Sentimental Journey

Gonna take a sentimental journey,
Gonna set my heart at ease,


Gonna take a sentimental journey,
To renew old memories.


Got my bags and got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford,


Like a child with wild anticipation,
Gonna hear that "All Aboard."

I love this 1945 song made famous by Doris Day and Les Brown's Band of Renown.


Dave and I are heading out early on Saturday morning. We're driving to Fort Lauderdale where we're boarding a ship bound for Portugal, Spain, Monaco and Italy.


We're excited. I've never been to any of these places. For the vast majority of my life, I was the one who stayed at home. I was the stable one, the one who cared for the children and took care of business. My big traveling adventures came from books.


I'm glad I did that.


But now I love going to new places and seeing new things. I've worked hard the last few weeks - and we have a couple of hard working days to go. Then we're off!


In our short time together Dave and I have traveled to many romantic places and have met many fasinating people. And we're grateful for each trip because we know we have a relatively short window.


As Bing Crosby used to sing,

Far away places with strange sounding names,

Are calling, calling me.








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Being Honest With Myself

Integrity means connecting our lives with purpose... Our purpose, that which gives life meaning and direction, is going to change...Integrity requires new beginnings, not old ones, as we live lives that are moving forward.

The above quote is from my book If You Know Who You Are You'll Know What To Do by Ron Greer.

I used it when I was leading a class of older people on Sunday morning. It sounds great - and it is great - but a lot of older people are in total denial about how our lives and bodies are moving forward.

Take me for instance. Ten years ago, when I stopped running, my blood pressure shot up. How did I react? I got mad. "This cannot be happening to me. It's not fair. I'm thin, I exercise and I'm tough - and I'm not taking pills!" Two years later my doctor said to me in a very kind way, "You're old! Take the medicine."

Since then it's been a progression of new and more serious medicine. And how do I react with each new step? I get mad. That can't be good for my blood pressure.

And what's up with old men who insist on climbing up on their roofs? It's dangerous.

The point is that most of us, when we reach a certain age, need to be realistic. Most of my friends are full of wisdom about so many things but find it hard to admit that some parts of our bodies (and minds) have changed.

When I saw the cardiologist the other day and he asked how I'm doing I said, "I feel great but the medicine slows me down a bit". He said, "Well, in your case, that's probably a good thing."


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Get the Facts

Tempers are running high over a number of things right now. One of the things I learned a long time ago was to get the facts before making up my mind.

When I was active in the League of Women Voters I learned that serious matters had to be seriously studied.

The statistics page in the current Newsweek has some interesting numbers about prices. Have they soared - or not. Well, yes and no.

Take postage stamps. Don't you hate paying 44 cents for a stamp? Well, in 1900 a stamp costs 2 cents. But with inflation factored in the current price is a 17% decrease.

The average airline ticket from 1931 to now is a 91% decrease.

The president's salary from 1901 to now is a 69% decrease.

Of course there are lots of increases. The average movie ticket is a 134% increase from 1948.
The average home price has increased 100 % since 1963 (but I don't think that holds true for my home right now.)

By far the greatest increase listed in Newsweek is for Major League Baseball players. In 1900 it was $2,200. In today's dollars that's $58,000. The average salary today is $2,996,106. That's a whopping 5,066% increase.

Again, the reminder to me is: Get the facts before you go crazy.


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I Can See It From Everywhere!

This building sits on Interstate 4 about 3 miles north of my condo. It's famous in Central Florida. It's called the Majesty Building but a lot of central Floridians call it "The mistake by the lake."

It was started in 2000 by a Christian radio station. Their goal was to build only as the money was raised.

It seems like a worthy goal on the surface but I've read that the 40 million dollar building will cost millions and millions of dollars more due to taxes and whatnot caused by the delays.

And, 10 years later, it's still not finished. It's an 18 story empty glass shell sitting all alone on a dusty weed filled lot.

And here's what drives me crazy. I see it all the time. Of course, I see it every time I get on the interstate, just as millions of others do. When I'm swimming in my condo pool and look up to take a breath, there it is. I see it from the mall and most restaurants we visit. I see it every step of the way around our 2 mile Cranes Roost Lake walk.

Last week we were in Apopka. That's another city!!! As we turned onto 436 heading home, there it was, looming ahead.

It makes me sad.

Yes, Sarah, I Can Relate

Quote from today's paper:

You have to understand, it's not like a bike and the bike fell over. It's a camel, and the camel would just sit. And when they sit, it's a little like an earthquake.

- Sarah Jessica Parker talking to People magazine about filming for the "Sex and the City 2" movie in the Moroccan desert.

Poor Sarah. I know what she went through. This is a photo of me in Israel in the 80s. I don't remember the camel ride getting any more pleasant than this.

As you know, I'm not a big animal person - but back at that time there were places you couldn't get to in Israel except via camel.

Sarah Jessica most likely had other options for transportation while she was in the Moroccan desert but we all know what it's like to suffer a little in order to do your job properly.


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My Photo

Dave and I had our photos taken by Olin Mills Studios at my church this week. What a process. Had to get dressed up, then sit just so with lights just so and background just so. Many poses were taken.

But we didn't mind because it's so convenient to consult the pictorial directory when we're not altogether sure with whom we just made that dinner date.

Some people think that my photo attached to this blog looks suspiciously good. By that I think they mean young.

It was taken in 2003 by my favorite photog in all the world - my Mr. Oldie. I was sitting across from him in a restaurant. No posing. I was just having fun and he took the photo.

Mr. Oldies used his considerable photography skills to engage folks. Once we were in a restaurant with a large table full of Red Hat Ladies. These fun loving gals were having an especially good time that afternoon.

Mr. Oldie ambled over and asked if he could take some pictures. Afterwards he carefully took down names and addresses so he could share his many shots of Red Hat Ladies having fun.

We saw them a few more times over the years and they always came by the table for hugs.

Generally, I don't like having my picture taken. But with Mr. Oldie it was always a joy - and the photos showed it.

For him the picture taking is over - but he still loves restaurants and engaging with the people in them.


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Is One A Lonely Number?

One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do Whoa-oh, worse than two...

Remember that Three Dog Night song? It's pretty simplistic. I have several good friends who are single and they live wonderfully full lives. In fact, I was once single myself for almost a year. I liked it and planned to stay that way.

But then Dave came along. We're still trying to figure out this numbers thing.

Yesterday we had our photo taken for my church directory. We had to decide how we'd be listed and which last name would go first. Since it's my town and my church we decided on mine. We'll do it the other way at his church in Minnesota.

Besides my last name is at the front of the alphabet. His is toward the rear. I think there's an advantage to being close to the top when people are trying to look you up. Just ask the folks at AAA.

After we got home I filled out my census form. More decision making! Finally decided that I'm the #1 person in my household - and there is no #2. How sad. But Dave's primary address is Minnesota so he'll be the #1 (and only) person in his household.

Actually, at our age, we're fine with how things are. I love being called by his last name occasionally but I hardly ever sit around and scribble "Mrs. Dave" on my notebooks.


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The Simple Life

When Dave and I were taking our two mile walk today we got to talking about money and lifestyles. Fortunately we both have the same philosophy. We like living a simple life and not having more than we need - but having fun and giving generously.

And, as you know, I'm a big tipper.

To me, it's all about living a balanced life.

Last week I read yet another story about a woman who lived frugally her whole life, died at the age of 100 and left 7 million dollars to her college. In some ways it seems like a sad story. She never married, never had children, never had a car, bought her clothes at rummage sales and worked all of her adult life.

The money came about because of a $180 stock purchase she made in 1936. (Guess this proves out the buy and hold philosophy of investing.)

Dave and I don't want to be squirrely about this simple life. We just want to be sensible and responsible people. With that in mind we're taking off in a couple of weeks on a extended belated honeymoon. We're sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Portugal, Spain, Monaco and Italy.

But don't worry. We won't do anything wild and crazy.

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If You Know Who You Are You'll Know What to Do

I've written about the book with the above title before. Now today's legal section of the paper has a pretty good example of how that works out in real life.

In an advice column a woman writes that her husband died and she's the executor of his will. During a bad time in their marriage he had an affair and fathered a child. She's wondering if she has to tell the attorney. In other words "Will my children and I be penalized for their dad's mistake?"

HELLO!!

Your husband's "mistake" is called a human being. I have a really hard time with people who are only interested in the conception part of parenthood.

Of course, this woman didn't make the "mistake." So, for her to make the right decision she'll have to dig down deep and figure out who she is and who she wants to be.

By the way, the columnists, Jan Blackstone-Ford and Sharyl Jupe, had an excellent, tough, kind and loving response to this woman's question.

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And What Time Do You Have to be Home to Fix Supper?

I was involved in a conversation the other day about job interviews. There are a number of questions that a potential employer can't ask. Some people think it borders on the silly.

On the other hand the kinds of questions being asked years ago - especially of women - bordered on the bizarre.

In about 1985 I was invited by a public official who knew of my gifts and skills l to do a series of Wednesday night business seminars for a local Chamber of Commerce here in Florida. But first I had to be interviewed by the council.

After the meeting I went to the car and wrote down some of their questions. Here they are exactly as stated:

What does your husband do?

How many children do you have?

What are their ages?

How many live at home?

Do you "use" religion when you work?

Does your church have Wednesday night meetings?

I would like to tell you that I responded in a business like manner. I didn't. I was flabbergasted. I lost it.

Needless to say, the seminars didn't happen.


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Discussing The Meaning of Life

Why was I born? Why am I living? What do I give? What am I getting?

Last Sunday I taught my SS class. We briefly touched on the question of how important it is to contemplate the meaning of life. Well, not exactly the general meaning but the specific meaning in my life right now.

I think about it a lot. So do my friends. Some might even say we obsess about it.

It's especially important now, during Lent. It 's the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being introspective.

When the class was over one of the men said that he doesn't think about the meaning of life at all. Dave said he didn't think much about it either. And so on.

These are all men who are living exemplary lives.

Don't want to stereotype but maybe most men don't care to get real introspective.

There was that episode on Seinfield where Jerry was thinking about getting married and Kramer said, "Don't do it! She'll try to make you sit around and talk about your feelings."

Sorry guys. Kramer was right.


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Encouraging Bad Behavior

Dave and I like to eat at a deli called Toojays. In fact, we shared a sandwich there this afternoon. They have the best corned beef ever. Steamed!

As I said, we shared a 6 ounce corned beef sandwich. That's 3 ounces of beef each. Along with coleslaw and Kosher dills. It was plenty for us.

But Toojays has a contest going. They have a sandwich called the Jaynormous. It's made with 1 and one half POUNDS - that's 24 ounces - of meat. If you can finish it you will qualify for the next phase which is an even bigger meal. Then the lucky big winner will get $10,000.

Today the man next to us ordered the Jaynormous. The waitress asked if he'd like to enter the contest and then explained the rules. I didn't catch them all but did hear her say that he didn't have to finish the sides - just the sandwich.

This, to me, is as bad as a drinking contest. Or a smoking contest. Nothing good will come of it. Besides, it encourages one of the 7 deadly sins. Gluttony.

We thought about waiting for the waitress to bring his Jaynormous Sandwich so we could get a gander at it but then decided not.

She did tell us that the meat part is 6 inches high!


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Job Training

We're learning that, in today's climate, we must be constantly learning new job skills and be open to unusual opportunities.

This morning, I read this inspiring story.

It's Bike Week at Daytona Beach so all kinds of unusual opportunities present themselves. It seems that Heather Spears has just won her ninth tournament in Coleslaw Wrestling. Not only that, she's also the champ in Pudding and Creamed-Corn Wrestling. (Apparently these are three altogether different events.)

How did she start? She used to work at the Veterans Affairs clinic and all day long she would "swing" (move) old men. So she thought she could hold her own in wrestling. She said the first time was such an adrenaline rush. She wasn't planning to do it but was inspired by her brother who said, encouragingly, "You ought to get in there. You could take those girls down."

As you can imagine, Heather is respected by her biker buds. But if a guy wants to wrestle she'll take him down right in the bar.

On a more serious note, Heather, who was a nursing assistant, is going back to school to become an RN. She hopes to start in August.

Good for you Heather.


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