Stir-Fry

A wok, some oil, garlic, ginger – turn up the heat and I’m swept away to another world.

As a teen, I was given the job to prepare dinner every weeknight and to be sure to have it ready to eat by the time my father returned from picking up my mother from her job.  Dinner was hot and ready to eat at 6:15 each night.  This meant I needed to be home in time to prepare each meal – cutting short any free time in my afternoons.  I thought this was an unfair job for me – but would never consider challenging my parents regarding this chore – a whole different world.  Funny thing was I also never wanted to admit that I was really enjoying the actual cooking.

Result - I absolutely love, love, to cook!  Give me time in the kitchen and I feel like an artist given the chance to create a culinary masterpiece.

I grew up cooking typical “American” dishes and of course, Italian dishes, taught to me by my mother as well as dishes passed down from my grandmother.  I later experimented and tried various dishes with flavors of the world, and continue to do so today.  I love to experiment and try all types of cuisine. 

There was a period in the 70’s that I became obsessed with Asian dishes and playing with my wok trying recipes from every Asian cookbook I could get my hand on; later experimenting on my own!  The fun of tossing various vegetables, spices, chicken, beef, pork, tofu – whatever is around, turning it into an “Ahhh” moment – is a thrill.  The aromas rising as I add each ingredient, each spice, calling on the next to complete the flavor – too much.  I know, I’m sounding a bit obsessed – but you have to admit – sitting down to a meal that was cooked with a love and passion of cooking will please the palate so much more!

I wish I could thank my Mom, for teaching me, sharing with me, and yes, forcing me to work in the kitchen.  Many of her recipes are not only made again and again by me, but also being cooked by her granddaughter, my daughter in her own home.  So many moments with Mom, her words of wisdom, tears and laughter are definitely with me always, and have contributed immensely to who I have become today.

Tonight – stir fry chicken with vegetables – julienne carrots, sliced celery, mushrooms, sliced onion, sliced red pepper, asparagus – garlic, ginger, my new favorite-Chinese Five Spice, tossed with Chinese noodles and a drizzle of sesame oil when complete!

Continuous Storms

This winter we have had more major snow storms than I can remember in years.  I remember counting storm # 7 and being quite amazed.  These were all serious blizzards and storms – not your usual flurries or light snow.  And then all this was followed by an ice storm.

The weekend following Christmas there was a major blizzard in the Northeast, resulting in my not being able to go to work for three days - quite unusual for someone living in NYC.  As each new storm approached our area, and the major news turned into a continuous weather report, for once we learned to believe our meteorologists rather than mocking each report with doubt.

This past weekend we had some more snow – not a major storm – but enough to excite the meteorologist once more – and I’m sure they were hoping a major storm would erupt.  And they are predicting snow showers this weekend – and are all excited once again!

It is interesting, that in a world with wars, famine, earthquakes, hunger, poverty, terrorism, and other international disasters – the prediction and fulfillment of a Nor’easter can push all headlines aside.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I enjoy hearing about all the unfortunate disasters that are world-wide – but focusing for hours on end, on snow, lack of clean-up, cancelled trains, planes and abandoned automobiles, just seems a bit ridiculous.

Interviews with people complaining about the weather – as if there was someone listening to these complaints that might re-consider the next storm scheduled.

I think it’s a sad, but true, characteristic of most of us, to complain – to share our feelings of being treated unjustly – concentrating on how difficult our burden has become – as if this was the curse laid upon us that will ruin our lives forever more.

Fast-forward eight months and the news and chatter will be the unbearable heat – atrocious humidity – the smell of garbage within our city streets.

What does it take to have the first and foremost thought in our minds to be gratitude?  When do we see the blessings that are poured over our lives, even among the trials and tribulations we deal with each and every day?  When do we think of how we, yes we, can make a difference in the life of another by serving, spending time, making a call, knocking on a neighbor’s door?

If we took a fraction of the energy we used each day complaining about life and used it to serve others, we might just see a small portion of our purpose.  The reward returned would more than fulfill the desires of our hearts and we just might have the opportunity to also get a glimpse of the heart of God.

Awakening Our Passions

What awakens our passions?  This is a question I reflect on many times; especially when I feel a strong pull towards something or someone.

About 5 years or so ago, a friend of mine invited me to join him on a birding adventure.  We headed out to the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens (which I then found out encompasses over 9,000 acres).  We were joining a guided birding tour, with a guide from the Audubon Society.  My friend came prepared with some super binoculars and loaned me a small, not so super pair for my use.

I’ve always been fascinated by birds, have had many as pets, love the song and call of birds, and many times found myself stopping to watch a sweet feathered friend frolicking, as I scurried along in my busy life.

When we arrived – it was wonderful to see such an array of ages and genders within the group in the tour.  Many were with friends, some alone, but all excited about the sightings we were about to discover.  There were some without any binoculars, and then the other extreme – where they needed a tri-pod just to carry the telescopic wonder – which we were all able to view through when we came across that special bird.

As our guide took us on our journey – he continually spoke of the many varieties in each species.  He taught us to calmly listen to him while at the same time listen for the call of a far off bird, scale the trees and distant landscape for any movement, even if just a quick flutter.

Once we spotted something, we were to bring it to the attention of the entire group – even if we weren’t totally sure.  At that moment we all became one set of eyes and ears.  Once discovered – binoculars went up and the quiet among the group was surreal.

He paused to give us time to view this precious creature, not taking away from “the moment” – but soon after he pointed out what we should be looking at – size of bird, coloring – markings around its head and within its wings – area around the eye – stripes and/or bands on its crown – size, shape and color of its beak – length of tail, whether squared, pointed, straight or crossed – and then of course the song or calling.

I was excited, yet overwhelmed.  Most birds stayed in sight for a few seconds – how in the world would I be able to note all of these points?  But I looked on and enjoyed the new world I was being pulled into.

When I returned home that day – I kept remembering the joy I had during the entire tour.  The excitement within the group – the discoveries we encountered – and I knew this was a new passion.  After obtaining my own guide books, continuing to go on guided tours and receiving a precious gift of binoculars from my daughter, after awhile, I realized I was spotting and indentifying birds everywhere I went.  I thought I recognized markings and when I checked my guides – I found I was either right – or at least within the correct species.  I found some birding friends and we go on both guided and self walks – discovering more and more of these precious birds.

Passion – it unfolds from a stir within your heart.  We can ignore it and never know what it can bring, or we can explore it further and see what more can be stirred.  Not so different than the stir within my heart so many years ago that led me to know my God.  To search further, learn about him, spend time with him, and eventually to hear his voice and know he was calling me to his own.  Passion.