February

February is here. Groundhog Day, Super Bowl, Grammys and the Oscars. What's your superstition for more/less winter, team, performing artists/song and actor/director/film?

I guess the greater question is why are we superstitious? It's not just sport fans who may wear lucky underwear but even job seekers may want to bring the luck before an interview by only taking right turns on route to the interview.

Psychology Today states: "We may not even be fully aware of the many little rules that we follow in order to ensure that life goes the way we want it to." (https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201410/why-were-so-superstitious)

What little things do you do to ensure life goes your way?

In the meantime, here's a poem about being down on luck and hoping for better days:

January: The Month of the Count

The month of the count is coming to a close. What do you mean? I don’t make sense? This is the month that we make resolutions for the rest of the New Year and the month that we look back at the top/worst lists of the previous years so this is the month of the count. Writing about lists (things we count up or down) has not been the easiest tasks although I tend to run lists of things in my head.  One of my favorite is playlists. I like to create playlists on my devices. On YouTube, I have a playlist called “Red”:

Let’s Dance – Davie Bowie

Lady in Red – Chris DeBurgh

Red Red Wine  - UB40

Holding Back The Years – Simply Red

Roxanne – The Police

Red Light Special – TLC

Redneck Woman – Gretchen Wilson

and I wish to add more songs:

Little Red Corvette – Prince (blocked on YouTube)

What songs do you suggest?

In the meantime, here’s a poem about being in the heat (on a cold day in South Florida) and being in the red:

It's Cold Outside..

People winter in Florida because it is real nice compared to the northern snow, sleet, hail and blizzards. On the other hand, Floridians - when the weather dips in Florida, we freak out (to be quite honest, any weather other than sunny freaks us out).

It’s cold outside…

…and I have to go to work:
So let’s crank the heat inside until it feels like Summer! What to do? Wear a polo short-sleeve shirt under a jacket that can be easily removed once inside. What not to do? Wear a long-sleeve, turtleneck sweater as you’ll be sweating through the work day. And if you were smart enough to layer and not care about your hair, then you could remove the outer sweater. But if you were only sweater and maybe underwear, then you’re sweating the day away.

..and I have to run an errand:
Sweats, socks and slippers. Look around you. Yup! That’s the dress code for the customers in the store.

Morning people vs. mid-day people:
What a difference! Casual dress for morning people includes pants as the morning air is nippy. By noon, there is some sun, so shorts. Yup, sweater and shorts with slippers and socks.

And those are the three things that Floridians do when it’s cold. What’s your observation?
In the meantime, here’s a poem:

New Year Blues?

It's the new year and already feeling the blues. Maybe your house sprung a leak and you've started the year with a plumber's bill and there's more... Well, what to do after paying the bill on a credit card (New Year's goal to depend less on credit cards shot down already and New Year resolution of positivity getting a heavy downer)? I look to lists and my favorite lists are playlists because music lights my darkened tunnel. 

At life hack.org's article, "listen to upbeat music" is number two on a list of fifteen but music is my go to for overcoming sadness (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/fifteen-simple-ways-overcome-depression-and-sadness.html). What's yours?

Let's leave this tunnel with:

Resolutions

2016 Resolutions

1. I resolve not to make resolutions especially the ones that only last through January and end some time in February 
2. I will set goals to be done in a specified timeframe. I like the feeling of accomplishment! 
3. I will do my best at whatever I am doing.
4. If I need to vent, I will be careful who I vent to!
5. Better yet, I will remember (and repeat to myself) I can only change my reaction to other people and I cannot change other people.

So what are these goals:

Some are 5 months long because I have enrolled in college for two courses at night so my goal is to attend all my classes and earn As.

Another goal is to continue writing my weekly blog. This year I want to have a monthly theme so for January, I am considering lists as I have started with a list for resolution above. Also, I would like to finish my book to enter RPLA (for the critiques). 

My exercise goal needs to be realistic so I am again considering getting up and working out for 15-30 minutes daily. My goal is 1 month then evaluate after the month.

Gardening, I've been working on my garden bed in the front for the last 3 days and still have some more weeds to pull before putting out my new decorations. This goal is weather dependent: if weather is good tomorrow then I can finish.

Like that goal, sometimes things come up and tasks have to be put aside to fulfill some obligation so I build in some flexibility.

What are your resolutions or goals or plan for 2016?

2015 in Review

By now, every news outlet has an article about 2015 in review where we look back at most talked about topic of the year etc. Why do we look back before we enter the new year? Why does Janus have two faces?

As we approach another year, another intersection, I leave you with "Intersections" (both I and II):

Intersections (1) Life is full of intersections, Waiting on me to choose: Go straight ahead, turn right, turn left Or make a U-turn and go back. Sometimes it is hard to choose And looking in the rear view mirror Is not looking back like Lot’s wife But watching to prevent side swipes. While I ponder how to get to my destination Go straight ahead, turn right or turn left, I catch you eyeing my ride and revving your engine And I find myself at another intersection. Now, I don’t like to lose and as a teen People said, “You drive with a lead-foot.” Yes, I’m tempted to race when the light turns green But I’m more mature now, so I’ll let you go. Waiting at that red light reminds me of a time I could have, but failed, to accomplish. So now I’m back in South Florida, a “U-turn” In my work life and I arrive at an intersection.

Intersection (II) Life is full of intersections And it is not a mere coincidence That I ponder life when I drive As the road as claimed so many lives. Each time I take that curve of road, I reach another intersection And want to start a petition Because I am still angry. Then I rationalize to calm myself down That it happens to other vehicles types And ordinary places. It’s that type of intersection Which we don’t get to choose.

from Seventieth Avenue (ISBN: 1507693629), Copyright © 2015 Suzzette Dawes

Aging

As I approach another birthday, I think of the times I used to want to be older (mostly to be 21). Now that I am older, I wish I was younger (mostly to be 21 again).

I know they say that age is a matter of the mind. Then why won't my joints stop aching and believe me.

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age."–Sophia Loren

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Health/Healthy-Living/Aging/Quotes-on-Aging-Gracefully.aspx?p=2#DR1oxgYMv9PIK25a.99

Your poem today is my gift from The Collection and/or Seventieth Avenue at

http://www.amazon.com/Seventieth-Avenue-Suzzette-Dawes-ebook/dp/B00UY38SCK/
http://www.amazon.com/Collection-Suzzette-Dawes-ebook/dp/B00C91OPP4/

by the way, the Kindle app is free to download and the books are free up to December 20, 2015.