Monday Morning This and That

Silence must be comprehended as not solely the absence of sound. It is the natural environment for serenity and contemplation. Life without silence is life without privacy. The difference between sanity and madness is the quality of our thoughts. Silence is on the side of sanity.

Norman Cousins 

Good morning everyone, and a happy Monday to all.  I wasn't around much last week.  Thanks Marsha and Aine for your concern.   The weather here in the city has been so hot and humid, and I ended up suffering from a full-fledge pain flare.  My hands and arms hurt so badly that I couldn't even type.  Thankfully, I am feeling better now.  Still some soreness, but nothing I can't deal with. Finally found the Tylenol Arthritis, and it seems to be helping.  Motrin and Advil raise the BP.

A taste of fall at the park.

Time is passing so quickly.  I can't believe that fall will be here in a few short weeks. And school starts on the 8th.  I've so much to do this week.  I've purchased all my pens, notebooks, and folders and downloaded the books I need onto my Kindle, but I still need to find a nice bag to carry everything in.  For those who don't know, I'm going back to school this year.  The state has a special program for us senior citizens who want to further our education.  This time around I will be focusing on health and nutrition.  Have quite a busy schedule in store for me starting at orientation on the 8th.

I also plan on visiting my old workplace at some point this month.  I found an express bus that will drop me off two blocks away so I won't have to mess with the subway.  It's not bad price wise either.  Since I am going at off peak hours, I will only have to pay half price with my senior citizen card.  That'll be only $3.25.  Not bad.  And when I get back to Brooklyn I can transfer to my regular bus home for free.

So, I also want to get myself something new to wear as well as a color, which I will do myself, and a cut at the salon.  They haven't seen me in over two years.  I've lost 40 pounds of fat and lines of stress from my face.  I want to look good when I go.

Speaking of looking good, I got off my bus and was walking over to catch my transfer the other day, and I heard one of the construction workers whistling.  'Not at me,' I thought. 'I am much too old for that.'  Then I looked and sure enough, he was looking right at me.  At first I was feeling a little annoyed; after all, I am 68 years old and a great grandma.  But then, I started to feel good about it.  It's been a long time since someone paid attention to me crossing the street...aside from the car blowing its horn for me to hurry it up.

Went to my favorite park on Friday and spent five hours there enjoying the peace and quiet.  So much serenity.  And then I think about how just a little over 300 years ago this land was part of Indian territory until my ancestor purchased it. Seems like such a short time ago. (Sigh)

Friday Roundup

Commitment unlocks the doors of
imagination, allows vision, and
gives us the "right stuff"
to turn our dreams into reality.

James Womack

Good morning, and a happy Friday to all.  It hasn't been an easy week, weather wise, for sure.  High temps and humidity make it pretty nasty and oppressive outdoors. Stayed in most of the week.  I can do that now in retirement...but, I really don't like to make a habit of it.  Took a walk on Tuesday to put some cash on my metrocard and stop at the market.  Made out like a champ. All this for only $16.

And this is what I did with all the vegetables.

Yesterday I went to Weight Watchers.  Not getting enough exercise lately with this extreme weather.  Not walking as much as I was so I ended up staying the same. At least it wasn't a gain, but I really would like to lose a few more pounds before I head into the city to visit my peers where I used to work.

Once I start classes the weight will start coming off.  There will be no excuses to stay in like I am now.  The weather is no excuse to miss class.  And I already have it planned that I am going to walk up the three flights rather than take the elevator.  And get off the bus at 49th and walk to 60th on the way home rather than taking a second bus.  Of course when it's rainy that won't be feasible. But, also, food won't be so readily available to me when I am in class so I won't be doing of that boredom nibbling. Not that I eat cake and cookies or things like that, doesn't even tempt me now, but even lots of fruit can add up in the long run.

Well, that's about it for this week.  Hope your weekend is filled with lots of fun and laughter.

Thursday Photos

 Fairies are invisible and inaudible like angels. But their magic sparkles in nature.

Lynn Holland

The other day I went to the park and sat in my usual spot, looking out over the water.  

But, my gaze kept being drawn elsewhere, towards this path....

So, I decided to take it and see where it led me.  And I am so glad that I did.

It led me into a magical place where I was surrounded by trees whose leaves sang in the wind....even though there was only the slightest breeze.

I felt like I had stumbled into a fairyland forest.  I stayed 4 hours and eventually had to drag myself away.

Even had a visit from one of the little creatures.  I was wishing I had brought some nuts.

A rustle in the wind reminds us a fairy is near. 

Author Unknown

And as the seasons come and go, here's something you might like to know. There are fairies everywhere: under bushes, in the air, playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day. So listen, touch, and look around — in the air and on the ground. And if you watch all nature's things, you might just see a fairy's wing. 

Author Unknown

Wednesday Quote

This is my own personal serenity spot in my home.  I love just sitting in quietude and enjoying the slices of nature I have brought into my home.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Tuesday Memories

Know ye what it is to be a child? It is to have a spirit yet streaming from the waters of baptism; it is to believe in love, to believe in loveliness, to believe in belief.

Percy Bysshe Shelley

When I was growing up, two of the most important people in my life were my grandparents.  We lived with them for the first 4 1/2 years of my life, but I have very little memory of that time.

They were both older when I was born.  My grandma was born in 1881, grandpa in 1884.  She was 35 when she married grandpa on August 25, 1916.  Her son Arnold was born in 1918 and my Aunt Dot in 1921.  Grandma was 44 years old when she had my mom in 1926. 

Grandma was 66 when I was born.  She died at 82 in 1964. She never lived to see her great grandchildren. Grandpa lived to 80 years and died in 1974.  He got to meet two of his great grandchildren.

I miss them so very much.  Not a day goes by that I don't think about them.  Thank goodness for this album.  I feel joy every time I look through it.  Finding pieces of my life so long forgoteen.

Love you grandma and grandpa.

World Humanitarian Day (on the 19th),

Monday This and That

As I look back at the entire tapestry of my life, I can see from the perspective of the present moment that every aspect of my life was necessary and perfect. Each step eventually led to a higher place, even though these steps often felt like obstacles or painful experiences.

Wayne Dyer

Morning all.  How was your weekend?  Mine was quiet.  The heat and humidity crept up on us on Saturday and by Sunday is was in full swing.  Went to Church yesterday and then hightailed it back home to my AC. I can deal with the hot weather, but not the humidity.  I am so looking for the cool temperatures of Autumn.

Took advantage of the awesome weather on Thursday and spent the entire day at the park.  Packed a picnic lunch and some reading materials and had some nice quiet time in nature.  Totally love this park.  

Spent time working on my datebook as Autumn will be a busy time for me what with classes, weight watchers, nature walks.  Also started reading "Frankenstein" so I am prepared for class.  Don't know why I never read it before.  It's great.  Yes, the writing style is different than that of today, but back in her day, writing was writing.  I appreciate reading something that is not filled with sex and curse words.  

Made myself some Moroccan Spiced Carrots.  Made them a couple weeks ago and they were awesome.   I find interesting recipes and then make little changes to suit our tastes. And this is so simply and tasty.  (Don't know why the picture keeps coming up sideways.  I keep fixing it, and it keeps going back on its own.)

Baby carrots
4 cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil, about 2 tbsp.
1 tsp. paprika
Black pepper to taste

Add everything to pot and boil until water evaporates. Now add 1 tsp cumin and 1 tbsp. vinegar. Stir to mix well.

Next month when my check comes in I plan on coloring my hair, then going down to the corner for a cut, and then taking a trip into the city to visit my co-workers.  They haven't seen me since I lost all this weight, and forgive me if I sound pompous, but I want them to see how good I am looking in my retirement.  I was totally burned out when I left--physically and emotionally.  

Well, that's about it for now.  Have a good one.