Focused at Fifty

Happy New Year! So once again as this year draws to a close we are being bombarded with of the "end of the year" lists and reviews. I guess this one is especially poignant as it is also the end of the decade. The news outlets are each doing a reflection and review of the 2010s. I will not bore you with the specific ups and downs of my life. If you read my blog or follow me on social media, you pretty much get the gist of how my year has gone. I do want to tell you that through the year's disappointments and heartaches, laughter and fun times, I have survived and I've come out stronger that I was before, albeit a bit grayer too! I recommend therapy if you want to rip yourself down to the core and build yourself back up. 😛  It's extremely insightful in figuring out why you tick. But it was also an extremely emotionally exhausting journey which I am still on. I've never felt more aware of my existence as well as my reasons for making certain

"MAX, the snuggle-bug" Certain mornings I feel weary from the world, Just laying in bed with just enough energy to gaze outside. Birds are chirping, even on this cold early winter morning. The sun dapples so brightly through the remaining pin oak leaves. Those leaves,  although crinkly and brown, remain ever so steadfast holding on for life. To my right I feel the soft warm body of my lovable snugglebug of a tom-cat Max. I smile as I nudge him; he purrs in response, stretching out a paw towards my hand, then a cold little nose to my palm. Perhaps I will stay in bed just a little bit longer, another 5 minutes, another 30, another hour. I drift in and out of sleep. Max’s purrs now become light snores. The weight of my comforter envelopes me, cocoons me in safety. So warm and so safe. Evergreen branches scratch at the window, beckoning me to finally rise. In a few minutes I say to myself, in a couple, maybe in awhile. Fow now, the pea

"Gossip - At every Sip a Reputation Dies" ***Blogger's note:  I did not write this but wanted to share as it is an important reminder on the dangers of gossiping! "My Name is Gossip" (author unknown) My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice. I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives. I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed. My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face. To track me down is impossible. The harder you try, the more elusive I become. I am nobody's friend. Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same. I topple governments and wreck marriages. I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights, heartaches, and indigestion. I make innocent people cry into their pillows. Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip. I makes headlines and headaches. Before you repeat a story, ask yourself: Is it tr