BOOK SUGGESTION

Mysteries! Most all of us like mysteries. Especially murder mysteries. Have you read any of the Brother Cadfael series? Brother Cadfael is a Benedictine monk (he is the herbalist) in twelfth century England. But he did not become a monk until he was in his 60’s. Before that he was a soldier in the Crusades and then a sailor, so he has more knowledge of the outside world than his fellow monks.

Cadfael is called upon in these stories to solve various problems, sometimes at the behest of his superiors, and sometimes not. His knowledge of plants, flowers, herbs, and people often (usually) help to solve the issue at hand.

Ellis Peters is the pseudonym for author Edith Pargeter (who passed away in 1995). There are a total of 20 novels plus one book of three short stories, about Brother Cadfael, which is titled “ A Rare Benedictine”. One of the short stories, "A Light on the Road to Woodstock", tells how Cadfael became a monk, and the other two, "The Price of Light" and "Eye Witness", are short versions of the novels. One of those two is an absolute gem of a story, but I don't remember which one.

Many of these stories were re-created for TV, with Derek Jacobi as Cadfael.

It's no mystery that most (all?) of us like jokes. So ...

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help men and women cope with the stress that builds during the day, especially with the Holidays. You may have this Menu already....but it is always the time of year to read it again!!

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss

Afternoon Tea
The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars

Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the Freezer)

Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.