Letting go...

Rhoda Newman Hoffman is my wonderful 91 year old mother-in-law. Rhoda has endured tremendous hardships in her long life but through it all managed to keep a sweet, loving spirit. Her two sons, Wayne and Glenn have been the light of her life. She has loved much, laughed often and doted on her grandchildren.

Her life with Harry Hoffman, her husband of over 50 years, was a challenge. He was a musician who played in night clubs and loved big band music. On Harry's eightieth birthday Wayne and I took Harry and Rhoda to a beautiful restaurant in Cincinnati with a fabulous view of the city. I shall never forget the two of them floating around the dance floor to the big band tunes. They were magical together. It was a fun and memorable evening. We are grateful for that evening as Harry passed away the following year.

Robyn has been reminiscing about her childhood summers at her grandparent's home in Louisville, Kentucky. Robyn and Heather would look forward with anticipation to a week with them each year. Harry would play loud music and allow Robyn and Heather to play "bar" in the basement. The lights were dimmed and the "bar" lights were turned on and Harry was blowing his trumpet. There was a real band stand and many musical instruments where the former band used to rehearse. (I have it on good authority that "little" Wayne even played bar with them sometimes.)

While the music wailed in the basement Rhoda would be dissecting a can of salmon upstairs in preparation for salmon croquettes. When I say dissect, I mean dissect. She went through a can of salmon and removed anything that wasn't pink. (About half the contents of the can.) It took her hours to prepare dinner. She never particularly liked cooking because her hands were gnarled from arthritis caused by a serious accident when Wayne and Glenn were teenagers. She was hit by a car at the mail box and barely survived. Thankfully she recovered but was left with many "scars" from her injuries.

I speak of Rhoda with great love because she treated me as a daughter from the day I met her. She was warm and welcoming and I loved her from day one. Now it's time to start letting her go and I am not sure how to do that. I cared for my own mother in her waning years and even though I would not have kept Mom on earth for another day longer, I still miss her everyday. I know letting Rhoda go will be no easier.

We love you Rhoda! God bless you!

Airport food, airplane food and hotel food....thank goodness for better choices today!

Today was a traveling day. We haven't done that in quite awhile and it brought back fond memories of my days as a flight attendant and not so fond memories of airports. Today's venture through security was not bad at all but the flight left at OH dark thirty, so we had to leave home at 0330. Since yesterday was hectic we had not planned well for nutrition. We arrived at the airport with empty stomachs, ravenous appetites and a long day ahead. Our choices were Burger King and Nathan's. We opted for a rubber egg sandwich on a burned, tasteless English muffin. Since we had made a wildly poor food choice anyway we also opted for a Starbuck's Frappuccino. I know, I know, I'm weak.

When we arrived in Cincinnati we rented a car and drove to Louisville, Kentucky (about 1 1/2 hours away) to visit Wayne's 91 year old Mom and younger brother. Fortunately, they live very near a Whole Foods Market. I love Whole Foods and could spend hours there just browsing. We purchase smoked chicken and grilled pear and cheddar sandwiches and corn and poblano pepper chowder. YUM!

I remember all those days as a flight attendant there were few healthy food choices and my diet consisted of airport food, airplane food (there was food on airplanes then) and hotel food. (Fortunately, I had Juice Plus to bridge the gap.) Before I retired though there were better options on layovers at hotels, markets and local restaurants. Even airplane food was much improved on "Song Airways."

I used to love to layover in Los Angeles so I could make a trip to Trader Joe's. Most of the flight attendants headed straight for wine aisle to load up on as much two buck chuck as they could carry. I headed straight to the veggie meatloaf, potatoes and fresh veggies aisle. I would fill the bathtub with ice to keep it cool inside the grocery bags and we would have a feast on the plane the next day.

Those days are long behind me now but I continue to marvel at how popular the organic, whole food markets have become. There are also many, many organic produce coops springing up. I have listed the one I belong to on the "Organic Produce" page. It is called "Veggie-Table" and we have fun bagging groceries and sharing the cost. Check it out if you live in the Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares area. Healthy choices are easy today. Come join us. Also, see new recipe on the "Recipe" page.


Daniel 1:12-13 12Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countencance of the youths that eat of the king's dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.