April 2019 – Steph Simply

Revisit to Lexington, KY, Part 1

April 25, 2019April 24, 2019 by stephsimply, posted in Restaurant Reviews, Travels

“There is nothing like Southern hospitality. It’s such a beautiful and genuine thing.”—Abigail Spencer

We had to go back. The lure of its hospitable people, and the family ties to this state that run deeply in both of our families, acted as sirens beckoning for our return. Of course, there’s no denying our love for a good meal—especially dinner; and, there were so many unexplored eateries vying for our attention. Sigh, yep, we had to go back—even for a short visit.

It was love at first encounter for John, my husband, and me despite it occurring under a rather stressful situation. In fact, like an old friend, Lexington, KY was, during our first visit, the calm in the chaos; the salve for the wound; and, the lullaby for the colic. Okay, I’ll stop with the corny metaphors and get straight to the point. You, Dear Reader, should add Lexington to your short list of towns to visit for a weekend getaway.

First stop, back to Home2 Suites by Hilton Lexington University/Medical Center. During our previous visit, about a month earlier, John and I were with family, supporting a loved one at Albert B. Chandler Hospital a few blocks down the road from the hotel. Due to the fact our stay was hospital related, we received a steep discount from Home2 Suites for our rooms—a considerate policy for customers who require a long term hotel stay in order to remain near loved ones receiving treatment/services at UK hospital. Plus, the hotel staff could not be nicer. They go out of their way to ensure you have a comfortable, warm and welcoming stay; and we discovered the same was true on this return trip!

This is the out-of-doors patio complete with grill, numerous tables/chairs, and it is located just outside the salt water pool of the Homes2 Suites in Lexington, KY.

This time, we did not have the discount; however, we took into consideration the following facts regarding the price: 1) Home2 Suites offers large, comfortable rooms with full size refrigerator, sink, dishes, glasses, cups, utensils, microwave, thus permitting us to bring along a few food items (mostly for me), but also allowing us to store any leftovers from dinners for later consumption. 2) Breakfast is included in the price, and it includes a wide array of food choices. In fact, I think the hotel advertises that there are over 400 breakfast combinations that can be created. 3) Therefore, the only meal for which we would need to buy was dinner. Plus, at Hilton hotels, fresh fruit, afternoon cookies, as well as hot and cold beverages are always available to the customer at no extra cost. 4) Plus, we were only staying two nights, making this stay budget friendly.

This is the just the oatmeal/cereal station section. It is the section of the breakfast bar I visited, but there is soooo MUCH more offered here.

The comfy lobby and breakfast area of Homes2 Suites.

We left on a Wednesday, immediately after school, because the school in which John and I teach, St. Joseph Catholic Middle School, was closed in honor of Easter for a few days. Of course, that meant we hit Lexington at the height of rush hour. Ugh! By the time we navigated traffic, and what seemed like an unending sea of stoplights, we made it to the hotel after 6:00 pm. Once settled in our room, we quickly made plans for an early evening, in order to be more rested and fully ready to enjoy the following day’s activities.

We quickly decided to use Uber and head to Pies and Pints, a favorite of ours–though we had not visited this location. Using Uber is something John and I enjoy doing when traveling because it allows us to ask questions, fully view the town, and gain insight into the location in which we are staying. As we drove through the heart of Lexington, the driver highlighted different spots along the route, noting those popular with University of Kentucky students versus spots favored by locals. The weather was fine and students, professorial types, as well as all walks-of-life were strolling the walks of Lexington soaking up the last of the evening sunshine.

Menu from Pies and Pints. Notice all of the gluten free options.

As it turned out, Pies and Pints is next to Lexington Visitors Center in the square just across the street from the Convention Center and Triangle Park as well as within walking distance of Rupp Arena! The ambient sound of the nearby water fountains filled the air with a satisfyingly serene sound. A man sang and danced across the street on the sidewalk opposite of ours, and colorful flowers sprouted along the walks. It reminded us of the drive to Lexington that afternoon as we passed one red bud tree after another—a long purple parade of petaled soldiers standing at rapt attention as we drove past one colorful roadside display after another. Scents of spring abounded all around, followed by aromas of. . . . pizza, of course!

Just like other Pies and Pints, this Lexington location offered the same menu staples with plenty of gluten free and vegetarian options for me, along with plenty of carnivore choices for John! However, for those who enjoy beer, each location of Pies and Pints features a unique menu of craft beers, many of which are local to the location. In fact, Lexington Pies and Pints offered 35 beers and root beer (non-alcoholic) on tap, plus an extensive bottled beer menu.

Devan, our bartender/waiter for the evening, was courteous, efficient, and attentive.

Devan (I think that was our waiter/bar-tender’s name!) was courteous, attentive, and prompt with service. John and I decided to relax and take our time with dinner. Therefore, we gave their chips and salsa a try while enjoying conversation before ordering our meals. Big mistake! Why? Because their salsa is so stinkin’ delicious that we ate MUCH more than we needed, but boy, was it good!!

Chips and salsa for an appetizer hit the spot!

We eventually decided upon our meals. I had to have their simple salad. Maybe it’s the way they thickly cut cucumber slices and hollow out the center before cutting each piece in half, but there is something special about their simple salad that I cannot get enough of it! Of course, it could also be their creamy Gorgonzola dressing that I always get served on the side. Whatever it is, it all comes together in deliciously tasting salad. But, did I stop there? No!

This salad . . .

I also ordered the Black Bean Speciality Pie with a gluten free crust. This pizza is served with black beans, cheddar, jalapeños, salsa, cilantro & crème fraiche. If you like a spicy beans and salsa, then this pie is sure to please! Plus, the gluten-free crust is actually quite good!

Meanwhile, John ordered a small pizza pie with traditional red sauce. He had it topped off with pepperoni, sausage, and extra cheese. Boy, did it look and smell good! Unfortunately, he was so full from all of the chips and salsa we had noshed on earlier, that over half of his pie went uneaten that night. Of course, it made a delicious lunch for him the next day!

Throughout our time at Pies and Pints, our service was excellent, and the atmosphere was relaxed and yet upbeat. I can only imagine the number of pizza pies made, and pints drank on afternoons/evenings of UK basketball games! What an ideal location for this tasty food venue! John and I would certainly return, and we would highly recommend it for fun and a festive food atmosphere with friends and family!

After the Uber ride home, taking in more of the sights of Lexington, we decided to amble across the hotel’s parking lot to Trader Joe’s Grocery. John and I cannot help ourselves! We love to visit grocery stores that we cannot find at home in order to see what’s trending food-wise outside our local area. As with the one other Trader Joe’s we have visited, this one wasn’t large, but boy did it offer a wide variety of items not necessarily available in our local grocery market at fairly reasonable prices. We found a few treats to try in the true spirit of further food adventures, and I could not help but feel a envious of the gluten free, non-dairy, and vegan options available there, but not available here locally. Oh well . . . that’s what made it special!

Thus, the end came to a great first, albeit short day, in Lexington. Part 2 of our Lexington stay will follow next week. . .

57715813275__9bfb7507-d371-410e-a78a-dfcbc015b1d7 — Tippi Tail, one of our cats, was not happy we were leaving. Thus, this must be her attempt to keep us from packing!

Encouragement is a verb

April 18, 2019April 17, 2019 by stephsimply, posted in Simple Observations and Musings

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encouraging one another; especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrew 10:24-25 (NLT)

“One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.”—Simone De Beauvoir

They have arrived, via text, nearly daily for two weeks. Daily devotionals sent my way courtesy of a family friend. Some of the readings are better than others, but all brighten my day simply because this person is trying to offer a bit of positivity and inspiration into my day. However, there are times, due to their length, that I cannot read them at the time they are sent because my schedule varies significantly from his. Therefore, I often do not read get to read the devotional until bedtime. I figure, regardless of the time of day, it is still a worthwhile task.

Task: job, chore, responsibility, undertaking . . . My day is filled with mental and written lists of things to do. In fact, I start my day by looking over the post-it note of goals for the day and week listed the prior afternoon/evening before leaving work. Even still, driving to work, my mind is already scrolling through thoughts of what I will do when I first arrive, followed by what I will do next, followed by the next task, and so on. The same is true for my planning period without students, my time after school, my time driving home. However, the one so-called responsibility that I most value is that of encouraging.

To that end, however, there are times; I am so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of paperwork, computer tasks of documentation and communication, and the constraints of deadlines and times, that I misplace my priorities. Thus, one recent night, as I rested in bed before turning off the light, finally reading the daily devotional sent to me, I came to face-to-face with what I love to preach, but allow the noise of the must-dos to hypnotize me into forgetting: encourage is a verb.

Reading the words from Hebrews 10: 24-25, there was my reminder in black and white. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another . . ..” Boy does the world need that now, more than ever. Distractions abound all around. From the dings of texts to the bleeps of another email filling the inbox; from a screen flash of a calendar reminder of an upcoming event to another job-related task/deadline added to the reminder app; and, from rushing off to fulfill another commitment/appointment to bustling away from the work desk in order to acquire at least some time to maintain certain living rituals, it seems everyday life often creates both outer and inner noise that fill, and sometimes even, numbs us to the value of a kind word, a gentle pat/hug/embrace, or even a genuine smile that truly offers a moment of encouragement.

Two days later, after mulling over this devotion, I was seated in a yoga class, that I was teaching, sharing the following words before beginning the practice: “You are not there. You are here. Be here. Be all here.” As I saw the words sink-in and resonate with the students around me, I began to shift inwardly as my own inner ear perked up. Hmm . . .I hate it when my own words teach me as the weight of what I was sharing wrapped around my heart like my favorite warm, softly fuzzy sweatshirt. Be. All. Here. And, how does that fit into encouragement as a verb?

As that day progressed, and really, into the next day, the words kept returning like the peal of the 5:00 pm church bells along 5th Ave in Huntington, WV. Family, and a couple of my daughter’s friends, was gathering at my home that evening. Be. All. Here. Encouragement.

I would like to write a picture perfect ending stating that I spent the rest of the weekend in perfect presence with all who were visiting my house. Additionally, I would like to say that I floated about my home offering wise words of wisdom and encouragement to all. Cue the rousing and heart-wrenching music, but that would NOT be true.

Still, I was keenly aware of the sweet sensation of an arm around a waist, the warmth of an embrace, the way smiles and laughter are contagious, and the special buzzing sensation that comes with conversation among and between people who are genuinely interested in supporting and uplifting one another. By the last good-bye around noon on Sunday, as John smiled broadly, wrapped me up in his arms, and said, “Ah, Steph, this was a good weekend,” it felt full-circle-good.

We had done nothing great, nothing fancy, and offered no great life-changing words. Instead, we opened our home, we offered our hearts, we shared a simple meal or two, and swapped a gaggle of stories and laughter. That is the magic dust for forming memories. My stack of ungraded papers never changed. This piece I am now writing, had yet to be written. Several loads of laundry were still in need of tackling. Weeds still needed pulled. Dust and dirt weren’t disappearing. And, somehow, none of it mattered . . ..

Ok, so, yes, as I write this, I am already worried, anxious, and a bit stressed about the to-dos, but I would not change a thing. Not. One. Thing.

Stolen Identity: A Divine Inspired Lesson

April 11, 2019April 10, 2019 by stephsimply, posted in Simple Observations and Musings

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”—1 John 3:1 NIV

They are in my house again. The two men with nasty sneers and malevolent eyes are ordering John and me to do things against our will. Both of us have been struck repeatedly. John has blood trickling from his nose, and blood has filled my mouth from my banged-up bottom lip, still smarting from the latest smack I received when I screeched for them to quit.

“Stop it! Stop it, now! You’re hurting him.”

These thugs smell vile as if they have bathed in alcohol, tobacco, and body odor. John is trying to resist their orders because he knows it is wrong. The one with the shaved head is wearing a black t-shirt with a red face emoji that has xxxx in the place of a mouth. He is the one who slapped me, and his coarse hands are now pushing me out of the room and into the bedroom away from John and the man with long, dark greasy ponytail. I’ve got to get back to John some way. I’ve got to figure out how to get away from this man. His touch reviles me. His smell makes me want to vomit, but it is his negative, dark energy, emanating off him like the stream of dribbles left on the street by garbage trucks in the summertime, that most fills me with terror. Must. Figure. Something. Out.

adult alone anxious black and white — Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com

I hear John scream from our dining room. What has happened to him? Must. Get. To. Him. Now! I open my mouth to scream, but I have no voice. No voice. Nothing comes out—not even a squeak. I am as voiceless as the emoji face on the evil man’s shirt. Meanwhile the stinky, rotten man laughs menacingly . . .

Once more I try to shout, then my cat, Tippi Tail begins to walk on my legs, adjusting to get comfortable, and I am awake, soaked in my own sweat. My heart is racing; my hands are tightly gripped.

“Wake up, Steph,” I think reflexively. Crawling out of bed, I grab a drink of water from my nightstand, and walk to the bathroom. It is the same basic nightmare I have repeatedly experienced for weeks. Each occurrence has its own twist, but all end in me trying to scream, but I have no voice. How deeply symbolic.

blue and white smoke digital wallpaper — Photo by Rafael Guajardo on Pexels.com

A month or so ago, many of our accounts were hacked. From Facebook to Instagram, from Netflix to Amazon, and even one of our bank cards—all essentially stolen. Porn was posted on my husband’s social media accounts. Netflix went from three users to five, all of whom required Spanish-speaking shows. Numerous attempted purchases appeared on our Amazon and bank accounts. Thank heavens for our local, Chesapeake, Ohio, PNC bank branch in which Tammy, and all of the other employees, take great care of our family.

Even with all of the great help/support from PNC, my husband has not yet returned to social media; and, we still cannot get Amazon completely corrected because trying to get an actual person who cares enough to truly help you at this big corporation is nearly an impossible task, we are finding. The days and weeks that followed have left of us filled with much stress, worry, and many sleepless nights as we continue into week four of trying to get Amazon fully corrected.

moon and stars — Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

Stolen Identity. While I am not sure if this is the exact title that would most accurately describe what happened to us, something was stolen nonetheless. Life has been different since then—filled with a series of actions, follow through steps, waiting, hoping, and praying that everything will just return to normal. And yet, the reality is that time has never, nor will ever, return to the-way-things-were. Life is in a constant state of flux. So why do we often think in terms of I-just-want-things-to-go-back-to-normal?

Life, as illustrated in these pictures, is in constant change.

This concept of stolen identity led me down the proverbial rabbit hole of thought. What about other forms of stolen identity? For example, I am reminded of my Grandfather, whose personality, mind, and even bodily functions, were gradually overtaken by Alzheimer’s. In a similar vein, I have considered all of the athletes, both amateur and professional, whose lives are turned upside down and forever changed by injury. Who are they if they are no longer an athlete? For that matter, what about the person who simply retires from a given career path? Who are they without their job?

I am reminded of the few people I know who have experienced traumatic brain injury. Often, they never return to their former self. Then, there are the numbers of people I have known who battled, or are battling, cancer. I would conjecture that life with, and even after cancer, must be a forever-changing experience. The same must be true for those battling with multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS), rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, and so forth. I guess the point is, we are all one injury, one diagnosis, or even one event away from experiencing a so-called thief stealing our identity.

adult athlete cramps field — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

All of these thoughts have been swirling around my mind and heart for weeks. I think that is why I continue to have the recurring night terror. Then, this past weekend, my heart was quite literally and figuratively filled with a reminder.

It came at the closing of a yoga class that I was teaching on Saturday morning in Ashland, KY at Brown Dog Yoga. At the end of class, with eyes closed, I asked the students to place one of their hands on top of their heart. I shared with them the story of how I learned, during yoga teacher training, that each individual’s heartbeat is unique. Every person creates a signature ECG, and much like one’s fingerprint, no two ECGs are exactly alike.

blur chart check up curve — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Adding the following words, “This means you are infinitely and beautifully inscribed as a child of God. You are special. Only you can bless the world in the way God created you to do.” My own words, no doubt, Divinely inspired, provided a powerful reminder for me, and I hope for you too, Dear Reader.

No matter what changes life is throwing at you as you are reading this, please remember the following. Each of us is a singular, divinely created being. There is no one like Y-O-U. And throughout all of life’s changes, something doesn’t change, and that is the fact that you are a uniquely crafted soul created and cared for by a Supreme Being. No one else can be you. No one else can bring to the table of life what you, and your experience brings. So use those changes, use your Supremely created self to find your own way to bless the world. Heaven knows, the world sure could use a blessing or two.

stone artwork — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

As seen on Instagram at Positive Energy Always.

As seen on Instagram at spiritualmovement.

Life is in a state of constant change, but in spite of all the changes, something doesn’t change, and that is the fact each of us is a Divinely inspired and unique creation.

My mom’s mom, “Grandmother,” my sister, Traci, me, and my Mom taken many years ago.

The Kindness of Strangers in Lexington, KY

April 4, 2019April 5, 2019 by stephsimply, posted in Restaurant Reviews, Travels

“I’m convinced that probably everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. It’s just one more reason to always try to be kind.”—Yolanda Hadid

person holding round smiling emoji board photo — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Life is often not easy. In fact, sometimes, it can seem down right mean; or, at the very least, unfair—especially with regards to a loved one’s distress. Although it is the loved one dealing with the pain, emotion, and treatment of the illness, I would argue that the closest caregiver, often a spouse or child, also endures his or her own form of anguish, aching, and anxiety.

grayscale photography of patient and relative holding hands — Photo by rawpixel.com on Pexels.com

Thus, John, my husband, and I, upon receiving a text, made the quick and easy decision to go on an unplanned, though not entirely unexpected, trip to Lexington, KY in order to offer support and help for both an ill loved one and spouse. However, the purpose of this bit of writing is to shine a light on the numerous acts of kindnesses we encountered from complete strangers. When coming upon others in day-to-day life, we often do not know what secret suffering simmers in each soul, therefore the simple act of a smile, sympathetic ear, or a soothing word can be a source of salve in another’s day as we experienced first hand in Lexington.

Three completely different settings;and yet, all were a source of comfort. These three were the only locations we visited during our brief stay; however, all three made a positive impact in our time spent in Lexington. Of course, bottom line, it was the people at these places who chose to make the difference; and to the many unnamed, I say (as do my loved ones and John), “Thank you!”

UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital. It was, and is, a sprawling and bustling facility, with Kentucky Children’s Hospital behind it, and the Shriners Hospital for Children Medical Center across from it. In spite of its vastness, from our first impression–asking for help to find parking–to our last impression—the sweet lady from transport offering assistance to the parking garage—this facility was first class when it came to compassion and kindness.

Left: Pedestrian connection ramp to hospital garage. Right: Shriner’s Hospital for Children Medical Center.

Once we figured out the parking and pedestrian ramp, we realized how easy it was to access the hospital. While it did require a good bit of walking, what appeared to be oversized golf carts zipped by walkers offering rides to those either unable or physically challenged by the walk. Art surrounded us throughout our daily traverses of the ramp and entrance. While the beauty of the art certainly offered an element of tranquility to visitors who may be experiencing anxiety or stress, it was the staff of this facility that offered the greatest sense of calm.

Look closely at the different shots of this painting. If you focus long enough, the word ‘still’ can be found in a tree. That simple word offered me a daily reminder of the importance of remaining ‘still’ on the inside.

Given our situation, only two of the three of us were allowed back in the hospital room at a time. Therefore, there were multiple opportunities for me to explore the hospital. Whether I was running errands to get coffee or food, or choosing to move/walk around and stretch my legs, I encountered supportive and thoughtful employees throughout the hospital.

For example, there was the smartly dressed staffer in a resource room I happened to enter out of curiosity, that within one minute and three key questions, gave me an armful of free educational materials, not only for those at the hospital with me, but also for loved ones back home. Then, there was the young man—heavily tattooed on arms and neck—an image for which a negative label might have been assumed; however, that was far from the truth with this gentleman! He had observed me taking pictures of the hot food available and texting it to another waiting back in the hospital room. Placing my order, the man asked for whom I was getting the food. When I answered and explained the situation, he nodded—as did another employee beside him.

This waterfall offers a source of tranquil sound. It is a nice place to sit near, close eyes and focus on prayers, meditations, or simply relax.

Handing me the box of warm food—given in generous portion sizes, I should add—he added with eyes full of sympathy, “May this food warm their belly and bless their soul. God bless.”

Then, the other employee added, “Yes, God bless both of them.”

57524331933__832e30d2-fd92-40b2-8ffb-07eb09c22664 — A tasty, warm meal can sometimes be a source of comfort.

Yet, these were not the only examples of simple acts of kindness. Without giving names and specific details, I sadly do not have the room to elaborate on the innumerable positive and thoughtful actions offered from each of the nurses, staff, and doctors with whom we daily interacted; all were genuinely nice, engaging, and seemingly always willing to put forth the extra effort. In fact, as we were leaving, two of the nurses said they would miss our loved ones. Even through the discharge procedure, we had the pleasure of being assisted by a gregarious transport female who truly took an interest in the absolute best place to take our loved ones in order for John to get their car to them easily. She was a delight, and I hate that I do not recall her name!

The entrance to the uphill, winding entrance ramp to parking garage.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Lexington University/Medical Center. It is hard to find the right words to describe the amount of care the staff of this hotel offered all of us. As soon as they realized the purpose of our stay was related to the hospital, they bent over backwards to offer assistance. Each time we entered the lobby, a manager was there to greet us, and ask if we needed anything. The rooms were spacious and comfortable with large refrigerators, microwave, kitchen sink, storage, and Keurig coffee makers. While we did not spend much time in the room or hotel, it was certainly a bright spot to start and end each day, and a great place to rest. In fact, John and I agreed we would love to return on a leisure visit.

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse. While we might have discovered this restaurant on our own, it was our good fortune for our loved ones at UK Hospital to encourage us to dine at this establishment for dinner both nights of our visit. What an excellent recommendation it turned out to be! From plenty of gluten free, plant-based options for me—including pizza, chocolate chip cookies, and even gluten-free buns—to a wide variety of carnivore-centered dishes for John, BJ’s had it all. In fact, their menu is like reading a book (I think I saw it was 24-25 pages long), with page after page of choices. Our waiter/bartender, Sam, was Johnny-on-the-spot, with great service, recommendations, and nice conversation. Despite the fact it took quite a bit of time both nights for John and me to settle upon a dinner choices, Sam did not bat an eye and remained patient, understanding, and attentive to our needs throughout our time there.

The menu at BJ’s is big enough to be a book!

John and I started both meals with chips and salsa while we perused the menu. (However, those with severe allergies to gluten should best avoid the chips, as they are not cooked in a dedicated fryer.) Next, we enjoyed salads—side salad for me both nights, and John tried the Wedge Salad and the Caesar Salad on respective nights. My dinner choices were Turmeric-roasted Cauliflower and Peruvian Quinoa Bowl the first night, and Gluten-free Veggie Pizza the second night; whereas, John went with the Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger for dinner on the first night and BJ’s Brewhouse Classic pizza the second night. Our meals were prepared, presented, and tasted beyond palatable. In fact, I am fairly certain our taste buds did a happy dance during each meal! Again, this is another place we would love to visit again.

In the end, our trip to Lexington was made as pleasant as possible, given the situation, due to people taking time to smile, offer kindness, and extend a caring attitude. Thank you to all we encountered at these establishments in Lexington. We are forever grateful for your generosity and hope to return!