My World of Wonders, aka the Wednesday Ws July 16, 2025

 

What made me sad this week? A call from my successor as director of the ABA Commission on Law and Aging. Because of funding cuts, she had to terminate two long time staff members, Sonia had been there over 25 years, Trisha nearly 25 years. It was nothing they did, nothing that the director did, she has been working her fingers to the bone trying to find alternative funding. Federal budget cuts have devastated human services funding, and the ABA was specifically targeted.

Where have I been this week? Out to lunch, grocery shopping, the library, the pool, and the treadmill.  It has been hot, we have been staying close to home. 

Who have a talked with this week? Sweet Bear, Ana and Susan, Giuseppe and Larry, Ruth, the gang at water aerobics, Erica from my old office. 

What have I been reading? I finished, Happy This Year - ehh nothing I hadn't figured out already. And started Imagine, a book on creativity. 

What have I been watching? The Tour de France - there are five or six hours of live coverage most days.  I love the countryside and the villages that the tour passes through.  I could see myself living there. 

What didn't I watch this year? The Belmont, the final of the three races in the triple crown of horse racing. The horse that won the Kentucky Derby skipped the Preakness, meaning there was no triple crown contender. They really need to do something about the rules, that allow the horse that winds the Derby to skip out on the series, allowing that only if there is a medical reason.  Or drop the triple crown hype.

When is the next grand adventure? I started the planning this week, April 20 - May 4th - Ft. Lauderdale to Rome.  

What artsy thing have I done this week? I am been adding layers onto a painting, I am starting to see and understand what it will be.  

Where did I find peace and relaxation this week? I have a pool "hammock" this is a simple pool float consisting of two inflated tubes that are round about 6 inches in diameter, and about 2 feet wide,  between the two is about 3 feet of soft mesh. One tube goes under your neck, one goes under your knees, and the mesh gently supports you as you lay back in the sun. The water in the outdoor pool is in the low 80's (f). Put on sunglasses and watch the clouds and airplanes - listen to my breathing - and forget the world.  

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Last Thursday we went out to lunch, so I didn't cook. Saturday I made chicken baked in tomato, and redwine and a flatbread topped with italian cheese and thinly sliced red onion. Sunday I did a duck egg and mushroom ravioli in a parmesan cream sauce. Tuesday I made Swiss Steak. I have made guacamole a couple times. 

How was Wordle this week? A couple of strange words, at least one total miss.  "Undid" I was not even sure it was a word.  Still it is a puzzle, and mind game each day.

What artsy thing am I up to this week? I continue to add lines of metallic paints to a painting, that seems to be leading me, rather than me leading it. I do find abstract painting relaxing. 

What did I learn this week? Two keys to creative thinking, 1: sometimes you have to forget what you know to find what you don't know, 2: finding connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, often leads to innovation (I am good at this).