FREE equals FUN

Last weekend, I attended the Taste of WVON food fest.  It had EVERYTHING!  Food, Entertainment, Networking and tons of vendors that sold clothes, jewelry and EVERYTHING I CRAVE!  The spirit of the event was AWESOME!  I ran into so many people and got hugs, made new friends and felt joyful!

And it was all FREE -- well for admission anyway.

But, as I walked the few blocks of the Fest hugging folks, greeting contacts and feeling LUV, it occurred to me that there are so many FREE events that are FUN and TIME FILLERS!

And, the summertime in Chicago is filled with festivals, fairs, flea markets -- THE WORKS!

I always have a great time.  They make for great date sites or just for lallygagging around, as I do.

But, it adds up to FUN!

And what makes the FUN even more FANTASTIC is that it's FREE!

Humiliated? In pain? It's Ok.

Once every few months, I get together with my nephew for lunch and tennis.

It is fun to catch up over lunch and get rid bits about his family.  It is also wonderful to just interact with this young man, who is truly marvelous.

But, then...there's tennis.

He has a monster serve and just blows me off the court.

I'm constantly chasing balls and, on those rare times when we actually have a rally...he usually wins!

But, it's all smiles.

Afterwards, I'm "humiliated" in a fun way.  And, the next day, my joints are hurting as well as many other parts of the body.

But, it's all worth it to connect and spend time with him.

So, forget the pain.  Forget the embarrassment.  This is about love.

Enjoying my 119

For about two years, I've been visiting the Most Unusual Places in Chicago/Chicago area.  It's been an awesome experiences going to unique haunts, off-the-way places and quirky meanderings.

I've been to the Shit Fountain, Violet Hour, the American Museum of Surgical Science and so many more.  

On Saturday, I went to #22, the site of the 1898 World's Fair.  There are three areas:  The Japanese Garden, Wooded Hills and Big Mary.

The Japanese Garden was tranquil, beautiful and mesmerizing. 

I LOVED IT!

The scenery was so haunting and awesome that I could have stayed all day and wrapped myself in the wonder of it all.

My only regret is that I hadn't been here before.  It's always been there...so, where was I?

How to Get a "YES"

I'd been working on trying to penetrate a station for a month.  I called.  No return call.  I called again. No return call.

Then, I heard on the show that they were having a public beach party.

I got up and went.

He wasn't there...but his boss was.

We talked.

He was receptive.

We exchanged cell numbers.

It's ON.

So, that is the recipe for getting a YES.

In going, I exhibited interest and showed that I watched the station.

Plus, I helped boost attendance at the beach party as it was a rainy day and most people stayed away.

But I didn't.  Even at a grandma's age and being out of their demographics, I was welcome there.

I got multiple tee shirts, mugs, lip balm and all of the other goodies.

But, most of all, I got a YES!

Golden Reunion: FAB-U-LOUS

Yes...there were a few hiccups.  And, yes, there were some missteps.

But, overall, Spelman's Golden Reunion was awesome.  A few stayed away for petty reasons but they were the losers.

As I reflect on the wonder of the weekend, I'm so glad I made it.

One of the most poignant remarks came from Faithia Pugh who joined me to find our lost bags.  We scurried around in search for our bags for at least an hour.

And they were finally found.  But, we were in it together.

At the end, she said to me:  "If we'd known each other better, we could have been friends in college."

It's not too late as I have her contact # and will begin a friendship -- 50 years later.

My Golden Reunion

I leave this week to attend my 50th College Reunion from Spelman College.  It is hard to believe it's been that long.

It will be a nostalgic occasion filled with rituals, rites of passage and remembrances.

I look forward to returning to the campus where memories were sown and where traditions are strong.  Values were stressed and traditionalism was emphasized.

I thank my parents for choosing it for me and for the foundation of strength it provided me and continues to provide.

As I look around at the way life has evolved with the coarseness and lack of civility, I hold Spelman dear for building character and creating a strong bond of faith.

Spelman is part of my growth and I look forward to returning to the scene that helped flower me.

Consult your village

Recently, I had a pain -- intense pain -- in my hip.

It was becoming so aggravating that I consulted the Internet for help.

No luck.

So, in desperation, I posted my malady on Facebook.

Through my Facebook village, I got a diagnosis and tons of referrals and advice on next steps.

Out of that posting, I culled through the referrals and settled on a nearby chiropractor.

She is wonderful!  After three treatments, the pain is gone and I have strategies on how to avoid the pain in the future.  I've followed the regiment and feel so revived.

I would have never gotten relief had I not put the word out on Facebook.

And, for that, they are my go-to source for advice and counsel.

So glad to have such a reliable and wonderful village.