Monday Morning This and That

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

  Martin Luther King Jr.

Good morning to my online friends. Another Monday has arrived. Looks like we are in for above average temperatures today. Just don't know how to dress anymore. Had a fairly quiet weekend.  Lots of at-home things to keep me busy.  Did my weekly cooking on Saturday,  and yesterday it was  off to church in the morning and then back home to do some work on a couple online courses I am taking. I've signed up for the final semester of "Curandismo" (Mexican Folk Healing) from the University of New Mexico and "Soul Beliefs" from Rutgers. 

I am still reeling from the events in Paris. As a New Yorker, once again fear has become a part of my life, and I find myself not only looking for anything suspicious, but at times allowing my imagination to run wild....as in church yesterday.  A man entered the church and stood in the back surveying the parishoners.  He moved no further into the church, just stood there looking around.  Then, I saw his hand move into his jacket and immediately I froze with fright, but all the poor man did was take an offering envelope out, hand it to the usher, and leave the church.  But this is what terror does to people, and I WILL NOT let it stop me from living my life.

 Today I have a fairly quiet day ahead. My Short Story class in the morning is the only thing on my agenda. My days in class are continuing to wind down so I really have to start looking for new things to keep me busy. I did run into an old classmate from my art class, and she said that there is still no teacher but encouraged me to come back. I don't think so. I can practice my art at home and don't have to go to a place that made me feel so uncomfortable.  I can't forget how I was ignored on that walking trip. 

I am so happy that Ralph found something to keep him busy. I had welcomed retirement. Actually, I was under so much stress at work, and my health was suffering from it, that I chose to retire. On the other hand, he was retired for medical reasons and hasn't found it as easy as I have. He gets bored and depressed. His little driver job helped for awhile, but the guy turned out to be a 'user' and he had to let it go.  

So, I asked him what he would like to do and after some thought, he said he would like to get his CDL. So, I went online and found a free school for him, and he started on Friday. He's beaming now and so proud of his homework and all he has to do. And most importantly it keeps his mind off all his medical issues.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Hope you all have a good one.