SOL25 Life Is A Marathon

 

This weekend, he'll be heading again, to Staten Island where he'll line up, again, with over 50,000 others for another opportunity to wear out another pair of sneakers. I think its his 23rd time running through the boroughs in NYC in the hot, cold, rain; but, it really doesn't matter if I'm one or two off, its a lot of miles. He's done at least as many in Boston and more half marathons than I suspect he can even remember.

I always read the results to make sure he makes it across the finish line, even though I am pretty sure the real challenge is in the months and months of training and the many detours and challenges on the way to the starting line. 

I'll never know the glow of crossing that finish line after pushing my body to the limit; yet, I do know the feeling of getting up early to get in a swim or heading into the sunset to get a mile in after dinner. Those are good feelings that provide me with a weird sort of energy that might be called self-esteem even if there are no cheering crowds.

I wonder if the real challenge for Ultra Athletes as well as us trying to stay alive is something that happens on a day to day basis when someone laces up their shoes for a really long/short run walk/after a really long/hard day or when someone gives up a glass of wine/piece of cake for a glass of water or a protein shake?  I wonder if the real challenge is walking gingerly on a sprain/after surgery while waiting for healing or waiting to run until after the dishes are done or the 12ths inning of your son's game or after that last meeting of the day?

I'll be watching to make sure he crosses the finish line and I will remember that the real challenge is getting out of bed and to the starting line. I'll celebrate his accomplishment(s) as I reflect on the massive undertaking. The NYC Marathon is really a metaphor for life, which is all about showing up and pushing through the hard parts in order to find that glow.

I'll remember that for all of us, Life is a Marathon.

October 2025 Everyone Needs Food

"The free food gravy train is coming to an end," she offered just loud enough for us all to hear and without remorse after the customer at the front of the line's SNAP benefit card did not work. "Get a job, work harder."

My heart broke for the physically challenged customer who took out $10.00 and paid for a quart of milk and a box of Cheerios, clearly embarrassed at the comment and at miscalculating her remaining benefit. I was glad she had some cash. There was a part of me that wanted to scream at the audacity of anyone to criticize someone's misfortune. 

But, I really was not up for a fight, today, so I drove home thinking about the impact of the government shut down on this woman and so many others.

I thought about my mother-law's stories of "Uncle Frank" who long ago went into the Foundling system after their father died. There were no social protecting programs in those days, and clearly his future was determined by the need to care for children with a minimum wage job. Can you imagine how hard it would be to give up your child just so they could have food? 

I thought about children and elderly, frail and disabled who rely on such benefits. I thought about those recovering from addiction, those suddenly on their own, or struggling to find better jobs in a world where bad news comes regularly and food prices climb daily. 

I am sure there is fraud and waste in the system and absolutely support efforts to make sure those benefits are not squandered. Fix the waste, please. Yet, with an ongoing government shutdown putting such benefits on the line, we, as the most prosperous nation in the world, had better think about a system that has supported many struggling Americans since its inception after the Great Depression. 

To quote Ms. Rachel, "Nobody needs a billion dollars, but everyone needs food."

October 2025 Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

I live where a closely watched election for Governor is perceived to be a predictor of the direction of the country. I am also near New York City and read about their hotly contested race for Mayor. I am hopeful that the critical comments and mean name-calling I hear are not a predictor of the direction of our country! 

We ask children and remind adults to, "think before you talk."  Clearly, these adults, ranging in age from 34 to 67, did not get the message.  Some recent quotes:

buses free for all, are you kidding.

                                I did things, you never had a job.

                                                            a snake oil salesman?

                                                                                     king of gentrifiers

                                                                                                       You kill people.

                                                                                                                      eliminate police

                                                                                                      he led a reign of terror

                                                                    you killed tens of thousands of people

                               You're under investigation right now

Liar, liar, liar, pants on fire

To be honest, I'm scared for my state and NYC and part of me just wants to say, "Liar, liar, pa

nts of fire."  Yet, the rational part of me will head to the polls shaking my head and blaming, at least in part, the LBJ 1964 commercial suggesting Goldwater should not be trusted with atomic bombs.  Hyperbole, perhaps even outright lying, has a long history in America. 

October 2025 You Don't Know What You've Got Until It's Gone

"Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?”

 Joni Mitchell

Long ago, I lived in a Washington suburb; thus, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews came to pay tribute to the sights, including the White House. In the space of a few years, I explored Mount Vernon, Alexandria, and Georgetown.  I stood, in Arlington Cemetery, explored the Pentagon, and listened to Congress inside the Capitol.

During the January 6th occupation, I realized the Capitol would never be open to people again. I was sad that my own children and grandchildren would never know the long corridors infused with the history of our democracy.

Somehow, I never went inside the White House even though I had planned to do so. I always figured I would get there some day. 

This week, I realized I will never stand inside the White House.  I will not be invited into the grand new ballroom build in the image of Trump's Towers. I will not stand inside the People's House where the walls are infused with memories of the many men and women who worked there promoting women's rights, mental health, reading, and nature focused initiatives. Nor will my children, their children and your children.  

I guess you never miss what you had until it's gone, as Joni Mitchell sang long ago.

October 2025To Be Strong

I asked the little one to say he was sorry for hitting his sister, and he dug in his heels on that stairway, making a face that suggested his annoyance with me exceeded his anger towards his sister. He was willing to give up the movie rather than give in to my demand. I relayed the story to my writing group and we wondered IF the sister had been a silent aggressor and thus HE felt SHE should have apologized! Perhaps he was just standing his ground!

Then, we morphed into a discussion about times when WE forgave (or didn't forgive) someone without an apology. Oh my, the stories that we told ranged from borrowing shirts to taking large sums of money and even tales of adultery.  Some felt that you cannot fully forgive without an apology; while others felt that forgiveness, even without an apology, allows one to move forward. 

We referenced local politicians who apologize and those who move forward without reference to issues. We wondered if some see apologizing as an admission of wrong doing or sign of weakness?  

Gee, I was hoping for a real life writing prompt and what I ended up in was a metaphysical discussion of honesty, strength and weakness in the human spirit.  

 

October 2025 A Scary Line

This blog is focused on my own journey

As a reader and  writer.  These are my thoughts. 

I was in a long line at the money machine when I noticed the other long line. There were cars on both sides of the street, again. There were mothers, fathers, grandparents, and children of all ages there, again. Some wore their winter coats in the 40 degree temps but many huddled under blankets probably surprised by the chill. The line was reminiscent of those in 2020, even if those in line were unmasked and standing shoulder to shoulder. There were strollers and walkers as well as wheel chairs and market baskets. It was cold and I knew why they were there even as I was at the machine that spits out bills.

I wondered how many were impacted by the federal government shut down and how many were impacted by a local factory that shut down recently? I wondered if there were construction workers and landscapers, recently let go? I wondered how many were there because local programs such as Meals on Wheels have been reduced? I wondered if the line was longer today of if I was watching a surge?

I thought about the line as I shopped for kale and potatoes and as I read about the record, 38 trillion dollar debt. I thought about increasing inflation and slower wage growth that comes with such debt as well as a clip of the massive East Wing demolition project in Washington.  I felt sad and even a bit sick as I ate by own leek and potato soup with a fresh kale salad and wondered about the impacts of food insecurity on the health and well being of both young and old in my community. 

I hope there is a way out of this messy stage of life where so many are grateful for the boxed mac and cheese, white bread, and cereal, mainstays of food pantries. 

I thought about the blow up goblins on my street as I swept the porch in the setting sun that frankly are no where near as scary as that long line at the food bank

SOL25 October 21 Proud

Today's slice is about the bravery and tenacity it takes to try something new.

Those skills are the essence of making a path through life.

Proud, 

As the little one went under bravely 

Entering the scary unknown, not that long

Ago, where she added flips, turns, slides.

Proud,

Lessons, training, laps, workouts,

Practicing those strokes beyond what is

Needed to stay afloat and survive,

Proud, 

As adding varsity swimming is

No joke, daily laps, serious strokes,

Between studying, APs, teaching.

Proud,

 Winning this heat, learning about 

Teamwork, courage. while planning a

Next chapter where she will rise again,

Proudly

Ethical ELA October 20 Wisdom from Tea

Today's Ethical ELA hosts, Kim and Fran, ask us to pour a cup of tea and write! 

I COULD write about family gatherings for tea 

or the merits of Harney's African Autumn

However, I am going to share messages from four tea bag tags

found in the back of my junk drawer

that serve as anchors for my life.

Ethical ELA October 19 Magic 8 Ball

Kim Johnson is hosting Ethical ELA today and asks us to 

consider the Magic 8 Ball format where answers drive questions. 

I wrote a mix of personal and big picture questions! 

Does writing help me process ideas, work through frustration, and share happiness?

Absolutely!

Am I brave enough to drive through New York City with all the fees, electric bikes and jaywalkers? 

Definitely

Will I know the joy of watching loved ones grow into strong adults making the world a better place?

Without a doubt.

Will I ever be know the kind of love that makes you forget your plans and weak in the knees?

Outlook no so good!

Will there be a quick end to the suffering of so many who are facing deportation after years of working faithfully through a system that has failed them?

My sources suggest sadly the answer is no.

Am I confident that the good guys will always win in the end, even if it takes a long time and a lot of frustration to get to the end?

Without a doubt!

How long will it take?

I cannot predict now.

October 18 Just Numbers

What a week!

Numerous new friends:

Maurice, Penny, Linda, Charlie, Barbara,

Kelly, Corrie, Randy, Marnie, Debbie,

8 great aquacise classes 

7 wonderful containers of pesto 

6 delicious jars applesauce

5 treks in falling leaves

4 greeting cards, mailed

3 appointments, scheduled

2 sporting events, attended

1 opportunity to be heard,

Negligible impact,

No violence, just numbers!

Ethical ELA October 18 Sweet Is Not Just a Taste

 Fran Haley, who is hosting Ethical ELA today, encouraged us to write about
Sweet things such as favorite candy or dessert or a sweet gesture.  I am choosing

To write about a gesture far sweeter than anything made of sugar

She had that very long week look that takes over

Your body, your face, your whole being as well

As the exhaustion that comes from getting up 

Every day in order to work too long making too many

People happy, comfortable, peaceful and accountable

Planning for the future, getting through the days.

I'm guessing part of her would have been grateful and

Clearly would have understood if I had declined to get

On the road for the long trip when she asked about

Doing dinner. but I did not and so we talked,

Remembered, wondered, teared up, refilled

Our empty cups with reminders that

We are not alone on this journey

The sweetest moments are not sugar coated

Long after the feta and fries were history.

SOL25 October 14 We Celebrate With Books

It's a day to celebrate peace, love and books.  Thank you to the Two Writing Teachers for hosting this celebration/

Long ago, as a reward for not screaming during the torture of the dentist's drill, my mother took me next door to Finkelstein's magical home of endless adventures!  My teeth were nothing to brag about, so every trip to the dentist meant drilling and books.

Back in the days when Baby Boomers roamed school hallways, there were not school libraries as we know them now.  In fact, teachers had scant books that were not always shared with their teeming classrooms. It was Spot, Dick, Jane and their reader friends. I did have a few Golden Books and a copy of the Bobsey Twins that I read on repeat along with Reader's Digest Condensed books that my Aunts shared. Thus, a chance to climb through those stacks was a celebration.

My grandchildren have shelves filled with books in their rooms and in their classrooms. They have school and public libraries at their disposal.  Plus, I usually show up with more books because I love books. I am confident they have all already been exposed to more books than I could have ever imagined back in the days when I climbed through the stacks in Finkelstein's. 

So when my-own-child shared a glimpse of his-own-child climbing the stacks, I could only smile and think of celebrating at Finkelstein's, not far from the book-climbing-wall where this fearless little one bravely climbed the stacks in a celebration of her own.

October 2025 Busier Than Shop Rite

 

It's been mostly sunny and dry in these parts for the past month or so; thus, the forecasters and predictors of weather as well as those of us who rely on Mother Nature to water lawns have been pretty excited about the Nor'easter headed our way. 

I had plans to take in porch cushions and pull up the throw rugs in the basement, but I was not really planning for a month at home when I tried to pull into the Shop Rite parking lot. There were more cars than on the day before THANKSGIVING! Carts were laden as if they were planning for an extended period of being stuck at home.

I sighed as I drove around, wondering if I really needed to buy onions in order to make left-over-vegetables into soup, and finally decided that I would make do with some solidly packed, well aged onion powder that hopefully lurked in a closet's nether regions. 

As I drove home, I questioned my hasty retreat from the crowd remembering the storms of past years like Superstorm Sandy (2012) that disrupted lives, airports, and electric for so many for so long. I remembered the damage from high winds when the trees are still laden with leaves. I remembered the challenge of providing care for my mom and aunt as well as their care-givers during days without electricity. I remembered the challenge of finding a flight during an end-of-life moment with airports closed.

I'm lucky that I do not, this time, have to worry about food and medicine for many others. I counted my blessings that I did not need to worry about an oxygen concentrator or an imminent appointment in the days ahead.  I said a prayer for loved ones who would be traveling during the storm. I did my own "live-alone" checklist of what I really needed: flashlights; raincoat; tea; coffee and a back-up-phone-charger. 

Then, I remembered the tree trimming company is scheduled to come on Monday. I really do hope the storm blows out to see with no damage; however, I suspect they will be busier that Shop Rite this morning.  

October 2025 Research: Bread

I like bread, a lot.  Seriously, I could give up chocolate, sugar, and ice cream all before I gave up bread. Yet, I eat bread, on rare wonderful occasions, these days as I attempt to eat as "healthy" as I can and strive to keep my body as "healthy" as possible with all the age-related changes to my endocrine and other systems! I also limit pasta, cakes, pies, and even cereals made of that essence-of-life-for-me ingredient: wheat.  

Yet, given a piece of that better-than-life fresh baked bread at Panera's or a bowl of deliziosa pasta in Italy, I become as weak as the butter or parmesan atop the wheat goodness. 

Interestingly, during a trip to Europe, I threw caution to the wind and consumed pasta, pizza (and wine) every single day and did not gain an ounce.  "It's probably all the walking," I thought, until this morning.

An article in the times  suggests that in Europe, bread and pasta are different because wheat is different.  "Wheat growers in the United States sometimes apply glyphosate — an herbicide used to kill weeds, and in some cases to dry out the wheat itself — to the crop just before harvest!" This leaves residue that might be a factor.  Why aren't we researching and talking about this, Mr. Kennedy?  Why is it important to people in Europe and not here?  Is there research we should know about?   

In addition, the bread making process overseas is different. "During fermentation, microbes such as yeast and bacteria break down some of the gluten in the dough. The longer the fermentation time, the less gluten remains." Is this a factor in all the gluten sensitivities?  

I'm going to have to do some research on my own, sigh, because I am pretty confident I cannot count on the Health Department. Stay tuned. 

October 2025 Not Enough Juice

I was working on 

The mental list even before 

I got out of bed to begin my busy day.

The schedule as I showered, washing my hair 

There would not be time later.

The logistics as I aquacised

Grateful for the sweat, yet focused

On a busy day ahead.

The timing as I dressed,

Commiserated, blew dry my hair, again.

The plan as I stopped to visit a friend

With far more going on in her life than me

Who was squeezing me in moments before 

Heading to an important appointment.

I was reminded 

My plans are not THE plans 

My car was dead when I went to leave

Requiring a call to AAA

Where an ECT sat waiting in a

Rescue vehicle for me

Who had plans, but not enough juice!

Reminders:

Schedules always are subject to change.

Emergency Car Technicians are underrated, 

Absolutely essential workers who come 

To the rescue, again, and again, and again.

SOLOctober 7 2025 Numbers Do Not Add Up

 

It was just one bag, albeit a full bag, but the tab was 5 digits, enough to make me stop in my tracks. 

I live alone, visit farmer's markets, and shop sales. I'm not in the thick of buying groceries and preparing family meals, but the tab in Shop Rite was alarming. Broccoli and lemons, on sale for $2.99 a pound and a pork loin for $5.99 a pound. A tiny, one person bag of frozen veggies was $2.39, on sale. I splurged on Ben and Jerry, on sale, but passed by healthier cereal, $7 a box, and skipped English Muffins, for $6.99. I splurged on a box of spinach that should last all week, but the $6 price had me longing for the days, last year, when it came in a bag for half the price. 

Supposedly, the economy is booming and the stock market soaring.

Yet, eating fresh ingredients and healthy meals is not feasible for many.

Supposedly, there is negligible inflation and low unemployment.

Yet, businesses around me are closing like flies and houses are not selling.

Supposedly, we do no need clean air, renewable energy sources, or unprocessed foods.

Yet, something is very wrong, as the numbers do not add up.

October 2025 Another Trip Around the Sun

 

I had no idea what was ahead when I headed out of the hospital with my bundle that fall morning. I had sort-of-prepared by embroidering a wall hanging and purchasing some diapers. I had a car seat, and a couple of books. If they even gave some instructions-advice on discharge, I was too excited-nervous-scared-worried to remember. I suspect they were just eager to have the space available for the crowd that followed the blizzard that previous winter.

Somehow, we survived. She figured out how to get food and tell us when she needed changing and life settled into a new normal as she became part of every journey and adventure that followed.  She told us what she needed and guided us through bikes, schools, and adventures we could never have imagined when that striped bundle joined our family.  There were journeys into worlds I did not know existed like field hockey and crew and many times we clashed and clanged on the way to adulthood where I now have the privilege of watching, from afar, a confident, competent, and courageous mom and engineer guide her own ship through the choppy waters of life. She'll have hardly a moment to reflect on her life, like all moms in the thick of living. Thus, I will take a moment to be grateful we survived those first days, even though our nursery was bare-boned and her onsie was white. I will be thankful we survived the many firsts that followed and grateful for the miracle of her and another trip around the sun. 

October 2025 Compassion

 My writing world friend Kim got me thinking about compassion 

early this morning and as I walked I thought about how.........