Archive for February, 2014
Centenarian
…a person who lives a hundred years or more. Attending a Birthday celebration for an amazing woman who turned 100 on Saturday, got me to thinking.
Born before the commercial application of the automobile, air travel, and the refrigerator; before computers, supermarkets, shopping malls, telephones and Social Security. That, in itself, is amazing to me. Then the moment arrives. Stepping from the car with little help, to shouts of ‘SURPRISE’, her face lights up and she acts like she didn’t know a thing. (Commenting to her daughter a few days before, she was wondering why she hadn’t received any Birthday cards.).
No cane. no walker, no wheelchair. Our honored Centenarian moves slowly through the gathered celebrants, smiling, acknowledging…savoring. Seven hours later, after stories, food, cake, the sharing of Birthday wishes from President Obama and the First Lady, toasts, tears, laughter and pictures galore, she is still going strong.
Aware that I have a personal relationship with a Centenarian; I wonder how many others experience this rare gift. The party concludes and I am invited over to play games and continue connecting, but I am too tired.
It is a gorgeous evening in Pismo Beach. As I rest from the day’s activities, I reflect on something she said to me, ‘I’ll be around to celebrate your 100th Birthday with you’. Can’t say I would be surprised.
Target
I didn’t shop at Target during the Holidays. Imagine my shock when I checked my bank account Monday morning and discovered debits of $935.00 for online purchases that I did not make.
I am at the Bank when it opens. This is a familiar procedure for me. It is the third time in ten years that I have gone through the process of closing accounts, disabling cards and starting over. IBM lost Health Net Data a few years ago; that was a big breach. The trunk of my car was pried open and my purse stolen while I was hiking at a local park. And now this. Add a trip to Social Security to authorize a change in my Direct Deposit, put a ‘hawk alert’ on my credit file, and I spend 15 hours dealing with the mess.
I have changed many things. I don’t take anything but my driver’s license, AAA card and a little cash with me when I go to parks. I use my ATM only at selected businesses. I do buy online, but again, selectively. I made six online purchases in December using my debit card. This is the time period when it is believed my card information was stolen.
A few years ago, I followed excellent advice from Bank of the West. I started monitoring my bank accounts daily.
So, more changes are in order. I am going back to writing checks and paying cash. I won’t use my debit card for online purchases anymore. It is inconvenient; but obviously, much safer.
It is President’s Day. If you plan on going shopping, beware. You might consider using a credit not a debit card, or ‘just pay cash’.
Reminder to listen live – TODAY 3:30 pm – KSRO 1350AM
Join me on the air live with Steve Jaxon –
- TODAY! – Monday, February 10th
- At 3:30 pm
- On “The Drive”
- KSRO 1350 AM
Click here to LISTEN ONLINE
CALL IN – LIVE – 707.636.1350
Please tune in!
On The Radio – LIVE – Monday, 3:30 pm – 1350 AM
Sorry for the double post. The time is 3:30. Thanks
Join me on the air live with Steve Jaxon –
- Monday, February 10th
- At 3:30
- On “The Drive”
- KSRO 1350 AM
Click here to LISTEN ONLINE
CALL IN – LIVE – 707.636.1350
Please tune in!
Water
The deepening drought brings our relationship with water into sharp focus. All life is dependent on water. Like the air we breathe, it is easy to take for granted.
Water has a spiritual element, it cleanses, purifies, and washes away. Holy Waters and Sacred Waters are central to many belief systems and ritual practices. Although objectified by modern society, water still represents emotion, feeling, spirituality, the primordial unconscious and the womb.
I invite you to bring the value of water, both sacred and mundane, to the forefront of your conscious mind.
Contact www.scwa.ca.gov for drought updates and water-wise conservation guidelines.