2011 and Counting

New Years Eve "Eve" and recalling back and looking forward. One of millions that fell victim to the housing bust with two properties for sale and no takers. Soooo, time to regroup, hunker down, be thankful that at the tender age of 65 am able to continue to work at a job that's manageable and be proactive. I'll price the house on Craig's List below comparable houses in my neighborhood (anybody out there?) and see what happens. At the very worst, it's a great place to live and I can wait out the market.

Happy and prosperous and healthy New Years to all.

Christmas Minus the Family

Second Christmas without the traditional family gathered together to celebrate. I do miss the Christmas trips to Paris, New York, Key West in recent years. Those were enjoyable and fulfilling adventures. Now, I have learned and long since accepted that those days are gone. My exwife is just that.. an ex partner that is carrying on her life helping her ailing parents. My daughter is around and loving, but she is in a proper 19 year old state of mind with friends, boy friend, travels, and such.

Now, I must make my new "family" with short trips to fun places where I can meet and associate with others in the same boat. Not so bad after all. There are a lot of us.

One Year Later

One year later, and the only change and hope, is that nothing has changed and I'm running out of hope. The only thing that is bipartison in our political system is that both parties continue to back stab each other's ideas simply because it was the other party's idea.

This is why there is a tea party movement....but it will derail itself because it will be a fringe movement, not a movement for reality, and common sense. Sarah Palin???? We are definitly ready for a female President, but not her.

Can someone come forward and offer ideas that are good for our country as a whole, which I define as the majority of the population, across all demographics, eraces, and religions?

Hope, Change, and Responsibility

Tomorrow, a new president takes office promising change and urging personal responsibility. Sometimes, these words are applauded but are just that...words.

But how about the US Airways crew and the many barge captains, helicopter pilots, and rescue personnel......having faith, taking action, and accepting that they had to take immediate responsibility. The results, all aboard safe and sound. The immediate alternative would have been hundreds or thousands dead in Manhattan or New Jersey.

Yesterday, at my Sunday school class, a lady came back to teach after a 1-1/2 year fight with cancer. She spoke of her faith in a larger purpose, not being angry that this happened to her, because life is not about her or us. We all have a purpose and sometimes have to endure the worst ta gain the best.

I think that now, regardless of your political stripes, Mr. Obama represents an opportunity to make a change, make a difference, not for just for him to act, but for all of us.

Happy New Year or is it New Life?

17 days into the new year and musing on the last six months. A year ago, vacationing in Paris, happily(?) married, enjoying the City of Lights for the sixth or seventh visit and planning with my wife living in France for an extended period of time each year ....some time in the future after #1 daughter is out of college. Thinking apartment time share or house swap.

Now, initiating the story of this journey, sitting in my new home with two dogs, 4 months separated from my wife. I can't help but look back, but I wake up each day wanting to look forward. Divorce complicates everything. Relationships are stretched, families are confushed, friends and acquaintances disappear, finances are turned upside down and faith is challenged.

Now, listening to motivational cd's, counseling with my pastor, doing 1, 2, 5 year plans, tearing them up and starting over. The journey continues.