A Paper Purist



No downloaded paper for me!



Monday through Saturday it remains in a separated neatly piled stack in the upper left-hand corner of my kitchen island. But that all changes on Sunday when I ensconce myself on the couch and clear my mind's clutter for one of my favorite indulgences--one page turned at a time, savoring ink stained fingers and all.

Today I am grateful for:

*Digesting the Sunday paper cover to cover.

Muscle Motivator...

My personal trainer

When it comes to working out I've never done group (my lack of balance is one-enough-said reason!) unless it's hiking with my family.

To remain truly motivated, I've always gravitated towards activities that require that least amount of effort before I exert any myself.

Lace up a pair and hit the trail.

My natural surroundings provide all the motivation I need. Open space.The breathtaking Rockies. Even wildlife beyond the canine variety.

But in the winter months when that requires layering up in fleece, I opt out of the wind chill factor and head for the rec center.


Initially I struggled with the challenge to stay focused as my natural motivators were now artificial in nature--a trio of wall-mounted LCD screens; grunting outbursts from the over-muscled and the clanging of metal against metal. 

I needed to tune out all the distractions!

I briefly entertained investing in a personal trainer to stay driven, but decided I needed the commitment to come from within.

Thankfully, I have a nearly daily private session to get me through lap after lap and rep after rep.

Today I am grateful for:

*my 1st generation iPod--it's the best investment in a personal trainer I've ever made.



Seeing is Believing...

"A good coach will make his players see what they can be rather than what they are."

--Ara Parasheghian


My daughter's beaming smile speaks volumes. It's a smile she's been wearing ever since a coach took a chance on her and gave Hannah the opportunity to join swim team.

Months ago Hannah had never set foot on a diving block nor could she dive.  Streamline. Flip turns. Dolphin kicks. Psych sheets. IM's. She's also mastered an entirely new language and setting new challenges for herself.

All because of a coach who saw and believed.

Today I am grateful for:

*Coaches.

For the daily, nightly and weekend sacrifices they make while being away from their own families.

Easier on the Eyes...

I consider myself lucky that middle age hasn't affected my eyesight yet. Even without the need for reading glasses, I prefer to enjoy one of my favorite indulgences super-sized.

Today I am grateful for:

*Large print books.

"The advantage of being eighty years old is that one has many people to love." ~ Jean Renoir



Nov. 1967; Westwood, CA



Today I am grateful for:

*Celebrating my dad's 80th birthday.

Happy Birthday Dad!



Aug. 1968; Westwood, CA





A Scoop of Nostalgia...

A Scoop of Perfection

Ah nostalgia. The yearning for the past. I associate many a past memory with food, specifically ice cream.

Growing up in Tustin, Calif., I frequented the Baskin-Robbins at the corner of Irvine Blvd. and Newport Ave. as much as I possibly could, especially during the summer months. Sure the square scoops across the street at Kresge's were cheaper (15 cents for one scoop; a quarter for two), but there was something unappealing about the way the pimple-faced server swiped-rather-than-rinsed the ice cream scoop across what appeared to be a moldy orange counter sponge.

Baskin-Robbins boasting its 31 flavors for every day of the month was my preference.

Chocolate. Vanilla. Strawberry. I didn't gravitate towards the standard popular flavors. My ice cream craving palette sought sophistication. Rocky Road.  Pink Bubblegum. German Chocolate Cake. My all-time-remains-to-this-day favorite is still Jamoca Almond Fudge. No need for the iconic pink spoon. Two scoops atop a sugar cone please.

Sweet savory perfectly delivered nostalgia one lick at a time.

Today I am grateful for:
*The surprise pint of nostalgia in the freezer!

A Slow Saturday Start...

The alarm clock gets a rare reprieve today. Hubby has taken Hunter for one on one time. Hannah hosting a sleeping-in-late sleepover. Koufax content taking in sun-before-the-predicted-snow on the deck.

Today I am grateful for:

*A no-reason-to-rush-easy-does-it day.