Ramadan Mubarack!

Dinner delivered by my neighbor for night one of Ramadan.  She also sent over  half a watermelon.  Dinner was spicy rice, potatoes and chicken.

My neighbor is from India.  She's also Muslim.  And the best neighbor I've had since I was growing up in Arizona.

She has three kids (one with special needs) and a husband so doesn't have a lot of free time.  We don't spend hours hanging out.  But we talk regularly and are there for each other.  Whoever notices the trash guys have come bring in the empty bins for both houses.  Junk papers tossed in driveways?  We pick them up for each other.

I feed the cat they adopted when they're out of town, which is not often.  Their car broke down recently and I picked them up.  Small potatoes when you consider what she does for me. 

She keeps an eye on my house when I'm gone (which is a lot).  She checks on me if I don't follow my normal daily routine.  She came by to check on me every day when I broke my leg. 

Mostly, she feeds me.  She says she's not a great cook.  I disagree.  She makes complicated, spicy, delicious Indian food every day.  And she frequently brings me some.

What does all that have to do with Ramadan?  Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan.  They also ramp up their giving.  As I understand it, their faith advocates an emphasis on sharing and kindness during this month-long holiday.

One way my neighbor does that is by sharing food with me.  Last year she brought me dinner every night of Ramadan.  That's a month of dinners.  Delicious dinners.  Usually with enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

Ramadan began this week and so did the food sharing.  I love my neighbor.  Happy Ramadan - Ramadan Mubarack!

Ramadan 2018 - dinner, day 2.  Shrimp fettuccine and puff pastry wrapped around a hard boiled egg.  I teased her about the "traditional" menu.  She said that the kids are so hungry during Ramadan they get to choose anything they want for breakfast and dinner - and they love Italian food.  BTW, it was delicious and she put some spices in so it had a nice zip. 

It's a Wonderful Life

It's a family tradition to have a jigsaw puzzle in progress in the house.  I'll go for years without one then get addicted.  I finished this one yesterday and will be buying a new one today.

I woke up yesterday contemplating the question of the day - should I try out my new MoviePass and see a movie or go to the beach?  Or, perhaps both?  As I was brushing my teeth and contemplating the question at hand I realized, once again, what an amazing life I have.

Aside from the minor aches and pains that come with a well-lived life, I am very healthy.  I am not rich but have a wonderful home and enough money to cover expenses and have the occasional adventure.  I have friends I love dearly and who add so much to my life.  I am incredibly blessed.

What did I decide?  Movie!  After taking care of a few household chores, I headed for the Lake Mary Amstar Theater to see "A Quiet Place".  I'm not a big fan of horror films.  When I see a monster is one of the stars, I move on.  But I'd heard so many positives about this film I decided to try it.

I also was trying my new MoviePass account.  I parked and pulled up the MP app on my phone.  One touch and I had checked into the time/movie I wanted.  I presented my MP card at the ticket booth and was given the appropriate movie ticket, with a smile.  The MP account is $9.95 a month and allows me to see a different movie every day.  The senior discount rate for the movie was $11.50.  I'm already ahead of the game for the month.

There were only two of us in the movie theater.  It was cool and quiet.  And, they'd upgraded the theater since I was there last to recliner seats.  Very comfortable.

Reclining seats!

With only two of us in the theater and a recliner, it was ideal for watching a movie.

The movie was excellent.  I won't give details but it did what thrillers are meant to do.  I found myself holding my breath as the movie progressed.  Think "Wait Until Dark", "Play Misty For Me", "Psycho" and "The Birds".   I think this will be a classic.

After running a couple of errands on my way home, I puttered around the house for awhile.  Then I stopped at the kitchen table because I saw a piece of the jigsaw puzzle that needed to be placed.  The next thing I knew, two hours had passed and the puzzle was done.

I really do have a wonderful life.