Perspective

Peering through the visor of a a motorcycle helmet
gives you a different view of the world around you.

Trees stretch taller to the sky,
red and yellow leaves glow
like lava in a cool wind whip of air.

Did you know in Crozet there’s a church,
that sits on a hill with green shutters,
and a school bell on a pole at the door,
waiting to welcome ghosts of the past?

‘For Sale’ signs tell stories of foreclosure,
or the promise of a new adventure,
while wood fences careen with hills
and Budweiser boxes scatter themselves
along the road, ditching their partying ways.

And on the back of the bike
you can see the world,
wiz by you in a flash.
Have you shut your eyes
and imagined the rocket blasting?
Or do you hug tight the driver for dear life?

Peering through the visor, a panoramic camera,
only you are the camera and your memory the film.

A little note about enthusiasm and where I get it from…

I once had a boss ask me how I was able to come back to work after a bad day with a smile on my face and an enthusiastic demeanor. He said to me, “There are times I was worried you’d put in your resignation letter, but then you’d come back in and be ready to tackle another day.”

I blame my mom for my hard work ethic, but also for my ability to turn around a tough situation. Sure, I may come home and act emotional and pout around, but then, a spark ignites! A little ember builds up inside: A Challenge.

When I’m down about something I often think back to a “difficult” assignment in 5th grade. I went to an elementary school where 98% of my classmate’s parents were extremely conservative. Our history teacher assigned us with a project to create poster presentation about a president, but we had to draw out of a hat the president we were going to report on.

The tension built as each person stepped up and pulled a name out. (Really tension? Okay fifth grade tension...remember how that felt?) I remember holding my breath and then feeling the tears burn my eyes when everyone laughed. I had pulled out the current president, Bill Clinton (I know funny now, considering I think he was a pretty great president).  At the time, I was humiliated, crushed, tortured, and over dramatic (no surprise there). I hated to be laughed at, not to mention, ‘how was a perfectionist supposed to do her job when there probably wasn’t very much information published yet?’

I came home, frustrated and embarrassed. My mom, (who I didn’t know at that time, was one of the 2% who voted for President Clinton in our community) quickly told me to put my chin up and get into the mini-van. We were headed to the library…and then another library, and then another one, until we had collected enough photo copies and notes to write a lifetime biography on the president.

Then it was off to the store to get the materials for the best, (excuse me French) “damn poster my fifth grade class had ever seen.” “If those kids are going to laugh, we’ll give them something to laugh about.” See where I get the fire? As for my project…it turned out to be the most beautiful and informative poster any fifth grade class had ever seen. I got an A+! We showed those skeptics! (Although now that I think about it, my teacher was a single, 40-something body builder… she probably was part of the 2% as well…).

The moral of the story “get back up again and knock their socks off!” I’m thankful for the awesome example my mom gave me that day and every day. It’s made me a better employee, friend and hopefully a mom someday!

Sidenote: Even we positive enthusiasts need a little encouragement every now and then. I stumbled across this interesting website today called monalle.com. It has a really cool article on how to keep being enthusiastic…. Just thought I’d share: http://www.monalle.com/enthusiasm-the-real-deal/

Spinach & Tomato Tortellini Soup

Soup for a Fall Day

Adapted from the Food Network Recipe

What you need:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1/2 cup minced onion (about 1/2 small onion)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 to 6 cups broth, chicken or vegetable
• 1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes, crushed through your fingers or coarsely chopped
• 1 (9-ounce) package fresh tortellini or 4 servings dried tortellini
• Coarse grained salt and cracked black pepper
• ½ Rotisserie chicken breast meat diced
• 10 ounces fresh or frozen spinach, defrosted and chopped
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan, very loosely packed

Cook onion and garlic in olive oil for 5-7 minutes. Add chicken broth and tomatoes. Once boiling add tortellini, salt, pepper and chicken meat. Boil for 5 minutes then add spinach.

Add parmesan to individual bowls before serving.