Don't forget to smell the flowers

We met at a lovely sushi restaurant. When he walked in, I knew he was not for me but never=the =less, I always enjoy meeting new people. He was much older than he looked which was a plus. From several wives, women, he accumulated 8 children, 2 adopted.
He must have told me 2 times at least what he did but I still could not figure it out; somehow his sentences rambled making no sense to me. No matter what I said, he turned it into a lecture with questions period. With crossed hands, probably feet too, holding on to the table he went on to many topics asking many questions. I knew he was struggling. To impress me? to show himself how bright he was? As the evening went on (food delicious) I was becoming more and more exhausted and bored. Finally, I told him in the nicest way possible, because he was nice, that he was quite intense. He said, "I have been told that before," I assume he thought it was a compliment and so he continued on. When the dessert menu came and he asked what I wanted, I knew I could not stay any longer, I had to get out. But then too ease his pain, I asked him, "What is your favorite flower" "Alpine, he responded. I asked when he first saw it and what it was about the flower that made him love it. Slowly, he uncrossed himself, leaned back opening his arms wide and smiling. "You are good, he said." You see I took him out of his pain and performance and brought him down to love. I stood up and said, "You need a hug, keep it simple my friend," and left the restaurant. Here is the poem he sent the next day.
Alpine flower, clear and bright
Perfection not purpose, is your plight
Delicate and graceful, upright on barren soil
Each pedal a dream, and a sensual foil
Robust and resilient, many seasons you have seen
Not cynical nor jaded, by winter, nor by drought
You guard your self, lest someone doubt
The true beauty that sits and resides in thee
Even a blind man cannot diminish the beauty that be
To be seen is not the reason thou be, more now
Hands need not prove your gentle touch
It is real, to those and all with much
A headless man could never taste, nor smell,
All that makes your spirit alive and well
The same you are, no more, nor less
It is not about any of the rest,
You hold the key to your inner beauty that be

Growing up at age 74

I do believe at 74 I have grown up a bit (don't laugh, its true) Usually when I go to Ca. I want to of course see everyone but then go out and have fun, dinners, parties, etc. But this trip I only wanted to be with my son, daughter-in-law and 2 grand kids. I felt blessed and happy spending most time at home.

First I will begin to tell you that they were not home when I arrived. Well I knew that they were in Aspen and missed their flight and would not be in till the next day.

For me it was great. I don't know bout you but I kind of feel bombarded getting off a long flight meeting, and kissing and hugging. This time I took a taxi, found the key to their gorgeous house, showered and relaxed. Next morning I bought groceries and prepared dinner for their homecoming. When they walked through the door it was brilliant to meet, greet, hug and kiss.

I visited their schools, sat in as a teachers helper, my son Roger invited me for a delightful lunch and visit to his sumptuous office. Daria and I went to the gym, had lunch and shopped and the last day we got into our pj's at 4:30 and just hung out with the kids till my son got home.

Highlight: I have begun a children's book and the kids class loved it. What greater test is that?

Do I have to tell you how much I adore the kids? Well I will; I am in love.
Carol Sue Gershman

Wow, could they eat

Today I went to a small breakfast cafe in Ca.
A decent looking couple sat next to me awaiting their food. She ordered a 3 stack of pancakes with a side of eggs and he ordered eggs Benedict with fried potatoes. The food really looked good and was prepared well.
While I was waiting for my vegetable white egg omelet, I had nothing else to do but watch them.
She coated them with lots of butter and then poured the syrup over, not so unusual but watching her devour those pancakes dipping into her egg was something else. They both ate in total silence; they had been chatty before.
Half way through they exchanged plates. He now had the pancakes and she had the Egg Benedict. She delved into her new order without even taking a small breather, and lapped it up with the french fries her friend had left.
Then they exchanged again.
He had left some pancakes and with the remainder came more butter and more syrup. Yum Yum.
Now of course this was all accompanied by a double size cappuccino.
Truly I have not seen people eat that much since 35 years ago at a Livingston Diner in N. J. when 3 very overweight people came in and ordered much the same and at the time dazzled me.
P. S. My omelet was delicious; I was full and wondered how they really felt from such a breakfast.
Have you ever eaten that way?
Carol Sue Gershman

My poor little Mustang

Oh, Look what happened to gorgeous Ms. Florida Convertible. Parked out in the cold and weighed down with snow. What was even more uncanny was me getting into it with a long fake fur coat, boots, gloves, hat and ear muffs.
It is all a far cry from the breezy, easy "Jewish Lady, Black Man's Road Trip. "
Carol Sue Gershman

Avitar/ not a fan

Yes, the world is going ga ga over Avatar but I did not. Yes I know it had many spiritual messages both racy, good vs. evil with the heroic savior, but I must say I squirmed for at least half of it. Lucky for me I am a meditator and when there is no other escape, I meditate, a great practice for any of us. I don't mean to say my meditation goes on for long intervals but when I can't take the boredom I leave for a few moments. I found the movie aggravating and loud. I found it brutal and ugly with gorgeous scenery. I thought the floating mountains were awesome but all and all I walked out feeling down and depressed. Oh well, maybe it was just me but am I that alone in this world? I liked the 3 D , that's fun and also seeing it today a snowy day in NYC was also fun... I was grateful when it was finally over. Hooray! I saw it and now I never have to see it again.
Carol Sue Gershman

Are you a sitter or a recliner

I am a recliner. By that I mean when I am home I do not enjoy sitting in a chair or on a sofa. I love to lay around on a bed or lie down on a couch
.
My girlfriend Janice likes to sit. Once she gets out of bed in the morning, she does not lie down again till she goes back to bed in the evening.

My girlfriend Clara likes to recline. Sitting in a chair exhausts her. When she visited Janice, she was sitting up-right in a chair for hours as they gossiped away. She had to leave the room and go to bed earlier than usual as sitting knocked her out.

Me? My old apartment had beds throughout..My patio had a divine bed to lounge, my living room was set up with futons so even when company came we would lounge on the futon beds and then of course I had my real bed. I would go from the patio bed, to the living room bed, to my bed.

So what about you? Are you a sitter or a recliner? Have you ever given it a thought?
Carol Sue Gershman

A sabatical

Sometimes we need to get away... know what I mean? even from our own selves. I was feeling quite sluggish so this week in NYC I stayed home, fasted and slept... I fasted on water and light tea. At night I had blueberries. I slept practically all day. It was the foods I had been eating that dragged me down and tired me out. I could not believe how great I felt the next day. Transformation. It is really important to watch the foods we eat. Green tea is my indulgence but even a little caffeine accumulated can hurt my system. Also bread is a difficult one. Better not to eat it or eat wheat free bread. Be careful with what you put into your mouth each day. It will make the difference on how you perform and feel during the day.
I also think past a certain age, too much exercise may be difficult on our bodies. My motto is be careful. Our wonderful bodies need to be babied; especially those of us who are seniors. Take care of you.
Carol Sue Gershman