The Nice Thing About Strangers
Creative Non-Fiction Short Stories. :) Travel, Oldsters, Love, and Compassion.
Happy
Tomorrow I will read books, eat a care package of Mom’s ginger cookies and have my next birthday. I’ve got a stack of books waiting to be chosen, but I’ll no doubt spend time with dear Fernando Pessoa. Someday I’ll tell you the story of visiting his hometown of Lisbon to track him down, even if he did die 70 years before my arrival.
What can China give me that my soul hasn’t already given me? And if my soul can’t give it to me, how can China give it to me? For it’s with my soul that I’ll see China, if I ever see it. I could go and seek riches in the Orient, but not the riches of the soul, because I am my soul’s riches, and I am where I am…All of us are near sighted, except on the inside. Only the eyes we use for dreaming truly see.
–Fernando Pessoa. The Book of Disquiet.
The Nice Thing About Strangers 
Lovely post. Happy birthday to you.
Thank you, kindly! 🙂
Here’s a quote for you birthday girl (it’s already tomorrow where I am 🙂 )
“The value of things is not the time they last, but the intensity with which they occur. That is why there are unforgettable moments and unique people!”
― Fernando Pessoa
Happy birthday, Paige….thank you for always sharing with us those unforgettable moments that you see that others can’t. Unique 😉 That’s you! have a good one, friend!!!
Fernando’s got it going on, let’s face it! He’s a rockstar. Thank you for the kind words, journeyman. I’ll stay on the look-out!
Hugs Paige…trust you had an awesome day 🙂 He has got it going on 🙂
Head cold, Hungarian novel, India Pale Ale. Not too shabby. 🙂
sans the dang head cold not too shabby at all 🙂 happy for you, friend.
I hope you have a great birthday, Paige! Fantastic post tonight!
Thanks, Apple! See you soon!
Wish you all the best!
Big hugs, Sigrun, thank you!
Lovely post – so glad I stumbled upon your blog! Happy Birthday 🙂
Nice to meet you too, Kavi. I loved the Sari Party pics!
Happy birthday from a stranger!
Not a stranger for long… 🙂
🙂
Belated Birthday Wishes, Paige! God bless! 🙂
-Asha
Thank you, Asha! God Bless you and your delightful, poetic journey!
happy birthday! If you ever get a chance, can you post the recipe for the ginger cookies? I LOVE them.
Of course! Much-beloved cookies from a dearly-beloved neighbor, Alice Loewe.
1 c white sugar
3/4 c shortening (don’t panic) 🙂
1/2 c molasses
1 egg
Beat above well. Sift together and add:
2 c flour
2 tsp soda
1 1/2 tsp ginger
2 tbs salt
1 tsp vanilla
Mix well. Chill dough overnight.
Make into balls, roll in sugar. Bake at 350 until light brown.
Mom says stop baking at 8 minutes, even if they seem a big mushy, as she swears this is how they stay remarkably soft. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Way too late for birthday wishes, so I’d better stick with Merry Christmas. Pessoa is on my reading list. Got to stop reading so many blogs and I’ll get there. Balance in everything? Sounds a bit boring, doesn’t it?
Balance sounds like a noble goal, especially for we restless ones. 😉 Maybe next year… 🙂 Thanks and Merry Christmas to you too, Jo!