A-Z Challenge Finally Z

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 

The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This is the final day, so of course the letter is Z 

I have tried on several occasions to get interested in the TV series “The Walking Dead.”  I managed to get through 2 episodes of season one.
The post-apocalyptic premise intrigued me.
The series begins with a sheriff’s deputy who wakes up from a coma to find himself in an abandoned and damaged hospital.  He quickly realizes that his wife and son are missing.  Next, a voracious mob of starving “walkers” soon show up and the scene is set.
A cute guy, perhaps the hero,  has to overcome all sorts of unforeseen obstacles while on a quest to find his family.  In order to this, he has to slaughter thousands of un-dead creatures along the way.
As I watched,  I began to slowly realize that I wanted to care about the individuals who were part of this insatiable gang.
But, alas, it was not to be.  It was obvious to me that this gluttonous throng was merely a group of “extras” and not one of them would ever become a lead.

For the past couple of years there are days when I feel as though I am walking around in a zoned out hazy state of non being.

Do you watch “The Walking Dead?”

Has this challenge zombied you out?

Click here  to find out who made it to the end of  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge Y Is For All My Troubles Seemed So Far Away

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 

The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Tuesday’s letter is Y for Yesterday.

Back story to Yesterday

My Old Bike

My old bike is about 15 years old.  It probably only has about 50 miles on it.  It is a 12 speed.  I never felt safe or comfortable riding it.   I figured it was because of the gears.  I couldn’t quite get the hang of the shifting mechanism.

I thought that I might prefer a plain old fashioned cruiser with pedal brakes.
We went over to the island bike shop to see what they had.  We showed Tom, the owner, a picture of my old bike.  I explained that even though it was 15 years old, it was basically brand new because  I hardly ever rode it.   He told me that my old bike was way too big for me.  Apparently, when you are seated on a bike your feet should touch the ground.  Mine didn’t.

Schwinn S1 Womens

He pointed out a couple of bikes that I might like and that would probably suit me better.
The first one was a Schwinn S1 Womens.
 I immediately felt steadier on it.  My feet touched the ground and there was no shifting of gears to worry about.






The next one I tested was a  Pure S Lowstep by Trek.

Trek Pure S Lowstep 

 It was easier to ride than the Schwinn.  It was also twice the price.   The bike shop owner’s girlfriend, Pat,  recommended the Trek over the Schwinn.  She advised that if I felt comfortable on the bike, it would be a more enjoyable experience.   She reminded me that was the reason I rarely rode my old bike.
So I chose the Pure S.  I had a choice of bright green or purple.  I picked the purple one.

Yesterday

We were up early because Kelly and Sue were coming to clean our house.  They come every three weeks.  I love Kelly and Sue.

Part of my daily morning routine is to take pictures of the start of the day.

Daily Photo Monday April 28, 2014

I take shots of the outdoor thermometer, a view of the street in front of our house, the treed area across the way and any birds I can capture.

While Kelly and Sue performed their magic, we went to the Chicken or The Egg

for breakfast.  Since it is pre-season, the Chegg (as it is commonly known) was empty.  This will not be the case after Memorial Day.









In the afternoon we took our bikes (my new purple one) over to the island to ride.  It took about 15 minutes to put the bikes on the bike rack, 20 minutes to drive over to the island and then another 5 minutes to take the bikes off the bike rack.

  Because it has been awhile since either one of us has ridden a bike and because we are a few years older,  our bike ride was a short one - about 1-3/4 miles which included the stop we made to take beach pictures.

Holgate Beach
Atlantic City Skyline in Upper Left Corner Photo 

Funny, the prep time took longer than the actual  bike time.

But I have to say Pat was right.  Although it was brief, I enjoyed my time on my new purple bike.

So that’s what we did yesterday.  It wasn’t very exciting, but I bet if I hadn’t written this post about yesterday, and if you asked me today what I did yesterday, I probably wouldn’t have been able to tell you.

P.S. Kelly, who is about 5” taller than me and 20 years younger, took my old bike.  I’m sure she will enjoy it.

Find more Y’s written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge X is for Counting My Stitches

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 

The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Monday’s letter is X for Counting my X’s.

When my eyes were younger I enjoyed the craft of counted cross stitch. 

Counted cross stitch is a form of embroidery in which strands of colored thread are used to sew X shaped stitches onto cloth.   A charted pattern is used to instruct the crafter which color threads to use and where to place the x’s.  The result is a beautifully crafted artistic picture worthy of a frame. 

I made this one in 1989.  

Here is a close up.  Can you see the x’s?

Because of its intricate detail, this type of work requires concentration and excellent vision.   I still have the concentration, but not the 20/20.

My creative outlet is now knitting.  The starting position for knitting is this:

Another X

I made these socks last year.

It may be a stretch for the letter X but with only x y and z left I can’t stop now.

Find more X’s written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge W is for Writing My Story

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Saturday’s letter is W for Writing My Story.

I started writing this blog shortly after my son became ill.  It was where I went when I needed an emotional release.
I am grateful that I also found a compassionate and supportive community.
Ross is my biggest fan.   I watch his face intently while he is reading what I have written.
I have seen him smile, laugh out loud and even cry.
He tells me,  “It’s good, really good.”
And I respond, “You always say that.”
I used to love to tell stories.  I feel that my imagination is aging, though.  It is getting stale, I believe.    I like to play with words, but I feel as though I have used up all the words.
It is ironic that I began writing this blog to help me cope with sadness and grief.   But grief and sadness are wearing me down, I suppose.  They make me too weary to write sometimes.
Perhaps I should escape my reality with a story.
In my story my spirit would soar.
I would breathlessly run up to the mountain top so that I could see the world.  I would throw my anger over the edge.
My tale would be filled with lavender and daffodil and aqua blue.
At the end of my story my heart would be whole.
Ross will read my story.  He will smile, laugh out loud and even cry.
He will tell me that, “It is good, really good.”
And I will respond, “Yes, it is.”

I have never taken a writing class.  I am toying with the idea of doing that.  I thought about a beginner, basic creative writing course.   I might be able to find something at the local community college.  Maybe online, even.

I wonder what that would be like for me at this stage of my life.

Why not check out other good stories written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge - V is for Virtual Visitor

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Friday’s letter is V for Virtual Visitor.

I have visited about 200 new blogs since I started the A-Z challenge.   My goal is continue to sample the work of as many of the participants as I can, long after I write my last post. So far,  I am struck by the wide variety of topics and writing styles.
My strategy for selecting which blogs to initially read was to choose blogs in the categories MI (miscellaneous) and PR (personal).   Those are the type of posts I am most interested in.
As I was going through the list, I found that I was also attracted by catchy titles.
My decision to follow a new blogger and become a long term visitor is based on how much of the author’s personality shows through his or her posts.  I imagine what it would be like to have a real conversation with the writer.   I wonder if we would be friends in the real world?
If the blogger engages me with humor and wit, manages to tug at my heart strings, piques my curiosity, or expands my horizons a little more,  then I will surely add their blog to my reading list.

As I said I am still in the process of visiting new blogs and I must say I am enjoying it as much as writing my own posts.

Have you been a virtual visitor during this challenge?  What makes you want to return to a blog?

Why not check out other postings written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge U is for RedFoo Who?

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Thursday’s letter is U for Unhip.

One of the shows we watch is “Dancing with the Stars.”  Although, I have to admit, I am getting a little bored with it.
On this past Monday night they had a guest judge.  In the middle of his opening number Ross looked at me and asked, “Who is he?”

Redfoo

Now I am a little more with it than Ross as far as pop-culture goes.  However,  when I watch any of the music award shows,  I quickly realize that I don’t really know all that much either.

So, it was no surprise that neither one of us knew who this performer was.

I am sure, though, that you all are much hipper than Ross and me.  Do you know who RedFoo is?

According to Wikipedia:

" Stefan Kendal Gordy (born September 3, 1975), better known by his stage name Redfoo, is an American singer, dancer, record producer, DJ and rapper best known as part of the musical duo LMFAO. He formed the duo with his nephew, SkyBlu in 2006 and they released two studio albums before going on hiatus in 2012. He is the youngest son of Motown Record Company founder Berry Gordy, Jr”.

Why not check out other postings written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge T is For “But I Was Moving With the Traffic, Officer”

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Wednesday’s letter is T for Traffic Ticket.

In my post -  “J is for Born on the First of July Jitters"  I mentioned that Ross was stopped for speeding.
I’m pretty sure that police officers from every part of the country go to the same traffic violation school.  I say that because their routine is always the same.
First, they ask for your license and registration.  Next, they ask where you are headed.  Then it’s “Do you know why I pulled your over?”
The policeman who tagged Ross skipped that second one…the “Where are you headed?” one.
I doubt, though, that our explanation that we had been driving for over five hours and that we were headed to our brother-in-law’s funeral would have been of interest to this all business, no nonsense officer.
After Ross honestly admitted that he may have been going a little over the speed limit, the officer told us to “Stay in the car, both of you.”
Then he said, "I’ll be right back.”
When he got back to our car, he handed Ross the ticket and then began to briskly explain that his court date was set for April 22.   He also said that if he wanted to plead guilty he had to sign the ticket and mail it to the court, which was listed on the front of the ticket.
Ross asked if the amount of the fine could be found on the ticket.
“No,” said the officer,  “it wasn’t on the ticket.”  The officer just repeated that Ross had to sign the ticket, mail it into the court and that he would be notified how much the fine would be.
The fact is, Ross was moving along with the traffic.  But, he was the only one in the pack with “out of state” licenses plates.
I’m quite sure that Ross was stopped specifically because we were not natives.  It’s an almost certain guarantee that no one is going to drive hundreds of miles to fight a traffic ticket.
I did a little research and found out that there would be an automatic sur-charge of $85-$93.  Then the actual fine would depend on the leniency and mercy of the judge.

Speeding Ticket Violation  Fine Schedule

Rather steep, wouldn’t you say?

Now, I’m probably going to jinx myself, but in the many, many years that I have been driving, I have only gotten one ticket.  That ticket was for going through a red light.  Although, I swear it was still yellow.  I got that ticket shortly after I got my license.

Ross has had more than one ticket.  The silliest one was for having his bright lights on.

The one Ross most certainly deserved was the one he got for speeding.  Actually it was for speeding up and passing a cop.  But, that’s a story for another time.

He has also talked himself out of several tickets.

Have you ever talked yourself out of a ticket?

Why not check out other postings written by the more than 2,000 bloggers participating in the  2014 A-Z April Challenge.

A-Z Challenge S is For Simply Sad

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Tuesday’s letter is S.

Simply said, I’m simply sad.

It was more than a mom’s sensitivity.  I sensed the anguish in her voice when she said, “something’s wrong.”  That very moment was when my being began to fracture.
It was more than a mom’s worry.  It was the naked look of concern when she spoke of incurable and cancer.  That very moment was when my light began to fade.
It was more than a mom’s ache.  It was the way he talked about tomorrow.  That very moment was when my spirit began to wither.
It was more than a mom’s intuition.  It was the nightmare of his last breath. That very moment was when my heart split apart.

Click here for more April 2014 A-Z Heart Felt Tales 


 

A-Z Challenge R is for Turn Turn Turn

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Monday’s letter is R.


Once we would take to the road spontaneously.   We would start out early in the day.   Our route was never planned.  Oh, we would always begin the journey the same way because there was only one way out.  Turn right, then right again.  Make a left.  This led us onto a long and winding highway.
After that we had many decisions and lots of choices.
There was the day that we wondered where that bumpy country lane would lead us.  To our delight we found an old flea market.  It appeared to be abandoned.
Large old tin signs, heavy on a tilted pole,  creaked in the wind.  They told us when to come, where to park and that there would be food.

















There were rows of faded pink, blue and yellow shaker shacks.  In front of each cottage sat empty tables covered with colorful cloths, perhaps waiting to once again display newly found discarded treasures.

As we slowly made our way down each dusty alleyway we caught glimpses of skinny turkeys running wild in between the buildings.

We joked that the next time we were in the market for big old truck tires, or a beach bike, we would come back Wednesday - Sunday.  

 Yes, we took to the road quite often then.   We stumbled into a sugar shack and had quite a tasty lunch  at  Noma’s cafe.

But that was once.  Now we have Sophie.  She never lets us go off roading.  She certainly is a stern taskmaster.   Frankly, I think our lives have dulled because of her constant nagging...Re-Routing!

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog 

A-Z Challenge Q is for “Seri, What is the Meaning of Life?”

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Saturday’s letter is Q.

During the last stages of her life, when my mom was under my care, she would continually ask me if she was going to die.
Most times I would answer her by saying, “Mom we are all going to die.”

When my brother was under the care of hospice he also would ask us if he was dying.

I think what each of them really wanted to know, though was when, not if.

I asked my mom if she would kindly reveal the secret to me when her time finally did come.

I am still waiting.  Perhaps she has whispered little bits and I have not recognized her voice.

What if Google had all of the answers?    What if Seri and Skyvi were all knowing?

Would there be a cure?

If a simple query could unravel the mystery of life,  would there be peace in the world?

Questions.



Or Q could be

Quackers

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog 

A-Z Challenge P Is For “Man Bites Dog”

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Friday’s letter is P.

I admit it, I subscribe to the “Patch”.  Not only do I subscribe, I also get alerts on my cell phone whenever there is breaking “ news” .  The Patch reports on local town news.  I should point out that we live in a rather small town with a population of around 20,000.   We have a large senior citizen community.   There are six Active Adult complexes which house over 5,000 people. 

More often than not, there are slow news days. 

Rocky the Bobcat

Although there are some serious articles posted on the Patch, I find myself giggling at most of the headlines. 

A recent ongoing story revolved around a missing pet bobcat.   

UPDATE: Rocky the Bobcat May Not Be Going To His Manahawkin Home After All

Today here is what is:

Trending Now on Patch

•                Man at Hospital Ordered to Pay $525 for Refilling 89-Cent Drink

•                Video Captures Runaway Horse and Carriage Ride

•                Toddler Gets Stuck Inside Claw Vending Machine

How do you get your local town news?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Patch Media Corporation

Headquarters	New York City, New York, U.S.
Area served	California, Connecticut,Delaware, Washington, DC,Florida, Georgia, Illinois,Maryland, Massachusetts,Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,New Hampshire, New Jersey,New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania,Rhode Island, Virginia,Washington, Wisconsin
Key people	Bud Rosenthal, CEO
Services	Online news and opinion
Owner	Hale Global
Website	www.Patch.com
Alexa rank	229 (U.S.)
Type of site	News
Launched	December 2007
Current status	Active

Patch.com is an independent US local news and information platform, primarily owned by Hale Global. As of June 2013, Patch operated some 900 local and hyperlocal news websites in 23 U.S. states. Patch Media Corporation is the operator of the service.

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog Challenge.

A-Z Challenge O is for Opinion Poll

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Thursday’s letter is O.

Once upon a time,  I was adamantly certain of how things were, how they should be.   I was strict and rigid.  I knew all there was to know.  It was either black or it was white.  It was either right or it was wrong.  By rote I spouted what I heard and what I was told.  I accepted it as the truth.


For instance I recall those Public Service Announcements which ran on TV in
the ’80’s during the “War on Drugs” campaign.   “This is your brain…This is your brain on drugs.”  That ad influenced me and I became staunchly anti-drug, particularly pot.
In this time, two states have legalized recreational marijuana.  For various reasons, too numerous to list here, I have become more liberal minded regarding the use of marijuana.

As the boundaries of my world expanded so did my level of tolerance.
Recently, ABC News reported, “Mozilla co-founder CEO Brendan Eich, who came under fire this week for donating to a campaign to ban gay marriage in California, has resigned.  Eich, who became the CEO of the nonprofit company behind Mozilla Firefox on March 24, had donated $1,000 for the successful Proposition 8 ballot measure that passed in the November 2008 state election.
”In a personal blog Mr. Eich made a statement saying: "I am committed to ensuring that Mozilla is, and will remain, a place that includes and supports everyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, economic status, or religion.”

Should Eich be held accountable and lose his job for a choice he made six years ago to support a cause in which he believed in at the time?

I have always believed that people should be allowed to love anyone they choose.   Many others, including highly visible public figures, have just recently had a change of heart regarding same sex marriage.

I have faith that people, through personal growth, can develop an empathy for their fellow human beings.  It may just take a little time and effort, that’s all.

Everyone has an opinion about everything.   I would say trust your instincts and have faith in our common humanity.  If those are your convictions,  your opinions will stretch and expand but will not stagnate.

I now know that I know nothing.  There is no certainty about anything.  I have learned that there are far more than fifty shades of gray.  Mostly, I have figured out that I can form my own opinions.

So what do you think?

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog Challenge.

A-Z Challenge N is for Maybe Another Time

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Wednesday’s letter is N.

You’ve been in this situation, I know you have.  

I recently joined a group of knitters who meet once a week on Wednesday afternoons at the club house in my community. 
The Yarn Wenches have been getting together for the last 10 years.   I had been thinking about joining this group but, I hesitated for a couple reasons.  First,  I am normally not a joiner.   Second, I wasn’t sure that it would be easy for a newbie to fit into an established circle of friends.  I hoped that having a love of knitting as a common interest would make my endeavor to join a good choice.
I went to my first meeting a couple of weeks ago.   I was warmly welcomed by everyone.  
One woman in particular decided to take me under her wing.   She actually greeted me with a hug.  
Until I get to know someone and build a trust with that person, I am protective of my personal space.   
That’s why I was little put off by the hug.  But I enjoyed the time I spent with the ladies and by the end of our session, I was already looking forward to the next meeting. 
As we were gathering our projects together and packing up, the hugger grabbed my arm and asked me if would like to stop by her house for a cup of tea. 
I had no plans for the rest of the afternoon, but I was a little leery of beginning a relationship with this woman. 
She caught me off guard.  I didn’t  think quickly enough to come up with an excuse.  Besides, I am too honest and would not be comfortable fibbing. 
We had a nice visit.  She suggested that we exchange phone numbers.  She walked me to my car and wanted to know if I would like to go to the mall with her on Friday. 
This time I was ready with an “Let me get back to you.”
About 20 years ago I attended an “Assertiveness Training” course.   One of the things I learned in the class was that it is okay to say things like “Let me think about it,”  or “I’m not sure right now.”
Those phrases are really a way to say No without having to say No. 

How do you say No?

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog Challenge.

A-Z Challenge M is for Take Photos and Write Journals

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Tuesday’s letter is M.

I have been close to many whose memory doesn’t work the same way it used to.   I can see the array of emotions reflected in their eyes.   
I wonder what it would feel like if I could no longer remember. 

Will I feel embarrassed each time I ask you once and then again,

“What is your name?”

Will I feel angry each time I ask you once and then again,

“When can I go home?”

Will I feel sad each time I ask you once and then again,

“Where is Joey?”

Will I feel frustrated each time I ask you once and then again,

“Why can’t you stay longer?”

Will I feel confused each time I ask you once and then again,

“Why do you call me Mom?”

Will I feel worried each time I ask you once and then again,

“Am I going to be okay?”

Will I feel lonely each time I ask you once and then again,
“Are they coming today?”

A-Z Challenge L is For I’m Listening, Are You?

It’s time to participate in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  I will be blogging every day in April, with Sunday’s off. 
The topic for each day will begin with the designated letter of the alphabet.
This Monday’s letter is L.

Disclaimer:  This post is not about anyone in particular.  I wrote this as an experienced good listener who has had my share of one sided conversations.  

So, listen.  Do you?  Listen, I mean.  
I am a good listener.  Although it is sometimes frustrating, especially for my husband, and at times it may seem selective, but I also have a good memory.   Sure, I may remember an intonation differently, but the gist of the conversation is certainly accurate in my mind. 
Ross says I think I can read his mind.  Well, he’s not 100% right about that, because I know I can read his mind.   It is a skill that good listeners just naturally develop.
Clearly, or at least it has been my experience, that when two people are engaged in a conversation only one person can speak at a time.  It may not occur to the person who is supposed to be listening,  that having a conversation with yourself while the other person is taking is not being a good listener.   It’s a fact that many people engage in what  I call   “thought jumping”.  
It may go something like this:
First Talker:  “I was on a trip recently.  We went to a small town in upstate New York.”
The not so accomplished listener immediately begins to “ thought jump”:  “Hmm, I once went to a small town in upstate New York.  It was by a lake. We went to a quaint little restaurant. What was the name of it?  Oh, what was it?   I can’t wait until it’s my turn to talk so that I can relate my experiences”.
So while First Talker continues on with his or her story,  all that Non Listener is hearing are muffled sounds like the adult characters in the Charlie Brown comic strip make. 
Sometimes the Non Listener cannot contain him or herself and interrupts First Talker. 
Interrupting is the best example of not being a good listener. 
Okay I admit it.  I am not a perfect listener.   For instance, if a droner has gotten a hold of my ear, I try my best, I really do, but I find that I inadvertently start to “mind drift.”  “Mind drifting” can be a more serious infraction of the “Good Listener” rules than “thought jumping.”  There is no recovery from mind drifting.  You can never catch up, once you start to “mind drift”.
Also, if I am intently concentrating on something, I am the worst listener.  
Another “Good Listener” rule to follow is to ask the talker questions, especially questions about him or her.  This usually makes the talker comfortable enough to want to continue to share.  
Of course there are question boundaries which cannot be crossed until you, as a good listener, have gained the trust of your conversation companion. 
I have a quiet soft voice.  I speak in a low volume, in an even tempo and without much inflection.    If you really want to “hear” what I have to say you must lean in closely and just listen.

Why not check out some of the other 2033 participants in the April 2014 A-Z Blog Challenge.