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Quotes for the Moment, Week Forty-Five in the No Longer New Abnormal
Rather than add to the disquieting mix of this past week’s conversation, I am going to share two quotes that may be helpful now and going forward. The first one was shared by my sister-in-law, Catherine North. She has always been a champion for encouraging the best in those around her. The second quote was shard in response to the first as a continuation of inspiration. That was shared by a newer friend who I came to know during the pandemic. Her name is Erin Falk and she lives with joy sharing her adventures as if we were there. The pictures were taken this past week. Walking helped me see what I love in and about the city of New York.
Change is Inevitable, Week Forty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal
If change is the only constant in life, why do we have such a hard time with it? When two old friends died this past week I was grateful to have known them. Although my life will not change much since they were no longer regular presences in my current life, their kindness, compassion and humor have stayed with me since we met in the 80’s. However, their close family and friends now will feel the change in their lives profoundly, as do we all when death comes to those we love.
It's A Lot of Work to Find Ease, Week Forty-Three in the No Longer new Abnormal
In the USA we have a national and local election coming up and the stress related to that is palpable in most communities. There is division and animosity. Strong feelings are being played out in arguments, and in non-political spaces. Road rage, short tempers and dismissiveness abound. To offset that we have to make intentional choices. Can we find lightness in all of this infuriation? I’m working on it. But it’s not easy. Meditation works. It’s not an instant fix, but the more I spend time focusing on the present the more I can stay in all the other present moments, and not get caught up in election anxiety. Patience helps. If I can understand that my expectation that things should go a certain way are in conflict with the reality at hand, I can calm myself down.
Unloading, Week Forty-Two in the No Longer New Abnormal
I have too much stuff. I just spent hours going through drawers and closets to clean out what I don’t want anymore and what I don’t need. Though I’m happy I did that and now I can bring bags to the thrift store, and bags to the trash, I am still left with too much stuff. Some things like outdated membership cards were easy to throw out. Vitamins and minerals I rarely take, office supplies I may need at some unknown point in time, and other sundry items make it harder for me to determine their usefulness. When I was younger and lived alone, the small apartment size made it easy to throw things out. I simply didn’t have the space. Though I am so grateful for all the storage space in our present apartment, I find that clutter accumulates in the recesses of those closets.
Going Away, Week Thirty-Two in the No Longer New Abnormal
This weekend I walked in the steaming heat enjoying Summer Streets while traversing Park Avenue without cars. I will miss the next two Saturdays, so it was a pleasant reprieve to have more than enough room while walking among pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. I am going away. Initially I packed for a hot summer, but according to the lower temperatures in Dublin I was ill prepared. Following my lovely and tiring walk, I unpacked and repacked for a ten-day trip to Ireland. Instead of tank tops and sandals I’m bringing sweaters and socks.
Facing Obstacles, Week Thirty-One in the No Longer New Abnormal
This morning things did not go as planned. I could not find my luggage scale for a vacation organized for next week. It wasn’t in the usual places, so I did a deeper dive with no luck. Next, I attempted to send emails, and had to restart my computer. I wasn’t able to find my to-do list I wrote in the wee hours last night so I could check off tasks one at a time. It showed up, but it meant I got a later start. Of course, there are some days like this. I’ll do what I can today and let go of the rest. What I do know is that I plan to see women’s gymnastics trials on TV tonight. I’m looking forward to it.
Zucchini Fritters, Week Twenty-Eight in the No Longer New Abnormal
It’s sweltering outside. The humidity and the temperature are high. Though I have a good number of chores to get done, I’m choosing to spend this time writing this blog in air conditioning. I haven’t planned what I’ll write, so as unoriginal as it is, I’ve started by mentioning the weather. Inspiration is not forthcoming. I just walked away to go into the kitchen. I cubed and toasted bread to make breadcrumbs to go with the zucchini I purchased today at the farmer’s market. In fact, the bread came from there last week. I‘m making zucchini fritters. The eggs that go in the mix come from another stall at the farmer’s market. I didn’t see the right onions, so I’ll have to go out for them. I so enjoy the sweet and savory combination of the fritters.
An Anniversary, Week Twenty-Seven in the No Longer New Abnormal
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.
The Half-Way Mark, Week Twenty-Six in the No Longer New Abnormal
We are officially halfway through 2024. It’s a great time to reevaluate then manage any expectations we’ve had for this year. This is the year I’ve had my first, and perhaps my last, book published. It feels good to have accomplished that. I am now in the weeds attempting to promote the book while working full-time. Promotions do not come naturally for me so it feels like I’m rolling a big bolder uphill uncertain if like Icarus is will roll down again. But I’m challenging myself to do what I can and then challenging myself yet again let go of the results. When I measure my self-worth by the results I produce I may experience a fleeting high, but in the end I try my best to be proud of going beyond my limits no matter how things turn out.
Old Lady TikTok, Week Twenty-Four in the No Longer New Abnormal
Publishing Week, Week Twenty-Three in the No Longer New Abnormal
This Tuesday I become a published author with In the Time of Coronavirus, Reflecting on the Past to Embrace a Joyful Future. To that end I am doing everything I know to do to promote this book, working to get it into stores, sites and libraries and into readers’ hands. It is a daunting task. I am overwhelmed, yet very excited.
Holiday Weekend in Los Angeles
My First Reading, Week Twenty-One in the No Longer New Abnormal
I was nervous. I had agreed to participate in a Zoom panel which included reading from my pre-published book, In the Time of Coronavirus. but it’s been a long time since I’ve spoken to a group. As I was practicing, reading the blog post a few times, I noticed my voice sounded like it was stuck in my throat. I did not think that was a good thing.
Happy May, Week Nineteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
Letting Go, Week Eighteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
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.
I Don't Wanna! Week Fifteen of the No Longer New Abnormal
“Almost everything will work if you unplug it for a few minutes….including you.” -Anne Lamott-”
There are some days that I just don’t want to do anything. And if I have to do something it can feel particularly labored. I woke up this morning with a strong case of I don’t wanna. I was still tired, though I received eight hours of sleep. I was achy even though I’m stretching more given the needs of being in my mid-60s. I was able to get away last weekend, though it now feels like it was weeks ago.
Chasing Cherry Blossoms, Week Fourteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
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.
Quiet Please, Week Thirteen in the No Longer New Abnormal
It was a quiet day. Not the reading a book while sipping tea on a rainy-day type of quiet. It was quiet because I wasn’t plugged into a device. The TV was not on. The quiet came from not connecting my phone to my earbuds to listen to a book, a podcast or music. It’s even quiet now as I’m writing this. Lucy, who is asleep next to me isn’t even snoring. She must be enjoying the quiet, too.
Take Care, Week Twelve in the No Longer New Abnormal
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
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.