Well Being

Well looky looky here.  It seems that Gallup (the folks that really know how to do statistically valid surveys) have determined that Jews - whether religious or not-so-much - have the greatest level of overall well being.  A little surprising since ours is a questioning, forever-seeking-answers religion.  We always feel that the answers are not quite within our grasp, unlike religions with strong take-it-on-faith doctrines.

I am not sure how "well being" is determined but I can say that in the last few years - when I've embraced my inner Jew a little more tightly - I've felt an increased sense of peace and contentment.

;-)

Mr and Mrs Loving

I read an article that says 1 in every 12 marriages is now between an inter-racial couple.  What was once a crime, then taboo and then strange, is now only just a little bit unusual. This got me to wondering what the average person on the planet will look like in a few hundred years.  Maybe in a lot less the way things are going!

They say that the typical face on the planet is that of a 28 year old Asian, simply because there are so many billions of them here today.  There is also this terrific computer generated picture of what the future person in America will look like.

A tip of the hat to Mr and Mrs Loving who in 1967 (such a short time ago!) fought in the United States Supreme Court to declare Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute, the "Racial Integrity Act of 1924", unconstitutional, thereby ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

Slides

Twelve to fifteen cases containing carousels of hundreds of slides from the 1970s have sat on the shelves for decades.  I promised myself that "someday" I would crack open the cases and scan them into digital media, thus preserving what I sometimes think of as "my lost decade".  The majority of the slides are the 40 plus rolls of film taken on our one and only trip to Europe in 1972 (with stop over in New York City). 

Cracking those cases open is a bit scary & a bit sad but mostly its an exciting and happy adventure into long forgotten territory.  I've set up a "work station" on the kitchen breakfast bar & I see many hours of productive work ahead that will keep this soon-to-be-retiree busy.

Here are three of the "eeriest" ones that I've unearthed so far - made eerier still by the other-worldly blue mist they have disintegrated into. 

Whole Living

A new magazine arrived a few days ago - another "reward" for recycling.  It's called Whole Living and it's sub-titled "Body and Soul in Balance".  This issue has tips for growing your own sprouts and making beauty products from fennel.

I see the audience for which this magazine was designed - those among us that take recycling seriously, are vegetarians or vegans (I get the two mixed up), have green thumbs and essential oils, do yoga and know what a volatile organic compound is.  In short, your basic tree-hugger. 

OK, definitely not me.  But these folks are admirable no?  And I will take away one or two lessons like "collect and curate simplicities that lift your spirits".

Do you think my live oak tree would mind a hug today??

;-)

Good Morning World

I have a new Facebook friend, Billie Pryor Davis, my friend John's sister.  I smile when I read her posts.

She lives with her husband (whom she calls "Papa") in rural Mississippi in a place she calls "Blue House Road".  She's a Southern Baptist Republican so politics are verboten in any conversion with her liberal Democratic brother.  She cooks wonderful sounding country dishes and describes them so well my mouth starts to water.  Best of all, she is the only person I know that is up earlier in the morning than me.  I love when she writes that she up having her first cup of coffee with "Miss Bitsy" by her side.

Truth be told, early morning is my favorite time of day.  I love to see the beautiful sunrise come up on my mystic, enchanting corner of Florida.  I truly enjoy my first cup of coffee with the newspaper (yep, real paper delivered to my door) and those few moments of solitude before the world starts up for real.

Good Morning World!

;-)

Peace

I wished a new friend a Happy Birthday and told an ancient long-forgotten friend I was proud of him for helping in a criminal investigation.  I had a great team meeting with my staff.  Alessandro showed me how to install the car seats for the kids.  The news was interesting but nothing Blog-worthy.  An old friend sent an email asking for prayers, not sure why but I reassured him I would.  I am looking forward to tonight's services at shul and welcoming Shabbos. 

How strange!  As the days go by I am more at peace with my life shaking, earth shattering decision to retire.  I can feel my mind calming down and a sense of peacefulness entering my being.  I look at some of the stresses here at work and smile at the thought that they will soon be things of the past.

Here's my horoscope for today.  Right on ;-)

For Friday, Feb 17, 2012 --
Surprisingly, your approach to your job isn't currently based on being efficient or even completing what you start. Instead, you are thinking about what makes you happy. Even if you're usually satisfied with narrowing your focus to complete your work, you are more effective if you're also having fun now. Ironically, being too serious can actually be counterproductive today. Listen to your heart and you might learn something new.

Tragedy

No, not my tragedy, thank goodness!

I have been following a divorce/murder-for-hire story that's being played out in the courtrooms this week.  Reading the daily trial updates - and the juiciest stuff is yet to come - reminded me of the Greek and Shakespearean tragedies we were forced to read in high school. 

The Tragedies all had a main character that was both admirable and flawed with whom the audience could empathize.  The character had to be capable of doing both good and bad things. Other people in his life - wives, subordinates and children - all had their own agendas. There would be a series of bad decisions leading to the character's downfall from a lofty position.

The story I am following has all of those basic elements along with a hefty dose of "Say What?!?"

;-)

The Next Chapter

Woo Hoo! I did it!  I put in for retirement!  Confession: I am scared shitless.

So what could I possibly be concerned about on this, the happiest of days?  The day marking the culmination of a lifetime of hard work, dedication, stress and kissing a** when necessary??

Not boredom.  Not that so much togetherness with hubby will result in mutual annihilation.  Not snacking all day to the point of fatso-ness.  Not the loss of my so-called identity as a productive member of society.  Not the mind-rotting wasteland of daytime TV.  Not losing the joy of tyrannizing my hapless subordinates into doing my bidding (they have my number so that rarely works anyway).  Not even Money.

Guess what?  After facing my non-concerns right here in the Blog-o-sphere, I am now ready for The Next Chapter.  Ahhh, I always feel better after Confession.

;-) 

Person To Person

When I heard that Person To Person was "premiering" tomorrow, February 8, 2012, with up-close-and-personal interviews with big time celebrities in their own homes, I wondered how many people remember the original Person To Person from the 50s.  It ran from 1953 to 1961 and was hosted by well respected news reporter Edward R. Morrow.   "It's all live! - No Film!"  (although I'm guessing everyone knew exactly what to say)

Person To Person.  I still like that concept. 

;-)

Faux Finish

Like most other pasty white chicks, I think I look better with a warm, slightly bronzed glow (see picture of me below).  A soft tan seems to cover (or at least distract from) a multitude of sins including cellulite and age-related droppiness.

I have always tried to be a little careful with the sun so as not to enter my golden years as a wrinkled old prune.  But I guess just living in Florida and being out in the bright sunshine all year caught up with me and my last two visits to the dermatologist, while not horrific, certainly were a red-light to ix-nay sunbathing by the pool.  Too bad, that was going to be a large component of my retirement activities.

I have decided to opt for a faux finish and am practicing with this can of sunless tanning goop.  It actually works quite nicely, surprise surprise. 

:-)