On Father's Day

I salute my husband for being such a good dad. He tries, everyday, to improve upon his skills in fathering. He knows that he has not learned all there is to know about being a parent. He listens to me when I counsel (be nosey) and give him advice (tell him what to do).

We love him very, very much.

Here is a poem I found in the newspaper today. It is in Dear Abby's column. It made me think of him.


I Had a Father Who Talked With Me
~~Hilda Bigelow

I had a father who talked with me.

Allowed me the right to disagree, To question - and always answered me, As well as he could - and truthfully.

He talked of adventures; horrors of war;

Of life, its meaning; what love was for;

How each would always need to strive

To improve the world to keep it alive.

Stressed the duty we owe one another

To be aware each man is a brother.

Words for laughter he also spoke, A silly song or happy joke.

Time runs along, some say I'm wise, That I look at life with seeing eyes.

My heart is happy, my mind is free, I had a father who talked with me.

Reading aloud to your children

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
~ Joseph Addison ~

I am not sure why some parents, grandparents, or assorted relatives do not read to the young people in their family.

Here's my message in brief~

1. READ TO KIDS. ALL KIDS. ALL RELATIONS.

Read them books and stories, read them magazine articles, read them newspapers, the funnies, comic books; read to them what you like, what they like, get picture books that have some words; read with voices as they love that ...

Just Read to Them.

I have observed that many parents in the public school system do not think that reading aloud to their children is a requirement any more. Some of these parents think just handing their child a book and saying, 'read this', it is enough.

IMO, and my credentials as a wife, mom, aunt, sister, grandmother, friend, homeschool parent/teacher, school volunteer, daughter, hairdresser, neighbor, etc ... is that ~

It is never enough.

Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.(1994)
~ Emilie Buchwald ~

2. Not only ~Read~ to your kids, go volunteer to read to children at a local library or school (if you have kids, and have the time, take them with you). When my working hours cut down this school year, that is what I am going to do,

and I read to my granddaughter who is 6 months old. She loves books. Already she knows that the pages turn (knew that last month actually).

Never underestimate a child. I would encourage you to seek out good literature along with reading a book called Icky Bugs ~~


The failure to read good books both enfeebles the vision
and strengthens our most fatal tendency--
the belief that the here and now is all there is.
~ Allan Bloom ~

More later on this topic

Reading is a basic tool in the living of a good life.
~ Mortimer J. Adler ~

Mutli Dog Tasking - Not for the Week

Mr. B and I are taking care of two dogs. From two different families. So, they live in two different houses, and now they are visiting here.

It is no secret in the free world that I am not a dog person, should one feel the need to identify the fact that one has never owned a dog, and the only time one had a dog left to them, that one did try to care for, one ended up taking the dog to a pet psychiatrist, admitting one's feelings and having the pet shrink decide one should give the dog to one's parents. She did ~ dog lived long and happy life ...

So, I don't dislike dogs. I would wish that all dogs be cared for and loved properly by their owners. I just don't know what to do about dogs. I can't take care of dogs. I would have to own a dog that would take care of me.

Mr. B is doing most of the caring, but I can go with him on walks, especially on the beach.

Right now, the two dogs, one Boarder Collie and one Yorkie Pooh are laying quietly on the floor of my living room. In the room, which I am not happy about dog smell, but I'll survive. It's been 3 days with one dog (feels like 30), and 2 days with the other dog (feels like 20)...

More later,
I'm going out to water my plants.

Posting about finding vomit at 4 AM and poop at 8 AM just isn't what I want to do right now.

Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Right now, I need parsley, and I can't find it at my grocery store or the nearest plant nursery. I can't find it in the plant nursery because the caterpillars of the Swallowtail have eaten it all!!

And, they are eating my only parsley plant~ and since I have about 10 on there, pigging out, I need some fast!! I hope they don't disappear by tomorrow! Where will they go with no more parsely or dill or fennel!?

I am a poor hostess and feeling guilty about it.

From my inbox

From Thought for Today

Dear roxie

Whilst Being Ordinary



To be simple means to be completely pure: to have royalty and greatness whilst being ordinary.

What a scorching week

I am now a firm believer that the weather can effect The Human Bean and his emotions. It has been scorching hot this week, and the amount of emotional turmoil going on here is and has been reaching it's boiling point. Amazing. Crazy and amazing, but storms here have been brewing, and then blown painfully through the realms of ones' senses.

I think I have weathered my storm because I choose to. (I have no idea right now if that is the right "to" at the end of that sentence, but 'oh well'...)

When one is confronted with the dissatisfaction of others in things, regardless of the fact that it might be you with which they are dissatisfied , the collective you, or other things around them, you can choose to not take that ship into their harbour. If you should decide to set your feet firmly on that ship, you may find yourself shipwrecked on an island on which you don't belong, and in a world that doesn't belong to you; one that you don't recognize.

Stand as far back as you can from the storm, take the torrents of the blows, answer as best and as honestly as you can, and then, let the storm pass. And, it will pass. All things will pass. As George Harrison wrote, "all things must pass away..."

This choice can be very hard to make, especially if the dissatisfaction the person/s are stating is with you ~ the you they know or think you to be, because if they knew you, the you whom you are really ~ it is doubtful they would be upset because they would be looking past the surface that passes as you and see that you really mean no harm.

All animals react when they feel smothered, pinned down or caged. It's just nature.

Take on this day, as a word of advice for yourself, to make sure you have some treasures in your heart. You will need them when you are hurt and feel sad. I love the treasures in my heart ~

so much love for my family and friends and for the God I know and love, so many good memories that out weigh any bad memories. I am happy. Truly, madly, deeply to the depths of my soul, I am happy.

My hope would be that everyone else is, also. (I avoided using a "too" ~ how clever of me. haha)

Little Shania melts my heart

Today my five year old nephew and I went over to one of the Head Start schools in our area. As I was coming up the walk way, I saw the most adorable child, about 18 months old, in the most beautiful little dress! She was just precious!

I couldn't help but stop to talk to her and her mother. I told the little girl just how beautiful she looked today, that she must have just come from a party ~ which her mother confirmed with smiles ~ she knew her baby looked beautiful!

Then, I realized the mom was carrying some things and her little daughter was hugging her legs, and was not getting in her little stroller, so I asked the mom would she like me to help her. She said, "oh yes, my car is just over this way," and headed out ahead of me. I picked up the gorgeous child in her beautiful dress and followed her.

As we walked across the parking lot, I began to talk to the little girl about what was going on, and how we were following her mom to the car, and when we got to the car, Shania's grandfather (who didn't speak English) was there holding the special treats they had all been given at the party.

The mom got their things situated in the car. I held her daughter while still explaining to her, all the while, what was happening because I didn't want this adorable little child to be afraid of this stranger who was holding her.

So, mom was ready and then held out her arms to Shania and Shania would not go! We all began to smile. Then, the mom made a little joke ~ "Shania, you don't want to leave the lady? What is going on?" but with her Jamaican accent it was even cuter ~ but Shania would still not go to her mom, and as a matter of fact, she threw her arms around me in a hug!

I told her mom that Shania had just melted my heart, and I was surely more flattered than I have ever been in my life. We all laughed. The Mom, The Grandfather and Me. But Shania held her hug. Her mother was sweet to her and coxed her gently back where she belonged, but I'll tell you true, things like that, just melt my heart, just like the softest kiss on the check.

So gentle and sweet and innocent are young children. I am glad to know all the ones I have ever met.

As we were walking back to the school, my nephew said, "Aunt Sasha, there's another baby that loves you." And I was happy.

One thing on growing up...

Growing up means, stop pointing to the 'other guy' and saying, "I'm better than he is..."

Nope. Forget about the other guy making our rules, and just be better.

White Chili with Green Salsa

Just wanted to warn you guys, as some find recipes boring and not worth the click. I, like I said in another entry, LOVE green salsa and anything I can find that I can make with it -- is like --
WOO HOOO!!

I found this in a magazine, and even though I messed it up by not reading small print, we loved it!! 5 people give it a 5 star, or 20, or maybe it's just because it's free food to them - I don't know, but it was good!


WHITE CHILI with GREEN SALSA
(Chicken Chili Verde)

1 pound of chicken
1 cup chopped onion
2 tsp minced garlic (I used 2 TBS as I read it wrong, but turned out great!)
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 cup bottled green salsa (Yeah, baby!!)
2 cans Great Northern Beans rinsed (Forgot to rinse them, turned out great!)
1 can (14.5) Chicken Broth (I never use chicken broth, only vegetable, and I used
16 ounces and it turned out great!)

Saute your onion and garlic in the oil. Add chicken to cook (I used part left over chicken), but heat 5 mins while breaking up your chicken.

Add all the other seasonings and stuff EXCEPT the beans, bring to a simmer. Cover, cook 5 minutes until you feel things are tender enough for you ...

Stir in the beans (Like I said, I put in the whole can by mistake, as another recipe I have calls for the whole can.)

Heat through and Voile~! Excellent food choice!!

Serve with garlic bread, maybe, and for Mr. B, I made some rice pilaf, because he is afraid of White Beans. (I don't know, read to much Alice and Wonderland? He has a fear of any foods that are White that is not a meat).

But, seriously, this is good!

Isn't Green Salsa a staple?

We. Love. Green Salsa. Salsa Verde! I put it in nearly every recipe I make. Today, I made a white chili with chicken and green salsa. Oh man, it is so good.
When I went to the grocery store this morning, there was no green salsa on the shelves! I called the manager over.

"Look, you are out of green salsa! Don't you know that's the hottest thing going right now? You have got to find a way to keep that in the store!"

He said I was right, that he had noticed it was selling well. He said more would come in tomorrow. I told him he had better double order next time. I also showed him another brand that has a green salsa in it's line, which he was not aware of, and told him to give the order clerk a head's up on that!

If you haven't discovered green salsa, you have something, now, to look for to!

My daughter is sometimes silly

I asked her didn't she think she needed to raise the camera up a little bit? Apparently ~ not.

The Zen Garden Wall

This is my lovely Zen Wall that got created by allowing nature to take it's course while wanting a privacy wall. This is the view from outside the porch.




This is the view from inside the porch. I haven't really put any effort into the outside view. I might start working on that.

My Zen Wall Part One

There is a plant that grows very well in my area. It's called a Mexican Petunia for short and Ruellia brittoniana for those who prefer the Latin. It's a plant that comes with a warning. If you scroll down the link posted up there, you will see the warning on the bottom of the page.

It's a very invasive plant. Which means it's a total survivor, and it can wreck havoc to things that need to grow where they need to grow to sustain life.

One of my neighbors walked by the other day and complimented by yard and my butterfly garden work. Then she cursed the Mexican Petunias telling me the story of them being so invasive, and yes, well, they are, but nothing here is endangered. But, I didn't mention that. I didn't know if she worked for the Environmental Invasive Police. I'm sort of still new here.

What I should have done, was shown her my Zen Wall. I love this wall I made with the MP's as they look so Zen like, and they grow tall; I don't think they are supposed to grow this tall but they seem to be doing fine. I love my Zen wall.

My house is small and the lots here are very small and for privacy on the porch, I needed something ~ but what? When I put the MP's out there, I wasn't thinking about making a Zen Wall, I had just put them behind some croutons, that I don't really like, thinking they might add some more color. And then they began to grow.

Sometime in that time, I got this idea to put fishing line to cross between the columns. I have used that to make a support for the Mexican Petunias to be able to stay up straight. Again, that was not my original intention, but I like the way it is turning out.

It's a privacy issue. More about the Zen Wall later. I just think things done with nature are just so much more spiritual ...
more later and a photo.
Just to tired right now.
Good Night.

I am Just enjoying my ride ....

on this trip around the sun.

I am listening to a song by Big Al Anderson called Trip around the Sun. I'm just thinking how I meet so many people who are not really happy. And I get it. Totally. I get it that some people will never be happy; they will not allow themselves to be.

Right now, I am so happy, well, it's really like more than happy; it's like satisfied. I feel so good. And I am sitting here wondering, like, do I have a brain tumor? Why should I feel so great?

I had been irritated with myself for not meeting certain stands. I think what it was, really, is that I was having a hard time with accepting myself at this age - 62. Because you see, I still feel like I'm 24, my parents treat me like I'm 14, but people look at me like I am over a century old! It was very confusing for a second or two.

But - I'm done. I processed through all the man made cheese, and I am here on the other side of the moon, and I am (so, so, so) happy.

I got some scores settled in my mind. That's where most of the action of misery takes place! LOL. Seriously, we bring onto ourselves such misery and suffering that doesn't need to be.

I love my kids and my husband so much, I think I'm going to explode. And my granddaughter and new daughter ... oh my gosh, family can bring such pleasure to our lives, if we just accept the new things that keep going on around us.

A lot of people can't accept change. That's one of the key things for living long and being happy. It's okay if the young people do things differently.

Last week we went out to dinner for my mother's 80th birthday, and tonight we are going out to dinner for a niece's 21st birthday. Different generations that each do things differently. Different paths in this world today than before.

I need to finish getting ready. I fit into some clothes that didn't fit me last year. Don't think *that* doesn't make me happy, too! Add to that, butterflies in my front yard every day, living a block from the beach, and having the people I love close by.

It's all good.

New to Me

eclogue \ECK-log\ noun
: a poem in which shepherds converse

Example sentence:
"Be it in the appropriation of the goatherd or shepherd in the pastoral eclogue, or the neatly controlled terraces of the Georgics, the pastoral has always been an idyllicised representation of the rural world...." (John Kinsella, The Literary Review, January 2005)

Did you know?
Although the eclogue first appeared in the Idylls of the Greek poet Theocritus, it was the 10 Eclogues (or Bucolics) of the Roman poet Virgil that gave us the word "eclogue." (The Latin title "Eclogae" literally meant "selections.") The eclogue was popular in the Renaissance and through the 17th century, when less formal eclogues were written. As our example sentence suggests, the eclogue traditionally depicted rural life as free from the complexity and corruption of more citified realms. The poets of the Romantic period rebelled against the artificiality of the older pastoral, and the eclogue fell out of favor. In more modern times, though, the term "eclogue" has been applied to pastoral poems involving the conversations of people other than shepherds, often with heavy doses of irony.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Okay.
I did not know that.
I did not know that shepherds had a name for their poems.

The world is so full of information, old and new. Have you ever met someone who gives you the impression that they know everything? I find that so humorous. I find more joy is learning something new. It's so much fun. Those people are missing out on so much!

How boring and tiresome to know everything!

I get such a joy out of watching my granddaughter learn her new things every day. It is amazing the joy she finds in learning and discovery and how much she looks forward to it. Yet, she find a solace in what she already knows. That Daddy loves her. And that Mama loves her. And all her other peoples love her, too.

Enjoying the view

Giving things up ~ Part Dos

This is part of my series of thinking about things:

1. Give up trying to understand people. It's all about acceptance and proper spacing.

At a certain point, even empathy for the way other people think or live, or whatever, is too much for one person to absolve. Accept how they are, or place yourself a safe distance from any negative feelings they give you. Negative feelings are bad. If these people make you sad, don't think about them. If they frustrate you with their constant problems, don't be close to them to talk to them. And if you have to be, buy an I-pod and use it.

2. Give up the worry about what you have to give up to do things that help you stay peaceful in your later years. These years NOW, are my LATER years. I am traveling now into my 60's. I do not have time for people's whiny ways; I do not have time for people who will not, cannot, or think they cannot change, and want to spend their time complaining about their life and how hard it is as if they have no control. Nope ~ moving on ...

Right now, I love life so much. I am going to work on keeping it that way.

I forgive everyone for the ways they have that they can't help, and probably can't help beecause they don't know how to tap into awareness and, therefore, will never have a clear picture of how they affect others, or how others affect them. No one means to hurt me, as far as I know, so then, I shall feel no hurt from useless outside sources unless I allow myself to feel it.

I am moving on ~

I love the results in my life that I am receiving from walking more often, working in my yard as often as I can, and taking my granddaughter around to walk on flowers and say hi to butterflies.

I try out new recipes because I love to cook.

I clean what I can around the house even though it is hard when the outside calls so loudly, but I do not get annoyed with myself for what I cannot do because of other choices I have made. Like yesterday for instance ~ Grandpa Des and I decided to sit outside with Shaylin for over an hour and listen to the birds, sing to her (and got the privilege of listening to her *sing*), watch her stare at us, and sat quietly with her after she fell asleep sitting there between us. *THAT* was a little piece of heaven.

Giving things up....

Ya' know, there is only so much time in the world. I can't do all the things I wish I could do ~

If I work in my yard, I don't get my floors don't get cleaned. If I am caught up on my laundry, my bedroom is a mess. If I walk my two miles, my kitchen doesn't get cleaned or dinner doesn't get cooked. If I do a massive grocery shopping, my guest bathroom is without proper towels.

If I spend time with my granddaughter, the whole world can fall down around me and I would never know! When they bring the baby over and say, "hey, do you think she could visit while we have some dinner?" -- Ha! Like whatever is going on, is over -- it's all about that baby girl and making her laugh and kissing her cute little neck. And when they come back for her, I say, "Don't you guys want to have some dessert?"

I can't do it all, nor will I ever. But I will always, always, always make time for the people I love.

These little feet will soon be running

As things to do on my list come around, blogging is one of things that doesn't get done because it's never on my list. I used to blog just at random, it wasn't anything I really thought about. But now, I don't know what it is about having a grand-baby, but that sure does change your time to do stuff. I don't like a day to go by that I don't look at the baby!

My nephew Jacob, whom I spend 5 days a week with, is getting bigger and will be going into Kindergarten this year. He is so excited! I take him to a tutoring session with one of the Kindergarten teachers at the 'big school' once a week. And, I have to say, it is one of the best decision his mama ever made. Mrs. Evans is the dream of mothers who are looking for Kindergarten teachers. She would be the one that you draw the lottery for and when you win, you will will jump up and shout "Hallelujah!" She has skills. She has the skills to zero in on what makes each child tick.

So, this coming August, I'll be having a little more time unemployed since Jacob will be going to school full time. Maybe then, I'll catch up on my blogging ...oh but wait, my granddaughter will probably be walking by then, and she will need someone to chase her. Oh well ... Gotta do something to keep in shape, don't we?

Thoughts on learning

"The idea is to educate, not follow anyone's schedule about when something should be studied." ~ Ray Drouillard

"What is most important and valuable about the home as a base for children's growth into the world is not that it is a better school than the schools, but that it isn't a school at all." ~ John Holt

"Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
~ William Butler Yeats

"Parent's give up their rights when they drop the children off at public school."
~ Melinda Harmon, Federal Judge, 1996

I'm setting sail for good things

Dear roxie

Plain Sailing

The wind may blow from any direction, but the direction in which you go depends on how you set your sails.

Not so bad a message here

This was in my Thought for Today inbox:

Dear roxie

If you don't live life on purpose you live life by accident. Why do some days feel like a motorway pile up? It's because you haven't sorted out your purpose yet. The highest purpose is always giving, or serving others, without wanting anything in return. This is why relaxation is always impossible if we are always 'on the take'. There is an overall purpose for your life, and each of the many scenes which fill your day are opportunities to serve your purpose. Take time to think deeply, listen to your intuition, and with patience, the reason why you are here, and what you uniquely have to give, will occur to you. Then you can live your life 'on purpose'.

Beatles

everybody had one good year
everybody let their long hair down
everybody had one bad dream
everybody saw the bright sunshine
everybody had one hard year
everybody had a real good time
everybody put one sock up
everybody put one foot down

So, I got the enzymes from the health food store and divided some up between my sister and mom and myself. We will see what happens.

I have been kind of tired lately, but when I think about it ~ why shouldn't I be? I am really busy from waking till sleeping! Even though I spend a couple of hours on the computer, I am up and down a lot. Like when I wind down tonight from the net, I will go in and clean the kitchen and tidy up some things before bed, and I feel like getting up at 6 AM would make someone tired by now, right? Yes, right.

Going out of town this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing my niece and her family ... they are so much fun! It will be a blast. Bill and Adrienne and the baby are going with us. It's going to be great.

I need to cut Mr. B hair before I go and also, Rita's hair ...it will work out or not.

Go in to bed. Yeah. Tired!

Best,

Acid reflux and Enzymes

Recently, my mother in law was going through some horrible stomach problems, and diagnosed with acid reflux and given two different pills to take every day, one twice a day. One of them was Nexium, and her cost is $147.00 per month, and the other I don't know what the deal was,
but anyway,

I went into the Alternatives Medicine Health Food Store and began chatting with the owner there, told him about my mother in law's situation, and he began to explain to me about digestive enzymes ...which I realized, there was much I didn't know about these magic little things. I thought they were in my food.

I didn't know the body makes less of them as we age, but we still need them for proper digesting assimilation, and about how the doctors always give people Nexium type products instead of suggesting a natural supplement, when in fact, it's a natural enzyme that they need!

The owner there explained how the enzymes were what my MIL needed, but if she began to take them, she had to stop taking the Nexium.

He also explained that what happens when people get diagnosed with acid reflux, they begin to eliminate certain foods from their diets, and their diets become so scaled down to bland foods that the body has a difficult time finding the nutrition that it needs from the foods it is provided. And that many of the foods that are given up because of suffering from acid reflux, are really good foods that our body needs. Even green chilies!

And, so my MIL did try them. She got a super kind that were going to cost about $25.00 per month. It's been almost a month now, and she has had no more of the acid reflux problems. She takes the pills with every meal, and last night she had Guacamole make with red onions and chili peppers and nothing bothered her!

So, my sister in law, who has been having the same kind of problems and was taking Prisolec for a few months now, decided to try them, also. And now she is fine.

So, she told a friend at her school, who has digestive problems and some other not feeling so good stuff, and she has added the enzymes to her diet, and she feels better.

So, just sayin' ~ if you know anyone taking one of those drugs for heartburn, suggest to them to Goggle digestive enzymes, or go to a health food store and talk with someone.

I can understand why doctors don't suggest these things to you because if they didn't work, someone might sue them! But doctors and drugs? Well, that's the hook-up, isn't it? it's kind of a catch-22 though, because I think many people want some kind of security relief and for them, that's a drug from the pharmacy.

More people need to check out alternative medicines along with diet changes, but whatever on that. I'm just glad it worked out for the people I know.

Good Grief, It's April

It's nice! The weather is something wonderful right now, you just want to be outside all the time. I love working in my yard even though it looks like a little kid plays out there. It's like landscaping gone rogue.

I can't even remember if I wrote about my yard lately. I think I did, but I think about my yard so much in my mind, I might think I wrote about it, and all the time I was just thinking about it.

I have to make myself (kinda) stay out of Home Depot, as I would buy plants, lots and lots of plants. I would buy all the butterfly plants in the world. Well, not in the entire world, but a lot. You need a lot because the butterflies eat them, and then you just have a lot of dead stuff in your yard,

and your husband goes, "what is that dead thing growing on that trellis?"

and you say, "It's food"

and he says, "Food?"

and you say, "The butterflies eat it"

and he says, "It looks like they ATE it, already. It's dead"

and you can still see the caterpillars crawling on the stems, so you know you can't go against the universe and cut it down, and you look forward to the day you can explain all this to your granddaughter. Because you are thinking, she will understand.

End of March - Wow, first quarter - Gone

It seems so much is going on, I don't have the energy to write or think. My sister has moved down, so more people to process on the day to day always overwhelms me.

And...I am totally enjoying my granddaughter, just about every single day I get to see her, and she is changing so fast and learning things so fast, it is truly difficult to keep up! Three months old and she seems to want to skip rolling over and go right to getting up! I have to Goggle that ~ I thought all babies were supposed to roll over first!

Otherwise, it's just busy, Sean with school and work, and Madam B with work now and working on getting the GED, and Mr. B is enjoying his work right now, even though it is considered part time, we are using all the ways we can to keep ourselves running efficiently.

The cut backs on the electric bills have been easy as the weather has been so beautiful! And when it gets hot, since the kids are working (two less people in the house), and I don't get home until after 5 usually, we can leave the AC off later and later in the day. Now, when summer comes, we will have to make that adjustment else where! Especially since there is talk of gas prices going up.

I've gotten back out in the yard, and even though I have suffered a bit with my back by moving bags of dirt and such, I do love it. And as always, I wish I had more money in the budget for plants and flowers!

My vegetables have not done very well this year. Maybe it's too early? I dunno, but they are still out there. The activity is the yard is picking up everyday. I see caterpillars everywhere!

I'm up early this morning, but when everyone is sound asleep, you wonder if there is much you can get done!

Current Status of This Life

Exciting things here. My sister, her husband and my great nephew, who is her son, have relocated from Central Florida. They found a place 3 miles from us! Amazing. And she has a job! (Which is why she relocated in the first place.)

So there has been much activity regarding that, and I've been working a little bit longer, and Madam B is working on her GED and somehow, in our move two years ago, I have misplaced our birth certificates and social security cards!! Weird, weird, weird. I have all the copies, but the copies are really not what I need.

I am figuring what will happen is, as soon as I get the replacements, then I will find the originals. That's usually how it goes for me!

My granddaughter is just still so fantastic. I am lazy on my other blog, but I will catch up on all that great detail. And soon.

It's been raining here. Which is lovely, as we do so need it.

I'm still reading the same three books I last mentioned, and my mother in law has lost one library book I checked out for her. I have renewed it 5 times, but I'm going to have to just pay for it if I don't find it soon.

We have moved a few things in our yard, plants that is, and are enjoying the birdhouse! We have a couple of robins and blue jays. I'll post a picture of our robin soon. I've named him Chiller. As he seems to just chill and chirp loudly when he's out there even when the cats are present! Gotta admire his spunk!

H. Tip/Quote and - Running Behind

I lose track of the days. I am guessing that is not entirely unusual for people to do. There are more people in them lately, and before I know it, several days have gone by, and I'm not sure how I got here. That's really not a bad thing unless you have an unhappy life, but since I have a very happy life, it's not a bad thing at all.

Right now we have company from Rhode Island. One of my nephews is visiting with his wife and daughter, and other family came up yesterday. It's quite fun, but the day is over before you know it!

"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies." ~Shirley Abbott

And for our health tip -

We already covered ice cream (why do I want ice cream at this time in my life? I was never a big fan of ice cream. Weird), so let's say we won't mention that on April 21 is Ben and Jerry's National Free Cone Day? And Baskin and Robbins gives you free scoops on your birthday? ...moving right along

Ankle injuries -

Balance training is what you need to help prevent ankle injuries. Practicing balance exercises help improve neural pathways between the brain and the joint (information on this can be found - at that site or just a general goggle search will prove many exercises that will help.

It's an easy exercise to adapt, good for you in terms of long terms benefits, one can do it just about anywhere, and you don't need any special clothing!

Stand firmly and comfortably on one foot. Take the opposite foot, and wrap your toe around the back of your ankle. Just stand steady. Repeat. Repeat as many times as you can during the day.

I know one that is a little more complicated, just a little, I'll post that one tomorrow.

After you are great at keeping your toe behind your ankle (make sure you work both sides), you can move the ankle up a little on your leg.

I fell asleep, but not before I ate Ice Cream

I haven't posted the last couple of days regarding my Quotes and Health Tips. I fell asleep. And there was so much activity going on! I think both days were one day, or certainly seemed like it.

I think it started Monday when I went to a small theater to see an Irish show. It was very entertaining. Tuesday? It happened, I'm sure. I know I went over to see the baby and walked that evening (increasing my distance), and there is company visiting, and I've been watering my yard, and clipping back plants, and I'm sure some other stuff ...cooking, laundry, shopping.

Anyway, both nights, I had an ice cream cone and fell asleep. But, I have lost three pounds, and I am cooking very well. Mr. B is on the Eat Well For Long Life wagon, so that is very, very helpful.

(But, we all know that in the beginning of trying to drop a couple of pounds, ice cream cones can be your enemy disguised as something totally wonderful.)

And sleep is good! Today, my plan is to start back on my Bar Method DVD. So, we will see what happens!

Actually, the main goal for myself is to not gain any additional weight and tone up what I have. So. Good luck to me.

Health Tip:

1. Do not eat ice cream at night.

2. Do eat ice cream if you want to try Uma Thurman's Ice Cream Diet. And, if you should so wish, you can scroll down and read the comments.

Quote:

I had always thought that once you grew up you could do anything you wanted - stay up all night or eat ice-cream straight out of the container. ~~Bill Bryson

Another day Q &HT

Quote for today --

The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it. ~~Bertrand Russell

Health Tip-

Breakfast. Breakfast is a good thing. Start your day with some kind of protein. It doesn't have to be meat or an egg, if you don't wish, it can be peanut butter or re-fried beans! (I love re-fried beans for breakfast!) Or hummus~ I love hummus.

Make a protein shake with a soy or whey protein powder.

It's just one of those things that can help things work out better for you during the day. Your body is fueled from its night of fasting, and ready to go after a nourishing breakfast. And, usually, when lunch rolls around, you won't need as much food, so good there!

So, eating well, and moving ~ yeah, on our way.

Quote and Health Tip for the Day

Quote for the day:

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.

- Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)


Health Tip:

Identify your weakest area regarding good health.

Snacking? - Don't stop snacking. Find something that's good for you, instead. An example might be yogurt instead of ice cream. But not just any yogurt. Buy really, really good yogurt like Fage. I love that stuff! Of course, I load it with fun things like walnuts, fiber cereal, raisin, cranraisins, okay, and maybe a chocolate chip now and then, and sometimes -- for a really fine treat, I add peanut butter (the natural kind) and cherry preserves. Oh gosh, it's heaven.

But anyway, match a good food to your favorite weakness snack.

How about exercise? Just can't do it? Then run in place and keep parking that car farther and farther from your final destination until you are walking from home. Guaranteed to get you in shape.

Spring has sprung...Yay!

It's March. I love Spring. I just love Spring. I can see little buds of new growth popping out all over, and the birds are visiting my yard even though I have three cats, two of which would eat them if they could. We have the feeder up really high.

We have Robins and Blue Jays and butterflies! I have four specimens of butterflies. I am keen to plant so that more will feel like coming.

My hands are like loofahs pads, my knees are hurting and my back is stiff! But I am joyous that it is finally Spring!!

Day 9 -- Keep on going

Children today are tyrants. They contradict thier parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers. ~~ Socrates (470-399 B.C.)

Health Tip:

1. Isometrics. You can Goggle Isometrics and find plenty of information, suggestions and explanations of how it works and why.

Do them in the car for your abs. Do them sitting while you are listening to music or watching the television. An easy one is putting your palms together in front of your face and press as hard as you can. See if you don't see a difference in about a week.

I know this works. I just keep forgetting about it~!

Day 8 - Still forming the new patterns

Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.

Thomas Jefferson
1743-1826, Third President of the USA
more famous quotes

Health tip:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff, but do sweat. Break a sweat doing something. Dancing, running, jumping rope, chasing a doggie, just move quickly for 20 minutes in place (okay, that's boring, but still it's an option.)

2. Keep that car parked farther and farther, and walk faster and faster.

3. Make sure you are drinking enough water.

4. Do not sit down when you can stand. Put your computer on a counter, walk around when you are talking on the phone, purchase a standing desk, but find a way to stand more.

Day Seven

People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.
~~Romana L. Anderson


Health Tip:

1. Actually, I fell asleep while I was thinking of which health tip to post. So, let's go with more sleep.

Rest is necessary. Whether it be just a relaxed rest of the mind that means no reading or thinking of paying the bills, just find a comfortable place to be, let your shoulders and jaw relax, and just soak in the moment of letting your body relax and your mind should follow.

If it does not, this is something that one should really, really work on.

2. Park even farther away.

3. Walk at an even faster clip.

4. Remember: It's all good.

Day 6

"Well," said Pooh, "what I like best," and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn't know what it was called. ~A.A. Milne

Health Tip:

Soup. Eat more soup. Homemade soup. If you make yourself a nice, hearty, rich bean and veggie soup, you will fill up, eat good food, and probably lose a pound.

I might use canned beans (I love small white beans). A veggie broth that is flavored with a base of sauteed onions and garlic and ginger in olive oil. Then the broth. Now you choose your favorite veggies. Try to throw in some color - preferably green -I like spinanch or kale. You can add other beans and noodels, and Ithink you will be so happy with your results. Get creative!

1. Park Farthest


2. Walk fastest.

Day 5 - Long Enough

I think by a fifth day of trying anything, one would kind of have the idea for a plan that would be real. So, in the spirit of commitment. Let's stay commitment!

My quote today is, "Ya' just gotta be honest." That's it. Don't let a commitment to make things better become a sense of false importance ...make this real for yourself, as good health and exercise are important for you life.

So seriously, put down the Twinkies, don't drink that third beer, go ahead and not take that third helpings just because it's good...time will give you great substitutes, you will see.

Health Tip:

Reach u-p toward the sky and, then bend over and touch your toes. If you can't reach them. Try again later, and then later. But do it. Deep breath, as you let it out, reach over and out, Bend toward your toes. and then touch them. Stretch.

Do that tomorrow morning as well, and do it again at night.
along with.
Park way farther
Walk way faster

You'll get it.
These are just little ways that can makes it so much easier. Like with food - just for a week try to literally throw out anything that has trans fats. Eat an apple instead, and everyday if you can. Or pick your own fruit.

It all depends on how serious a person is. We are changing lifestyle. It's kind of fun actually.

Jane Eyre

This is one of the books I am reading now, and I do love it. I'm just at Chapter 5, and if I thought that the movies of this book (although, they were excellent entertainment) told about Jane, I was wrong.

I have an old blog that I had started once about the books I was reading, and I just dropped it. I think I will start it up again. it will be a right good challenge for my brain. And don't we all need that!

Day Four

"First, do no harm." Can you wake up everyday and say that's what you do?

Health tip:

1. Crunches. Do as many as you can at one time. Then add to that.

2. Park Farther.
3. Walk Faster.

Day Three is a Tuesday

Quote of the Day:

"I am not so arrogant as to presume that only my intellectual superiors can teach me. If such were the case then the teacher would learn nothing from her disciples, the parents nothing from their children, and I nothing from the animals, from whom I have learned so much." ~ Caroline Coax

Health Tip ~

1. Eat more nuts. Nuts are very good for you. They are chalked full of good things. Your almonds, for example, one ounce of almonds, provides as many flavonoids as a half cup serving of broccoli..

So go nutty. Eat the Pistachios, walnuts as your first choices, then head out for the almonds! Pecans are good, too. And any of them taste good combined with other things. Like, whatever dinner dish.

2. Park farther.

Q & T - Day Two

Today's Quote:

If you really want the last word in an argument, try saying, "You could be right."
~General Knowledge


Today's Health Tip:

Park Far.

Quotes and Tips - First for March

Day One

The best ornament is Humility; The richest wealth is Wisdom; The strongest weapon is Patience; The best security is Faith; The best tonic is Laughter (from Thought for the Day site)

If I may expound ~ stay humble as no one is comfortable with a braggart. Let others tell you how great you are.

Keep yourself smart and informed. Know who you are reading and don't be influenced by it until you think it through. But be sure to read -- and don't forget to read fiction! It's great for you.

Be patient with all living creatures. I repeat, all. Especially yourself. Have the forbearance and calmness in yourself to know that in the end, all will be well. Act like it.

And most importantly ~ laugh, everyday! At yourself and situations. Rent funny movies. Learn to tell a funny story. Animals are always safely funny. We have three cats and we feed the birds. We are beginning to think that birds are smarter than domesticated cats (and know it.) And if you can't find anything to laugh about ~ eat a Popsicle.

Health Tip ~ Move it! You got to Move It, Move It! Find someway in your life TODAY, to move more than you did yesterday. And don't eat seconds. Throwaway all hydrogenated fats - all. Choose one vegetable to add to your diet. Choose one bad food to quit eating.

See ~ things are better already!!

Saturday in February

I am:

Having coffee with my husband. (It's turned out good this morning, too)
Feeling relaxed, even though we were interrupted at the early AM hour by one of the cats, who is usually out, but instead was in, and tore one of our screens up in a effort to get out, so I fell back asleep so soundly I had those vivid dreams of nightmarish style...

Looking forward to working outside in my yard, which really needs some attention,
Looking forward to visiting with my sister, who is here from out of town and will be relocating to this area,

And in general, looking forward to a very good day.

I am reading three books:

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafón
A Whole New Mind - Daniel H. Pink

Tomorrow, I will start thirty days of quotes and health advice. And post some photos. Right now, I'm going to have a second cup of coffee.

The Task

Okay, so I do know which task it is that's put an invisible wall in front of my ongoing train of motion. But, I don't want to talk about it. Yet. I left the magazine article in my car, but I plan on finishing it, and devising a plan for getting past this daunting mess that I am facing.

Then, for March, I'll concentrate on good messages and health tips! Since I am going down that path in a better way now that Mr. B also agrees! I mean, last night, I cooked brown rice - For Everyone!!

And, I'm committed to walking on my own. Which, may not be the entire truth, as I asked everyone, several times, if they would walk with me yesterday, and Madam B finally said, 'yes' and then laughed at my attempts at the running part of the walk. (But, I would have laughed, too, had I not been trying to hard so keep breathing.)

O Well, it's all good right now.

And it's felt like Friday, all week

Sometimes, my brain goes on vacation. It's like, it's got no spunk, no pizazz or even pizza. My neurons are laying dormant.

I read an article today about that very thing! The article talked about being overwhelmed and then all a person wants to do - is lay on the couch. That basically, what we are doing is avoiding one major task.

And, that's what I am doing. Avoiding one major task.

I just can't figure out which task it is.

Okay, what's new?

Well, I have walked several times this past week. I have worked in the yard, which I really love to do. I feel like I have cooked a million meals! But then I ran out of food - and everyone ate toast and peanut butter for a few days. (Not the recall kind!)

I've been babysitting, and listening to music, and we have watched a few movies, cleaned my house, washed a zillion clothes.

Taxes are due to be ready. Money I don't have to give them. That doesn't seem right. One should have saved aside what they owe. I hope the accountant knows more about this than I do!

There is more stuff to do. Tomorrow. I'll get to it tomorrow.

Augur Well

Interesting. I have never heard of this phrase. I found this on this site.

Meaning:

To foreshadow a successful outcome, indicated by some circumstance or event.

The phrase 'augur well' isn't a translation from Latin but originated, in the late 18th century, amongst the classically educated English elite. The first record of it that I have found is from a speech to the UK Parliament, given by the Duke of Richmond and published in the Parliamentary Register for 1778:

"I augur well from the readiness with which it [his request for papers about the movements of British forces] has been granted."

'Augur well' has much in common with 'bode well', which is also of ancient vintage and means much the same thing. A bode was a herald or messenger and was referred to thus as early as circa 888AD in King Alfred's Boethius De consolatione philosophiae. Like 'augur', 'bode' also had to wait until the 18th century to become absorbed into a common phrase. The first known use of 'bode well' comes from John Dryden's Works, circa 1700:

"Whatever now The omen proved, it boded well to you."

The Fires in Australia

I am so sorry to read about this awful fires in Australia. A friend sent me some photos of a little koala bear coming out to the road where they were biking, and they gave him some water. I can't seem to get them to post on my blog. But here is another one.

I am praying for the safety of all those in harms way.

It's Tuesday in America

1. President Obama is saying things that make people happy and then the same thing makes some people nervous. Shouts of "Socialist" is all over the Conservative plain.

I am not an authority on these things, and maybe because I'm not, I don't write about it much, but I agree that something has got to happen to change the results of where we are.

I do know that most small children know the President's name and can say it because Barack Obama has not difficult syllables in it.

2. I started back walking. Don't ask me why I stop, as I could not tell you. Lazy? I just don't know. Exercise is key to all things regarding the physical body. I think I just forget how the days are going by so quickly, and the area I take up is more than it was last week ... Walk! Walk! Walk ...

3. And lift weights. I forget that, too.

Some things make me happy

My sister came to visit this weekend.

My baby Granddaughter recognized me today and smiled and laughed, and even tried to talk to me! Oh, I am so smittened!

A good friend sent me a CD that she made for me. It's a mix. And it's just lovely! It touches on the things I am going through and thinking about at this time. Music. Wow. We need to listen to music more!

My kids all like me. They come to see me. They tease me, yes, but oh well. The tell me they love me. And, if I run out of gas, they are up and out the door in no time flat!

My most special niece called today. Just to say hello and catch up. She and I are a lot alike! We have some of the same faults, good traits and tendencies, and weird body ailments. Strange...

Mr. B helped me plant a hedge! I was so excited about that. I was, indeed, happy.

The humor of Bill Gates

Check our this link, and it will explain why Bill Gates is releasing mosquito's carrying malaria into his unsuspecting audience -- he's trying to make a point -- and they are suspecting something as he's explaining that not only the improverished should experience malaria!

http://tinyurl.com/cn8e2p

It's still February, right?

Lazy is as lazy does...

I am being lazy. That's it. That's all. I just can't get myself motivated to walk or exercise. I did work in the yard yesterday, but that I don't consider exercise. (Now my hands feel like sandpaper, I really need to get some gloves)

I'm looking at recipes for good healthy meals, and I eat my super greens, but if I don't move this thing I am sitting on, it's all not going to work well in the long run.

Move it, move it - I got to Move It, Move It ...

Tomorrow. I promise myself. Tomorrow

Life goes on....slowly

I can't seem to follow reading through any other blogs right now. Everything seems so unimportant. A death in a family just shifts your vision and hearing to a degree that is new.

Even my fingers touching the keyboard, feels different than before.

I'm thinking it's processing time. Being with someone who passes is an experience that involves things that are so beyond our reach and yet, they touch us. After the experience, it takes time to sort the way.

I'll stay close to my family and accept their love. In a way, I hope I never lose this feeling. But I know it will go away and become something else. I can only hope I can become better for it. I want to wear it well.

A Quote for a Day

The only things worth learning are the things you learn after you know it all.
--- Harry S. Truman (1884-1972), 33rd President of the United States

A new day in the early part of the week

New Days are Everywhere

It's today
and it's new
but it's Tuesday again
Where was I?
In the middle of laundry,
paying bills, making a shopping list?
Or am I starting over?
Starting over on my list of things to do,
or picking up where I was?
It's the beginning of a new day,
or is it the early part of a week?
I had a good night's sleep.
I feel good this morning.
I have lovely things to think about
even though I feel sad about some things
I have some happy things to think about, too.
What is today?
It's Tuesday
the early part of the week.
It's a new day
for me ....

~Miss Roxie

We thank you, Grandpa

Great Grandpa Steve, Shaylin, and Great Grandma Rita
Christmas 2008

Heaven holds one more.

Michael Stephen left this earth to join our Heavenly Father last Saturday. the 17th of January, 2009 in the year of our Lord,

He was only 92 years old. We were all with him when he passed away. Although we know he is in that better place, we miss him.

Rest in peace, Grandpa ~
Father
Husband
Brother
Uncle
Friend and Good Neighbor.

As heaven holds you now grandpa, we also hold you. In our hearts, we forever hold all those familiar feelings you passed on to us; feelings of care and compassion, loyalty and faith, helping your neighbor, but most of all love. All the love we saw and felt from you, all those great days you were with us, grandpa, we will hold forever in our hearts. We thank you grandpa, we thank you.

Beginning ~

"And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." - T.S. Eliot

Would you have heard the music?

The following is an email I received:

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold December morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that a thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Google: Joshua Bell subway...for detailed account. You can also find this on snopes.com :-)

Joshua Bell

Standing in the queue

Life. It's that thing that keeps going and going. Like the Energizer bunny, or not, depends on you.

Life. Is a head trip. It's all in your head. Last week, for example, were things so different for me? Not really. But I was depressed. I felt poor, and fat, and sick, and lonely, tired and ugly, and old.

The same people were there for me, but my head space had other things going on. My judgements were clouded by the feeling of being needy. But still, I needed a rest. I needed more water to drink. My body needed above what my brain needed and there was a war going on, until finally, this weekend, I rested. I gardened. I did do laundry, and I did cook, and washed the floors ~ and oh well, just did general stuff but rested in between. Oh go figure...

it sounds like a regular schedule, doesn't it? So what's the deal?

Different state of mind?

Dunno ~ but my granddaughter is still just so wonderful.

Oh a baby, a baby ~
to rock
to adore the new life
to gaze at in awe,
to touch and admire the softness,
as she wiggles and squirms
and makes her little sounds,
and big sounds, too ~

Oh a baby,
it's heavenly,
it's magically transporting,
it's from the land
of the miracle
of things out there special,
things still untouched
like new flowers opening,

A baby
The New Daddy,
The New Mama,
The Baby

Breath in the wonder of it all...

Day 2000 of the cold...

...Okay, it's not 2000, it just feels like 2000.

The physician's assistant called and suggested that I don't take the antibiotics; she suggested I wait this out for a few days, taking Mucinex and drinking plenty of water (after running through my diet and making sure I was eating right), that I walk 2 miles a day, (oh yeah right, I really feel like doing that), and get plenty of sleep.

But oh well, I'll do it and see what happens. Today, it seems like I have (again) a regular cold. Boring. Ugly. Getting old - both the cold and me.

I slept in later last night, didn't walk the two miles, don't have the money for the Mucinex (but should by tomorrow), did increase my water, and held my granddaughter for an hour so increasing my serotonin level.

Feeling: Not great, tired, head coldee

Ear ache, ow, ow, ow...

Ear Aches are the worst! I feel like someone is stabbing me in the ear with a pencil! One more round of antibiotics ~ I hope they work this time. I can hardly think!

Oh drat....Doctors again

I have this reoccurring throat/ear infection. I hate when things reoccur. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow morning (again).

I think sometimes about dying, and sometimes I think, "Okay, Lord, this would be a good time..." and then sometimes I think, "okay, Lord, this would not be a good time." And this time of the now, Not a Good Time. As in, my little granddaughter is right next door, and oh my, I can hardly catch my breath when I hold her! It is just the most beautiful thing ...

Don't mean to sound dramatic, but my mind works like this. I have this line of communication with God, even though there are many who feel that has nothing to do with nothing, I feel like it has everything to do with everything. But in the end, I have no idea what God will actually decide.

I bought my granddaughter a sign language book. I thought it would be fun to give it a go! She's very active now for 17 days old. Oh well, there I go ~ I've already decided where we will be putting her art easel, which I already have, as there is a corner place on the porch with nice lighting ...ah, but I digress.

My appointment's in the morning, I'll take my Sign language book to study in the waiting room, and maybe repaint the easel next week. (Yay)

"Before God, we are all equally wise and equally foolish," ~ Albert Einstein

Begin to Be Better

"To take the first step in faith, you don't have to see the whole
staircase: just take the first step." ~ Rev Martin Luther King

Some of us are spirited away by the thought of a New Year and a new chance to start over fresh and look at this time as the only opportunity to fly. There are those of us who really know that every day is a fresh and new start - but, whatever it takes to get a person to do for the better - Just Do IT!

Ending the Year with a Darling

The above is my granddaughter a few hours old.



This is Shaylin, at home, 4 days old.

I've been told the experience of GrandMother is like no other. So far, it's wonderful. I have the good fortune of watching two loving parents working together to nuture and care for their darling first daughter.

Blessings to you at Christmas

With the help of Charlie Brown, with whom I grew up --

May you always find,

All the warmest feelings of love and kindness both given and received,
Satisfaction of wealth in many ways ~ love and even money or whatever else it is you need,
That you will be kept free from harm, and if something unforeseen should cause you to fall or stumble, may you feel the love from around the world reach out to catch you and steady your step.

May you always find,

Blessings of Peace and Love for your Doorsteps
A Drop of your Favorite Yuletide Speciality in Your Cup
And a Warmth in Your Heart that never ever leaves,
I wish for you, this day and always ~

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Merry Christmas!

You are Only Twelve Hours Old Once.....

I have been promoted. I accept this new responsibility with great pleasure. I am so happy right now. It is just a place to be that is so overwhelmed with love and joy. I am a reigning Grand Mother.

Just some updates -

Correction on my granddaughter's size -- Shaylin is 20 inches long, not 22, as first reported.
Her eyes are blue, but she was just 12 hours old when I commented on this.
She is so, so cute, not just cute!
She is already on Facebook! In a Video!! I will have to speak with these parents to find out _just what_ this might lead to.

I will say, I don't get, totally this younger generation and the techno connection, but look at me here blogging, bragging and all ...

Today, I had to make a decision. You see, I have a cold. What to do about seeing Shaylin? I asked my sister in laws, and we asked a nurse at the desk at the hospital, and they all concurred with my thoughts -- err on the side of caution. (Grrrr, I detest it when I am right,)

So, I didn't hold my grand-baby or get to really see her.

I had driven down to The Center, with Madam B who (happily) went in and was crinkling with excitement and had no plans of leaving, even though I was respecting my decision not to go in, her mama would have to just suffer the grandma-blues, as she, OTOH, had an Auntie-jones going on, and was meshed into it like how pizza melds together in a hot oven. Looks like pieces that don't match in the beginning, and after it melts, you just love it all together like that!

I waited there in the lovely lobby for a while, then became overcome with a need to communicate my feelings, so I sent a text message to my son, "I just gotta look at her" ...

A little bit later, I could see through the cracks of these large doors that have to be buzzed open, some movement that looked like my son's shirt going back and forth. After a little bit later again, my son came out and said, 'come with me, mama.'

He lead me around this corner to an area where glass windows are. The blinds are inside. They don't use the room there to much any more because all the babies are with their mothers in the rooms for the whole time after they are born. (How cool is that!).

The blind was pulled up, and there was The New Mama, Auntie Scarlett, and Shaylin Nicole! It was just a beautiful moment. The tears did fill and over flow, and I did the happy dance.

But, we weren't alone out there in the hall! It seems, to our right, a hall opened up for a ward for elderly people, and somehow, there being a baby there in that window, drew at least 15 or so, people over there! They came over in little packs like a signal was drawing them! It was freaky - funny, but freaky. All smiles and amazed at the child in the window.

They were all uuoohhhh-ing and awwwwww-ing, and Scarlett said --when Shaylin would make these really cute little faces,-- they would all make *the sound* in sync, and so from their side, it sounded like a choir!

I told my son, "well, I guess this is like her debut?" It was cute. Twelve Hours old, and there she was, capturing a crowd.

It put me in the mind of that expression about God's meanings and what He thought babies represented to us, His good opinion that the world should go on...

And seeing these strangers there in the hall, Ooohing and Awwwing over this sweet, little baby with us, no questions asked, that's exactly what I felt. God's Good Opinion has been passed on to us.

This baby is here now, and the world must go on, so we may as well be happy about it, or be pegged for fools! Even strangers in a hallway know to be overjoyed in unison at the site of a newborn baby. Sounds like a plan to me. A really good plan.

She's here!!

All is well. We got the call.
7 pounds, 4 ounces. 20 inches.
Shaylin Nicole.

Photos soon.

We are so happy.

We heard her crying, and every time Mama or Daddy would talk to her, she would quiet. Oh, this is going to be great!

Texting!!

Texting during labor!! I love my cell phone! My son keeps doing a Mass Text -- updating us as things progress! All the phones go off, and we freak!

He sent us a jumble of the name. I think I got it ~

But the last text he wouldn't confirm, but the midwife is there, and we are at 8 CM ~

We are so excited over here! We wish we were there, but it's better that we are here, even though we wish we were there!!

I
am
going
to
be
a
GRANDMA!!!

She's on her Way....

I am so excited! Tonight, right now, my son and daughter in law are having a baby!! They are at the hospital. I should have some news by tomorrow morning. I know that it's a girl.

I don't know her name, but I can hardly wait to meet her!

If one feels the need of something grand, something infinite, something that makes one feel aware of God, one need not go far to find it. I think that I see something deeper, more infinite, more eternal than the ocean in the expression of the eyes of a little baby when it wakes in the morning and coos or laughs because it sees the sun shining on its cradle.

Vincent van Gogh

There's a moon out tonight...

whoa, whoa, oohooooo ~

Tonight, a "perigee" is happening ... Go outside and look ~ QUICK!

At this link, you can really see the huge moon, and read the story

A full moon has occurred closer to the Earth than it has done at any time for the past 15 years.

The Moon's elliptical orbit means its distance from the Earth is not constant.

It was a little over 350,000km away as it passed over the northern hemisphere, about 30,000km closer than usual.

That, loosely translated means, the moon looks very, very big.

My photo is not professional. But there you have it. My evidence that I did see the perigee event. Yay, team.

(I don't know how the moon got squeeshed in this photo below. It looks like a huge jelly bean.)

What others have said....

1. I do not much believe in education. Each man ought to be his own model, however frightful that may be. ~~ Albert Einstein

2. The magic of children is their ability to cloud our memories so that when we look back we recall only the golden moments, the sweet laughter and the sentimental tears, and none of the awful trials. ~~ Russell Baker

3. The greatest thing a human being ever does is to see something and tell what he see in a plain way. ~~ John Ruskin

The Power of Positive Stress

This morning my Stress didn't even say good morning,

it said, "I am so tired. Why didn't you walk yesterday? Why didn't you marinate the chicken? There is no lettuce. There are no refried beans. What's up with no fruit in the house? Your cat is eating tinsel, for pity sakes - buy some cat food! Did you lose the stamps again?! Your plants need watering, and why is that frog-poo still on the porch! Good grief, woman! Finish that coffee and get the lead out!

I said, "Run, Forest, Run!!"

Okay, so Who Knew?

In The Palm Beach Post on Monday was an article titled Online Sites Nurture Kids' social skills, by Verne Kopytoff from the San Francisco Chronicle. Its information came from am study sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation.

Some more information is here under Web Socializing.

Part of the article reads:

"Good news for worried parents: All those hours their teenagers spend socializing on the Internet are not a bad thing, according to a new study by the MacArthur Foundation. 'It may look as though kids are wasting a lot of time hanging out with new media, whether it's on MySpace or sending instant messages,' said Mizuko Ito, lead researcher on the study, 'Living and Learning With New Media.' 'But their participation is giving them the technological skills and literacy they need to succeed in the contemporary world. They’re learning how to get along with others, how to manage a public identity, how to create a home page.' The study, conducted from 2005 to last summer, describes new-media usage but does not measure its effects."


the in between part of the articles does reflect some of the concerns, but seems to say they are given more life than what they really have.

Here is the last paragraph of the article:

Although Internet socializing may not be a "bad thing," the full consequences of things like instant messaging have yet to be determined. For years college professors and business leaders have lamented that writing skills of students and employees have been deteriorating. I'm sure that learning to write things like, "OMG iono lol/well I left you a comment ... u sud feel SPECIAL," is going to improve those writing skills in the future. My advice to parents: see what skills your children are learning on the computer and encourage them to use them -- then identify what skills they are not learning and establish a program to help them gain those skills. I don't worry too much about the future and the affect that information age technologies will have on societies, but I do believe we need to understand what is happening so that training and education in the future makes the right adjustments to ensure that future generations grow up cultured and productive.

So, it sounds like - this is a real situation, the whole internet making friends thing, so then parents, now, it's up to you to find a way to deal with it that wll bring success to those in your family who are currently affected!

And then, before you know it, It's All Good!

And a positive day to you, too! So, there!

This was the message in my in box from Thought for Today -

Dear roxie

Positive thinking and optimistic outlook will never produce bad results. Negative thinking and pessimistic approach will never produce good results. Positive thinkers will never fail. Negative thinkers will never succeed.

I get it. I do get it. And I am a Positive Thinker.

What I have observed in the world of Positive Thinking is that it is quite possible to annoy people, who are not quite there yet, with your over positive assertion and drivel. (I am a studier of human behavior, as it is one of the most perplexing things ever.)

Looking at it closely, it may be that (some) Positive Thinkers don't give people a chance to process the happenings in their lives without just wanting them to move on with a wave of their hand, into the land of It's All Good.

I consider myself a kinder, gentler version of Positive Thinking (oh, aren't I just so special?). But honestly, I do allow people some moments of lapsing about in the land of negativity before I turn on my Enlightening Lamp to shine on their downtrodden thoughts.

I guess what I try to do, is keep the person steady on their feet instead of just turning on the flood lights and having them not really realize where they are. It seems, that sometimes, if you give people a minute to feel through whatever it is, they can find their way out of the dark, even if it is only to say, 'it could be worse' - which might not be deemed as positive thinking, but it's a start.

So let's see, how to sum up ...

Think Positive. Think Clearly.
Put the Gun Down.
Don't shoot the messenger.
Today will be a better day (yikes, or is that tomorrow?).
Check your caffeine quota.
Run, Forest, Run!

Respect your Stress

To deal with stress successfully, one really has to know themselves and accept that their self does know. And then, one must listen and respond, to what one tells oneself (one's self? themself?. feel like you're in a Kung Fu movie, grasshopper?...)

I kind of know myself, but not well enough yet, to totally acknowledge, and act on, my inner most thoughts; that is, I ignore the 'signals' that come from deep within, and don't seem to have learned to Respect my Stress or it's signals.

I still, foolishly, push those limits, and I have not figured out why it is I do that. Do I think I am a super hero? No. Maybe I think I am not worth it? I'm working on that.

One would think, by the time one is reaching the other side of their trip around sun, yet another time, that one would just readily acknowledge those signals out of respect for oneself.

After quiet examination, what I felt like doing was walking like Forest Grump did. Just start walking. And keep walking ...not sure when I wanted to stop - so, I figured I needed to move it, move it --

So, I did at least start walking around my block. And then increased to a mile and a bit a few days a week. And, every day I try to race my little nephew. He always wins, although it's funny, he thinks he has to compete with me, and he keeps looking back at me to see if I am gaining on him! It really makes me laugh.

So, that is one of my new goals in life. Respect my inner signals.

Respect my stress. (Truth is, I feel more like slapping it around a little.)

(I need to hone up on my Kung Fu speak.)

Back in the Yark Again

My hands feel dry, and I have dirt in my fingernails that will take a very long soaking to remove. I feel great! I've been working in my yard for two days. I love it.

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe. ~ John Muir

I have no extra cash to buy plants or shrubs, so I've been working with cuttings and marigold seeds, and cleaning out my beds, which are a mess. (I think I might be rounding a corner on coming out of my depression.)

I really find a joy in watching things grow.

"Though I have looked everywhere, I can find nothing lowly in the universe." ~
~A R Ammons (from "Still")

I had saved a bunch of marigold plants that died after being pummelled by one of the tropical storms. I don't know why exactly I saved them. Sentimental, maybe? But, they were in a huge pile behind this park bench we have in our front yard. I think it was knowing there was the potential for life that I kept them. I knew they had the power to scatter and plant themselves, but I wanted them with me.

I broad casted the seeds in a few different areas. I've never done this before, so this will be interesting to me to see if they sprout and how hardy they will be. In areas I had cleared, I scattered the seeds and then covered them with some kind of 'good soil' that costs more than regular dirt at Home Depot. (I'm not exactly a Master Gardener, I just sort of wing it, figuring dirt and plants together, oh well, it's all good, you know? God does best with the rest.)

"Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art." ~
Leonardo da Vinci

While I was cleaning out one of the beds, I found a Cilantro sprig from a plant that had died, so I replanted that. I also found a little sprig of basil, so I got that in, too. I'm curious to see if they hold and grow. They both smell so good.

I have a bunch of small pots, so I'm going to put cuttings in them and some more of the marigold seeds. I figure it's better that than looking at empty pots.

I have some oregano growing, some spearmint that might come back, one tomato, and some onions. I'm doing peppers again this year, and I am determined to learn how to make salsa.

Also! I found a new caterpillar! I'll have to post a photo when #2 son comes back from the FSU/Gator game in Tallahassee, as he borrowed my camera. But I know what it is. It will be a yellow butterfuly. Actually, I have four different butterfuly species in my yard. I am such a sap. I love this nature stuff.

It rained hard after I planted those seeds, so who knows what happnened to them. In two days, I spent 7 hours in my yard. And I have a really small yard. I wonder, what in the world was I doing out there all this time!

After the beautiful weekend, we got that rain and now a cold front has moved in. I know, it's South Florida, so many people say, 'what cold?' and it's true really, but still - no snow maybe, but you could use a jacket.

~~Insert -

I must have taken a commercial break because this post and another post got mixed up together. One of those laspes where the neurons misfire, explode, and doing something totally weird and unexplainable. Never mind, me.

Christmas Shopping and Random Movement

Yes, I say Christmas shopping, not holiday shopping. It's Christmas to me.

This year, this year, I must respect the fact that we have - oh how should I phrase this - limited funds? I am so tempted, quite tempted, because it is Christmas to use that charge card, but I can't, I can't, I can't. I must exercise self control, but that won't stop me from searching around for some ideas!

My sister in law said my father in law needed some kind of slippers that were not so bare to walk around the house in (tile floors) and I found these --

Tired Foot Care Socks

They look really cool! I looked around the site, and there are a lot of other neat things, too. Clever little items for comfort.

When I turned that 'aging' corner - I began to look at all these lovely little items of comfort as my bone and joints began to speak to me. They say things like, "You silly fool! Do you really think you can run across the park with your nephew who is five without training for 6 weeks, and I'm not going to just have to rest for three days! We don't do random running any more!"

But that aside, I'm having to consider myself, in training (old people talk for "out of shape.)

More later, must leave -

Rendition

I have no business being up this late, watching a movie, but I got into this one. Rendition is a film in the category of Lions for Lambs. It gives you information, but now, what are you going to do with that information?

I view a lot of movies this way. Some people watch a film and say, 'what happened there?' And, I view the film and know, it's for me to decide what I think, and now, what am I going to do?

I can't pass any remarks regarding any real and actual truths regarding the details of this story although it is alluded to be based on the true story of a man named Khalid El-Masri (you can read the Wiki entry here, but warning, it's rough reading).

I read in one of the reviews of this movie that some people had walked out on the film because of the subject matter. I have no details of what exactly they were offended by or who the people were who were offended, so, I'm not to helpful to you there.

The story is based around a terrorist bombing and a man who is suspected of taking a phone call from a terrorist group who is reportedly involved in that bombing. The man, Anwar, is detained and tortured.

The story then reflects upon the reactions of the people involved and gives us a brief look at their situations, showing different reactions for different reasons as the story unfolds for them.

The CIA Agent (Jake Gyllenhaal) is experiencing his first involvement with *getting information* from suspects held without benefits of any rights afforded to them.

What struck my heart most in the film was seeing how the younger generations are just lead into the ideas of the older generations because, well, those are the ways
we live, right? Whichever culture it is, dictates their beliefs as correct on the next culture, right?

I'm not saying that any one's belief systems are right or wrong. I'm saying there are young people who come up and want to go another way than those of their elders. In some cultures, that is not only discouraged, but told to the young they are wrong and there will be no changes without serving eternity in hell.

In watching the film, something resonated with me when a woman in the film, the mother of a troubled young teen, says, "They don't live in the old ways. They live in the new ways." But the father can't change. He's too deep in his life and *the ways* and rules of that life. He can't put it down for a second to even listen to what his daughter may have to say. These people love each other, but differences cannot be tolerated.

Sometimes, the new ways, are not necessarily wrong, but, sometimes, I wonder, can't people see their ways could use a make-over? But, certain people in the generations have such a problem with change. They view any difference in lifestyles they were living, as wrong. It's such an old story. Perhaps it will not turn out to badly when it doesn't involve violence, hate, shame, threat of alienation from love, or, as I mentioned before, fear of hell through all eternity, or any kind of fear.

Some people may watch this film and feel like there was no character development. I don't think there was supposed to be. It was not really about these people. It's about what happened to them, what they experienced, and then it's about You. It's about you -the collective *you*. What you think. What you want for this world. What are you willing to change to make things better in this world.

And yes, we are all responsible for what is happening in this world.

Every single last one of us.