On This Thanksgiving Day

I believe in being thankful every single day, so every day is Thanksgiving for me, without the turkey. What I am thankful for on this day is, of course, my good friend receiving a lung this past Sunday. This is our first Thanksgiving at home in a couple of years because we have taken a Thanksgiving cruise with our children and their families the past few years. Today, as we celebrate together, I am thankful that I have a very loving husband, with whom I enjoy every day. We always have invitations for Thanksgiving, but we always prefer to be in each other’s company, and never feel alone. I am brining a turkey, and will cook a regular Thanksgiving menu, even though it is just us. Since we will eat later in the day, I have boiled cinnamon, put vanilla on cotton balls and then into the microwave (thankful for that suggestion), and the house smells like Thanksgiving. I am thankful for many things, but most of all, I am thankful for LOVE!

China: Two Wednesdays!

This year for my birthday, I decided that all I wanted was to go somewhere out of the country, but I could not decide where I wanted to go. We had planned to take a River Cruise through China in the spring, but then, we saw an offer, on Groupon, we couldn’t refuse, So China it was. Our itinerary included Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou (2 hours from Shanghai).

We drove to Los Angeles for the flight and spent the night at a hotel for our flight the next day via Air China. It was very convenient, and we left our car in a parking garage close to the airport. We arrived at the airport about three hours early, with two suitcases, and a backpack each, after all, we were going to a shopping mecca. The flight attendants were just as quiet as the attendants on our Japan Air flight to Singapore. They all wore the same buns in their hair too. There must be a reason, but I didn’t ask. One interesting thing on the flight==I had never seen an unruly passenger. One man refused to move out of his aisle seat to let the person in the middle pass by. The attendant re-seated him, and also told him that he should be ashamed of himself as a Chinese person.

The service was good, and although we didn’t know at the time, many of those sitting near us, were in our group. The tour company was “Gate One,” based in Pennsylvania. We had never used a tour company before (other than Cuba, because it was mandatory), so we weren’t sure what the experience would be. The flight was twelve hours, but it was as smooth as silk.

We arrived at Beijing’s beautiful airport at 4:50 p.m. and after retrieving our luggage (we had to take a train, a la Atlanta to the baggage claim), a Gate One person, R Our group was divided into tow with two tour managers. We were taken to our hotel (luggage went in another van), the Xinghao Hotel--very Chinese--lovely room. Our tour guide, Rose, from Inner Mongolia (part of China) was a font of information during the entire trip. She was with us from the beginning of the tour until the end of our stay in Shanghai--there we had another tour manager, Matt, with whom we were not enthralled--it seemed like a job to him, rather than a passion. Both spoke excellent English.

Things which I found interesting, “cool,” fabulous, unusual or whatever:

1. Beijing is a city full of history--it makes the US seem like it is only two years old. We visited at a good time because Beijing is known for smog, but the skies were “APEC BLUE,” because of the APEC conference which was attended by our Potus. The conference was held in the area close to the Olympic Village--

2. Shanghai is called “The New York of China.” The older section and newer section are separated by “The Bund/“

3. I saw more KFCs than I have ever seen anywhere. Of course, the ubiquitous McDonalds, Subway, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, and other chains were also there.

4. As homogeneous as other cities we have visited in Asia. Everyone wanted to take pictures of the Black people, and my husband was much more obliging than I was. On many levels, it annoyed me.

5. The Great Wall is indeed great--it was different from what I expected. It is far steeper, but not as high as I thought it would be. It is built right into the mountain. I wondered how many workers were lost. Our guide told us that they call it the longest graveyard in the world because all of the dead workers are buried there.

5. Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City were in the city center. Mao is entombed there,and the square is the largest in the world. It reminded me of the squares in Havana and Ho Chi Minh City.

6. The majority of the toilets require squatting--thankful for yoga. Cheap taxis.

5. The food is quite different from the Chinese food here. Terrified when I saw “Assorted cats’ ears soup” on the menu. Later learned that many dishes are just given names, but don’t necessarily mean that the dish contains the
named item. Whew! Nevertheless, I didn’t eat anything I couldn’t recognize.

6. Beijing was quite cold, and Shanghai was much warmer. The Silk Market in Beijing is good, but the Han City Mall in Shanghai is better.

7. FB and Twitter are blocked in China, but thanks to a cousin teaching there, she told me to sign up for VPN which allowed me access. It was $9.00 for a month. Both hotels hd free Wi-Fi

8. All of our meals were served Lazy Susan Style--soup is served last--no fortune cookies--not Chinese.

9. The Olympic Village is impressive although the government displaced people in order to build it. There is even a hotel shaped like a dragon. Our guide said, none is ever there because it is far from the city center.

10. Asia is where I feel most foreign--there is a tremendous language barrier, because there is no power of the written word.

11. So many willow trees. So many people. So much history. Mainland China is quite different from Hong Kong

Flight back was delayed three hours. We boarded, buckled in and thirty minutes later, we were told that there were technical difficulties and we all deplaned and were bussed to another plane an hour or so later.

We left on a Wednesday. and returned on Wednesday--thus the title TWO WEDNESDAYS.

Thankfulness at Three Score and Ten

Thankful at Seventy


Today was an incredible day as I began my seventh decade. Although I planned to do absolutely nothing to celebrate this birthday on the actual day, I was humbled by the outpouring of love and good wishes. I decided to meander along with my normal day, although my husband had breakfast ready for me at 7:30 A.M. (great since he never comes downstairs until 10:00 A.M.—pure love). My art group, prepared a marvelous surprise celebration, and my Facebook page was unbelievable.

I know that I am an extremely blessed woman, and I am appreciative of it all, and never ever take it for granted. The people I love most were the first very early telephone callers. Four people sang on the phone, our grandgirls sent a video which I understand was one of four they did in order to choose the correct one. My husband, as usual, hid all of the cards which came in the mail (that gives him great joy), and they were opened as we ate dinner. I always prefer dinner at home on special occasions. He asks what I want, and he goes to the restaurant to get it—again, pure love.

Our daughter called in the evening to say she was tired, because my birthday was too long. I thought that was funny until my husband told me the same thing. At first I didn’t understand what they meant, but after thinking about it I realized that they shared my entire day, from the early morning right into the evening. It was indeed a family affair.

I thank all of you who gave a kind word, who acknowledged an old lady going into decade number seven, and for always being an inspiration to me. I have always just always lived my life my way. I have always been the same person everywhere, home, work, church, or wherever—never knew how to be any other way. It has been that consistency of being, of valuing, of caring, of appreciating, of thankfulness, of humility, of never ever expecting anything in return, which has brought me this far. I enjoy every moment of the journey.

The most interesting thing about being Seventy, is that within my head, I am that same person. There are certain changes which age may bring—I don’t want to drive at night (I never liked driving anyway), I am conscious of my health and try to take care of myself. I am thankful for my health, for a very lovely and supportive husband, daughters, and grandchildren, friends, ( present as well as those who have been deleted from my life), Former Mrs. O Students, and all of the people from my past who all made me who I was, who is really who I still am.

There are no words to express my sincere thanks to all of you for November 3, 2014; Although I did not celebrate in a formal way today, Mr . O and I will travel to China next week for ten days. That is my seventieth year celebration—what we love most—travel. It is not a new thing for us, since we have travelled all over the world from the time our children were babies , but now we can do it with more abandon, and without worrying about calendars.

Thank you, I love you, and God has been so good to me, and I thank Him for the blessings he has provided during these seventy years. I also thank him for any pit stops along the way as well because those strengthened me.

I look forward to the future, because the best is always yet to come!

A Soaring Eagle

We are in Atlanta celebrating our grandson's Court of Honor Honor as an  Eagle Scout. I have never attended one before, and actually, I have not personally known an Eagle Scout. I did meet a young man, in the airport as we were leaving,  (he worked at Morse) and he told me that he and his three brothers were Eagles. He Was heading to Houston for a wedding, and asked where we were going. So perhaps, I have known an Eagle or two.

The ceremony was very impressive. Among the guests were my sister and brother-in-law who drove from Houston, a native Atlantan Peace Corps friend, and a former student living in Atlanta. It was so wonderful to see a group of African-American young men who have been so well mentored and encouraged. 

The program was beautiful--our seven and a half year old grandgirl recited a poem, the three and a half year old grandgirl handed out the programs, and grandma gave the benediction. Cousin Nicole  was there and helped.

There was a table with all of Exavier's Eagle paraphernalia, including letters of commendation from many, from Shaquille Oneil to President Obama. The decorations at each table were splendid--thanks to Dollar Tree. 

The food--Mexican rice brought from San Diego, made by a friend, added a little bit of California. Rotisserie chicken from Sam's Club, and potato salad rounded out the meal. We were going to have a green salad, but in deference to the South, went with two starches -:), just playing! There were two huge cakes, decorated with Eagle Scout related items. 

The night before, we packed the car with everything from extra serving spoons to aprons. We put all of the food in serving dishes, carefully covered each with foil to be packed into a box in the morning. Even did a test run in the microwave to know how long each dish needed to be warmed up. We pre warmed everything the morning of the event.  

The venue was a room at the church where they hold their meetings--very nice, next to an industrial kitchen ( we only used the big microwave, however), with long tables, a podium, and everything we needed.

The very impressive and protocol filled program  went without a hitch, from 3 p.m to 4 p.m. Eating , and clean up took another hour. Both parents spoke, as did Exavier--his speech was very good, he was relaxed and funny. Thanked everyone in his journey, including his old, but cool. grandma and grandpa.

We are proud of this sixteen year old. I know that he will continue to soar, just as our other three grands will do. As the oldest, he has set the standard, and I know that they will folllow in his footsteps.

sOar, Eagles sOar!

Let Me Catch Up: 3 Wasting Time

When I took off in August and decided not to do anything, I learned that it is very difficult to do nothing!!!! Beginning to write book #4, but I have to get back into the groove and discipline myself. I will finish it before I am 70, which is coming quickly. My goal will be to finish it before we go to China. My earlier goal was to finish before we go to our grandson’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor, but I know I won’t make that deadline.

Oh well, I am back to doing something!

Let Me Catch Up: 2 Abuse

My FB page has been so active lately with conversations about the abuse perpetrated by the football players. A couple involving wives/girlfriends, and the other, the abuse of a child.

Violence begets violence, and this country seems to thrive on it. Some call it aggression, but I call it violence, pure and simple. It is one of the reasons why I am no longer the professional football fan I used to be. Even being present in a stadium during a game is stressful. Hit, hit, drag, drag, then go home and cause havoc in your own home.

Of course, this does not just occur with sports figures, but also with just regular folks, men and women, who have the need to express their own insecurity by inflicting pain on someone else. The “good” thing about these events coming to the forefront, is that once again, thanks to social media, it is shining a light on another hidden aspect of our culture.

I have heard the “spare the rod” biblical reference, although I am not sure if the shepherds beat their sheep with the rod--I think they guided them with it.

There is so much to be done--it begins with something as simple as folks having respect for each other!!!

Let Me Catch Up: 1 Feguson

I cannot believe that I have not blogged since July, even though I took August off, and made it a month of rest and reflection. I did absolutely nothing--what I found out is that we really need to have something to do because otherwise, we have no sense of time or date. It was as if I were in the twilight zone. So let me catch up!!

I did not blog during the entire Ferguson incident, and received an email from a very dear Peace Corps friend in which she expressed her frustration with everything that was going on there.She worried about our grandsons, and other young men I care about. I recognized and appreciated the sincerity of her concern.

Unfortunately, when others are having conversations with their sons about how to behave, Black parents of sons, have always had to have conversations with them about how to behave when the police stop them. It is nothing new, and it is a reality of black life. I am not sure if someone who is not Black, can even understand the depth of this dilemma. When folks, historically, were able to beat black men into submission, and in 12 Years a Slave, we even saw Solomon beat a woman at the request of the master,I am not sure how that leaves one’s psyche. I have heard all of the arguments about “I never had a slave,” “I had nothing to do with it,” but still, history repeats itself because some can never get beyond what was done by their forefathers. It also enslaves the mind of some blacks, who still have what we call “a slave mentality.”

What is most distressing to me, is that the fact that we have a Black President, has brought out all of the closeted racists, from football team and basketball team owners, to those voted into office. How ingrained racism is in this country, that some feel that it is just the way things have been, and will always be. I imagine if you have believed a certain way for so long, it is hard to “un believe” it. Those who believed that there was “Power” because they are a certain race, are holding firm to the belief that that “power” was snatched away from them, and they still can’t believe it. TWO TERMS! I guess some feel that they still have to put folks “in their place."

Ferguson did not surprise me in any way--it did not surprise anyone who looks like me. What is surprising is that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

Nevertheless, I have hope. The fact that our grandchildren have a president who looks like them, lets them know that no matter what anyone tries to take from them, they know what they can become. I have hope, because I have seen change over the years. I have hope, because I believe that good always overcomes evil. I have hope because sometimes hope is all we have!!!

Really!!!

I just saw this on FB and loved it!! It is not sad, however, it is freeing!

O' Grandparenting!!!!! We Love It!

Our four grandchildren are with us for eight weeks this summer, and the most asked question to us, is "How do you do it?" It is amazing how easy it is to do things for which we are passionate, and which give us joy. We call it O'camp, and we really do feel like camp directors. I feel like I should write a book called "What To Do With Your Grandchildren During The Summer." First of all, we have to be terribly organized. Well before they come, we renew passes to all of the parks in San Diego, including Leggoland, San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal Park,and Sea World. The costs for those go up as each grand turns three years old. We remember when we only had one, then two, then three, and now the fourth is three.

We then use our "village" to find out about other places we may not be aware of. Each summer we have a theme, so sometimes the places will be related to that theme. Our theme for this year is "Nature," (which is not grandma's thing, although she has gotten better). We call it "Going Green With The G's." We sign them up for classes--this year, it is tennis camp, swimming classes for the youngest, basketball camp for another, and gymnastics classes twice a week for our gymnast. All of these require planning--all of the planning is done before they arrive. We begin the visit with a family meeting and everyone has a say so. We plan our meals, where we will have lunch, chores, allowance, guidelines, responsibilities, and everything else which will make it easier for grandma and grandpa. Some think that because of the age ranges, 16, 13, 7, and 3, it would be even more difficult--NOT. It is like the "Old Village," when the older ones were responsible for the younger ones. The boys are fantastic with the girls, and are my trusty helpers. I don't even have to use a stroller this year--that certainly would not be the case without the boys. Simple things like putting the youngest in the car seat, and taking her out makes life easier.

We decided, this year, to take them to San Francisco for four days just for the experience since they have never been there. We will stay in a hotel, (Hyatt on Union Square) and just do unplanned San Francisco things. We are looking forward to it, and it will probably remind us of the train trip to Chicago with them a few years ago. Our nephew and his two daughters joined us on that one. No train this time--that was a one time deal. This time it will be Southwest.

Another wonderful thing about having them here is that I see places that I have not seen before, like The Cabrillo National Monument which we visited today. Even after living here for over forty years, I had never visited there. I also get in a lot of beach and bay time, and more outside time that I usually get. I still enjoy seeing the wonder in their eyes. Grandparents--we are the memory makers!!!!! I'm lovin' it!

Love, not Live--although Live works too. :-) I was too excited posting the picture. I have edited the title.

Forty Six Years of LOVE!

A former student created this collage on FB from FB pictures of us. What a surprise, and what a blessed woman I am in my freetirement. Courtney, the creator, is a professional photographer. I love it so much that I had to share it here.

Apron Legacy

I am a member of several groups on FB, and one I really find fascinating is a recipe club which was started by a former student. I know many of the young women in the group, but there are many I don't know. Even though I rarely cook these days, it is always interesting to read their posts, some relate to cooking, and others don't. I love the camaraderie of sharing with these young 40 somethings, and 50 somethings.

Today there was a post regarding aprons--one member posted it from something she read. It reminded me of my love for aprons. I have many, many aprons and am never in the kitchen without one. I even wear one over my pajamas if I have to be in the kitchen while wearing them. (I probably have more pajamas than clothes)

My grandmother and great grandmother were never in the kitchen without an apron. I think my great grandmother wore them all of the time, even when she was not cooking. I have many of my grandmother's aprons, and each time I wear one, it brings back such wonderful memories. Who would think that there would be a legacy in an apron. It is another reminder of how significant, such insignificant things really are. Even though some of those aprons are worn, and raggedy, I have never parted with any one of them. There are very few people who even know of my love for aprons. Each one has some significance in my life.

What a joy it is when I visit our oldest daughter. She is an APRON WEARER too! Who knew? The legacy continues. I think that when our grand girls are here this summer, I will have the two of them wear little aprons when we are in the kitchen!!!

From Disneyland to Sidewalk Culture

We have returned from an amazing three weeks in Southeast Asia, and I will share just a few things which excited,amazed, or intrigued me. Singapore was like Disneyland, and was probably the cleanest city I have ever seen in my entire life. It is also very expensive, although there is subsidized housing for all of the Malaysians, and Vietnamese who come there to do the menial tasks. North, South, and Central Vietnam were interesting, and reminded me of my Peace Corps days. Bangkok was fabulous, with some of the greatest food. Was great to have dinner with a friend there--she chose the food, and we had a chance to eat something different from the Thai food at home. Hong Kong is Hong Kong--I could never live there--too many people, and far too many tall apartment buildings for me. I would have to be a ground floor girl. It is like New York City on steroids.

1. Food Courts are magnificent for trying the cuisine of a country--cheap too. We only saw locals there which is always a good sign of good, authentic food. If we had time to get our stomachs hardened, we would have eaten street food, especially in Thailand!

2. Starbucks can't be beat for free wi-fi, and now Mickey D's has joined them.

3. The world has decreased in size--it is amazing that if you go into a shopping mall in the large cities, you could be in any shopping mall anywhere in the world with the same stores.

4. I love the sidewalk culture of Vietnam, and Thailand. Anything you want can be found on the sidewalks. In Thailand, it is food, everywhere, and in Vietnam, it is anything. The houses there all have a shop on the bottom floor. The next floor houses the elderly, and the higher floors, the younger folks in the family. The houses are ten to twelve feet wide.

5. Halong Bay was a great surprise because of its natural beauty.

6. Took a four part class on Buddhism on the ship, and have a greater understanding of the connectedness of religions.

7. Folks still pee in the street (women, and men--Vietnam)--delightful--let me know that the more things change, the more they remain the same.

8. Learned that pagodas look like lotus flowers (who knew?)

9. Made me want to learn another language.

10. Loved using all kinds of transportation throughout the trip--tuk tuks, taxis, subways, sky trains, ferries, and cycles ( auto correct won't let me write that one correctly).

11. Technology is wonderful when we were able to FaceTime our grands from another part of the world.

12. Everyone, everywhere has a smartphone, an iPad, or some other device.

13. Vietnam has almost a motor bike per person.

14. Ho Chi Minh can only be viewed before 11, and goes to Russia from time to time to be re-furbished. The square and the tomb were quite something.

15. Since I put so much on FB during the trip, this is quite enough. Asia is a very interesting part of the world!!!

Know when our next trip will be--just the two of us for my birthday. The only problem is, we can't figure out where we will go, but it will be somewhere overseas, perhaps someplace exciting!

Love, Love, and More Love

Each day I am reminded of the love which surrounds me. It begins in my house which is filled with love. There is nothing better than having someone you see every single day, and almost 24 hours a day, who loves you with all of your quirks! There is no place I would rather be than sharing this home with my 365 days a year Valentine.

Then the love of our children and grandchildren glistens every day. It is nice to have them call to check up on us--one calls every single day, and nice that they have trained their children to do the same. We appreciate it and love them for it.

I could never have imagined the love I would continue to receive form former students, old, and young, who are much too nice to me. They have made my "freetirement" absolutely marvelous. There is one who calls me every single morning to make sure we are ok, and need nothing. There are others who help me with whatever I need to learn, to know, or do. I could probably have a breakfast and lunch date three or four times a week if I always said yes. It all fills me with gratitude. Then there is the I Had Mrs O Page, on Facebook, which allows me the opportunity to connect, discuss, interact, scold, learn, and keep in touch with over 700 FSFs (former student friends). It all comes as a complete shock to me--I never did anything during my career, expecting anything in return.

Love is so powerful, and when it is sincere, there is nothing like it. I am thankful for the love of my TRUE friends, who are there when I need them. I am thankful for the ones I thought were true, who have been flushed because they taught me the difference between what is true and what is fake.

I am thankful that I know how to love, because only then can we extend it. I am thankful that I learned very early how to love myself, because without that, we are in trouble. Thank you segregated Miami "back in the day" for putting people in my life who always believed that I was terrific--it has come in handy because I know my intrinsic value.

I am grateful for the love of God, because that love exceeds all other. I actually should follow his model for loving everyone, but the human side often rears its head. I try, but usually fail when I am mad or betrayed. I have a friend who always used to say when she was not speaking to someone "But I love her," and I never understood that. I still don't, but it sounds nice. :-)

Love really does have something to do with it!

Flushing!

I just heard something very interesting on The Talk. The question was have you ever had to delete a friend from your life? One of the ladies answered, "I don't delete, I flush." I love that--I am a flusher!

Holiday Surprise

We have just returned from two weeks in Atlanta for Christmas and New Years. We had planned to stay at home, and I debated whether or not I would even put a wreath on the door (I did). We were content to spend Christmas alone, after all, we had just seen our children and their families on our Thanksgiving cruise. I was not, however in the holiday spirt. Then, a face time call from our children telling us to read our email. Once I did that, I saw that they had purchased tickets for both of us to come to Atlanta to spend Christmas with them. How lovely--we were both completely surprised, and ecstatic. I spent a couple of days, finishing the things I would have done during those two weeks, fortunately, I had no classes to attend, no tutoring, and had already had my Christmas cards sent by a friend after Thanksgiving.

We arrived at l2:18 the day before New Years Eve. Interestingly enough, the person sitting next to me was a Morse graduate. Since I never talk on planes, I didn't know that until we were one hour out of Atlanta. She had not been my student, but her siblings and relatives were. Even more interesting, the person sitting next to me on the flight back to San Diego, was a former student who recognized me in the Atlanta airport as we were going to the gate.

It was probably one of the best holidays we have ever had--perhaps because it was a total surprise. We loved being with our children, their husbands, and our gorgeous grands. I was able to see our grandson pass his learner's permit test, and I was able to help him organize for his Eagle Scout project. We were able to attend our granddaughter's gymnastics class, and were also able to watch the funny antics of our youngest grandchild. Our youngest grandson was very helpful, both to us, and to his young cousins. We loved seeing the cousins show so much love toward each other. It was as if we were seeing our legacy of love continuing in their lives.

I had lunch at a fancy restaurant with two former students, another with a Peace Corps friend (native of Atlanta) I have known for fifty years, and was also able to spend time with our friend whose mother and grandmother had us for dinner in Havana. We had pizza nights at Maddios, their new favorite place, and even though I don't normally like pizza, the hand made pizzas there reminded me of those we had in Naples.

We thank our children for thinking of us, and honoring us with the tickets (well, that is what I call it). Next year, Christmas will be in California again. We will forego our Thanksgiving cruise next year (Ben will be going to Africa or Europe--so pennies must be saved, but perhaps we can think of something exciting for them when they are here.

Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude is what we both feel. It was cold in Atlanta, but our hearts were warmed with the love of family.

Now we wait for our next adventure in March!!!