Control ;of Destiny

I believe there is a power greater than ourselves and our fate is somewhat of our own making, but not entirely. We have the power to make decisions, to determine what is right and wrong but our final path is predetermined. We think we cannot find the strength to do what needs to be done and yet we manage to get through the hardest of times.
Tomorrow Pete will be home, at least for a short while and I will be able to do what I need to do to help him.

Things are Only Things

I entered my home today and realized how empty it was. Oh, the furniture is still there and all my "chachkees" are in place. Nothing has been removed but so much has changed. The computer room is dark and no one is in there watching t.v. with the volume turned up. There is no one at the computer or playing on an I Touch. There are no cups on the table waiting for me to put in the dishwasher. Peter is not here and will probably never be here again. CRAP

Ah, Those Memories

I haven't written in several days. Not that I haven't thought of writing but somehow time got away from me as I prepared for the Passover holiday. I had invited nine for the first night sedar and 16 for the second. So, for three weeks I was busy cooking and baking. My friends thought I was completely out of my mind but they were happy to accept the invitation. I can't say it wasn't hard work but it got my mind off a lot of sadness and as I cooked I remembered so many happy times shared with family and friends.
I remembered following closely and unnoticed behind my grandmother while she put the finishing touches on the holiday table. As she carefully placed a cherry in the middle of each grapefruit I quietly picked it up and ate it. I could see the look on her face as she turned to view the set table only to find the cherries had disappeared.
I remembered the holiday when my mother's matzo-balls turned out to be matzo mush and the time when our dog ran around the house in utter panic after grabbing the horseradish root off the table and eating it. I picture my brother sleeping and snoring on the living room couch after the passover meal.
So many good times, so much to remember. I am lucky to have these memories and rely on them to give me strength and comfort.

When Does The Melting Pot Gel?

Yesterday I was introduced to a friend of a friend and somewhere in the conversation she asked me, "What are you?" So I answered,"I'm the proud mother of three children and three grandsons and happy to be the significant other of a very nice man." "That's not what I meant. What is your ethnic background?" "Oh,you want to know where I come from. I come from Brooklyn. I'm an American."
Many people identify themselves by the country(s)of their ancestors. What I want to know is, how many generations will it take for people people born in the United States to proudly say, "I am an American?"

Look Both Ways When Crossing The Street

As many of you know pedestrians have the right of way in Florida. We can all feel safe walking across the street or going into a store from a parking lot. Today I realized this is not so and Floridians have been given a false sense of security.
As I exited T.J. Max and proceeded to enter the cross walk I saw a car and it seemed to be slowing up to stop for me. I continued to walk and just as I was across a breeze hit me . I quickly turned to see that the car did not stop and almost hit me. Now, the car was going very slow so I called to the driver to stop. The driver stopped rolled down the window, I'd say she was in her mid 80's. I said, " You're supposed to stop for pedestrians." "Oh, yes, dear", she replied "I didn't see the stop sign and thank you for pointing it out to me." I didn't know if she meant the actual stop sign at the end of the road or the tush she almost ran in to.

Drawback to retirement

Well. I just missed the garbage men again. When I retired Pete told me that everyday would be Saturday. And you know, he was right. So why don't they come for the garbage on Saturday. DAH

You Can Only Do Your Best

How many times have you heard "It's o.k. you did your best." What happens when your best isn't good enough? No matter how hard you try you can't win the game, you can't make the grade, you continue to fail. Perhaps it is not you who are failing. Maybe the expectations of others is unrealistic and unfair.