Walking the Inches Off

Once you get into it, walking has SO many benefits. The hardest part is getting out of bed in the morning to do it. Gerry and I have decided that an early morning walk is the way to go. I find that when we are in Florida, it is much too hot later in the day to walk...so early morning it is!!

Last year I walked daily to listen to my Bat Mitzvah portion, It served two great purposes - getting exercise and spending an hour studying each day. By the end of four months, not only did I know my parts, I had slimmed down from the walking regime.

It's way too easy to fall off the band wagon. I haven't walked consistently for over two months now. It's time to get back into the rhythm...it does feel invigorating and good to work up a sweat. Now that I've written it down, maybe it will help me get back on track.

Storytelling At Its Best

Writing is an excellent way to share your thoughts. Another thing I enjoy doing is making up stories. Noah particularly enjoys my made up scenarios anhd helps by adding his ideas and input. One of our latest creations was entitled Frustrated Freddie. We had lots of fun with it...after we got to Chapter Three I decided to write it down for 'posterity's sake' as I usually forge them soon after I make them up!! As a matter of fact, I taped Chapter #3 as I was creating it 'on the fly' for Noah. Now the trick will be to capture it in writing once I retrieve it!

Here's the beginning...the first two chapters:

Frustrated Freddie

Chapter One

Freddie woke up and was very frustrated. He was unhappy because everything he wanted to do, his older brother did already. Nothing was ever new or special. His brother Derrick did it all!

Ah, but one thing Derrick had never tried was snowboarding! “That’s what I want to do”, said Freddie. “That’s what I’m going to try!”

“Are you sure, Freddie? Before I sign you up we need to be sure that you will take lessons.”

“YES!!” I am VERY sure!“

Before Freddie fell asleep that night, he began to worry. What if there is no instructor? What if there is no snow? What if I fall? What if I don’t like it? What if I don’t have fun? What if…..and he fell sound asleep.

The next morning Freddie woke up bright and early. He was signed up and ready to start his first snowboarding lesson. His dad was dressed and ready to take him to the hill. “Let’s go!!, yelled Freddie. “ I am too excited to eat breakfast.” “What if…..”

Freddie and his dad drove along the highway and followed the signs to the snow hill. When they got there, Freddie jumped out of the car, grabbed his board and ran to the ski hill. Finally he was about to meet his instructor.

“Bonjour. What is your name? I am your snowboard instructor. My name is Killer Jacques!”

“Ahhhh….”

Chapter Two

Freddie was shocked and a little bit scared. “I didn’t expect my instructor to be called Killer. Um, do you mind me asking you a question before we start? How did you get your name?”

Killer Jacques laughed a loud, hearty laugh. “Let’s wait until the end of the lesson and see if you can figure it out for yourself, Freddie.”

“With a name like Killer Jacques, maybe I should let Derrick take the first lesson!” Freddie thought to himself. “On second thought, this is MY chance to be first at something. Derrick knows how to play hockey, how to ski, how to play tennis and shuffleboard. He is better than me at everything. I really, really want to be first at something”.

Although Freddie was a little concerned about how Killer Jacque got his name, he decided not to ask again. “I guess I can wait until later”, Freddie sighed under his breath.

Freddie was amazed how kind and gentle his instructor was. Killer Jacques was very patient. He showed Freddie how to place his feet on the board, how to buckle the straps and how to practice keeping his balance.

“It is VERY important to learn how to move from side to side and backwards and forwards. It is so different from skiing. You need to concentrate, Freddie.” If you can’t remember what to do to keep your balance and you start going down the hill too fast, sit back on your butt. That will stop you!“ explained Killer Jacques.

Killer Jacques spent 45 minutes explaining moves and showing Freddie what to do. Freddie was beaming with excitement. “This is awesome! I didn’t think I would catch on so quickly!! Yippee, look at me move!”

“You are doing very well, Freddie. It is time to ‘bite the bullet’ and take the chairlift up to the top of the hill”. “Yikes,” screamed Freddie. “Did you say, ‘bite the bullet’?

Help!!! I think I know how you got your name, Killer Jacques!!”

Queenie Rich's Muse #1

I am so thrilled I learned about JAFCO. It's such a worthwhile organization! While preparing for my Adult Bat Mitzvah, I searched for a meaningful project to work on. What could be better and more fitting than helping those less fortunate! Under the wings of JAFCO, boys and girls from birth to young adulthood are nurtured, cared for and given the opportunity to lead a 'normal' life. Kids are driven to schools in communities they came from so that they can maintain friendships and continuity in their studies.
Thanks to the generosity of family and friends, donations made in honour of my spec #1ial day have raised over $2000 to date.

I was truly blessed to be able to stand on the dais in synagogue and look out to see four generations of family and friends there to celebrate with me! Truth be told, you get so much more pleasure from giving than being on the receiving end. Hopefully my example will encourage others to use their skill sets and strengths to reach out to help others.

As Tommy Lasorda said:
There are 3 kinds of people -
Those who make things happen
Those who watch things happen
And..those who wondered what happened!

Trust me -make yourself feel good...go make things happen!!

A Blooming Garden!

Methodology - You take a handful of seeds, plant them in seed packs, water and nuture them and then.....pray!

Results - What an awesome experience! First you fret, then you stew, then you complain...finally you see little sprouts breaking through the earth!

What started as a fun pastime is turning into a passion. I want to research how to propogate from plants I have grown from seed to fill our propoerty with flowers and colourful foliage.

Grandkids are #1 for sure...but plants and flowers offer you a good outlet to remind you you CAN make a difference in the world you live in.

Thrive on!! Pictures to follow to inspire others to take up this 'bloomong' hobby!

Happy gardening!
The Queenster

Queenie Rich's Latest Adventures

Retirement can be wonderful! You can either fade into oblivion or do something with your time that is energizing and rewarding! I've chosen to do the latter....there is much to be done!!

Today I facilitated a focus group for an environmental group that is creating a new program. Participants gave their ideas, critiques and insights as to what/how we can impact the world we live in by doing our part to reduce our ecological imprints. Lots of great ideas to help frame the upcoming project.

Keep tuned to read about upcoming eco-friendly challenges that will help people realize that the part they play CAN make a difference.

Queenie Rich...go for it!!