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 . . . if you let her. 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 taught me so much by their life experiences and 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 4, and these two little guys have kept me uplifted during the pandemic with their fun facetime adventures.

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 viking five country cruise with her last year. 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 by the way they handle challenges and the love they so freely give. 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: Pray for our Pope and Focus on Peace - Pope Francis has added his voice to the serious conditions for those struggling during these difficult times.

Pray for the re-election of our President Joseph Biden, and pray for all those suffering and dying needlessly in Ukraine.

The Loquita Restaurant in the Funk Zone did survive the pandemic, and is thriving and offerning such exciting menu items. Enjoy a revisit in Culinary Coup. in Santa Barbara, Califoria.

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 following closures, challenges and reopenings. Let's keep this healthy roll going.

Also, don't miss story up on Little Prinz Hotel, and exciting food and wine festivals in Europe this summer. Also, where guests enjoy down to earth ambiance and Central Coast fun.

Writer's Conference and AWC Awards Luncheon in Santa Barbara make for interesting news, as well as retreats on Hawaiian Islands. Hotel feature this mont is an irrestable boutique Little Prinz.

Look for my 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 a story on great Santa Barbara women striving to raise funds to find a cure for Alzheimer's, and interesting 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. 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. Special prayers for the people of Ukraine who continue to suffer grave losses. Prayers for our President Joseph Biden who is facing so many grave challenges during his term as our Nation's leader.

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