What a beautiful day it was today! Sunny, slightly warm, cool breezes behind the sun pressed air. The little children were all dressed in little suits and too big ties and pretty dresses and white shoes. When I was a kid we wore hats or kerchiefs...not too many hats crowded the pews in church today.

Good Friday is always bad or ugly weather and Easter always brings us the sun/Son. It cannot be a coincidence.

My family and a couple of friends were here for dinner. As you all know, I do cherish our times together.
The menu:

Maker's Mark Manhattans

Antipasto: grilled eggplants, fried eggplants, pickled vegetables, cheeses including freshly made mozzarella, poached asparagus, steamed string beans, tomatoes, olives.

Dandelion and Prusciutto soup

Gravy with chicken meatballs, stuffed brasciole, and pigs feet (a patient requested them so I added to gravy)

Homemade Manicotti (mom made them)

Bake Ham with Pineapples

Roasted Lamb

Sugar coated roasted sweet potatoes

Mixed salad

Italian Potato Salad (no mayo)

Wine

Home made Ricotta cheese cake
Home made Pizzeles (compliments Aunt Toni)
MaMa Marie's Homemade cheesecake
Chocolate cake (compliments sister Lorraine)

Easter Eggs (peanut butter and coconut cream)
Camomille Grappa
Coffee

Insane!

And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

You would think since I was born with a small bone structure and always on the thin side I'd be flexible.

Well, that's what I thought too...I always thought of myself as physically capable, priding myself with good form and a high degree of fitness.

When my oldest son went running with me for the first time about 2 years ago...he ran WITH me. I actually remember teaching him how to breath. Every other time thereafter he's left me behind never even looking back to check on his old mom. I may have gotten hurt or something! He told me not to worry...there isn't much I can do about it..since I am old and female and he is young and male. I thought of Tarzan.

I quit. HA! I really didn't quit because of him. I was doing well...7 miles @ about 9 minutes per mile but my body was aching and I really felt it was no longer right or smart. The EFX machine seems to mimic the heart challenge of running well enough and my joints are not aching. I added some weight training and yoga and pilates.
I reach my goals and challenge with most of it. Yoga, on the hard days (one day a week she gives us an extra challenging class), is a different story. The instructor tells me where to put my legs and arms and I in turn tell my legs and arms the same but they won't listen, won't go there! The easy classes are fine. But Yoga can get challenging. Breathing is a very big part of the sessions.

I have plans to stretch and twist until my self is lithe and limber. I dream of back bends and head stands. I am excited about it. THEN I'll ask my son to join me (now 17 and very fit)...I'll show him who is old and who is young and why at every age there is appropriateness and room for learning. Even for the Tarzan types...
I do need a head start though!

1) I almost missed it! The Friday Five. I was at the shore getting that darn house ready for summer cleaning and painting (I didn't even go to the beach for a walk). My husband painted for two days and I helped a little too. Looks great. My house is a Spanish Style old home with charm and character but no central air conditioning or dishwasher. I love it.
The sinks in the bathrooms are porcelain and have separate spigots for hot and cold water. I will not change it...
I missed my blog and my exercise schedule! oopppssss!

2)My kids are working on the weekends so we had to come home for the weekend and have Easter dinner here. I insist they work so I cannot complain. eughhhhhhhhhhhh!

3) Extra strength Estroven is working for my hot flashes...I have been taking it for one week and I tell you it works..they aren't gone but much lighter and easier to handle. I bought the CVS brand...6 bucks cheaper.

4) Starting reading : "The Doctor's Daughter"...so far it is good.
started writing a short story...blogging is giving me hope. lol

5) I do not miss running at all...I am very surprised about that...and I am in love with yoga.

One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.