Showing posts with label food for your brain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food for your brain. Show all posts

Monday, February 15, 2021

Alert! Not Your Ordinary Election!


Voting begins 02/16/2021 @ 10AM/PST, 11AM/MST, 12PM/CST, 1PM/EST - Don't forget to come vote for your Favorite Chef! It's an opportunity to win a kitchen gadget & be featured in Bon Appetit Magazine to win $20,000 toward my career!



https://favchef.com/2021/lika-m-phipps





Sunday, August 11, 2019

Things to do... What do you like?


I was finally able to go to a Racine Raiders football game as a regular fan...  The last game was over 30 years ago, when I was still in my high school pep band and the Lighthouse Brigade Marching Band and went to play as part of one of those...   I remember I used to have so much fun because watching the games in person is more fun than watching on TV.  I've had the pleasure of going to every home game in high school, went to watch the Wisconsin Badgers regularly while in college, and even went to a Green Bay Packers preseason game once.  So, to be able to take my son to one of these, since I'd pulled him from regular public school to do the public virtual school thing, he never had that opportunity...  It's a great family event as well as for groups of friends to attend.  I had fun making some noise with my miniature cowbell that sounds more like a wind chime...

I enjoy instilling the love of reading in young people. Teens & young adults who don't fit the social norms or haven't been introduced to much would like something a little different, such as Soldwolf’s current story in the making, Meeting the Parents (Ch. 1) In this military sci-fi story, there is a lot of action, tactical movements both from a personal & strategic perspective, and the main couple along with their Circle of Friends (Ch 36) are endearing. In Discoveries & Decisions (Ch 45), the details of the discoveries from the last chapter(s) are gradually being revealed. Certain conclusions can be drawn from these, as well as understanding the gravity of the key players' impact was on finding the intel. Some might be nominated for awards, others might be glad that they don't use guillotines in the future... A ton of info is sifted through, and this operation was bigger than anything you'd expect, so the plans on what to do next will have to be a delicate balance.

In the chapters leading up to the current point, the “bad guys” whether they are outright enemies, infiltrators, or inside traitors, The Wrath of Khan will look tame to what they are going to end up getting. Whether you’re about the military aspect, sci-fi action or personal relationships, you’ll find this to be a good read. Even though Spock says, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few” (Star Trek), I think, in this case, the need to keep this couple safe from harm would be best for this futuristic society.


Go find that thing to do, you might find something you enjoy, and be inspired to pursue something new, get a hobby or just expand on what you already have.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Just where does my time go, seriously?

People who’ve known me for a long time know that I am a busy person, and even if I have some open time, it can fill up quickly. I’m always up to something, whether it’s working, spending time with my friends, or best yet - doing something adventurous with my son Chad. Regardless, you can always count on me being a “trouble maker” of sorts, where I like to believe that I’m working toward improving the quality of life for at least a small group of people, whether it be survivors of sex abuse or domestic violence, improving the quality/quantity of jobs for those seeking (better) employment, or whatever else may require me to be the advocate that I am. It’s just in this case, rather than being community activated to push a political or legal agenda, it’s actually giving me a lot of personal satisfaction in helping in my small little way in the name of humanity and making my corner of the world a little bit at the Hospitality Center. No, I do not work in the entertainment business. Nor do I work for a hotel/motel chain. This actually has less to do with the hospitality industry as it does touching the daily lives of those in the greatest need in my fair city within the Badger State called Racine, WI.

As the Mission Statement states in the Hospitality Center website, is: To provide hospitality without agenda to those in need or underserved in Racine - the homeless, near homeless and mentally ill. At a glance, it sounds nice. Simple enough. Yet it goes so far beyond that. This place literally welcomes everybody, offers a judgment-free zone, and offers so much more than just some meals.

While I’ve been familiar with the Hospitality Center since it’s inception, and have given little bits of whatever I had, it’s only been since mid May of 2018 until present where I’ve been here regularly and somehow became a part of the daily grind, and I’m surprised they actually LIKE me around here, if you actually believe it or not!

It is located inside of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the hours of the center are Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays from 7:30 am -1 pm - some exceptions for holidays apply but inquire before assuming whether they will be open or not. Reverend Seth is the minister for the church as well as the Executive Director of the center, and Carl is the Program Manager for the Hospitality Center as well as having other important titles for other organizations.



These two guys seriously put in a lot of work for this place, and it’s really been a positive experience working with these two guys, who have grown on me in various ways. The regular staff & volunteers are pretty neat, too, and if you ever come in, please insist on getting some Navy coffee.



Of course, the staff (paid and volunteer) works hard to ensure that the meals are available for all. One super cool lady insists on offering a hot breakfast because it’s the most important meal of the day, and the clients who have the least are who she thinks most about when offering this service. But what’s breakfast w/o coffee? Yes, there is a bottomless pot, one is always brewing, and thank goodness for that, because if I’m a fiend for anything, it’s a good cup of java! One guy, in particular, has me spoiled. I make some good stuff, but his rates even better than my Godmother’s (just please do not tell her that). While the coffee is good the whole time, the hot breakfast is from 7:30-8:30, and fresh donuts, muffins and more are offered until 10.

There is always a nice, hot dinner served at 11:30 with a choice of beverages. It is always a healthy and well-balanced smorgasbord that you can brag to your doctor about. Most of the time, it is our staff & volunteers who prepare and serve the meal, but on occasion, we get some really awesome people in the community who come in, and they even cater the food, too! I’m sure the kitchen staff/volunteers are grateful when they get these types of breaks because normally they are going overtime with busting out their moves getting the good food out & serving cafeteria style. Fortunately for me, it does not make MY job any easier.



On Tuesdays & Fridays, there are AA meetings at 9 am. All are welcome. Approximately every 8 weeks on a Monday, there are free haircuts for those who need to update their hair, whether it’s to shave it in the summer or just to clean up the tips. Thursdays are when it seems everything else happens... Sign up for healthcare, dental check-ups, clothing banks, and today, Aurora healthcare was there doing women’s well checkups because it’s always good to take care of your breast health.



This is the 1st time I know of that they’re here, and it’s possible that Aurora may come back in the future with other health programs to cover other exams, so please stay tuned, you never know if the life it changes is yours, and in that event, it might be good to know that EVERY Thursday is clothing day, and there are lockers you can use temporarily utilize a locker while you stay and enjoy the company of others. I, for one, am thankful that the volunteers who keep the clothing bank straight are there because have a look, who wouldn’t want to “shop” for free here? They just ask that you only take what is needed, and if there is a shortage of clothing, there may be limits to what is able to be given out at any certain time. There is always a need for clothing of all sizes, especially undergarments, socks, women’s hygiene, personal hygiene, and more. The people who put this together definitely go above and beyond the call of duty.



Yes, it’s impressive at all of the services that are offered, but most importantly, it offers a place for people to connect, and for those who are in poverty, it helps people not get that sense of social disconnect. Seriously, this place is perfect for anyone who needs a place to go, something to do, and people to see. While for me, personally, yes, I can go anywhere and adapt to what it is, especially when it comes to talking in front of elected officials to talk about what needs to be done, the Hospitality Center goes beyond that. When I first arrived as an intern to do administrative work, I thought I was just going to be offering my professional services in the office and maybe offering some of my own hospitality to add to what was already there, which was easy. What I didn’t expect was to be given some of that back, and while it was awkward for me to try to accept it at the beginning, it actually kind of feels nice that this unlikely clientele would be part of the group giving the vibes back. I don’t ask for much, but I feel like I really do get more than I give (which isn’t much) and it’s huge.

I invite, actually dare you to come in and have a look around. And make sure you stay a bit, and not just once, either. Come in regularly, even if it’s once a month, and see what it transforms into for you. IF you’re lucky, I’ll share some of that good coffee with you, and we’ll talk a bit and take it from there.

In the spirit of keeping with good things going on at the Hospitality Center, my dear friend Soldwolf, the author of the Military Sci-Fi story called Meeting the Parents, also is a volunteer, who makes the awesome coffee. With the amount of work he puts in, Soldwolf is extremely valuable to the entire staff, paid and unpaid there. Sometimes he's misunderstood, but in reality, a good guy who is also funny, smart, and a great friend. He's there all 4 days but doesn't always stay for the whole time, so if you're especially lucky, you'll be able to meet the guy whose coffee won my heart over but do me a favor, don't let him know that I'll fight for that last cup... Sh! Just be a dear and read his next 4 chapters, will you? This retired Navy guy deserves your support in this endeavor to get his story published into a real book.

Chapter 29: Lunch & Phone Calls delves into some interesting info on ships designed for space, and how it can be difficult to juggle personal and professional business (especially when you have to clear intergalactic military clearances) with a business lunch and formal calls to family.

Chapter 30: Phone Calls & Introductions dang... It would be cool to have video calls to meet and get introduced to new people, and I like the international flair of having a multiethnic earth unit. The family affairs can get quite complicated and interesting, but is it time to start biting our nails or do they have it? It's business before pleasure for sure, especially in military life... The tension builds. How fast can these people work?

Chapter 31: Meetings & Arrivals It's interesting that in this day, we are still figuring out how to understand fellow Earthlings of different cultures, yet in the future, it's all about knowing how to fit in with the other humanoid species from other galaxies. The way it pans out often is hilarious, and hope that the snafus are at a minimum, and if not, at least workable. In the meantime, enjoy the humor in getting to learn & know the various cultural customs. And oh, the seduction! Wow. I think maybe a new vent system is in order, but then maybe it's the heat coming off of the active military personnel...

Chapter 32: Celebrations We all know that the bride-to-be's family is good for throwing the parties. It's even more fun when the groom-to-be's family does the same, and it's heartwarming to be able to see certain things. Just like earthlings, "alien" culture also revolves around the arts as well, which is refreshing to know. I wonder what Talmanii music sounds like? Hmm. I just know that sometimes it's interesting as to how we have to balance family & work business.

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

I can't want to like that!

Our children are funny.  They all make me laugh.  I can't count the number of times I laughed until I hurt because my son would say the damndest things, and at 19, he's STILL cracking me up.  Plus, being a boy after his mother's heart, he loves Science Fiction and the weird stuff too, so I'm going to try to get him into my friend Soldwolf's military sci-fi story, Meeting the Parents - which so far capitalizes on so many of my interests. I’m hoping to share his stuff, just because the characters are endearing, and while the hero & his betrothed are strong people who can not only steal the scenes but the show and thunder too. Plus, the more hits that are received, the better he can catch the attention of publishers who may end up helping him to get a book deal that could end up on the shelf... I’m linking my previous blogs as a reference for previous chapters published...

Anyway, I remember the time when my son was the ripe age of 2. Yes, 2. he was probably one of the easiest 2-year-olds, since he rarely threw a tantrum. I could count on less than one hand how many he had in a week, and if he had a particularly large one, I knew it would be a while before another occurred. But I digress... Poor lil guy. We did some deep house cleaning one day, and here it was 8 pm and we hadn't started cooking dinner yet, and he was patiently annoyed by the fact that he was hungry and tired. We took out a glass jar of store-bought spaghetti sauce and figured we'd doctor it up. Italian food is ultimately his favorite food to this day. So we get it on a plate, and he practically jumps into his high chair, eagerly grabs his fork & starts twirling the pasta like a champ. It goes into his mouth, and oh, the look on his face! As he's chewing, he throws his fork onto his plate. While swallowing he pushes the plate away and as soon as he catches his breath, insists, "I CAN'T WANT TO LIKE THAT" Ooh, boy!!! It was one of the better brands you can buy, yet, here is this ripe old 2 years who knows it's not the good homemade stuff and refused to have any of it! A food connoisseur at this age? Whoda thunk? Well, he's always hated Spaghetios, too. Go figure. Now, he works at a 5* restaurant.

I think my young chef would like Soldwolf's story, and in chapters 1-4 (listed in my blog I Have A Story About That) shows how a futuristic Earth would have a single conglomerate military that works in alliance with each other as opposed to individual countries being separate, which not only unites humanity but also has alliances with other humanoid species.

Going back a couple of years before my son was even born, I remember picking up my Godchild from kindergarten on a nice fall afternoon, and on the way home, he's pointing out the various trees randomly & casually stating, "Oh, look. That tree is naughty. Oh, and that one, too. Ah! That one is really naughty!"... Just to have the record straight, I asked, "Why are the trees naughty"? and braced myself... "Because the trees are BUTT-NAKED"! I about tripped over my own feet.

My Godson always loved reading active books, and I'ms sure he'd enjoy this, too, especially the hero, who is strongly focused, yet protective over his Talmanii sidekick, who keeps him balanced. In chapters 5-8, posted within Reading, Writing & Tutoring, you'll see the character development of these two.

Then there was the time when my nephew was in preschool... My sister in law and niece lived upstairs, and he'd slept over... I woke up in the morning with my niece knocking on the door to say that her cousin crapped in the driveway... Oooh-wee! And there he is, with this bewildered look, and could have played Calvin from the comic strip, Calvin & Hobbs. My sister in law was called to clean up. It still makes me giggle thinking about this.

Mind you, now, he's kind of like the barbecue master on that side of the family, and he also does yard work & flies homing pigeons as a hobby. He'd love chapters 9-12 from Interesting Tidbits just because it would be interesting for him to learn about the space adventures that happen out there.

Fast forward a few months, into mid/late fall, when my sister in law made lasagna that didn't hold together... My Godson 1st stated it looked like throw-up then decided to call it lasagna soup. At my niece's birthday, she was going to make lasagna again, and the nephew, who'd heard about the lasagna soup exclaims, "I don't want to eat lasagna that looks like throw-up"! I locked myself into the bathroom... fortunately it all came out fine.

I think my niece would like the character development so far because of the main couple as this interspecies being so endearing, as you'll see more in chapters 13-16 in my Rants blog, to cheer this cute Talmanii gal with the cute ears and her studly Earthling hero. Her mother, my sister in law, would fall in love with the romance of the couple, and how her family supports the relationship. Chapters 17-20 is captured in Summer fun & Adventures.

Please read and if you could, keep reading. It is a work in progress, and you'd be helping a veteran break into the business. With enough hits, he can catch the attention of the publishers and possibly get his story published into a book.

I just love these characters in the story, though. The main gal is kind of a contradiction and in some ways. She is strong, capable and independent, yet is close to her family as you read in Goodbye's & Travels (Ch 21). She is also adventurous & curious while cautious in a smart way as you'll see in (Ch 22) Journeys & Preparations. Because she knows how to balance work, family & relationships, she appreciates her studly for his strength and enjoys that he accepts her family the way they do him in Preparations (Ch 23). And who knows what to look for, when there are Deliveries to be made, and are the dynamic duo sending or receiving these in chapter 24?