Whale Tales

. . . these are the times of dreamy quietude, when beholding the tranquil beauty and brilliancy of the ocean's skin, one forgets the tiger heart that pants beneath it; and would not willingly remember, that this velvet paw but conceals a remorseless fang.

"There she blows!--there she blows! A hump like a snow-hill! It is Moby Dick!"

from Moby Dick by Herman Mellville

The Atlantic Ocean is truly magnificent. I spent some time just being with the ocean on my visit to Cape Cod.

It is no secret to those who know me well, my love of whales. I finally got to board a sea going vessel and head out to Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary and view these magnificent mammals in the wild. The feel of the wind on may face as we glided through the ocean to our final viewing spot, was exhilarating and awesome!

While I find whaling to be a heinous occupation, and I understand it still happens in certain countries, I am curious and fascinated by the history of the whaling industry.

I have never read Moby Dick in its entirety, but I love Mellville and I am adding this title to my ever growing list of books to read.

I think I need another trip to Cape Cod to sit on the beach, listen to the sound of the surf, and read.

Strange Brew

"It's my last one, its a jelly" Bob McKenzie

I was invited to an awesome Strange Brew party this last Saturday.

It was an awesome party. I have never seen the movie, and I have to admit I laughed out loud!

I also ate and ate and ate! We started with pizza with canadian bacon and a beer. We moved on to a big bag, and I mean big bag of popcorn and beer. Then moved on to jelly donuts and beer.

Oh did I say we had a couple of beers?

Now, as my loyal readers, all two of you, know, I have been sticking pretty closely to a healthy eating South Beach plan. Well I indulged this weekend. Not only did I eat a jelly donut, I had two Krispy Kremes on Saturday and one on Sunday morning!

And I didn't stop there. We were celebrating the birthday of our host, my delightful niece and I had a piece of chocolate cake and a delicious cupcake made by Regena.

I don't feel guilty, but I now need to workout extra hard this week to work off those jellys. Beauty!

Embrace Change

"Nothing in the world is permanent, and we're foolish when we ask anything to last, but surely we're still more foolish not to take delight in it while we have it If change is of the essence of existence one would have thought it only sensible to make it the premise of our philosophy." W. Somerset Maugham

Embrace change. Change, the season from summer (if you could call it that) to glorious fall. This is one change I love to embrace.

Driving to work this morning I was listening to a story on NPR about Elderhostel. They have decided to change the name to Exlporitas. What I found very interesting about this report was the people, "older" so to speak who are appalled by this idea, thinking it will bring in the 20 somethings and they would feel old around them.

While I seriously doubt that 20 something will flock to Exploritas, because they have their own networks of international youthhostels to choose from, and I am certain they don't want to be sharing with the old folks, the interviews with the older females who travel made me stop and think about myself.

I just said to Steve the other day, " I don't do change well". I mean , I was upset that Victoria's Secrect put some spandex in their new line of underwear! After wearing the first new pair, I was totally thrilled with the change. After hearing the interviews this morning, I have decided that I will from here on out embrace change! I will learn to love it and quit moaning and groaning about why things have to change.

So if you hear me complaining because some change has occurred, you have my permission to slap me back to reality and tell me to embrace the change. I don't want to be one of those old woman who complain about EVERYTHING because they are afraid of change!