The Sweet Things

I just read a blog about a "nectar list"-of things a person had done that made life sweet. I figured a review of the good would be therapeutic....

1.  Neil Armstrong was a touring docent the day we visited the Smithsonian's Uger-Hazy museum.

2.  Any day at Cedar Point in my childhood was a lifetime thrill.

3.  I've ridden in two B-17's, the Nine-O-Nine and the Yankee Lady.

Next on my list:  Mesa's Sentimental Journey

4.  I've swam with wild dolphins (surrounded by them) in Hawaii.

5.  I've toured the Arizona Memorial with a bunch of sentimental Americans who all cried.

6.  And I cried the first time I visited Cemetary Ridge at Gettysburg.

7.  I loved quoting Jimmy Stewart leaving Union Station by pointing to the Capitol and saying,  "Look!  Look!  It's the Capitol dome!"

8.  I've searched for sharks teeth on Caspiran Beach in Florida.

Twice!

9.  I've sang worship songs standing on the uppermost deck of a cruise ship, the wind and sea whipping around me.

10.  I've slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings...only as a passenger, but still.

11.  I've clung to door handles while traveling crazy roads to beautiful places in Arizona.

12.  I've hiked the Inner Gorge of the Grand Canyon.

13.  I've explored an empty plantation in the Turks and Caicos.

14.  I've stood on the border of Scotland and knew in my heart my people were from the lowlands (years later this was confirmed.)

15.  I ate French fries on the Eiffel Tower.

16.  I was (and probably still am) afraid of the mummy at the Toledo Museum of Art.

17.  I prayed for my knight in shining armor in a 12th century Norman church in England.

St. Nicholas church, Husthwaite

18.  I've climbed to the top of York Minister with a toddler on my back.

19.  I adore conch salad because I trusted a cabbie in the Bahamas.

20.  I've had a wild stingray placed on my back.

21.  I've had a monkey named Jano sit on my head.

22.  I've seen two presidents, Gerald Ford and George W Bush in person.

23.  I was struck speechless when I met Sean Hannity and didn't wash my hand the rest of the day!

24.  I hung out with Jordin Sparks for an hour.

25.  More impressively, I flew with Chris and Martin Kratt.

Martin walked me to my next gate.

26.  I've drank a $400 bottle of wine (and yes, it was worth it!)

26.  My heart beats faster when I'm around any kind of plane, especially if they can go supersonic.

27.  I love to dance, but really wish I hadn't broken my hand while doing so.

28.  I love living with art in my home.

29.  Look of Long Years by Howard Terpning speaks to my very soul.

30.  Howard Chandler Christie's full length portrait of his wife, Nancy Palmer Christy, as featured in Architectual Digest captured my 12 year old imagination.  I knew then I would own art like that someday.

Not this one (I've not been able to find it) but same subject, and very similar.

31.  I've seen Hail Mary's thrown and caught for the win at Michigan Stadium.

32.  I rooted for 50-1 long shot Giacamo, and he won the Derby.

33.  I've eaten picadillo in Key West.

34.  I know where the best pasty's are in the UP.

35.  I've eaten fresh raspberries by the handful right off the vine.

36.  I've stalked the Amish with a friend because she's an Amish-wannabe.

37.  I've held and read the letter my great-grandmother wrote my great-grandfather in 1912.

38.  I've buried my face in lilacs.

These are from Ered this past spring.

39.  I've smoked a hooka...and liked it.

40. I can make Lebkuchen like my Grama.

41.  I've had many teas at the British Tea Garden with dearest friends.

42.  I've flown over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter.

43.  I've sailed in a tall ship in Newport News...and was terribly sea sick.

44.  I've walked over the Tower Bridge in London, then visited the Crown Jewels.

Not the Crown Jewels, but this recently caught my eye...!

45.  I've stood outside the Louvre and Balmoral, unable to visit either as they were closed.

46.  So instead I've enjoyed the Museum d'Orsay....sigh!  Monet!

47.  I've felt like the Princess of Wales, being handed 60+ floral bouquets.

48.  I've created events specifically to wear ball gowns and tiara's to...

49.  ...and I've worn dresses inspired by the American flag with pride.

50.  I learned to two-step in Texas (which is apparently different from the AZ two-step, or just simply the fact that while I love to dance, I don't dance well.)

51.  I've done touch and go's in a single engine plane with my dad.

52.  I watched Top Gun in the theater with my 14 year old son, who then decided to become a navy pilot.

"Because I, sorry Goose, we; WE were inverted!"

53.  I had lunch with the governor of Arizona and the CEO of the Diamondbacks.

54.  I tailgated with the governor of Michigan before he was governor.

55.  Come to think of it, I've met four or five governors.  Most memorably, I had a fly fly into my mouth while speaking to Gov. Engler and his wife, which I reflexively spat out in front of them.

56.  I climbed a rock wall using only one hand.

Still amazed it was possible.

57.  I rowed for 5000+ meters with no hands.

58.  I've been featured in interviews for the AP, New York Times, NPR, CBS, ABC and NBC.

59.  I will always stop and sigh when I hear The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Just the Way You Are, Georgia or anything by Otis Redding.

http://youtu.be/GVbTE4wCbpw

60.  I won "Debater of the Year" in high school; not to be confused with the honor of being voted "Most likely to come from another time, planet or dimension" by my fellow seniors the following year...

61.  I travelled Great Britain for two weeks.

62.  I drove cross-country with my nine year old (and she threw up on the state of Ohio.  Significant as a Michigan fan.)

63.  I have two mother in laws and adore both of them.

64.  I own a personal library.

65.  I've spent hundreds of hours in the storage room basements of museums.

66.  I've been the recipient of true Southern Hospitality.

67.  I read Gone With the Wind by the pool at a hotel on Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta.

I completely agree.

68.  I walked a confederate graveyard with a descendant of one of the dead.

69.  I've stopped at war memorials and quietly read each name out loud.  For a moment, they are remembered.

70.  Breastfed three babies for a total of five years and thoroughly enjoyed it.

71.  I've rescued two dogs from shelters.

72.  Sigh...tantric.  Enough said.

73.  Any meal involving deep salt water fish is worth recalling and savoring...Ono!

74.  I dated Jimmy Hoffa's grandson.

75.  I've lived in no fewer than four "House of Dreams."  

View from the patio.

76.  There have been times my voice was trained to sing-and I sang.

77.  I love public speaking...but the greatest honor I had was eulogizing my father in law, who called me sweetheart.

78.  My nana took me thrifting, and taught me how to negotiate a good deal.

79.  I'm a published writer...and now I'm writing a book (or two.)

80.  I hiked the Grand Canyon solo on the one year anniversary of my first husband's death.

81.  I visited Mt. Rushmore at 7am, and had the place to myself.

82.  I know the power of a pair of high heels.

83.  I've been mountain biking and thought I was being chased by something, likely because while hiking earlier I saw a mountain lion.

84.  Sat near an airport and watched planes take off and land...usually by my self, occasionally with others.  Strangely, this is my favorite thing to do in Vegas.

85.  I've been steampunked.  And liked it.  A lot.

22" waist :-)

86.  I've had pen pals I've never met (and one that I have) that have enriched my life.

87.  I've lived the IDIC Vulcan philosophy, as well as Kirk's motto, "I don't believe in the no win scenario."

88.  Best of all, I was born on 8/8, in 1971 (9-1 is 8, 7+1 is 8) and have a sister 8 years, 8 days, 8 hrs and 48 minutes younger than me.  This lifelong obsession with 8 has brought me joy in dark days, and why I stop at 88 sweet things.

Seeing as 23 of these 88 have happened in the past year, I'm feeling quite a bit better.  Counting your blessings is more than just your family and friends, your circumstances.  It's the memories of the life you've lead...excuse me.  I think I need to go rethink a time machine!!!

Eeeee!!!!!!!! :):):):):)

The Benefits of owning a Time Machine

Many years ago, Mackinac became a favorite vacation destination for our family.  Charlton was a baby the first time we visited the island; we regularly took our fall break in Mackinaw City.

Lad, age 4 in 2004, and two weeks ago, nearly 15, at Colonial Michilimackinac.

Clearly, the boy has doubled in size.

I recall asking him to stand against the gun for the first photo, thinking ahead to future visits, and thinking how fun it would be to chart his growth.  We had three or four pictures, but with our move to Arizona, a looming five year gap emerged.

This is one of the reasons I wanted so badly to get Up North on our visit home...it's as close to a time machine as any other thing.

http://youtu.be/ecL6XCuO3Fw

Yes, I own a real time machine.  It's called memory.  Interestingly, not many want to take a trip in their own time machines, and even go so far as to deny their existence.

I love my time machine.

Recently I learned how to utilize my time machine to improve my future.  My still broken hand has left me discouraged and frustrated; it's been hard making lemonade when I used up all of the sugar.

Then I realized I could have iced tea with lemon instead.

My preferred beverage of choice at any given time, no sugar needed (I'm from the North; enough said.)

Nope, I didn't need to steampunk a new brace.

Although one must admit the dragonfly IS a lovely touch...

...it's time to learn how to write with my left.

Oh, it's frustrating, and I am DESPERATE to be able to type (I blog with my left thumb.). I spent HOURS today trying to write with dictation apps, only to get discouraged again.

If at first you don't succeed...

I had forgotten.

With nothing but one hike a week to my name, I had forgotten what I had learned in my Quest.

As days turned to weeks and now months with an injury, I had overlooked the solution:  try something new.

My six-year-old-like scratches became more legible this week.  You can read it now.

That and Disney announced this:

Afterall, a ride in the Falcon would solve everything, right?!

Yes, I'm still frustrated.  But I'm moving forward.

Better yet, I've turned my back on an old stumbling block and refused to even deal with it.

What good is a time machine if you don't use it?

And what good are lemons not added to your tea? 

There is good in this world; I will find it.

Grandkitten Thor is one of those good things.

Still having a right hand is one of those things.

Coffee is definitely one of those things.

As is art (Nisbet's Yellow Waves.  Love, love, love!!)

There's too much in this world to be thankful for and to enjoy to stay down for long.

And my time machine helped me get there.

Steampunking a cast...and other assorted Madness

Initially, my cast had me in near tears.

It was too scrunched.

I took tin snips to it twice, and had long, thoughtful pauses at the tool box at work.

When I thought I'd go mad after afternoon swelling set it, I'd go see Grandfather.

Technically, not Grandfather, but "Look of Long Years" by (sigh!!) Howard Terpning.

I do LOVE working in a western art museum.

Finally, after a sleepless night which found me on the balcony, I texted the dear doctor.  He agreed to recast.

Oh, I definitely did a happy dance!

So the new cast was blue like the last one, and by now I had convinced the King to bring the mattress outside.

Ahhhh...coffee and a view of our hot tub?!

So while Wei Tai is a lovely distraction, at least I'm not needing art to calm me and keep me from cutting off a cast.

That's progress.

Then the idea hit-why not steampunk the cast?  It's blue and rough-why not wrap it in leather?

I love my leather cast!

As for decorating....!!!!!

Feathers and lacings on Sunday.

Post apocalyptic princess yesterday.

I'm finding some outlet for the madness of a still-not-healed-thirteen-weeks-later hand.

At times I just want to explode; the frustration is so intense.  I've been advised  not to make any long term decisions until after it heals.

But what if it doesn't?

You'll note the cool hair.  At least I can control that.

Healing Time

I'm sorry, but it's (partly) about the hand.

My nose looks big in this picture, don't you think?  😜

As you can see, it's not discolored.  But it hurts.  It's sore, and typing today will likely aggravate it more.

Then there's the damned lingering effects of the head injury that started the fitness quest.

Being limited to hiking is an easy thing (who's going to complain about NOT exercising) but this week's hikes being strolls...

Mine.

Also mine.

...turns out strolling was pretty nice.  I didn't work up a sweat, so I could change and head straight to work.

Jenny's dress.  I received so many compliments on it and even had a dirty old man pinch me.

Today & tomorrow I can go in until 9 (I don't have keys yet, you know, the mandatory probation period) so I'm reflecting.

Can I get to level four before work?

In all honesty, I'm reflecting on how discouraging a long term injury can be.  The concussion, topped off with a broken dominant hand...some things are starting to give.

Perhaps I need to slow down to a stroll?

I prefer full-throttle...

...Or more!

Slow=boredom

Boredom=the enemy

Sigh.

I wish I had a time machine.

http://youtu.be/ecL6XCuO3Fw

Doing the Impossible

Everyone said, "Climbing? With a broken hand?  It can't be done."

Using my elbow instead of my hand.

It's my last day at SpoFit, and I am loathe to leave.  I've been challenged, humbled and amazed by the people I've met; I'm seeing things from a new perspective.  My classes today were water yoga and climbing; yoga instructor Maureen was just as passionate and lovely as the day before teaching Ai Chi.  I met another man with Guilliane-Barre syndrome, Lewis, on the road to recovery like Andrew.  He was walking 50ft unassisted, and had a job interview in two weeks after twelve months of rehab. Once again, SpoFit had made the difference.

Use your legs, they said.  We've seen you squat; you have the power.

Making a difference.  The walls of Spofit feature Paralympic and Invictus Game Champions; individuals who choose to succeed despite disability.  Regardless of the disability-mental or physical-these individuals chose to strive for that step beyond what was possible, and into the impossible.

Inspired by the positive outlook that permeates SpoFit, I decided to try climbing.  I'd climbed before, and truly did not think it possible with one hand.  Having been proved wrong on at least a half-dozen activities,  I knew something would work for climbing.

Elbows.  Now why didn't I think of that?

I strapped in, and was told to use my elbow or forearm for balance, not lift.  My power to climb should come from my legs, not my arms; I was assured I had the core and leg ability to make it up.

My first few feet went well; then the height began to look more prominent in my mind.

#7?  Really?

I began to run out of left hand holds.

First attempt top height; about 2/3rds up.

Having figured out it was possible with one hand, I decided to go again.  My knees were quivering, but I started up again, this time off to the right, as more hand holds were on that side.

Rocking it.

I quickly moved past my last point, and headed right to the top.

Slapping to top platform!

Tonight, the scrapes and bruises on my right forearm are visible, but not prominent.  They remind me that what I thought was impossible was possible-I just had to explore the possibilities.  This journey that we are on has many potential end points; sometimes to achieve success there are a few bumps and bruises along the way.

Garbage and messes sometime hide buried treasure.

I achieved something I thought impossible.  The strength had already been built up in the prior weeks, it was simply time to engage it.

And just how do I get down?!

SpoFit.  I'm actually glad I broke my hand and am temporarily disabled.  My perspective is changed, and my motto just maybe:  try again.

Exercising while Injured: CrossFit

I woke up at 4am, and drifted back to sleep at 6am.  Thankfully, I thought to set an alarm for 7:45am.

Of course, that gave me just 15 minutes to get ready to go...

Yeah, I know maize isn't attractive, but it was cold, and it covered my butt.

Today I was back at CrossFit Prescott, and curious how The Professor could modify a training for a broken hand.

At least he was smiling.

Despite the desire to return, I had still dreaded walking in.  Perhaps this is a throwback to school yard pick-ems when I was always being picked last?  Now injured, seemed even more apparent I "didn't fit in."

Oh, yes, my wingman showed up.  Hadn't seen him in over a month, but there he was.

It took Joey a few minutes to figure out my workout-he was very aware of the limitations and possible further injuries that could occur, and worked within those limited parameters.  In the end, I did five sets of modified shoulder squats with chains (stabilizing both up and down, Joey explained), the agility ladder with hands at stomach, plank and butterfly sit ups.

We did video.  I erased 2/3rds of it.

I was soooo done-I still had two sets to go!

Today took quite a bit of modification, trial & error.  Tonight my legs feel that slight twinge of exercise-I admit it's a good feeling.  (My shoulder, however...argh.  Totally tweaked all day.). I was delighted to be back at the place I wanted up be; even though limited.  I left a sweaty mess, and something in me liked that.  I *know* I actually worked out today; I don't always feel like that.

Let's chat a minute about the "exercise high" that some people feel.  I rarely feel good after exercise-and I wonder if only the 20% actually feel good when it's done.  I do admit I am on a high at the end of every Canyon hike, but after an hour workout?  Not very often.  I believe the brain must be engaged in the activity to have it-and I'm not often in compliance!

Frankly, I'm far more concerned with what type of princess I am.

I want to be at CrossFit, but I love Pilates.  To fuse the two together would be incredible-because I know how much I'll love my sore legs tomorrow.

It was a bad camera day.  I think when I tweak my shoulder, everything else goes to pot.

Tonight we celebrated Becky's 39th birthday; enjoying good food and great friends.

Cheesecake birthday cake!  

On the way home, it snowed.

On May 8th.  Really.

During the night I awoke many times from my dreams, all involving classrooms and teachers.  My legs had become deliciously sore-the result of a perfect workout.  My dreams shifted to a blackboard, filled with quotes.  I started erasing many of them to please the teacher, and began to write my own.

No, I couldn't read it.  It was just a dream.

No hikes this week, did you notice?

So much to figure out...