Bike

I have a beach cruiser bike that I have not used in a year. Yes, I said it. We got these bikes a few years ago and have only used them here and there.

When we had some property in the beach area we were able to use them and go to a local pub and around town. That is not the only time we used them, we took them to the park once and did a day trip to the beach with them and another couple.

It’s not that we don’t have the time, we don’t make the time. We really need to get out of the house more often. We sit in offices and then sit at the house. That is way too much sitting down.

For a change we took our bikes into our down town area and got some ice cream after dinner. It only took us about 10 minutes and it was nice and cool. Since I am short I forgot that sitting on the bike makes me a bit higher. It makes for a different perspective.

The ride into down town, I took it easy. Yes, riding a bike is something you never forget; I just needed to get used to it again. There were lots of other bikers out all evening. I had no idea, but I have been inside in the evenings.

Besides getting an ice-cream we walked around the down town area and checked out some of the shops and all. There is a running theme in my town, tattoos. There are about 5 or 6 in a few blocks. I hadn’t realized how many were around. I have to say I am surprised that enough people still have money to spend.

On the ride home and I rode a little faster. For one reason, to increase my heart rate and the other, my inner child was telling me to get home before dark. Also for safety reasons, I don’t have any lights on my bike. There was a nice breeze and it felt good to get out and about. One of the nice things about summer; that it is comfortable enough to be outdoors and even though it is the end of July, I need to spend more time on my bike and doing other things to get out of the house.

I feel like I’m getting cabin fever from being home too much. That is something I need to change. Part of that has been because of my pups, now they are old enough for me not to worry so much about them. Soon it will be time to take them on walks, good thing they will be with their new families by then. Sure I can’t afford a vacation, so it’s time to be creative in finding relief from the everyday.

Break

In this heat we all need a break. A lot of us go to the beach, this past Monday I did. There was no break from the heat, and even though it was over cast, it was still hot and I got my first sunburn of the summer.

Not that I minded, since I needed a break from my pups and chickens. We all need a break from work and family. As long as it refreshes and keeps us sane. Some take too long of a break and they end up being lazy. Some never work hard enough to need a break.

On that afternoon I was able to walk along the shore, get cooled off in the water. Also I took some time to read and listen to my ipod. A great way to drown out the kids screaming, by the way. For that time I didn't need to help or cook or clean, just relax. Once we get that break we can face the rest of it.

As long as we pull up or socks the rest of the time and really get things done. It should not be an excuse to keep relaxing and keep laying around. There are so many things I want to accomplish and I know its not going to happen if I don't work at it. I can't expect to do one big thing and then never have to work again. Or just sell one book and surf the rest of my life.

Now is not the time to quite life. A break is just that, something to break up the normal routine and get your mind together. There is a time when you need to get back to the chores and mail and bills.

Since I am not longer a child and I don't have three months off a year, a break is all I can afford. I will however, have a lot of things I can look back at and say, "I was able to do all that" and no one can take that away from me.

Summer

There are a few things I enjoy to do during the summer. There is a farmer’s market and beer garden in my hometown, it’s only open during the spring and summer months. We get fresh veggies and then spend some time with friends and have a few beers. There are also a few vendors with food; I have been getting the chicken and mushroom crepes.

This weekend marks my return to see the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. We get tickets every summer season. We take a picnic dinner and wine and enjoy ourselves in the evenings. Our friends are going to meet with us this Saturday and we can have dinner together before the concert starts. We always get the same seats and it’s so much fun and relaxing. I haven’t spent too much time with my friends, so it will be a real treat this weekend.

I have not been to the beach in a while and I need to go soon. The pups will soon have new homes to go to and I won’t have to be picking up after them. I love my pups and they are great, they do have the tendency to keep me home for a while. Not that it is the same thing as having children, so I can’t complain too much.

There are things I don’t like about the summer, my boss/friend gets grumpy working in the heat and it’s not a good time for him. When it’s really hot, I end up running to Sonic a lot and getting lime aids, it really helps. We have the A/C on and drink lots of water, but there is only so much we can do. Sometimes you just have to stop of a minute and cool down. Most of my entertaining happens during the summer, since I don’t have a big dining room. Summer also means BBQ and having friends over for dinner.

Another friend loves the heat. Of course they are very slender and it doesn’t affect them the same way it does when you are heavy. It can just be a matter of using tons of baby powder and showering more. I end up doing a lot more laundry during the summer. There is no way to make things last more than one wearing.

I can’t wear the same clothes I do in winter, my nice dressy things. They are just too hot it makes me long for the fall. Not that I am in a hurry to have it be cool, I just want to enjoy the beach a bit more, before it’s so cold and I have to take off my wet suit while the wind whips my behind. Till then, I will enjoy nice long summer nights and my favorite pass times.

Positive

There are many things that can keep us positive during these difficult times. We have to stop and count our blessings as it was. Sure things are much more difficult than they were last year. What have we done to help ourselves in the mean time?

I have been raising chickens and have gotten a few eggs from them. The last few days they have not laid anything. It maybe they are too tired from the heat. One chicken Champers has been really needy and she wants me to pick her up and carry her around when I am in the coop area. Checking up on them is fun and they don’t really do much, but cluck and hang out and wait for when I am around and I pet them.

Sure it can seem dull to stay home all the time. In the last few months I bought extra sparkling wine and then used it the other night when I had a few friends over. The rest of the time I have been having simple meals and been making bean and cheese burritos for lunches not all my dining is so nice.

My dog had pups and they are so happy and cute. They have no idea we are going through hardships and they just play and lick us and help to keep our spirits high. When all that fails and if you don’t have new chickens or pups, there is nothing like prayer or meditation to help us feel better. It has been noted that prayer slows down our breathing, lowers heart rate and helps us get more oxygen and that helps to calm us down. What if you don’t pray or believe in God? Then think to yourself, will a belief in evolution and science help to heal my heart when I am feeling low?

If we can’t help others what good are we? In these troubled times it’s all about networking and helping each other to survive. In the last few weeks I have been on an active campaign to help my business thrive as well as those of my friends. The positive energy it takes to help others and help ourselves comes back to us in unexpected ways. The way we find that out is to keep busy and see how things work out. Don’t give up five minutes before the miracle can happen.

Exercise helps as well, as stress relief and it’s been documented that it helps our minds make the transition, not matter what is thrown our way. Yes there are lots of things that can keep us positive during these stressful times. One last thing, take some time to wind down and be alone on the shore of the beach or pools side. Hydrotherapy can be beneficial as well.

Dreams

I have always loved my dreams. They say we have 30-40 dreams a night. Most are not remembered. We usually only remember the ones just before we wake, if at all. Some people will try to make the statement. “I don’t have any dreams.” Nonsense, you may not be able to remember them, but we all have them.

Recently I have been having travel dreams. It’s been fun; I have been to China, India, Europe and South America all in my dreams. I figure I have a lot of travel yet to do in this lifetime. In my dream to China was I was shopping with a friend and picking out silk robes to take home.

When I was in 8th grade I had a great geography teacher. What was so great is that she had been to these places. They were not some spot on a globe they were stories, adventures and costumes. She would collect native costumes of the places she visited, if we were good at the end of the semester we could try on one of the outfits. I had my eye on her Sari, and made sure to be extra good, in the end I was able to have first pick and I was able to get into the Sari. Since then I have made it a goal to have one of my own.

I had always loved looking at the globe and thinking about the different places and what it must be like to be there. In my younger years I watched a lot of National Geographic shows and saw some of the places on TV. It’s so much better to go and see for myself. I have not been to all the places I want to go to, yet. I have no idea how some people cane see these things on TV and not want to get up and go for themselves. I want to see these things for myself and have my own stories to tell. It makes life so much more interesting.


Lately I have not had the funds to travel and I think the open road and skies are calling me. Wanting me to go on adventures and see things for myself. I feel that’s why I am having all these travel dreams. For now I will have to take the journey in my mind. Later I will be able to hit the trails. Not that lack of money or time will stop me from dreaming big of adventures to be had places to discover or Sari’s to be found.

Active

As a young child I was not always that active. I was ill a good part of the time and used to sit and read. I still enjoy reading and I am grateful for this gift in life. I don’t know what I would do without having reading material around me at all times.

The memories I have of running around on summer nights with other children include the sound of me wheezing, not that fun. My sister took to all sports like a duck to water and was praised for that. Though in her lifetime she could have used more time studying and learning more, she is still very active and keeps to a strict routine of exercise.

My father played sports and was very active in little league football and softball teams. I dare say he must have emotionally scared quite a few kids while he was coach. He was nice kind, and if I had lived with him I would have been forced to join some sports team. I don’t know if I would have liked that, I have never enjoyed baseball or soccer.

As I got older I asked to take ballet lessons which I really enjoyed. I took a class again a few years ago. Alas I was so out of shape it was not enjoyable. To get back to that class I have taken Pilates and now belly dancing and surfing, yes I have a lot to lose.

The activities I have taken have been things that I find interesting and fun. If I didn’t chose things like this, I would not stick with it. It took me a long time to get back to surfing and I am so glad that I did.

One of the things I did do well as a child, swimming. I have always loved the water and even thought I almost drown when I was learning to swim that never held me back from keeping with it. My favorite memories of growing up include long days at the pool or beach. I always had something to read as well, that way I could relax with a good book after swimming. Something I still do. I have to bring something to read with me for after surfing. That is the best, resting in the sand with a good book.

As I get older and health concerns come up, being active will be more important. It always is and I am glad I have been more active these last few years. One thing I can count on is that; come what may I will get back on my board and surf again. The ocean is still there for me to use.

Show time

I have been working on new routine for one of my classes. It has been fun and I was greatly inspired after attending a belly dance event last weekend. It was the Cairo Caravan and it was at the Queen Mary in Long Beach. They must be actively asking people to hold their events there, since the dog show I will go to this weekend will be held there as well.


It was great to see woman that I have performed with or have been at my class attending. I didn’t get a chance to see my teacher’s performance. I was too busy shopping. I had not expected it to me on three floors and so many vendors. It’s not that I haven’t seen her perform before; I just like to be there for support. We did see her afterward and talked, so that was fun.

The rest of the time I could see the different dancers, some of which kept their customs on the whole time. Others changed back into street clothes. I was able to meet and make a new friend that designs some great underpinnings as well as hats and tap pants. Can’t wait to get some things from her!

It’s fun to watch the groomers getting the dogs ready to show. It’s not that different. Not that I am saying the women are like dogs, it’s just that you can see the dogs get an attitude just before its show time. They know they are ready to go into the ring and its show time. Just like any performer, they stand in the wings and take a deep breath before the show is going to start.

This next routine I will showcase in front of my girl friends at my house. I don’t need to have a big show with this one. This is just for fun.

As I mentioned I will be at a dog show, with the Scottish Terriers, we are loyal to our breed. It’s hard to believe it’s already a year and time for this show again. The best terriers in the country will be there. As well as some of the A-list handlers, and of course breeders, it’s show time!