HITCHING A RIDE ON THE WIND; DRIFTING ON A DREAM

Afloat on anticipation; buoyed by probability; heartened by hope; inspired by possibility, let’s harness the moon and lasso a star. Come sail away with me; aloft on fairy floss fractostratus above a fluorescent ocean. Together we’ll frolic on a sunbeam. We’ll soar like gossamer-winged butterflies. Embraced by the sun’s splendent glow let’s dance.

In a perfect world to do so wouldn’t be a frivolous, light-minded, carefree daydream, it’d be possible and probable.

A merry band of troubadours, we’d be freewheeling vagabonds; wayfarers strolling to the rhythm of our own upbeat melodies; causing harm to no one; inviting everyone we meet to join us in our joyous roving. (I was going to say “rambling”, but I’ve got lengthy digressing covered).

If you’re feeling lighthearted and have an urge to throw caution to the wind; if you’ve a hankering to toss negativity out the window (making sure, of course, the window is open); if you choose to accompany me on my fanciful, wondrous wanders together we’ll be the allied Pied Pipers of whimsical happiness and goodwill on the hill.  I’ve previously admitted, without qualm or regret, I’m an incompetent trumpet blower so I’ll leave the pipe playing to everyone else. 

Now that’s settled, I nominate myself to be the bearer of drinks as well as fun.  I volunteer to be in charge of the snacks, if you’re of the same mind, of course. If asked I’ll sign a guarantee the snacks provided will be tasty, but I assure you here and now they’ll suit all gustatory sensations.

Out the back in the garage area I have a large esky gathering dust and cobwebs.  As well as being huge, it’s too heavy for me to carry when loaded. I’ll put it onto a flat-bed trailer so I can pull it along behind me.  A skateboard would be too small; too narrow.  When push comes to shove, as it will, I could motorise the trailer.

For my own pleasure and at my leisure, I’ll jump aboard, and then I’ll blithely cruise along handing out refreshments while traversing the route. No GPS navigation device or road map is necessary.

Trust me! I’m not taking you for a ride; you join at your own free will (peril).

My chosen course is along the Path of Happiness. It runs parallel to Winsome Way on the one side, with Beautiful Boulevard on the other.

Remember – it’ll be a perfect world we’ll be discovering; one alive with wonder and amazement; not a world burdened by shock and horror. It’ll be an extraordinary world miraculously minus of contradictions; one in which living is easy, with no complications; a world devoid of conflict, grievances, hate, poverty and diseases; free of prejudices and negativity; a world overflowing with positivity; one filled with love.

Isn’t that enticing? 

We humans create most of our own contradictions. If they are so easy to create, surely, if we put our minds and daydreams to work, it should be as easy to uncreate the contradictions. 

Rose gardens in full bloom will border our paths. They’ll be necessary for when we to pause to take time to smell the roses as we’re frequently advised to do. 

As we travel my imaginary happy highway, while we snack and sip, we’ll plant myriad rose bushes.

Sign up today - become a wandering minstrel!  It’ll be more fun than any of the rides you’ll find at theme parks – cheaper, too! 

When asked, “Where is fun to be had?”  

Reply with:  “Hitching a ride on the wind; frolicking on a sunbeam; lassoing a star – that’s where!” 

Here Down Under we live in the Land of Oz; we just need to find the Yellow Brick Road, some stardust and an active imagination. 

Stuffin’ Muffins: Preheat oven, 190C. Heat pan over med-heat; add 2tbs olive oil and 1 large chopped onion; cook 3-4mins; add 3 small apples, chopped and 4 chopped celery stalks; cook about 5mins, until softened; add 3/4c dried cranberries, salt, pepper. 1/4c chopped parsley, 2tbs each chopped sage, thyme and rosemary. Remove from heat. Cube 1 stale sourdough loaf; place in bowl; pour the vegetable-apple mix over bread; add 2-1/2c veg stock; mix gently. Lightly grease muffin tin; fill with mixture; bake 20-25mins, until golden.

Quinoa Pizza Bites: Cook 1c quinoa in 2c water; cover; bring to boil; simmer 20-25mins. Preheat oven 175C. Combine quinoa, 2 large eggs, 1c chopped onion, 1c shredded mozzarella 2tsp minced garlic, 1/2c fresh basil or 2tbs dried, 1/2c diced cherry tomatoes or 1/2c diced pepperoni, 1/2tsp salt, 1tsp paprika and 1tsp dried oregano. Fill cups of greased mini-muffin pan to top; press down gently. Bake 15-20mins; cool, 10mins; remove from pan; serve with tasty pizza sauce for dipping.

Fruit-Oat Bars: Preheat oven 180C. Grease 16cm x 25.5cm slice pan; line with paper, extend 2cm above edges. Mash 3 large ripe bananas until smooth; add 3c rolled oats, 1/4c each finely chopped dried dates, finely chopped dried apricots and slivered almonds. 1tsp cinnamon and 1-1/2tsp vanilla; combine well; spoon into pan. Use back of spoon to press into pan; bake 30-35mins or until golden; cool completely; then cut into small bars.

Maple Nuts: Preheat oven 148C; grease 9x13 inch pan. Place raw nuts (macadamia, pecan, walnut etc) in bowl; drizzle over 2tbs maple syrup; stir to coat; sprinkle with 1/4tps ground ginger, 1/4ts curry powder and 2tbs brown sugar; spread on pan; bake 15-20mins.