A Moment with Donna
…………The Gift from Aesop
Aesop tells the story of two men walking along a road together and coming upon an axe lying in the way. They were friends, but the man who saw it picked it up, saying, “Ah, I have found an axe. This will be useful.”
“Do not say I,” said the second man. “Say we have found an axe, for we are friends and are on the road together. Surely it is our axe, and we shall sell it and share the money?”
But the first man would not agree.
Now it happened that they had not gone far when the owner of the axe came running towards them. The moment he saw the first man carrying the axe he threatened to prosecute him. “Oh, dear,” cried the poor fellow, “we are in trouble now.”
“Do not say we,” said the second man. “Say rather you are in trouble. You would not let me share the prize-you can hardly expect me to share the trouble.”
This story makes one chuckle as it brings memories of having to teach children about sharing when they are growing up which isn’t always easy. Oddly enough it seems that adults can have a bit of the same problem. Sometimes we call it ‘a sense of entitlement’ when we are speaking about the adults. How is it that someone who creates situations expects to not be held responsible for their actions? How is the habit of blaming other people, conditions, environments, etc., is encouraged as much as it is today? Where does personal accountability and personal pride come into the picture?
Actually the questions I am asking have been asked for centuries by many, many people. It seems that the human race continually repeats patterns that aren’t in our best interests and we have to learn all over again what people in the past did so long ago. History does repeat itself over and over. Don’t despair for hope and action breathe eternal within the human spirit. It appears that when adversity raises its ugly head the spirit of the ‘free soul’ rises like a phoenix to battle. It is within the setting of distortion that creativity, ingenuity, genius, drive, determination and persistence line up and go to war with apathy, intolerance, ignorance, stupidity and superstitution.
Just about every day I am talking with, reading about or hearing about people who face tremendous challenges. Their stories of courage, how they battled their shadow demons, and overcome obstacles is truly inspiring. It is so inspiring and motivating as I recognize that there are many battles in life to be fought. Some of these people have picked up axes they have found and realized they had to deal with the conditions created by their attitudes and actions. It was through these experiences they discovered personal responsibility and personal pride.
There are times in life when sharing is good; there are other times when we must go it alone. Life is a journey of living, loving, laughter, tears, discovery and the adventure of the unknown. What a special gift life really is and how fortunate we have the opportunity to live it with gusto. The choice is always ours.
Daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter each day. As we begin the changing journey of fall into winter savor the bursts of color throughout nature as she gets ready for her deep sleep. . Know joy and share it with everyone you meet. Be present with where you are and what you are doing and you’ll be one of the richest people on this planet.
Donna Seebo
 It certainly is a lot of pie and, it's recorded in the Guinness World Book of Records.
How big does a pumpkin pie have to be to become the world record? The current world record stands at 2,020 pounds (after baking). It was prepared and baked by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in New Bremen, Ohio. This huge pie was made on October 8, 2005 by a six man team. Over 5,000 people came to witness the event.
For the record: This pie was 2,020 pounds. It measured 12 feet, 4 inches wide and 4 inches deep. The pie recipe included 900 pounds of pumpkin, 155 dozen eggs, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 300 pounds of sugar, 3.5 pounds of salt, 7 pounds of cinnamon and 2 pounds of pumpkin pie spice. The pie lost over 200 pounds while baking. The pie made over 3000 pieces. Baking began at about 6:00am. The pie was baked for over five hours in a custom made oven.
In order to be a world record, the baked pie must be officially weighed. Not an easy task. Shown is the official certificate from Guinness.
References to pumpkins date back many centuries. The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for "large melon" which is "pepon." "Pepon" was nasalized by the French into "pompon." The English changed "pompon" to "Pumpion." Shakespeare referred to the "pumpion" in his Merry Wives of Windsor. American colonists changed "pumpion" into "pumpkin." The "pumpkin" is referred to in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater and Cinderella.
Native Americans dried strips of pumpkin and wove them into mats. They also roasted long strips of pumpkin on the open fire and ate them. The origin of pumpkin pie occurred when the colonists sliced off the pumpkin top, removed the seeds, and filled the insides with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes.
 The Recipe Box – Bloody Witches Fingers Halloween Recipe
When I found this recipe I just had to share it with you. Kids will have a great time putting this together and what fun when it is served on Halloween! Bloody Witches Fingers Halloween Recipe: Description: Witches fingers are finger-licking good Halloween party food. Make them for appetizers, or as part of your meal. Note: While this recipe calls for fried chicken, you can also bake or broil it.
Ingredients: 1 cup vegetable oil, 4 chicken breasts, boneless, 1 cup flour , 1 egg, beaten, 1 1/2 cups cracker crumbs, 6 ounces whole black olives, 2 cups lettuce, shredded, barbecue sauce
Preparation Directions: Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan. Crush crackers into crumbs, and place in a bowl. Slice chicken breasts into "finger sized" slices. Beat one egg in a small bowl. Working with 3-4 chicken fingers at a time, first dust fingers in flour. Dip fingers into egg. Put cracker crumbs into a baggie. Put fingers into baggie. Shake and turn until coated. Fry chicken fingers in hot oil until cooked and crispy. Spread shredded lettuce onto a flat serving plate. Generously pour barbecue sauce (the blood) onto the lettuce. Place chicken fingers on plate (a single layer). Add the witches fingernail- Slice whole black olives in half. Place a half of olive on one end of each chicken finger. Serve warm with a side dish of Blood (barbecue sauce).
Gold Nuggets
True Stories about Real People
In keeping with the season of pumpkins, scarecrows and ghosts here is a story that I think you’ll find as interesting as I did.
On November 16, 1905, in North Carolina, a very wealthy man, James L. Chaffin made a mistake. It was such a big one that he would have to come back after death to correct it. In the presence of his family he drew up a will that left his entire estate to his third son who was his favorite Marshall. The family was terribly upset with the will but realized that the idiosyncrasies of the old man wouldn’t change so they accepted his choice. He was an odd individual who wore a ragged old coat constantly. Sixteen years after making this will the elderly man slipped and fell down a flight of stairs and died. Probate was held and the last will was executed.
One night four years later, James, the second son had a very disturbing and vivid dream. His deceased father appeared to him, gesturing emphatically to the inside pocket of his shabby overcoat. The next morning he was discussing the dream with his wife and they remember that the shabby coat had been given to the eldest son. So they decided to go to his house. The old coat had been stored in the attic and they retrieved it. They found that an inner pocket had been sewn shut with large and crude stitches. James cut away the stitches and found a tightly rolled piece of paper inside the pocket. It read: “Read the 27th Chapter of Genesis in my daddy’s old Bible.”
The widow recalled that her husband had tucked away the old bible years ago. Due to the strange circumstances, James called in the neighbors, Mr. Blackwelder and his daughter, to join them as they went to Mrs. Chaffin’s home to examine the old book. As the well worn missal was unwrapped, everyone watched intensely as Blackwelder discovered two pages that had been glued together. He carefully pried them apart. Inside was another will dated only two years before his death asking that his estate should be divided equally among his wife and children. The newer will was presented in court and was uncontested.
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