Sleepy Hollow

I have been aware of the tale of Sleepy Hollow and the headless horseman for some time. In fact, my introduction to the stage was in 3rd grade as the great Katrina Van Tassel from the tale. Then, there was the making of the movie with one of my favorites, Johnny Depp. However, it was not until yesterday that I came to know yet another incarnation of Sleepy Hollow.

I got to visit Sleepy Hollow, NY, or at least the immediate vicinity as I went on a site visit for work at the Tarrytown House. There was some talk at the close of the tour about how the headless horseman makes an annual visit to the estate, blowing through to the fascination of kids and adults alike. Instead of scoffing at this and laughing at the gullibility of those who would participate in such a silly thing, I thought to myself: "How cool is that for the imagination?" Just goes to show the magic of legend remains steadfast despite the passing of my years!

Expiration Worries

I am wasteful. I hardly ever put a dent in, let alone finish, a meal out. It's borderline painful for me to go out and eat a normal meal because I leave with such a feeling of guilt for not finishing my food, considering how many people in our country and worldwide could really use that food. On top of that, I am not that great at eating leftovers. I've had to practically go through a self-help program just to remember to pick up my bag or box that sits on the table after getting my food wrapped. So, in those cases I forget, I am also being wasteful on top of wasteful by wasting the plastic (bag) and styrofome or whatever synthetic makes up the carry out container. I believe the pinnacle of my shame came in Philadelphia when I finally remembered to pick up a container off of the table, strolled out to my car, drove home and realized as I went into my house that I had placed the container on top of my car and had driven off. Add littering to that wasteful offense.

One of the ways I've found to help rehabilitate my ways and perhaps compensate in some way is through my milk purchases. At first glance, organic milk is expensive. To look at a carton of milk and think of paying over $3 for that milk makes one wince. However, first, there truly is a difference in taste. Organic milk is very cold and fresh tasting. That, alone though, does not validate the purchase. What does is the fact that the expiration date on organic milk gives you another good two weeks than you would otherwise get out of your milk purchase. I have been a repeat offender in the area of wasting milk as well...for years. As soon as I started buying it while in the dorm, I realized there would not be too many times that I would even polish off a half gallon within its fresh period. But, to downgrade meant possibly not having enough. And who wants to get stuck with a dry bowl of cereal in the sleepy mornings?

I have learned since this discovery that ultrapasteurization (heating the milk to a higher temp) is what extends the expiration. There is speculation, however, that you should still ditch the milk a week after opening.

Gilbert's Tenets

It's taken me quite some time to both fully get into and appreciate Elizabeth Gilbert's book, Eat Pray Love, but it's one of those reads better once it steaps a bit. And, actually, that's one of the inspirations of the book...it makes you want to tuck a little bit of time away each day just to think a little more. Whether on the way you're doing things, why you're doing them as you are, what you're eating, with whom you're talking, what you're talking about or simply where to go to next, this book validates your every thought.

This life has such potential, especially now, to make you want to move ultra fast, sometimes forgetting all together what your motivations are or what you want them to be. What Gilbert says, and most eloquently so, is that we all need to put some more thought into things. For her, it's about her yoga practices and spirituality, but at the base of those like most other things is really just inspiration. What inspires you? And is that inspiration centered as it needs to be? Or is it sort of reckless?

Throughout the book, you get an intimate look at Gilbert's (sometimes incredibly embarrassing) thought processes, motivations and inspiration. She makes amazing leaps in the areas of honesty (both with herself and others) and love. She takes down the artifice and suffers through the journey to getting real. I am close to the end, not yet finished, but I can safely say at this point that this book is a good guide to being human and becoming better at being just that...human.

Whether looking for a good laugh, clever writing or just an adventure to Italy, India and Indonesia, you will probably enjoy this read. The title definitely wins the prize for three great tenets around which we could all stand to organize our lives. Try it out.