Reincarnation

Let me tell you about my Uncle Jim.  He left the world a little earlier than most - at age 27... and I never got to meet him - but his spirit was such a lively one that I've had stories and stories told to me to fill my head with many fond images of this uncle I never "officially" met.

Jim was my mom's brother - they came from a family of six kids and grew up on the Southside of Chicago.  Jim was on the older end of the six siblings, and a favorite amongst them all.  He wrote silly songs - one of which my mom taught my brothers and I when we were little, and to this day I still remember them.  (It involves snorkelmen and finding ocean animals in the river.)  There was also a silly song about motorcycles.  Ask me - I will sing them for you.  He introduced my mother to coffee, and let her in on the (top, top) secret: that Dunkin Donuts is one of the best coffees around.  

Beyond light-hearted fun and coffee preferences, though, my Uncle Jim was both spiritual and profound.  I'm told he attempted priesthood, but wasn't obedient enough.  He also was my first introduction to reincarnation.  

No, I do not want to pay less for my groceries.

Whenever I login to www.Mint.com (- a rockin website that helps you manage your money), it always tells me I've exceeded my grocery budget.  [Also my travel budget, but I'm sure no one here is surprised to hear THAT.]  Yes, I should definitely work on spending less money, but I'll tell you what - personal spending cuts are never going come out of my grocery budget.  Why?  Because when it comes to produce and meat - especially meat - I care more about where my food comes from than what I pay for it.

Maybe you've seen the movie Food, Inc.  I did - and of course it made quite an impression on me, but a bigger influence on me, than that movie, is my brother Ryan.  I'm sure I've talked about him here before, but let's just get this out of the way: he's awesome.  He also knows a TON about local, sustainable food - and the humane treatment of animals.  He's worked on farms, he's worked on lobster boats, he's worked at farmers markets, he's worked at the Whole Foods meat department - and he's read a ton of books.  Ryan's influence has gotten me to where I am today, with food.  

The thing is, it's easier for us Americans to NOT ask questions or think about our food.  It's easier if we don't learn about where it comes from, how it gets to us.  Because once you start learning about your food - especially meat - you get upset.  None of us want to think about animals being killed for our food, we just want to eat our hamburger in peace.  To learn about where it came from would be too overwhelming.  We know that if we dug into it, there'd be a domino effect of things that would upset us.  To know about the fuel and carbon emissions associated with the fruit and produce at our local grocery store, to know about migrant workers that were paid unfair wages to harvest it - and above all, to know about the poor animals that had miserable lives and then were violently slaughtered so we could buy pretty packaged meat and not think about where it came from - that is overwhelming, and we simply can't think about it - because it hurts.  And because we're not ready for the lifestyle change of eating differently.

Let me be clear, I'm NOT on a high horse right now - I am this same way.

Power of the Universe

For the past 6 months or so, I've been wanting to put a chalkboard in my kitchen.  In terms of art, I'm not much of a drawer, but my handwriting skills are pretty great... Every time I'm in a restaurant that has chalkboard menus, I wish that I'd been the one to draw on them.  Plus, a chalkboard in one's own home would be fun!  The more I've thought about it, the more I've liked the idea - but still, I didn't want to spend a ton of money on it.  I was kind of hoping the universe would just bring me a chalkboard.

Maybe that sounds strange to you: the idea of the Universe [I've decided to capitalize 'Universe'] sending me something - but in my family, it's not strange at all...  

Evanston Excursion: The Mexican Shop!

This weekend I went on a mission to find a new earring for my cartilage piercing [oh yeah, rebellion] - and there was only one place to go: The Mexican Shop. Any girl from Evanston, IL knows alllllll about this wonderful place... you city girls might not be aware.  It's a boutique of sorts, filled with fun things, pretty things, funky things - clothes, jewelry, crazy sunglasses - you name it.  They close a few months every year so the owners can travel the world to find new things for their store.  [Most recent trip, I'm told, was to Bali].  Plus, they use doggie bags and to-go containers to wrap up your purchases.  Fun.

Anyway, sure enough, I found a great new addition to my ears - little star studs! Sterling silver (for my delicate, sensitive Irish skin) - and even though it's for my cartilage and I only need one, I was fine with buying the pair because I'm sure to lose one someday and will then have a back-up.  

I also had to pick up a pair of sterling silver hoops - because theirs are simply the best.  Total was around $23 with tax.  Not a steal, but hey - if I'd wanted Claire's pricing and quality, I would have gone there.  Anyway, if you ever find yourself north of Rogers Park... hit up the Mexican Shop.  Make a day of it! There are tons of delicious places to eat in Evanston (- ask me for recommendations!), plus, ladies - there's a cool record store across the street from The Mexican Shop that your man friends can hang out at while you explore this fine store.  Be forewarned - set a spending limit for yourself before you walk in ;)

Underworld

Winter is done... and I'm completely joyous about leaving it behind.  But, for me, it goes much deeper than weather...  Internally, it's been Winter for me for a long time - much longer than is normally allotted to the season (even in Chicago).  I believe it's important to acknowledge the darknesses in your life, to look at them head-on, and think about them and reflect on them, to honor them as part of life, part of yourself and your journey - hopefully learn from them.  But some things are so dark, you can get caught in them.  It's easy to let them trap you and stop you from moving on.  For me, there are things that have kept me in a dark, cold, dormant place for a few years now - and I think I've wallowed in them enough.  To say goodbye to them, I'll need the assistance of story.

Maybe you're familiar with the Greek Mythology tale about Hades, Persephone, and the pomegranate...