Monday Morning This and That

I cannot write of things which even impassioned breath cannot utter. Autumn is coming with its days of gold, its days of reverie and of you—oh, such delightful hours that my heart burns within me at the anticipation. 

Byron Caldwell Smith, letter to Kate Stephens  
(He published an awesome book of love letters)

Morning all.  Fall weather has arrived here in Brooklyn, and none too soon.  I've had my fill of the heat and humidity.  I absolutely love going for walks in this weather.  Hopefully I'll be able to fit in about 30 minutes every day.  I've been so busy with my studies that I am burning myself out.  So tired all the time.  Have to ease up some and allow more time for recreation.  I've always been a workaholic and a perfectionist with my work, and now I find myself doing the same with my studies.  Not good.

So I had to get rid of  my herb garden in the kitchen window. Tried several times this year, but once sprouted they all died. Not enough sun in the window since they built a huge monstrosity of a building that blocks all of the  sun except for the 30 minutes it is high in the sky. In their place are these low care succulents which do well in indirect sunlight. I paid $25 for the lot of them from Amazon and received some nice healthy plants.  The middle one already has a baby.

 Had two cans of this organic basil so figured I would give it a try. 

Today is going to be a quiet day.  This morning I am off to the library to print out a few things I need for class, then heading back home.  I picked up some September issues of magazines on Sunday and I plan on just spending the day lounging about.  My body is telling me that that is what it needs, and if we don't listen to our bodies, who will?  Learned that lesson the hard way.

Have a good one.

Tuesday This and That

Is, then, September come so soon?
Full time doth summer ne'er abide?
While yet it seems but summer's noon,
We're floating down the autumn tide.

Eunice E. Comstock

Good morning everyone.  Just a quick note to let you know all is well. Looks like it is going to be a bit warmer today, but not as oppressing as it was a month ago. I can deal with it. Cool weather is definitely on its way.

This afternoon I am off to class, 'The Hebrew Scriptures in Judaism in Christianity'.  Sessions will focus on circumcision, the food laws, and the Sabbath. They will be examined from both Jewish and Christian perspectives. I love this course and am sad that I had to miss the summer semester, but my teeth had to be done.  My Spanish class has been postponed until the first of October as my instructor had a family emergency and had to fly back home to Spain.  Disappointed also that Miss Kity has cancelled her magic class.  Was really looking forward to that.

So, I got my Ninja yesterday. Can't wait to try it, but have to get some ice cube trays. I used my old ones for my paints, and none came with this refrigerator. With fall and winter on its way, I had to do something to continue getting my fruit in. I dislike pears and apples, and now with my mouth like this, it would be impossible to eat them anyway. I do like to get my daily fruit quota so I think smoothies are a great idea.  Can't wait to start using it. Have an awesome recipe for pear smoothie--pear, low fat vanilla yogurt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Did my Autumn decorating over the weekend.  Totally love this time of year.  Everything about it.  The colors.  The cool breezes.  Sleeping with the windows open.  Long sleeves to hide the flab in my arms. (had to throw that one in there).  Gorgeous Autumn skies.  Leaves crackling under your feet.  Autumn scented candles.  Heck, I love it all.

Have a good one.

Let Us Never Forget

Good morning everyone. This morning I am off to church, a quick trip to the market, and then heading back home. It's still kind of hot and humid with possible showers on the way, and my bones are aching from all the physical labor I did yesterday, but it is so worth it. Love fall and all of its colors.

On this day 15 years ago I was working in a Halfway House for alcoholics and addicts on the corner of Bowery and Bleecker in the village, a little over two miles from the World Trade Center. I'd just arrived at work and was settling into my office as the 47 clients I was responsible for were preparing for their morning meeting. Suddenly, just before the meeting began, a client ran in asking if she could use the phone. A plane had hit the World Trade Center, and she was worried because her mom worked there.

I'll never forget that day. My co-workers could not make it in, so I was alone there trying to console 47 clients, moving from one to the other allowing each to share their feelings. Many tears were shed. I had to be strong, even though inside I was just distraught as they were. So we all settled in, glued to the news. Several clients wanted to go help. I had my orders not to let them. Outside debris was falling all around us. The world was gray as debris fell all around. 

One thing that really remains in my memory is when I arrived to work on 9/12. I came up the subway stairs to a world of silence. The usually busy streets were devoid of cars and almost all pedestrians. In their place were Army trucks,, soldiers with guns, patrolling the streets. It was like I had stepped into another world. In fact, it was another world. The world had changed on 9/11. 

Let us never forget.

Have a blessed day.

Friday Roundup

...September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather,
And autumn’s best of cheer.
Helen Hunt Jackson

Good morning everyone.  Been such a busy week that this is the first real chance to get here.  Monday was spent cleaning out my closet, ridding myself of 3X clothing.  Hubby took bags of it to the Goodwill.  Last year I felt very self-conscious with my clothes hanging off me.  This year would be even worse with even more weight off.

Tuesday it was time for my monthly food shopping.  Took a long walk to the Rite Aid for some tooth aids, (yes, I am still hurting), and then onto the supermarket.  Counting walking up and down the aisles of the stores I'd say I walked about 20 blocks in all.  Also had some major issues with the plumbing.  The plumber was down in the basement all day installing new valves. No water. Wasn't expecting it because either I missed the sign this morning or it didn't go up until while I was shopping. At any rate, I got home and had no water. So, about 5 pm I hear a noise.y. The waters on. It's coming out rusty so I turned on the faucets to let them run for awhile. I'm in the living room working on my school work and I hear water. Sounds like the tub was overflowing. Turns out it was, only it wasn't my tub.

The guys upstairs working on Leadfoot's apartment had turned the tub faucet on. They had filled the tub with all kinds of garbage and left for the day, leaving the faucet on. When the water came on it filled the tub and overflowed. What a mess! My rug was drenched. Had to run that outside and put it over the banister in the courtyard. Then had to mop from the bathroom out to the hallway from the dripping water. My feet are drenched. The only positive thing is that it didn't ruin my ceiling. I heard the plumber say they had put new tiles on right over the old ones. Guess that's what saved me. My only worry now is the light fixture. The water poured through there. Ought to fire those guys.

On Wednesday I went for a haircut and came home to make my Rajmi for Friday's party at my old job.  Later I got the following email.   

Congratulations on successfully completing the Holistic Arts Institute’s Holistic Herbalism Course on September 7, 2016. Please see your scores below:

Progress Test One 24/25 (#8, p. 42 incorrect)
Progress Test Two 25/25
Project 50/50
Final Examination 148/150 (#28, p. 110 incorrect)

Total 98.8% 247/250
Outstanding work Mary, you have earned an “A” for the course. Thank you so much for sharing with us. If you would like to share your learning experience with others, we would be honored to feature your testimonial on our website.
Congratulations as well on your tremendous achievement in completing your Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) Program.

So happy.  Now onto completion of the Nutritional Consultant program.

On Thursday there was a trip to the dentist, followed by my Weight Watchers meeting, (frustrated because I gained 1.8 and don't know why), and then it was on to my first day of class.  The class was a bit disappointing because although it was great information, the teacher had let his associate teach, and she was downright boring. Put everyone to sleep she did. He is just the most knowledgeable person I know as far as alternative healthcare, and she just read something,. Not good. Hope next week he takes over because people were leaving halfway through. They don't do that when he teaches.

And today I am off to the party at work. I have to be ready to leave by 11:30 so I can catch the express bus and arrive in the city by 1:30. I know it takes a long time, but I refuse to take the subway. Going to be another busy one for sure.

Yes, a busy week for sure, but that's the way I like it.  I cherish my alone time, but too much idle alone time brings on depression, and this summer I went through enough of it.  Time to get on with life.

Have a good one.

Hello September

Four Seasons fill the measure of the year;
There are four seasons in the mind of man:
He has his lusty Spring, when fancy clear
Takes in all beauty with an easy span:
He has his Summer, when luxuriously
Spring's honey'd cud of youthful thought he loves
To ruminate, and by such dreaming high
Is nearest unto heaven: quiet coves
His soul has in its Autumn, when his wings
He furleth close; contented so to look
On mists in idleness—to let fair things
Pass by unheeded as a threshold brook.
He has his Winter too of pale misfeature,
Or else he would forego his mortal nature.
John Keats

Good morning everyone. Sure is dark out there. Sure sign that September is here, and fall is on its way. Love being able to watch the sunrise, but something tells me this is a stormy weather darkness, not a change of the seasons one. May have to change some of my plans today. I do have to get to Rite Aid to pick up my meds and, of course, cannot miss my Weight Watchers meeting, but the library may have to be put off for another day. Only necessary errands get done in the rain.

 

Hello September.  A new season is about to begin.  School is right around the corner.  Counting the days now.  Funny thing.  I walked out of school on my 18th birthday, 3 months before I was due to graduate high school.  Oh, the things we do in our youth!  Now, in my cronehood, I just can't seem to get enough of school.  I love it.

Other than that, not much news here. Sent for my fall curtains and tablecloth yesterday. Also ordered some wonderful fall scented candles. Love those cool, quiet Autumn evenings at home. Oh yes, before I forget. Had my first chicken leg last night. The dentist was right. The bones are melding into a part of my mouth, and so much less pain. My mouth continues to improve but complete improvement is still a bit down the road. For now I am happy with what I can do. Gone are those hopeless feeling first weeks afterwards.

Have a good one.