thefouramigosblog

I start my day in quiet contemplation sipping my coffee reflecting on gratitude. Yes gratitude for the many luxuries I have beginning with freedom. Many women in many countries do not have this freedom. I say a prayer for them. I say a prayer for the women in my country who lost the freedom of choice. But I won’t dwell on that. That’s a discussion for another time.

When sipping my coffee I am grateful for electricity for without it I would have to build a fire and coffee would take so much longer. But then again have I be one jaded by instant gratification.

It is hotter than Hades outside but it’s just the right temperature inside because of air conditioning. Some people do not have protection from the heat or from the cold and die because of overwhelming temperatures.

I have light to read by before the light of first dawn. And I have this iPhone to write this all down.

How could I not be grateful for all? But can I not live without them? I don’t want to live without them but I hope I could survive if they no longer exist.

That’s my tagline today in the twilight of my years. I have had enough money, enough love, enough fun, enough good health to span a lifetime.

Mind you that wasn’t always the case. There was a time when my tagline could have been, “I could have been a contender.” For those of you too young to remember, that was Marlon Brandon’s infamous line in On the Waterfront. I understood that feeling. Nothing was working out. But with hard work, a change in my overall being my life went from that to Life is Grand.

We were told by all the financial analysts that you can’t retire unless you have a million dollars. That’s hogwash. We had less than half of that and we have been able to travel the world 6 months of the year. I learned how to maximize points and miles through 10X travel on Facebook and we have stayed in some awesome places and slept on lay down beds on planes for less than $100.

The man I married is easy and loving and willing to do some of the crazy things his wife likes to do.

We have friends. Not a million but friends with profound meaning in our lives.

Our health has had setbacks but we continue to move forward because another tagline I have is I don’t want to die before I’m dead.

And there’s another tagline I like that sort of pertains and it’s from a Warren Zevon song, I will sleep when I’m dead.

I think many people believe that if they had enough money all would be well with the world. However money doesn’t buy happiness.

For example, you have a job. You love the work and you really like your coworkers. You are offered a position, maybe becoming a manager. Now you have to be your coworker’s boss. That’s not fun. Now you are making more money but you hate your job.

Sometimes loving what you have instead of wanting more and more is what makes life worthwhile.

Spending time with family and friends. Enjoying simple things like sharing a meal. Helping someone who needs help.

So being kind, loving, supportive helps a person live a good life.

I spend the most time with my husband, my friend, my travel companion and life partner.

From the US to Europe to Africa, Asia and South America, we have embarked on a life of travel and exploration together.

Luckily after spending so much time together and being married for over 30 years with a blended family, we not only love each other but like each other!

Life is grand!

I started out life with the name Alyce who was born on December 12th. When I was school age the cutoff date was December 1st so my parents had a new birth certificate made up with the name Lisa born Novembet 12th.

So I basically started life with an identity change. I’ve been married for over 30 years and I keep telling my husband I will change my name to his but I never do. I think the early identity change makes me want to never change anything.

So there you have it! I’m keeping mine!

Chocolate and nuts – with or without caramel.

Coconut and almond covered in rich chocolate.

It’s a toss-up between the two! I really love coconut. Whether its in candy, cake or right off the tree. I’m addicted to it. The other day the question was what brings you joy? Well sometimes just some coconut will make me spin in reverie.

And chocolate with nuts. Nuts in anything make me joyful. It doesn’t take much to make me happy!

I see some people don’t like chocolate candy. Maybe they haven’t tried the right one. Milk chocolate vs dark chocolate. One is creamy and sweet the other is slightly bitter. It depends on your tastebuds.

When I finally started to like to read, I went from like to love.

One of my favorite series was Nancy Drew. My husband liked the Hardy Boys. And you know what? We still love to read mysteries and thrillers.

I remember reading the Exorcist in high school and I stayed up all night reading that book. I finally finished it as the sun came up.

I also loved books by Daphne du Maurier. Rebecca, Jamaica Inn, Frenchman’s Creek.

I also loved to read romance books. At least teen romance. I don’t read many of those today.

So yep, I would have to say mysteries were my thing and still are!

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. It inspired me to be a writer. It was a beautifully written piece of literature originally published under the name Ellis Bell. Bronte’s character development and the intrigue of this novel, especially written by a woman in 1847 was none other than miraculous.

The Second Sex by Simone De Bouvoir because it was a book that enlightened me to sexual inequalities. I also went through an existential period in my life.

Native Son by Richard Wright. I went to a fairly affluent all white school. This book had a profound impact on my understanding and abhorring racial bias.