Norman's Basset Hound

 Norman lives in Colorado.  He bought a basset hound while he was still living in New York and named him Casanova. Perhaps he had dreamed of being him. His love for his dog was filled with kindness.

 Casanova was not an easy dog to own. He was heavy set, loved to fart and had a hard time moving at a fast pace.  He was fed the finest of foods.  When one would visit his master, we had to pay special attention to the dog, we were immediately asked if we said hello to him looked at him, pet him. We made sure we  laughed at some of his movements. He had a special jeweled bed and at night he slept in his masters room. Norman's Colorado home was on a beautiful piece of property by a river, but there was one problem. In season bears would come on to his property and Cassanova had to be walked. So brave Norman found out what to do in case. He would string  cow bells around his neck and jingle them as he walked. sometimes he would carry pots and pans and bang on them yelling as if there was a bear.  Rain or shine, deep snow or hale Norman would dress himself in cowbells and walk Cassanova. The family was grateful that there was never an incident. 

When Norman went away, Cass. was put into dogie school with room and board at the finest of a facility. He would play with other dogs if he chose.

 

As the  years went on, Cassanova needed an operation on his back and neck.  There was only one specialist in Denver and the only way to get him there was to hire a private jet to fly him to the doctor. Then there was a tumor that developed and he needed surgery again.  It worked and Cass remained in good health for several more years. But then suddenly, when he was thirteen,  he started to take a turn for the worst. 

His back legs went. Norman ordered a cart where the dog could sit, but no sooner than it was unpacked poor Cassanova's  front legs went and it was time. There was no choice.

I received an e-mail from Norman that Cassanova was put to sleep last week, but not before he was fed roast chicken with a side of turkey and carried to the car by two men. Norman placed a full page obituary in the local paper. It read: In Celebration of the Life of Cassanova 3/30 1995- 5/23/2008 My best friend.  

For sure Cassanova is in heaven but I am sure it made no difference to him. He lived a heavenly life all of his life. It should happen to me. Carol Sue Gershamn

 

LORD, MAKE ME WIRELESS

When the Lord creates his new species I hope he will consider making us wireless with an electric  plug.

I go from one plug to another. My computer plug,  my charging cell phone plug, my printer plug, my digitel plug, my wireless box plug, my camera plug that plugs into my computer.

I bought a new Mac computer and I have not left its side. It is filled with life, excitement, new people, new friends,  love connections, photo folders, documents, banks, clothes. O. K. you got it. Then there is the Apple store close by filled with hundreds of computer brains at my service.  Young wholesome men and women who got it all, right up in their brain. I find myself going back and forth with my newest fashion bag, my computer bag, to be part of the high energy of my new world; I can't wait to sign up for their next class plus Starbucks is right next door. Everyone comes to learn. We are back in kindergarten again. Mind you the store has been there for nearly two years and I never noticed.

Actually when it comes down to it,  it is alot less scary, than a  new lover with all of his wires and plugs. 

Do I dare to learn all of this? and spend my old age (now 72) going  from one plug to another? Sure better than going from one Doc to another. I used to like to travel. What for? I have a world right here and I don't have to move from  my bed. There is my land line, cell, wireless lap top,  digital camera ,  digitel T. V. ,  I-pod and or stereo for yoga tapes.

O. K. So I do go to the freezer for a dish of ice cream.

 

 But only until a robut  learns to scoop. 

Carol Sue Gershman 

GOING THROUGH LIFE WITH SOMEONE

I had an interesting two hour telephone conversation with a friend of mine today and we talked about the importance of going through life with someone. She was not referring to marriage or to a best friend even though those are wonderful ways. If one does not have either one of those, knowing someone on this planet who would take a plane down, or run over in case of need is extremely comforting.

I am divorced for many years, but my ex husband and I have stood by each others emotional side for all of our divorced years. I call him in need, good or bad and he does the same. I know he is there for me, and I would hope that he knows that I am there for him. It is good for me, but just maybe it has kept me from meeting a significant other. My need has not been all that great because I know I have him for support. If I was completely emotionally alone, I might have noticed that emotional void more so. So divorce is just a piece of paper. Have I deprived myself of another true relationship, have I chosen guys who I know were incapable of marrying me because that was not my need? Did I boast all of my divorced life that I did not understand the needs of of other women having to go right out and get married, or those who hang on to their children for emotional needs? Did I place myself in a category of being strong and independent when all the time I have been dependent? These are some new thoughts of mine.. Carol Sue Gershman

DO WE REALLY KNOW OURSELVES?

Most of us are programmed to act in a certain way. I for one believe that I have good intentions; therefore I do not realize the impact I might have on another person, especially when it comes to love affairs. Here I am unmarried for the last twenty five years, although I had been married for an equal amount of time. In any event, I must be doing something wrong without realizing what I am actually doing. I scare love away by too much attention or not enough. Take for instance my last love. He adored me without question and I adored him. However, I did not think that leaving him for 2 months to travel, as I liked to do, would be of any consequence to our relationship. I knew that after my trip I would come right back to him. But to that man, at that time, two months was an eternity, not only did he have abandonment issues, but a huge ego and my leaving was showing him that there were other things more important to me than him. To me, it was not big deal. I would be coming back. So when in return he abandoned me for good, I had no idea why. The point of the story is that I need to realize what my impact might be on another person, whether it be a family member, lover or friend. I realize that anyone reading this would say, Hello, where has she been? But maybe I have been completely unaware using the disguise of believing that my good intentions and integrity were enough. Next time around I will ask. Now it is up to them to be able to tell the truth. Carol Sue Gershman

married men, single women

I met a man separated from his wife. By our next date he decided to go back to his wife. (nothing to do with me, I hope.) I was all for it. I believe in marriage. I believe in him trying, so rather than enticing this very sexy interesting charismatic man who possesses great humor, I tried to help him in his marriage. Do I really want to be sneaking around corners at this point of my life, bucking myself up against another woman, I don't think so. He said his wife does not cook. I told him to cook. I told him how to entice her, set the table with the finest, light a candle and ring a dinner bell. Before I knew it he was cooking for his entire family. How great when a man is vulnerable enough to listen to a woman. Is that not want we women want? I like him and I would much prefer a friendship with him rather than to be the other woman . I would like to see him give himself time. Maybe they have outgrown each other; then again maybe they can pick up the pieces and go on. They have history. Bravo you married men who stay with your wives and don't cheat and do try. Bravo you single women who do not wow the man away from his wife. Integrity is everything, I believe. Carol Sue Gershman

Insecure Nasty Women

Some, (or is it most of us ) are envious. Women will take the opportunity to put another woman in harms way. I personally am sick of some of my lady friends who are insecure within themselves and need to find their own power through lashing out and testing me as a friend. I am a kind soul. It is hard for me to comprehend the viciousness in other women. Jealous women have a biting way about them, their only way to feel superior. Let me give you examples and it will be for you to decide.

Case 1. I went out with two lady friends several weeks back. It was a lovely evening and we sat in an outdoor cafe sharing a booth with a young couple and their precious son. Well, the couple whipped out their cigarettes and filled the booth with smoke enveloping not only us but the lungs of their adorable son. I looked at that precious little 3 year old and thought how terrible; his own parents doing him so much harm. So when they left , and yes they were a nice friendly couple, I said to her, "my wish for you is to stop smoking in front of your adorable child." She glanced at me awkwardly with no response and kept walking.

My two friends, had a response. They thought I acted disgracefully stating it was none of my business and I should have kept my mouth shut. I apologized if I had embarrassed them, but told them both that their reaction to what I said seemed worse than what I actually said. Well one friend let me have it. "What you did was disgraceful. do you know how you made that couple feel,where do you come off talking like that to another person when it is none of your business." She was yelling at me telling me my actions were beyond her thinking to the point that I choked on my food and went home truly with a migraine headache. Now tell me is this a friend? One that would intentionally insult and embarrass me even if she did not agree with my actions? I do not say that I was all right, I did make the couple feel bad, but maybe in some way I impacted them enough not to smoke in front of their child. My friend abuser had a great time hurting me while my other friend sat mute. My point is, in one million years I would not lash out at a friend in that way. She was mean. I might disagree, but never would I demoralize the other person. I let it slide and attuned her birthday party and then one day when we out having fun eating ice cream, this same person let me know that I do many things not to her liking and she finds that I never apologize. I asked her what I should apologize for. At that point rather than take more of her abuse and especially not allowing me to enjoy my ice cream, I got up and went home. She e mailed me the next day trying to make amends but truly I had it from her.

case 2... a friend had to have minor surgery. I offered to drive her to the hospital. She found some one else to take her. I offered the next day to take her back and forth for her follow up but she did not want to bother me. When I called the next day to see how it all went, she said, I did not want to impose on you. I said, I offered and waited for your call to take you. Then she said, I would like a rye bread. It was pouring out and I was home for the day and responded, "do you mind if I bring the bread in the morning?"Well, she brushed me off of the telephone as if to say, "see, I knew you really did not want to help me out. "I was amazed. I decided anyway to drop the bread off the next day with a note telling her that I hope she felt better. She is the same friend who accused me of having a connection with her boyfriend several months ago. She felt that way because I was interested in hearing her tell me about him and would often give her advice, maybe sometimes taking his side. Dear Readers, I was not in the slightest interested in him.
I was abused in case 1 and in case 2, I was being tested. Refusing to get her a rye bread proved to her, I was not a friend. Having extended myself to taking her to the hospital was unimportant. If I sound as though I am complaining, I am. These two ladies were friends and meant something to me, but I have to assume that they have a love hate relationship with me and are jealous. What are your thoughts? Have you had similar situation?

I believe with the friends that I have just described, I need new friends. Tell me, what do you think?

LIFE IS EXCITING

Because it is life and I am here to live it.

Had a wonderful week; second part of book has been re edited. I am getting closer to publishing it once again and that means promoting it. It is an enormous task and I need to get started. As aggressive as I am, I am finding it difficult. The Black Man, The Jewish Lady and the Road trip will be a best seller if I can get it out there. Why? It is timely, interesting, informative, fun, and sexy. Oh yes, there are plenty of P. R. firms to do that kind of work, but I think a bit too costly when I know I can do the same thing my self.

Well now, I have connected with a Hollywood Director who is reading the script. He is interested in Part 1 and has urged me to send him the next 2 parts asap. Part 2 is now in the mail. Who would not dream of having their book turned into a movie; could I wish for anything greater than that at 72 years old?

The road trip takes place from Miami to Montreal, back through Vermont Pennsylvania, West Virgina, Tennessee and Alabama; 14 states in all. My hope is to follow the road trip signing books in each of the cities and towns we visited. I have just begun to contact each stop along the way and set up a tour. More later. Carol Sue Gershman