Feminine T Shirts That Fit Women

 I recently purchased a couple of t shirts online from a Colorado company called Onno.  Their website is Onno.com.  I am ecstatic with the superb fit, high quality cotton, hemp, and bamboo material.  

Now that I am playing table tennis almost daily, I wanted to switch to wearing breathable fabrics and incorporate my favorite colors.  The clothing sold for these athletes does not suit me.  It’s made of polyester, the cuts don’t show the female physique, and the extra small jersey I ordered online hung on me, baggy, unflattering, and masculine looking.

I found a few pair of linen shorts from Nordstrom.  They are light, airy, and colorful.  They match the Onno tees beautifully.  It feels right to wear colors that work with my hair and skin.  These outfits will meet the requirements for the tournaments I’m playing, yet still offer a sense of comfort, age appropriateness, and personal expression.

What do you wear when you exercise?  Does the color of your clothing affect your mood?  It sure does mine…I now have pale pink, powder blue, dirty purple, calming green and cherry red.  I can’t wait to wear them all to play!

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More Photos From Hawaii

 

The above video I took last week in Kauai.  We spent two nights there on NCL’s Pride of America.  The beach was absolutely breathtaking.  I took a taxi to Poipu Beach  from the port.  The driver agreed to transport m me the forty minutes each way.  

When he dropped me off, he changed his mind and told me to call the company for a ride back to the ship.  I got annoyed with him, and reminded him of our agreement.  He had initially said he would meet me there in an hour.  I told him I was angry at his dishonesty.

After swimming and sunbathing. I walked by the local shops and dialed the number he had given me on my cell phone.  It didn’t work.  I sighed, wondering how I was going to get all the way back to the ship.  I was out in the middle of nowhere.  I heard a few honks, and saw the driver of the taxi parked at my drop off point.  He had decided to honor our agreement after all.

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Home From Hawaii: A Fantastic Cruise on The Pride of America

 

Last week I took an unforgettable cruise to four of the Hawaiian Islands on NCL.  It went way beyond what I had imagined!  Hawaii was magical, feminine, and deeply healing.  Ship life was relaxing and filled with fun and friendship.  I was so impressed with NCL’s organization and attention to detail.  The crew was exceptional.

These four ladies were a riot!  I enjoyed chatting with them by the pool.  The knew how to celebrate and have a good time.  Their enthusiasm was contagious.

The beaches were pristine and heavenly.  I went kayaking at a local beach next door to our port in Kaui.  I was a little nervous, seeing the waves, and being out there on my own, but the beach goers encouraged me.  A man and his wife near the shore complimented me on my landing.  I needed help getting out into the water.  The guy who rented me the ocean kayak gave me a push, and I paddled with all my might and determination.

Each day I received a knock on my cabin door, and delicious goodies were delivered.  I devoured the chocolate truffles, desserts, chocolate covered strawberries, homemade gelatin candies, and wine.  My dear friend Richard got me VIP status.  I was very spoiled.

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Energy Clearing Bath

 

This afternoon I filled my cast iron bathtub with hot water, and poured in a cup of epsom salts, and a cup of baking soda. This is an effective way to cleanse any outside energies from your aura.  I used to take them regularly when I taught dance and yoga.

When we are around groups of people from different cultures, or who have opposing views to ours, there can be a clash of belief systems.  This can also occur when you are from a country where women have equal rights, and you are mixing with people from a place where women do not have any rights.

I find it helpful to get grounded and to reconnect with nature.  Earlier today I browned and seasoned some cubes of beef, added water and vegetables, and simmered a pot of beef stew on the stove.  Having that home cooked meal got me centered again.

Being in these situations always makes me appreciate my home, career, retirement, and independence.  

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Avoiding Workaholic Tendencies in Retirement

 

While practicing table tennis with a lady from my club the other day, I realized that I had made my schedule far too grueling.  She agreed, and admitted that she had done the same thing, at eighty.  She is still working.  I was getting up at 4:30 a.m. to drive extremely long distances to train.  An hour private lesson was stacked private in front of a stressful two hour group lessons.  I felt exhausted, and rarely had a day off…the grind I had choreographed continued.

I realized that I was recreating the workaholic lifestyle I led as a dancer.  I always had to be in incredible shape, and on top of my game.  Now Iwas pushing myself too hard, neglecting my household chores, and overworking, this time as a senior athlete.  It’s easy to slip into this behavior if you have that kind of personality.  This was not how I envisioned as my retirement.  What about travel, hobbies, and nature?

I changed my schedule, cut back on some driving and commitments, and decided to enjoy more leisure at the cabin.  What a relief to cook delicious meals, pick up my knitting, and sweat it out in the sauna.  It takes mental focus to not become over scheduled.  Sometimes we have to compare our actions with our vision.

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Taking a Blogging Break

 Hi blogging friends.  I am taking a break from my blog, due to a very busy schedule.  Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer…I am!  Have met some exciting and talented people through table tennis, and am enjoying the challenging training.  Hope you are all staying fit, happy, and healthy!  Keep me posted on how you are doing…

Standing Up to Bullies

 

Standing in your truth is key when dealing with a bully.  One thing I struggled with when I was younger was that I wouldn’t think of a comeback until after the incident had happened.  I would freeze in shock.  Now that I am older, I have learned to react immediately. 

Quite often bullies are insecure.  They usually see something in you that they will never ever have.  Many of them lie.    They may be envious of your gifts and want to tear you down and make a scene.  The thing is, individuals who are accomplished and successful have usually worked very hard to get to where they are.  Discipline, integrity, and results are connected.

I give immediate consequences to bullies.  I do not give them my energy or time.  They will have to look elsewhere to get power.  I report their behavior and describe it exactly.   Bullies are often insecure and in denial about their own problems.  They could be addicts or alcoholics.  Some are living a lie, afraid of admitting their true sexual preferences, or experiencing stressful financial problems.  Their attacks on others, who are usually conscientious rule followers, give them a quick shot of adrenaline.  POW!

Have you dealt with a bully in your life?  What happened?

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A Relaxed Schedule

 

A relaxed schedule can be a huge stress reducer.  Whether at home or on vacation, I find it is much healthier not to have a jam packed day filled with pressure.  It’s a relief to have free time.  Focusing on what’s most important, and letting go of extra activities can lead to better sleep, a calm mind, and a happier existence.

Having the space to enjoy your meals, spend time in nature, and do what matters will prevent exhaustion and burnout. For me, that means taking a swim, knitting outside in the garden, and savoring meals and coffee al fresco.  How about you?  Do you have a relaxed schedule?

Winter Chores and More Wildfires in California

 

Winter is a peaceful and gentle time at the cabin.  The dogs and I get up early, go outside, I give them peanut butter treats, feed them, and make an Italian stovetop cappuccino for myself.  We sit down by the fire to enjoy the sunrise.  Blankets and shawls are piled high to keep warm. 

The fireplace insert needs to be fed a few times during the night to keep the house warm.  I empty the can of ashes every few days.  There is snow on the ground, and more headed our way this weekend.  I have been stacking firewood  in preparation for the storm.  

The Hughes Fire in Castaic was an inferno twenty miles from the cottage.  I used to teach for the Santa Clarita Parks and Recreation at that location.  I have never seen such an enormous black cloud of smoke in the air.  One firefighter described it as, “Nuclear.”  Having a go bag is so important in these times.  If you leave right away, you can avoid traffic and chaos.  I am thankful to have a comfortable place to go.

How are things with you?  What are you making?  I am loving my knitting right now.  I am on the first sleeve of my Stockholm Sweater.  It is so soft, warm, and fluffy.  It is a divine pattern and project.  The yarn is exquisite.

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Learning From Your Older Friends

 Since I was young, I have always enjoyed being around older people.  Many of my  friends  were decades older than me.  Now, a number of these people are experiencing falls, strokes, and health issues.  I listen to their challenges, observe their recoveries, and imagine what it is like to be in their shoes.    Sometimes what seems to me to be a solution is something they won’t consider.

We can learn from our parents as we watch how they age.  My mother stayed home with her dogs and enjoyed her house.  She was a very solitary individual..my father, on the other hand, had a wide social network.    He drove his friends to the bridge club every day, and regularly went out for drinks and meals with them.  He was very popular and well liked.  Both my parents were avid readers, and they enjoyed watching movies each night together.

The one area I really see that affects us as we age is self care.  Those who live a life of hard drinking, taking drugs, and engaging in high risk behavior often end up angry, and unpredictable socially.  They lash out at others for no apparent reason, become suspicious and paranoid,  and often die young. So much of it has to do with the personality.  Grandparents are often very aware of this; so are teachers.  

Whatever we do to our bodies over time accumulates.  Life takes a lot of self discipline and focus.  Daily habits become ingrained and solidify into our future.  The more in tune we are with our inner talents and life path, the better choices we can make in our relationships and career.  Not using our talents can cause extreme envy, rage and frustration.  Our gifts do not go away…our natural abilities are energy that needs to be used and expressed.  Otherwise we become tortured souls.

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Five of My Friends Have Covid

 Last week I heard from five different people I know, they all got Covid the same week.  It is really circulating again.  I decided to immediately schedule my second booster shot, and had it this morning.  I got mine for free at Vons.   I went at 9:00 a.m., when they opened.  They will  be charging for them in May.  I think it costs $130.00!

The woman who helped me was very nice.  I told her that I experienced intense reactions to the previous vaccines.  She advised me to drink lots of water, to flush it through, and said no alcohol for three days.  She also encouraged me to use my arm if it was sore.  The tiny needles they use now are much less painful than the first ones.  It makes such a difference!  The first experience was a bit traumatic, but this time it was easy and quick.

I came home and made a pan of chicken enchiladas, simmered a pot of beef bone broth, and tossed a large salad.  I like knowing that I have plenty of healthy meals in the fridge, in case I get sick again.  After the previous vaccine I felt poisoned.   This is the new one, the bivalent version.

My friends who contracted Covid were sick for two weeks!  They felt nauseous and tired, but have now fully recovered.  They didn't get the vaccine.  One has had Covid previously.  It concerns me when people get it repeatedly.  From what I have read, repeat cases can cause more severe health problems in the future.  It's such an intense experience.

My other friend is eighty, and even though she tests every week at work, she still got it.  She said it was kind of depressing, and she felt a malaise.   She decided to take the treatment that her doctor recommended, since she is older.  

My friend in Australia fell ill with it on his trip here, so did his wife.  He is still coughing...it's weird how it lingers.

What is your status with Covid?  I am still masking and taking precautions.  It seems the Moderna vaccines have worked for me, so far.  I have only had Covid one time that I know of, in 2019, before we knew what it was. 

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Tangerine Harvest

 

This afternoon I stripped the Algerian Tangerine tree of all of its fruit.  I wanted to leave the beautiful citrus on the tree; they looked so pretty!  (Everyone was commenting on them.)  But, my neighbor let me know that she saw a squirrel with one in his mouth while she was on her walk.  She recognized the orange color.  Once the animals start helping themselves to your fruit, it can disappear very quickly.

The recent rain helped them to swell with water.  We've been in a drought here in California, so the storms we've had have really helped those of us who are fruit growers.  I am hopeful for a plentiful harvest of rhubarb and apricots in the spring.

Growing your own food is an incredibly rewarding experience.  It takes time to build up the soil, but once you have worms, they do the work for you.  My soil used to be red clay.  I plan to feed the fruit trees some homemade compost before the next storm.  

How is your garden doing?  What have you been harvesting?

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Do You Get Seasick on Cruises?

 

Normally, I do not get seasick when I am enjoying a cruise.  This last Alaskan trip, however, was an exception.  The second night of our journey we hit some rough seas.  My stomach felt like it was dropping.  "Uh oh," I thought.  Since I had eaten a hearty breakfast and lunch, I skipped dinner and laid flat on my back in my bed.  As long as I was in that position, I didn't feel like I was going to vomit.  I went to bed early, and slept soundly.  

The next morning, I made a beeline for the gift shot and purchased some acupressure wrist bands for motion sickness. I also grabbed a box of medicine for seasickness.  I took one of the tablets as soon as I returned to my room, and placed the bracelets over my pulse points.  The relief was instantaneous!

The next morning, my kind room steward told me that the halls had been empty the previous night.  Apparently, many of the other passengers felt like I did.  The rest of the cruise was smooth sailing on calm waters.  I was still glad that I had bought those remedies, though.  I will pack them with me next time.

How about you? Do you ever get seasick or experience motion sickness on car and train rides?

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Leaf Litter and Butterflies

 

The other day, one of my neighbors stopped by as I was sipping coffee near my roses, and asked me about my trees.  He said that the fire department had issued him a notice.   He raked up his yard, and now his pine trees are dying.  I nodded in agreement.  This is happening all over California.  We have been experiencing raging forest fires, and are in the midst of a drought.  

I explained that we are allowed to have some mulch on the ground.  We have to keep our weeds trimmed below four inches, but when bare soil is bone dry, it becomes hard as a rock and can't absorb the water.  

Today I watched a documentary explaining how native plants help butterflies produce.  That's part of the reason why my land is so productive.  It is filled with lilacs, oak trees, and bright red Indian paintbrush wildflowers.  The tiny hummingbirds flit from flower to flower, soaking up the nectar.   My land is filled with them.  I let the seeds dry on the stems, and then spread them each September.  The soil remains undisturbed, except for the wildlife.  I stay on my path when walking up and down the mountain with friends,  neighbors or my dogs. 

This afternoon I harvested the coffee berries.  They are a flavorful fruit that resembles a blueberry.  The taste is almost like licorice.  They contain seeds, like a Concord grape.  They start out green, turn red, and then become almost black.  The plants were here when I bought the cabin, and are native to the area.  

So, as the ecosystem hums along, without sprays or chemicals, people feel the buzz of life as they walk by; everyone who visits comments on the trees. They look up in amazement.  Trees are life, and oaks are spectacular.  My dad taught me that you can't put a price on mature trees in a neighborhood.  

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Eating Out While On Vacation

As most of you know, I normally cook all of my meals at home.  I wait until I am traveling to splurge on restaurants.  Europe was no exception.  These photos are from Hotel Can Bordoy in Mallorca.  The food that they served was divine!  The dessert above was my absolute favorite.  It's called a Pavlova.  It tasted absolutely heavenly.

This is the gate that leads to the pool area.  The garden was so lush and colorful.  It inspired me to continue to develop my outdoor living spaces at home.  There is nothing like dining al fresco.  The flowers, birds and fresh air gave each meal such a delightful ambiance.

I went to the beach every day.  The water there is so clean and clear.  It feels incredibly healing.  I love contrast of the rocks against the Mediterranean Sea.  Mallorca really is a spectacular and magical island.  

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Weeding in the Woods

 I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  I have been busy with repairs and responsibilities.  As you can see, Jacques has grown.  His bark has deepened and he is maturing.  A natural  guardian and protector, he brings a sense of safety and security to our home.    I wrap his leash around my waist and he joins me as I do my chores on the mountain.  The monks of New Skete recommend training German Shepherds this way.  The dogs get used to being right at your side, and will stay there off leash in time.

I bought a new electric weed whacker that runs off of a cartridge.  Each day I have been removing the tall weeds and grasses.  I plan to turn the leaves into the soil to help keep it rich.  We are experiencing a drought in California, so I water sparingly and rely on the natural mulch.  It makes such a difference.  We had a few inches of snow last week, which helped.  It melted very quickly.  

The tulips, daffodils, and irises have been flowering.  Spring is here!  The herbs have returned, as well as the violas, poppies, artichoke plant, and roses.  It's an exciting time in the garden.  Soon the Hollyhocks will unfold their colorful beauty.    

We have had a surge of deaths in LA county from Covid recently.  Over seeven hundred people in the past two weeks.  I'm glad I bought more masks.  I received  my Moderna booster about a week ago.  It made me feel very sick, but I recovered quickly.  How is your health?

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It's Good To Be Home

 Traveling always makes me appreciate the little things  in life.  I love brewing a steaming pot of coffee each  morning in my French press.  It's the perfect compliment to watching the glorious sunrise from my large windows. 

Laying in the hot sauna at the cabin feels healing and luxurious.  Relaxing in a warm bath with lavender tea feeds my soul.  (Thank you, Anita, for the home grown dried lavender!)

Seeing Lula again always makes me feel whole.  She is the one being I miss when I am out of town.  Her sweet disposition and consistent affection make her the perfect roommate.

I also have been enjoying the homemade spinach salads I prepare this time of year.  Restaurant salads are never quite the same, although I devoured the homemade bread at the Italian place next door to Casablanca Hotel.  I rarely eat bread these days, but slathered with butter, theirs was divine! 

Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow!  My favorite meal of the year...

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Teladoc: A Safe Way To See the Doctor

 The other day I noticed that my hacking cough had never cleared up, in fact it had gotten worse.  I decided to book an appointment through Teladoc.  You can schedule either a video call or a phone consultation.  That appealed to me because of Covid.  Even though I am fully vaccinated, I still avoid crowds and people.  

I phoned the number that Blue Shield listed, and was informed that the cost would be zero, which was a pleasant surprise.   There was a phone recording announcing that the wait times were longer than normal.  I expected to hear back within a couple of hours.  In just five minutes, the phone rang!  The friendly doctor was on the line.  I was so excited.   "How convenient, and private, and amazing,"  I thought to myself.    There is so much about technology that I love.  I also own a couple of ETF's that have Teladoc listed.  I do think this type of communication is the way of the future. 

I gave the doctor  my symptoms, (which I had written down.)  Since the fires, I have been experiencing a runny nose, an overproduction of mucous and coughing, and was even wheezing earlier in the year.  I explained that the folk remedies weren't working.  I had tried reducing dairy, making ginger tea with honey, drinking homegrown oregano tea, and eating raw onions, which are an expectorant.  

He replied that the air quality from these  fires can really do damage to our airways and lungs.  There are so many particles blowing in the wind.   I told him I feel it in my chest when I sneeze.  I've been sneezing a lot, like my mother used to do.  I found it so annoying when she did that as a kid, and now I sound just like her.  

"Bronchitis," he diagnosed.  That made perfect sense.  He called in a prescription over the phone, and I was able to pick it up at CVS in an hour.  The drug store is a five minute  drive from my home.  I bought some other essentials for my stockpile,  and drove back to the house.

After taking the antibiotic and using the inhaler, the coughing stopped.   I slept soundly.  It was such a relief to take care of the problem and to stop procrastinating.  I normally don't use medicine, but when I do, it seems to work like a miracle for me.  Have you tried Teladoc?

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Intense Reaction After My Second Moderna Vaccine

 On Thursday, I went to Vons for my second Moderna vaccine.  I felt fine for the rest of the day.  Yesterday, however, was a different story.   I got up early and did my watering.  That alone completely wiped me out; I crawled back into bed, feeling flattened. 

I had to cancel an appointment because I was so weak.  It was like having Covid all over again.  Fortunately, I had made a pot of beef stew the day before;  I knew I might not have the strength to cook.   I had heard that the reaction to the second shot  is worse for many people.  I felt like I had been poisoned.  

I developed a headache, broke out in a sweat, felt sick to my stomach, and was emotionally overwhelmed.  My main concern was not being able to meet my responsibilities.  My car was in the shop, and I needed to pick it up.  I called my neighbor, and she said she would drive me there by 5:00 p.m.  She suggested I tuck myself in and drink lots of fluids.  

At around noon, I felt strong enough to walk the mile to the mechanic.  I texted my neighbor and headed out in the sunshine.  It was a relief to drive the car home and take it easy for the rest of the day.  Today I feel back to normal.  The whole experience was a reminder that health is wealth. 

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I Got Vaccinated!

 Last week I received my first dose of the Moderna vaccine.  I went to Vons and had it done there.  I was surprised at how painful it was, even though I used my yoga breathing to relax.   I had just been kayaking for several miles in Marina del Rey, so that may have had something to do with it.  The nurse told me to relax my arm even though it was relaxed.   The injection reminded me of a novocaine shot.  It was definitely worth it, though.  I appreciate that we have these vaccines available and that they are free of charge.

I have been watching the Youtube videos of parents in their thirties and forties dying of Covid.  It is just tragic.  So often both parents suffer with severe breathing problems  and then leave the planet together.  I am very worried about all of the orphans.  Covid is such a frightening way to die.

My arm was tender and swollen for a few days.  Last night I also had some intnse pain deep in my hip joint.  It caused me to limp and lose sleep, but all is well now.  I iced it last night and took a hot bath in epsom salts this morning. 

 I had some lower abdominal cramping the day after I receive my vaccine.  It felt like when you are on your period.  I normally never got cramps, thanks to yoga.  I have read cases of women menstruating after having after the vaccine, even though they have gone through menopause.  I also developed some small pink spots on my arm, but they have faded.  Phew!

If you have been vaccinated, did you have any side effects?  

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