Focused at Fifty

"2020 is a dumpster fire"  Sorting through paperwork of years' past, I came across this list below which I had sent my Mom back in August of 1992! I was pleasantly surprised when I came across it. I don't know where it comes from. I may have even wrote it myself.  To update it, I added some quips and quotes after each one. Honestly, 28 years later, the list doesn't need much updating. But what's a blog post without at least a little bit of my bite. Enjoy and stay safe and healthy everyone!  1. Eat with chopsticks (Most days I cannot even handle a fork.) 2. Share a task (Or just let it go, someone else may do it!)  3. Ask for a back rub (Max the Cat gives excellent back rubs with his paws. He's cheap, just some catnip!)  4. Walk to the nearest park (But you may receive a ticket for non-social distancing.)  5. Bake bread (I know alot of you have been doin' this! I just EAT bread.)  6. Enjoy silence (Really ... shut the heck up...

"A Fav Pic, 1988, Mom and me" During my isolation with the coronovirus pandemic, I have like many of us, been sifting through mounds of papers we have a habit of keeping. Bills, newspaper articles, old cards ... you name it, I got it! I came across an old weathered newspaper article that my mother had sent me back in the late 90s. She was always sending me nuggets of wisdom and lists to help get me though life.  I find it particularly meaningful that I rediscovered this article the day before the 11th anniversary of her passing away. It was as if she were exclaiming from the great beyond, "Don't forget about your Jewish mother! I am still here to give you advice!" And how could I? Not a day goes by that my thoughts do not turn to her in some way or form.  Therefore, this blog is dedicated to the  memory of my mom, Abby. Her wisdom and guidance is still making its way into my life as I approach my 50th birthday.  A couple of the items are a li...

"Sports Antiques from our Collection"  A lot of you may be surprised to find this out but I like sports. After years of watching them on the couch with the Big Ragu, I have really come to enjoy watching them either on TV or live. Like the majority of folks, m ore than likely  it's gonna be on TV. Tickets to any major sporting event are so expensive. Sure you can get nose bleed seats but you always get a better view on your couch and there's no line for food or the head. However, nothing beats the camaraderie of sporting fans up in the nose bleed sections of ANY stadium or sports arena. You can get that live sporting-thrill by going to local little league, high school or college games without breaking the bank on tickets. There are even sporting clubs such as rugby or touch football leagues where you can see some rough action without spending a dime. Just bring your own lawn chair and favorite libation! Unfortunately due to the Novel Coronovirus, all that has ...

"Hanging out with a Feathered Friend" Hey Kids! I want to push POSITIVITY today! So maybe today, just do something for yourself. Treat yourself. Or do something to make yourself  feel better! It could be looking up a favorite topic on Wikipedia and learning about it. Or maybe making a favorite dish that you love cooking. Looking through old photographs, playing a favorite CD. There are tons of stuff you can do to make this raining day better! Just do what will make you feel better and more positive about life! It doesn't have to cost anything. Why why why do you ask? I think we all need a bit of pampering know and then. Life is tough enough, so each day maybe take some time out for yourself to pump yourself up, increase your knowledge, make you feel better about YOU! Here are a couple of other things I have done to make myself feel better about myself (and yes, some do cost money but others do not)! I made brownies just for the hell of it just because I lo...