Today is the anniversary of my own mother's passing.  I love and miss you Mom.  The following was sent to me from an on-line friend.  It pulls my heartstrings because Mom was this kind of woman.  I was not an easy child to raise, and also a rebel (as indicated here).  She never gave up on me either.  I can still see that "stare" of discontent or disappointment when I let her down; but she never, never gave up on me.  Mom had her own challenges through her short life ... but she truly did the best she could, where she was, with what she had. She was a "giver", always helping or doing something for others ... it made "her heart feel good". She was the happiest, when doing for others.  She often went without, to give of herself, to others.
     As a parent, sometimes we may not "like" or "agree" with choices our children make, but I can't help but think any mother feels the same, even if we don't outwardly express it.  An unknown author beautifully portrays the possibilities of no-strings-attached love in this heartfelt story titled "The Rock."

THE ROCK

"As she grew older her teenage daughter became increasingly rebellious. It culminated late one night when the police arrested her daughter for drunk driving. Mom had to go to the police 
station to pick her up.

They didn't speak until the next afternoon.  Mom broke the tension by giving her a small gift-wrapped box.  Her daughter nonchalantly opened it and found a little rock inside.  She rolled her eyes and said, 'Cute, Mom, what's this for?'

"Read the card," Mom instructed.

Her daughter took the card out of the envelope and read it.  Tears started to trickle down her cheeks.  She got up and lovingly hugged her mom, as the card fell to the floor.

On the card were these words: "This rock is more than 200,000,000 years old.  That is how long it will take before I give up on you."

This mother is not saying, 'I will love you IF.'  Instead she says that she will love her daughter forever and nothing can change that.  No strings attached.

When we learn to love like that, I think we'll understand the words of Emmett Fox, who said,
"If you could only love enough, you could be the most powerful person in the world." 

     As we in the midwest are so drought-ridden, the south is getting overwhelmed with Mother Nature wreaking havoc with downpours, windy, and even tornados.  My heart goes out to those losing their homes and their very livlihoods ... and some a second or third time.  I hear on the news that their devastation may bring much needed rain to a few of the places plagued with drought, but what a way to get it.
      I used to work for a company that made "utility poles".  I can't help but reflect upon my employment there while watching all the devastating weather going on in the southern states. Although I enjoyed my position there I always felt badly that their business was dependent upon Mother Nature's havoc, to really thrive.

      I want to thank everyone who sent me birthday wishes yesterday.  I got messages with humor, with advice, along with wishes for longevity, good health and well being.  I didn't get that big party blowout I "just knew" I'd have, but did get a few special calls, cards, and singing of Happy Birthday a few times.  Oh, and a nice evening with a glass of wine, and some good t.v.
     Ironically, a co-worker had teased me for some time now, warning me that once I hit this plateau my brain and body would turn to "jelly".  Well, physically, I've already got the "jelly".  The brain, not so much ... I was still good there.  UNTIL YESTERDAY ... I lived out her comment about "jelly brain" ... over and over again ... I just humored everyone it affected.  Today is a new day, a fresh day ... the only "jelly" I want today is maybe on a piece of toast, time for my brain to "gel" well!

Today, a friend of mine sent me this great poem.  I've gone on line and found an "extended" version of it.  The bold type is the 'introduction' to the poem that was sent to me ... appropriate since today is a celebration of the day of MY birth!  Thanks, Cristy ... gotta love it, hon!  ~nrl


The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

Old Age, I've decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be.

Oh, not my body ... the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.


I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for
less gray hair or a flatter belly.

As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 & 70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.  They, too, will get old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.  And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding, and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.  And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it).


Again, Cristy, thanks so much for sending this to me today; I just had to share it here.  ~nrl 

www.inspirationline.com (this is where I found the extended version)

     This morning I sent out some personal emails with, what I thought, was a silly, funny comment about my birthday.  Anyone who knows me well will not be surprised and, hopefully, will laugh and enjoy my 'off-center' sense of humor.  I didn't want to post it on my website as I thought it might be inappropriate here . . . just for personal friends only.
      I started my special day with an early morning (6 am) phone call ... a special friend singing Happy Birthday to me.  How fun!  She got my email while we were on the phone and had a belly laugh, while she was reading it.  So I know "some" friends will "get it".  I have had a few responses already, wishing me a great day, but not responding in a way I had hoped ... WITH HUMOR.  Perhaps 6 am is a bit too early for flatulence humor!  I do, however, appreciate any and all birthday wishes, and don't mean to be judgemental!  ~nrl

Today is the first anniversary of the incpetion of my website.  It's hard to believe I've been doing this for a whole year now.  And in celebration of this, I am posting the same "birthday" quotes that I posted last year, near my birthday (tomorrow)!

"It takes a long time to grow young."  ~Pablo Picasso

"The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune."  ~Pope Paul VI (It. 1897-1978)

"All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much."  ~George Harrison

"Inside every older person is a younger person – wondering what the hell happened."  ~Unknown

"I still have a full deck; I just shuffle slower now."  ~Author Unknown

"In three words, I can sum up everything I've learned about life...It goes on." ~Robert Frost

     For years, I 'just knew' I would have a 'big blow out of a party' when I became full retirement age (at that time, it was 65)!  I guess I should have figured out what day of the week it would fall on.  Mid week, this week, is the date!
     Well, guess what?  I'll be working (the day before, the day of, and the day after), and since I currently reside in a place where I am not surrounded by close friends, or family this day will be nothing like I 'just knew' it would be ... perhaps I should have looked ahead of time and taken the entire WEEK off, and celebrated for days.  I need a vacation, what a better time?  Hindsight is 20/20, and I need glasses!  *smile*
     My point is, if you 'think' you 'just know' something, don't bank on it.  Something, or someone will no doubt avert your plans, or show you 'it's not to be'.
     It will still be a great day, after all tomorrow is the DAY of MY birth!  I'll make it a great day.  Perhaps I'll get a surprise phone call, a few cards, or a visitor ... who knows ... and, if not, I'll still be thankful for 'life'.  And I choose to believe there's something bigger than what I know, for me to yet accomplish!  Happy Birthday to me!

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/robin-roberts-myelodysplastic-syndrome-diagnosis-beat/story?id=16540293#.UDzI59aPVc4
     My heart and prayers for encouragement and strength go out to Robin Roberts and her sister as they go through a bone marrow transplant for Robin.  First cancer for Robin, and now this ... God bless, ladies.  It's amazing and heart-warming how many people have come forward to be donors since Robin has made her journey so public.  I admire her for being able to work and keep as much 'normalcy' as she can, when she can. 

http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_21391702/proposition-37-california-high-stakes-food-fight

If you care about the food you eat and feed your families, watch this video to learn more about how California's Proposition 37 can affect all of us, no matter where you live.  If you have friends and/or family in California, I hope you will encourage them to get involved, and Vote Yes, on Prop 37!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/08/28/ronnie-cummins-gmo-labeling.aspx?e_cid=20120828_DNL_artNew_2 

Learn about "California Right to Know", who is leading the pro-labeling campaign. Support the California Ballot Initiative to label genetically engineered foods. You have a right to know.  http://www.carighttoknow.org/ 
  
Proposition 37 can possibly eventually affect every state, every nation.  It's clear why biotech companies (who created the GM technology) and industrial food giants (who use GM ingredients as staples in their products) are opposed to Proposition 37.  And what about retail and grocery chains, why would they be opposed?  Simple . . .  profits - by keeping consumers 'in the dark', they maintain their high profit level. 

Here's a quote from Ronnie Cummins (the man interviwed by Dr. Mercola), "This is the horror of the food industry… The member groups of the Grocery Manufacturers Association of America – whether you're talking about Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Safeway, ConAgra, or Cargill – the enormous profits of these companies depend upon miseducating the consumer. You're not going to know what pesticides are used. You're not going to know if they're genetically engineered…"

California Right to Know Coalition maintains a list of over 600 groups and retail stores that have endorsed the California Initiative.  Interestingly, two well known grocery chains known for selling 'natural, wholesome foods' are not on this list . . . Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.

If you live in California and shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, or another retailer that's not on the support list, make a difference by taking a few minutes to talk to the store's manager. Tell him or her you're a loyal customer, and you want them to join other retail stores and coops that support the California Ballot Initiative to label genetically engineered foods.

Here I sit in the middle of agricultural industry, and was raised in the hometown of ConAgra Industries, but I still am an advocate of natural foods, and even complementary, alternative new-energy medicine - over mainstream medicine.  Oddly enough, how our food is grown and produced and our health are intertwined.  We do have a 'right to know'.  Educate yourself; make your own decision how you want to shop, eat, and care about your health and well being.

Sarcasm helps keep you from telling people what you really think.  ~Unknown