Thursday, February 4, 2021

Snake, Stone, Man and Woman Inspirational Story – Be kind to people.



The man doesn’t know that there is a snake underneath. The woman doesn’t know that there is a stone crushing the man. The woman thinks: “I am going to fall! And I can’t climb because the snake is going to bite me! Why can’t the man use a little more strength and pull me up!” The man thinks: “I am in so much pain! Yet I’m still pulling you as much as I can! Why don’t you try and climb a little harder!?”



 The moral is— you can’t see the pressure the other person is under, and the other person can’t see the pain you’re in. This is life, whether it’s with work, family, feelings or friends, we should try to understand each other. Learn to think differently, perhaps more clearly and communicate better. A little thought and patience goes a long way.

Be kind to people. Everyone we meet is fighting their own battle.


https://venkatmails.com/

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

I have been infected by covit 19. My energy levels are low but I will try my best adding interesting posts.


 

Here is the ultimate list of 50 important life lessons that have stood the test of time. These lessons are full of wisdom on living life to the fullest. Life lessons you need to learn before 30 that will make a difference in your life.

 


 People often tell Regina Brett how great she looks for her age. Turns out, she is actually in her 50s — not 90. She wrote down these life lessons the night before her 45th birthday after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Over that past decade, these lessons have gone viral on the Internet amid claims that she is 90 years old. Luckily, she finds humor in this misrepresentation, knowing how many lives she has touched.

Whatever her age might be, these universal lessons are relatable to anyone who needs a little reminder of what's important in life.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift..

 Credit: Regina Brett

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Looking close up to the finest and iconic couture.



Evening dress by Balenciaga, Cristóbal, 1960 (made). Evening dress with fichu collar of pink organza with ribbon work and lace embroidery. 




Evening dress of silk grosgrain with petticoat of net, designed by Pierre Balmain, Paris, 1950-1955





 Pierre Balmain, early 1950s.







Monday, February 1, 2021

Haute couture at its best


1890


Cycling jacket, 1899. Wool. Rijksmuseum




Woman's riding jacket of flannel trimmed with mohair and lined with sateen, designed and made by John Redfern & Sons, England, 1885-1886







Sunday, January 31, 2021

A BEGGAR AND A LADY


 

As a woman walked down the streets one day, she spotted a beggar. The man looked pretty old, unshaven and ill dressed. Every passer-by looked at him with contempt; Not like they had anything against him, but merely because of who he was- a filthy beggar.

But when this particular woman saw him, she was filled with compassion.

The beggar was improperly dressed for a weather so cold. Precisely, he wasn’t dressed by wrapped up in what looked like a coat from a very old and not-so-warm suit. She kindly asked the man “Sir? Are you all right?”

The man looked at the women, who, clearly by her appearance was a demonstration of what people from a wealthy background looked like. The old beggar thought that she, like every other person, was mocking him. “Leave me alone,” he growled.

The women did not move. Instead, to his surprise, she smiled at him and gently asked if he was hungry.

“No, I’ve just come from dining with the president. Now go away.”-the beggar replied with a notable sarcasm. The woman’s smile did not fade. She slid her hands under the beggar’s arm and tried to pick him up.

“Woman, what do you think you are doing?” the beggar sounded annoyed.

“Is there a problem ma’am?” a policeman shouted, walking towards the lady and the beggar.

“Not at all officer. I’m just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?”-the women replied

The policeman looked at her with surprise- “that man is old jack and has been here for years. What have you got to do with him anyway?”

“I am taking him to a cafeteria to eat something and to get him out of the cold for a while”- The women answered.

“Are you crazy, lady?” the homeless man resisted. “I don’t want to go in there!” Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. “Let me go, officer. I didn’t do anything.”

“It’s a good chance to feed yourself jack. Don’t blow it.”- The officer advised.

After a lot of difficulty, the woman and the officer managed to drag jack into the cafeteria. It was past breakfast and too early for lunch hour of the day. The manager strode towards the table and asked “What’s going on here, officer?” he asked. “Is this man in trouble?”

“She brought old jack in here to be fed,” the policeman answered.

“Not in my cafeteria! People like him are bad for business.”-the manager angrily retorted.

“Now you know why I didn’t want to come in here woman.”- Jack said to the lady-“now let me go. I never wanted to be here in the first place.”

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. “Sir, I reckon you know Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?”

“Of course I do, ” the manager answered impatiently. “They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms.”

“And I guess you make a good amount of money through those meetings.”

“Why does it concern you, I anyway?”

“Because I am the CEO of the company” the women replied, showing no sign of pride in her statement. “Oh.”- it was all that the manager managed to say.

She looked at the officer- “Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?”

“No thanks, ma’am,” the officer replied. “I’m on duty.”

“Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?”

“Yes, ma’am. That would be very nice.”

“I’ll get your coffee for you right away, officer.”-the manager immediately replied.

“You served him right,” he said.

“Oh, believe me officer, that was not what I intended. I have a reason behind all this.” She stared at Jack intently, and asked “Jack, do you remember me?”

Old Jack examined her face- “well you do look familiar.”- He thoughtfully added.

“Do you remember a cold and hungry girl who frequently visited this place when you worked here?” the women asked – “she has perhaps grown old hasn’t she?”

The officer looked surprised. He couldn’t imagine this fine looking woman as a poor and hungry woman.

“I had just graduated and had come to the city looking for a job. Didn’t find one for a really long time. I was running out of cash and had been asked to vacate my apartment too.  I lived on these streets for days. It was the cold month of February, I still remember. And that’s when I found this place and walked in hoping to find eatable my little budget could afford.”

Jack’s face suddenly lit up- “now I remember you. I used to be at the counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy.”

“I know,” the woman said. “Then you offered me the biggest roast beef sandwich, a cup of coffee, and a table for me to sit and enjoy the meal. I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register”

“So you started your own business?” Old Jack asked.

“No, not exactly. That very afternoon I got a job. I worked my way up. Then, I started my own business.” She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. “Please pay a visit to the personnel director of my company. I’ll go talk to him now. I am sure there is something in my office for which we can use your help. We can even pay you a certain amount of your salary in advance.”

Fighting back the tears, Jack asked-“How can I ever repay your kindness?”

“You don’t have to” the woman answered. “Thank Jesus. He led me to you.”

“Thank you for all your help, officer,” she said to him as they both walked out the door.

“On the contrary, Ms. Eddy, thank you. I saw a miracle today. And of course, thank you for the coffee”

She frowned. “I forgot to ask you whether you used cream or sugar. That’s black.”

“I do use cream and more sugar than what is good for my health”- He replied

“I’m sorry,” she said.

“Please don’t be. I have a feeling that this coffee is going to taste as sweet as sugar”- He replied with a smile.

Portuguese Chicken with Mushrooms & Port Wine Recipe


Ingredients

1 cup of white rice2 cups of water1 cup of flourSalt (to taste)Ground black pepper (to taste)Oregano (to taste)1 lb of chicken breast, cut into steaks1 tablespoon of olive oil2 tablespoons of butter1 clove of garlic, minced1 cup of fresh cut mushroomsSalt and black pepper (to taste)1/2 cup of Port wine1/2 cup of chicken broth                                                                                                    

Directions

  1. Put the rice in salt water in a saucepan and let it boil over high heat.
  2. Than reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the rice is cooked, from 20 to 25 minutes and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the flour with some salt, black pepper and oregano (to taste).
  4. Add the chicken steaks to the flour mixture and move them around so they are covered with the mixture and remove any excess flour.
  5. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  6. Add the chicken and cook until the chicken is well cooked inside and golden on the outside, 5 to 8 minutes on each side.
  7. Drain the chicken in a dish lined with absorbent paper.
  8. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet over medium heat, add the garlic let it brown slightly, than add the mushrooms, and cook for about 10 minutes.
  9. Season with salt and black pepper, then add the Port wine and chicken broth.
  10. Transfer the chicken steaks to a pan and pour the sauce with the mushrooms over it.
  11. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
  12. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
  13. Serve the steaks over boiled rice sprinkled with chopped parsley.
Recipe & Photo Credit: milrecetascocina.com



THE SERENITY PRAYER

GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY
TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE;
COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN;
AND WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.

LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME;
ENJOYING ONE MOMENT AT A TIME;
ACCEPTING HARDSHIPS AS THE PATHWAY TO PEACE;
TAKING, AS HE DID, THIS SINFUL WORLD
AS IT IS, NOT AS I WOULD HAVE IT;
TRUSTING THAT HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT
IF I SURRENDER TO HIS WILL;
THAT I MAY BE REASONABLY HAPPY IN THIS LIFE
AND SUPREMELY HAPPY WITH HIM
FOREVER IN THE NEXT.
AMEN.

--REINHOLD NIEBUHR