Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author
of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, soul nourishing romantic women’s fiction
that honors pagan spiritual practices. My stories show you what life could be
like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted,
supported and loved. And where, with this support, you do overcome obstacles and
find your happily-ever-after.
My first two posts here at
Romancing The Genres this year have been my serious look at our suggested
topics. This month I’m taking a different tack and staying on the light-side.
Well, after I set the stage
I do.
In the spring of 1993, I had
surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and the thyroid gland with which it had
become intimate. During that time I read a book(s) that waxed eloquently about
a yummy desert. I’d include the titles or at least the author’s name if I could
remember but...the description stuck with me...a Vision of Happiness (not my book though).
July 1993 I attended the
Annual William Glasser Institute International Conference held in New Orleans,
LA. I was not at my best as my recovery from the surgery was beset by
difficulties stabilizing my thyroid medication. In addition to attending the
Conference, I was hired to teach a Certification Week group.
Not up to par, the reality
was I tired easily.
So much to see and do in New
Orleans. However by the end of the day, especially after teaching a
Certification group, I was dragging. My roommate was my longtime friend and
associate also named Judith.
One night, instead of room
service or eating in the hotel restaurant, I mustered the energy and we ventured across the street from our hotel to a small eating establishment. What I
remember from that night twenty-seven or so years ago is this: a cozy room with
dim lighting, subdued voices, snowy white table linen and attentive male waiters
dressed in black with white aprons around their waists.
What did we order?
Food. And, I’m sure we had wine
because my friend loved a glass of wine with her dinner.
By now you must be wondering
why I’m nattering on about a conference, a restaurant and food I don’t remember.
Desserts.
Remember I’d been reading
about a yummy desert between cancer diagnosis and surgery. That yummy desert
was tiramisu. The characters in the book(s) thought it was
delicious, divine delectable. And, in looking over the dessert menu, there it
was. Tiramisu!
Without hesitation I
indulged my curiosity and ordered a piece…not even a piece to share but one
just for myself. I had to know if the eloquent description of this dessert was
true. Was it as delicious, divine and delectable as described?
 |
| Tiramisu |
As you can see, some of the
details of the restaurant, etc. are lost to me but not that first experience of
eating a piece of tiramisu. Since then I’ve had tiramisu
in different cities and restaurants and countries but I remember the pure
pleasure of eating that slice of heaven.
Teaching point: Dr. William
Glasser talked about a Quality World
made up of the most highly need satisfying experiences in our lives. Once we have that experience, we compare like experiences to it in an
effort to re-create the experience.
What you now know about me is
that first piece of tiramisu has never been replaced in my Quality
World by another although I’ve had a few good pieces of tiramisu
since then. Most notably would be Novak’s in Albany, OR.
What food or drink do you clearly
remember eating/drinking for the first time?
You can
find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local
library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource.
