The Gift of Biscuits

Be a biscuit! Perfect your recipe!

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Biscuits

“A positive attitude and a sense of humor go together like biscuits and gravy.”

Dolly Parton

The Gift of Biscuits

Biscuits? Biscuits? 

How are they gifts? 

Well, for many reasons…

They are fluffy.

They are warm.

They can be slathered with butter. 

They can be drowning in sawmill gravy. 

Or the tastiest jelly, like no other.

Biscuits have varying recipes to be sure. 

But in each case, they taste awfully good for those taste buds, of that you can be sure.

Find your biscuit recipe, perfect it, make it your own.

Whether that be the flour, the butter, the lard or the buttermilk.

Find it, make it, perfect it, and then share it so that others can benefit. 

Okay, Okay.  Before you roll your eyes.  You might be thinking, why Biscuits?  Why? Well, this morning I took a walk with my husband, which is huge.  I have had some real health struggles in the last few weeks. I felt so wonderful that I could enjoy the morning air that I thought, “I am going to make biscuits!”  I don’t know why walking and biscuits came to mind…. But… it did. I made them, with some red eye gravy.  They were so very good.  Now, I am not talking about the British version of a biscuit, ie… a cookie. I thoroughly enjoy British biscuits.  I am talking about good, old fashioned southern biscuits.  In my book that I am editing I talk about “Recipes from the Lord.”  I would firmly put biscuits in that category.  It is like the great Nana on high came down one day and said, “This shall be thy biscuit recipe, go forth and give its goodness to the earth.”  There are varying recipes and schools of thought concerning how to prepare a proper southern biscuit.  In my case you use: cold, I mean freezing butter.  You grate it on a cheese grater, use the flour of all flours… Bright Lily (for branding purposes I cannot use the real name) and of course either really cold milk or if you are feeling quite good… buttermilk.  The buttermilk gives it that little kick of sourness.  The oven has to be HOT, I mean, 500 degrees hot.  I mix all the ingredients together and cut the biscuits with my husband’s mother’s old, old biscuit cutter.  I then cook them in a cast iron pan that has been in our family forever.  Probably passed down from the great Nana herself.  Brush the tops with butter.  Yummy.  When I am feeling really fancy I will make some good old fashioned red eye gravy.  Other folks put lard (it rhymes with brisco) in their biscuits, some don’t knead the dough before putting them in the pan.  Those are called “drop biscuits.”  Other folks cut their fat with a pastry cutter, there are options with your blender.  But the main crux of the whole idea is that if prepared properly, biscuits are a delectable delight.  My husband’s grandmother used to make the most wonderful dressing I believe I have ever tasted.  She would usually prepare it during Thanksgiving.  In the place of stuffing, southerners usually make dressing.  In most cases it is made with cornbread (another recipe passed down from the great Nana on high). Grandmother’s was made with biscuits. I could eat mounds and mounds of Grandmother’s dressing.  When I asked her for the recipe she rattled off a few things.  I went home, used my biscuit recipe and well, it did not turn out right.  I remember calling her and asking what I could have possibly done that would have been wrong.  In her sweet Grandmother voice she asked, “Well, did you use butter or lard (rhymes with brisco) for the biscuits?”  I said, “I used my recipe, with butter.”  She replied, “Well, honey, that is your problem, for this recipe you have to make lard (it rhymes with brisco) biscuits.”  The Great Nana had spoken, I had to change my recipe for this delectable dressing.  After doing so, it tasted almost as good as hers.  I was not a Nana yet so I had not quite made the club.  Okay, so why biscuits.  Biscuits are like life.  Sometimes the recipe is so simple.  We stick to the same recipe over and over, which usually works on most occasions.  But, what if we need to consult the great Nana to get a different recipe?  Sure, keep the one you have.  Use it, and use it well.  It works.  But what if you need that lard, that pinch of salt?  More flour?  More buttermilk?  Or any combination of a recipe that will make your life situation a little better to taste or to take?  Keep the recipe from the great Nana on high that works for you.  But also, seek the recipe of others that gets them through life, the universe and everything.  Or, share your recipe.  Be that hug from the Lord to someone else.  My husband and I were watching a television show that is very good about bringing varying points of view into a panel that respectfully (for the most part) discusses issues around the world.  Can we not do the same with each other?  Share our recipes?  Share our flops.  Share that little tweak that will make the recipe even better.  Take that little suggestion that will make those biscuits so light and fluffy that the great Nana will look down and say, “Well done young one, well done.”  

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

Clean it up! Wash it up!

Coming soon: Appalachian Allegory

The Case of the Missing Honk Honk

The Gift of Little Wins

Each day can have a little win..... photo credit: My husband

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Little Wins

“Can’t clean up the whole room?  Clean the corner of it.  Can’t do all the dishes? Do a dish.

Can’t get in the shower? Wash your face.  Always look for the thing you can do, with the energy and focus you do have.  Little wins pave the way for bigger wins.”

Unknown

You wake up in the morning already feeling like the day is spent. 

Your motivation, your umph has come and went. 

So many tasks and chores and little things.

You need to get them done but your energy is at zero.

How do you tackle this murkish mire?

You pick one task even if it is small.

Put up a dish. Fold a shirt. Brush your teeth.  Sweep up some dirt. 

Look for the activities that you can do.  

Don’t give up, don’t keep trying. 

One percent is better than zero percent any given day.

On day one that activity may be a beaten path. 

The next day there might be a dirt road that is easier to pass.

As days go on, the road changes to gravel and finally when you keep going the road will be paved and easy to travel. 

Have you ever seen the meme of a frog holding the throat of a herron trying to eat him? Even when he was about to be lunch,,,, but.. he was not going to give up.  We all have days where we just can’t muster the strength to do much of anything.  But, are those days good for us where we do absolutely nothing?  Think about it, even when you are on vacation, you still have to do minimal activities for personal hygiene.  Like going to the restroom.  So with that thought in mind let us talk about little wins.  Did you know we are hardwired for some sort of structure?  Even if it is minimal. When we do not engage in even minimal activity our stress level automatically goes up.  Interesting, right? Some of you are probably thinking, “A routine! I have too much going on for even something small!  I just need a break!” My husband has a routine that is written in a program on his computer.  He is so structured that his morning routine is exactly 42 minutes.  He has a playlist on the computer to time his tasks.  He makes notes just about every day about what he accomplished and what he could do better.  I know, that is a lot.  If he misses a day he feels absolutely terrible.  His stress level immediately skyrockets by quite a lot.  Most of us don’t need that level of routine in our life.. but something small could lead to a life even bigger.  So if you are overwhelmed, start with something small.  A set time to eat, a set time to go to sleep.  Or even a set time to just contemplate a routine.  Predictability is much better than uncertainty, right?  Doing something adds a bit of expectedness which relieves a little stress in your mind and spirit.  Having said all of this, don’t be too hard on yourself if you try and fail many times.  The point is that you are trying.  I recently read a small little blog about successful people that have routines.  All of them had a key theme about them.  Almost all of them had some sort of breakfast, even if it was small.  All of them had set meal times and they all had some sort of schedule.  Yes, there will be days that you can only do a little but don’t quit!  I will leave you all with this quote by John Maxwell, “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily.  The secret to your success is found in your daily routine.”.  

Afterthought….  Having health struggles in the last few months has really brought this into focus in my life.  The little steps really do matter.  Those steps become wider, longer, a greater stride and they go farther over time. 

The Gift of Something has to be Good

Something has to be good... even the small act of feeding a bird. 
Photo credit: My husband

Positive Pensées

The Gift of Something Has to Be Good

Kathy King

“Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.”

Alice Morse Earle

When life is giving you a bit of grief.

Something has to be good even in grief. 

It’s been said that someone somewhere has it harder than you.

So find that good thing even when it can’t be seen.

Find the glimmer of hope, even if it is tiny.

Focus on whatever you can find.

This helps set your sight on just how good (even in grief) life can be. 

We always tend to look at the glass as half empty.

We tend to focus on the bleak.

It sucks our energy, sucks our will, and makes us generally feel down.

Find that one nugget of good even if it is tiny.

Change your thoughts from despair and grief.

To small bits of joy, and beautiful life melodies.

Find your “Something has to be Good”each day.

Make it a mindset. 

Change your ways.

There will be a marked change in your attitude in a very meaningful way.

This was written last year, I have since been to the hospital a couple of times with loved ones.  One was a late night trip.  The despair I saw in that room.  There were people walking around without shoes.  People who clearly were in desperate need of help.  It really brought into perspective of “Something has to be good.” into my focus.  I asked the nurse about the utter despair in the room.  He said, “You would be surprised at just how much homelessness is centered right here at this hospital. It brings into focus the blessings in your life.”

Recently our daughter had to go to the emergency room.  She will thankfully be ok, but in those six plus hours of waiting for a room, a doctor, test results, etc..  The plight of the people in the room was just stark to see.  So many elderly patients were waiting to be seen.  Some were alone, some had family with them.  There were police there bringing in persons who were injured and in handcuffs.  There was a lady who dropped to the floor in an apoplectic seizure.  Her poor daughter was screaming, “Please help my mother!”  As the hours wore on, I wanted so badly to complain.  My attitude was quite bleak as was my daughter’s as well.  To see so much suffering in one place.  We all know there is suffering in the world.  There are times that we just don’t realize just how good our lives are.  In those moments we had to practice active gratitude and keep reminding ourselves over and over that our life situations could be much worse.  Also, say prayers for those folks who are clearly suffering.  We often hear folks say, “I am praying for you.'' Some say it to fill a hole in a conversation, others really mean they will pray.  Find a way within reason to help someone near you.  The nurses at this hospital were clearly overwhelmed with the amount of people coming in the emergency room.  There were some little old ladies in the room who were alone who kept asking for blankets.  The nurses just did not have time to get to them.  My daughter and I decided to offer to give them blankets.  Simple acts, simple changes in thought can and will transform your attitude into one of gratitude.  What can you learn from the situation?  Where is the silver lining in this dark cloud of a situation?  Encyclopedia Britannica defines silver lining as something good that can be found in a bad situation.  After all, in the words of Leonard Cohen, “There is a crack in everything, that is how the light gets in.”.  Find your “Something has to be Good.”  I promise you this will change your mindset quite quickly.  

The Gift of Grits

Being from the South... we eat a lot of grits..

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Grits

“Over time, grit is what separates fruitful lives from aimlessness.”

John Ortberg

Determination, pluck, firmness, a stiff upper lip

All of these words are some form of grit.  

Persistence, boldness, bravery, and might. 

A willingness to never give up the fight. 

To have grit has certitude and firm-ness.

Even when the chips are down, grit can help you snap back and resound with a booming voice of certainty, “I have grit!  I can do this watch and see!”

So have some grit and tenacity and be the person you were meant to be!

Grits are a pretty great staple of southern cuisine.  There are many ways to prepare them.  You can mix them with cheese, garlic, and butter (yummy).  Some folks just prepare it with butter.  Others put sugar on it (why?!!).  My grandmother called it “dressing up your grits”.  Grits are typically stone ground. The process breaks down the kernel of corn and makes the corn into a very sumptuous southern treat.  The type of stone that is used is a millstone.  The millstine dates back to time immemorial.  Millstones have been found all over the world, they were used by many civilizations to grind wheat and other grains. Stone ground grits are made between not one, but two millstones.  It’s a brutal process.  But what comes out in the end is a delectable treat. Why are grits a gift?  The traditional process of making grits has multiple steps.  First, the corn is grown, then harvested.  Then corn is then dried in a hot greenhouse for about a week, the moisture content in the corn has to be next to nothing.  The corn then goes through the sheller or the millstone.  The sheller has quite sharp teeth, the millstone has tremendous weight. The corn is taken off the cob, and the cob is discarded.  After the corn is ground, it is placed in the freezer to make sure that there are no bugs living in the kernels. After freezing the kernels are put through the grinder.  After that, they are put through a sieve not once, but twice.  The first shaking is to make the corn meal.  The second shaking makes the grits.  Does this not sound like some of the struggles of life?  We have been ground, sieved, frozen, and shucked whether it is with words, illness, relationships, or family.  When we feel crushed to a pulp can we summon the true grit within us?  Life is a beautiful, messy, and audacious activity.  Let us summon the grit to make it through not just for us but also for others.  When we show grit, we can inspire someone else (even if it is in a small way) to live a motivated and purposeful life.  

My books are on Amazon!

The Quacktastic Adventures of Ellie and Lord Barks a Lot

The Gift of Brimming

We absolutely love a proper cup of tea at our house.  LOVE.  My favourite is a Builder's Tea from England.  It is brimming with English goodness. 

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Brimming

“Be that person that roots for others.  Who tells a stranger they look amazing and encourages others to believe in themselves and their dreams” 

Star Child Collective.

What are you brimming with?  Is it love, joy, and generosity?

Is it malice, hurt, anger and animosity?

When you wake up and greet each day are you brimming with anticipation for a brand new day?

Are you brimming with a desire smile, a gesture that someone may need to see?

What are you feeding your soul from day to day?

Are you spending time meditating in a positive way?

Are you reading and watching inspiring or calamitous things?

What you put in your spirit will directly convey what you are brimming with in each and every way.

What are you brimming with? Is it warmth on a cold day? Is it a refreshing breeze on a hot summer’s day?

What are you brimming with?  Ask yourself each day.  The gift of brimming can be a delight for both you and a stranger by making the day more bright. 

Be full, be brimming, be chocked-full of love so the brimming can spill over into another person’s cup.

The dictionary defines brimming as: fill something completely until it overflows. To be full of a particular quality, feeling, etc. As I was watching one of my guilty pleasures recently, I got to thinking about the concept of brimming. This little scenario came to mind: puppies! Most folks love them right?  I know not everyone likes animals, but watching cute puppy videos is just wonderful.  There is a particular set of pups that I quite enjoy on Youtube.  I get so excited when their owner releases new videos!  One particular video was so cute I wanted to comment on the post. Generally speaking, I am not a commenter on videos. I just hit a thumbs up and move on.  When I opened up the comments section I was floored at all the negative sentiments. “You are a terrible owner.”  “You are fat and ugly.”  “Your dogs are so stupid.”  All the cute doggies were playing in the water! I then went to her other videos to see the comments.  There was more of the same.  There is one channel that has at the beginning, “Please angry typists, save yourself the time.  If you are ugly, your comments will be deleted and you will be blocked.”  Why is that necessary for puppy videos?  One answer.  Folks are filling their cups to the top with noisome and ugly ideas.  Ideas that keep producing the desired result. It is an odious, unlovely echo chamber of hate. Sure, there are trolls everywhere but some of these folks are real.  One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible talks about dwelling on things that are true, honest, just, pure, of good report, if there be any virtue or praise, center your mind on them and implant them in your heart. Or, in the pretty succinct words of Clint Eastwood: “What you put into life is what you get out of it.” Let us be brimming with goodwill, complement the stranger.  Offer a smile or a kind word to someone who looks like they need it. I know, in some instances it can be quite hard but it is worth a try.  Tell someone to have a wonderful day sincerely.  Lift someone up on a social media post. Let us start an attitude of Positively brimming goodness to others.  

My books are on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1WWKND8?binding=paperback&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi

The Gift of Butter

There is nothing like a piece of homemade buttered bread. 

Positive Pensées

Kathy King

The Gift of Butter

“With enough butter anything is good.”

Julia Child

Butter is one of life’s great blessings, some would say. 

You spread it on toast or bake cookies and it really tastes so very great. 

Butter is special you see because even if it melts it can cool and be reshaped with ease. 

How can you be smooth like butter each and every day?

Well, that is for you to say. 

If your day is really awful just pause and think, this too shall pass, I can cool and reshape the next day. 

If someone else is suffering, be butter to them.  

Spread on the joy when their mirth is quite thin. 

Butter is so versatile you can eat it just on toast.

Or you can take butter and bake a cake that is quite delicious and moist. 

Think about all the various ways butter can be used. 

Find your butter, spread it all around and change and bless your current point of view. 

You’ve heard that phrase, “Smooth like butter” I am sure, but what does it really mean? Some would say it means to be a smooth talker or someone who likes to schmooze to get their way.  Yesterday it occurred to me that we can take that phrase and change it for the better.  Every single day we make toast at our house, it is something that my mother started when I was little.  I am sure in some way it is supported by her very humble upbringing during the 40’s.  Money was tight, her mother would make bread and the kids would make butter for the family to consume during the week.  Some may disagree but there really is nothing better than a nice piece of toasted bread with butter.  The butter melts and invades the little porous parts of the bread making for a taste bud delight.  If butter can do something like that for just a single piece of toast just think about what a life lived with the purpose of butter can do?  What do I mean?  If someone is having a bad day or a bad experience.  Spread a little butter on the situation.  If you are having a challenging day or experience remember yes, butter can melt but it can also cool and be reshaped.  Recently I read that a particular person who is a little famous shared her morning routine with her family on a social media site.  It was a simple post that said she and her husband enjoy a cup of coffee and toast before working on their farm. It was delightful and meant to be uplifting.  The comments section however had a completely different view altogether.  The vile spewing of comments such as: “It must be nice to have coffee in the morning when other people have to actually get up and go to work.”  What the commenters did not realize is this person had decided to eschew a life of notoriety and embrace a simpler life.  This was her family's “bread and butter” now, their main source of income.  Some other comments were even more upsetting, calling her “out of touch,” “how dare you share something like this when people are suffering in the world”.  Suffice it to say, all of the commenters were not even remotely involved in her life and were just judging based on a simple picture.  Why could the commenters not just be happy that she could farm?  Or, that she could just have a simple cup of coffee?  Because dear readers, they have lost that sweet butter in their life.  To take that thought even further another common phrase that has been used over the years is referring to one’s job as their “bread and butter”.  The activity that enables them to eat, to have a place to stay, to subsist.  Humanity has lost their bread and butter.  For us to reclaim a modicum of decorum we have to very purposefully find a way to butter up our lives and the lives of others.  Find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Make that positive comment in the absolute deep ocean of negativity.  Reach across the aisle and find what brings us together, not what tears us apart.  I have said this many times since starting to write these Pensees.  We can do it one day at a time, one person at a time, and change our direction to one of edification rather than obtuseness.  Spread the butter!