2025

 So, it's almost 2025.  Time to reflect on the past year and build on it.

My plan is to continue going on trips and I'm looking at Japan.

There's more:  I bought a week at Playa del Carmen. That's walking distance from my favorite place for paella.

I will try to manage Rio de Secreto and maneuver in the cave.

And, of course, I'll do zip lining!

I'll relax more but not too much!

2025 will be filled with more adventures and FUN, FUN, FUN!

Recovering

After my tumble, fall and shellacking, I am recovering.

I've made many trips to the physical therapist and to the doctor  -- THE REAL DOCTOR!  No Physician's Assistant or Nurse or Medical Practitioner.  THE REAL DOCTOR!  

I'm not 100% but well enough to get to Cancun for a week of fun and sun.

Only thing:  Because of the scars, I can't wear a swimming suit or shorts.

But I'll be in Cancun enjoying Paella, Mexican food and the ocean right outside my villa.

So, even with the setbacks, I'm good!

Took a Tumble

I was climbing my stairs last week....something I've done millions of times. I was carrying a few things that stifled my mobility.

Because of my familiarity with the stairs, I didn't turn on the light.

But somehow, my foot got wound up with the cord and I took a tumble.

HARD TUMBLE!

That lapse where I didn't turn on the light or take two trips rather than carry everything at once -- well, it cost me!

My head hit the wall and left my face bloody.  Not to mention the damage to the other parts of my body.

My left knee took the biggest hit because it seems everything landed there.

So, I was off to where I could get treatment.

I went to the physical therapist. He massaged the area and subjected me to machinery that would ease the pain and discomfort.

But Sister said: That is NOT ENOUGH!  You must get medical treatment.

Sis was right.

So, I ent to Urban Care and spent an hour there until I was told all they treated were colds, headaches and minor cut.  

Waste of my time when I was hurting.

I was directed to Urban Aide that, like Urban Care, Aide was a 24-hour hospital.

So, I made my way there, which was in a remote area.

The good news: Because this hospital is located in a barren area, I went in and discovered I was the only one there.  They were waiting for me!

They x-rayed the areas and -- GOOD NEWS -- no broken bones.

They were so attentive and caring. 

I received a prescription for pain and discomfort.

I leave for Cancun in over two weeks so I need to have it together.  I won't be totally cured and healed but I'm on my way.

So proud

 My great nephew turned 18 in August.  He's a fine young man --very mannerly and respectful.

I asked him what he had planned now that he'd reached that magical age.

He replied:  "I'm going to vote!

I was exhilarated.  And last week, he texted me a "Thank you for voting" card.

He was so proud. But not as proud as me!

Daughters

"Daughters."

You MUST see this movie/documentary on Netflix.

It's about a day that Girls are allowed to spend time with their fathers in jail.

Seeing these girls clinging to their dads in a program titled, "Date with Dad" was sad....a tear jerker.

There was dancing, hugging, sadness but mostly love and a yearning for the closeness and for having their dads HOME.

It was touching.

The most moving was Aubrey, a five year old and her Dad, Keith.  They were hugging and kissing one another and professing their love.

After they left, the Dads vowed to work harder to get out of jail.  In two cases, the guys got out of prison and connected with their daughters and did not return to jail.

There was no mention of the crime that brought them to jail.  That was good because that kept the viewer from being judgmental.

It was a special movie.

You should see it.

My next adventure

 The Amtrak journey to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and more - turned out to be a disaster.  I won't go into the details but it was so bad, Amtrak refunded me some of my money.  And I was told they NEVER refund anything!

But with that out of the way, and with a resolve that I will do better for my next trip, I finally decided where I'd go.

And it's to:

JAPAN!!

WOO HOO!

Tribute to a good friend!

 I met Michelle Dunham over ten years ago. when she called Alpha Kappa Alpha for information about an event she wanted to attend.

I provided her with the info -- and she came. That's how I met her.

We clicked and became great friends.

She's an attorney and football player but a devoted friend.

My cat is dear to me and since my neighbor can no longer feed her while I'm away because she can no way,  I've had to put her in a shelter.  My late cat, Manny, died after spending a week there.I don't know if I can blame the shelter since Manny was a tad sick, but she died.  I was reluctant to put my new cat Pearl, there. But she survived a week.  But the second time, her eyes were red and needed treatment.

I went out of town for a week to the tennis championships in Mason, Ohio. I mentioned to Michelle that I didn't want to put Pearl in a shelter. She volunteered to come by and feed her. And she not only came by but also called to tell me how Pearl was doing..That was much appreciated. On the day before I would be home, I told Michelle that I'd be home soon and there was no need for her to come by. She said she had grown fond of Pearl and would come by that day and feed her and pet her a bit. 

I was so touched and humbled and realized that Michelle is a true friend.

The Convention is Here but I'm Not There

 Chicago is abuzz because the Democratic National Convention is here. In my "past life" I would have been involved scurrying around making things happen and avoiding any faux pas.

So, what am I doing?  I'm chillin', I'm relaxi' and I'M LOVING IT!

Amtrak - THE WORST

Well, instead of taking vacations to another continent, as I've done in the past, I decided to travel within the United States.  To the West.

What better way than taking a vacation on Amtrak.

I had my roomette where I could have privacy but that is probably the best I can say.

The first issue was that they had no wifi...who doesn't have wifi?  So, I had to use my phone to access messages.  And when we stopped at hotels, I was able to catch up.

Amtrak hires companies for its tourist needs. One company dropped folks off at the airport and took my bags off the bus...even though I wasn't going there.  When my bags were found missing, I was livid.  Fortunately, the bags were there.

Then, in Salt Lake City, the restaurant I was supposed to dine at was closed for remodeling. Why didn't Amtrak know that?  

I was so looking forward to San Francisco:  Fisherman's Wharf, cable cars - positive vibe. We were supposed to arrive at 4:55 PM.  Time enough to bask in the uniquely San Francisco ambience. But we didn't get there until 2:30 AM. Delays...delays...delays.  Because I was on a tour the next morning, I never got a chance to enjoy San Francisco's ambience before we were on our way to Los Angeles.

There are many similar stories. But reliving them on this platform is depressing. So, I'll just sign off and vow never to take Amtrak again.  And you shouldn't either!

I got it done...and I'm happy...and I saved $.

 Well, I got my implants done in Cancun.   It was a success. My teeth feel spectacular... and I only spent $1200 or $2400 for two teeth.

In the US, it would have totaled $10,000.

The only thing I had to pay for was hotel as I had accumulated enough points that I got my airfare FREE!

My friends can laugh and mock me if they want.  But they're spending $10,000 and I'm saving $7,600.  Now who got the better deal?

Saving money is worth the trip

Last year, I got an annoying tooth extracted. My dentist suggested implants in the hole where the tooth was.

Price:  $5,000.

My insurance would pay a piddly amount so, for the most part, it's on me.

But then a girlfriend suggested I get the work done in Mexico.  And since I'd be going there in December anyway, why not get it done for a fraction of the cost.  She knew a dentist who would do the job -- maybe even better.

She was right!  I  made an appointment and got the work done for a nominal $1,500.

So-called friends mocked me for resorting to a Mexican dentist. And they acted like his office was near some back alley.  They questioned my sensibilities.

Not so.  His office was in a modern facility and he was wonderful

I felt no pain.  Everything was done professionally.

I am going back in June for the completion for the work.  While there, I'll get another suspect tooth done.  So, for two teeth, I'm paying $2500 versus $10,000.

Now, you tell me who's the crazy one?

Chemistry - ARGHH

I am so tired of hearing guys I meet online say that he'd like to meet me to see what the chemistry is like.

ARGHHH!

If they don't get that magic on the first day, that's the end!

Everyone doesn't ooze with chemistry and I fear I'm one of those.

I don't want to fake it and pretend I'm so smitten because that's not me.

But that doesn't yield second dates.

And to be honest, those relationships that begin with chemistry, explosiveness and a high High HIGH often end badly.

So, I want to pace it because it takes a lot of slow to grow.

So, if we don't get sparks on the first date and you don't...try again.

Continuing to grow and see one another in a paced way can lead to true love.

Today I Turn ___________

 Today I turn....

Can't say it!

But I'm having fun.

I'm kinda retired!

So, I'm exploring more...Going to intriguing places.

I've always been quirky...eccentric and a person who does what I want.

And, it's made me more enlightened.

So, Today I'm ___________.

It's hard to say.

It's hard to believe.

But today I turn 77!

YIKES!

Enjoying my visits to Out of the Way places

 For ten years, I've dedicated one day a month to visiting a place that is original, unique -- and maybe quirky.

Because my friends are not as "feistily curious" as I am, I don't invite them.

But what a joy!  I've been to the 31st Street Beach and saw where a naked woman was carved in the sand.  I've been to one of the most hard-to-find pubs that looks empty on the outside but once you open the door, you're greeted by an explosion of wonderfulness:  lights beaming, enthusiastic staff and the drinks and food are unbelievable.

Of course, I've seen the Shit Fountain and a little hidden away plus pond behind Lincoln Park Zoo. And yes, I've been to the Bahai Temple, I've seen Harold Washington's grave and I've wandered around some eerie -- but fun -- places.

I could go on but just have to add that this has made me interesting, lively and Happy.

What more could you ask for?

Prostate Cancer is a Black man's plague

When General Lloyd Austin was AWOL, it was because he had prostate cancer.  There is no shame but because it concerns his prostate, he chose to "keep it quiet."

Now comes the death of Dexter King because of prostate cancer.  

This is emerging as a Black man's disease because a proportionate amount contract it.

We must launch a campaign to educate Black men about prostate cancer. Black women should urge their Black men to get tested.  Black men should learn the stark reality that Black men are more susceptible to prostate cancer.

Whatever it requires, we must do that.

NOW!

Happy New Year!

 Another year.  Another year older.  Another year wiser.

For me, after a disastrous Christmas, it's good to welcome a new year.

I pray that I have the discipline and wherewithal and the inner tools to wait before responding and acting.

Last year, a woman irked me in the airport.  I wanted to give her the side eye and an eye roll.

But I resisted.

About a week later, she sought me out for an assist with something.  I was glad to help and, working with her, I realized how kind and resourceful she is.

I liked her.

And she liked me.

She invited me to a function that I would have never been invited to.  I went and had a ball.  She treated me like I was royalty.

I'm glad I resisted the urge to be unkind.  Why? Because being civil brought me a new friend and valuable contact.

And that makes me happy!