To all the fathers, brothers, uncles, friends and men who have ever taken the time to encourage, inspire and love another person, whether it is a child of your own or just someone who needed the kind of support provided by a good father – thank you and enjoy your day! One day is not really enough but it is nice to set aside some time to remember those who help us along the way.
One Year of Blogging
When I decided to begin my blog last year, I was not exactly sure of how it would turn out. What would I write about, who would read it, could I be consistent?
I have learned there is always something to write about; my job is to organize my thoughts, get in the chair and put it in a form that I can share. I set out to record my experiences, choices and point of view. Blogging has been a great way to “curate” the life I currently have, while expanding my vision of what other things I would like to have in my life.
What I did not expect is how much I would learn from those who read and comment on my blog, and from the many other blogs I have found along the way. I have read funny, informative and serious stories, seen incredible photography and heard from people living in countries outside of the U.S.
Here are a few of my favorite posts from last summer when I was getting started. Readers have told me my style has evolved over the last several months, and I appreciate that feedback as well, since I want to get better at telling stories.
Ireland is a Beautiful Country
For those of you who have been following me, thanks! And for those of you who secretly have something to say, get started on your blog. It is a wonderful way to document your path in the world.
Now excuse me while I get started on my next post…
Memorial Day – Silver Beach at St. Joseph, Michigan
Sculpture – And You, Seas
Sculptor – Richard Hunt
It is Memorial Day and I appreciate the men and women who have served and are serving in the military. This day has also become a day when families get together and kick off the unofficial beginning of summer, or perhaps the end of the school year.
We went to Silver Beach, which is on Lake Michigan in St. Joseph, Michigan. It was a dreary day, but we came across a 48 feet tall stainless steel sculpture done by Richard Hunt. Hunt is an impressive sculptor and has won many prestigious awards. He also has numerous installations of public art. I visited his studio once and came to understand how important it is for an artist to have a place to work. This may seem obvious, but if you have to put everything away each time you want to work, you are less likely to get started. Everyone can benefit from a small place that is their own, in which they can create, dream or be inspired. Virginia Woolf had the right idea.
This sculpture is named And You, Seas, and was inspired by its lakefront location and a poem written by the French poet, St. John Perse. One of my favorite lines reads:
It’s a sea song as was never sung, and it’s the Sea in us who will sing it:
And it’s a dream at sea as was never dreamed, and it’s the Sea in us which will dream it.
- And You, Seas
Poet – St. John Perse
This Memorial Day, I am going to spend some time in my “room” and I hope to get back to the beach on a sunnier day.
View of Silver Beach from the pier
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday – I’m Swimming Again
Swimming (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I started Tell Me Something Good Tuesday several weeks ago because I needed to remind myself of the good things that are around me; it was also nice to hear from my readers and friends with their good news. Here is today’s news – I went swimming again after many years away from the pool. I did not stop swimming for any particular reason; it is not like I did not get selected for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, got annoyed and swore off swimsuits. I was just more focused on other forms of exercise, like Pilates, Zumba, walking and until I hung up my skates, rollerblading.
But last week I purchased a new suit, one more suited for actually swimming, not just hanging out at the beach. I jumped in and found it to be so exhilarating that I wondered why I had waited so long. My good news is I am back in the pool, trying to get my breathing and form together, and just happy to be swimming again.
I said I would keep this feature until May 21, so today is the last Tuesday to write about my good news in this way. But I intend to remain mindful of the big and little events in my life that are worth sharing and celebrating and hope you do too.
I’m off to the pool, have a good one!
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday – a Four-Pack
I am full of good news:
1. I had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend and was able to spend it with my mother. My other tradition is listening to a Mother’s Day CD my daughter made for me over ten years ago – it still makes me smile when I hear it.
2. I spent most of yesterday writing – I am working on a longer piece and it is coming along.
3. My husband and I celebrated good news with friends over a long dinner and great food.
4. And now, I am off to Zumba to shimmy away some of the rich food I ate last night!
It’s your turn, tell me something good!
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday – My Favorite Restaurant in Hilton Head
Roastfish & Cornbread – my favorite restaurant on Hilton Head island
Roastfish & Cornbread is my favorite place to eat on Hilton Head island. The food is fresh, healthy, and Chef David’s appreciation for low country cuisine shows in the preparation. There is a garden just steps from the front door, and if you like fish (I don’t eat it often but sometimes will when I am here), it is the best. Better yet, the vegan, vegetarian and raw options are fantastic! This is really good food
Grouper, collard greens, rice pilaf and hush puppies. A long walk on the beach after eating made it worthwhile.
Bright interior and mural of Chef David
Your turn - do you have any good news to share today?
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday – Pretty Day
It’s been a good day – it was 81 degrees, I finally put away my winter clothes, took a walk around the neighborhood and chatted with my neighbors. I also got to see the Picasso exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago a couple of days ago. It is hard to imagine that one man could have such an amazing and varied body of work. The arch below is installed at the Art Institute; architecture is revered in Chicago and it is good to see structures like this being preserved.
Admin. Professionals Day – We’ve Come A Long Way Baby
Today is Administrative Professionals Day, a day that recognizes the contributions of administrative staff in the workplace. This day has been observed in some form since 1952. While we have come a long way (baby) from the steno pool days (think Joan in the TV show Mad Men), I thought you might find it interesting to see what life was like for administrative assistants or secretaries in the 60s and 70s. I have held on to an old document from one of my first jobs back in the 80s. It is a memo, dated July 1971, that was in my desk when I started; it was not sent to me, but I found it so ridiculous that I have kept it for all of these years. I know the culture of this company had changed by my arrival but the tips are priceless; they leave me shaking my head every time I read them.
Stenographer’s Guide – July 1971
The text might be hard to read, so here are some of the tips for the successful stenographer:
Face
- Natural-looking makeup
- Clean
Dress
- Clean underclothing
- Outer garments clean, pressed
- Comfortable, appropriate dresses
- No sagging slip
Hair
- Clean, shiny and neat
- An easy-to-manage hairdo
- A natural looking color
Body
- Clean
- Deodorant used
- Light perfume or cologne
At the bottom it reads, “A well-groomed stenographer is a credit to herself, her employer, and her profession.” There is a strange preoccupation with mentioning cleanliness, as if this was something they had to be told.
I have nothing but admiration for women who had to put up with this in the workplace yet managed to support themselves and their families. I just have to wonder what were the tips for the men.
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday
I was hard to post last Tuesday because of the losses in Boston. I said a prayer, which helped me feel better, but at the time, talking about good news seemed insensitive and frivolous.
But a week later I have had time to process some of what happened. Despite the sadness I felt, good acts and good people were all around. Here is my short list:
The runners, volunteers, medical responders, those that were afraid and helped anyway, police, fire and emergency personnel, our son who attends college in Cambridge is safe, his uncle and aunt in New Hampshire took him home with them for a couple of days, the prayers, texts and phone calls, the abounding kindness that is demonstrated during tragedies such as this.
These are just some of the good things I have seen over the last week and I am so grateful.
Any good news that you would like to share?
Note: Last month I began Tell Me Something Good Tuesday. You might think we don’t need another designated weekday; after all, we have TGIF (Thank Goodness it’s Friday), Meatless Monday, Humpday (Wednesday), etc. But I want to enlist your help in finding a day in the week we can all share some good news, hence, Tell Me Something Good Tuesday. So between now and May 21st, I am going to find something to be grateful about that has happened recently or is upcoming, and quickly share it with you. I would love for you to do the same.
Tell Me Something Good Tuesday
Big Ben clock tower, London, England (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This week’s good news is mostly about family. We had a relaxing weekend with my parents while our daughter and son-in-law travelled to London for a wedding. I hope the new couple have a lifetime of happiness and fun together and weather any challenges in a way that strengthens their relationship.
Sports news – my god-daughter is tearing up the track, winning races in the 200 and 400 and running anchor in the 4X200 relay. I love track and field; it is my favorite sport. The women have typically been the track stars in my family and it is a joy to watch another generation enjoy the sport.
And finally, yet another one of my friends is putting together her plan to move in the direction of her dreams, not because she dislikes her current situation, but because she is finally getting clarity on what is most important for her happiness. She is not quitting, but moving on.
It is your turn now — tell me something good!
Note: Last week I instituted Tell Me Something Good Tuesday. You might think we don’t need another designated weekday; after all, we have TGIF (Thank Goodness it’s Friday), Meatless Monday, Humpday (Wednesday), etc. But I want to enlist your help in finding a day in the week we can all share some good news, hence, Tell Me Something Good Tuesday. So between now and May 21st, I am going to find something to be grateful about that has happened recently or is upcoming, and quickly share it with you. I would love for you to do the same.
