Cinco de Torch Lake Mayo

Posted on May 4, 2014 by Diane

I’m not Hispanic…. untitled at all…in fact I’m a bit of a mutt, with Irish, Swedish, Scottish & a few other bits added in. But as it happens, I have a serious addiction to Mexican food & Cinco de Mayo provides an excellent excuse to indulge. Spicy guacamole, frosty margaritas, on the rocks with salt, (Festive Recipe) a fiery fajita, cheesy nachos, crunchy tacos, enchiladas, & quesadillas…yummm! images6Y2N8QZY

Here are cinco facts for you:

  • Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in both the U.S. & Mexico.
  • During the Civil War, the Mexican-American communities in the west celebrated Cinco de Mayo to commemorate freedom & democracy.
  • The holiday in Mexico is in remembrance of a battle won against the French.
  • What began as a localized tradition spread over time to the rest of the U.S. & Mexico.
  • In 2005 the U.S. Congress made the holiday official.

Here are cinco ways to celebrate:

  • Answer your phone all day by saying “Ola” & use any other Hispanic words you know as often as you can.
  • Take cinco adult beverages to a friend…to share!
  • Either find cinco fun things to do OR do one fun thing cinco times…example: Call cinco friends to wish them “Happy Cinco de Mayo” – OR- call one friend cinco times!
  • Listen to some great Hispanic music…it abounds & can be very zippy…you may end up shaking some things you haven’t shaken in a while. Click for the Top Ten Song List: http://www.timeout.com/los-angeles/music/cinco-de-mayo-in-la-top-10-songs-for-your-fiesta  
  • Visit your favorite Cinco de Mayo restaurant & over-indulge a bit.

images8MYBJ2DO What I like best about Cinco de Mayo is that it celebrates history & culture. It honors & teaches a bit & offers us the opportunity to look beyond our usual boundaries. There should be more days like it. While we manage to have Cinco de Mayo & St. Patrick’s Day, imagine how much we could learn about each other if we had the chance to celebrate other cultures & nationalities. There are currently 196 countries in the world which means we could have a party about every other day!

It seems that at the very least, we should find a way to honor & celebrate those who came before us. Whether  you’re Hispanic or not, whether you will celebrate this day or not, maybe you can find a way to remember your own heritage & the people who trod the path that brought you here. So while you’re raising your margarita, take a moment to choose a day to celebrate your own heritage.

Call me, I’ll join you!!!

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Me…I’m off to find some of that music!!!

Talking 'bout my g-g-generation!

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The Ice of Torch Lake

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Diane

Ice is nice…

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It’s cold & solid.

It can be strong & thick.

Sometimes you can stand on it.

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It’s made of crystals & magic.

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It can be white or blue.

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Sometimes it sparkles & floats.

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It’s creative & artistic.

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It can be as thin as a fairy wing.

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Sometimes it creaks & sings.

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It’s good in lemonade & festive adult beverages!

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Ice is nice.

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But the best thing about ice…

          is that it melts!!!

DSCN3562DSCN3573  DSCN3572 Bye-Bye ice!!!

Me…I’m off to get my swimsuit ready!!!

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Earth Day of Torch Lake

Posted on April 20, 2014 by Diane

Last month we celebrated Earth Hour…

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On March 29th, individuals, cities, & corporations were encouraged to turn off non-essential lights & appliances for an hour. It was impressive to see some of the pictures of the great architectural sites of the world without their lights!

This week Tuesday is Earth Day & again everyone is encouraged to do something to help our environment.

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Earth Day 2014 marks the 44th year of a movement that grew out of the turmoil of the late 6o’s & early 70’s. In 1962 Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring. In a time when much of the country was concerned about the war in Vietnam & racial issues stateside, her book is thought to have been one of the factors that began to focus more attention on our environment. Earth Day 1970 marked the official beginning of a movement encouraging  environmental responsibility.

You can celebrate this Earth Day getting out there & doing something… planting trees, picking up trash, cleaning trails or beaches, replacing light bulbs, turning off lights, riding your bike instead of driving, carpooling… the list is endless.

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Or you can get out your checkbook. There are countless organizations who will use your money to help protect & preserve the environment. I’m pretty sure any of them would gladly accept your check. You can of course look to the large national or international organizations but here’s a list of some of the groups (with links) in Northern Michigan if you want to act locally:

Torch Lake Protection Alliance

Grass River Natural Area

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The Loon Network

P.O Box 117, Alden MI 49612

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Three Lakes Association

However you choose to celebrate Earth Day this year, you need to spend some of the day outdoors just enjoying whatever the day brings to your part of the world. Hug a tree or a friend, take a walk in the rain or in the sun, listen to the birds or the wind, or simply stand still with your eyes closed & send gratitude to the earth that gives you life.

At the risk of sounding “preachy” I would ask you to ask yourself why we only celebrate Earth Day once a year. Seems to me it might be worth a bit more than that.

Me…I’m off to smell the flowers!!!

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