An Invincible Summer - A Woman's Journey

I want to learn how to: SURF - I've been saying it for too long. When will I just do it? I wish I didn't dislike being cold so much or, perhaps, lived in Hawaii. It would make it so much easier. SPEAK FRENCH - I've taken a class or two and I purchased a program to help but my hearing impairment has made it a little hard. I keep trying and I can parle un peu de français  but I'd love to be somewhat fluent. FLIRT - how do some people just know how? And is it ok for an old gal like me to do it? I'm not sure but it would be fun to try. My sister talks about highly estrogenized women....kind of the Marilyn Monroe type. Maybe I need more estrogen. MORE TOLERANCE - of the views of others even if it seems incredibly stupid  (Trump lovers). MEDITATE - and gain control of my anxiety. ELIMINATE EXPECTATIONS FROM MY MIND - no longer thinking that someone will or should do this or that. Being in the moment and living life (As I type this my stomach is in a knot). ...

It is a magical early morning. There's a beautiful cloud cover.... various shades of gray masses. The still dark morning sky peeking through here and there. Some of the clouds are slightly tinged with pink from the just rising Sun. The air is cool and still. It's very quiet or at least it seems quiet to me. I miss my morning runs at this time of day but I no longer feel quite safe down at the beach this early. There's not enough of us early risers to make me feel comfortable with my leisurely jog among the homeless and the addicted.  Trying to get over the flu, I've been a little down and, perhaps, cranky. But this morning reminds me of the things I am grateful for as I pull into the driveway at my office. My introverted tendencies making me glad that mine is the only car around (like it would be any other way at 6:00 am) as I will have it a little bit of time alone before things start to bustle with the energy of these wonderful people. I recorded this stream o...

Good and bad, I love my city. It is where my heart is. Ventura is a very laid back, relaxed town. Culturally diverse, fun and funky... There's about 106,000 people here....76% white, 31% Hispanic, etc.  At the last count, of those 106K people, 306 were homeless. That number seems a little low to me but I'll take it. With all its beauty and great location, it is not cheap to live in Ventura. A young family of 4 needs to have an income of $82,000.00 to live modestly. Childcare and housing being the largest expenses in a budget, averaging around $1150.00 for childcare and $1500.00 for housing, minimum wage jobs just don't cut it. That being said, if you are one of the lucky ones who can afford housing, food and other basics, there are many things to enjoy about our town; 30 Things to Love About Ventura   According to a Washington Post article in 2015,  Ventura County  is the most desirable place to live in America for climate. I can't argue with...

There are six of us...we are a unit but separate. We are so similar but so different. Pam - one short term marriage once a very long time ago. Dog and horse lover (all animals really), introvert, smoker, intensely tough and serious, liberal, guarded and independent. A tender heart covered with scars and crust. Childless (except for the pets), amazing work ethic, loyal. Sally - married twice. The first one was long and he was fairly horrible but she did a great job the second time around. Mother of two boys, grandmother to 6. I once was very close to her but not as much now. Wound tight, extrovert, liberal, remembers every bad thing that you ever did, nurse, confusing to me. Great work ethic, loyal. Laurie - still married to her high school sweetheart. I often wonder how she got it so right. Thoughtful, very introverted, over time has become a great mom to her three kids, grandmother of 5, I would go to her with any problem and know she would consider it carefully, looking at all...

Day 3 or 4 with Scabbers. Got a RAT...in the house. Evading all traps and tricks. Flips us off as he slowly walks by. Somehow the dog is afraid of it. Surely it is in the cupboard right now building a nest to invite all of his ratty ass friends. Bleach wipe-downs do not make me feel at ease.  Although, as rats go, he is kinda cute..........I want him dead. Sorry but DEAD. I want my kitchen back. I want the construction done so all the holes in our house are plugged and secured and so I can go on my rat-free way. Did you know: An adult rat can squeeze into your home through a hole as small as the size of a quarter. According to the Guinness Book of World Records the longest lived domestic rat died at seven years and four months of age (which far exceeds the 2-3 year expected lifespan.) Rats have a powerful social chain of command. The largest and strongest rats will get the best food and harborage. A group of rats is called a mischief. Rats make happy “laught...