Mama

Jeanine McKenzie Allen, my mom, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday morning. We are all shell shocked and have not yet laid her to rest.  I just need to express how lucky I've been for 46 years to be the daughter of this amazing woman. A better mother and human being I cannot imagine.

When we spoke with her just hours before she passed, she was so positive and full of joy. She and my Dad had spent the afternoon on their deck, in the warm sunshine.  She was hoping to see us soon. In my grief, I am still heartened by her joy, and her effusive, palpable expression of selfless love. Her words were like a warm hug.

My mom was many things. I cannot possibly pay her adequate tribute, but I will try.  She was:
The best stay-at-home mother I've ever met
A talented artist
The most loving grandmother
A seeker of truth
A dedicated daughter and sister
A loving wife
A philanthropist, with her funds, time and intuitive sympathy
An amazing teacher
Lots of fun at parties
A role model
An interested and compassionate ear, even with perfect strangers
The one person who could always look on the bright side
My best friend.

I love you Mama.


A favorite charity of my Mom's was The Wounded Warrior Project. If you are so inclined, please check it out.

Another Pulp Mishap

So, how long have I been juicing? This is what I get for multitasking during my sacred juicing process. What went wrong here? That's right -- No pulp bin! I just shoved the first kale leaf through the juicer and sprayed the pulp all over the counter and the floor:

When I'm working in the kitchen, Ellie is always listening carefully for some sort of utterance from me that would indicate food might be on the floor. She did indeed hear me say . . .  something, and pitched in right away to do her part:

The girl loves her greens!

Emma seemed at first to want no  part in the process:

But then I realized the dried out kale pulp from the juicer would not have much flavor or scent left and so it would be like the ice cubes I have to point out on the floor to the pups. The dogs' vision is great for noticing a squirrel twitch 100 yards away, but up close not so much. They really rely on their sense of smell more than vision at that range. So if something has little or no scent, I have to point right to it for them to find it. Once I did, Emma did her part in the clean up as well.

I just thought you might enjoy another laugh at my expense!