All posts filed under: Culture

Emotionally Filled Year-End

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As I drove home in the early morning hours, from a quick holiday weekend trip up north, I began to sob uncontrollably when the song ‘Where are you Christmas‘ streamed aloud through the surround sound in my car. I did my best to stay strong and in the moment, while visiting family, playing with pets, kids and engaging in conversation – but my mind was elsewhere, far, far away, mainly wondering where my mother might be spending Christmas in the afterlife? Is there an afterlife? And where is it located? Were thoughts that followed as I journeyed along the highway; the full moon my escort. I wondered if I will ever see here again…you know, in the heavens above, or…not sure if our paths will ever cross again. The thought of it all, churning my stomach and sending my heart to an uneasy flutter as I veered the car left, then right, coasting along. The song blended into the next, suggesting to, ‘Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas’. I mumbled the verses to the very …

It’s Been A Long Time…

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I usually catch up with a select few of my friends whom I’ve known forever, and family members, maybe a few times a year. However, I’ve felt a deeper connection here at RawSilkandSaffron, where I felt the need to stay in touch more often then the two or three times a year. But it seems, with every hectic day that passes, now the 17th of March already, the connection is too few and far between. No excuse. It is a reflection of what life has become since 2020. Anyway. Here I am taking a very small break, in between work madness, to stop here and share all the things that are going through my mind every single minute of the day, and in between all of the juggling and multi-tasking. Mad weather in California, leaky roofs and other damage, and cost of the impending repair. The idea of losing an aging parent is in the forefront of all my thoughts, contained only in the early morning hours, when all are still asleep. Where I plug …

Winter Solstice

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Yesterday, as I wished my co-workers around the globe through Teams chat, the happiest of holidays, those in Finland also wished me ‘happy winter solstice’. Which had me raise an eyebrow, thinking it was not yet the 22nd of December. Naturally, I had to point it out, and the response was – OH BUT IT IS… You see I had sent the message at midnight California time, and it was already 10 in the morning there – on Solstice day. Which by the way is the longest darkest daytime in Finland. Amazing don’t you think?

Sharing Too Much…

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If I were to share all personal and professional of things…I’d air what one might consider ‘my dirty laundry’ So I do wonder how some have no issue sharing, nor any consideration of the outcome of all that is saying too much without regard… You must know what I am referring to. What would one gain by doing so? Empathy, relatability, compassion, care, understanding…drama, ratings, income? This issue had me wondering – why have we reached a point of such mindlessness and where do we go from here if we are unable to save ourselves? So, I did the usual search online and found this article which done a descent job of explaining, and naturally I decided to share to see what you all think? …after the World Cup Final On Sunday of course 😉 Go France!

Weekend Conversation Starter

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I’ve been watching The Crown season 5 on Netflix, one episode a night. The sad truth is, midway through an episode, I fall asleep or zone out. And my partner in crime turns off the television, disappointed that I am not keeping up. I don’t know about you, but for some strange reason season 5 has been a bit difficult for me to watch for so many reasons. Are you having the same issues? If so please tell me why? Photo source and full credit One film I do recommend is Where the Crawdads Sing, past the novel, the film is captivating and very well paced. I’ve read the book, and normally films do not do justice to the story. But in this instance, the filmmaker took all the right precautions to ensure the screen version captured the essence of the well written story. Image source and full credit Where are we with Thanksgiving? I mean this is the first year for me where I am not the host and since my mother is unable …

Lifestyle: Core Values and How To Be a Conscious Listener

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Today’s virtual and in person human connection has me worried. I know there are reminders in recent days about being in the moment and all. But unless we make extra effort to be conscious and aware, past the political social media influence, the humanity as we know it will become extinct. I took part in a self-betterment program several months back through my current employer and although I went into it with an open mind, I had no idea the lasting impact such a program could have. So I decided it was time to share some key points, an introduction if you will, just in case, you’ve reached a cross-road… To start, I was asked to list my 10 core values and rate them from 1-10. Ten being the most important. Here’s what I want to add to that. After you have listed and rated your core values. List 10 more values you perceive are relevant in today’s society. Compare the two lists and share. I promise this will lead somewhere Second, have you ever …

The Constant…No More

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While in the countryside this past week, committed to unplug from all things electronic, I received news that her Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, had passed away. Which I knew had been long time coming, considering how delicate her state of being was in the past year. Nevertheless, I somehow felt it wouldn’t be in my lifetime. I felt choked up on my way up the stairs to a quieter part of the house. And there I sat on the bed, as if the world had come to an end…and in a way, it has. She was the constant in our world of elevated madness and chaos. A tender reminder of strength, dignity and resiliency, I admired, and often mirrored to endure my worst of days. What would the Queen do, I used to remind myself… featured image full credit

Interesting Topics For Those of Us Without Back To School Woes

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August is a tricky month for most parents as they gear up their school aged children for returning their academic year. Whether returning to, or heading to a new establishment for higher learning, maneuvering the ritual can be pretty some form of memorable experience to say the least. So I get it if you don’t stop and read the interesting topics I have added here. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Dijon, France, where I spent an entire day experimenting with the mustard produced in the region. So much so, I nearly brought a suitcase load of the product. So naturally the idea of ‘why there is no Dijon in Dijon Mustard‘ read, sparked my interest. The rebirth of an amazing destination made famous by writers and celebrity of all types – Cuba – where now a portion of the small island in the Caribbean, Matanzas, is going through major renovation worth reading about. A destination surely on my bucket list How Rome’s monuments are still standing – do you ever wonder? Do you dabble …

In Films and Novels

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What are you watching these days? Or reading for that matter? The other day I noticed a woman sitting in a secluded outdoor space, in between two stores in an outdoor mall. She was reading an actual book. Not a nook, or a variation of an electronic reading devices. But an actual book. I sat a few tables away from her and occasionally glanced in her direction, me mostly wondering what the squirrel that was inching towards her was intending to do. Two things that I admired that afternoon. Her being engrossed in the novel she was reading – Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney – which I had binged watched on television-Hulu a month or so back. The second, was the squirrel utterly unafraid to be inches away from her. Perhaps the squirrel knew her, I thought. Maybe the woman frequented that very spot and they became friends. From the corner of her eye, she looked towards the squirrel and smiled, giving the squirrel the encouragement it was seeking to approach – I can …