Pre-Move Thank You

before I move from this part of the world that has been home for 44 years, allow me to list a few things I have been most grateful for ...

The beauty of New England, landscape, seasons, history, wildlife
Excellent education- without this, I am not sure where I would be
Friendships - new and very long term. Will always be a part of my life and keep me in check
Family- you brought me here and are the reasons for all the good in my life- too long to list
My history- the person I am today, how I think, who I am, the wonderful man I married, the tears I shed and the laughter, all the good and all the not so good- I am grateful for it all

I am leaving but can one ever leave that which makes us who we are? No, and gratefully never will! ❤️

Leaving it better

The hours are winding down to the day we will officially leave our New England home. There are always mixed feelings...leaving behind friends, family, wonderful neighbors, childhood history and places of life changing events. As I look back at my home in particular, I remember moving in on my first wedding anniversary. How blessed we were to have such a beautiful home! As beautiful as it was, it was a blank canvas for landscaping. Today, as I walked the property, taking pictures of Spring's splendor, I am delighted to know we are leaving our home more beautiful and better than when we got it. It is a true measure of success and delight when I can leave something better than when received. Without any modesty, I proudly declare, "we did good!" The new owner will place their mark and when they are ready to move on, I hope they leave this home more beautiful and better than when they got this lovely home.❤️🏠

MOVING DATE APPROACHING

Getting closer to moving day and it is amazing how much STUFF one can accumulate. Was there a good reason that I purchased and held onto a Batman head PEZ dispenser? Did I think this would turn into a valuable find like a Monet hidden in someone's attic for centuries? The nice thing about sorting through the STUFF is finding sweet little notes from special people in my life - those here and gone! There is something special about a hand written note and how it makes me feel.

Note to self - send a special note to someone for no apparent reason. Pick one friend or family member and write them a hand written letter- pick someone different each month.

The journey continues and the sense of freedom is remarkable - freedom of timetables, freedom of work stress, freedom of STUFF. Simplifying my life, one step at a time. Wish me luck!

My favorite movies are
LOVE ACTUALLY
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER - with Deboroah Kerr
TOMMY BOY
DODGE BALL -will watch whenever it is on - love it

FAVORITE ANIMATED MOVIE - HOODWINKED

Journalists? Really?

OK - I am somewhat addicted to the talking heads on the Sunday morning "news" programs. But when did it become acceptable for a television reporter to be obviously touting the political party that he/she favors? Back in the day ( boy do I sound old) I had a keen interest in journalism. What I understood about a Journalist is their need to find out answers - "Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and How?" These were the questions a true journalist would ask as a standard. Did 24/7 news programs force them to change their core and start to deliver an "opinion" at every opportunity? I find myself increasingly frustrated as I see reporter after reporter being very comfortable leading questions and comments toward their personal philosophy. This is clearly the case for all sides in political debate. It is not fair to defend this attitude with the childish retort-"he did it first!" So what! Has no one in the media the ethical standards to keep their opinion to themself? If I had to name a journalist that was worthy of respect and commitment to the Journalistic standards, it would be Tim Russert. He presented the opposing side of whoever he was interviewing, a devil's advocate in the best sense of the word. If only Tim could have left this world with a suitable replacement, Sunday mornings would indeed have a respectable debate.

The beginning...December 27, 2011

Well hello...This is my first blog post and something I have put off for sometime now. Since every year my New Year's resolution (yes, I make them) is to procrastinate less, I thought I would stop putting off posting my random thoughts on a blog. I started out small this year - I carry around a small journal and whenever I hear a profound (in my opinion) quote, phrase, story, joke, line - worth remembering, I write it down in this little book. Every now and then when I need a little inspiration or a feel good moment, I open the little book and read what I have written. Since my best original thought was somebody else's, I thought this would be worth doing, in the event I needed to use it to sound inspirational, make someone else feel good, or share a laugh. I hope this blog, in retrospect, will also provide me with good memories when I look back in December of 2012 and re-read what I posted - hopefully, the Mayans will allow me to do so. So to anyone who reads this, may 2012 be the year that brings you peace in your heart and something to cherish everyday.