Mother Teresa's Prescription-Finding Happiness and Peace in Service by Paul A. Wright, M.D. Even though I am not a church- goer, I am interested in religion and spirituality, to say nothing about the fact that FB has a degree in the Academic Study of Religion. I am especially interested in people who practice what they preach. Mother Teresa has always been an intriguing person.
This little book is, as the title explains, a prescription for finding happiness. Mother Teresa suggested the following ten spiritual attitudes which should guide one's life (they guided her life): Commitment to community, reverence for all human life, compassion and love, contentment and gratitude, faith, humility, tolerance, patience, forgiveness, and honesty.

Dr. Wright, a very successful cardiology, sought out Mother Teresa to discuss his depression, anxiety, and fear that he was wasting his life. His work with Mother Teresa has resulted in his founding the "Poorest of the Poor" program to send clothing, food and supplies to needy in the U.S. and around the world. He developed the "Medical Mission" program to give free prescription drugs to needy residents of northeastern Ohio where he lives. He is also a coworker of the Missionaries of Charity.

This little book gives clear answers and direction to the eternal question: What is the purpose of my life?

Aunt B drinks, yes. Martinis, once in a great while. This post is in response to Patrick who sent a comment and recipe for making a Nutella martini. Now, it sounds really good. And, thanks, Pat.

I must confess, I have had three martinis in my life (that I can remember). I had a chocolate martini, a plaid martini-raspberry and melon, and a regular martini.

The second confession is that I don't like martinis. Maybe it is because one has to acquire a taste. I had this problem when I first started drinking wine. Most of it was cheap wine and not very good. I really like the expensive wines. Maybe it is a question of sophistication, which I admit, I'm not. Or, maybe it has to do with the person who makes it and the ingredients used. I won't know until---Spring of 2008.

Patrick, I invite you to make me a martini, then I will know. It will be a part of the S and B celebration. Waaahooo!

Aunt B drinks beer. Have you ever just wanted some beer because it would taste good? That was the way I felt tonight on my way home from work.

I bought one bottle of Scarecrow Golden Pale Ale for about $4.00 at Paradise Meats. Using my small Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival beer glass that NB gave me as a souvenir from the Beer Festival, I poured myself two small glasses of a light, great tasting beer. I shared the rest of the bottle with BF, so won't be able to have any to go with pizza.

Usually that's when I like beer- with pizza. And I usually like beer when the weather is really hot- not today with 14 degree temps.

I will say that I am a little mellow. Two small glasses of beer and I'm ready for a nap. Talk about a cheap date! Boy, did it taste good! Good thing I don't have to buy a case at those prices!

Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai is my latest finished book. Don't be put off by the first few chapters because it does get better. And it has a happy ending. The setting is at the foot of Mount Kanchenjunga in the Himalayas in India.

The title says it all. Each of the characters are grieving over their historical, cultural and personal loss. The characters are bound by Indian culture with the class and caste system, colonialism, racism, and nationalism.

The book is sometimes funny, but mostly sad. The characters are attached, but some are trying to leave to find a better life. The judge sells his soul as he is schooled in England. His grand-daughter is raised in a Catholic school and then is dropped on his doorstep with no idea of anyone's past or her own future. Biju, the son of the judge's cook, has gone to the U.S., but is constantly in fear of being deported. His life is drudgery while his father thinks he is getting rich, because everyone in America is rich.

So much betrayal, so much anger in this book.

Desai has a wonderful way of describing life in India. If you haven't been there, the descriptions are sometimes shocking. The book brought back memories of my brief visit to India.

I recall flying into Calcutta at night and staying with someone who had guests departing that we(Rebecca and I) met at the airport. We were chauffered through the city and stayed in a lovely house so we were in for a shock the next day. We stayed at the YWCA and I thought I would die in the bathroom after eating capers in some sort of beef. No one at home knew where we were. I remember the beggars in the train stations with legs that had been broken and grew turned at the knees so they used their hands and arms to move themselves along. I traveled from Calcutta to New Delhi on the train in what was then known as "cattle car" class. I sat under the Buddha tree where Buddha was enlightened. I went to the Taj Mahal with it's beautiful clean grounds and gave money to a little girl holding a dead baby just outside the gates of this world wonder. I saw the poverty and felt the desperation. When I flew to Greece, I thought it was the cleanest place on earth. And, yes, I felt I was rich.

I highly recommend this book.