Wednesday Quote

From class yesterday:

Write, read, or say anytime of the night or day to release stress and increase positive energy power.

I feel that I am a WINNER!!

I believe that I am a WINNER!!

I am a WINNER!!

YOU ARE WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE.

Our teacher is such a fascinating woman.  An educator and a counselor,  she also has
over 18 years experience as a Specialized Handwriting Analyst and in 1986 was honored as "The Outstanding Counselor"Brooklyn.  She is also a thyroid, breast, colon, liver cancer survivor, who has authored seven books on stress management and is dedicated to sharing, with educators, counselors, therapists.  Going to love this course.  It's just what I need.

School Days are Here Again

Most people are just trying to get through the day. Be committed
to learn to get from the day. Don’t just get through it; get from it.
Learn from it. Let the day teach you. Join the university of life.
What a difference that will make in your future. Commit yourself
to learning. Commit yourself to absorbing. Be like a sponge.
Get it. Don’t miss it.

Jim Rohn

Morning all. It's another humid one for sure, and rain is on its way. Yesterday, boy was I shocked when I stepped outdoors. Seemed like summer was back. The air was so heavy and thick. Ralph had a hard time of it yesterday. Took a short walk and returned right home running for his pump.

I've only one class today. 'Wellness'. In this class we will learn we will learn healthy ways to manage anger, fear and sadness and practice PEP (Positive Energy Power) Aerobics. The latter kind of scares me. LOL!!!

As you see, though, I have chosen classes that go along with my lifelong interest in alternative healing methods. Not that I don't believe there are times we NEED our doctor, but we are also the captains of our own bodies. For many years, I admit, I let stress control my body and look at the results. 70 pound weigh gain, high blood pressure they couldn't even control with medication, thyroid issues, fibromyaligia, pre-diabetes. That's all changing now that I've once again taken control. Lost almost 40 pounds, an occasional flare but less pain on a daily basis, normalized blood pressure, with medication but I hope one day not to need it, thyroid issues stabilized and off medication. Haven't had recent bloodwork so I don't know if I am still pre-diabetic.

So now I am learning all I can. I've said it before, if I had it to do all over again, I'd go into nutrition and healing instead of substance abuse. But everything falls as it is meant to be. And with substance abuse I met many wonderful people and had the opportunity to help some who never had someone care enough before.

I'm awfully chatty this morning. I'm excited that's all. Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Autumn truly is what summer pretends to be: the best of all seasons. It is as glorious as summer is tedious; as subtle as summer is obvious; as refreshing as summer is wearying.

Autumn seems like paradise.

Gregg Easterbrook
 

I bought this plant last year.  I thought it was so pretty and unusual, and for awhile it was.  But, I noticed that not only was it not growing, but the was beginning to die. Tried everything I could to save it, but nothing worked.  It was then I discovered that there were no roots.  The owner of the store had just stuck the pretty leaves in the dirt.  Never went back to that store.  

Good morning everyone.  I had a quiet weekend.  On Saturday I stayed in and did some cooking.  A couple days this week I have class in the afternoon, and I hate to come home and start cooking from scratch so all I will have to do is thaw dinner out, make some veggies, and dish out the plates.  On Sunday I went to church.  It was cool.  First time that I really needed a jacket.  Sunday afternoon was spent reading a short story for Monday morning's class.

Saturday I felt better than I have in a long time.  On Friday night I participated in a distance Reiki healing session.  Woke up with little pain and so much energy.  I felt like my old self again.  Suffice it to say I have felt pretty good since that healing session, and as a result, I am going to look further into Reiki.

This will be a busy week for me.  Classes from Monday through Friday, pick up my meds Friday afternoon, and then food shopping on Saturday.  Won't have a day off until Saturday two weeks from now.  I enjoy keeping busy, though. 

Last week as I took out my broom to sweep my house clean in honor of the coming of fall.   I also chose to sweep away those fair weather friends who do nothing but leave me drained, groups that no longer offer what I needed, and fall clothing that no longer fit my slimmer body.  Felt pretty good when I was finished. A lot freer.  I also took time to work on sweeping away the resentment and bitterness I feel towards my ex's family. I admit, that is going to take  some time, for sure, but I am working on it.  

Well, I'm off to shower and have breakfast.  Have a good one.

Friday Roundup

Autumn

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.

Emily Dickinson

 

Good morning all. Well, it's been a heck of a week. The best part of it is Autumn is here, and we have been having some fantastic weather.  Yes, the temperature has been up to 80, but it's not the same 80 as summer.  This I can deal with.  And I am loving the cool mornings.  Used to be the first thing I walked into the living room in the morning was turn on the AC.  Now I just throw open the window.  Awesome.

Had a quiet week.  Only had school on Monday because of the Jewish holidays.  Next week it starts in earnest.  Today I have Tai Chi in the morning and then heading back home and taking tomorrow as a day of rest because once Sunday rolls around I won't have a day of rest for two weeks. Not complaining, though.  I love being busy, and I enjoy learning new things.  I told Ralph the other day that if I had it to do over again, I'd be a nutritionist and not a substance abuse counselor.  I'd still be in a helping profession, but one with a lot less stress.

I had a quiet celebration on Mabon.  Made chicken breasts marinated in rosemary, garlic powder, black pepper, melted butter and lemon juice. Baked in oven.  Served with salad, brocolli,

 2 1/2 cups flour 

 1 tablespoon baking powder

 1/4 teaspoon salt 

 1 egg 

 2 snack size cups of applesauce

 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

 2/3 cup fat free milk 

 2 tablespoons oil 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in large bowl and set aside.

Beat egg in medium bowl. Stir in applesauce, brown sugar, milk and oil. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. (Batter will be lumpy.) Pour 1/2 of the batter into a loaf pan sprayed with Pam or your choice of non-cooking spray.  Sprinkle 1/2 of cinnamon topping and spread evenly. 

Topping 

1 cup packed brown sugar 

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup  flour
1/4 cup salt free butter (melted)
2 tsp. cinnamon

 Combine ingredients and blend with a fork until crumbly.

Pour the rest of batter into pan and sprinkle  the rest of the cinnamon topping evenly to cover. 

Bake for about 40-45 minutes.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday Photos

There is a beautiful spirit breathing now
Its mellowed richness on the clustered trees,
And, from a beaker full of richest dyes,
Pouring new glory on the autumn woods,
And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds.
Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird,
Lifts up her purple wing, and in the vales
The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer,
Kisses the blushing leaf, and stirs up life
Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned,
And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved,
Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down
By the wayside a-weary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Here are some pics of my fall decorating.  Just love this time of the year.

Mabon Blessings to All

Let go a little to have a little peace. Let go a lot to have a lot of peace.

Achaan Chah

This morning I am feeling like a terrible person.  My sister-in-law passed on Tuesday, and I have no feelings. I feel guilty that I cannot mourn.  After all, I am an ordained minister.  I should be able to forgive.  But she was such a miserable person who treated me poorly at least 95 percent of the time.  I'm not going to get into all the hateful things she did to me.  I think those I could forgive.  It's what she did to my sons that tears me apart.  She robbed them of their inheritance and now some strange freeloading man who lived off my sister-in-law and a greedy sister will be getting what is rightfully theirs.

I married into a very strong willed and prejudiced Italian family and was never really accepted.  I wasn't Italian to start with.  For 15 years I put up with physical and emotional abuse by my ex and emotional abuse by his family.  Nothing I ever did was good enough.  So, after 15 years I parted ways with them, not an easy task because by that time they had pretty much beaten me down.  I attended a counseling program for women like myself and never spoke to the family again. Threats had been made, and I took them seriously, but I never said a bad word about the family to my sons.  To this day there are things they don't know, and they worship their father.  I can't take that away from them. 

That was about 23 years ago. There is only one family member left now, a sister living in Florida, greedy as can be, but now is not the time to talk about it.  In 1996 my ex, his father, and his mother all died within 6 months of each other.  My sister-in-law in Florida received cash and the house was divided between the sister-in-law who just passed and my ex under the condition that should something happen to him, his share would go to my sons. Well, somehow she conned my ex into signing his share over to her for the sum of $10. We believe he was under heavy medication at the time.  My boys have tried to legally fight this for many years to no avail.  

But, enough of that for today.  It's Mabon, the fall equinox is here.   This is the day I waited for, the day that seemed so far away when we were in the midst of that hot and humid summer weather.  Do you have any special plans? As important as this day is to me, I must admit I have very little planned.  I'm off to take care of my banking today then stopping at the store to buy a few items for my equinox meal--Rosemary Grilled Chicken, garden salad, broccoli with garlic and oil, some rice and beans for hubby, and homemade applesauce bread (haven't made this in years).  Later, I plan a quiet evening of candles, prayer,  reading of a few Autumn short stories, and honoring those that have passed over.  And of course, I will say a prayer for my sister-in-law that she may find peace.

Have a good one. 

Tuesday Ramblings

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher
explains. The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.

William Arthur Ward

Good morning, everyone.  My classes were amazing yesterday.  Well, actually my short story was totally amazing and Nutritional Enlightenment only halfway.  I don't like a professor who doesn't encourage questions or comments and utilizes the class to talk about 'self'.  But, I am there for knowledge so I will overlook that.  Yesterday we discussed, or should I say 'she' discussed the health benefits of legumes and nuts.

The other day I had mentioned zeppoles, and  it never occurred to me that not everyone knew what they were until a few peers on FB and here asked what they are.  Actually, I didn't know what they were either until I married into an Italian family years ago.  Zeppoles are a doughy Italian pastry that is deep fried and coated in powdered sugar.  So good.  

Speaking of food, I brought my sandwich with me and decided it best not to eat on the run, so I got there a bit early and ate my lunch at 10:15.  Not a good idea because despite munching on grapes during class, I was absolutely famished when I got home and ready to eat anything put in front of me. Fortunately, I had roasted a chicken over the weekend with plans to have it tonight.  I sliced a small piece and put it on my 80 calorie Smart Pocket bread and, with a nice glass of water, that tided me over til dinner so I didn't go overboard.

In my process of letting go, I decided it best I let go of My Fitness Pal.  I've been with them for a couple years now, but their tallying of one's daily food intake does not agree with Weight Watchers.  My Fitness Pal is based on calories.  Weight Watchers is based on points.  And the two never match.  If I hit my target points in Weight Watchers, I find that I am far below the calorie count allowed by My Fitness Pal.  So since Weight Watchers I've had to fudge the results by adding foods I didn't really eat.  Sort of defeats the purpose. So, I said good bye to the friends I met there and moved on.  Actually friendships there are just showing support for one another.  "Good job", "well done", "fantastic diary", etc. so it's really not a friendship like I've developed here.  At least in Weigh Watchers I not only have face-to-face support, but I am also held accountable to the scale.  That once a week weigh in keeps you on your toes.

No classes today or tomorrow for Jewish holiday so I plan on squeezing my monthly banking in  a week early as next week is a full week of school and bills are due.  Which day I choose to do it depends on how I feel when I get up in the morning.

Have a good one.  And stay smiling.

Monday Morning This and That

The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize, that in life they create their own love, they manufacture their own meaning, they generate their own motivation. For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday, and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you.


Neil deGrasse Tyson

Good morning all.  Had a wonderful weekend and looking forward to today.  It's going to be a busy one, for sure.  I have two classes--The Short Story and Nutritional Enlightenment.  A very interesting day.  Have to figure out how to fit lunch in there.  First class ends at 11:30 and next one begins at 11:40...and they are both in different buildings.  I'm thinking of bringing a boiled egg and some grapes.  I can eat the egg while walking over and nibble the grapes in class.  I'll just sit in the back.  Yeah, I know it's not the healthiest way to eat, but I just need a little something in my tummy.  When I get home I'll fix a nice salad.

A sure sign that fall is on the way.....

The trees in front of my building in the summer.

 This picture was taken yesterday.  Trees becoming bare.

Spent Saturday putting the summer decor away and decorating for fall.  I couldn't wait...and it's really not too early.  Fall arrives this week.  Hard to believe this was the last weekend of summer, isn't it? Yesterday felt so nice and cool.  I also cooked some beans  and two dinners which are in the freezer for my late days.  Now just have to make some rice. Getting into the swing of things.

Yesterday I went to church and headed back home to get ready for the week.  They had a feast not too far from me, but I had no interest in attending.  Street fairs are far too expensive nowadays.  Hubby and I used to love going for the sausage sandwiches and the zeppoles.  It's now almost $12 for a sandwich and $6 for a small bag of Zeppoles.  Just not worth it.  I can buy almost three packages of sausages for that money and make my own.  Ended up taking a much needed two hour nap which sure felt good. 

Today is the day that was designated as the International Day of Peace.   This day should be observed as an as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all nations and people to honor a cessation of hostilities during the Day. World Peace Day encourages us to be kind to others, and teach others to be peaceful. 

 If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.

Mother Teresa

Have a good one. And remember, start out the week with a smile.  Be kind to each other.

Friday Roundup

The clouds above us come together and disperse;
The breeze in the courtyard departs and returns.
Life is like that, so why not relax?
Who can keep us from celebrating?

Lu-Yu

Good morning and a happy Friday to all.  My week wasn't so busy.  No school due to Jewish holidays.  Today I have Tai Chi.  Let's see how it goes this week.  Have to remember to focus on the trainer, not everyone else.  Maybe that way I'll be able to tell right from left. 

Visited my job on Tuesday.  First time I've been there since I retired.  Actually, first time I have been in the city since I retired.  So nice to know there is a bus that will take me there.  It felt good seeing everyone, and they were amazed at how well I looked. Of course, no more stress and overwork.  I have to admit that, for a brief moment, I wished that I was still a part of it.  Groups were just letting out when I arrived, and  I missed running my groups.  But, by the time it was ready to go home, I'd totally changed my mind.  I don't miss the huge caseloads and non-ending paperwork.   I realized it's like the old saying, "It's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.'

Autumn is right around the corner.  I am so looking forward to my favorite time of the year.  Oh, I love the spring as well because it means the cold weather is over, but there is just something about the fall....the colors, the feel of the crisp leaves under my feet, the cool, crisp morning air. And, as in every change of season, I do some housecleaning, both inside and out. Physically, it's the usual--change of color scheme, etc.  Within, I clean out in as well.  Time to rid myself of old habits that aren't working as well as people who continue to waste my time...over and over again.  I have no use for hypocrites and fair weather friends.  

If you can't be my friend when you decide you are a Christian, then don't be my friend when you change your mind and become something else.  Perhaps you don't realize it, or perhaps you just don't care, but it hurts when I reach out in friendship and devote precious time trying to help you work through your problems.  It hurts that when you become Christian 'again' you snub me because I am Druid.  Too many times I've opened my heart to you in friendship and too many times you snub me because of my beliefs when you feel you have been 'saved'.  I was there for your call,  listening to your problems when my cat passed and then again when I was mourning my mom. I was your friend, but it's time to let you go. And this time I mean it. Friends don't treat each other like that.

Sorry about that.  Just had to get that out there.  Even if they may never see it, at least I set it free and it will no longer eat away at me.  

And to end on a happy note, there are certainly many wonderful people and friends out there, and I refuse to let one bad apple get me down.  A new friend has come into my life recently, and her goodness has brought such great joy to me.  I won a prize from a contest she had and yesterday I received the package.  I am in such awe.

And with that, I wish you all a wonderful weekend.  Enjoy and see you on Monday.

Thursday Pictures

The American city should be a collection of communities where every member

has a right to belong. It should be a place where every person feels safe

on his or her streets and in the house of his or her friends. It should be a place

where each individual's dignity and self-respect is strengthened by the respect

and affection of his or her neighbors. It should be a place where each of us

can find the satisfaction and warmth which comes from being a member of the

community of human beings. This is what people sought at the dawn of civilization.

It is what we seek today.

Lyndon B. Johnson

Ventured into the city by bus the other day and on the way home was feeling bored so I took some pictures of the old buildings we passed.  I love the old buildings in Manhattan.

Monday Morning This and That

 Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.

Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing
in life is to keep your mind young.

Henry Ford

Morning all.  It's a lovely one for sure.  A hint of fall is in the air, but it's only a taste, or better yet, a tease.  Heat and humidity heading back by week's end.  Oh well, won't be long now so I can deal with it.  Today I have no class.  Actually, I have no classes until Friday.  Jewish holidays.  Next week classes will be sparse as well.

I totally love being back in school.  I love being part of the campus.  Sure, most of these kids are young enough to be my grandchildren, and I walk with a cane, but I feel like I am a part of.  Of course, the kids are used to seeing us seniors on campus.  Brooklyn College is one of the few with a special senior citizen program, and I'm pleased to see that a lot of people take advantage of it.

Had my first Tai Chi class on Friday, and I am afraid to say, I've much to learn.  First of all, I have to learn to follow directions better.  When our trainer says 'right', she doesn't mean left.  Not that I don't know the difference, but I have a tendency to look to see what my classmates are doing and become confused because everyone seems to be doing something different.  Have to pay attention to the trainer only.  Secondly, part of my homework assignment, aside from the reading material, is to practice posture and standing straight.  I'd been so afraid of falling that I learned to walk face down and shoulders hunched over.  According to my trainer, this is what makes one lose their balance and causes more falls.

I am so pleased, too, with my classmates.  Even though many are older than me, they are not the same type of people as those I met at the senior centers. They are not content to sit and play cards and bingo all day long.   We all have a common interest.  We're not content to sit back and grow old quietly.  No, we want to stay active and keep our minds from stagnating.  We are eager to learn.  This is exactly what I needed in my life.

Have a good one.  

Thursday Photos

 Education is not the filling of a pail,
but the lighting of a fire.

William Butler Yeats

Started school this week, and I am loving it.  Can't understand why I hated it so much as a youth.  Must have been the rebelliousness of youth.

Here are a few pictures of Brooklyn College.

 A new friend.

 This is the main building for the Lifelong Learning Center.  Of course, not all classes are here.  The campus is huge, but I am learning where everything is.

I arrived at school around noontime one day, that the bells in this wonderful spire was playing what sounded like the school song.  Loved it.

Tuesday Memories

He who is cruel to animals becomes hard also in his dealings with men. We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.

Immanuel Kant

 I have pets all my life.  Well, since I was five years old, that is.  For some unbeknownst reason, grandma and grandpa never had a pet, and we lived with them for the first five years of my life.  They did keep chickens, however, so they did have animals.  

It wasn't until we moved into our new home that I had a pet.  Susie.  My very special little girl.  My miracle. She was hit by an oil truck when she was barely a year old and lived to a ripe old age of 16 with three legs.  Got along as well as any other pet.  I hated it when the other kids would make fun of her.

I must have been 10 or 11 when we got Tiny, a little fox terrier....who promptly became my dad's dog.  I remember she was smart as a whip.  When retired to his room for the night, Tiny was right at his heels.  So sweet and so much love.

Throughout the years we had many, many cats, but I do not have a picture of them, only the two below.  I remember one winter morning when mom went out to start her car and warm it up, she heard a terrible screech.  An orange cat had been caught in the fan belt.  We rushed her to the vet who saved her life. Although we already had three, we kept her and gave her a home.  She was never quite normal, but she lived a long and happy life. 

This is the first time in 48 years I've not had a pet, but after my beloved Miss Minga's passing, I've decided that I will not  get another one.  I'm older now, in chronic pain, and living on a limited budget.  When I have a pet I want the best for them, and right now I couldn't give them that.

Monday Morning This and That

Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it's essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.

 Douglas Pagels

'These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You'

Good morning everyone, and a very happy Labor Day to those celebrating.  I remember how much I looked forward to these three day weekends while I was working. This is such an exciting week for me.  Tomorrow I have orientation, and my first class starts on Wednesday.  Had a bit of anxiousness yesterday when I started sneezing and had a runny nose, but it seems that was allergies, so  I am all prepared and feeling well for my bit day.  Have all my pens, notebooks, and folders.  Purchased a new bag to carry them in.  Have a new outfit for the first day.  And on Friday I had my haircut.  

On Saturday I had a day of rest.  It was one of those 'do whatever you feel like' days.  I caught up on some pen pal letters, played some FB games, and read.  Finished 'Frankenstein' so I am truly ready for class on Wednesday.  I found another assigned book for free on Kindle, 'Villette' by Charlotte Bronte.  Wow, that one is 746 pages.  I had a hard time with 'Frankenstein', don't know how I am going to read this one.  I'm not good with extra long books.  The only one that truly held my attention from beginning to end was 'The Mists of Avalon'. 

Sunday I went to church and absolutely nothing on my agenda today except to get ready for tomorrow.  Pack my back, polish my nails, lay out clothes.  Going to be a hot one so I am glad I bought a couple outfits, one lighter than the other.  Can you tell that I am excited?  I sure do hope I can sleep tonight.

Was just reading a FB page of one of the scammers I wrote about not too long ago.  If true, the scammer got scammed, but I highly doubt it's true.  This is the one who says she has early stage Alzheimers (probably true)  and claimed, basically, that her internet was the only joy she had and helped her keep in contact with her friends, but it was about to be cut off because she couldn't pay her bill.  Meanwhile, she planned and held her daughter's wedding and went on two vacation trips.  Now she is claiming they donated to some Veteran's program and they stole their ID.  Now she is clammoring to find a way to pay her bills.  That's a hint for everyone.  And when her friends don't volunteer to help her financially,  I see this going on GoFundMe in the near future.  

Well, that's about it this morning.  Gonna go have some breakfast and jump in the shower to take these kinks out of my bones.  Have a wonderful day.

Friday Roundup

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us
tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden
over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses
that are blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

Good morning.  Been such a busy week for me what with school starting on Tuesday.  Been running about every day. Monday and Wednesday were spent in school shopping.  Got all my supplies and a bag.  Wednesday was grocery shopping, Thursday Weight Watchers, and today I am going to get my hair cut, put some money on my metrocard, and head to Pathmark for my medications.  Later in the afternoon the nurse is coming for my final monthly visit.  I think tomorrow needs to be a stay-in day of rest.

My daughter's surgery went well yesterday.  Thank you for all your prayers. 

Had a real good week with my weight.  Lost 1 pound, finally hitting that illusive 40 I have been struggling to reach for months.  And even better, it's the first time I bought myself anything to wear since I began this journey, and guess what?  I went from a size 3x to XL.  3 sizes down.  Brought tears to my eyes.  Weight Watchers does work.

It's been so darn hot and humid here I don't know how I got anything done.  Believe it or not, I have MOST of my summer clothes packed away.  Did that on Wednesday after the groceries were delivered.  Left out enough to last me until cool weather sets in and started sorting through my fall clothing.  All this and it was 90 degrees outdoors.

Speaking of heat, yesterday I stood out in the sun for 15 minutes waiting for the bus.  When it finally arrived I was so relieved to get on and out of the heat.  All but one of the front seats were empty so I sat and leaned back, enjoying the coolness of the AC...until the next stop.  There were still 4 available seats up front and a multitude in the aisles, but this lady gets on and decides she just HAS to sit in the seat right next to me. If the bus had been packed, and it was the only seat available, I would have understood, but she could have sat anyplace rather than plop her hot sweaty body next to me.  I just don't understand people.

Had a spammer on my blog yesterday.  Glad I filter messages.  One of those born agains who cited a whole bunch of Bible verses as a comment.  I clicked his name and discovered he has a Christian blog.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Everyone has a right to their beliefs however different they may be, but they DO NOT have a right to come to someone else's blog and spout their beliefs.  What they don't know is that although my heading may denote Pagan, I have more spirituality within than they could ever hope to have.  I look for the good in all.  His close-minded self can't say that.

And with that I take my leave and bid you all a magnificent fun-filled weekend.

Thursday Photos

(My daughter is having gallbladder surgery this morning.  So worried, but I know she will be fine.)
  
What a desolate place would be a world without flowers.  It would be a face without a smile, a feast without a welcome.  Are not flowers the stars of the earth?  And are not our stars the flowers of heaven?

Clara Balfour 

On picture day I try to show you a glimpse of my universe, so for today I am sharing some pictures I took on the way to the park.  Brooklyn is really a beautiful place to live.

Tuesday Memories

Then and now.

Sorry the picture isn't so clear.  Mom had it almost glued into the album, and I was hesitant of tearing it by trying to remove for a picture.  It is so old.  About 62 years old, in fact.  This was our first home.  I lived here until I was 18 years old, and my parents bought a new home. So many memories here....camping out in the back yard, huge snowstorms, snow forts, my first pet, Susie, school days, bike riding.  My best friend, Kathleen.  

One day I was in my bedroom playing with my paper dolls when I heard, "Little girl, little girl, can you come out to play?"  We remained best buddies until she moved away after grammar school.  For awhile we kept in contact, but high school happened, and we went our separate ways.

I also got my first kiss while I was living in this house, and it was the first time anyone said I was pretty.  I was sitting in a swing with a boy from down the block.  Wasn't much of a kiss.  Just a peck on the lips.  Heck, I wonder now why he chose me, and if he maybe had some problems.  I was only about 11 years old at the time, still playing with paper dolls and dolls.  I didn't understand.  He was in his late teens. Sounds like he liked little girls.

And this is the way it looks today.