Seven Song Birds

 

In our old neighborhood, there was a retired couple we admired. Six each year, they lived in Utah. They spent time gardening and playing with grandkids. When winter arrived, they packed their car, loaded their dog and cat, and moved to Arizona away from ice and snow. In summer, they’d come back and sit on their porch with mint juleps, greeting passersby. Our current home has a porch, and as of this week, it has two rockers. All we need are the mint juleps.

 

Mint Juleps – Disneyland Style

 

2/3 cup water

2/3 cup sugar

1 cup mint leaves

4 cups crushed ice

3 cups lemonade

3 cups sparkling water or lemon-lime soda

Mint leaves for garnish

 

In a saucepan, combine sugar and water; stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn off heat and add mint, crushing gently. Steep 30 minutes, then strain. Add to remaining ingredients for a pitcher of minty goodness to share.

Pinwheel Pop

 

"The Lord will continue to teach and inspire us with personal revelation and guidance." – President Dallin H. Oaks

“Christ’s Atonement changes everything. It brings literal resurrection. It can enable our return to the presence of God and the eternal uniting of families. We can heal, reconcile, abide in covenant belonging.” – Elder Gerrit W. Gong

"You can have that knowledge and confirmation by the Spirit when you study the life of our Savior, the restoration of the priesthood, and the return of the sealing keys by Elijah that unite our families for eternity." – Elder Quentin L. Cook

"The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we, each of us, can call on the grace of Jesus Christ to help us. With our baptism and confirmation, he promises us the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the messenger of his grace." – President D. Todd Christofferson

Eight Chains

 

In March, 2019, the city of Portland, Oregon planned to plant 500 red maple trees along Belmont Road. Somehow the city’s orders were misread, and the saplings were mistakenly planted on Belmont Avenue. The new trees were installed on corner lots, in parking strips and medians a few miles west of their intended home. By the time the city realized the error, residents of Belmont Avenue had added park benches in the shade and hung bird feeders from the branches. They’d even named their new trees. Portland sent crews to dig the trees up and move them to Belmont Road, but 1,400 Avenue residents petitioned the city to keep their new urban forest. When the crews arrived for removal, 47 residents were waiting with lawn chairs and thermoses. So, Portland ordered 500 more trees for Belmont Road. Today, more than seven years later, both streets boast lush deciduous canopies.

Five Gold Stars

 

Chick-fil-A took chicken salad off their menu almost four years ago. It may have been because people simply stopped buying it. Just like with their carrot/raisin/pineapple salad in 2013, there was no explanation or announcement. It just disappeared.  Luckily, just like the carrot/raisin/pineapple salad, this is easy to make at home.

 

Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad

 

1/2 cup coarsely chopped celery

3 cups chopped cooked chicken breast

2 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup sweet pickle relish

1/2 cup mayo

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

 

Combine all ingredients in bowl and stir until well mixed. If you use a food processor, be careful not to overprocess, or you’ll end up with chicken salad baby food. Salad can be served on its own, or as a sandwich on buttered, toasted whole wheat bread with romaine lettuce.

Coral Flower

 

In 1945, James Baskett – a self-taught actor from Indianapolis – walked into a Disney audition hoping for a minor voice role. The moment Walt heard him speak, everything changed. Disney gave James the starring role in Song of the South, making him the first Black actor cast as the lead in a full-length Disney film. Walt called him "the best actor to be discovered in years." James brought Uncle Remus to life with warmth and intensity. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented James with an Honorary Academy Award, making him the first Black man to receive an Oscar for acting. Four months later, James Baskett passed away at age forty-four. Song of the South turns 80 this year; an excellent time for a commemorative home video or streaming event. But Disney is so afraid we’ll judge an 80-year-old film by today’s standards, they’d rather hide Baskett’s accomplishments than draw attention to a movie they’re not proud of.

Three Kitty Cats

 

Earth Day was created in 1970 to raise awareness about environmental issues and inspire action. Here are some ways to celebrate:

Plant a tree or pollinator garden. Trees improve air quality, combat climate change, and provide habitats for wildlife. Gardens support bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Reduce waste. Repair clothes instead of replacing them. Recycle glass and plastic. Avoid single-use plastics. Create a compost pile.

Conserve water. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Shorten your showers. Consider drip irrigation.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Lower your room temperature in winter and raise it in summer. Consider adding more insulation or replacing old windows and doors.

Give your car a rest. Plan errands so you drive less. Walk, bike or use public transportation when you can. See if working from home is an option.

Make your yard wildlife-friendly. Install a bird feeder, bird bath, bat house or insect hotel. Build them from recycled materials where possible.

Quilted Bowl Cozy

 

Herbert Needleman was a pediatrician in the late 50’s. He frequently treated children with lead poisoning. He noticed kids who survived never quite recovered. They were slower, quieter, and struggled more in school. At the time, the medical establishment decreed if you made it through the acute phase, you were cured. Dr. Needleman wasn’t so sure. What if lead never really left the bodies of its victims? Blood tests couldn’t show long-term exposure. Bone biopsies would, but what parent would consent to that kind of research? In the late 60’s, Dr. Needleman recruited Massachusetts school teachers to collect lost baby teeth for study. Dr. Needleman tested thousands of them. He found the kids with the highest exposure had the lowest test scores. Lead was slowly robbing them of their minds. Today, thanks to Dr. Needleman, we no longer have lead paint on our walls, lead pipes carrying our water, or lead in our gasoline. And we’re all better off.