Archive for the ‘Connecticut College’ Tag

FINALLY A GREETING AND GRATITUDE   2 comments

This is a terrible way to send holiday greetings, so long after it’s over, but I want this to go to all the friends whose “following” has enriched my life, and especially to friends who were kind enough to send me greetings when they heard nothing from me in return. But at the very least I’d like to give some explanation, ask for forgiveness, and let you know a bit of what I’ve been up to.

First of all, I did enjoy a lovely family Christmas, all six of us, including friend Elizabeth who has become a delightful regular participant in our family shenanigans. 

Then I’d like to tell you how my time has been tied up especially with my about-to-happen book: How Could Those Lovely People Let it Happen: A Psychologist’s Personal Journey. I decided to publish with Beaver’s Pond Press who do a very thorough and professional job of editing and preparing the book for publication. Right now we’re sharpening up my cover vision executed by a super artist. It currently measures 213 pages, but I’m sure the final printing will change that some. Right now I’m looking for people who’d be willing to read and review the link to the manuscript. If that sounds to you like a good thing to do, Please email me at www.forgivenessoptions.com. Some people will tell me I shouldn’t get it out there so freely, but I’m sure I could win in court if anyone tried to steal it. It’s all about me, and only things I could write. It would be lovely to have people ready to review it on Amazon when it comes out. And I do think the answers to the titular question are quite relevant to the current world condition. I plan also to publish the Preface on my web site, www.forgivenessoptions.com.

So how good is that as an excuse? Well, do consider that energy lessens with age, and I’m well into that age thing. And besides, I’ve chosen to be the correspondent for my class of 1951 from Connecticut College, which was, at the time, Connecticut College for Women. And I do get myself involved in things like the Residents Council here at the Excelsior Waters where I’ve been living a very comfortable life since 2018.

And then there’s technology! Sometimes I wish I had just retired. (Oh yes, I didn’t renew my license last year.) Some folks actually do things like reading books and attending the myriad of activities here. I know enough about technical stuff until something goes kaflooey and I get to work a day or so with a helpful techie. Thankfully most of the time they can get me straightened out, some more efficiently than others.

I do walk a half-hour every day, though, and attend exercise classes four days a week. And, of course, I still enjoy concerts and theater – and travel. This past spring my son and I cruised up the Mississippi with Viking. I especially liked that because we ended in Saint Paul, so all we had to do was disembark and enjoy a ride to our homes in a friend’s car. I may or may not make final payment on an August Viking cruise of the Arctic on a ship identical to the one we enjoyed on the Antarctic a couple of years ago.

And so it goes. Age happens whether we like it or not, but it doesn’t have to be dull.

If you would consider reading the manuscript, please connect with me via my email, forgivenessoptions@earthlink.net

MY CURRENT PERSONAL GRATITUDE LIST   15 comments

In no particular order:

  • Hot showers
  • Warm bed
  • Minimal injuries on April 15, 2015
  • Auto insurance
  • Health insurance
  • Medicare
  • Friends – those still here and those who have completed their journey. Too many to mention by name
  • Caring parents
    • Who saw to my healthcare
    • Who supported my education all the way through
    • Who set an example of happy, competent, responsible living
    • Who avoided humiliation and shame at all costs.
  • My son who’s fun to travel with, a super helper, and a source of pride
  • My daughter who’s fun to shop with, my super advisor, and a source of pride
  • My granddaughter – my favorite editor and hugger.
  • My grandson – wish I could see more of him
  • The rest of my family, both close and distant
  • Good health
  • Pension
  • Chiropractor/nutritionist who keeps me in good shape
  • Christmas – the goal of every year
  • Holland America Line
  • Travel
  • Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior, Minnesota
  • Shepherd of the Hill Presbyterian Church in Chaska, Minnesota
  • Connecticut College
  • Boston University
  • A delightful career that wouldn’t have been possible without the two preceding items.
  • Psychology and Psychologists
  • Warm, comfortable clothes in current style
  • My patient and creative hair dresser
  • Computer
  • Cell phone
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Neighbors
  • My writers group
  • My Kindle
  • Time for writing
  • Time for reading
  • Memories of High School Boyfriends
  • Memories of young love with my former husband
  • The energy I once had
  • The remaining remnants of energy
  • Faith, based on experience, that bad times will ultimately yield to better times
  • Patience to wait for decades