The scent of lilacs

                               Fills the air with memories

                              Close your eyes and breathe

 

Spring Has Sprung!

We love our backyard. When we moved into our house, it had an awkward layout and a large dog run. Over the years, little by little, we have transformed it into our oasis. One of my goals for 2025 was to document the backyard as the seasons change. Today, being the first day of Spring, welcome to our house.  

 

St. Patrick’s Day

When Cassandra and I went on our European vacation, we traveled to Dingle, Ireland.  Several memories stand out. Driving on the left side of the road for the first time was treacherous and unfortunately, I clipped the right side of a parked vehicle. I was so upset, but the woman whose car I hit apologized. That would NEVER happen in America. Kudos. Next, we found an entire field of bunnies hopping merrily along their way. Enchanting. But there was a downside to our Ireland visit.  The horrible eggs we had at the B&B we stayed at. Disgusting.

My so-called Irish Celebration Meal will be much tastier.

Pretzels and Beer Cheese Dip

Reuben Sandwiches with Vegan Corned beef

Potato Chips and Cabbage Coleslaw

Irish Whiskey Bundt Cake

Beer and Irish Coffee

YUMMY!

 

Happy Birthday Andy

My younger sister and I have little in common. The one thing that has always united us is our shared love of music. In our teens we journeyed to NY to attend the very first Beatles Concert at Shea Stadium. Lots of screaming and lots of fun. Our most notable music adventure has to be the Sonny & Cher concert in Philly. The post-concert plan was to meet up with our older sister and her husband at a random pizza joint. Change of plans. We heard that Sonny & Cher were going back to their hotel after the concert, so we decided to see if we could get their autographs. No luck, so we switched back to the original plan. Little did we know that a private party was being held at the pizzeria and the honored guests were…hold on, YES, Sonny & Cher! Score ONE for the Rachman Sisters. We managed to dine on delicious pizza and best of all, get their autograph’s.

 

 

Time Waits For No One

I literally hate Daylight Savings Time. Twice a year my life is turned upside down and it takes me a week to get back into my normal rhythm of life. 

I was in 7th grade and my girlfriend Deborah, who lived across the street, was celebrating her birthday. The invitation she sent was a handwritten poem created by her mother and it included both the day and TIME. I rang the doorbell, and her mother opened the door. She looked rather surprised to see me, present in hand, and then she started laughing. Finally, she stopped and said something like, "Guess your mother didn't turn back the clocks." I was an hour early. 

 

My Biggest Regret in Life

Many years ago, I fulfilled my dream of writing a novel. It wasn’t great by any means, but I was incredible proud that I managed to finish such a humungous project. I sent it out to just a few agents, not expecting any reply. But then, lo and behold, miracle of miracles, I got a response. The agent liked my novel but before she would submit it, she wanted me to have it edited. She gave me a list of editors she worked with, and with big dreams of my future, I contacted them. The cost would be a minimum of $1,000. Unfortunately, I was out of work at the time and didn’t have an extra $1,000 play money floating around.  But it wasn’t just the money. My fear was that if I spent the money and the agent couldn’t sell my novel, I would be a double failure.

So, after much soul searching, I passed on hiring an editor. I never sent the manuscript out to another agent and over the years lost my one last copy. I guess you know what my biggest regret in life is, right? That I didn’t have faith in me.  Don’t ever make the same mistake!!

 

 

Rowing to Nowhere

Before the Covid lockdown, I saw a film about a women crew who rowed the ocean. It was called Losing Sight of Shore and it turned out to be the launch of my relationship with rowing. No, not in the water, but on the shore. The day after watching the film I had my first go on a rowing machine at the gym. I only did 5 minutes, but that was enough. I instantly became addicted to the repetitive rhythmic nature of rowing. I remember how I closed my eyes and despite the blaring noise of the gym, felt completely calm. It was just me and the machine. Nothing else existed or mattered.

I eventually bought a $99 rowing machine, and I use it almost every day. Better than Xanax...but not a glass of Chardonay.