Category Archives: Thoughts
I Don’t Like Everybody. Do You?
There is some wisdom with age. I don’t like everyone that I meet and that’s okay. If I can, I avoid people who rub me the wrong way. If I can’t avoid them, I try to keep physical distance. If I can’t do that I remind myself that I don’t have to be around them for long. This is a change from my younger self.
In the past I would have been confrontational or obnoxious when having to be around people who are not my cup of tea as they say. Now I realize that as long as they are not doing anything to harm me, I don’t have to give them much thought.
This topic came to mind because recently a friend took some unintentional actions to be a slight and became angry. I thought they were kidding when they said they were angry only to find out later that they were serious. Wow!
My advice to everyone is don’t take everything so seriously. There are always real issues on the horizon. Save the angry energy for when there is a real problem.
Everyone Needs a Break
Today is my husbands birthday. At the last minute we found out that his best friend and family were going to Atlantic City (NJ) and we decided to join them for the night. So yesterday we drove down. Had dinner with them and I did a little casino time with them. Hubby doesn’t partake. This morning by 8:30 a.m. we were on the beach. I began walking and before I knew it I had walked three miles. Then in the chilly ocean and some time on the beach. It wasn’t much but it was fantastic!!! No matter what the budget (ours was very small) you need to get away when you can. Trust me.
Me at the beach this morning
The Atlantic
Is Everyone Nuts???????
The mayor of San Diego has asked for forgiveness after a ton of women came forth and accused him of inappropriate behavior. He asked one woman to come to work without her underwear. Okay it’s so ridiculous that I had to repeat it. He said it’ll be okay because he is going to begin two weeks of intensive therapy. Anthony Weiner says that he told everyone that he didn’t stop sexting right away. He’s okay now though and we can trust him to keep his mind on the business of running New York City. Eliot Spitzer figures that all is forgiven and he can run for comptroller. I mean he only used a credit card to pay prostitutes.
Not judging personal behavior but I think if you do certain stupid things, you don’t need to be representing me. Just saying.
Zimmerman Verdict — What I Expected
In households of color in America young men are taught the basics of survival in the event that they have a run in with police and/or others that may perceive them as a threat. I am not talking about how to survive when engaged in criminal activity, I am talking about surviving the walk home from school or basketball or the movies. I began explaining this lesson to my son when he was about twelve years old. “If you get stopped, don’t talk back, do what they say and call me when you can. We’ll sort out what happened once you are safely back home”. He knew the drill and eventually had to put it into practice. Fortunately he got home and it only happened one time. He was fortunate. Trayvon Martin wasn’t.
I believe that it has made my son a good policeman. He can’t help but remember how he was treated. Perhaps we should have all kids followed and profiled so that they know how it feels. We have to do better America. This issue has once again divided our population along racial lines. Everyone is very sensitive and we never know what will happen after one of these events. What I do know is that without some serious action I will be having the same talk I had with my son with Trent my three-year old grandson. I hope not but I still know what to say.
Roof Open, Staycation On
I won’t be traveling this summer so I have to take my outdoor time when and where I can. This morning the staff at JFK recreation center in Newark, NJ opened the roof to our pool. I had no choice but to swim my requisite sixteen laps just to take advantage of the cool water and the warm sunshine. Lots of sunscreen and though I don’t generally wear one, a bathing cap to protect my pate from the sun. It was heavenly! So I can’t get to the Islands, I have my own water adventure five days a week for the next two months. The health benefits are the icing on the cake as they say.
Meters to Yards?????
Today when we got to the pool the lane lines had been placed along the length of the pool instead of the width. We went from 25 yards to 50 meters. OMG I thought that this was going to be an impossible task. Not!!! I actually did two laps easily. I wore my flippers which most everyone did. I did four groups of two laps. Resting after each group of two. Before I left I took off the flippers and did two more laps. Not bad. Maybe I’m getting the hang of this swimming thing. Now I have to translate the concentration that I have developed in the pool to life in general. Sound simple. It’s not.
I still exist!
I haven’t written for weeks. I will explain why in the near future but suffice it to say that I’ve been very busy. It is so easy to drift away from blogging. You miss a day and then a week etc. I have been looking for focus and find myself at loose ends because I’m not teaching this summer. Yoga is turning out to be a centering force for me. Hopefully it will help me gather the thoughts so that I can put them down on paper again. Until then I will post when I can. Hope you all are well.
Does the Weather Dictate our Moods?
I was psyched by the warm weather week before last here in New Jersey. Dusted off the garden tools, pulled out my walking shoes and thought of what I was going to do with my summer. Then the temperature started to drop. Today I put on my denim jacket with the flannel lining and actually I needed a sweater. It was windy and cold. We’ve turned the heat off and I’m looking at the fireplace and seriously considering starting a fire. I don’t want to go to the park and leaving the pool will be like it is in the fall. I could just stay in bed with the covers pulled up. What do you think? Is it chilly where you are?
Thursdays Swim Plan
So I have stopped fighting. Yesterday and today I began swimming a lap counting to twenty and doing a return lap I am up to twenty-two laps. Still not non-stop but I think that it’s progress. Next week I will try to do fifty yds. (two laps) and then rest and return. If I work my way up I should be able to do the half mile in a month or so. That’s the plan for today.
Cherry Blossoms – Newark, New Jersey Style
The City of Newark, New Jersey takes a lot of hits for its crime rate and riots that took place nearly fifty years ago. It bears the brunt of comedians jokes and the disrespect of people who have never visited. Well I have lived here for thirty-six years and today I would like to tell you about a very positive aspect of the City. Cherry Blossom Trees! Branch Brook Park which runs through much of the City’s North Ward and through a section of Belleville is the home of a larger collection of Cherry Blossom Tress than the nation’s capitol. In April of 2012 the number of trees in the park was 2,700. There may be more now, the county is always planting new trees to replace lost trees and supplement where possible. In additions there are Cherry Blossom trees in other parts of the City adorning the urban landscape.
The Cherry Blossom festival brings thousands to our park with their cameras and oil paints. The elderly, the young and all in between. Today I drove my Mom and a friend to the park to enjoy. It was a nice day. Enjoy my pictures.
First Steps the Hardest 