I try to watch what I eat and exercise but after a certain age keeping one's weight in check isn't easy. So what do most women do, turn to dieting.
I believe I've been on a diet since I was 15. And like that red rubber ball the weight loss seems to find its way home again.
It's not that I'm overweight. I'm 5'7'' tall of medium build and I weigh 137lbs. I wear a size 8 or 10. It's keeping myself there that seems to be the problem. I've tried to learn portion control and the fact that calories in, means calories on the hips so limiting calories seems to be the right answer. But what calories?
I recenlty read a book, titled French Women Don't Get Fat and was intrigued by the concept that French women eat what they want, don't spend time in the gym, yet they seem to have few weight issues.
On closer examination, I discovered their secret. It isn't so much what one eats but how much and no gym membership doesn't mean a lack of exercise.
These women eat a wide variety of home cooked, unproceesed food, sip on wine and champagne and walk or ride a bike everywhere.. They stop and smell the roses and enjoy a lifetime of knowing they'll never have to diet.
So since I have a nice French name and my ancestors can be traced back to France, I think I'll adopt the French way of eating and hope to throw the diet out the door.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
You can't have too much Knowledge
Remember the times you considered the purchase of something big, a car, a house, a major vacation, a student loan. What was one of the first things you did? Gathered information right?
We are in an election year as anyone who is not living in cave well knows, and it's time to gather information once again. I'm not promoting a candidate here, that's for you to decide. But you can't honestly vote for someone until you know the facts and that's what I'm encouraging you to do.
So get your newspapers out, go online, watch newsprograms, go to your local library and take out their biographies. Read Time, Newsweek and other major newsmagazines, most have articles and bylines about the presidential candidates.
Read and study and learn the facts.
This is an important election folks and we shouldn't make decisions based on limited sources or heresay. We are intelligent creatures and if you can read, you can gather information. And the best way to make a decision is armed with all the knowledge you can possibly acquire.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
We are in an election year as anyone who is not living in cave well knows, and it's time to gather information once again. I'm not promoting a candidate here, that's for you to decide. But you can't honestly vote for someone until you know the facts and that's what I'm encouraging you to do.
So get your newspapers out, go online, watch newsprograms, go to your local library and take out their biographies. Read Time, Newsweek and other major newsmagazines, most have articles and bylines about the presidential candidates.
Read and study and learn the facts.
This is an important election folks and we shouldn't make decisions based on limited sources or heresay. We are intelligent creatures and if you can read, you can gather information. And the best way to make a decision is armed with all the knowledge you can possibly acquire.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Rain Got You Down? Take A Swim!
As I look out my window and see the rain coming down, I'm left with one thought. Why do we associate rainy days with sadness?
When the sun peaks out and warms our shoulders, all seems right with the world. We wear a smile as we stroll along and feel light, and gay, and happy.
But when it rains, we hide. huddle inside where it's dry. Who wants to get wet? In northern climates, rain tends to bring cool air and sometimes a chilly rawness. That doesn't happen here in SW Florida but the rain brings a dark dreariness that we wish would disappear. Besides who wants to haul there groceries in the rain? Who wants to pick up their socked newspaper in the rain? And who, for heaven sakes, would want to go swimming in the rain?
It rained here on Sunday afternoon as it does most afternoons. My husband and I sat on the covered part of our lanai watching it come down. We had planned to go swimming but stopped short when we saw the cloud blurst.
"It isn't thundering or lightening," my husband noted.
"No," I said. "But it just doesn't seem like we should go swimming."
"Well I won't be denied," he told me. He ran out and jumped in the pool. "What the heck," he said, after taking a dive. "I'm no wetter now than I would be otherwise."
So I laughed and joined them. And we both had a fun few hours frolicking in the pool as the rain came down, laughing like two little kids.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
When the sun peaks out and warms our shoulders, all seems right with the world. We wear a smile as we stroll along and feel light, and gay, and happy.
But when it rains, we hide. huddle inside where it's dry. Who wants to get wet? In northern climates, rain tends to bring cool air and sometimes a chilly rawness. That doesn't happen here in SW Florida but the rain brings a dark dreariness that we wish would disappear. Besides who wants to haul there groceries in the rain? Who wants to pick up their socked newspaper in the rain? And who, for heaven sakes, would want to go swimming in the rain?
It rained here on Sunday afternoon as it does most afternoons. My husband and I sat on the covered part of our lanai watching it come down. We had planned to go swimming but stopped short when we saw the cloud blurst.
"It isn't thundering or lightening," my husband noted.
"No," I said. "But it just doesn't seem like we should go swimming."
"Well I won't be denied," he told me. He ran out and jumped in the pool. "What the heck," he said, after taking a dive. "I'm no wetter now than I would be otherwise."
So I laughed and joined them. And we both had a fun few hours frolicking in the pool as the rain came down, laughing like two little kids.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
Monday, July 28, 2008
Agreeing to Disagree
It hit me Saturday night, when we were out with some friends, about how difficult it is to get four adults to agree on anything. We went to a restaurant my husband and I had been to before. We had enjoyed the food there, but our friends didn't seem to like it much. We listened to their point of view, didn't agree, but politiely put aside our differences in order to move on and make the evening enjoyable.
When we returned home, I looked at my husband and said, "Why can't our politicians do that?"
"Do what?"
"Agree to disagree," I said.
Think about it, our country was founded on differences of opinion. In 1776, we had states rights people vs big government just as we do now. But somehow the founding fathers formed a nation out of their disagreements. Was it because they went about it like statesmen, respecting each other's opinion. And where has respect and statesmanship gone? Why don't we have that any longer in our government?
We need to find a way, in my humble opinion, or we're not going to be a super power long. We need to find a way to learn how to agree and disagree and still run the country and make it what it always was, the best place on earth to live!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
When we returned home, I looked at my husband and said, "Why can't our politicians do that?"
"Do what?"
"Agree to disagree," I said.
Think about it, our country was founded on differences of opinion. In 1776, we had states rights people vs big government just as we do now. But somehow the founding fathers formed a nation out of their disagreements. Was it because they went about it like statesmen, respecting each other's opinion. And where has respect and statesmanship gone? Why don't we have that any longer in our government?
We need to find a way, in my humble opinion, or we're not going to be a super power long. We need to find a way to learn how to agree and disagree and still run the country and make it what it always was, the best place on earth to live!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Friday, July 25, 2008
Your Ideal Weekend
What is your idea of a fun weekend? Mine has changed over time. In high school, I would spend a summer weekend entirely at the beach, soaking up the rays and coming out of the water only when I was so waterlogged. At times I would get so sunburned I could barely walk, the days before sunscreen became a most.
I got a little more serious in college and weekends were spent studying and working and of course, after I married and had a job, my Saturdays and Sundays were spent on chores, taking care of children and catching up on sleep as I would try to get in at least 8 hours as opposed to the usual 4 or 5 my schedule allowed.
Now that I'm working from home and older, I find myself redefining weekends. Since my husband is still working full time, we revolve our schedule around him. Usually we try to go out one of the weekend nights even it it's just to grab a pizza, and we use either Friday night or Saturday night or Sunday afternoon as a time to catch up with friends and family.
As I'm writing this, I'm looking out into my courtyard longingly at my pool. The weatherreporter is predicting more hot weather and I'm thinking I haven't spent a sun dreanched, water fun weekend since I was a sophmore in high school. So this weekend, I justs may go for it and of course, I'll have my bottle of sunscreen to protect my water logged skin.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
I got a little more serious in college and weekends were spent studying and working and of course, after I married and had a job, my Saturdays and Sundays were spent on chores, taking care of children and catching up on sleep as I would try to get in at least 8 hours as opposed to the usual 4 or 5 my schedule allowed.
Now that I'm working from home and older, I find myself redefining weekends. Since my husband is still working full time, we revolve our schedule around him. Usually we try to go out one of the weekend nights even it it's just to grab a pizza, and we use either Friday night or Saturday night or Sunday afternoon as a time to catch up with friends and family.
As I'm writing this, I'm looking out into my courtyard longingly at my pool. The weatherreporter is predicting more hot weather and I'm thinking I haven't spent a sun dreanched, water fun weekend since I was a sophmore in high school. So this weekend, I justs may go for it and of course, I'll have my bottle of sunscreen to protect my water logged skin.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
It's Time to Act
There has been a lot written about the energy crisis and of course who isn't concerned about the price of gasoline.
But what will this solve our problems over the long haul? Conserving gasoline is a start of course. We can all be mindful of carpooling, using public transportation, making trips count by doing multiple errands, etc. But what do we really need to do?
Some say we shouldn't depend on foreign oil, others say we should develop new alternatives, still others say we should put our efforts into better mass transit systems. No one seems to agree on the best energy policy. And while the arguing is going on, we the American people are stuck with skyrocking prices and an adequated mass transit system and antiquated grids.
If you are old enough, you lived through a major energy crisis in the 70s. I remember having only certain days when I could fill my tank and we spent a frigid northeastern winter huddled in thick wools and blankets because it was too expensive to heat our homes properly. Do we want a repeat of those times!
The time has come for a national energy policy. This is an election year folks, let's make our wishes known. We are a great country and when the US is united we can do great things. History has shown us that. So let's get an effort going. Put aside the red states and the blue states, write your congressman and representative. Tell them that you will not vote for them unless they put party politics aside and unite under an energy policy that will work for all Americans.
We need to do this now!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
But what will this solve our problems over the long haul? Conserving gasoline is a start of course. We can all be mindful of carpooling, using public transportation, making trips count by doing multiple errands, etc. But what do we really need to do?
Some say we shouldn't depend on foreign oil, others say we should develop new alternatives, still others say we should put our efforts into better mass transit systems. No one seems to agree on the best energy policy. And while the arguing is going on, we the American people are stuck with skyrocking prices and an adequated mass transit system and antiquated grids.
If you are old enough, you lived through a major energy crisis in the 70s. I remember having only certain days when I could fill my tank and we spent a frigid northeastern winter huddled in thick wools and blankets because it was too expensive to heat our homes properly. Do we want a repeat of those times!
The time has come for a national energy policy. This is an election year folks, let's make our wishes known. We are a great country and when the US is united we can do great things. History has shown us that. So let's get an effort going. Put aside the red states and the blue states, write your congressman and representative. Tell them that you will not vote for them unless they put party politics aside and unite under an energy policy that will work for all Americans.
We need to do this now!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Make All Your Dreams Come True!
I feel very fortunate to have the ability to participate in a wonderful career, writing novels. When I moved to Florida, almost six years ago, I left a teaching job which I loved. I had intended to teach part time when I moved here but my husband encouraged me to put it aside and to just write full time.
Writing has opened a whole new world for me. As a hearing impaired person, it gives me an ideal way to communicate my thoughts, passions, and feelings with the outside world. On a daily basis, I create loving characters, evil characters, distressed characters, and perfectly normal (or almost) characters. I live, walk, and breath with these people and find myself totally lost in my writing.
I've also made some great real friends as the area I'm living in has a wonderful writing community.
Many baby boomers are looking for ways to follow their passion. What do I want to do for the next twenty years of my life is a question you often hear.
Definitely consider alternative careers, be very bold, take chances, and let all of your dreams come true!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Writing has opened a whole new world for me. As a hearing impaired person, it gives me an ideal way to communicate my thoughts, passions, and feelings with the outside world. On a daily basis, I create loving characters, evil characters, distressed characters, and perfectly normal (or almost) characters. I live, walk, and breath with these people and find myself totally lost in my writing.
I've also made some great real friends as the area I'm living in has a wonderful writing community.
Many baby boomers are looking for ways to follow their passion. What do I want to do for the next twenty years of my life is a question you often hear.
Definitely consider alternative careers, be very bold, take chances, and let all of your dreams come true!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sing Yourself to Sleep
At the breakfast table this morning my husband told me I snore. I looked at him rather incredulously and said, "that's impossible."
Well he said, "Believe it because you kept me up half the night."
I read a great deal about snoring this morning to see what I could do. Apparently,causes vary from obesity, (I'm normal weight) to too much alcohol consumption before bedtime, (not the case here) to allergies (not allergic to anything) to sleep apnea to poor muscle structure in your mouth and throat.
Remedies include medicaitons, sleeping on your side, nose binders, and singing.
Yes, signing apparently strengthens the muscles in your soft palate and in your throat and doctors who have studied this say singing 20 minutes per day for a few months will stop snoring.
So I'm breaking into song here in Southwest Florida. And it's a good thing I'm alone in my house because I can't carry a tune!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Well he said, "Believe it because you kept me up half the night."
I read a great deal about snoring this morning to see what I could do. Apparently,causes vary from obesity, (I'm normal weight) to too much alcohol consumption before bedtime, (not the case here) to allergies (not allergic to anything) to sleep apnea to poor muscle structure in your mouth and throat.
Remedies include medicaitons, sleeping on your side, nose binders, and singing.
Yes, signing apparently strengthens the muscles in your soft palate and in your throat and doctors who have studied this say singing 20 minutes per day for a few months will stop snoring.
So I'm breaking into song here in Southwest Florida. And it's a good thing I'm alone in my house because I can't carry a tune!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Monday, July 21, 2008
Go Find A Book
Those long lazy days of summer are upon us. It's hot, the economy has gone sour, and people have taken to staying home to save on gasoline. So what can one do on a hot summer afternoon? Read a book.
Books of all kinds await at your local library. I read recently that with the downturn in the economy people are turning to their libraries for entertainment. A few hours through the stacks will take you on all kinds of adventures.
Personally, I love to read books about foreign lands, whether it be The Greek Islands, the English Coast, The middle East or the far East, books instantly transport you to places where you might never be able to travel. I love learning about new cultures and it's a double treat when mixed with an exciting adventure. And by far, I absolutely adore meeting characters whom I want as my friends.
So visit your library and pick up a book. You might just find that to be the best vacation you every had. And it's free!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Books of all kinds await at your local library. I read recently that with the downturn in the economy people are turning to their libraries for entertainment. A few hours through the stacks will take you on all kinds of adventures.
Personally, I love to read books about foreign lands, whether it be The Greek Islands, the English Coast, The middle East or the far East, books instantly transport you to places where you might never be able to travel. I love learning about new cultures and it's a double treat when mixed with an exciting adventure. And by far, I absolutely adore meeting characters whom I want as my friends.
So visit your library and pick up a book. You might just find that to be the best vacation you every had. And it's free!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
There's Nothing Like A Good Friend
There's nothing like the company of good friends and today I have a double treat. I'm meeting a good friend for lunch and I'm having friends over for dinner.
Since moving to SW Florida, my husband and I have had the pleasure of making new friends. And since most people move here from other parts of the country, we have met folks from the Midwest, the Northeast, the Southwest, and as far away as England, Switzerland, and France.
What a treat to hear their stories about their grandkids, children, and travels. I always learn so much, particularly from European friends. Happiness and sadness is shared equally. I always walk away knowing I'm not alone in the world. I'm excited when ideas are exchanged and though we don't always agree on political or religious views, I'm almost always presented with a point of view, I hadn't considered before.And that is the best reason to have good friends!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Since moving to SW Florida, my husband and I have had the pleasure of making new friends. And since most people move here from other parts of the country, we have met folks from the Midwest, the Northeast, the Southwest, and as far away as England, Switzerland, and France.
What a treat to hear their stories about their grandkids, children, and travels. I always learn so much, particularly from European friends. Happiness and sadness is shared equally. I always walk away knowing I'm not alone in the world. I'm excited when ideas are exchanged and though we don't always agree on political or religious views, I'm almost always presented with a point of view, I hadn't considered before.And that is the best reason to have good friends!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Thursday, July 17, 2008
What Happened!
I took my 94 year-old mother-in-law to see her doctor two days ago and the doctor ordered an x-ray and an ultrasound to be done. I asked the nurse to schedule the appointments but she told me she couldn't schedule them. I explained that I was dealing with a 94 year old woman who really wasn't too steady on her feet and it sure would be nice to coordinate the appointments and get them done at the same time. She gave me phone numbers.
I just spent the last hour on the phone with two departments that are 20 feet away from one another and after a much heated hour long discussion, I finally got the appointments made on the same date and near the same time.
I couldn't believe what it took and in fact, I used to work in hospital administration in the days when we were actually helpful to patients. Now you are on your own I guess. I don't know when that happened.
Perhaps I'm asking for two much, perhaps I'm just getting old and cranky, but it seems to me that customer service is dead, and I'd like to know how to resurrect it!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
I just spent the last hour on the phone with two departments that are 20 feet away from one another and after a much heated hour long discussion, I finally got the appointments made on the same date and near the same time.
I couldn't believe what it took and in fact, I used to work in hospital administration in the days when we were actually helpful to patients. Now you are on your own I guess. I don't know when that happened.
Perhaps I'm asking for two much, perhaps I'm just getting old and cranky, but it seems to me that customer service is dead, and I'd like to know how to resurrect it!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Help! My Feet are Wet
We're in rainy season in Southwest Florida and lately our usual afternoon showers have turned into all day showers. The constant rain has created many puddles and as I scoot along doing errands I have to dodge puddles.
It's hot, hot, hot with most days hovering at 90 or pretty close so I wear sandals most of the time but every now and then, I get my feet wet. Yuck! There's nothing worse than wearing sandals and having no where to go but straight through a puddle.
I try to avoid them as you can well imagine but sometimes it just isn't possible. I thought of putting a small towel in my car, after all when I was living up north, I used to carry a shovel in the winter months just in case I got snowed in. So perhaps carrying a towel isn't too far off the mark.
But it just seems weird to me. Wearing different shoes doesn't make a whole lot of difference thouogh I found my old boat shoes do help. Yet they don't quite make the fashion statement that a cute pair of sandles do.
So the big question on my my mind these days along with the important ones of, how can I save money on gas, and where I can safely invest my retirement funds. is what kind of shoes to wear to the supermaket. It sure gets my mind off the bigger issues.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
It's hot, hot, hot with most days hovering at 90 or pretty close so I wear sandals most of the time but every now and then, I get my feet wet. Yuck! There's nothing worse than wearing sandals and having no where to go but straight through a puddle.
I try to avoid them as you can well imagine but sometimes it just isn't possible. I thought of putting a small towel in my car, after all when I was living up north, I used to carry a shovel in the winter months just in case I got snowed in. So perhaps carrying a towel isn't too far off the mark.
But it just seems weird to me. Wearing different shoes doesn't make a whole lot of difference thouogh I found my old boat shoes do help. Yet they don't quite make the fashion statement that a cute pair of sandles do.
So the big question on my my mind these days along with the important ones of, how can I save money on gas, and where I can safely invest my retirement funds. is what kind of shoes to wear to the supermaket. It sure gets my mind off the bigger issues.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
From Snakes to Buzzards
When my husand and I built our new home two years ago, we knew that the preserve next to us was going to produce some unusual friends in our back yard. We've had frogs and birds and even snakes but neither of us would have guessed that a pair of black vultures would take up residence in our backyard.
We noticed the young pair over the weekend and believe they must have a nest nearby but my husband did not found it. Probably a good thing. This morning they are having a party in my backyard as four of them are out there.
It rains continuously this time of year in SW Florida and I think the damp weather has sent them searching for shelter. As of right now I have two three foot birds perched on a sill outside my bathroom window. And the other two perched atop the shelf near my airconditioner. Not a pleasant site.
These birds, natures garbagemen, are being studied as scientist are intrigued by the fact that they eat only dead spoiled meat and survive very well. Does some sort of super antibiotic live in their guts? Do they have specialized ensymes that kill any and all bacteria? My husband who is a physician tells me we should respect these awful looking birds as they may well help us find the next miracle drug.
All in all, I love wild animals but was hoping my back yard would be dotted with the beautiful pink feathered roseata spoonbills and or that I could listen to the soft cooing of mourning doves. Instead I got snakes and vultures. Oh well, goes to show that you can't always have what you want.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
We noticed the young pair over the weekend and believe they must have a nest nearby but my husband did not found it. Probably a good thing. This morning they are having a party in my backyard as four of them are out there.
It rains continuously this time of year in SW Florida and I think the damp weather has sent them searching for shelter. As of right now I have two three foot birds perched on a sill outside my bathroom window. And the other two perched atop the shelf near my airconditioner. Not a pleasant site.
These birds, natures garbagemen, are being studied as scientist are intrigued by the fact that they eat only dead spoiled meat and survive very well. Does some sort of super antibiotic live in their guts? Do they have specialized ensymes that kill any and all bacteria? My husband who is a physician tells me we should respect these awful looking birds as they may well help us find the next miracle drug.
All in all, I love wild animals but was hoping my back yard would be dotted with the beautiful pink feathered roseata spoonbills and or that I could listen to the soft cooing of mourning doves. Instead I got snakes and vultures. Oh well, goes to show that you can't always have what you want.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Monday, July 14, 2008
I Can't Get Rid Of These People!
I'm working on a new novel these days. It's called Impossible. It's a story of a young professional woman who feels all love relationships are impossible albeit the fact that she's just caught her husband in bed with another woman. Before she married she had a string of ill fitting boyfriends. Now, she's taken a job in Northeastern Vermont way up on the Canadian Border and hoping to keep love out of her life forever.
But can she?
As I'm writing and creating scenes and characters, I sometimes find I can't get rid of them even when I need to. Often I'm in the grocery store hunting for peanut butter, (low fat, low calorie of course) and suddenly, I realize my character should have said something different then what I wrote just a few hours earlier. The other day, I almost drove into the rear end of another car when I was daydreaming about a new scene.
I spoke with other novelists and they tell me this is perfectly normal, and I shouldn't fret about it, but I can't help but wonder if these people will ever leave me alone!
They come to bed with me and haunt my dreams. They take showers with me, and they follow me around as I do laundry and sweep the floor. I guess the only way to get rid of them is to finish the book and get it out on the bookshelves. I think my characters are really dying to live with someone else for a change!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
But can she?
As I'm writing and creating scenes and characters, I sometimes find I can't get rid of them even when I need to. Often I'm in the grocery store hunting for peanut butter, (low fat, low calorie of course) and suddenly, I realize my character should have said something different then what I wrote just a few hours earlier. The other day, I almost drove into the rear end of another car when I was daydreaming about a new scene.
I spoke with other novelists and they tell me this is perfectly normal, and I shouldn't fret about it, but I can't help but wonder if these people will ever leave me alone!
They come to bed with me and haunt my dreams. They take showers with me, and they follow me around as I do laundry and sweep the floor. I guess the only way to get rid of them is to finish the book and get it out on the bookshelves. I think my characters are really dying to live with someone else for a change!
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Friday, July 11, 2008
Friday
I don't know about you but I find it more and more difficult to do business after 12 noon on Friday. Mental thought ceases, work decreceases all because everyone thinks it's Friday. Are we headed for the four day work week?
I believe Friday's mystique is rooted in its past. If days of the week have personalities, Friday in my opinion tops the list. Friday, in the astrological world is strongly connected with the planet Venus, associating the day with love, peace, and relaxation.
Are you hearing everyone around your workplace or friends or family making their weekend plans today? This habit dates back to ancient times, when the Hebrews used Fridays to prepare for the Sabbath. So even in antiquity, Friday became a preweekend kick off, preparing for two days of relaxation.
So at the stroke of noon, kick back. It's Friday after all. And enjoy thoughts of the coming weekend knowing your habits are rooted in the stars.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
I believe Friday's mystique is rooted in its past. If days of the week have personalities, Friday in my opinion tops the list. Friday, in the astrological world is strongly connected with the planet Venus, associating the day with love, peace, and relaxation.
Are you hearing everyone around your workplace or friends or family making their weekend plans today? This habit dates back to ancient times, when the Hebrews used Fridays to prepare for the Sabbath. So even in antiquity, Friday became a preweekend kick off, preparing for two days of relaxation.
So at the stroke of noon, kick back. It's Friday after all. And enjoy thoughts of the coming weekend knowing your habits are rooted in the stars.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Cost of Achievement
I read an article yesterday in one of my numerous writing magazines. It wasn't your typical article on the craft of writing. In fact, if I had to classify it, I'd call it Boot Camp 101.
In the first paragraph, the author indicated that the paragraphs to follow weren't for the fiengt of heart and that you needed to thicken your skin a bit to read through it.
It was relatively short article but packed a major punch with a loud and clear message that said if you want to write than write. Don't clean out your office, play on the internet, whine about your kids making too much noise, answer tons of emails, check voice mails, have long lazy lunches with your friends or jet off to Tuscany to a writer's retreat.
All one has to do is pick up pencil and paper or plug in the laptop and sit there and write! So easy and so true. I've listened to many authors just starting out and have heard the excuses. But goal achievement really boils down to one thing. If you want something, you have to work for it and you have to put in the blood, sweat, and tears. It isn't for everyone, like any career, you have to want to write with all your heart and be willing to commit to it no matter what.
So ignore the dust bunnies growing bigger everyday and the dirty laundry piling up. When you're out of underwear than wash it and sit down and write!
I firmly believe in those very old fashioned ideas and so I'm happily tapping at my keys here in Southwest Florida.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
In the first paragraph, the author indicated that the paragraphs to follow weren't for the fiengt of heart and that you needed to thicken your skin a bit to read through it.
It was relatively short article but packed a major punch with a loud and clear message that said if you want to write than write. Don't clean out your office, play on the internet, whine about your kids making too much noise, answer tons of emails, check voice mails, have long lazy lunches with your friends or jet off to Tuscany to a writer's retreat.
All one has to do is pick up pencil and paper or plug in the laptop and sit there and write! So easy and so true. I've listened to many authors just starting out and have heard the excuses. But goal achievement really boils down to one thing. If you want something, you have to work for it and you have to put in the blood, sweat, and tears. It isn't for everyone, like any career, you have to want to write with all your heart and be willing to commit to it no matter what.
So ignore the dust bunnies growing bigger everyday and the dirty laundry piling up. When you're out of underwear than wash it and sit down and write!
I firmly believe in those very old fashioned ideas and so I'm happily tapping at my keys here in Southwest Florida.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Snakes OH MY!
After rushing around all morning yesterday trying to get my life back in shape after a week away, I happened to look out into my courtyard and saw a big black snake curled up in the sun. It was about 4 feet long and I watched as it slithered around my courtyard seemily looking for a way out. I squelched the idea of opening the door for it and quickly reviewed my nature handbook of Florida animals to find if it was one of the many poisonous varieties that reside in this area.
Not willing to take a chance that a picture didn't match the snake, I called a maintenance company to come out. When the guys saw the snake they said it was either a water moccasin (poisonous) or a just a garden black snake (harmless) They worked hard for fifteen minutes trying to trap it but the snake retreated behind my built-in barbeque and we couldn't coax it out. They left saying if I saw the snake again to call them.
I left to do errands and when I returned the snake was nowhere in site and I haven't seen it since. I'm hoping it didn't meet its demise trapped behind the barbeque grill. I would prefer to think my black slinky friend found its own way out and is happily slithering somewhere in the tropical green grasses of southwest Florida.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Not willing to take a chance that a picture didn't match the snake, I called a maintenance company to come out. When the guys saw the snake they said it was either a water moccasin (poisonous) or a just a garden black snake (harmless) They worked hard for fifteen minutes trying to trap it but the snake retreated behind my built-in barbeque and we couldn't coax it out. They left saying if I saw the snake again to call them.
I left to do errands and when I returned the snake was nowhere in site and I haven't seen it since. I'm hoping it didn't meet its demise trapped behind the barbeque grill. I would prefer to think my black slinky friend found its own way out and is happily slithering somewhere in the tropical green grasses of southwest Florida.
Best
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
Monday, July 7, 2008
The Day After
My husband and I returned from vacation on Saturday evening. We had a great week, visiting family and friends and enjoying 4th of July with those we love the most.
But when we return from a trip, I'm always amazed as to how much energy it takes to get going again. On vacation we throw all routine aside and go to bed when we can no longer stay upright, eat when we're starving, and ignore our watches to the best of our ability. But once we're home again, we make a fast and furious attempt to get back into the routine. We find at our ages it takes a few days.
We got home about six hours later on Saturday evening than our planned arrival, an airline glitch, but we managed to have fun through it by throwing caution to the wind and getting on a plane that sent us two hours out of our way. We drove over from the east coast of Florida to our home on the west coast without a care in the world. But on Sunday morning when we faced the inevitable pile of unpaid bills, voice messages, emails, and dirty laundry. We knew our vacation was offically over.
No matter. This morning I'm catching up, finally wrote the last check, answered most all of the "important" emails and phone messages and am happily on my way to getting back into the hohum of my routine. That is until the next vacation!
Enjoy
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
But when we return from a trip, I'm always amazed as to how much energy it takes to get going again. On vacation we throw all routine aside and go to bed when we can no longer stay upright, eat when we're starving, and ignore our watches to the best of our ability. But once we're home again, we make a fast and furious attempt to get back into the routine. We find at our ages it takes a few days.
We got home about six hours later on Saturday evening than our planned arrival, an airline glitch, but we managed to have fun through it by throwing caution to the wind and getting on a plane that sent us two hours out of our way. We drove over from the east coast of Florida to our home on the west coast without a care in the world. But on Sunday morning when we faced the inevitable pile of unpaid bills, voice messages, emails, and dirty laundry. We knew our vacation was offically over.
No matter. This morning I'm catching up, finally wrote the last check, answered most all of the "important" emails and phone messages and am happily on my way to getting back into the hohum of my routine. That is until the next vacation!
Enjoy
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
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