Insomnia at its Best!

A late night, thought I was tired, inner clock says, "nope!". Stupid thing! I tried laying down, sitting up, watching TV, reading a book, a real one with pages, not electronically, but after studying for hours, I nixed the book thing. Wanting to write, but nothing popping out and unable to remember the thought process from earlier in the day, perhaps the boob tube will cause me to drift off into la-la land. I do believe the problem is: watching TV creates a sense of doing nothing, at least in my mind, especially in this moment. Perhaps I am bored, the mind needs a challenge, but then again, it has been challenged all day. Hmmm, maybe it needs me to just shut up, turn it off, give it up........relax! But I am not tired, my derrière IS, resulting from sitting all day studying, but the rest is ready to roll!

Not the first time this has happened, about four years ago we would of chalked it up to menopause, unless it's a carry over and has now become post-menopausal! Which brings up another totally different thought process (sleep appears to be even farther away now!). Weight gain, emotional roller coasters, hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia and my body says, "let's go with the insomnia!".

In retrospect, I had hoped for hot flashes, since most of my adult life, I was always chilly. One of the multitude of reasons for the move to my tropical paradise. Emotional roller coaster might not have been bad either, I definitely could of used it as payback to the many who have ticked me off with their emotional issues! As for menopausal weight gain, luckily I have escaped that! Although now that gravity has reared its ugly head, a few pounds here and there, just to puff out the wrinkles might work! Scratch that idea, extra weight in the heat of a Florida summer WOULD cause hot flashes and probably emotional problems as well! So back to where we began, insomnia. Not a bad thing, on the positive side, I can pack a whole lot more into my day and my "calendar" has round the clock entries. On the flip side: "ain't nobody else in this place with the same issue," loud snoring coming from the couch, as proof positive on that statement. My better half felt sorry I could not sleep, "I'll keep you company," he announced as he arrived in the living room, pillow in tow. This "men-o-pause" thing should affect......men! Is this an emotional roller coaster rising up inside of me........just maybe! Nice!

Fourth of July Reflections

 
Summer’s major holiday, July 4^th has come and gone, yet perhaps a bit of reflection surrounding our nation’s birthday is due. With a multitude of historical documentaries bombarding the airwaves reminding us of the sacrifices made, all in the name of freedom, one question need be asked: Did we learn from our mistakes and those of others? Simply put, is history destined to repeat itself?

As a product of the “anti-establishment” hippie generation, we were the people that sought answers to this question. Moshe Dayan, an Israeli military leader and politician, who became a crusader for peace once said, “Freedom IS the oxygen of the soul.” Quite the profound statement and a true testament to ALL mankind. A mirror image of our great country, America, freedom in all its grandeur, has many faces. The United States, our country, our community, is a unique mass of inhabitants with dreams, hopes, opinions and beliefs just a diverse. We live, work, worship and socialize where we choose, we speak without fear of condemnation, we heartily disagree with those not sharing our views, but will defend their right to do just that.

As we gathered together this recent July 4^th, sharing laughter, food and a lively round of golf, a sense of warmth consumed my inner being. Not the kind of warmth associated with this tropical paradise, but a warmth akin to pride. “There is something magnificent is having a country to love” says American born poet James Russell Lowe,. We say “thank you, Mr. Lowe, that goes for community as well,” and by the way, Happy Birthday America!