Days Of Yore

Nostalgia 101: Pointing out my daughter’s elementary and high school buildings to her college roommate.

I became very sentimental this weekend before attending a bridal shower for a family friend. I had the pleasure of enjoying Erin’s company for the weekend along with her college friends. All I could think of was school, especially my Alma Maters. When I posted my prom picture last week I happened upon my grammar school photos that were neatly placed in a photo album. Boy whoever coined the phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” was certainly a genius. When I started pouring over the old photos I could only think about my classmates, my teachers, my studies, and the building itself. Sadly, my grammar and high schools are no longer in existence, however I will always have the memories and they will forever be etched in my mind (hopefully). The above picture is my third grade portrait from St. Joseph’s Grammar School; therefore I would have been 8 years old. I remember my teacher (a nun), and we definitely sparred throughout my days at St. Joe’s. I’m not sure what I did for her to dislike me (I mean how could you not get along with a sweet and gentle human being like moi?). I was actually happy to move on and become a fourth grader knowing I would not have her for a teacher again. School was fine until I reached the 8th grade and unfortunately was faced with my fears once again. If any of you attended Catholic grammar school back in the day, you are aware that you had the same teacher for the entire day for all of your subjects. I could go on, however I will spare you the details. In a nutshell this nun accused me of cheating on my exams because my grades were good and she could only compare me to my scholastic achievements from the third grade (which were below par). Did I carry these feelings with me? Hopefully not, and I’m sorry readers I didn’t mean to burden you, however I must say it made me feel great sharing and writing them down. Keep healthy and fit by saying good riddance to old rubbish!

Cheddar Tuna Melt

Simple tuna melt with home-made chips is one of my favorite quick fix meals. I use an English muffin with white albacore tuna packed in water and strips of extra sharp cheddar cheese, along with a few thin slices of red potato (and of course a salad). Keep healthy and fit by enjoying comfort food on your menu.

Ingredients

1- 100 calorie multi-grain English muffin

1 3-ounce can of white albacore tuna packed in water drained

1-2 Tablespoons of light mayonnaise

2 Teaspoons of red onion (optional)

1/2 Teaspoon of dill

2 Ounces of extra sharp cheddar cheese

4 Slices of plum tomato

1/2  Red potato

Canola oil for frying

Salt & pepper to taste

Combine mayo, drained tuna, onions and dill in a small bowl add salt and pepper to taste. Lightly toast the English muffins before adding ingredients. Place tuna mixture on lightly toasted muffins with tomatoes and cheese on top. Put the muffins in your toaster oven or regular oven for approximately 5 minutes to melt the cheese.Enjoy!

Chips

Heat a few tablespoons of canola oil in a small pan, add thinly sliced potatoes and cook until desired color. Drain on paper towel and season with salt and pepper.

Funny Fridays

In lieu of the fact that Facebook will be going public today, I thought it would be appropriate to add a social media cartoon. I hope everyone has a great weekend being active and enjoying the great outdoors! Keep healthy and fit by liking my Facebook page if you have not done so yet, be happy!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Baby-Boomer-Way/119001554847095

Exercise Your Rights By George

I am publishing a guest post today from a gentleman who asked if he could. I thought why not since we write about similar topics  (although I’m not ready for retirement yet, nor am I classified as a senior, only kidding George). I’ve been approached before by others who wanted to contribute their articles and they include; a religious web-site, a hearing aid company, and even a dating service (a young woman in her 20′s), so I was happy to oblige someone who pens in the same genre as myself. Keep healthy and fit by enjoying the words of another!

Guest article from George Shaw:

In October last year a 100-year-old man finished a marathon, becoming the oldest person in history to run the distance. Robert McKeague became the oldest man to finish the Kona Ironman, one of the hardest endurance races in the world, and Harriet Anderson became the oldest woman to complete the Ironman at age 79.

To say that people are still capable of amazing things in later years is by far an understatement. You don’t have to run a marathon or complete an Ironman to be inspirational. Putting yourself in the race is often times cause enough, whether it is walking a 3k or running a 5k or 10k, burning calories, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure are all further reason to sign up for a race.

The running and fitness community is incredibly welcoming and extremely patient, realizing that getting up and tying your laces is sometimes the toughest battle. Even senior citizens are capable of completing smaller and shorter races. Fitness is important, and there are many senior citizen resources that can help people find the right fit for their life and health needs.

Would you dare to improve your life? Would you dare to accomplish something? Would you dare to live, inspire and be the younger person still playing hide-and-seek inside of you? It’s never too late to do something new or to set a new goal. Who wants to go for a jog?

George Shaw is an experienced writer for senior care and health issues, and also helps contribute to California nursing home ratings.

George’s links: Senior Homes California and Senior Homes Texas

Hello ~ It’s For You

I was getting together some gadgets for either sale or donation in my home when I discovered my family’s old Bell System Princess phone. When it was going out to be trashed at my childhood home many years ago, my daughter snatched it up and brought it home to my house (I’m not sure why, perhaps she wanted to re-use it). Memories flooded my mind and for a moment I was overwhelmed with past communication that I had on this nostalgic piece of history. I was joyous, I wept, was fearful, even cringed when some of the words echoed throughout my brain. I was asked out on dates, was dumped, and was told news of births and deaths, as well as acceptance for jobs and awards. So much news and chatter came from this cool looking object (at least it was very fashionable back in 1965), that I really don’t think I could give it up. I only wish there was a way that all of the words that were spoken and heard were still available to listen to. Could you imagine being able to hear a conversation you had with an old flame that dumped you, or learned that you are an Aunt or Uncle! Wouldn’t it be great if you were able to head the caller at the pass (break-up with them before they did it to you)? Imagine if you knew the score of a sporting event before the outcome (I’d be retired by now)? Ha-ha it could be the premise for a movie or sci-fi book! Keep healthy and fit by remembering your old phone and the conversations that took place!

P.S. my phone is model 702B that was first introduced in 1963 ☏

16 Ounces Of Life ~ Donation Time

I first posted this last year when I gave blood for the first time. Here it is again and I’m ready to donate another pint, I am also very happy to do so. Tomorrow is my giving day! Keep healthy and fit by perhaps considering giving a portion of yourself to others!

First published 7/25/11

Well, so there it went precious blood drained from my body that will hopefully save a life. Look at me I’m even smiling, it didn’t hurt at all, and best of all I got to eat guilt free cookies (I savored every bite) when I completed my donation. The following were the feelings that I experienced today: usefulness, pride, joy, benevolence, honor, gratification, self-worth and of course a cookie-monsteresque appetite. Want to boost your morale and in the process perhaps save a life? Give blood it’s a win-win situation that you will not regret. Of course I know that many of you don’t have the time, or are fearful of needles, or just plain don’t want to. I would never ask or tell someone to do something they were not comfortable with, or could not handle (but boy, what a sense of purpose I had today). So at least ponder this important act of kindness and if you do have the time and really want to than I’ll simply say go for it. If you need help in finding your local Red Cross chapter or just need a word of encouragement let me know, I’m here for you. Keep healthy and fit by saving a life today!

Dining Alfresco

Since this past weekend was a glorious one weather-wise here in the Northeast we enjoyed our first dining experience outdoors. Got the cushions out, swept the deck and washed the tables. Wild caught steelhead trout was on our menu along with grilled vegetables (asparagus, red peppers and brussel sprouts). The way we chose to eat it was with just a little olive oil coating along with salt and fresh ground pepper (nothing fancy here). We like the easy simple ingredients that enhance the food and bring out the real flavor. Now don’t get me wrong, salsas, sauces, relishes, and other accompaniments add additional flavors which we also enjoy, but we don’t like to overpower the natural taste and certainly a “little dab will do ya” (like Brylcreem remember?) works very well with that perfect piece of fish, poultry or meat. Keep healthy and fit by dining alfresco with an all-fresho menu!

I looked up some other steelhead trout recipes that have some added extra ingredients feel free to try this recipe as well (I will at another time):

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! I love you for your compassion, strength, courage, stubbornness, and most of all for your willingness not to want to miss anything, thus you are still among us at age 96, love you!!!!!!!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my family, friends, followers and readers who happen to be moms! May you enjoy this day and everyday as a mom, mom in waiting, grandmom, dadmom, mom-in-law, sistermom, auntmom, friendmom and petmom! Keep healthy and fit by paying homage to all moms XO!

My Next Contest

Mark your calendars my June race is slate for the 16th in Ogdensburg, NJ. I live in the Northwest part of the state where agriculture and mining were a way of life many years ago. This race is described as A Major Race in a Miner Town (there is an actual retired mine museum that is open to the public). I ran this one last year and hopefully will improve my time. Here is the link if you would like to join me in 5 weeks:

O’burg 5k Run 6/16/2012

Keep healthy and fit by signing up for a 5k whether you walk or run it doesn’t matter, just be active ☺

Funny Fridays – Prom Version

What is funnier than a prom picture from 42 years ago? Hope you can laugh at my virtuous styled dress with long sleeves and pointed collar along with my banana curled coiffed hairdo. Besides purchasing my gown for me at Lord & Taylor in NY, my sister worked wonders to secure and assist my graduating class contract one of her co-workers who happened to be a celebrity in his own rite. Calvin White of “C and the Shells” (formally known as “The Sandpebbles“) performed at our gala event. The song “Love Power” which was one of his hits, weighed heavily on our lips, before, during and after this wondrous affair. The boy I went with was a college student and presently I would refer to him as my “pity date” that Friday evening decades ago. My friend was dating one of his fraternity brothers and he somehow knew I didn’t have an escort for our most special day of the year (my all-girl Catholic high school Senior Prom). With my friend and classmates urging me, I asked and he graciously accepted to partner up and fraternize with giddy high school girls and their dates. We enjoyed dancing and dining at “The Manor” in West Orange where we engaged in adult conversation and I was secretly trying to learn the score of the NY Knick game who were playing game 7 of the NBA championship series (someone had an in with the bartender and kept me updated of their win). It was way cool that we went to Rodney Dangerfield’s in Manhattan after the dance where I drank (illegally) and chuckled while watching Professor Irwin Corey do his raunchy stand-up act (this Catholic school girl was delighted). We partied until the wee hours of the morning (I think I returned home at 8 am). Of course it was a magical night regardless of the chivalric young man who accompanied me. Richie was so handsome, polite and dashing that night and I will always remember and would want to thank him again for that enchanting and memorable evening. Keep healthy and fit by reminiscing about your high school prom.