Skeptics, please don’t read this.

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After Mark died last year I went to see a Medium. Like I said, if you are a skeptic you might want to click off here and go read a news blog or something. Oddly, how I got to this person was by way of woman who said she was going because “I’m skeptical and I don’t believe all that stuff.”

Really I thought, “you, who besides being skeptical is also someone who could give the woman who writes the “Tightwads Gazette” a run for her very carefully spent money. Why would you do that? Why spend the money?”

Apparently she wanted to prove that her best friend had been wasting her time and money going to see this person.  In other words to make her wrong.

I, on the other hand was eager to meet this guy, and as it happened he was right in the next town. It took a lot of finagling on my part to get the name out of the skeptical woman. I guess she was protecting me from myself. Or maybe she was just being stingy which is one of her most outstanding qualities.

As you may have guessed, she and I do not like each other even though our husbands were friends for over 40 years. I avoided being with her and I think the feeling was mutual.

After much cajoling I was able to get the name from her and made an appointment. It was October and the earliest appointment I was able to get was end of January.

And then providence stepped in. A phone call came from the Medium’s scheduler a cancellation came in for just 6 days before my birthday in November. Did I want it?

Now just so you know when the appointment is made the only question the scheduler asks is first name and phone number. Period. Nothing more. While on the phone the scheduler gives me the cancellation policy and lets me know I must confirm 24 hours in advance. So if you are thinking about how Mediums probably spend their days Googling all your information in advance, that is not the case.

And if you are one of those people why are you still reading?

I would like to tell you that I plan to share my entire one hour session with Glenn but no I am not though he did give me a CD of the session and I did video our conversation. It took me six months before I listened to it again it was so powerful and overwhelming.

I can tell you that all of the things he said there was no way he could have known unless Mark told him. One thing that I will share was this-after he said that Mark walked in with me (he asked, did he just pass?” At that time it was just two months)

At one point he was wondering,  “Why am I getting the image for the cartoon character Dora the Explorer, Dora the Explorer? My son used to watch her on PBS you know who she is?”

I laughed.” That is my mother in law’s name”, I said.

He said, “She’s still on this side, but starting to lose it a bit?”

Then he said this, “Mark is saying that if she says that I have been to see her, I have and I will be.”

On the day after he died, my mother in-law said that she had “such a nice visit with Mark last night.”  She never knew he was sick, never knew he died we made that decision from day one to spare her worry. Dora was a worrier.

Two weeks after my session with Glenn my mother -in-law went into a coma and died. I am guessing that Mark was telling her “Hey lady come on now, time to leave. Let’s go” She was 93 and starting to fall apart. What better way to go with your son whispering in your ear?

Going to see Glenn was a great gift I gave myself.

Mark came through even though he said to Glenn, “I don’t believe in this sh*t I am doing this for her.” Glenn said “Mark is someone I would really like to be friends with, ” and I said, “Well you can be.”

Mark was fine, no more suffering just free like a bird. Glenn said he was happy.   Mark  said some things that he remembered about his last hours and repeated the same words he said to me the day before he died, “I love you, be happy, have a great life and please get some sleep.” There was much more but it’s personal.

So what does that mean to the skeptics?  As Glenn said, “Why would anyone waste their money to prove me wrong? Go buy a pair of shoes instead.”

As for me, if your heart is broken, like mine was, seeing a genuine Medium can be a good thing to do.

(I would avoid the street fortune tellers that dot every corner in NYC)

When I left that November day, I was glad to know Mark was okay and that I would be too someday and that he is with me even though I cannot see him, he is in my heart and I know he is watching over me. Funny things do happen that I can only say that somehow Mark orchestrated them. And if that is the case I am good with that no matter what anyone else may think.

Glenn said, “He is not up there, not down there, but right here in another realm. Who he was on this side is who he is on the other. You have a great guy right by your side.”

Yep I know.

After loss finding my life

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This isn’t the most flattering photo of Mark yet I love it because it is so very Mark.  He WOULD be the one to climb up on a  tower after hiking up a steep slope. Taken near Woodstock 16 plus years ago on a crisp fall day.

I have spent the past year trying to find my life. Married to Mark for 26 years and living with him for close to 30, I can tell you as he would say, “It ain’t easy.”  Before he left this earth he made me promise to “enjoy your life, be happy,” I remember looking in his gaunt face, his golden brown eyes, me choking back the tears, sniffling and pawing at him still strong but very skinny arms begging for the impossible. A miracle. We had all our miracles. Time was up. Game over.  No more hikes in the woods, walks on the beach, getting lost on purpose, no more skating, no more dancing. Oh the dancing . We danced everywhere from the Rainbow Room to our Living room.

And right then as I sat there holding his hand clinging to him,  a song came on my iPhone,  via Pandora, Maroon 5-“Moves Like Jagger”.

Something miraculous happened, though not surprising. Mark rose-waving off any offer of assistance and looked me in the eyes, smiled and whispered in my ear, ” Last dance?”  We danced one more Hustle, one more Lindy, one more booty shaking dance- just one more time.

Mark danced with gusto with all the energy he could muster.  He was  weak, he was dying. But Mark was a powerhouse.  One of his many nicknames was Mr. Mighty. And in that moment he was indeed Mr. Mighty.  Mark  wasn’t one to pass up a chance to climb a tower, dance a dance, learn a new skating move or give up even when the time had come to let go.

Mark savored life. I miss how when we were together we would take an ordinary day and make it special. Sometimes I step, sometimes I stumble but each day I take him with me and find the joy and count my blessings for all that he gave me.

Stay tuned hon.

Go ahead and break those balloons

The life you save may be your own. And the whales and other giant sea creatures who ingest your “happy 40th birthday” balloons
Save the whales people❤❤

Do this: after the party is over-
1. Pop all balloons especially if you are lucky enough to have a party at the beach.
Pick up the popped balloons and please toss them in the trash.
You will be doing such a good thing for all.

Hot town summer

Is this a poem?

So  far from what I can tell.

This is the sizzling
summer of the hot and the buggy.
(Who you calling buggy?)
It’s been…
Muggy.
Yuggee.

I mean yucky.

Okay so.

Let it go.
Imagine snow?
Live in possibility.

I am the possibility of Jo’ie de Vivre

(Francaise for joy in life thanks France for that)
July 14, 2012
Nancy in New York

FancyNancy and Magic Mark on the boardwalk.

on
Bastille Day.

For you. Miracle Makers. Happy New Year 2012

http://ow.ly/7GbTJ    Please Donate to Cycle for Survival NOW.  100% of your dollars go to rare cancer research at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Fund clinical trials for: Pediatric, Pancreatic, Ovarian, Kidney, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Sarcoma, Melanoma, Brain and too many to list here. Go to website and dedicate your donation to someone you love today. Over 50% of cancer diagnoses fall into “rare” and “Hard to treat” category.

Remember, Nobody beats cancer until we all beat cancer.

http://ow.ly/7GbTJ   Thank you from the bottom of my heart.   Hugs and kisses for health and Happiness.

Frozen Banana Sorbet

When my niece Sarabeth came to visit from San Francisco she shared this delicious easy treat.
It’s from Aunt Eileen and works especially well if you happen to have a banana shaped dish like this one from Pier One Imports. But that is not necessary.

Take a banana and mash it thoroughly.
Press the banana into a freezer safe cup or bowl.
Put the cup into freezer until frozen.
Remove bowl from freezer.
Turn bowl over and run hot water over the bottom so the banana pulls away from the bowl.
Eat and enjoy.
Optional add: hot fudge sauce or whipped cream or peanut butter.

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When the weather calls for soup

Extra carrots make it heartier and sweeter

It’s been raining all day here in NY and when that happens, it’s feels all damp outside and kind of raw inside too. Weather like that says to me, “it’s time to make some soup.” I like soups because they are warming, healing and filling. The ones I choose to make are usually pretty easy as well. At one time I used to like to create complicated meals with lots of steps. Over time I learned that I can make something just as delicious in one pot. Less fuss, less muss. Usually what I do these days is find a recipe that I like and then adapt it by adding or subtracting flavors or foods that would make my soup just right for my household.
Like how the Three Bears would like to find it. Just right.

I have many cookbooks that I go to for ideas and inspiration.
On a rainy, raw day, there is one that I enjoy reading as much as I enjoy following, (and adapting) the recipes and that is Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings by Edward Espe Brown which I picked up at a Borders Books Sidewalk sale when it was first published in 1997. Luckily I managed to get a first edition of this beautiful book for a very happy price. It is now out of print and I saw that there are still some available on Amazon which is lucky for you if you want to get a copy.
Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachings

Edward Espe Brown is a wise man and a good cook. A Zen priest first ordained by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi in 1971. Tomato Blessings and Radish Teachingc combines Zen teachings and cooking to create a wonderful interplay between abstract philosophy and everyday life.

Today I made Lentil Soup with Cumin, Coriander and Lemon
I added Kale and extra carrots to the recipe so here is my version of his recipe found on page 7
As Ed Brown says, “This is a fine soup for getting to know the ingredients by tasting carefully before and after each one: tasting the lentils, then lentils with vegetables and garlic, then with the cumin, with coriander, with lemon and finally with parsley. See what you think.”

1 cup organic Green Lentils (washed and sorted to remove stones, debris)
8 Cups water
Bay leaf
1 medium yellow onion
2 tbs olive oil (optional)
2 cloves garlic minced
2 stalks celery diced
6 large carrots sliced
1 cup cleaned cut up kale
1 tsp cumin seed fresh ground best
2 tsp coriander seed fresh ground best
Peel of 1/2 lemon grated (organic)
Salt to taste (optional)
Flat leaf parsley a few sprigs minced for garnish

Place sorted,washed lentils, water and bay leaf in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover. Reduce heat and simmer 30 to 45 minutes until the lentils are soft. The lentils could also be pressure-cooked. When they are soft see what they taste like.
Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, cumin, coriander and kale to the lentils and cook an additional 30 to 40 minutes until the vegetables are soft. Add the lemon peel.
Before serving check the seasoning and garnish with parsley.
Yum! Hearty, healthy soup.

Divine Yoga Fall Cleanse Ends

News Flash:
The Divine Yoga New York Fall Cleanse has ended as of Weds November 8th.  http://www.divineyogany.com
It coincided with the coming new age of Aquarius on 11-11-11 which made it a perfect time to cleanse and refresh body mind and spirit as we move from the age of ME to the age of WE, the age of FEAR to the age of LOVE.

What is: Ultimate Energy Cleanse led by Coach Judy Griffin
http://www.uecleanse.com/
http://www.nourishingsolutions4life.com

1. We work in a team. We cook cooperatively. Each participant is assigned one or two recipes to be prepared for all other participants. Each participant picks up his or her meal(s) at one specified location.

2. Participants are encouraged to practice yoga or some other activity. http://www.divineyogany.com

3. We use organic foods only.

4. Cold showers and non-chemical toothpaste and soaps are recommended.

5. Our coach is Judy Griffin http://www.nourishing solutions4life.com

6. We make juice daily. I use a Breville Juice Fountain.Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus 850-Watt Juicing Machine

7. We make a master cleanse drink. Yum.

Challenge: Time crunch to make my juice, pressured by self to make master cleanse drink, make side dishes. Why was I always running around? What am I doing wrong?
Opportunity: Let go of perfection. Slow down, take time to enjoy process. The “cleanse police” were not going to check and see if I was getting it “right”.

Here is a recipe from the Kristina Turner’s Self-Healing Cookbook that I make on a regular basis. A twist on mashed potatoes without the potatoes.
The Self-Healing Cookbook: Whole Foods To Balance Body, Mind and Moods

Millet Mashed Potatoes
1 Cup millet
2/14 cups water
1/2 medium cauliflower
1/2 tsp of sea salt
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tsp Umeboshi Plum Vinegar
sea salt and pepper to taste
handful chopped parsley + 1 cup of other chopped green uncooked. ( Swiss chard, spinach, kale)
Wash millet. Bring water to a boil. Add millet, cauliflower, garlic and salt. Turn down to simmer covered 20-30 minutes or until grains are cooked and water is absorbed. Turn off heat and leave covered for 5- 10 minutes. Add rest of ingredients except greens and mash with potato masher or mix till smooth in food processor or blender. Add parsley and other greens sprinkle on top.
Eat and enjoy.

Now may I have some Haagen Daaz?

My beautiful niece Emma at Haagen Daaz

Cleansing body, mind spirit

Today is day one of the Divine Yoga team cleanse. How we at Divine Yoga do this is working with coach Judy Griffin of Nourishing solutions 4 Life we cook one meal each over the course of the 7 days for the 14 participants.
I was up first and made a Fall Root Vegetable Soup with organic turnips, parsnips, carrots pearls onions and quinoa in organic vegetable broth.

As I prepare my meal I clear my mind of extraneous negative thought and read aloud a prayer from Guru Nam found in The Chakra Mantra Cookbook along with this very hearty, healthy recipe.

The prayer is for healing, grace and good energy being sent to my cleanse teammates by way of the meal I share as my contribution to our journey.

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