Graduating Seniors

To the Graduating Class of 2020

Be it high school, or college, there has been a unique set of circumstances that have changed your expectations related to your rite of passage and pomp and circumstance that you have worked hard and long to be able to celebrate. 

DON”T LET THE CIRCUMSTANCES DEFINE YOUR ACHIEVEMENT. 

While you may not have the prom, the parties, the last semester to goof off and to hang out with individuals you may or may not have in your life as you move through your journey, you still have this very moment in time. 

SEIZE THE MOMENT ANYWAY. 

As far as future plans go, you are being called on to adapt and be flexible in ways that you may not have ever thought of. 

UNDERSTAND THAT LEARNING HOW TO ADAPT IS A KEY TO SUCCESS. 

2020 was already a catchy way of remembering this marker in your life. 

DON’T LET 2020 BE DEFINED ALONE BY THE HEALTH CRISIS. 

Set your sights on new horizons and never be discouraged. 

2020 VISION WILL SEE YOU TO THE NEXT STEP. 2020 IS BALANCED LIKE THE GLASS HALF FULL-HALF EMPTY.

Feel the frustration, the disappointment, the feeling of being robbed of your special day. But continue to feel the joy and anticipation of your future journey. You have reached the dialectic in 2020 -- the 'both-and' rather than the either-or thinking that gets people stuck.

HOLD ONTO THE NEGATIVE BUT FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE. 

You will become resilient and you will learn the importance of life and you will never take any blessing for granted ever again. 

YOU ARE STILL WHO YOU ARE AND YOU WILL BECOME STRONGER, MORE FOCUSED ON THE HERE AND NOW, AND MORE CONNECTED TO OTHERS BECAUSE OF THIS TURN OF EVENTS. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL AND THE GLASS HALF EMPTY BECAUSE 2020 HAS BEEN BOTH AND HAS GIVEN YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE FULLY PRESENT TO YOURSELF.

Congratulations and best of luck and wishes for all the rainbows, silver linings and new beginnings to come your way!!

Food for thought: 20-20 vision is usually about hindsight, but we now have a new meaning for this phrase: it is about having a new perspective. A perspective that will make a difference. A perspective that will serve the individual and society. A perspective that will be lasting. There is no return to 'how things were'; it is about creating a new reality for the future. 20-20 vision is a powerful metaphor for getting things right and seeing things perfectly as they are and as they can be and must be for the future of humanity.

Beacon Bits -- Homage to My Mom

Even before Mother's Day weekend, I have had my mother on my mind. She grew up as a child of immigrants during the challenging times of the Great Depression. As I was growing up, I recall her telling me many times, "I hope you never have to go through what we went through." I heartfully acknowledge I am more blessed than those I worry about in these times, and I am finding ways to show that I care as my mother also taught me, but I also recall that my mother planted the seeds of good self-care and preparation in case of an emergency or tough times. While I resisted stocking cupboards and never wanted to freeze meats or fish for later use, I now see the wisdom of having the cupboards stocked with that 'extra' something(s) that you just may need. However, I mostly feel grateful for the ways that my mother cooked and how she taught me to cook; I call it 'peasant cooking', Norwegian style, and recall fondly her telling me about the soup her mother would make with a fish head and some vegetables so that she was not only able to feed her family of 5, but also have enough for those who fell on even tougher times and did not have a pot of food available to them.

So as I have been stocking my cupboards with some canned items (e.g., beans, stewed tomatoes, sardines -- only King Oscar, the best brand, grains, pasta and staples for baking) and starting to freeze 'leftover' meals so that I can spread out the goodness without having to eat the same meal on a daily basis (e.g., baked ziti, lentil soup), I am thankful for the know-how of cooking from scratch and the memories of my mother's table.

Today I made a variation of her beef stew with tastes of Beef Burgundy and Hungarian Goulash with what I had on hand: shallots, celery, potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, red wine, chicken broth,  paprika,  garlic powder, salt and pepper and some herbs de Provence. It was inspired by the arctic freeze and snow on Mt. Beacon and was perfect as a midday meal while listening to the Saturday matinee opera on the radio. The beef was purchased at Nature's Pantry on Rt. 52 in Fishkill (since I am not yet ready to embark on the search for the local farms offering local meats just yet vis-a-vis my new intention--see previous post on 5/3/20); the meat is still a local product and for 4 servings, is very reasonable and was very tender! And with the receipt of my new subscription to Misfits Market today, I am beginning to envision my next 'peasant meal.'

Food for thought: There are just some things that will always be remembered; Mother's cooking and wishes for her children are just some of them. And remembering them this weekend in the midst of other thoughts, feelings, and issues that can be on one's mind, makes it more the special as they 'stew'. For those who are moms, for those who aren't, for those who still have a mom, for those whose moms are resting in peace --- Happy Mother's Day!

Beacon Bits -- Belonging to Boscobel

Within our 'neighborhood' surrounding Beacon, we have the majestic historical landmark, Boscobel, which as noted by the signs on Route 9D, can be everyone's 'home on the Hudson.' I am pleased that I became a 'friend' in 2010 and have maintained membership throughout the years, which is a small way to support its operation. I have been on at least five tours with various docents, with our without visitors or guests that I have brought along and learn something new during each visit; volunteered at holiday and special events on the grounds and within the house when extra help is needed;  and visited the gift shop frequently for special purchases for myself or others, which have made the best gifts all around. (I have also attended ten seasons of Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) under the tent on the grounds overlooking the Hudson River with its iconic vista of West Point.) So in these times, when the opening of the house and grounds for guided tours is on 'pause' and the notification to ticketholders that the 2020 season of HVSF has been cancelled, it was a real treat to be 'invited' as a member to consider the privilege of making a visit to the grounds by appointment when I recently received an email. It turned out to be a picture perfect day and the pictures tell it all.

Food for thought: Please consider a membership as a way of suppporting this nonprofit organization in our midst. It is not too late to join for this season. I recently learned that it takes $3000 per day to maintain its operations. The Federalist level is $150 per year with season pass benefits and discounts for the gift shops and other events in addition to admission with four passes for the house tours and grounds privileges. It is a worthwhile donation. It is the neighborly thing to do. Especially now. You will not want to miss the view and sense of peaceful renewal that the landscape offers. And you will feel good about contributing to our local treasure. If you are already a member, consider purchasing a membership as a gift for a friend or family member to appreciate the history in our midst.

Beacon Bits -- Choices

No excuses - I have more time to blog now, but I did write a post that I had to delete. It was about finding sanctuary at my church home that technically is closed, but the doors have been open for silent prayer with safe distance and music on Sunday mornings. It has been restorative during these times when I attend.

This post is about something different than my usual posts, but it is stilld about local resources within proximity to Beacon. I got inspired to write this post after watching the news last week, which showed the meat packing industry's response to re-opening at the President's request despite the dangers and risks for its workers in order to keep the food supply chain unencumbered. I was appalled at the footage on PBS related to the 'farming' of the masses of pigs for the industry to have for its pork production. They compared and contrasted it with other smaller midwest farmers that have chosen to raise fewer pigs with more ethical practices. The visual difference between pens of pigs, loin to loin, vs. two to three pigs with piglets in a pen with the chance to roam was eye opening. 

Full disclosure -- I am not vegan, nor am I vegetarian, nor would I am planning to make a decision to become meat free. In general, I eat very little meat and poultry, and rely mostly on fish, vegetables and complex carbohydrates and fruit to survive; I also believe it is in the 'right' proportion that was intended for us to eat. When I saw the TV broadcast, it was apparent that the only reason that cost of mass production vis-a-vis the consumer comes into play is twofold: (1) profit for the corporation and (2) cheaper prices for consumers so they can eat large and unhealthy amounts of meat products, which has led to one of the many risk factors for coronavirus---that is, obesity--due to fast food and unhealthy eating habits. It came full circle --- the only benefit of the large centralized meat production industry in this country is for the corporations who desire more profit and do not care for their workers. So if Cesar Chavez had his rallying call for fair wages for the migrant farmers, maybe it is time we have a reclaimed locally farmed meat economy that benefits the families and workers who are committed to their community and can be held responsible for ethical business and production practices. (I believe poultry farming has somewhat had its day to reclaim improved and ethical egg production with cage-free practices.)

I guess I can lay claim to my my family heritage related to farming here. My mother's family had a farm in Sola near Stavanger Norway and I recall their practices in 1962 when I visited. I will never forget the carrot and strawberry and milk that I, as a girl raised in Brooklyn, had to taste on that farm so long ago. The farm fed them and they were able to sustain a living by selling to local markets.  I am grateful and aware that I see the same kinds of practices are returning to our Hudson River Valley with CSAs and locally raised farm stock for our purchase. A long-time supporter of CSAs, now it's time to step it up for livestock farmers.

So this blog is about sharing my resolve to only shop for meat from local farmers who are operating with sustainable practices and who are ethically responsible; this is one choice and a response to what we all need to learn to do going forward in order to change our living habits accordingly. By doing so, I will support the local farmers and eat my small amounts of meat and poultry, which by far is healthier, and at least does not put money into the pockets of greedy owners who operate centralized meat packing industry at the expense of their employees. Higher cost is not an issue for a higher quality of meat in the just right amount of what an individual should be consuming to begin with; no super sizing needed!

Food for thought:  I have begun to do some research and offer the following suppliers for meat and poultry in the Beacon area. I am sure we will need to keep visiting their websites in order to be aware of current practices. Check back for updates and recipes related to this new source of locally raised farm stock.

Grass & Grit -- www.grassgritfarm.com

Arch River Farm - www.archriverfarm.com/

Nordwind Farms - http://www.northwindfarmsallnatural.com

Glynwood - www.glynwood.org