"May there be a silver lining back of every cloud you see ...."

                       

I took this photo tonight with my iPhone while walking to my car to make a quick trip to drop something off at a friend's house.  The gorgeous sky gave me goosebumps yet the photo doesn't actually capture the sky's full beauty.

While driving to my friend's home on a busy road near where my family home used to be, I noticed a male and female couple on bicycles, both wearing helmets.  I turned left onto the road to my friend's house, ran up to her door to deliver a book, and got back in my car to return home.  While driving back down the same avenue, I slowed to a standstill for two police cars, a mangled  bicycle, and a female body lying in the middle of the road.  My heart sank and I wanted to cry, "That's someone's mother, wife, or daughter."  There was blood pouring out of her mouth and she appeared lifeless.  I pulled over to the side of the road so fire rescue could approach the scene and prayed with all my heart that she made it.

I am blogging about this tragic incident because I am so appalled at how distracted and rude drivers are in today's world.  I don't know who hit her or anything about the accident, but I can't help but wonder if the driver was texting or distracted while talking on a cellphone.    My state won't consider legislation banning texting while driving and won't mandate using  hands-free cell phones . . . . but how many more people have to die? ♥

                                                                                 

   The sun shines not on us, but in us ... the rivers flow not past, but through us ~ John Muir     
         

As I age, I find that I don't enjoy going shopping as much as I used to.  Perhaps it is because I really don't need much anymore as well as the fact that my income is now limited.  However, I do enjoy shopping online -- where I don't have to go out in inclement weather, spend money on gas, or search for a parking place.

In early spring I purchased a Kindle Fire from Amazon.com which I not only use for reading (I haven't given up on books but I can increase the font on my Kindle and I find I read faster), but also to check email, play games, and surf the web.

After receiving a free month's Amazon "Prime" membership with my Kindle Fire and, after previously having shelled out a good bit in shipping charges for prior purchases, I enrolled in Prime.  One of the major benefits of Prime is that you get free two-day shipping on most purchases.  Since joining, I have bought water filters, HEPA air filters, hair mousse, birthday gifts (including multiple Star Wars figures for my grandson's 3rd birthday -- he was thrilled!), and today I received a new cordless phone (my old one died on me after 15 years). And, when searching for an item online, I always read customer reviews to determine quality and value.   In doing so I have not only saved time ... but money as well. ♥

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” ~ Dr Seuss.

So often we lament that our lives now are not as they were when we were younger.  But thank goodness we had those opportunities and life experiences when we were young!   I have so many fond memories from all of my childhood, teen years, early adulthood, and even into middle-age.  And I am so pleased that I am still friends with so many dear people whom I have known for most of my life.  Last year I attended a milestone high school reunion and, even though we have lost many from our class, I found it very endearing.  It was very poignant to reminisce with friends of so many years. 

And, within the same month, I traveled to San Francisco for a reunion with sorority sisters from college.  Through the Internet and Facebook (yes, it is for older people too!) we have reconnected and stay in touch.  We have shared so many fond memories and special moments in time. 

Rejoice in the past but make the most of the present ... keep making memories, and tell those you love and care about just how much they mean to you. ♥ 

Happy Belated Birthday, America!  I couldn't find this image last week in order to do a July 4th post.  I took this photo from a ferry boat in New York Harbor in June 2004.  It is one of my favorite photos! 

I finally found the digital photo yesterday in a folder of transferred files from my old PC.

Visiting the Statue of Liberty, a universal symbol of freedom and democracy, is a must for all Americans.  The idea for a national monument for the U.S. was proposed by Frenchman Edouard de Laboulaye in 1865.  "Ten years later, with the help of friend and sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, Laboulaye turned his proposal into a reality. In September 1875, he announced the project and the formation of the Franco-American Union as its fundraising arm. With the announcement, the statue was given a name, Liberty Enlightening the World. The French people would finance the statue; the American people would be expected to pay for the pedestal."  http://www.nps.gov/stli/historyculture/edouard-de-laboulaye.htm.

Many people think the Statue is located on Ellis Island; it is not.  The Statue is on Liberty Island, thus you have to take a ferry to and from each.  Visiting the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is a humbling experience, envisioning the millions who came to our country seeking the American Dream.  If you have not already made this visit, the operating hours are listed here:  http://www.nps.gov/elis/planyourvisit/hours.htm.  And did you know that Irving Berlin, who wrote our unofficial national anthem, "God Bless America," was an immigrant who left his home in Siberia when he was only 5 years old?  "Stand beside her and guide her  ...." ♥

Be heart healthy ... and knowledgeable!   Last week I took the American Heart Association's Heartsaver course at a local hospital and I am now CPR certified.  I have taken CPR classes previously through my employment, however, this class was four hours and more detailed.

We were instructed in CPR and AED procedures for adults, children, and infants. If you want to become CPR certified or become up-to-date on life saving procedures, visit the AHA website:  http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/WorkplaceTraining/HeartsaverCourses/Heartsaver-Courses_UCM_001295_SubHomePage.jsp.  It is imperative that we call 911 and immediately begin CPR when someone is in distress -- it literally is a matter of life or death. ♥