Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Tonight's picture was taken in February of 2004. Mattie was almost two years old. That day we took him to the Natural History Museum in Washington, DC. Mattie was looking up at the huge 11 ton African Elephant in the Museum's rotunda. Look at Mattie's expression. To me it was absolutely priceless! Looking at the world through Mattie's eyes is something I will never forget. 

Quote of the day: Courage isn't having the strength to go on, it is going on when you don't have the strength. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte

Today, I came across this article, Women who are deeply unhappy but too strong to admit it usually display these habits, says psychology. The title caught my attention, so I naturally kept reading! The article highlights how many women around the world have a hard time openly talking about their unhappiness. Honestly women juggle so many things now a days, that it is quite easy to feel overwhelmed and unhappy, and who has the time to truly focus upon it? This is a common thread that I think ALL women face! Which is why I think this article is worth perusing. 

The article goes onto to say that women who are deeply unhappy, but too strong to admit it, often exhibit certain behaviors. Six behaviors to be specific and they are:

1. They are perfectionists
2. They avoid social gatherings
3. They're overly selfless
4. They lose interest in things they once loved
5. They have trouble sleeping
6. They constantly feel tired
7. They hide their true feelings

You want to know what I thought of these six behaviors? I thought they were spot on! I exhibit all six! However, what I also quickly assessed, is that these same six behaviors can be exhibited in anyone facing and coping with loss and trauma. So which came first..... the unhappiness or the loss and trauma? In my case, it is multiple losses and traumas, all wrap around each other, culminating in my intense unhappiness. These six behaviors weren't earth shattering to me, but they do call out a word I haven't used to describe myself... UNHAPPY!

My mom was on Facebook last week and saw people talking about pasta frittatas. My first reaction was, WHAT? This is not something I grew up eating and neither grandmother ever made such a thing. I looked up the pasta frittata and its origin is Naples, Italy. It was a meal that evolved after WWII, when food was more scare, yet people did not want to waste left overs. You literally can throw left over pasta, meats, and vegetables into a pasta frittata. I stuck with something more basic tonight.... a pasta frittata with prosciutto and parmesan cheese. 

This is an easy meal and my dad had three helpings. So it was a hit! The next one I want to try is this one!