How to be the most powerful person in any situation:

The way to be the most powerful person in any situation has nothing to be with being tall, young, clever, talented, strong, intimidating, rich, fast, deceptive or having friends in high places.   The way to be the most powerful person in any situation is to always use your tongue:  Think before you speak.  Don’t say too much, or too little, just enough that is required to make the point and dispense wisdom.  Don’t be baited into retaliation and don’t be goaded into saying anything but what is important.  Use your tongue, and use it wisely!

It was Matteo Bandello who wrote:  “The tongue, though bone it lack, yet it doth break the back, and so it is that, of a thousand errors committed, nine hundred proceed from little considering that which is said; for that, if we took good thought unto that which we would say and considered in ourselves if our speech might avail to bring profit or harm to ourselves or others, how many idle words are spoken which would be kept close in the throat!”

We made Irish poutine at our house for brunch.

We made Irish poutine at our house for brunch.  It consists of French fried potatoes, mixed with brown gravy, green onion, carmelized white onions, chunks of salty bacon and white Irish cheddar cheese.  They all of this is fried up crispy in a pan with eggs and can be garnished with some scrambled eggs on the side and fruit.  A nice spicy cream sauce for the top is tasty as well!

This is a great dish for a morning after a festive night!  It is also a hearty meal to have before going out and working in the yard and hitting that home improvement project.  This is definitely a high-carb food so if you make it and eat it, be sure a work-out is close at hand.  Slainte!

All words and photos copyright 2013 by Eddie Edwards.

I suggested everyone watch sunrises and sunsets and you listened and did it!

I think it is wonderful to see that people are not only reading my blog, but also taking my advice and doing what I suggest!  Watching sunrises and sunsets whenever and wherever possible is a wonderful habit to feed your soul and improve your outlook.  It reminds us that nature is so powerful and that we live in a wonderful world, and gives us new hope.  As Spring approaches and new flowers are opening, the days are getting longer and the morning is brighter, look forward to a new and productive Summer as well.

As the yard and the garden now will need more care, you will have more opportunity to be outside so be sure to enjoy nature after you do your yard work.  And don’t forget to keep looking up and enjoying those sunrises and sunsets.  And with the clear skies, there will be many chances to also now enjoy the stars and moon as well.

All words and photos copyright 2013 by Eddie Edwards.

As an artist, a writer, I have been influenced by other great artists!

As an artist, a writer, I have been influenced by other great artists, and not just by other great writers.  Vermeer and Dali, for instance, are two of my favorite painters and have greatly influenced me and even inspired me.  I have several of their paintings around my house, including over my fireplace.  I believe that all great art is connected, like the chapters of a long novel.

I also believe that art is not only an expression but an interpretation of what is all around us:  People, nature, everything.  And each work of art we create is like a leaf on a branch of one great tree that spans the universe and all of time.  Even if your art is cooking, you are contributing to that great work of art that is mankind.  Keep making art everyone!

Take the time to look at a sunset!

Take the time to look at a sunset.  Life is short.  There are so many little things and small pleasures that make this life worth living, take the time to enjoy them.  Now that Spring is almost here, take the time to stop and smell the roses, or hyacinths, or whatever is in bloom as you go walking by, and don’t forget to look up.  So many people spend their lives looking down and miss the glory of nature.

Also, take the time to stop and watch a sunset next time.  If you are in your car, pull over and enjoy it.  If you are walking, stop and watch.  Wait for that last moment when the sky goes into its full colorful glory, then take a deep breath and smile.  If you are up early enough, enjoy the sunrise and listen for that soft, still breeze that suddenly stirs at the turning of the tide.  Enjoy!

Words and photos copyright 2013 by Eddie Edwards.

Classic British cars remind us of the art and charm of driving!

I was on a wine and chocolate tour recently and ran into a group of Triumph enthusiasts.  Their cars reminded me of my first British sports car that I owned and how I fell in love with driving a stick shift.  It also reminded me of the art and charm of driving.

I  now drive an American sports car, still with a stick, although mine has six speeds now, and I still love driving a manual transmission.  Having a sports car with lots of horse power certainly adds to the fun, along with that feline growl my car makes every time I shift.  So here’s to British and American sports cars!  Cheers!

All words and phots copyright 2013 by Eddie Edwards.

Here is the next installment of my Youtube reading of my novel, “On His Majesty’s Secret Service.”

Here is the next installment of my live reading of my novel.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efB0ogi7OiU

 

We are on the wine and chocolate tour!

We are on the wine and chocolate tour on the Olympic Peninsula.  It has been a wonderful weekend and the weather has been sunny and mild.  We visited several wineries here and sample some amazing reds and whites.  We have also tasted some tantalizing food and exhilarating chocolates of all types.

We also beat out a copper heart with an artist, listened to some great music, met wonderful people from around the world, and, of course, purchased some delectable wine.  This has been a great Mardi Gras, Valentine and Presidents’ Day weekend and I look forward to doing this same tour next year!  Bon chance!

Was George Washington the greatest President?

In my opinion, George Washington was definitely one of the best Presidents and definitely one of the few who were honest.  I also believe that F.D.R. was one of the greatest Presidents as well.  Did you know that our founding fathers wanted to make George Washington King of America?  He refused, as he was a modest man, which was one of his other many qualities.   But I am glad he agreed to be our first President as he was maybe one of the few honest politicians and truly great Presidents.

These days, one would be hard pressed to find an honest politician in any country, or a great President in the long list of American leaders.  But on this President’s day weekend, we can at least be thankful that we had such greats as George Washington and F.D.R.  Hopefully someday, we will have another leader who will have the moral fiber to join this elite group!

Looking back over my hockey referee career so far…

Looking back over my hockey referee career so far, it’s nice to see that some ideas and trends that I started and brought into the profession are still being used by others today.  One idea I brought was that if there is a fight and both players must be ejected from the game, I kept one player in the penalty box and sent the other player to the dressing room.  In this way, I prevented the two players from any further fights in the dressing rooms!

A second trend I started was if one player took extra penalties after already being assessed one, while still on the ice, taking liberties of the situation, I would then put him in the penalty box, and once he was secure inside, I would issue additional 10-minute misconducts or major penalties, whichever was necessary.  This way, the player could protest all he wanted in the penalty box, but could cause no more problems or even injuries to anyone on the ice.

All words and photos copyright 2013 by Eddie Edwards.