Long Way Gone from Sierra Leone

I am privileged to write about people from all walks of life. I have met political figures, the Vice President of El Salvador, Judge Hatchett from Court TV and my favorites: the average Jane and Joes of the world. Recently I met two incredible people who have changed my life but they don’t know it.

One, is Ishmael Beah, former child solider from Sierra Leone who fought in a war he didn’t want and killed rather than be killed. The fact that he can smile is mind blowing to me and his lecture at UNC-G was inspiring. Read his book, “Long Way Gone,” a story of courage and strength.

You will meet my other hero in my next blog. Keep reading.....

The Women

I recently saw the movie, “The Women” and while it did not have the deep female friendships that “Sex and the City” had, it was still worthy. For one, when, if ever has a Hollywood movie featured an all-female cast (and with icons like Bette Midler, Annette Bening and Cloris Leachman)? I think the answer is never. For this reason, it took years to get this movie made according to reviews I read. Sad but true.

Does this mean women’s lives are not interesting enough to captivate an audience? Time will tell, but it did show us that women can be strong, beautiful and career minded. We have the power to be all we can be.

The "New" Forty

Here is the face of the new 40 - Kim Cattrall looking fabulous at 52. How can that be? Well, some nip and tuck for sure, but overall women these days just take better care of themselves and look years younger. Remember when our parents were 50 and we thought they looked ancient?

Those days are gone girls, so live it up!

Eighteen Words to Sum up a Great Summer

Swim Out Into the Deep

I am a complete summer person. I realize I have devoted a lot of my posts to talking about my favorite time of year but it’s on my mind. I am working on becoming a better swimmer and enjoying swimming laps in my pool for the first time in years. What’s that about? It is refreshing, renews my mind and is great exercise. I am trying to stretch my mental muscles as well as my physical ones.

Your choice is this - either you stay in the shallow end of the pool or venture out into the ocean. Which is going to be?

Lemonade and Dreams

This painting grabbed me in Target of all places. It had my name on it and I fell in love instantly. I thought about it for a week and then rushed back to Target, practically running through the aisles, fearful that it would not be there. After a moment of panic, I found it shoved under a less worthy painting.

It was finally mine and now it graces the pale yellow wall of my cottage-like home every day, reminding me to not give up on my dreams. I thank its artist, Rodney White (http://www.rodneywhite.com/) everyday for the poetry that lifts my spirits and helps me to press forward when I need a push.

Always remember that it costs nothing to dream and everything not to.

Life Begins Where Land Ends

I saw the words, “Life begins where land ends" somewhere and they resonated with me on a deep level. Here I am with Emma, my travel and try-anything-fun girl, at my first feeble attempt at kayaking. Emma did most of the work (can’t you tell?) and I found out that it was not as easy as it looks, but it is relaxing and a great get-back-to-nature experience.

There will be more of these adventures, goofy ones I am sure, but all I know is how great it felt to be so close to the water. Now I understand why people are addicted to this sport.

In the end, this first-time water fling might not have been an “On Golden Pond” experience, but it sure was nice.