What are we talking about?

At my age I have pretty strong belief systems.  On one subject that I have never wavered on is pro life.  I have just never understood the whole abortion thing.  How you can charge a driver accused of vehicular homicide for two deaths when a pregnant woman has been killed in another car but then turn around and allow a woman to kill another human being growing inside her.  I just don't get it. 

This week there was an article in our local paper about our large animal shelter here.  There are a LOT of animal lovers where I live, including me.  Last year the voters approved a bill to fund a $22 million new shelter.  This is due to the transition of the current shelter to a "no kill" shelter.  The original shelter began in 1968 as a "dog pound" where typically strays were picked up and held for a few days and then put down if no one claimed them.  Gradually, times have changed, according to the article, and now "the public no longer wants nor will it tolerate a facility like that."  The article goes on to say, "It's neither humane nor ethical to destroy animals simply because it's inconvenient and expensive to house them until they can be adopted."  Huh?  I could not agree more, but if the sentiment is that strong for our four legged friends who are defenseless, shouldn't it be even truer for the unborn?  I just don't get it. 

Black Fish or Black Spot?

We are big on documentaries at our house.  Last night we watched Black Fish, a documentary on Tilikum, the bull Orca whale kept at Sea World in Orlando.  To say we were disgusted after watching this film is an understatement.  After living in the Pacific NW and seeing Orca whales swim alongside our own boat, watching the account of a whale in captivity filled us both with great sadness.  I am revolted that I, yes I, many years ago went to Sea World and was "entertained" by all that the trainers got the whales to do.  Today, older and wiser, I would gladly stand outside this facility and hold a placard denouncing the treatment of these amazing creatures and encouraging others to boycott this spectacle.  The film is well done with testimonials of former trainers and a horrific look of how whales were harvested for this entertainment industry.   After a number of trainer deaths, training practices no longer allow the in water antics with the whales.  I, today, did some on line research to see what the status is today for Tilikum.  Nothing has changed and he leads a cramped, lethargic life that breaks my heart.   Hopefully the film will continue to educate the masses.  Everyone, from teenagers on up should see this film.  There are a lot of evils in this world but this blight on the preservation of one of our most magnificent earthly creatures is quite simply a big black spot on our civilized society. 

Summer of reading

One of the perks of retirement is the luxury of reading.  I call it a luxury since during years of raising children and working, there just was not much time.  So now I am making up for lost time, especially this summer as we are living in limbo waiting for our new house to be done.   Also, summer in Arizona encourages more time inside.  I'm trying to catch up on some of the old classics.  I recently finished Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice and enjoyed it so much.  Such an insight into women's roles of the day and so glad I live now!  The author, W. Somerset Maugham said, "Nothing very much happens in her books, and yet, when you come to the bottom of the page, you eagerly turn it to learn what will happen next.  Nothing very much does and again you eagerly turn the page.  The novelist who has the power to achieve this has the most precious gift a novelist can possess."  It was also refreshing to read a book with such rich literary phrasing and no profanity!  Here are two of my favorite quotes from the book:

"The wisest and best of men, - nay, the wisest and best of their actions, - may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke."

"....resignation (as in being resigned to something happening) is never so perfect as when the blessing denied begins to lose somewhat of its value..."

Another favorite read was A Wolf Called Romeo.  I just was mesmerized by this true story set in Juneau, Alaska.  I will never think of a wolf again without thinking of Romeo. 

Now I'm into Edith Wharton's A House of Mirth.  Additional insights into high society during the early 1900's and the limited opportunities for women. 

A while back I finished Pat Nixon, written in the 80's by her daughter, Julie.  Extremely well written and a testimony to an amazing woman.  Few know what she had to put up with.   Also wonderful was The Princesse Of Versailles, the story of Marie Adelaide of Savoy.  She married Louis the IV's grandson.  A fascinating woman.  A side note: books from this era give one a much greater appreciation for modern dentistry. 

Ok, that's all for now..let me know if you have any good recommendations.  

Queen for a day

When I was little there was a TV program called, "Queen For A Day".  I think a woman was chosen from the audience and for the next hour was treated to all kinds of gifts.  She sat on a throne, wore a crown, held a scepter and then was inundated with surprises.  It was a very happy show.  Well, on my 67th birthday, my grandchildren created for me a similar honor with my own crown and wand, with instructions that Grandpa had to do everything I asked him that day.   After receiving his beautiful flowers I could hardly ask him to be a door mat but we had a good laugh over it anyway.   Grandchildren's creativity - priceless. 

Hair's to ya

Yesterday I entered a world that I had not experienced for many years.  Those who know me, know I have almost always worn my hair short.  Wearing your hair short means frequent hair cuts.  For years I have been on a quest for a great hair cut.  On the island I experimented with various hair stylists and many left the "style" part to be desired.  After arriving in Tucson I experimented with Cost Cutters, Great Clips, Super Cuts etc.  Along that journey I encountered several very good stylists and was excited and ready when it came time to make another appointment and then discovered they had moved on.  There seems to be a lot of movement in this industry.  I started to ask strangers in the grocery store when I noticed they had a particularly good cut and kept getting the same salon referral.  So yesterday was my day.  I called the salon and asked for a stylist who likes to cut short hair and April became a part of my life!  It was wonderful to walk into a full service salon - fresh cold lemon water, coffee or tea, even an ice cream cart!  A bustling place with nice music, comfy sofas and a receptionist with fingernails that were a art production in themselves.  I quite immediately felt more relaxed.  And even more relaxed after the scalp massage.  I had forgotten how civilized those are.  So, back to April.  I could tell right away by the way she was cutting my hair that she knew what she was doing.   Turns out she has been at the salon a long time, has the same work days each week and doesn't plan to move anytime soon.  She gave me the great cut I have been searching for all these years and I gave her a great tip. 

AARP

Shortly after I turned 50 I became a member of AARP.  They send out a bulletin and a magazine several times a year and I always learn something new.  This past issue in the magazine had an article on online dating.  After reading it I made the conclusive decision that if I am ever left alone I WILL NOT do online dating.  The story involved a 57 year old widow who went on Match.com after encouragement from friends.  She found someone who Match said was a 100% match.  A few years older, nice looking, sense of humor and they hit it off immediately.  She contacted him first and shortly thereafter he suggested they just use their regular email accounts since he hardly ever went on the Match site.  The whole saga lasted only about 3 months but it was enough to have her fork over $300,000 to him.  I know, you are asking how an educated, self employed, independent woman could fall for this scheme involving someone she never even met.  Turns out that in Nigeria there is a network of scammers called "Yahoo boys" who particularly prey on divorced or widowed individuals.  The picture of him that was on the Match site had been pilfered from somewhere else.  I was horrified reading this article.  I was even more horrified that someone would send money to someone they had never met.  When she filed a report with the FBI she was told that a woman in a nearby city was out $800,000.
The experts in the scams recommend the following: (if you must use online dating)

Don't agree to communicate via private email accounts
Never ever send money
If you have not found a way to meet in person within a month tell them to hit the road

So should I ever be left alone, the only online search I will be doing is for a shelter dog...or two.  The only things they will ask of me is food, water, a walk and a good belly rub. 

Summer in winter?

Our first summer in Tucson is an interesting experience.  It's kind of like being in MN when it's 40 below.  No neighbors outside mingling and chatting, no one doing yard work during the day, and only crazy people exercising.  It's also a bit more peaceful with no neighborhood dogs barking, no coyotes howling at night etc.  With temperatures hovering around 110 daily, the air conditioning is appreciated like the heat in colder climates.  The good news is that we are surviving.  I am getting up at 5:30 a.m. to walk and it's not bad.  Remember, it's a dry heat so it's not like walking into a steam bath.  I have learned to carry a water bottle which is essential.  The temps at that time of the morning are around 75-79.  Last night we even went out on the back patio after the sun went down and we weren't uncomfortable.  Our window shades toward the back yard are lowered each day about 3:30 and that helps a lot.   Of course, you can ask me again in September when this pattern often continues and then my description might not be so cheery.  Next up are the monsoons which we hear are quite the show.  Stay tuned.