The Bluebird Patch

A man said to the Buddha, "I want Happiness." Buddha said, first remove "I", that's ego, then remove "want", that's desire. See now you are left with only Happiness. 

Ah, the fresh smell of school books, spanking new backpacks, big yellow buses full of jittery students, the shuffle to new classrooms, slamming lockers, hugs and high fives, and a proud sense of school spirit permeates the air. Yes, it's hard to believe summer vacation is over and the the back-to-school season is upon us.    Preparing our children for a new school year can be daunting, especially when we don't have a clear plan of what to do, or where to start.  Research has shown that children who are organized and focused are happiest and grow up to be healthier adults. Therefore, in order to have a successful student it is critical that they learn how to get organized.  The Container Store, the nation's leading retailer of storage and organization products, offer multifunctional, well-designed, well-priced items designed to simplify one's life, save space and, ultimately, save time.  For this Back-to-School season there...

“ There is no greater burden can be borne by an individual than to know no one cares or understands.” This past week I learned many valuable lessons. Sometimes when you least expected, life punches you in the face, slaps you upside the head, and knocks you down. Communicating through the use of kind words seems to be a lost art these days. I encountered many unexpected surprises these past days. I found how people who used to be not so kind to me has evolved into better persons, while others who seemed to had what it takes to successfully navigate through life are now bitter, extremely rude, and stuck in a rut. One of my basic rules for living a happy, healthy and mindful life is to never settle for anyone who is not treating you and respecting you the way you deserve. Those who say that blood is thicker that water has obviously never felt the pain of being bullied and attacked by those who are supposed to love you and protect you. When it comes to family ...

With a population of 194,636, Ponce is Puerto Rico's second largest city (San Juan is the first and Mayaguez is the third). Ponce is where I spent the majority of my teenage years and is the city were both of my children were born. Ponce is commonly known by several names: " La Perla del Sur " (Pearl of the South), " La Ciudad de los Leones " (City of Lions), or " La Ciudad de las Quenepas " (Genip City). Ponce is also known as the " Ciudad Señorial " (Majestic or Noble City), because of its many beautiful neoclassical buildings and facades.    Ponce was founded in 1692 by Juan Ponce de León's great-grandson - Loíza Ponce de León. Ponce was Spain's capital of the southern region until it fell to the U.S. in 1898.    Ponce is located in the Southern Coastal Plain region (about 5 km (3 mi) from the south central coast of the island), south of Adjuntas , Utuado and Jayuya ; east of Peñuelas; an...

Little bluebirds rejoice! The Center for Puppetry Arts ® is pleased to announce its upcoming puppet show The Tortoise, The Hare, and other Aesop's Fables, a classic tale, full of wisdom, lovable characters and plenty of adventures and fun for the entire family.     The Tortoise, the Hare, and other Aesop’s Fables , a new original production adapted and directed by Michael Haverty, will delight audiences with a cheerful, interactive take on five classic stories based on the fables by Aesop featuring: The Lion and the Mouse, The Country Mouse and City Mouse, The Fox and the Crane , The Ant and the Grasshopper , and The Tortoise and the Hare. Sold? Here's all you need to know before you go. DATES : Aug 2 - Sept 9, 2012 Previews: July 31 & Aug 1 - 10am & 11:30am Downstairs Theater Recommended for ages 2+ SHOWTIMES: •Thur-Fri: 10am & 11:30am •Sat: 11am, 1pm, & 3pm •Sun: 1pm & 3pm SHOW DESCRIPTION: Engaging au...

It feels like years since my last visit to the land of the great valiant and the noble lords . Puerto Rico, or the "Island of Enchantment" is notoriously known for it's diverse cuisine which has its roots in the cooking traditions and practices of Europe (Spain), Africa and the “Taínos” Indians. Many people believe Puerto Rico is the home of the food truck phenomenon, since they have been around for decades, and have become a culinary staple among local residents. During my visit to Ramey Air Force Base in Aguadilla, my brother knowing I am a hardcore foodie, took me to Chef Mobil Restaurant, a food truck located at the Carrizal “barrio” in Aguada, PR. This food truck specializes in authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. I ordered the most traditional thing on the menu, mofongo, broth, and “chicharrones de pollo” or deep fried chicken. Mofongo, the signature dish of Puerto Rico, is an extremely tasty and filling dish made with fried pla...

Celebrating its second birthday, Cooking Channel is hitting the road this summer with their Summer Eats pop-ups offering an exciting and unique culinary experience for fans around the country. Cooking Channel is a new TV network dedicated to today’s passionate food lover. For food people, by food people, Cooking Channel is the answer to a growing hunger for more content devoted to food and cooking in every dimension from global cuisines to international travel, history and unconventional how-to’s. This week was  Westside Provision Distric time to join the celebration. Due to inclement weather conditions the party was held at Abbatoir, a modern American restaurant in Westside. Guests were  provided with complimentary, custom menus of food and beverages inspired by summer favorites. Considering that everything was free, the food was quite impressive. Cooking Channel Summer Eats Menu - Atlanta Cooking Channel Eats: Pulled pork sandwich (cid...