Saturday, August 29, 2009

Gerald Ford, dead today

I know, bad taste. Dana Carvey doing Tom Brokaw always cracks me up though. Unfortunate that Gerald Ford wasn't alive to get to go to Ted Kennedy's funeral. He was conspicuous by his absence.

I didn't really think too much about Teddy's passing. After all, he'd been very sick for a while, and it's not as though I knew him. But there was something about seeing yet another Kennedy funeral that I found moving. Maybe having lost both of my parents and having been through tough funerals has something to do with it. It's just that feeling of grief and loss that families have to go through.

What I did think about, though, was all of the pomp that took place back when JFK was killed. I'm guessing that was the first presidential funeralizing that was shown on tv, and it was ALL that was on TV back then. Granted, we only had four stations (2,4,5, and 7) in Boston at the time, but I remember it being on TV for the entire week. And that's where kids around the country learned about military processionals, caissons and the horse with the backwards boots in the stirrups, and how quickly life can end. JFK, Jackie's blood spattered pink Chanel suit, LBJ and his giant earlobes (I know, I should have been mourning, but those things were enormous), Oswald getting shot by Jack Ruby on tv. It was all so surreal.

I was impressed that Teddy had Placido Domingo and Yo Yo Ma perform at his funeral. I will probably have an iPod or a boom box at mine. Makes me shudder to think about it but I am getting on in age. One of these days I'll figure out what I believe in and then plan what I want people to do for me when I'm gone.

So what's my point.....? I'm not sure. I guess it's yet another musing on what's real, what's important, what's it all about. That's why I keep moving, keep going, keep it up. If I stop for too long, I just might think about all of that too much.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Summer of 09

Wow, there's pressure with a blog.

When did I last update it? Is anyone reading it (uh, so far only one person that I know about)? Did I miss something?

It's been a banner two week summer for activity. Long bike rides, which I LOVE, lots of teaching spin classes, ditto, some most excellent NH time, a little beach, a little Cape, a little of everything else. It's been wonderful.

That's the only problem...it's been wonderful but doled out in pieces. Is that better? Do we enjoy summer when we have to pay for it? I tend to think so. Being from a place where good weather comes in small doses, you make the best of it while you can.

I digress. Got to spend a delightful day in Falmouth, watching the road race and seeing my daughter run her personal best, then a cookout with family and friends. Spent the day at the beach with my good friend. Had drinks with many. Enjoyed brunch on the deck with my sisters. Enjoyed a cookout with my soccer pals. Friday night deck with a small group of old friends. Saw one of my favorite bands, bought tickets for another show in September. Missed a bunch of soccer games. Saw live theater, twice!

Then there were the sad moments, thinking of those who lost loved ones. Fathers, grandmothers, friends. Always sad, and as I age, more frequent. On the other hand, we had births and toddlers in abundance.

Ahhh, summertime. By the calendar almost over. By my calendar, still has a bit to go. September can be one of the most beautiful months of the year. Enjoy.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

Ugh, now you have that awful song stuck in your head, dontcha?

Quandary 1: How to do all the things you want to do in a given day.
Quandary 2: How to do only the things you need to do and not worry about the rest of it.

Do I go the "pleasant" route and do the things I want to do? Or go the practical route and do the things I need to do (like pack my suitcase for a business trip that starts later today) and then do the fun things.

It's Sunday. It's the weekend. The game I attended last night was frustrating, at best. I haven't accomplished much this weekend. I think it's time to head out for a nice Tour de Peninsulas, and then tackle the rest.

At what age will I learn to just relax and not try to pack too much into a day? At what age will I finally learn to enjoy a nice day with family and not feel like I need to accomplish something? What will matter, when I'm at the end of my days? Oh, sorry, didn't mean to get maudlin. Where are the mimosas?