FloRida Visions 2001-2016

So many reached and more to come...

When I retired from teaching in NYC and moved to Florida with a stop off in Va. Bch. to get my Psychic Degree from Edgar Cayce, I had a list of visions for myself. I wanted to try everything I had always wanted to do. I always dreamed of having my own radio show...and the opportunity arose, so I took it. Ask the Blonde was the name of my chat show. Looking back I had some of the most interesting and amusing guests, from a singing dog to a prison psychologist  . I did it till I was done, Next!... I always wanted to be in a modern dance troupe and again the opportunity arose. "Forever Moving' was the custom made group for me and people 40+. Time spent in this endeavor was a joy and a dream come true. We performed at U.S.F. in Tampa, a thrill. When I was done the next vision manifested. I love to sing, St. Pete College Chorus was right around the corner waiting for me to join. Five years of singing,high energy, high vibration and joy. This segment enhanced my life in so many ways , from the camaraderie to the devotional holy days.

I love reading and writing and taught the Language Arts for 20 years in N.Y.C. So, at one point ,I decided to write my memoir. And I did! Self published it, but that's another story. So far each quest I undertook brought me happiness. The book brought me healing. Always interested in relationships, I made a film called 'Ageless Lovers', interviewing my single and couple friends. This with a little help from my friends, it was a joyful and enlivening process. I imagined my Psychic work expanding and it has. I now give Tarot Talks at the Pinellas Libraries and beyond. All these endeavors stem from a vision I once had and then manifested.

My Spiritual Expansion is at the core of my life experiences : I got into meditation, followed by Abraham/Ester Hicks and also did 12 step work. Somehow these pursuits led to my vision of travelling. I took 2 Abraham Cruises, one to the Mexican Riviera and anothr grand Mediteranian Cruise: Italy, Greece and Turkey! talk about livin' La Dolce Vida. My sponsor from my 12 step program in N.Y. built a house in Belize and invited me to come visit, the opportunity of a lifetime. I took it. I also have had many opportunities to return to my hometown, N.Y.,N.Y., orchestrated by the Universe, to visit with loved ones...and an occasional trip to Texas to visit that branch of the Kelleher family.

The best is yet to come :on tap is a trip to Cuba with my besties in the Spring , I conjured up this one and it is coming to pass. The vision I am focusing on currently is Love,sweet Love...of which I have alot in my life now but I mean in the form of a healthy, happy, holy relationship with a male before I pass on to the next realm. And of course my ongoing vision for radiant health and vitality continuously manifesting. I'm feeling so blessed. And last but not least, my most fervent vision, success as a writer, creatively and financially. So far I have written a memoir,, many essays, an interview and a few haikus. Now I am being nudged gently in a new direction: love to sing,love music: Songwriter is my new name! The best is yet to come and won't it be fine!

Technology

'What a difference A Day Makes...

 'Necessity is the mother of invention! And I ask you,is all this technology really necessary? I'll give you some examples : last week I went to the movies, a favorite pastime of mine. My friends and I approached the box office and were shown a map of the theater; there were only 3 seats available in the front row and we had arrived half hour early? We took them as the theater offers lounge seats so we'd be laying down anyway, necks saved. To our surprise upon entering, the theater was quite empty. Hmm! After the film started, it was still half empty. What kind of a system is this? I wondered. After the show I voiced my concerns to guest services to which they replied,'People like it like this.' What people ? The ones who bought tickets online and decided to do something else and cancelled right before the show started? And how is the walk in patron to know this? So now my movie going pleasure is impacted by technology AKA stress!

Next day I go to the bank ...and I am horrified! Where are all the people/tellers I ask? Oh we skype now with a live teller....and led me to the machine. Where are you, I asked the girl in the machine? Oh I'm in the main office, how can I help you? Humph!

As I left the man at the desk said,;'That wasn't so bad,was it?' Another adjustment I replied AKA Stress!

Now don't get me wrong, I love my Ipad. It meets all my computer needs: email. facebook and pix. Still I do all my writing by hand first,then second the computer. And how about when travelling, getting your boarding pass? I recently took a dry run to the Clearwater/St. Pete airport and inquired while I was there if I could get my boarding pass. Only 24 hours before the flight was the answer,online. What if I don't have a printer? Tough Luck! what if I get it at the airport day of? $5.00 fee. These are the little technical things that stress me out...but I can get it at the library IF hours are conducive. Problem solved.

What can I say about all this? I often have a heart to heart talk with myself and tell me that I know I'm an intelligent woman and I can learn anything I set my mind to and I set my intention to become more computer friendly and then I go to my favorite librarian and ask for help. Progress is always touted as the ultimate goal, pioneering new horizons in technology. I do admire Steve Jobs. Yet there is a persistent voice out there that cries,Back To Nature! put down that device and get out in the woods. What feels better? In my humble opinion I think balance is the key. If I were to drop out completely is one option to choose but if I choose be part of the community ongoing dialogue of life I need to keep abreast of technology or be left in the dust. What's your choice technology or nature? Or the best of both?

P.S. I'm in Maine on a beautiful vacation with the Girlz., We go out for our first lobster dinner on the first night there. I choose a lobster roll. We're in bliss enjoying the delicious food,the sights and sounds of the evening and each other. It's a perfect moment in time. And when I go to pay : my card is rejected. W.T.F....my bubble bursts. How did this happen? I know I have money in my account. I think ,I should have told the bank I'm going to Maine...but it's not overseas? Duh! And it's the weekend ,helpless,moneyless till Monday. My friend and hostess offers to spot me and I can write her a check later, don't worry. But I do worry, this doesn't feel good. Finally Mon. comes and I reach my bank. My account has been compromised,someone in Battlecreek, Mi. tried to buy $150. worth of pharmacy products. Drugs, I wonder. So to protect me, they blocked my account. That's great, but I'm in Maine with no money. Here's what we can do...go to an ATM machine,call me, I'll take the block off and you can get cash. Then I'll put the it back on. So that was the plan and it worked. I'm in the money once again. Now I'm back home and I go to my bank to get a new card with chip for protection. Right, the last one had the chip also. How does this happen I ask? 'If you use it at Walmart or a gas station...only all the time I say. Feeling vulnerable, let's go back to cash I say. And only 2 months ago I was hacked on a Friday night. How smart are 'they'?

Oh the joy and wonder of technology. Not!

Joy to the World!

All the boys and girls...joy to you and me!

I have a wellspring of Joy deep within me; sometimes I am in touch with it and sometimes I am not.  If I am not, I have the ways and means at hand...let me count the ways...When I am moody, music soothes my soul; or I can treat moodiness as a message to write. I start writing my rampage of appreciation and in a minute I am smiling. Meditation is another go to tool I have to connect to my Joy. I can use it whenever I choose it. When I am in touch with my kids and grands, it is a joy to me. My wonderful son Gregg calls me every Mon. AM, I can count on his call and look forward to it. My daughter Dr. J is a very busy and important person. She will call to chat when she is on the road driving from one assignment to another, she uses the blue tooth speaker phone for safety. I always welcome her calls. And the grandsons give me a catch up call from time to time and it's always a delight, my pleasure. Joy!

When I am just hanging out with friends I feel this wave of Joy bubble up and overflow. It is a priceless feeling. Joy! Or when I sit with Lily my cat and pet her and she's purring...I am purring too. When I go to the beach by myself and commune with nature, a feeling of peace comes over me or with friends froliking in the water, more Joy.  Books are another touchstone of Joy for me.  Reading takes me into another world different from my own and when I choose something that challenges or inspires me or something of excellence, even better, the excellence rubs off. And the icing on the cake is the bookclub, of wich I am a member of 3, where we discuss the wonderful ideas and life lessons that books give us. Socializing is one of my most joyous pastimes. getting together with my sister/girlfriends for a movie or lunch or a vacation is my idea of Joy and excitement. And when I perform or give a psychic reading, I am connected, meaning in a state of Joy. These I have named are experiences.. There are some material things that give me Joy as well: my home, my oasis, my new car that I can rely on and trees for their green beauty.

Of course life is not always pure bliss, there are times of challenge and stormy weather; but the Joy in what is is that I am blessed with the resources to deal with whatever it is. I am safe in the storm. 

Besides feeling joy,there is an enjoying of and being in Joy. There is a side effect from this and that is raising my vibration or chi. The effect of a high vibration is that it attracts more good to you which makes you feel joyful so once you're in the loop it goes on and on till you arrive at Bliss. And that is my intention and my my Joy practice.

'Life is but a dream, it's what you make it!'

Falling...

Falling…

‘Falling in love again,what am I to do?, never wanted to, can’t help it’

Yes! I am an incurable romantic…always rooting for the love story to work out for myself and others. It’s not like I’ve never been hurt, loved and lost…Oh yes! I’ve been there, done that. I’m sure we all have,but yet my theme song ic ‘dance like no one is watching, love like you’ve never been hurt.’ Ah yes! There’s that incurable romantic again, hope springs eternal. Why am I like this I ask myself? I guess because it feels better than being an incurable cynic. Duh!

Although I’ve been burnt,I’m like a phoenix rising from the ashes. Time heals all wounds and confidence arises. I learn from my mistakes and choose more wisely the next time around. My experiences; a divorce, a break-up , make me a stonger person, having lived through it and come out the other side intact. I feel willing to risk again;scary,yet exciting. To quote St. Augustine ‘There is no greater invitation to love than loving first.’ So I make it my practice;love myself, love my family,love my friends, love my pets, love my plants, love my community on and on. Love is contagious! That’s step one. Step two : letting go …again…some more. I also practice being open and receptive and aware of opportunities. I begin to trust my inner resources which I have painstakingly developed: my stores of serenity, courage and confidence. Let me say a word here about my meditation practice and my tai chi practice. These practices are an integral part of my lifestyle.. the gift they give me is peace. So yeah, I’m in a good place in my life to trust the process with ease.

With the coming of spring, a new moon, a new season, I feel a new readyiness. I’m throwing my hat in the ring and where it lands nobody knows. This space I’m in puts out a an energy in the Universe that says, check me out! I’m ready to try again. I have more clarity than ever before on what type of person I’m wanting to be with. I now have role models in my life that make me say,’Yes! I’ll have some of that and more of that: evolved, funny, beautiful inside and out. Okay, so I’m ready,trusting the process,know what I’m wanting…the results are inevitable as a sunny day in Florida. Bring him on…Mr. Right,Now! 407

On Letting Go

On Letting Go…

‘I had a dream and it’s all that I had, right or wrong,it’s my dream.’

While visiting my son and family in Texas last year and relaxing in the hot tub with daughter-in-law, she brought up the subject ’You guys should have a family reunion’…which is very natural for her and her family but not so much for ours.  I’ll admit, I was smitten with the idea. We brought the idea up for discussion to my son who said ‘My priority is for my son to get a baseball scholarship to college next year, after that we’ll see. So, that has happened; grandson got a baseball scholarship and graduates, proud Nana. Next I pick up the idea again with daughter on her recent visit.’Brother probably won’t go’ she said. Let’s not start the dialogue with a negative statement I say. I write son in Texas and inform him of the talks, no response is his response. Despite this I move forward full steam. I make a statement to myself and whoever will listen : My purpose on earth is to provide my own brand of support toward the evolution of my family AKA a family reunion. Profound! Sounds good , doesn’t it? After getting no warm fuzzies back, I discuss the matter with one of my besties…’Knowing the family dynamic I just hate to see you suffer a whole year over this.’ Tears came to my eyes ,I saw a year of misery flash by trying to make something happen. I awoke in that moment! These things cannot be forced, they must be finessed…NO! not even that…Just Let Go! \

And then came the feelings : relief, grief, acceptance and finally moving on. Grieving the loss of a dream can be like running into kryptonite , disempowering. Usually an upbeat positive person, I allowed myself a time to grieve. This went on for days, off and on. I didn’t want to put a lid on it,I’d been stuffing my feelings for long enough. Then the feelings changed to unfamiliar, strange, different and lighter. I no longer had that feeling of trying to make the impossible happen single handedly against all odds. This must be what acceptance feels like I said to myself. I wandered around in this state for awhile, trying it on for size, seeing how things looked from this perspective. Transition time was never easy for me but I guess I was prepared for it this time having spent many years in Codependence Anonymous…I was groomed for it. I was ready to move on with a new focus: Cruise to Cuba 2017 with the Girlz.

Yes? I was born for Joy! And I was grabbing it with both hands while I still can. And hadn’t I read somewhere the best gift you can give your loved ones is to be happy. I’m in! And if by chance the kiddos get it together and pull off a reunion and invite me, I’m there. Let go and let it flow…more will be revealed!   506 words

my Miraculous D.A. Recovery Pt. III

During this phase of my recovery I also tried my hand at stand up comedy at the Eagle Tavern on 14th St. and summer stock theater in Plymouth ,Ma. as part of the program was to have a vision.I then decided to move to Va. Bch. for a more serene lifestyle and closer to nature as it was on my wish list or vision as we say in the program.

 Leaving NYC with a pocketful of money, I felt I didn't need the program any longer( a common mistake). Instead I shifted my recovery path to Coda, a program for healing from codependence 

​after my very dysfunctional relationship.​ That group was very social as well and we celebrated the holidays and holydays together,my family of choice,sober & solvent. It was during these years I tried my hand at musical comedy joining a performance group called the Cat's Meow and I loved it. I also booked events for the group another skill discovered. While I worked on my emotional life, my hip was worsening. It was getting time to have a hip replacement. 

My healing of body , mind and spiritcontinued. One thread of my healing was swimming...in NYC I swam at the BMCC pool, being a teacher there I had that privilege. In Va. Bch., I joined the Rec Center where I swam in the winter, in the summer I frolicked in Chesapeake Bay. Moving to Fl. I joined the 'Y' for water aerobics and swam in the Gulf of Mexico with my Beach Girlz when it was warm.

Another thread in my recovery was singing...yes, swimming and singing, my faves ( a regular Esther Williams). In NYC I helped create a musical show, 'You Gotta Have Art'which was my masters degree project. In Va. Bch. .retired from teaching ,I invested more time into singing.: besides the Cat's Meow, I sang in a chorus,the Joyful Noise and also the Unity church,which I attended, choir....seems I couldn't get enough. It was a big part of my recovery. I FL. I joined the St.Pete College Chorus and continued singing my way thru life. Currently, I'm part of the St. Pete Singing Ladies,we perform occasionally when an event or fund raiser calls for it.

My Miraculous D.A. Recovery Pt II

During this phase of my recovery I also tried my hand at stand up comedy at the Eagle Tavern on 14th St. and summer stock theater in Plymouth ,Ma. as part of the program was to have a vision.I then decided to move to Va. Bch. for a more serene lifestyle and closer to nature as it was on my wish list or vision as we say in the program.

 Leaving NYC with a pocketful of money, I felt I didn't need the program any longer( a common mistake). Instead I shifted my recovery path to Coda, a program for healing from codependence 

​after my very dysfunctional relationship.​ That group was very social as well and we celebrated the holidays and holydays together,my family of choice,sober & solvent. It was during these years I tried my hand at musical comedy joining a performance group called the Cat's Meow and I loved it. I also booked events for the group another skill discovered. While I worked on my emotional life, my hip was worsening. It was getting time to have a hip replacement. 

My healing of body , mind and spiritcontinued. One thread of my healing was swimming...in NYC I swam at the BMCC pool, being a teacher there I had that privilege. In Va. Bch., I joined the Rec Center where I swam in the winter, in the summer I frolicked in Chesapeake Bay. Moving to Fl. I joined the 'Y' for water aerobics and swam in the Gulf of Mexico with my Beach Girlz when it was warm.

Another thread in my recovery was singing...yes, swimming and singing, my faves ( a regular Esther Williams). In NYC I helped create a musical show, 'You Gotta Have Art'which was my masters degree project. In Va. Bch. .retired from teaching ,I invested more time into singing.: besides the Cat's Meow, I sang in a chorus,the Joyful Noise and also the Unity church,which I attended, choir....seems I couldn't get enough. It was a big part of my recovery. I FL. I joined the St.Pete College Chorus and continued singing my way thru life. Currently, I'm part of the St. Pete Singing Ladies,we perform occasionally when an event or fund raiser calls for it.

My Miraculous D.A. Recovery

Debtors Anonymous is a program of men and women who come together to share their experience, strength and hope so that they may recover from the disease of compulsive spending or under earning or any other dysfunction related to money. this program offers tools for recovery; meetings, pressure relief groups,spending plans, action plans, debt repayment plans, sponsors, visions and the promises. I have been a member, working my program off and on for 33 years in NYC, Va. Bch. and currently Florida. My personal issues were under earning, vague about money, debting to myself, lateness and cluttering. I can proudly say I am now solvent thru the grace of this program. I have no debt...and I have learned to request equal pay for time worked and to be an advocate for myself as well.

Whenever I have financial concerns ie; an expensive vacation, I can ask two members to sit on a PRG for me and work up an action plan to meet my goals. I recently had a PRG and what a blessing it was.

I came away with clarity of my situation and an action plan of what needs to be done. Clarity is one of the biggest gifts of the program in my opinion. I can truly say my life has improved 100%. I live in a place I love, my home and my hometown of Gulfport. I have loving & supportive friends in my life and I live within my means, yet my means do not define me. I have peace and plenty; the intangibles of love and joy.

My recovery began in Tribeca , NY 33 years ago. I was newly divorced and trying to regain stability; financially, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I wanted a second chance at life but there were so many areas I had to get in order first. I joined a Friday nite meeting for self-employed that brought out my entrepreneurial spirit and which I am today. I learned to write down every cent I spent,keeping current...which I still do to this day. The practice once again gave me clarity. I made a debt repayment plan to all my creditors saying I needed a time out and then I would pay them back entirely over time with a plan. Amazingly, they all agreed and over a period of years I completed the plan. Doing this gave me a great feeling of respect,dignity and integrity. It wasn't all hard work, there was joy as well,the program people loved to throw parties;solvently and soberly. I loved it! I made many new friends in those days in NY who were supportive and working on themselves as well. I was in the recovery loop and it felt good.  With this spiritual support I experienced the death of my husband and later a new relationship that proved to be codependent and dysfunctional. I had an accident; I fell off my bike in a pot hole on the way to teach at NYU and broke my hip. There's a gift in everything I've learned. The gift in that was I broke from the relationship and gained a large sum of money in a law suit against the city of NY.This gave me options.

What A Difference A Book Makes

What a Difference A Book Makes

How I love my books! Let me count the ways; best friend, best companion, best informer and on and on. I love my books so much that I love to share them with ,y loved ones, friends and family. Two outstanding books on my list that I read read daily are meditation books : Peaceful Living and Walking on Alligators. Peaceful living is a daily meditation book for compassionate communication which I have been studying for the past 3 years. When a friend suggested this book to I jumped on Amazon and ordered one for myself.

Walking on Alligators is a daily meditation book for writers. I was teaching a class on Creative Nonfiction for Keep Saint Pete Lit when one of my students recommended it to me. From your students you’ll be taught. After about a year or so of daily reading these two books as part of my morning practice and finding them so helpful in my life, I decided to send a copy of each to my daughter Joanne and her two sons,my grandsons Bobby and Danny who write also. It’s a family affair.

Ideally I was imagining the 4 of us each morning reading the Same passage, me in Florida,Joanne in New York, Bobby in Alexandria and Danny in Austin. Feeling connected. But it’s not an ideal world so here’s what really happened… I was having a catch up chat with my daughgter on the phone, telling her of a situation I had and the strategy I used to resolve it. That’s just like todays readingbshe said. What! You’re reading the daily meditations? Well, it’s in the bathroom so…she trailed off. I was so excited but remained calm on the phone. I was smiling to myself. On another chat after I had decided to write about giving a book , I asked her for feedback. It’s repetitious, she replied…but I like the writers meditations, I already read 4 of them. You win some you loose some, but who’s  keeping score?

Next I called my grandson Bobby and inquired if he had a chance to crack open the book. Actually Nana as you know we just moved and with the holidays and all, not so much. Okay Honey, if you do get a chance let me know what you think. A week or so went by and I get an email from Bobby. Nana, I really like the writers meditation book. I especially liked the passage by Nora Ephron about turning tragedy into comedy. (he recently hsad just overcome a bout with cancer,and won) I think it will help m3e move forward with my writing. I’m all smiles,I’m so happy.

Now Danny grandson number two is a writer of a different kind,he’s a songwriter,musician, English teacher by day. I gave Danny a call,left a message saying I wanted to interview him for a piece I’m writing. He knew to what I was referring we had previously discussed it. So, he emailed me saying, Nana I haven’t read the book…if I’m not interested I don’t have the patience,guess I’m like my Dad in that way. I thanked him for his honesty, told him it was only meant to read a day at a time, a page at a time. Honestly, I was thrilled that he trusted me  enough to be forthcoming with the truth. This was a very good turn of events in our relationship. I smiled. He did give me a follow up call over the weekend and we laughed together over life.

All in all ,the difference that these books made in my relationships with my daughter and 2 grandsons was phenominal! They were the catylist  to greater connection. And after these discussions,sometime down the road they may of their own volition crack op4en a book and find a blessing….more will be revealed. I smile.

And as for me, I continue my practice of reading a page a day on communication and writing. It gives me great joy!