Thawing

Thawing begins with a change in the climate.

 All pathways leading to the canal are blanketed with a thick layer of white ice. The canal is a sheet of ice, from bank to bank. Long fractures can be seen threading through the icy sheet. Nothing is moving, not even the wind. Although this is a typical winter scene, something is different about today. The relentless gray cold has yielded to brilliant sunlight. There is a moist glisten on the surface of the sun-exposed ice.

 Points to Ponder . . .

Personal:

• What has been your experience with freezing and thawing?
• How do you know when the grip of winter's "relentless gray cold" is beginning to yield to your next self-renewing spring?
• What can you do to attune yourself to the season of your own life? To the effects of those seasons on others?
• How might you create a climate in your personal life, where the effects of winter are recognized and treated as a learning opportunity?

Organizational:

• What has been your experience with organizations freezing and thawing throughout their winter season?
• In your opinion, what causes changes in an organization's climate? When is an organization likely to undergo a winter season?
• What could you do to help create an organization that is aware of its own climate and the effects of that climate on its employees?

 Illustration by Cindy Mueller; © by Wanda McGee, all rights reserved.

Posted by Wanda McGee - 02/28/10, 09:16 AM

Shrimp and Pasta Primavera

At a time when the freezer and pantry were almost empty,, the following recipe was developed using available ingredients. We and our relatives like it. If you make it, let me know what you think.  

Shrimp and Pasta Primavera

1 ½ cups macaroni

Butter

Olive oil

1 carrot, peeled and julienned

¼ yellow onion cut in thin lengthwise wedges

1 tender stalk celery, thinly sliced

1 small bunch broccoli, divided into small flowerets

½ small yellow bell pepper, sliced and slices cut in ½

2 large cloves garlic, chopped

20 shrimp (50-60 count)

2 teaspoons butter

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 small can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)

¼ cup water

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons  chopped Italian parsley

Grated Parmesan cheese 

In 3 quart saucepan, cook macaroni in lightly salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain macaroni and set aside, keeping hot. 

While macaroni is cooking, in large frying pan over medium heat, melt 1 ½ teaspoons  each butter and olive oil. Saute broccoli, celery, carrot, and onion until almost tender-crisp. (Cover after a couple minutes.) Add yellow bell pepper and garlic. Saute until vegetables are tender-crisp. Add shrimp, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook a few minutes, just until shrimp are done.

In saucepan in which the macaroni was cooked, melt an additional 2 teaspoons each of butter and olive oil. Stir in flour and cook until bubbly and smooth. Whisk in evaporated milk and water. Cook, whisking until thickened and smooth. Add vegetable-shrimp mixture. Stir in parsley.

Place individual servings of macaroni in wide bowls and spread with sauce. Sprinkle librally with Parmesan cheese. Serves 2-3. 

Posted by Wanda McGee - 02/19/10, 04:08 PM

Snowbound

When snow hems us in and brings quiet stillness, it's easy to view the world from the inside out. 

• What do you remember about a time when what was happening in the outside world created space for you to take the time for personal reflection?

• How did you use this time?

• What happened during that time that may have contributed to a new understanding of yourself and others?

Photo by Carolyne Ashton, King George, VA, February 2010

Posted by Wanda McGee - 02/07/10, 11:47 AM