Our grandgirl's middle name, Ifetayo, means "love is worth celebrating." It is Yoruba and she follows the tradition--each of our daughters have Yoruba middle names and all of our grands do too. It was nothing that we asked our daughters to do and when we first asked about it they said "Isn't that what we are supposed to do?" Made us think that all of those trips to Nigeria, when they were growing up, were not in vain. I also have a Yoruba name, given to me by my father-in-law, Aduke which means "One who is cherished by all." I don't know about all of that, but it was nice of him to do that. I rarely use it even though I have a ring with that name engraved on it. The gold is soft and I have broken it twice and had it repaired twice. I have it in a safe place and look at it every now and then.
I digressed! I really wanted to say how true love is worth celebrating all of the time. "Fake love," or what we mistake for love does not deserve celebration. Sometimes it is difficult for some people to distinguish between the two, but when we know it, we know it. The love which should be celebrated is that which supports us emotionally and is there no matter what. The love which should be celebrated is pure, active, patient, kind, lasting, historically based and eternal. I am glad that I know the difference. I am glad that I have love around me that I celebrate each day of my life.
I am so grateful for our new love, Ifetayo. We will certainly celebrate her as we celebrate all of the loves of our lives.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
A Neck Bones' Thanksgiving
I am so thankful this Thanksgiving that I know how to be thankful. One of my best friends in the entire world just lost her 51 year old daughter whom I have known since she was just a little girl. It was a reminder of how precious life is. Another friend is eating neck bones and collard greens for Thanksgiving because she has had plenty of turkey in her life. This was a reminder of how we should live life in exactly the way that we want to live it. We have to be grateful for every moment; cherish every relationship; know the difference between turkey and dressing and neck bones and turkey. Although I don't mind the turkey and dressing on Thanksgiving, I know that the neck bones keep it all real!
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Batting and Back-Ups
I have always loved baseball metaphors and now I am falling in love with quilting metaphors. As I was reading this morning, the backing of a quilt is one of the most important pieces. Without the backing, the batting would be exposed and it would be impossible for the quilt to be held together. Many quilters are more concerned with what the top of the quilt looks like and put more thought into that material. It is just like looking as someone and noticing only the external qualities. The material for the backing is just as important and can give beauty to a quilt.
Just as quilts need backing, we also need "back ups" in our lives. We need someone to be there when what doesn't "come out in the wash, comes out in the rinse." We need backing to hold together our "falling apart quilts."
It was interesting that I was thinking about this this morning and in church, the Pastor talked about how we look at people and may tell them that they have beautiful eyes. We never say "You have beautiful eye ducts," when in fact, those eye ducts are the backing that helps to make those eyes work. We need to know what makes things in our lives work. First, we need to know ourselves, be ourselves, and know who are true "back-ups" are. When we let our batting slip away, it won't be pretty.
Just as quilts need backing, we also need "back ups" in our lives. We need someone to be there when what doesn't "come out in the wash, comes out in the rinse." We need backing to hold together our "falling apart quilts."
It was interesting that I was thinking about this this morning and in church, the Pastor talked about how we look at people and may tell them that they have beautiful eyes. We never say "You have beautiful eye ducts," when in fact, those eye ducts are the backing that helps to make those eyes work. We need to know what makes things in our lives work. First, we need to know ourselves, be ourselves, and know who are true "back-ups" are. When we let our batting slip away, it won't be pretty.
Friday, November 5, 2010
"Don't Let Him Take All Your Stuff"
It is very rare that I write a blog two days in a row, but I just saw the very powerful film "For Colored Girls..." I didn't see the play in the seventies, but I did read the choreopoem before seeing the movie on this its first day.
It was an amazing story about "colored" women and I think it touches upon a lot of issues which women often deal with.
The most powerful statement in the movie (which I wrote on a receipt I had just gotten at Nordies--lack of paper in my purse) was "Don't let him take all your stuff." In almost every case, in one way or another, most of the women gave themselves over to the men in their lives. To some degree, they lost themselves to men. They became what they wanted them to be. They lost a sense of who they are and what they really stand for and believe. Some of those men, they "loved on purpose."
In the end, what they had was the sisterhood. When the men were gone--they had each other. We, as women, must never forget that. Friends remain even when we have lost
ourselves, even when we have let them "walk away with all of our stuff."
It was an amazing story about "colored" women and I think it touches upon a lot of issues which women often deal with.
The most powerful statement in the movie (which I wrote on a receipt I had just gotten at Nordies--lack of paper in my purse) was "Don't let him take all your stuff." In almost every case, in one way or another, most of the women gave themselves over to the men in their lives. To some degree, they lost themselves to men. They became what they wanted them to be. They lost a sense of who they are and what they really stand for and believe. Some of those men, they "loved on purpose."
In the end, what they had was the sisterhood. When the men were gone--they had each other. We, as women, must never forget that. Friends remain even when we have lost
ourselves, even when we have let them "walk away with all of our stuff."
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Never Too Old (or too young)
As I celebrated by double six birthday yesterday, my reflections centered on what it all means. I had a record number of greetings on FB. Some even thought that the number of birthday greetings may have broken the FB record :-). I appreciated all of them and was very humbled by the love.
I spoke with one of my "elderly" friends last week and she was telling me a story about helping an "elderly" friend of hers. They are both taking a computer class (and get a free computer when they finish) and the 87 year-old was helping a 96 year-old. How fantastic is that? I hope that I when I am 87 that I can still help, and I hope that when I am 96, someone will be there to help me.
My birthday gift was an IPad. We bought it yesterday and, of course, I have been spending every waking moment since then, figuring it all out. It seems interesting and fun. I have already synced my music (after talking to Apple at 6 this morning) and learned lots of other things from the "Apple Girl" who was in Iowa (and not overseas.)
I am thankful for life, for a wonderful husband and family, for a sound mind (more or less), for good friends, for a "Mother Person," for those who came before me, for those who influenced me and especially for those who accept me for who I am. Wow, I love love!
I spoke with one of my "elderly" friends last week and she was telling me a story about helping an "elderly" friend of hers. They are both taking a computer class (and get a free computer when they finish) and the 87 year-old was helping a 96 year-old. How fantastic is that? I hope that I when I am 87 that I can still help, and I hope that when I am 96, someone will be there to help me.
My birthday gift was an IPad. We bought it yesterday and, of course, I have been spending every waking moment since then, figuring it all out. It seems interesting and fun. I have already synced my music (after talking to Apple at 6 this morning) and learned lots of other things from the "Apple Girl" who was in Iowa (and not overseas.)
I am thankful for life, for a wonderful husband and family, for a sound mind (more or less), for good friends, for a "Mother Person," for those who came before me, for those who influenced me and especially for those who accept me for who I am. Wow, I love love!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Basting the Layers of our Lives
Each morning when I come downstairs, the first thing I do is go to my room (used to be called my office pre-freetirement) to do my morning meditation. I usually begin with a devotional from a book someone gave me. Then I read from a book (also a gift) called The Quilt of Life, A patch work of Devotional Thoughts. I am always interested in how simple things can be very profound. It intrigues and excites me. Today I was struck by a quote: "Each of us is like quilt layers. Unless we are basted down, we wiggle away and do something dangerous." We all have layered lives. I like to think that my middle layer (my inside) is what keeps the rest together. It represents my values and beliefs and all of the things I hold dear. The bottom layer I think of as important because it keeps the inside safe. The top layer is the one that I care least about because it is just the outside--we all know that outsides tell nothing about us. Some people love showing just the outside--they even expect us to believe that is the true representation of who they are. I prefer to know the inner person and prefer that my inner person is reflected in my top layer.
Even though we have layers (I only used two here), we need to make sure that they are basted together in order that each layer supports the other. We fall apart, just like a quilt, when we are not properly basted. Quilts can be hand pasted, machine basted with a loose stitch or even glued together with a super duper spray concoction that we can get in quilting stores. Decide what you need to baste the layers of your life. I know what I use to baste my layers. What do you use?
Even though we have layers (I only used two here), we need to make sure that they are basted together in order that each layer supports the other. We fall apart, just like a quilt, when we are not properly basted. Quilts can be hand pasted, machine basted with a loose stitch or even glued together with a super duper spray concoction that we can get in quilting stores. Decide what you need to baste the layers of your life. I know what I use to baste my layers. What do you use?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Not in My Neighborhood
Every time I see a story on the news about some horrible occurrence in town, someone always says "I never thought this could happen in my neighborhood." What makes a neighborhood immune to bad things? I even wonder about so-called "gated" communities. Are those people gating out the bad people or gating in the bad people.
Anything can happen anywhere at any time, even though the consequences of those actions are usually not the same. When two girls were attacked and murdered in certain neighborhoods in this city, folks mobilized, the culprit caught, and even a new law was put into place. When these things happen in other neighborhoods, sometimes the response is not as fast.
Just yesterday, a young girl told her parents that she had been assaulted and even gave the policemen descriptions of the so-called assailant. A couple of days later, with the prodding of the detectives, it turned out that she was lying. She met someone on line, ditched her afternoon classes (she is a tenth grader), met the man for a "nooner" and didn't want her parents to know why she was late coming from school. I suspect if this had happened in another neighborhood, she would already be in jail for lying to a policeman. When the story first broke, all of the people in the neighborhood talked about how shocked they were that something like this happened in their neighborhood. Now I don't know if they meant the assault or a lying teenager.
The Kerner report so many years ago was correct then and makes me wonder if it still describes our America today.Hmmmmmm.
Anything can happen anywhere at any time!
Anything can happen anywhere at any time, even though the consequences of those actions are usually not the same. When two girls were attacked and murdered in certain neighborhoods in this city, folks mobilized, the culprit caught, and even a new law was put into place. When these things happen in other neighborhoods, sometimes the response is not as fast.
Just yesterday, a young girl told her parents that she had been assaulted and even gave the policemen descriptions of the so-called assailant. A couple of days later, with the prodding of the detectives, it turned out that she was lying. She met someone on line, ditched her afternoon classes (she is a tenth grader), met the man for a "nooner" and didn't want her parents to know why she was late coming from school. I suspect if this had happened in another neighborhood, she would already be in jail for lying to a policeman. When the story first broke, all of the people in the neighborhood talked about how shocked they were that something like this happened in their neighborhood. Now I don't know if they meant the assault or a lying teenager.
The Kerner report so many years ago was correct then and makes me wonder if it still describes our America today.Hmmmmmm.
Anything can happen anywhere at any time!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
"A Different Worse"
Today our book club discussed the book, The Help. This is a book, written by a 41 year-old Mississippi born White lady, about the interaction between maids during that time and the families for whom they worked. She based the book on her own personal experiences, not as a maid, but as an "observer of maids." The book contained interviews she conducted with maids in Jackson, Mississippi.
The discussion was lively, but interestingly enough, it was not focused as much on the book, as it was on the dynamics of race. Southerners, two of whom were from Mississippi, had a view and those born in other places, had a view based upon what they had been told by parents and others. I had even requested via email, the perspective of a very good friend, a Southern, White Woman.
One poignant issue explored by the group (all African-American women) was "This was Mississippi a long time ago, but it seems that the same things are still happening."
My friend even suggested that even when Whites were cared for by Black maids from the time they were born, many still grew up to be racist.
Some thought that integration had a negative effect on Blacks--lower expectations and loss of a "caring community." Some thought that things have even gotten worse, especially after the presidential election of President Obama.
The phrase, "A Different Worse" struck me as very interesting. The person who posited this idea, felt that we, as Blacks, do not always take advantage of the opportunities that exist for us. Those opportunities were not there in the past.
We all have a responsibility to change this "different worse." We need to mentor, encourage and praise young (and old). We need to restore the sense of community that existed. Each of us has a responsibility--how we handle that responsibility will be up to us.
The discussion was lively, but interestingly enough, it was not focused as much on the book, as it was on the dynamics of race. Southerners, two of whom were from Mississippi, had a view and those born in other places, had a view based upon what they had been told by parents and others. I had even requested via email, the perspective of a very good friend, a Southern, White Woman.
One poignant issue explored by the group (all African-American women) was "This was Mississippi a long time ago, but it seems that the same things are still happening."
My friend even suggested that even when Whites were cared for by Black maids from the time they were born, many still grew up to be racist.
Some thought that integration had a negative effect on Blacks--lower expectations and loss of a "caring community." Some thought that things have even gotten worse, especially after the presidential election of President Obama.
The phrase, "A Different Worse" struck me as very interesting. The person who posited this idea, felt that we, as Blacks, do not always take advantage of the opportunities that exist for us. Those opportunities were not there in the past.
We all have a responsibility to change this "different worse." We need to mentor, encourage and praise young (and old). We need to restore the sense of community that existed. Each of us has a responsibility--how we handle that responsibility will be up to us.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
MYami
One of my joys when I am visiting my hometown of Miami is to get up early in the morning and drive to my old neighborhood. I drive down my the street where I grew up and observe how it has changed. I look at what used to be grocery stores and bakery shops and wonder what happened to them. I am filled with wonderful memories of what it was to actually have a neighborhood where we knew everyone and we could play in the street. I drive by some of the houses of people I grew up with, people I visited and reminisce about how it was to actually belong to a place. I realize on each of those early morning drives, that whatever I used to be, and whatever I have become were products of strong MYami roots.
I love the morning smells. I love eating conch salad and drinking coffee for breakfast. I love seeing the mango trees and going to the grocery store and seeing food from the tropics. I love the cultural diversity. I love cherishing the old Miami and embracing the new.It is a different place, but it still resonates with me. It is MY place. It is what I love and who I am.
I love being near the Atlantic Ocean--MYocean! I love seeing the sparkling sun in the early morning (especially since I don't have to go out in it unless I want to).
I am a child of humidity, yet, I appreciate the "irconditioness" of this city.
MYami saddens me and it gives me great joy. The sadness comes when I remember the loss of so many people who were such integral parts of my life here. One disadvantage of being away from home for a very long time is that you don't get a chance to see people age and transition--it all hits you at one visit. It puts me in touch with my own mortality. I missed my fiftieth class reunion a couple of week-ends ago and when I looked at our class directory and saw the list of those no longer with us, it was another defining moment.
I love being in the presence of my 87 year old "mother person" who when I asked if she had sugar (for cereal) responded no. When I inquired further, she told me that she thought I meant sugar diabetes. I love learning that listerine is a wonderful mosquito repellent.
South Beach is not Myami! The Dolphins are! The Miami Heat will be! Northwest is! Old ladies are! Family is! Old friends are! Booker T. is! Oh MYami! Oh Bahamas!
I love the morning smells. I love eating conch salad and drinking coffee for breakfast. I love seeing the mango trees and going to the grocery store and seeing food from the tropics. I love the cultural diversity. I love cherishing the old Miami and embracing the new.It is a different place, but it still resonates with me. It is MY place. It is what I love and who I am.
I love being near the Atlantic Ocean--MYocean! I love seeing the sparkling sun in the early morning (especially since I don't have to go out in it unless I want to).
I am a child of humidity, yet, I appreciate the "irconditioness" of this city.
MYami saddens me and it gives me great joy. The sadness comes when I remember the loss of so many people who were such integral parts of my life here. One disadvantage of being away from home for a very long time is that you don't get a chance to see people age and transition--it all hits you at one visit. It puts me in touch with my own mortality. I missed my fiftieth class reunion a couple of week-ends ago and when I looked at our class directory and saw the list of those no longer with us, it was another defining moment.
I love being in the presence of my 87 year old "mother person" who when I asked if she had sugar (for cereal) responded no. When I inquired further, she told me that she thought I meant sugar diabetes. I love learning that listerine is a wonderful mosquito repellent.
South Beach is not Myami! The Dolphins are! The Miami Heat will be! Northwest is! Old ladies are! Family is! Old friends are! Booker T. is! Oh MYami! Oh Bahamas!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
New Brooms and Old Brooms
I was talking to my friend yesterday and she has so many quotes from her grandmother. I was telling her about my vacuum cleaner which does not appear to work anymore. My other friend has an old vacuum cleaner she loaned me which is much older than my non-working one. The quote "A new broom will sweep clean, but an old one will carry the dirt" was her grandma's quote and it certainly applies to more than vacuum cleaners.
I attended an AARP even last week and was in the presence of over 2000 "old folks." There were a lot of "young folks" there too, but most of them worked for the various organizations which were involved in the event. As I noticed the gray haired ones at the event, I thought about all of the knowledge present in that room. The more I live, the more I learn the value of what old folks know. Perhaps it is because I am now one of them. It is rather amusing to watch young folks who "think they know," but then I remember that I was once one of them too. I put this quote on my FB page and am anxious to see what my young friends will say about it. I wonder if they will truly understand it or be able to relate to it. They should all hope that we have an old broom in our lives to "carry the dirt" because even when we think things have been swept clean, there is always a little dirt left.
I attended an AARP even last week and was in the presence of over 2000 "old folks." There were a lot of "young folks" there too, but most of them worked for the various organizations which were involved in the event. As I noticed the gray haired ones at the event, I thought about all of the knowledge present in that room. The more I live, the more I learn the value of what old folks know. Perhaps it is because I am now one of them. It is rather amusing to watch young folks who "think they know," but then I remember that I was once one of them too. I put this quote on my FB page and am anxious to see what my young friends will say about it. I wonder if they will truly understand it or be able to relate to it. They should all hope that we have an old broom in our lives to "carry the dirt" because even when we think things have been swept clean, there is always a little dirt left.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
"Always ask the Turtle"
I read an article by Donna Brazile (of the great hair) and she told a story about Gloria Steinem. Gloria was on a field trip with a geology class and saw a turtle that had climbed out of the river to the edge of the road. She thought he would be run over so she put him back in the water. The teacher asked her why she did that and after hearing her reply, told her that the turtle had probably spent a month crawling up the long dirt path to safely lay its eggs on the mud on the side of the road. He also told her that she had destroyed all that effort with her "rescue." Gloria learned a great political lesson "Always ask the turtle."
How often do we forget to "ask the turtle?" There are times when we think we know what's best for everyone without asking them first. On this our 42nd wedding anniversary, a lot of people have asked me for the secret to a happy marriage. The answer I posted on Facebook was that love is the umbrella that protects marriage, but we should also know when to get out of the rain. Marriage, for the most part, is a crap shoot--sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't work, get out of the rain fast because no umbrella will be big enough to protect you. After reading this article, however, I now believe that some marriages probably don't survive because we don't "always ask the turtle." Asking the turtle involves true communication, about the good and the bad. The communication doesn't always have to be verbal--many times, it's a look, a touch, a smile, a frown. Sometimes the "turtle" wants to remain in a shell--that also has to be respected and appreciated.
A friend from Miami told me last week about a family of ten whose mother's mantra was "learn, strive, be." I would probably add "Always ask the Turtle."
How often do we forget to "ask the turtle?" There are times when we think we know what's best for everyone without asking them first. On this our 42nd wedding anniversary, a lot of people have asked me for the secret to a happy marriage. The answer I posted on Facebook was that love is the umbrella that protects marriage, but we should also know when to get out of the rain. Marriage, for the most part, is a crap shoot--sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't work, get out of the rain fast because no umbrella will be big enough to protect you. After reading this article, however, I now believe that some marriages probably don't survive because we don't "always ask the turtle." Asking the turtle involves true communication, about the good and the bad. The communication doesn't always have to be verbal--many times, it's a look, a touch, a smile, a frown. Sometimes the "turtle" wants to remain in a shell--that also has to be respected and appreciated.
A friend from Miami told me last week about a family of ten whose mother's mantra was "learn, strive, be." I would probably add "Always ask the Turtle."
Friday, April 30, 2010
"There Are No Straight Lines in Nature"
Today in my Japanese brush Painting class we worked on landscapes. It was very difficult (for me), so I just tried to concentrate on painting a tree. During the teacher's demonstration, as he was painting the bridge, water, grass and mountains, he pointed out that we shouldn't look for straight lines. My art history teacher friend, who is also in the class, told me that "there are no straight lines in nature." She added that "when we try to make those straight lines, it is our attempt to take control."
I have never believed in straight lines, but I didn't know why. I think that "straight line thinking" can interfere with our ability to not only see nature as it is, but it also interferes with our ability to see people as they are.
Straight lines blur the lines of diversity. Straight lines limit us and keep us from completely exploring our creative side. Straight lines prevent us from going "out of the box." We should not be defined by "straight line thinking." One of the hardest things for us, as humans, to really know, is that we have no control over anything. Everything is out of our hands. Once we clearly understand that, life becomes much simpler. I was so delighted, once again, to find out how art also reinforces the idea of "no control."
I love my crooked line life, my crooked line friends, my crooked line thoughts and my crooked line ideas. I also love having just a few straight lines every now and then.
I have never believed in straight lines, but I didn't know why. I think that "straight line thinking" can interfere with our ability to not only see nature as it is, but it also interferes with our ability to see people as they are.
Straight lines blur the lines of diversity. Straight lines limit us and keep us from completely exploring our creative side. Straight lines prevent us from going "out of the box." We should not be defined by "straight line thinking." One of the hardest things for us, as humans, to really know, is that we have no control over anything. Everything is out of our hands. Once we clearly understand that, life becomes much simpler. I was so delighted, once again, to find out how art also reinforces the idea of "no control."
I love my crooked line life, my crooked line friends, my crooked line thoughts and my crooked line ideas. I also love having just a few straight lines every now and then.
Friday, April 23, 2010
"Side to Side or Face to Face"
I was with a group last night and I heard the phrase "Side to Side or Face to Face." It occurred to me that these two postures are what can make or break all kinds of relationships.
Relationships should be built upon communication. Side to Side communication does not involve actually looking at the person or engaging in heart-felt communication. It is a very easy route--just sit side by side and conversation is easy. If you are talking to a spouse, it is real easy to have superficial, meaningless conversation when you are side to side. The very posture somehow takes away the personal element of the encounter.
A friend told me many years ago that when she disciplined her children, she always made sure that they were looking her in the eye (she found out later that they were looking at their reflections in her classes). She felt that if they looked directly at her, she was more likely to get the truth. I hadn't thought about that in a long time, but was reminded of her insight last night.
A "side to side" relationship does not appear to have the same level of sincerity as one which is "face to face." Of course, the trick is that some people can be "side to side" as they are "face to face," but that is another story.
Look at how you relate to others. Are you a "side to sider" or a "face to facer?"
Relationships should be built upon communication. Side to Side communication does not involve actually looking at the person or engaging in heart-felt communication. It is a very easy route--just sit side by side and conversation is easy. If you are talking to a spouse, it is real easy to have superficial, meaningless conversation when you are side to side. The very posture somehow takes away the personal element of the encounter.
A friend told me many years ago that when she disciplined her children, she always made sure that they were looking her in the eye (she found out later that they were looking at their reflections in her classes). She felt that if they looked directly at her, she was more likely to get the truth. I hadn't thought about that in a long time, but was reminded of her insight last night.
A "side to side" relationship does not appear to have the same level of sincerity as one which is "face to face." Of course, the trick is that some people can be "side to side" as they are "face to face," but that is another story.
Look at how you relate to others. Are you a "side to sider" or a "face to facer?"
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wine, Olives, Chocolate and Cheese
The ladies of our investment group just spent a long week-end in Napa and the surrounding areas. There were ten of us and we stayed in a house rented through VRBO. We had no idea, even though we had seen the pictures of the house on the website, that it was a 2 million dollars' property. The pictures did not do justice to the house. We found out, through a newspaper article the owner left, that just the windows cost $42,000. The article was a feature done on the house for a local newspaper and I'm glad he left it there, along with other information about the house.
We flew into Sacramento and drove, in our rental cars, (we had three) to the house. The Hertz man gave two of us free GPS systems in our cars (just our lucky day I guess). We stopped in Dixon for Mexican food (owned by a relative of a friend of one of the ladies) and then headed on to Napa. It was a stress free ride (even though I was driving) and when we arrived at the house, the outside gave no indication of what we would behold in the inside. When we opened the door, we could not believe it--we had never seen that much glass (windows) in a house before. We had views of the entire Napa Valley and could see all the way to the San Francisco Bay.
There were decks galore, and views from almost anywhere in the house. There was also a guest house where four in our group stayed. The main house housed seven (although the carpet in one bedroom would have made a comfortable bed for many :-)--oops, forgot this wasn't a family reunion :-).
We were all in charge of preparing breakfast and dinner, and all of the assignments were made before the trip. We shopped and everyone knew exactly what they were responsible for. There were wonderful meals with plenty of left-overs for our last morning there. We celebrated one friend's 70th birthday the first night, including cake and gifts, and another's 65th birthday at lunch in a restaurant on Saturday.
We took pictures and videos, laughed a lot, listened a lot and talked a lot. We were joyful in our independence--each went her own way with her own interests--with three cars, we were not held hostage and were free to go with the group which met our "tourist" needs on any given day. I was able to visit a friend in Sonoma. I had not seen him in many, many years and he has been quite ill. My group dropped me there and picked me up after an hour.
There were grape vines as far as the eyes could see and there was enough wine for a lifetime, even though three of us were not wine drinkers. I learned about grapes and wine from one of our resident "Jill of all Trades" who knows a lot about everything.
Someone to whom I sent a video (thanks to one person's flip video), said we looked "old," but not "in a bad way." I hope that what she meant that we looked like cool old broads who still know how to have a great time! We knew how to enjoy the best that Napa had to offer: wine, olives, chocolate and cheese! But, more than that, we know how to appreciate friendship. We know how to value one another. We know how to be honest with each other. We know how to love. We know how to live. We know the difference between first pressed olive oil and the oil from subsequent presses. We are all examples of the oil pressed from the first batch of olives--the best!
We flew into Sacramento and drove, in our rental cars, (we had three) to the house. The Hertz man gave two of us free GPS systems in our cars (just our lucky day I guess). We stopped in Dixon for Mexican food (owned by a relative of a friend of one of the ladies) and then headed on to Napa. It was a stress free ride (even though I was driving) and when we arrived at the house, the outside gave no indication of what we would behold in the inside. When we opened the door, we could not believe it--we had never seen that much glass (windows) in a house before. We had views of the entire Napa Valley and could see all the way to the San Francisco Bay.
There were decks galore, and views from almost anywhere in the house. There was also a guest house where four in our group stayed. The main house housed seven (although the carpet in one bedroom would have made a comfortable bed for many :-)--oops, forgot this wasn't a family reunion :-).
We were all in charge of preparing breakfast and dinner, and all of the assignments were made before the trip. We shopped and everyone knew exactly what they were responsible for. There were wonderful meals with plenty of left-overs for our last morning there. We celebrated one friend's 70th birthday the first night, including cake and gifts, and another's 65th birthday at lunch in a restaurant on Saturday.
We took pictures and videos, laughed a lot, listened a lot and talked a lot. We were joyful in our independence--each went her own way with her own interests--with three cars, we were not held hostage and were free to go with the group which met our "tourist" needs on any given day. I was able to visit a friend in Sonoma. I had not seen him in many, many years and he has been quite ill. My group dropped me there and picked me up after an hour.
There were grape vines as far as the eyes could see and there was enough wine for a lifetime, even though three of us were not wine drinkers. I learned about grapes and wine from one of our resident "Jill of all Trades" who knows a lot about everything.
Someone to whom I sent a video (thanks to one person's flip video), said we looked "old," but not "in a bad way." I hope that what she meant that we looked like cool old broads who still know how to have a great time! We knew how to enjoy the best that Napa had to offer: wine, olives, chocolate and cheese! But, more than that, we know how to appreciate friendship. We know how to value one another. We know how to be honest with each other. We know how to love. We know how to live. We know the difference between first pressed olive oil and the oil from subsequent presses. We are all examples of the oil pressed from the first batch of olives--the best!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Oops, Forgot to Add the Website
http://freetired.blogspot.com/
Go to this site to see the blogs in another context.
Go to this site to see the blogs in another context.
Access to the Blogs
I didn't realize that when I send blogs to the five or six people on my list, you only see the email version. I am giving you the website so that you can see them in the finished format. All of the blogs I have ever done are there (that is the one I edit).
Just click on the link. You will continue getting them via your email, but I wanted you to have the option of reading them in another context.
If you click on comment, you are able to add comments. I usually copy and paste what you send me via email and add them to the comments.
jOy
Just click on the link. You will continue getting them via your email, but I wanted you to have the option of reading them in another context.
If you click on comment, you are able to add comments. I usually copy and paste what you send me via email and add them to the comments.
jOy
"Blogeditingclarification"
Just sayin'
When I write a blog, I like for it to just flow from my thoughts at the time so what you read is, in essence, a rough draft of my thoughts. I don't take the time to edit and I read it at the same time you read it. That is when I edit so that, at least, it is correct on the final blog page. However, as soon as I write it and send it to the very few people on my blog list (I think there are only 6 of you), you get the unedited copy. I am not willing to take the additional step and edit before sending it out initially.
When I write a blog, I like for it to just flow from my thoughts at the time so what you read is, in essence, a rough draft of my thoughts. I don't take the time to edit and I read it at the same time you read it. That is when I edit so that, at least, it is correct on the final blog page. However, as soon as I write it and send it to the very few people on my blog list (I think there are only 6 of you), you get the unedited copy. I am not willing to take the additional step and edit before sending it out initially.
"Stronger with each Tear"
I was very impressed when I watched Mary J. Blige yesterday on Oprah. She talked about her life before she became well-known. She visited the project building where she grew up, and even saw a lady there whom she knew when she was younger. She has learned a lot over the years. One statement she made that I loved was that we must learn to "forgive the unforgettable."
I liked her as a singer, but never thought of her as someone with such profundity. I liked what she had to say.
This morning I was watching GMA and they did a story on the man who found the eleven year old girl, who has autism, in a very large swamp in Florida. She had been lost for four days and people were losing hope. He was a member of their church and said that God lead him to her. He said he heard the voice of God tell him to follow the sun--he did and found a very calm girl sitting on a log. He used toilet paper to mark his way, because he knew the difficulty of getting into the swamp and wanted to know his way out. It was very helpful for the helicopter crews when he called 911.
George Stephanopolus said to the man "I see you have your Bible with you." The man replied "Yes, because I know that it was the Holy Spirit that did all of this, I am just an ordinary man." He was just that, an ordinary man--not preachy, not punctuating every statement with a scriptural reference, just an ordinary man telling his story. It was very powerful--he made no excuses for talking about his God directed experience.
I remembered Mary J., who also talked about hearing the voice of God at an amusement park in New York state. Sometimes, people don't take this seriously, and belittle these experiences instead of understanding that God makes us "stronger with each tear."
I am happy for the strength He gives me. I know that that is the source and I am very grateful for that. I too, heard that voice this week, through two magnificent friends, I am grateful for them and grateful that I have learned how to listen!
I liked her as a singer, but never thought of her as someone with such profundity. I liked what she had to say.
This morning I was watching GMA and they did a story on the man who found the eleven year old girl, who has autism, in a very large swamp in Florida. She had been lost for four days and people were losing hope. He was a member of their church and said that God lead him to her. He said he heard the voice of God tell him to follow the sun--he did and found a very calm girl sitting on a log. He used toilet paper to mark his way, because he knew the difficulty of getting into the swamp and wanted to know his way out. It was very helpful for the helicopter crews when he called 911.
George Stephanopolus said to the man "I see you have your Bible with you." The man replied "Yes, because I know that it was the Holy Spirit that did all of this, I am just an ordinary man." He was just that, an ordinary man--not preachy, not punctuating every statement with a scriptural reference, just an ordinary man telling his story. It was very powerful--he made no excuses for talking about his God directed experience.
I remembered Mary J., who also talked about hearing the voice of God at an amusement park in New York state. Sometimes, people don't take this seriously, and belittle these experiences instead of understanding that God makes us "stronger with each tear."
I am happy for the strength He gives me. I know that that is the source and I am very grateful for that. I too, heard that voice this week, through two magnificent friends, I am grateful for them and grateful that I have learned how to listen!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Sometimes Winning Means Not Losing
Duke won, but Butler did not lose. It was a close game and a very good game. At the end of the game, the announcer said that Duke won, but Butler did not lose.
Sometimes we don't always win, but we don't lose either. Whenever we have done our best or given it our best shot, we have not lost. I know that I never win in my art class, but I don't lose either because I have satisfied myself. I have improved so much from my stick figures, that I appreciate where I am.
We always say that it doesn't matter whether we win or lose--it matters that we can lose, yet still win!
Sometimes we don't always win, but we don't lose either. Whenever we have done our best or given it our best shot, we have not lost. I know that I never win in my art class, but I don't lose either because I have satisfied myself. I have improved so much from my stick figures, that I appreciate where I am.
We always say that it doesn't matter whether we win or lose--it matters that we can lose, yet still win!
"What is That?"
I was talking to my young friend this morning (she calls me EVERY morning) and she told me a story I liked. One of her friends was visiting her grandma and when she went into the house her grandma said "What is that?" She didn't say "Who is That?"
Now, in my opinion, that is true aging. When my daughter calls us she always tells me her name as if I have forgotten who she is. I will tell her today that when I start saying "What is that" rather than "Who is that," then perhaps she should start worrying.
Oh Aging. It's wonderful!
Now, in my opinion, that is true aging. When my daughter calls us she always tells me her name as if I have forgotten who she is. I will tell her today that when I start saying "What is that" rather than "Who is that," then perhaps she should start worrying.
Oh Aging. It's wonderful!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
"REHABBERS"--A Thorn in The Side!
What I find quite amazing and amusing is the vocabulary used to describe certain elements of our society. If a poor person drinks too much, he is called a drunk. Everyone else is an alcoholic. We know what men and women who fool around are called, but today, the word seems to be "rehab."
It seems to me that an alcoholic will drink whatever is available, even rubbing alcohol. I'm sure that a person with the current popular addiction, would engage with any woman available and not just a "type"--tattooed, or otherwise. When all of these women look alike, it makes me wonder about the so called "addiction."
Is "addiction" just another excuse for these "sexaholics"? A rose by any other name is still a rose. In this case, a thorn by any other name is still a thorn.
It seems to me that an alcoholic will drink whatever is available, even rubbing alcohol. I'm sure that a person with the current popular addiction, would engage with any woman available and not just a "type"--tattooed, or otherwise. When all of these women look alike, it makes me wonder about the so called "addiction."
Is "addiction" just another excuse for these "sexaholics"? A rose by any other name is still a rose. In this case, a thorn by any other name is still a thorn.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
"Load All the Coconuts"
Tonight I was watching one of my favorite shows (although this is only my second season). I always wondered why The Amazing Race won so many awards and now I know why.
My sister got me involved in an Amazing Race adventure with some of her friends so I really make sure that I don't miss any shows.
Tonight the teams had several tasks to perform, as they do every week. One of the tasks was to load coconuts onto a cart which was then pulled by an ox. Some of the teams were almost as "pronunciation challenged" as the oxen probably were. Seychelles was pronounced Say kil lees by some of them. Another said anonymous when he meant unanimous. Yikes, glad I didn't have any of them in my class.
Three of the teams loaded the coconuts into the carts but when they arrived at the fruit guy, he told him that they "didn't load all of the coconuts." He had to repeat it several times. One team was so frustrated that the guy wanted to give up. They all went back and found out that they had each left out one coconut.
It occurred to me that this is another metaphor for life. Sometimes we are so busy trying to "load a coconut" that we leave an important one behind. One that we can't
move forward without having loaded it.
What coconut have you left behind?
My sister got me involved in an Amazing Race adventure with some of her friends so I really make sure that I don't miss any shows.
Tonight the teams had several tasks to perform, as they do every week. One of the tasks was to load coconuts onto a cart which was then pulled by an ox. Some of the teams were almost as "pronunciation challenged" as the oxen probably were. Seychelles was pronounced Say kil lees by some of them. Another said anonymous when he meant unanimous. Yikes, glad I didn't have any of them in my class.
Three of the teams loaded the coconuts into the carts but when they arrived at the fruit guy, he told him that they "didn't load all of the coconuts." He had to repeat it several times. One team was so frustrated that the guy wanted to give up. They all went back and found out that they had each left out one coconut.
It occurred to me that this is another metaphor for life. Sometimes we are so busy trying to "load a coconut" that we leave an important one behind. One that we can't
move forward without having loaded it.
What coconut have you left behind?
Thursday, March 25, 2010
"GOBAMA"
I am just so excited about the passage of the health care reform bill. This is a very amazing time in the history of this country. In the first year of his presidency, this President whose name begins with "O" has already changed the landscape of this country.
My question is "What has happened to political civility? The other party (other than my party) has been acting like complete thugs. I have never seen such sore losers. If I were a real member of the other party, I would be thoroughly disgusted because these "fringe folks" have taken over. Who are their leaders?--The lady from Alaska? The talk show hosts? The former gun toting Vice President?
I know that the President will be fine. I am not worried at all because this is all a part of the great design by the master architect!
GOBAMA (this title is not original, one of my FSFs (former student friends) created it!
My question is "What has happened to political civility? The other party (other than my party) has been acting like complete thugs. I have never seen such sore losers. If I were a real member of the other party, I would be thoroughly disgusted because these "fringe folks" have taken over. Who are their leaders?--The lady from Alaska? The talk show hosts? The former gun toting Vice President?
I know that the President will be fine. I am not worried at all because this is all a part of the great design by the master architect!
GOBAMA (this title is not original, one of my FSFs (former student friends) created it!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
"Giving Yourself Away"
I went to a memorial service this past Saturday for a young (45)former student. There was standing room only a testament to the wonderful life she lived. Although she was a cancer survivor for many, many years, you never saw her without a smile. Her life was one of selflessness.
I was very impressed by the minister's theme. He said that just as she did, we should live our lives by "giving ourselves away." Many people live this way every day--I know a lot of them. When we give ourselves away, we cannot do it because we expect something in return. We should do it because we know that it is what really matters.
"Giving ourselves away" may mean different things to different people, but to me, it means living selflessly, sharing ourselves with others in every way. It means being a friend; knowing how to treat friends; helping those who need it; sharing knowledge and wisdom; doing meaningful work; celebrating diversity; living according to our principles, religious and otherwise;
Interestingly enough, as we "give ourselves away" we must also know how to receive and appreciate the gifts that others give us! The more we live, the more we recognize the importance of this concept.
As my friend said at my "freetirement" celebration--what really matters in life is the "dash" and not when we came and left. Our dashes should certainly represent the "gift of US" that we willingly and joyfully gave away.
I was very impressed by the minister's theme. He said that just as she did, we should live our lives by "giving ourselves away." Many people live this way every day--I know a lot of them. When we give ourselves away, we cannot do it because we expect something in return. We should do it because we know that it is what really matters.
"Giving ourselves away" may mean different things to different people, but to me, it means living selflessly, sharing ourselves with others in every way. It means being a friend; knowing how to treat friends; helping those who need it; sharing knowledge and wisdom; doing meaningful work; celebrating diversity; living according to our principles, religious and otherwise;
Interestingly enough, as we "give ourselves away" we must also know how to receive and appreciate the gifts that others give us! The more we live, the more we recognize the importance of this concept.
As my friend said at my "freetirement" celebration--what really matters in life is the "dash" and not when we came and left. Our dashes should certainly represent the "gift of US" that we willingly and joyfully gave away.
Friday, March 12, 2010
BERMS, "Inside and Outside"
Today we visited the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. It was ab out a fifteen minute drive from Portland. We were met there by one of my young friends who works there in a very interesting position.
The Nike campus is situated on many many acres of immaculately groomed grounds. It in barely visible from the outside and is only recognizable by a red swoosh at the main entrance. I think I only saw one other swoosh on the entire campus. Each building is named after a Nike star from Jerry Rice to Bo Jackson. Of course there is a Tiger building and a Michael Jordan building. Most of the buildings are huge and beautiful, but very understated. There is a gym, two soccer fields, an olympic style swimming pool, several dining areas, a child care center and all of the creature comforts necessary to keep a creative work force happy. It is as fine an example of a culture built around a brand as I have ever seen. It seems that anything a worker needs in right there.
The interesting thing is that I almost felt like an outsider. My friend reminded me that once you enter the campus you are "Inside the berm" and that is the Nike berm. Everything within the berm is all Nike. "Inside the berm" requires devotion to Nike during the time you are there--anything not related to Nike is "outside the berm."
It was a fascinating day. I now understand why I am disconnected from my former work--I am now "Outside the Berm." Life outside the berm is as important (if not more) as life inside the berm. We need to always know when we are "in" and when we are out.
We were guests in the Nike Employeees store where shoes are 40% off and everything else is 50% off. That, along with no sales tax, makes for a hefty discount. (Of course, we bought stuff for our grands).Upon entering the store you must show your picture ID (our names had already been submitted) and then you are given a guest pass.One of the rules for entering the store (My friend emailed them to me) is that you are not allowed to wear any competitor's brand. I thought that was odd when I first saw the rule. After being "Inside the Berm," I had a very clear understanding of why that rule is important to Nike. When you are "Inside," you must be totally inside!
How many berms do you have?
The Nike campus is situated on many many acres of immaculately groomed grounds. It in barely visible from the outside and is only recognizable by a red swoosh at the main entrance. I think I only saw one other swoosh on the entire campus. Each building is named after a Nike star from Jerry Rice to Bo Jackson. Of course there is a Tiger building and a Michael Jordan building. Most of the buildings are huge and beautiful, but very understated. There is a gym, two soccer fields, an olympic style swimming pool, several dining areas, a child care center and all of the creature comforts necessary to keep a creative work force happy. It is as fine an example of a culture built around a brand as I have ever seen. It seems that anything a worker needs in right there.
The interesting thing is that I almost felt like an outsider. My friend reminded me that once you enter the campus you are "Inside the berm" and that is the Nike berm. Everything within the berm is all Nike. "Inside the berm" requires devotion to Nike during the time you are there--anything not related to Nike is "outside the berm."
It was a fascinating day. I now understand why I am disconnected from my former work--I am now "Outside the Berm." Life outside the berm is as important (if not more) as life inside the berm. We need to always know when we are "in" and when we are out.
We were guests in the Nike Employeees store where shoes are 40% off and everything else is 50% off. That, along with no sales tax, makes for a hefty discount. (Of course, we bought stuff for our grands).Upon entering the store you must show your picture ID (our names had already been submitted) and then you are given a guest pass.One of the rules for entering the store (My friend emailed them to me) is that you are not allowed to wear any competitor's brand. I thought that was odd when I first saw the rule. After being "Inside the Berm," I had a very clear understanding of why that rule is important to Nike. When you are "Inside," you must be totally inside!
How many berms do you have?
Friday, March 5, 2010
"Petals Down"
As some of you know, one of my present joys is my Japanese brush painting class. It is called Sumi-E. I am terrible at it, but I am still getting in touch with my artistic side so I don't mind. Many of the people in the class have been there for years. Our teacher told us that you can't even consider yourself advanced until you've been doing it for at least ten years. That gives me great hope.
The teacher beings the class by having us read orally one of the zen principles or something nature related. It is very quieting and "zen-like." It's almost yoga-like. Then the teacher demonstrates what we will paint. We all gather around him and watch his magnificent brush strokes. We then go to our desks and begin our painting.
As we are working, he calls up each student and paints what we are working on. He said it's his gift to us for taking the class. It's my favorite part of the class because I feel like I'm watching a master. He makes it seem so easy.
Each of us has a book with rice paper and that is what he uses. I am so happy that I can use the name block I bought in Hong Kong. It is my name in Chinese characters and I use it to stamp my book.
Today we painted a landscape and next week we will paint cherry blossoms. He demonstrated cherry blossoms because he said the landscape is easy (ha). One of the paintings he showed us had petals falling . When they fell into water (or snow, as my friend pointed out), they can change the color of the element. If a lot of petals fall down, then the color change is more pronounced.
It made me think of the petals that fall down from our lives. These petals can intensely affect the things around us! Be aware of your "falling petals." Make sure that the colors your petals leave are vibrant and positive!
The teacher beings the class by having us read orally one of the zen principles or something nature related. It is very quieting and "zen-like." It's almost yoga-like. Then the teacher demonstrates what we will paint. We all gather around him and watch his magnificent brush strokes. We then go to our desks and begin our painting.
As we are working, he calls up each student and paints what we are working on. He said it's his gift to us for taking the class. It's my favorite part of the class because I feel like I'm watching a master. He makes it seem so easy.
Each of us has a book with rice paper and that is what he uses. I am so happy that I can use the name block I bought in Hong Kong. It is my name in Chinese characters and I use it to stamp my book.
Today we painted a landscape and next week we will paint cherry blossoms. He demonstrated cherry blossoms because he said the landscape is easy (ha). One of the paintings he showed us had petals falling . When they fell into water (or snow, as my friend pointed out), they can change the color of the element. If a lot of petals fall down, then the color change is more pronounced.
It made me think of the petals that fall down from our lives. These petals can intensely affect the things around us! Be aware of your "falling petals." Make sure that the colors your petals leave are vibrant and positive!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"MeO'clock"
Every now and then (maybe once every three months) I think about the "selfishness" of my "freetirement." I am getting in touch with me , especially my artistic side.
Then I think, that my life has been about others with little time to think about exploring things which were of interest to me. I have been the ultimate volunteer so I have not yet had those needs to fulfill. I am volunteering now, but for self. I am volunteering my time to gardening, drawing, painting and whatever I feel like doing.
Actually, I have written three lessons for the Sunday School classes at church, so I guess that is a volunteer activity. I do other things too, but I don't think of them as volunteer activities because volunteering seemed much more labor intensive when I worked. Now it just seems like "stuff I do, because I have the time." I still do not want to have a schedule imposed by anyone but me.
I didn't know that this selfishness had a name until I happened to see it in the paper this week (I read three newspapers a day-). It is called "MeO'clock."
Now when someone asks me what time it is, I will respond 'ME O'CLOCK. Oh, Joy!
Then I think, that my life has been about others with little time to think about exploring things which were of interest to me. I have been the ultimate volunteer so I have not yet had those needs to fulfill. I am volunteering now, but for self. I am volunteering my time to gardening, drawing, painting and whatever I feel like doing.
Actually, I have written three lessons for the Sunday School classes at church, so I guess that is a volunteer activity. I do other things too, but I don't think of them as volunteer activities because volunteering seemed much more labor intensive when I worked. Now it just seems like "stuff I do, because I have the time." I still do not want to have a schedule imposed by anyone but me.
I didn't know that this selfishness had a name until I happened to see it in the paper this week (I read three newspapers a day-). It is called "MeO'clock."
Now when someone asks me what time it is, I will respond 'ME O'CLOCK. Oh, Joy!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Drive-By Vacation
I was amused by one of my FSF's (Former Student Friends) story about a relative. He is driving to Northern California up the 101. This highway has a beautiful view, I've been told, but it is much too scary for me. I have never taken the drive because of that reason. Although his wife is flying, he still decided to drive because he wants to see Hearst Castle. When asked if he was going to actually go into the Castle and visit, he replied, "No, I am just going to drive by."
That struck me as hilarious, but on the other hand, one of the joys of life is to do exactly what you want regardless of what others think (even if it's your child). It's his "bucket list" and he is doing it in the way he wants to do it. As I thought about it, there was an article in the travel section of the San Diego paper about people who visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. All the people want to do is take a picture of them trying to hold up the tower. How stupid is that? The writer said that the only reason to visit is so you can buy all of the junk they sell there (you can probably get it on line). Pisa is out of the way and probably inconvenient for a drive-by, but that is probably all it deserves. I am going to think about those drive-bys--maybe more things in life only deserve a drive-by. Drive-by friendships; Drive by meals (so we don't eat too much); Drive by marriages (when people stay too long when they know it's over; Drive by church (for those who just go, but are not really paying attention; Drive by school (for the same reason). Fill in your own drive-by event.
One of the best tours I ever took was on one of my first visits to San Francisco. My friend's mother took me on a two day visit to everything in the area--all the way to the Muir woods. We stayed at each place for maybe five minutes. She told me that the reason for that was so that I could get a great overview of everything and then decide, on another visit, what I really wanted to spend time doing. I use that rationale for most of my visits to places. It was really a version of the "Drive By."
That struck me as hilarious, but on the other hand, one of the joys of life is to do exactly what you want regardless of what others think (even if it's your child). It's his "bucket list" and he is doing it in the way he wants to do it. As I thought about it, there was an article in the travel section of the San Diego paper about people who visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa. All the people want to do is take a picture of them trying to hold up the tower. How stupid is that? The writer said that the only reason to visit is so you can buy all of the junk they sell there (you can probably get it on line). Pisa is out of the way and probably inconvenient for a drive-by, but that is probably all it deserves. I am going to think about those drive-bys--maybe more things in life only deserve a drive-by. Drive-by friendships; Drive by meals (so we don't eat too much); Drive by marriages (when people stay too long when they know it's over; Drive by church (for those who just go, but are not really paying attention; Drive by school (for the same reason). Fill in your own drive-by event.
One of the best tours I ever took was on one of my first visits to San Francisco. My friend's mother took me on a two day visit to everything in the area--all the way to the Muir woods. We stayed at each place for maybe five minutes. She told me that the reason for that was so that I could get a great overview of everything and then decide, on another visit, what I really wanted to spend time doing. I use that rationale for most of my visits to places. It was really a version of the "Drive By."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"Stay Away from the Yam"
I was very amused a couple of weeks ago when I saw a lady on Good Morning America talking about her sleep-talking husband. He talked in his sleep each night and she recorded everything he said. He spoke complete nonsense--one of his comments was "Stay Away from the Yam." Exactly what could that mean? I suppose it depends upon what we think the "Yam" is.
If your Yam is a friend you don't need--stay away! If your "yam" is a bad habit, stay away from it! If your "yam" is something or someone totally irritating, stay away from it! Think about the "yams" in your life--if you need to--stay away from them.
It is so much fun to have the time to make sense out of nonsense! Make your life "yamless!"
If your Yam is a friend you don't need--stay away! If your "yam" is a bad habit, stay away from it! If your "yam" is something or someone totally irritating, stay away from it! Think about the "yams" in your life--if you need to--stay away from them.
It is so much fun to have the time to make sense out of nonsense! Make your life "yamless!"
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
One Year Later
Last year on this day, I was in Washington, D.C. attending one of the greatest events of my lifetime, the inauguration of Barack Obama as President of the United States. As I reflect upon the past year, my enthusiasm has not waned and I am still full of joy when I think about the enormity of that victory.
Now, a year later, the safely Democratic seat in Massachusetts has been won by a Republican. To quote the New York Post's headline it was a "Mass kicking." The most disheartening part is that it will give the "Obama Bashers" more fuel.
In reality, the Democratic candidate was not the strongest. Anyone who thinks a Boston Red Sox player is a Yankees fan. That is just unheard of for someone who lives in Boston. And, as we know, sports knowledge is totally American. I just learned on The View that he posed for Cosmopolitan. He was almost nude, but it was a great picture--a hot Republican (how strange is that?).
This is one of the great ironies of life and I'm sure that Ted Kennedy is turning over wherever he is.
No matter what, I have not lost hope. I still believe that a change is on the horizon. I still believe that the health care plan will still prevail. The people who are making these decisions are the persons who "have theirs." Everyone else should be able to get what they have! As Whoopi said on the View (my research base),
"Give me what you've got!"
Now, a year later, the safely Democratic seat in Massachusetts has been won by a Republican. To quote the New York Post's headline it was a "Mass kicking." The most disheartening part is that it will give the "Obama Bashers" more fuel.
In reality, the Democratic candidate was not the strongest. Anyone who thinks a Boston Red Sox player is a Yankees fan. That is just unheard of for someone who lives in Boston. And, as we know, sports knowledge is totally American. I just learned on The View that he posed for Cosmopolitan. He was almost nude, but it was a great picture--a hot Republican (how strange is that?).
This is one of the great ironies of life and I'm sure that Ted Kennedy is turning over wherever he is.
No matter what, I have not lost hope. I still believe that a change is on the horizon. I still believe that the health care plan will still prevail. The people who are making these decisions are the persons who "have theirs." Everyone else should be able to get what they have! As Whoopi said on the View (my research base),
"Give me what you've got!"
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
"Somewhere in the World There is an Eye Like That"
Today in my drawing class our task was to draw eyes. We had to first draw them from memory without looking at a drawing of eyes. When I first began, as usual, my drawing did not resemble anything which could be easily recognized. I thought my eyes looked like little balls wearing hats. Nevertheless, I was proud of what I had done because at least, to me, it sort of looked like an eye.
The lady next to me heard my laments about one of my "drawn" eyes and told me that she also takes a Japanese drawing class. Her teacher always tells them whenever they draw an eye,a mountain, or whatever, that "Somewhere in the World There is a _____like that."
Using that mantra, I felt the freedom to continue my creative endeavor.
On a grander scale, it once again reminded me of the diversity of the world. Somewhere in the world, there is a person like that, a thought like that, a mother like that, a child like that, a "whatever" like that. Just like I enjoyed my "eye drawing," we should be excited and enjoy the "drawings" that our eyes see!
The lady next to me heard my laments about one of my "drawn" eyes and told me that she also takes a Japanese drawing class. Her teacher always tells them whenever they draw an eye,a mountain, or whatever, that "Somewhere in the World There is a _____like that."
Using that mantra, I felt the freedom to continue my creative endeavor.
On a grander scale, it once again reminded me of the diversity of the world. Somewhere in the world, there is a person like that, a thought like that, a mother like that, a child like that, a "whatever" like that. Just like I enjoyed my "eye drawing," we should be excited and enjoy the "drawings" that our eyes see!
Monday, January 11, 2010
DSMM, DDMM, DISNEY
Before our first grandchild was born, one of my erudite friends sent me an article from the Knoxville newspaper which was written by a very witty new grandmother who writes for that paper. The entire article focused on what grandmothers should be called. She favored DSMM, and DDMM, (daughter's son's mother's mother; daughter's daughter's mother's mother). I rather fancied that and announced that I wanted to be called that when our grands came into the world.
Of course, as we all know, the best laid plans don't always work out as we thought they would. I am called grandma, g girl and the latest, gram gram. They all sound wonderful.
I found out just how wonderful it sounds as we spent our first Destination Christmas in Orlando at Disney World. We had tickets for five days--that is no joke. Even though I only did four parks in four days, it was great exercise. The weather was lovely and being there with our daughters, their husbands and the three grands was great--three generations in the same place for a week. Santa stopped by our Christmas tree there, the house was great and nothing was broken :-). We are trying to think of another warm place for our second Destination Christmas next year. It made me happy to be a DSMM/DDMM.
Of course, as we all know, the best laid plans don't always work out as we thought they would. I am called grandma, g girl and the latest, gram gram. They all sound wonderful.
I found out just how wonderful it sounds as we spent our first Destination Christmas in Orlando at Disney World. We had tickets for five days--that is no joke. Even though I only did four parks in four days, it was great exercise. The weather was lovely and being there with our daughters, their husbands and the three grands was great--three generations in the same place for a week. Santa stopped by our Christmas tree there, the house was great and nothing was broken :-). We are trying to think of another warm place for our second Destination Christmas next year. It made me happy to be a DSMM/DDMM.
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