Simply Norma – Page 81 – Living Simply

Normandale Japanese Garden

I have always been intrigued by the simple yet elegant look of Japanese gardens and my desire to have my front yard have a simple look led me to the Normandale Japanese Garden in Bloomington, Minnesota to see what the possibilities might be.

The beautiful garden is located at the Normandale Community College and sits on two acres. There is no charge to stroll through the garden. The designer of the garden, Takao Watanabe, was a professional garden architect from Tokyo, Japan. A quick search through the internet did not tell me if Mr. Watanabe is still living or what he may have continued to do with his life. However, I did find a Mr. Watanabe in Tokyo Japan who has become a Councillor and I have emailed him to see if he is the same person. I am always interested in what happens to people “later in life.” I’ll let you know if/when I hear anything back.

There was a lot of construction on the way to the garden even on a Saturday although signs are posted so it’s easy to find your way.

Although this garden is small it has the same design quality as larger Japanese gardens and leaves you with a sense of serenity.

And this is what you see when you first enter through the gate …

Walking down this path and to the right is another path …

To the right is a waterfall. The designer did a wonderful job of making sure the flow of the garden leaves you with a sense of calmness.

Stroll through the rest of this beautiful garden with me …

A view from the bridge …

What’s that I see in the water?

They have a koi pond here. I wonder what happens to the fish in the winter when it freezes. You suppose they move them somewhere else?

There were a few geese lounging around … and lots of geese poop to avoid.

The red winged black bird seems to make an appearance in quite a few places.

Across the fence are wetlands.

This is a good place to gather your thoughts and experience a little bit of serenity.

Limber de Coco

A favorite dessert of mine growing up in Chicago was a very simple dessert my mother would make called limber. I don’t think I know a Puerto Rican family who has not made it. It can be as sweet or non-sweet as you like.

Since we were poor, my mother would make these in ice cube trays instead of popsicle molds. She always used whatever we had around the house.

Here’s my mother’s recipe. We loved it whether the weather was cold or hot outside.

Ingredients:

1 can of Cream of Coconut
1 can of water
1 can of milk (I used skim and it came out fine)
2 ice cream scoops of suger (or 1/4 cup) but taste it and adjust according to your taste

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl
Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or popsicle molds
Put the ice cube trays in the freezer and wait until it’s frozen
Serve!

This can’t be any easier and since every time I go visit my mother she gives me a can or two of coconut cream, I have something to look forward to.

Ingredients for LImber de Coco — Ingredients for Limber de Coco

Or …

Put in the freezer then serve!

I love coconut so this is the perfect dessert for me!

Hope you enjoy it.

Idiosyncrasies

There are two things in my life that I find happen randomly.

The first is what I call the deja vu syndrome. Ever since I can remember, I have always had times when I felt like “I’ve been here before” or “I’ve experienced this before.” Â It doesn’t happen when I meet people as in “I’ve met you before” but only places/locations. I have always taken these moments to mean that I am in the right place in my life. Kind’ve like a sign from God affirming that yes, I should be here at this time in my life.

Sometimes there are people around me but not always. I could be out for a walk and all of a sudden have this “feeling” come over me. Has that ever happened to you? I’ve read that it can be caused by a form of epilepsy but I’m not sure I believe that. I’ve also read that it is experienced more often by people who are 25 and under but that has not been the case for me. (Click here to read an online article)

It’s funny though — I haven’t experienced this since moving to Minnesota. Maybe that means I shouldn’t be here … hmmmm … thoughts?

My second idiosyncrasy is what I call “moments of clarity.” It started about a year after I had a virus (I believe) that I picked up in Mexico. After I was well enough to take walks again I noticed that sometimes I would be walking and suddenly things around me would get totally clear as if they were magnified and I could even see the veins on leaves.

The clarity never lasts more than a minute and the strange thing about it is that I still suffer from a very mild form of visual disturbance, ie things/people move slightly when I look at them. During this time of clarify it’s as if my body has re-adjusted itself to a more perfect state.

Have any of you ever heard of anything like this or am I just a simple oddball? (laughing)

Cracker Barrel

A recent trip back to Minnesota from Chicago had my family and I stopping in Janesville, Wisconsin for a late lunch/early dinner. The Cracker Barrel Restaurant sign could be seen while driving on the highway and as I had never been there and my son raved about it, we decided to stop.

Upon entering, there is a country-style store that has lots of neat items to buy. From Amish looking (and inexpensive) quilts to homemade jam and fudge, I made sure I browsed after we had lunch.

A sign that said “Hostess” was above an area where a young man waited to show us where to sit.

The restaurant itself is decorated with country items.

One of the items that I hadn’t seen in awhile sat on each table of the restaurant — do you remember playing this game when you were a kid?

The purpose of this game is to keep you occupied while waiting for your food. It served it’s purpose well. There is one hole that is empty and has no peg in it. You “jump” the other pegs and try to get rid of as many pegs as possible. If you only have one peg left then you’re a genius! Unfortunately, I was not a genius on this trip.

The personality of the waitress was neutral as she was neither friendly nor unfriendly but simply business-like. Our orders were taken and served to us quickly. I had the Blueberry Maine Pancakes and they were absolutely delicious. They came with a small bottle of blueberry syrup. I would highly recommend these pancakes as they were so moist and had real blueberries in them.

The two other entrees that my family tried were the Chicken and the Meatloaf. Both were good although the honey corn muffins weren’t as good as others we’ve had at other restaurants.

I thought it was quaint to see this table set up for someone to sit and play checkers at.

Cracker Barrel, Chess Table — Cracker Barrel, Checkers Table

I think we’ll have to stop here again on the way to/from the Chicago area. Good food!

Is Summer Here?

Our first 90 degree day has arrived. I’m glad I watered the plants this morning as they would have been quite thirsty right now.

Our house feels cool inside. There is something to be said for owning a house that’s surrounded by trees. The sun rises to the northeast of us and that’s where most of our trees are populated although we have plenty on the other side.

I think I’ll have 2 large trees taken out and the others thinned (a LOT) on the NE side of the house. It will be good to have more sun exposure in that direction. Perhaps that will bring fewer bugs! Ahhh — hope abounds!

We seem to have been hit with a lot of gnats this year. They are making their way inside somehow and I haven’t figured out the location yet. I have, however, been making concoctions for them. An inch of orange juice, a dab of dish soap and half a glass of water set next to the windows is killing them off even if the occasional one strays and nips me every now and again.

Autumn! Autumn! I’m so looking forward to seeing you. I know, I know — I need to learn to live in the present. I do but I still look forward to what I know will be better weather.

Neighbor Help

This past week I hired a neighbor teen to help with yard work as I still had not finished removing all the grass that exists in our front yard.

He was only able to work for an hour so I got ready to meet him outside.

Long sleeve plaid shirt – check
Long pants – check
Knee high rubber boots – check
Deer/tick repellant – check

I ran through my usual routine of spraying the repellant around the edges of my boots, shirt and pants. Then I sprayed the repellant in the air and walked underneath it (a method women use when they want to wear perfume but have it smell subtly).

With shovel and hoe in hand, I went to the front yard and started digging up some of the grass. Within a few minutes, I heard a voice “Hello Norma,” as the neighbor boy walked up to the edge of the front yard. Looking up I was taken aback. He was wearing a short sleeve t-shirt, shorts, gloves, ankle crew socks and hiking boots. “Oh, did you need to put any repellant on?” I asked.

“No,” he said. I sheepishly explained what I wanted done. He was quick and finished almost everything I needed done in that one section within the allotted hour. At one point, he asked me if I wanted a particular plant removed. “Sure!” I exclaimed. Kneeling down he rubbed the leaf and said “It’s mint. Are you sure you want it out? It will grow like a weed if you keep it so you’ll need to make sure to contain it.”

He was full of knowledge but I shouldn’t be surprised as he grew up in this neighborhood.

I wish I had taken a picture of the two of us — extreme opposites. One throwing caution to the wind and free as a bird and the other (me) wrapped up so as not to let any bugs come near me.

I still have so much to learn about living in Minnesota. The summers, I believe, will continue to be my least favorite season. In Seattle, I used to love to work in the yard on a sunny day. In Minnesota, I look out the window and think “let’s see, are there a lot of mosquitoes out today?” Then I wonder if the passing deer left any ticks behind.

Not being a bug person (I’m not sure where I got the dislike for them) I really need to learn to relax around them.

For now, entering the house after working in the yard, I remove my clothes, throw them in the washer and head for the shower to remove the repellant from my skin.

One day I’ll be like the locals and not care about all the varied insects that roam our property. On second thought, I really doubt that will happen.

Serving Others

For whoÂ isÂ greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves?Â IsÂ it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. Â Luke 22:27

The Bible is filled with thoughts on service or serving others that are quite different from what we experience in every day life. Â We tend to think of servants as being “low” on the list of jobs that people want to have.

And yet, it amazes me how Christ says He came to serve us. The Creator who didn’t need hands to create this earth came down and chose to serve. I shake my head when I think about it. Some say He was a great teacher and He was. Some say He was a great healer and He was. Some say He was a great friend and He was that too.

But He was also a great Servant — a seldom seen trait in our leaders and “ordinary” people these days. We see cheating, lying, deception, bribery — but service? A rare trait indeed.

Jesus said:Â But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. Â Matthew 23:11

It’s hard to follow in the footsteps of Christ who came to show us how to do “it.”

Especially hard is serving someone who is ungrateful, wouldn’t you say? Yet many of us are just that — ungrateful. And still He came to serve us.

It requires a certain kind of love to be able to serve as Jesus did and only He can put that kind of love in our hearts. I want it!Â And the best part is that He is willing to give it to me — it’s mine, and yours, just for the asking.

A Puerto Rican Mother’s Day

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that every Puerto Rican Mother’s Day is like my family’s but if it is then Hallmark will stay in business for a very long time.

It all started with me deciding to visit my mother in Chicago for Mother’s Day. Our holidays are usually held in a relative’s house who volunteers to have 20 – 40 people over. More or less but usually more.

Most Puerto Ricans are good communicators. Translation — we can talk a LOT! We are also good listeners. Translation — we have the ability to hear 5-10 simultaneous conversations at a time and are usually in all of them. The old adage “putting in your 2 cents worth” doesn’t work with us. We give 100% to our (and everyone else’s) conversation.

Keep in mind that we do this with the radio or stereo playing salsa music (volume on high) so we can hear it while talking (uhhh … well, this doesn’t work for me but it works for plenty of my family).

But I digress — back to Mother’s Day.

My sister told me that every mother gets a gift. Okaaaayyyy …. “just a small item … ” Small items add up when there are 15 plus mothers in a room. Oh — and don’t forget the cousin and niece who are mothers to their “dogs.” Â Oh — and don’t forget that since we don’t celebrate fathers day we need to give the fathers a small gift too so they’re not forgotten.

So really, everyone except for the children get gifts. I think I got it! Â (laughing)

The Mother’s Day event this year was at my cousin’s house who lives in a 2 bedroom flat. Luckily my sister lives in the apartment right below her as that’s where my husband went to get away from the noise. (Note: he’s not Puerto Rican so he doesn’t have the built-in noise canceler)

There is very little space to turn around in the apartment without looking into someone’s face or back. Let’s call it cozy, shall we?

The food was delicious — we had the usual rice with gandules (pigeon peas), biftec (steak), fried chicken, potato salad, a green salad and bread. There was so much rice! I think my aunt must’ve thought a much larger crowd was coming but we had a few people who couldn’t make it because of illness, etc.

For dessert we had a “funfetti” cake that my niece made, bite-size cheesecakes, a “real” cheesecake and arroz con dulce (rice pudding but Puerto Rican style).

After eating, it was time to open gifts. I think there has to be a better way than searching for the “right” person through the crowd of people. Perhaps next time I’ll alphabetize my gifts so that when I see a person I can quickly find the right one.

Mother's Day Gifts — Mother’s Day GiftsÂ

Mother's Day gifts 2 — Mother’s Day Gifts

One of my cousins came prepared with a cart to bring her gifts to the party.

Mother's Day Gifts 3 — Mother’s Day Gifts

I left with 2 shopping bags full of gifts.

Gotta love this family! Our holidays are definitely organized … even if they are a little on the excessive side. And to think, all the years I lived in Seattle and missed out on all the fun.

Diamond Lake Trail

After church we took a walk on Diamond Lake Trail. Although the lake is next to a busy street, it was actually a peaceful walk. Spring was definitely in the air with people out walking, birds chirping and buds started to bloom.

Diamond Lake 3 — Diamond Lake Trail, MInneapolis

We decided not to go down these steps as it looked like it would be quite muddy on the other side. The start of a paved trail was just ahead a little ways. I always find it breathtaking to see buds starting to grow. I should be used to it at my age but spring growth always seems to take me to a place of “awe.”

This paved walkway looks a little more manageable for walking. It led to a landing where we received a wonderful surprise.

P1040918 — Diamond Lake Trail, Minneapolis

Diamond Lake 5 — Diamond Lake Trail, Minneapolis

And there he was in all his glory — a red winged black bird. He had a pretty song and sang it almost the whole time we were there. I wonder if he’s looking for a mate?

He was so beautiful and didn’t mind sitting awhile while I snapped pictures of him.

Diamond Lake was recently shown on the local TV station, WCCO’s, segment “What Makes A Lake, A Lake?” The segment was quite interesting and it gave the most current number of lakes in Minnesota which is 11,842. Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes but their determination takes into account lakes as small as an acre which Minnesota does not. If we did, we would have over 20,000 lakes.

I also learned that size is not the only criteria used for determining if a body of water is a lake. The waters must be able to make “waves.”

You can read the article by clicking here.

Diamond Lake has 55 acres and is surrounded by swampy wetland. It’s a very relaxing place to go and across the street is a children’s playground.

I’m not sure how many lakes we’ll be able to explore while we live in Minnesota but every lake is unique and brings its own special kind of wildlife. This is one of the big differences between our Seattle neighborhood and our Lake Elmo neighborhood — the wildlife. Although we are considered to live in a city the atmosphere is so different and I am learning a lot in my “getting older” days.

Pond

Behind our property there is a small pond that sits behind the property line. This past winter many trees and branches fell into this dry pond (dry because we didn’t get much snow this year). Our neighbor, an elderly gentleman, spent a few days in the pond with his chainsaw cutting the wood to use for his fireplace.

Although it is not on our property, we decided that we were going to throw mosquito pellets into it as the pellets will prevent the mosquito eggs from hatching.

I have no idealistic expectations about having the mosquito population dwindle significantly since there is a large lake and a large pond across from us in two directions. But, it’s worth is shot. So far, so good. Normally we have a lot of dragon flies that feed on the mosquitoes and I’ve only seen one (1) to date.

Our pest control service man came out this week and he sprayed around the perimeter of the house for ticks, mosquitoes and other things that crawl. He asked me how the mosquitoes were doing here and I told him we haven’t seen too many yet. He was surprised as he said they are out in full force already.

Hmmm … maybe those pellets are helping.