An Inspiring Podcast by Suze Orman

Each Thursday and Sunday I look forward to listening to Suze Orman's podcast. It's called Women and Money.  Today's episode is about having faith that everything happens for the best. Suze has been a real inspiration to me for many years. I have followed her advice carefully, and it has always worked.  I hope you enjoy it.  https://www.suzeorman.com/podcast

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Admiring Some Santa Monica Homes

Here are a few more photos I took while spending the day in Santa Monica. This one is a gorgeous Spanish style house near Ocean Way. The ivy and the landscaping envelop it so beautifully.   It has a stunning view of the ocean.  I love the tiles and archways.

This blue one is now an inn. It's just a short walk from the beach.   I love the location.  There are some quaint shops and restaurants nearby.

It would be fun to live in this little house. It just sold. A group of young girls were selling lemonade outside of it. I stopped and chatted with them on my way back to the car. I remember squeezing fresh lemons to use at a lemonade stand with my friend when I was their age. Now they just open a bottle of Newman's Own; they had it on ice in a cooler.  I was their first customer.

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More Santa Monica Beach Photos

The charming Georgian Hotel on Ocean Avenue

Today I went back to the beach for a couple of hours. The weather was sunny and delightful. These photos are from Sunday. I found a perfect parking spot in my favorite neighborhood, and eased my red Beetle in front of a charming beach house. After locking the car, I walked half a block, headed down the colorful stairs, and continued through the pedestrian tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway.

beach houses and palm trees

There were a couple of Breeze bikes parked the nearest bike rack, so I punched in my account number and pin to unlock one. I had read that if you return a Breeze bike to one of their hubs, they will credit you two dollars. I decided to return both of them: one before  I went into the water, and one on the way home.

safe bike path away from cars

I took a gorgeous ride towards Malibu on the bike path. They're weren't too many people, so it was very relaxing. Everyone seems to love walking and bicycling on that path.  I saw a couple of skate boarders, too. I stopped and watched the surfers for a while. My older brother used to surf every day when he was alive. The weather here is perfect. After enjoying the water, and taking a walk along the beach, I packed up my bag and headed back to the Breeze bike. It felt good to put the bicycles back into  a locked position where they are supposed to be. I love that bike share.  It's working out so well.

I beat the traffic home, which was thrilling.   The 405 freeway is fabulous if you drive on it at the right time. I made a pizza using homemade sauce and pizza dough that I had already prepared and put in the fridge. Next I plan to do Pilates. Once I  finish the rest of my chores, I'll walk Lula.  How is your exercise routine going? 

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Using Public Transportation Instead of Your Car

Here are some more photos from my Sunday bus trip to Santa Monica beach.  I started out at this bus stop in Canyon Country. I drove the short distance from my cottage and parked the car.  It's free.  I love this park; it's so lush and green. There are so many pine trees.  They provide us with much needed shade in the hot weather.

Annenburg Community Center and Breeze Bike Hub

There were plenty of bicycles at this beach station. I got mine at Colorado and 4th, by the Metro stop. It was a quick walk from Ocean Avenue and Colorado, where we were let off the bus. They have special bike lanes that are painted green. One of them goes straight down the pier. I unlocked my bike and cruised down Main Street. From there I turned right on Ocean Park, and headed down to the sand.  As you can see, the Breeze bikes are excellent quality. I love the roomy baskets. They have bells and hand brakes, and you can easily adjust the seat to fit your height. The rear key pad shows you how much time you have remaining, and how far you have ridden.

I love this pizza delivery bike at Stephano's Pizzeria on the 3rd Street Promenade

The ocean is so expansive. It really opens up your mind and consciousness. I have always felt completely at home here. I first came to Santa Monica as a thirteen year old babysitter. I knew as soon as my feet touched the ground that I wanted to move here when I got older. It was love at first sight for me. 

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A Gorgeous Sunny Day at the Beach

This morning I rode the beach bus from Santa Clarita to Santa Monica. It was only $3.00 each way. The buses are beautiful. They travel nonstop to The Santa Monica Pier.

I picked up a Breeze bike at the beach. There were several to choose from at Annenburg Community Center.  I saw this funny scene on my bike ride to Venice Beach.

The views were breathtaking.

The bathrooms are very clean and creative.  I love the outdoor sinks.

This was my view from the window after boarding the bus to head back home.

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Putting Air in Your Bicycle Tires

The other day I rode my bike down to the nearby gas station. I had noticed that my back tire was getting  low, and  I needed to pump some air into it. I have a small travel pump, but it doesn't seem to  work very well.  I needed something more powerful.

I ran into my neighbor while I was there. He was picking up several bags of ice for a family  trip to the lake. He helped me with the pump. There are spaces on the machine to insert six quarters, but there is also a sign that says, "For free air, ask inside." He went in and they told him just to press the button. It's  on the left hand side.  I pressed it, the machine fired up, and the air came whooshing out through the nozzle.

He filled the back tire for me, and I added some air to the front one. It was quick and easy, and boy did it make a difference! I hadn't realized that you need to add air to your bicycle tires on a regular basis. I have spent so much money having the inner tubes replaced and adding tuff tube, maybe this is all that I needed to do.  Well, except for things that cause punctures,  like thorns and nails.  It makes me shake my head. I need to make it a habit. Even if your bike is just sitting in the garage, the tires can go flat.

My neighbor mentioned that he has a compressor pump if I ever need to use it. He's so nice. I usually stop and chat with his wife when I am out walking the dog.  I came home and oiled the chain. The owner of the local bike shop always reminds me that I need to do that whenever it gets dry.

When the tires have plenty of air in them, the ride feels completely different. You have support. It's the opposite of that feeling when your tires deflated or getting low. I am excited to be more proactive about this part of bicycle maintenance.  How is your tire situation?

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Bicycling to the Grocery Store

tile bench at Union Station

Today I hooked up my Burley Travoy bike trailer to my pale green beach cruiser, and rode to the corner bus stop. After heaving my bike on to the front bike rack and paying my fare,  I took a seat by the window. It was relaxing to be driven and I enjoyed the mountain view and a few chapters of my library book. I got off after about  five miles  and biked down the bike path to the Armenian market to buy my produce. On the way, the right wide pant leg of my flowered jumpsuit got stuck in the chain of my bike. I wasn't sure what to do. It was completely jammed, and I couldn't pull it free.

Theater in Newhall

Right then a petite blonde woman pulled up on a bike and  helped me. I lifted the bicycle while she back pedaled it and removed the loose material. It was hard to do because I have foot brakes. She was so sweet and cheerful. She was wearing spandex biking gear, tennis shoes,  and a helmet. I was in my hippie clothes, bike helmet, and Birkenstock sandals. I love meeting other bike riders. They always seem so fit and happy. "Be safe," she called out, as she rode on her way. I breathed a sigh of relief and said a prayer of thanks. She was like an angel, appearing out of nowhere.

I noticed that the city of Santa Clarita now has a community station at Newhall Ranch Rd. and Bouquet Canyon for bike repair. There is a large pump, and a tool kit for fixing a flat tire. I was very impressed. This city is so bike friendly!  Next time I'm down there I will add some air to my tires. I always forget to do that, and then they get low.  I have a pump at home, but I haven't figured out how to use it. The public pump is like the ones that they have at the gas stations. You can also get a reading for how much air you have in your tires.  I'm excited to use it.   

Newhall restaurant

I shopped at two different stores, and bought what was on sale. Sea salt caramel gelato was on special, two for the price of one! On my way home, I ran into a lady I've been taking the bus with for years. We had an animated conversation and laughed heartily.  I love the social aspect of biking and taking public transportation. I stopped and visited with a few different neighbors on my walk with Lula this evening. They were all outside, enjoying our gorgeous summer weather.  How are you doing? 

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Successful Ride Using Breeze Bike Share in Santa Monica

train tracks from my Saturday adventure

This morning I decided to drive back to Santa Monica and try using the Breeze Bike Share again. This time I brought the phone number of customer service with me, in case I had any trouble. There were several bikes available at the hub on the beach. I typed in my account number, but it didn't prompt me to enter my pin. This is what happened the first time I attempted to use the system, so I called them for help.

free parking is provided at Via Princessa Station

The woman there was excellent, and she talked me through it. I switched to a different bicycle with a keypad that was much easier to read and use. After entering my pin, I pulled out the locking bar, placed it in the pouch on the side of the bike, and headed up the beach bike trail. What a fabulous feeling!

outside courtyard at Union Station in Los Angeles

I rode up to Will Rogers Beach, and then back down to Main Street, in Venice. I was cautious about staying within the boundaries given on the maps. I had read stories of people going too far, and then being charged a fee for parking the bikes there.

waiting room at Union Station with live piano music and comfortable chairs

I felt elated. I rode for six miles, and was back in an hour. Next time I will ride for the full ninety minutes. It's so invigorating! The beach is just gorgeous. It's wonderful not to have to worry about cars or traffic. I think this is definitely going to be worth the $99.00 I spent for a yearly membership. You can ride ninety minutes per day!

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Taking the Metro Train on a Saturday for $10.00 a Day

Santa Clarita Metrolink platform

Yesterday I purchased a $10.00 weekend pass for our local train service. I wanted to try the new railway that goes out to Santa Monica. I had read about it, but was a little bit intimidated. It sounded so complicated, requiring two transfers. It turns out, it wasn't, it was just time consuming.

I started at Via Princessa station. I used the kiosk to buy a weekend day pass. It's only good for one day. I was traveling on Saturday. I met a couple who were also waiting for the train, and had a nice chat with them. The woman was visiting from Paso Robles. She said that they are doing a lot of work on our public transportation system to prepare for the upcoming Olympics.

I took the train to Union Station, and transferred there to the the red line. I only had to go three stops, and switched over at 7th Street/Metro to the blue line. I took that all the way to the end, in Santa Monica. It was a long journey.  It took me two and a half hours.  The people that worked for Metro were extremely friendly and helpful. I was so impressed. It was a little scary riding the train, because of some of the passengers.  Nobody really bothered me, but I felt a little uneasy. A man on the Metro train was hitting on me, and when I didn't respond he became argumentative. He was asking me all kinds of personal questions, but he eventually got the message. It kind of reminded me of New York. You have to keep your guard up, and hang on to your bag.  I met a nice woman traveling with her sisters on my way home. She was extremely friendly and talkative. I also had a long conversation with a woman in Spanish who didn't speak English. It was good practice, and she was very sweet and helpful.

I  recently joined Breeze Bike Share and wanted to try out the bikes at Santa Monica station. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful getting the bike unlocked. I was able to punch in my account number, but it didn't prompt me for my pin number, which you need to unlock the bike.  I tried several different bikes, but to no avail.

I phoned customer service this morning, and the woman who helped me  said that it might have been that I hadn't confirmed my membership through an email that they sent me. I worked that out, and plan to try again next week. I really want to ride along the beach bike path again. I purchased a year membership for $99.00. You can use it every day for up to ninety minutes. I'm not able to take my own bike on a bike rack, because my VW Beetle has a glass sun roof. This should be a convenient solution.   Have you ever participated in a car share or bike share program?  

Enjoying The Beach and The Backyard Orchard

Lula and I lay under the pomegranate tree.  It's like a cave.

I spent a couple of days at the beach this week.  I decided to drive when the traffic is lighter, eager to enjoy the gorgeous ocean.  I have many happy memories of living Santa Monica.  I used to rent a room on Ocean View Avenue when I was a teenager. We spent a lot of time at the beach in those days. My friend and I would regularly  meet at 6:00 a.m. at Cafe Casino.

pomegranate blossoms

I cruised down PCH and found some free parking near the little beach houses on Ocean Avenue. I just love those sweet abodes, and always fantasize about owning one. I bounced down the stairs, headed through the tunnel, and traipsed across the sand.  I spread out my towel near the water; surprised that there weren't many people. Walking along the water towards Malibu, I watched  the seagulls and some other unusual looking  birds. One was brown, and he was bobbing in the water, like a duck. He had a huge beak, resembling a fishing net. It may have been a brown pelican.  He looked so content on his own.

There was a beautiful sailboat inching its way along the ocean. I kept pace with it as I walked.  The view was exquisite.

I stood in the water for a while, and watched the waves crashing. There were a couple of little boys boogie boarding, and they were laughing and having a terrific time. I think I want to get myself a boogie board.  It looks like so much fun.

tiny Meyer lemons

I laid in the sun for a while, and buried my feet in the sand.  The sound of the waves was so meditative. When I got home, I felt like I still had  the ocean  inside of me. The sea air is so healing. I felt like a new person! I plan to enjoy the beach on a regular basis.  I brought a packed a lunch and a cup of coffee in my travel mug. It was a wonderful day, and it didn't cost me anything but the time and effort.  Have you gone to the beach this year?

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Protecting Yourself From Debit Card Fraud

Today I received a phone call from my credit union. Someone used my debit card for an online purchase of $1,200. at a beauty supply shop, and it was declined. I felt a sense of relief. I confirmed that I hadn't made the purchase. This is the second time this has happened. The first time it was a customer buying Christmas gifts  online  at Walmart.  (in another state.) I caught it on the same day, and reported it.

The woman on the phone told me that she was canceling the card, and that I should cut it up into pieces. She instructed me to go down to my local branch and have them issue me a new card.  I did that this afternoon.

I think what happened this time had to do with my new Amazon Prime account. I received a suspiciou email from them a couple of days ago.  It said that my payment had been declined. (which wasn't true.)  It contained a form to click on that asked me all kinds of personal questions. When is your birthday, what is you email password, etc...I immediately knew it was not a legitimate email from Amazon, even though it looked just like their logo and correspondence.

I deleted everything that I had typed in, and didn't reply, There was still some phishing happening. From now on I will just use one debit card that I have specifically for online purchases, and only deposit the money in that checking account right before I place the order.  I also changed my password on Amazon.

Have you ever experienced fraud with your debit card?

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"On Broadway" - George Benson

How What We Read and Watch Affects Our Relationships

on vacation with my family as a teenager

Yesterday I realized that if I watch movies that are dark and sad, I also begin to feel that way. I may even start to project the behavior of the characters onto my own family memories and relationships.  We have to be careful with the power of influence. It's so easy to absorb the energy of a book, television show, or movie, and to mistake it for your own emotion.  We have to differentiate.  My mother could always tell who I had been playing with when I was young. She said that with a certain friend I got brattier. She was right.  We used to egg each other one and we were a bad influence on each other.

It helps to make a conscious effort to choose material that uplifts, ignites and inspires you. I think the main reason I had a successful career as a dancer was because I used to sing along to albums like "Annie" and "The Sound of Music", and imagine that I was in those shows. I played the soundtracks over an over, visualizing myself saying the lines, and dancing the parts. Eventually, it came true.  I jumped into the scene, in my mind.

making up dances and teaching them to my friend at about thirteen years of age

We can choose entertainment that gives us energy and hope.  It's much healthier than watching things that are depressing or ugly. That's the power of art. One of the reasons that I love to travel so much is that the new scenery and beauty expand our hearts and minds.  We can change locations in our imaginations, as well.

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Everything Old Is New Again, Anne Reinking and Erzsebet Foldi

A Free Trial With Amazon Prime

Capri bench where I sat for a rest

Yesterday I was researching how to watch Sergei Polunin's biography film, Dancer. I learned that I could sign up for a free 30 day trial with Amazon Prime. I clicked a few buttons, updated my debit card number in their file, and I was in business!

It was a thrilling film. I was so taken by the scenery, Sergei's dancing, family, teachers, and friends. It really brought back memories for me. I just loved the ballet studio when I was still dancing. The years are fleeting. He is an absolutely phenomenal dancer. I think I will watch it again tonight.

I also just purchased season one  of Fosse/Verdon for $20.00. You can watch it on Amazon Prime. It's magnificent! I worked with the musical director, Larry Blank, and many of the original Fosse dancers. It's so exciting to be so entertained.

Since I don't have cable, this may be something that I want to keep. I've got to get reacquainted with what's available. I love documentaries and foreign films. What types of movies do you enjoy?

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Sergei Polunin, "Take Me to Church" by Hozier, Directed by David LaChapelle

Children's Enthusiasm

Yesterday as I was walking Lula, I heard one of my favorite neighbors calling out my name. "Miss Tehpohney," his voice rang out from behind the thick hedge of rose bushes. He's four. I greeted him with enthusiasm. "Miss Tehpohney,"  he repeated, " I'm going to have dinner, and after dinner, I'm going to watch my FAVORITE movie!" "Really? That's great!"  I laughed. "Hi!" his little sister called out to me. They are both so friendly and happy. Just hearing their voices always  lifts my spirits.

I thought about how as we get older it is so easy to slip into judgement and criticism. Children are always busy and engaged, stimulated by everything they see. "Look at that truck!" my little neighbor will say. His mind is moving a mile a minute.  I learn so much about the right mental attitude from him. What a difference compared  to how  many seniors often think and talk.  I catch myself all the time.  No wonder grandparents adore spending time with their grandchildren. They are so cute!

I am reading a library book called Move Into Life, by Anat Baniel. It contains the nine essentials for lifelong vitality. I find it fascinating. Some of these suggestions are activities that I used to do naturally. Learning new things and taking classes really lights up our brains. Before having my hips replaced I was always in ballet class. Learning the combinations was such a challenge.  I find that travel also stimulates me. When you are in new situations and locations, you have to memorize and absorb new behaviors and paths. It works the brain and memory.  Even our dogs long to be taken on  an adventure and to experience new vistas.

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A Free Upgrade on NCL

my Aunt Mary and my mom on a cruise together, around 1980

I just made the final payment for a cruise on NCL that I have planned for the future. This one will hit some of the same ports that I visited  in May, but will also stop in Malta, Cannes, Florence, Mykonos, Santorini, and Mallorca. I absolutely love the Mediterranean! It is paradise to me.  I have been researching the islands and cities.

For over forty years I have wanted to experience Greece. It just looks enchanting. This afternoon  I watched a video by Rick Steves about it, and found the scenery mesmerizing. When I was a little girl, my aunt went there on a trip. She brought me back a sweet little red and white dress that was handmade. I adored it, and wore it constantly. It always made me long to go there. It's like I could feel the energy of that exquisitely beautiful place woven into the fabric.

I received an email from NCL today notifying me that I have received a free upgrade. I now have a balcony on the 13th level. I'm not sure how or why. I booked this cruise well over a year in advance, so they may have been able to sell my cabin. I am also a loyal customer.  I tend to travel off season, because the prices are better, and there aren't many tourists.  Either way, it was a very pleasant and unexpected surprise!  Have you ever received an upgrade?

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Knitting With a Friend

the apricots are ripening

Today I met with a friend and we sat and knit for a couple of hours. Actually, she was crocheting. We had a pleasant chat, and she asked about my trip to Italy.  I showed her some of the photos,  and told her about my adventure.  She doesn't care to do much flying. The longest flight she has taken was from Los Angeles to Denver.  We agreed that she wouldn't have enjoyed the non stop trip from LAX to Barcelona. I admitted that it did produce some anxiety in me.  Now I see why some people drink or take a sleeping pill on long trips.

We discussed how planes have really changed. You used to have so much space in the old days. I remember having a whole row of seats to myself when I was young, and laying down and sleeping. Not anymore. Every seat is now filled.

 I was on a plane every week when I toured the USA as a dancer with National Tours. Those were shorter flights, and the crew delivered our steamer trunks and suitcases for us. That makes all of the difference.  

Since being in Italy, I have been reexamining my choices of food and clothing. I was so impressed with the meals, coffee, and style in Italy. The quality was impeccable.  They take so much pride in all that they do.

The older I get, the more drawn I am to neutral colors in my wardrobe.  I am also going through my closet, and deciding if what I have is still age appropriate. How about you?

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