My daughter, Cindy, and my friend, Sylvia, frown on my love of the casino. I wonder if they ever think that they are taking a gamble every day of their lives just by crawling out of bed in the morning? They are taking a chance that they'll get through the day without accident, either at work or driving.
Getting married is a gamble, too. In the heat of first love, you don't even try to look beyond the skin to see what kind of person lies inside, do you? A lot of people have discovered too late that they married a monster.
Having children is another gamble. Will they be good kids? Will they be healthy kids? Will we still like each other when they're adults?
You gamble big time when you vote. That's one gamble I won't take again because I can't find a decent politician to vote for.
Driving is a terrible gamble. The roads are so dangerous and filled with angry or inept drivers. Personally, I love to drive and just hope the crazies won't notice me out there.
Living is the biggest gamble of all because you know without a doubt that one day, near or far, you're going to lose.
That said, I love to gamble and enjoy the thrill of possiblities so I'm going to keep on trucking. By the way, I won $30 today at the internet casino but I won't tell you how much I lost in the cruise ship casinos.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
The Cruise
Our cruise was with Norwegian Cruise Lines (Norwegian Star), left Sunday, January 22 and returned Sunday, January 29. There were 54 of us from our park and I haven't heard from one who would ever cruise with Norwegian again.
The experience wasn't horrible but there were various problems that caused me to make that decision...one was the fact that the bathroom in our room was smaller than the one in my little trailer here in Florida. Then, with 3 senior ladies in our room, one had to climb up a ladder onto a bunkbed (on Carnival cruises we had 3 separate beds on the floor). Another problem was the layout of the main diningroom where the servers working area was inbetween table groupings which caused more noise and upheaval than we ever had with Carnival. Last, for me, was how curt and unfriendly many of the staff were. The friendliest ones were the cleaning staff.
That said, we did have a wonderful time because we chose to do so. We visited Roatan, Honduras and learned something of it's friendly people. I believe this is a newer stop for the cruise lines because it's still relatively unspoiled.
We visited Costa Maya (never heard of it before) and saw the beauty there amongst the poverty. We took a taxi into the nearby village (beach and vendors!!) and our tour guide from the park, Debbie, traded her used Reboks for a very nice necklace and bracelet that I'd paid $25 for. The vendor wasn't interested in my slip on sandals, I guess. Debbie went back to the ship in bare feet.
We visited Belize and fought our way through terribly aggressive vendors. I'd always thought Belize was sort of a luxury city but discovered it was mainly a very poor one. The city of Belize is built on landfill which is below sea level and it has to be completely evacuated during a severe storm.
Our last stop was Cozumel where we again fought our way through unbearably aggressive vendors until we found a nice tour guide to take us around the island. One of our stops was at a tequila factory where we enjoyed many, many samples of excellent tequila. I'd never tasted it before and was surprised how good the good stuff ($80 per bottle) was. We didn't buy any but we sure did enjoy the tasting.
We had one sea day at the beginning of the cruise and one sea day at the end so we got together with a group of friends and played "65" on those afternoons.
My Cindy wrote that my generation might be the last to enjoy retirement pleasures like this and she could well be right about that. My generation benefited from the unions that we or our spouses belonged to but the present generation might not have it as good. Unions used to be very powerful and influential but, like so many instances of abuse of power, the unions have sort of made a mess of the economy in some cases so they've lost strength.
None of us here in my little Florida park are millionaires but we are comfortable. We enjoy ourselves as long as our health allows and that's the main thing. Life is often what you chose to make of it and it doesn't take riches to make it good. It usually takes attitude...good relatives and friends are a bonus!
Anyway, I sadly said goodbye to Mary today when Don came to pick her up. I love her dearly and completely enjoy her company so it's been a fun 2 weeks having her with me. Our other roommate on the cruise, Sylvia, is another treasure of a friend but she'll be here in the park until April just like me. We were fairly crowded in our stateroom but never had even the tiniest dispute. We laughed at inconveniences and just carried on enjoying every moment we could and that's a sign of a darned good friendship. The two of them even took turns sleeping on that awful bunkbed because my knees couldn't have handled the crawl across it.
Now here I am, alone in my quiet little trailer and honestly enjoying the solitude...until tomorrow when the social whirl begins again. Thank you, Dennis.
The experience wasn't horrible but there were various problems that caused me to make that decision...one was the fact that the bathroom in our room was smaller than the one in my little trailer here in Florida. Then, with 3 senior ladies in our room, one had to climb up a ladder onto a bunkbed (on Carnival cruises we had 3 separate beds on the floor). Another problem was the layout of the main diningroom where the servers working area was inbetween table groupings which caused more noise and upheaval than we ever had with Carnival. Last, for me, was how curt and unfriendly many of the staff were. The friendliest ones were the cleaning staff.
That said, we did have a wonderful time because we chose to do so. We visited Roatan, Honduras and learned something of it's friendly people. I believe this is a newer stop for the cruise lines because it's still relatively unspoiled.
We visited Costa Maya (never heard of it before) and saw the beauty there amongst the poverty. We took a taxi into the nearby village (beach and vendors!!) and our tour guide from the park, Debbie, traded her used Reboks for a very nice necklace and bracelet that I'd paid $25 for. The vendor wasn't interested in my slip on sandals, I guess. Debbie went back to the ship in bare feet.
We visited Belize and fought our way through terribly aggressive vendors. I'd always thought Belize was sort of a luxury city but discovered it was mainly a very poor one. The city of Belize is built on landfill which is below sea level and it has to be completely evacuated during a severe storm.
Our last stop was Cozumel where we again fought our way through unbearably aggressive vendors until we found a nice tour guide to take us around the island. One of our stops was at a tequila factory where we enjoyed many, many samples of excellent tequila. I'd never tasted it before and was surprised how good the good stuff ($80 per bottle) was. We didn't buy any but we sure did enjoy the tasting.
We had one sea day at the beginning of the cruise and one sea day at the end so we got together with a group of friends and played "65" on those afternoons.
My Cindy wrote that my generation might be the last to enjoy retirement pleasures like this and she could well be right about that. My generation benefited from the unions that we or our spouses belonged to but the present generation might not have it as good. Unions used to be very powerful and influential but, like so many instances of abuse of power, the unions have sort of made a mess of the economy in some cases so they've lost strength.
None of us here in my little Florida park are millionaires but we are comfortable. We enjoy ourselves as long as our health allows and that's the main thing. Life is often what you chose to make of it and it doesn't take riches to make it good. It usually takes attitude...good relatives and friends are a bonus!
Anyway, I sadly said goodbye to Mary today when Don came to pick her up. I love her dearly and completely enjoy her company so it's been a fun 2 weeks having her with me. Our other roommate on the cruise, Sylvia, is another treasure of a friend but she'll be here in the park until April just like me. We were fairly crowded in our stateroom but never had even the tiniest dispute. We laughed at inconveniences and just carried on enjoying every moment we could and that's a sign of a darned good friendship. The two of them even took turns sleeping on that awful bunkbed because my knees couldn't have handled the crawl across it.
Now here I am, alone in my quiet little trailer and honestly enjoying the solitude...until tomorrow when the social whirl begins again. Thank you, Dennis.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Week With Mary
Mary is one of my closest friends and she came down to spend the week with me before we all go on our cruise. We've been on the go, running the roads like maniacs, since she got here and we're getting very tired. We both had a nap this afternoon, the first one possible to us during the whole week.
Tomorrow we go on a cruise with a whole busload of our park people. We'll go out of Tampa and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan. I've never heard of Costa Maya or Roatan before but I'll be quite happy to tour around them and see what they're like. Honestly, I'd be happy to even spend the whole 8 days on the ship because it's so much fun there.
Dennis refused to go on a cruise because he said he'd be bored but there just is no way that can happen. The cruise line makes sure that there are fun things going on all day and evening and the meals are always outstanding. Our little group has decided we'll eat breakfast in the dining room every morning instead of going to the buffet. For me, that will mean eating less because I'll only order what I really want instead of taking everything I see on the buffet table.
Mary's husband, Don, comes to pick her up on the Monday after we return and I'm going to miss her. Mary is a sort of relative who has always been a good friend but now is more like a sister to me. She's a great companion and so darned easy to spend time with...we laugh a lot, talk a lot, and respect each other's differences. She's a good friend and I love her dearly.
It's been a busy week but also one of the most fun weeks I'll spend down here. I'm expecting the cruise to be the topper, though, and can't wait to board that ship and start the adventure.
Life is good.
Tomorrow we go on a cruise with a whole busload of our park people. We'll go out of Tampa and visit Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan. I've never heard of Costa Maya or Roatan before but I'll be quite happy to tour around them and see what they're like. Honestly, I'd be happy to even spend the whole 8 days on the ship because it's so much fun there.
Dennis refused to go on a cruise because he said he'd be bored but there just is no way that can happen. The cruise line makes sure that there are fun things going on all day and evening and the meals are always outstanding. Our little group has decided we'll eat breakfast in the dining room every morning instead of going to the buffet. For me, that will mean eating less because I'll only order what I really want instead of taking everything I see on the buffet table.
Mary's husband, Don, comes to pick her up on the Monday after we return and I'm going to miss her. Mary is a sort of relative who has always been a good friend but now is more like a sister to me. She's a great companion and so darned easy to spend time with...we laugh a lot, talk a lot, and respect each other's differences. She's a good friend and I love her dearly.
It's been a busy week but also one of the most fun weeks I'll spend down here. I'm expecting the cruise to be the topper, though, and can't wait to board that ship and start the adventure.
Life is good.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Dishonorable Marines
The photo seems to show American marines urinating on the bodies of their dead enemies. Why would anyone be surprised that, during a war, one side would have anything but contempt for the other? The sad part is that their humanity suffers in the process and that's why these marines have lost sight of common human decency.
War brings out the hidden savagery in people, allowing them to perform acts that civilization has tried to eliminate from the human psyche. It's similar to mob mentality where people become barbaric simply because they're within a group of people who have given in to their wild side.
Yes, it's horrible that these marines in American uniform committed such a disgusting act but it's not really surprising. War can be dehumanizing.
War brings out the hidden savagery in people, allowing them to perform acts that civilization has tried to eliminate from the human psyche. It's similar to mob mentality where people become barbaric simply because they're within a group of people who have given in to their wild side.
Yes, it's horrible that these marines in American uniform committed such a disgusting act but it's not really surprising. War can be dehumanizing.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Good News, Sad News
Kim had her surgery on Monday and has recovered so well that she was able to come home today. The truth is that she's probably safer at home than in a hospital full of sometimes deadly germs so I'm quite happy that she is home. Nick and Matt are with her now and Cindy will be with her tonight so she couldn't be better cared for.
Now the sort of sad news. I watched a little old lady walking today and realized that years ago I wondered why old people often walk funny. Well, the sad truth is that most of us have aches and pains that hurt when we walk. When you see an elderly person taking time to exit a car it could be because they're afraid of twisting a knee (I do that). Some seniors have back or hip pain that worsens when they're walking. Some have sore feet.
Getting old isn't for sissies but, if you can tolerate the odd ache or pain without giving in to it, you can still have a wonderful quality of life.
My knee pain was making me miserable for most of the summer and fall but it has subsided to a tweek now and then, lurking in the background and just waiting for me to give it a twist so it can claw it's way to the surface. And that's why it takes me forever to crawl out of a car! That's also why I curse a lot trying to crawl out of Kim's sports car!
But today is a good one.
Now the sort of sad news. I watched a little old lady walking today and realized that years ago I wondered why old people often walk funny. Well, the sad truth is that most of us have aches and pains that hurt when we walk. When you see an elderly person taking time to exit a car it could be because they're afraid of twisting a knee (I do that). Some seniors have back or hip pain that worsens when they're walking. Some have sore feet.
Getting old isn't for sissies but, if you can tolerate the odd ache or pain without giving in to it, you can still have a wonderful quality of life.
My knee pain was making me miserable for most of the summer and fall but it has subsided to a tweek now and then, lurking in the background and just waiting for me to give it a twist so it can claw it's way to the surface. And that's why it takes me forever to crawl out of a car! That's also why I curse a lot trying to crawl out of Kim's sports car!
But today is a good one.
Sunday, January 08, 2012
My New Watch
I'm not a fancy person who needs expensive watches to make me feel successful so I buy a watch every year or two from the flea market in Florida. It's nice to have the change so often, too. I loved this watch as soon as I saw it because of the colors in the band and also because it was stretchy with no clasps.At first I sort of thought the band looked like it was made of safety pins strung with beads but then thought, no, no-one would sell something like that. Well, when I finally got around to inspecting it closer, the band really was made of safety pins and I think it's adorable! How ingenious to use a simple and readily available product to make a watch band. You know it had to have been made in China because we Canadians and Americans are just too snooty to think of doing such a thing.
I love it and it only cost $12.
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Worrying About Kids
My daughter is having surgery on Monday and it's driving me crazy with worry. The surgery is a common one that must be performed many times daily in every hospital in the world but I don't care. This time it's being performed on my baby.
Whenever any of my kids, grandkids, or greatgrandkids are sick I can't live with myself because the worrying clouds my mind. I seem to be unable to see it all in perspective and, instead, worry myself sick about the tiny chance that something bad could happen. I know that, if it did, I'd die.
I didn't sleep well last night worrying about it. I've cancelled my Monday casino trip because I need to stay by the phone waiting to hear that she is out of surgery and resting well. I really do NEED to hear those words and will be completely on edge until I do.
It doesn't matter how old your babies are, you will worry about them in every way until the day you die. My babies are to blame for every wrinkle on my face and grey hair on my head! But I wouldn't have wanted to live my life without having those babies in the first place. Sigh!
Whenever any of my kids, grandkids, or greatgrandkids are sick I can't live with myself because the worrying clouds my mind. I seem to be unable to see it all in perspective and, instead, worry myself sick about the tiny chance that something bad could happen. I know that, if it did, I'd die.
I didn't sleep well last night worrying about it. I've cancelled my Monday casino trip because I need to stay by the phone waiting to hear that she is out of surgery and resting well. I really do NEED to hear those words and will be completely on edge until I do.
It doesn't matter how old your babies are, you will worry about them in every way until the day you die. My babies are to blame for every wrinkle on my face and grey hair on my head! But I wouldn't have wanted to live my life without having those babies in the first place. Sigh!
Monday, January 02, 2012
Winter Cold in Florida
Canada is sending down some of that cold air to Florida for the next few days. I shouldn't blame it on Canada but everyone else here does. Anyway, I added an electric blanket to my bedding when I made the bed this morning so I'm all set. It's a heady feeling to climb into a nice warm bed when the room is a little too cold for comfort and I'm looking forward to bedtime tonight.
These trailers just aren't insulated enough to keep out the cold when the temperature outside is very low. It seeps in through the poorly constructed windows and doors even when the furnace is on. I like it kind of cool so I don't use the furnace if I don't have to. Most winter days in mid Florida are sunny and it doesn't cool off until evening so it's a rare day when my furnace is required.
I'll turn on the electric blanket to a low heat about an hour before bedtime and it will be perfect when I crawl into bed. Simple pleasures, right?
These trailers just aren't insulated enough to keep out the cold when the temperature outside is very low. It seeps in through the poorly constructed windows and doors even when the furnace is on. I like it kind of cool so I don't use the furnace if I don't have to. Most winter days in mid Florida are sunny and it doesn't cool off until evening so it's a rare day when my furnace is required.
I'll turn on the electric blanket to a low heat about an hour before bedtime and it will be perfect when I crawl into bed. Simple pleasures, right?
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