No Smoking! June 30, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Home & Garden.comments closed
While looking through some old files, I came across a sketch from high school.
I decided to send it to one of our artsy nieces . . . until BFF saw it and said, “I like that Seussian sculpture.”
So, instead of mailing it out to Colorado, I gave it to BFF.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Fountains Of Light June 27, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Less IS More, Music & Dance.comments closed
For Happy Hour, I decided to listen to Starcastle ~ Fountains of Light, a band I heard for the first time in 1977 at the College of William & Mary. As I was reminiscing and enjoying the album anew, I saw a comment about someone who also saw them at W&M:
Anyway, saw them open for Boston at William and Mary and was immediately hooked. Thanks for the post.
Then I saw this reply to the comment:
I saw them open for Boston @ William & Mary too. I still have half of the ticket stub, but the year isn’t on it, and I can’t remember what year it was. It was late 70’s, maybe 77 or 78. I was stationed in Norfolk at the time.
Then this one:
Me too. It was Starcastle, Boston and Atlanta Rhythm Section.
That’s right! My sister and I went to a Boston concert in February 1977. Starcastle AND Atlanta Rhythm Section both opened for Boston.
Great concert.
Ticket price = $6!!!
For 3 bands!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Memorable Milestones June 25, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Nature, People, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
In the past few weeks, we’ve attended a 100th birthday party for a Centenarian and a 60th Anniversary celebration.
You heard me ~> 
!
Jack lived in Princeton before moving to FL. He lives at the end of our street and is rather amazing ~> still driving, lives alone, dresses with care, has a cocktail every evening, and . . . he’s capable of carrying on a conversation with all his marbles firmly in place.
May we all be so lucky!
At the anniversary celebration, guests (including Betty & Eileen ~ our “roommates” during Hurricane Irma) were given centerpieces to take home.
Sweet!
Aah . . . that’s better!
Loofah? June 23, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Home & Garden, Humor, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
While in Tarpon Springs, we wandered through a few shops (selling soaps, sponges, and loofahs), watched a couple of sponge diving films, and had quite a relaxing day.
My favorite shop display:
Aah . . . that’s better!
My Favorite Photo From Tarpon Springs June 21, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
Aah . . . that’s better!
OPA! June 19, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Food & Drink, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
As part of our Anniversary Celebration, we headed to the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs.
Along the waterfront, we met Diver Dan.
And saw lots of boats.
We went to Mykenos for lunch ~ Greek Salad & Greek Fries.
We went to Hellas Bakery for dessert.
After fogging up the display case, we chose Baklava Cheesecake.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Turbo Encabulator June 16, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Humor, Joke.comments closed
Here’s a tongue-twister for you:
To learn more: TurboEncabulator
Aah . . . that’s better!
To Wax . . . Or Not To Wax? June 14, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Mindfulness, Nature, People.comments closed
I just read a fascinating article on body hair . . .
And how we are doing more and more to have less and less.
But the article addresses the larger issue of how we conform to the norm even when what is considered “normal” is not:
That we have to do more work to create “normalcy” or “nature” is obvious. If we are to banish hair from our bodies, we need more shaving, plucking, waxing and lasering. (Meanwhile, when it comes to our heads, our hair must be abundant, and we dye, style, weave, extend and implant in our quest for luscious locks.) This level of “de-fluffing” is demanding, constant, repeated almost daily. Yet that it is demanding — and just how demanding it is — is little recognized. Instead, it is normalized.
As the hairless body becomes the only acceptable body, a dramatic shift happens. De-fluffing stops being a beauty practice, and becomes redefined as a hygiene practice, as part of so-called “routine” maintenance. Hair removal becomes something we have to do, a requirement. It is not an option to refuse — like teeth-cleaning, but without any of the health benefits. Beauty practices are indulgent and optional; hygiene practices are necessary and required. You don’t have to do a beauty practice; you do have to do something that is required to meet minimum standards, just to be normal. Once the shift to routine is complete, the fact that this is a demanding beauty practice becomes invisible.
To read more: Body Hair is Natural. Society Thinking Otherwise is Dangerous.
To conform to the norm, or not? THAT is the question!
Aah . . . that’s better!
I’ve Been To 14 of 50 ~> You? June 11, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Exercise & Fitness, Nature, Travel & Leisure.comments closed
MONEY magazine put together a list of the Best Parks in Every State in the U.S.
Curious, I checked out the list and checked off 14 parks (or the immediate vicinity) that I’ve visited at least once:
Arizona ~ Grand Canyon National Park
California ~ Carmel (& its Coastline)
Colorado ~ Rocky Mountain National Park (and Poudre Canyon)
Maine ~ Acadia National Park
Minnesota ~ Lake Harriet in Minneapolis
New Jersey ~ Cape May County Park & Zoo
New Mexico ~ Carlsbad Canyons
New York ~ Central Park & Tavern on the Green
North Carolina ~ Blue Ridge Parkway
South Dakota ~ Custer State Park (to see the Friendly Burros)
Tennessee ~ Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Utah ~ Zion National Park (and Bryce Canyon)
Vermont ~ Quechee Gorge
Wyoming ~ Grand Teton National Park
In case you’re wondering, NONE of the Disney Parks made the list.
Sorry Mickey!
How about you? What are some of your favorite parks ~ in the U.S. or elsewhere? Have you visited any of MONEY’s Park Picks? Any fun adventures to share?
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related: 10 Best National Parks (Money)
The Secret to Happiness is . . . Unhappiness! June 9, 2018
Posted by nrhatch in Happiness, Humor, Life Balance, Mindfulness.comments closed
For evolutionary reasons, our brains refuse to dwell on incoming data that remains the same.
Instead, it focuses on change and contrast as it constantly monitors the world for intel.
We become acclimated to the sights, smells, and sounds around us.
Neurons that send repeat “texts” (about the clock ticking, the smell of breakfast, or the touch of our clothes against our arms) start to be ignored or blocked.
The brain essentially says, “I heard you the first time. Tell me something I don’t know.”
Thought of in this light, unhappiness can be viewed as a palate cleanser . . . an amuse-bouche . . . designed to allow us to appreciate happiness anew the next time it appears at our door.
This, of course, is a simplistic explanation of the science behind our senses.
And our sense of humor.
To read more: The Function of Discontent
Aah . . . that’s better!
Spirit Lights The Way 