Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Powder Valley



Powder Valley is a local conservation center.



The center has displays to teach people of all ages about nature conservation, and the plants and wildlife native to Missouri.



How does a frog see the world?  
Several different "heads" like this are set up throughout the center.  The eyes are lenses that are supposed to show how the animal sees the world. 


Feeding stations are set up in view of the nature center's windows, so people can watch the animals dining al fresco.  


The bird feeders attract many different kinds of birds, and there is a feeding station lower to the ground for ground animals, like squirrels and chipmunks.


We walked two of the short trails.  


It's winter now, so no leaves, but should be very beautiful in the summer and fall.


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Snow globe


This picture reminds me of a snow globe. 
Girls (I am not sure about boys) like to shake it, then put down and stare at the snowflakes falling in the ball, and daydreaming about their favorite fairy tale ... Dreaming of herself in the fairy tale, living with her prince charming happily ever after. 

看了這照片讓我想起禮品的雪球。
女孩(不曉得男孩會嗎?)都會把它摇晃後,放下來看球裡的雪花飄下來,然後就幻想心中的童話故事。。夢想着自己就是主角,與白馬王子,從此過着幸福快樂的生活。



Missouri Botanical Garden having the 'Garden Glow' again.





  




Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Heart-shaped stand


My friend asked me to go with her to Goodwill store (a nonprofit organization).  It was my first time going there.
What caught my eye in the store?
A heart-shaped stand.

So, my inner child and my rational adult had a little argument at that moment.
Inner child: I want it.
Rational adult: No, we already have a lot of things that we don't really need.
Inner child: It's okay, just to have one more thing.
Rational adult: No, that's why we have a lot of things.
Inner child: But it is really pretty, and you know I like heart-shaped things.
Rational adult: It's not really a fine piece, and has been used by someone.
Inner child: Because it was handmade.
Rational adult: $15 is not worth it.
Inner child: I think the unique design should be worth it.

In the end, you know who won the argument!

我的朋友說想到 Goodwill 二手貨店(非營利慈善團體,貨品由人捐出)逛逛,我沒去過,所以就與她同往。
在店内,什麼東西讓我盯上了?
心形的架子。

結果,内在小孩和理性成人在那爭論了一會。
内在小孩:我想要。
理性成人:不,我們已有太多不需要的東西了。
内在小孩:沒關係啦,就只多這個而已。
理性成人:不可以了,就是這樣所以越來越多東西。
内在小孩:不過這個好看,你知道我喜歡心型的東西呀。
理性成人:這個成品並不很優秀,而且是已被用過舊的。
内在小孩:那因為是某人的手工品嘛。
理性成人:$15,不是很值得買。
内在小孩:我認為它的設計獨特,值得啊。

最終,你應該知道誰會贏爭論!

老太太的樂天心態



我參與慈濟去老人院探訪。
慈濟還有安排呈獻節目。


我坐在這老太太旁邊時,我伸手握她的手打招呼,她發覺我的手泠,两隻手反來握我的手並說:怎麼你的手這麽泠?
我說:我剛在外的泠天氣進來。謝謝你給我温暖。

其實我的雙手雙脚在冬天時都是泠的,不管是在室内多久。
為了表示感謝,而且我的另一隻手也要公平得到温暖,也伸向她的手握着,我們就這樣两雙手握在一起。

她真的握着我的手至到温暖。
我是去探訪要給温馨,她反而是給我温馨的感覺了。

我邀她站起來跟着慈濟人舒展肢體活動,她很樂意活躍跟着做。
過後跟她聊一聊,她愉悦說小兒子每天有來看她,她還有两個兒子及孫子在中國,都有常打電話。

我喜歡這樣開懷樂天心態的老太太,真是值得讓人學習。


Crown center 是很不錯的老人居所,提供各自的住處單位。

Monday, December 22, 2014

卧室内瓷器


你猜那在地上有蓋的盆是什麽作用的?

那是西方人舊時代的卧室内馬桶。
這整套同色款漂亮瓷器,就知道是富有人家的。

這卧室内馬桶讓我想起華人的習俗,新娘嫁妝其中一項是子孫桶,即是馬桶,但現代人是用痰盆了。
我記得我媽媽(五十年代)的痰盆好像是銅制的,很重。
小時候,半夜,尿急了,又不敢摸黑去厠所,就用媽媽的痰盆來解決,但早晨起床,就要自己拿去倒及沖洗,所以我有印象。

現年代的痰盆制料又不同了。

Sunday, December 21, 2014

冬至湯圓


檳城朋友告知她在為冬至做着湯圓。
我就興起約台灣的朋友,在她家做湯圓。
我去她家時,她已準備好了粉團,是有南瓜的。
我建議一些粉團包餡料。
結果就有两種餡料,一甜一鹽。
甜的是黑芝麻,鹽的是菜包的餡料。


先吃蒸的'菜包'湯圓。


再吃红豆湯的湯圓。
真的很棒!
太感謝我這位朋友了,她每次都願意陪我一起度過華人的佳節日氣氛,解一解我在他鄉的寂寞思愁。


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