Good bye August

“August has passed, and yet summer continues by force to grow days. They sprout secretly between the chapters of the year, covertly included between its pages.”

Jonathan Safran Foer

Good morning everyone. Hard to believe this is the last day of August. Going to be a hot and humid one just as a reminder that August hasn't left us yet. Nothing on my agenda so I'm thinking about doing what I did yesterday--taking a nice long walk before it gets really hot. Trying to squeeze my exercise in.

 Also going to pack a few more items of clothing to make room for fall. It will be here before we know it and since I will be in school, I really want to be prepared. Ordered a few new tops for this fall and winter. About time. After all, I am 52 pounds and 3 sizes smaller than what I have. Last year I felt very self-conscious about my clothes because they were too big. It really hit home when I was looking at jackets and some lady said, in a very nice way, "You should buy it. Your jacket is way too big on you." This year I want to feel proud.

Good bye, August.  Welcome September.  Been waiting for you to come along.  Missing school.  Missing my friends.  The long wait will be over next week.

Have a good one.



Have a good one.

Next Week...Back to School

The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder. 

 

Ralph W. Sockman

Good morning everyone. Looks to be a beautiful day out there. Nothing planned and no errands to be run, I have to mail my rent so I might as well make a nice walk of it. Before long I won't have the time to be idle.  Next week school begins, and with that and my correspondence studies, I'll have very little time to sit and brood.  Love being busy.

Got my class list yesterday, and here is my new schedule.  

Monday:    10:30 to 11:30  Aging Mastery Program

                   12:10 to 1:10   Retirement and Aging--New Phenomena  (starts in October)

Tuesday:    12:30 to 1:50 Spanish class

                   2:10 to 3:20  Hebrew Scriptures in Judaism and Christianity (Love these classes)

Wednesday:  12:05 to 1:05 Writing Class (starts late October)

Thursday:   Now here I have a problem.  Two courses I want at the same time.  'Holistic Approaches to Healing: and "Miss Kitty's Magickal Kitchen" . 

So, here is what I am thinking.  I did have the Holistic classes last year and even though the instructor said each year is different, I am sure a lot of the same material is covered.  And Miss Kitty's class is every other week.  So I am thinking of taking Miss Kitty's class and on the off weeks will attend the Holistic Healing class.  Of course this is all subject to change.

And Friday is always an off day.  Need time for errands.

Monday This and That

Good morning everyone. Going up to the upper 80's today. No problem. I've no place to go. Just going to hang out under the AC. Going to start packing away some summer clothes I know definitely I will not wear this year, and dig out a bag of long sleeve tops. Usually put a few in the laundry each week. Fall will be here before we know it, and I always pride myself on being ready for that season change.

These grapes are so awesome. They look and smell like cotton candy. Never saw them before. Probably won't see them again either. Ate half that bag  yesterday. I've never tasted grapes so good. Don't want any of them to go bad and go to waste so I've been doing a number on them. Yeah, I know. Rationalizing. 

 52 pounds gone and 20 more to go.  Weight Watchers works.  You just have to stick with it.

 

Also have a project to work on for my Healing with Enzymes course today. 1. Take enzyme deficiency test. 2. write an overview of my test results. 3. develop a self-healing treatment plan including diet, exercise, and enzyme supplements. Not difficult but stretching it out to three pages is. All in all, though, I have enjoyed this course and learned so much.

 

Got to church early yesterday and took some pics.  All along the sides are statues of Mary from all over the world.  This is definitely her church.

 
Have a good one.

Friday Roundup

"We know that in September, we will wander through the warm winds of summer's wreckage. We will welcome summer's ghost." 

 

Henry Rollins

Good morning everyone. Looks like we're in for a hot and humid Friday. Heading out early this morning to do my monthly banking and then have to stop at the library to print something. Love that I can sit here in my home and send stuff to be printed. Technology is awesome, isn't it?

Hard to believe this is the last weekend of August.  Didn't have much of a summer this year.  Didn't sign up for the summer semester even though there were courses I wanted to take because I knew I was having this dental work.  Then, there was the recuperation time when I couldn't keep the dentures in for over an hour before the pain.  And then, when I started to feel a bit better, the heat and humidity were too much to do anything. 

Had the best tasting ribs in my life.  On Thursday we always order out at a Spanish restaurant, and for months now I have been have soup. Last night nubby asked , "Aren't you tired of that yet? Why don't you try something else?"  Yes, I am tired of it, and I am able to chew soft foods now so I told him to check out the ribs. They usually make them very soft and chewable. Along with some rice and beans, it was a meal worth waiting for. So happy to be on the mend. Not up to steak and pork chops, salads, and anything else crunchy yet, but no more blender.  And food has never tasted so good.

Fell out before 10 pm last night. It's been a rough sleeping week and my body said enough is enough. Left Bluebloods and AC on and went to lie down for 5 minutes because I could not seem to get comfortable and next thing I woke up at 2 am for a bathroom run and television and AC were still on. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Tis the Last Rose of Summer

While walking to the park I spotted her, one lone rose.  Her beauty caught my eye, causing me to stop and take notice.  She is alone now, all of her friends have given way to the weather.  She stands there, holding onto her loveliness for as long as she can.  She is a gentle reminder that Autumn will soon be here. 

Tis the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone:
No flower of her kindred,
No rose-bud is nigh,
To reflect back her blushes,
Or give sigh for sigh.

I'll not leave thee, thou lone one!
To pine on the stem;
Since the lovely are sleeping,
Go, sleep thou with them.
Thus kindly I scatter
Thy leaves o'er the bed,
Where thy mates of the garden
Lie scentless and dead.

So soon may I follow,
When friendships decay,
And from Love's shining circle
The gems drop away.
When true hearts lie wither'd,
And fond ones are flown,
Oh! who would inhabit
This bleak world alone? 

Thomas Moore

Well, I'm off to Weight Watchers for my weigh in.  Have a good one.

An Awesome Day at the Park

 To dispel life's daily deal of the daily grind, with a friend, Owls Head Park is a premier park in Brooklyn which allows visitors to overlook New York Harbor along Belt Parkway.  Children playing on the playground where the laughter and joyous cries resonate a innocent youth for what fate awaits their life.  Owls Head Park is also equipped with a dog run, skateboard and bike lanes.

There are many nice walking trails within.  The layout fends this park an illusion of great space with lots of greenery.

Good morning everyone. Looks to be a simply gorgeous day here in Brooklyn, but I don't have any plans.  Still going batty with this bone splinter.  The dentist and filed down my denture and sometimes it feels good, other times it hurts like heck.  Sometimes it feels as if it has busted through the skin, but not yet.  And then I wonder, how big is it? 

Went to the park yesterday for the first time in awhile, and it was so quiet and serene.  We all need that sense of peace once in awhile. Didn't climb to my favorite spot on the hill, though.. Water pill was working overtime so I stayed close to the rest rooms.  Snapped a few pics I'd like to share.

 If you enlarge, you will see a little old man in white running across the way.  This man is always there and puts me to shame.  He runs and runs and runs.  Sometimes he looks like he is about to pass out but he just stops a minute and then keeps going.  I was too far away to get a good picture, and he didn't come to my side today.

Monday This and That

That's the thing about pain.... It demands to be felt. 

 John Green 

Took a nice slow walk to church yesterday morning.

Good morning everyone.  Well, after a good rain the humidity has finally broken....at least for a few days.  Time to throw open the windows and air the house out. Wish I had something to do, but I am planning on a trip to the park tomorrow...which looks like even a nicer day.  

My teeth are improving.    I had my salad last night for dinner. It tasted yummy, but it hurt to chew it. Guess I tried to rush things. The dentist did say 4 to 8 weeks of healing. It's that darn bone that sticks out.  From what I understand this bone issue happens frequently. It stems from the bone between teeth. It shatters when teeth are extracted and the body feels they are a foreign object so works to rid itself of them. I did have it happen before, but I wasn't trying to cover it with a denture so it didn't rub and create pain.  Dentist told me it will eventually either work its way out or reform itself. Just have to be patient and wait.  Still have about 4-8 weeks to go before my gums are heeled enough to get my permanents. 

Working on my new course and so far it is very interesting. 'Healing with Enzymes '.  We don't tend to pay attention to their effects on our health.   Already skipped ahead and took the Enzyme Deficiency Test and it appears I have a dominant Protease Deficiency and a secondary Lipase Deficiency. One day I will post the test here for you all.

Also enrolled in a two day Reiki certification course on September 24th and 25th.  Long hours and means giving up my weekend, but I always wanted to do this and the opportunity arose so I am grabbing it.   Never could find the time to do these things while working.  And then, sometime in September or October she is offering a class on crystals.  Looking forward to that one as well.  

Have a good one. 

Thursday Chatter

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death.”

Robert Fulghum

Good morning everyone. Another hot one today, but at least the humidity is on its way down. Nothing on my agenda today. Just going to stay in. Received my next two courses in the mail yesterday and want to look over them, plus I am working on my final project for my herbal class.

So, according to the dentist, the bone sliver in my mouth is something normal. The dentist  did some filing of the denture and said that he is pleased with the way I am healing. That's good news.   I asked the receptionist if others came back as much as me, thinking I might be being a big baby, but she said some come back even more. My gums take time to heal and as they do, sores will form. Stopped and bought some strawberries. raspberries, and blueberry. Yum. Yum.

I had such an eerie dream the other night and it's plagued me ever since. Hubby  and I went to do our laundry in Newton, NJ. Why we traveled there for laundry who knows, but dreams are dreams and nothing is as it seems. So, we stop at this place and hubby asks me to get us a soda. I go up to the counter and this guy is standing there--not quite my first boyfriend, but my first 'real' boyfriend. I was 18 years old and spent every weekend with his parents who lived on Swartswood Road in Newton. His family loved me, and it was thought that we'd be married....until the wanderlust struck and I broke up with him. Saw him a couple of times afterwards. We chatted, but that was it.  Its been almost 50 years now.

Back to the dream. So here he was standing there when I go up to get the sodas. I recognize him immediately. He looks at me and says, "You know I have always loved you. Just wanted you to know I never forgot you." Took the sodas back to Ralph and turned back, but now it was a stranger standing there. So, I have done some searching  and found a Richard Whitehead on the Social Security death index. I remember he was a year younger than me and our birthdays were a day apart.  This Richard was born on March 22, one year prior to me and I on March 23rd. In researching I also found that his mom, dad, and sister had also passed.  Could he have reached out across the grave to me? Or is my Richard alive and well somewhere? I wonder if I will ever know. 

What do you think?

Have a good one.

Thursday Ramble

Summer has set in with its usual severity.

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Good morning everyone. Another hot one here. What's new? Hot, yes, but still the changes in the seasons is becoming noticeable. Used to be daylight at 6am. It's only now starting to lighten up...and by 8 pm night has already begun settling in when a month ago it was still daylight.

So this morning I am off to the dentist. Have a major sore going on on the right side and that bone bulging out on the left. Have to get everything fixed before school in a couple of weeks. Hubby thought he was making me feel better last night when he said, "Don't worry. You won't feel it. He'll give you a shot first." Does he not realize that those shots scare me the most? They hurt. 

There is a woman at my Weight Watchers meeting that doesn't wear her dentures.  It amazes me how she is able to eat everything, including those hard WW treats that bent my partial.  Sometimes I feel like just giving up on them and being like her, but vanity keeps me going.  Things will get better.  I am sure of it.
 

Well, at least I'll be back before the heat really sets in.

Have a good one.

Monday This and That

Webs of strange patterns we weave (each owns)

From colour and soul; and like unto these,

Soul has its tones and semitones,

Mind has its major and minor keys.

Amy Levy

Good morning everyone. It's going to be another hot one, for sure, but a beautiful morning nonetheless. Had a fairly good night's rest last night and aside from some mouth soreness, feeling pretty good this morning. Sleep does wonders. Too bad a good sleep is hard to come by nowadays.

Now it seems that a small slice of bone is working its way through the skin in my mouth.  They say this is quite common when teeth are extracted, but it is quite uncomfortable....and is made all the more uncomfortable by my tongue which appears to have become obsessed with it. Honestly, it's like my tongue has a mind of its own.  If it's not rubbing over the sores that my bottom denture has made, I find it constantly rubbing across the sharpness of the bone. IIt isn't a conscious thing. I have to make a conscious effort to stop it but I usually just end up doing it again once my mind is on other things. As a result, both spots are always pretty sore.

Nothing really on my agenda this morning. No place to go,nothing to do. No money to spend. Guess I will just be staying in today. Have lots of things to do. I want to sort out my shirts today and refold nicely. Also want to search for Autumn tablecloth and curtains. Always like to be ready ahead of time....and Autumn is right around the corner.

After more work on my course, I plan on doing a little reading. Just going to take it easy. Never had this choice when I was working.

Have a good one and stay cool.

Wednesday Chatter

Morning skies,
gray, rain on the way,
heat and humidity bringing on the storms
I see myself running between the raindrops.

 

Good morning everyone. Looks like we are in for a hot, humid, and showery day. Would be okay if the showers cooled it off some, but my understanding is that they are only going to make them worse. Oh well, this is August weather. To be expected.  Soon we'll be complaining that it is too cold.

This afternoon I have my opthamologist appointment and hope I can make it there through the raindrops. It's like 6 blocks away, but who wants to walk in in a heavy rainstorm. If we're between showers an hour before my appointment I'll just take my Kindle and head on over there. Coming home I don't care about getting wet.

I was so happy to be back at Brooklyn College yesterday. I really missed it. Didn't even sign up for the summer semester this year because I knew I'd be going through some dental woes. Speaking of Brooklyn College, I was talking to my daughter the other night about teaching there when I have my Nutritional Consultant and Holistic Healing Practitioner certificates. The program I am in is always looking for new courses, and you probably remember how disillusioned I was with the teacher they already had what with all the wrong info she was spreading and refusing to allow comments and questions from the class. So I figured I might try my hand at it. Just a thought right now. If anything it is still a year down the road.

Have a good one.

Enjoying a quiet morning,
of what will soon be a busy day,
peace, quiet, solitude,
soon to ends as the world around me comes alive.
(My morning writing for Awake August)

 

Good morning everyone. Looks kind of gray out there, and I understand that it is going to be a warm and humid day.  In fact, they say it is  going to be really miserable for the next few days. This morning I'm off to register for classes this morning. So excited and looking forward to September.   Stopped at the 99 cent store and bought all my supplies yesterday. 

 

Spent all afternoon tearing everything apart looking for my pencil case.  After the fiasco last year with my white jacket, I don't take any chances with my pens.  Couldn't find it and was ready to stop and buy a new one today when I sat at the table this morning, and there it was sitting in the back by my napkin holder.  I'd forgotten that I'd needed a pen a few days ago and had already taken it out of its summer hideaway. Oh, the aging memory.  (Sigh)

I'm thinking of having my lunch at the cafeteria before I come home, but that all depends on what is on the buffet. Still on soft foods so tuna should be fine, but what to have with it is the question. Also want to check out those pudding parfaits. Yummy.

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Good morning everyone. Looks like we are in for another fantastic weather day here in Brooklyn. This morning I am off to the bank to get some cash to enroll in school tomorrow and for Ralph's birthday on Friday.  I have been participating in a FB group called August Awake.  Each day in August we are supposed to post something little.  I usually write something about morning because that is what 'awake' means to me.  Here are a few of my gems....

Monday morning,
a new week begins
full of promise,
the sun is shining,
the air is cool,
so great to be alive.

 Woke early this morning,
too early, too abrupt, too soon
tried to get back to my awesome dream,
of youth, of times long ago,
but, alas, just as that time has passed,
so has my dream.

Cloudy skies cover the early morn
Grayness over the earth,
Late summer moodiness
Too hot, too humid
Welcoming the rain.

Afterwards I have to have my phone checked out. This is two months in a row that data has gone in two weeks despite using my phone less. I actually have cut my phone use in half. We're on a plan, and Ralph uses his phone more than I do but never runs out of data so he wants me to check and see if something is up with my phone or why else my data would be going so quickly before we pay on the 13th. 

Been making progress with my teeth. I always like to taste my food while I am cooking, and yesterday I was able to taste some small pieces of meat. I was able to lightly chew, but having a little difficulty with swallowing. I'm also have some issues with my jaw. It's feels really tense all the time, very uncomfortable. I think it is because my old bridge and partial were so worn down.  At any rate, I'll talk to the dentist about it.   I no longer have to blend my fruit, and last night I sat and ate my orange slices and strawberries without a problem.  In fact, I almost ate the whole box of strawberries as you can see.  Still not ready to dig my teeth into a juicy steak and haven't tried chicken yet, but  I am grateful for each small step.  I'm totally aware that this is not the finished product; that is still  months down the road.

Hitch your wagon to a star.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Good morning everyone. Slept a little late today, and it felt good. Wish I could do it more often, but I think this was a little catch-up from the night before. I was so excited when I got home from my son's  play Sunday night that I had a lot of difficulty falling asleep and then woke up at my usual early hour. So my little sleep-in this morning was very much needed.  

Had a wonderful time at the play, and I was such a proud mama.  He has worked so hard for this and got so many claps and cheers.  It was an awesome experience for me, one I will never forget.  Wish my mouth had felt better, but I keep reminding myself this could take months.  Part of me was glad that no one went out to eat afterwards.  It was pouring when we left, plus everyone had to get up early to be on set. 

Had a doctor's appointment yesterday.  First time I saw him in awhile.  Didn't get yelled at too bad. Did get a lecture though. (In one ear and out the other). Actually my appointment went well. Got my note for Weight Watchers. Now hopefully they will raise my goal weight. That's the one thing I find unfair with Weight Watchers.  I pay $44 a month and have never missed a week, yet I never get a break.  Someone comes in with only 7 pounds to lose and once they lose it, usually in a couple weeks, they become a Lifetime Member and get to attend for free.  I understand that they cannot give free to all of us, but I don't find that fair at all, and I feel they should do something for us regular members, some sort of incentive. 

Got an appointment for the ophthalmologist for Thursday evening. Definitely need to see him. My eyes are getting worse. Also had my blood drawn. I will say he was very gentle. I appreciated the fact that when he found my vein was rolling he pulled out and said, "I am going to try the other name. I don't like jabbing a patient." The second arm was okay and didn't feel a thing.

Next week I am off to register for school.  Can't believe it is that time already.  My correspondence classes are the ones that offer me my certification, but the campus classes offer me the opportunity to social and make new friends.  Hoping they have some good courses this year.

Have a good one.

My blood pressure was normal at the doctors yesterday. It's usually fairly normal here, the highest in months has been 144 over 90 but usually spikes when I see the doctor--white coat hypertension. Yesterday it was 134 over 84. I think that's because I was feeling strong when I went. Wasn't going to be bullied into running here and there to see doctors at this point....although he really never has bullied or never wasted time sending me to 10 different doctors like my doctor in Lutheran did.