Silver Sage Sisters

The Women

September 19, 2024August 6, 2024 by Cynthia, posted in Reviews

I was excited when my book club decided to read Kristin Hannah’s book The Women. To be honest, I didn’t know what it was about but having read some of Hannah’s books previously, I was certain it would be well-researched historical fiction.

The Women is a well written, compelling story of Frances “Frankie” McGrath who struggled as a young woman to understand hers and other females’ place in society. She starved for positive approval from her father, beyond being a pretty and intelligent socialite. Frankie wanted equal recognition from her ultra-conservative father as her brother who had enlisted to fight for his country in the Vietnam war.

Frankie followed in her brother’s path and enlisted — she in the Army Nurse Corps. She was unprepared for the horrors of war. Men who had returned early on were heroes. Women could be heroes, too. Yet what she encountered, the hardships she endured, and even worse, the treatment she received upon returning were more harrowing than she ever could imagine.

The story takes you through her experiences in Vietnam and continues through years of trauma after she returns home. It chronicles the importance of female friendships. Her courage and idealism eventually defined an era.

The Women, although set in the 1960s and years later, is relevant today. How are women treated? Is equality possible? Can Americans come together in time of trauma? Will we ever understand the reason for engaging in military conflict and the ultimate sacrifice of those who serve? Do we even want to learn?

When I read historical fiction I ponder what I can do as an individual to avoid the same mistakes we made in our past. For those who are moved by historical fiction and who are willing to consider how history repeats itself if we fail to step up, pay attention, and make positive strides towards higher morals and values, this book is one of those must reads.

Or, if you just like a gripping story that highlights past events, you may enjoy reading The Women.

The Last Buzz

September 16, 2024August 6, 2024 by sssmahh303, posted in Lifestyle

Mary Ann

Every once in a while, you have to drag out the soapbox, dust it off, step up, and shout! That time is now. Three years ago, I put a butterfly garden in the front of my house – butterfly bushes, milkweed, coneflowers, lantana, salvia, lavender, etc. It was a smorgasbord of yummies for butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It was a pleasure to sit on my front porch watching them dance among the flowers. There was a huge variety of insects, and I felt I like I was helping the planet. That year there were 28 monarchs.

The following year, there was only one monarch and not as many of the bigger butterflies. However, the skipper population was thriving. I called the county extension agency to see what was going on with the butterflies. I was told some years are like that. We are now in the middle of year three, and so far, this summer I have only seen one, lone monarch. I have milkweed blooming, and nothing is eating it. Even the skippers have diminished. My nature-loving neighbors are all saying the same thing. We get excited and call or text one another when we see a yellow swallowtail or a hummingbird. Now, I do have friends elsewhere that do have many hummingbirds – thank heavens!

I do believe this is a flashing red light warning us that there is something wrong. Regardless, what some people are saying, the climate is changing, and it is affecting our lives. If all the humans suddenly disappeared from the planet, nothing would change. Nature would heal, and the web of life would continue getting stronger with the passing years. If all the pollinators disappeared, it would affect all the plants and then humans. If all the ants or earthworms disappeared, the same thing would happen.

For a time, many years ago, I lived in Monterey, CA. On the Monterey Peninsula, there is a little town called Pacific Grove. It is the butterfly capital of the world. Each winter western monarchs came by the millions to winter in the moderate climate of the region. You would look up in the trees and think you were seeing leaves, but they were butterflies soaking up the sun. The groves were just magical. In the last few years, they have counted about 1200 monarch in some of the groves. Monarchs are now endangered species.

I have seen it happen in the east in these last three years. The monarch life cycle is a miracle, and it is sad to think it may disappear. I am not sure what to do about it. I have planted milkweed, and I try not to use insecticides though our HOA does but not in my gardens. I guess pray!

When I sit in my patio garden, I may see one bee flitting around the flowers or see a pair of white cabbage butterflies dancing like ghosts among the plants. Again, I have planted a host of flowering plants for pollinators to enjoy. They are just not there. I can enjoy the flowers, but I miss the insect activity. I wonder if the beginning of the end is starting. What can I do? What can we all do? I fear a day will come when I will hear the last buzz.

Drunko Bunco

September 12, 2024August 6, 2024 by Cynthia, posted in Friends and Family

To avoid insulting any of our readers, I submit my disclaimer at the top. No one is drunk! So, how did this all come about?

For years my sister had told me how fun Bunco has been for her. I had no clue what Bunco was other than some kind of card game. I have never been great at card games. A couple of times I tried my hand at Bridge but found that players were quite serious. Game is a play or sport, which to me signals fun. Taking a game seriously wasn’t my cup of tea, so to speak.

A friend of mine invited me to join a group of women who thought they may enjoy a monthly game of Bunco. I attended the organizational meeting to learn about the game and to visit with other women while eating luscious food with a glass of wine.

At the meeting guidelines for participation were set. We were to meet once a month, rotating hostesses. We would serve wine and hors d’oeuvres and limit the ante to $10. Each of us left believing we had a game plan (excuse the pun) and looking forward to the next month’s gathering.

The following month we met once again to play Bunco. Appetizers and wine were served as we awaited the arrival of someone who actually knew how to play Bunco. That person never arrived. So we ate, had a glass or two of wine, and visited happily. We would learn how to play the next month.

The third get-together arrived and … you guessed it! No one knew how to play Bunco. We decided our best option was simply to get together once a month to chat, eat, and have a glass of wine. One of the girls laughingly said, “Well, here we are. The Drunko Bunco ladies.” We all had a good laugh. When the invitation went out to gather the next month, the email subject line said: Drunko Bunco. So here we are, several years later, meeting regularly for dinner and a glass of wine and not playing cards.

Six Books

September 9, 2024July 13, 2024 by sssmahh303, posted in Wellness

Mary Ann

The Week is a magazine that features a wide range of topics like other news magazine; however, The Weekpresents many points of views on any given subject. It is a very interesting publication, and you can easily stay abreast of current events in the country, the world, and popular culture. Although it is a bit pricey, it will keep you well-informed.

In their book section, The Week will highlight a particular author and have him or her share 6 books that have influenced his or her life. It is always fun to see if I have ever read any of the books. Of course, I have started my 6 most influential book list. I need to be ready when I become famous. Actually, there are only four books, so I have room to grow.

The first book that I treasure is Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl was a psychologist and Holocaust survivor. He found while he was incarcerated in the death camps that humans had common principals that were fundamental to the human condition. In a nutshell, Frankl said that people need purpose, people need love, and people will all have challenging times, and it how they decide to handle them that will determine their happiness. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this book quoted in other books and articles. It is all about attitude, and Frankl said it in just a few words.

The second book is (The) 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. The habits include Be Proactive; Begin with the End in Mind; Put First Things First; Think Win/ Win; Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood; and Synergize. The seventh habit is Sharpen the Saw that advocates leading a balance life of self-renewal. Even though this is a 30-year-old book, it is relevant today. These principles can determine the quality of your life. I return to this book time and time again for guidance. Covey has also written a leadership book and a book for teens that incorporates his principals.

To Kill A Mockingbird is my third book. This work of fiction is a favorite because it is a story about a man, lawyer Atticus Finch, who does the right thing despite his personal beliefs. What a lesson for today! I read this in 9^th grade – Thank you, Mrs. Thomas – and I reread it as an adult. It was more meaningful when I was older. Some of the language is inappropriate for today – I totally agree, but if you go deeper, there are lessons for us all.

Anything by Anne Lamott is my fourth selection. I just love what she says and how she says it. She is a funny lady who coins phrases that sticks with you. She has written many works of fiction and nonfiction about her life – she has had many challenges as most of us have had. Her collections of 7 small books of essays are my favorite. You can read one or two essays a day and let her words percolates through your soul. Her latest book is Somehow with essays about love. Dusk, Night, Dawn; Help, Thanks, and Wow; Almost Everything; Small Victories; Stitches; and Grace are the remaining six volumes. I have read this series twice and plan to read them again next year. I always garner some nuggets of wisdom with each reading. Thank you, Anne Lamott.

Now, I have read many, many great books both fiction and nonfiction. I think what sets these books apart from all the other books is that I reread them and refer to them frequently. They are part of me. However, I do look forward to finding the other two books to round out my six most influential books. You never know when I will become famous!

A Planner for a Planner

September 5, 2024August 6, 2024 by Cynthia, posted in Taking Care of Business

In these days of e-Everything, I, as many of you, use an electronic calendar. I can call up my appointments on my desktop computer, tablet, or phone at any time of day or night. However, I still like to use a paper planner. For me a planner is more than just a calendar. The planner is a daily journal, an organizer, a thinking tool, and – well – a planner!

Until recently, I had planners going back more than ten years. Begrudgingly, I finally recycled the pages after perusing the years of activity and notes. I have to admit it was hard. As with pictures, planners serve me as memory joggers. Some notations make me smile; others are bittersweet; all provide snippets of my life for a year’s time.

Interesting, too, is how life evolves from year to year. Engrossed in our days, weeks, and months, we may not be aware of our focus and how we navigate our lives. Yet looking back we begin to see patterns lending themselves to those things important to us at the time.

Each year I look at many planners before selecting just the right one. You might say planners are like jewelry or perfume – very personal. [grin] My current planner is an 8” x 10” spiral-bound book that includes a two-page spread for each month, two-page spread for each week, and note pages. Each month is separated by a designed cardstock page followed by an inspirational quote from a famous person. Although I selected this year’s planner, my sister purchased it for me for my birthday last October.

During the fall I may begin making notes that occur into the next year. Hair and doctors’ appointments that are scheduled months in advance. Concerts and theater performances in which tickets are purchased ahead of time. Pre-paid travel and excursions. And birthdays to be celebrated! I even include notes of when to plant certain flowers, fauna, and foliage.

In addition to appointments, I include current daily and weekly items. Things to do. I write down phone calls I need to make, notes to write, special checks to write or gifts to send. Being retired, it is easy to waste the day away and then think, “I should have done this today.” By jotting notes about what to accomplish that week, I am reminded and more likely to complete the task. Plus, I get the added pleasure of checking off the task!

As you can tell, I enjoy using a planner. It may sound like a lot of work, but in reality I simply jot down the tasks, reminders, and lists and then glance at the planner once or twice a day, depending on how much I have going on. And I embellish with stickers for colorful fun. But that obsession is for another blog post. Happy planning!

Lifelong Learning Online

September 2, 2024August 2, 2024 by sssmahh303, posted in Reviews

Mary Ann

I am a lifelong learner. I love to take classes and learn new things. Many a school and businesses have lifelong learning in their mission statement and want their students or employees to embrace it as a goal. However, many people just do not like school or learning new things – no time, too much money, boring, and the like are the excuses. Let me share with you some educational outlets that you may find interesting, easy, inexpensive, and fun!

I get excited when I open my mailbox and find a Smithsonian catalog full of ZOOM classes to take. It is like attending a college lecture in my pajamas – I think a lot of college students do that anyway. There are inexpensive classes in many areas of interests taught by the experts in those fields. I took a class on dolphins with the author Susan Casey (Voices in the Ocean) conducting the class. I had read her book, and Ms. Casey made the subject come alive. You can ask questions, so the class is interactive. Casey also taught another class on Great White Sharks based on her book The Devil’s Teeth– it was fascinating class about a fascinating animal. I have also taken art, history, and other science lectures. Visit SmithsonianAssociattes.org. for more information.

The Great Courses is another catalog full of gems. You can download them or buy the DVDs. I have done several of the photography classes that National Geographic presents with their top photographers like Joel Santori instructing. These can be pricey, but they do run great sales with sets running as low as $35.00. You can also subscript to a program called The Great Courses Plus. All their classes are available for a fee – you can subscribe monthly, quarterly, and annually starting at $20.00 a month to $12.00 a month depending on the payment schedule you select. This gives you unlimited use of their entire collection. More info is provided at their website wwwthegreatcourses.com. You can also get classes thorough your cable company. Xfinity offers them for a subscription fee of $7.99 a month. It is a select collection of 200 or so classes, but it is a reasonable price for classes that you can watch on your own TV.

Another online subscription is MasterClass (masterclass.com). It is from $10.00 to $20.00 a month (you pay annually) for classes. There are 200 + choices across 11 categories with new classes added all the time. Imagine taking a photography class taught by Annie Leibovitz or a filmmaking class from Ken Burns. These are truly masters of their disciplines. I have not personally taken one of these classes, but I have friends who have, and they have enjoyed them.

Colleges and universities also offer online classes. Yale’s Happiness Class is one of the most famous – it is a free class! Many of the classes are free. Check these options at the various schools’ websites.

As you can see, there is unlimited opportunities available to you. You just need to check them out. Find you passion and seek out classes that can support your interests. There is also a bonus in taking the classes. It is great for your brain! It keeps it agile.

I just came across this term Cognitive Reserve. It is a theory that refers to the representations stored within the brain of the knowledge, experiences, and life events that accumulate during a person’s lifetime. In other words, it is everything you ever have leaned and is stored in the brain. Active brains help to prevent dementia. It is a good reason to keep learning!

Presto Pesto!

August 29, 2024July 19, 2024 by Cynthia, posted in Uncategorized

Summer elicits scents of lemons, freshly cut grass, and the fragrance of herbs growing in the garden. Sage, thyme, mint, oregano, and rosemary grow in large pots on a patio crafted from pavers. Yet my favorite of the summer herbs can be found in two oblong planters on my deck, within easy reach of the kitchen. Basil finds its way into caprese trays, salads, omelets, even sandwiches.

How does one keep the flavor of summer all year around? Pesto! The word is derived from an Italian word (pestare) meaning “to pound; to crush.” Traditionally, basil leaves are crushed in a mortar. My version (as with many other home cooks) uses a blender. The hardest part of making pesto is … well … there isn’t a hard part!

Late in Spring or early summer I buy four-to-six basil plants, put two or three in each of two containers on my deck, and sit back and watch them grow. Of course I water them. If the plants look a little droopy I add more water and they perk up as if to say “hey, thanks!” when the stems are six-to-eight inches tall, I clip them and start the process. I just finished my second batch of pesto for the year. My pesto is frozen into cubes using a large ice cube tray. Once frozen, I put a cube into a snack bag and place all the snack bags into a freezer bag marked with the date.

Supposedly, pesto lasts two weeks in the refrigerator or six months in the freezer. Frankly, properly storing the cubes allows me to stretch the use of the sauce throughout the winter; that is, if any is left! Of course you can buy pesto but homemade omits preservatives. Plus, isn’t there just a little bit of pride that swells in you when you declare “I made that!”

I cannot begin to list the many ways I have used pesto, but here I am providing a few suggestions.

Mix into dips. Mix pesto into sour cream, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or guacamole
Serve over baked brie
Drizzle over breakfast eggs
Turn waffles/pancakes into savory breakfast fare
Replace pizza sauce or use as a base for flatbreads
Bake into bread
Spread on slices of bread or bruschetta and top with tomatoes or tuna or white beans
Mix with mayonnaise or use as is on a sandwich.
Make a pesto schmear by mixing it with cream cheese to serve on bagels
Stir into grain, rice, or chicken salads
Thin with more olive oil or vinegar for a salad dressing
Whisk into buttermilk for an Italian version of ranch dressing
Replace butter with pesto to garnish vegetables
Serve on baked potato
Season grilled steak, pork chops, chicken fish, meatloaf or meatballs
Garnish a soup; or mix in while simmering soup
Make pesto fritters (1 cup each ricotta and chopped spinach; ½ cup flour, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, and pesto; ½ teaspoon baking powder. Chill 30 minutes. Deep fry until golden, about 4 minutes. Serve with marinara
Mix with butter
Slather on corn
Spread onto baked sweet potatoes
Mix with tortellini, linguini, ravioli, — any kind of pasta. Add veggies!
Add to green beans with juice of ½ a lemon
Mix into potato salad or egg salad
Add to hummus
Make pesto croutons
Mix into Caesar dressing for a Pesto Caesar salad
Bake a quesadilla with pesto, mushrooms, and veggies
Slather on a grilled cheese sandwich
Dab grilled peaches and burrata with drizzles of pesto
Slather on grilled corn-on-the-cob
Add to tomato soup
Mix with tartar sauce for salmon cakes
Spoon over swordfish, shrimp, etc.
Add to white beans along with extra garlic and pinch of red pepper flakes.
Mix into cornbread batter
Serve with fries
The possibilities are endless … and, YOU can think of some more!

Pesto is traditionally made with pine nuts, basil, pecorino, parmesan, garlic, and olive oil. Now other combinations of seeds, herbs, cheese, and oil are making their way into the sauce scene under the moniker of pesto. Those combinations, I will save for another foodie post. Enjoy!

Joy in Receiving as in Giving

August 26, 2024August 6, 2024 by Cynthia, posted in Friends and Family

One of my acquaintances recently had shoulder replacement surgery. I was among several friends who gladly provided meals for her and her husband. I knew how helpful a few prepared, home-cooked meals would be.

I was reminded of the time several years ago when I had a bone removed from my wrist and a plate installed to keep my hand from flopping around. The visual is comical; the surgery was not.

When I am not feeling well, I just want to sleep – uninterrupted. So I told my friends I did not need anything from them. Even my mother came to stay. I asked her not to keep coming into my room to “check on me.” It was disconcerting trying to sleep, knowing someone was watching every few minutes. (Several years later, my mother still complains that I didn’t want her help. I had hurt her feelings, unintentionally.)

A couple of weeks into recovery my arm was still puffed up like a balloon and I was in major pain. I did not want to take pain pills that make one’s mind do weird things while I was alone. My cousin came with food she had picked up from Whole Foods. Several different and yummy dishes. She opened the containers and lightly put the lids over the top, as I had no use of my hand. She saved me! From that moment on, I realized how important it is to let people help me.

I like helping others. When they don’t accept my help, it takes away my joy. With that in mind, I learned when people offer to help it is because they want to help; not because they feel obligated. Being a gracious recipient is harder for many women than being a gracious provider. We need to remember to accept help as readily as we offer to give.

Acupuncture

August 22, 2024July 5, 2024 by sssmahh303, posted in Wellness

Mary Ann

In the fairytale, Sleeping Beauty, the princess Aurora pricks her finger on a spindle needle, and her entire life changes as she falls into a hundred-year, deep sleep. I, too, have been pricked by needles, and my entire life changed as well. For me, acupuncture is what has changed my life!

During the Covid epidemic, I developed a pain in my hip. When we could go to doctors again, I went to an orthopedist. I was sure that I would have to have a hip replacement. I was already for the diagnosis. After x-rays, an MRI, and a physical exam, I was told I had just a little arthritis. Whew! However, I still hurt. The ortho doc sent me to physical therapy and to an acupuncturist.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. A key component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is most used to treat pain. Increasingly, it is being used for overall wellness, including stress management.” The Mayo Clinic website (mayoclinic.org) explains acupuncture in even greater detail.

Hmmm, acupuncture! I have heard about it. Was it voodoo medicine or was it now mainstream medicine? I was going to give it a chance because I didn’t want to be in pain anymore. The ortho group gave me a recommendation for a local practice. I called and made an appointment. I was ready for this adventure into alternative medicine.

My acupuncturist, Eileen, was a very caring practitioner. She spent a long time trying to learn about me and my medical concerns. She patiently took me through each step of the process explaining what she was going to do. To begin, I was on my stomach, face down on a massage table. Then Eileen began to insert the needles. Some needles went in without any pain. Other needles did prick for a moment as they were inserted, but the pain quickly dissipates. Eileen constantly asked about my comfort and would adjust the needle if it were uncomfortable. I wore my own clothes, and my top or pants were adjusted to insert the needles – all very respectful. Once the needles were in place, I was given a call button in case I need help. Then I quietly rested for about 15 minutes or so in a darken room with New Age music playing in the background. Eileen returned and removed the needles. The needles did not hurt when removed. I flipped over, and Eileen did another set of needles on the front of me. Again, I rested for 10 minutes or so doing the same procedures, and then the session ended. Eileen said it sometimes takes a couple of sessions to see results.

I was pleasantly surprised how the acupuncture helped my pain. After a few sessions, the pain ceased. I have continued working with Eileen for the last two years, and she has helped me with a variety of issues. For example, if I have sinus issues or allergies, she had needle placement to treat those conditions. Eileen always takes time each session to review my current state of health. I may look like a pin cushion, but I don’t care because I am not in pain and many other conditions have improved.

If you have a fear of needles, or you are not seeing improvement, acupuncture may not be for you. However, it is worth a try. Check with your primary doctor for his or her thoughts. Acupuncture is better than giving people opioids for pain. Mainstream doctors are now recommending acupuncture. Nevertheless, you want to make sure that your acupuncturist has been properly trained. Eileen went to school for three years and frequently takes recertification classes. She is certified by the state. The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine can give you additional information on acupuncture certification and finding qualified practitioners.

Acupuncture is not covered by Medicare unless it is given by an MD for back pain. I would also check out your insurance before you begin treatment. The procedures run around $100 per session, at least, in my area. The NCCAOM is lobbying to change insurance coverage. With time and more research, I hope that this Eastern medicine will integrate with traditional Western medicine to help people. This has been my story, and I am very thankful for the needles that changed my life.

You Have a Voice!

August 19, 2024July 5, 2024 by sssmahh303, posted in Taking Care of Business

Mary Ann

Do you ever feel that you are powerless to change the world? I did and often still do. However, there is a glimmer of hope out there that can empower you, and change is possible if only one person at a time. This epiphany dawned on me when I retired. I realized I had a voice, and I needed to use it for good and stand up for my beliefs.

In Stephen R. Covey’s classic, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey ‘s first habit is Be Proactive. He discusses your circle of influence and being proactive within that circle. We all have the power to influence those close to us. It may not be a huge difference, but it is still a difference. You have more power than you think.

I have had so much fun monitoring what my congressional representative and senators are doing in Washington. Since I am retired, I have the time to follow how they vote, and I can let them know if I agree or disagree and that does make a difference. My little local paper documents our national and state representatives’ votes on various bills. If a vote is forthcoming, I will contact them to encourage them to vote a certain way. If they vote for my position, I will write or call to say thank you for being brave for taking a stand, and I will also call if they vote against what I believe and tell them why I disagree. I learned I could make my beliefs heard. I could express my opinion. This is not hard to do.

Just put your congressman or congresswoman’s name or senator’s info in your search engine, and it will take you to his or her website. On the website, contact info is provided. You can send an email right on the site, though it is limited to the number of words you can write. I have sent Part I and Part II to get my total view across. You can get the address for their office should you want to write a letter, and phone numbers are also provided. I email, but I also call. Usually, you don’t get an answer at the senate offices, however you can leave a message. The representative office is a different story. I usually get a young staffer (maybe a future leader), and I can tell someone directly what I think. It makes me feel better, regardless the outcome. Often you will get a letter or an email from the representative thanking you for your input and then telling you how they voted. This has been my experience.

I haven’t written the president YET, but you can easily contact the White House either through text, an email, write a letter (using the famous address), and you can call. All this info is on the website. I need to give this a whirl!

You may ask, does any of this do any good? Can I really make a difference? Let me share a story with you that illustrates that you most definitely can. I will not give specifics to avoid being political. In my home state, one of our senators held a certain belief that was contrary to what most of his constituents believed. A bill was coming up for a vote. I wrote to him explaining my view that I agreed with his personal position, but in the bigger picture it was about rights for everyone which I believed. The senator changed his position truly representing his state, and the bill passed. As much as I would like to take credit for the change, I know that I was just one of many, many letters, texts, and calls that made the difference.

I have had fun contacting my representatives. I am exercising my right as a citizen of the United States – Miss Bowman, my civics’ teacher, would be proud! I may not be making a big difference, but my voice is making a difference if only for me. At least I feel better when I write my beliefs and share my convictions. You can do this too. Don’t be frustrated. Make a difference if only for yourself. You can write your representative, you can work for a political campaign, you can financially support a candidate, and most importantly, you can vote! You have a voice, so SPEAK UP!