mother nature is a man and other observations..

I have always believed that kindness is contagious. Certain acts of kindness are so easy to do. A smile to a stranger who looks sad can sometimes bring great results.
Something that takes no time is praise. People always seem eager to complain, but when service is excellent, there is more you can do than just say thank you. Even in my twenties I remember shopping in the local department store and when a salesperson went out of their way, I would always ask who their manager was so I could give a compliment. I have continued to do this whether in a store, restaurant, phone help or any service given to me. Why not? It’s just a step further than thank you. I usually say the same thing…the person is a great asset and made my experience lovely.
So last year, after shopping many times in a neighborhood store called Rainbow Shop, Vicki seemed to be there all the times that I was there….. going out of her way to show me where things were, handing me coupons when they were offered and her personality lite up the store. This is a large shop with items of every conceivable need. Household items, hardware, keys made, nutrition bars, candy, gum, and stationery and greeting cards. There is very little that they don’t have available. Everyone in the store is eager to please. It seemed though that when I was there, so was Vicky. So one day I had to ask her who her manager was so I could tell them what an asset she was to the store.
Vicky smiled and said she was the owner. I was not surprised.
I smiled back and we hugged and I told her to give herself a raise.

This is the third part of the trilogy of my truth. First was Allegory/Alleglory..Second was Short Sad Story and now this.
It’s not possible for me to meet someone on Tinder..(no longer on).. that I would want to see twice. It’s not possible he would be so educated, so sophisticated, so traveled, so appealing, and so selfless.
It’s just not possible that after 12 years. But, it was, and I did, and we met…….once.
Why wasn’t it possible for him to be age appropriate? Why wasn’t it possible for him to be in one place for longer than two months. Why wasn’t it possible to meet again and see what was possible. So, it became impossible, and then it was over. I was relieved because it was not meant to be.
And then he appeared again. And maybe the impossible could become———————————————–
And then again, maybe not.
“Feel my words.” I said.
He said he did.
It’s our choice..It’s our experience..It’s our lesson. It’s our possibility.

I try to stay apolitical on my blog, because I know so little about politics and politicians, and what I do know, I have little trust
I’m fortunate to be invited with my family to a wonderful holiday dinner….terrific friends and food and look forward every year to this delightful occasion. So much to be thankful and grateful for, and that is reinforced every year.
Very simply, I just want to use this venue to wish all who celebrate a joyous Happy Thanksgiving, and I will give special thanks if politics isn’t discussed in any way at the celebration I’m attending. I’m almost sure we all voted the same, but still would love the occasion to be a gentle one.

What a wonderful new BFF I have. Not even human, but never the less, a most important addition to my life. Well, there is a human in the equation. The Via driver, almost always, there to please.
I used to go from East Side to West Side to my kids apartment. It was always under $10 one way depending on the traffic. Usually less, even with a tip. But that was, and now it’s anywhere from $12 to $20, Anyone that has taken a taxi, knows the helpless feeling when caught in traffic and the meter keeps going up and up and up.
So now enters Via. A car service that cost $5.00 anywhere in the city. Now they have expanded into Brooklyn. You have to share the ride, almost always a new van. Very clean. You’re picked up and dropped off within a block or two, and mostly even closer. There can be,in commuter hours as many as four others in the car. I have been in a Via by myself most of the time.
I have noticed there is a certain Via Etiquette that is observed by almost all of the passengers. NO cell phones re talking. Cell phones used but no sounds. Occasionally the text is heard. The passengers don’t talk to one another either. Picture the noise and sometime insanity of the city and knowing for the duration of your ride, peace and quiet. No news, thank the universe……Sometimes the driver has new age or classical music playing….very softly.
If you take a friend with you, it’s an additional $3.00. I rarely take the subway or taxi. I like the bus or walk. Now I have my own driver creating a safe and quiet environment.
If there is any problem, and I have had some re destination, the company has integrity to rectify the situation.
What’s going on in the world is not exactly calming, so getting from one place to another has now become my peace of mind.
One problem…some of the drivers have that thing hanging from the rear view mirror and the smell is horrible.
Worse than horrible, it gives me a headache.
Fortunately not all have it and if they did, I might have to check to see if that could be included in the rules of etiquette. No hanging green things.
I do look forward to my next Via trip because I know I will get to my destination in a new, scent free, quiet, car driven by a kind person, and no meter ticking away at my wallet.
Welcome Via to NYC

I wrote a post called Friendship Garden. In essence it’s about removing toxic plants to make room for beautiful new ones. Of course it was a metaphor about letting go of people who are not healthy for you to be near. I call it emotional housecleaning. The same way it feels good to get rid of “stuff”, the feeling is even better when the stuff happens to be people. I don’t like using the words get rid of when it comes to humans, a bit harsh…I use letting go. The more you let go of negative energy that other people create for you, or you allow them to create, the better you feel and the healthier you are emotionally and physically.
I find I do this periodically because you can’t be all things to all people. You love and adore your family and that’s where expectations are the highest. When you have friends “who get you,” there is nothing like that feeling. Its nourishing. It’s joyful. It’s the way it ought to be.
So when you have someone in your life who is excessively needy, and in my case, I’m talking about a woman friend or ex friend, who’s extremely narcissistic, when it’s only and all about her, you can make excuses for a time, you can even get along, for a time, but eventually the time comes when it is easier to not have them in your life. That’s a decision you have to make, and be comfortable with. (Fortunately she doesn’t read my blog.)
I often wonder why it is so much easier for me to let go of a negative toxic person than it is of clothes I haven’t worn in 50 years……..but you never know, I might have an occasion to wear……and the person? A No! Well, I am forever grateful to have so many friends for so many years and just as important new, interesting, and wonderful new friends that are just waiting to bloom.

When I was young, it seemed people you loved never moved away. At least not far away.
I’m not complaining because I am forever grateful to have sons that at least live in this country. My oldest fortunately lives a bus away with his family. My granddaughter in NYC fortunately.
My younger son and his family live in Southern California, and my two grandsons live there when not in college in Idaho.
My very special birthday was celebrated and made even more special in California when we were all together. Never enough time though….So my younger son came for a visit last week. He wasn’t even able to stay a full week. I realized as I do every day that you must focus on the positive. At least he was here. At least we had some laughs…and he had enough food that he doesn’t get very often in California to last, at least another year.
So instead of focusing on the fact he lives tooooooo far away, I’m looking forward to his next visit or mine to California.
It’s all about being grateful for what I have, and exalting in that feeling.
And that’s just the way it is. Any parent that has adult children or grandchildren living a distance away knows exactly the feelings I’m having right now. He left a few hours ago. Hopefully safe and sound on the West Coast tomorrow. His flight was delayed so long that he will miss his connecting flight in Atlanta, Hotel vouchers were handed out, and he’ll spend the night in Georgia. Think that’s the name or should be of a song…
No matter how old they are, no matter how far away they live….the love just increases…