up close and personal

I listened to a most interesting feature on restorative justice on NPR the other morning. I had been acquainted with the concept for years, but largely in conjunction with some church-oriented program. But to have it being promoted as a purely pragmatic approach other than love thy neighbor gave me new hope. It makes so much sense to have victim and perpertrator eye-to-eye. One of the assailants said one of the hardest thing he ever did in his life was to come face to face with his victim. I just let that thought percolate through my heart all day long.What percentage of conflict would be completely changed if people sat down with one another? To see the pain, tears, worry lines inches away instead of being clanged away into prison, sealing apart forever the deed and doer, might it not change the course of entire civilizations?

And on a much smaller one-to-one scale, if Twitter or Facebook combatants had to face each other, how different would the thrust of language be?

freshly minted

Mint tea.

I don't mean bagged mint tea, I mean steeped mint leaves. Since retirement I finally take the time to thoroughly wash and dry fresh herbs immediately when I get home from the market. What a difference it makes! I bought this batch the week before we went to Christmas mountain so it has lasted 2 1/2 weeks! It has tumbled with other greens and vegetables in salads, garnished fruit platters, accented Middle-Eastern dishes and dips, and best of all, provided cup after cup of steaming, fragment refreshment on dark days. Like today. We are supposed to get a bit of hyped snow but so far its just dark skies that I'm toasting.

Mint to me is delicious in all forms - sweet or savory. But I remember longing for a cup of mint tea in Newfoundland and the family looked at me sideways and wondered if I was sick, as that was the only thing they used mint for.

Vive la difference! But, oh, what they have missed in life!