The Map on the Wall, A Family Travelogue...

Last night I happened to see a travel show about China and the Great Wall. It brought back vivid memories of my two trips to mainland China. My career afforded me unique opportunities to travel the world. So much so, that I started a wall map to mark my venues. My youngest daughter was entering the business world, as I was ending my career. It became a bit of an international contest, with Mom marking red flags, and daughter marking blue flags. Sunni actually did business in Brazil long before I did the same. She, however, got to enjoy Rio, which I missed.

And she traveled to Australia, a place I would have loved to experience. But I sure had her beat with my extensive Asian travels. We called it even in Europe, but Central America was mine!

Now that she's looking forward to Motherhood, and I'm not traveling for business, we're both content to stay put for awhile. But you never know when that old Mother-Daughter travel competition may start up again - or maybe in time, it will become a Grandmother-Grandchild trip...Actually, I can't wait for that!

Sunday, Sunday...

I really love Sunday mornings. It's a chance to choose my own time to rise and enjoy the day. Just knowing I have no appointments or 'have-to's' always make it special.

The dogs know it's Sunday, too. Just today, Brandee~Cherie put her little paws on the side of the bed, wanting to get cozy on this quiet morning.
After grabbing a cup of coffee, I always head out to the patio, clad in my bathrobe. Our patio is perched high on a hill, overlooking the tree-lined 17th fairway. The view is unobstructed and expansive. I breathe deeply of the crisp, clean air and immediately relax.

Often, there will be wildlife preparing for their day of foraging. Shadows of large birds lazily intersect on the fairway below. Sandhill cranes and countless squirrels abound. Because our backyard is up so high, we have the illusion of being up in the trees. Often, the birds are parallel to our line of sight. There are always treats from Nature to be experienced and enjoyed.

There's a calm here, a stillness that I've felt from the first day we visited this community. For me, it becomes easier to regain perspective when Nature is so close. Maybe my next move will be a log cabin in the woods!

Dog Day Afternoon...

Once a month, David and I enjoy the luxury of having our home professionally cleaned. All the *heavy* stuff gets the professional touch. On that day, our two pekingese get treated to a day on the town! There's plenty to do 'downtown.' Our community is dog-friendly. There are restaurants with outside tables that allow dogs. Several shops cater to dogs and of course dog parks and dog 'supermarkets' are on the list.'
It's kind of surprising, but our aggressive black and white peke has a complete personality transformation once he gets away from the house. He's well-behaved, calm & tolerate of strangers. Bailey lets me try countless doggie jackets on him, and is more than happy go down any aisle we find interesting. He's actually a great shopping partner and a bit of a fashionista!
Brandee~Cherie, our classic parti-peke, is Miss Congeniality. She greets everyone in her path by popping up half out of her doggie stroller. Dogs and people alike are captured by her happy peke face that is in a perpetual smile.
Today was overcast and rainy in spots. Bailey donned his purple raincoat with the fleece lining. Brandee took refuge under her stroller's protective roof. After our usual visit around town, we returned to an immaculately cleaned home. What a treat for dogs and humans alike!

It's All About the Girls!

Tuesday's are very special to me. That's the day I play golf with a wonderfully supportive group of women who have become role models in addition to friends. Tuesday golf is unlike the structured women's golf that is played here every Thursday. Tuesday's are for fun, sharing and connecting. Yes, scores do count. Rules are followed. Every putt is counted. And wagers are made before the round. But this group is special. We talk about politics, health and grandchildren. Our previous lives, too, including career, childraising and charity work. Most importantly, many of these women have already been where I am first going. They are steps in front of me on the path of Life and are generous in sharing their experiences. For this, I am very grateful. It helps me feel less alone in growing old and more appreciative of Life in general. So, I celebrate the Tuesday Sisterhood and their winning ways - both on and off the course! Pictured above, two comely golfers ready to play in last year's member-guest tourney.

QiGong for Natural Healing

I've been fortunate to have traveled quite a bit in my life. Asia was a frequent destination during my career. Once retired, I still gravitated towards many things Asian. This led me to my studies in Chinese Veterinary Medicine in Reddick Florida, associated with the University of Florida in Gainesville.
It was there that I was first introduced to QiGong. We practiced several movements as a break from learning our canine and equine massage techniques.
Our community is offering a six week course in QiGong. I hope to take the Spring class. Until then, I've ordered a DVD and hope to learn alot more about this ancient Chinese healing art. It is much needed, physically and spiritually!

It's Delicioso, Once Again!

Our friend from Port St. Lucie, Yolanda Hoffmann, introduced us to her daughter back in 2005. Ingrid Hoffmann spent the evening with us and our kids Thanksgiving of that year. Imagine our delight when we saw Ingrid and our friend Yolanda on a Martha Stewart segment!
Since that time, Ingrid has published a cookbook that I recently saw on display at Dillards, a local department store.
Although not a big Oprah fan, you can imagine my surprise when I turned the TV on today, and there was Ingrid once again! She was in a 'sandwich contest' with two other chefs. Padma Lakshmi, from Top Chef was Oprah's guest judge for the segment. And alhough Ingrid didn't win Padma's vote, she certainly has ours. Congrats, Ingrid, and here's hoping to see you (entertaining or not) in 2009!

Holiday Lights Par Excellence!!

In our town, the 'Cottom Farm' is well-known. That's 'Cottom' with an 'm', not an 'n'. The family has been here for ages and owns several successful businesses (as evidenced by their large home and plentiful acreage). Each year more and more lights are added to the already stupendous light show! This year, the drummers and angels were new. The Cottoms have areas set aside where you can park your car for a longer view. My photographer friend Dave Elle snapped this shot, which includes the reflection from the lake in front of the home. We know the holiday season has truly begun once the Cottom lights have been lit!

Where the Buffalo Roam?

Okay, I agree. It sounds a bit bizarre to get attached to these big hairy creatures. But for me, it's a reminder of what the Americas once were. These creatures stir up images of cowboys, the wide open range, and maybe even The Ponderosa, for us who still remember TV in the sixties.
Strangely enough, for decades, small herds still grazed in several areas adjacent to my community. Hence, the high school football team (what else) 'the Buffalos', a nearby plaza called Buffalo Ridge and many other local 'buffalo' references. But after several injuries (people don't always believe the warnings to stay away from bison), the owner moved the animals out of sight. Now there is a movement to get the animals back into view.
Those reckless individuals who did not heed the cautionary signs, proceeded at their own risk. And no one else is responsible.
Bring back those furry giants! They added a unique flair to our community and are beloved by many. And I really miss seeing them in all their massive beauty.

The Holidays Mark Another Milestone...

This time of year always makes me stop. Stop and think. Stop and compare. Then and now. And the promise of an even better future with the start of a brand-new year.
I'm always surprised at where Life takes me. Somehow, it's never where I thought I'd be! And always without exception, I'm surprised and grateful. Grateful for my loving family and all the beauty around me. Grateful for the health and strength that carries me throughout the day. Grateful for my friends, who are my best teachers, purely by their example.
The news events make me think the world has gone crazy. I struggle to make sense of the senseless. Senseless greed, senseless cruelty. And each day that I can reclaim my humanity, my spirit and my sense of appreciation, is a day well spent.
With a new grandchild soon to make her appearance on the world stage, and a loving, sweet grandson of twelve wise years, this grandmother looks to the future with anticipation and wonder. Still here, still enjoying Life's surprises. Laughing, loving and always grateful for the chance to appreciate the small miracles that bless and grace my life. Happy Holidays!

I Fought the Drapes and the Drapes Won!

I Fought the Drapes & the Drapes Won!!
Yes, it's sad but true. We've been in our new home for two and a half years now. Before we moved in, I ordered these gorgeous 'waterfall' Roman shades from a local drapery store. They were handmade with custom fabric that matched my bedspread and carpeting beautifully. Thinking that this particular style would compliment the three bay windows, we splurged to include the continuous loop chains et al.
It soon became apparent that the centre window shade was heavy and hard to pull up on a daily basis. But I tolerated it as other Life Priorities presented themselves. Fast forward two and a half years. Now it is a constant struggle with the center window that culminated in an out and out battle last night.
Clearly, the drapes won. I was SO frustrated that I yanked the chain, continuous loop and all, until it finally broke. I then staged an out and out assault on the drapes in a complete show of two years of accumulated frustration. Oh, by the way, did I tell you the drapery shop went out of business??
So now the large middle window remains covered in a sad and asymmetrical tribute to last night's meltdown. I'm conflicted on what path to take next. My sense is to go for the wood shutters that I should have purchased initially, but didn't. It certainly would have been more cost effective. And for those of you considering a 'waterfall' Roman shade over a frequently used oversized window..Don't and Save Yourselves Now!!

Sports Gene Testing

Yeah, what will they think of next....to part parents from their money??? With a new grandchild on the way, and one approaching his thirteenth (and very athletic) year, testing for the sports gene seems a bit 'over the top' even for sports-minded grandparents like us! Thoughts? Check out the original article from the NY Times.