Noury's Creative World…

Went for the daily walk with my walking buddy, even though it was high 20’s when I last looked on television.  I thought, are my lungs and brain going to be able to cope with this shock to my system or am I creating my demise before my time is up?  Stay with me.  The darling muse of the creative thoughts is just peeking through the door.  She is not too coopertive this morning.  Maybe didn’t like the weather.

To blog or not to…that is the question.  Here we go.

Life is like a classroom, you decide at what grade you are going to get stuck (like I am right now with the uncooperative muse) or if you want to make it to the next grade level.  If we keep repeating the same mistakes, the teacher is not going to promote you and there you are over and over again.  Your friends have moved to the next grade level, and there you are with the donkey hat, without realizing that it depends on you to move on in life.  You should hear my laughter right now.  Something is ringing a bell in my head.  What mistakes should I focus on, that one or the other one.  So many mistakes and so little time to analyze.  Well, I will just drag my mistakes with me and pretend they belong to somebody else.

The bottom line of this lesson,  cannot think the proper word for this case, you know when you read a story and the principle you are supposed to grab after you finish reading is the….moral, that’s it.  Had to think in spanish and then the brain translated to english, but had to check Webster first.  My best buddy right now.  Oh, yes, let me continue with my evasive thought.  So the moral of the story is you cannot be a new you thinking and holding on to the way you used to think and do.  New way or thought, new you.  Easier said than done, especially after many many happy birthdays. 

Wow, today’s posting really drained me out.  I have to re-read this one to see if I get it.  Let’s hope tomorrw the other muse is more cooperative than this one.

Your Happy Contessa

Dashing thru the snow…in a black wheel carried sleigh…all the fun ?  This is something totally unexpected by me.  Snow now?  I got so, I mean, in a state of shock that all I could think was…I don’t know. 

For the first time ever, my nerves got me to cook homemade chicken soup with beans, real beans, I mean, hard beans that had to be cooked for two hours.  I took onion, garlic (you should smell the house) and a big pot, put olive oil, added the stinking onion and garlic, chicken, celery, carrots, beans, a bit of salt, pepper and Mrs. Dash.  No way this house is going to sell tomorrow with all these odors.

After two hours of watching the beautiful snow fall, and taking some pictures for all of  you to appreciate from far away, it was time to taste the famous potion and all the stuff in it.  Well, well, well, not too bad I thought.  So maybe I can cook after all.  All I need is some premature snow fall to motivate me. 

Had dates for dessert (needed something sweet to wash down all the good tasting stuff) and watched the end of the Duke (BB) game.  Life doesn’t feel that bad right now.

The above part was drafted last night, while the excitment was going on.  Now it is sunny, snow melting, and house smells somewhat decent.

Hope you have a good, good day.

Your Happy Contessa

Yesterday I went to do some shopping for gift giving.  What I didn’t realize at the moment when I got in my car, was that my super ego, with her super red hair got in the back seat also.  She couldn’t wait to get to the store.  But I was oblivious of what was going on.

I walked into the store and went straight to the items I had in mind for a relative, but my peripheral vision caught a sight of a beautiful white sweater that my super ego thought I would look just classic and great in it.  No trying it I thought.  It looks just like me.  With the best intention of continuing with my mission, that it was about others, not about me,  I took one item that was on the list for a relative, but ego decided that I needed one just like it too.  Why to fight the feeling, I thought.   Moving along, I saw the section of the skinny jeans.  I thought, I think I need one in dark blue.  After trying three or four pairs, decided on one that was just perfect for my next trip to Hialeah to visit my mother.  Continuing on the search of a gift for another relative, my red haired ego saw in the Boys Department, a beautiful red sweater that looked that it belonged with those jeans.  I can fit in some of the unisex sweaters in that department.  They are cheaper too than the same designer’s sweaters  in the Women’s Department.  Grabbed that gorgeous red sweater and then became a little anxious because I only had one item in the basket from the intended list of shopping for others.

After finishing, well, not really, I had to leave the store, because I was getting tired of trying things for self, and not focussing on the real purpose of the trip.

Came home and went straight to try the sweaters with the jeans.  I don’t know what happened.  The super red haired ego I think stayed in the store, and I just looked like a sack of old potatoes with shoes on and a wig on top.  Was it the lighting?  Did my stomach went through an increase in size in just a brief moment?  Where was the moronic red haired ego?  I couldn’t believe the difference!  Words cannot describe what went through my mind when I was looking at myself in the mirror.  Who was that?  Where were the goddesses of beauty, good looks and charm.  They went back to their mythological country I think.

Needless to say, I felt as if someone had given me a beating.  Calmly I folded the three items, put them back in the bag and took them away from my sight, so I could analyze the situation.

Today, as fast as I could, I returned the items, but of course, on the way out, managed to get two additional items for my super inflated ego that was waiting for me in the store.

This is the end of this particular odyssey, and there are many more to come, because as you will realize, I only got one item from the list for my relatives.

Ohhhhhh…the blessings and whatever else of the season.

Your Happy Contessa

Books have been an integral part of my life.  I don’t remember reading much during my childhood, only the classics for school and Vogue magazine in Spanish.  That one I loved.  That’s how Paris became my dream, from the time I was fifteen.  It took me 46 years to accomplish that one, and  I celebrated my 61st birthday, along with my lovely daughter at Le Grand Colbert in Paris, France.  Staff was just delightful.

Let’s go back to the books.  As you have noticed, I have a tendency to deviate from the subject matter.  ADD?  Always had a suspiction I was one of those.  No problem.  I think most of us have that characteristic.  Now, don’t anyone be offended.  Everybody has something.  If it isn’t one thing, it is another.  You see, again, I am leaving my focussed point.

Books have been my best friends and advisors when I have been faced with some big impact situations.  What I like about books is that you are gaining somebody’s else experience without having to go through it, most of the time.  Also, they open the door to so much knowledge, that according to one of the characters of my favorite soap, “India,” that’s the only thing that cannot be taken away from you.  Almighty knowledge.

Books accommodate everyone.  There’s a book for each personality, trait, style, and mood.  You cannot help it but love them.

I think the best feature the United States of America has is its library system.  In the country where I was born, still to this day, you cannot take books out of the library, if there is any in your town.  In the 1940’s when I was born, in my hometown there was not a library then.  I grew up under a dictatorship, and he subscribed to the mushroom theory.  Keep them in the dark, feed them **  and watch them grow.   A library is the most important place in any town, USA.   I cannot imagine my life without that fringe benefit.

Love used book sales.  I would leave my house at midnight (when I used to live in Florida) to get in line for one of best used book sales in the South.  Gainesville.  By 9 am, when they would open the doors, I felt kind of tired and in a zombie zone, but the rush of adrenaline was incredible.  I forgot to mention, my belated husband and I used to have the cutest and best antiquarian bookshop in Florida, I think.  It was located in Mt. Dora.  He didn’t like the use of the word cute.  He was kind of a serious bookseller.  He enjoyed every second of that phase in our lives.

Honoring books, libraries, bookstores, and used book sales, I remain,

Your Happy Contessa

Yesterday, when I was paying my almost daily tribute (visit) to my favorite big rectangular box looking giant, I passed by the canned goods section and my local Food Pantry place came into mind.  I remembered when  Ron and I used to take supplies to them once in a while, but I have not been back since Ron converted into beautiful energy.

It helped that the goods were on sale, so I picked my favorites, corn and peas.  Then went to the breakfast aisle and got these mixes for pancakes.  No contribution to obesity on my account.  No sweet stuff that is not good for anyone or for their teeth.  Remember, I just finished paying my contribution to my favorite dentist, so I know how painful it is to depart with your dinero.

Anyways, let me not get carried away here.   I know for sure that all of us are good stewards, but sometimes picking a few canned goods and whatever else comes to your mind, will make a big difference in the lives of people that are right now facing a challenging situation.  Today it is them, tomorrow, it could be me.  Who knows.

You should have seen the line when I went to deliver the goodies.  I returned to my car and cried and pondered about those people’s lives.  Let’s share the blessings.

Your Happy Contessa

P.S.  I know your mind.  Pancake mix?  It was the best next thing, compared to the sugar coated stuff.  Cereal?  Sometimes there is no milk available, and pancake can be dinner.  Try putting some of the corn in the mix.  Very versatile.  I was full of good intentions.  Believe me.

A few years ago I was visiting with my trendy daughter and she made this observation “mami, don’t start dressing like a little old lady.”  I told her that the outfit I was wearing made me feel comfortable.  She responded, “yes, comfortable, but they date you.”  Another enlightened moment of my life.

Since then I always think about her and that statement every time I am about to purchase a piece of clothing.  I am 62, but…want to look good.  The lines on the face, well, that’s another masterpiece of writing.  Later.

I am into looking cool and classy.  I have my skinny jeans, my pearls (always, even when I wear shorts), my scarves, my jean jacket, and all the trimmings needed to look as someone called me recently “a southern belle.”  No, I don’t wear mascara or eye shadow or have my nails done. I am a more close to nature version of the belle.  My ego almost went into another universe.  Most of the time, I am just plain me, but checking the mirror every so often.  I am 62, not out of circulation.

I think most of us, yes, guys, you included want to look cool and hold on to that youth we didn’t appreciate when we had it.  Thinking young too is part of the equation.  Hang around young people, listen to their garble garble, but sometimes you will catch a pearl or two.  Remember, they are us, when we used to be like them.  ?  Get it?

Coloring  my hair;  the color depends if I remember what number or shade I used last, so it is always a surprise when I look on the mirror, using anti-wrinkle creams, keeping my weight down so those skinny jeans fit, drinking lots of water to flush the toxins out of my system, and laughing often, even about myself,   is the recipe that Juan Ponce de Leon couldn’t mustard.

Here’s to looking great, and being happy.

Your Happy Contessa

P.S.  Guys, please do not wear socks with your shorts.  Please…..

To admit or not to admit…to yourself.  Well, I am like a cat fighting going down the trunk of a tree, and leaving claw streaks as I resist gravity and are on my way down.  Down baby, down.

There are a lot of things we (baby boomers) are facing as gravity takes a hold of all our parts and sometimes our brain cells, our friendly neurons.  Ay! Dios Mio.  In English, OMG.

But, there are always three sides to a story.  Mine, yours, and then the real thruth.  There are the fringe benefits of having had many, many happy birthdays!  Discounts, people on long lines at the supermarket try to be nice to you, or not, and other things that sometimes make you feel good, and others that sometimes deflate your ego.  Who was that said “You’re Only Old Once.”  Well, I feel the many happy birthdays on a constant basis.  Not complaining, of course, but the rituals sometimes take the whole month’s agenda.  Let’s not go the doctors’ visits route.  Stay away from those people.

I felt great the first time I received my (cough, cough)15% discount.  Did the celebrating dancing, but had to be careful not to break or disjoint any moving parts.

This thing of many many happy birthdays is part of evolving, but the carrousel moves a bit faster once you hit the 60th mark.  Is it my imagination?

On a sunnier (sun decided to shine just now) note, I am glad I am able to tell my story and have fun while doing so.  Until next post,

Ta ta

Your Happy Contessa

The famous guitar…let me give you the story behind this guitar.  It is famous allright.

This morning when I got up and opened the shades, what I saw gave me the chills.  But there is nothing I can do, I told myself.  Have to deal with it, have to be positive, cannot shove the house to someone that has not even made an offer to buy it, I have to make the situation work for me, forget about the chills.

Made coffee, continued to open the rest of all the shades, because the blood that runs through my veins is from the Caribbean, born and nurtured there, and I need all the sunlight I can get to make it out to get the newspaper.

Newspaper and coffee in hand, took the Sports section to learn the gossip of the sports world.  Then saw an update on the North/South Korean issue, and all the you know what of the rest of  planet Earth, its humanoids and its happenings.

But I could not longer continue to evade the issue of the chills.  Went upstairs, the nicest place of the house during the winter, and looked at my hardly noticed friend, the  guitar.  I thought, now, this is a good time to continue to learn this instrument that up to now has been used as a piece of decor.  I tried to learn to play Jingle Bells once in Florida to entertain Milagros and Ron, but the tempo was so slow, that I almost fell asleep while trying to see which  strings I was supposed to play next.

Brain washing myself is now a full time job.  Need to stay centered on the fact that I am going to survive once more the cold weather, even if it drives me nuts.

I will keep you updated on my progress or not, but I see myself maybe at Carnegie Hall sometime next Spring.  Playing?  I’ll leave that up to your imagination, and my spending the whole Winter upstairs playing, I mean, learning to be an accomplished evader of the cold weather.

Good luck to my neighbor!

Your Happy Contessa

P.S.  The chills were caused by the sight of frost on the lawn.

It feels kind of quiet…perfect Fall weather…ball games going on, people spending what they don’t yet have and so life goes on.

Some news from friends facing challenging times with their health, so it makes me ponder on how precious my now moments are.  I need to focus on my blessings and even though things are not the way I wish them to be, I have to have a sense of gratitude and not one of complaining.  The saying goes…”things always happen for the best…” is not an easy sell most of the time.  But patience is a virtue.  Very hard to cultivate I may say.

Sharing some pondering moments,

Your Happy Contessa

Well…do the picture says it all?  There was the turkey, the glazed carrots, the biscuits, the sausage-stuffing muffins (first time ever and to die for, literally), regular potatoes, sweet ones, I even ate the skin for the first time too.  Tastes very good.  Learned a lot about sweet potatoes from Lisa Johnson of the Yummy Yammy company (her own).  The salad I brought, I even didn’t look at it.  I graze all week for lunch, so enough is enough.   I don’t think I need to go on with the list.  You have a good imagination.

Then there were all kinds of sweets.   I am sure that by now you get my picture.  I am sure you have your own.

Thanks Miss Rosie, for inviting me over and feeding me, Raylene and Richard for providing transportation in your new car (“preppy boy”)and to the whole family that made me feel like I was one of them.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a very happy one also. 

Well, my dear friends, after setting up my Christmas tree, outside lights and being very happy listening to Christmas songs, until next time.

Your Happy Contessa