If I Had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out that she was dying from cancer)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later.  Now go get washed up for dinner."  There would have been more "I love yous" and more "I'm sorrys."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it, and never give it back.  STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's dong what.  Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.

Points to Ponder About Yourself

* There are at least two people in the world that you would die for.
 
* At least 15 people in the world love you in some way.
 
* The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.
 
* A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone even if they don't like you.
 
* Every night SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
 
* You mean the world to someone.
 
* You are special and unique.
 
* Someone whom you don't even know exists loves you
 
 * When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.
 
* When you think the world has turned its back on you, take nother look.
 
* Always remember the compliments you received, forget about the rude remarks.

A Short

The Cat With The Cane

    In the street they called him, You know, Man -- the cat with the cane; but his name was actually James.  Always knew who it was because the tap, tap, tap of his cane announced him.  He didn't need the cane, he just liked it so it became  part of his persona.

    On a windy and clear day in April, the folk saw the cane, but no Cat...  "Hey, where's the cat who always carries that cane?" questioned someone on the stoop when he spied the cane leaning against the brownstone.  "I have never seen that cat without it, so something must be up."

    Pretty soon, a dozen or so people had congregated around the cane and were wondering what they should do.  Some wanted to just wait and see, figuring that James had probably lain the cane against the building and had just forgotten it.  Others wanted to start a search for him, and the remainder wanted to call the police.

    All of a sudden, the cane began a little dance and started tapping away.  Before the crowd could properly react to this phenomenon, James stepped sideways from within the cane.  You see, rather than a cool cat with a cane, the fact of the matter is that it was a cool cane with a cat; you dig?

TGIT - Women on Top!

A recent journalist posed the thought that it is remarkable that Viola Davis has not been recognized for her acting ability before "How to Get Away With Murder." Ahem...Viola Davis did not become a consummate actor with the debut of "...Murder.."  The real story is that this incredible woman has been discounted because she didn't have the look that the money men believed could make them even more money.  Imagine their shock, which they're probably still in when Shonda Rhimes, a woman, bent reality (their reality, not ours) by penning the blockbuster, "Grey's Anatomy." Yes, a fe-male brought them salivating to the bank week after week after week.

With all of those dollars rolling in from "Grey's...", the money men could only see green, period; so when Ms. Rhimes began to cast actors who had the chops to deliver her vision, the outside of those actors meant next to nothing.  So enter Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope, and now Viola Davis as Annalise Keating. Neither of these women in powerful starring roles fit the previous mold of leading women, and I think that most of us are so happy to see women who look like the rest of us, being judged on the talent that they bring to a project rather than solely on their exteriors.  The clothing and handbags (be still, my heart!) are mind-blowing and I have to nearly physically restrain myself to stay off the Coach.com site, but the show's characters are still relatable because they are not those superficial versions of perfect that we have been spoon-fed for far too long.

Granted, we all enjoy looking at something good (think Denzel Washington), but there has to be something deeper than that to hold my attention; an actor appealing to my idea of Fine is just an added bonus.  I am after all more than a slack-jawed, drooling idiot (yes, I know that idiot-box is another name for the television set). I watch television and movies for entertainment yes, but life is filled with a myriad of colors, shapes, sizes, values, et al; so it's much more than refreshing to find my foray into fictionland peopled with regular characters.

An Attitude of Gratitude

Hello Friends. It's another suck-y day in the part of my world that is Lupus, but as I stumbled about in my backyard getting some fresh air...yes, I said stumbled, because sometimes my balance is affected because of a bit of brain inflammation (it's called cerebritis); and when that is going on, it's safer to remain inside of the fence while I inhale the fresh air and enjoy the flowers that are still blooming even though it's the middle of October (yay!).

Anyway, I sat down (actually, sorta fell down) on the deck bench and was about to break into the ugly cry (y'all know what I'm talkin' about!)  because I was thinking how terrible it was that I was imprisoned in the backyard and not able to take a nice stroll through my beautiful neighborhood. 

Then I had a Full Stop moment because it hit me how very fortunate I am that I can easily breathe in the fresh air and my eyes can revel in the colorful flowers and the varied greens of the trees and bushes.   There are people who are unable to walk (even if it's a stumble) around in their yard; people who don't even have a nice yard to enjoy.   And though my eyesight is not always crystal clear,  it's a temporary thing that eventually passes, but there are those who are permanently in the dark or moving through a world that is a total blur.  If I could give this Lupus back to from whence it came, I would do so in a New York minute, but I'm going to try very hard to remember that my life is in many ways so much better than those of far too many others in the world.  When I find that I'm feeling sorry for myself because I've had to cancel my USO volunteer shift yet again due to Ms. Lupus deciding to be the boss of me that day or week, I will give myself permission to have a very short pity party, then put on my big girl knickers  and accomplish whatever it is that I can do at that particular time, even though it's only catching up with the DVR recordings of the television programs,  "Scandal" or "How To Get Away With Murder." We can put the older seasons of "Criminal Minds" in the queue, too, but this Season 10 is a big thumbs down, so far.

Anyhoo, there is always going to be something that isn't going to plan for each of us at one time or another, but we can choose to take stock and see what is going well and focus on that. There is usually more to smile about than there is to cry about.  We just don't focus enough attention on those things that are the everyday, and intentionally acknowledge that they are worth being grateful for. 

Challenge yourself to count your blessings rather than what you consider to be your curses, and I'll bet you'll be surprised that the former far outnumber the latter.

Thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes, and I hope that you enjoy the heck out of your weekend!

Be well and stay fabulous!

Sickness Sucks/Same Old Song

     It's a brand new day, but it's the same ol' body with the same ol' pain, courtesy of Lupus stalking my body like a hungry lion, or a ravenous sharp toothed wolf for whom this cruel disease is named.  So it's another day of watching crime shows, "Criminal Minds," and "Stalker" being my current favorites.  Oh, almost forgot "Mysteries of Laura."  Thank goodness for good television programming.  Then, when I really want to get all dark and twisty, I pull up "Luther" on Amazon Prime.
     Spent part of last evening emailing five national newspapers with a plea-blurb re Lupus awareness and the need for funding research.  We need to develop medications geared specifically for Lupus. Of all the medications prescribed for Lupus, only one (Benlysta)  was actually developed for Lupus, and some insurance companies won't even cover it!  It has also been discovered that Benlysta doesn't seem to be effective in people of color, so clinical trials are being held, but not in nearly enough locations. Just for your edification, the medications currently used for Lupus are ones developed for other diseases and are often ineffective or just barely effective, with horrible side effects, but we keep taking them because we Lupies are an ever optimistic lot.  The vast majority of Lupus patients are female. Do we have a bit of sexism going on here? Many of us truly believe that if such a devastating disease was striking men down, no devil in hell with all of his minions could have kept development of Lupus-specific medicines and a laser focused search for a cure from happening.
    I have to go now, but in the immortal words of the Terminator, "I'll be back."  By the by, I've run out of Deathwish coffee and the Starbucks just ain't cuttin' it today. Gonna try some Chai Latte, just for something different.  Hopefully, it might do something good.  Send me a few good vibes, won't you?
Be well and stay fabulous!

Narrow Foot Discrimination

Do you have narrow feet, or do you know someone who has narrow feet?  I'd be willing to bet that you do...  and believe me, the frustration level is high when it comes to cute shoes!

I was born with narrow feet; in fact, have a AAAA heel, so even a narrow pump is out of the question for me unless I want to pay squillions of dollars for it.  But back to the issue of cute shoes and the blatant discrimination against those of us for whom a Medium (apparently the "norm") requires us to wear super-thick socks; but who wants to wear super-thick socks unless the footwear is a boot or bootie?  Yes, I suppose I could include loafers and other assorted flats in that category, but why can't I get a flat that will fit my naked or tights-encased foot without again paying slightly less than squillions?  I revel in my uniqueness, but I want to be able to wear the cute shoes that are available to the masses, too!!  Wah-wah-wah!!

This discussion was brought about when I received an absolutely passion inducing catalog from Aerosoles in today's mail.  Ooohh, the footwear sashaying across the pages caused my salivary glands to spring into action (and that takes some doing when you suffer from Lupus-induced dry mouth)!  But.  Every single pair is sized Medium and/or Wide -- AARGH!!  Torture me, why don't you?  And I really need another pair of black flats.  And there are some really cute ones in the Aerosoles catalog, but THEY WON'T FIT MY FOOT!!


Now, I know that shoe stores like Payless and Thom McAn (does Thom McAn still exist?) depend on volume and sell at low prices, so have no interest in catering to what is probably considered a "niche consumer" in the shoe industry, but Aerosoles shoes are not exactly cheap.  You do have to spend more than a couple of bucks for their product and I am accustomed to paying more for narrow shoes (though it is unfair), so what's the deal?  I can guarantee that my feet are not the only slim ones in America.

Maybe we should rise up and mount a campaign...take to the streets... Down with fascist shoe sellers and all that.  Drop me a line, you like-footed people and sympathizers.  Let's see if we can force the shoe industry to mend their ways and solve this problem.

Shoe equality for all, I say!

Loving Each Other

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgsIGEm3f7w

Let's Talk About Race, Baby

I just finished watching the movie, "Fruitvale Station," which is about the actual occurrence of a  young Black man being killed on a subway train in San Francisco/Oakland, California a few years ago. The BART officer who murdered Oscar Grant III at Fruitvale Station On New Year's Day 2008, claimed that he "mistook" his gun for his taser.  WTF????!!!!  He was ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 3 years, and released after 11 momths!!

Okay, I'm just gonna say it...if Oscar Grant had been a young white man -- first of all, that whole scene wouldn't have gone down if Oscar hadn't been a young black man -- but let's say hypothetically that it would have, Oscar would not have been murdered that night.

Some folks get all up in arms and start throwing around accusations about Black people attributing everything to race, but let's be real, sometimes that's exactly what it is. All we have to do is look at the evidence; and more evidence; and yet more evidence.  My question is, "Why do some Whites immediately jump to the conclusion that upon encountering Black men (or women) in possibly uncomfortable situations, that the Black person must be killed and/or maimed?"  I'm reminded of the guy recently convicted in Florida who shot and killed a young man over some loud music and his excuse was that he thought the kid had a gun. (Anyone remember Trayvon Martin?)  Thank goodness, this guy was found guilty. Then there was the guy in Charlotte, NC who shot a woman banging on his door because she had been injured in a car crash and needed medical assistance.  No questions asked, just BLAM!  And these are just two incidents that I'm naming; you know of others if you're honest with yourself and have been paying attention. Tell me this:  Why must seeing a Black face equal fear for one's life?  A number of Black people have been lynched by White people, but when I see a White person, my subconscious doesn't automatically jump to the thought, "Oh gee, White person...I am in danger of losing my life at the end of a rope." Think about it.

Oh yes, I can just hear the angry voices now, including those of some of my friends who happen to be of the Caucasian Persuasion; but folks, we can't keep trying to sweep this stuff under the rug or pretending that racism isn't still a reality in this country.  Yes, things are better than they were in my parent's day and when I was growing up, but there is still far too much systemic racism in America.  There are still too many people who are surprised when they encounter a Black person who is intelligent and well-spoken.  It's an uncomfortable subject, I get that; but discomfort is a piss-poor reason to continue to give tacit approval to something that is so very wrong on every level.  If not now, when?  If not you, who? 

When President Obama was elected, it was suggested that we were now a post-racial country.  Wrong answer.  One of the first things that happened was that the Congress boldly stated that its primary goal was to make sure that nothing this President put forth got passed, and it wasn't because of his political party, it was because of the color of his skin.  Yes, I know that he is half-White, but for those of you who are unschooled, there has always been a "one drop rule" in play in the USA, meaning that if a person has been "tainted" by even one drop of Black blood, then that person is Black, pure and simple.  Extrapolate that further to mean that that person is inferior to a White person.  I have never understood why a person would bake in the sun to get darker than I am naturally, yet feel superior to me because of the color of my skin...wha'??? Okay, I digressed there, sorry, but I remember how as a kid that it just blew my mind that I had to go in the side door and sit in the balcony at the theater because I was "colored" but deeply tanned White girls who looked more colored than I did were privileged to go in the front door and sit in the "good" seats.

We were discussing post-racialism...doesn't exist, and oh, how I wish that it did.  As a thinking human being, I just don't get this "Us" vs. "Them" mentality on either side of the aisle.  We're people, and to paraphrase Rodney King's question from all of those years ago, why can't we just all get along?  Stop being afraid that someone else is going to have a bigger piece of the pie than you are.  And that's what I believe it's all about...Fear (False Evidence Appearing Real).  The pie is H-U-G-E and there is enough to go around; and besides, your mouth and stomach can only hold so much at one time.  The Law of Abundance will operate quite well if we but let it, and the kitchen where that pie is baked never shuts down.

So let's each of us put on our big girl panties/boxers/briefs and begin some honest dialogue with other human beings and have that uncomfortable, even hated discussion about race and treating each other with human dignity and see how much better we can do.  Let's become a part of the solution so that generations down the line won't be fighting this same battle.

Peace out.

Blinded By The Tooth

Some people have taken the term "dazzingly white" to terrible extremes; to the extent that my eyes smart on a regular basis.  Granted, I do have naturally white teeth, for which I am glad, but if I were in the market for whiter teeth, I like to think that I would not assume that getting them whitened to within an inch of their healthy enamel would be the way to go.

I remember reading someplace that when wearing a white shirt, choose a shade of white (yes, white comes in different levels of gradations) that is no whiter than the whites of your eyes -- kind of forgets about those whose eyes are closer to yellow...we'll attack that on another day.  So if you should choose a white shirt that is no whiter than that of your eyes, I'm suggesting that all of you who want to whiten your teeth (no judgment, here) adhere to the same maxim.

Question:  Do dentists charge more for the truly unnaturally (and scarily) white they make your teeth?  Look, save yourself a few duckets and buy Crest Whitestrips. Not only will you not have to sell your children/pets/spouse/siblings/parents... to pay the dentist, but you will look so much more attractive when your teeth aren't blinding people like a 3,000 watt halogen spotlight.

I've been asking the air around me this question about this obsessive teeth whitening for quite some time, and I guess the tipping point that engendered this piece of my opinion was seeing Chris Cuomo's (CNN) super-white choppers this morning. After shading my eyes, myself asked me "when is white too white?" so I thought I'd just put it out there.  Yes, there are more serious  issues going on in the world, but sometimes things get stuck in my head and they just scream to get out.  I'll bet I'm not the only one.

Happy and healthy smiles to you.

Cutting That Thirst With Gluten-Free Beer!

Hiya. Just a quickie to tell you about Bard's Gluten-free Beer. For those of us with Celiac Disease or other gluten sensitivity issues, so very much has been taken away from us, but I have discovered the aforementioned beer and it is gooood! Have tried some others and they didn't make the grade, but Bard's has obviously worked on their formula so that their gluten-free beer measures up to the high standards of their regular beer.

And while I'm on the subject, let me tell you about a gluten-free cosmetic brand  that I have found to make a huge difference in the comfort (and attendant health) of my belly -- juicebeauty.com.  Juice Beauty has marvelous skin care products, though they only have a few color cosmetics. Give them a try, and though you might spend a few more dollars, what price do you really want to put on your health?  (Rhetorical question )

For all of you who aren't interested in having false lashes glued onto your eyes, but want the lush look, check out They're Real mascara by Benefits. Not only will your lashes have that thick, thick, thicker and long, long, longer look,  if your eyes are sensitive you will be pleasantly surprised to find such a superbly performing product that doesn't make you suffer, as striving for beauty is often purported to do.

Go well, and stay fabulous!

Can a Little Twerk Fight a Lupus Flare?

Okay. Yesterday's blogpost might have been a little bit of a downer, but...it is what it is. However, my grandson (@AlvintheBlessin) is fond of the saying, "It is what it is, but it can be what you make it." Another smart one in my line of descendants, yes?

So. Today, I am relying on my "Go To," which is music and dancing.  I am a total freak over www.rhapsody.com and have created some playlists that get me in the groove and past the dark and twisty place. I might have trouble walking in a straight line or driving my car without crashing into a tree (yes, I actually did that), but my music can take me to a place where Lupus is far in the background of my life, and my body exists and moves in its own Dance Galaxy. Isn't that exciting and amazing?!  Now I can't see myself when I'm in my Dance Galaxy, so don't know if I look like a puppet from one of Stephen King's imaginings, but  it makes me happy, so I'm gonna keep doing it for as long as I can.  It's nice to have a place to go when the world looks so very bleak. So for today, let's dance! Twerk, Monkey, ShingaLing, Krump, Mashed Potatoes, whatever floats your boat. Just do what makes you feel good.

My very favorites right now:  Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison *****
                                                Jump by Carmen Ejogo
                                                Stay With Me by Sam Smith
                                                Wanna Be on Your Mind by Valerie June 
                                                 Cleo's Back by Jr. Walker and the Allstars
                                                 Let's Dance by Chris Montez
                                                 Groovin' by The Young Rascals

As you know, I cannot dance on and on physically, but in my head, my energy is completely limitless and I can dance on into infinity.  Glorious!

You are invited...the dance floor is ready and waiting!

Go well, and stay fabulous!
                                                

Doing Lupus

Lupus is such a versatile disease and it is great to read and learn about those who are living "normal" lives; but I can't help but feel that somehow the rest of us (so very many) will be forgotten or our struggles glossed over because of the mentality that says, "Look, she/he is able to do __________ and she/he has Lupus." I'm concerned that the subtext to that thought is, "...so maybe it's not that bad."

It is that bad. When you must choose which one or two activities you will perform, and one of those activities is only driving a few miles, getting out of the car to go in and pick up a prescription, then driving back home while you still have the strength to do so, what we are dealing with is that bad.  That was my yesterday. I visited my mom in the nursing home for an hour, then went to the pharmacy and drove back home, and that was it for me because I had to rest up in order to be able to prepare dinner.  My recovery time was about three hours; and forget about the washing up after eating dinner. Oh, I forgot to include showering and getting dressed before I left the house. Many days, showering and getting dressed is all that can be managed and we spend the day clean, smelling and looking good, but unable to expend any further energy.  And that only addresses the Toxic Fatigue (thanks to my sister Purple Lady, Malissa for the term), not the 24/7 Ball of Pain that we happen to also be. My neurologist and I discussed the fact that when referring to a pain scale of 1-10, most people cannot relate to the fact that an "8" is normal for me and doesn't have me clawing the walls and screaming invectives at the Goddess of the Universe.  I would be disingenuous, however, if I did not admit that at times I do shed tears, sob even,  not only because of the physical pain, but at the emotional pain of sheer frustration that I must live like this.

The latest in my saga is that my medication has begun to erode my vision.  Well, that's just dandy, isn't it? None of the medications that we take are side-effect free, but this one has relatively low-level side-effects -- except for that pesky seeing thing -- and has the added benefit of protecting against clotting problems; and the clotting problem is an additional issue that is interfering with my Guns. Dang it!  Long story short, must needs drop this med in favor of something less desirable. Told my daughter that I'd prefer to stick with this so that I can keep performing at a higher level (subjectively). Her response was, "Uh, Mom, if you can't see, you will not be performing at a higher level because you won't even be able to drive yourself anywhere." I raised a smart young woman, didn't I?

Anyway, the point of this little piece is to remind you that while I cheer for everyone who is fighting the good fight of whatever incurable disease they might be battling and climbing Mount Kilamanjaro in the process, I'm asking you to please also remember those who are fighting just as hard, but are only able to accomplish maybe one-tenth of what that marathoner or Zumba instructor is able to.

Go well, and stay Fabulous! 

It's Not Always About Race

I know the killing by police of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri has some residents in an uproar; and I also know that DWB (driving while black) in some places in America is very real.  However, when you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  Case in point:

     The St. Louis County police department planned seminars to teach the department how to interact with the media, yet community activists took issue with the titles of the seminars, calling them racist.  The titles were "Meet the Animals" and "Meet the 900-Pound Gorilla." Is the media composed of only black people? If not, why on earth would someone "go there" and play the race card? I don't know about you, but I have often heard the media described as such and worse.   It would never have crossed my mind that either of those fliers was referring to me because I know that I'm not a gorilla or an animal (well, I am a human animal).

The police department apologized for the titles of the fliers. Why??? If you haven't done anything wrong, you don't need to apologize.  Like I said, when you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail.  Granted, the police department might be racist and absolutely must be cleaned out if this is so,  and that's where the focus needs to be -- on the real problem. When Iyanla Vanzant visited Ferguson, it seemed that she made some real progress and had what I thought were leaders in the community on the right track.  What happened to the steps that were laid out and agreed upon?  Getting back on point is the thing to do and not just find anything that your eyes happen to fall upon and make it into something that it isn't.  There is already too much negative energy in the world; don't add to it.

Kids Eating Healthy

I just read an article in The Boston Globe on the difficulty parents are having on instilling healthy eating habits.  It seems that the default of many parents is to make sure that their little ones are "at least" eating something, even if that something is nothing more than calorie-laden, non-nutritious junk food.  Uh...another example of letting the patients run the asylum.  "But she won't eat anything else, and I have to give her something" is an oft repeated whine.  Call me cruel, but when they get hungry they will eat.

I'm not advocating sending your child into the school system with nada because I don't want DSS to come knocking on your door and putting your kids into foster care, but I do heartily suggest that when your children, to whom you have been granted the awesome privilege and responsibility to guide are resistant to what you know to be in their best interests, that you don't simply fold and give in because it's easier.  Good parenting is no walk in the park; it is hard work and sometimes requires nerves of steel and a will equally as strong.  Those little people who have blessed your life come here as a bundle of evolved synapses and neurons and can run circles around us, mentally -- they just don't have the verbal skills initially to demonstrate it.  Don't think that you are damaging their psyche by not allowing them to consume all the wrong things that will adversely affect their health.

Yes, I know that this has become a Twinkie and Big Mac nation, with a healthy dose of Five Guys fries (my favorite) thrown in, and it's alright to indulge the kids sometimes, but the key word is S.O.M.E.T.I.M.E.S...otherwise, you are encouraging and even pushing them down the road to a life of ill health.  Is that what you want?  No, I didn't think so.  So man up, or put your big girl underpants on (as the case may be) and work on leading your young charges down the primrose path to a healthy respect for good nutrition and a strong body.  Let the treats be the treats and not the main attraction.

Be well, and have a fantabulous day!!

Living Positively Without Gluten/Wheat

When I first started dealing with Celiac Disease, I was so surprised to discover that wheat is in nearly  E.V.E.R.Y.thing!  Foods and other items that made absolutely no sense to me included wheat; i.e., the adhesive gum on the backs of stamps and envelopes. Most of use a sponge or some other tool to moisten envelopes these days, but would it even cross your mind that wheat is an ingredient?

Caramel color is another no-no for those of us who must adhere to a wheat- and gluten-free existence in order to remain healthy and more physically comfortable, but it, too is in so very many food and beverages.  Thankfully, there are some companies out there who do make palatable and even delicious food and beverages (including gluten-free beer -- yay!), so be sure to check your labels and keep it moving!

I have compiled a Gluten-Free Report that I would love to share with you. Just join this blog with your email address.  I promise you that you will not be getting any spam from me, as I have nothing with which to spam you.  I have done the report in PDF and in ePub forms.

Enjoy it and I hope it is a tremendous help to you.

Be well.

Let's Get Down On It!

Do you feel like you wanna dance?  I do...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuUg4wJuJio

Family

Smiles. Gasps. Tears of joy at recognition;

nostalgia at remembrance of a time that was

Kids running, bounding, swinging, joyfully screaming

Happy, happy, happy

Skin and Scalp

Currently on the hunt for organic hair products 'cause I believe that ol' devil, Lupus is prowling around my scalp...

In the meantime here are some highly rated (by me) products for the largest organ on our bodies, the skin:

- Onsen skin care line, particularly the moisturizer and Daily Choice Peel.

- Cococare 100% Coconut Oil...This is great at soothing the scalp, and you can do a total body soothe with it, including the face.  If you run out, head to the kitchen and get the coconut oil that you cook with; it will do in a pinch, as well, but of course it costs more, so...

-Basil shower gel by The Body Shop with its divine scent makes me feel like I'm in a peaceful and verdant forest glen; and The Body Shop products are organic -- Yay!

- The Body Shop Duo Body Butter sends those dry skin blues evaporating into thin air.  I'm currently loving on the Floral Acai scented Duo, and waiting for Amazon.com to send me some Peach and Strawberry--ooh, la, la.

If you can recommend some organic hair/scalp products, hit me up with the info, please. It will be very much appreciated. This scalp thing is messing with my head (no pun intended!).

Til next time...

Be well.

ALL Kids Need Access to Early Education

Does it incense anyone else that "poor" kids are portrayed as the face of the need for early education?
I will grant you that a home where the money sometimes runs out before the month are much less likely to have bookcases full of books; however, that doesn't mean that those parents are averse to making good use of the public library.  I mention this because many have stated that poor children are so far behind because they are not read to on a regular basis.  That might be true for some, but let's get out of the habit of painting with such a broad brush.  And let's take socio-economic status out of the conversation when we discuss how better to provide a quality education to America's children.  Gray matter reacts the same whether the annual income is a six-figure one or an income that falls at or below the  recognized poverty-level.

Isn't it a good thing that George Washington Carver didn't know that he couldn't learn because he was poor?  I wouldn't have been able to enjoy peanut butter on my apple at lunchtime today.  Let's take money (lack thereof) and color out of the equation when we discuss how to better educate our kids and focus on the solutions.  If we continually tell a child that she cannot learn because her parents don't have much money, guess what happens...she begins to believe that lie, so it's one of those self-fulfilling prophecies.  We all know that children are like sponges and they absorb what's thrown at them.  Let's give them encouragement and the opportunity to learn rather than saddling them with labels and subsequent low expectations.

Uh, Are You a Clone?

I admit it...I am absolutely hooked on Orphan Black, presented by BBC America.  Granted, I am an official Anglophile -- movies, television programs, books/audiobooks, but this show really snatches you in... Can you imagine human clones as a reality?!  I can; I do.  I fully believe that there are cloned animals and people among us.  We are already informed (sometimes) about the GMO foods, but since cloned human beings are illegal, of course "they" aren't going to clue us in on that...nevertheless, "Orphan Black" is not as far out as we might like to think.  Gives you pause when more than one someone tells you that there is another person who looks exactly like you, huh?  Within one week, I was told of someone "who looks exactly like you!"

For those of us who weren't blessed (I know that's debatable) with siblings, we might enjoy discovering another one or two (or nine, as on "Orphan Black," thus far) of ourselves to hang out and enjoy being close with.  I've always been sad that I didn't have siblings, and I'm just as sad, six-plus decades in as I was at two decades in.

Well, time to catch up on some more Ophan Black episodes.

Shadows of Yesterday and Frames of Today

Good memories are evoking such nostalgia in me today.

I just spent an extra-long weekend with my grandson in Boston, and it was such a wonderful time.  His squeal of "Nana!!" and the way his eyes lit up when he saw me at the door sent me over the moon. Of course, he had to pull out every toy that he loves to show to his Nana and he was going like a train engine right up until he just dove into sleep, seemingly while he was still talking.  Would that the visit could have been much, much longer.  It feels so good to be wrapped in a child's love -- love from a child has such a special quality, doesn't it? It is as clear as good crystal and as pure a water from a mountain stream. 

The reason for the visit was to celebrate the 40th (!) birthday of my youngest.  My fabulous
daughter-in-law was throwing her wonderful husband a surprise birthday party, and his dad and I were part of the surprise.  I was taken back to the day he was born and the amazing reality of how time passes at warp speed. 

If you have young ones, hold tightly to the memories that you are creating.  Capture them on film (not just with your iPhone or digital camera), and allow them to embed deeply within the recesses of your brain. Open your heart as widely as possible and remind yourself that time is fleeting.

Feeling Fit, Looking Great At All Ages and Stages

Cosmetic surgical procedures are at an all-time high, and those traveling down that road are getting ever younger.  Women who haven't even reached the age of thirty are worried about looking old!  The superficiality madness has to stop, so come with me and revel in your inner strength and beauty, which will translate to that sought after outer glow.  Believe me, gaining self-confidence is gorgeous and sexy as all get out and unlike cosmetic surgery,  it won't empty out your bank account, which will happen over and over because we all know that one time doesn't fix you forever and ever, amen.    Besides, I submit to you that you don't need to be fixed, though you can certainly choose to become better since there is always room for improvement in some area of our lives, but why not go the natural route?

Speaking of the natural route, check out the fabulous Ernestine Shepherd, a 77 year-old bodybuilder who began working out at age 56, and if she can do it, we can do it.  Yes, we will need to be willing to work at improving ourselves, but accomplishing the work will make the triumph over inner weakness all the sweeter.

Now, behold Ms. Shepherd and let her be your role model.  Hang in there -- you can do it, too! www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_01VlQzN7s

Weight Loss Product That Works!

Yep, I decided to try a weight loss product that was purported to actually work.  It took a lot of thought before I actually plunked my money down on the counter (actually, my credit card on Amazon), but I finally arrived at the decision to give this stuff a try.  I am a true skeptic of weight-loss, anti-aging, hair-growing, and other "miracle" claims, which is why it took me a bit of time to decide in the affirmative on this product, even though it was pronounced a good idea by none other than Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Well, I must report that though I've only seen a bit more than a pound variance on the scale, some of the fat that I was carrying has definitely gone to live elsewhere, and that means much more to me than some numbers on the scale, because by those numbers, I am certainly not overweight.

I believe that those of you who are fortunate enough to be able to expend a bit more energy exercising than I can (Lupus puts a cramp in my style by forcing me to judiciously guard my energy output) will see even greater results.  I am a believer, and just placed an order for my second bottle.  I'll be back in those 7 For All Mankind jeans, yet!  Hip, hip, hooray!

Oh.  Guess I do need to let you know what this great stuff is, don't I?  It's called Garcinia Cambogia, and it has earned my stamp of approval.  If you want to see the clip regarding it, go to www.doctorozshow.com and search for Garcinia Cambogia.  Happy hunting!

Be well.

Yummiest Gluten-Free Cake Mix!

I found a new source for gluten-free baking flour and cake mix: www.evitamins.com.  Check it out!  If you use the following link, you will help us both out...you get a discount on your first order and I get reward points:  http://www.evitamins.com/?ref=84298. It's a win-win situation.

The Dowd and Rogers cake mix is to die for!  I make a beeline to my favorite Whole Foods in Hingham when I'm back in Boston, but now I can just make a couple of clicks on my MacBook Pro and voila!!  In a few days, my goodies will arrive on my doorstep.  How magnificent is that?!

I can't speak intelligently on the other products at evitamins because I was laser-focused on that Dowd and Rogers.  By the by, I ordered three of the Dark Vanilla cake mix because I just love, love, love it.  However, there are other flavors, and I will try them next time.  If you try them before I do, please let me know how much you enjoyed them.

Ciao, for now!

Schools as Killing Fields

Yet another violent incident on a school campus.  What the what is going on with our young these days?  I'll be the first to admit that my default position is to inquire into what the parents are/are not doing; how is it that they are not serving their very own progeny with their very best?  Or is it that their very best is close to the absolute worst; and if that is the case, what is the fix?  Where do we start?  And I do use the word "we" intentionally, because contrary to popular belief in what has become a very insular society of one, it does take a village to raise a child. 

We are all so very much into our tablets, iPods, iPhones, etc., that we are divorced from our fellow human beings.  Other people are simply seen as an infringement on our own personal space.  Now I'm all for personal space, and I thoroughly enjoy my own company, but when we get to the point as a society that approximately eighty percent of our time is spent on our own or in cyberspace, we seriously need to take a closer look and really see where we're really headed. 

Sure, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, et al, are fun to have and to use; but when we get so wrapped up into those little technological worlds that we come to view actual people as a bother, then it's time to regroup. 

We are social animals and when we go against that makeup, then we will continue to pay the ugly and high price of the  tragic events that are being broadcast into our living rooms (or laptops) far too often, and they will assault our sensibilities on an ever more frequent basis.  Let's work on this and see if we can't begin to turn things around.  My money is on Us.

The "New" 30, 40, 50, 60......

Have you noticed that women who look younger than their chronological age are tagged with the label "the new 60" (choose an age).  I would posit that we just are. We look fabulous because our norm is to take care of ourselves by eating well, moving our bodies, and exercising our minds the way that life intended.

We need to have a paradigm shift in our mindset so that a fifty-five year old woman, for instance,  racing around on her red bicycle garners no more surprise than her grandchildren, who are enjoying a ride with her.  Ditto, that she also looks gorgeous. Some of us have great genes and will look great for decade upon decade, even if we don't strictly adhere to "being good" to our bodies all the time, but using our bodies the way they are meant to be used definitely fosters looking great.

The same paradigm shift must happen between our ears.  Some of us seem to have it ingrained in us that once we reach a particular chronological age that we are "old."  And we consider that being old means being limited physically and mentally; e.g, "I'm too old to learn anything new."  You are what you think.  If you're breathing, you can learn.  There are classes all over the place in practically any subject that might strike your fancy.  Is there something you've always wanted to know more about; or something that you always wanted to try your hand at, e.g., jewelry making.  Many of these classes are free or very low-cost.  If you want to take some college level courses, go to www.coursera.org.  These courses are taught by professors from all the top universities, such as Duke University, Harvard, U of PA, etc.  Although you don't earn credits toward a degree, you do earn a certificate for completing the course.  It's a great way to study something in which you have an interest.

 Regarding the physical:  the body is meant to move.  You don't have to go out and run marathons (unless you want to, that is), but you can get out of the recliner and walk around the block and take in the beauty of Nature, work in your garden, ride a bike, take a yoga or pilates class (there are tons of DVDs if you prefer to do this in your home). Oh, and by the way, have you heard of Zumba?!  Fun and sexy!  If you like to dance, look for one in your area. There are many locations that offer Zumba classes for free, so move those feet and shake those hips 'cause hips don't lie.  Check this out: (hang on thru the short commercial)  www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JD7nr2Vt0Q

After this paradigm shift becomes the norm, we will no longer fall over from surprise when we encounter a sixty year-old woman who looks fabulous and has a mind to match.

The Plaid Experiment

What would happen in the USA (and the world) if we were to all wake up one morning and find that we had become Scotch Plaid?  I don't think we could reasonably have a race issue (not that judging someone based on race is reasonable) if everyone is plaid.

Let's say we are all plaid for about five years; otherwise, it's business as usual.  I imagine there would be a great many surprised individuals when the day arrives that shows people who had previously been deemed as unsuitable because of their skin color, had exceeded across the board when what they did rather than what they looked like was the criteria.

So, why don't we all work on seeing each other as Scotch Plaid; expect the best of everyone, including ourselves, and see what happens.

Prayer for Help

God, I need some outside help.  I want so much to be free.  But I don't feel free.  I know it all in my head, that your life is living in me, that my life is a miracle, but in my heart it seems as if life is pressing on me and squeezing me until I feel limp and empty

Free... what can that word mean when my life belongs to so many others; when I get squeezed between the generation gap and the tax bill, and I want to walk out the door and keep on walking and never stop... Then what does it mean to be free?  God, I need some help outside myself tonight.

                                                                                     Gladis and Gordon Depree

Your Life

One of the greatest feelings in life is the conviction that you have lived the life you wanted to live -- with the rough and the smooth, the good and the bad -- but yours, shaped by your own choices and not some elses'.
                                                                               Michael Ignatieff

Accept, Then Act

Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it.  Work 

with it, not against it.  Just following this advice will miraculously change your 

whole life.