Golden Lucy's Spiral Journal

Going on 87...Savoring and Surviving the Senior Years

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Rambling and Reflecting

Lucy’s busy head is busier than ever today---filled with ramblings. It’s been sooo long since I’ve posted and I can’t thank you all enough for continuing to visit and send encouragement. The flare-up of my old shoulder injury has been more debilitating than ever before.

Thanks to my pain medication I’ve been operating in the “Food good. Fire bad!” mode for the past two weeks. Physically this means I can still feed myself and wipe my own bottom but forget the typing--even with my functional sinister hand. Unfortunately the brain never stops. It’s very frustrating. Especially now that I’ve discovered the world of blogging! Thanks to the blog community I always feel I have someone to talk to. So here goes---while my bum arm is making nice.

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement has come and gone. I used the day for both reflection and resolution---reflecting on my innumerable blessings and resolving to be more grateful and forgiving of others. This last part isn’t easy for me. I’m a worrier and a list-keeper. I’m never completely satisfied that things are where they should be. (I know these things, after all!) I’m trying, in the next year, to be grateful instead of worried. I doubt it will work but I’ll try.

Now for the forgiveness part. I’m happy to work on forgiving myself and others---except for the current political administration. I’m having a terrible time letting go of my bitterness and outrage when it seems to be refueled on a daily basis. The latest bit of kindling came with the publication of Woodward’s “State of Denial.” Mr. Woodward may well be adept, even slick at making the most of political scandal but there’s no denying he deserves kudos for verifying what so many of us have long suspected. While I realize this GOP administration may not be more ethically reprehensible than some of the Demigogs, Woodward's book gave George W. and Company a well-deserved drubbing and I for one cry, Hear! Hear!

The Mark Foley brouhaha also gets my dander up. I have absolutely no problem with his homosexuality but I have a real big problem with pedophilia. When I heard his lawyer explain Foley had been molested as a teenager---as if that somehow explained or excused the man, I hit the roof. Does that mean that young members of our family, who were starved, abused and slaughtered in the Holocaust should have been entitled to do the same to other innocent young people? I think NOT.

Enough rambling and ranting. I don’t want to leave you all on a crabby note. My wish for everyone in the coming year is that all your days be filled with peace, health and goodwill. And if some days the magic doesn’t work, that you never give up!

In case anyone is wondering, the photo is a shot of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. People write prayers on notes and stick them in cracks in the wall. I thought it was a very contemplative picture.

40 Comments:

  • At 7:12 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Prayers for your heart,spirit,and shoulder. And a great big hug.

     
  • At 8:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Wish you the best of years, hoping that your shoulder gets better or at least doesn't hurt.
    When you don't post, I miss you a lot, but I know there's a good reason.
    And what do you mean when you say: Unfortunately the brain never stops, it is a blessing that the brain doesn't stop, even at times when you can't type. I wonder if there isn't some piece of software that lets you talk to your computer and your words are typed. That would be good for when your shoulder hurts.
    Have a look at this: http://hffo.cuna.org/story.html?doc_id=840&sub_id=12433
    Anyway, my best wishes for recovery.
    Love
    Claude

     
  • At 9:06 PM, Blogger kenju said…

    So glad to have you back! I agree with everything you said, especially about Foley. Being molested in your younger years should not be an excuse for doing to others when you are older.

     
  • At 9:16 PM, Blogger Miss Cellania said…

    Its so good to hear from you, but I sure wish you felt better.

     
  • At 10:00 PM, Blogger Ann (bunnygirl) said…

    I'm glad to see you posting! I hope you get to feeling better, in every sense of the word!

     
  • At 4:20 AM, Blogger MizMell said…

    Sorry to hear about your bum shoulder... I suffer the same at times (computer injury) and use Aleeve when I can't work through the stiffness with exercise or calm the inflammation with ice gel packs.
    I have missed your posts!

    And I have totally lost my patience with the current administration, too!!

     
  • At 6:51 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Lucy,
    I am so glad you are back posting. I have missed you alot. Have you thought of using one of those voice recognition programs for your computer. Bob had one for awhile and all he did was talk to the computer and it typed his words. . . not always correctly but better than not being able to correspond at all. I think they have improved the systems since he used his so this might be worth checking into.

     
  • At 2:14 PM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said…

    Soooo good to see youy posting dear Lucy...AND, I thank you for your very dear comment today...I'm glad to know you are still with us, though that wing of yours is suffering so....
    I hope it gets better very very quickly my dear....and I understand this addiction to blogging....it is wonderful and the best part is the many truly special people one has the opportunity to meet....YOU, dear dear Lucy, are a treasure to me and to us all! (And btw: I'm glad you can still wipe yourself, my dear..lol)

     
  • At 2:21 PM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said…

    Oooops! I fogot to say that my forgiveness doesn't cover this administration, either!!! And deliver me please...from the "I was molested as a child" being the excuse for behavior that needs therapy....I don't believe that every person who was molested becomes a pedophile for one moment. What is most distressing about this situation is how this man's fellow congressman/senators have known about this for quite a while and just turned the other cheek...because of an ELECTION!!!!!

    Help Me Oh Nurse!

    Glad to know you are all 'atoned' now. Many hugs to you...AND, I think you should look into the voice recognition program....I may just look into it myself cause I'd like to avoid carpel tunnell, etc.!
    Hugs dear Lucy...BIG BIG HUGS!

     
  • At 2:51 PM, Blogger Maya's Granny said…

    Lucy,
    So glad to see you back. Sorry about your shoulder.
    I think that forgiving an ongoing offense is very dangerous. Only when the person has seen and admitted the error of his ways and actually stopped committing the injurious behavior is it appropriate to forgive. And, I can only forgive what was done to me, not what was done to others. I can not forgive anyone for the Haulocaust or for Abu Ghraib, because I was not directly injured in those events.
    Anger is a healthy emotion -- it gives us the energy to fight injustice. I'm glad I'm mad at this administration. I'm glad you're mad at them too.

     
  • At 4:54 PM, Blogger Rain Trueax said…

    That's a great picture and a very contemplative post. It's good to take days like that to reassess.

    I feel the same way you do about the whole mess we have in Washington. I just hope change is coming.

    hope your shoulder is better soon too

     
  • At 4:57 PM, Blogger Bev Sykes said…

    Lucy, I agree with everything you wrote today! And I'm so sorry that you're hurting. I hope this is short-lived.

    I tried to send you an e-mail about my guestbook, but it was returned as a bad address. Basically I had to put in a different address because signmyguestbook wasn't working any more. Unfortunately, the new one only takes 250 characters, so your message was shortened. But at least it works now!

     
  • At 6:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Wonderful photo, Lucy and as always, wonderful post!
    I wouldn't call your words "cranky" nor "rambling." Every time we turn on the news it's another new crisis....but I MUST say....seems to me the political news lately...that house of cards needs one more good puff and down it'll come...to the grateful relief of so many of us.
    I SO agree on the excuses Foly is using...from alcohol to being molested himself. Sorry....NONE of that matters and the example you gave was perfect!
    Bravo to you, Lucy. I DO hope that arm of yours will begin to improve soon. Please take care of you....we do miss you here though.

     
  • At 7:08 PM, Blogger Ginnie said…

    It's so good to have you back. I feel like I am just getting to know you and I miss you and worry about you when there is a long lull between posts. I think that it is critical that we make our thoughts known...especially about our "elected servants". I will send good thoughts your way in the recovery of your shoulder. Lots of hugs. Ginnie

     
  • At 9:44 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Interesting, meaningful photo, Lucy. Had seen similar film on TV over the years, but wonder if this was a personal photo? Whether or not it was, we write, we talk, to be heard, and not just by others, at that special place.

    Sorry to hear about the bum shoulder -- give it to you-know-who in D.C.

    I concur wholeheartedly with those who've suggested voice recognition, whatever else might be available. You DEFINITELY need to express yourself outside your head.

    In lieu of the above, just use a regular tape recorder ... record your thoughts, ideas, maybe even dictate a blog post. You'll at least have a backlog of material to use at your whim when you are able to use the keyboard, or if someone volunteered to type for you.

    Do you have a "Senior" Center nearby? Maybe there would be volunteers with whom you could become acquainted, would type for you, IF you want to post more often.

    Or, this could be a good project for a Girl Scout badges, or a similar type group seeking to perform public service. Would think you could screen them. The young 'uns are probably pretty capable of knowing their way around the computer.

    You could do some oral history topics, which I would enjoy, and would be educational for a younger person, too. You probably could come up with some better topic ideas than that.

    Keep talkin'! Get those ideas and thoughts out there. I'll wait patiently for your next post. Oh, and I hope your shoulder gets better ... real soon.

     
  • At 9:59 PM, Blogger goldenlucyd said…

    I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments and suggestions. Joared was a virtual fount of wonderful ideas. I appreciate you so very much!

     
  • At 4:49 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I'm so sorry that your shoulder is giving you so much trouble. I hope it's better soon!

    Loved the photograph and the sentiment behind it.

     
  • At 6:32 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Indeed, the photo you posted is exactly that Lucy....contemplative.

    Hope your observance of Yom Kippur brings you peace and blessings.

    Sorry to hear you are still having your physical problems. Hope the arm continues to "make nice"!

    As far as a brief political overview...all I can say is Bah,Humbug!

    Always a joy to read your posts and always look forward to them. Take care.

     
  • At 8:36 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The wisest words I have read on a blog were, "I choose to focus on those things which nourish my spirit."

    Feel better soon, Sweety! ;-)

     
  • At 12:34 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I love the concept of being grateful instead of worried. I am going to borrow that one if you don't mind. :-). Also love the photo and the sentiments behind it. You are quite an inspiring gal. :-)

     
  • At 6:22 PM, Blogger Suzann said…

    Oh my dear Lucy - I hope you feel better soon. Happy New Year - may the next year be one of many blessings and peace for you. You are in my thoughts. Love and hugs.

     
  • At 8:44 PM, Blogger Chancy said…

    Wonderful to hear from you, dear Lucy. Out here in blog land we need our weekly (or daily) Lucy treat and we miss you when you are bummed out.

    Be well.

     
  • At 4:45 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Thank you for creating this post. The world is sure strange lately. I am so humbled by the Amish and their ability to forgive. Something i need to work on - but someone shooting my child execution style would probably drive me insane.

     
  • At 10:57 AM, Blogger Roberta S said…

    Lucy, I am so glad that the pain in your shoulder has not dampened your wish to chat and comfort and even support the discouragement we are all feeling. All of us who taint each day's (otherwise good humor) with the latest out of Washington.

    Speaking of Foley and forgiveness, I always try hard to allow that 'sick-minded' people may engage in sick-minded thinking. It's a feeble excuse but better than none. But I can't find it in my heart to forgive the rest (the supposedly ethical and quick-minded thinkers) for not taking immediate and curative action. Those that knew long ago what was going on but ignored it ought to be strung up by the collapsed spheres (if there are any) in their groins.

     
  • At 12:14 PM, Blogger Jamie Dawn said…

    Great photo; very inspirational.
    Sorry you have had pain and physical woes. You are certainly missed whenever you are out of comission.
    I am not in agreement with you about Dubya, but I respect your opinion.
    Foley is a disgusting person. Preying on these teenagers is outrageous, and I am so glad that he was removed quickly. I do not appreciate that politics is being played with this matter though.
    The Dems had one of their own who had sex with a male page, and he was re-elected to several terms following the incident. Why was that allowed to happen? Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. If the investigation finds that anyone knew about the disgusting instant messages (not the emails, which were nonsexual in nature) and did not do anything about them, those people need to be run out of town on a rail, pronto!!!

     
  • At 2:59 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    happy new year! keep your spirits up, and your bloggin' coming our way. You are much loved.

     
  • At 6:35 AM, Blogger GUYK said…

    Well, actually pedophilia refers to children that have not reached the age of puberty. Foley was hitting on a teenager. This doesn't excuse him in my books but I didn't see it as a surprise..I figure the whole lot of them are corksoakers..

     
  • At 7:34 PM, Blogger Cowtown Pattie said…

    "I figure the whole lot of them are corksoakers.. "

    Yep, that's my Prince Charming!

    Miss Lucy, I hope you are doing better. Nice fall days and some pumpkin pie would fix ya right up.

     
  • At 11:10 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Hi Lucy

    I have been looking in on you every day hoping to find a new post from you. How frustrating for you to want to get something off your mind and be restricted by your "bum shoulder."

    The way new things are happening in the computer world every day, there could be something out there right now that would help you continue doing what you love to do.

    Claude and Joared made some suggestions that hopefully could work for you. Is there a senior center near you, maybe they would have some ideas?

    In the meantime, with rest, hopefully you will be back in business.

    Wishing you my best,
    Millie

     
  • At 5:34 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Sorry you are so bumed out, Ms. Lucy -- shoulder and politics. Blechhhh -- politics can put anyone over the edge. Go sit outside on a gorgeous day, tilt your face to the sun, squiggle your toes in the grass, and celebrate your joie de vivre.

     
  • At 5:21 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    lucy, as you can see, your following sends you good vibes every day and celebrates your spirit. i treasure your thoughts whenever they appear. here's to less pain for you, better world news for all. yours, naomi

     
  • At 2:38 PM, Blogger Mortart said…

    Belatedly, I wish you happiness and no pain in the new year. Reading your comments is like coming upon a breath of fresh air. And you look gorgeous in that photo.

     
  • At 1:49 AM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said…

    Hope you are feeling somewhat better dear Lucy...You are missed out here in the blogesphere...BUT, the most important thing is for you to be BETTER and for that nasty ass pain to go away...! Today is Wednesday A.M. and I'm just checking in with you my dear...!

     
  • At 7:20 AM, Blogger Joy Des Jardins said…

    Just checking in Lucy. I imagine your shoulder is still acting up and keeping you away from the computer again. Honestly, I just hope you're as comfortable as possible. We're all just checking in on you really...until we can see you back in action. Do what you have to do....as much as you hate it. Miss you and love you... -Joy

     
  • At 12:43 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Me too, I just had to check back in and see if you are doing okay. Like all the other bloggers, I miss you and hope you are healing and feeling better. Take care, dear friend.

     
  • At 7:43 PM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said…

    How are you doing my dear Lucy..?
    I miss you and I hope your arm/shoulder is getting better and better..."Voice Recognition" my dear....(I sound like a broken record of voice recognition..lol)
    Seriously, I send you BIG BIG HUGS and much Healing Energy!!!

     
  • At 7:44 PM, Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said…

    I forgot to say..This is Subday night, here on the hill, about 7:38pm

     
  • At 6:53 PM, Blogger JunieRose2005 said…

    Lucy,

    Hope you feel better soon. I enjoy reading your blog.

    Junie

     
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