Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

It's time again to say thank you to that wonderful woman who gave you life and is always there to listen or lend a hand when you have a problem. I am certain my mom is in the place where special mothers go on the other side and I thank her for all that she gave me, but I want to also thank my three daughters (and my son) who have also taught me so much by their life experiences and the loving skills they share with their family and friends. I am grateful for them and that I have them to learn from, and thank God for giving me my time with them. I think being a grandmother is really the best hat I've ever worn, at least I believed this until I became a great-grandmother to Nolan and Theo. Little Theo Tanny was born on April 5 just turned 2, and these two little guys have kept me going during the pandemic with their fun facetime visits.

My grandchildren Cody, Leo Maxime and Natasha have brought me more joy than I can ever express, and I have no words to describe the love I feel for my great grandsons Nolan and Theo, who are a source of constant smiles. There is an unspoken connection between grandparents and grandchildren and one that no one can explain, but it's there and it's the best! A special May 30th Happy Birthday wish to my #1 daughter Kathleen. So enjoyed a five country cruise with her before the pandemic crisis. You're the best Kat, and I love you!

I wish to honor all the great teaching nuns, professors and women in my family who have helped me grow and become the woman I am today, especially, my aunt Dolores (Marcella Joyce Stein), my mother, daughters & granddaughter Natasha who have shown me so much. Thank you to great women who have inspired me including HRH Queen Elizabeth II, Mother Theresa, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Queen of Austria "Sissy" and Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D. We all have a collection of great women whose books we have read, paintings we have admired, designs we wish we could afford to wear, recipes we wish we could duplicate, and exceptional political women who continue to fight with courage for our rights as women, but most of all I thank my dear women friends who have been there for me through the really tough times and the joyous moments over many years. I love you all so much and feel so grateful God put you in my life, especially the bi-coastal special angel 'steel magnolia'.

Pope: Focus on Peace - Pope Francis has added his voice to the serious condition on coronavirus attacks around the world.

President Joseph Biden gave and amazing address from the US Congress with VP Kamila Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi seated on the podium with him. What an uplifting and encouraging first 100 days as President and how greateful we are to have him as our President.

In this issue we vist the Loquita Restaurant in the Funk Zone in Santa Barbara, Califoria. This was my last supper in that later that evening the quarantine was imposed on the community and all congregation centers were closed.

I'm delighted to rerun this story and tell you they have reopend along with all the other delightful food & beverages venues in the Santa Barbara Funk Zone. Let's keep this healthy roll going by continuing to follow the scientists in their directions for continued recover.

Don't miss my re-run story up on the Viking Sun adventures for 2021-2022 and new ships and journeys being planned by Viking River and Ocean Cruises. Culinary Coup section offers updates on some of my favorite restaurants in Santa Barbara, including Convivo in Santa Barbara, as well as additional fun foodie news.

Look for friend Lauren's latest story in Tastes of Italia, the best food magazine on everything wonderful that's Italian, features her Cooking Vacations site filled with Italian Cooking Vacation ideas for spring & summer. www.cookingvacations.com.

Our "Health Minded" section offers some information on area health organization news including Arthritis Foundation, Cancer Foundation, SB Hospice, SB Rescue Mission and more. For information or to make a donation to Walk to Cure Arthritis visit, www.ArthritisFoundationSB.com. Santa Barbara hospice (www.hospicesb.org), Santa Barbara Rescue Mission (SBRM.org).

We hope your Mother's Day is peaceful and healthy. The separation for saving lives is difficutl but you will find some great gift ideas that can be delivered before mother's day here in our Gift Guide. God Bless and we thank you for joining us this month. Look for our Father's Day issue in June, which will be devoted to men who make a real difference in our world. Sending tearful prayers and love to all those we have lost and contiue to lose to this horrible pandemic. Special prayers for the people of India who are suffering grave losses.

Additional contributing writers are included on an individual issue basis. Please contact the editor with questions regarding any journalist assignments or requests. Email: writebc@aol.com