She Persisted--The Quote Heard Around the World; Hopefully

Well when I should be getting a million things done at once after an extremely long and painful day yesterday, I woke up this morning to the words "she persisted". I then watched a short video about a woman unlike many other women who have said, "you know what your going to listen". Sometimes even when someone either stays silent or finally comes to a braking point (from which I did yesterday also) and says, " look, something has to give, you may not like it, but this is the new reality.

Persistence will work no matter what the task is at hand. Sometimes you want to stand at the highest point possible, and scream as loud as you can. That will work for a moment, but in the end persistence is the key.

I know if I hadn't been persistent much of my life I probably wouldn't be the person I am today. Sometime people can't understand my whole reasoning but you know, that's ok. I usually am the one person willing to take the flack, stand up and although I might not always be the most diplomatic about my delivery the "deer in the headlights" response to me means I woke you up and now you are thinking. Sure you have heard the statement "no easy way to put it?"

Sometimes people have turning points. Mine came midway through a life that I had lived pretty well to that point. Information can be another turning point. Today we wonder what information is correct, if we should speak or just stay silent.

Everyone has choices, some that we don't always want to face but in the end persistence seems to be right at the top of the list or the top of Capitol Hill. Don't kill the messenger, that message may be an important one.

We Are Going to Make It After All

Such an inspiring quote of its time. At the time when the Mary Tyler Moore show was actually airing I didn't watch it very much. Later in years I watched reruns and  learned to understand what it was to "make it". This past week MTM passed away. She not only portrayed many special model women of the times but many women along the way aspired to be the Mary Richards of the world. In 2017 it sometimes can still be a struggle for some.

The first few weeks of 2017 have made many wonder if we will make it. After being sick for a week I too wondered the same thing. After running, at full speed at life, sometimes your body tells you, "hey you stop and take a breath". Too many irons in the fires of life do catch up and it definitely did for me. I took the time to relax and catch up on a few things while lounging.

 Of course I took time to watch the U.S. Figure Skating National Championships which this year was hosted in Kansas City, MO at the Sprint Center. Although I had been asked if I was going to attend, I was glad I actually didn't buy tickets-- twofold. I would have hated to be out the money and not be able to attend due to sickness. (This is why I pretty much now hate to extend my self out for anything long term especially where money is involved). We really never know from one day to the next if life interrupted will rear its ugly head.

My summary of the event would probably be many different ways. It was history making to see Nathan Chen land not 1, not 2 but 5 quad jumps. His jumps are superhero-like and not sure if he continues on the road he is that he can be beat at the 2018 Olympics. Lets home he stays healthy and injury free since he has already been injured several times already for such young bones.  My big concern for him and all the other "quaddies" is many have already had bone breaks, strains, pulls in high volumes. Have we pushed the envelope enough?? Instead of pushing for the quads or whatever could be after that which would probably be humanly impossible lets just have a clean program with equally competitive jumps, spins, footwork and overall appeal.  My observation was we still have a long way to go to revamp figure skating (did it really need revamping?). Sometimes I think the "back to basics" might be a better choice. Some of the national participants seemed burned out already at ripe, young ages.  As I have always said when most learn to skate at such young ages it becomes harder and harder to have the zest for the sport and after years and years of hard work, money, changes you often wonder "are they going to make it". To not have the spark at the Nationals especially when it is televised can sometimes show a truly beautiful sometimes misunderstood sport in a not so great light.

 Although it seems as if more disappointments: I didn't appreciate the over abundance of white costumes, the lack of clean skates, the one piece body suits, the ability to hear several of  the scratchy skaters (apparently the sound/camera person was closer than need be to the ice) and sadly from reported by commentators the problems with the hard/soft ice conditions. An acquaintance went to the final exhibition show and said it was very enjoyable.  Sorry, the critic in me will always be at the forefront and won't go away.

Overall conditions are never ideal and truth be told skaters at this caliber should be versatile enough to work around it. That is why it is Nationals.

Everyone takes a path in life, it may not be always the best way and sometimes you have to go to hell and back but I try and think, although I am not always on the right road, lane or street I hope somehow we can make it after all. It's hard to say to use the path with the least resistance but in our world of resistance at every corner, nook and cranny. Just staying on the road can be an accomplishment.

End of the Year--Beginning of the Year

Try as I might several times actually, unsuccessfully I have attempted to pen thoughts on the end of the year and what to look forward to at the beginning of 2017. Well lets just say, "I have given up". Let's face it 2016 seems like a year in a nutshell best described as a nightmare, highs, lows and basically a year that should be chalked up to as "a hell of an experience". I guess some would call it life. Just the fact that personally most of us made it through the year is a miracle.

Looking into the first 14 days of 2017, personally I am in day 2 of waiting for a maga ice storm. As per usual,some of the media has hyped it to out of proportion levels. Our local stores have been pounded all week of people shopping as if it is the last supper, zombie apocalypse or whatever the term you choose.  What are we to do? Some people have been sucked in but mostly realistic people are staying put until the all clear sign which probably won't happen until Monday if we are lucky.

So for the most part, we wait, keep busy, look to the future and hope for the best. I choose to post an array of pictures of what the possibilities are. We are still waiting for that 15 inches of expected snow this winter. Of course we could still get it all in one day. I surround myself with beach sunset pictures or beach views of my former life, and look toward when my plumeria flowers will bloom in who knows what color this year. 2017 it too is looking to be a dud or a doozie; what do you think?

Stop in at your Neighborhood Cobbler

I am pretty sure that some who actually read my posts may have to Google cobbler; not the kind you eat for dessert.

 I recently discovered I had a wardrobe malfunction of a very serious kind. Nothing was exposed thank goodness but I dug out my boots for the winter and remembered that I had a flapping strap on one boot. I am not entirely sure where I lost the grommet that kept the flap down but knew that I had to fix the problem and quick because the flip flopping was driving me more crazy than normal.

Although, they are just regular dress boots, it brought back wonderful memories of my skating days and all the special hands that kept my figure skates and many other skaters equipment in tip top shape.  It didn't matter what ice rink I went to in my career you always had someone either inside the rink or across the street or nearby that you could trust basically with your skating life to fix your skates or blades in a pinch. 

Those wonderful cobblers were definitely like the characters in the stories by Hans Christian Andersen fame. Working the magic to get them in tip top shape brought back a flood of memories when I walked into our Cusack's Shoe Repair shop in our town. It is definitely a lost art. That leather and polish smell brought a tear to my eye not because of the various smells but because of the many years and many, many shoes, boots or purses this man has fixed over the years. He is definitely a much needed business in downtown Sedalia, even today.

If my blade had a screw missing, my blades needed sharpening or dulling, new skating boots needed dyeing or stretching or some other occasional problem, you had a place to take it and whether it be a quick fix or a long operation you knew that it would be done correctly. Skating cobblers much like regular shoe repair workers always had wonderful stories to share.

I always learned some interesting stats, tidbit memories of skater's long since past.  I am sure that Mr. Cusack has had some famous feet walk into his shop over the years. A cowboy or two, maybe local political figure or someone just passing through town. He took but a moment to fix my flapping problem for me. I told him how it had been a long time since I had been in for a repair and when he told me it would be a simple $1.00 for my problem, my mouth probably dropped to the floor. I really tried to give him much more than that, but of course he declined. "You keep it sweetie". "I am just glad you stopped in".

I am too, Mr. Cusack; I am too.

The Rainbow Bridge Not Just a Crossover for Animals

Correct me if I am wrong, and boy I am always corrected when given the opportunity; this has been the week from hell! It is definitely times like most recent weeks, I would love to be able to walk out the door with my skate tote on my shoulder and go to my home ice rink of years ago and just skate as fast as I could. Alas, those days are gone forever. That would mean living in the past and heaven forbid, those days we are told to leave behind us. Things almost always change in an instant these, days and you have to have your running shoes and not figure skates to keep up.

When I attempt to wrap my mind around the last several weeks I pretty much stop because my mind is like mush. This past year has been like what I would anticipate playing chess is like. I have never taken the time or had the inclination to actually play the game but in actuality I guess everyone pretty much in life plays without knowing they are.  In every game you have a winner and loser.

This week I felt I was constantly on the losing side of most situations. I won't get into the political part of it entirely but don't assume you know my response unless you really truly know me. I voted end of story. If you think or assume you knew who I voted for you probably would be wrong on that too.

People do not like to hear the negative and especially when it comes to something or someone you care about. Several weeks ago we got the sad news that our Snookie had mouth cancer.  Yes the damned "C" word. Another life cursed by hell. Unfortunately, or fortunately it was not long before we had to make the decision to have him escorted across the rainbow bridge. It was the first and only time I hope I have to make that type of decision for an animal. He had a long life of almost 14 1/2 years. He provided hours of everything imaginable. Joy, havoc, sleepless nights, opinions only a little four-legged creature could provide. Some may think he was spoiled rotten and he was.  He was a little life-long companion for our other 14 1/2 dog Scooby who is still with us and with time we all will go on and he will be waiting at the end of the bridge.

Many bridges in life are rocky. We all must cross certain bridges we would rather not. Some more than others. Solid ground is my preferred path at least for the foreseeable future. I guess only time will tell. I do still have my skates so may bring them just in case.

To quote two individuals this past week "Don't panic" and "Only the Good Die Young".

Harassment Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow--What Does it all Mean?

Several years ago I mentioned in a blog post about an incident when I was skating on the synchronized team about a little article that was in our local paper shortly before we were to defend our national championship. I still have the article and look at it occasionally and fondly remember those special skating times. Shortly after the article appeared I received a fan letter (I still have it). This was before the anything was something you had to be careful of. I think today, because of media and news coverage in mostly the negative we have become a society of constant paranoia. Yes, we should always be aware but does being overly cautious take the fun out of things?  Several versions of the truth or opinions travel the Internet I never thought the fan letter I received was anything but. I didn't read into it and think, is this person going to stock me?  Appear at the skating rink? It was just a simple thanks for providing the article and this person's joy of watching skaters hone the sport they enjoy. I am a fan of several former figure skaters and am just putting it out; I will try and not stalk you on social media.

Another skating scenario came up where an inappropriate touch was made by a random individual to several of the ladies on our team. Again, this was back in the day maybe early 90's. We were walking along a pier and it was quick and hard to really react. This specific incident surprised us all so much at that time that we really had no recourse in doing anything--it was so quick and he ran off that what could you do. It is a memory and it happened and if he did it frequently maybe he did it too someone who could do something about it. Touching is an interesting thing; some people don't mind being touched but when it comes to the places where you should ask before touching still applies.

Now I turn to my experiences in harassment in the workplace. Again, back in the day, when I was a young office worker and public service employee, it was hard sometimes to know where to draw the line but the lines were sometimes vague. By today's standard I probably could have shouted harassment but my line was like chalk lines--easily drawn and then erased.  Some comments were made by men who at the time somewhat similar to what is happening today. They were allowed to get away with jokes, innuendo's and casual sexist conversations.  It was chalked up to consider the person, the time and whether to make it a situation that could affect your working situation. Did it hurt me? Yes. Jokes are jokes but when you lump it together it can be hurtful and make for very difficult times.

Today, I have to say I am older, wiser and have been around longer so I probably wouldn't take the same comments. Some people are thick skinned and can let things roll off their backs. Should you? Sometimes yes, unless it gets to be a continuing habit. Should you draw that chalk line and let them know? Yes, sometimes you need to set the tone of how you want people to treat you.


I see it as the new generation comes up. They can sometimes be mean, hurtful and push those boundaries. They get it from media, how they are raised and what they see in everyday life situations.  It isn't always about toughening up, being thick skinned or just ignoring situations. It is teaching about right from wrong and how to define it better.

Nice people still exist, often it is hard to find them sometimes.  What you allow and accept is up to you.  You can either accept anything and everything at face value, voice an opinion follow through but for everything has a consequence and sometimes those consequences will come back from yesterday and make today and tomorrow oh so different.

Are We So Out of Touch We Can't See the Forest from the Trees?

 Does it take Hurricane Matthew to uproot the palm trees for people to get the message? Do you ask certain questions of friends and family and because they don't either have an answer or don't want to engage or confront the situation at hand that you receive that far off blank facial expression with a slight grimace or half smile?

Some interesting scenarios have come forward with Hurricane Matthew this week hitting the eastern seaboard. One news station was interviewing a woman who lived off the coast of Florida. The interview started with the newsman stating matter-of-fact "are you dumb or what?". He seemed as though he might have known the person interviewed by just the conversation they had back and forth but in a nutshell she said "we don't feel as though it is really going to be as bad as they say". Well no one has a direct line to Mother Nature but hurricanes (although thank goodness I have never experienced one) does look pretty intense. If it isn't the wind or rain it will be the surging water levels that can make you see your maker just a little sooner than expected.  I have heard first hand from people who experienced Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf coast and they are glad that they made it out when they did. In my estimation I will stick to my philosophy in that I would much rather be in an earthquake than a tornado or hurricane. No questions.

This week has been tough in that I have known several people who have passed on just in the last couple weeks. Yes, I know now that I myself am almost surely more than half way through my probable lifespan (55 in a few weeks sounds so strange rolling off my tongue) but this as they say happens as you get older although your hope is that that at least you get to reach a more golden age. Either by freak accidents, the damn "C" word or just being their time to go, way to many have been called to rest on the permanent lounge chair.

October is noted for many things. The beginning of Fall, Breast Cancer Awareness, Domestic Violence Month, Halloween and many other noteworthy things. Going to that place I sometimes find myself'; is it strange that just the things I listed above deal with death? Yes, it isn't always the outcome, laughter, renewal, rebounding comes to mind but with the fall colors I first think of death.

At a meeting this past week we had a role playing program that discussed different scenarios in Domestic Violence situations.  Our scenario dealt with a  black, married couple, both successful practicing lawyers and the husband continually abused his wife. We were asked to chose  "the victim" at our table and we had to come up with her possible choices of what to do step by step. Some of the choices were to: seek out a friend or family, clergy, contact the police etc. Our table discussed the possibilities and commented whether she would leave or return each time or make other choices. Ultimately, we hoped our person didn't end up at a tragic end. Personally I have always said, "if a man touched me even once in any violent manner--out the door I would go, no question. No return date. Thankfully, I picked the right man for me and after 32 years married, yes we have argued but never came fist to cuffs.

Most of us that evening had in some way, shape or form had had at least one instance where we had been aware of some sort of domestic violence in our lives. The other tables had other interesting scenarios to deal with and ultimately one tables' "victim" did not have a pleasant outcome. After each scenario was completed we discussed around the room.

 It was shocking to hear one person indicate that she was surprised in today's society how widespread it domestic violence really is.   Whether this person is "out of touch" that is still a question for me.  We should never be too old to spread the branches on our trees and see that wide vast forest beyond our own noses. Anything is possible these days, whether we accept it or not. If the tree gets blown away by a hurricane, or chopped down due to an uninformed individual, lets keep our world supplied with new growth.

Information is available about Domestic Violence assistance. CASA Citizens Against Spousal Abuse, Inc. have Shelters around the country or The National Network to End Domestic Violence have Facebook pages and websites.