Laughter is the Best Medicine

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
Charlie Chaplin

The great Danny Kaye as Walter Mitty

A sincere compliment can really boost ones morale. I’m not one who demands constant attention or praise. But, it sure is nice to hear, “good job” once in a while. I always have showered my son and husband with compliments. Whenever I accomplish a major hurdle, my son is always the first to give me a compliment.

After 20+ years living together, I’ve come to realize it’s just not my husbands style to give out compliments easily. I guess my husband’s style is more akin to Don Rickles than Johnny Carson.

A few years back I suggested my husband “get in touch with his feminine side”. So one day he said something that was showing his feelings. When he realized this, he stopped and pointed out to me that, “he was getting in contact with his feminine side”.

He may not dish out kudos or compliments easily, but he makes me laugh. To me, that’s more important than any compliment he could ever give me. When I’m feeling low, I can always count on him to make me laugh.

Fishing for compliments has never been something I’ve ever had to do. And I’m not planning on starting this late in life. Besides, I’d much rather be with someone who makes me laugh, because as the old proverb says, “laughter is the best medicine”.

Shine On

Squirrel Family

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“Life is complicated, stupid, confusing and annoying.
Why couldn’t I have been a squirrel.”
Unknown Author

Momma Squirrel and her Crew

Silly little squirrels
Outside my window
Momma and her Crew

Playing, climbing,
Eating and sleeping
Their Momma needs rest too

Silly little squirrels
Outside my window
Enjoying the Esplanade View

By: J R

A few months back, a squirrel took up residence in a palm tree outside our living room. As I was working on my laptop the other day, I saw two baby squirrels and their mother hanging out on the tree. I grabbed my camera and shot some great pictures of the squirrel family.

They were just as curious about me as I was about them. Which is evident in the above shots of the squirrel family.

Shine On

Sea Life Mosaics

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“We become not a melting pot but a beautiful mosaic.
Different people, different beliefs, different yearnings,
different hopes, different dreams.”
Jimmy Carter

These hand created mosaics decorate the street pillars along the Esplanade.

If you are visiting or are lucky to live in Redondo Beach, you have arrived at one of the most beautiful beach cities in Southern California.

My favorite spot in Redondo Beach is the Esplanade which runs North and South along the ocean.

In 2010 the City of Redondo Beach Esplanade Improvement Project was implemented and they added these colorful sea life mosaics.

Shine On

That’s Why I Love Him

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“What made me love thee? let that persuade thee
there’s something extraordinary in thee.
I cannot: but I love thee; none but thee;
and thou deserves it.”
William Shakespeare

One of my favorite fretted instruments is the banjo. After all, you can’t help but smile when you hear the sound of a banjo.

For Mother’s Day 2014 my son bought concert tickets for us to see “Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers” at the Hollywood Bowl. The concert was fantastic.

I was so inspired by the concert, that I decided it was time to learn to play the banjo. I didn’t own a banjo, but there’s a music store near my son’s apartment, and they just happen to have used banjos. After hearing the store owner play one of the banjos, I bought a used 21 fret, open back, 5-string banjo. I was absolutely thrilled to start learning to play the banjo.

However, when I got home with my fretted friend, my husband was not as thrilled as I was. His response was, “you’re not going to practice that thing in the house, are you?”

Relationships are all about compromise. We are both supportive of each others hobbies and interests. He likes me to go with him to the shooting range and go to car shows. And because he knows how much I enjoy banjo music, he has become more supportive of my banjo playing.

After lots of practice and lessons on the banjo, he now wants me to learn to play the guitar and the mandolin.

That’s why I love him.

Happy Valentine’s Day To Everyone

Shine On

Explore – Dream – Discover

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by
the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Mark Twain