Monday Morning This and That

Sometimes the most
important thing in a whole
day is the rest we take
between two deep breaths,
or the turning inwards in
prayer for five
short minutes.

Etty Hillesum

Happy Monday everyone.  Hope you all had a great weekend.  I had a rather quiet one, nothing exciting, just a quiet Autumn weekend.  On Saturday I did my food shopping and then took a bag of clothes to Good Will.  No sense keeping things that don't fit or make me look funny.  I'm accepting of my age so there is no need to keep clothing around on the pretense it makes me look younger.  Actually, when you look at some of these older women who refuse to give up their youth, it opens your eyes to the changes in style as one begins to age.  Just as we change our wardrobe for the seasons, so is it important that we change it for the seasons of our life. 

On Friday, I skipped going to the Center.  Had some banking to do in my old neighborhood. Wish I could transfer that account elsewhere, but it is an estate account and to close it out would mean starting all over from scratch. One cannot deposit cash in this type of account, only my ex's residual checks from his acting jobs. So, if I close it, I cannot put the cash in another estate account.  Hence, starting from scratch, and at this point, the checks are on an average $35, sometimes more, sometimes less. All in all they add up to about a thousand a year.  So, I guess I will have to continue to make that trip about every three months.

And the trip itself isn't bad.  It's quite easy to get there.  I take the bus in front of my house, then transfer to another bus to go a few stops.  All in all, it takes about 30 minutes.  It's the neighborhood that gets to me.  Every time I get off the bus it's there, a dark aura that permeates the area.  I just can't put my finger on it.  It's not related to the difficulties I had with the owners of my last apartment.  I don't even go near there.  No, it is something else, something dark.  Needless to say, I am in and out of there as quickly as possible.

For a couple months now, I have been anxiously awaiting a book for my Kindle that was scheduled to be released on the 27th.  You best bet that that was the first place I headed in the morning.  The book is called 'A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors' by Mabh Savage.  It's been a long time since I have been so eager to purchase and read a book. So far it has been an interesting read.  I'll be sure to give you a review when I complete it. 

On Sunday I went to Church.  Didn't make it last week because the  weather was not up to par, and my bones were achy.  I have to say, I missed the sense of peace it gives me. Afterwards, it was off to the fruit stand and then home to catch up on some rest. Here are a few pictures I took. Just look at how large it is.

This is the back of the church.  I've never been in this part of it because there are too many steps for me to climb, but I think this is where they hold the services for the Chinese.  I see many of them entering there.  It looks very spiritual, and magical,  with the sun's rays in the corner.

This is the middle.  Beautiful architecture. 

 And this is the front.  

Finally, a view from the other side.  There was no time difference here, but notice how different the sky looks.

I made something new over the weekend, and it was so delicious wanted to share it with you. I love taking the basics of a recipe and then making it 'my way'.  I have no idea what this chicken dish is called.

I used boneless chicken breasts and sliced them so I could stuff them with Pepper Jack Cheese and garlic powder.  Folded the breast over and rolled it in breadcrumbs.  Sprinkled them with pepper and Cajun seasoning and put them in a greased pan and baked at 350 degrees until done.  About ten minutes prior, I topped with more Jack Cheese and allowed it to melt.  Finger licking good.

Wishing you all a joyous start to the new week.

Home is the one place in all this world where hearts
are sure of each other. It is the place
of confidence. It is the place where we
tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious
coldness which the world forces us to wear
in self-defense, and where we pour out the
unreserved communications of full and confiding
hearts. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness
gush out without any sensation of awkwardness
and without any dread of ridicule.

Frederick W. Robertson

It's Friday

There is a beautiful spirit breathing now
Its mellowed richness on the clustered trees,
And, from a beaker full of richest dyes,
Pouring new glory on the autumn woods,
And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds.
Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird,
Lifts up her purple wing, and in the vales
The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer,
Kisses the blushing leaf, and stirs up life
Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned,
And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved,
Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down
By the wayside a-weary.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

No matter how stressful the week may have been,
the weekend has  arrived and it is time to let  the good things happen. Have a fun filled weekend  my dear friends.   See you all on Monday.

A Little Thursday This and That

If all my pain and all my tears,
And all that I have learned throughout the years
Could make one perfect song
To lift some fallen head
To light some darkened mind,
I should feel that not in vain
I served mankind.
Marguerite Few

 

 As most of you know, I am a true model of what they call a 'Lifelong Learner."  One would never guess that at one time I hated school so much I dropped out in my senior year.  Regrets came later, to be sure, but I knuckled down and studied to get my GED....and I haven't stopped studying yet.  In my 40's came my counseling certification and my ordination studies for the Interfaith ministry,  in my 50's came my bachelors degree, and all through the years came certificates and completions of courses ranging from astrology, to Druidism...Rosicrucianism, Qaballah, Nutrition, etc.  So, it should come as no surprise that I find myself looking for some sort of free online course.

I did find exactly what I am looking for, but when I attempted to enroll in the class, I was told that I must answer the following question correctly first. "What is the opposite of save?"  Well, that seemed easy enough. My first thought was 'spend'. Wrong answer, try again. And so I did try again...and again...and again. Abandon, delete, use up, squander, waste, throw away, toss...all were incorrect. Why I even got so desperate I even googled it. Same answers I gave. And to add insult to injury, each time you gave an answer, you had to do that fill in that stupid word verification box. Needless to say, I gave up and said the heck with it. Can anybody think of another word that is the opposite of save?

Speaking of word verification, boy do I have a complaint about it.  Have you noticed that every time you type in a wrong letter or number they ask you to do it all over again?  Problem is, each time they make it harder.  I should think that it is pretty obvious that if one gets it wrong the first time around, it means they are having a problem seeing it.  So, what is the purpose of making it harder? 

How would you handle this one?  The other day, I decided not to go to the center.  Instead I had some banking to take care of back in my old neighborhood.  As I was waiting for my bus transfer, I happened to see one of the ladies from the center headed in my direction, but just as I smiled and prepared to greet her, she quickly did an about face and walked away.  At first my feelings were a wee bit hurt, and I wondered if I had offended her in some way. A few minutes later I caught her reflection in the glass. She was standing there talking to another woman who opened her pocketbook and handed my acquaintance some change.  A few minutes later, another woman passed, and I heard my acquaintance ask for a quarter.

It wasn't that she didn't want to see me; it was that she didn't want me to see her.  She was 'panhandling'. Right there and then I found myself in a very awkward position.  I wanted to reach out and help her, but I could see that she would rather I not know.  The next day at the shelter she was a bit nervous when she said good morning to me, but when she discovered I was not going to say anything about it, she eased up a bit.  I really DO want to reach out and help, but through her actions she has made it clear that she'd prefer to pretend I didn't know. Perhaps she doesn't even know that I saw her.  It all happened so quickly.  I know she has her pride, and I don't want to take that away from her. What do I do? The fact is, she DOES have food to eat at the Center. In fact, when I saw her, it was just about lunch time.  And she DOES have money to play Bingo every day. But still, it broke my heart seeing her out there begging like that.

Simply give others a bit of yourself; a thoughtful act, a helpful idea,

a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot,

e of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something

out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart,

and put it into the other person's mind and heart.

Charles H. Burr

Speaking of Centers, through word of mouth, I found another one not too far away. Upon looking at their monthly calendar I discovered that they offer both ceramics and painting classes, the two wish list items I dreamed of before retiring.  The only issue here is that ceramics is 10 am on Tuesday and painting is 10 am on Thursday.  Both interfere with things I enjoy at my center.  Tuesday is blood pressure and health day, and Thursday is meditation and yoga.  What a dilemma! Am I wrong to want it all?

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us
tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden
over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses
that are blooming outside our windows today.

Dale Carnegie

Be Thankful

When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light,
for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and the joy
of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

Tecumseh

This year at Mabon I had a lot to be thankful for as I harvested the fruit of many years of hard work.  I am so grateful to have welcomed so many wonderful people into my life as I begin this my Autumn stage.

The other day  one of the workers came into our group and gave each of us  $20 worth of coupons for the Farmer's Market.  It was a donation from the New York City Department of Aging.  It made me realize just how grateful I am to have found this little place to come to every day.  I'm grateful to all the nice people I have met and cherish each one of them for the friendship they offered me.  They have taught me that there is life after retirement and the importance of reaching out for it. And as I watched Betty, age 94,  do her thing on the dance floor at last week's party, I realized that one is never too old to have fun. What a beautiful woman she is!

I am grateful that they have offered me a chance to give back what they have freely given to me.  I've been offered a volunteer position with the opportunity to come up with some kind of group. I originally thought of  group devoted to talking about our ancestors and learning how to research their family tree, but then I realized that many of them may not have a computer.  The center does have several computers on which they give lessons Thursday afternoon.  I suppose I could ask if I could have use for them in an 11 am slot for our research.  There are plenty of free sites available to get them started, and I can always help with look up something with my Ancestry subscription.

I also thought of buying a couple of Trivia games.  Not only are they fun, but they also help to keep the mind sharp. There are also several online sites that offer trivia options as well.  Any suggestions from you gals and guys?  

I can't believe how excited I am, and it just made me realize.  I may have been dissatisfied with my job, but I felt productive, and that is something I still need in my life.  Hubby made me laugh when I told him.  Whenever I was sent to a training at work, he always said, "That is a good thing to put on your resume."  So, when I told him about the possibility of doing some volunteer work, he said, "That's great. Volunteer work always looks good on your resume."  "What resume?" I responded.  "Have you forgotten that I have retired?" It was just too funny, and both of us laughed.  How used to things we become and how hard it is to let them go.

Be thankful! 

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.

If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,

for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.

During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,

because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,

because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.

They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,

because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who

are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.

Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,

and they can become your blessings.

Author Unknown

Atlantic City

Be not afraid of life. Believe that
life is worth living and your
belief will help create the fact.

William James

 

Here we are as we approach Atlantic City.  By now I'd had enough of the bus and was aching to stretch my legs...and hoping I could still get up.  You know, when we reach a certain age, we really tend to stiffen up.

Although I had a great time on our trip last week, but am up in the air about heading back this month.  The weather is changing, and unlike the others, I don't go to spend the entire day in a casino.  I love getting out in the air, and spent over two hours outdoors last week. It was an odd sort of day on the boardwalk, and in-between time. not yet cold and no longer hot. Some people were dressed in heavy coats, others like myself were in a sweater, and still others were not yet ready to give up on summer and walked around in skimpy summer clothes, including a few with bathing suits. It made me cold just looking at them.

Here we are as we get closer to our destination...but this is not the casino where we were headed.

The Taj Mahal.  A gorgeous place, but be careful of the ladies' room.  What a shame!  Women can be so messy. But, you would also think that in a place like this, the bathrooms would be better kept.  Wouldn't you expect to find an attendant in the bathroom?

A sure sign of the changing seasons.  The amusement park is closed. Gone was the gaity of carnival music, the excited laughter of children, the rides, the lights, the arcade games.  All closed up and silent. A ghost town. Only a few stands selling food remained open on the boardwalk. In the background you can catch a glimpse of the ocean, but I could not get any closer. There was a locked fence blocking the path. 

Only the seagulls remained, eager to salvage the last of the tiny morsels and crumbs before the stands boarded up closed for the upcoming winter season. And scavengers they are....

Couldn't resist the above photo.  I only wish it had come out a little better.  It's hard shooting photos with the glare of the sun baring down on the phone. 

After flexing his muscle and very noisily chasing off all his buddies , this little guy, the bully of the group,  sat with me through my entire lunch. When I wasn't looking, I could see him out of the corner of my eye eagerly staring at my burger, and as soon as I turned his way, he would turn away as if he could care less about me. And speaking of lunch....

Not very healthy, I know, but boy, is that ever a cheeseburger. And finally...

As we made our way home, the Harvest Moon in the background. Life sure is good.

It is a glorious privilege to live, to know, to act, to listen, to behold,to love. To look up at the blue summer sky; to see the sun sink slowly

beyond the line of the horizon; to watch the worlds come twinkling into
view, first one by one, and the myriads that no man can count, and lo!
the universe is white with them; and you and I are here.

Marco Morrow

Monday Morning This and That

Summer ends, and Autumn comes, and he who would have it otherwise would have high tide always and a full moon every night; and thus he would never know the rhythms that are at the heart of life. 

Hal Borland

Happy first full day of Autumn.  The day is cool and crisp with promises of blue skies and a gentle breeze.

I decided to stay in yesterday.  Didn't go to church.  I've not been feeling up to par.  I always get this way at the time of the year, that feeling that a cold is coming on, yet it never seems to come.  I know it is fall allergies, but this year, I have also felt especially chilled.  I am not dealing with the weather changes as well as I usually do.  I am guessing that in a way it is good news because it means my thyroid medication is working, and my Graves Disease has been stabilized.  When your thyroid is hyper, everything else is hyper as well, and I had a rough time dealing with the heat in summer, but adjusted well in the fall. Couldn't understand why everyone else was complaining about being chilled.  Now I do. 

Ran all my errands on Saturday.  I live in elastic waist pants.  Can't stand anything tight on my waist.  Elastic may be tight, but it does expand when one sits.  I'm not talking about those skinny stretchy pants that seem to exaggerate every curve and bulge.  I wouldn't dare go out in them.  No, these are a more conservative stretchy pant, and I have been searching for them for several years now. I keep mending mine and hoping to find them, but, no luck, until Saturday.  I FOUND THEM. Bought them in every color and plan on going back to buy more.  Never know when I will find them again.

Afterwards I headed to the fruit stand, and it sure is looking and smelling a lot like fall. Apples everywhere.

Although you can still find a few melons and a special kind of plum...

Some nice tomatoes and grapes.  Those little green grapes are so yummy I could sit and eat a pound in one sitting.

A few of the fresh vegetables.  You can actually find anything you want here.  It is a tremendous store.

It's funny how old habits die hard.  Last night as I was watching the final show of 'Dexter' I suddenly found myself saying, 'I don't want to go'. Before I retired, that was my regular Sunday night saying.  It had become so ingrained that sometimes I found myself just blurting it out.  In a comment yesterday Debra from She Who Seeks reminded me that this Mabon I was  reaping my own harvest after a lifetime of toil...and it was a lifetime.  My first job was working in a small diner in our neighborhood.  I was 15 years old.  I retired when I was 66.  That's a lot of years. And, yes, it is definitely a time to reap. 

Speaking of Mabon, we had a quiet Mabon, just hubby and I.  I made  some low sodium chicken parmesan and baked ziti, some real pig out food.   Not really a harvest meal, but, poor hubby had all of his top teeth removed on Friday, and I've been cooking soft foods since then.  It's quite a shame that it had to happen.  Hubby always had such beautiful teeth, but with age, he had contracted gum disease, and his old dentist had played it down. When he went to a new dentist, we found out it was too late, and the teeth had to come out. It's really a shame when you trust someone because they are SUPPOSED to be a professional, and they let you down. 

Wishing you all a fantastic first full day of Autumn.

Magnificent Autumn! He comes not like a pilgrim, clad in russet weeds. He comes not like a hermit, clad in gray. But he comes like a warrior, with the stain of blood upon his brazen mail. His crimson scarf is rent.... The wind.... wafts to us the odor of forest leaves, that hang wilted on the dripping branches, or drop into the stream. Their gorgeous tints are gone, as if the autumnal rains had washed them out. Orange, yellow, and scarlet, all are changed to one melancholy russet hue.... There is a melancholy and continual roar in the tops of the tall pines.... It is the funeral anthem of the dying year. 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Mabon Blessings

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells. Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor, Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep, Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers: And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Steady thy laden head across a brook; Or by a cider-press, with patient look, Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours. Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,-- While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue; Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river sallows, borne aloft Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn; Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft, And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15565#sthash.HDd15CRF.dpuf

To Autumn

1.
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
        Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
    Conspiring with him how to load and bless
        With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
    To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
        And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
          To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
        With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
    And still more, later flowers for the bees,
  Until they think warm days will never cease,
          For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

2.
  Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
      Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
  Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
      Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
  Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
      Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
          Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
  And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
      Steady thy laden head across a brook;
      Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
          Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

3.
  Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
      Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,—
  While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
      And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
  Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
      Among the river sallows, borne aloft
          Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
  And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
      Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
      The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
          And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

John Keats

Wishing you all the blessings of Mabon.