Women of a Certain Age

People Who Live in Glass Houses: Carly Fiorina

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:08:00 -0400

I watched an interview with Carly Fiorina on "Morning Joe" today. She is a person of interest to the press as they fully expect her to announce she's running for the Republican party's presidential nomiination along with Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Marco Rubio and who knows who else.

Carly Fiorina is the former failed CEO of Hewlett Packard, failed candidate for U.S. Senator from California and a vicious campaigner unafraid of spinning her opponents in a negative light; examples her "Hot Air Barbara Boxer" ad and the infamous "demon sheep" ad.

She received a nice beat down this morning at the hands of "Morning Joe" host Mika Brezinski and financier and former advisor to President Obama, Steve Rattner. Notice her talking points: "wrapping peoples lives in webs of dependence" (very Elizabeth Warren), "there's a big difference between management and leadership", "blemishes", "it's a problem" (rallying cry), blah blah blah.

Oh Carly, Carly, Carly...

If Not Now, When?

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Thu, 9 Apr 2015 14:26:00 -0400

As my husband and I contemplate retirement two years down the road, God willing, our thoughts have naturally turned to "home" aka California. We have been away 18 years now. Prior to that, we spent an additional 10 years living in other states. Most of our friends remained and we make an effort to return home as often as possible to see everyone. We miss them, we miss home. It makes sense to want to retire back where we started, where we are comfortable, where it doesn't snow every other damn day.

Mother Nature has other ideas. The ongoing drought, four years without a break, is taking a toll I'm not sure I want to pay. Where is the water going to come from? What are the 38+MM California residents going to do? What will the farmers do? What is it going to cost to live there in the future?

NASA’s top water scientist says California only has about one year’s worth of water left in storage, and its groundwater – often used as a backup for reservoirs and other reserves – is rapidly depleting. He suggests immediately rationing water. rt.com 3/15/15

This is not a pretty scenario. We want out of the freezing cold in the northeastern U.S. but don't want to jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

Of late, we are toying with the idea of a two year trial run in Italy. It's been a dream for a long time but we're taking it much more seriously now. Just last week, ex-pat blogger Mary set up a Skype session with us to tell us about living in Italy. She's been there 6+ years. She's a wealth of information and, even without sugarcoating, she makes living in Italy sound like a wonderful adventure filled with warm, friendly people with that zest for living, eating and enjoying their lives. The whole thing is scary but wildly appealing at the same time.

Se non ora, quando?

Is Customer Service Dead?

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 6 Apr 2015 15:21:00 -0400

I've decided to update you with my ongoing battle with Electrolux, the behemoth who now owns Frigidaire and GE appliances and will probably swallow some other hapless appliance maker until we, the consumer, have nowhere else to go.

Back in October 2010, I was planning a brand new kitchen with brand new appliances. I settled on the Electrolux brand thanks in no small part to sleek marketing, serious discounting if you bought a 4 pack (4 appliances) and the fact my client, an appliance retailer, said they had "great customer service".

Details of what occurred are online on my retired blog, Empty Nest Evolution: Customer Service Is Dead (Part 1) and Customer Service Is Dead Part Deaux. Go ahead! You can even see my real kitchen appliances in the online photo. The photo below is a shot of my kitchen but only the dishwasher, the first not the second, is visible.

Now, if you've read Parts I & II, you know we've had issues with each appliance. Recently (last month) the handle on the microwave broke AGAIN. This is the 4th time. I wrote their customer service department, received an unacceptable response, wrote again. I finally asked for someone to correspond with who has the authority to say "yes" or "no". I detailed my experiences with the company, all the repairs, all the breakage, replacements, etc. Here's the response.

Repairs are inconvenient and I do recognize that you are not satisfied with your experience. At this time, I would not be able to provide you a no-cost repair but I would like to provide you with a 40% discount on a replacement handle for your appliance when purchased through our social care department directly within the next 30 days.Currently the replacement stainless steel handle for your appliance is part number 5304477336 and is listed for $73.52 plus tax. With the 40% discount applied the reduced cost would be $44.11 plus tax for the handle. There would be no shipping cost applied to your order when shipping standard.

Compare the above with the recent response from Amazon after a $90 coffee table art book, ordered as a gift, arrived with a very slight warp.

I'm extremely sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

In this case, I no need to trouble you in return the item for us to sent the replace. You're welcome to keep, donate or dispose of it--whichever option is most appropriate and convenient for you and you will not be charged for it.

Apparently not all customer service is dead. Amazon goes out of their way to provide a satisfactory experience. My husband deals with them all the time.

That said, Nothing sucks like Electrolux.

I'd Rather Be Dead

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 17:11:00 -0400

One of my childhood friends, dating back to 1st grade I think, sent me this wonderful Harry Nilsson video. Her mother is 93, incontinent, going blind, and can no longer swallow thanks to Parkinson's disease. Unfortunately, she is in her right mind. My girlfriend's son sent it to her to lighten her mood. He's 25. It's a delightful song on a serious subject. His backup group of seniors, with a few exceptions, are so obviously British, I kept looking for Monty Python. But no. This is for real as far as I can tell.

P.S. Yesterday would have been my mother's 100th birthday. I know if she'd lived, she'd "rather be dead" too!

Let the Games Begin

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:21:00 -0400

We have our first "official" candidate now running for 2016 President of the United States: Ted Cruz.

I don't know what's more amusing, The Onion's breakdown of Ted Cruz or this article from electablog about the Cruz campaign's failure to register tedcruz.com and TedCruzForAmerica.com

You decide.

Welcome Spring

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 15:43:00 -0400

HALLELUJAH...I think.

Sunny Skies, Warm Temps & Me

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:45:00 -0400

80 degree temperatures, warm ocean water, sugar sand beaches and sun sun sun.

I just spent nine days in the land of warm winters and it was glorious. I'm back in New Hampshire now where we hit a high of 39F today and it snowed over an inch.

Highlights from my blissful trip...

Arrival evening at the Rooftop Bar in St. Pete

Pelicans in the Inter Coastal in St. Pete

Wishing Tree at the Dali Museum in St. Pete

A Break from the Cold

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 2 Mar 2015 10:05:00 -0500

I hit the wall with the weather about two weeks ago. That's when I started looking for a way out. Low vitamin D levels & gray skies contributed to an ongoing cranky fest that wouldn't stop. My husband said to get the hell out of Dodge, go to Florida, visit friends & soak up the son.

I leave tomorrow. Neither my sons nor my husband are going but I will see one of my sons in the Keys were he's working temporarily.

Some photos from past trips.

Naples, 2012

Holmes Beach, 2009

My awesome family

Winter Without End

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 14:54:00 -0500

I live in the great Northeast. Winter has been what my girlfriend used to call a "titty freezer". She used to say that when we were young, growing up in SoCal, heading to Mammoth or Tahoe to ski. That was a cakewalk compared to how cold it's been here in February.

We woke to -11F this morning. Last night, the wind chill supposedly hit -25F. It's been in the single digits or low teens most of this month...again, not including the wind chill.

Snow, snow, more snow. It just keeps coming.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

12" accumulation on our rear deck Valentine's Day

Bundled up on a 10 degree day, shoveling...shoveling

Post shoveling Feb 22 with total accumulation 22"

Turkeys feeding on seeds and dog food my husband scatters.
On this morning we counted 17.

"Turkeys in Flight" by Cole Scott Photography

Instead of shooting wild turkey, I'm inclined to drink it.

Valentines & Other Things

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 15:01:00 -0500

I came home from work Friday night to find a vase of red roses, a bottle of Coppola Pinot Noir, a funny card about marriage, a box of chocolates worthy of Forrest Gump & his mamma.

As if this were not enough, the biggest surprise of all...water color paints, brushes, cold pressed paper & a book on watercolor technique.

You could have knocked me down.

I haven't seriously painted since college.

I haven't tried since ten years ago when I bought myself watercolor supplies, several books and began sketching again. I never followed through with any of it.

After profusely thanking him, I asked what made him pick up the art supplies. His answer, "You've always regretted not continuing with your art in college and I 'it's never too late' and went to the Art Store & talked with the owner about the proper supplies to get you started."

He paused and looked at me expectantly.

"Are you going to try?"

Well, yes. Yes I am.

Hope your Valentine's Day was as nice as mine.

Un-bearable

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Fri, 6 Feb 2015 10:27:00 -0500

The real story of how the teddy bear was conceived is not as cute as the myth nor this 1902 newspaper cartoon depicting President Theodore Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tethered bear cub. The myth, however, did lead to the creation of the original stuffed bear known as "Teddy's bear".

Mass production ensued and we have enjoyed teddy bears as presents, comforting toys & cherished family heirlooms for over one hundred years.

I never thought we'd see them turned into sexual provocateurs. Vermont Teddy Bear, the innocuous manufacturer of cutsey pie Teddys in PJs & Dr's whites & tee shirts & the like has gone over to the dark of should I say "grey" side with this Valentine's Day offering:

Then, some horny woman who apparently liked to find "comfort" in the arms of her Teddy bear decided to go one better & invented a teddy bear vibrator.

As one commentor on one of the articles I read put it, "I'm glad to see this is 100% washable. The thought of some child burying their face in it is horrible."

Ewwwwww

Lance Armstrong: Accident Waiting to Happen

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 3 Feb 2015 17:03:00 -0500

No. Wait. It already has.

Lance Armstrong Cited With Hit & Run After Trying to Pin It on his Girlfriend WaPo 2/03/15

Monday Mash Up

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 2 Feb 2015 11:20:00 -0500

We won't have Mitt Romney to kick around anymore. And I, for one, am freakin' grateful.

I think everyone knows what happened last night.

And Punxatawney Phil sees his shadow, forecasting 6 more weeks of winter. As one who lives in the Northeast which is, again, getting pounded by snow, I say "No shit, Sherlock."

Tragedy in a Small Town

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 11:48:00 -0500

I live in a small town; a small rural town comprised of resort lodging, magnificent natural wonders, recreational opportunities at every turn. It is a fairly quiet place with the consistent and necessary ebb and flow of visitors who come to ski, hike, mountain climb, ice climb, golf, fish, canoe and kayak or just breathe clean air.

During the seventeen years my husband and I have lived here, there have been very few major events of note. Seven years ago, three people were shot to death in the local Army Navy store during a failed robbery. That was the biggest news here in over a decade. Last year, a fourteen year old girl disappeared after school. The hunt was on for nine months despite many believing she was either a runaway or dead. She turned up last Fall after a harrowing kidnapping, having been held prisoner in a shipping container and sexually assaulted by her 31 year old kidnapper. But she's alive and her story is one of hope.

This week, a man I knew as an acquaintance due to his close friendship with my good friends, shot his wife then himself. It's a very old story but the difference is, everyone in our valley knew them in one way or another. They were "native locals". They were born and raised here. They have four children. They had a twenty seven year long troubled marriage filled with abusive behaviour on both sides. Alcohol was a problem. But nothing pointed to this ending.

People are haunted by this event. It's not a news event, something you see on TV and can turn off. It's too close to home. It undermines everything people think they believe when it comes to their neighbor, friend, family member. Because, if this guy with whom we have partied, worked, grown up with and known all our lives can do this to his wife and, ultimately, his children, what is there to believe in?

Snowmageddon, Polar Vortex, Snowpocalypse... Bombogenesis?

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:50:00 -0500

Yes. We in the East are expecting a big storm. A huge storm. Some call it "snowmageddon". Others call it the result of the Polar Vortex. Still others like "snowpocalypse". But "bombogenesis"?

Okay. "Bombogenesis" it is.

Are We Teaching Our Children to Cheat?

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:20:00 -0500

"Deflategate" is the moniker for last Sunday's incident involving in play under-inflated footballs jury-rigged by the Patriots during the AFC Championship against the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts charged the Pats with intentionally under inflating the balls, making them easier to catch, handle and throw. The Pats beat the Colts 45-7 and were always ahead. So much so that the Colts tight end, Dwayne Allen, tweeted:

I live in New England and they are rabid about their sports teams. I went on Twitter hoping to find denunciations of the behaviour, the cheating. Most of what I found were dismissive articles, posts and accusations that other teams are jealous and stirring up a non-controversy.

Belichick gave a news conference this morning, revealing little but slyly placing responsibility on Tom Brady.

I talked with team power brokers—general managers, head coaches and coordinators—as well as position coaches and others about the situation, and I got a mixed bag of opinions. “Of course it’s a big deal,” said a defensive coordinator. “You go try to throw a ball in wet conditions that is fully inflated, and then throw one that has less air. Of course you’re going to get a better grip. It’s a definite advantage. And look which team it is. Not a surprise.”... In his press conference on Thursday, Belichick categorically denied any knowledge of tampering with game balls: “I can tell you that in my entire coaching career I have never talked to any player [or] staff member about football air pressure. That is not a subject that I have ever brought up.” the MMQB 1/22/15

Uh huh. This is not Belachick's first involvement with a cheating controversy.

In 2007 Belichick payed a $500,000 fine for having an assistant videotape the New York Jets defensive signals. The team was also penalized with the loss of a draft pick for 'Spy-Gate.' At the time, the team had already won three Super Bowls. But haven't won one since. Jeff Darcy cleveland.com 1/22/15

Baseball suffered for years with the controversy, accusations and denials of doping. Respected power players like Canseda, McGwire, Bonds, A-Rod, Clemons, Sosa, Piazza & more demoralized fans and the integrity of the game when it was finally confirmed they had been doping and lying about it for years.

My question is, what are we teaching our children? If we minimize the behaviour, are we not saying it's okay to cheat? win at any cost? rules don't matter? I've heard more than one talking head/reporter/sports columnist say that everyone knows it happens; these guys just got caught.

And yet, because of some gamesmanship in Sunday's 38-point win over the Colts, the topic is something else, something silly that is being presented as sinister... "Footballs,'' I wanted him to say with a snort and a shake of the head. "We're talking about footballs." Chad Finn boston.com 1/22/15

Would those same people who say "Everyone does it", "Everyone knows it goes on" give a pass to a golfing opponent who'd moved their ball for a better lie during a tournament?

I think not.

And Now for a Moment of Reflection in this Age of Insanity

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 12:05:00 -0500

"North Ledge Blue" copyright Cole Scott Photography

This image was shot by my husband at least 6 years ago in the front yard of our home on the hill. It's the home in which we raised our boys and have so many happy memories. We sold it 5 years ago and moved in with the MIL, temporarily, only to discover she was no longer capable or solvent enough to take care of the 2 acres and old farmhouse in which she lives. She just turned 88 and we're still in the farm house. It's one of those ongoing fixer uppers. My husband does a great job all around.

Today is our fortieth anniversary with 3 years off for good behaviour when wwe decided to divorce!

Forty years ago a young bride of 23. My how time flies.

Thank God it's Over...But What's Next?

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Fri, 9 Jan 2015 12:06:00 -0500

What's next indeed?

French Police Kill Suspects at 2 Hostage Sites

Online Outlets Showed Hebdo Images but
Offline Media Didn't Why?

Does Islam Prohibit Images of Mohammed? Nope.
Does it Command Death to Blasphemers?
Nope.

If It's Politics It Must Be SSDD

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Tue, 6 Jan 2015 14:55:00 -0500

Ugh

USA Today

WHAAAATT?
USA Today

Oh goody.
USA Today

But there IS good news!

Great News for Great Pitchers

USA Today

SSDD Translation: Same Shit Different Day

Now That We Have a Republican Majority in Both Houses of Congress...

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Mon, 5 Jan 2015 13:58:00 -0500

...how about a little reality check?

New Year's Resolutions 2015

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Fri, 2 Jan 2015 13:32:00 -0500

The whole fam-damily

I NEVER make New Year's resolutions. I know I'll break them.

This year, however, it feels right. But I'm going to try to make short term resolutions, achievable and not daunting. Impossible expectations are why we fail to keep promises to ourselves.

Here goes (in no particular order of importance):

Continue to work out/exercise a minimum three days per week, preferably four a minimum 40 minutes
Reduce my calorie intake by 400 calories per day.
Reduce my alcohol intake (about 3 drinks ea evening) to 1 (=400 cals)
Eat more fresh produce. Juicing counts so we (hubby & I) should juice daily.
Eat less bread.
Try to ignore, excuse, ignore or forgive my MIL who is now 88 and lives with us.
Fight less with my husband, i.e. stop feeling defensive.
Buy new clothes when I lose 10 lbs.
Worry less about my sons and their futures. Is this possible?
Stop obsessing over my fading looks. Is this possible?
Keep my job for at least one more year (hopefully 3).
Adopt another pound dog.
Our wonderful dog Dewey

Meditate as often as I can.
Don't worry about my swearing. It's what I do.
Enjoy life more; worry less.

TRX at the gym

Okay. This seems doable. It's also not a monumental list. It's common sense. Perhaps I'll put it in the sidebar of this blog so I have to look at it often.

I hope your New Year brings you happiness, health and peace. It's what really counts!

Seasons Greetings et. al.!

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 19:37:00 -0500

Cosby Has No Credibility Now

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 14:58:00 -0500

I have been purposely avoiding comment on the Bill Cosby debacle. I must admit I did not want to believe it. Who wants to believe America's "Dad" is a sexual predator? A freak? An abuser? Where was his wife in all this? I will even admit to wondering if some of the women were jumping on the bandwagon for notoriety. We've been inundated with stories about rape, murder, violence and it does tend to anesthetize me/us after a while. With so many women coming forward with stories about Cosby drugging, raping, abusing them dating back to the 1960s, it seemed plausible yet overwhelming. How can so many have kept quiet so long (even though I TOTALLY get the feelings of powerlessness and fear that pervaded)? Are we victimizing yet another black man without proof?

I listened and laughed to "Why Is There Air?" I fell in love with Cosby as the voice of God & Noah on his famous recording about Noah & the Ark. I loved the recorded (and later animated) Fat Albert stories. I watch "I Spy" as a teen and "The Cosby Show" as an adult though I did find the latter a bit treacly.

The point is, I had all the same questions, hesitation and confusion most people do.

Beverly Johnson, the first black top model, a woman I remember from my late teens and twenties who graced the cover of every magazine I liked, has come forward to tell a similar story: Bill Cosby, in the guise of revitalizing her career with a part on "The Cosby Show", drugged her. Her detail is chilling. It's also believable. She addresses the questions I've had in a straightforward manner. Her attitude is believable.

I believe her. I believe the others.

The emperor has no clothes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 11:51:00 -0500

In case you haven't heard, New England had a huge Nor'easter go through yesterday. In 24 hours, we received 10" fresh snow in our back yard.

Here's what we woke up to this fine and sunny Thanksgiving morning.

10" new snow on our deck benches. I measured.

From my kitchen windows

Backyard creek shot from 2nd story window

I Don't Usually Like Bill Maher's Humor, But When I Do...

noreply@blogger.com (California Girl) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 10:14:00 -0500

Despite the freeze frame of a large booty, this is Maher's take on:

Ageism
Jerry Brown
Youth vs Wisdom
Sex
Millennials

Good stuff!