A View From The 17th Fairway

On My Daughter's Birthday...

Lisa, pictured at five years old, is on the right.

Tomorrow is my oldest daughter's birthday. Lisa will be 36 years young. I really can't believe that thirty-six years have gone by since that Groundhog Day in '73. A lifetime has passed in the interim. She has grown into a caring person, the 'glue' of the family, always reaching out to include everyone. She's a born teacher. The Montessori children she cares for, have the precious gift of her extensive knowledge and love.

Lisa is capable of exceling in anything she chooses. College, real estate, advanced Montessori studies...She's quite amazing. She's raising our twelve year old grandson and is doing a beautiful job.

So somehow, someway, that little newborn with the head of jet black hair (Oh, the indigestion!) has evolved into a beautiful woman, making her own way in this world. Lucky World!

Lisa is pictured on the left at her sister's wedding.

The Map on the Wall, A Family Travelogue...

Last night I happened to see a travel show about China and the Great Wall. It brought back vivid memories of my two trips to mainland China. My career afforded me unique opportunities to travel the world. So much so, that I started a wall map to mark my venues. My youngest daughter was entering the business world, as I was ending my career. It became a bit of an international contest, with Mom marking red flags, and daughter marking blue flags. Sunni actually did business in Brazil long before I did the same. She, however, got to enjoy Rio, which I missed.

And she traveled to Australia, a place I would have loved to experience. But I sure had her beat with my extensive Asian travels. We called it even in Europe, but Central America was mine!

Now that she's looking forward to Motherhood, and I'm not traveling for business, we're both content to stay put for awhile. But you never know when that old Mother-Daughter travel competition may start up again - or maybe in time, it will become a Grandmother-Grandchild trip...Actually, I can't wait for that!

The Holidays Mark Another Milestone...

  This time of year always makes me stop. Stop and think. Stop and compare. Then and now. And the promise of an even better future with the start of a brand-new year.

I'm always surprised at where Life takes me. Somehow, it's never where I thought I'd be! And always without exception, I'm surprised and grateful. Grateful for my loving family and all the beauty around me. Grateful for the health and strength that carries me throughout the day. Grateful for my friends, who are my best teachers, purely by their example.

The news events make me think the world has gone crazy. I struggle to make sense of the senseless. Senseless greed, senseless cruelty. And each day that I can reclaim my humanity, my spirit and my sense of appreciation, is a day well spent.

With a new grandchild soon to make her appearance on the world stage, and a loving, sweet grandson of twelve wise years, this grandmother looks to the future with anticipation and wonder. Still here, still enjoying Life's surprises. Laughing, loving and always grateful for the chance to appreciate the small miracles that bless and grace my life.  Happy Holidays!

Sports Gene Testing???

Yeah, what will they think of next....to part parents from their money??? With a new grandchild on the way, and one approaching his thirteenth (and very athletic) year, testing for the sports gene seems a bit 'over the top' even for sports-minded grandparents like us! Thoughts? Check out the original article from the NY Times.

Beantown Never Fails to Delight!

 

Of course this trip was extra-special. Daughter Sunni is expecting our second grandchild (and first granddaughter!) in late February. Kevin was in training in Savannah for his new job, so it was 'girl-time' all the way!

The highlight of the trip was of course the doctor's appointment. Sunni's doctor wheeled in a small ultra-sound machine where I could clearly see that healthy heartbeat and precious baby in waiting. What a memorable moment...
We had such a good time discussing decorating ideas, potting plants and printing photos. Her home is so warm and cozy. That beautiful and roomy guestroom will get alot of activity come baby-time!!

Of course two new restaurants were so delicious! Common Ground and Fat Cat were unique and great fun. And we also visited the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoyed a photographic exhibit of Yousuf Karsh, which was amazing...

 

All in all, a great trip!

 

Golfing with Nancy...

Lopez, that is...After my doctor's appointment on Monday, David and I took our 'rain check' from last year and headed out to the Nancy Lopez course. It's been a course I've wanted to play every since I exchanged greetings with Nancy herself at a recent lunch at her casual restaurant, The Legacy.

We had a delicious lunch in a covered patio part of the restaurant. The waiter was more than attentive. David devoured his gourmet burger and I loved my lobster bisque. Other favorites include: Chicken Marsala, Warm Lobster Salad and Beef Stroganoff.

Pleasantly surprised at finding our neighbor behind the desk at the Pro Shop, we got good advice on which of the three nines to play. Each nine is named after one of Nancy's three daughters, Ashley, Erinn & Tori.

Click here for a flyover of the course. Click on your back arrow to return here.

Off we went! Still working with my new hybrid clubs, I hit my drives well, made some good short shots and had a few putts that had David scratching his head (in a good way!) David played well, as usual and had a great time.

We arrived home tired but happy with our day together.

Air Conditioning & Other Life Musings

Our air conditioner went on the blink Friday night. In a normal environment, that wouldn't be a catastrophic situation. After all, who even HAD air conditioning fifty or sixty years ago? But here, in Central Florida's summertime in the 21st century, cool air really is critical.

Although I must say, I consider myself a 'trooper.' During the hurricanes in 2004, the eye of the storms, Frances & Jeanne, hit a mere fourteen miles from our home on Florida's East Coast in the city of Port St. Lucie. An eerie and unusual situation unfolded. Two hurricanes hit in almost the exact same spot three weeks apart. (Five hurricanes hit the State of Florida that 'mean season'.)

On the fifth day without electricity, we finally high-tailed it ninety minutes North to Orlando, where electricity (and air conditioning) was in abundance. I don't think a room service dinner, hot and generous, ever tasted that good.

But the experience taught me a little bit about survival. Without a working electric stove, air conditioning, lights and television, even in ninety degree heat, I can toughen up and get through it. Not a permanent situation, and not the worst that can happen. After all, no one in my family was hurt (although many lost their lives) and our home was still intact. Many of our immediate neighbors did suffer some damage.

But I summoned up all of my reserve (whatever was left after the experience of hearing the 'train roar' in the early morning hours) and made it through. Those kind of Life-altering experiences give you a sort of armor that you can call upon in other circumstances. And I have! So last Saturday morning, David sent me out to play golf with my girlfriends. He found an electrician to repair the power cable that had blown outside of the unit and paid the exhorbitant Saturday fee without much grumbling. Here's to all those strength- and faith-testing situations that make us stronger and appreciative of all things - including air conditioning! More pictures of our Hurricane Francis experience here.

Juxtapostion & Moving Forward

The realization that my mother is in the last stages of her life contrast sharply with my daughter and new son-in-law starting a new life together, full of brightness and promise. This is the ebb and flow of our shared existence on this earth. What can you do but ride the tide...There's so much that you cannot control.

Viv is on a one-way street now. There's nothing more medically that can be done, but ease her transition. It's a heartbreaking process, especially for Dad. The images of his constant tenderness and overflowing love will remain seared in my memory forever. Even in this difficult circumstance, his tender treatment of her, his attempts to allay her fears, correct her distorted perceptions, his gentleness, kindness...running around making sure she is cared for..all this after sixty-four years of marriage...is remarkable in the very least.  Yes, even in this heart-wrenching situation, Viv is wrapped tightly in his loving blanket. Who could ask for more?

Alzheimer's and Dad's Devotion

The wedding has come and gone - It was a weekend to remember! Sunni & Kevin were 'over the moon' happy. And afterall, that was the objective of the whole effort!

I'm here in New York, sorting out my feelings on my mother being admitted to a nursing home. She is in the mid to later stages of Alzheimer's disease. So I'm here for a few days trying to give my Dad the support he desperately needs at this time of his life. He made the decision to put his wife of 64 years there last week. His affection and concern for her are almost overwhelming; his tenderness is heartbreaking. I think he just doesn't know what to do with himself, other than be with her almost every waking moment. He's not getting the rest or break he needs to keep himself healthy.

He did however, start back at 'work' on Monday. He works three days a week at an upscale department store, fixing the fixable retail items to be returned to the floor - or sold as is. At least, that's what I think he does! The benefits to him are obvious - the few hours keep his mind off his wife's sad state, and put him in an environment of younger, healthy people who work retail, the trade he was in his whole working life. So that's a good thing.

Prognosis for Mom? It can't be good. It's a progressive disease, with little hope of turning back, especially in her physical condition. What will happen next? It's anyone's guess, really. My sister and Dad are looking into a nicer place. That would help, although at this late stage, it seems she's getting the care she needs right there, without the trauma of moving her again. But it certainly would be a nicer environment. Whether or not she'd actually know the difference is a moot point. But it probably would make Dad and certainly my sister happier with the surroundings.

The future is uncertain for any of us. For Dad, it's essential that he take care of himself now. For without him, my mother could not survive.

Life After Wedding

Yes, things are SLOWLY returning to normal around here! We are still bouncing back from the 120 people three day wedding fest. It was a fantastic event, and everyone helped make it a glorious memory! Now, we are integrating back into the Real World. But slowly!! We have the rest of the summer to relax and regroup. To all who attended, helped and participated in every way with our daughter's wedding, THANK YOU!