Dara’s wedding

 I was talking with my cousin Eileen yesterday, sharing memories and current activities. Our last time together was Dara’s wedding in San Diego in 2017. It’s hard to believe that that even is already 5 years ago. Looking back time has passed much faster than we perceive the future. One of my immediate memories of that evening was that I told Eileen that I was going to head back to my hotel and she asked Why? Do not be a nerd… we can say we will see each other again soon but in reality that may never happen. This is it. Make the most of it. And so I stuck it out and so happy I did. It was a great night filled with music and dancing and a certain added element of alcohol in a drink that was made using Linda and Fred’s Maple Syrup which truly added to the freedom, fun and frivolity of the evening.

Lauren was first to decide and commit to going to the wedding. Motivated by her I followed suit making my plane and hotel reservations. Upon arrival I secured a ride with Lyft to take me straight to my hotel room. This was one of my first experiences and wow, what a new feeling of freedom and independence. Lauren and Sam texted me and instead of spending my first night sequesters in my hotel room we went to a local brewery where we had a great evening together. I was so touched that they really wanted to spend time with me and by the end of the night, instead of having to take me back to the hotel, I just used Uber. I’ll use those labels Uber and Lyft interchangeably because I used both and I learned that many drivers do both. In the next few days I used Uber to go to the San Diego zoo, meet Lauren and Sam at their location on Mission Beach, do a kite ride at Torrey Pines, go to and return from the pre reception gathering, the wedding and return to the airport. In many ways this is nothing short of amazing because if it were not for Uber, I would have done far less let alone not have gone at all. Technology is great and has come along just in time!

Dara’s Wedding 2

 Among the most memorable moments was taking this leap into space and time at Torrey Pines.

Junk - Paul McCartney

 

As big a Beatles fan as I was as a kid and now am as a senior citizen, this song escaped me until recently. The creative genius of the Beatles and of Paul never ceases to amaze. The ability to rework the common place into beautiful melodic works of art is amazing. This is probably one of his most beautiful songs and paired with photos of Linda, who I believe was the most beautiful love of his life, makes for a meaningful and memorable video and time capsule. Many thanks for your work.

Instrumental version from Jerry Maguire.

From Wikipedia 

"Junk"
Cover of the song's sheet music
Song by Paul McCartney
from the album McCartney
Published	Northern Songs Ltd.
Released	17 April 1970
Recorded	February 1970
Studio	Morgan Studios, London
Genre	Folk
Length	1:54 ("Junk") 2:36 ("Singalong Junk")
Label	Apple
Songwriter(s)	Paul McCartney
Producer(s)	Paul McCartney
McCartney track listing
show 13 tracks

"Junk" is a song written by English musician Paul McCartney and released on his debut studio album McCartney (1970). He wrote the song in 1968 with the Beatles while the group were studying Transcendental Meditation in India.^[1]After the band's return from India, he recorded the song as a demo at Kinfauns, George Harrison's home, before sessions for The Beatles (also known as "the White Album") took place. It was ultimately passed over for inclusion on The Beatles and Abbey Road in 1969. After the group's break-up, McCartney recorded the song for inclusion on McCartney. The lyrics describe various items in a junkyard. A slightly longer, instrumental version of the song, titled "Singalong Junk", also appears on the album.

Google Review Chick fil A

 Ever since they opened cars have been lining up for Chick-fil-A and why would people do that? Great food and Great service! And they do it all with a great and efficient system with a friendly attitude and big smiles on their faces. I coast into line, and there is Always a Line and yet I’m ordered and out of there with Market Salad and or Chicken Sandwich or Nuggets hot and fresh in 10 minutes and never leaving my car. It’s a model of efficiency and excellence!

Pro Abortion vs Pro Life

 Sadly I think that the Roe v Wade decision has created yet another binary dichotomy and pushed us into one camp or the other. I have already gotten a flurry of texts from Democrats assuming that I am appalled by the Supreme Court decision. I am mixed. Already I have heard very sincere and heartfelt feelings expressed by Pro Life women. Whereas they are saying that abortion should not be an option they are also advocating for a higher quality of support services for the mother and child. 

As for myself, I am Not Pro Abortion, as I said in the last post, but I am Pro Choice up to 20 weeks or extenuating circumstances. Since the ‘choice’ has now been eliminated it puts states in the position of providing abortion services to those who want them thereby making that state Pro Abortion for those who have made that choice. I think that being Pro Abortion is a weak position for the Democratic Party to embrace. I would rather that they adopt a policy of state and parental responsibility. Hence, if/when the state prohibits abortion welfare roles are likely to increase. The state now shares in parental responsibility because the State now requires the birth. States taking that position  should increase Aid to Families with Dependent Children, AFDC end the Cap Baby policy and increase other support services; Medicaid, WIC, Food stamps and  public housing. The cost of that increase in services can be reduced by increasing the amount collected in child support. Republicans are highly unlikely to do any of that and much like other dead beat dads are more likely to simply blame the female for her sexual indiscretions. Blaming women or not, Democrats will inherit the responsibility to advocate and provide for this growing underclass. Already branded as tax and spend bleeding heart liberals they will need to assert a different solution than raising taxes and expanding social programs. Democrats need a meme that is simple, repeatable and defensible. Call it the Parental Responsibility Act or the Right to Parent Act, borrowing from the Right to Work Act, which gives companies the right to fire workers. The Right to Parent Act would require genetic testing at birth. The national database would use DNA to identity and record both parents and the child for life long accountability. The Father, regardless of marriage status, will be held accountable for the financial support of the child. The child and both parents would be free to pursue life without fear of Identity Theft and would also provide law enforcement with DNA evidence, should the need arise, at crime scenes. Opposition to such an amendment, law or practice might argue on the grounds of a right to privacy but that right was denied with the overturning of Roe Wade. In return we gain the right to identify and accountability. Just think of the paperwork saved from Birth Certificates to Drivers Licenses to Employment record to Social Security Cards. Everything could be settled  with a simple cotton swab.

This video talks about the perils of child protective services. More unwanted children will equal more welfare cases and more cases of abuse and neglect. I am not saying that welfare families are abusive but I am saying that abject poverty is and economic pressures in every family can impact the parents ability to care for the child. As my supervisor said 30 years ago, our clients are stuck in an apathy futility syndrome that is multigenerational and very hard to break. I have not heard Pro Life advocates addressing these issues and it is that aspect of denial that concerns me most about the movement. Pro Lifers, as my friend pointed out, are often Pro Birthers and hang their moral hat on that hook without thinking about consequences. Pro lifers anchor their cause as a moral imperative wrapped religious mandates. They see themselves as doing Gods work and this is why the movement has grown over 50 years and why they are able to justify a tyrant like Trump to impact the Supreme Court exactly as they just did. This moral imperative will not stop until they get an amendment to end abortion in America. There is an irony here with Red states outnumbering Blue will Democrats become the new states rights advocates?

What we need are Pro Quality of Lifer’s. Children are a subculture often hidden in our society. They are sometimes at risk in their own homes. Once removed, at incredible trauma, they are as ping pong balls bouncing around in a foster care system. Without dedicated foster parents there would be no child protection and yet sadly children are sometimes abused and neglected again. There are no easy answers, certainly disposing of unwanted children before birth is not an acceptable solution. As with other dilemmas that are beyond my control I find myself seeking solace in God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change. I spent 30 years trying to change things I thought I could with little success and in my senior years I’m still searching for the wisdom to know the difference.

Working for DSS for 30 years, child protective services and welfare reform work program, all of my clients were female. Females have the babies and females carry the burdens of raising the children. Poverty is crippling. Watching children raised in families of abuse and neglect is devastating. I pursued the career with the naive belief that I could help people. I hope I helped a few but I heard Shaquille O’Neal quote his father who told him. ‘The best way to help poor people is to not be one!’ True and quite profound. This is not to say that social programs are all bad but I learned that my work as Job Developer was most helpful by getting those who were motivated off the system and into the workplace. As Jesus said, teach a man (or woman) to fish and they become fishermen for life.

Abortion - Roe vs Wade ended June 24 2022

 Abortion? To abort is to stop something already in progress.

Many missions are aborted if, once under progress they are deemed to be too dangerous or counter productive. Roe/Wade https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/410/113  asserted that the rights and services afforded to a female in one state should also be provided to her in her own state ie Texas. Roe did not want to say that she had been raped. Which would have made her abortion legal. She did not want to lie. This was granted under her rights to privacy. I think that the Pro Life advocates could have pointed to the Declaration of Independence assertion of a persons right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. That calls into question the definition of the term  person or even more broadly, human and ‘given by their creator’. So in this debate who is the human? Arguably both mother and fetus. Who is the citizen? The mother. Who is the creator? Mother and father or God? And I think this is why they make it a religious argument. Because they have made this a religious argument they also insulate it from logical debate. Rape, incest, that does not prohibit the fetus God given right to alive. It will also likely spur them to move from states rights to a constitutional amendment on the grounds of making us a moral country. Pro choice is clearly focused on the inalienable rights of the mother where Pro Life leap frogs the mother in favor of the yet unborn. As a father or as a husband I am clearly focused on the needs of my daughter and of my wife. When that baby is born, he or she becomes the focus of all of us. It has been pointed out that technology has redefined pregnancy and viability. Ultrasound has made the unborn more human and other technology has made the premature more viable outside the womb. Can or will technology make babies without mothers and will these, clearly man made creations be the objects of Pro life? Right now, how many babies would nature self abort and mothers would die that are saved by technology?

No one is Pro Abortion. That is my opinion as is the opening definition mine. When a woman learns that she is pregnant it can fill her with joy and or dread. The Female is uniquely bonded to conception in ways that the male does not and cannot imagine. A male can deny paternity and often does, per Maury Povitch, where a woman cannot. A woman via biology and instinct is bonded with and loves their baby before birth and often before conception whereas for a man it is a learned response. It is my opinion that men are the motivators behind abortion. They can begin with denial and then put pressure on the female to  take care of the problem. To counter the impact of forced birthing I think genetic testing at birth to identify the father followed by the assignment of financial responsibility for the next 21 years of the child’s life would be a start towards leveling the playing field. It must also be noted that a human female can conceive at age 12. She is a child and remains a child for the next 6 years. The male can impregnate a female at age 12 as well so two kids fooling around can create a baby that neither one is prepared for. In those cases it should fall upon the parents until the boy comes of age. Incest, rape by a family member or rape by a friend or stranger should incur the same financial responsibilities as well as criminal prosecution.

I have heard pro life females advocating for providing a quality of life for mother and child rather than abortion. Yes, sounds nice. I suspect that welfare roles will rise. Welfare, childcare. WIC, food stamps, public housing… I hope our society cares as much about the child as they do the fetus. 

This is and issue that I have never had to deal with on a personal level. At age 74 the situation will likely never cross my path as is the situation for most Americans but if my daughter was faced with making a decision I would support her decision.

It follows that Pro Choice is intrinsic to my position. I would want the law to protect my daughter’s right to privacy. From prying eyes including my own if she wanted to keep it to herself. I would hope that she would know that her mother and I would both be supportive throughout the decision making process. I would not want her forced to have a baby that she did not want. Hence Pro Choice. On the other hand she might support this Supreme Court decision and I suppose her right to do that.

Google review - Southeastern Orthopaedics

Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, a Department of Pardee Hospital

https://goo.gl/maps/XbyKqknZrrGKGw9j9

 I am a senior citizen. I can’t escape that fact because baby boomers are now aging out. Nonetheless I am very active and prided myself on hiking and biking about 30 miles a week. Well all that came crashing down with a 20 mile ride on the Ecusta that culminated in severe pain in my left leg. Two months I have been nursing this thing and wondering how the heck could a strained muscle cause this much pain? Dr. Jones patiently listened to my story but within a few minutes and a few tests looked me square in the eyes and said, I think it’s your sciatic nerve. Suddenly in a moment of clarity it all made sense. I’ve now completed an MRI and I will return to Dr Jones and the others at Southeastern to determine our next steps. I have found the whole process to be fully professional and personable. I am very thankful to have such quality care providers here in Hendersonville and I am optimistic for a full recovery.

I also want to give honorable mention to the young lady who was manning the front desk on our first visit. She was very personable and professional and made us feel welcomed and appreciated. That is not an easy job dealing with people who are waiting on the intake side while answering to the people doing their jobs on the treatment side. Our thanks to you for doing it all so well.

Google Review - Pardee Radiology

 Pardee Hospital: Radiology Department

(828) 698-7979

https://goo.gl/maps/cdiQp1VWgRVVzj6X7

It’s all happened very suddenly from hiking and biking daily to hobbling along on a cane feeling barely able to walk. Apparently it’s something with my sciatic nerve and we’re here today to get an MRI to determine our next steps (pun). I was ushered through the process by very kind and caring people and I felt respected and cared for throughout. An MRI is like being in a subversive quadraphonic video game of Star Wars. The sounds are intense and rhythmic. You have a little squeeze ball in your hand in case you want to bail out but your captain is in constant verbal contact and offers periodic updates and encouragement. 30 minutes…. 30 minutes in the Starship Enterprise… exhilarating as it was I almost dozed off in my daydreams and then it’s over and I emerged safely back on planet earth. Wow, what a journey! The crew welcomed me back, steadied me and reality set in as I hobbled back out on my newly acquired cane. Technology! It’s amazing. As are the professionals who run it. As painful and annoying as my sciatica is, I feel so blessed to have this technology and these wonderful people here in Hendersonville to use and guide me through it. My thanks to all of you and I feel very optimistic that I am in good hands and on the way to recovery.

Pain Management

 I did a post on loneliness which I do think is probably the greatest source of emotion distress is not actual pain. Losing someone would be a great source of emotional pain. Replacing that loss could be a source of comfort… rebound relationships??? But my topic here is physical pain. Physical/Emotional Pain? Same but different and are the cures also similar? This video was the first and so far only video offering a cure for pain in general where all the others are very specific; shoulder,  knee, back etc. my pain is in my leg and as of yesterday with Dr Jones, the cause shifted from muscular to neurological ie possibly the sciatic nerve impingement which means my bike ride may have been more of a coincidence than the cause. 

Meanwhile it hurts like hell. 

Calm Pain

I think the mind body connection is worth the effort. There is a real logic to it. Pain medications interfere with the pain source and mental perception of that pain. When I take hydrocodone I feel the pain like it’s next door and not in my face. It’s next door and so I’m better able to drift off in a dream or other activity. Without the medication I am unable to distract myself by reading to writing to other entertainment like movies. I didn’t think I could meditate but now I’m going to give it more effort. Finding this series in Calm is a great resource. 7 Days of Soothing Pain series. Hopefully it will work.

I took one hydrocodone last night and it didn’t work. I wanted to take 2. I felt just now that we know that it’s sciatic But… I didn’t. I persevered and tried focusing on my good leg and also pretending that the pain felt good. I tried reimagining pain as like a color or like it was cold. Like the pain was an object rather than a condition. Eventually I did fall asleep.

Google Review - AcuNa Wellness Center

 It’s been about 2 months since I injured my leg during a very strenuous bike ride. The pain was severe and relentless especially at night. I went to the doctor and was given pain and anti inflammatory meds. Both had very limited effect and I felt I needed something more. I found Acu-Na and I’m so glad I did. Mary took the time to sit down and talk about my injury. She asks How did it happen and what can She do to help? Mary has knowledge, experience and expertise in several modalities including massage, cupping and acupuncture. I will admit that I am a skeptic however her calm demeanor and objective explanations inspired a confidence in me to try the whole array. As I told my wife and a close friend, this was the best 60 minutes in 60 days. The whole experience was wonderful and the first real therapeutic intervention with my problem. The acupuncture, something I had never tried, was easy, painless and exhilarating, followed by a massage using hot stones that was so relaxing and sublime. Mary quickly dispelled the illusion of a miracle cure. We are, as she explains, working in a neuromuscular system and stimulating the bodies healing process. When I went home I was almost giddy with joy I felt so much better and shared my thoughts with my wife, a highly educated and experienced nurse. Acu-Na offers its services as a compliment too not a substitute for traditional medicine. In the following days my pain has diminished significantly as I have also reduced and possibly eliminated the need for and use of pain meds.

It’s rare that you can say that something or someone has changed your life but in this case I believe that it has. I now feel that I am on the road to a full recovery. I plan to get back to my active schedule of hiking and biking asap and I fully intend to continue my health quest journey paying attention to diet and exercise and treating myself to Combination sessions at Acu-Na as often as possible. I highly recommend Acu-Na Wellnes Center to Everyone who wants to improve their quality of life.

Response from the owner an hour ago

Pete, your pain relief and exceptional experience makes me so happy! I truly live for helping others live a vibrant happy life. When I can be a part of that, I experience great joy. Thank you for choosing me! see you soon

Ticket to Ride

 

From Paul’s book, The Lyrics: John and I always liked wordplay. So, the phrase ‘She’s got a ticket to ride’ of course referred to riding on a bus or train, but – if you really want to know – it also referred to Ryde on the Isle of Wight, where my cousin Betty and her husband Mike were running a pub.

Paul and John, as best friends, used to hitchhike out of town and to Paris with a few bucks in their pockets and a sense of adventure. 

I hitched back and forth from college in Atlanta to home near NYC many times and sure, I have many memories of setting out with naive optimism and finding myself walking miles along a cold lonely highway in the dark endless miles of North Carolina … but I Never came up with a song. The genius of these guys never ceases to amaze me!

Google review - Appalachian Mountain Brewery

 

https://goo.gl/maps/fbmBEDjmKJSUUmMt5

(828) 263-1111

We stopped in on our way back from the Wilderness Run in Banner Elk. We wanted to try as many unique local establishments as possible while staying in Boone and yes we found another gem. Our Beer Sommelier was quick to engage us with friendly banter and a few quick questions. Do you like banana pudding? My wife answered Yes to which he had a quick suggestion; Nilla Heffe - made with the unique ingredient of a pallet of Nilla Wafers. Well She Loved It! And she doesn’t drink beer so decide for yourself but it was a perfect segue home for us. We were also told they had the worlds greatest pizza truck but we’re saving that for next time.

Help! I need somebody

 I always loved this song from the moment that the movie came out but… but When I was younger, so much younger than today … I had no idea how much my life would change in oh so many ways. Really all for the good and now I’ve taken to being thankful for all my blessings. A beautiful loving wife, a daughter who just sent me a Father’s Day card and I get by with the help of my friends. Recently while playing weekend warrior I suffered a muscle sprain that suddenly set me back hard. Instead of hiking and biking I literally have trouble walking… and now my life has changed in oh so many ways, my independence seems to vanish in the haze… but every now and then I feel so insecure, Now I know I need you like I’ve never done before.

In 1965 I had no idea that I’d find true love that now has lasted 45 years but also how my life and that love would also change in oh so many ways from the energy, exuberance and passion of youth to the depth of compassion and maturity I find myself blessed with today. In the end all of my hopes and dreams and all of my prayers have been answered and The Beatles were able to bring it all together in one little song.

Help, I need somebody, Help, not just anybody, Help, you know I need someone, Help…and I found you!

Dear Prudence

 I never would have thought about this if it had not popped up on my YouTube feed. A beautiful song and worthy of your exploration. Did he or didn’t he? That is the question or is it as you point out. The journey is more valuable than the answer. I think one of the great attributes of The Beatles is that they maintained their identity from beginning to end. They eventually had distinctive solo careers but they honored each other within the framework of The Beatles until the end.

What your video story reveals is part of how they did that. When we first started dissecting Beatle songs each member had a distinct role that we would try to imitate. John and Paul harmonies. John rhythm, George lead, Paul bass and Ringo drums and that was that. What your in depth study reveals is that each Beatle was multitalented and could, if necessary, cover for each other. It was a collaboration and yet by mutual agreement all music would be published under the banner of The Beatles as all Lennon McCartney compositions carried that label without bowing to percentages. Was this one mostly Paul and that one mostly John? Who cares it’s Lennon and McCartney. Now what is interesting in your endeavor is that both Paul and Ringo are still with us. They could answer your query and provide an honest and comprehensive answer.

And the finished product 

Dr Phil interviews Steve Harvey

 Over the past few months I have been listening to Dr Phil on tv. First just passing through while Tess was watching but gradually sitting down to listen and actually tune in. Tess asked me about his podcast, Phil in the Blanks, so I looked that up and started listening and voila, here I am, hooked!

The podcast goes straight to the meat of the conversation and stays there. There are a couple of adds but they are mostly pitches by Phil about products he endorses. They are quiet and non intrusive, not loud with salesmen and music. I know they have to be paid for but I hope this doesn’t change.

This particular episode, interviewing Steve Harvey, is the best interview I have ever listened too. They introduce each other as friends and then proceed to have the most interesting, insightful and downright Funny conversation I’ve ever heard. These are two very real very powerful personalities. I would assume a much different starting place in life but still so much understanding empathy and support for each other. They’ve both made it big and they talk about their first big breakthroughs, especially Steve and they make you see and realize how much energy, effort and perseverance goes into making it in show business. How they turn accidents into opportunities and make opportunities out of potential failures. I ended up liking and respecting both of these men more throughout the whole interview but more like a real conversation process.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/phil-in-the-blanks/id1446088262?i=1000428205162

This is the best interview I have ever listened too. I listened to the entire podcast and was completely captivated. I then linked to it in my blog and searched YouTube hoping I would find the complete interview. The two formats have distinctively unique attributes and there is a lot to be said for just listening. The main point I’d like to make in this comment however is how much I learned about both participants and how much even more respect and admiration I have for both of you. As you point out, you feel blessed to be paid for what you do. What you do is not easy but as you say, it’s not a real job like working on a farm or factory (not your words). But you guys are multitalented and you do work hard. Heck, hearing about Steve’s schedule and never missing a show is an incredible work ethic. You both have special talents in your ability to communicate and we are blessed by that. As Steve pointed out, Phil could be a great stand up comedian and, as we’ve seen, Steve can be a pretty great relationships counselor so.. anyway thanks for all you do and being very real in your professional personalities. In this interview/conversation I never learned so much and laughed out loud so hard as I did here.

Thanks again!

What’s the worst that can happen?

 What’s the worst that can happen?

That’s a question I sometimes ask myself in order back away from anxiety. I am having a great deal of anxiety despite my life being almost perfect in every possible way. A loving wife and family. A house and car, no debt and money in the bank. So what’s the worst that can happen? Death? Not afraid of it, almost welcome it to escape this constant pain. So this injury and this pain and now wondering if this is temporary or the new me as I said to a neighbor friend today. This pain is hurting me physically and emotionally. But will it go away? Probably.

A stock market crash and loss of all my money? Losses yes but probably not a collapse. 

Racism in America? Yes, but last night in the show Yellowstone the Native American told the man who had married his native daughter go home to your family you are not one of us. He also referred to the nature of man. The destructive nature of man. Until you can change the nature of man you must return to your own family.

Fascism in America? Yes, Trumpism is a form of minority rule but not quite Nazism. There is a lot of hatred towards the Jews and there has been throughout time. It seems to be based in envy and jealousy. It bothers me a lot but they seem to do okay.

The 2nd Second Amendment - Our Constitution and the Bill of Rights are profound documents representing the codification of ideals that protect average citizens from power brokers and dictators. 250 years of our democracy have been based upon and depend upon the thoughtful application of the words and the principles incorporated in these documents. Today these documents have been pushed aside and replaced by the meme ‘the second amendment’. That statement is repeated as a mantra by right wing advocates as if it is an oath of loyalty that prohibits and level of scrutiny. That amendment, written in 1791, articulates the right to bear arms. Arms that were, at that time in history, single shot muscats Not AR15 Machine guns. But now the citizens that is amendment was written to protect are being held hostage by right wing bullies. Ironically the very type of people that the original 2nd amendment was written to protect. And you know what prevents us from having any reasonable discussion the denigration and pejorative application of the word Liberal.  

Lack of sleep. Insomnia and now insomnia with pain. It is driving me crazy but in reality I’m not crazy and will never be crazy. I do need pain medication. I’m trying to space it out and hoping that the Orthopaedics can give me more. I’m hoping that is acupuncture and easy massage can help. I just wish I could turn my mind Off. But I can’t or I haven’t found out how to do it. Of everything I wish I could just go to sleep. Stop the constant thinking. That is the magic I am looking for. The thing that many people take for granted. The thing that many people do every night. The thing that Tess now kind of brags about. Just close my eyes and go to sleep. My leg pulls back in pain. I continue this sentence. I’m going to stop and try again to close my eyes but… insomnia, pain, constant thinking… it will probably win again until I surrender to a comforting cup of coffee.

And lastly, tonight, the war in Ukraine. This, the horror of the inhumanity of Putin and the horror of being attacked as the people in Ukraine are being attacked. They are living the real torture. This is a torture only in my mind. For this I pray. Please God, that there is Goodness in our much flawed human nature. Please God stop this war.

God,

Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can and

Wisdom to know the difference 

Google Review - Marinos Greek

Marino’s Pizza House

 Who knew? They’ve been there 6 months and apparently I drove right on by. Well, no more, Marinos will now become a goto spot. I had looked up baklava near me and Marinos popped up. I thought I’d give it a try and stopped in just to get a piece. Then I thought, ok I’ll get a salad, then what? A slice of pizza? Why not? Well everything, I mean Everything was wonderful. The salad was just brimming with ingredients and the craftsmanship in its construction, To Go, was a tantalizing work of art. The ‘slice’ of pizza was the size of a small pie and the Baklava was perfection! Welcome to Hendersonville! Another of the 1000 Reasons to Love ❤️ 

Google Review - The High Country Greek

This is the Best Greek Food I’ve ever had! Over the years I realize that I’ve eaten in Greek restaurants in Atlanta, Charlotte, New Jersey and New York and all of them were special but to find The High Country Greek within a mile of our Airbnb in Boone was a wonderful discovery. I would advise people to use Google Maps because there are no flashing signs to mark the spot. To the contrary there is just one small blue yard sign  at the entrance to the Deer Valley Athletic Club. We got the sampler platter and loved everything on it. We also got the Baklava which was So Good we tried to get more before leaving but sadly, for us, they are closed on Sunday. Thank you to the staff for making us feel so welcomed and we will always come back when ever we visit Boone, Blowing Rock or Banner Elk. 

Wildernesses Run - Banner Elk

Blowing Rock - Boone and Banner Elk

This was our 5 day vacation getaway that we’ve been planning for the past year since we stayed at the AirBnB Cozy Cabin a year ago. We’ve been going to Blowing Rock together for the past 40 years. It has always held a romantic aura and mystique about it since those early days of discovery. The one memory we share the most is when we discovered Blowing Rock off the Blue Ridge Parkway on our way home from New Jersey. We ate dinner at a neat little Mexican Restaurant on the Main Street in town and when we were leaving we walked out into the most beautiful, pristine and serine gently falling snow. The white puffy flakes shown against the black of the night sky. It was peaceful and quiet like there was no one else around, like finding ourselves in the landscape of a Christmas snow globe. 

Tess and I seemed to float down the middle of the abandoned street. We found our way back to our car and continued our drive home to Spartanburg. My only real memories are those of the feelings I had of discovery. The cold and dark of night broken only by the glow of snowflakes illuminated by the street lamp. It all seemed almost magical in that moment and as I think back it still remains wrapped in mystery.

This trip was all planned out to the nines. All that is except our somewhat comprised physical strength. Because of my persistent recent bike injury or our advancing age or both, we did not possess the energies of youth that we once took so much for granted. Despite hobbling around on a cane I was determined to try the Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster that Tess had found on line. We also did Mellow Mushroom,  Appalachian Mountain Brewery and the best Greek Restaurant in America, The High Country Greek. That Mexican restaurant was now the Town Tavern and by virtue of beautiful weather we were seated outside. We did, however, take a seat at the bar where we had a drink before our table was called. I grabbed both drinks and offered my arm in assistance to Tess. We ambled towards our table following our waitress but… this time I took a tumble trying to get down the steps to the patio. It became one of those slow-mo scenarios where you see it all happening but can’t do anything about it. Once safely on the ground a couple of denim jacketed bearded guys came to our rescue. They quickly and easily picked me up and Tess setting us back on our feet. We thanked them and proceeded to our table. Once settled I was determined to go back inside where I found the man who had lifted us and thanked him again. No thanks necessary, is what he said, this is what gentleman do! We were blessed by the kindness of strangers. What was a very humbling experience for me but was not humiliating because people were kind and courteous. They did not over react or patronize. Someone said No Problem, we all fall down while another offered to buy us a drink.

The food, fried fish and Tess’s shrimp salad was delicious. We relaxed and ate our dinners to capacity taking most of it home and drove back home to our AirBnB Cozy Cabin without further incident. The difference however, in our hearts and minds as I confess in this blog post, is that we are different. I feel that our love for each other is sweeter and deeper, if at all possible, than it was 40 some years ago but… as I’ve talked about First Times and Last Times… I don’t know and won’t say but this might have been our last time in Blowing Rock. It was different from our first but still beautiful and rather magical in its own way.

 

Amazon Review - Breville Toaster

 

Amazon Customer Review

Pete

5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Luxury!

Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2022

Verified Purchase

We were shopping to replace our toaster, 3rd less than $50 toaster in six years. 

I have no problem with that but we started exploring 

other options including this Breville Smart Toaster for about $150. 

So what can you expect for 3 times the price? 

Quality, durability, functionality? Yes, yes and yes! 

Everything about the toaster says Quality. It’s much heavier 

and feels and looks solid. The electric mechanism 

is Smooth and Silent. Unlike the lever that I 

used to press aggressively, with the Breville you simply 

touch press the Toast button. The toaster mechanism embraces the bread straightening it as it starts to lower into the toasting position. So far it works flawlessly with white bread, whole grain, rye, Bagels and Frozen Waffles. Please note that the Bagel button tells 

the toaster to apply heat only on the inside burner and 

it works great.

This is a luxury item. It is toaster. 

There’s only one thing a toaster does. Make toast. 

So there is no need to spend more than you feel comfortable doing. 

We just decided to take the plunge and buy something that looks nice and is new, 

different and Fun! I do Keto so I’ve only had about 3 slices of bread in the last 3 years. 

Well so much for that record. Turns out good bread tastes pretty darn good toasted. 

I’ve missed it. So this toaster has seduced me into adding a little fun back 

into my diet and fun and flavor into our lives. 

If you decide to get one I hope y’all do Enjoy!