As I get older my mortality becomes ever increasingly part of life’s inevitability. I don’t spend endless hours contemplating what life will be like when I’m gone or what the ones I love will be doing in my remembrance. No, I’m much more self-centered than that. I don’t want to leave because I love living and all the fallibilities that come with my imperfect life. So my life has become preoccupied with “living”. I could go over the usual list of health conscious anecdotes to “living” longer; but I’ll leave that to “my Pharmacist”, Dr. Dean Edell and Oprah Winfrey’s friend’s network. My cause celeb is “adding living to a productive life”.
A simplified definition of “productive life” is the exhaustive part of living that is spent producing, i.e. working, seeking/maintaining/dissolving relationships, raising/wanting children, chasing dreams and pursuit of that fleeting “state of being” called happiness. These are the energy draining, emotionally charged and all consuming “wants” and “don’t wants” important to the “I” in living a life.
How do you “increase” a measure of time that’s finite? My suggestion is to slow it down. How do you slow “life” down? You can’t…you have to slow down. I'm a Man who’s been accused of being “too busy” at times, a “type A” personality (take the test) at best and I traveled in the HOV lane of “life” with no one else onboard (that’s a violation with big fines…some I have yet to pay). If you suffer from this terminal dis-ease and find there just isn’t enough time in the day to get it all done might I suggest some remedies that work for me:
- Turn off the Television. Allow your mind to rest when you’re at home; learn to be at peace within your own thoughts. Sometimes enjoy soothing music or a good book in the same chair or couch you watch TV in, you’ll notice things in that very spot you’ve never paid attention to before.
- Eat a prepared meal at the (dining) table. Take the time to set your plate, fold your napkin and enjoy your meal without interruption (turn off the TV, cell phone, blackberry and ipod). Savor the food and be thankful.
- Take a bath. Not a shower, a bath. Substitute a bath for a shower regularly it doesn’t take much more time and you’ll feel so much better (that’s a promise). Try putting baby oil, epsom salt or bubbles; even all three (that’s what I do) in the water.
- Wake up 30 minutes earlier. The morning hours are a time of organization (mentally) plan your day, meditate and pray. You will be surprised how much better your day will go if you get some headspace; time to reset your mind in the A.M. hours. If you don’t want to lose any of your precious sleep go to bed 30 minutes early.
- Watch the sunrise and/or the sunset. Making the dawn of a new morrow or the dusk of a day coming to a close an
event puts into perspective how precious time is. You will never get the
time you’ve spent back. There are no refunds, guarantees or warranties. It
is an “as is” affair a WYSIWYG so take your time, slow down and live a
little less so you can live a little longer.
Slowing down and living a little more,
Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com
It hurts my heart to watch the pain of a people ("my" people) fight for the right to exist…again. I started college (Grambling State University) in Louisiana in 1987, I lived in New Orleans in 1989-90. My son was born in New Orleans; I became a better man because of my experiences there. It is a city of vibrant living, social injustice, epicurean delight (I learned how to eat in Louisiana) and endless entertainment. Now I watch as a spectator from my comfortable arm chair with all my creature comforts as "my" people fight for the right to exist in thier community, the only one they know. The culture there is like no other in the U.S. (the world for that matter), the energetic Second-line funeral procession, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Reggae Sun Splash, the Mardi Gras, the blending of French and African culture, Cajun and Creole. "The Big Easy” it’s called for good reason; Jazz was born there, the sports traditions of the Bayou Classic and the Super Bowl are played there, the great college institutions; black (Dillard University and Xavier University) and traditional universities (Loyola University and Tulane University) are part of the culture.
The celebrated Chefs of our time, Paul Prudhomme who introduced us (the broader U.S.) to Gumbo and Blackened Redfish, Emeril Lagasse whose '“BAM!” has been heard ‘round the world, and the many mothers and grandmothers that have been feeding the generations with the "love" that makes New Orleans cuisine so great. New Orleanians live to express their unique culture with love for their heritage that's deep and genuine. Every "Black American" born in New Orleans can trace someone in their family to one of the Low Income Housing Projects in and around the Crescent City, not that it's a bragging right ; but a rite of passage from who they were to what they've become. There is a systematic plan to rid New Orleans of this rich history and these particular inhabitants. First the natural disaster (hurricane Katrina) played a key part in putting the city in distress. We (Black Americans) cried out “Injustice!!” at how we were unfairly treated when the FEMA and other disaster relief agencies came to the “supposed” rescue of New Orleanians (a selective rescue at best). Then redevelopment by way of failing to rebuild in certain “black areas” that were deemed a flood risk in the event of a second “Katrina like storm.” Now they propose demolition of the last vestige of “real” Black History; “living” Black History is being erased. There is a better way than this.
I predict that New Orleans, for my youngest child’s (4 yrs old) generation and my grand-kids (none yet…I hope) will be homogenized like much of the U.S. The language, traditions, the food and culture washed away and the “real” history demolished and replaced with the “new American standard”. It is a sad day when this systematic removal of the “color” of New Orleans is razed to the ground.
Feeling the pain with New Orleanians,
Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com
You seek attention, don’t you? The consensus is a validating force that feeds your narcissistic personality, isn’t it?
Writing your musings is a liberating feeling, freedom from what sets your emotions and passions in overdrive, doesn’t it? Don't you feel the topic should be the lesson you’ve learned, a laugh you want to share or the brain fart of the day? You’re so clever; you express yourself so well. I understand exactly what you mean. It’s so smart and relevant. They’ll laugh their way into a side-cramping stupor. You will really put something on their minds. Finally something worth a thousand comments from the blogoshpere community, you did it! The major rags will pick it up. That caption of you looking so silly will become a new art form. You’re the newest sensation; the next internet zillionaire because you brought that idea; that argument to the people with style, force, and clarity.
You are so humble. You just told them “the way it is” if you didn’t they’d never know. Why don’t they all just stop blogging and let you handle the internet. As long as you can delete unflattering comments, filter out the unwanted replies, censor the unbiased and thought provoked opinions your greatness will never be tarnished. Your castrato eunuch court will continue to feed the insatiable appetite of your ego. This is why you blog, the stage is set for your act. You put on your veil of anonymity, your eyes shaded by the flash of your own greatness, you speak the beautiful language of Java, and your identity is hidden by that clever pseudonym. Yes…yes…yes, that's why you blog ‘cause if you didn’t there would be nothing worthy of the most precious time…the time we spend sharing our lives with each other.
Yours truly,
The screen you gaze into everyday.
If you watch the news; if you don’t watch the news. If you read my blog; if you balk at my rantings about China, socialist policies, and the Oakland Raiders that’s fine. But it is undeniable that We (America) have some serious issues to confront. As individuals we often feel that we’re too small and insignificant to make a difference. Not true. There is something that you can do. Just under 30% of the U.S. National Debt is owned by those who buy our debt and finance our indulgence (Britain, Japan,China and others). We cannot reverse this over night but you can prepare yourself for the worst if you think “the best is yet to come”.
A simple suggestion, consolidate all your credit cards down to one. One credit card per household. Use your debit card as you would your traditional credit card. Only use your credit card for those emergencies (i.e. death in the family, immediate travel or a must have purchases [we still have to live]) in the event that you do have to charge it pay it off the same month. Maybe you have to eat cheap a few nights out of the week (here’s a recipe). The looming mortgage crisis is going to get worse. What that means is that loans for homes are going to get harder to qualify for because the banks will be regulated into a corner. I rode the real estate boom of the 90’s. I watched the real estate crash of 21st century.
Our mortgages are purchased buy China, directly from the Federal Reserve Bank. If they were to call the loans on America we would instantly go into recession, interest rates would go through the roof and those credit cards would bankrupt you. I’m not predicting a doomsday scenario nor telling you my version of the truth, I’m just stating the facts. Hedging against a recession requires cash-on-hand; plan for the worse, hope for the best.
Concerned about you and yours,
Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com
Here in the south (where I reside) Salmon Patties (as they are called) are a tradition. Upscale restaurants are known for these unique patties. I’m from the Alice Waters school of thought; that is when preparing food to use the local products and produce as much as possible. Know one can say who created this curious croquette; they have appeared on the dinner and breakfast tables for over a generation. I grew up in Northern California (the Bay Area), not too fond of Salmon Croquettes; but very fond of fresh Salmon. I put this (croquette) off as a lazy meal, but fun to eat that's about it.
To be creative (as it applies to cooking) is to love the art of cooking and necessity is the mother of all invention. I’ve learned more about food being hungry than all the formal training that I’ve ever had. I've been to multiple culinary schools across the country, won a few small cooking contests and always considered myself a "foodie" since the days when I would record PBS broadcasts of renowned chef's Julia Childs and Jacques Pepin on the weekends long before the Food TV network. So with all this plus a little ache in the belly I sometimes surprise myself.
I was putting together a simple, quick and easy meal; Salmon Croquettes (Patties). I thought about making them exciting just a bit; but how? What do I like? How do I infuse the “terroir” of southern fare into this mundane dish? Salmon Croquettes (Patties) consist of a can salmon, a binder (egg), a filler …hmmm (this is where locale meets creativity) grits (a southern tradition) and for a blend of flavor blue cheese (the creativity); so Salmon Croquettes (Patties) a la bleu were born and they were great!
I suggest creamy smashed potatoes and a basic garden salad, but any combination of starch and green ruffage will do to round out this quick and easy meal…keep it simple. Here is the recipe for the main course (if you’re not a vegetarian) enjoy!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 can (15oz) pink salmon, drain, reserve juice
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sifted grits
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup chopped onions
- 1 1/2 ounces creamy blue cheese dressing
- 1/4 cup juice from drained salmon
- pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
- oil for deep frying
PREPARATION:
Pour oil in a heavy skillet (about 3/4 to 1 inch deep). Mix salmon with the egg; stir in the sifted grits. Add pepper/spices, onions, juice from drained salmon and blue cheese dressing. Form into silver dollar sized patties about 1/2 -3/4 inch thick. Fry in medium high heat until golden brown delicately turning over once. Place on paper towel to drain.
Back to my point, If I were to take a long trip to an unknown place with no knowledge of my return, what would I take? A compass, a map; maybe my cell phone? No, I'm taking my (not that I own her,but she's not his she's mine) Woman. She comes with food (you know she used to feed me when I couldn't feed myself), the ability to please me (not in a selfish way; but I am a Man), she is patient, she has a love that I will never comprehend only yearn for and her mind processes in ways that gives us an advantage, two minds are better than mine alone (although two women [working together] can out think a nation of men). So I find myself preparing for this trip (life's journey), and as I gather the things I need for my voyage (money, clothes, car and things), I would leave them all if I could only carry just one...Woman.
a humbled man,
Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com
The text book definition of recession is two consecutive quarters of shrinking GDP output. The reality is "when your neighbor loses his job." The fear is that you are next. I remember the recession of the Bush-Quayle years, The war in Iraq (called the Gulf War) and the dismal economy of 1992. I was fresh out of college, brand new wife and child (2 yrs old) my name sake. Things were bad for others; but we (my wife and I) both had good jobs although we feared lay-offs, the overall mood of the country was in the doldrums and it was common to see signs posted in business windows with the pre-text "Going out of...".
I'm no longer married, the kid's in college, we're still in Iraq, a Bush is in the White House and the "Going out of Business " signs are back in fashion. Reality check: We're in a recession. There are multiple contributing factors to why we are in an 'economic downturn' (technical pre-recession jargon). The subprime loan debacle, high energy prices, the impending war on terror, the Oakland Raiders consecutive losing season (oh, maybe that's a depression); the list of reasons is far and wide. The problem it's not acknowledged because of speculation and what it causes the markets (NYSE, AMEX, NASDAQ, etc) to do. They use this speculative talk (economists and on-air-personality blabbering) to take advantage of large portfolio's. Money is made by the news and views of the economy
Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman can't tell the truth, only because the investment community gets squimmish, the President gets upset and your boss will tell you that " your expendable." So they asked me to do it. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it could be worse a "...depression is when you lose your job. Recovery is when Bush loses his job."
My Version of the Truth,
Bycha Buxton
buxtonbycha@aol.com
