Chai Mitzvah

I am so happy that my Temple is (finally) offering a group study activity. Of course the Temple is chock full of fund-raising events like Bingo, Casino Night, Fashion shows, a stock market game, numerous concerts and bus trips to see plays and horse races, but not much that satisfies the yearning I have for learning and spiritual self-enrichment. I have been attending weekly Torah study offered by Chabad and that, along with my Bat Mitzvah training, has filled the gap but I am pleased with the new initiative for our Temple's participation in the Chai Mitzvah program.

The program is described as "an opportunity to explore and expand your Jewish horizons, study something you’ve always wanted to learn more about, deepen a ritual you already practice, and connect all the parts of your Jewish life. You can decide what your adult Jewish life will look like."

A Tenant of the program is a personal project; select something you'd like to learn about, a new ritual to incorporate into your daily life and/or a social action project. I believe my two goals will satisfy this requirement: become a Bat Mitzvah and study all five books of the Torah (slowly of course).

Happily, two of my friends are also interested in the program and perhaps we can arrange to attend together. Of course, it's also a chance to meet new like-minded women. Will keep you posted!

;-)

Trump Train

Political season is a lot like dating. Lots of suitors clamoring for your attention. You can flirt with them all, sample their shtick and keep searching for Mr. or Ms. Right. Best of all, you can dump the losers easily.

I came to this political season with an open mind. Maybe Hillary would be worth a look? (What WAS I thinking?!?) Maybe I could love a Socialist? (After all, he IS Jewish!) Maybe Marco Rubio? (Even though I hated his political maneuvering in South Florida). Maybe Carly Fiorino? (Though I was certainly no fan during her tenure at HP).

I consider myself a well informed participant in the political process. I read both books by Marco, a treatise by Bernie, Trump's latest book, a book written by a supporter of Ben Carson and hundreds of articles on all of them. My heart has over-ridden all of them. I am back as a registered Republican and a passenger on the Trump Train.

Do I believe or like everything he says? Of course not. There is a new book out that I have on order from the library called "What America Needs Now:The Case For Trump". That pretty much sums up how I feel about the Trump candidacy: it's what America needs NOW.

I'll be attending a Trump Meet and Greet on Monday at the beautiful Eisenhower Rec Center. Can't wait!

Choo Choo!

Another Dose of Bliss

Can a 66 year old take advice from a twenty-something? The answer is definitely YES. One is never too old to learn something new and it doesn't have to be how to connect your laptop to your TV or some other techie feat.

So I have resolved to read young Lindsay's blog more often. Here's one of her latest offerings "How To Make What You Want Inevitable".

Now of course I already know how to do this, having lived a six and a half decades on this planet. The trick is Step Three. What Nike folks used to call "Just Do It". You only give up if you stop doing Step 3.

Step 1: Ask yourself what do you want?

Step 2:  What do you have to do to make sure that you get it?

Step 3:  Actually do those things. 

Step 4: Never give up.

When you are twenty-something, the obstacles may seem overwhelming. You are tempted to settle for less than the partner, career, friends, home town or weight you'd really like. Not only do they (and everyone else) need periodic Doses Of Bliss, we all sometimes need a swift kick in the keister.

I know I needed both today. Thanks Lindsay.

;-)

Rabbi Yossi

Rabbi Yossi

I believe this will be changing (hopefully) soon but there is very little opportunity for Torah study or Jewish learning at our Temple. I have filled this gap by schlepping to the Chabad Rabbi's weekly Torah study at the Lady Lake library.

During a previous course of study, the Rabbi used Chabad teaching materials that grouped Torah portions by topic and provided commentaries from many different scholars. I truly enjoyed it and carried away one or two lessons from every session. As an added benefit, I allayed my fears that Rabbi Yossi would try and "convert" me from Reform to Hasidic Judaism.

Recently, the Rabbi switched to studying the commentaries of only Rashi, my 26th great grandfather. Of course I am thrilled. I am hoping to reach back across the thousand years that separate us and get to know him through his thought processes.

I'll be leaving soon for this week's class. Hello again Rabbi Yossi.

And Shalom to you Grandfather!

;-)

Lesson Learned

I guess it's true, you are never too old to learn something new. I had an AHA moment today courtesy of my godson Scott. 

We made reservations for a cruise in June with all our godchildren and grand-godchildren and some of their extended family and, of course, we were too late to get any assurance that we could be seated with all of them at the 6 pm dining time. I complained and argued and threatened to cancel and demanded a supervisor and reminded them we are PLATINUM members (as if that matters for anything) and even hinted I would call my "friends" (owners of the whole cruise line) in Miami. 

When I texted Scott that I was MAD he sent this simple text back: "Worst case is your table becomes the 'I need dinner alone' table that we all get a turn using". Of course! I can guarantee that with 18 cruisers and 5 children under 10, someone will feel like opting out of the family dinner in favor of a different (lots of choices on our ship), more casual, or romantic setting at least a few times during the cruise. Even us. Maybe especially us.

So I calmed down. 

Scott has always been a "go with the flow" kind of guy. A superb trait that keeps his incredibly busy life on an even keel. I need a little (OK a lot) more of that.

Sail on!

;-)

Baby It's Cold Outside

There is only one thing I truly dislike about The Villages - WINTER!  Yes, it's true, WINTER is back in my life after an almost 20 year absence. 

Of course, it's not the same winter as we had in Chicago. It rarely gets to the freezing mark (32 degrees) and when it does, it quickly struggles back up to a manageable level. Still, I hate it. I have Socks! A heavy fleece lined Jacket! Even little suede Booties! Worst of all, I have a seemingly endless scratchy throat and sniffles. 

I asked hubby if we could get a Winter Home in Key West and I think for a second he thought I was serious. 

A cold snap is enveloping a large part of the country and that's to blame for the frigid temperatures we're going to have to live through for a week. It's no consolation that the up North they're experiencing minus temperatures. 

Well, maybe just a little consolation...

;-)

Cruising Sisters

Believe it or not, in 46 years of marriage we have never taken solo vacations. No adventure just for the guys. No women-only retreat. Oh, we've gone on business trips and I even attended an out-of-town wedding alone when hubby could not get off work. But never a purely-for-fun vacation. 

This record is about to change. Tomorrow I set sail with about a hundred other ladies from my Sisterhood for five days and four nights of fun, food and Maj Jong. 

Truth Be Told, when I first heard of this excursion I immediately dismissed it. But thanks to a friend who called me and told me we could be roommates and it will be a not-to-be-missed blast, I said OK. Later I learned that an additional six of the ladies I most like to hang out with will be coming too and now I am super excited.

In the past, the pressures of working and taking care of the household and worrying about all the ups and downs of daily life kept me from spending a lot of quality time with girlfriends. Now that I'm retired, it's definitely a priority. 

Ship Ahoy!

;-)

Forever Young

Tonight we will be going to see a Rod Stewart tribute performer. Like many of my generation, Rod Stewart is one of my favorite artists and even an imitation of the real thing will be a treat.

I had a CD of his greatest hits once and I wore out "This Old Heart of Mine" and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?". But I'm sure the song that will resonate the most with me and the audience of seniors tonight will be his beautiful "Forever Young", a song I must say I did not appreciate until I got further along in my life.  It is an anthem for those who have children but also for those of us who are Young-At-Heart.

It is worth printing here and recognizing it as one of the guiding beacons into my advancing age.

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you're far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever Young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young

And when you finally fly away
I'll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young

Thank you Rod Stewart...

Twenty Years

This month marks the 20th anniversary of our move to Florida. Like Moses fleeing Egypt and crossing the desert, we packed up our belongings, left our well paying and "safe" jobs (there really is no such thing) and ventured into the great unknown with only our belief that the Promised Land awaited (or at least we would be warmer). 

We had pretty low expectations. I thought if we could rent or buy a nice apartment, townhouse or simple three bedroom home, we would be content. Perhaps I could work at a Bagel store? Maybe hubby could be a PC tech? We envisioned a simpler life with less stress and glorious weather.

Florida truly exceeded our expectations. Our careers flourished and each of our three Florida homes has been lovelier than any we had previously. We explored our new home state, became interested in local issues and politics, and found the most joyful of retirement meccas when we decided we were ready. From Miami to here in The Villages, we've enjoyed everything from the palm trees to the ocean to the Everglades to Disney World.

Twenty years is pretty close to half our married life. I can enthusiastically and unequivocally state that they have been the best half.

Thank you Florida. You proved to us that taking a chance and following our dreams was the right path. Or in our case, the right Interstate!

;-)

The Party's Over

We had a great Chanukah-Christmas-New Year's season but now I can say for sure that The Party Is Over. Yes indeed, I faced the music on the scale this morning.

Oh I did indeed believe I was eating light (practically nothing!) but today my self-delusion came crashing down. Five unwanted pounds have appeared to threaten my former happy state of denial.

It is super hard to maintain a slim profile as one get older and the down side of my sixties has apparently slowed my metabolism (never great) into a snail-like crawl. But I am determined to prevail. I have my stock tools in my bag of dieting tricks: flavored water, sugarfree gelatin (Royal brand in anything red), sugarless hard candy, chicken broth, sugarless apple cider and hot cocoa mixes, and an assortment of fruits and veggies.

I am prepared to do battle. Bye Bye Gruesome Five.  You will NOT become the Hateful Eight!

;-)

Know Me?

Those little Facebook quizes are out in force. I took one that promised to tell me my six major character traits. Way Off! Calm and Silly and Creative do not even belong on the list, and Sympathetic honestly doesn't either. So I will tell you what my real character traits are: 

1. Organized
2. Worrier
3. Planner
4. Appreciative
5. Reflective
6. Spiritual 




My second quiz had better results. Yep, I can believe that these are indeed my most used words on Facebook last year. 

After all, who knows me better than Me?

;-)

Book of Ruth

Every month our Havurah meets for an evening of camaraderie, food and an interesting program. This month our host asked us to bring our favorite Torah portions. I thought he had planned an evening of stargazing through his university quality telescope but maybe we will be doing both. After all, it's pretty chilly outside.

I put together a few of my favorite Torah verses, led of course by the most beautiful words of love ever written. I'm sure my choice will not be the only one suggested by the group. Although the verse has been re-interpreted many ways for "modern" tastes, this version is my favorite and the one I learned as a child:

And Ruth said:"Entreat me not to leave thee or to refrain from following after thee; for where thou goests, I will go, and where thou lodgest, I will lodge, thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. And where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried."
Ruth 1, 16-17

Here are my other two "back-up" offerings:

Be Still and know that I Am God.
Psalm 46:10

She is clothed with strength and dignity. She laughs without fear of the future.
Proverbs 31:25