Things really do not make you happy. They really don’t. The only thing that does is love. The people who are in your life whom you love. I just came back from NYC where I met my sister and her husband briefly. We went to an outstanding art museum (and NY is full of them). First we had lunch or should I say brunch in an outstanding bagel shop. I had something that is almost impossible to get in Pa–a good salt bagel. I had come a long distance on Amtrak for this rendezvous to spend some time with my family or at least part of my family. Then we walked around and viewed art in a nearby museum. I was amazed how quickly I became tired. After an hour and an half we sat and ate at the restaurant in the museum. It was more to rest than to eat. I was glad to see my sister and her husband. They were in from California. My family this year threw me a birthday party. I can’t remember the last one thrown by my family. It was my sister’s idea. I did see the rest of my family that day at least my other sister and her husband. I no longer remember whether my nephew was there and his wife. I think they were. It was a perfect day. I will not forget it for awhile. I did see my nephew (and his wife) on this trip to NY. The train ride was fun.
Tags: a perfect day, Amtrak, art museums in NYC, bagel shop, California, family, family birthday party, love is the only thing that matters, my nephew, my sister, my trip into NYC to see family, NY, PA, salt bagel, things don't make you happy, train ride, visiting family
Posted in art, love, relationships, time, wisdom |
My birthday was actually two weeks long this year. My sisters (and their husbands) threw me a birthday bash at a beautiful restaurant with the Susquehanna River in the background. My sister in California arranged her itinerary (she and her husband were going to Spain) to be there. 
The last time were were all together was two summers ago although this time my nephew and wife were there. We were a party of thirteen. I also invited some friends. The weather was perfect (we ate on the deck of the restaurant) and so was the food. We were commemorating my sixty-fifth birthday. My one sister made the same cake my Mom used to make for our birthdays. She went to a lot of trouble for me. I don’t have many relatives but they are scattered from Shore to Shore. Maybe if I make it we will have a seventieth birthday party. We will see.
Tags: birthday, birthday cake, birthday party, California, family, family get-together, friends, my Mom, my sisters, my sisters are scattered from Shore to Shore, nephew, perfect weather, restaurant, sixty-fifth birthday party, Susquehanna River
Posted in beauty, life, local, love, marriage, nature, relationships, seasons, time |
It was April 14–still no hummingbirds. I keep looking out my window and wonder when I will see the first one. Pretty soon I will have to put out fresh nectar. It only lasts so long. I will have to consult my bird journal to see when I put out the nectar. It always amazes me. Did one fly thousands of miles and remember the spot I put out nectar last year or how did they locate my nectar for the first time! Every year I wait for them to appear outside my large living room window. My sister who lives in California gets different species of hummingbirds. We don’t here: The ruby throated hummingbird is the only variety in the East. Hummingbirds are marvelous to watch.
Tags: bird feeding, birds, California, hummingbirds, my sister, nectar, ruby throated hummingbirds, the first hummingbird of the season
Posted in beauty, birds, knowledge&learning, local, nature, seasons, time |
How many more opportunities will I have to see my sisters? We are meeting them both at the PA and NJ border. My one sister now lives in California and comes East maybe once a year. My other sister has a second home in Plymouth. We used to always go to her house for Thanksgiving in NJ once a year. Now she has it in Plymouth and that is just too far from us. I just wonder how many more opportunities will I have to see them together. We never know how much time we have so all I can do is enjoy the time He gives me. It is really not up to me. Time is a gift. And we never know when it runs out.
Tags: California, enjoy the time He gives me, family, God, how much time we have, NJ, PA, Plymouth, sisters, thanksgiving, time is a gift
Posted in death, God, life, love, relationships, seasons, time, wisdom |
There was a surprise in the middle of the large field glanced from a speeding train. I no longer remember what state I was in. I was traveling to California. There was a male turkey with its wings completely unfurled. I had never seen a male do that. I, of course, have seen pictures of it but this was a first time I ever saw it in the wilds. I was thrilled to say the least.
Tags: bird-watching, birds, California, in the wilds, large field, male turkey, surprise, train
Posted in beauty, birds, God, knowledge&learning, nature, time |
I was just depressed. The holidays were done. It was January and the winter and cold were here to stay. At least for three months. My future prospects did not seem good.
I always wondered how it would be not to live in a temperate climate–something I have done all my life. My nephew did his undergraduate work at Berkeley and once he had a taste of living in a climate where it does not get too cold, he wanted to go back.
I always wondered how it would be. I have never been to California. And never liked the cold although spring was always my favorite season. I just wanted to get through another winter and it was just beginning and I was depressed by all that. And did not know what to do but just to bear it and wear warmer clothing and stay in and somehow keep warm.
Tags: Berkeley, California, cold weather, depressed, don't like cold weather, holidays, January, keep warm, nephew, spring my favorite season, stay indoors, temperate climate, undergraduate, warm climate, wear warm clothing, winter
Posted in balance, life, local, mental health, nature, seasons, time |
