Pesky squirrel

I have created a little hide-a-way in the back yard where I can watch the birds at the bird feeder and have quiet time.
It has been invaded by a squirrel. It is cute, but it can jump from the tree, land on the bird feeder hang by its back legs and reach inside the bars and take the seed and prodedes to eat upside down. Amazing!
I left the tool shed door open and came back to find the little dickens standing on the bird feed container chewing a hole in the lid. Ungrateful brat!!
Next I can`t find my cup of tea. It has a snap on lid and I use a straw. I search around and find the straw on the ground and the cup on a smaller table under the big table. It is turned over and empty. Not even a stain where it would have spilled. It had been full. Next time I will invite a squirrel to tea!!

Where`s Church?

This morning a strange thing happened on the way to getting ready for church. I was almost dressed in the Sunday ritual when a force outside myself removed those cloths and put on comfortable everydays and a pair of sneakers. This same force placed some reading and writing material in a bag and poured a cup of green tea to go .
I am driving down the street and ask "Ok, where are we going?" No answer so I continue on . A visual comes to mind of a park called Majestic View not far away so that becomes the distination.
It is truly a majestic view of the front range and far enough out to be secluded in the middle of suburbia. I soak up the view, the cool breeze, and sounds of nature.
I open one of the books and read "The closest relationship one has is with oneself We always will have ourselves with us. Do we enjoy the relationship? " Hummmm that is food for thought and apprapo for the occasion. .
Next I read " I revealed Myself to you as the Light of My Presence. I sang you a Love song, whose beginning and end are veiled in eternity. I infused meaning into your mind and harmony intao your heart. Join Me in singing My song.
The third reading from the three I read daily is called "Living is Worthwhile" There is a power greater than we are. There is a love that casts out fear. There is a faith which overcomes all obstructions. The Spirit gently leads me, wisely counsels me. I kow that the love which envelops everything flows through me to everyone, and with it goes a confidence, a sense of joy and of peace, as well as a buoyant enthusiasm and zest for life. There comes back to me today everythig that makes life worthwhile.
I looked out at the expanse of beauty and pondered these words . It was so peaceful and comforting. During meditation I had a feeling of being given strength to cope with the path coming up before us, no matter what happens. Maybe that is why I ended up in this place this morning.
There were fun people passing me by as I sat on that bench enjoying life. All had a good word. I was honoed with the licks and tail wagging of happy dogs. Serious runners gave a wave. I like to think they enjoyed seeing an elderly lady praying in the park early on a Sunday mornig.
Where is church?

Rude awakening!!/Inspired solution

Spring sprung. I jumped out of bed threw on my garden cloths ran outside to take inventory of what needed done first. It was not a pretty sight. A very dry winter had left the grass brown and dead looking, trash had blown in under bushes and plastic bags were cought in trees blowing with the wind . Dismal. Discouraging. I picked up the rake and started mucking out from under the bushes. After about 30 minutes my body was in distress. Every muscle aching, joints painful, my legs felt like they were not capable of getting me anywhere. I drug the rake that had now turned into a heavy burden back to the shed and trudged back into the house. What`s going on? I went to exercise class four days a week all winter to keep myself in shape. This is very depressing. So much for spring. I`m bummed.
Well, this will never do. There is a solution to every problem under the sun. I divided the yard into sections in my mind and then into priorities. Each day I chose a section to work on and only thought about that, purchased what ever was needed for just that one goal. I have two raised garden areas and I did them one at a time. One is for seeds and one is for bedding plants. I did the seed one first. First day I just got the soil ready. Took plenty of breaks, stopped and watched the birds and squirrels doing what they do, lay down on the grass and soaked up some rays . So it took longer but I have never enjoyed doing it so much as I have this year. Age is a wonderful thing. It has taken a month to get all the veggies and flowers where they belong. And then there is Creative One, when she has time between classes, has come over and added her speacial touch to the flower beds and keeps the back yard mowed.
Ah, Spring has sprung and it is wonderful!!!!

Me too

Is this where I start falling apart?

Well the blood pressures is out of control. I decided to stop my med because it was causing an annoying cough. Did check with the Doc. but forgot to hold up my end of the deal by checking it daily for 2 weeks and let him know. When I remembered it was off the charts. Started on a new med. not working so far.
I quit taking my cholesterol Med because it was causing muscle weakness and cramping. Again. Doc knows. said to check it in 2 months which I just did and found it to be 379. Doc and pharacist in a huddle to see what`s next. Will start Zitia when it comes in.
Cardiologist called yesterday said they need to see me . They have an opening today at 1:10. Must have had a look at some labs or something
I already have an appointmemt at 11:15 with the ophthomologist because I can not see very well out of one of my eyes. So today is look at granny day. I feel fine . My eye is my #l concern.

Before I forget

The antics of the "The Little Guy" this past Monday. First of all he has this obsesion with the phone. When it rings he runs all over looking for it. I answer it and put it back up high so he can`t reach it. He looks at me, puts his hand on his hip., and the pouty lip comes out like "how dare you?" ( He is l6 months old.) Next he discovers that he can throw anything over the kid barrier to the downstairs and listen to it bounce all the way down. Really fun for granny to retrieve said objects He is very leary of the cat. Walks way around her in a circle and she of course honors him with her most vicious hisssss which throws him into a heart wrenching wail . Well this time he hissed back at her and she ran. Such satisfaction on his little face. He learnead how to put the legos together after weeks of trying. He learned how to push the button on the Sesame Street toy to make Elmo come out and sing. He is a joy to us once a week. It takes the two of us to keep up with him. He has so much fun with PaPa`s walker, cane, reacher and automatic chair that goes up and down by pushing a button!! Life is good on both ends of the spectrum.

Evolve Or Disolve

I have been studying on the year plan of reading I established at the new year. It has evolved into other reading which alway happens. I read an essay on Aristotle`s Picture of a Flourishing Human Life based on his work "Nichomachean Ethics". He was a pre-Christian philosopher who lived and taught in Athens in the fourth century bce. It was unrealistic even in the time he wrote it but it does have valid possibilities. The aim in part was to keep government in the hands of ordinary people and to prevent the formation of elite groups who would serve only in their own interests.

Then I read an article called "Alchemy of a New Humanity." by Barbara Marx Hubbard. She shares a contagious conviction that the universe is coming alive, that we are in the midst of a quantum shift, and that we area collectively engaged in transforming the cosmos. The possibility we are approaaching is what she calls conscious evolution, the awakening of the spiritual, social and scientific potential of humanity, in harmony with nature for the highest good of all life.

These two readings got me to thinking. We obviously, as a civilization , did not go the route of an Aristotelian Life. We are now facing the concequences of a people run amuck in greed, ignorance of plundering the planet instead of using it as a friend. It can no longer heal itself, we have made it to ill. Our children have not had the top priority in health, education and welfare. They are our future. We have not invested well in our greatest asset.

All is not lost however We are at a point in our evolution as a species where we can turn the tide of evolution through Cosmogenesis. We are facing a New Crisis world wide in economics, wars, and global warming. This is not necessarily a bad thing. When the going gets tough the tough get going. I feel there is more good going on then adversity, even though we are made aware only of the adversity through the media. We are now at a point where we must evolve by working together to save ourselves and our planet or we will be disolved.

If by chance there is any interest out there you could go to the HumanityAscending.com web site for more information

I Think I`ll Take a Nap

I have been studying on the year plan of reading I established at the new year. It has evolved into other reading which always happens

I read an essay on Aristotle`s Picture Of A Flourishing Human Life based on his work "Nichomachean Ethics".He was a pre-Christian philosopher who lived and taught in Athens in the fourth century bce. It was unrealistic even in the time he wrote it but it does have valid possibilities . The aim in part was to keep government in the hands of ordinary people and to prevent the formation of elite groups who would serve only in their own interests.

Then I read an article called "The Alchemy of a New Humanity." by Barbara Marx Hubbard . She shares a contagious conviction that the universe is coming alive, that we are in the midst of a quantum shift, and that we are collectively engaged in transforming the cosmos. The possibility we are approaching is what she calls conscious evolution, the awakening of the spiritual, social, and scientific potential of humanity, in harmony with nature for the highest good of all life.

These two readings got me to thinking. We obviously as a civilization did not go the route of an Aristotelian Life. We are now facing the concequences of a people run amuck in greed, ignorance of plundering the planet instead of using it as a friend. It can no longer heal itself, we have made it to ill. Our children have not had the top priority in health education and welfare. They are our future. We have not invested well in our greatest asset.

All is not lost however. We are at a point in our evolution as a species where we can turn the tide of evolution through Cosmogenesis. We are facing a New Crisis world wide in econimics .wars, global warming. That is not necessarily a bad thing. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I feel there is more good going on then adversity even though we only are made aware of the adversity through the media. But we are at a point where we must evolve in working together to save ourselves and our planet or we will be disolved.

If by chance there is any interest out there you could go the HumanityAscending.com

real students

I am honored with the opportunity to assist a friend of mine who runs a school to certify nursing assisstants. The students come from all walks of life. Some are mothers of children with special needs. With the CNA license they can get some pay to take care of their children at home and not put them in an institution. Some are young folks just out of high school not sure what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Some are from another land looking for opportunities not available to them in their own country. Some are being re-trained after living through some hard knocks in their lives. Some are nurses in training getting the requred CNA license before they can graduate from nursing school. There are some who have retired from their lifes work and are looking for a new way to be of service to their community. I look forward to the times I am called upon to help out with observing them in learning the skills they need to perfect in order to pass their State Boards. I so much enjoy getting to know them and hear their stories. It is a learning experience for me.

One pound!!

I just finished a 10 day diet of fresh fruits, veggies, rice and beans ,no pepsi. No sugar, dairy, or meat. It really wasn`t hard to do. Had plenty to eat. went the whole 10 days without heart burn or reflux problems. All good until I stepped on the scale after the 10 days. Lost only one pound. My partner doing it with me had the same result.

However. we both felt better. Her blood sugars were under control and we both had more energy. So it was not a lost cause. It was a learning experience. Well, for the future anyway. As soon as the sweet tooth is sactiated . Made a mad dash to the corner gas station to get my chocolate pay day candy bar. It is the only place I have found a chocolate one. To die for. I only bought one but their existence only a couple of blocks away weighs heavy on my mind. I even ate some of the babys airplane shaped snack cookies. devoured the jello puddings in the fridge ( Gentle Ben says with a sad voicel did you eat my sugar free pudding ?) EEEK!! I`m such a pig!! I didn`t even concider the pudding was off limits in my persuit for sugar. It was even sugar free! Oh, the scourge of addiction ,it has no conscience.

tags

Well let me see what I can come up with. I will do some of irritation and some of love.

l. Drug ads on tv. They harp the product and then a sugary voice says oh, by the way it may cause death. But see your Dr. to see if this drug is for your. (gag)
2. Those crawlers that are always running under the program you are watching. I can only concentrate on one thing at a time!!! Stop it already.
3. Those little squares in the corner of the screen telling you what`s coming on next or next week or next month. Who cares? I`m trying to watch what`s on now please with no distractions.
4. The stop light by my house that is NEVER green when I get there coming or going.
5. Folks that don`t pick up their dog`s poop
6. A movie or book that doesn`t have a good ending.
7. Cars driving by with the base on so loud it vibrates your car or your house if you are home.

Things I love

1. Family first of course
2. Watching the sunrise almost every day
3. Reading truly good books
4. Beautiful soothing music
5. Being in the mountains or at the beach.
6. Working in the yard.
7. Sharing time and conversation with friends
8. Learning new things
9. Babies
10. Still being able to work at a job I like.

Mistaken Identity

Received a document in the mail from the Denver Photo Speed Enforcement Program addressed to me. Well the photo was of a man driving a truck on 6th ave at 0800 . I of course called the number listed and got an answereing machine. I proceded to tell the machine that I am a female and drive a small station wagon and would never be on 6th avenue in rush hour traffic. To please check their records and get it right.

Gentle Ben is looking over the document carefully ( after the phone call) and says you know this looks like Heart Son. Oh no!! I call Heart Son and ask the license# on his truck. It`s a match. I always forget his truck is registered in my name!!!

I`m hoping my message gets lost in the reams of paper work at the police department.

Back in business

It turns out my computer really was sick. It needed a total reformat, an anti-virus which I had neglected to keep current which led to a virus when Creative One accessed her face book. Also needed a new fan and a new cd burner. It wasn`t reading discs.
We found a fellow who comes to the house, picks it up and returns it and puts it all back together. He picked it up yesterday and returned it at 0900 this am. It is like a new computer.We will hope all works well.
I hope Granny`s computer saga is over.

kalidiscope

How busy is to busy? I love my life. Since the last post I have gone to one Journey group meeting, two work meetings, attended 3 computer classes, four yoga classes, went out to breakfast 3 times and out to lunch twice,. Baby sat the boy two times, took my handicapped friend grocery shopping twice and out to Rock Creek Clinic three times for treatments which also required an hour class before each treatment as it is in the experimental stages. In my spare time I worked 24 hours at my part time job. Also tried a couple of new recipes that could be slow cooked or in the oven and served anytime.
Some of the lunches and breakfasts included rekindling old friendships that is really so much fun and a chance to learn new things I didn`t know existed . It`s great!! Also found some time to squeeze in some study time on the Brain Plan for 2009. Fascinating. I never thougut I would be able to read and understand anything on Atheism. The Power of now I do only a couple of paragraphs at a time. And the God Code, well, that is quantum physics and takes a lot of thought
On Tues, the 20th I was dressed had my shoes on , heading out the door for a 7:30 meeting followed by a class, but I could not tear my eyes away from the Inaugration. Could not. I made two phone calls cuddled up in my blankie and cup and tea and watched history taking place until I absolutely had to go to work at 1:00 pm. Ah, what a day. Loved every minute of it.
Took the computer classes again in hopes of being able to fingure out my e-mail problem yet again. It did`nt work. The instructor came home with me yesterday to see for her self that it couldn`t be accessed. Well it can`t. It isn`t me, quest or the internet. It is the computer itself. It has to be taken in for a checkup. Bull Crap!!!!!! So, Granny and the computer saga rages on.
Somewhere in the midst of all this I had that sore throat, earache, cough thingy that really made me mad. I tanked up on echenecea, vit c, nyquil, tylenol, cough drops , correcedine for day time and forged ahead. I won.
Well, time to head off the Yoga class. TaTa

Grandpas Harmonica

I sent Grandpa`s harmonica to Itchiban Son yesterday. I thought he already had it and I think he did too. Well, I found it in a drawer and it is on its way to him as we speak. BTW his father was stationed in Hokido, Japan the year before he was born and learned a few words of the Japanese Language. He frequently referred to him as our Itchiban Son. ( Number one son)

Gentle Ben hanging in there

Dr. Appt with the Nephrologist went well. Lab numbers are all elevated but can tweak the meds a little to try and lower them. He is still a ways out from dialysis. Lost 3 lbs. which is good as he had gained last time. The fistula will still need another procedure but not for a couple of months.
While in the waiting room received a call from Heart Son to wish us happy 25th anniversary!!! Hello!! I was so into worrying about this Dr. visit, since I got the lab results off the computer, I spaced it. So glad he called to remind us. So we went to lunch at Applebees. We have had good years. Lucky us.

Brain food for 2009

Have settled on a plan.

1. Read Philosophers without Gods. Meditatins on Atheism and the Secular Life. Edited by Louise M. Antony. The reason I chose this subject is related to the youngest son. I call him" my teacher." I have had to learn things I never thought I would and have never regreted any of it. When he told me he was gay, he at the same time, provided me with literature, phone numbers for a support group to contact and he also had his bag packed in case the wind blew the other way. Well I went to meetings and read more than I ever wanted to and educated myself. From a homophobic hateful person I became an educated accepting parent in love with my precious gift. My son. Now he is talkibng atheism. Ok I will learn about that. I started it over the weekend and am finding it ever so interesting. I have changed my own views over the years also and I choose to accept a higher power, but I am open to other views. I look forward to conversations with "my teacher" on the subject.
2. Study the Power of Now, by Echart Tolle. He was chosen as the Spiritual Here of the year by the Church of Religious Science to which I subscribe at this time in my life. I started it a couple of years ago and put it aside. He published another book this last year, A New Earth Awakening To Your Life`s Purpose. Operah jumped on it and it was a big buzz on the internet and the church I go to also did and offered a 6 week workshop. Well that all went way to fast for me so I pulled out the first book and it is more to my liking. So that`s the plan with Tolle. I will make it a study for the year. A slow ruminating read.
3. A friend gave me a daily reading book for Christmas. " Jesus Calling," by Sarah Young. I wouldn`t ordinalrily find this title interesting, but I read her bio and she is not a Bible thumping fundamentalist. She is a tea s cher and has traveled a similar spiritual road as I have. Anyway that led to my purchase of a new LARGE PRINT Bible with my gift certificate from Barnes and Noble. So I will also dabble in that for a while. I haven`t done Bible for several years.
4, Will continue with the daily readings from the Science of Mine Magazine with daily meditations and very interesting articles on New Thought, Old Wisdom.
5. And the one I like the most of all. Quantum Physics. Einstein said Imagination is more important than Knowledge, It is a preview of coming attractions. I love it. I have read books by Greg Braden and Joe Dispenza to name two . I have heard them both lecture. Dispenza was featured in What the Bleep and The Secret. Greg Braden`s God Code is the current book I`m reading. Dr. Dispenza has a new book out about the Brain and Computers. It is fascinating. So much to learn, so little time.

That`s the plan and I`m sticking to it.

Plans for 2009

Finally got it together. The Plan. Guidlines: Things I want to accomplish.
1. Keep closer contact with family and friends via phone calls, cards and snail mail. Grandson likes the snail mail when he remembers to check his mail box.
2. Be a beneficial presence in my daily rounds out in the community , at work and at home.
That means be nice.
3. Continue my committament to exercise with Silver Sneakers 4 days a week. It`s good for
my ego. I am in better shape that most of those other guys. ( except for that skinny chick with the dyed black hair and super personality)
4. Contac Bonna Sue and follow up with a few practitioner sessions. I finished my sessions with the shrink. They were beneficial and I can call anytime for follow up. She was a really good therapist. She pointed out that I have a good support system and already do a lot of self help tools to keep my self grounded and out of the nut house. Bonna Sue is a Practioner from church that was there when the trauma happened and knows stuff. I am now in remission and would like to stay that way.
5. Schedule a one on one tuturing session with Janice Calm , The computer teacher at the Senior Center. She does home visits. I need help. I have taken her classes twice and still don`t get it all. ( I love her name)
6. And of course get rid of the 20 ( well, ok, 30) extra pounds that have found their way back to the tummy and butt. Skinny sister has as her resolution to become obese. She is the 100 lb. wonder. She eats snicker bars daily and drinks half and half. Her Dr. told her she wouldn`t have ended up in the hospital with the flu if she had more meat on her. We are trying to figure out how to make a trade.
Well, that`s it for the Plan. I`m still working on my study guide that I do every year. It will be forthcoming.

End Of An Era

I was in the midst of writing plans for my life for 2009 when the phone rang. It was my good friend, Marianne. One of the Magnificent 7. She needed my help to pack for their impending move. I walked into a sea of upheaval which always happens when one moves. As I was packing up the China Closet I packed so many memories of days gone by. This was the party house of the days of babies, children, car pools, pot lucks. birthdays and best of all the annual St. Patricks Day party. The adult children were all on hand orchestrating all the activities. Marianne is on oxygen and her stamina is limited and Chuck has diabetes and has had some mild strokes making his memory a little clouded. He was looking out the window as their beds were being loaded onto the truck. He says " Oh, I guess we won`t be sleeping here anymore." My dear friend Chuck, one of the funniest people I have ever known. He always kept everyone laughing. Chuck of the Air Force Flying Core during the Koean War. Chuck of the Control Tower at Stapelton airport, Chuck the volunteer Holy trinity school bus driver.
It is time to move into a smaller place with less upkeep etc, etc, etc. I was desperately holding back the tears. Its ironic, while making plans for your life, life happens.