Saturday, December 31, 2016
Friday, December 30, 2016
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A Broken Heart!
Monday afternoons will always find me at Hagen Ranch School. I work in an after-school program volunteering to help students with homework studies and reading books.
This year I've been working with 2 little girls, Ashley and Giselle, both eager, darling, enthusiastic children.
I can't get either of them out of my mind this week. Gizelle took a 6 by 8 card and pulled a pink marking pen out of her backpack.
I looked to see what she was doing. It was a love letter to both her parents letting them know how much she loves them.
On the bottom of the card she drew two hearts, one for mom and one for dad.
I told her what a nice idea that was. Then this sweet child informed me that her parents had broken up.
I looked at her and I could feel her heartache. This was her way of letting go of some of the emotion that she was feeling. How smart--she put it down on paper...took it home and gave it to her mother. That was also her way of letting me know what happened in her home. She just didn't blurt it out...that was her way of explaining it to me. Poor little girl!
Ashley on the other hand was staring at my face and then she asked how old am I. I laughingly informed her 1000 years old..
She stared and said she didn't believe me. Then she asked again and I told her 47. She, only 6 years old, told me that couldn't be true...her mother is 45 and has no wrinkles.
Then I told her I was much older and she asked why I had wrinkles and she started tracing her little hand up and down my check.
I said don't do that...it makes me feel self-conscious...and she asked what that meant. It means that I don't like the wrinkles but that happens when you get old.
Then....she gave me a big hug...and said she loves my wrinkles.
Before I left I was given a handbook to bring home. The girls asked me if a handbook was a book for hands.
I explained that it's just called a handbook because it's small and fits easily into hands.
They then asked if they could draw their hands in it so that I would keep it forever....and I really will.
I can't get these kids out of my thoughts.....so young and precious!
This year I've been working with 2 little girls, Ashley and Giselle, both eager, darling, enthusiastic children.
I can't get either of them out of my mind this week. Gizelle took a 6 by 8 card and pulled a pink marking pen out of her backpack.
I looked to see what she was doing. It was a love letter to both her parents letting them know how much she loves them.
On the bottom of the card she drew two hearts, one for mom and one for dad.
I told her what a nice idea that was. Then this sweet child informed me that her parents had broken up.
I looked at her and I could feel her heartache. This was her way of letting go of some of the emotion that she was feeling. How smart--she put it down on paper...took it home and gave it to her mother. That was also her way of letting me know what happened in her home. She just didn't blurt it out...that was her way of explaining it to me. Poor little girl!
Ashley on the other hand was staring at my face and then she asked how old am I. I laughingly informed her 1000 years old..
She stared and said she didn't believe me. Then she asked again and I told her 47. She, only 6 years old, told me that couldn't be true...her mother is 45 and has no wrinkles.
Then I told her I was much older and she asked why I had wrinkles and she started tracing her little hand up and down my check.
I said don't do that...it makes me feel self-conscious...and she asked what that meant. It means that I don't like the wrinkles but that happens when you get old.
Then....she gave me a big hug...and said she loves my wrinkles.
Before I left I was given a handbook to bring home. The girls asked me if a handbook was a book for hands.
I explained that it's just called a handbook because it's small and fits easily into hands.
They then asked if they could draw their hands in it so that I would keep it forever....and I really will.
I can't get these kids out of my thoughts.....so young and precious!
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
We need the immigrants!! And they need us
I wondering what America thinks of the really hard workers who do very manual labor....
For those of us living in villas and condominiums, the immigrant men keep our lawns well manicured.
I was watching from out my back window...backbreaking work....never stopping for a second even though they're not being watched.
Raking..raking...making a pile then putting all the debris into a large cylinder container...to be emptied into their trucks.
I'm sure they don't make much money...not even sure if they have hospitalization or social security.
They are willing to live in incredibly substandard housing — witness all the garage renovations found in foreclosure housing. They are willing to live with others in a room in houses full of strangers. For these reasons, for many employers, they are more desirable as employees
They're very poor people....but very hard working. Wonder if they find contentment when they fill up the big dump truck....to be moved on to the next location.
Are they thinking about their families back in Mexico, Guatamala or Colombia...or wherever...and of the money that they'll be sending home.
Rice and beans...one's a starch and the other a legume. Is their enough nourishment so that they can labor another day.
I wonder what all the fuss is about ... immigration! They're doing us a favor! Donald Trump, I wonder if you have any kind of a conscience.
What goes around ... comes around
For those of us living in villas and condominiums, the immigrant men keep our lawns well manicured.
I was watching from out my back window...backbreaking work....never stopping for a second even though they're not being watched.
Raking..raking...making a pile then putting all the debris into a large cylinder container...to be emptied into their trucks.
I'm sure they don't make much money...not even sure if they have hospitalization or social security.
They are willing to live in incredibly substandard housing — witness all the garage renovations found in foreclosure housing. They are willing to live with others in a room in houses full of strangers. For these reasons, for many employers, they are more desirable as employees
They're very poor people....but very hard working. Wonder if they find contentment when they fill up the big dump truck....to be moved on to the next location.
Are they thinking about their families back in Mexico, Guatamala or Colombia...or wherever...and of the money that they'll be sending home.
Rice and beans...one's a starch and the other a legume. Is their enough nourishment so that they can labor another day.
I wonder what all the fuss is about ... immigration! They're doing us a favor! Donald Trump, I wonder if you have any kind of a conscience.
What goes around ... comes around
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
And it's a new day!
I rarely get to watch the miraculous wee hours of the night unfold into daylight, when the sun comes peeking through, very softly, and it's the beginning of another day that our Creator has granted us.
I know this is a poor analogy, but this is how I feel when I first start my computer....very very gradually it lights up. ...into spectacularness!
First I see all the special icons like stars in the sky that my kids have picked for me.. and as I eye each one, it seems to say....pick me, pick me. I'm here to serve you...whatever you desire!
Then I tap Email......and the top of the complete page forms all the information that has been stored there by the magical computer wizard.
With complete wonderment, I watch all this unfold...and oh yes, I mustn't forget, it gives a complete yawn when it's ready...or maybe when it's bored with my choices.
Now it's my turn to see all that has transpired. I'm ready to face a new day. I have my morning cup of java (not the script)...and I'm ready to read my Washington Post......everything that occurred while I was sleeping.
Although in the wee hours of the morning I somtimes hear Jeff take over my puter......checking everything out......and I look at the clock and my heart breaks because I know he's having another sleepless night.
With my computer, I feel connected to the whole world....and that' why it's called www.
Im so grateful that I'm living in this time slot......because I'm never lonely. I recall being so thrilled to go to Office Depot to buy a small wooden desk with a slideout shelf for the keyboard....and then I pounced upon a chair that was adjustable...which is just what I need. Next a mouse pad....and I was in business.
Now it was up to Jeff and Donna to give me 300% patience on how to use the mouse..and the keyboard and the icons....never thought I'd get the hang of it. They explained everything to me...even took it apart so I could see its workings. A really outstanding service is Skype. Bought a little camera and every single week I get to visit with my kids for about 2 hours...they sit in two chairs and we see each other and we talk. Sometimes Bandit, one of their dogs, sits on their laps...and this is a treat too.
You Tube also plays a very important role in my everyday life. Any song that I desire to hear...it's here. I feel so lucky!
Everything they showed me was important...but what stands out most is my blog that they set up for me..and that's been such an outlet of my rememberings...kind of makes my life come together.
And my Hallmark cards that they taught me to make..and I've never bought any since... the receivers of my cards all compliment me.
I musn't forget my little digital camera that I can plug into Picassa photo gallery and store all the pictures of the people I love and the events like weddings...permanent records of their lives.
Didn't realize that I would be this enthusiastic about an inanimate object.
I often wonder if it wasn't for Jeff and Donna...would I still be so interested....and that's a big question....and I don't know the answer!
I know this is a poor analogy, but this is how I feel when I first start my computer....very very gradually it lights up. ...into spectacularness!
First I see all the special icons like stars in the sky that my kids have picked for me.. and as I eye each one, it seems to say....pick me, pick me. I'm here to serve you...whatever you desire!
Then I tap Email......and the top of the complete page forms all the information that has been stored there by the magical computer wizard.
With complete wonderment, I watch all this unfold...and oh yes, I mustn't forget, it gives a complete yawn when it's ready...or maybe when it's bored with my choices.
Now it's my turn to see all that has transpired. I'm ready to face a new day. I have my morning cup of java (not the script)...and I'm ready to read my Washington Post......everything that occurred while I was sleeping.
Although in the wee hours of the morning I somtimes hear Jeff take over my puter......checking everything out......and I look at the clock and my heart breaks because I know he's having another sleepless night.
With my computer, I feel connected to the whole world....and that' why it's called www.
Im so grateful that I'm living in this time slot......because I'm never lonely. I recall being so thrilled to go to Office Depot to buy a small wooden desk with a slideout shelf for the keyboard....and then I pounced upon a chair that was adjustable...which is just what I need. Next a mouse pad....and I was in business.
Now it was up to Jeff and Donna to give me 300% patience on how to use the mouse..and the keyboard and the icons....never thought I'd get the hang of it. They explained everything to me...even took it apart so I could see its workings. A really outstanding service is Skype. Bought a little camera and every single week I get to visit with my kids for about 2 hours...they sit in two chairs and we see each other and we talk. Sometimes Bandit, one of their dogs, sits on their laps...and this is a treat too.
You Tube also plays a very important role in my everyday life. Any song that I desire to hear...it's here. I feel so lucky!
Everything they showed me was important...but what stands out most is my blog that they set up for me..and that's been such an outlet of my rememberings...kind of makes my life come together.
And my Hallmark cards that they taught me to make..and I've never bought any since... the receivers of my cards all compliment me.
I musn't forget my little digital camera that I can plug into Picassa photo gallery and store all the pictures of the people I love and the events like weddings...permanent records of their lives.
Didn't realize that I would be this enthusiastic about an inanimate object.
I often wonder if it wasn't for Jeff and Donna...would I still be so interested....and that's a big question....and I don't know the answer!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Friday, September 7, 2007
Santa has an almost empty bag!
It's really a very sad state of affairs! Santa doesn't come from the North Pole, at least not a direct route..but via China.
And we all know whatxappening to the toys manufactured in China.
LEAD POISONING1111111
My husband Allen and I had a store in downtown New Kensington, Pa. and we always prided ourselves that the shelves were brimming to the ceiling. This was our great wealth...our stock. People were impressed with what an inventory we carried.
Now let me go back 19 years....right about this time we would be going out of our minds~
Nothing to sell! Nothing on our shelves! Our toys came from Mattel, Fisher-Price and every other manufacturer of toys.
I'm trying to envision what would have happened if this were today. How would we able to cope with this dreadful situation.
Our customers would be returning all the toys they bought from us. And also ones that they didn't. Why go to Pittsburgh when there was a toy store right in their own home town. No need to go to Toys R Us...just return them to Gordon Toys. What's the difference!
How do you explain to little children that the toys they're playing with must be taken away now...not to give to other little needy boys and girls...but because they're poisoned.
What kind of explanation is this. Between the terrorists...the bees that aren't pollinating...and now the toy scandal...it's not a happy time.
I think now this is a great thing that has happened with China. This is surely a wake-up call to America....bring out the old proud banner...MADE IN AMERICA.
Thursday, December 15, 2016
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Virginia looks so thoughtful!
I decided to have a neighborhood party months ago ...but didn't want to work too hard cause I'm not so young anymore. A good way to host a party in your home is to order salads from Wendy's. They're delicious....reasonable...and easy to serve...right in their own containers.and so easy to clean up after.
Ordered them from Wendy's the day before...and they had them all ready. However, I didn't use their plastic utensils. I used my stainless forks and knives. It looks like we're all boozing it up...but not true. I got bottles of green tea for everyone...I want my friends to be healthy.
The reason my friend's picture is here...she helped me with everything...and I couldn't enjoy the lifestyle that I do without Virginia.
She is my source...I call her when I'm in trouble...and I don't wish her any mishap...but I sure wish she would reciprocate when she feels the need.
Recently she invited me to go to the beach with her...and lo and behold, I fell on the way down...and embarrassingly, I wasn't able to get up. Virginia reached out her small sweet hand to help me, but I wouldn't grab it...to bring her down with me.
Finally two gentlemen came along and each told a hand and I was upright ... like an old piano...but I wasn't feeling good about myself. Where the heck did my balance go???
She also accompanied me when we went to Ryan and Daniela's wedding...and we had to share a big bed. Never went to a Hyatt where they didn't have twin beds..but that's the way it was.
Anyway...I'm sure glad that she moved next door...fate has a way!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Thursday, May 28, 2009
My first library was in a storeroom! written 5 years ago
We had to be very quiet...not speak a single word...or we would have been kicked out!
There were no paperbacks back then...only bound books and they were very precious.
My first document that I personally owned and was responsible for, was my library card. It was sacred. Nothing should happen to it! And if a book was overdue, I felt mortified...like I'd created a crime...all for 2 cents. The librarian took her job very seriously and, if asked, would refer you to a special section.
Besides getting a book for myself, my Mother wanted me to bring her back a novel. I recall asking for Edna Ferber....she's the lady who wrote the book that the musical Showboat was all about.
My Mother was an avid reader and during dinner she would present a book review to us letting us know what it was all about. How interested our little family of 4 was in her presentation. So, not only did we digest the best cooking in the world...and we had entertainment with it.
That was my Mother....and I adored her so much!
Now I go to a big library on Hagen Ranch Road...and what a myriad of books from which to choose....more authors than ever before in history. And most of them are very good...but we can't read everything so we must be select.
Ruth, my friend and next door neighbor, usually brings me back something that is just to my liking...no violence....no C.I.A. stuff...just lots of emotions.
Having a good book to read is such a great feeling.
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Senior learning!
Last week my friend Harriet and I decided we'd like to join a group of seniors on a trip to St. Petersburg, Fl. on a venture called Grandedventures.
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm
Thursday, March 20, 2008
A trip to the library!
I just love going to the library! It's actually an adventure! Why do I amble toward the 14-day books when I haven't read much of the others...just waiting in their jackets for someone to grab them.
Each book seems to be screaming..TAKE ME...TAKE ME! I'm well aware that each book has an author that spent many months selecting just the very right verb..the perfect adjective...the exact pronoun...plus weaving a story that will make the reader not want the book to end.
When I read a book, I become one with the author and I actually become one of the family members.
I'm very particular when I select a book...print can't be large...but not too small either. Must not be too many pages...hard to hold! Must not smell musty and cannot have a coffee stain on it...because G-d knows where it's been when it was being read by a previous person. Many people refer to the bathroom as the library. Don't like to think about those things when I'm in the process of taking home a book.
When I was very young, my earliest recollections about going to the library, and it was considered an event where you couldn't utter a word....and if you did...whisper under your breath.
I recall reading all the Nancy Drew Books...Tom Swift...and many of our great classics.
When I'm reading the hours fly by so swiftly and I don't even think of food.
And if it's a very passionate love scene, I can enjoy without being involved.
So...on this day when it's much too windy to go to the pool, think I'll just stroll into our library and see what I can pick up.
There have been times when I've leafed through the pages because I enjoy the author's work. Often times, they spent themselves writing the perfect book... next one is a huge disappointment.
That's why I grab 3 books, in case one doesn't work out.
What fun!
Each book seems to be screaming..TAKE ME...TAKE ME! I'm well aware that each book has an author that spent many months selecting just the very right verb..the perfect adjective...the exact pronoun...plus weaving a story that will make the reader not want the book to end.
When I read a book, I become one with the author and I actually become one of the family members.
I'm very particular when I select a book...print can't be large...but not too small either. Must not be too many pages...hard to hold! Must not smell musty and cannot have a coffee stain on it...because G-d knows where it's been when it was being read by a previous person. Many people refer to the bathroom as the library. Don't like to think about those things when I'm in the process of taking home a book.
When I was very young, my earliest recollections about going to the library, and it was considered an event where you couldn't utter a word....and if you did...whisper under your breath.
I recall reading all the Nancy Drew Books...Tom Swift...and many of our great classics.
When I'm reading the hours fly by so swiftly and I don't even think of food.
And if it's a very passionate love scene, I can enjoy without being involved.
So...on this day when it's much too windy to go to the pool, think I'll just stroll into our library and see what I can pick up.
There have been times when I've leafed through the pages because I enjoy the author's work. Often times, they spent themselves writing the perfect book... next one is a huge disappointment.
That's why I grab 3 books, in case one doesn't work out.
What fun!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Our President
For 2 years we have been gathering information about who should run our country.
Now that's a mighty big order to expect of anyone...other than GOD!
Well, Obama has stepped up to the plate and is going to do his very best to get us out of the jams we're in.
Guess it all started with the war that nobody wanted!
Then the Great American Dream...owning an overpriced big home with little or no money.
That's where I stepped in and got hurt. I lost all my Fannie Mae savings. Poof! Just like that!
I really truly don't understand the mentality of most CEO'S. They think they can walk away with all the money....and they do.
They accomplish. They're all super rich...and the rest of us are shumcks.
I feel frustrated like most other Americans....but what to do...what to do!
Me....I'm banking on Obama!
Now that's a mighty big order to expect of anyone...other than GOD!
Well, Obama has stepped up to the plate and is going to do his very best to get us out of the jams we're in.
Guess it all started with the war that nobody wanted!
Then the Great American Dream...owning an overpriced big home with little or no money.
That's where I stepped in and got hurt. I lost all my Fannie Mae savings. Poof! Just like that!
I really truly don't understand the mentality of most CEO'S. They think they can walk away with all the money....and they do.
They accomplish. They're all super rich...and the rest of us are shumcks.
I feel frustrated like most other Americans....but what to do...what to do!
Me....I'm banking on Obama!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Second Hand on a Watch--an annoyance!
My friend Harriet...and I might include myself also, find the second hand troublesome..it gets in the way.
However, I shouldn't complain...we've come a long way from the sun dial. Wonder if I'd have ever been able to figure that our. My brain is very challenged when it comes to numbers.
No more tick tocks to listen if your watch is actually working. I guess I look at the second hand and that gives me the nod whether I need a new battery.
However, batteries are $3 and $4 and a new watch can be bought for $10 or $12...so I guess watches that aren't expensive can be considered disposable.
About 20 years ago I bought my husband Allen a new watch from K Mart with many features, which were a pain in the butt, but I wasn't aware of it when I purchased it. I thought it was just fantastic.
Well, between the 2 of us, we weren't very technologically-sophisticated...so when daylight savings time approached, we were very frustrated. After many hours of Allen's working on this new device, I had the bright idea....this watch is very inexpensive. So...why not buy another one...just for daylight savings time.....and then we'd never have to worry about this again.
After all.....we moved to Florida to play....not to have to study the workings of this thing.
As I'm writing this, an old old song comes to mind....about My Grandfather's Clock was to large for the shelf...and it stood 90 years on the floor. It was taller by far than the old man himself....anyway, this song must be over 100 years old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3tlIMJ9bK0 Jeff used to play this song on the piano.
Back to the 2nd hand.......I believe we just have to learn to live with it....it's not removable....and time is such an abstract...it moves so fast and yet so slowly.........and I'm trying to make the most of it.
Time is a gift from Our Creater and we must cherish each day. I do !
However, I shouldn't complain...we've come a long way from the sun dial. Wonder if I'd have ever been able to figure that our. My brain is very challenged when it comes to numbers.
No more tick tocks to listen if your watch is actually working. I guess I look at the second hand and that gives me the nod whether I need a new battery.
However, batteries are $3 and $4 and a new watch can be bought for $10 or $12...so I guess watches that aren't expensive can be considered disposable.
About 20 years ago I bought my husband Allen a new watch from K Mart with many features, which were a pain in the butt, but I wasn't aware of it when I purchased it. I thought it was just fantastic.
Well, between the 2 of us, we weren't very technologically-sophisticated...so when daylight savings time approached, we were very frustrated. After many hours of Allen's working on this new device, I had the bright idea....this watch is very inexpensive. So...why not buy another one...just for daylight savings time.....and then we'd never have to worry about this again.
After all.....we moved to Florida to play....not to have to study the workings of this thing.
As I'm writing this, an old old song comes to mind....about My Grandfather's Clock was to large for the shelf...and it stood 90 years on the floor. It was taller by far than the old man himself....anyway, this song must be over 100 years old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3tlIMJ9bK0 Jeff used to play this song on the piano.
Back to the 2nd hand.......I believe we just have to learn to live with it....it's not removable....and time is such an abstract...it moves so fast and yet so slowly.........and I'm trying to make the most of it.
Time is a gift from Our Creater and we must cherish each day. I do !
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
I'm being accused!
I'm being accused of becoming a recluse by my friend Virginia. Perhaps she's right! I don't go out much except to buy groceries at Publix or Winn Dixie.
Gotta eat don't I? We're in the afternoon rainy season and usually afternoons is when I tend to leave my house to go shopping.
But the truth of the matter is when I moved here I had more friends than I could handle. When I had a dinner party, I had to invite about l2 to 14 people....and that was with eliminating some hoping they wouldn't find out. I enjoyed having friends but now I know it's all in timing.
One of my favorite authors years ago Helen Van Slyke wrote:
As the years passed that number dwindled down .. and down .. and down.
Some passed on .. while others went to live in retirement homes where they get catered to.
Which, for me, narrowed my field down to nothing. I'm feeling the loss.
Younger people have moved into our community of 333 units, but they're all much younger, and who wants to be stuck with someone who could be their mother.
I understand the situation well. I still talk on the phone to a few friends, but the sad part of that is they've lost a good deal of memory.
So...I busy myself with my computer, books, my children, and TV.... and that keeps me pretty well satisfied.
I still consider myself very fortunate.....I'm living in a cute little villa...and I'm still alive! And this was written on friendship
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is
Gotta eat don't I? We're in the afternoon rainy season and usually afternoons is when I tend to leave my house to go shopping.
But the truth of the matter is when I moved here I had more friends than I could handle. When I had a dinner party, I had to invite about l2 to 14 people....and that was with eliminating some hoping they wouldn't find out. I enjoyed having friends but now I know it's all in timing.
One of my favorite authors years ago Helen Van Slyke wrote:
As the years passed that number dwindled down .. and down .. and down.
Some passed on .. while others went to live in retirement homes where they get catered to.
Which, for me, narrowed my field down to nothing. I'm feeling the loss.
Younger people have moved into our community of 333 units, but they're all much younger, and who wants to be stuck with someone who could be their mother.
I understand the situation well. I still talk on the phone to a few friends, but the sad part of that is they've lost a good deal of memory.
So...I busy myself with my computer, books, my children, and TV.... and that keeps me pretty well satisfied.
I still consider myself very fortunate.....I'm living in a cute little villa...and I'm still alive! And this was written on friendship
On Friendship
Kahlil Gibran
Your friend is your needs answered.Kahlil Gibran
He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.
And he is your board and your fireside.
For you come to him with your hunger, and you seek him for peace.
When your friend speaks his mind you fear not the "nay" in your own mind, nor do you withhold the "ay."
And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart;
For without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.
When you part from your friend, you grieve not;
For that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain to the climber is clearer from the plain.
And let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.
For love that seeks aught but the disclosure of its own mystery is not love but a net cast forth: and only the unprofitable is caught.
And let your best be for your friend.
If he must know the ebb of your tide, let him know its flood also.
For what is your friend that you should seek him with hours to kill?
Seek him always with hours to live.
For it is his to fill your need, but not your emptiness.
And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is
Monday, December 12, 2016
Monday, December 2, 2013
Replaying in my head!
Hiding from one's shadow is an impossible task...as hard as trying to escape from one's thoughts, being as they're not channeled in any particular direction, but floating uncontrollably out into the world, only to be thought by me.
Shadows and thoughts are a part of us that have nothing to do with one another, except they're attached to us. Memories may fade and shadows may alter, but they're always there. My thoughts have been taking over my subconscious making me aware of how many people used to be an active part of my life.
Little by little, as I age, I'm losing my friendships. These ladies have moved into retirement homes to be cared for...having their meals cooked and served to them, and reminding them to take their medications, and making sure they're using their walkers, canes or wheel chairs.
My innermost thoughts are always there, swaying and crawling to a place that only I can reach, and enhancing images in my mind that tend to enter and leave at random..... coming and going on and on!
I can no more control what I'm thinking than I can of breathing.
Was it always this way, or am I just by myself so much that I'm living within my consciousness.
Am I reliving my life to make sure I remember, or these so-called thoughts just keep tumbling out, causing me to have too much time and not enough to occupy me.
Now it's time for me to take charge and get rid of all this foolishness. Yes, indeed I can, and I will! I'm enrolling at our Palm Beach Public Library, where they're offering a course helping seniors cast their hand at creative writing.
This way, I can focus on what's really important to keep my memories alive.
I'll take a few of my blogs to be shown the way to improve my writing so more people might want to visit my site..
My blog is about my best friend. I confide all kinds of quirky things about me in it and I do laugh at my own shortcomings.
My grown-up children have no idea what they created when they suggested my writing a blog that it would be such an important part of my life.
Shadows and thoughts are a part of us that have nothing to do with one another, except they're attached to us. Memories may fade and shadows may alter, but they're always there. My thoughts have been taking over my subconscious making me aware of how many people used to be an active part of my life.
Little by little, as I age, I'm losing my friendships. These ladies have moved into retirement homes to be cared for...having their meals cooked and served to them, and reminding them to take their medications, and making sure they're using their walkers, canes or wheel chairs.
My innermost thoughts are always there, swaying and crawling to a place that only I can reach, and enhancing images in my mind that tend to enter and leave at random..... coming and going on and on!
I can no more control what I'm thinking than I can of breathing.
Was it always this way, or am I just by myself so much that I'm living within my consciousness.
Am I reliving my life to make sure I remember, or these so-called thoughts just keep tumbling out, causing me to have too much time and not enough to occupy me.
Now it's time for me to take charge and get rid of all this foolishness. Yes, indeed I can, and I will! I'm enrolling at our Palm Beach Public Library, where they're offering a course helping seniors cast their hand at creative writing.
This way, I can focus on what's really important to keep my memories alive.
I'll take a few of my blogs to be shown the way to improve my writing so more people might want to visit my site..
My blog is about my best friend. I confide all kinds of quirky things about me in it and I do laugh at my own shortcomings.
My grown-up children have no idea what they created when they suggested my writing a blog that it would be such an important part of my life.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
So very long ago
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Time Was!
With all the talk about the economy and jobs, it suddenly occurred to me that I actually never went looking for a job. Work came to me.
I'm not a very gutsy person so I guess I have to consider myself pretty lucky.
My sweet Mother whom I adored died when I was going on 16...and when I graduated from high school at 17, my father sent me to commercial college.
I was still reeling from my Mother's death.
This school received a phone call from our local radio station that they needed a continuity writer...so I was sent. WKPA was our 'Voice of the Valley'...and we signed off with the local sunset.
I was hired on the spot...and spots are what I had to write.
I was sooo green...didn't even know what a radio spot was. But I loved...adored this job.
I ended up being a girl Friday also...doing everything...selecting music...picking out classical music that I couldn't even pronounce....and selecting electrical transcriptions ...that we played on two large turntables.
A short while after that...tape players were used.
I loved my boss and all the announcers who worked there. They would gather everyday in my office to 'gossip'...and some days in order to get a commercial on the air, I needed to go to another office to write it.
I stayed on 9 years until I was 7 months pregnant.
My only other job after that was in our own toy store where Allen and I worked side by side...enjoying the children enjoying their toys.
And we knew that once they pass that child-spot in their lives, they could ne're return again.
I think about all this frequently because....this was my life! And good it w
I'm not a very gutsy person so I guess I have to consider myself pretty lucky.
My sweet Mother whom I adored died when I was going on 16...and when I graduated from high school at 17, my father sent me to commercial college.
I was still reeling from my Mother's death.
This school received a phone call from our local radio station that they needed a continuity writer...so I was sent. WKPA was our 'Voice of the Valley'...and we signed off with the local sunset.
I was hired on the spot...and spots are what I had to write.
I was sooo green...didn't even know what a radio spot was. But I loved...adored this job.
I ended up being a girl Friday also...doing everything...selecting music...picking out classical music that I couldn't even pronounce....and selecting electrical transcriptions ...that we played on two large turntables.
A short while after that...tape players were used.
I loved my boss and all the announcers who worked there. They would gather everyday in my office to 'gossip'...and some days in order to get a commercial on the air, I needed to go to another office to write it.
I stayed on 9 years until I was 7 months pregnant.
My only other job after that was in our own toy store where Allen and I worked side by side...enjoying the children enjoying their toys.
And we knew that once they pass that child-spot in their lives, they could ne're return again.
I think about all this frequently because....this was my life! And good it w
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Senior learning!
Last week my friend Harriet and I decided we'd like to join a group of seniors on a trip to St. Petersburg, Fl. on a venture called Grandedventures.
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm home!
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm home!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Senior learning!
Last week my friend Harriet and I decided we'd like to join a group of seniors on a trip to St. Petersburg, Fl. on a venture called Grandedventures.
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm home!
It's a little pricey but we enjoyed our vacation at a new Hilton Hotel which was beautiful and our home away from home for a week.
We both felt we needed a little time away from our reservation here at High Point to see new faces and study new people and courses. There was a so-called religious man who came with a pretty woman whom I assumed was his wife. He wore 4 different colored skull caps every day and he was constantly quoting from the Bible. During one of my gossip sessions, I found out they were shacking up together. I still get shocked! What's wrong with me! He changed yarmulkes (skull caps) like a woman switching earrings.
The classes we attended were very interesting...and some of the speakers were familiar to us...the Russian Orthodox priest talking about his wife and their belief in the Trinity. We also were happy to reunite with our music lady talking about Cole Porter...and the next day showing us clips of Gene Kelly and that he came from Pittsburgh where I come from and that he had a dance studio where he gave lessons early on.
We spent New Year's eve listening to the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. I have never seen such a huge stage..and we didn't just listen to the music of the masters...but we watched magical ballet and heard lots of opera. I was entranced. Perfect. My only complaint...everything was in German...and I still haven't forgiven them for the Halacaust.
The food at the hotel was all right. We all got served the same menu and there weren't too many complaints . Anything served to me is good. Let's face it...I'm getting very lazy. All the deserts were sugar free which wasn't such a great idea because to some people the artificial stuff is poison in their bodies.
Our week was good...went very fast. We were very cold so we wern't able to take the boat ride offered...but we did get to see the Barnum-Ringling Bros. Circus Museum.
One man spent 50 years building a matchbox scale of the circus....and that really interested me...such detail.... He included all the trains, animals, performers, tents, and even how they prepared their food....and the dishes they used... a view into their lives and how hard these people worked to install the tents and then a day later...take it all down again....and do it in another city.
In those days, many of the artists were considered freaks of nature...the bearded lady...twins joined together,,, Siamese and which they're able to separate today.....dwarfs and very tall people over 7 feet.
All that is changed today. I do remember the day the circus would come to our town and we were all excused from school to watch the circus parade with their big elephants and Arabian Horses. What a treat that was.
I recall that one year they were selling periscopes for 25 cents. That was a lot of money when you're 8 years old...but the vendor promised that I would be able to look behind me to see the homework of a classmate. I fell for it..and was I ever disappointed. But that was decades ago.
/Returning home from our trip we experienced a massive blowout on our bus tire. Not every garage can accommodate a bus....so we waited almost 3 hours. The bus company sent another bus from Miami...but in the meantime a garage came....so we were rescued.
While all this excitement was happening, Seth who owns Grandedventures brought all of us wine, crackers, cheese and little veggies. There was such a feeling of camarderie on that bus that we hadn't experienced all week....so everything serves a reason. When Seth, his wife and son boarded our bus while we were delayed he was received with such applause...he'd come to save us!
I'm glad I went...I'm glad I'm home!