Today’s Spiritual Woman

A magazine for women who want to explore their

being in a unique way
 Today’s Spiritual Woman
A magaletter for women who wish to explore
their inner spirit and share with women all over
the world.

Volume 1, No 3 Free from our computer to yours – a magaletter

filled with stories, features, poetry, and wonderful
Summer 2009 information to enrich your life!

Published Quarterly
Salem, OR
TodaySpiritualWoman@Gmail.com
Editor/Publisher – Lola Carlile, Ph. D.
Subscribe to all four 2009 issues for free by email or
$5.99 for S&H via regular mail.
Contact us at todayspiritualwoman@gmail.com.

IN THIS ISSUE:
Staff:
o Letters from Jane
Advertising:
o Top 8 Fun Stress Relievers
David Carlile
o The Simple Truths of the Gospel
o Food Group Fun
Layout:
Jane Little
o Update from Kelsey
o Grandma Mary’s Shindig
Editors/Contributors: o Japanese Rice
Evelyn Celli - international o Poetry by Lola
Brenda Ellison - religion o The Many Faces of Alzheimer’s
Melisa Lua – alternative o HR Speak
 And more!

The views and ideas presented in this magaletter do not

necessarily reflect the individual beliefs of the editor or the staff.
LETTERS FROM JANE:
August 4th, 2009

Dear Spiritual Woman,

I’ve just realized something: my previous “letters” were dated November 19th and March 19th
respectively, which means that this one should have been written on the 19th of July. But that,
obviously, never happened, since it’s August already and I’m sitting here trying to put my
thoughts into some kind of order… Not that the blazing sun outside is helping me any.

All right, so, where was I on July 19th?! I was up in the mountains, in a small town which used to
be a spa. Now it’s just a sorry kind of a ghost town with a couple of fancy, shamefully expensive
hotels, no more mineral wells and a so-called “park” from which most of the benches have
mysteriously disappeared. And, then, what in the world was I doing there?! Well, I was
preparing to welcome Henry S., a Bukovina-born, Bucharest-educated and finally Texas-adopted
man whose grandparents had, before WWII, owned a house there. The house still stands, but the
grandparents are long since resting in the Jewish cemetery up the hill. Only 13 more Jews live in
Dorna today.

Truth be told, Henry was so absorbed with the natural beauty of Dorna’s surroundings, that he
hardly allowed himself to notice what the town lacks and needs. I, for my part, however, was
acutely aware of everything I saw (such as the ruins of what had once been a casino) or didn’t
see (that town had, up to 20 years ago, been fizzing with mineral water!) around us. All the more
so, as I had just recently returned from Munich, Germany.

Now, Munich, Germany – or rather, my having gone there – is a story in itself. It so happens that
one of my girlfriends lives there, and that she knows me well enough to have realized how badly
I needed to escape my daily routine and dusty town for a while. And she also knew just how
much to insist in order to get me onto the plane and into her Bavarian home.

Now, that was by no means my first, but

precisely my seventh time in Germany, and
yet I never had realized the breathtaking
beauty of that country. My friend lives not in
Munich proper, but in a small rural
community some 30 minutes away (by what
Germans call a “Schnellbahn”, a rapid
train) from the city center. What at first had
seemed a disadvantage quickly turned out to
be a source of delight: the Bavarian
countryside is so green, clean and peaceful,
that after a while one can hardly imagine
living – or accepting to live – anywhere else. There are meadows and rivers, forests and lakes,
golf courses and restaurants, wheat fields and flowerbeds where people go picking their own
flowers, for which they pay by dropping the money in a barrel standing unguarded by the side of
the road. But most of all, it’s the air that charms visitors and locals alike: out there, breathing is
not a mere necessity, but a pleasure; one feels the cool clean air going down into the lungs and
craves for more – not in order to survive, but in order to enjoy living.

As for the city of Munich, suffice it to say that they’ve either preserved or rebuilt the historical
buildings, some of them dating back to the Middle Ages, and that they even manage to operate a
4-level underground public transportation system under the City Hall, the City Theater, the
numerous cathedrals and churches and so on. There are so much history and so much culture
there, both old and contemporary, and certainly, so many people willing to share in the spiritual
riches of Bavaria’s capital. So many people of different races, mother-tongues, backgrounds and
hairdos, that one is tempted to cry out loud: No, there will never be another war, just look at all
of these people strolling here so peacefully, eating, drinking, taking pictures, shopping or
window-shopping, enjoying the sunshine and the cityscape, feeling at peace with themselves,
with the African American and Arabian families sitting at the neighboring tables, with the world
in general! Look at us all, happy to live or only visit here, standing around the street artists
clapping in our hands to the universal language of music, forgetful of the past, unaware of the
future, but harmlessly living the present to the full!

My wish for you is, dear reader, that you should too, this summer, fall, winter or spring,
experience such moments of utter happiness as I was granted in Germany. Stop to dip your foot
into a clear lake, take a breath of fresh air, gaze at a ripening field, listen to a band playing in
the street, marvel at the beauty of the world around you, feel grateful that you, too, have been
allowed to be part of it…

Yours,
Jane :)
 Top 8 Fun Stress Relievers
From Elizabeth Scott, for About.com

There are many great stress relievers out there, but it's not
always easy to stick with them. However, the fun stress
relievers do seem to be easier to practice on a regular basis--
you look forward to them! So for those of us who like a little fun
with our stress relief, I've compiled a list of fun stress relievers,
along with explanations of their other benefits as well. Enjoy!

1. Stress Relieving Games

Sometimes playing a fun game on your computer is just what you
need to keep your mind off of stress in the office or at home. You
don't have to go anywhere, you can play for just a few minutes,
and you can return to the tasks at hand with a fresh frame of
mind. Stress relieving games can help you relieve stress in just a
few minutes, without being addictive.

2. Stress Relieving Books

Nothing takes your mind off of stress like a good book. Stress relieving books can provide just
the right distraction and escape from stress, as well as teaching you something new you can use
to relieve stress. With a book, you can also take as much or as little time as you have available
for stress relief.

3. Laughter
A good laugh can be a great stress reliever: it releases endorphins and
other healthy hormones, takes your mind off of stress, and can even
provide a decent physical workout if you really get going. It also leaves
you in a more positive frame of mind, and can bond you to those with
whom you share a good laugh.

4. Gardening
Planting a garden (or even tending to a houseplant) can be a great way
to reconnect with nature, beautify your space, and enjoy other stress
relieving benefits.

5. Drawing
Rediscovering your artistic side with anything from doodling to serious sketching can be a good
stress reliever for several reasons: it's a good distraction, it helps you express and process
emotions, and it leaves you with something beautiful to enjoy when you're finished.
6. Music
Music is a great stress reliever for many reasons, and it can also
improve health to the point that it's being used in hospitals to promote
health! As a stress reliever, it provides distraction, inspiration, can
speed you up or calm you down, and more. And you can use it during
your commute, while exercising, or at any time as you go about your
daily activities.

7. Sports
Enjoying sports, from karate to mountain biking to tennis and more,
can be a fun way to get exercise and relieve stress, providing
endorphins, a social outlet, a way to release frustration, and more, and
leave you healthier and happier in the end.

8. Mini-Vacations
Vacations are a wonderfully fun and sadly under-used stress relief
resource. If you find yourself longing for a vacation but don't have the
time or the funds to go on the trip you deserve, you can still treat
yourself to a stress relieving mini vacation and get similar stress
relieving benefits without expending as much!

Ready to explore the rest of the summer (about three weeks left as I write this)? Try
visiting San Diego. The beaches are beautiful and the sand warm and relaxing. Air fare to San
Diego is not ultra expensive, but anyone on the West Coast can take a day or two to drive
down the lovely coast and enjoy beauty
unsurpassed.

Body surfing, or boogey-boarding is

phenomenal and easy. Not to mention
inexpensive. Sit on the beach at night and visit
as you roast marshmallows and melt chocolate
making s’mores. Life just can’t get any better.
Why wait to go to Hawaii? San Diego’s Mission
Beach and La Jolla Beaches have what you
need at a fraction of the cost.
The short gospels hold unlimited truths. I don’t know if you ever thought of how short
the four Gospels are. If you printed each one out individually, they might almost be
called “booklets.” For example, in the Bible I use, the Gospel of St. Mark is only 27
pages long, while St. Matthew’s Gospel is the longest at 53 pages. But If you do a Google
search of “the gospels of Jesus,” you will come up with 31,900,000 references, and, in
truth, that is only a sample of what all the world’s libraries hold about the Gospels.

We know the Gospels were not written until

some 40 to 50 years after Jesus’ death and
Resurrection. The Good News was first
preached by word of mouth, and, with the
power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian
communities spread like wildfire. Paul wrote his
pastoral and doctrinal Epistles in the 40s and
50s of the Christian era. It’s truly miraculous
how the Word of God was revealed though
human voices and words and how you and I are
privileged to hear, read and speak it.

Of all the writings of the Bible, the Gospels naturally hold a place of pre-eminence. At
the same time, these four Gospels are so simple and plain in their teaching that they can
be read by anyone, of any age, and in any language or from any culture. It may require a
world full of books and commentaries to expound the gospel truths, but that is because
they are so rich and life giving in their meaning. It has been said that when you get down
to listing the most principles of living the gospel values, you could put them on a three-
by-five-inch card and still have a lot of room left over.

Three Statements of Jesus Contain the Whole Teaching

Here is an example of what I mean. We can take three statements of Jesus and basically
cover the entire gospel. Each of these three commands of Jesus is so full of meaning and
consequences that everything else Jesus said is in some way contained in these three.
They are:

1. In Mark, Jesus was asked what the greatest of the Commandments was, and we know
his answer: “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk
12:29). The reason why Jesus spoke of these two commandments as really one is that
there is no way of loving God more perfectly than by loving our brothers and sisters,
including our enemies. Jesus even said that if we are on our way to worship God and we
realize we have something against our brother or sister, God is very happy to wait until
we clear up the problem with our neighbor, and then come to him in worship. It is
amazing how God seems to put himself second. But isn’t that just like God!

2. As we ask, “Lord, what’s the best way of loving another person,” Jesus’ response is a
three-word command. “Do not judge” (Mt 7:1). He adds as a warning that “as we judge
so we shall be judged.” In other words, “not judging” is a corollary to the whole First
Commandment. Now, remember Jesus is not talking about all of the little emotional
criticisms that are constantly running through our minds each day. For Jesus, “to judge”
means to “pass sentence,” as in a punishment. It is to act as a judge. This is serious,
really. Have you heard people rather nonchalantly relegate certain groups of people to
hell? That’s a judgment!

When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, you hear even religious people—who should
know better—proclaim that such a catastrophe was God’s punishment for the sins of the
French Quarter. Of course, they said they were only using the Bible and agreeing with
God. But, to my way of thinking, any human who feels certain that others or other
groups “are going to hell and deserve it” are presuming to do something only God can
do: Judge the human heart and know all of the circumstances of that person’s life.

There is no human man or woman who can presume to do what God does. God
commanded us to forgive; he forbade us to judge. Besides, Katrina hardly touched the
French Quarter. It was the poor in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward who suffered
terrible devastation. Katrina was not God’s punishment. It was an act of nature. Some
people use God as their authority to pass judgment on people they don’t like.

3. Jesus simply said, “Look, all you have to do is sincerely seek the will of God in your
lives (Mt 7:21). And so we ask ourselves, “Lord, what do you want me to do in this
circumstance?” It’s a simple question, but it is rare that we can’t come up with the right
answer. And if we are still unsure, there are good people able to help us explore God’s
will.

Simple? Yes. Simplistic? Definitely Not

On the surface, some might think this is too simplistic. But if we truly seek to live our life
by loving God and neighbor, seeking to do God’s will each day and not passing judgment
on others, then we will indeed live out the whole gospel. Yes, it may sound simple; but
definitely it is not simplistic.
 Copyright L. Carlile 2009

Do your kids enjoy card games? Teach them

healthy concepts by making a food card game
by using the words below. Have fun making
cards for each name and then create a game
with your cards. Kids will love the creativity and
imaginative ways to learn and you will be proud
of yourself for your inspirational activity.

Betty Broccoli Penny Peas Patti Peanut

Amy Asparagus Barney Beets Cassie Cashew
Lance Lettuce Mindy Milk Mindy Macademia
Audrey Avocado Catherine Cottage Wally Walnut
Sam Ham Cheese Carol Cantaloupe
Ben Burger Yolanda Yogurt Pedro Pear
Rhonda Roll Eddie Eggs Portia Peach
Barb Bagel Ollie Onion Gerald Grape
Tom Tomato Candy Carrot Kiki Kiwi
Billie Sue Brussel Sprouts Betsy Bread Maggie Mango
Bart Bacon Pete Pretzel Lottie Lime
Oli Olive Carissa Cracker Lars Lemon
Benjamin Banana Steve Spaghetti Amy Apricots
Andy Apple Mandy Macaroni Paul Plum
Sally Strawberry Paula Pasta Oprah Oatmeal
Rick Raspberry Cesar Cereal Benny Brown Rice
Belinda Blueberry Hortensia Hot dog Pam Popcorn
Wanda Watermelon Charlie Chicken Bailey Barley
Gabby Green Beans Tommy Turkey Whitney Wheat
Patty Potato Val Veal Tortillas
Bobby Bacon Pat Pork Brin Buckwheat
Carissa Corn Lacey Lentil
Edgar Eggplant
 Relief
by Karen Stafford

One of my favorite little "clippings" is a cartoon of a very

frazzled woman with hair going all over the place. The
caption: "I have one nerve left, and everyone is getting on
it!" Raise your hand if you identify............

This article deals with handling stress, both at the time you
experience it, as well as how to avoid having quite so much
in the future. But, at the start, since chances are you have
some of this tension going on right now, how can you relax
and ease it? Doesn't do any good to tell you how to avoid it once the stressful situation happens.

Here are some suggestions on dealing with what you have right now:

Take a bath. Lock the door, put up a Do Not Disturb sign, light a candle, put on New Age
music, add the bubbles, turn out the lights, and just sink.
Take a walk. Ask a neighbor to watch your kids for 15 minutes if you can (if they're
young).
Make your own kids take the bus home if you would beat them home that way and just
enjoy the quiet. Keep the TV off.
During your break at work, shut the door and turn out the light and pretend you're not
there.
Allow yourself 5 pieces of dark, delectable chocolate. Don't wolf them down, but savor
them. SLOWWWLLY.
Don't ignore your spiritual side. Pray, read your Bible, meditate...
Be honest. Tell the people who are demanding your time "I will listen to you, but now is
not a good time. I feel like I'm on overload. Can you talk to me in 15-20 minutes so I can
give you my undivided attention?"
Delegate. If the day has just been too much, tell your kids that if they want clean clothes,
they'll just have to do a load. Ask your spouse to help with the dishes or to cook.
Lose yourself in idiotic, non-educational TV.
If you have activity after activity after activity, take a personal day on the first "down"
day. And, DON'T use it to do housework!
Choose one Saturday a month just to sleep in.
Think POSITIVE!
What NOT to do..........

Yell at your kids for something that stressed you out at work. (Easier said than done, I
know!)
Give in to road rage
Overeat
Smoke or drink
Yell at the person who got on your last nerve
Let yourself go in the grooming department
Let your house go to pot (although life will not come to an end if you don't get your bed
made a couple days a week)
Go on a shopping spree with no money in your bank account
Gossip or join in with the negative bunch – avoid these people like the plague

Now that we know how to handle the stress we already have, what can we do to eliminate any
future stress? Unfortunately, we can't eliminate all of it. If we didn't have a little bit of stress,
seriously, we wouldn't be motivated to keep going-to keep on our toes. But, we can make it
manageable.

Update from Kelsey

Hello Everybody!!

Well, this week has certainly picked up in

speed for me! Yet, it has been very different
from the previous week here in Malawi. This
last weekend, I stayed with my good friend
Thomason and her family. Both she and her
mom are teachers at local schools and her
father works for the government as a
construction engineer. They decided that I
needed to see ALL of Lilongwe, not just the
remote, poor villages. So, I went on a tour of
the city, seeing the national monuments,
government buildings, presidents home
(from a distance, of course), and the luxury
areas of the town. It was great to learn more
about Malawi's political history and
economical diversity from her family. They
were so welcoming to me and I really
appreciated my stay with them.
As for this week, I have been staying in the
home of Sean, the pastor of Flood Malawi,
and his wife Tapiwa. They have a young son
named Gabriel who I have become good
buddies with over the past few days. :)
This week, I have spent two days in Mgwayi
teaching the women how to write their ABC's.
This activity brings both excitement and
heartbreak to me. Some of these women
don't even know how to hold or write with a
pen, as they only learned their letters by
writing in the dirt during the short time that
they were in school. And almost all of them
do not know their letters at all. These are
grown women, whom most organizations
have looked past as they focus their attention
of the children. Yet these women, in so many
ways, are just like
the children here in Malawi. They strive for
more out of their lives, they hunger for
education, and desire to provide a better life
for the next generation. Yet, they continue to
be left by the way-side, seeing the focus of so
many organizations gravitate towards their
children. It’s frustrating for me because I
have such a desire to see these women
succeed, to see their lives bettered so that
they can go on to provide for their children,
but the resources for such programs are
absent at this time. Please pray that
somehow doors will be opened for the
empowerment and uplifting of these women
to occur.
Secondly this week, as I stay at Sean's house,
we have been discussing ideas of how the
issues in Malawi need to be approached, how
the current system's are not working and by
creating a new program that simply mirrors
efforts that are currently being done by other
organizations, we would basically be beating
a dead horse. So I just hope that we are able
to discover a new approach, a new standard
of ministry and care for the people of Malawi,
that will bring a real and lasting change to
this land and that Flood Malawi can be in the
forefront of that initiative.
Lastly, tonight I am going to be attending a
very fancy dinner for the seniors of African
Bible College...sort of like Prom for our high
schools.....I brought a black dress from the
states, but as I have been spending much time
out in the sun here, I have developed quite
the farmers tan!!! HAHAHA. So don't laugh
too hard when you see the pictures from
tonight. :) But, I am really enjoying my time
with my friends from ABC, who are all sooo
excited about graduation being just around
the corner on Saturday!!!! Then, on Sunday, I
am off to Nkhoma where the real work will
begin!!!
Please keep me and the people of Malawi in
your thoughts an prayers and I continue my
stay here.
Hope that you all have a great weekend on
that side of the world :)
~Kelsey~
1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are
young, but set an example for the believers in
speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity.
 Grandma Mary’s Shindig!
By great-granddaughter Gracie with the Help of Grandma Vye/Lola

Grandma Mary was coming to visit! Hooray!

Grandma lived in California and was coming to stay
with us for a while. “Until she recuperates,” Mama
said.

A white Lincoln pulled up into the driveway. The door

opened and out came Grandma, with her hair in
beautiful curls and she was wearing a shiny outfit. It
sparkled in the sun so much I could hardly see her!

I ran outside and hugged Grandma. I was so happy she was here. We had fixed a room
up for her so she wouldn’t be homesick. Mama made sure she had a deep red rug
similar to Grandma’s rugs at home. We put up pictures with lots of pink in them.
Grandma Mary loves pink!

We added flowers and pillows in shades of pink to her

bedroom. Grandma was so excited about her new room.
Mama even bought her a flat screen tv to watch at night.
It even had a DVD player.

That night as we got ready for bed, Grandma called me

to her room. “Gracie, I love you. Gracie, your big blue
eyes have always been so bright and intense. Gracie,
I’m proud of you.”
I went to sleep that night feeling a lot better. Grandma had been in the hospital and
everyone seemed to worry about her. She seemed fine to me. I fell asleep dreaming of
Grandma Mary.

The next day I went to school. Grandma Mary was proud of me

because I was a good student. I love to read and I love to write
especially. Grandma is my best fan. She loves what I do. Mama
says that she was the same way with her. Grandma was proud of
my Mama, too.

When I got home that afternoon I noticed something different. Grandma’s car was gone
and so were Mama and Daddy. Mama was always home in the afternoon. Where had
they gone? I saw a note on the table where I always have snack.
Dear Gracie,
We took Grandma to the hospital. She had trouble breathing. Daddy will pick you up
and bring you to the hospital.
Love, Mama

No sooner had I read the note when I heard the door open and in walked Daddy. I ran
to him, but he was smiling, so everything must be ok. I blurted out, “I want to see
Grandma!

Daddy bent down and hugged me tightly and said, “Ok, go

ahead and put your things away. We’ll go right back to the
hospital.”

My heart skipped a beat. Surely Grandma was ok since

Daddy was so calm. We walked to the car and got in. I
always loved Grandma’ s car. It has seats that warm up your
bottom! And she has a CD player in the car, as well as lots
of stuff I don’t know about yet.

We entered the hospital room and Grandma looked so

different. She had a mask on and her chest was moving up
and down so hard. She looked like she was working too hard. A little tear escaped my
eye and I hugged Grandma. She searched for my hands and squeezed them and
smiled a little smile.

After a while, Mama and Daddy said it was time to go. We would return tomorrow to
visit. That night I couldn’t eat my dinner. I kept thinking about Grandma being alone in
that hospital room. It didn’t have a beautiful
red rug nor did it have those pretty pink
pictures. I excused myself and ran to my
room. I took out my crayons and found all the
ones that had red or pink in them. I started to
draw hearts all over a big sheet of white
paper. When I finished, I smiled. Grandma
would smile when she saw it. I knew that!

A few days went by and every day we went to visit Grandma. One day we walked in,
and she had that mask off her face! She wasn’t smiling very much but when I walked in,
she smiled from ear to ear!

“Gracie! Oh, how I’ve missed you! Come give Grandma a kiss and hug!” Of course, I did
that right away. I loved hugging Grandma because she felt so warm and comfortable. I
was so happy that she had that mask off her face. She looked tired, Mama said, so we
got ready to leave.
The next few days were so fun. Grandma started getting better. She was going to move
out of the ICU ward to a ward called the PCU.

Mama told me that ICU meant intensive care unit

and that PCU meant progressive care unit. So
Grandma was getting better. I was so happy.
“Gracie, would you get me a drink?” Grandma
whispered. I looked up at Mama and Mama
shook her head.

“Oh, Grandma, I wish I could, but you can’t have

water yet, the nurse said,” I tearfully informed
Grandma. She looked sad, but then a nurse came
in and I blurted out, “My Grandma is thirsty. It’s not fair. She needs something to drink!”

The nurse smiled and pulled out a little sponge and dipped that into water. She showed
me how to put it on Grandma’s lips so they could cool down. I tried and Grandma
smiled. I was worried she might suck the sponge so hard she might swallow it.

The next day Grandma told me that she had already been
walking with a new walker. The doctor had taken the tube out of
her mouth and throat and she could start eating again. She
proudly told me she fed herself her food, but it was nasty. She
is supposed to eat stuff that looks like baby food. Since they
took that tube in her throat away, she has to learn how to eat all
over again. Poor Grandma! She loves chimichangas and now
has to eat this nasty stuff.

“Grandma, when you come home, we will eat chimichangas and ice cream and drink
lots of coke!” Grandma smiled and her eyes lit up and she shook her head yes.

Life is good. Grandma is getting better. I am doing well

in school. I love life. Grandma has been putting me in a
good mood by talking about a party she wants to have.
She calls it a shindig. She says she is ready to move to
Salem. She is happy about the rain. She loves the
beautiful trees and bright green grass.

It’s fun to watch Grandma get so excited. She is happy

that all her family is nearby and wants Uncle John and
Aunt Evy to move here, too.
“
Gracie, have your uncle and aunt come for the shindig yet?”
“Oh, Grandma, I think they are coming next week.”
 Grandma looked a little sad, but then began telling Mama
and me what she wanted at her special party. She insisted
we roll her hair and put on her makeup.

“I don’t want to be seen without my makeup on and my hair

done,” she proudly announced.

“Oh, life is so beautiful,” smiled Grandma. “I want this shindig

to be the best celebration anyone has ever seen! I want to
celebrate life. We only live once. I want this to be the best
party anyone has ever been to!”

Mama and I exchanged glances and smiled. Grandma was so happy. In fact, she then
said, “I’ve never, never, never been this happy in my whole life.” We were delighted that
Grandma was feeling so great.

I went home with a list of things to buy for Grandma’s shindig: a

cake from Costco, hors d’ouvres, pickles, and something else….

I heard the phone ring the next morning or was it still night time?
It was still kind of dark outside and I heard Mama say to my
Daddy, “Steve, get up. It’s the hospital.”

I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I know that Mama was
strangely calm. She is not an early morning person, so maybe she was still asleep. She
came into my room and asked me if I wanted to go see Grandma.
Sure, I did!

On the way to the hospital everyone was very quiet and the only sound coming from
the car was the roar of the engine and Mama praying. I couldn’t figure out what was
going on.

When we got to the hospital, there was parking everywhere. We got out of the car and a
policeman came up to us and asked our name. That was weird, but he was nice and
offered to go with us to Grandma’s room. No one talked as we got into the elevator and
punched the number four. When we got out of the elevator, a lady in blue came up to us
and showed us into a little room. All I heard or understood is that they were trying to get
Grandma to live.

When we went into her room, she had all these tubes on her. It looked like all her
makeup was off. She was so pale. She had that mask on again. And she was breathing
so hard. Her eyes were open but I don’t think she could see me. I knew something was
wrong.

Mama began crying and telling Grandma how much she loved her. She hugged her and
kissed her. I did the same. What was happening? I thought Grandma was doing
better…We left the room and they moved Grandma back up to intensive care. We
 followed in another elevator. There were more than ten people
doing things around Grandma’s bed. The doctor asked us to wait
outside in a little room. A strange man was there with us. He said
he was the hospital’s chaplain.

Mama told me that he would pray with us. I knew something was
wrong. Grandma was getting worse. But she had been so happy.
She had been so filled with love and life. She was planning for
something great. Something miraculous. And that’s when I got it!

Grandma was planning her funeral. She was planning to meet God and she was so
happy. This shouldn’t be a sad thing. This should be a happy day for Grandma. But I
was sad. I was not going to be able to see my Grandma every day. I wouldn’t be able to
hear her voice.

Someone put their arm around me. I noticed it was Daddy. He was hugging Mama and
me. And both Mama and Daddy were crying. I cried too. We sat there for a long time.

Someone came in and said we could say good by to Grandma, but when we got into the
room, I could see she was not there. Her body was there, but her spirit was gone. I
knew in my heart she was with God. She was somewhere else.

I hugged her and kissed her and told her I would always love her. Now the only sadness
was for me. I was sad but that was ok. The next few days were crazy.

I didn’t go to school. Mama had to plan Grandma’s shindig. Our friend Gladys got a
cake from Costco. We called a lot of friends and family. And we planned a shindig in
Salem. Then Grandma was flown to California for a funeral there.

Her final physical home is in California, but she lives in my heart. I can speak to her
every day. She is still proud of me. And I am proud to be Grandma Mary’s grandchild,
the only grandchild she met while she was here.

This story is mostly true. Grandma Mary had three grown

children and one of them was Gracie’s Daddy’s Mom. Great
Grandma Mary did come to Salem, but Gracie was only six
months old and was Grandma Mary’s great-granddaughter.
But Grandma Mary loved Gracie so much, we thought she
would like a story with Gracie and her as the main
characters. We love you, Grandma Mary and Mom, and will
never, never, never forget you!

Love, kisses and many hugs,

Your adoring family

Gracie and Great Grandma Mary

April, 2009
 By: Cynthia Preston

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in
plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control.
13. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
14. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
15. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
16. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
17. Dream more while you are awake.
18. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
19. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past.
That will ruin your present happiness.
20. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
21. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
22. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
23. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the
curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a
lifetime.
24. Smile and laugh more.
25. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
26. Call your family often.
27. Each day give something good to others.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
30. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
31. What other people think of you is none of your business.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
33. Do the right thing!
34. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
35. GOD heals everything.
36. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
37. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
38. The best is yet to come.
39. When you awake in the morning, thank GOD for it.
40. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy
41. Pass It On

Aunt Miyuki is from Hokkaido, Japan. She married my mom’s brother,

Adrian, and they had four children. Uncle Ady died a few years ago. I
met her when I was seven years old. This is a recipe we all made
growing up when I thought I was Japanese, too! Well, Aunt Miyuki IS
my aunt! So much for naïve 14-year olds today, eh?

Cook up some white rice! (Doesn’t matter how much – just as

much as you wanna use) I use California Calrose rice, but it doesn’t matter much there
either. We have used all kinds to make this rice. After cooking the rice, put it aside.
Then sauté one chopped large onion, ½ package bacon until browned. Cut the bacon
into pieces. Add the rice slowly, mixing all the time. Salt as needed. Shred some raw
carrot and put that in the mix. Add some frozen peas. Voila! Japanese rice….
When Aunt Miyuki first came to the United States, she was worried about being so short that she
wore her high heels with her bathrobe! My mom and I were very instrumental in teaching her
bad English. We thought that the louder we talked and the simplest way, Aunt Miyuki would
learn to understand us. Well, she did! And listen to her now! I go to store….They no do
this….Thank you, Mom! 

Aunt Miyuki was kind of like a second mom to me. I stayed at her house a lot when Evelyn and
Johnny were little. I would sleep in her big bed with her and she would calm me down when I
woke with a start. She also came to our house and we all watched the Miss America pageant.
Aunt Miyuki would pin curl my hair and Evy’s hair and we would comment on the girls. Aunt
Miyuki would always say, “Oh, By-oda have betta figah than she. By-oda look like barbee doll.”

Isn’t that cute? She would always comment on how good my boys were and she taught us the
Japanese Gas Position – a great way to get rid of gas. I still remember how great Aunt Miyuki is
with little babies. She loved my boys when they were little as she does now.

Thanks for the Memories….

Aunt Miyuki
 Poetry

He watched her every move

He sighed with her every sound
Humming tunes ne’er heard before
Searching for scarlet ribbons around
Quiet and introspective
A grandfather so reflective

Loneliness in a sea of individuals

Crying at my computer desk
Did I do my best I wonder
We can’t undo the past
Only if I had known….
 JOURNAL
Lola Carlile, Ph.D.
September 2008
It‟s Friday and time for me to meet
Matty and Mindy, the coordinators of the
Center 50‟s program for Alzherimer‟s
patients. I am a bit unnerved, as I just
fractured my humerus a week ago yesterday.
It‟s Friday and I‟m going to come in and
meet the clients and the staff. Hubby drops
me off as I can‟t drive – actually, I‟m not
sure if I can drive or not, but I‟m not
supposed to is the bottom line according to
the physician‟s assistant, Patrick, who read
over my x-rays and determined that my
fracture needed to be immobilized, but,
thankfully, only through a bothersome sling
that I cast off the minute I am able. Back to
the center. A new one is being built, so until
it is ready for occupancy (in about 3 weeks,
I believe I was told), we are meeting at a
building across from the Alliance Church.
Hubby knows where Hood St. is and drops
me off.
A pleasant-looking woman who
appears to be close to my age walks up to
me and says, “You must be Lola. We are so
excited to meet you.” As I gaze around my
surroundings, I notice a few other seniors
being dropped off. Yet they are the clients. I
am the volunteer. One healthy looking
gentleman asks if I would like some tea. I‟m
confused. Is he a client or staff? Should he
be pouring hot water? I say tea sounds fine
and I sit down. Again, am I to be confused
with a client? I‟m gonna be 60 next month,
so I‟m in the age range, I am sure. I just
keep my pasted smile on my face as I follow
the newcomers into the room.
Time moves slowly. It‟s only 11:30
and I‟m starving. Again, new to this old age
and housebound thing, I have been known
to sleep until 9 or 10 and eat at 11. Then nap
at 12 until hubby comes home. It‟s really not
in my constitution not to do anything, but
those pain pills mask any living I may want
to do….
Mattie gets up after consuming the
delicious Chinese food, ample portions for
all. She has written on the white board: IF.
She says, what IF? IF you could go
anywhere, where would you go? She reads a
poem and then asks different seniors where
they would go. She writes their names and
where they would like to go. Then she asks
them why. They read a line of the poem
each, always greeted by Mattie with a hug, a
handshake or a beautiful smile. “Great.
Good job. Thanks! Wow.”
Someone is surreptitiously cleaning
up the plates and passing out a sheet of
paper entitled IF. A volunteer sits at each
table and the ten seniors begin to reminisce
and dream of where they might want to go.
Hawaii, Europe, Pittsburgh (add the H, Stan
says). All places they‟ve been or think they
may have visited….
 A swanky looking gal comes in to
the room. I estimate her age to be above 50.
She is trim, lithe, and has a sultry voice that
commands respect. She is the exercise gal.
Her workout slacks fit her like a glove and
her tank top reveals a well honed body. She
sits on a chair and everyone finds a chair
(with a lot of help from the volunteers) and
she has them moving up and down. Taking
those arms and stretching….Moving the legs
– out and in. And the “I don‟t know” shrug.
Moving the shoulders up and down. Up and
down. Time for me to leave. Hubby is
outside. I gather my things and wave
goodbye.
Friday, September 26, 2008 10:30 am
I‟m early today, „cause I have to cut
some paper for the clients to use in our apple
activity. I am going to be doing the arts and
crafts portion of the program. So with my
left arm coaxing me to be lazy, the right one
urges it on to cut and cut and cut. No one
seems anxious to help me. Oh well. I just
keep on cutting. Our present theme (Mattie
would have been a terrific primary school
teacher) is Johnny Appleseed. I‟ve prepared
a story, read aloud pieces of the story, a
craft, and two other items I don‟t think we
will get to because of time constraints.
The Mexican dinner is ready and the
volunteers bring plates to the clients. I grab
a plate and proceed to the table where there
are open seats. I sit down next to Stan. He is
a huge man in a wheelchair who seems to
have pretty good control of his mind so far.
He says he can‟t walk because he is afraid
he will fall. I share with him the story about
my only brother who has lost a leg and is
only 53. Or is he 54? I am not sure any
more. I have a picture of my sons and my
daughter-in-laws and pass that around
sharing about the boys. The gentlemen all
say my boys are fine looking. I am proud.
The volunteer approaches our table
and asks me if I would like some more
guacamole. I rave about how much I Iove it
and George says, “I didn‟t get any.”
“Yes, you did,” replies the volunteer. “It‟s
that green stuff on your plate. You will have
some left.”
Several times the volunteer
approaches the table to refill the men‟s
plates. They are very hearty eaters. She has
clipped a cloth napkin to their shirts in order
to decrease the amount of food that is spilled
onto the shirts. She is quite successful and
respectful about doing so, as she removes
the napkin, complimenting the old gents on
their neatness and accomplishments.
“Oops, there is one stain, though!”
she marvels and John looks up and asks in a
disgusting tone, “It‟s not from my butt, is
it?” Laughter all around.
“No, I don‟t think so. Do you have to
go to the bathroom, though?”
“Nah, I‟m dry,” George acidly
comments. John was in the Navy a while
back. He sometimes wears his cap, but
doesn‟t talk too much about it. The first time
I met him he was confused about why he
was here. He kept hoping his family would
come for him. His daughter had written him
a little not and it was in her pocket. He read
it several times,
Dearest Dad,
Today I am going to go shopping while you
are visiting your club. I will pick you up at 4
pm. I hope you have a good day.
Love, Jennifer
That note meant a lot to George that
day.
 Time for me to get up and introduce
myself formally. I start with my name
VIOLA. I can be called Vye or Lola, but
never Viola (with a long i). I came from
Salzburg with my mother to New York - we
were one of the last few people to come
through Ellis Island. My father stood on the
bow of the ship and pointed to the Statue of
Liberty and told my mom, “This is MY
country!” We stayed on the ship for 24
hours so they could check us for contagious
disease, etc., and then we were let off the
ship.
I like Texas „cause I lived there for
27 years. I went to the University of Texas. I
show the clients a picture of a longhorn.
“Does anyone know what this is?”
“A cow!”
“Longhorn!”
“Yep, you are right! Texas‟ mascot is the
Longhorn. I also love the beach. Does
anyone else like the beach?”
I continue showing pictures of
Salzburg, diet Coke, etc. I am ready to quit,
when Stan slays, “Hey, what‟s that bottom
one?” It happens to be of an art palette and I
know that Stan‟s wife is an artist.
“Thanks! I forgot one. Boy, you are
so observant. Yes, I love art and I‟m
studying to be an art therapist.”
I start in on reading about Johnny
Appleseed. I have a loud voice and I use
good intonation for the most part, I am told.
They are listening and looking at me. I wish
I had big pictures – that would help
immensely. After the story, we talk about
our favorite part – summing up the story. I
didn‟t know that he went barefoot and one
of the legends is that a rattlesnake tried to
bite him, but couldn‟t sink its fangs into
Johnny‟s tough feet! I can identify with that.
I have leather hard feet at times. They seem
to enjoy that part.
The art part. Argh. I picked out
quilling. Something very hard to do.
Immediately I sense this is way too difficult,
so we change the art project from quilling to
mosaics. Just tear the paper and glue it
down. That is easier to do. But before I
make the transition, Minda, throws her paper
and stomps out of the room. She has a very
few choice words to use and everyone just
opens their mouth in amazement. Someone
follows her out. She is puffing on a
cigarette. Said she quit, but what the heck?
She likes it and she is gonna do it (smoke).
She doesn‟t seem very old – maybe in her
60‟s, but she looks like she‟s had a hard life.
She kind of reminds me of someone who
might work at the diner and doesn‟t take any
flack from anyone.
My hands are shaking as I remember
the conflict I could have avoided had I
chosen an easier art project for them. Mattie
doesn‟t want to use paints because it‟s
messy and they probably would eat them.
Who knows?
Mindy comes for exercise and Mattie
and I talk about the lesson. I know I need a
sample. Jeanette, one of the clients, told me
so. She boldly told me there was no excuse
not having done it myself first. She is so
right. I tried to blame it on my arm, but she
defiantly and correctly said, “You could
have had someone else do it.” I told her she
was entirely correct and that I was glad she
was gonna keep me on my toes. So, next
Friday our theme is leaves and cookies.
Wow. What can I do with that? Time to plan
for it now.
October 17, 2008
Well, I didn‟t go to the center last
week. I had to drive my husband to the
airport so he could go to California and help
out with my mom. My sister got there on
Tuesday and he came home, shell-shocked!
Mom is pretty angry and
independent. Doesn‟t make for a good mix.
So, now this Friday I went to the Center and
the theme was oranges and cinnamon. I did
a memory thing (chorale reading) about
oranges. Did you know that oranges help
reduce cholesterol, arthritis, cancer, and
cardiovascular disease? The orange is better
than the Vitamin C pill. And it originated in
Asia, on to India, Europe and ole‟ Columbus
brought it with him to America. The orange
tree is the state tree in Florida. Great
information. The guys seemed to like
hearing the health stuff. Bill was back. I like
him a lot. What a good man. They used
markers to color in all the oranges. They
worked so hard. I admire them. They seem
like a good back of gentlemen. Andy was a
new one. He seems pretty smart.
Ted can‟t believe I‟m turning 60. He
shakes his head and says, “Lola, Lola! I
don‟t know what to do with you.” And I
answer back, “Well, that makes two of us!”
They had salmon today and I didn‟t want
any – I was 30 minutes late and I think
Evelyn was really stressed out because of
that and other things, I suppose. We played
autumn bingo and I waited in the atrium for
my hubby to pick me up!
Next week I will be here is
Halloween. I already have all the stuff – all I
need is to make copies! I also want to
purchase individual crayons so they will
each have their own pack. Or should I get
them markers? Hum. Markers get dry
quickly – maybe just colors.
I‟m tired – will write more later.
Time for a birthday snooze. 

Looking for a job?

It might help you to understand what they are
saying at the prospective new job…Stay tuned, gotta
share what they think YOU are saying as well! And,
gee whiz, don’t take this seriously. It’s supposed to
dispel your fears and make you laugh. Or something
like that.
 Mittleider Method
6 Steps to Successful Gardening
I. Choose the Location and Prepare the Soil
1. Direct Sunlight all day long
2. Locate a water source near the garden
3. Level ground – slight Southern slope OK
4. Clean ground – remove rocks & weeds
5. Outline perimeter with stakes & string
6. Fence to protect against intruders

2. Create Soil-Beds – a Nursery – in Which to Grow Plants

1. Measure and stake beds - 18” & aisles - 3’6”
2. Tie strings to stakes to outline growing beds
3. Level beds by moving soil – 1” drop in 30’
4. Apply Pre-Plant & Weekly Feed to beds
5. Dig or till beds only – not aisles! – 8” deep
6. Re-level beds, then shape with 4” ridges

3. Plant and/or Transplant

1. Space seeds or plants based on size at maturity
2. Use a marker for uniform plant spacing
3. Transplant healthy seedlings to extend season
4. Apply nitrogen to transplants for fast start
5. Planting seeds? Cover with sand, not dirt
6. Grow vertically – more yield in less space

4. Water for Maximum Yield & Minimum Waste

1. Never sprinkle! Wastes water and helps disease
2. Early morning watering is best, but don’t wait
3. Always keep soil moist – a wilting plant is dying
4. Cover end of hose with cloth – reduces pressure
5. Apply 1” of water in 10”-12”-wide planting area
6. Automate watering with drilled PVC pipes

5. Feed Accurately and Regularly

1. Plants require balanced nutrition all the time
2. Water-soluble minerals are required – through roots
3. Pre-Plant & Weekly Feed – once before planting
4. Weekly Feed until 3 weeks before maturity
5. Apply Pre-Plant 1 oz./1ft – Weekly Feed .5 oz/1ft
6. Use sterile compost/manure if minerals not available

6. Control Weeds – Stop Competition, Bugs, & Diseases

1. Eliminate all annuals and perennials at the start
2. After planting, remove weeds as they first appear
3. Use a rake and a “scuffle” or two-way hoe
4. Rake ridges down and back up – hoe bed & aisles
5. “E & O” – early and often for first 2-3 weeks does it
6. Avoid pesticides & herbicides for healthier garden produce

HARVEST AT PEAK MATURITY AND REMOVE RESIDUE FROM GARDEN!

Food For Everyone Foundation
P.O. Box 581052, Salt Lake City, Utah 84158
(801) 583-4449 (801) 915-4449 - www.foodforeveryone.org
 "HR SPEAK"
ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION
You'll be making under $7 an hour.
ENTRY-LEVEL POSITION IN AN UP-AND-COMING COMPANY
You'll be making under $7 an hour; we'll be bankrupt in a year.
AN UP-AND-COMING SOFTWARE COMPANY
We want you to get your hopes up, but there's no chance we'll be the next MS.

COMPETITIVE SALARY
We remain competitive by paying less than our competitors.
JOIN OUR FAST-PACED COMPANY
We have no time to train you; you'll have to introduce yourself to your coworkers.
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED LEADER
Inc. Magazine wrote us up a few years ago, but we haven't done anything
innovative since.
SELF-MOTIVATED
Management won't answer questions
PENSION/RETIREMENT BENEFITS
After 3 years, we'll allow you to fund your own 401(k) and, if you behave, we'll
give you a 5 percent matching contribution.
SEEKING ENTHUSIASTIC, FUN, HARD WORKING, PEOPLE
…who still live with their parents and won't mind our internship-level salaries.
COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT
We have a lot of turnover.
EXCITING AND PROFESSIONAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
Guys in gray suits will bore you with tales of squash and their weekends on yachts.
FUN WORK ENVIRONMENT
Your coworkers will be insulted if you don't drink with them.
A DRUG-FREE WORK ENVIRONMENT
We booze it up at company parties.
MUST BE DEADLINE ORIENTED
You'll be six months behind schedule on your first day.

SOME OVERTIME REQUIRED

Some time each night and some time each weekend.
FLEXIBLE HOURS
Work 40 hours; get paid for 25.
 DUTIES WILL VARY
Anyone in the office can boss you around.
WHERE EMPLOYEES FEEL VALUED
Those who missed the last round of layoffs, that is.
MUST HAVE AN EYE FOR DETAIL
We have no quality control.
COLLEGE DEGREE PREFERRED
Unless you wasted those four years studying something useless like philosophy,
English or religion.
CAREER-MINDED
Female Applicants must be childless (and remain that way).
APPLY IN PERSON
If you're old, fat or ugly you'll be told the position has been filled.
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
We've filled the job; our call for resumes is just a legal formality.
SEEKING CANDIDATES WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF EXPERIENCE
You'll need it to replace three people who just left.
REQUIRES TEAM LEADERSHIP SKILLS
You'll have the responsibilities of a manager, without the pay or respect.
GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Management communicates, you listen, figure out what they want and do.
ABILITY TO HANDLE A HEAVY WORKLOAD
You whine, you're fired.

Looking to hire someone?

Put employees into a room with only a table and two chairs. Leave them without any
instruction and check back on them in two hours.

• If they have taken the table apart, assign them to engineering.

• If they are counting butts in the ashtray, put them in finance.
• If they are talking to the chairs, assign them to personnel.
• If they are sleeping, they are management material.
• If they do not notice when you walk in, place them in security.
• And if they have left early, put them in sales.
 SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources person asked a young engineer
fresh out of MIT, “And what starting salary were you looking for?”

The Engineer said, “In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits
package.”

The interviewer said, “Well, what would you say to a package

of five-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and
dental, company matching retirement fund to 50 percent of
salary, and a company car leased every two years, say, a red
Corvette?”

The Engineer sat up straight and said, “Wow! Are you

kidding?”

And the interviewer replied, “Yeah, but you started it.”