We All Need a Pep Talk

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Sunday, Sweet Sunday

It's usually my favorite day of the week.  I start it off with breakfast with the gang, lots of coffee, protein, and laughter.

Many times I follow it up with a movie -- today it was Zero Dark Thirty.  I had not wanted to see it, but I've heard so many good things about it that I went.  Very well done.  Chilling (or was it just because the theater was so damned cold?).

Then there's my afternoon swim at the YMCA.  On football days, there's hardly anyone in the pool.  I get a lane all to myself!  Whee!

And what follows lap swimming?  A delicious martini of course.

The icing on the cake these days: Downton Abbey is back on PBS Sunday evenings.  Does it get better than this?

Home Sweet Home

Up here is Grass Valley, where the bums have put their vegetable garden to bed for the coming winter.  It smells so damned good in the mountains: pine and red earth.

Great food, good wine and excellent company are a mighty balm for my soul.  These friends are the kind that open their home and their hearts to my weariness, and make me laugh and see the absurdity of life.

In New Jersey/New York accents, we tripped the light fantastic using the work "FUCK."  Robin's a NJ girl, and Roger, the California fellow, is instructing her on the proper use of the soft "R."  RRRRRight.

If I had the where-with-all, I'd build a yurt somewhere on their property (Fuck youse guys, I'm doing it) and make myself right at home.  They know this.  So far they haven't said "no."  Not really.

First Night Out

2011, Hot Italian, taradharma

My first night out in nearly 4 weeks.  It was heaven.  The GF and I ate at my neighborhood bistro.  I had the
Gnocchi Autunno

House-made Herb Dumplings with Broccoli Rabe Pesto, Picholine Olives,

Goat Cheese Cream Sauce and Spiced Pecans. 
 

She had the
Wood-Roasted Scallops

Seared Dayboat Scallops over Savoy Cabbage,

Kabocha Squash, Oyster Mushrooms and Pancetta with a

Calabrian Chile Viniagrette

Too bad I didn't get a photo of it all.  It was delicious.  Food.  Good.

After dinner we went to see a friend in a production of Rehearsal to Murder at the Chautauqua Playhouse.  A whodunnit which had us stumped until the reveal.

My knee didn't get to fully extend in the theater seats, and so was screaming softly at me and I welcomed the 15 minute intermission when I could 'walk it off.'

I was so tired this morning that I slept right through the usual Sunday morning breakfast group.  Bummer.  It would have been my first in many weeks.

I feel as if I'm getting back into the world, a month after surgery.  Still have work to do with physical therapy, but I'm coming along nicely.  Just to be able to be out and about with merely the aid of a cane.  And someday soon, not even that.

Hallelujah.

Meet Jackson

My GF has added an adorable little pup to her family.  We picked him up yesterday after GF heard about him from Collie Rescue.  He is 3 or 4 months old, and was abandoned and found roaming with a couple of other young Collies.  Flea ridden, tics, starving, this poor guy was a mere 16 pounds when he was found.  What in the world is up with some people that they would abandon a animal in such a cruel way?!  Take them to a vet, take them to the SPCA for crying out loud.  Don't leave them to die a horrible death.

She checked in with me on the whole idea, and I provided wholehearted support: she has two adult Collies, one of which is in ill health and may be on the way out soon.  Adopting Jackson (Jack) is a good way to lessen the burden of loss that may soon come.  And GF is an excellent pet companion: her dogs are all up-to-date on vet checks, are chipped, well-cared for and loved tremendously.  They are truly a part of the family.

We spent the afternoon yesterday playing with him, bathing him, gazing adoringly at him and saying, "He's just the cutest thing!"  The other dogs behaved well around him, and he them.  He slept in his new crate last night without a single whimper or bark.  He has just begun what is going to be a very good life.  Lucky him.  Lucky us.

River Walk

Last night, after a great dinner at Michelangelo's, L. and I took a stroll along West Sacramento's River Walk.  Great evening to be out, with a breeze coming off the river, the sun low and glowing on the bridges and buildings.  Couples and families out, and of course a contingent of indigents, complete with an in-tact pit bull off his leash.  But I digress.

L. made this a mystery date; she said "bring your camera."  It was fun.  Had no idea where we were going, and this was the perfect spot.  Just look at that skyline.  She knew I'd have a blast taking in the sights and trying for some good shots of it all.

Looking back to the West Sac side, took pictures of the Ziggurat buidling, which I am sure has been photographed many many times over the years.  You can easily spy it driving west into the area.  That, and Tower Bridge, which was looking lovely yesterday in the warm evening glow of the sun.

This would also be a good walk with mom in her wheelchair, and we are actively looking for paved and accessible places to do just that.  Last weekend we went to the UCD Arboretum, which has paved trails perfect for our needs.  L. and I had gone there on a previous date, so I knew it would be a good place for mom.

Poor maligned Sacramento, it really does have some great things going for it.  I think we hit 3 of them last night:  Great Food.  Great Walk.  And then, for the 'cherry on top' we had ice cream at the venerable Gunther's, which is celebrating its 72nd year! 

Still a relative newbie to this city, I do get a fair amount of excitement from exploring it and eating at new restaurants.  I have out of town friends coming in the new future, and I can't wait to show them the Sacramento that I have become very fond of.  And of course introduce them to the woman I have become very fond of as well.  Goes without saying.

Life is good, brothers and sisters.

Happiness

Happiness is a mystery...and should never be rationalized.
 

-- G K. Chesterton

Viva la Musica

Me, @ 1974

Music has always been an essential part of who I am.  It feeds my soul, if lifts me up and gives my life context.  It connects me to the past as well as keeping me grounded in the present.

My former husband was an excellent guitar player.  We had that love of music in common.  My first 'wife' and I shared a love of music and that was a lovely way to connect.  My second wife and I had completely different musical tastes, and that was okay.  I learned to love a lot of new music from her.  But she didn't like my music, and was not open to listening to it.  She also didn't like my singing voice; that was a first for me.  Everyone I know likes my singing voice.  She did support my taking a singing class at the local junior college -- but I was not free to practice when she could hear me.  I know.  Pretty pathetic.  She was just happy I was out doing something after retirement.

The woman I'm dating is a singer/songwriter and musician.  She loves my singing voice; she says I sound like Mary Chapin Carpenter.  Not too shabby.  She has been recording a cd of her songs -- I can't wait to hear it.  She has a beautiful Martin guitar that she calls her 'baby.'   She has a network of friends that she plays music with and I'm eager to meet them and participate.  Wa-hoo! 

Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin”.   Here here. 

What A Wonderful World

We live on such a small postage stamp in the vast universe. It's all about perspective of course, and this perspective from the space station is dazzling. The concentration of lights on earth mimics the stars in the sky, with sun bursts of light in urban cities. That's what it looks like to me, anyway.


The Stars as Viewed from the International Space Station. from AJRCLIPS on Vimeo.

And here's my chance to say a formal farewell to Bud, who left this life Saturday morning at 3:15, surrounded by his family. His passing reminds me how sweet this life is, and to grab it with both hands and heart wide open.

My Beating Heart

Driving home last night, after sweet kisses and the promise of more, more, more.  I got a little choked up, a little teary.  Can it be that such delight still exists for me in this life?

I rolled down the car window to feel the wind on my face, and turned on the radio and this was playing...

"Tender is the night
When you hold your baby tight
Tender are the motions, tender is the night"

Tender.

Twelve Reasons to be Cheerful

Inspired by Cro, I am posting my Dozen Reasons to be Cheerful. Perfect for Friday.

1. I get to see my grandson today and tomorrow (6 mos. old now and 2 teeth!)
2. I've made some important decisions that will lighten my emotion burdens.
3. I met a friend for a drink yesterday and paid $9.50 for a martini. Cheerful because I had the $$.
4. Friends are giving me a t.v. for my new house.
5. I had a great night's sleep last night.
6. My mother and I had a wonderfully intimate conversation the other day.
7. I got caught up with a dear friend on the phone.
8. I got caught up with another dear friend on the phone.
9. We're moving in a couple of weeks into the new house!
10. The weather is mild and beautiful.
11. I'm going to Grass Valley on Monday - more friends.
12. Friends, friends, friends.  Lucky me.

Happy Friday, friends.  Try this exercise -- it feels good!