

For Katie, who is graduating from college in two weeks

The last 17 years have absolutely flown by. Katie, who has always had a love for learning, graduates with a BA in Music Performance June 13Th at 9 AM. This is only the beginning for her. It's hard to describe the well of emotions inside me now, but pride is certainly prominent. I wrote the following on her first day of kindergarten, it's hokey and sappy, but it still makes me smile.


For Katie, Who Started
Kindergarten This Morning

Off you go
To school today.
We packed you up
You're on your way

In kindergarten
All grown up now
Time's gone so fast,
I don't see how.

You were my baby
Just yesterday.
I guess I knew
You wouldn't stay.

But it's rather hard
To see you go.
To just sit back
And watch you grow.

So off you go
To school today
To learn, discover,
And grow and play.


Linda O'Rourke
8/21/1992

This is my kindergarten picture. I'm in the first row, sitting, third from the right. What year was that??

House Cleaning Too

Now in our busy world most of us would be more tempted to throw out the weakened, tattered rug and replace it with a new one. Despite our attempts at conservation and recycling we are a throw away society. We buy pretty packages and when we’re through, that’s it. We are not living responsibly in this precious world of ours.

There was a time when folks took care of their possessions. If a sock got a hole, they darned it. We trash it and get new socks. Are we to busy to take care of our belongings? Is twenty-four hours not as long as it used to be?

Well, I think we are called to recycle and conserve God’s gifts, God’s creations. There is no doubt in my mind that our Master’s greatest creation is man. Jesus fills His teachings with tender love for all humans.

So, take time with people. If a person needs help, give it. If a relationship is broken, fix it. If a friend is weakened by this world, give them strength.

We are God’s most precious resource. If we don’t take care of us extinction is certain. We can not be to busy to conserve the human spirit.

Linda O’Rourke
July 26, 1994

House Cleaning

Sweeping the dirt under the rug is the quickest, easiest way to clean the floor. It's not the best. Dispose of the dirt properly or it could be destructive.

You see, dirt is abrasive. You may not see what it is doing to the rug, but underneath dirt particles tear the rug to pieces. The surface of the rug may look okay as it becomes fragile and useless.

With each step it weakens. Jumping or stamping could easily destroy it. All this and it still looks acceptable. The same rug, without dirt, can stand up to so much more.

The solution is simple. Don't sweep the dirt under the rug. If you already have removed it. There is still hope. Rugs can be mended. So can people.

Linda L. O'Rourke
June 27, 1994

What I Want to Leave My Children

My daughters are 19 and 21, my own mother, 90. When I think about my mother's strengths, the sort of role model she has been for me, I wonder what I am leaving my daughters. Most of all, I hope they see is my faith.


I know they have seen me teach Sunday School, go to Bible studies and get the whole family to church, but what I really want them to see is my faith in action. Does God's kindness and compassion show in my daily interactions? Am I able to take the leap of faith when personal doubts and fears prevent action? Do I treat myself like a "signature of the Divine"?

As I enter a new passage if my life, turning 50, sending my youngest off to college, I vow to answer those questions with enthusiasm. And I am excited about the roads an enthusiastic yes will take me down.


Linda <><