Category: My Family

Without a family, one seldom thinks long term

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lessons from Sparta

History is often written by the victors and so is the case of Sparta. Only now is Sparta recognized as the real birthplace of democracy and home to two of Greece’s greatest philosophers. Much has been made of Spartan’s military, however, this was a challenging time in the world and culture, society and civilization could not exist without protection.

Here are some of my favorite stories and quotes on Sparta:

1) Queen Gorgo ( Leonidas’ wife) asked why the only women in the world who could rule men were Spartan women ,said “Because we are the only women who give birth to men.”

Message for today: Choose the mother of your children wisely.

2) A beggar asked alms of a Spartan, who said, “If I should give to you, you will be the more a beggar; and for this unseemly conduct of yours he who first gave you is responsible, for he thus made you lazy.”

Message for today:  charity comes at a cost to one’s soul

3) One man who came to Sparta, and observed the honor which the young render to the old, said, “Only in Sparta does it pay to grow old.”

Message for today:  Honor & respect comes only to those who earn it.

4) When Philip of Macedon sent some orders to the Spartans by letter, they wrote in reply, “What you wrote about, ‘No.’ ” When he invaded the Spartans’ country, and all thought that they should be destroyed, he said to one of the Spartans, “What shall you do now, men of Sparta?” And the other said, “What else than die like men? For we alone of all the Greeks have learned to be free, and not to be subject to others.”

Message for today:  better to die on your feet than live on your knees.

5) A Spartan, being asked if the road into Sparta were safe, said, “That depends on what kind of a man you are; for the lions gang about where they will, but the hares we hunt over that land.”

Message for today:  don’t be a soft target

6) Some people, encountering Spartans on the road, said, “You are in luck, for robbers have just left this place,” but they said, “Egad, no, but it is they who are in luck for not encountering us.”

Message for today:  there are reasons some folks have no fear.

8) When two brothers quarreled with each other, the Spartans fined the father because he permitted his sons to quarrel.

Message for today:  parents are responsible for their children and their behavior

9) Someone on seeing a painting in which Spartans were depicted as slain by Athenians, kept repeating, “Brave, brave Athenians.” A Spartan cut in with, “Yes, in the picture!”

Message for today:  history is often depicted inaccurately….  even today.

Better to be a Spartan.

Roger Freberg

Here are some links for further reading:

Sparta Reconsidered

Laconic Phrases

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the wonderful food of Brazil

the culinary regions of Brazil
the culinary regions of Brazil

Brazil is a culinary wonder with a wide variety food offerings depending on where you are visiting. The world of Brazilian foods is divided into four distinct styles: from the North, North-East, South-East and the South.

In the South-East, Rio de Janeiro is known for their seafood. Also well known is ‘feijão com arroz’ or rice and beans. In São Paulo, the large Italian heritage expresses itself in pasta and pizza, while sushi is making a presents even in non-Japanese restaurants.

Below São Paulo, it the region referred to as South, churrasco (a Brazilian barbecue) is probably one of the best known Brazilian meals outside of Brazil.

In the North, Maniçoba is a distinctive dish served. It takes at least a week to make. One author describes it as such:

“…as the leaf of maniva (of the cassava plant), after ground, should be boiled for at least four days with the intent to remove the hydrocyanic acid that contains. After that is added charqui, fat, tripe, calf’s foot jelly, ear, foot and salted pork ribs, sausages, sausages and bunkers, basically the same ingredients of a feijoada completa. It is served with white rice, flour water and hot peppers to taste.”

In the North-East, the abundance of large cattle ranches and availability of fruit — mango, papaya, guava, orange, passion fruit, pineapple,  and sweetsop – adds to the culinary uniqueness of the region.  Vatapá (vat-a-pah) is a meal made from bread, shrimp, coconut milk, peanuts and palm oil all ground and mixed together (check out picture above).

Here’s an interesting recipe for Vatapa Soup on the net.

Brazil is a county of many choices, sounds and flavors and all to be savoured! Here is a link to more fun Brazilian Recipes!

Roger

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my kinda fun

fresh biscotti from the biscotti jar
fresh biscotti from the Italian biscotti jar!

Nothing like having a hot and creamy cup of coffee and dipping a homemade biscotti in it! I have tried and experimented with lots of variations, but I like my original  Macademia nut recipe best. I’ve tweaked the recipe here and there and often add a few extra things from time to time… like a little potato flour… but it is all good.

Karen and Kristin's cards
the right business cards make all the difference

This week Laura and I took a little time to enjoy Los Angeles at ‘El Cholo’s’ and also managed to help our daughters with a few of their travel plans. We were able to run their visa paperwork for them. This year they will be going to the Reputation Institute’s Convention in Rio de Janeiro. The folks at the  Brazilian Consulate were very efficient and the women working there were – let’s just say– attractive. I asked my daughters to bring me a t-shirt!  😉  With so many people  ‘hunkering down’ in this tough economy, it is refreshing to see young people trying to make more of their life and build for their future. This is a lesson we all can learn.

Someone asked what I was doing lately… having a little fun on life’s journey. I hope you do too.

Roger Freberg

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finally biting the bullet

finally becoming a life member of the National Rifle Association

I think I was ten years old when I received my first rifle and I still own it! It was a nice little 22 caliber Winchester rifle which was not very expensive then or by today’s standards. However, I did very well against the expensive competition rifles in contests. Since then I have loaned it out to some of the neighbors when they wished to take their kids shooting. Shhhh, many of the ‘Moms’ still don’t know! 😉 Still, I smile when so many of my liberal female neighbors tell me that they plan to run to my house if ‘something bad happens.’

I have always thought that there was risk in the second amendment — the right to bare arms — but I felt there was an even a greater risk and danger to not have it.  I love the story about one of the fears of Imperial Japan on the potential invasion of our country during WWII. They were concerned  that — in America —  there was ‘a gun in every bush.’ Like so many conquerors, felons and brutes, they all prefer safe ‘soft’ targets to armed citizens.

So, as I approach the second half of my life, I wanted to extend my membership and become a ‘life member’ of the  National Rifle Association …. not a big dream , but an honorable one.

For me, I was proud to make this donation and ‘bite the bullet’.

Roger Freberg

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the sirens sound of sardines

One of the many recipes from the site of King Oscar Sardines
One of the many recipes from the site of King Oscar Sardines

Sardines don’t always make it to the top of the culinary list for many people, which I really find amazing. Frankly, they are enormously satisfying as they come in the single serving case! I think it was the ancient Greek traveler and historian Herodotus who observed that people are shaped by the land where they live . So, although we may move and transport ourselves hither and yon, there is something innate — especially of our food — that clearly speaks of home. As strange as this sounds, there is something in the preparation and enjoyment of sardines that speaks to my history.

The King Oscar site is truly a marvel in the consumer products world.  I have visited many sites and this is quite complete and entertaining. They include videos of the history, the products and teach even the proper technique for opening a can of sardines. BTW, Laura has already warned me that when we visit Norway and Scandinavia, it will not be a vacation filled with sardine fishing boats and canneries. Oh, I guess we can fit a few other things in.  😉  The picture above is a few frames from a couple of movies on the site , the two pictures on the left show  the ‘double layer’ of sardines being processed and the second are pictures from the recipe section of a  Lefsa wrap. ( Lefsa is a wonderful soft and tender Norwegian flat bread made with flour and potatoes, eggs, butter and sometimes a little cream.

Crown Prince Seafood
Another popular company is Crown Prince Seafood is actually a third generation American Company. The small sardines are canned in Scotland.

I have yet to intrigue my daughters with the joy of sardines in olive oil. Allow me to share one attempt. When my eldest was serving in the invasion of Iraq, I thought this might be the best time to get her hooked and I sent her cases! She didn’t eat any, but she did make good use of them! I heard that these ‘gifts’ became ‘the coin of the realm’ to getting things done as there were a lot of men, mostly from Samoa, who also felt this dish ‘spoke to them’ of home as well.

So, what foods call to you?

Roger Freberg

PS. I buy my ‘double layer’ of ‘2 layer’ sardines (the BEST!) via Amazon.com

0r try this direct link to  King Oscar Sardines at Amazon.com