We could not capture the true beauty of the lunar eclipse. This week I just want to share a couple of celestial-themed things that inspired me this week. As I have written in past blogs, Sean and I like to spend Sunday mornings watching the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Kuralt. Every week we not only learn new things, keep up on some of the latest news, but there is almost always something inspirational that touches me. Last week they shared a story about a couple whose only child Jeff appeared to be growing normally like the other children around them. He began to bump into things and the his mother shared one experience that made them realize something wasn't right. The father, who was into astronomy, bought a telescope to share his passion with his child. When his son look through the telescope, he asked his father if he should be able to see stars without the telescope. They soon discovered that genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis. This disease caused a brain tumor that stunted their child's growth, and was robbing him of his sight. During their Jeff's treatments, his mother had him do water colors to keep him entertained. She began using his art as thank you notes, and over time people began asking to purchase his artwork. Jeff's vision is so compromised now that because he can hardly see anything he is working on, they are unique technique to allow him to continue to paint. "First, he slathers a kind of plastic goop on canvas, front and sides. After it hardens, and gets a coat of flat black, Jeff uses those ridges to feel his way around his painting as he works." His artwork is amazingly beautiful and most paintings now sell for over $4,000. What is even more amazing is that for every painting he sells, he donates one to charity.
I think what I found most inspirational about this story is how this family has turned what could have been a huge tragedy in their lives into a positive. Their child is now twenty, and still painting and raising incredible amounts of money for others. The line that most struck me in this piece came from Jeff's father and how he came to terms with his only child's illness. He stated that, "You can't see the stars with tears in your eyes," and I saw this as something we can all keep in mind when we are faced with difficult situations in our lives no matter how big or small they appear. We won't be able to see the beauty around us if the tears in our eyes keep us from seeing the world. A Blind Artist's Altruistic Vision
This week I was also graced with the opportunity to actually run into a lunar eclipse during one of my crazy early morning jaunts out with my running buddies. It was 5 am yesterday during our Spring Break when we should probably have been sleeping in, but we decided to run early to beat the heat. I forgot about the lunar eclipse until I stepped outside and witnessed its beauty as I waited for my friends to arrive. Throughout our 6.5 mile run, we were able to witness the progression to eclipse and back to the beautiful full moon. I know many of you think we are crazy to run so early, but we are often able to run into the sunrise on these crazy early runs. I am hoping you can see that when you get up early and exercise, you not only start your day off on the right foot, but you also see beautiful sights that you would not witness if you stayed in bed instead of exercising early.
Oh, and I guess it goes without having to really say too much...I am able to run again!. This week I was able to able to get almost twenty miles in with very little pain, and I am very happy that my injury is not appearing to be a permanent one. Thanks everyone for all your good wishes! I think your positive thoughts are really helping me to heal!
I think what I found most inspirational about this story is how this family has turned what could have been a huge tragedy in their lives into a positive. Their child is now twenty, and still painting and raising incredible amounts of money for others. The line that most struck me in this piece came from Jeff's father and how he came to terms with his only child's illness. He stated that, "You can't see the stars with tears in your eyes," and I saw this as something we can all keep in mind when we are faced with difficult situations in our lives no matter how big or small they appear. We won't be able to see the beauty around us if the tears in our eyes keep us from seeing the world. A Blind Artist's Altruistic Vision
This week I was also graced with the opportunity to actually run into a lunar eclipse during one of my crazy early morning jaunts out with my running buddies. It was 5 am yesterday during our Spring Break when we should probably have been sleeping in, but we decided to run early to beat the heat. I forgot about the lunar eclipse until I stepped outside and witnessed its beauty as I waited for my friends to arrive. Throughout our 6.5 mile run, we were able to witness the progression to eclipse and back to the beautiful full moon. I know many of you think we are crazy to run so early, but we are often able to run into the sunrise on these crazy early runs. I am hoping you can see that when you get up early and exercise, you not only start your day off on the right foot, but you also see beautiful sights that you would not witness if you stayed in bed instead of exercising early.
Oh, and I guess it goes without having to really say too much...I am able to run again!. This week I was able to able to get almost twenty miles in with very little pain, and I am very happy that my injury is not appearing to be a permanent one. Thanks everyone for all your good wishes! I think your positive thoughts are really helping me to heal!
Bounty From the Box April 5, 2015
Kohlrabi--last week I had the opportunity to order a vegetable called kohlrabi. I had heard of this veggie, but I had never eaten anything with kohlrabi nor even seen what it looked like. This was an adventure! It is not the prettiest vegetable, but I found a website that devoted a full blog to describing the kohlrabi, explaining how to prepare it, and suggesting some recipes to try. I decided to try the Kohlrabi and Carrot Fritters, since I also had a few carrots as well. The fritters were delicious topped with the avocado cream sauce and an over easy egg. It made a delicious and fairly healthy breakfast for me and my husband Sean. One suggestion I do have is to peel the kohlrabi skin off entirely. It has a fibrous outer layer that is a little tougher to eat if you don't get it all off before grating it. I can't wait to try this vegetable again and tackle some of the other recipes suggested in this blog. I hope I have inspired you to try something new as well!
How to Cut Up Kholrabi
5 Tasty Ways to Prepare Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi Is Weird! And Here's What You Can Do With It
Kohlrabi--last week I had the opportunity to order a vegetable called kohlrabi. I had heard of this veggie, but I had never eaten anything with kohlrabi nor even seen what it looked like. This was an adventure! It is not the prettiest vegetable, but I found a website that devoted a full blog to describing the kohlrabi, explaining how to prepare it, and suggesting some recipes to try. I decided to try the Kohlrabi and Carrot Fritters, since I also had a few carrots as well. The fritters were delicious topped with the avocado cream sauce and an over easy egg. It made a delicious and fairly healthy breakfast for me and my husband Sean. One suggestion I do have is to peel the kohlrabi skin off entirely. It has a fibrous outer layer that is a little tougher to eat if you don't get it all off before grating it. I can't wait to try this vegetable again and tackle some of the other recipes suggested in this blog. I hope I have inspired you to try something new as well!
How to Cut Up Kholrabi
5 Tasty Ways to Prepare Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi Is Weird! And Here's What You Can Do With It
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