It's a quiet kind of survival.
Well, here it is… reality at the pump. Most gas stations were charging $4.99 a gallon, while Costco offered one of the lowest prices in town at $4.19. I had stopped there earlier in the day, but the lines at the pumps were incredibly long. With 35 miles still showing on my gas gauge, I decided to wait until evening to fill up. By 8:00 p.m., the station was nearly empty. The open pumps spared me the frustration of waiting in line, but the $70 total was still a jolt.
Earlier in the week, our son called to ask if we could come to Cleveland to help with his busy little ones while his wife was out of town. “The kids would love to see Didi and Grandpa,” he said. Our grandson Owen is currently fascinated with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles who live underground in the sewer. On one of our walks, he proudly showed me several manhole covers, stopping at each one to chat with the Turtles.
Sunday morning, while everyone was still in their pajamas, Hallie said it: “Didi!” It was the sweetest, most heartwarming way to begin the day. And at this early age of one year, the girl sure does love her shoes!
The state of Ohio is in the process of upgrading its highway rest stops. Many now feature dog trails, rocking chairs, and Storybook Trails designed to create a welcoming, family-friendly experience. Music from Ohio musicians drifts through outdoor speakers, and gardens filled with native flowers brighten the grounds. Expanded truck parking areas accommodate the growing freight traffic moving through the state. In partnership, the Ohio Department of Transportation and TourismOhio have designed these rest stops to both welcome and inform travelers.
May 4 is Star Wars Day due to the pun, "May the 4th be with you," a play on the iconic Jedi phrase, "May the force be with you." It's an annual celebration Star Wars fans to express their love for the saga, often celebrated with movie marathons, social media posts, and themed events.
Here's a tidbit for you...The phrase was first associated with Margaret Thatcher on May 4, 1979, the day she took office as Britain's Prime Minister, in a congratulatory newspaper advertisement.
The first Star Wars movie debuted on May 25, 1977, a few months after Todd and I had started dating. It was summer break from college, and he came down to Dayton for a weekend visit. Star Wars was playing at the theater, so on Saturday night we made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go. This was long before online ticketing or advance sales, so we simply walked up to the counter and bought our tickets. So easy.
Inside, though, was another story. The theater was packed. There weren’t even two seats together, so we ended up sitting in separate rows. No shared popcorn, no hand-holding, just watch the movie unfold on the screen in front of us surrounded by strangers.
Hard to believe that was nearly 49 years ago...a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
In today's electronic world, unplugging helps you step away from the nonstop flood of information and reconnect with yourself, the people you care about, and what’s actually happening around you. Taking a break from screens gives your mind and body a chance to recharge, which can boost your mood, overall well-being, and quality of life.
Shutting off your devices also gives your brain a break from all the noise online. Kick back after a long day of screen time. Once you’ve had that reset, it’s easier to focus, make decisions, and think more creatively.
And how do you do that? Get outside, away from those walls that surround you, move, and breathe in that fresh air!
One of the best ways for me to digitally detox...hang out with my grandchildren! The time with them is so precious and seeing the world through their eyes sure does keep me smiling and laughing 😁
Yesterday, The New York Times shared a fun link that lets you spell out your name using images shaped by Earth’s geography, all drawn from satellite views. It’s a reminder that even something as familiar as your own name can feel new again.
There’s something enjoyable about seeing your name out in the world. When you're in a souvenir shop, do you find yourself hanging around those racks of license plate keychains looking for your name? I do. Then I hunt for my husband's name, my children’s names, their spouses’, and my grandchildren’s. Even though I never buy one, the search itself is satisfying. It's a frivolous little hunt where the prize is recognition. And now, to see my name in geological forms from a NASA website...well that's downright cool!
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D - Lake Tandou, Australia
I - Borgarbyggð, Iceland
A - Yukon Delta, Alaska
N - São Miguel do Araguaia, Brazil
E - Fern-filled Fjords, Tibet
That vertigo episode drained me more than I expected. Hospitals aren’t built for real rest. The nurses were attentive and thorough, waking me every two hours with their steady refrain: “Name. Date of birth. What month is it? What year? Do you know where you are?” I got the routine, but sleep never quite had a chance to settle in. Still, I was fortunate - it was only a one-night stay.
When I finally got home, I went straight to bed and sank into a deep three-hour nap. I woke to the sound of my phone. It was my friend.
“Di, I made some lahmas. Can I bring them over?”
“Yes, please!”
Lahmas, pronounced “lock-mas,” are often called Arabic pizzas. They are made with thinly rolled dough topped with a savory meat mixture. She had cooked them; all I needed to do was warm them in the microwave for 30 seconds. The food, along with the visit, was the best medicine.
