PATH

Empress by rcw

This aging business isn't all that graceful. Between the aches and pains, squeaks and grunts, weird spots, hot flashes and wild hairs growing out from nowhere I'm amazed that any of us ever leave the house! But we do....feisty Baby Boomers making the rounds, doing their day.

I see it all the time. Our neighborhood is particularly replete with folks my age....trying to figure out how to get comfortable in our own skin-which is difficult when the skin no longer resemble that radiant, supple hide of our youth.

We have a great assortment of the really Ancient looking Chinese folk....hunched under the weight of their recycling their cardboard and cans.  They amaze me with their agility and stamina.  Someone once expressed the theory that the reason we age and get sick is because we are fundamentally dehydrated. Their saying was "You're not sick, you're thirsty." That makes sense, especially if we consider our bodies are made up largely of water.  We need the right amount of it for our bodies to work properly-it really is that simple.

We also need the right amount of positive energy and faith in order to feed our minds and souls; positive energy to help us push on through and faith to keep us on the path.

So for today, Fifty Five Is the New

Venice in the 80s

For some reason my mind is wandering back to the days when Diane and I used to live in Venice, California.  That was during the '80s.  Diane was growing tired of the fog and wanted for some southern sun.  As luck would have it we came into just enough money to pull it off.

So after a fact-finding weekend where we secured an apartment, we came back to San Francisco and did another one of our famous month-long packing and garage sale-ing marathons.  This time we had enough stuff to use a moving company, so that's what we did.  Of course the kitties (Molly and Star), Diane and yours truly took to the sky and arrived at our new door step on May 31, 1982 or thereabouts.

That's roughly when we met Janie too. She was sitting in the apartment manager's place when we came by to let him know we arrived. Janie was and remains a true sister-friend. She's presently still in Venice, but hopes to move to San Francisco soon.

Anyway, over the next few days we made the tiny beach studio ready for our furnishings, which somehow all managed to fit in the ultra-tiny space. Thus began our eight year adventure in Southern California....through the years we'd do a lot of interesting, fascinating, rewarding and fun things.  But we also did a lot of growing.
A lot of learning. A lot of healing.

I like looking back on those days; all the friends we made, the times we had....through it all, there was Diane my dear, dear sister-friend. I sure miss her.

Anyway, for today Fifty Five Is The New Venice in the 80s....that's where I really began to be me.

Joy

Back In The Studio!

First off, it's my Mom's birthday.  She can't get online, so doesn't get to read the blog but I'm sending the love and wishes out through the internet anyway (and already mailed a card too).  Happy Birthday, Mom! 

Aside from that, I keep hearing all this dire news on t.v.... I know things are bad, so what else is new?

We're all supposed to be walking around with furrowed brows, clouds of unspeakable doom and gloom hanging over our heads like a bad hair day. And it's not like there's nothing to complain about. But I can't. I just can't. Not today.

For today is the day we got the recording equipment set up and operating. Today Jack and I finally did something we've been trying to do for a number of years and several false starts...we recorded our music on our very own multi-track recorder.

Okay, so the world didn't come to a complete stop....nobody got out of school for a holiday and I don't see any parades forming, but in the midst of all the splendor and chaos of this human existence, two people had the beginnings of a dream come true.

I know what you're asking.  "Now wait a minute...what about all that music on the internet. The stuff on YouTube.  The audio on SonicBids.  Where did that come from?"

Well...we also have a little GNX 4 Stomp Box that we've been using as a mini-4track recorder.  Problems with it are that you can't plug enough microphones and so on into it to use all 4 tracks at once.  At least as far as this addled brain has been able to figure out.  Still, it's done the job and has been a blessing.

I'm not the greatest techie these days; instruction manuals are getting more difficult to read.  Part of it is comprehension, that old learning disability rearing its ugly head.  Some if it is just plain impatience through the  learning curve.

One thing I know for certain....not all of life is misery and heartache.  Once in while there's some absolute joy to be had, and there ain't nothin' wrong with that.  We actually need more of it

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Joy...because it is out there, just gotta find it and experience it.

Reading the Cosmos

My mom's birthday is tomorrow....my brother Bob's was on 11/6.   My brother Ben's is the same as Diane's 10/29....there are a lot of Scorpios in my life.  Hey, Jack's birthday is 11/14...so yes, there's definitely a scorpion influence to my life.

Astrology is fascinating. Some folk put all their stock in it, not making a move without consulting the charts.
That's okay....

The Fool by rcw

Personally I believe all that stuff-astrology, numerology, palm and tarot card reading and so on-have validity.
I believe they are tools used to focus and to pick up on what's going on in the Cosmos, and how it can effect individuals.   Those who ask for guidance are given at least a few hints about the road ahead.

Life's a pretty crazy place, any direction or instructions can only help.

Some people think these things are the spawn of Satan....hey, whatever floats your boat!

Fifty Five can be a lot of things, for right now....for me, Fifty Five Is The New Reading the Cosmos...flip a card, show a hand, interpret dreams.....check it out!  There may be answers.

Positivity

Sky Fire by rcw

Friends from years ago are coming back into our lives. They're popping up out of thin air lately, and it's great. But it is also interesting....I wonder if there's something going on. You know like some pending disaster...earthquake or what have you. 

Don't you hate that, when the first thing people think is that something awful is going to happen. I wasn't always like this. For years and years I was super positive; couldn't  undo my frown with a crowbar! Now list to me...jaded, cynical, even a bit terse sometimes. 

That just ain't right.

This world isn't allowed to disfigure my personality. I do that quite well on my own. Who do they think they are, climbing inside my brain and twisting it into something I don't recognize.  Not right at all!

So I'm going to find a way to change it somehow.  I'm not going to let the world continue to eat away at my positive nature.  I'm going to find a way to remember that one human being can make a difference, that there is power in positive thinking and action and that no one and nothing can take away what is not theirs to begin with....the determination of the soul...which can save the world.

So for today, Fifty Five Is The New Positivity....taking on a new attitude to help make a new world.

Belated Birthday

Swirling Fractals by rcw

Yesterday was my brother Bob's birthday.  Wish I could have celebrated it with him in person, but unfortunately he committed suicide back in 1988...so I have to settle with sending my wishes out to the Cosmos.  Yo, Bob.

We were close as kids; only a few years apart so we were natural companions and allies. He was creative, fun loving, mechanically inclined, a good drummer and a real confidante.  Alcohol got the best of him and even though the family tried everything, including rehab and counseling, there was no way to bring him back if he didn't want to come back.

He used to call me when he was drinking; I could tell he was into his cups...so was I.  Our talks were kind of strange..talking about drinking, denying drinking, talking about wanting to quit....like the blind leading the blind. Gradually I slowed way down but he kept on drinking.

I wasn't entirely surprised when my sister called with the news of his death...he'd even stopped calling me shortly before taking his life.  No particular reason, the calls just stopped.  I'd heard he was in rehab again and was hoping for the best.

Poor Bob.

I sure hope he finally found the peace he couldn't find in this world.

Anyway, for today, Fifty Five Is the New Belated Birthday...Brother Bob.