If You Live Long Enough

Today was really a special day at my volunteer gig with the elderly.  I mean, I took the time to really talk to several of the residents, asking tons of questions.  And I got to meet some of their family members.  I always enjoy meeting their children, siblings and friends.

One of the residents, Ruth, is moving out tomorrow.  Her beautiful daughter was there today, moving some of Ruth's things.  Her daughter's husband and young daughter were also there.  I like talking to him, too.  Anyway, while helping Ruth's daughter take a box out to her car, I got a chance to learn more about why her mother is being moved.  Apparently, the residence no longer believes it's equipped to care for Ruth the way she needs most.  She has dementia, or Alzheimer's, and she's a wanderer.  Truth be told, I suspect Ruth needs to be on the Alzheimer's floor, but there probably isn't available room.

I wish Ruth well, and told her daughter I'm gonna pay Ruth at least one visit at her new residence.  Maybe she'll recognize me.  Maybe not.  Either way, I'm gonna visit because I know that would make her daughter and son-in-law feel good.  And, dangit, I like making folks feel good.

When I was in my 20s and 30s, hell, even in my early 40s, I didn't really think about growing old.  Or being old.  But now...well, now, aging is as real to me as every breath I take.  It's my goal to embrace the aging process with as much grace and acceptance as possible.  Keeping myself as healthy as possible is at the top of my list of Things To Do.  At present, I'm on a cholesterol-lowering medication, a daily baby aspirin, and on the edge of prediabetes.  So, I've got my work cut out for me.  I want a healthy heart and lean and mean frame.  Simple as that.

Everything must change.

And everybody learns that fact.

If they live long enough.  

Thanksgiving 2015

Let the record reflect that this ol' boy is THANKFUL for EVERYTHING he has experienced in this life thus far.

And THANKFUL for whatever's up the pike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still

I know tomorrow is Thanksgiving, but, boy oh boy, let me make this perfectly clear:

TODAY...

And EVERY DAY...

I'm...

I Was Thinking...

I began the day in Marina Del Rey at a beautiful champagne brunch buffet.  Yes, I was joined by my brunch buddy, Ronnie.  He and I always arrive when the brunch begins and remain 'til it ends.  Just eatin' and drinkin' all the mimosas we can stomach!  Well, I drink mimosas.  He mixes the champagne with juice or something.

Anyway, today was as terrific a brunch as they usually are.  The weather was great and the restaurant was pretty full.  I'm always happy to see businesses be filled with paying customers!

After brunch, Ronnie and I made our way over to WeHo.  First stop: The Abbey.  Then, off to Trunks.  By night's end, I wound up driving a young man and his girlfriend to their apartment.  I had noticed them earlier in the evening, and I could tell they were fighting.  Who knew then that a couple hours later, as I was walking toward my car to go home, I'd run into the young man looking rather petrified.  I walked right up to him and said, "What did you do to that pretty young lady you were fighting with earlier?"  Yep, those were the first words out of my mouth even before an introduction.  I know, I'm mighty bold.  But, dangit, I know what I saw earlier, so I was right on the money.  He readily told me he had not noticed where she went and he was frantically looking for her because she didn't know her way around the area.  And because she was drunk.  I told him to get into my car and we'd drive up and down WeHo until we saw her.  His gut instinct obviously told him to trust me.  So, he jumped into my car and we set out on our journey.

As fate would have it, we didn't even drive one full block before we saw her standing on a corner.  He hopped out of the car and encouraged her to get in, then I pulled off.  She thought I was an Uber driver.  During our drive, I was determined to calm her down.  She called a few assholes names, then I switched the topic to HER.  Where was she from?  Her ethnicity?  She gave up the goods without hesitation.  And she didn't sound drunk.  Just heavily tipsy!  Haaa!

Anyway, by the time I dropped them off at their place, both were in good spirits.  In fact, when I pulled up in front of their place, I jumped out of the car and gave 'em a group hug.  They offered money.  I declined.  Then I hugged 'em again!  They told me they'd invite me to their potluck dinners.  And who knows?  If they actually do it, I might actually attend!

Truth be told, I believe I am an angel.  My life's purpose is to aid people in feeling better about themselves and others.  That purpose might not ever afford me a 6000 sq ft house, or money to jet here and there on a moment's notice.  But it DOES allow me to lie my head on my pillow at the end of a long day, feeling GREAT about being ALIVE.  And about being a BLESSING.

That's fine enough...

And RICH enough for me!

Fixer Upper

Chip & Joanna Gaines

Over the past week, while surfing Netflix, I've stumbled upon an HGTV show, Fixer Upper.  I had never heard of it, so I clicked on an episode since I like home repair shows.  Well, I'll be damned!  I fell MADLY in love with the hosts of the show, Joanna and her hubby, Chip Gaines.  I mean, the two of them are hella talented.  He builds and she does the interior design.  Honestly, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.  I watched the ENTIRE first season in one sitting!  Okay, I took a couple breaks, and actually finished the season in a couple days. But, dang, I found the show riveting!

I truly wish I was as handy as Chip is.  I mean, my apartment would look like a SHOWPLACE if I were!

I'm looking forward to Netflix posting Season 2!  Season 3 will begin on HGTV soon.  But, um, I'll be waiting for all the episodes to come to Netflix.  Hey, I like it that way!!!!

Friday Fun Day

What I BELIEVE, I will ACHIEVE!

Yep!!!!

My Blessings Overfloweth

As each day progresses, I clearly see that BLESSINGS and MELODIES from HEAVEN rain down on me.

And I am ETERNALLY THANKFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Punctuation Rules!

The way the caption below reads, I sure hope Judge Judy and her son are okay. :)

A Friend Is A Friend Is A Friend Is A...

This past weekend, I had a GLORIOUS time, hanging out with one of my true life, "Charlie's Angels."  Yep, my angel, MADELINE, flew into L.A. to hang out with me, and I loved EVERY moment!

My friend, Donald, also hung out with us.  We spent 99.9% of the time, eating, drinking, laughing and talking!  Dang near in that order!  Haaaa!

I've known Madeline for 30 years!  Whew!  That's crazy when I think about it!

I'm just THANKFUL to GOD that I know her!!!!!!

She has texted me that she's back in CT, safely and soundly!

What a WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Madeline, my love, THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND!  :)

Friday Fun

In a little more than an hour, a dear, dear, dear friend arrives from NYC!  I met her when I was a mere 21 years old!  Lawd, that means I've known her for THIRTY years!!!!!!!  Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's my goal this weekend to simply reconnect with the ol' gal and enjoy ourselves!!!!!!!  Not trying to do the tourist thing.  Well, we'll check out the La Brea Tar Pits 'cause she's dying to see them.  But other than that, just chillin'!

So, here's to a GOOD WEEKEND!!!!!!!

And a GREAT FRIEND!  :)

George, Nespresso & I

Back in September I filmed a commercial for Nespresso, starring George Clooney and Danny DeVito.  I was hired as a background performer.  Well, as fate would have it, that's not exactly what The Universe had in store for me.

I wound up being used prominently, so the ad agency bumped me up to a Principal performer!  How 'bout that?  So, this commercial now makes my FIRST national spot.

Dear God, Dear Universe, Dear Heavens & Earth, please, please, please allow this commercial to run until ALL inhabitants of this land are guided by COMPASSION.  'Cause then, I'd be able to put some moolah away and visit every single living soul I've ever loved on this planet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey, a man's gotta keep a positive attitude about this kind of thing!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to CAM Jr's national commercial debut...