Decided on What to Wear for Halloween? Use Your B-Day to Decide.

Having trouble deciding on a costume to celebrate Halloween? Here's a fun exercise! Found the B-day chart below shared via Facebook by 95.7 KJR, radio station that plays Seattle's Greatest Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s and home of Bob Rivers!  (Or the former home of Mr. Rivers.  He retired about a month ago.)  This is so fun!!  It turns out I'm a Screaming Cheerleader, which is not that far from the real me! :)

It seems that I am married a Gruesome Vampire. (Nothing could be further from the truth.)

As for my sons and daughters? Apparently, I've given birth to a:

• Gruesome Superhero, Werewolf, and Cavewoman;
• Screaming Cheerleader (yes! I have a child born on my birthday);
• Screaming Barbie;
• Chilling Prom Queen and Ghost;
• Dead Pirate and Dead Ghost (???);
• Spooky Geek; and
• Terrifying Clown.  (Halloween2016.  Clowns not allowed.)

Actually?  Out of all of these, the Spooky Geek is spot on!

* * * Need some costume ideas?

• Be a Witch! It's Tradition!
• Dress Like a Pirate
• Be an Egyptian Belly Dancer
• PopOut Dressed Like the Genie in the Bottle
• Wear this Halloween / Christmas / Masquerade Party Mask (and nothing else!) - For your husband, of course! :)

Dress up like a queen for Halloween? ~ My personal pick is this Marie Antoinette-style gown. But there are many others to choose from.

Greek Mythology: The Harpies | Soul Snatchers Versus Soul Savers

I enjoy the study of mythology.  Not just Greek and Roman mythology but legends, folklore, and myths from all around the world.  The study affords me the opportunity to contrast and compare those beliefs to the teachings of Christianity.

For this discussion, I am sharing the results of a quick study about the harpy.  Are you familiar with the harpy (or harpies, plural)?

The word “harpies” means “snatchers”.  They were known as the hounds of Zeus.  In Greco-Roman mythology, the harpies were monstrous bird-like creatures with a woman’s face. Believers thought these creatures acted at the behest of the gods, carried out acts of vengeance, and were snatchers of human souls.



Image credit:  Safari Ltd. Mythical Realms – Harpy – Realistic Hand Painted Toy Figurine Model

“In the earliest accounts, the Harpies were not monstrous—they were simply spirits who represented windy or stormy weather, and they were depicted as beautiful young women with wings. Over time, however, they developed into terrifying beasts. They had long, fair hair and the faces and upper bodies of women, but the wings, tails, legs, and claws of birds of prey, with sharp talons made of metal. They were always ravenously hungry, and would steal food or even eat their victims before carrying away their souls. The Harpies were repulsive to look at, and they spread filth everywhere they went. They stank so much that whatever they touched gave off a terrible smell.”

Quote source:  Claybourne, A. and CLAYBOURNE, A. (2012). Harpies. In Gods, goddesses, and mythology. [Online]. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish Reference. https://search.credoreference.com/content/topic/harpies_greek_mythology [Accessed 28 August 2018].

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By contrast, in Christianity, harpies are not to be feared because they don’t exist.  Christians are taught to only revere and fear The One Who has the power to destroy humans, both their body and their soul.  Believers know that Jesus Christ acted according to the will of His Father; taught there is only one true God, not gods; and preached the good news of faith, hope, and love for the purpose of saving souls.


Content previously published at Virily.com

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Related articles

• Birds of the Bible - Harpy Eagle
• Similarities in Greco-Roman and Gaelic myth
• Good Reads: Learn About Greek Mythology

Women of the Bible: Character Study: Bathsheba: The Innocent Victim

When it comes to the Biblical account of BATHSHEBA, two questions should be asked: 

• Was it her fault that the king lusted in his heart for her?
• Was she responsible for her husband’s death?

Image credit:  Bathsheba Art

The Hebrew meaning of Bath Shebha is “seventh daughter” or “daughter of the oath”. Bathsheba was the mother of King Solomon. She was the wife of Uriah the Hittite who David had murdered to cover up his act of adultery with her. Bathsheba became pregnant by King David while her husband was away at war. The child that was conceived through that adulterous union died. David later made Bathsheba his lawful wife and she gave birth to Solomon, the last king to rule over a united Israel. After Solomon’s death, 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel revolted against the rule of Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, and the kingdom was divided.

Throughout the years, many have debated whether Bathsheba was as guilty of adultery as King David. Was she deliberately bathing outdoors knowing that the king could see her from his balcony? When he summoned her, even though he was king, could she not have refused him? Could she not have pleaded with him not to defile her? Why didn’t she prick the king’s conscience and remind him that her husband was an honorable man and loyal to the king and not deserving of such treachery? Instead of sending word to the king that she was pregnant by him, why not send word to her husband that while he was away and she was all alone, the king violated her and now she was with child? Had she done any of those things the biblical account would clearly show who the guilty party was and Bathsheba’s biography would read differently. Some conclude Bathsheba is just as guilty as King David of committing adultery.

It should be noted that the scriptural account does not indicate that Bathsheba objected to being taken by King David. The scriptures also do not indicate that she DID indeed object but was taken against her will. What the bible story does reveal is that Nathan the prophet went directly to King David and accused him of the sin!!! Evidently, the God of King David had no problem figuring out who the guilty party was. And the prophet serving that God had no problem telling the king that his God was not pleased with his behavior. And the scriptures are clear to show David was the one punished, not Bathsheba.

Nathan compared Bathsheba to “a little ewe lamb”. She was taken and violated. Her husband was murdered. She bore an innocent child and lost the child. Defilement and grief on top of grief: she was an innocent who was wronged and hurt. How do we know this? Because the scripture says after all of this happened, David made her his legitimate wife and “comforted her”. I suppose it was the least he could do. Read all of her story and tread carefully before maligning the character of a decent and honorable woman. David paid the price for his sin.

• Bible References: BATHSHEBA – 2 SAM 11: 3; 12: 24; 1 KINGS 1:15, 28, 31; 2:13

Bathsheba: A Novel (The Wives of King David)

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

4 Epic Historical Period Korean Dramas to Binge-Watch on a Rainy or Snowy Day

A rainy or snowy day is the perfect time to binge-watch an epic Korean drama (i.e. a series with 50 or more episodes). Below is my watch list for the historical period K-dramas I deemed binge-worthy. (Let's just hope the rain does not cause a blackout and there is no Internet access. LOL.)

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 1. Empress Ki (2013) ~ 51 episodes

This series is about a woman named Ki Seung-nyang, who was born into a family of low-ranking officials. At age 18, she was sent to the Yuan Empire in China as tribute. She became the emperor's preferred concubine and ultimately went from being a servant to becoming the Empress of Yuan.  It's about love, war, and betrayal. In other words, it's typical drama! Even though this epic is based on real historical figures, the relationships depicted are probably fictionalized.

Main Characters:

• Ha Ji-won as Ki Seung-nyang

• Joo Jin-mo as Wang Yoo, the King of Goryeo.

• Ji Chang-wook as Toghon Temür, the last Emperor of the Yuan dynasty

2. Dong Yi (2010) ~ 60 episodes

This series is also titled “Jewel in the Crown” and it follows the life of Dong Yi from childhood to adulthood. It is based on a real historical figure and it is a true love story between Dong Yi and the King. According to the fortune tellers, her “light” would shine bright in the Joseon Kingdom. This prediction proved to be true. But it does not mean that she did not experience trouble and sorrow.  She was a lowborn commoner and worked as a watermaid in the palace. But she became the king's favorite concubine which made her a target of envy, jealousy, and treachery. One of the sons she bore the king, died at a very young age. She bore the king another son, Yeong Jo. He was the second son of King Sok Jong and the future king of Joseon. Her life story is one for the ages.

Main Characters:

• Han Hyo Joo as Dong Yi

• Ji Jin Hee as King Sukjong.

3. Jumong (2006-2007) ~ 60 episodes

This series is about the life of Jumong Taewang, founder of the kingdom of Goguryeo, set in 37 BC. Even though the details about Jumong in the historical records are scant, the scriptwriters pieced together what their research revealed and created this marvelous epic. “Described as the son of the heavens, Jumong was the founding king of Goguryeo, which eventually became the largest dynasty in Korean history. Also known as the Holy King of the East, mythological tales of his origins mostly follow the same basic story.” (Quote Source)

DID YOU KNOW? Jumong was believed to be the grandson of the water god Habaek.

Main Character:

• Song Il-kook as Jumong

4. The Flower in Prison (2016) ~ 51 episodes

Set during the Joseon dynasty, this series follows the life of Ok-nyeo. She was born and raised in prison. Jeonokseo is one of the most horrifying prisons in Joseon. Her mother died in childbirth and the man who worked at the prison who adopted and raised her did not know her identity. She finds a secret prison cell with a mysterious prisoner. The prisoner teaches her martial arts and she becomes an intelligence agent. Martial arts is just one of her many talents. She is very intelligent and understands the law. She crusaded for the poor people who are unfairly accused under the litigation system. Her life is filled with danger and adventure. Eventually, she learns her true identity. She is s surprised as everyone else to learn that she is a princess. Her mother's enemies did not know she had been born. But when they found out, that's when Ok-nyeo faces true peril.

Main Character:

• Jin Se-yeon as Ok-nyeo

If You Don't Agree With My Suggestions, Check Out These Lists:

10 Korean Dramas Based on True Stories | MovieWeb

Top 25 Historical Korean Dramas You Will Love | KdramaPlanet

Original source

Women of the Bible: Rahab - The Noble Harlot

In the History of the Jews, Rahab was a Canaanite Harlot Who Believed.  The genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew mentions five women. One of them is Rahab.

{Before you read this I have a couple of questions that are not answered in the Bible about Rahab, but it would be interesting to know the answers. QUESTION:  When the spies entered Rahab’s house or “business”, she told them she believed the account of an incident that had occurred 40 years ago.  It was not breaking news on CNN.  So … how old was Rahab?  Was she about 50 years old?  Was she older than 50?  Older than 50 and turning tricks?  (“Turning tricks” means still servicing customers.) ANOTHER QUESTION:  Because of her actions in hiding the spies, she saved her father, her mother and her brothers.  Would you not say her family was incredibly trusting and really had a lot of confidence in her?  But she was a whore!  Hoes get no respect!  Her family put their lives in her hands? To think of it, the story of Rahab is a remarkable story!]
 

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(Image credit: Tissot_The_Harlot_of_Jericho_and_the_Two_Spies.jpg )


Rahab (alternately spelled Rachab) was a Canaanite harlot who lived in Jericho . Her house was on the city wall. Though forty years has passed and Moses, the great Jewish leader and prophet who led the Israelites out of Egypt had died, Rahab spoke to the Jewish spies who came to her house, about the parting of the Red Sea as if it were a current event. (The writers impression.) She mentioned the event along with another happening, the destruction of Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites and informed the spies that the people of Jericho were afraid for their lives, as was she.

Unlike the inhabitants of the land of Jericho, Rahab's heart did not melt. Rahab had decided (because she believed the reports about Jehovah, God of the children of Israel) that since the destruction of Jericho was as certain to become an historical event as had the other two events she referenced, she could only bargain for her life and those with her, and hope that the Israelites would honor the agreement. The Jewish spies promised her protection. They agreed that when they attacked the city of Jericho, she and whoever was in her house with her their lives would be spared. This they promised because Rahab had risked her life by hiding them from the kings messengers and helped them to escape. When the Israelites captured Jericho they kept their promise to Rahab.

Indeed Rahab was afraid but her survival instinct seems to have overruled her fear. Or was it her faith? The kings messengers could have discovered her secret and what would have been her end? The Jewish spies could have just as easily broken their promise and what would have been her end? Why did she do what she did? Was it fear? Or was it faith? Faith in a God she had only heard reports of, about incidents she had not witnessed. No scriptures for her to read. No prophet to guide her. No one to teach her the difference between the gods she likely had been taught to worship versus Jehovah.

In Christian (New Testament) scriptures, Rahab is listed as one of the heroes of faith (Heb 11: 31) and commended for her example of faith (James 2: 25). Rahab was accepted as a proselyte (convert) to the Judaism and became an ancestor of King David, the beloved second monarch who ruled over the united kingdom of Israel. Though Matthew the Apostle and Saint Luke both trace the lineage of Jesus, only Matthew mentions Rahab a prostitute who became the wife of Salmon and the mother of Boaz, the grandmother of Obed, the great grandmother of Jesse, who was the father of David, King of Israel. (Matt 1: 5, 6) 



References:

• The scriptural references provided can be used to piece together Rahab's real life story. JOSH 2: 1; 6:17, 25; MATT 1: 5; HEB 11: 31; JMS 2: 25

• "Seekers of the Promised Land." Great People of the Bible and How They Lived. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1974.

• Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: T. Nelson, 1995. 

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glitter-graphics.com

Rahab’s Story: A Novel (Women of the Bible)

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

Women of the Bible: Tamar - The Noble Harlot

In the History of the Jews, Tamar was a dutiful widow who played the harlot.  The genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew mentions five women. One of them is Tamar.

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(Image credit: Gelder, Aert de - Tamar and Judah; Public Domain)

Tamar (alternately spelled Thamar) was the wife of Er, the firstborn of Judah, who was the fourth son of Jacob. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham. Jacob fathered twelve sons who became the twelve tribes which comprise the nation of Israel. Er died and according to the Law of Moses regarding marriage, a man was required to marry the widow of his brother, if the brother dies with no male heir. (Note 1) This was to be done to preserve the name and estate of the deceased. Therefore, Onan, Ers brother married Tamar. But Onan also died. 

Judah, the father-in-law had a third son, Shelah. At the time of Onans death, Shelah was too young to marry. Being fully aware of the law and its requirements, Judah promised Tamar that when Shelah was old enough, he would give her to him in marriage. But when the time came, Judah did not honor his word and obey the law. In desperation to conceive a son who would preserve her late husbands name and estate, Tamar disguised herself as a harlot (a prostitute) and offered her services to Judah. She became pregnant with twin sons. Months later, when Judah was informed of Tamars pregnancy, he demanded that she brought out publicly and put to death; the penalty for whoredom. IT WAS THE LAW!!! 

When Tamar proved that Judah, her father-in-law, was the father of her unborn, Judah publicly acknowledged his own guilt. Because he had not allowed Shelah to marry Tamar, he was the outlaw. Tamar was fully vindicated. She had obeyed the law and was judged as not having committed any act deserving of punishment; particularly punishment by death. Tamar was acknowledged as being righteous, because she was determined to preserve her late husbands family line. The names of the twin sons were Perez (or Phares) and Zerah (or Zara) recorded in the Gospel of Matthew as follows: And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar (Matt 1: 3) 

Tamar understood her duty, and she also knew her rights and the rights of the dead. The scriptures do not indicate that she conspired or consulted with anyone for advice. She determined what needed to be done in order to right a wrong and had the courage to follow through. 

Note 1: Among the Hebrews marriage with a brother's widow was forbidden as a general rule (Lev. xviii. 16, xx. 21), but was regarded as obligatory (Deut. xxv. 56) when there was no male issue, and when the two brothers had been dwelling on the same family. 


References:

• The scriptural references provided can be used to piece together Tamar's real life story. GEN 38: 6, 24; RUTH 4: 12; 1 CHRON 2: 4; MATT 1: 3

• "Seekers of the Promised Land." Great People of the Bible and How They Lived. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 1974.

• Youngblood, Ronald F., F. F. Bruce, and R. K. Harrison. Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: T. Nelson, 1995. 

glitter-graphics.com

Bible Women: All Their Words and Why They Matter

Related articles

• Bible Herbs

Quotes and Notes : Women in History: Countess of Blessington

Quotes found at Thoughtful Mind that may provide a peek into this gentle lady’s true nature:

• “Prejudices are the chains forged by ignorance to keep men apart.”

• “Superstition is only the fear of belief, while religion is the confidence.”

If you like to collect quotes or short biographical notes about women throughout history in various walks of life, please add this post to your collection.

Margaret, Countess of Blessington (1789 – 1849); Artist: Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769 – 1830); Wikimedia Commons

Marguerite (Power) Gardiner, Countess of Blessington was an Irish novelist.  A woman of high society, she was well known, particularly among literary circles as she had a literary salon at Gore House, Kensington.  One might think from the portrait she led a protected and cherished life, but a quick review of a few biographical facts will reveal much that can not be seen just looking at pretty face.  Deemed a woman of “rare beauty, generosity, and wit”, she wrote essays and sketches of London life.  She and the Romantic English poet, Lord Byron, appear to have been very close friends.  Her husband introduced them.  She wrote a book about their conversations.  There was at least the “appearance” of a friendship, however, some say she lived in her own world of make-believe when it came to their relationship.

To know more about the Countess here are a few suggested bio links:

• Wikipedia;
• Encyclopedia Brittanica;
• The Wallace Collection;
• HistoryToday.com;
• Famous Affinities of History.

A Journal Of The Conversations Of Lord Byron With The Countess Of Blessington (1893)

(NOTE:  Blog post first appeared at Dispensable Thoughts, Fri, 7 Mar 2014.) 

Related articles

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• Famed phrases were wrongly credited to William Shakespeare by Oxford English Dictionary(dailymail.co.uk)

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Five Reasons Louisa Catherine Adams Should Make the Top First Ladies List | Yale Press Log

Introducing Louisa Catherine Adams.
No doubt the reader is thinking: Louisa WHO?? 
That's what I thought!

Anyway, sharing this post because I have a fascination with women who stand beside their man. I mean if they were so awesome why weren't they out front where everybody could see 'em??
(It's humor folks. Work with me!)

Five Reasons Louisa Catherine Adams Should Make the Top First Ladies List | Yale Press Log

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• Secret Lives of the First Ladies: What Your Teachers Never Told You, by Cormac O'Brien

Dream Italian? Think Italian. Be Italian!

Many people have a dream. They want to vacation in Italy or move and live there permanently. Did you know that Italy is a country of choice for some expatriates? It’s not so unbelievable. After all, Italy invented pizza! 🙂 I only know Italy from watching movies and travel shows and reading about it. Here are some interesting and fun facts about this European country.

* Italy is shaped like a boot!

* Italy has the lowest birthrate in all of Europe.

* Naples introduced the world to pizza!

* In Ivrea they celebrate Lent by throwing oranges at each other.

* Every day 3,000 Euro get thrown into the Trevi Fountain.

* Florence Nightingale was named for the city of her birth.

* Rome is known as the “Eternal City” and the “Caput Mundi”.

Want to know more a little more?

♦

1. One of the most famous cities in the world is Rome, #Italy . Providing thousands of years of history, traditions, and culture. … Con't reading “20 Fun & Interesting Facts about Italy” | https://t.co/CJE2b7WtuR #travel #funfacts pic.twitter.com/Zt65Xd9LHl

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) October 5, 2018

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Campanilismo in a local italian city (img) ~ “Top Facts about the Italian Culture in #Italy” | https://t.co/KVWyiumuzy #travel #vacation #facts pic.twitter.com/P5EVh563lb

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) October 5, 2018

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Lecce – Italy's Best Kept Secret | https://t.co/sUAi4T8fVW #travel #funfacts about #Italy pic.twitter.com/iKfHRfjC43

— Treathyl Fox (@cmoneyspinner) October 5, 2018

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Italian Christmas Delicacy: #Buccellato from Sicily https://t.co/GIxFJZLQ2r via @Italo_Americano #ItalianChristmas #Food #Tradition pic.twitter.com/x4vSBTfnlr

— Antonio Verde CGLA (@verde_cgla) December 20, 2016

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Easy Italian Phrase Book: 770 Basic Phrases for Everyday Use (Dover Language Guides Italian)

In the USA, the month of October is Italian-American Heritage Month.

***This content republished to Virily.com.



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More Travel-Related Posts at My Blog Stop!

• Small Town USA - Greenville, Texas (near Dallas)

• The Snowman-Costa Rica Link

• Footsteps of Jesus? Found in Nazareth?

• The Flavor of Miami: My Childhood Memory

Life Lessons: 3 Shakespeare Quotes To Live By

Many people enjoy Shakespeare more than his sonnets or his plays. These 3 quotes are very profound.

Have you often wondered if Shakespeare's pen was sharpened by his own personal life experiences or if he was just a guy who was gifted with an extraordinary writing style; was extremely witty, and just had a way with words? Most of the quotes come from plays or poems but they're not just words on a piece of paper. They do have real-life applications for all of us.

❤ 1. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

I think we all agree that this is easier said than done.

Love all? That's insane! When it comes to love, humans are very selective. That would not be so bad if when we made the choice not to love, we simply remained neutral. But many choose to hate instead. However, truth be told, if each person was told that they only had two arbitrary choices in this life - Love All or Hate All – would we not all choose love? Of course! (Unless you're a spawn of Satan. :lol: )

Trust a few? We are born pure, innocent and carefree souls. Then … life happened! If we are fortunate in life, we learned at an early age “the few” who can be trusted. But for some, lack of trust is their defense mechanism. They suspect everybody and everyone is automatically deemed untrustworthy until those people can prove otherwise. Most of the time people like this have been hurt badly by others they did trust and consequently, nobody will ever get the chance to cause them pain again. The self-defense reaction is normal. But know this. Life will be a very heavy burden if you have absolutely no other human being that you can trust.

Do wrong to none? None? You mean NOBODY? But what if ____________? Everybody has something that goes in that blank. EVERYBODY!! And for many people, their justification is always that wrong was done to them first. But in the end, one can not disagree with the wise words of Master Shakespeare. His advice simply stated is just math. “Two wrongs don't make it right.”

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❤ 2. “This above all: to thine own self be true.”

Who knows you better than you know yourself? Even the people you love and hold dear, who you trust the most and would give your heart to, don't know you better than you know yourself. If you lie to yourself and deceive yourself, without me being a mental health professional, I can predict that you're headed for a mental breakdown. Lying is a bad thing to do. Lying to yourself is the worst thing you could ever do! It will lead to delusion. Delusion is defined as an idiosyncratic belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of a mental disorder.

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❤ 3. “The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”

This was the first Shakespearean quote that I was required to memorize and I have never forgotten it. If you never hear another quote or read anything else written by William Shakespeare, read these words, keep them in your heart, and embrace every opportunity you get to show mercy. You, the giver, and the one who receives from you, i.e. the taker, will both be blessed.

No really! Try it! ❤
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If You Liked This, You Might Also Like:
5 Quotes from Confucius for Self Reflection
6 Einstein Quotes for Self Improvement
William Shakespeare: The Writer We Love to Write About
The Shakespeare Conspiracy Presented by Sir Derek Jacobi

Original content published via Forum Coin

Memories are Blessings | My Hometown ~ Miami, Florida

"Count your Blessings" is a familiar Christian hymn that encourages people not to focus on the negatives and count all the things they can be thankful for; all the good things in life they've been blessed to experience. Try it.  Especially when you're about to end a year and start a new year.  It's a great time to reflect on the blessings you're counting.

© Photographer: Americanspirit | Agency: Dreamstime.com
(Image:  The Torch of Friendship at Bayside Park, Miami, Florida)

Getting close now to my threescore an ten (70 years, the average life expectancy). When I count my blessing over the years, the list has grown and grown and grown. There are a lot of add-ons. But the list always includes one great memory from my childhood.
Good food!

Growing up in Miami, Florida, there was good eating all around me. My main sources for everyday meals were: my mother's cooking, church dinners prepared by faithful sisters, and a sweet little old gray-haired lady who owned and operated a restaurant around the corner from my house called "Mom's Cafe". I never knew her name because everybody called her "mom". All of these women really knew how to serve up the love! Huge plates of pigeon peas and rice, potato salad, collard greens, black eye peas, fried chicken; sweet potato pie for dessert.


As I grew into a teenager and young adult, started working part-time while pursuing my education; had a little pocket change so occasionally I could go out to eat. Downtown Miami and particularly Calle Ocho (8th Street), there were spots where you could chow down on delicious Cuban food: sweet fried plantains, black beans and rice, vaca frita, or a toasty Cuban sandwich. Kosher food delicatessens and restaurants run by the Jews on Miami Beach were the best! The soups, sandwiches, and desserts were outrageous! That was just lunch! Of course, no major city is complete if you can't find good Chinese food. Miami is a major city with places that have award-winning Chinese cuisine.


This book cover is from the 1993 publication but it reminds me of my hometown.

Miami Spice: The New Florida Cuisine

I moved away from Miami at the end of 1986 and have never returned. But even though I haven't been back, I'll bet the food has only gotten better!!

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