Cooperstown–A drinking town with a baseball problem. Sounds like heaven, doesn’t it? And it was. I was there. It was so awesome to be there during Cal’s weekend. As a baseball fan, an Orioles fan, a Ripken fan, it was a real dream come true. I’m still a bit amazed that my husband agreed to go, because the look on his face when I suggested it in 2006 was, politely stated, unenthusiastic. We combined it with a trip to Montreal, which was a fun and interesting city, as well as the Adirondacks, which were pretty, but I contend not as lovely as the parks a short distance from where I live.

MASN–In April, MASN magically appeared on my television and I’m sure I heard choruses of angels singing. Even though I know it sounds contradictory, because let’s be honest, it was no picnic watching the Os this season, I couldn’t wait for each game. It was such a gift to be able to watch them from the comfort of my own home. You can take the girl out of Baltimore, but you can’t take the Orioles out of the girl. I’m not sure even I realized how much I missed baseball, it’s been so long since I’ve been able to watch. The Os were also a good diversion to take my mind off my other frustrations and each and every diversion I found this year meant a lot.

Birthday Vacation–It will be hard to top the trip my husband planned out West for my birthday. There were only two places I wanted to be on my birthday: either Paris or the Grand Canyon. The exchange rate makes going to Europe seem foolish right now so Grand Canyon it was, and in the end it was a better choice. My husband didn’t even complain about doing a strenuous hike even though I know it’s wasn’t his preference. We got to most of the National Parks in Utah, plus a bonus impromptu tour along Route 66, and relaxing by the pool for a few days in Vegas. It rocked.

Website launch–It’s been my wish for a long time to launch a website. A place to share information that I hope will help others or be interesting in some way. It’s an ongoing project and still under construction, but one day I hope it’s organized enough to be useful.

My readers–A friend of mine and I love to talk about how we touch others and often never even know it or know how much. You, my readers, have touched me. When I realized that there were a handful of people reading my blog, it really gave me something to look forward to every day, and it took my mind off my worries. It’s been so much fun to think about what stories and news I could share that might entertain the poor souls who bravely venture to this url. I’m sure I entertained myself more than I entertained you, but I did try. I know your time is as limited and precious as mine, so I want you to know how much you brightened my day, humbly thank you, and tell you how grateful I am that you take the time to read this silly little blog.

My blog friends–Is there anything better than connecting with others? Making friendships and sharing a common bond, even virtually or electronically is a wonderful feeling. It was a real treat to find others in the world of blogging, Roar from 34, Wayward O, and Dempsey’s Army and most especially my friend Mindpinball. It was especially rewarding to learn that I’m not the last Orioles fan standing — and to point out this fact, as often as possible, to my husband, who for a while there was quite bewildered by my affection for our pathetic team. He’s taking an interest in baseball now, perhaps thanks to the evidence that there are others out there like me. Thanks to all of you for all the laughs you gave me, articles you shared, comments you posted, and for giving me something fun and interesting to read. I always look forward to your posts and am glad that I found you out in the ether.

My family–Of course, my family is also a wonderful gift. My mother and mother-in-law (the best mother-in-law ever) who offer love and support long distance, always call to keep in touch with us, and even torture themselves reading my blog. I often wish I could clone myself so that I could be here and with them at the same time. I love them and appreciate the love they share.

Jeff–My friend Jeff. He is wonderful. He is considerate, kind, compassionate and has a wonderful sense of humor and really helped me get through some bleak days when I felt like giving up. Every day he comes to my cubicle and asks, “How are you doing today” giving me a chance to vent if I need it, and more importantly letting me know that someone cared during a time when nearly everyone else was too timid or uncomfortable to show it. He was a bright spot in my day and has been such a supportive friend, I feel so blessed to know him, and am grateful for the laughs, the hugs, the pats on the back and the fantasies we shared of running over some of my doctors. He is truly a special person and a very treasured friend.

My husband–This is the hardest highlight of all to describe. How do you capture in words what a gift it is to have a husband who loves you and is there for you through the hard times as well as the good times. I could fill many pages detailing the many wonderful things about him from just the last twelve months. He put up with my many rabid moments watching the Orioles. He isn’t a baseball fan, but nonetheless planned the trip and went with me to Cooperstown. He didn’t complain when I asked Saturday night, “Can we skip the brewery tour, cause the game is on and I don’t want to miss it.” He didn’t get grouchy when I woke him up at 5:00 a.m. at the campground on the day of the Induction and asked, “Can we go [get to the field]? People are leaving already.” He planned our entire vacation out West. He hiked with me on my birthday without complaining once about the elevation. He didn’t ask me to going s–ing (that unspeakable snow sport that always results in injuries) even once this year. He picks up the Chinese carry-out when I’m feeling too lazy or tired to cook. He always has a new movie for us to watch. He’s kind and understanding, and the best thing that ever happened to me. I am so grateful for his love, even in spite of all my worts.

I have many inspirational sayings on my cork board, but because they’ve been there for years, I don’t notice them anymore and have long ago abandoned my practice of reading them every morning before I kick off the day. I thought I’d share them with you before I put them in the recycle bin.

This one was forwarded to me in an email. I don’t know the original source anymore, but the date was August 2003. I remember the day I received, printed, and hung it up, but it seems like decades ago now. It’s amazing how much our lives can change in a few short years.

More of the same gets more of the same. What we were given to practice, we practiced. What we practiced, we became. What we became, we are continuing to become-only more so-every day of our lives. We can do ourselves a favor by being aware of what we practice…If we practice finding beauty today, we’ll find twice as much beauty tomorrow. If we work on forgiveness today, tomorrow we may be free of resentments. If we choose to relate rather than isolate, we can walk with friends through all the years that stretch before us. What will the future bring us? Whatever we have invested in it.

A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:

One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words.
It is expressed in the choices one makes.

This one is from Oprah’s website:

Sarah Ban Breathnach expands on ten simple truths that can start to transform your life now.
1. Gratitude is the most transformative force in the cosmos, because gratitude is love. Sarah says, “When our hearts our broken, we don’t think we have much to be thankful for. We don’t have to be smiling when we say ‘Thank you.’”
2. Your happiness increases the happiness of everyone who knows you. “We have so much. All we have is all we need. All we need is the awareness of how blessed we really are.”
3. Whether we live passionately or not is a choice we make. When writers write, the most important emotion is conveyed between the lines. “I want to live in between the lines, where the depth is.”
4. Those who live passionately teach us how to love. Those who love passionately teach us how to live.
5. Big changes come with small choices. “Little changes [and] little choices add up to be revolutionary changes in your life.”
6. The more risks you take, the luckier you become.
7. Nothing hurts you more than your expectations. “If you trust life and learn to embrace it and try not to control everything, then life can be more wondrous than you thought it would be.”
8. Our relationships with others are only as emotionally healthy, happy, holy and content as our relationships with ourselves.
9. The only wound your soul never recovers from is regret. “What I know for sure is that we don’t have the luxury of regret any more. The past only asks to be remembered.”
10. Cherish each morning and give thanks for each evening. “I think the greatest gift September 11 can give us would be that we learn to cherish our imperfect lives.”

This from the Chopra Center:

Wednesday: Speaking for Peace
Today, the purpose of speaking is to create happiness in the listener. Have this intention: Today every word I utter will be chosen consciously. I will REFRAIN from complaints, condemnation and criticism. Your practice is to do at least one of the following:
- Tell someone how much you appreciate them.
- Express genuine gratitude to those who have helped and loved you.
- Offer healing or nurturing words to someone who needs them.
- Show respect to someone whose respect you value.

If you find that you are reacting negatively to anyone, in a way that isn’t peaceful, refrain from speaking and keep silent. Wait to speak until you feel centered and calm, and then speak with respect.

Unfortunately, Chopra only has an abbreviated version on his website now of the “Seven Practices for Peacemaking.”

This one is from Kristin Coach because I spend far too much time beating myself up for hurting someone’s feelings or maybe having hurt someone’s feelings, or taking to long to thank someone for something, or not getting them the perfect gift, or being so unladylike uttering streams of profanities at the Orioles like someone with Turrets Syndrome, etc, etc.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; [if only I could believe that] some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day [for me to make more mistakes to regret and replay in my head for the next fifty years]; you shall begin it serenely [hahaha, that’s funny, but I wish] and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

This one attributed to Ghandi:

Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive, because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive, because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny.

And finally, my very favorite saying by John Wesley. It’s so ironic that I learned about this from someone who said, “I voted for George Bush because I like my money.” Well, how noble. While I respected her honesty, I had a hard time liking her after that. That and her absurd belief that teachers make $60,000 a year.

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you ever can.

Beautiful! I love it!

My husband suggested the Indian buffet today so that gives me something to look forward to. In the meantime, I have to get some work done, or pretend to work, looking really busy and annoyed with stacks of papers piled on my desk, a la George Castanza.

Here are some things to entertain you that I learned in my effort to catch up on my podcasts:

• What Makes a Terrorist?–Alan Kreuger (no relation to Freddie) discusses in his book What Makes a Terrorist who becomes a terrorist. It’s not the stereotype that we think–the economically impoverished, but rather the fanatical, educated, and financially well-off. He makes the point that there are many people in poverty in the world but they don’t become terrorists. The ones likely to succeed are the ones who have the knowledge and finances to plan and execute an attack. Importantly, we’re reminded that it’s not just fanatical Muslims who are terrorists, we’ve had several terrorists grown on our own soil, all white men. Looks worth a read.
• Boys Adrift–Boys in the United States are doing less well in school than in previous generations. Dr. Sax has studied why. He cites five factors influencing the downward performance, including that we are trying to teach boys to read too soon. Girls and boys are developmentally different; boys develop language skills much later than girls, as late as eight years old. This research has been known at least 10 years, so I was a bit surprised that the schools haven’t changed curriculum to accommodate our biological differences.

  Another factor adversely affecting boys is the amount of estrogen in the water. (Estrogens come from plastic and pesticides.) Boys need testosterone in order to feel energized and motivated, and to tear up your house as infants. (Sax cites evidence of male frogs laying eggs in D.C.)

  Video games, regardless of the content, negatively influence student performance. They are addictive and studies have found that children play them an average of three hours a day. That’s three hours less on other activities, interacting with others, reading, studying…

  The lack of male role models in a boy’s life (men are not superfluous to a healthy boy’s development) is also very detrimental to raising healthy men. Here is Dr. Sax’s website.
  
  Here’s the interview on Diane Rehm. Please listen to it or read the book, even if you don’t have sons, and please pass this information along to others.