Yay! Worked the booth at this year's Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis Research held at the OCC SRC Arena here in the Syracuse, NY area. Great turnout. Nearly 1,600 people ran or walked and many of them helped the cause also by signing petitions for more research into arthritis care and cure and for legislation to provide financial aid to people who elect to become pediatric arthritis-care doctors. In our area, there are only two physicians who treat pediatric arthritis, and not too long ago, there was only one!
I was very impressed with the runners/walkers. On the whole, they were wonderfully pleasant, open to listen to our requests for signatures, and very upbeat. Many themselves also have this debilitating disease, so they inspired me also. More than anything, I wanted to be able to run/walk with them, so I was glad I at least had the opportunity to meet so many.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sunday evening. Cold outside. Again, cannot believe it's been so long since I've written here. I've written nearly every day in my journal, and some days did the "pages" Julie Cameron recommends in her Artist's Way books/workbooks. All that notwithstanding, I am still struggling to make time for writing (well, for nearly anything). I've let the busyness of living keep me from recording my thoughts and let the distractions of this modern life hold my attention long enough to dilute any interesting or enlightening thoughts.
Something happened yesterday that annoyed me. One of our local churches had a food drive scheduled. I didn't put my food out because it was raining. So, I called for a pickup as their flyer had offered. The guy said he'd be right there. Over a half hour later, I called again and asked if they were coming. A different person answered and said he'd driven by but hadn't seen anything, then said "should we have knocked on the door?" Well, I didn't really know what to say to that (without sounding rude or worse), so I waited. He said they would come over, so I said I would leave the bags outside. They never came! This seems to be a trend in my life--people saying they'll do something and then not, but somehow making it appear that they indeed have done the thing or made some attempt. It puzzles me. I have a friend who regularly says he'll do something, but then doesn't. I have another friend who repeatedly says she wants to do something and then after much discussion and figuring out her options or possible avenues to pursue presumably is off to do the whatever. Only she rarely does the thing! Is this a trait of people I know or run into or is it more pervasive in society at large? Still gathering data, but not without getting annoyed at times (tee hee).
Just read the posts I'd written here the last two times, so I'll update my status one of those topics. That friend who was driving me to distraction with all her sexual conquests no longer annoys me. We had a heart-to-heart one day--it came out of a conversation about men and her obsession with a few. I told her about my negative feelings toward such conversations and how they were affecting me and thus our friendship. She acknowledged my feelings (Yay! and Thank you!) and then we proceeded to talk about her behavior and my need for something else. The end result is we understood each other better, but we no longer spend much time together. See, actions have consequences. I was not surprised because I'd come to recognize my role in her life. I just did not want to be that go to person.
I'm working with another writer of memoirs. This time the person is writing a memoir about her Down syndrome son's life. Although a memoir, she hopes it will be helpful for other parents with DS children and for teachers, caregivers, medical personnel, etc. of such people. It's slow going. I can't get her to do the work--the rewriting, the reorganizing, the overall restructuring often required. She says quite often that she's lazy and she doesn't have the desire to do the work. So, I am still trying to get a rhythm going for our project. Challenging.
It's officially December. December 7th to be exact. Warren's birthday and Pearl Harbor Day. Warren is the man who "broke my heart" before I fortunately met Richard. Took me years to not think ill of him and feel the pain of heartbreak. Thank God for Richard and true love. When I thought about Warren today, I realized it was without any feeling except that it was his birthday. Nice. Guess I finally my "first love" has found a comfortable place in my memoirs. Yay!
Well, I had high hopes for writing today, but too many conversations and too much outside distractions have destroyed my need to write and depleted my energy to do so. So, I'll say goodnight and God bless (I loved Edward R. Murrow).
Something happened yesterday that annoyed me. One of our local churches had a food drive scheduled. I didn't put my food out because it was raining. So, I called for a pickup as their flyer had offered. The guy said he'd be right there. Over a half hour later, I called again and asked if they were coming. A different person answered and said he'd driven by but hadn't seen anything, then said "should we have knocked on the door?" Well, I didn't really know what to say to that (without sounding rude or worse), so I waited. He said they would come over, so I said I would leave the bags outside. They never came! This seems to be a trend in my life--people saying they'll do something and then not, but somehow making it appear that they indeed have done the thing or made some attempt. It puzzles me. I have a friend who regularly says he'll do something, but then doesn't. I have another friend who repeatedly says she wants to do something and then after much discussion and figuring out her options or possible avenues to pursue presumably is off to do the whatever. Only she rarely does the thing! Is this a trait of people I know or run into or is it more pervasive in society at large? Still gathering data, but not without getting annoyed at times (tee hee).
Just read the posts I'd written here the last two times, so I'll update my status one of those topics. That friend who was driving me to distraction with all her sexual conquests no longer annoys me. We had a heart-to-heart one day--it came out of a conversation about men and her obsession with a few. I told her about my negative feelings toward such conversations and how they were affecting me and thus our friendship. She acknowledged my feelings (Yay! and Thank you!) and then we proceeded to talk about her behavior and my need for something else. The end result is we understood each other better, but we no longer spend much time together. See, actions have consequences. I was not surprised because I'd come to recognize my role in her life. I just did not want to be that go to person.
I'm working with another writer of memoirs. This time the person is writing a memoir about her Down syndrome son's life. Although a memoir, she hopes it will be helpful for other parents with DS children and for teachers, caregivers, medical personnel, etc. of such people. It's slow going. I can't get her to do the work--the rewriting, the reorganizing, the overall restructuring often required. She says quite often that she's lazy and she doesn't have the desire to do the work. So, I am still trying to get a rhythm going for our project. Challenging.
It's officially December. December 7th to be exact. Warren's birthday and Pearl Harbor Day. Warren is the man who "broke my heart" before I fortunately met Richard. Took me years to not think ill of him and feel the pain of heartbreak. Thank God for Richard and true love. When I thought about Warren today, I realized it was without any feeling except that it was his birthday. Nice. Guess I finally my "first love" has found a comfortable place in my memoirs. Yay!
Well, I had high hopes for writing today, but too many conversations and too much outside distractions have destroyed my need to write and depleted my energy to do so. So, I'll say goodnight and God bless (I loved Edward R. Murrow).
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Friendship
Thursday evening, October 17, 2013
Can't believe it's been over two years since I've written here. The good news is I was busy editing manuscripts for some very talented writers who have since published their works. Yay!
What's been on my mind quite a bit lately is the concept of friendship. I want to understand both this world of being an older person and alone and having only casual friends and acquaintances for support. In particular one friend turned out to be more of a good, nice acquaintance than a real friend. I sensed this from the start, but laziness or wishful thinking caused me to often want more from her only to get frustrated later. Sigh.
Anyway, what's bothering me is this acquaintance is obsessed with men. She talks about them more than about anything else. She chases them, even if they have a significant other. If we run into one while we're out, she leaves me, often without a word, to be with him. Unfortunately, I once told her that at our age life is too short not to be with someone if that's what we want. (Or some variation -- I can't remember my exact words, but she has reminded me of them after ditching me!)
What I can't understand is why her behavior bothers me. I think part of the reason is that she rarely asks about me other than an initial inquiry. And I'm really more interested in spending quality time with her, not spending it talking about men, including how wonderful they think she is. Which is what she loves to stress -- how wonderful and special, etc. all the men think she is.
________________________________
Well, that went nowhere. While I was struggling to write, the phone rang and it was someone who'd called because she was concerned I had not returned her call of last week. So, I took it. A little over an hour later, here I sit, in a different frame of mind. Sigh. Maybe another time I can redress the issue above since it bothers me often.
Anyway, my thoughts are all a jumble now (new and old issues competing for my emotional attention -- big sigh).
'Nite
Can't believe it's been over two years since I've written here. The good news is I was busy editing manuscripts for some very talented writers who have since published their works. Yay!
What's been on my mind quite a bit lately is the concept of friendship. I want to understand both this world of being an older person and alone and having only casual friends and acquaintances for support. In particular one friend turned out to be more of a good, nice acquaintance than a real friend. I sensed this from the start, but laziness or wishful thinking caused me to often want more from her only to get frustrated later. Sigh.
Anyway, what's bothering me is this acquaintance is obsessed with men. She talks about them more than about anything else. She chases them, even if they have a significant other. If we run into one while we're out, she leaves me, often without a word, to be with him. Unfortunately, I once told her that at our age life is too short not to be with someone if that's what we want. (Or some variation -- I can't remember my exact words, but she has reminded me of them after ditching me!)
What I can't understand is why her behavior bothers me. I think part of the reason is that she rarely asks about me other than an initial inquiry. And I'm really more interested in spending quality time with her, not spending it talking about men, including how wonderful they think she is. Which is what she loves to stress -- how wonderful and special, etc. all the men think she is.
________________________________
Well, that went nowhere. While I was struggling to write, the phone rang and it was someone who'd called because she was concerned I had not returned her call of last week. So, I took it. A little over an hour later, here I sit, in a different frame of mind. Sigh. Maybe another time I can redress the issue above since it bothers me often.
Anyway, my thoughts are all a jumble now (new and old issues competing for my emotional attention -- big sigh).
'Nite
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Is it really July?
It's been a while since I've written here or even in my journal. I just can't get out of this grief cycle this year. I seem to be okay one day and sink beyond belief for days at a time and wonder at myself, but still cannot right myself. Sigh.
Many things have been happening, some good, some not. Life is still moving forward even if my heels are sore and beaten from dragging. One tough thing, a very close, dear friend has moved on and is now involved with someone, no more to call me or visit occasionally. Since Richard's death, life seems to constantly remind me that friendships end, people move on, and sometimes someone you really care about never talks to you again. It's terribly unsettling, made moreso because I don't have Rich to talk to about how such a loss is effecting me. Consequently, the loss feels compounded and I cry.
One interesting (and good?) thing that happened this week when I was talking with my pain management therapist. Something triggered in me and although I struggled, I realized some important things. I've never "done the work" to get through all the emotional pain inside me. Sometimes I was aware and deliberately refused to do so, but mostly, I just couldn't do it (or didn't know how, practically). Haven't reached enlightenment. Big sigh.
Guess I'm not up to writing still. I miss writing. Didn't go to my writing group meeting last week. Plan on going this week. Hope to start writing, but for now, I'm going to bed. Maybe tomorrow.
Many things have been happening, some good, some not. Life is still moving forward even if my heels are sore and beaten from dragging. One tough thing, a very close, dear friend has moved on and is now involved with someone, no more to call me or visit occasionally. Since Richard's death, life seems to constantly remind me that friendships end, people move on, and sometimes someone you really care about never talks to you again. It's terribly unsettling, made moreso because I don't have Rich to talk to about how such a loss is effecting me. Consequently, the loss feels compounded and I cry.
One interesting (and good?) thing that happened this week when I was talking with my pain management therapist. Something triggered in me and although I struggled, I realized some important things. I've never "done the work" to get through all the emotional pain inside me. Sometimes I was aware and deliberately refused to do so, but mostly, I just couldn't do it (or didn't know how, practically). Haven't reached enlightenment. Big sigh.
Guess I'm not up to writing still. I miss writing. Didn't go to my writing group meeting last week. Plan on going this week. Hope to start writing, but for now, I'm going to bed. Maybe tomorrow.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Monday Fun -- A Visit from a HS Friend
Yay! Finally got to see JoAnne, one of my best friends in high school. It was wonderful to see her and her husband, Ron. I hadn't seen JoAnne since probably the mid-80's when I ran into her and her son at a Binghamton AHL Hockey game, and I don't think I've seen Ron since ... well, can't remember! Met them at the Genesee Grande for lunch. Delicious and such wonderful company. It felt like we'd stayed friends all these years, the time went so quickly and the talk flowed so smoothly. I really loved seeing them.
Catching Up (a little) on Photos in May - May 15-18
Well, I let the stomach isses (colitis from an antibiotic) get me down. Or, rather, I just didn't have the energy to keep it from wearing me out. Sigh. So, have a few days of photos to post. (Still have some to take.) I've really enjoyed thinking about what pictures to take to represent the suggestion, and especially enjoyed figuring out how to take said picture. Here are a few more:
May 15 - Nero, my American shorthair black cat (named after a favorite character, Nero Wolfe, of Rex Stout's). He's resting after coming home from the vet where he'd had an abscess on his elbow drained and removed. He fights with my other male cat, Shadow, and sometimes he gets hurt. Boo hoo. Shadow was left with me and I cannot find him a home, but poor Nero doesn't care. He wants his home all for himself.
May 16 - My drs told me my bad cholesterol level is too high and my blood sugar is no longer acceptable borderline. They're giving me a few months (a year?) to get the numbers under control or it's cholesterol-lowering and insulin pills for me. Sigh. I really don't want to take either!
May 18 - Loved this saying when I first saw it and finally took the plunge and embroidered. I completely understand why the woman at whose home I saw this remarked when I commented on it, "It was a bitch to do and I'll never embroider again!" It was a bear, but I learned much about embroidering cursive and doing such freehand work, and still I want to embroider more sayings. Oh, forgot to mention, my brothers (who live in Lexington, KY, so I don't get to see very often) always say how much I look like Mom when they first see me (yay!).
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| May 15 - Nero, Something I Love |
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| May 16 - What I'm Reading |
May 16 - My drs told me my bad cholesterol level is too high and my blood sugar is no longer acceptable borderline. They're giving me a few months (a year?) to get the numbers under control or it's cholesterol-lowering and insulin pills for me. Sigh. I really don't want to take either!
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| May 17 - Snack (Lemon Cream Bars) |
May 17 - My treats, lemon cream bars. Add to my cholesterol/blood sugar issues?
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| May 18 - Something I Embroidered |
May 18 - Loved this saying when I first saw it and finally took the plunge and embroidered. I completely understand why the woman at whose home I saw this remarked when I commented on it, "It was a bitch to do and I'll never embroider again!" It was a bear, but I learned much about embroidering cursive and doing such freehand work, and still I want to embroider more sayings. Oh, forgot to mention, my brothers (who live in Lexington, KY, so I don't get to see very often) always say how much I look like Mom when they first see me (yay!).
Final Photos for May (May 27-31)
Turns out, I hadn't posted photos for nearly two weeks. Yikes! The last of the May photos are here. I was really hoping this challenge would not only keep me interested, but also dedicated. I'm still struggling with trying to make a life for myself without Richard and this 10th year without him has been almost as bad as the first and I just can't seem to right myself! Doing the photos did help. I've been thinking more about composition, opportunity, and many other facets of shooting. So, I really am glad I started this (and I'm continuing with the June challenge!).
May 27 - Something Sweet - Strawberry shortcake
May 28 - The Weather today - Rain. It's been raining every day almost since late April. Ugh!
May 29 - A number - Waiting for my delicious dinner at the Cafe 107 in
Liverpool.
May 30 - My personality - This view of my personality shows needlework I've
done, a painting of me, and collectibles and jewelry of mine.
May 31 - Something beautiful - A beautiful hot pad my lovely niece, Linda, crocheted for me.
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| May 27 |
May 28 - The Weather today - Rain. It's been raining every day almost since late April. Ugh!
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| May 28 |
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| May 29 |
May 31 - Something beautiful - A beautiful hot pad my lovely niece, Linda, crocheted for me.
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| May 31 |
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| May 30 |
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