Sandra Gould Ford – Page 12

AAhaa!

CONSIDER To me, the job of the artist is to provide a useful and intelligent vocabulary for the world to be able to articulate feelings they experience everyday, and otherwise wouldn’t have the means to express in a meaningful and useful way. — Mos Def For writers, readers, Scrabble, crossword and word gamers like me, Succeed and Soar’s “Word Witty” posts offer little puzzles that strengthen a precious tool: Vocabulary. Scrabble Info Scrabble is sold in 121 countries and comes in 31 different languages. The English version has 100 tiles. Italian and Portuguese versions have the most, 120 tiles. The English version has 8 A tiles. Malaysia has 19 A’s. Word Match Should you wind up with several A’s in your rack, this post’s Word Match offers 11 ways to use two of them. Match letter in first column to their meaning and build vocabulary as well as chances of winning your next game. A Aa A type of cable. Two or more 3-D forms with a common axis. B Amazon Person who uses a chopping tool C Ammonia Volcanic rock D Arachnid A story showing life and action E Armada A powerful woman F Arrange A nitrogen, hydrogen compound with pungent smell G Aviary A fleet of warships H Aware To organize I Axman A class of arthropods that includes spiders, mites and scorpions J Coaxial To be knowledgeable. Alert. K Drama A large enclosure or building for keeping birds Answers below Quality of Life Wouldn’t you agree that two great achievements at this stage in human evolution would be: Peace and prosperity for all people Make violence and brutality, especially war extinct Homo sapiens are smart enough to create a flourishing planet and Win-Win [rather than Win-Lose] relationships. In the Marvin Gaye classic, “What’s Going On,” he sang, War is not the answer. Maybe, once upon a time when there were only a few million people, conquest was an option. Now, with billions and billions and high-powered weapons, there’s too little space for bickering. In personal affairs and of decision makers, consider: You can have everything you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. — Zig ZiglarFor I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. … Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. — Matthew 25: 35-40The test of a civilization is in the way that it cares for its helpless members. — Pearl Buck “What’s Going On” official video [2019] view here Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Hooded Sweat Shirts As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, shower curtains and more With autumn’s arrival, snuggle up artfully. These fine quality hoodies are: : 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full Chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $48 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this Hooded Sweatshirt View All Hoodies Thanks for shopping! Word Witty Answers Aa Volcanic rock Amazon A powerful woman Ammonia A nitrogen, hydrogen compound with pungent smell Arachnid A class of arthropods that includes spiders, mites and scorpions Armada A fleet of warships Arrange To organize Aviary A large enclosure or building for keeping birds Aware To be knowledgeable. Alert. Axman Person who uses a chopping tool Coaxial A type of cable. Two or more 3-D forms with a common axis. Drama A story showing life and action

Thrive! Egg Alternatives

Consider The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human form, in diet and in the care and prevention of disease. – Thomas Edison 7 Best Egg Substitutes for Baking Click Here to View Quick tips on why silken tofu or bananas are great in soft, spongy cakes while applesauce or ground flax works best in cookies. Length: 2 Minutes Once upon a time, a favorite food was eggs. Scrambled with buttery bread. Fried. Hard boiled, especially when deviled. My poached and omelet concoctions were proving delicious when physical upsets were connected to eggs. Darn! Health Grades reports that certain egg-proteins cause the “body to overproduce the antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE), which causes inflammation.” Symptoms of this “IgE-mediated egg allergy” include cramps, hives, wheezing, nausea, runny nose, shortness of breath and more. Other reasons to avoid eggs can be a desire to reduce cholesterol and fat intake, concerns for animal welfare, salmonella contamination, and the ‘environmental burden’ associated with egg farming. HealthLine writes, “Egg-laying hens, even free-range ones, are a source of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change. Choosing plant proteins over animal proteins reduces this footprint.” But what to do? Eggs are important parts of cooking. They bind or hold ingredients together. Eggs add flavor, moisture and keep liquids like water and oil from separating. Commercial products are available, like: The EVERY Company produces ‘bioidentical’ egg whites through fermentation JUST, Inc. makes egg-free products like cookie dough and a mayonnaise with yellow pea protein Egg Replacer] combines potato starch, tapioca flour, leavening (calcium lactate, calcium carbonate, cream of tartar) and a modified cellulose The Vegg is a yolk replacer made of nutritional yeast flakes, sodium alginate, kala namak,and beta-carotene. This Source also notes that “Egg Beaters” is a substitute for whole/fresh eggs (from the shell) but contains egg whites. Fortunately, real foods can also substitute for eggs. As shown in this post’s video, they include applesauce, bananas, ground chia and flax seeds, tofu and more. Here are some other foods that can replace eggs: Vinegar and baking soda that can keep baked goods light and airy Aquafaba, the liquid left over from cooking beans, functions like egg whites and works well in making meringues, marshmallows and nougat Carbonated water can add moisture because the air bubbles make baked good light and fluffy See All 13 Effective Food Substitutes “You are what you eat. What would YOU like to be?” – Julie Murphy COMMENT Succeed and Soar! Food for Thought Based on news reports in recent years, humans now need to address another form of global warming. The time has come to lower the temperature on how we interact. Deadly responses that once seemed effective in handling disagreements can now exacerbate and prolong rather than resolve disputes. Two great achievements at this stage in our evolution would be: Peace and prosperity for all human beings Make violence and brutality, especially war extinct Homo sapiens are smart enough to create Win-Win [rather than Win-Lose] relationships. Remind decision makers, Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called Children of God. Matthew 5-9 Image: PNGTree.com Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Hooded Sweat Shirts As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more With autumn’s arrive, snuggle up artfully. These fine quality hoodies are: : 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full Chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $48 Purchase this Hooded Sweatshirt View All Hoodies Thanks for shopping!

Path to Joy 9: Kindness

You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. – John Bunyan On an end-of-summer evening beside the Allegheny River, as twilight settled over yachts docked at the Fox Chapel marina, I chatted with members of Rotary International, an organization I thought focused on business development. Turns out the profits Rotary members seek come from bridging cultures and connecting continents. They champion peace, fight illiteracy and poverty, help people get access to clean water and sanitation, and fight disease. Rotary’s newest cause is to protect our planet and its resources. Wow! How exhilarating to meet people who prioritize the 9th Path to Joy, Benevolence: good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. An old saying advises, “Everything that goes around, comes around.” The Bible’s Galatians 6:7 adds, “What a man sows, that he will also reap.” The Mayo Clinic finds that sowing benevolence does reap a joyful harvest. They report, “Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion, and improve mood. It can decrease blood pressure and cortisol, a hormone directly correlated with stress levels. People who give of themselves in a balanced way also tend to be healthier and live longer.” Read more. Everyday Health lists seven ways being kind improves health and well-being, by: Reducing anxiety and depression Improving heart health Managing diabetes Read more Succeed and Soar’s Original Path to Joy #9 post stated, “Benevolence is good will, good wishes and wanting good for others. Beneficence is the joy of putting those intentions into action.” How? In “Practicing the Art of Benevolence,” Purposeful Habits suggests, “Never hold back in a moment when you can show kindness.” And remember, When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed. – Maya Angelou Succeed and Soar! Gifts from One Big-Hearted, Benevolent Gift of a Man Length: 2 Minutes 35 Seconds Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Hooded Sweatshirts As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, pillows, greeting cards and more With autumn’s arrive, snuggle up artfully. These fine quality hoodies are: : 75% cotton, 25% polyester blend Five sizes [Small, Medium, Large, X Large, 2X Large, 3X Large] Two Art Locations [Full Chest or chest patch] Double-opening waist pouch Colors: White, Heather, Charcoal, Black, Navy Machine washable Price $48 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit on item. Use CUSTOMIZE. tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this Hooded Sweatshirt View All Hoodies Thanks for shopping!

Celebrating Life

Each week, Dr. Sheila Collins delivers a soothing, lovely, thoughtful and so very helpful essay. Because her posts about loss and grieving are so comforting, I was delighted when she granted permission to share her March 16, 2023 article. As the blossoming and fruitfulness of the year fall away, I thought this autumn season would be a good time to present , “Celebrating A Life.” * It’s a rainy Saturday afternoon in Newport Oregon and the “comfortable, modern lobby” of the Holiday Inn Express is uncharacteristically busy. The printer/copy machine has been in continual operation for a while as three 20 something young people, and what appears to be their father, uncle, grandmother and cousin, a ten-year-old girl, collaborate on an upcoming event. “We found these jazz albums in his record collection,” someone says, “so we need Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.” Someone else remembers, “How about Coltrane? What’s his first name? The attractive woman with the long blond braid seems to be in charge of the music, telling everyone, “Just get me the exact title of the song or piece you want, and I’ll find it on Spotify.” The tall slender young man appears to be editing a document, as the group decides to divide it into four segments so each grandchild can read a section. “Has anyone timed the reading of the whole thing?” someone asks. This must be the way it looked to the hotel desk clerk, who asked me the following morning, “Were you preparing for a memorial?” Yes, I said, “You’ve heard of destination weddings – well, for our far-fling family, this is a destination funeral ritual. We’ve flown here from 5 different states to celebrate the life of our eldest member who lived here the last 20 years of his 94-year long life. He died five months ago. She didn’t ask, but the look on her face seemed to say, “Wow! Why would you go to so much trouble?” To answer that question, even to myself I look to what grief expert Alan D Wolfelt calls, the six reconciliation needs of mourning. Acknowledge the reality of the death Move toward the pain of the loss Develop a new self identity Read more * Loss visits in many forms. Of hopes. Of opportunities. Of partnerships. Of health. When mourning, a process for bereavement and rebuilding helps. Dr. Sheila Collins’ web site is a treasury of uplifting resources. Visit here. Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. Shop the Inspiring, Beautiful Succeed and Soar Collections Click Here

Our Time Is Up

Consider I made some mistakes in drama. I thought the drama was when the actors cried. But drama is when the audience cries. – Frank Capra. These posts offer little videos, often less than five minutes long. Some inspire. Some amaze. Some fascinate. Some shock. All are chosen to encourage conversations. First, within the viewer. I so enjoy this little film and am delighted to share. Comments from other viewers include, absofreakinglutely loved it! I watched this right around when it first came out- loved it then, and still recommend it to friends and coworkers. Amazing how a subtle performance and minimal style can add so much to a character. [BTW, do you recognize he psychologist? He co-starred in the Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson movie A Few Good Men.] I studied it in English class this year. Great job! [When teaching about exposition and narrative, I’ve always loved using the examples in this fun little film.] Enjoy! Click Here to View. Our Time Is Up 14 Minutes 22 Seconds The Wisdoms Collection Shop Enriching and Beautiful Posters Click Here

Story Talk: Recent Fiction Reads

Consider He that loves reading has everything within his reach. —William Godwin Succeed and Soar seeks to lift hearts and spirits, awareness and humanity. Because books help fulfill that mission, this post offers three books of fiction I hope you’ll consider. Succeed and Soar! Five Karat Soul Five Karat Soul , by James McBride, is a collection of six short stories, a soul food buffet of perspectives and experiences. One presents an antiquities dealer trying to pay a self-sacrificing family a fortune. Another shares the lives of youths trying to form a band. The collection closes with a lion in a zoo sharing his experiences. The read was marvelous. In this collection, James McBride—a musician and National Book Award Winner—demonstrates an impressive craftsmanship so that Five Karat Soul presents an entertaining and easy read, plus an education in how to write fine fiction. I learned a few things. Sample Text Eighteen little colored children, tiny tufts of life, peeked their faces out the doorway of a ruined arms factory and made their way into the sunshine of a glorious Richmond, Va. afternoon. Reviews Of Five Karat Soul, The New York Times wrote, “These brilliant miniatures display all of the rambunctious fearlessness of his deeply empathetic imagination … The result is a pinball machine zinging with sharp dialogue, breathtaking plot twists and naughty humor.” Full Review NPR Review We are all completely beside ourselves Karen Joy Fowler’s novel is a master class for fiction writers. Here are two reasons: Fowler has a substantial vocabulary, essential for writers. And she uses these head-scratcher, uncommon words [considered a no-no] while holding the reader, as with ‘tule fog’ in the sample text. Fowler also time travels a lot, sometimes leaping decades on the same page. Seeing how she handles these transitions, sliding readers from her college years, to childhood to later life proves jumps back and forth in time can be done without confusing or losing readers. Sample Text Autumn came suddenly that year, like a door opening. One morning I was bicycling to class when a large flock of Canada geese passed overhead. I couldn’t see them, or much of anything else, but I heard the jazzy honking above me. There was a tule fog off the fields and I was wrapped inside it, pedaling through clouds. Tule fogs are not like other fogs, not spotty or drifting, but fixed and substantial. Reviews The Guardian wrote, “Many a novel has devoted itself to exploring variations of Larkin’s lament about what mums and dads do to their kids. But if any other book has done it as exhilaratingly as the achingly funny, deeply serious heart-breaker that is Fowler’s 10th novel, and made it ring true for the whole of mankind, I’ve yet to read it. This is a moral comedy to shout about from the treetops.” Full Review Kirkus Review An Unwanted Guest When I chose Shari Lapeña’s book at the library, the title intrigued, but I didn’t read summary. Didn’t know what to expect. The opening lines showed how important the description of setting is in establishing the story‘s tone and ‘foreshadowing’ what’s to come. [see sample text] I also enjoyed the novel’s Agatha Christie quality, evoking her Murder on the Orient Express and Ten Little Indians.The who-dunnit reveal is delicious. Opening Text The road curves and twists unexpectedly as it leads higher and deeper into the Catskill Mountains, as if the farther you get from civilization, the more uncertain the path. Reviews Of An Unwanted Guest, Nerd Daily wrote, “I loved how each chapter had a different character telling their perspective and feelings, and some of those characters were so interesting, that I just wanted to read more about them! An Unwanted Guest had themes of human survival and instinct, complex characters, and an incredible mystery!” Full Review Drink, Read, Repeat Review Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Throw Pillows As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, posters, shower curtains and more These pillows add a stylish statement to any room Details: Fabric: 100% spun polyester poplin Reversible, same image printed on both sides A concealed zipper Choice of over 70 background colors Removable insert can be requested Pillow sizes: 14×14, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20, 26×26 and 20×14 Prices from $20 to $50 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this throw pillow See All Throw Pillows View All Collections HERE. Thanks for your support!

Thrive! Pear Season

Consider Walking is man’s best medicine – Hippocrates Hand Picked Click Here to View A refreshing insight into how this food is produced. Length: 5 Minutes, 58 Seconds More , Must-See Short Videos The Amazing, Immune-Boosting Asian Pear [4 Minutes] Five, Incredible Health Benefits of Pears [2 minutes] Multiple Choice [Answers below]: In what two countries is the pear the national fruit? Japan and Italy, Canada and Egypt, France and South Korea While blueberries are an, excellent, national fruit for US [their cousin, the bilberry, was praised in Succeed and Soar’s January 14 Thrive!], pears merit their national honor because of their sweet, cool, juiciness and for their health benefits, which includes: Fiber rich, which promotes regular bowel movements Low calorie, which supports weight loss Read more Another benefit fall-ripening pears provide is the chance for exercise in fresh air and sunshine. For those living near Pittsburgh, check these U-Pick farms and orchards. Here’s another quiz [don’t know what got into me with this pear post]. How many of these are names of pears? Aurora Bae Black Worcester Conference Forelle Harrow Hood Passe Crassane Seckel Singo Stark Crimson Sunrise Answers: All are types of pears & Pears are France and South Korea’s national fruit. Fabulous Pear Recipes 17 Pear Recipes to Sweeten Your Fall, Includes: Apple, Cranberry and Pear Crisp Spicy Pear Cookies Upside Down Pear Gingerbread Cake 18 Pear Salad Recipes to Make the Most of Pear Season, Includes: Cranberry Salad Pickled Gnger Asian Pear Coleslaw Curried Cashew, Pear, and Grape Salad 11 Perfect-for-Fall Pear Recipes Includes: Slow Cooker Apple and Pear Sauce Balsamic Steak with Radicchio and Pears Fresh Pairs with Rosemary Sugar Enjoy.COMMENT Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Throw Pillows Art also available as shirts, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, journals, blankets and more! These pillows add a stylish statement to any room Details: Fabric: 100% spun polyester poplin Reversible, same image printed on both sides A concealed zipper Choice of over 70 background colors Removable insert can be requested Pillow sizes: 14×14, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20, 26×26 and 20×14 Prices from $20 to $50 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this throw pillow See All Throw Pillows View All Collections HERE. Thanks for shopping!

Path to Joy 8: Hobbies

Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. – Albert Schweitzer What’s the difference between vocation and avocation? Vocation is a job or career, work that is done to make a living. Avocation is a pastime or hobby, work that is done for pleasure. On this 8th path to joy, here are three similar suggestions: Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – Mark TwainChoose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. – ConfuciusIf you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. — Marc Anthony When what these three history-makers must be delayed a bit, Develop Good Habits lists twenty-two reasons why avocations [hobbies] are important, including how hobbies: Relieve stress by taking the mind off of life’s daily demands. Allow breaks from jobs while providing a sense of purpose. Make learning new things fun. Read more Also see this New York Times article on “How to Find a Hobby” [Includes more great reasons why avocations are valuable]. Here are more encouraging words about hobbies, To be happy in life, develop at least four hobbies: one to bring you money, one to keep you healthy, one to bring you joy, and one to bring you peace. ― Stan JacobsToday is life – the only life you are sure of. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. Let the winds of enthusiasm sweep through you. Live today with gusto. ― Dale CarnegieNo hobby should either seek or need rational justification. To wish to do it is reason enough. To find reasons why it is useful or beneficial converts it at once from an avocation into an industry – Aldo Leopoldo In polite society, we call our obsessions hobbies. – Stephen King Succeed and Soar! COMMENT. This Month, Shop Sandra’s Succeed & Soar Art on Throw Pillows As well as tote bags, tee shirts, journals, puzzles, phone cases, ornaments, face masks, towels, blankets, cups, shower curtains, greeting cards and more These pillows add a stylish statement to any room Details: Fabric: 100% spun polyester poplin Reversible, same image printed on both sides A concealed zipper Choice of over 70 background colors Removable insert can be requested Pillow sizes: 14×14, 16×16, 18×18, 20×20, 26×26 and 20×14 Prices from $20 to $50 NOTE: Sometimes art size must be adjusted for whole image to fit. CUSTOMIZE. Use tools with item to: Enlarge, reduce size of art Change placement of art and text Over 60 background colors can be chosen [shades of yellows, blues, greens, grays and more]. Purchase this throw pillow View All Throw Pillows Thanks for shopping!

Garden Party

Consider There are no rules in filmmaking. Only sins. And the cardinal sin is dullness. – Frank Capra Once a month, Succeed and Soar offers little videos, often less than five minutes. Some are selected to inspire. Some to amaze. Some to fascinate, even to shock. All are chosen to fulfill the mission: Lift the heart and spirit, our awareness and humanity. Of this month’s little video, film critic Christopher Reed wrote: A delightful mix of the comic and the macabre, Garden Party is also beautifully animated, giving us gorgeous images of amphibians and insects frolicking in and around the grounds of a wealthy mansion. As we follow these creatures in their wanderings, we soon realize that something is amiss … , and by the end, we can’t help but laugh at the inevitably morbid conclusion. Great fun! Folks who’ve seen this 7-minute film wrote: Waow, c’est beau ! Was that caviar wtf??? Amazing work! When or where will the full version be available? Enjoy! [Shiver-Shiver] Click Here to View. Garden Party 7 minutes, 19 seconds Shop Inspiring, Beautiful Fine Art Soar Collections Click Here

Q Words Spelled Without U

CONSIDER: Reading the dictionary helps me express myself better. I can spend hours flicking through a thesaurus, too. It’s not about expanding my vocabulary, it’s just that I have a very specific taste with words. I’ll sit and write lists of them to help me better describe my life. — Arlo Parks * For writers, readers, Scrabble, crossword and word gamers like me, Succeed and Soar’s “Word Witty” posts offer little puzzles that strengthen a precious tool: Vocabulary. Please enjoy. Scrabble History James Brunot was a social worker looking to start a business in his home when he bought Alfred Butts’ word game and renamed it Scrabble. He silk screened letters onto strips of scrap lumber. Brunot and his wife assembled 2,251 copies in their living room in 1949 and lost $450 [$5,657 in 2023 dollars]. Word Match Q [along with Z] score 10 points, the highest amount in Scrabble. Most words with Q require a U. In the American version, there are 100 tiles. Four are U. Should you draw a Q, here are five Official Scrabble words that don’t require a U. Match to their meaning and improve chances of winning your next game. A Qaid or Qadi A drug used to calm or make unconscious B Qanat Monetary unit of Azerbaijan C Qapik The vital life force that flows through the body D Qi An Islamic Judge E Tranq A hillside tunnel used to lead water to village below Answers below. The Wisdoms Collection Shop Enriching and Beautiful Posters Click Here Word Witty Answers Qaid or Qadi An Islamic Judge Qanat A hillside tunnel used to lead water to village below Qapik Monetary unit of Azerbaijan Qi The vital life force that flows through the body Tranq A drug used to calm or make unconscious By the way, several dozen Q words that don’t use U are Scrabble eligible, including: Qhat: an obsolete form of what Qipao: a traditional, Chinese dress Qoph: 19th letter of Hebrew alphabet Yaqona: an intoxicating, Fijian beverage See more

Author: Sandra Gould Ford