Holiday Newsletter

 Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah  & Kwanzaa 

Dear Loved Ones Greetings of Peace & Good Cheer!

I've enjoyed catching up with many of you during this time of corona and here is the latest update...my life is rich and full.

The Family:

The Great Grands:

Cooper, son of Bobby, grandson of Joanne & greatGrand of Ani, is now 2 yrs old, lives in Arlington, Va. & attends DayCare

Shyla Ruby is 6, daughter of Brittany, grand of Glenn, great grand of Ani, lives in Texas and attends kindergarten .

Gabriel Elias, 4,son of Brittany, grand of Glenn, great grand of Ani lives in Texas and attends pre-school.

Nina,13 & GiGi,4 grands of Vesna and great grands of Ani, live in Atlanta. Nina enjoys modeling and singing and GiGi enjoys everything.

The Grands:

Joanne's boys:

Bobby, daddy of Cooper, lives in Va. works in marketing.Plays tennis.

Danny, lives in Philly, English teacher(following tradition of Mom & Nana) talented musician & studying coding.

Jonathan, loves cars & works in a car dealership.

Glenn's Kiddos:

Brittany, in Texas, loves mothering her darlings and is a paraprofessional(how I started out)

Quigley, lives in L.A., studying cosmetology , a talented artist & model.

Joe, is an electrician apprentice in Texas

BellaRose is a Junior in H.S. in Texas. She plays volleyball and is on a cheering squad.

My Kiddos:

Dr.Joanne,retired from education, teaches  at Queens College, training teachers (of course she does) as well as librarian at Island Park Library, avid reader, studies Spanish & well travelled before covid, Spain, Portugal,Mexico.Lives in Long Beach, N.Y.

Glenn retired from Air Force,works for Air Force as an investigator and lately drives folks to medical appointments, finds it fulfilling.

Gregg lives in Clearwater, Fl.with the lovely Vesna & is in sales: Pods. They love & enjoy their home & yard.

My Writing

Looking back on the year, I found I have been very productive.

Early in the year I was asked to collaborate on writing lyrics for a play:Flagler.So far I wrote: PoncedeLeonParade ,3 lullabies-3wishes,Love,Health & Happiness...which inspired me to write LullabyLittleAngel for Cooper. My next endeavor was 'On Being Resilient' for a meditation book. Then'On Being Adopted' for myself & my family. Next 'A Tribute to Joe Kelleher' for the kiddos. Next came along with corona, a collaboration with Kate Seidman,'How to be Happy in the Time of Corona' about to be published, watch for it. and finally,'Black Lives Matter:Living the Solution Every Day', a challenge given me by friend Bridget to improve race relation.I rose to the challenge. Soon to be published.and lastly, I wrote a testimonial for Gene Seidman, art connoisseur  & art historian.

My Lifestyle

I live a healthy lifestyle here in Gulfport, Florida & love it. I still enjoy Tai Chi 4X a week with friends Yvonne & Kate at the waterfront. I enjoy sunsets 4X a week with friend Kate-it sustains us. Love reading & Am in 3 bookclubs, journal writing dailey and giving Psychic readings in my garden during corona.

Aqua yoga my fave, weekly at St.Pete Bch Rec Center.

Upgrades

New Car 2020 Honda Civic, loving it, getting used to techno stuff. Alexa from my techno Santa Danny. He will help me.

Wishes & Goals for 2021:

Instead of resolutions, my word for the year is Sufficiency, I am enough, I have enough, I do enough. Sufficiency leads to collaboration & connection.I wish wholeness & Sufficiency for All.

May your days be merry & bright,

XO Ani Crane, M.A. Author, Psychic.Lyricist

Adventure in Spain

 

 

 

 

 

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Adventures in Spain Inbox x The summer of 1985,it was an amazing one. It was my first summer in TriBeCa, I was taking a graduate course at Bklyn College in Japanese theater and I was going to Spain for the month of August with teacher friend Carole Simpson( who speaks Spanish BTW). Wow!(with shaky plan) The plan, first stop Germany to visit son Glenn in Air Force....then train to Spain and meet Carole in Barcelona.that never happened on the first try. She was on the platform, I was upstairs. What to do...get a room, try again tomorrow, if not go directly Home! I was petrified, needless to say. Next day went back and as luck would have it, we met. I was never so happy  to see anyone in my life. On with the adventure, Carole is a dancer/dance teacher so we saw lots of Flamenco that summer, no bullfighting for us. I moved to her digs and we did Barcelona which was exciting, I remember a big Main Street, the Ramble? Next we took a train to the beach for a day, Sitges. It was so beautiful, I'll never forget it. The next lap we took a train to Cuenca a charming town with a center/plaza? Where everyone gathers to chat and visit.What a novel idea I thought. Onward to  Madrid and the Prada...I remember the religious figures were slimmer than what I was used to seeing. Carole had a friend in Seville we stayed with who had a Vespa that we rode around town on. I toyed with the idea of getting one in Manhattan and keeping it in my apt. Seville was our next stop where we indulged in Flamenco dance performances. Did I forget to mention going to the Alhambra? Can't do that, unforgettable because it was the hottest day that summer, hot as hell! Oh yes and the architecture was impressive too. Our next lap was to go to Portugal which we had to take a bus to the boat and boat across to the Algarve... it was kind of daunting. Border crossing and all that...All these travels were daunting as we had no reservations or accommodations. I would sit with the luggage and Carole would go and secure a room which was mostly in people's houses(they were ahead of AirBNB)And catching trains, we only prayed we were on the right one going to the place we wished. So my darling daughter I am delighted that your trip to Spain will be much more comfortable... And I can't wait to hear all about it as you make your own memories. You deserve the best! Happy Mothers Day! Love you, Mom xO Namaste!

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