thefouramigosblog

For many years I cringed at the thought of being like my mom. She was a very uncontrollable drunk. I was angry a lot at her. But under the surface, I knew she was better than that.

At the age of 69, she quit drinking and this amazing woman appeared. She was the kindest, most considerate person anyone could ever meet. She never had a bad word to say about anyone.

People loved her. Not that people didn’t love her when she was drinking but she became so much more. She was tolerant of other people and their beliefs.

Her influence has encouraged me to be a better person. A kinder person. Someone who enjoys diversity instead of shuns it.

Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day Mom! You were truly an inspiration.

I travel fairly extensively and to many what you would call third-world countries. I’ve seen oppression. I’ve seen where people have no voice. I see where people have no due process.

I am an American. Freedom is taken for granted.

But I have also seen some of my basic freedoms start to be challenged. For instance, the hate I saw from yesterdays writings on one party and one particular candidate for president, takes away peoples feeling of freedom of speech.

If I said I love Trump those who hate him so vehemently would be posting nasty comments or blocking me.

If I said I am really upset about Roe vs Wade being overturned, and a woman’s right to choose, I might get statements such as I’m a baby killer.

So our freedoms have been hurt by both sides. By the hate spewed from both sides of the court.

We have placed our own freedoms in jeopardy by not having tolerance for others beliefs.

If it continues, we will be just like some of those third-world countries without a voice unless it’s the one voice.

My answer to this is start having compassion. Start having understanding.

I know many people who are voting for Trump. They are intelligent, not fanatics and are critical thinkers. I know many who are voting for Biden. And they are the same. Smart. Thoughtful. Not fanatics.

Save our Freedom!

When I think of public figures my mind goes right to politicians. So generally I think to get far in American politics at some level you have to be corruptible. Enough said on that.

Now I do have a beef with American sports. I think athletes are paid way too much money. When a football player makes more than a surgeon, there is something wrong with that. Enough said.

Entertainers who say they will move out of the country if this politician wins or that politician wins. My thoughts / just go. Stop whining.

And the worst offender of all is our media. Whichever side you are on politically it doesn’t matter. It’s all yellow journalism today. Such a shame.

During my years working, I had several careers. And I actually loved most of them.

But for the past 10 years I have worked at my favorite. Retirement. And more specifically, traveling in retirement.

Many countries. Many cultures. Now that’s life.

When you are on a cruise there are live performances day and night. From a band playing around the pool during the day to a main stage act at night, you are never without a live show.

Last night we saw Mikey out of Australia who combined the music of the 50s with music of the 80s and gave it a twist. Very entertaining and fun!

The night before the ship’s singers and dancers performed a show called Bravo. Beautiful music from Broadway plays. One of the players performed her own show the other afternoon.

The entertainment is free and that’s one of the reasons why cruises are so popular!

A few years ago my husband and I moved to South Florida. I’m originally from New York and he’s from Maine. We met and married in Connecticut and spent over 25 years in South Carolina.

We lived on 2-1/2 acres and had a big house and he had a workshop. Now we have a bunker in a 55 community. We love to travel so that’s why the downsize.

So what does that have to do with community involvement? Well less than a year in our new home I signed up to run on the board of directors and won.

Now I do have a community I am involved in. I work on making sure neighbors know who their neighbors are. I check on people if I don’t see them. Since Florida is God’s waiting room you never know.

I answer complaints and help those who need help. I organize hurricane help for those who need it. So basically I try to do my best in my neighborhood. Oh yes and I make their voices heard at board meetings.

And in general I tend to give up my seat if someone is frail and obviously needs to sit, or do any countless things to help out when I can.

I also lend an ear when someone is facing a problem or is just having a difficult day.

Stopping to chat with people and asking about their day may not sound like much but it connects people to people and sometimes that’s enough to put a smile on someones’s face.