Serendipity via Facebook

Since our daughter told me that I should have blogged this instead of posting it on FB (too long, in her opinion), I decided to follow her advice, although it remains on FB.  I really should extend my blog viewership, but for now, this is fine.

Talk about SERENDIPITY!!! One of our young cousins was on a FB post in which someone was trash talking about the Philadelphia Eagles. One of the posters was another cousin (but they had no idea they were related). Cousin #1 just clicked on the name of Cousin #2, and saw our family picture . (Although we are in the same generation, I am waaay older, and remember when his mother was born).
Yesterday, he inboxed me to ask me about the picture--and of course, as one of the eldest in the family, I knew all about it. He wrote a very inspiring post about the importance of family, and the rest. On this day, as you see in the post on my page, it has been a grand family reunion via FB. I have received friend requests from other family members, based upon the post, and my sister and I are able to further encourage the younger generation about the importance of attendance at family reunions. I am so inspired--our elders would be so proud. 
FB can be wonderful, when used properly. It is a wonderful day of re-connection. There was even a family member with a FB friend, and he had no idea they were related. Amazing! Thank you Rafeeq, for getting it all started. Amazing, what a simple picture (one I have seen all of my life) can do!!! Thankful that I listened well why growing up, Our branches are spread all over the country, mainly Miami, Central Florida, Philadelphia, and California, and through the magic of FB, all connected.

The post our cousin, Rafeeq wrote on FB :

As African Americans we often think about the tragic stories associated with our lineage, but through it all there are dignified stories of royalty, invention, triumphs, strength and love. I recently came across this image of an old Negro family; my family. Seated are William and Martha Meuse surrounded by their children. Held in her father's arms is Lottie Permenter (my Great Great Grandmother). She was born in the Kissimmee, FL area on August 26, 1886. She passed away 108 years later on February 15, 1994. I remember going to visit "Mama Lottie" when I was younger but I have never seen this photograph before. It's amazing how much history and information is presented in a single image. It is imperative that we honor the sanctity of the ties that bind.

Coffee, Tea, or Milk

If you know me, you already know that I don’t drink milk, never have. I stopped drinking sodas last summer because I finally realized that they could not possibly be good for me.  It takes me a long time to make up my mind to refrain from doing something, but once my mind is made up I can quit cold turkey.

This past Saturday, I had a unique beverage experience as I visited Marlene’s Tea and Cakes, in Carmel Valley, with a group of young ladies from Morse’ class of l980.  There were sixteen of us, decked out in our hats ( I borrowed mine from a 96 year old friend--Jacqui’s grandma, Madea) as we enjoyed  the exquisite atmosphere created by the owner, a Morse graduate, and member of the class of ’80, Marlene DeCastro Spawton. Marlene, though trained in computer software, is realizing her long time dream of owning a tea house.  It has been a little over a year that it has been open.

There were two types of teas,  beautiful china, flowers, gifts for each of us, wonderful service, and delicious food.  The interesting thing  about the food, is that, everything was tiny, and gorgeous, yet we were all full when we left.  We were also given to go boxes--my husband was ecstatic with the beautiful desserts I brought him.

Interestingly enough, I do not drink tea.  However, I drank mango tea, and the black tea which was offered.  I now think that tea is better in its natural state, without any sweetener.  A little like life, now that I think about it. But, as usual, I digress--that could be a blog unto itself.

On top of it all, our organizer supreme, Susan Roe, brought her dad’s Oregon jam for each of us, along with two beautiful momentos of the day.  I love doing something new--and I had never done this before, even when we were in Asia and there was tea as far as the eye could see.  We brought back sooo much for our tea drinking daughter, but none for this lady.  I will have to re-think it all.

Then, today, I met Renata  Sahagian, from the MS Society, with whom I often have coffee at Starbucks. We discuss travel--she has been everywhere, and just have lovely conversations about everything.  She is the person in charge of the Elite Feet category of fundraiser, and with the help of generous friends, I an in that category.

  I am not a Starbucker either (it is the alcohol of this generation), although I do like the CEO.  I ordered my no frills coffee (which embarrasses my daughter when I go with her), the smallest, regular, coffee. HOWEVER, following Renata’s advice, I added cinnamon.  I saw all of the things which could be added (I had never noticed before), and cinnamon was one.  I asked her, and she said her parents always add that because it is good for high blood pressure (and probably other things).  Lo, and behold, to my surprise, it was fabulous.  Perhaps I will keep some cinnamon in the car to add to my $1.00 McDonalds coffee, which is my coffee of choice.  So, I learned two new “drinking” things within three days.

Coffee, Tea, or Milk? So far, just coffee, plus cinnamon, and tea at beautiful tea houses!

Playground Bully

I can’t believe that politics has become one “candidate’s” playground where he can bully anyone he wants.  It is amazing to watch the disparaging remarks about anyone who is not “nice” to him.  Really? One thing we know for sure, money really is not everything, especially when you think it is.
I continue to shake my head at a grown person who is no better than a bully on any playground in America. Arrogance, and intimidation will not take anyone very far.

Nothing Since April? My, My!

My goodness, I can’t believe that I have not blogged since April.  I guess I become so enamored with so many things, that I moved this down my priority list.  I am sure I have had plenty to discuss.  Let me see, where shall I begin?

Spent a month in Atlanta with our daughters and their families as we awaited the promotion of one of our grandsons.  It was a wonderful trip and the girls had so many things planned for us.  We even spent our anniversary in a magnificent suite at the Hyatt in downtown Atlanta.  OMG, we even had a double door, a dining room, and full kitchen.  There was even a television IN the bathroom mirror.  Perhaps some of you are used to that but it was quite new to us.  We immediately asked the girls to bring all of the grands to stay with us because it was waaay too much room for just the two of us.  They were thrilled, and also thrilled that there was a food court and shopping center connected to the hotel.  We never left the premises for three days.

The girls and I did one of those paint and drink things, and that was quite an adventure.  We were all so proud of our creations, and it was interesting to see the process.  I had heard of people who had done it, but I wasn’t quite sure how it worked.  We all painted the exact same things, with the exact same instruction, but each person’s picture was different.

Brought the grands back with us, from Atlanta,  for their six weeks’ stay in San Diego.  That is always a wonderful time for us, and I imagine they love being here as much as we love having them with us.  The past two summers have been incredibly easy, now that everyone is growing up.  The boys, 17, and 14, are very, very helpful.  I even let our Eagle Scout grandson act as the lifeguard at our pool--now that was really a stretch for me, but I had to remind myself each day, that he is l7 (wow, how did everyone get old so fast).  The youngest, at 4, is a real trooper.  She can hang with the older ones, and they all act like sisters and brothers rather than first cousins.

Our theme for this summer was “Fun and Fitness,” so we did everything from family yoga classes to walking up Cowles Mountain (Ok, I didn’t go all the way up).  I was so grateful that some of my former students did some of the activities with us.  I have a tremendous village--one even took them to the barber shop (owned by a former student), just to help out. I am so grateful for my lovely, and helpful friends. When one friend door closes, another opens immediately!

After the time with us, we flew with them to New Orleans, the site of our family reunion. The day we flew was a very busy day--we started in Point Loma with a ceremony for a former student, who was being promoted to Commander of a ship, then to ComicCon, and from there to the airport.  A former student met me at our house at 6 a.m. and drove us to the promotion, the Con, picked up Mr. O, and we met them in front of the train station, after a trolley ride from the Convention Center, and then to the airport.  We arrived in NOLA at 12:30 A.M., but the parents were there to meet us at the airport.  It was a wonderful reunion (our daughters were the chairs, with Kama in the lead), and it gives me joy to know that our grands are getting that experience.  I was shocked at the lip sync contest when we saw them perform. They were so good.

Home,  after all of that, and two weeks of hibernation, and another of semi hibernation. I have been busy catching  up with breakfast and lunch dates, but for the most part, being unproductive.  I am back in the swing of things. I broke my finger while in Atlanta, so I have not done yoga--wanted it let the finger   heal and get stronger, but I will resume tomorrow.

 Winter is on its way, and I will begin my winter activities, which will include my pursuit of art, no matter how bad I continue to be--I find it soothing and uplifting.  Also trying to get started on the fourth book--Meeting with a friend this Wed. who will keep me on track--I always have to have a schedule, otherwise, I become distracted with so many other things I love.

Off on a travel adventure in September, and we are looking forward to the trip--somewhere fascinating which we had not previously thought of visiting.  Anxious to visit Cuba again--so glad that we went before it becomes a Starbucks, McDonalds, Kentucky Fried,  and Cruise mecca.

So, freetirement continues to be wonderful--nothing like having the time to do what we want, spend time with those we love, get rid of those who have aggravated us, live, travel, love, create, appreciate, and enjoy.