Thursday Odds and Ends

Halloween.  Samhain.  The veil between the world is thin, and although I think of my ancestors often during the year, this is a special time for me.  I usually set up an ancestor altar and spend time reflecting, and I'll be honest, I usually end up in tears before the night is over. So many regrets.  If mom and I hadn't been so stubborn, things would have been so different.  We never got any closure.  Not that I didn't try.  And then if, things hadn't happened the way they did, two of my sons would never have been born.  Everything happens for a reason.  

My Uncle George, my son Tom, Aunt Dorothy, and cousin Carole.

My Aunt Ruth.  Granddad is in the background.

Dad with his Tiny.

Mom with me.

My great great grandmother, Constance Mary Hazel, with her stepdad, John Staff.  They were from Stalham, Norfolk, England.

My mom's senior picture.

My dad on the left.  Elvis Presley look alike.

My great granddad, Harry.

My great great aunts, Betsy and Annie.

Me with my grandparents.

My great great grandmother.

Me with my dad and his twin brother.

Grandma and me. 

Granddad with me.

My mom.

My Uncle Arnold.

My great great granddad.

My grandparents.

My mom and her sister at Christmas.

Me and my dad.

My mom.

 My Miss Minga.  Miss her so much.

 My dad's twin, Harry.

 My sweet Susie and Tiny.

 Miss Minga and her daughter, Twinkie.

Four generations.  Myself, my daughter, mom and dad, and granddad.

 My sweet Susie.

Tuesday Ramble

Good morning.  It's still quiet here.  Fortunately, they have not yet gotten back to work.  You know, I really wouldn't mind them building a 4 or 5 story building. We had a three story house next door before they tore it down.  It allowed us to get sunlight, blocked the cold winter winds, and kept the street noises down to a minimum, but they are planning to build 8 stories.  Not good.

This is what it was like when the house was there.  It did left enough open space to allow the sunlight to hit our windows.  What they are planning to build now is going to be taller than the building you see in the distance which is six stories.  It was also fun because all three floors always decorated for the season.  

Yesterday we had our Wellness Class.  The topic was foods from different ethnic groups.  It's difficult because there is one person who wants to monopolize the group to talk about herself and her issues.  For example, at one point she started talking about her doctor and how all he does is sit behind his computer.  Well, we have heard this one before--several times.  So me and my friend, Marie, have begun steering the group back to topic.  Shame the facilitator doesn't do it, but right now an intern is running the group.  I understand that she is new to this, and it will take time.

Heck, I remember the first time they told me to run a group.  I was so nervous.  Didn't know what to talk about or how to gently bring the group back to topic.  It can be a touchy situation because you don't want to hurt feelings of the person who is talking, but you also want the others to feel included as well.  Took me awhile to learn how and feel comfortable with it.  

Been feeling a bit under the weather these past few days.  My IBS-D which has been under control has been acting up.  Guess that's all the stress of the past week.  My granddaughter is doing better, but she is not out of the woods yet.  It seems that the 
vessels in her brain never fully finished forming like they should and her body compensated for it, but when her BP meds stopped working it caused a bleed.  She has 2 doctor appointments this week, 2 next week, and has an appointment see the director of neurosurgeons in NY Presbyterian on Christmas Eve.  Hoping he gives us the best Christmas present ever.

My beautiful granddaughter and three of my great grands.  Please keep her in your prayers.

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Good morning.  I wasn't around much last week.  Lots going on.  Very, very busy week, and I was just too drained to sit at the computer.  

On Tuesday we had our Halloween party at the center.  I had so much fun.  Ironically, as much as I love Halloween, I haven't been to a Halloween party in many years.  Took a few pictures. 

October birthdays from left to right:  my friend, Marie, just turned 90, unsure of the woman next to her, Henry with the hat turned 95.  He never stops dancing.  And finally Sylvia who just turned 97.

My friend, Marie.  Behind her is Maria and Sonia.  Maria is a sweetheart, but lately I have started to worry about her.  Her short term memory has gotten very bad.

 Guess who this is.

My friend, Mark.  He's new to the center and tons of fun.  Quite the gentleman.

Judy.  She always has the nicest smile.  Look at all our goodies on the table.  Pigged out that day.

Later that evening I got a call from my daughter.  My granddaughter was in ICU.  She had a hemorrhagic  stroke.  Only 33 years old with 3 small children.  I was beside myself.  Her blood pressure meds had stopped working and caused a bleed.  Fortunately, she is strong and home already with her family.  Another stroke will kill her so she really has to take it easy.  Ironically, she is a nurse who had worked with stroke patients for years, but did not pay attention to her own symptoms. 

On a positive note, the construction next door has been shut down for a week.  The Department of Buildings came by and discovered they have not been working according to NYC code so they gave them a summons and put up a Stop Work order.  Would be nice if it lasted forever, but as I write this I am aware they are probably fighting to get the site back up and running.  Will keep you informed.

This partial stop work order went up the first day.  The next day when I came home there was a total stop work order.

Have a wonderful day.

Monday Morning This and That

Good Monday morning.  Hope you all had a great weekend.  Mine was quiet.  Went shopping for food on Saturday and cooked on Sunday.  Fortunately they do not work next door on weekends so it was quiet all around.

Took this picture of the moon while waiting for the bus on Saturday.

Hubby has already begun looking for the positives about the building next door--less cold wind in the winter, less noise for the busy street.  He's right, but I like the sun, and I love sitting in my rocker and watching the moon.  All of that will be gone.  But, there is not much, nothing I can do about it.  Received this response from the Community Board....

'I certainly understand your frustration. This is a matter of concern to a lot of our residents.  Unfortunately,  there is not much that can be done if the project is done 'as of right', that is according to the building code. If the project developers want to add something that is beyond the scope of the building code, then they may need to come before the Board to allow for community input. If that happens, notice is sent to neighboring residents to request their input.  Any zoning changes affecting large areas are done through the City Council.'

Guess who is going to get blasted with my ire next?

The new kitties that I feed.  The black and white is a
baby who follows the tuxie all over it.  It is so cute to watch.  Don't know how they are getting back here, but they do have a way.  Makes me happy that I can put some food in their bellies.

Have a fantastic day.


 

Sunday Selections

The unveiling. The focus of the October box is "The Underworld".  It's time to explore the connection between the worlds and honor our ancestors.  So excited to see what goodies are inside.  Been waiting for this one.

 The box was full of goodies.

 More Eclectic Witch cards.

 Informational cards on Persephone, Hades, Ravens, and Fossil coral.

Persephone and Hades Perfume samples by Siren Song Elixers on Etsy.  They smell heavenly.  Will definitely be ordering from this company.

Persephone's--Pomegranate, Red Currant, Celosia, Osmanthus, Black orchid, Plum, Smoked vanilla, Amber, Rosewood, Truffle, Sweet resins. 

Hades--Icy cold musk, Black mist, Narcissus flower, Black Amber, Frankincense, Myrrh, Vetiver, French Lavender, Anise Seed, Labdanum, Patchouli and Leather.

 Persephone's Choice note card.

A

Spirit Call Herbal Incense.  A blend of Dandelion, Willow, and Peppermint.

Persephone Votive Candle.  A blend of rose, pomegranate, and black pepper.

Raven Obsidian Palm Stone.  

Raven Mini Spirit Board.  Handmade by Primitive Witchery.  Depicts a raven which carries messages between the worlds.

Fossil Coral.  Stone used by the ancients to bridge the communication gap between the worlds. 

Friday Roundup

Happy Friday everyone.  It came pretty quick because Monday was a holiday.  The center was closed, and I made it a quiet day at home.

Had a nice time on Tuesday.  In the morning I socialized and worked on my dot to dot book, then in the afternoon we had the art club. I painted an ocean scene. Not one of my better works, but I've become a bit rusty...and I was never that good to begin with.  It's been several years since I last picked up a brush.

It's getting pretty deep next door. I've been lying in bed trying to figure out how they are going to do this. How are they going to squeeze an 8 story building into such a small space, and what of the scaffolding? Am I going to be totally blocked and lose all my privacy? And how are they going to put up scaffolding on the other side? What if my building owners refused to let them set up on our property? What if? Wishful thinking. 

I sent a scathing message to our community board.  Also sent a few pictures. Told them they were worthless...and sarcastically thanked them for their help. And guess what? Finally heard from them. Now they say they want to look into it. A little late for that, isn't it? They've already got their approval and started work. Not much can be done now. I think they were just trying to pacify me. 

Yesterday in cooking class we made healthy homemade pizza.  I topped mine with spinach and broccoli.  Unfortunately, they left it in the oven too long and the veggies got dark and crispy....but it still tastes darn good.

Have a wonderful weekend.