Tuesday Memories

Happy are they who still love something they loved in the nursery:
They have not been broken in two by time; they are not two persons,
but one, and they have saved not only their souls but their lives.

G.K. Chesterton

Some of my best memories of childhood are those of my paper dolls.  I had boxes and boxes of them.  Grandpa and I used to head to town every Saturday morning.  He'd give me a little spending money and I would head right for the store to see what new books came out.  One time there was an extra special book in the store.  I couldn't believe it.  So many paper dolls in one book.  But I didn't have enough money so I ran out of the store to find grandpa.  To my chagrin, he REFUSED to give me anymore money.  Not only was my heart broken that I couldn't get that book, by this was the first time my grandpa had EVER refused me.  Cried all the way home.

I was obsessed with my paper dolls.  No magazine was safe.  Grandma used to hide her McCall's because I'd been known to take Betsy before she was done reading.  Which is why I have this on my Wish List at Amazon

And I ordered this already.  Wonder how it will feel to cut out some paper dolls after nearly 60 years.

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

Never respond to an angry person with a fiery comeback, even if
he or she deserves it. . . . Don't allow his or her anger
to become your anger.


Bohdi Sanders
Warrior Wisdom

Morning all.  Hope you had a great weekend.  I had a quiet one.  I scheduled it that way.  Saturday was my stay-in and do nothing day.  Cooked dinner, yes, but nothing fancy.  Did some journaling and lots of reading.  Went to church on Sunday.  It sure was cool out this weekend.  Doesn't really feel like July 4th will be here on Saturday.  That will be 7 years of non-smoking for me.  My own personal Independence Day.

I really enjoyed Sunday's sermon. The priest spoke about planting seeds within.  Do we want to grow beautiful flowers, or do we choose to be overrun with weeds. The choice is ours.  He then went on to relate a story about a woman he knew when he was just a young Priest with his first congregation.  This was a woman filled with such an anger that family and friends had turned away from her. The only one who ever had time for her was this young Priest.

Then, one day he received word of a transfer and notified his congregation that he would be leaving.  After the service the woman came up to him and asked, "I know I am an angry person.  How could you stand to be around me?"

The Priest responded, "Because your anger had nothing to do with me.  It is all  part of your garden, not mine."

Good lesson.  If someone chooses to sow weeds/anger that is their choice, and I should not allow it to invade my garden.  

Haven a good one.

Friday Roundup

Drag your thoughts away from your troubles--by the ear, by the heels,

or any other way you can manage it.  It's the healthiest thing a body can do.

Mark Twain

 

Good morning, all.  As Friday rolls around, I wish I could just sit in and do nothing today.  Been such a busy, but fun week.  My body is calling for my rocking chair, but it's bill time again so I'm off to the bank this morning.  Seems like these months pass quicker and quicker.

My blogger friends, I have a dilemma and really need your advice.  How do you handle an online stalker?  Well, I call her a stalker, but she really is just a lonely depressed woman who has infiltrated herself into my life.  I met her in a FB group I belonged to.  It was one of those gift and card exchange groups, and it was fun for awhile.  Then, at one point, the group leaders asked if any of us would like a penpal.  I already had several but I agreed.  It's fun receiving 'snail mail'.  Well, the penpal they chose for me became my stalker.

So, why do I call her my stalker, you may ask?  Well, it all started out normal enough, but then I noticed she was joining all the groups I belong to.  Next, she friended my son, followed by his girlfriend.  Next it was one of my other online friends. Now I see she has friended my son's friend who went with us to the party the other night.  I have to wonder how many more of my friends she tried to become friends with. She speaks of me, my hubby and my children as if we are HER family. And it's like she sits at her computer all day waiting for me to post something because the moment I do, she is there with a comment.  As far as being a penpal, she writes me a letter every single day and then tries to make me feel guilty that I don't write her as often. I finally had enough of it and asked her to stop trying to make me feel bad, that I write her as often as I can.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel creepy about the whole thing. I feel as if she is trying to live vicariously through me, and I don't want that.  This is MY life.  And I know that she is very super sensitive so I am careful not to hurt feelings.  She messaged me one day and said she was really going to need me for the week because her sister, who doesn't live with her, was going away to see her daughter.  In a nice way I told her that I cannot always be available for her because I lead a busy life and spoke to her at length as to how we are responsible for our own happiness, suggesting that she finds things to do, like going to the park, rather than sitting in her house getting more and more depressed.  Thought that might help her, but the next thing I know she is asking for my phone number.  No way. 

And, I guess it is harmless because she lives several states away and will never be able to travel here.  But I just don't feel comfortable.  How would you handle this situation without  sending her into a deep depression?  Or should I just let it be and stop letting it bother me so much.  Am I making too much out of it?  Need some advice.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday Photos

Had a great time at the grand opening of Wahlberger's the other night.  Well, actually, it is not open yet, but it was a pre-opening party.  Got some great photos.

Donnie is such a friendly guy.  He was out and about with everyone.  Loved meeting him.  Later found out I was on Twitter with him, too.

Brother Paul was also a sweetheart.

Abby, Tom Selleck's assistant on the show.  Beautiful friendly woman.

Nicky from Blue Bloods.  Didn't really approach her.  I hate to say I had bad vibes, but the truth is, I felt that she didn't want to be bothered.

Press conference with the three brothers.

A scene from the party. 

The only brother who I didn't meet was Mark.  He didn't want to be bothered by anyone.

Tuesday Memories

We are all afraid of something. But that shouldn't stop us from going on every day. We should not always walk in fear of the shadow while we are in the light. It is certain we will not know when or how the difficult and bad times will come, but if we accept that they will come, then they are easier to face when they do. And always remember that anything that causes the shadow is smaller than the source of light. 

Joseph M. Marshall III 

This is my grandparents.  I used to spend every weekend at their house.  I had an awesome room upstairs in the half finished attic. My room was huge and furnished nicely, but I never felt comfortable there.  Half of the attic was unfinished, and that part of it was so dark.  I was sure something was lurking there so when lights went out, I felt such fear.  I recall that I used to sneak down at night and sit on this sofa. I would put the television on very quietly, but in those days, there was no such thing as overnight television.  At a certain time the broadcast ended with the playing of the 'Star Spangled Banner.'  Then I just sat in the darkness.

This fear followed me right up until my grandma passed when I was 16, and when I sit here and think about it, I would still be fearful if forced to sleep in that room again.  Wonder what that was all about, but I think there had to be something to it.

This is another picture of my grandma and grandpa.  Oh, how I loved them.  I miss them so darn much.  Have to believe they are still with me.

My great grandma and namesake.  We never had a chance to meet, but I feel strongly that she has always been a part of my life.

My great grandpa. He died of tuberculosis.  He was so young, only 38.  When I started working on my family tree I discovered he didn't had a tombstone.  We worked together to get one for him.  

And today I will be forging some new memories.  I've a date with my son to attend the grand opening of Wahlbergers at Coney Island.  He's got us VIP tickets so we can go inside.  Hopefully I will get a chance to meet Donnie, Mark, and Paul.

Have a good one.

Monday Morning This and That

As the days go on toward July, the earth becomes dry and all the flowers begin
to thirst for moisture. Then from the hillside, some warm, still evening,
the sweet rain-song of the robin echoes clear, and next day we wake up
to a dim morning; soft flecks of cloud bar the sun's way, fleecy vapors
steal across the sky, the southwest wind blows lightly,
rippling the water into little waves
that murmur melodiously as they kiss the shore.

Celia Thaxter

Morning all.  And a happy Monday it is.  Had a wonderful weekend.  Friday turned into a stay in day.  Caught up on some letters and some minor cleaning of the apartment.  Just didn't feel like going out.  I get those days once in awhile.  Guess it's my body telling me it's time to slow down.

On Saturday I headed on over to Coney Island for the annual Mermaid Parade, the largest 'art' parade in the nation. The parade itself, a celebration of the beginning of the summer season, was first held in 1983, is a celebration of ancient mythology and of the people who live on Neptune and Mermaid Avenue.  It's a totally insane day, and I must admit I almost didn't go.  I got a case of the 'what if's' in the morning.  'What if it rains?'  'What if I am in too much pain?'  'What if I have to go to the bathroom and none are available...or the line is too long?'  (I do take a water pill.)  

But, hubby, bless him, talked me into going, and I am glad he did.  I had a wonderful time.  Here's a few of the photos.

This amazing little kitty sat on his owner's head throughout the parade.  Didn't phase him a bit that he was surrounded by half a million loud, screaming humans.

It's the kind of parade that everything goes...

And some let it all hang out...

Well, that's about it for my   weekend.  Overslept on Sunday and didn't make it to church.  So I stayed home and welcomed  the Solstice with candles, rose incense, ate strawberries and cream, and planted some St. John's Wort. 

Have a wonderful day.

A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade highlights Coney Island Pageantry based on a century of many Coney parades, celebrates the artistic vision of the masses, and ensures that the summer season is a success by bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area in a single day.
It's the kind of parade that everything goes....
The MERMAID PARADE specifically was founded in 1983 with 3 goals: it brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune ; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment”; and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public - See more at: http://www.coneyisland.com/programs/mermaid-parade#sthash.6T9Rv7jN.dpuf

Wednesday Quote

We begin life with the world presenting itself to us as it is. Someone--
our parents, teachers, analysts--hypnotizes us to "see" the world and
construe it in the "right" way. These others label the world, attach
names and give voices to the beings and events in it, so that thereafter,
we cannot read the world in any other language or hear it saying other
things to us. The task is to break the hypnotic spell, so that we become
undeaf, unblind, and multilingual, thereby letting the world speak to us
in new voices and write all its possible meaning in the new book of
our existence. Be careful in your choice of hypnotists.

Sidney Jourard