Saturday Thought of the Day

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. 

Robert Louis Stevenson

Friday Roundup

Good morning.  Happy Friday.   The end of another week.  They go so quick, don't they?  Had a busy one....again.  Monday had my classes, Tuesday was banking, Wednesday classes, Thursday Weight Watchers, and here we are.  Going to stay in and cook today.  Never a dull day in my life.  

We're having a heat wave.  Over 90 degrees right up until Thursday and then it will be 89.  Not much of a difference there.  Summer is definitely here now.

I've always believed that everything in your life happens for a reason. So, listen to this one.  Every time I do my banking I always stop at the C Town near it to pick up a few items. They have super great meats at a low price. I eat very little meat, but hubby does. Afterwards, because I usually have a fairly heavy bag with me, I catch the bus from 68th to 60th where I pick up the bus to go home. Well, on Tuesday C Town was closed due to a power outage, so, being that I didn't have a bag to carry, I decided it was a nice day and I walk it down to catch my bus. 

So as I get on the bus ready to pay my fare, the bus driver puts his hand over the slot. "Free ride today". They do that every once in awhile. I guess when they reach their quota. Now that I am paying full fare, that was awesome to hear.  Saved $2.75. When you look at it, had C Town been open, and had I shopped, I would have had to PAY for the bus to take me to my bus.  Like I said, everything happens for a reason.

Good news on Wednesday.  They finally took the vacate order off my son's apartment, and they can go back home.   For those that don't know, a little over two months ago a fire started in the apartment next to theirs and as a result, their apartment was uninhabitable.  He is so happy., and I'm so thrilled for him.  Fortunately, with insurance and a little help from the Screen Actors Guild of which he is a member, they'll be able to furnish the place.  And now we can finally have Christmas.

We'd planned on a big family Christmas at my daughter's house in Pennsylvania, but on Christmas Eve she fell and fractured her ankle very badly.  Needed surgery and pins.  Been a long haul for her as well.  She JUST got the okay to go back to work.   We'd planned on Christmas about two months ago but before it happened, there was the fire.  Now maybe it will finally happen.

Received this in the mail the other day. A reduce pain crystal medicine bag for arthritis and inflammation.

These crystal stones are chosen to  cover the specific area that you are intending to focus upon to better enhance your life.  There are many different "I am" packages, but I chose mine to combat my chronic pain issues.  Stones include:

Black Tourmeline--upper black stone
Blue Lace Agate--looks white in this picture but it's a stunning light blue with fine lines
Genesis Stone--reddish brown stone with gray stripes
Green Adventurine--such a gorgeous green in person
Smokey Quartz--dark stone on the bottom
Quartz Crystal--middle stone

Combined, their energetic properties include:   the removal of  blockages from the nervous system  and capillaries, grounding, add vitality/strength, balances energies, dissipate pain, physical healing, reduce swelling.

Elemental Connection: Earth, Fire, Water, Storm

Also included is a positive affirmation and instructions on how to use your stones.  If interested, you can check out the "I Am" packages at  CrystalVibrations06

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

Throwback Thursday

This is what happens when you retire.  You lose all track of time.  It's as if it doesn't exist.  One day runs into the next.  Keeping busy and having a set schedule such as Monday and Wednesday exercise,  Thursday WW meeting, and Sunday church pretty much keeps my days straight.. although I don't know what it is about Thursday.  For some reason by the time it gets to evening, I'm thinking its Friday.  And any special events planned?  Aside from family stuff which I so look forward to, I tend to forget things.  Sadly, I missed the Mermaid Parade this year.  Didn't realize that June 16th had already passed.  And then...

...a few months ago my neighborhood had scheduled an early evening protest against gentrification in Sunset Park.  I had planned on participating in this event for nearly a month.  Ate an early dinner and then headed on over to the park.  Took two buses to get there.  I was so excited to be a part of this.  Back in the 60's I was out there marching for women's rights, but during my work years that part of me lay dormant.  Oh, I did what I could by signing petitions, calling representatives, etc, but between work and my increasing back pain, I hadn't been participating in any protests.  This, plus the fact that I myself am feeling the pressure to leave my neighborhood, had me all revved up for an evening of excitement.  But what happens????

I arrived and NO ONE WAS THERE.   Was I in the wrong place?  I walked through the entire park, but no rally.   Frustrated,  I sat on a bench and took out my phone, found the FB page of  the organization that was hosting the rally, and what did I discover?  I WAS A DAY LATE.  THE PROTEST HAD BEEN HELD THE NIGHT BEFORE.   I'd lost track of my days.    But, all was not lost.  I figured since I was there I might as make the best of it.  Bought an ice cream from Mr. Softie and sat on one of the benches people watching.   Sat there until dusk began to fall, then headed on home.  Some pictures from that night.

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Odds and Ends

Good morning.  Been having a hard time financially lately (too many credit cards for a shopaholic) so it's been a stressful time.  Hoping to have it all under control by next month.  No more shopping unless it is something I vitally need. It seems, though, that when it rains it pours.  Just when I've basically almost hit rock bottom and working hard to get back in financial shape, my metrocard decides not to swipe anymore.  It happens.  Wear and tear from swiping it, and some buses just eat it up.  Have to yank it out. So when I went to put money on my card on Sunday, it wouldn't take the money. Time for a new one. What happened the last time was the clerk did something which transferred my half fare onto a regular card so that I could continue to travel at half fare until my new card arrived. The clerk on Sunday either didn't know how to do it, or did it wrong, because when I got on the bus it charged me full fare. 

I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. It's $2.70 a trip. I make 2 trips a day to my classes, 2 trips for WW, 2 trips for food shopping, and 2 trips when my back and knees hurt to much to walk to church. That's $27 a week just for that not to mention the days I head to the park or Coney Island. I'm used to getting out and about whenever I feel like it. Now I have to think twice about it. And it takes about 5 weeks for the new card to come. So, I worried all night long. I know I'm not accomplishing anything by worrying about something that can't be changed, but, darn, it's just not fair. Sorry for the whine this morning. Just had to get it off my chest.

Had a great time in arts and crafts yesterday.  It's so relaxing to create with peers you consider your friends.  This is what I made.  Next week we are going to do macrame.  

 Got this wonderful fun book on Friday.  I love mermaids, dragons, and unicorns.

It's awesome, filled with tales and folklore about  unicorns, their magical powers, where they live, and tips for finding one in today's world.  The artwork  in this book is so amazing.  I'd show some pictures, but I'm a bit fearful of any copyright issues so you'll just have to take my word for it.  

Was talking to a childhood friend last night.  I'm trying to get out there this summer to see all my friends.  It's amazing how we all found each other, well, I found them after all these years.  I'm 71 years old and haven't seen any of them since I was 17.  How many years is that?  54 years.  All I can say is,  'Thank you, Classmates.'  Anyone belong to that website?  

When I first joined I only put down the high school where I spent my freshman and sophomore years.  Found my cousin, the one who used to bully me, and reached out.  After all, so many years have passed, and we are all we have.  But, he has never responded.  Wondering if I should reach out again.  

Well, after awhile I added on my grammar school and the school I attended for my junior and senior year.  Only 2 other people have registered for the grammar school, and I reached.  We've been in contact, but they live so far away.  But, then I found my old boyfriend in the high school and for awhile we chatted back and forth, then he disappeared.  Best of all I found two of my best friends.  We've friended each other on FB and are planning a summer get-together.  

About a month or so later they announced that my class was having a reunion.  I hadn't received an invite because I left after my sophomore year.  Well, as you may know, it's easier to find male class members than female as women marry and change their name.  So, I had met up with a brick wall in finding another friend until....until I saw the list of names for the reunion.  There she was, her married name in parentheses, and we've been friends ever since.

Monday This and That

Good Monday morning.  Seems like only yesterday I was starting a new week, and here I am again.  Another new week beginning.  I'm off to my classes this morning.  Not going to dance.  Didn't get much sleep yesterday so I'll go to my later classes.  Went to church yesterday and then did a little shopping.  I am so broke I don't know how I am going to make it to the next check.  I really have to learn how to budget.  I have no control over my spending habits.  I see something an I order it with no concern to my bank account.  Bad move on part. 

Ice cream is my newest addiction.  Started when I made a sundae out of Breyer's new 270 calorie for a whole pint chocolate ice cream.   Was totally WW friendly with 3/4 cup ice cream, fat free Hershey chocolate syrup, and fat free whipped cream.  It started with about 3 nights a week, then went to every night...and then the problem set in.  I couldn't find the Breyer's ice cream.   Can't stand Halo and Skinny Cow gives me a belly ache so instead of giving up my ice cream, I went for real ice cream, and that's been a habit now.  So after eating the last of my ice cream Saturday night, I stopped myself from buying more on Sunday.  Instead, I headed over to produce and picked up some fruit.  Last night's dessert was:

Got some new beads I ordered from Etsy.  I plan on making a necklace of them.  Dragon Blood. Still trying to figure out how I am going to use the two long beads.  Think I will use some jump rings and have them dangle.

Dragon Blood Jasper represents courage, strength and healing.  It is a stone for perception and personal power. According to legend, these stones are the remains of deceased ancient dragons. The green represents the skin and the red symbolizes the blood.

My daughter eloped over the weekend.  They didn't want to take away from my granddaughter's time so they quietly got married.  I love this guy.  He is so perfect for her.  I pray it all finally works out.  This is her 4th marriage and I can't count how many relationships.  Takes after me.  Hubby is my 4th.  I think, although my daughter doesn't come all out and admit it, our relationship issues stem from mom.  We both never got the love we wanted.  Mom was much better to her than she was to me, but my daughter admitted that not only did my 3rd son get all the attention, but she was also verbally abused by mom. 

Sadie Mae went home from the hospital on Friday. 

Last night I took out my grill pan and cooked some marinated boneless pork chops and cut up a nice salad.

Pork was marinated in olive oil, white cooking wine, thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika and red pepper flakes.  Salad was made of watercress, cucumber, tomato and red onion with a little white vinegar. 

Sunday Selections

 My three grandchildren--Kayla, Kristen, and Scott.

I've been focusing so much on Sadie Mae that I decided to introduce you to all my beautiful great grandchildren....all 7 of them.

Ayva and Macie. Ayva, the 5 year old,  was a miracle baby.  She was born 14 weeks premature. She weighed 2.6 pounds and went  down to 1.15 pounds. She had two heart surgeries, but look at her now.  She's such a little tomboy.

Maddie and Joey.

Waiting for Santa.

They all bet along so well.

Damian

Waiting for the birth of their new sister.

Joey with Sadie Mae

Maddie with Sadie Mae

Sadie Mae on her first day home.

Saturday Thought of the Day

The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children’s children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future. 

Charles and Ann Morse

Friday Roundup

Well, here we are at the end of another week.  Sure was a busy one for me.   Ran around almost every day this week.  Keeps the joints working.  Some days I just don't feel like it, but even if it's just a walk to the store or back or even just around the block.  When you suffer from the chronic pain of osteoarthritis which now seems to be throughout my body...coupled with fibromyalgia--keeping your body moving in some way is a necessity.  I REFUSE to take prescription meds for it.  What I do take is Yucca supplements, Turmeric, Tart Cherry Supplements, Caltrate, and Vitamin D3 and an occasional Tylenol Arthritis or Aleve.  I don't take them every day to avoid resistance.

The best part of this past week was the arrival of my beautiful little great granddaughter.  Gosh, I can't wait to get out there to Jersey to hold her.   I'm going to drive you guys crazy with pictures of her.

 My daughter with Sadie Mae.

Had to share this one.  This is the way I rode the bus during the flu season this year.  LOL!!!  I wasn't taking any chances.

Had a tarot reading on Tuesday.  I was just surfing Facebook and felt drawn to this woman who just happened to be reading cards at the moment.  I usually just pass them by, but this time something made me stop and ask for a reading.  She picked me immediately as if she was drawn to me as well.  OMG!!!  What a reading from someone I have never The spirit coming through was my grandmother.  This woman was so accurate.  

At first when she asked who 'Elizabeth' was.  At first it meant nothing, then I said, "OMG, that's me".  My grandmother used to tell me I reminded her of a young Elizabeth Taylor.  At one point she said that she had quit smoking a year ago yet was feeling the strong urge to smoke.  My grandmother smoked for 50 years.  She asked if my grandmother loved to dance. She did but as she got older she couldn't anymore, but  loved watching the dancers on Lawrence Welk.  She said my grandmother was the opposite of my mom.  So true.  She was loving, mom was cold. She asked if I used a cane.  I said 'yes'.  She I use it as a result of an accident years ago.  Again 'yes'.  She said that it hurts her to see me feeling so hopeless lately.  That's true.  As my pain gets worse I have been wondering if I will ever feel normal again.  She said that my grandmother wanted me to know she was always here for me, watching over me.

Wednesday I headed off to class.  Love the Wednesday Qigong leader.  He is fantastic and very understanding.  And funny.  Can't forget that.  Makes it all fun.  In Wednesday dance class we have been learning African dance.  Never in a million years did I ever think I would do that. 

Dinner Thursday night.   'Marshoosheh', a Lebanese Dish.  Very simple to make.

Cabbage (chopped)
Onions (sliced)
Cracked wheat
Red pepper flakes
Olive oil
1/4 cup of water
Saute onion in hot oil.  Add the cabbage and stir to coat with oil.  Cook for a few minutes.  Add red pepper flakes and cracked wheat.   Add water and cover, allowing to simmer until water boils down.  

Served with baked potato and chicken cutlets.

A New Season, the First Day of a New Life

Each fairy breath of summer, as it blows with loveliness, inspires the blushing rose.

Author Unknown

Solstice greetings to all.  Attended an online Solstice meditation last night and planning on attending a celebration of the new season tonight.  And as this new season begins, we celebrate a new life. Meet my 7th great granddaughter, Sadie Mae.  She was born a little after 11 pm last night.  Kept me up until well past my bedtime, but she is so worth it.

I am so in love.

The oracle card I drew for today. I really love these oracle cards. They are always so accurate. Conscious Spirit Oracle Cards.

Happy Solstice to all.
 

Wordless Wednesday--Storm Clouds Over Brooklyn

Tuesday Odds and Ends

Good morning.  Had a busy day yesterday.  Headed out early to my classes.  I learned that the tough instructor was gone for the rest of the month so I attended the Monday qigong as well as dance, meditation, and arts and crafts.  It was very hot out--96 degrees--but there was a strong breeze which made it quite bearable. 

Made this little pin in arts and crafts yesterday.  It's made from a bottle cap, a cardboard circle, two pieces of material (1 small, 1 larger) some ribbon and a wee flower.

I've been feeling a bit melancholy lately.  The other day as I was looking through my mom's old photo album for some pictures of dad, it suddenly occurred to me that  I'm the matriarch of the family now.  I'm the only one left.  They are all gone--mom, dad, grandparents, my two aunts and my uncles.  All those smiling faces looking out at me from the album....all reminders of another time and place.  I think what hurts the most is that for so many years we allowed
so many years to pass without sitting down to iron out our differences....and now they are gone, and  we never had any closure.

Sat in on a very interesting online class yesterday-- 'Exploring Symbols In Divination'.  So many every day things that we pay no attention to as we go through our daily activities actually have a message for us if we pay attention.  Very interesting and something I plan on learning more about.

When Miss Miss Minga passed she left me several signs to let me know she was okay.

I think this is the most telling sign.  I found it on my phone the next morning.  If you look closely in the corner you can make out her face.

As she got older, her fur began falling out in clumps, but it was immediately replaced by new fur so she had no bald spots.  After her passing I began searching for some of her fur to put in an envelope and place it on her memorial.  Couldn't find any.  Then one day I got up and this was sitting right on the table next to my computer. 

I was waiting for the bus one day shortly after her death.  I looked down and there was a rainbow at my feet. You can see my cane and my boot.  LOL!!! 

 This white feather was found at one of the spots where she used to sleep.

Monday This and That

Good morning everyone.  It's a hot one here in Brooklyn.  Heading to my classes this morning.  Not looking forward to waiting for buses in this heat or that long walk to my classes once I get there.

Yesterday's sermon yesterday brought tears to my eyes.  He spoke about Father's Day and a father that won't be spending it with his young children.  A few weeks ago a  pizza delivery man was sent to deliver a pizza to a military base here in Brooklyn.  While there,  the security guard called ICE on him.  This man was the sole support of his family.  He worked long , hard hours to earn enough money to support his family in a job, mind you, that all those who are busy complaining that the illegals are stealing jobs wouldn't  be caught dead doing.  He has never broken the law,  yet now here he is locked up in a facility with hardened criminals while his family struggles to survive.  His only crime was falling in love and not returning to his country, but he had already begun the process to become a citizen.  That should count for something, but not in today's America. A GoFund me page has been set up to help the young mother, a citizen, and her children.

And then he spoke of the heartbreak of seeing  children ripped from their mother's arms as they seek asylum and placed into detention camps.  Never, in my 71 years of life, did I ever think I would see this in America.  This is NOT my America.  This is NOT, the America that welcomed my Irish, English, Dutch, and German immigrant ancestors.  I cry when I think of those poor children, and the trauma in their young lives that will stick with them forever.  The other day they were using the Bible to justify this horrible treatment of young innocents, but that backfired and now they are blaming the Democrats.  Well, if that's true, why wasn't this happening during all those years we had a Democratic president?

And now that I have my dander up, I'd like to share with you a wonderful heartwarming event I happened across the other day.  Taj Gibson, basketball player for the Timberwolves, was in Downtown Brooklyn buying prom clothing for poor children in Brooklyn.  What an awesome thing for him to do.  There is so much hatred and bigotry in this country today it was amazing to see the lineup of children from all ethnic groups.  We need more of this kindness in our world.

Had a very quiet weekend.  On Friday I decided to head over to the park for awhile.  It was a spur of the moment thing.  Didn't stay long--had my lunch, listened to for awhile to my audible book--"How to be an Elder" by Clarissa Pinkola Estes.  Then went home to work on some genealogy.  

Made a startling discovery.  I was working on one of my family lines--the Whiteheads-- and came across an old photo of a great great uncle.   I did a double take when I first saw it.  He is the image of my first 'real' boyfriend, Richie.   I mean, he could have been his twin.  And Richie was a Whitehead, too. Could it be that Richie was indeed a distant cousin?  Could my Whitehead ancestors also have been his?  After seeing that picture I don't doubt it all.   Good thing the relationship broke up when it did although I don't know if distant cousins would have been incest. Richie came to me in my dreams not too long ago to tell me that he had always loved me.  That's when I did some research and found out  he had passed away several years ago.  

Speaking of photos and genealogy.  A few weeks back I found this on Ancestry.  This photo is of my 4th great aunt, Agnes Walton, sitting in front of the old school in Mt. Hope.  She was born in 1792 and died a spinster in 1884.  It was Agnes who kept the family history. Although I knew nothing about them back then when I still lived in Jersey, it was a shock to discover that that they had had a huge farm not too far from where I was living.  In fact, Picatinny Arsenal. a military research and manufacturing base was once their farm.  A small graveyard, The Walton Burial Ground, remains on the property.  My 5th great grandfather is buried there.

Sunday, after church, was mostly a day of rest, but I did throw together a big pot Sausage, Bean, and Pasta soup.  

I figured if I made enough Ralph could have some on Monday, too.  Threw a little Romano cheese on top and it was so yummy.  Not exactly on my diet, but hey, WW is not a diet.  One can eat what they want in moderation.  And it's okay to have pasta, or cake, or pizza, as long as you track, don't overdo, and get yourself back on track as soon as possible. The important thing is, one doesn't have to deprive themselves when on WW.

Italian hot sausage, casings removed
Cannonali beans
Ditalini pasta
Carrots
Celery
Fire roasted diced tomatos
Garlic
Onion
Chicken broth
Black pepper
Fennel Seeds

Sunday Selections

Next month will be my daughter's 51st birthday.  Hard to believe that a year has passed since her 50th.  Hard to believe her 50th has passed.  Hard to believe I am old enough to have a 50 year old daughter.  Seems like only yesterday I was celebrating my 50th, and I wasn't happy about it. My daughter faced hers a lot better than I did.

I have to admit, it wasn't an easy birthday for me.  I was still in denial., unable to accept the aging process.  I wasn't ready to grow old.  I felt young, and I looked young.  I wasn't ready to be 50 so I remained in my 40's for several more years. Actually, I took 10 years off my age, and no one was any the wiser.   But I was, and every time I looked in the mirror I saw the telltale signs--the deep frown lines in my forehead, the double chin.  Nope, couldn't deny it any longer so I took the opposite route now.  I just didn't care what I looked like.  Ate myself into a 70 pound weight gain...and the heavier I got, the older I looked.  

Well, I am past all that now.  I proudly announce my age--71--and I must admit I get a thrill when someone says, "I don't believe it.  You don't look your age."  So, without further ado, here's a few photos of that eventful night.   I am a crone and proud of it.

 My three great grandchildren are in awe watching him cook.

My son, daughter, and me.

 My dish.  I had chicken.  I always do when I go out.  This was so good.

 My grandson on the far end, my great granddaughter, and my grandson-in-law.

 My granddaughter.  Any day now she is going to give birth to my 7th great grandchild.

 My granddaughter, my daughter's childhood friend, and my daughter.