Some Aboriginal Art

Some Aboriginal Art, originally uploaded by ujima.

The top stone is the one Linda brought to me from a
gallery in Sydney. She says I'm the figure on the
left--the spirit guide.

The bottom stone, I bought in a small store in Alice
Springs, Australia in 2000. It represents two women
sitting and talking. Quite amusing in one aspect 8>D

Can't wait to get on the road again

Can't wait to get on the road again, originally uploaded by ujima.

Again waiting for Riders' Club to pick me up after therapy. No sunshine on my knees but sunshine nevertheless. Lovely. Difficult session. Pain.

At home resting. Going to clubhouse tonight. Linda, an ex-nabe from NZ now living in Australia, coming up for a visit. And Kylie's karaoke.

She bought me the loveliest Aboriginal artist's stone. A woman, a spirit guide to a younger person. Sometimes you don't know what you mean to people and then, what they bring you tells the story of what you meant to them, how you were a guide, a mentor. I needed to know that.

Some guys doing the worst rap numbers. They don't have a culture of their own and chose this, in dress, attitude. Sad.

The Fallen Leaves

The Fallen Leaves, originally uploaded by ujima.

Up and out to the library to make phone calls and organize
Generations Online computer instruction which I'll resume next
Thursday. I've been missing these classed the past two months because
of going to therapy. It'll be great to begin teaching again!

Valley Green Scene

Valley Green Scene, originally uploaded by ujima.

Met up with Mom and Sis. We decided to eat outside at Valley Green
once again before the weather gets too cold. This painting of the
Valley Green scene is inside the restaurant.

Valley Green Runners

Valley Green Runners, originally uploaded by ujima.

As we ate lunch, we watched the groups of runners that passed every
five minutes. They seemed to be of college age and were practicing for
*something*.

On Ionic & Other Streets Today

On Ionic & Other Streets Today, originally uploaded by ujima.

in town walking around
after the family doc's "OKAAAY!"
for the 6 pounds registered lost by today
(think i'll have some pie)

in town walking around
seeing a column ionic in the garden of eden--
ironic
i'm the only one wearing
short pants
walking, hearing rants
by those i wouldn't give
a coin to

in town walking around
stopped @ liberty place
garden salad in this case
pie later

in town walking around
dropping temps,dropping rain
high gusts of wind
serious back pain
i'm going home
(where there's pie?)

No picture today. Running late today and forgot to take my camera with me! Had a good match at the library's Scrabble contest. My words were ordinary, my strategy non-existent. Mostly I had Old McDonald's Farm (E-I-E-I-O). But at the end, I made a *sixty* pointer and won the match! Yay me! I'll go back next week for more. Stacy sent someone next door to Eckerd's for a disposable camera so there will be pictures!

The lovely weather continues. T-shirt and shorts forever!!!

Fwd: Sunshine On My Knees

Fwd: Sunshine On My Knees, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sitting on a bench @ Chestnut Hill Hospital waiting
for the Riders' Club Co-op guy to pick me up. Sunshine
on my knees feels sooo good. Such a happy day!
Still high from yesterday's win over Dallas and the
joy of watching the game with the crowd. Cheering.
Singing when we score. Drinking lagers. Laughing so
much.
Sis came over for the second half and was pumped up by
everyone present. (Those pink gloves she was wearing
were weird. And she didn't take them off. Germs can't
get through them?)
Today it's warm and so sunny. Therapy went well. I'm
getting stronger. The E-A-G-L-E-S won.
Sunshine on my knees makes me high.

Favela Rising

Favela Rising, originally uploaded by ujima.

Lying very still today feeling each of my 66 years,
determined to rest my body all day.
A pleasure for my mind I've been saving for the right
time is the documentary "Favela Rising". It tells the
story of the AfroReggae movement in Brazil that
changed the reality of a people being destroyed by the
violence connected to the drug culture in their
neighborhood involving the drug gangs and the corrupt
police gangs who supplied them with guns.
The sounds of violence was replaced by the sounds of the
drums and positive words in the 10 year period recorded.

What more can I do now to help to save the children?

World Can't Wait!!

World Can't Wait!!, originally uploaded by ujima.

NOT ONE WORD in the newspapers today about the march.
I checked the Inquirer, Daily News, Metro and New York
Times.
There were 639 hits on Google News though.

Went to CHill Hospital for first land therapy session.
Treadmill, lots of differing stretching exercises. I
was a stinky puddle at the end of the hour.

Went to visit Sis for two hours. Took her a pink and
brown exercise suit I'd bought her from the $ Store
which she liked. Mom sent her some Instant Cream of
Wheat packages. My Baltimore sister had been with her
for four days and helped soooo much by doing laundry,
cleaning and sorting. Baltisis got to go with Sis's
friends to the Keswick to see Etta James so, when I
met her in the RR station yesterday, I gave her my two
Etta CDs so her son could burn them for her.

Sis and I went to see her next door neighbor who was
having imac trouble. Luckily, I was able to solve the
problem.

Sis has lost some hair but is otherwise doing
surprisingly well. But we're not out of the woods yet...

The Cause

The Cause, originally uploaded by ujima.

His policies are the cause.

Day of Mass Resistence

Day of Mass Resistence, originally uploaded by ujima.

The World Can't Wait. Drive Out the Bush Regime.

There were rallys in 130 cities. I was surprised that the crowd
was so young. Where were the old peaceniks? No TV or
newspaper reporters were seen. Clinton and HW Bush were in
town to receive The Liberty Medal. Guess they were covering them.

ITMFA

ITMFA, originally uploaded by ujima.

I stood sang,chanted and listened to the speeches.
Luckily I found a seat after 15 minutes

Off to March

Off to March, originally uploaded by ujima.

We started walking.chanting as we walked, inviting people to
join us.Guess I was dragging. The woman driving the car that
was bringing up the rear said I could ride with her and work the
bullhorn when I tired. Very tempting but I was in pain after
twenty minutes so I headed for the bus. I had done
what I could.

Waiting

Waiting, originally uploaded by ujima.

Leaning against a tree on an island in the middle of
the road under a leafy roof, waiting for the bus.
People riding by waving. I wave back. Some I knew,
some not. A beautiful,sunny day. Nice to be wearing
shorts once more.

Got a wonderful pedicure. Want to be *really* ready to
march tomorrow. Walking on sunshine. Waiting.

Watching you watching me

Watching you watching me, originally uploaded by ujima.

I took a picture of the camera that's watching me. I
love to look at the pictures on this screen. They
always seem to be in semi-slo-mo and the right and
left seem reversed. The woman behind the counter said
I"m not allowed to take pictures in the building. So I
told her I'd try not to do it again:)

Went to the library for Scrabble, but no one came!
They didn't follow through with my plan and so, there
were no takers. I'll just let it go and tell people to
go to CHill or Falls. I'm not going to do the work of
people who are being paid to do it.

Such a lovely sunny day! It was a pleasure to walk
around and watch the squirrels run across the roads so
quickly. They dart in and out and rarely get hit by
cars. Cheeky devils!

The March

The March, originally uploaded by ujima.

See you there?

Rally Round

Rally Round, originally uploaded by ujima.

n City Hall courtyard today for E-A-G-L-E-S rally.
The Monday Night crew, Mayor Street, Rep. Chaka
Fattah, Tommy McDonald, Swoop and Gary Papa lead the
cheers. Of course, the Pep Band lead us in singing
"Fly, Eagles, Fly" too many times. The cheerleaders
were sporting the same Eagles' breast cancer shirt
that I was. Thankfully, I hadn't gotten the memo that
said to cut it off so my midriff would be bared like
theirs were

The water in the fountain in Love Park was pink to
celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Oh! I stopped to speak with some guys on my way to
catch the bus to town. As I was nearing Henry Avenue, I saw the
bus turning onto Port Royal and RAN to catch it! RAN!
I *am* becoming!!

Always Aloe

Always Aloe, originally uploaded by ujima.

I was visiting a farm in Barbados about 25 years ago
and felt my right arm tightening. As I had recently
had a mastectomy, I was a little concerned. In no
time, my arm was swollen to twice it's usual size! The
farmer's wife cut off a huge aloe leaf, told me to
sit, and rubbed gel from the plant on my arm. In a
short while, my arm returned to its normal size. I was
instructed to take the leaf back to my hotel and use
it whenever necessary (and told to keep my arm covered
while out in the sunshine).

Since that time, I have used aloe gel for almost every
complaint: ear ache (rub behind and in front of ear),
sinus complaints, skin rash---name it. Yesterday and
today, I rubbed my throat and chest with aloe. Today
my cough cough is almost gone. Gotta be well to go to
the E-A-G-L-E-S rally at City Hall tomorrow. I'll rub
aloe on my back,knees and ankles before I set out ;)

Come Out And Play

Come Out And Play, originally uploaded by ujima.

At ther library on Friday helping to organize the
Scrabble tournament that begins citywide next week.
Wanna play?
Andorra--Tuesdays in October noon-3 p.m.
Chestnut Hill--Saturdays in October 1:30-4:30 p.m.
East Falls--Fridays in October 11-1:00 p.m.
Sign up at projects@phillyasap.org. Groups welcome.

Too tired from coughing to go to Farm Aid so I'm watching it
online.

Save the Children

Save the Children, originally uploaded by ujima.

Talked to friends who went to the capital for the rally to urge
the passage of a new gun law. They were encouraged by
the talk on the busses to and from Harrisburg, But they knew
they were preaching to the choir.

In Harrisburg, they were dismayed when they got to speak to
those of the 300 NRA pickets who would talk to them
not so much because of their views but because of their
strident refusals to have a give and take conversation.
Is *anyone* listening?

Wednesday

Wednesday, originally uploaded by ujima.

Wednesday I stayed in bed all day. All my muscles
ached and I was barking like a dog. Too much T.O. on
TV. They even cut into the reporting of the children
being held hostage in Colorado to show T.O.'s news
conference. I struggled up and sent CNN an angry
email. Media Madness.

Naptime

Naptime, originally uploaded by ujima.

I rarely take an afternoon nap, but I did today. I was the only one at aqua therapy so I got all the attention and learned new and better exercises. Also my first time with an aqua belt that allowed new and more difficult routines. It was all so wonderful----until I got home. Pain. Stiffness. Soreness. Fatigue. Hence the nap. I'm going to buy an aqua belt though. It will make for greater progress.

Some of my friends joined the many people who took the trip to Harrisburg today in support of tougher gun laws. 286 homicides in Philadelphia this year. New gun laws are an important step, but parent/family/community standards and unity are the building blocks that must be strengthened to bring to halt this massacre.
Peace.

Transports

Transports, originally uploaded by ujima.

Yesterday the bus, today the cycle. I saw it and
thought it beautiful. The owner told me to get on and
he took my picture.

You know I don't drive. The place where I take therapy
is 30 minutes away so I pay the Riders' Club
Cooperative to take me there and bring me back.

Today I had to go to the hospital for reassesment. I
felt strong enough to take the public busses.The
result of the assessment is that Thursday will be my
last day of water therapy and land therapy will be on
Mondays and Fridays. Shaun also gave me exercises to
do at home.

I was near Sis's so I called her. She and her friend
Dee were nearby so they sailed by and gave me a ride
home. Good thing too. I was getting tired.

Land therapy. I'll be strong soon.

We Wonnnnnnnn!

We Wonnnnnnnn!, originally uploaded by ujima.

I spotted this bus on the shopping center parking lot
one day last year. Of course, I stopped a passerby and
asked them to take my picture. Waited and waited; but
the owner of the bus didn't return. Great bus!!

The E-A-G-L-E-S beat San Francisco 38-24. I was
nervous when they got ahead thinking about what
happened last week. But they hung tough and woooooon!

When they win, I get a happy feeling that lasts all
week. People on the street are friendlier when we win.
Many people (me included) wear an E-A-G-L-E-S shirt on
Monday. Think I'll wear the pink one tomorrow.

(Picture taken by a JamCam so it's quality is awful.)

Early Bird Gets the Fire Pit

Early Bird Gets the Fire Pit, originally uploaded by ujima.

In Kohl's by 9 a.m. YAWN. Got this fire pit as a
present for Sis's birthday next month. She's having a
Backyard Eagles Birthday Bash with Grilled Surprises.
Back in bed and almost asleep by 9:35.

Old Is New Again

Old Is New Again, originally uploaded by ujima.

I dropped my camera very hard and so, it refuses to
work. I'll send old pictures for a while.

Some time ago (9/4), I sent a picture of Mom walking
Forbidden Drive on the way to eat at Valley Green Inn.
I found this picture of she and The Granddaughter
taking that same walk about 25 or 30 years ago. It's
great to see her so young and healthy!

Today she and I walked together after I did errands.
She's on a cane and goes so slowly, but she's still going!

Tiger Thursday

Tiger Thursday, originally uploaded by ujima.

Another animal from the Chestnut Hill exhibit.

I was at aqua therapy when I noticed a man doing
pullups on the pool bars. Don't know why that excited
me!? Maybe because he looked so in control. I walked
over and did *ten* pullups! Whoa!! What's going on??
I couldn't do that in high school gym class!

I have to go for reassessment on Monday. Perhaps
they'll say go to land therapy at the hospital instead
of water therapy. I don't * want* to change, but I
know that moving forward will be so good for me. Bring
it on, Shaun. Assess this!!

AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill

AbZOOlutely Chestnut Hill, originally uploaded by ujima.

I met Mom & Sis on Ridge Avenue after they had been to
the family doctor. Both had received good reports. I'd
been at Exhale Beauty Salon and then Crossroads
Coffeeshop. We continued to Chestnut Hill Grill for an
early dinner. Driving slowly along Germantown Avenue,
we looked at the many colorful animal sculptures.

There are 50 sculptures of animals at various places
along the avenue. In November, they will be auctioned
off. The money will be used to preserve and beautify
the area, and some will be given to the Philadelphia Zoo.

I Can't Sleep

I Can't Sleep, originally uploaded by ujima.

I usually go to bed at 3 or 4 a.m. and get up at 11 or
noon. But last week, I had to be up and ready to go at
11 a.m. four times during the week, and it upset my
system.
Now, I sleep an hour and then wake up. During the
night, I awake every 60-90 minutes. And my
dreams/thoughts are a jumble of people. Now I'm sleepy
all the time. I can't nap during the day. Never could.
I've tried meditating before turning in. Stopped
reading or listening to tunes an hour before bed. It
hasn't helped. Any ideas?

And I can't sleep
People talking about the war
I can't sleep
People talking about the war
I can't sleep
Wang Chung

1st Quarter

1st Quarter, originally uploaded by ujima.

Halftime Happiness

Halftime Happiness, originally uploaded by ujima.

Overtime Shock

Overtime Shock, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sunday morning we had a *delicious* and inexpensive breakfast at Spoons (spoonscoffee.com) and then headed to the clubhouse to watch the game. It's a good place to watch it at this time of year as people have outside parties and apartment parties and the clubhouse is less crowded/noisy. I like to hear the commentators and we all like to growl at the opposing team. In winter, I watch the games at home on the couch and scream and holler and sing "Fly, Eagles, Fly" after the point-after.

So it was ME&SIS, Mare, Danielle, Dave and then some old guys at the bar. There are three TVs so you can turn any way and catch the action.

How did we LOSE??? We were doing *beautifully*!!! C'mon, Eagles---FLY!!!!!

Walking

Walking, originally uploaded by ujima.

Out walking in the sunshine. Many people out walking.
Walking in the water in the pool @ LAFit. Some day
I'll walk across that bridge again!!

Sammo

Sammo, originally uploaded by ujima.

Yesterday & today. Aqua therapy. Clubhouse. Lagers.
Trivia Quiz. Solving other people's problems.
Readings. Rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain,rain.

Le Saint Germain

Le Saint Germain, originally uploaded by ujima.

Wish I Were

Wish I Were, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sitting on the balcony, where it was sunny and chilly,
reading "The Known World" by Edward P. Jones. Wishing
I was outside Le Saint Germain reading and drinking
wine as I was doing in October. Gotta keep working to
get stronger so I can get on a plane and go somewhere,
look around, walk up and down, meet new people, hear
great music and eat great food.

Arlene took Mom out to the bank, errands and to the
hairdresser so the house was quiet: no TV, radio or
CDs which is how I like it often.

Off and On

Off and On, originally uploaded by ujima.

In the morning, I went to the gym and also water
therapy at the Becoming Center.
In the evening, I went to the club for Taco Tuesday
and ate many $1 tacos and drank $1 Coronas.

Remembering 911

remembering911, originally uploaded by ujima.

IT'S AWN!!

IT'S AWN!!, originally uploaded by ujima.

Sis came over @ 9:30 AYEM!! She's in the 3rd day after
chemo and the side effects are beginning, mostly her
bones are achy. I did bacon&eggs, toast&coffee for
everyone. We talked about what she's been told to
expect in the coming days/weeks.

Of course she was wearing her #5 shirt and Super Bowl
hat and I was wearng gear too. Mom has a Westbrook
shirt, but it's so big and she's so small so she just
hold it instead of wearing it.

The game was so exciting! Sis had to adjust many
pillows and many positions to get her niche. We
chanted and sang the fight song after every touchdown.

We were impressed by the anti81. We got our money's
worth: no stall in that guy. Here's looking forward to
a great season!

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday Saga

Saturday Saga, originally uploaded by ujima.

(Not really a saga, but I needed a word that started
with S.)

Slept very late. Hoo-ray! Did a load of wash for Mom
and one for myself. We send everything except undies
out to We Wash It Laundry, one of the few in our
neighborhood that picks up and delivers.

My work was made easier because I was listening to Bob
Dylan's Real Time Radio Hour CD. The topic was
baseball. I happy sang my childhood faves "Did You See
Jackie Robinson Hit That Ball?" and "Say Hey (The
Willie Mays Song". Loved that many of the other songs
had the 30s/40s big band sound.

Spent time talking with Sis who was going out to a
block party so I didn't go to visit. She did get some
sleep yesterday.

The guy in the picture is Philip, one of my former
computer students. I saw him in front of the library
sitting and watching as he often does. He was very
pleased to have his picture taken!

Bye Old Friend

Bye Old Friend, originally uploaded by ujima.

Friday morning and up too early again 8>( Mom bought a new recliner and it'll be delivered between 9 and 11. Bob's gonna drive Sis over so she can pck up the old chair for her use. She feeling well but can't sleep. The doc says it's the steroids she was injected with.

After she and Bob visited and left, I set out for Andorra and errands. My back pain has returned. (It doesn't pay to get up too early.) Saw Umut in the bank. He said he'd be at the club tonight so I'll stop up.

Got home after 90 minutes of errands and sat and read the papers and listened to Bob Dylan. Concentrating on his words and enjoying them released endorphins which made my back feel better. (I guess that's what did it.)

Out to club after 8. The place was jammed! The kids were having a beer pong tourney. Surprise visit from Ed and john, two former nabes. Talking with them and many others, having some lagers and BAM!, it was 2 ayem. Walked home with some kids. It's been a long day.

Bell's Mill Road

Bell's Mill Road, originally uploaded by ujima.

When going to Chestnut Hill Hospital or CHFarmers' Market, Flourtown Farmers' Market, 3000 BC Spa, Becoming Center and so many other places, we have to go down Bell's Mill Road. A wonderful twisty, tree-lined road that is a pleasure to travel on--except in icy weather.

We in Philadelphia are so lucky to have Fairmount Park, the largest landscaped city park in the United States. Every Philadelphian can walk to a section of the park from their home.

The Valley Green Inn where we ate on Monday is in Fairmount Park. I forgot to mention that the path we walked, Forbidden Drive, is called that because cars are forbidden there.

Went to aqua therapy and worked hard. I noticed that yesterday, when I was out from half noon til 9:00, I did not get tired, was not in pain. Progress!!

End of Summer

End of Summer, originally uploaded by ujima.

Dylan

Dylan, originally uploaded by ujima.

Stopped at the pool on my way home from errands and hair salon because I knew it couldn't be open until 4 and the area would be empty and still. Sat and listened to Dylan's new CD, "Modern Times" and laughed aloud many times as I read his interview in Rolling Stone.

Still there at 8:45 because people I enjoy talking to came by from 5 pm until I left. One person had gotten engaged, one promoted to manager. Sorry to hear Umut is going back to Turkey after seven years here. He is a remarkable young man: kind, respectful, intelligent, funny--and he smells so good!

Gary told me about the $5 or less store. Gotta go there!!

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday and Today, originally uploaded by ujima.

Yesterday I was having lunch on the porch of the
Valley Green Inn, wearing a tee, shorts and sneakers,
watching the bike riders, hikers, tall trees, ducks,
children walking the rocks, people feeding the ducks.

Today 2.44" of rain, 8.25" in the last 10 days.
Running from the car into the Becoming Center. Wet in
the pool, wet on the paths, wet on the steps. Grr.

On Forbiddden Drive

On Forbiddden Drive, originally uploaded by ujima.

Labor Day means no work so driving to and back from the Big Picnic in Baltimore was crossed from the list. Same for BBQ at the pool---same old. We drove eight minutes to the Wissahickon Valley to have a BIG lunch @ the Valley Green Inn.

Walking slowly on the gravel of Forbidden Drive we watched hikers, bike riders and people walking dogs. Filet Mignon lunch at the inn was delicious! Mom had an Uncanny Tuna Melt; she doesn't eat meat.

We sat on a bench and watched the ducks in Wissachickon Creek. I had remembered to bring bread so Sis enjoyed feeding them and giving bread to many little kids so they could too.

Of course we stopped at Cold Stone Creamery to get icecream sundaes to eat later tonight cause *that's* how you celebrate a holiday 8>D

valleygreeninn.com

Noodlin'

Noodlin', originally uploaded by ujima.

Today was sunny, breezy and 75. I went to the club for the $5 All-U-Can-Eat brunch. Loved the French toast! I told them to hold a piece of chocolate cake for me until I came back.

Walked uphill to LAFitness. Luckily, the pool wasn't busy so I walked and replicated the exercises from the class for an hour. (Kia had given me a copy of the routine.)

Feeling righteous, I walked back to the club for some beers. Watching tennis. Agassi's career came to an end. He went out fighting. I respected him as a player but also as a philanthropist. On one of my trips to Vegas, I visited the school that he has established. It was well supplied and had the feeling of a fun, nuturing place. The educational standards were very high.

Mom's been in bed all day. Says her legs are weak. I baked some salmon with dill and boiled corn-on-the-cob. She got the strength to get out of bed and eat :)

Pluviosity

Pluviosity, originally uploaded by ujima.

Saturday Salads

Saturday Salads, originally uploaded by ujima.

Pluviosity--too much rain. Yeah, Ernesto. I learned that word while watching "Akeelah and the Bee". Too bad that's movie's fiction.

Slicing and dicing and singing Ladysmith Black Mombazo's "Beautiful Rain". Veggie salad with a little cheese for Mom and hoagie salad for me. Singing "Ain't Gonna Rain No More". Then "Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain","It's Raining Men", "Listen to the Rhythm of the Falling Rain", "Rainy Day Women #s12&35", "Have You Ever Seen the Rain", "Don't Let the Rain Come Down", and finally "Who'll Stop the Rain".

A neighbor called from the shopping center wondering if we needed anything. They picked up Mom's meds. I was waiting for the rain to stop so I could go to get it. So glad I didn't have to go. Bless neighbors who check on old people.

Then I sat back, read the newspapers and finished my drawing.

Rain, rain go away. We've got to play on Labor Day

Oh, Ernesto!

Oh, Ernesto!, originally uploaded by ujima.

We were lucky that he didn't hit us hard. There was
rain and wind but nothing bad. I turned over the
chairs on the balcony before going out walking. Do you
like to walk out during a storm? It's
envigorating somehow.
Not in the mood to do anything constructive so I read
and then drew a picture of the storm. Ordered in a
pizza to eat while watching our E-A-G-L-E-S.