Sprouting Bunny Ears

All morning I've been working on Easter baskets.  I'm doing one for my daughter and her boyfriend, his little boy,  my son, and my best friend.  I bought some plastic Easter eggs to go in them yesterday and, of course, I had to wash them out before I could put anything in them.  I'm debating whether or not to wrap my best friend's in one of those basket bags - I have so many.  I know I will do the boyfriend's that way - his basket is very plain.  The little boy is getting a giant plastic egg with eggs in it and age appropriate goodies, including a chubby book.

I do love doing stuff like this.  I just wish it didn't add up so fast.

On another note, my replacement computer is on its way, so I will soon be back to business as usual - as soon as my computer guy transfers my info over, that is.  Wish me luck.

Angry Sprouts

Have you ever noticed that when you are angry with someone, even yelling at them, that your anger isn't sustained?  It comes out in spurts, like it's sprouting from your mind and heart.  Thankfully, these sprouts die back quickly, or at least we hope they do.

The Easter Bunny Tradition also Sprouts from Pagan Soil

The bunny, or rabbit, is one of the most fertile and prolific of creatures and served as a pre-Christian symbol of new life in Springtime.

It appears that the Germans may have been the ones to introduce the bunny as an Easter symbol.  There is evidence in writings in the 1500s to that effect.  It wasn't until the 1800s that the first edible bunnies were made, again by the Germans.  These were not chocolate, but pastries. 

Apparently, the Germans brought the concept of the Easter bunny to America in 1700s when they traveled here with the Pensylvania Dutch.

Please see http://www.easterbunnys.net/easterbunnyhistory.htm  for more information.

Interestingly, it seems that the goddess Eastre, or Eostre, had a consort.  That consort was a Hare, similar to a rabbit, but even larger.  The egg, like the hare, was also a symbol of fertility.  It was believed that the goddess gave the hare the power to lay eggs, but only once each year.

When the Germans came to America, the concept of the Easter Bunny,or Oschter Haws,  came with them.  The children would make nests out of their bonnets and caps, then hide them, hoping the Oschter Haws would leave them colored eggs.

Please see
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/19144/the_origin_and_history_of_the_easter.html?cat=7  For more detailed information.

Easter Sprouted from a Pagan Ritual

It seems that in 200 AD, while missionaries were still working hard to spread Christianity, Saxons were holding a festival honoring their goddess, "Eastre", and celebrating children and the coming of spring. Sound familiar? (except the goddess part, of course).  Anyway, in any effort to win them over to Christianity, and since the festival coincided with the Christian celebration of the birth of Christ, the early missionaries sort of snuck in the idea of Christianity over time as they celebrated with the Saxons.  Ultimately, the name "Easter" was taken for the holiday.

For a more in depth treatment of the subject, please see Arlene Wright - Correll's blog @ http://www.phancypages.com/newsletter/ZNewsletter2599.htm.

Sprouting Frustration

As time goes by without my replacement computer I'm getting more and more frustrated because I can't work on my book.  I went 5 months writing every single day to not writing at all.  It's maddening.  Right now the feeling is still in the sprouts colossus stage, but it's going to be in full bloom soon.

I think I'll write a short story.  That might appease my mighty need.  Who knows?.

Bloomin' Sprouts

The thing about sprouts is they often go on to bud, and then to bloom.  The sprouts "colossus" that I posted earlier are now buds and blooms colossus.  Check them out.

You know, ideas are alot like these flowers.  They sprout, they form into little buds, then, if you're lucky, they can bloom into something as amazing and beautiful as these Amayrillis.  

I'm still frustrated, not being able to work on my book.  Some time next week I'll get my replacement computer and probably go into shock trying to get my writing fix.

Sprouts of Love

My son and I have a very good relationship though it's hard to see from the outside.  He's 17 and "I love you" just isn't something that comes out of his mouth.  However, yesterday, I took a tumble and hurt my knees.  It was so stupid; I tripped over a cooler in the kitchen.  I should have put that thing away.  I was in a hurry to get my son's computer set up to print and the cooler was next to the printer.  It was lucky I didn't hit my head on the open dishwasher.  I had been filling it.  It seems my knees took the brunt of the fall, even though I ended up quite sprawled out.  In any event, my son came running and immediately moved the dishwasher out of the way.  Then he held out his hands to help me up.  Unfortunately, I couldn't see them, and he thought I was just being stubborn when I got up on my own.


Later, I made a special dinner for him.  He has been hating everything I fix and not eating well for a while now - very frustrating.  So, I broke down and bought some fish - which I hate - and got a great recipe for it from my sister - in - law.  He loved it.   He even complimented me!  He said he wished I'd cook like that all the time.  Unfortunately, I have no other ideas.  I've tried stuffed steaks, stuffed chicken, backed chicken, burgers, beef and pork tenderloin.  roast (which is too expensive).  Other than steaks, which I just can't afford, and sushi, which I don't know how to make, I don't know what else to do.


In any event, having those kind gestures from my son yesterday meant the world to me.  It just confirms that he really does love me, that the sprouts are there,  and that maybe they just need a little water splashed on them from time to time to shoot up.

Sprouting Madness

Yesterday, 12 children were killed by a gunman who opened fire in a school in Rio De Janeiro.  Witnesses were likening it to American incidents. See http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/rio-de-janeiro-shooting-claims-12-lives-13327420 for more on the story. 

Synonyms for the word sprout include develop, grow and emerge.  How do the types of thoughts that lead to such actions develop, grow or emerge in these shooters?

This devil left a note.  Wellington Oliveira, the 23 year old man who perpetrated this nightmare, talked about chastity and the forgiveness of God.  He gave no indications as to why he did this heinous thing, only discussing how his body was to be handled and his possessions disposed of.  For a complete translation of the letter see http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=13324247.

This man left us no real clues as to his motives.  The families are now left with this horrible tragedy and no reason why.

Baby Sprouts

When I was a kid, my greatest fear at dinner time, besides liver of course, was Brussels sprouts. I absolutely detested them. My mom loved them, so naturally, we had them from time to time. My parents weren't complete dinner Nazi's, but we did have to eat some of everything.

I remember going to a friend's house for dinner one night. She had those type parents who made you clean your plate regardless. You know the type. Anyway, they served Brussels sprouts. I panicked. I managed to choke down one or two. I tried to feed one to the dog, but he wasn't interested, so I stuffed them in my glove. It was snowing outside and I had full snow gear with me. I don't think I'd ever done anything so sneaky before in my life. I felt terrible, but I just couldn't eat those awful things. When I got outside to walk home, I threw them out in the snow.

Well, many years later, as an adult, somehow I discovered baby Brussels sprouts. Man, dress those up with some butter and they're wonderful. Even my daughter loves them. Talk about full circle! This is a sprout I can love.

Can You Say Münchhausen?

The first question you may ask is, "what does this have to do with sprouts?" Well, I've considered, what could cause the beginnings of this disease or syndrome or whatever it is to sprout in a person. What starts it? Why do they need attention so badly that they would hurt their own flesh and blood? I have no good answers. I think there are none.

I was watching GMA this morning and they had this little boy on with his mother. Apparently, the little boy - 8 years old - was maced when he threatened some teachers with a sharp piece of wood. He seems to have a history of anger and aggression problems at school. His mother allowed him to be interviewed directly on the subject! I couldn't believe she just sat there and let her son talk about his anger management problems and how school and the teachers made him mad and that he "sort of" meant that he wanted to kill them. It seems the teachers may even have hidden from him in another room. The police have been called three times for problems with the boy.

What mother would expose her child to such national scrutiny? Now everyone will know who Aiden Elliot is. She made some vague reference to the fact that it might be the school's fault since he didn't have the same problem with his other activities. Personally, I think, as apparently do most of the people posting on GMA's facebook page, that the mother is to blame. But more than that, I think she is clearly seeking attention for herself as a result of the trauma dealt her son when he was maced by the police officers in this incident. I think it's disgusting.

See the whole story and interview:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/aidan-elliot-pepper-sprayed-colorado-elementary-classroom-police/story?id=13307371

Phantom Sprouts

As I sit here writing this, I have so many ideas for the book I've been working on, fleeting thoughts, concrete plot points. Unfortunately, I received the word yesterday that my computer is officially DOA. I'm typing this on my son's uber old Precision M60 Workstation that I got from the Dell warehouse more years ago than I can recall. It is the back-up, back-up computer. The keyboard is lifted up and the screen is wonky. I hope it holds out until I can replace my Dell Latitude.

I'm afraid to work on my book on this machine because I have an older version of Word on here, and although I own the licence, I'm having difficulty getting it registered, so I have only 32 more uses before it shuts down. Fun. I don't want to lose my work.

Luckily, I saved my book to a flash drive every day, so I didn't lose anything when I lost the computer. Plus, the hard drive is okay, so my computer guy can transfer my data to the new computer anyway. Yeah! But it's going to be the end of next week at least before I can get a replacement.

It's just so difficult not being able to put my ideas down on paper. It's as if they sprout and then go back into the ground. I hope they will lie dormant there until I can write again.

Sproutus Interruptus

I had this idea for a sprout post yesterday, but it required cooking. I thought about it all day. Unfortunately, I never did the required cooking, so I forgot to post. I'm really beginning to think I'll never get a full month of posting.

But, I'm not giving up on this month yet. I'll keep trying. With any luck, I'll cook what I need to today and that will comprise my post tomorrow.

Happy posting and congratulations to all of you who haven't missed a day yet. Keep it up!

Sprouts Colossus

I planted these Amaryllis bulbs last year. At that time, they had a bit of green fronds peeking out from my mother's tender care. I plunked them in the ground and proceeded to water them and I may have given them some plant food.

As you can see, this year they have produced incredible sprouts. I can't wait for the buds to open so I can see what the blooms will look like.

Little Jack Sprout

Almost the first thing that came to my mind when I read about the April theme (my garden was first) was my son. Recently, he "sprouted" to 6'4 and 1/2" tall. Aside from feeling a bit overwhelmed, I'm 5'6", I feel the most amazing sense of pride. Pride. Like growing tall is a special accomplishment. Perhaps it's that he is a very attractive young man all around, with broad shoulders - and I could go on and on.

Both of my kids are blessed. They got the best of their dad and me and don't seem to have gotten any of our bad physical traits. I can't say they didn't pick up a few of our bad habits along the way.

When my daughter did her sprouting and was suddently taller than me, I felt left behind somehow. It was the strangest thing. I guess it was because I had to face the fact that she was growing up and learning to get along without me. She is fiercely independant.

Letting go is the hardest thing. Truthfully, the taller my son gets, the more I know I have to let go of him too.