Quote of the Month
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." — Walt Disney
Doing the Impossible
Last month I went to Albuquerque to take care of my mom after her successful cataract surgery.
The next day, while she was resting comfortably, I decided to play nine holes of golf. I was paired up with two friendly men, Doug and Jeff. After brief introductions, we teed off. Jeff's tee shot landed on the left side of the fairway, mine was right of center, and Doug's in the rough to the right of the fairway. Doug asked me for help finding his ball, saying he couldn't see very well. Jeff said, "Actually, he's blind." I nodded, thinking I've had days like that, too. We searched for his ball and I found it in a bush. I pointed to it, but Doug said he couldn't see it and asked me to knock it out of the bush. His next hit was solid, sending his ball straight toward the green.
I began to notice the communication between the two friends. Jeff would tell Doug how many yards to the hole and describe any obstacles in the fairway, the placement of the pin on the green, and where Doug's ball landed. Jeff would watch Doug walk toward his ball, telling him how many more yards to the right, left or straight ahead. Several times I watched Doug unable to find his ball in plain sight. Then it finally hit me.
Doug really was blind.
He explained that he was born with juvenile macular degeneration. His vision was poor when he was a child, and it's gotten progressively worse. Now he has completely lost his central vision, but still has his peripheral vision. He can see a ball at his feet, but he can't see what's in front of him. He's been legally blind for more than two decades. Yet for five decades, he's been an avid golfer.
Impressed? Certainly. But wait, there's more. Doug has made two holes-in-one since he was declared legally blind. That's a feat few sighted golfers can claim.
I was impressed by his can-do attitude. On a par three, Jeff had to tell him when the other golfers left the green. When Doug hit, he put the ball fifteen feet from the hole.
I was impressed by his sense of humor. I was looking for my own ball in some long grass. Doug was the one who found it. He said, "How do you like that? The blind guy had to find your ball for you."
I was impressed by his humility. By the ninth hole (which, by the way, he parred), I was in awe of him. He said, "It's no big deal. It's just everyday life for me."
He was having fun — doing the impossible.
On the Cover of Motorhome
I've had all kind of thrills,
But the thrill I'd never known,
Is the thrill that'll gitcha,
When I got my picture
On the cover of Motorhome!
Motorhome
Wanna see my picture on the cover
Motorhome
Wanna buy five copies for my mother
Motorhome
Wanna see my favorite place
On the cover of Motorhome
(With thanks and apologies to Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show)
Okay, so it's not the Rolling Stone, but I was thrilled just the same. The November 2009 issue of Motorhome Magazine has a photograph I took last October of our RV surrounded by lovely fall colors in Minnesota. I write freelance travel articles for Motorhome Magazine, but this was the first time one of my photos was featured on the cover.
The November issue is on newsstands now.
In-Home Workshops
If you are in the Colorado Springs or Denver area, it's easy to host your own Art of the Spark workshop. Each 3-hour session is $15 per person or $25 per couple. If you want a 6- or 9-hour workshop, it can be scheduled over several evenings or a weekend.
Each couple or person would need to have a book, and the hostess gets a free copy. The book can be purchased online at http://adventuresoftheheart.com/the-art-of-the-spark_361.html or at the workshop. The minimum number in a group is 8, but the more the merrier. My husband, Jim, assists so we can break into two groups and plan surprises for your sweetheart.
If you want to arrange a workshop at your own church, email me at mary@adventuresoftheheart.com. Twenty percent of the proceeds are donated to the church.
Buy The Art of the Spark
Have you read The Art of the Spark? You can get one for yourself, and even buy some as gifts for friends.
If you are hosting party and want a fun and unusual icebreaker, try Romance Bingo.
Last but not least, if you want some pampering, pick up a pair of Fringe Ticklers. Ask your sweetheart to slide them over your back. It feels heavenly.
Celebrating with Food
With the weather turning cooler, I've been cooking more soups and pastas. Here are four of my favorites.
Clam & Artichoke Sauce over Rice
The original recipe calls for linguine. Since I'm on a mostly gluten-free diet, I substitute rice for linguini. Last time I made this we had some of the sauce left over. Jim used it in an omelet, which was excellent.
Chicken Peanut Sauce over Spaghetti Squash
For years I served this sauce over pasta or rice. Recently I tried it with spaghetti squash and liked it just as well.
Garlic Soup
As I've told you before, I come from a family of fine cooks. This recipe comes from my sister-in-law, Roxanna Zalmanek. She makes this soup without carefully measuring the ingredients and promises you can't mess it up. Use your favorite bottled salsa; that will be the predominate flavor. This soup is similar to tortilla soup, and even better if you are a garlic fan.
Sweet Potato Crab Soup
This recipe was given to me by a friend who was well known for his wry sense of humor and his preference for fatty foods. He said, "Although this soup is advertised as very healthy, I still enjoyed it. You could always top if with some butter, clotted cream or other fatty substance to take the healthy edge off it."
Until Next Time
If you enjoyed this free newsletter, please forward it to friends. I care about people and how they celebrate. If you have any stories you'd like to share, please send them to me at mary@adventuresoftheheart.com.
Wishing you a life of romantic adventure,
Mary Zalmanek
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