My favorite museum has a large collection of Tiffany art work. Every Christmas, for one night only, they haul out Tiffany Christmas Windows and place them in the park - on my favorite street. It seems like a lot of trouble to me but I'm so happy they do it.
The windows are all back lit and breathtakingly beautiful. Right after dark the Bach Choir, in formal wear, tunes up for Christmas carols in the bandstand.
Father Christmas walks around and chats up people. He's different from Santa because he wears the LONG coat.
Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people show up with their blankets and lawn chairs. Some bring little tables with linen and stemware for a champagne picnic.
If you get bored with the Tiffany or choir you can step across the street (easy because traffic is blocked off) and shop at the beautiful shops. Or just enjoy the twinkle lights for as far as you can see.
This all happened last night. As my friends and I sat out on the street, next to the park, having a light supper we said in unison:
"It just doesn't get better than this."
Of course we all have family that we wish could experience this. I wish my Boyfriend could see it. But last night, for a little while, I was "in the moment" with people I love.
**
Friday, December 7, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Comback Kid
Yesterday morning I woke up feeling terrible, as I have for a while.
But since I'd been on new drugs from the cardiologist for 24 hours I began feeling better throughout the day. So by last night I was my old self.
And my blood pressure is FALLING. Whee!
Let's review what can happen to you if your B/P stays unusually high. Heart damage, stroke, kidney failure, dementia and other stuff.
Had a wonderful lunch with friends. When it started I was sick. When it ended I was well.
Then met with my Power Rangers in the afternoon. We had a deep conversation about ultimate things. I love and admire their individuality, wisdom, openness, goodness and spirituality. I felt energized when I left.
I felt back to pretending to be the most powerful woman in the world.
But on the way home a little old lady I know called and asked if I'd stop by because her car (Lexus) smelled really bad and she didn't know what to do. So I stopped to smell this person's luxury car. It was pretty bad but I couldn't find any dead animals in the undercarriage so I told her she'd best take it to the dealer.
So much for self importance. But I still feel good.
But since I'd been on new drugs from the cardiologist for 24 hours I began feeling better throughout the day. So by last night I was my old self.
And my blood pressure is FALLING. Whee!
Let's review what can happen to you if your B/P stays unusually high. Heart damage, stroke, kidney failure, dementia and other stuff.
Had a wonderful lunch with friends. When it started I was sick. When it ended I was well.
Then met with my Power Rangers in the afternoon. We had a deep conversation about ultimate things. I love and admire their individuality, wisdom, openness, goodness and spirituality. I felt energized when I left.
I felt back to pretending to be the most powerful woman in the world.
But on the way home a little old lady I know called and asked if I'd stop by because her car (Lexus) smelled really bad and she didn't know what to do. So I stopped to smell this person's luxury car. It was pretty bad but I couldn't find any dead animals in the undercarriage so I told her she'd best take it to the dealer.
So much for self importance. But I still feel good.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Slow is Beautiful
One of the things I used to consult about was"Time Management." To me it was never about being busy every minute of the day. It was always about living a "Balanced Life."
Creative people, especially, need time to think and dream. But we all need to take the time to figure out who we are. My body rhythms are not like yours. My mind is sharp in the morning and clicks off at about 7 PM.
I've read literally hundreds of articles on "Time Management." The vast majority of writers tell us to slow down but then spend half of the article bragging about how crazy busy they are.
Even my retired friends are in a tizzy most of the time. Way over committed. Sometimes when I ask "Why did you volunteer to do this?" the answer comes, "Because nobody else would do it."
My answer to that is always "So?"
Today when I was having lunch at Panera's and looking at my "People" magazine I counted how many diners (seated with other people) were on their cell phones. LOTS! If I have lunch with you, here's all I want - your undivided attention.
My friend and guru sent me these quotes a while back:
We carry whole worlds within us as we brush by each other in the supermarket to read mayonnaise jars - Mark Nepo
The more faithfully you listen to the voice within you, the better you will hear what is sounding outside. And only she who listens can speak. - Dag Hammerskjold
The two most radical things you can do in America are to slow down and talk to each other. - Mary Pipher
**
Creative people, especially, need time to think and dream. But we all need to take the time to figure out who we are. My body rhythms are not like yours. My mind is sharp in the morning and clicks off at about 7 PM.
I've read literally hundreds of articles on "Time Management." The vast majority of writers tell us to slow down but then spend half of the article bragging about how crazy busy they are.
Even my retired friends are in a tizzy most of the time. Way over committed. Sometimes when I ask "Why did you volunteer to do this?" the answer comes, "Because nobody else would do it."
My answer to that is always "So?"
Today when I was having lunch at Panera's and looking at my "People" magazine I counted how many diners (seated with other people) were on their cell phones. LOTS! If I have lunch with you, here's all I want - your undivided attention.
My friend and guru sent me these quotes a while back:
We carry whole worlds within us as we brush by each other in the supermarket to read mayonnaise jars - Mark Nepo
The more faithfully you listen to the voice within you, the better you will hear what is sounding outside. And only she who listens can speak. - Dag Hammerskjold
The two most radical things you can do in America are to slow down and talk to each other. - Mary Pipher
**
Monday, December 3, 2007
Dogs
I'm not really a dog person. They're OK but I like the saying:
You're never really free until the last kid leaves and the dog dies.
When I was a runner I had a couple of scary times with big mean dogs. I'm still afraid of them. But my very favorite dog weighed as much as I do. He belonged to my son in law and family for 14 years. A Golden Retriever, he was the sweetest dog I've ever seen. He died last year after declining health that lasted way too long.
A few months before my Real Husband died he said, I can't believe that dog is going to outlive me!
Spoiled dogs crack me up. I see lots of designer dogs, all decked out, at the Farmer's Market every Saturday.
My brother and sister in law have two little, tiny white dogs. One is a psychopath. A couple of years ago my niece wrote to tell me that she was worried because her folks were "dressing the dogs." As it turns out, it was just dog sweaters - but my brother did buy one of the dogs a tiara when he visited me a few years ago. He bought his wife oranges.
Regarding spoiling dogs, how far is too far?
I read an article in my paper last week about doggie implants for those unfortunate males who've been neutered.
While neuticles - testicular implants for dogs - are strickly cosmetic, they're said to boost a pet's self-esteem by replacing what was lost.
I'm not making this up.
You're never really free until the last kid leaves and the dog dies.
When I was a runner I had a couple of scary times with big mean dogs. I'm still afraid of them. But my very favorite dog weighed as much as I do. He belonged to my son in law and family for 14 years. A Golden Retriever, he was the sweetest dog I've ever seen. He died last year after declining health that lasted way too long.
A few months before my Real Husband died he said, I can't believe that dog is going to outlive me!
Spoiled dogs crack me up. I see lots of designer dogs, all decked out, at the Farmer's Market every Saturday.
My brother and sister in law have two little, tiny white dogs. One is a psychopath. A couple of years ago my niece wrote to tell me that she was worried because her folks were "dressing the dogs." As it turns out, it was just dog sweaters - but my brother did buy one of the dogs a tiara when he visited me a few years ago. He bought his wife oranges.
Regarding spoiling dogs, how far is too far?
I read an article in my paper last week about doggie implants for those unfortunate males who've been neutered.
While neuticles - testicular implants for dogs - are strickly cosmetic, they're said to boost a pet's self-esteem by replacing what was lost.
I'm not making this up.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Predictions
I heard the first Advent sermon this morning on "Preparing." It was to remind us that we need to prepare for things we know are going to happen but we don't know when.
There are always people around predicting when stuff will happen. They're almost always wrong.
Another hurricane season is behind us. Despite dire predictions, Florida has been relatively hurricane free for the last three years.
One of our big hotel tycoons threatened to sue the National Weather Service over the predictions. Bad for business.
Not unlike predicting the stock market, predicting hurricanes is tricky. This past year one of our local columnist did his own study.
His panel consisted of:
There are always people around predicting when stuff will happen. They're almost always wrong.
Another hurricane season is behind us. Despite dire predictions, Florida has been relatively hurricane free for the last three years.
One of our big hotel tycoons threatened to sue the National Weather Service over the predictions. Bad for business.
Not unlike predicting the stock market, predicting hurricanes is tricky. This past year one of our local columnist did his own study.
His panel consisted of:
- Meteorologist and Hurricane Expert William Gray (who has traditionally scared the bejeebers out of us)
- A monkey from the local zoo
- His 4 year old son
- Himself
As there were several categories the results were mixed. But they were all consistently wrong.
I guess the lesson from the columnist and the minister are the same. We know some things are going to happen but we don't know when. So let's try to be ready all the time.
***
Saturday, December 1, 2007
But Are They Worthy ENOUGH!
This morning at the Christmas Parade I talked with an acquaintance who complained to me about delivering a turkey dinner last week to people she didn't feel were "worthy enough" to receive it. It didn't give her the warm, fuzzy feeling she was after.
Many years ago my Real Husband was the executive director of an urban ministry in Fort Lauderdale. There were all kinds of programs to get involved with: literacy, building projects, systemic community change, hunger and lots more.
We were always scrambling for volunteers.
Except at holiday time. This time of year people are so loving and generous. Back then we had a group of several hundred business men and women who delivered turkey dinners and gifts to needy families.
We always had loads of food donated so it was a fun experience. Except there were always a few (thankfully, very few) delivery people who were disappointed. The receiving families just didn't look needy enough to them. Sometimes they lived in pretty nice houses. Sometimes the kids had - not only a tree - but presents under the tree!
We were always nice to these business people. But we usually invited them to come back in January and they would see the kind of poverty they were after. Most everybody gets fed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But there are 363 other days of the year.
***
Many years ago my Real Husband was the executive director of an urban ministry in Fort Lauderdale. There were all kinds of programs to get involved with: literacy, building projects, systemic community change, hunger and lots more.
We were always scrambling for volunteers.
Except at holiday time. This time of year people are so loving and generous. Back then we had a group of several hundred business men and women who delivered turkey dinners and gifts to needy families.
We always had loads of food donated so it was a fun experience. Except there were always a few (thankfully, very few) delivery people who were disappointed. The receiving families just didn't look needy enough to them. Sometimes they lived in pretty nice houses. Sometimes the kids had - not only a tree - but presents under the tree!
We were always nice to these business people. But we usually invited them to come back in January and they would see the kind of poverty they were after. Most everybody gets fed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But there are 363 other days of the year.
***
Am I Having a Stroke or Just in Love?
The B/P drama continues. First a recap.
Sunday I became ill and had a B/P of 203/92. After two days of tests in the hospital I was thrown out due to good health.
Wednesday I felt ill and was sent to Urgent Care with a B/P of 197/92. Had to stay there a few hours to get it down but I did talk with my friend/handyman who was painting my bathroom. He asked me to stop for more paint on the way home.
Friday I finally got in to see my Internist. (B/P 178/94) She switched my meds to a beta blocker to tide me over until I see the cardio guy on Tuesday. Took the first one in her office.
Today, after a restless night I drove to my favorite street to have 7:30 breakfast with my dear old friends. At 9:00 A.M. the Christmas Parade started.
I walked up and down the street greeting old and new friends. I felt terrible and thought I might keel over or (worse) throw up but, oh well, probably 500 people would call 911. They were already on their cell phones.
How did I feel? Exhausted, dizzy, weak, short of breath.
After shopping I drove home thinking I'd take my blood pressure then head to Urgent Care again for another jump start.
But to my pleasant surprise, the meds were working and B/P was pretty good (150/66.)
Just looked up info on the beta blocker. Side effects are fatigue, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath and trouble sleeping.
I still feel that way but I'm happy.
**
Sunday I became ill and had a B/P of 203/92. After two days of tests in the hospital I was thrown out due to good health.
Wednesday I felt ill and was sent to Urgent Care with a B/P of 197/92. Had to stay there a few hours to get it down but I did talk with my friend/handyman who was painting my bathroom. He asked me to stop for more paint on the way home.
Friday I finally got in to see my Internist. (B/P 178/94) She switched my meds to a beta blocker to tide me over until I see the cardio guy on Tuesday. Took the first one in her office.
Today, after a restless night I drove to my favorite street to have 7:30 breakfast with my dear old friends. At 9:00 A.M. the Christmas Parade started.
I walked up and down the street greeting old and new friends. I felt terrible and thought I might keel over or (worse) throw up but, oh well, probably 500 people would call 911. They were already on their cell phones.
How did I feel? Exhausted, dizzy, weak, short of breath.
After shopping I drove home thinking I'd take my blood pressure then head to Urgent Care again for another jump start.
But to my pleasant surprise, the meds were working and B/P was pretty good (150/66.)
Just looked up info on the beta blocker. Side effects are fatigue, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath and trouble sleeping.
I still feel that way but I'm happy.
**
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