Saturday, April 27, 2024

in the "what is old is new again" category

From the concluding chapters of the Einstein book...Can't make this stuff up.  Nothing new under the sun.  April 1955.  March 14 1879-April 18 1955  They said that toward the end of his life, some of those close to him took on his wild hair and bit disheveled approach to dress...I would have fit right in.  :)  But his words from 1955 echo today.  Many thanks to Mr. Isaacson for taking me on the Musk, Jobs, Einstein journey.  I am tempted to read the Ben Franklin bio...but will let my brain rest a bit.  

"By then Einstein had finally discovered what was fundamental about America:  it can be swept by waves of what may seem, to outsiders, to be dangerous political passions but are, instead, passing sentiments that are absorbed by its democracy and righted by its constitutional gyroscope. ..."God's own country becomes stranger and stranger" he wrote his son, "but somehow they manage to return to normality.  Everything - even lunacy - is mass produced here.  But everything goes out of fashion very quickly."  

In Einstein's last days - preparing for a radio address he was scheduled to give at the 7th anniversary of the Jewish state - to Israeli Ambassador Eban, Einstein shared that "he saw the birth of Israel as one of the few political acts in his lifetime that had a moral quality.  But he was concerned that the Jews were having trouble learning to live with the Arabs.  "The attitude we adopt toward the Arab minority will provide the real test of our moral standards as a people..."  

The next day Einstein went into work not feeling well and shared with a colleague who inquired "Is everything all right?" - "Everything is all right, he replied, but I am not." was his reply. Like that as last words said.  

But the next day a group of doctors were convened, suggesting a surgeon who could be able to be called in.  Einstein said to that:  "It is tasteless to prolong life artificially,.. I have done my share, it is time to go.  I will do it elegantly.  Einstein shared to some who were becoming a bit distraught - "You're really hysterical-I have to pass sometime, and it doesn't matter when."
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I appreciated something else that was mentioned in the book but also in a conversation with family friend yesterday about her husband being so sick (but now on the mend) - at one point Einstein was refusing to go to the hospital at the very end, but "At first he refused, but he was told he was putting too much of a burden on Dukas (his assistant), so he relented."  Good for me to have in mind and family friend reminded me - me saying let me go, or her husband saying "if I die, I die"...we all need to remember that there are "others".

Einstein died at 1 a.m. and was cremated and ashes distributed in the Delaware River the same afternoon - by the time most found out he was dead it was over.  Mic drop. 

OOPS - no drop.  Last chapter of the book tells me that Einstein's brain was not cremated but went on decades long road trip with the pathologist from Princeton Hospital who was in charge of what was supposed to be a routine autopsy hours after Einstein died - shedding pieces along the way to various scientists.  1998 the pathologist returned what was left back at the Princeton Hospital.

"But the true understanding of Einstein's imagination and intuition...was how his mind worked, not his brain."  Per Einstein, "I have no special talents, I am only passionately curious."  "He was a loner with an intimate bond to humanity, a rebel who was suffused with reverence.  And thus it was that an imaginative, impertinent patent clerk became the mind reader of the creator of the cosmos, the locksmith of the mysteries of the atom and the universe."  NOW I am done with the book.  Next stop library book drop.  :)

Well that went on a bit long, but it was a big part of my Friday.  Other than reading, I dropped off book at library, walked, chatted with PD buddy.  Beautiful sunny day.  No word from son as how the b'day went or travel plans ahead for the weekend.  DID go and pick up new sneakers.  VERY close to busting out of current pair.  Went to Bob's Outlet.  Size 7, under $50 was my ask again.  Worked.  But it was very interesting to see how vacant the shopping center was.  I am not a shopper, but still sad.  

Listening to All In as we speak.  Have a Tim Ferris to finish.  Will try to find the Bill Maher-Galloway interview.  Not sure how much I can get on "free media".  Loved the Hedgeye interview with Marc Cohodes.  Mr. Cohodes - wish there were a million of him out in the world.  Today - walk. 

If you believe that your good intentions towards a certain person are not being returned then maybe it’s time to reassess your connection. The planets warn that the one-sided nature of the relationship is unlikely to change any time soon, so put your happiness first.

Relations with colleagues on the job could be very cooperative today, Libra, probably because you're about to complete a project of some kind that could result in higher income for everyone. Communication should be open and honest, and for once you'll probably be able to reach everyone you phone without having to leave any messages. Go with the flow and all should be completed successfully. Onward and upward!

You should feel socially elevated, curious, sharp, and ready to connect, dearest Libra, thanks to a sweet exchange between the Sagittarius moon and Chiron. Love multiplies when you offer up friendship, so be sure to approach your weekend plans with a "the more, the merrier'' mentality. Just don't feel like you have to force intimate exchanges when Jupiter and Uranus stir, keeping your secrets under wraps until genuine trust is established. As midnight draws near Luna aligns with Mars, Neptune, and Venus, challenging your sense of efficiency while encouraging you to release stress while embracing self-care or romance.

Happiness, onward and upward, ready to connect?  Sounds a bit too outward focus for me.  :)  I will see how it feels as I move through the day.  Have a good Saturday.  

Friday, April 26, 2024

Whew! Yesterday took it out of me. :)

Stroller saved my life!  :)  I was reminded yesterday that child care was never my strong suit.  I have told others - and my son - that he could have been raised by wolves and pretty much ended up where he is now.  But I did give it - then and yesterday - my all.  :)  So yesterday - walked with former co worker, then 12 noon drop off of kid.  More walking.  Kid fell asleep but carrying him up my stairs to the apt...woke up and was ready to go.  Oh well.  Back outside after a bottle.  Ran into my landlord on the steps.  He invited me and the kid to his workshop and the kid was in heaven.  A few raps of the rubber mallet on the wooden bench, a "gift" of a scrap piece of wood stick and that set me up for a very happy kid for the balance of the time.  By 2:30 p.m. the grandmother returned and I sighed a bit sigh of relief.  The woman I walked with in the a.m. passed me on her way to her haircut.  Texted me that that was a sight she never thought she would see - me pushing a baby carriage.  A guy on the rails-to-trails commented - "finally found someone to walk with you?"  Glad I was entertainment for the people.  

Can see that son took himself to The Commodore in Brooklyn for lunch yesterday and charged up his metro card.  Next stop will be back home for him.  We will see when that is in his plans.  

Today - no plan.  Walk.  Almost done with Einstein.  College roommate and 2 DC's on Sunday.  We will see what the next two days brings.

You don’t have to take the cares of the world on your shoulders, nor do you have to ride to the rescue of people whose misfortunes are of their own making. Aim to be a bit more ruthless in one-to-one situations. Above all, don’t be afraid to say “No”.

Watch your words this morning when the Taurus sun and Sagittarius moon form an unbalanced connection, dear Libra, remembering that not everyone can be trusted with your secrets. You should also take care to avoid unkind gossip, or your words could lead to burned bridges. Instead, use your day to promote positivity, focusing on the joys that lie ahead while encouraging others to do the same. You'll also find it easier to make friends as the stars bless your voice with an extra dash of charisma. A romantic energy stirs with the Nodes of Fate tonight, pushing you to seek your intellectual equal.

Some underhanded and not altogether honest machinations could be happening at the workplace, Libra. You could be offended by it, and you could also worry if it threatens your job. Then you might also consider what you're doing there, if it's that sort of organization. These inner conflicts could signify the need to focus on the realities and discern exactly what you want to do. Then go for it.

Living in the positive...keep a good thought for that.  Have a good Friday.  No peanut butter craving yesterday after meal #2.  Something shifted.  :)

Thursday, April 25, 2024

Full Moon is back in my view

"May you walk calmly and peacefully into your week. ☮️"  Saw this in a Linked in post by a contact of sister #1.  Good start to my day added to waking up to find pics from son.  Pics still from Europe.  Looks like he is in NYC as we speak.  It is his birthday so I will be sending him an email this a.m.  

9:30 am walk with former co worker, then babysitting this afternoon if family friend's haircut is still on her schedule.  No update yesterday as to how her husband is feeling.  I will never know how it feels, but I can't imagine how it must feel to like the person you marry OR what it must feel like when you have been together for 40+ years still liking each other and finding deep feeling being part of each other's every day...  It must be an incredible feeling and one that people must be horribly sad about not having last forever.  

Yesterday - cleaned apt, walked, noon EOLD discussion.  Keep putting my thoughts to May 1 and getting in gear to have a spurt of activity around the apartment and in my mind.  My thinking has been a bit limited in scope...  I have to smile when I think about having to add peanut butter and crackers the other day AND a full blown peanut butter sandwich yesterday to my food intake.  Something felt lacking.  Found this on the world wide internet:  "You might find yourself reaching for a jar of peanut butter if you're feeling anxious, stressed out, or depressed, in an attempt to reduce those feelings. There may also be an underlying nutritional deficiency, you're trying to fill. Peanut butter contains many nutrients, including: unsaturated fat. protein"  "Not enough fat, not enough protein, not enough calories, stress"...oh that world wide internet.  I will see where I sit at my second meal today and what I am craving.  :)

Life is not a zero sum game and others don’t have to lose so that you can win. The message of the stars today is that if you make a conscious decision to work with people, rather than against them, everyone will benefit financially, and emotionally too.

This could be a frustrating day in the romance department, Libra. Communication is blocked at all levels. You're anxious to speak with your loved one, but simply can't reach him or her. Perhaps the phone system is malfunctioning or email is acting up. You feel as though the Universe is conspiring against you. Take heart. Your partner will contact you soon enough, and your reunion will be electric!

Invest your time, energy, and resources wisely this morning, dearest Libra, as the Scorpio moon opposes Jupiter and Uranus. The wheel of fortune spins under this cosmic climate, bringing forth unpredictable growth and opportunities to prosper. If you've been struggling with romantic issues since Mercury retrograde began on April 1, you can breathe a sigh of relief as the planet of communication stations direct. A motivational, grounding, and dreamy energy takes hold this afternoon when Mars and Neptune stir, prompting you to embrace your best life. Your social skills benefit from a cosmic boost once Luna enters Sagittarius this evening.

Communication block I will tie to hearing from my son.  Luckily I can tell he landed in the US from a shared credit card we have...I am staying away from his international phone because of the charges...I will breath a sigh of relief as the planet of communication stations direct.  :)  Peanut butter and Mercury "un" retrograding.  I am a silly gal.  Have a good Thursday.  

PS:  "Funny" that today I found this on my son's youtube channel...FINALTRIP  I had forgotten how many rainbows followed us on our trip.  :)

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

On my own today

Will think about new sneakers.  Family friend's husband is not feeling well so she backed out of Wednesday walk.  Hope things improve for both of them.  He is a decade older than her, 3 older than me.  Sent birthday greetings along to two former co workers.  Will hope to get a signal from son that he landed back in US as of tonight or tomorrow.  Fingers crossed.

Yesterday - Shoprite by 7 a.m....very lackluster shopping day...chores done, CA DC.  Sad news that one of regular participants had a fall and is in a rehab place...  Everything is fine until it is not.  More talk about solo aging.  :/

Great walk.  Picked up two books - Trust by Diaz and Churchill's Secretary by Macneal.  Still working through Einstein.  Skimming the science parts, reading the personal life parts.  Never interacted with his first child, challenging relationships with sons and mother of those children, married his first cousin with whom he never shared a bedroom...  What is it about these mega smart men I have been reading about of late?  

Today clean apt, walk, EOLD discussion.  

Yesterday’s full moon may have given you a bit of a shock but you will get over it quickly and adapt your plans to the changed set of circumstances you now find yourself in. Financially, you will probably need to learn to do more with less.

Take your time as Luna continues her journey through Scorpio, dear Libra, giving yourself space to recover after yesterday's intense full moon. Tapping into your gratitude can also help you crystallize plans for the future, and be sure to acknowledge your ability to manifest and persevere. Good vibes flow later today when Saturn stirs, making it easier to make healthy decisions. Live your best life under this cosmic climate, but don't lose sight of the work that must be done to attain more. An old flame or friend from the past could reemerge tonight when Mercury retrograde aligns with the Nodes of Fate.

You enjoy reaping rewards for all your efforts. But in your love life, you have to admit that you can never be sure of the quantity or the quality of the fruits of your labors. Yet, today, Libra, you could realize that it's time to plant some new seeds. You might not know how they'll turn out, but you do know better than anyone else that you can't win if you don't play.

Not sure how to live with less than I do.  :)  Lots of work to do on so many levels.  Keep a good thought for that.  Have a good Wednesday.  

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Full Moon

Big sky of light last night and this a.m. with the full moon.  For someone who does not draw blinds or any curtains in any window - full moon events are very noticeable.  :)  Listening to Prof G weekly as we speak.  Daily Stoic with Haidt up next.  

Great ZEN last night.  Host brought up an exhibit at the SF Museum which I sent to my niece who lives in the area.  I will hope she goes and reports out to me.  Also someone in Colorado mentioned a group she is involved with - Partnership for Age-Friendly Communities.    Solo-aging seems to be "a thing" right now.  I sure get that.  

Still no word from son as to where he is in his journey back from Europe.  Had a great call from brother yesterday a.m.  Texted both his daughters later in the day.  One to say my heart is with her and her family.  I have no idea what she is going through these days with her son and his spectrum journey.  Texted her sister saying I wish I could have seen what she and her mom saw this past weekend on their trip to Asheville.  My day was an extend-do walk yesterday.  Worked on my grocery list for today.  Saw that Scheffler won again.  :)  

Today - Shoprite, walk, CA DC, washing clothes and dishes.  I did some research for new sneakers.  Getting ready to bust through current pair...  Also added an item to my daily eating - a couple of peanut butter cracker "sandwiches".  Not sure if that urge was based on running out of cereal and switching to oatmeal.  :)  Also this a.m. I added one more tablespoon of coffee into the mix this a.m.  Not sure where that came from...  Oh well.   

Today’s full moon takes place in the money area of your chart, so be smart and count every cent that goes out and every cent that comes in. Just because you have some cash in your pocket does not mean you can act as if you are rich.

Difficult as it may be for you to face all those projects you've left undone, Libra, know that you'll be free to move on once they're complete. People from your past figure prominently now. Perhaps they come forward to repay an old debt or possibly claim repayment from you. Don't abandon your dreams. Once you've cleared a path for them, they're more likely to come true.

The moon takes its final steps through your sign this morning, dear Libra, making the perfect excuse to take a few quiet moments for yourself. You'll sense a shift once Luna enters Scorpio, putting you in tune with your surroundings while heightening your sense of gratitude. Unfortunately, tension rolls in this afternoon when Pluto becomes agitated, and insecurities could lead to unforeseen ego clashes. Do your best to stay centered by keeping a clear view of your surroundings while indulging the senses. The full moon rises this evening, putting the focus on your finances and nudging you to cultivate stable foundations.

"Rich acting"...not my MO.  I will stay my usual course as to watching every dime that comes in and out.  It is all consuming at times.  I am waiting for May 1st on many levels right now.  :)

Have a good Tuesday.  

PS:  Had to smile when this came up as the opening line of Daily Stoic.  :)  Why Do It Alone?

Monday, April 22, 2024

Interesting day

I reached out to sister #1's house guest on her last week in the US for this year's visit and she sent me back pics of dinner at her home place where sister #1 was present.  Another "small world" aspect to my knowing her.  Sent it to sisters #4,6 and brother.  

That and the PGA match got my attention yesterday.  Golf will restart up this a.m. with my favorite in the lead.  Walk to Unionville.  ZEN tonight.  

Daily Stoic for today about "You Can't Get Even" - "They were accepting, in a way, the impotence of us fragile humans. Stuff happens to us. People do cruel things to each other. You can’t get even in a world like that. You’ll never beat them at that game—there are too many of them and they are worse than you can imagine."  I don't have a "they" or "them" - I ponder the why and how I disable my ability to connect to people, places and things...nature or nurture. 

Today, walk and ZEN.  Reading Einstein.  Amazing how Musk, Jobs, Einstein had common personality traits.  Greatness and shortfalls.  Nothing is perfect.  :)

Compromise is a must over the next few days. It does not matter how convinced you may be that you are right and your rivals are wrong, the planets insist you look for solutions that everyone can agree on. You will benefit more in the long-term.

The moon continues its journey through your sign, sweet Libra, though a series of harsh aspects could put you in a funk. Try not to let the past haunt you when Luna opposes the North Node and Mercury retrograde, lest you cut yourself off from new opportunities. You'll feel particularly sensitive to the opinions of others when Chiron becomes agitated this afternoon, and it may be wise to keep a tight circle of encouraging companions. Lean into love this evening when Venus stirs, investing in relationships that lift you up, especially if you've been struggling to support yourself emotionally or mentally.

This isn't the best day for get-togethers, Libra. What starts as a friendly lunch could wind up a gossip-fest. No one wins in that situation. You could fear leaving the table because of what they'd say about you. There's no upside to the situation, so your best strategy might be to stay home and work on chores. At least you'll have the satisfaction of feeling that you've accomplished something.

Wild week in the skies this week.  Have a good Monday.  

Sunday, April 21, 2024

Lots of time afoot :)

PD buddy and his daughter did an Earth Day activity on a nearby river.  Lots was going on in town with Earth Day and fishing people.  I opted for Ann Arbor DC and then headed out at 12:30 p.m. to take the long way to W&T book club.  And got back home at 3:30 p.m.  

Guiding my mind off of thinking of son's final leg of his travel...I will breath a sigh of relief when I hear he has landed back at his home and has a US phone in his hand.  :)  Thought a lot about grief versus relief on many levels yesterday as I wandered.

Today - walk to Unionville.  

How much thought do you give to the future? If you are typical of your sign you probably expect things to work out well one way or the other, and usually they do, but now you would be wise to look ahead more and start making detailed plans.

Have you been harboring a secret desire for someone you believe thinks of you only as a friend, Libra? Don't be surprised if you learn differently today. This is a day when hidden passions may suddenly be revealed - and your friend could unexpectedly divulge a covert attraction to you! The only downside is that sometimes it can be a letdown when fantasies become reality. Take note of your reaction before moving ahead.

The moon continues its journey through your sign, dearest Libra, forming a supportive connection with Pluto early this morning to elevate your confidence and charisma. Meanwhile, Venus and Chiron join forces in fiery Aries, helping you reclaim passion for yourself and your love life. Whether you're single or coupled up, now is the time to reclaim your groove. Self-care also pairs well with this cosmic climate, especially when it's pursued to find healing. Watch out for jealousy amongst your peers when the sun and Pluto square off, inflaming egos and conjuring intense power struggles.

No form for the day ahead as I write. :) Listening to Prof G as we speak.  Nothing cued up.  Have a good Sunday.