Follow My Bliss

I Think Therefore I Am

2009-11-10T00:01:00.001-08:00

Quote: Ivan Panin

"What we think,

we become.

All that we are arises

with our thoughts.

With our thoughts,

we make the world."

-Buddha

Must Eat More Pasta

2009-11-09T00:01:00.001-08:00

Sophia Loren at home in Naples, 1955 from the Estate of David Seymour

“Everything you see

I owe to spaghetti.”
―Sophia Loren

A Special Love Story

2009-11-08T00:01:00.001-08:00

The Riga and Simonetti families were all friends in Italy. Though both families immigrated to America, miles and time separated the two. The Riga's had a daughter named Jeanette and the Simonetti's had a son named Albert. When Albert (Al as he is known) visited California, the Riga's invited him to dinner. That evening he met the love of his life, Jeanette (known as Jean).

As the story goes it was not love at first sight for Jean. But Al did not give up and a few years later they began to date and eventually he won her heart. They were married on April 23rd, 1950 at St. Barnabas church in Long Beach. This setting for the marriage was especially significant for the Riga family as Jean's parents, Frank & Elizabeth were founding members of the church. As their family grew the church continued to be a significant place for Jean and Al. Four of their children and two grandsons went to school and graduated from St. Barnabas and their daughter Nancy took her wedding vows in the same sanctuary as Al and Jean had done years earlier.

Jean and Al's love for each other was priceless. Every look, every gesture, every little gleam in their eyes was for one another. Theirs was the perfect role model for a good marriage...58 years together was an inspiration to all who knew them. In the years prior to her passing she gave fully of her services to her family, friends and to her beloved church. Among the many hats she wore was that of planner for the Seniors activities. This included field trips to plays, museums, various places of interest and to Laughlin Nevada.

Last February, St. Barnabas school created the "Jean Simonetti Education Foundation" in her honor for her life long dedication to fund raising for the church, school and religious education program.

Now there was something that Al wanted to do for his beloved wife. Something that would honor her memory. Since both Jean and her mother were devoted to Mary an idea was born to build a "Grotto for Mary" in the garden of the church. The groundwork was started last October. Al received help from family members and started to sketch out ideas and model the structure out of styrofoam. Of course all of this planning came with blessings from the church but Al had to make many trips to the city planners to get permits. Months passed, Al drove back and forth many many times to the city building refining the design. He contacted family members to help him build the grotto.

The garden area was chosen.

Al was ever present and working to make this grotto perfect.

After a year of planning the grotto was finally started.

The Lady of Lourdes grotto was built in loving memory of Jeanette Simonetti. It was completed and dedicated on the grounds of St. Barnabas church on Sunday October 11, 2009.

Note: I did not have the good fortune of knowing Jean Simonetti. I attended her memorial service at St. Barnabas because she is the mother of my friend Nancy. But I felt like I had known her through stories Nancy had shared about her warm and loving Italian mother. At the service for Jean I was in awe of all that was told about Jean's life. She was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren stood before the congregation telling heartwarming stories about their beloved "nonna" . I felt as though I had known Jeanette as they eulogized her and gave reflections on her life. She was "so italian" in her warmth, and generosity. She gave of her self to the family, to friends and to the church which she dearly loved. The church overflowed with people mourning her passing. So many heartfelt stories of Jeanette's wonderful ways, opening her home for big italian parties with lots of homecooked food and donating time, week upon week to volunteer for church functions. And then there were the most tender and endearing stories of the love between Jean and her dear husband Al, who adored her. I think this grotto is a fitting and beautiful tribute to a loving and generous woman who never stopped giving through out her entire life.

It is a sweet and enduring love story of Al and Jean Simonetti.

Wanting to Make These Moments Last

2009-11-07T00:01:00.002-08:00

Image available on Etsy by Robert Ryan

in my sweetest memories

" I remember days that felt like it was raining daisies."

It's a Dog's Life

2009-11-06T00:01:00.003-08:00

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

"Animals come into our lives as gifts from God, for companionship, to teach us, and to heal us. They deserve our very best efforts in caring for them"...Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM

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The Driver's Seat

2009-11-05T00:01:00.001-08:00

Paris "Dior" Ad

"No one is in charge of your happiness but you."
-Regina Brett

Seal Beach California

2009-11-04T00:01:00.001-08:00

November 1st this past Sunday...

If you're looking for a family friendly beach to visit, vacation, to shop, enjoy a beach, dine, watch a classic movie, fish on the pier, kitesurf or just hang out, by all means go to Seal Beach.

Old Town Seal Beach features shady, tree-lined Main Street, a beautiful beach and pier reminiscent of small town America during the mid-1900's.

This beach close to our home has a long pier where families can walk, fisherman can fish and everyone can enjoy views of the sand and surf as they stroll along the pier.

When our girls were little we used to bring them to the playground on the sand just to the side of the pier. On the last day of school in June it became a tradition for us to meet at this beach with all their friends and families for a "beginning of summer beach party." This is a place we often come to on summer nights to enjoy an ice cream and to feel the cool summer evening sea breeze.

Here's a photo of the far end of the beach near the jetty. At the end of the beach is a great little restaurant called "The River's End". It' fun to go there for breakfast or at sunset or just about any time. If you go try their fish tacos...mmmm they're delicious.

The weather is nice in southern California mostly all year long. These pictures were taken this past Sunday, the first day of November!

Here's my daughter Athena, the original water baby. On most weekends throughout the year you can find her at the local beach, surfing.

She has always loved living by the ocean.

Wonder what these fisherman caught?

Seal Beach provides access for boats and yachts entering the Pacific Ocean from Huntington Harbor. It is known as a great location for windsurfing and even has a kitesurfing launch area near the River's End Cafe.

We Don't Go That Route

2009-11-03T00:01:00.001-08:00

"There is only one way in the world to be distinguished:

Follow your instinct!

Be yourself,

and you'll be somebody.

Be one more blind follower of the blind:

and you will have the oblivion you desire."

-William B.Carman

Daily Prescriptions

2009-11-02T00:01:00.000-08:00

Every morning

take a full glass of gratitude.

When getting to work

take one spoon of peace

Every hour,

take one pill of patience, one cup of brotherhood,

and one glass of humility

When getting home,

take one dose of love

When getting into bed

take two capsules of clear conscience

Do not give into sadness or desperation

for what you might be going through today.

God knows how you feel...

God knows exactly what is being

allowed to happen to you in your

life at this precise moment.

It's in God's hands.

He will take care of you.

Imagine That

2009-11-01T00:01:00.002-07:00

“Logic will get you from A to B.
Imagination will take you everywhere.”
―Albert Einstein

Super Heroes We Need You

2009-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

Hope your day and night are full of special "Treats"!

Good Surprises Await

2009-10-30T00:01:00.002-07:00

"one door closes, another opens. sometimes that door is not the one you expect."
-a good woman

Make a Wish

2009-10-29T00:01:00.001-07:00

"Every gift from a friend
is a wish
for your happiness."
-Richard Bach

The Glad Game

2009-10-28T00:02:00.000-07:00

In "The Wealthy Spirit" a book by Chellie Campbell she describes a childhood game her mother taught her called, "The Glad Game."

On days when Chellie came home from school complaining about something - a bully on the playground, a harsh teacher, a skinned knee, or difficult homework – Chellie’s mom would hug her, kiss away her tears, and then suggest, "OK, enough complaining. Let’s play 'The Glad Game.'"
“The Glad Game” is another name for a Gratitude List. “The Glad Game” helps you focus on what’s right in your world today, instead of what’s wrong. Chellie’s mom was a very wise woman, teaching her that no matter what your troubles, there are still plenty of things to be grateful for: a sunny day, good food to eat, a loving family, a house to live in, a family pet to love, a handful of friends to enjoy, and much, much more.
Chellie would follow her mother’s suggestion:
“I’m glad I have you as my mom."
“I’m glad the weekend is almost here."
“I’m glad I have some nice clothes to wear to school."
“I’m glad I don’t have to share my room with my sister anymore."
“I’m glad I get to watch TV when I finish my homework."
“I’m glad we have pie for dessert.”

Playing “The Glad Game” is a terrific way to change your attitude in a hurry. We all slip into self-pity once in a while – after all, we’re only human. The important thing is to cut the pity-party short and shift into gratitude. An attitude of gratitude will get you much farther in life than complaining and self-pity.
Try it and see.

from- simpletruths@news.simpletruths.com

Bernard Berenson

2009-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

" Miracles happen to those who believe in them." -Bernard Berenson

The Journey is the Destination

2009-10-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

"The soft waning light of an autumn evening...golden...slanted

hint of wisdom in the air

lovely rush of melancholy

deliverance

restitution

essence of longing

The journey is the destination"

Yay She's Home For A Visit

2009-10-25T00:01:00.001-07:00

Aria will is arriving today from Italy.
Only home for a week.

Yay!!!

We're all so happy to be together!

Things That Attract Me

2009-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

"...the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."-Jack Kerouac

Going Somewhere

2009-10-23T00:01:00.001-07:00

Photo 1932 Henri Cartier Bresson

"The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are." -John Pierpont

Technology Saves the Day

2009-10-22T00:01:00.003-07:00

My Dog Ate My Homework and Other Inventive Stories

2009-10-21T00:01:00.001-07:00

or try this:

Who's the Real Hero

2009-10-20T00:01:00.007-07:00

belt just jared and natural collection

"My belt holds my pants up,
but the belt loops hold my belt up.
I don't really know
what's happening
down there.
Who is the real hero?"
-Mitch Headberg

About This Life

2009-10-19T00:01:00.001-07:00

"Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that

around every circle
another can be drawn,
that there is not end in nature,
but every end is a beginning,
and under every deep
a lower deep opens." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Memory

2009-10-18T00:01:00.004-07:00

assemblage by little brown sparrow

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love,
the things you are,
the things you never want to lose.
~From the television show The Wonder Years

How's Your Memory?

2009-10-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

"I have a memory like an elephant.
In fact,
elephants often consult me."
-Noel Coward