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An Anniversary, Week Twenty-Seven in the No Longer New Abnormal
![An Anniversary, Week Twenty-Seven in the No Longer New Abnormal An Anniversary, Week Twenty-Seven in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9019_w140_h140/IMG_9019_06301223.jpg)
It’s something of an irony that my and my husband’s 27th wedding anniversary is on the 27th week of this year. I like coincidences like that. When the stars align, I feel good all over. Twenty-Seven years is probably the longest commitment to anything I’ve done in my life. I like variety, so in the past I could do something for a while and then I’d move on. I took a very different tactic for our marriage. While Larry is someone who likes routines and enjoys what he knows, I like to try new things, preferring to being adventurous rather than staying in place. Though we were a bit older than our contemporaries when we got married, I was 38 to Larry’s 45, we had a lot to learn about relationships, particularly long-term relationships.
Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_0104_w140_h140/IMG_0104_06090334.jpg)
Letting Go, Week Eighteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Letting Go, Week Eighteen in the No Longer New Abnormal Letting Go, Week Eighteen in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9696_w140_h140/IMG_9696_04270927.jpg)
When I was younger and I upset someone, I would replay the incident over and over again. I found it intolerable that someone would be upset or angry with me. It felt devastating. I would apologize again and again, becoming a nuisance. Sometimes people would be more upset with my groveling than they were with the original upset. I couldn’t get it out of my mind. It felt like anything I did that hurt others was unforgivable. There was no fun to be had.
San Miguel, Week Seventeen in the No Longer New Abnormal
![San Miguel, Week Seventeen in the No Longer New Abnormal San Miguel, Week Seventeen in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9594_w140_h140/IMG_9594_04210816.jpg)
Having lived as long as I have, visiting friends and family sometimes means travel. Following our amazing time in Mexico City we took a drive to the Teotihuacán Pyramids, which were magnificent. It’s a pre-historic Mayan city. To walk in the same steps as those who resided there thousands of years ago is a powerful experience. From there we traveled on to San Miguel de Allende, a lovely small city with an artistic soul.
Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Week Fourteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Week Fourteen in the No Longer New Abnormal Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Week Fourteen in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9405_w140_h140/IMG_9405_03310116.jpg)
I made a trip to DC this weekend. I was going to visit family, see a musical, get to the National Portrait Gallery and enjoy the cherry blossoms. I was able to enjoy time with my family and see a most wonderful show at Arena Stage Theater. Bu it turns out the Cherry Blossoms were premature this year due to the warmer winter months. I thought I was early enough but that was not the case. I saw trees with waning petals, the best in Takoma Park, MD. But the city failed to provide me with the simple joy of full flowered trees wherever I went.
Take Care, Week Twelve in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Take Care, Week Twelve in the No Longer New Abnormal Take Care, Week Twelve in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9311_w140_h140/IMG_9311_03170618.jpg)
This past week I heard of the death of two people from my past. I heard from three people presently who are ill, and we are all hearing about too many in our world who are in pain, who are suffering, or who have experienced significant losses. Life is precious.
This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal
![This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal This is Not about Daylight Savings Time, Week Eleven of the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9141_w140_h140/IMG_9141_03100357.jpg)
We can be shiny and perfect and admired, or we can be real and honest and vulnerable and loved. But we actually do have to choose. --Glennon Doyle Melton
I listen to Glennon’s podcast, “We Can Do Hard Things.” On one of her podcasts she said that she used to worry that no one was listening to her. Her audiences were small, her readership small. But then she started seeing and hearing the few who were listening. She realized that each person was important, not the number itself. It was so meaningful to hear that. I have taken it to heart.
Procrastinate, Week Four in the No Longer New Abnormal
![Procrastinate, Week Four in the No Longer New Abnormal Procrastinate, Week Four in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_0845_w140_h140/IMG_0845_05090304.jpg)
“Procrastinate now, don't put it off.”
â Ellen DeGeneres
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I spent yesterday procrastinating. I cooked, I baked, I looked things up online. What I didn’t do was tally my expenses for budgeting and taxes. I am not fond of bookkeeping. Nonetheless, I was able to sit down and focus after I did everything I could to avoid the inevitable. It wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. Nor was it as fun as taking the day off.
In Vogue, Week Three in the No Longer New Abnormal
![In Vogue, Week Three in the No Longer New Abnormal In Vogue, Week Three in the No Longer New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_9048_w140_h140/IMG_9048_01140358.jpg)
“True empowerment comes from knowing and embracing your own worth.”
Beverly Johnson
I just saw the new one woman show, In Vogue, in which Beverly Johnson shares her life’s story with a backdrop of photos of her, the culture, and other iconic people, movements, and moments in history.
Finding Peace, The Fifty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Finding Peace, The Fifty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Finding Peace, The Fifty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_0991_w140_h140/IMG_0991_05160336.jpg)
This week I’m sharing some past sunsets. Seeing sunrises and sunsets makes me smile. Sunsets remind me that nothing is permanent. And sunrises are an apt metaphor that we always have a chance at a new beginning. Both sentiments give me some peace. And we could all use peace.
Forgiveness, The Fiftieth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![Forgiveness, The Fiftieth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal Forgiveness, The Fiftieth Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8881_w140_h140/IMG_8881_12170214.jpg)
As the year approaches its end, forgiveness is on my mind. I find that forgiveness is a process, though I used to imagine it was a one and done affair. I earnestly believed that I could forgive someone and then I’d be okay with them. I found that not to be the case. It was easier to forgive if the person made changes. Meaning they either stopped the offending behavior, or they started acting in a way they had avoided prior.
The Arts, The Forty-Ninth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![The Arts, The Forty-Ninth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal The Arts, The Forty-Ninth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8780_w140_h140/IMG_8780_12100407.jpg)
I’m watching Barbra Streisand on PBS in her Back to Brooklyn concert. The first time I heard her voice was in 1968 when the movie Funny Girl came out. I was enthralled, though I wouldn’t have known that word as an eight-year-old. Since then I’ve been a fan, attending her movies, and watching her tv specials. I only had the opportunity to see her in-person once when she came back to Brooklyn in 2016. It was magical.
Daylight Savings Time, The Forty-Fourth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Daylight Savings Time, The Forty-Fourth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Daylight Savings Time, The Forty-Fourth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8640_w140_h140/IMG_8640_11050312.jpg)
I voted early yesterday. I like my councilwoman and I wanted to keep her in office. What I don’t get to vote for is the abolishment of daylight savings time. We turned the clocks back last night, and ostensibly we got an extra hour of sleep. Then in April we “spring” ahead losing that hour. I say, no thank you.
Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8507_w140_h140/IMG_8507_10281050.jpg)
Some weeks are harder than others. Having heard from a number of people this past week was just such a week. I can certainly include myself in that mix. For that reason, I am going to don a virtual mask, making this a quick post, while wishing you all a Happy Halloween. Here are some city pics of the season.
Self-Care Tips:
- Give yourself a break. If things are hard, find ways to let go of the normal routines to provide the energy needed for whatever is essential.
- Dark humor that does not hurt anyone can even help in hard times.
- If you celebrate, enjoy Halloween. If you don’t celebrate, lean into JOMO, the joy of missing out.
Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Happy Halloween, The Forty-Third Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8507_w140_h140/IMG_8507_10281050.jpg)
Some weeks are harder than others. Having heard from a number of people this past week was just such a week. I can certainly include myself in that mix. For that reason, I am going to don a virtual mask, making this a quick post, while wishing you all a Happy Halloween. Here are some city pics of the season.
Self-Care Tips:
- Give yourself a break. If things are hard, find ways to let go of the normal routines to provide the energy needed for whatever is essential.
- Dark humor that does not hurt anyone can even help in hard times.
- If you celebrate, enjoy Halloween. If you don’t celebrate, lean into JOMO, the joy of missing out.
Those Who Inspire Us, The Forty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![Those Who Inspire Us, The Forty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal Those Who Inspire Us, The Forty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8534_w140_h140/IMG_8534_10220143.jpg)
’ve been watching Dear… on Apple TV. I found it by accident. While looking for another program a small square with Selena Gomez’s image caught my eye. I clicked on her framed face and came upon Dear… I watched the 30-minute segment and was immediately hooked. The series features individuals in the public eye, some athletes, actors, writers, or activists, as they engage with letters of those who have been inspired by them The featured famous person’s influence has helped to change the letter writers’ lives.
What is Self-Care? The Fortieth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![What is Self-Care? The Fortieth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal What is Self-Care? The Fortieth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8410_w140_h140/IMG_8410_10070836.jpg)
When I was growing up in suburban New Jersey I didn’t know anything about self-care. The first experience I had that felt like self-care was when my mom treated me to a facial at Strawbridge and Clothier. They were having a special promotion. Although I couldn’t control my weigh, we could try to tackle my acne this one time.
Hygge, The Thirty-Eighth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Hygge, The Thirty-Eighth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Hygge, The Thirty-Eighth Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_8306_w140_h140/IMG_8306_09241246.jpg)
Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal
![Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal Summer Relief, The Thirty-Second Week in the Second Year of the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_7819_w140_h140/IMG_7819_08131229.jpg)
Although this cannot be said of much of the country or world, we in New York City have enjoyed a reprieve from the intense heat of July. It has been delightful. Today I relished a breezy morning riding my low-to-the-ground bicycle up and down Park Avenue for the annual Summer Streets event. The Department of Transportation closes streets on Saturdays in all five boroughs throughout late July and August for pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists as a way of promoting greener transportation.
Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal
![Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal Mundane Day, The Thirty-First Week of the Second Year in the New Abnormal](images/Life-SizedCourage/cache/images/Life-SizedCourage/proportion/IMG_6952(1)_w140_h140/IMG_6952(1)_08060229.jpg)
What am I doing this weekend? Nothing special and everything essential. In an Instagram world of glamourous posts, my weekend is the antithesis of awesome. I started early to ensure I could easily access the washing machines needed for the weekly laundry. Luckily for me, it was a ghost town before 7 am, and I peacefully and quietly secured my machines and loaded them from the full hampers.