Mojo Monday

Many writers will challenge themselves by looking at a photo and writing a poem or a short story inspired by the photo. Such an excersise is a great way to break writer's block. Here is a photo and the poem it inspired when during one of my mental blocks.

Watching and waiting.
I remain silent, without response.
Listening to the universe.

Watching and waiting.
Mystical and sensual.
A moment cannot be defined.

Watching and waiting.
A cosmic wave.
An energy released.

Watching and waiting.
A shiver runs through my whole body.
I'm profoundly moved.

Watching waiting.
Spontaneous combustion.
A master of body and mind emerges.

Watching and waiting.
A vision of pleasure.
Harmony of ecstasy and spirituality.

Watching and waiting.
The senses of the sacred are aroused.
Come to me.

Watching and waiting.
Beyond the physical plane.
I will protect you.

Watching and waiting.

Humpday Help - All About Love

A city boy wanted to marry a country girl. She insists that he has to ask her father for her hand in marriage. So off he goes to their farm to ask her father. "I want to marry your daughter".

"Well, my boy you will have to prove to me that you are a man worthy of my daughter."

"I'll do anything for my love" says the young man.

"You see that cow out in the pasture? Well go screw it."

A little puzzled the boy says, "OK, anything for my love"

On his return of doing his deed, he asks, "Now can I marry your daughter?"

"Nope." says the father, "See that goat over yonder? Well, Go screw it."

Again the boy obliges and returns saying, "Now can I marry your daughter?"

"Nope. Not yet -- one more thing. See that pig in the sty? Well go to it."

Once again he obliges and returns. This time the farmer is amazed at seeing this boy doing these deeds just to marry his daughter.

So the father finally tells the boy, "Now you can marry my daughter."

To which the boy replies, "SCREW YOUR DAUGHTER, HOW MUCH YOU WANT FOR THAT PIG?"

Tasty Tuesday - Chocolate 101

Mmm, we all know that rich, melt-in-the-mouth quality of good chocolate. That taste sensation comes from chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa butter. Chocolate can vary in quality, of course. Lower-quality chocolate includes other fats, which raise the product's melting point, and offer a less distinct flavor.

Use the highest-quality chocolate and cocoa you can buy. Good chocolate has a glossy sheen and a smooth taste. Here's a quick primer on different varieties and their uses:

•Unsweetened (chocolate liquor): Made with about 50 percent cocoa butter, this is pure, unadulterated chocolate. Use it in cooking and baking, but don't bother eating it straight.

•Bittersweet: Made by adding cocoa butter, sugar, and vanilla to chocolate liquor, bittersweet chocolate has a dark, rich taste. Use it in baking.

•Semisweet: This variety is made the same way as bittersweet, but with more sugar. A classic for chocolate chip cookies.

•Milk chocolate: Sweet and creamy, this chocolate is made with milk solids, which give it its light color. For some people, milk chocolate is a clear winner over dark.

•White chocolate: Because it's made with cocoa butter and not chocolate liquor, white chocolate isn't strictly chocolate. Use it in baking, but don't expect a chocolatey taste--it's sweet and mild.