Thoughts For The Day From Papa ‘a

Good Morning & Happy Wednesday Everyone!  Only 14 shopping days left until Christmas!!!  Christmas seems to be coming fast this year!  And we have a “White Christmas” in Spokane this morning.  3-4 inches fell overnight…the first big snowfall of the season (and it’s not even officially Winter yet!).  How about that!  Time to get out and start making those snow forts, snow men, etc.!  “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!”

Happy Birthday to actress Rita Morena of “West Side Story” fame, who is 88 years young today and to singer Brenda Lee, who turns 75 today!  Also, Happy Birthday to Spokane friends Dave & Annette, who celebrate their birthdays tomorrow, December 12th!  Here’s to you two!

Yesterday marked the 52nd anniversary of the death of legendary singer/songwriter (and one of my favorites) Otis Redding, who died in a private plane crash in Wisconsin at the young age of 26.  Who can ever forget his wonderful song “Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay”?  He was one of the music greats when I was growing up, for sure.  Here’s to Otis Redding and all of his great music!

 

Here’s the culinary tip for the day:

I think I might have mentioned “Ambrosia Bistro” in a previous blog, but if I haven’t, be sure you check out this wonderful place to eat and drink in the Spokane Valley (corner of N. Argonne Rd. & E. Montgomery Drive)…you’ll be glad you did!  They have a beef short-rib to die for and they make a mean “dirty” vodka martini, not to mention so many other great entrees and drinks.  The owners, the Cooks, do a great job and the vibe there is something special…cozy and romantic with lots of terrific food and drink.  Be sure you put this place on your bucket list.  We had the pleasure & privilege of seeing former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan & Iraq, Ryan Crocker, there the other night.  I’m told by the Cooks that he is a regular patron there.  How about that?

Here is the word for the day:

“Ataraxy”:  “A state of calmness and tranquility”…”Freedom from mental disturbance or anxiety.”

Wouldn’t we all like to achieve “Ataraxy” in our day to day lives?

 

One sure fire way to help attain “Ataraxy” would be to visit Amy Cathey’s “The Barre Code” studio on North Division, just south of the Wandermere shopping district and across the road from Pine Acres Golf Center.  My better half, Judy, and I participated in a session there this morning at O Dark Thirty (5:15 a.m. to be exact) and were not disappointed.  What a great way to start the day…low impact exercises, stretching and toning….really helpful to an older fellow trying to limber up.  I have more energy for the day, for sure!  Come check it out…www.thebarrecode.com/spokane.  Tell ’em Papa ‘a sent you!

 

Here are some thoughts for the day:

“If you get caught on a golf course during a storm and are afraid of lightning, hold up a 1-iron.  Not even God can hit a 1-iron.

—Lee Trevino, PGA golfing great

 

Here is the pun for the day:

“Bakers trade recipes on a knead to know basis.”

—Al Whitney (friend, legendary blood platelet donor & resident of Lake Avon, Ohio)

 

“Although you see the world different than me, sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see.

And all the new colors and pictures you’ve designed…oh yes, sweet darling…so glad you are a child of mine.

Child of mine, child of mine…oh yes, sweet darling

so glad you are a child of mine.

 

You don’t need directions, you know which way to go, and I don’t want to hold you back…I just want to watch you grow.

You’re the one who taught me you don’t have to look behind.

Oh yes, sweet darling…so glad you are a child of mine.

Child of mine…oh yes, sweet darling

so glad you are a child of mine…”

—Carole King, “Child Of Mine,” from the album “Tapestry” (1971)

 

“Magnificent, marvelous, matchless love…too vast and astounding to tell,

forever existing in worlds above, now offered and given to all.

Oh, fountain of beauty eternal…the Father, the Spirit, the Son,

sufficient and endlessly generous,

maginficent, marvelous, matchless love…”

—Keith & Kristyn Getty, “Magnificent, Marvelous, Matchless Love” (2000)

 

 

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

—The Letter of James, Chapter 1, verse 27

 

Here’s to a terrific Wednesday and lots of love always!

Press on,

Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, etc.)