Rosemary Augustine

Sep 7, 2018: Recently I read a really good book that I’m sure I mentioned to you in a previous post.  About cleaning out clutter (see I’m a Butterfly – March 29, 2018 post).  I have a really bad habit of opening emails and then they sit in my inbox, never to be looked at again.  Well, now that I have over 28,000 emails – unopened and some opened and nothing further to be done with them, I’ve been cleaning out the clutter.  It’s a good use of my time especially when I  feel I  must watch TV.  Although I hate to multi task, this is one that fills the bill.  I’m already down to 16,000 emails – still unopened or opened ones that need to be trashed.  If you have the same problem, join me in cleaning out your clutter this month.  Keep in mind those 28,000 are only one email account, I have 3 other email accounts that have to be dealt with.  Too bad September only has 30 days, I could use that extra day.

Other items for cleaning out your clutter are your closets and drawers.  Anytime I buy something new, I almost have to remove something, clothes, dishes, etc.  As we approach the last quarter of the year and life will go into high speed mode with the holidays, this is a good month to get the ball rolling and start purging.

Since we are overwhelmed with emails, junk mail, spam, dust bunnies and all the other crap that accumulates somewhere in the corners of our life, it’s important to address it, so you can live freely.  For me it means I can take a walk on the beach and not worry about all the things left that I need to do.  Although I have lots of energy, I’m sure somewhere along the line all this clutter zaps my energy… if not my energy, then it must block the flow of good things coming to me.  I’m sure it’s blocking some energy somehow.  Clearing out makes room for new things to come.

Talk about energy … Recently my home was struck by lightning, and that energy scared the begeebees out of me.  The flash of light was so bright in my home, I thought I had been struck.  I either stepped back or it pushed me back from where I was standing.  Though I’m hoping that it was I who stepped back at the sudden flash of light in my face.  Fortunately, only my internet and cable TV went out. Neighbors lost electricity for several days, but I didn’t.  Not sure I understand why neighbors lost electricity and I didn’t when we share walls, but I’m not going to question the power of lightning and the energy it brings to the earth.

My kitties are still loving life at the Augustine palace.  I catch them chasing dust bunnies once in a while when one hid in the corner when I was dust mopping.  There really should be a way to attach a dust mop to their tail so they can assist in keeping the place clean.  Oscar and Buttercup take turns sitting next to me when I’m at the computer, and both join me when I sit in the recliner to read or watch the news.  So glad they picked me as their forever human.

Well, just wanted to give you an update as we approach the last quarter of 2018.  Hard to believe the year whizzed by at a blink.  Soon the snow will fly for some of you and for me in Florida the snow birds will start to arrive.

Happy September!
Love and Hugs,
Rosemary, Oscar and Buttercup
(that’s Oscar with me in the photo – at one of our team meetings. LOL)

. . .

July 30, 2018: It’s been a whirlwind week where I just returned from my high school’s 50th Class Reunion.  Millville High School Class of 1968 reunion had over 180 people in attendance.  The most ever for a reunion.  And while in town, I stopped see friends in South Jersey and then headed up to Toronto, Canada.

Although the reunion emphasis was on the high school years, about 12 of us go back to the first grade.  The twelve of us were the rebels of St. Mary Magdalen and we demonstrated that weekend that we’re still rebels.  The sad part of the weekend reunion was the tribute to those classmates we have lost over the 50 years.  Although I had seen the list of names prior to attending, it was still very sad to see the tribute.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

The weekend reunion included a Meet and Greet Friday night at BoJo’s in downtown Millville with our classmates and invited guests from other classes – many of whom we knew while in school.  I got to see neighbors Bob and Gail Abbott, and many spouses of my classmates that I hadn’t met before.  I lost my voice trying to talk over the blaring music, however, I was part of the group that was last to leave.  None of us could believe it’s been 50 years since we graduated, since it really does seem like yesterday.

Saturday night was the big dinner party at The Greenview Inn at Eastlyn Golf Course in East Vineland.  It gave us a chance to dress up, eat, drink, dance and be merry throughout the evening.  I got to dance with my classmate Terry Taylor who kept us all in stitches, especially when he said to me on the dance floor “Gee Rosemary, I’m doing pretty good with 2 new knees and 4 stents.”  We laughed so hard we couldn’t control ourselves, since some said they feel their age and most of us didn’t feel it or look it.

Sunday, all of us that went to St. Mary Magdalen Grade School went to mass in honor of those classmates that have departed.  As usual, I got a laughing fit in church and was shushed by some unknow woman that I swear was a nun in her previous life.  I’m sure you can guess what I said under my breath given the St. Mary’s Rebel that I was growing up.  After mass and photos, we all headed off to Sunday Brunch at Pat Melfi’s gorgeous home for our final time together.

As the reunion wound down Sunday afternoon, I stopped to see classmate MaryAnne Klein in Dorchester and made a quick stop at the newly restored East Point Lighthouse.  The views over the bay were breath taking from the top of the lighthouse.  And I got to meet their resident kitty named Lantern.

Monday, I was elated to see my friend Michelle Myers in Collingwood for lunch at the Il Fiore Restaurant.  We had a chance to catch up on our busy lives with her trips to Isreal and my travels to Paris.  Then I whisked myself off to the airport for my next trek to Toronto, Canada, where my reunion would continue with former co-worker John Roberts.  Toronto was a combination of fun and seeing old friends, since I haven’t seen John and his wife Lise in 11 years… We enjoyed dinner at Sukho Thai on Parliament and my last night in Toronto I took a streetcar to John and Lise’s home in Roncevalles.

Some of the exciting tourist things I did in Toronto included the Hockey Hall of Fame (got my picture taken with the Stanley Cup – well a replica of it), Art Gallery of Ontario, The Bata Shoe Museum and of course a stop at Curry’s Art Supply Store.  I can’t go to any city without a stop at an art supply store and buy some art supply that I don’t have (or find once I’m home I already have something just like it).  The food in Toronto was fabulous with breakfast at It’s Jenny on Carlton, Sukho Thai, and AGO Bistro.  I never had a bad meal, even the burger at the airport was delicious.

I stopped to meet a fellow author S.E. Tomas who was selling his books on a street corner.  A former homeless man, he’s written and published three books about his life on the street.  We shared stories about our publishing experiences with Amazon’s CreateSpace and Kindle Direct.  And, we discussed his marketing success as an author.  I was impressed.

I walked miles and miles while in Toronto, and when I couldn’t walk anymore, I called for an Uber.  My boutique hotel: Downtown Luxury Victorian Retreat on Seaton St. was the best choice ever for a luxury stay, and my host Dana was most enjoyable to chat with when ever I was coming or going.  She made you feel so welcomed in a city I was visiting for the first time.  Even my flight home was enjoyable despite the delays, as my seat mate made me laugh several times.

My BIG take away from this trip however, was this:  Recognize that life is too short and it’s most important to put aside our political beliefs and enjoy one another right now regardless of how you feel about world conditions.  It became all too apparent with the tribute to our deceased classmates that in an instant our life can be over and we missed out on what is truly valuable – connecting.  Connecting to those we know, love or even just met has far more value than anything else.  Embrace life, connect with all that you can, and know that your friendship is valuable to me today and always.

Life is good?  You bet! And connecting with all that I saw and the people I met made it even more meaningful.  I realized that connecting offers value, enjoyment, laughter, sharing and appreciation just to name a few.  You’ll never know the impact that you make on the life of another by connecting.  And believe me, that impact is priceless.

In the spirit of love and light,

Warmest Regards,

Rosemary Augustine

. . .

May 16, 2018: Recently I flew into Washington Dulles International Airport to visit my friend Cynthia that I traveled to Paris with last fall.  We had an art immersion weekend. Visits to The National Gallery of Art, 2nd Friday at the Workhouse, and several acrylic paint demonstrations, not to mention an art fair in Del Ray.  It was non-stop art all weekend and we both loved it.

However, as Cynthia drove me back to Dulles to catch my flight home, I reminisced about my memory of when Dulles was first being built and then opened.  I remember my parents and I taking a ride to see the airport when it was open to the public just before flights started. The airport officially opened November 17, 1962.  I was 12 years old and had not yet flown on an airplane. It would be another 7 years before I would take my first flight on an airplane. I remember the ride to the Dulles Airport was long.  And, I remember back then thinking “who would build an airport out in the middle of nowhere and expect people to choose Dulles as an airport of choice in the DC area?”  Well fast forward decades, and it’s now one of the busiest international airports.

So I’m on a Southwest flight from Dulles to Orlando (or Mickeytown as it’s often referred to at airports). We’re advised to line up for early boarding due to weather – “maybe we can beat the storm before it hits Dulles” was the announcement as tornadoes were already spinning north of us and there was lots of rain up and down the east coast with more rain waiting for me in Florida.

Once boarded and belted in, I looked out the window and thought “if it’s 5 o’clock in the afternoon, why is it pitch dark out the window?”  In a few split seconds of boarding early to beat a storm, the storm arrived.  The next announcement was “we will have to wait it out now, maybe 45 minutes and then we can be on our way.”   Then, not 30 seconds later, the steward nervously announced “There is a tornado warning for the airport, so we need to deplane immediately.  Take all you belongings and leave the plane now.”  Well I was in row 4 and there was a sudden log jam to exit … Can you imagine the panic for the folks in the back of the plane?   The wind and the rain were suddenly relentless against the left side of the plane.  It was unexpectedly a frightful moment.

Once deplaned, and with the storm raging, the loud speaker continued to announce every 3 minutes in a robotic voice, “Dulles International Airport is under a tornado warning, take cover immediately. Stay away from all windows.” Oh gee.  How many times have I been in a situation that I have to take cover for a tornado?  Way too many times to count.  I said to the girl sitting next to me in the gate area, who  lives in Orlando,  “I survived Hurricane Irma and wrote a book about it, I’ll be fine… (secretly hoping I will).  I eventually got up and took shelter in the restroom.

An hour has passed and the tornado warning is over but we are still sitting at the gate inside the airport and still experiencing a severe thunderstorm.  Guess I’ll be getting a vodka cocktail if I ever get on the plane. I’ll need one by then.

Two hours have passed and we are still sitting in the gate area… Lightning is still too close to the airport so the ramp personnel continue to be grounded.

They just announced we may start boarding  shortly.  Oh the joys of flying. I don’t remember too many flight delays like this in my life time, especially for weather.  Once when flying standby in the busy summer months I was stranded for days, but not because of weather.  And only once did I have delayed luggage on the way home from a speaking engagement. I never, however, experienced what I did on that plane sitting at Dulles – the plane moving like the worst turbulence while still on the ground. That was right before we were told we needed to take our stuff and deplane quickly.

Now we’re on the plane again… Though I just saw lightning in the distance. The door is closed and the plane has pushed back. If we can just take off, fly safely, land safely, and I get to drive home safely, the delay will be all worth it.  During that entire two hour flight my anxiety level was so high, I had chest pains from the stress, praying that I would get to see my kitties again.  The flight continued with lots of turbulence, rain and keeping my seat belt on during the entire time. Even the flight attendants were limited to how much they could be in the aisle.  They too were belted into their jump seats most of the flight.  I never did have the vodka cocktail.  I didn’t have anything.  Although the landing was the smoothest I’ve experienced in a long time, I was never so glad to land and get off that plane.  The trip wasn’t over yet.  I still had a 45 minutes ride on dark lonely roads since it was already after 12:30 AM.

If you are reading this, I made it home safe and sound, hugged my kitties, and posted this to my blog a few days later.

Wishing you safe travels in the future… Love and Hugs

Rosemary Augustine

P.S.  My other airport that I watched being built and visited before the grand opening was DIA- Denver International Airport which opened Feb 28, 1995.  The same thoughts were in my mind in 1995 of why build an airport out in the middle of nowhere? I traveled extensively in the 80s and 90s in and out of Denver (I was living in Denver at the time), and I use to leave my home an hour or less before departure, and easily reach the gate long before the doors closed.  Oh the days before TSA.  Today DIA is also one of the nation’s busiest airports. Here are the Wikipedia links to Washington Dulles International and Denver International Airport… Some interesting facts and information about these airports.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Dulles_International_Airport

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_International_Airport

. . .

May 4, 2018: My condo complex is situated around a public golf course in Melbourne Florida.  Mallard Landing and Craine Creek –  due to the extensive losses the city has incurred over the last 10 years.  Now all kinds of thoughts went through my head – like more condos on the 200 acre parcel that Mallard Landing adjoins creating increased density, congestion and possible increase or decrease of property value.

Earlier this week I attended my first ever city council meeting.  I wanted to hear what the plans were and whether it’s too late to sell or whether my much coveted view will be drastically diminished.  Much to my surprise, every member on that council wanted to keep the golf course even though it has lost millions of dollars since owning it.  During the meeting an extensive review of financials for the last 10 years was laid out, discussed and decided to change the way the golf courses are reported on the books and to include them in the general fund and not treat them as separate entities with no relation to the parks and recreation budget.

They asked people from the audience to speak.  Many were golfers, employees of the golf course, and of course, yours truly – a non-golfer who sees a significant need for the city and the golf courses to improved their marketing efforts.  I was given 3 minutes to speak, and within those 3 minutes I outlined some marketing options that would improve visibility, increase membership, and overall improve the bottom line.  The council was thrilled to have my input and many agreed that marketing is an absolute critical need for these two public golf courses. The council was also thrilled with the fact that so many of the general public with a vested interest in the golf course attended the meeting.

I’ve lived in Melbourne, Florida for 3 years, and I achieved my 15 minutes of fame in all of 3 minutes.  Who would have thought it would be at a city council meeting on the 1st of May.  Quite the May Day event with a positive outcome.

. . .

May 1, 2018: Much to my surprise, while away on vacation, I received an email from my boss asking me to respond to Amy Ingram about attending an upcoming client meeting.  “Who is Amy?” was my first thought and then figured it was the wholesaler selling the product that will be presented to the client at that meeting.  As I looked at the email further, Amy was listed as my boss’s personal assistant.  “WTF?”  was my next thought, only to see a P.S. from my boss stating “Rosemary is still very much employed.”  A bit more digging and I found that Amy has a full name of Amy Ingram, a Bot that schedules meetings for busy executives. (visit x.ai to learn more).  Although scheduling client meetings has not necessarily been a function of my administrative duties for a long time, still I’m miffed by the thought of Amy threatening my livelihood.  Thoughts of Bots replacing us in everyday chores, duties and functions get carried away in my imagination.  Now I could get a little graphic about some of the duties and functions these Bots could perform, but I’ll refrain, since your kids may be looking over your shoulder while you’re reading this.

I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for years – too many years at this point.  Though I still enjoy the process of organizing and following up on projects that my busy executives either delegate to me or expect that I’ll  handle the process just by knowing what needs to be done. I’ve come a long way from the days of typewriters and carbon paper for copies.  Even though I’ve performed administrative functions all my adult life for various companies and executives, it might be time to realize that with technology, more so the speed of technology, will ultimately do away with most of what I do.  Even as a writer, technology is being programmed to write with emotion.  Art is being programmed so that software can paint pictures with proper use of lighting. Technology has been in the operating room and is now in our homes with Alexa.   So where do we all fit in?  on the heap in the movie of Soylent Green?

I’ll need to check my attitude and relax.  Even though I laugh at the thought, I know my days are numbered and have been for some time because of technology.  At least for now I need to see if there is an Amy out there that can do some of the publishing tasks I need to delegate.  So much is being automated, even new refrigerators are designed to know when you are running low on milk and will order for you and have it delivered.  And delivered probably back into the fridge if we’re not careful.

So if you think you can’t be replaced, think again.  Amy is just one example of jobs moving to technology.  Remember though, someone has to program Amy to do the tasks.  Someone has to create the check boxes for the technology to check off that the tasks are completed.  And, remember, the check boxes that are being created have to be the right information or the job isn’t done correctly – only what was listed on the checkboxes.

We’ve become a world of robots ourselves sadly.  Simply because I often hear “I’m only doing what I was told to do” by clerks that aren’t into their job.   However, can a Bot think beyond what it’s asked?  Go the extra mile? Care enough that the job is done with feeling not just precision.  Can it challenge the clerk, the boss or even ourselves when something doesn’t seem right, fair or accurate?  I fear what the world will be in 20 years with the progression of Bots.  Think about all the things that these Bots are already doing.  And, the speed in which they are invading our lives.  Although my days of working in an office are probably numbered, not because of Amy, but because how much longer do I want to be on the wheel like a rat spinning out of control just to make the day.  I’m facing the possibility of being extinct because of Bots like Amy.  Then again, maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.  A chance to write more books, paint more pictures, and wouldn’t it be nice to let Amy get the coffee for when those clients come in for their meeting.

. . .

April 20, 2018: Just the other day I was typing something about journaling and I typed joyrnal… I caught what I wrote and thought, “gee joyrnal, that reminds me of a joy journal”… then I asked myself, “what is bringing me joy – Today? This week? In life overall?”  It was a play on words that in some cases would be a misspelling, but I believe it was the Universe talking to me about joy.

I’m finding lots of joy lately.  For one I deactivated my account on Facebook and what a relief that is… not only does NOT being on Facebook bring me joy, it has improved my health.  I don’t have those moments of rage and soaring blood pressure because I’m angry at a post or some ad that has nothing to do with anything that I like.  However, I do miss posting to my Ziggy Page… as that was deactivated automatically when I deactivated my personal account.  However, I just may jump back on, remove all my connections, and keep the Ziggy Page, and not pay attention to the rest of the crap that gets posted and riles me up.

My kitties are pure joy for me with daily doses of their fur love.   Oh yes, we have lots of fur.  Fur balls, dust bunnies (yes the cats chase them) and what I call fuzz.  The fuzz is that crap that floats around in the air if you’ve ever noticed.  That fuzz is also sometimes caught irritating my eyes and when I look closer, there’s a piece of fuzz caught in my lashes.  Where does all that fuzz come from?

Traveling brings me joy as well.  A recent trip to the northeast showed signs of spring – finally.  The blossoming tree outside the library in Berwyn and daffodils in full bloom everywhere I look.  Although the air was winter cold, the sun was bright and warmed you a bit.  Or maybe I was warm because I  was wearing long underwear.

Flying brings me joy… since I found Southwest Airlines.  Cheap fares, easy boarding system even though you buy a ticket without an assigned seat.  So far every flight I have been on I have gotten the seat of my choice, regardless of paying the $15 extra to board early.  I flew into Philadelphia the day after Southwest had that engine failure and passenger death with emergency landing in Philadelphia.  When I boarded, I sat in a window seat and looked out the window at the engine staring at me and said, “Well God, I do believe you have a lot more you want me to do, so I’m going to trust you.” Although we had extensive delays with my flight (mechanical issues that resulted in a different plane to send us on our way), we made it safe and sound.

Friends bring me joy too.  Although I can’t see everyone on my trips, those that I get to see bring me much joy.  Even though I can no longer live in Berwyn, PA with the high housing costs (I’ve become spoiled with my low cost of living in Florida), I can visit frequently.  Additional joy also comes from my friends in Florida and my friends in Colorado, Arizona, California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas… and well any friend who lives any where I don’t.

Family brings me joy also.  Spending time with my sister, her husband and their fur babies Jethro, Cleo and Sassy was most relaxing during the Easter holiday.  A four hour drive to their home, it was several days of great meals and sitting on their patio and reading.  We even spent time in the pool on Easter Sunday.  I’m excited since I’ll be planning my sister’s BIG birthday party in October… It will be quite the event if I’m planning it.  Which reminds me to send out the “save the date” notices.  I talk to my brother often in California, and one of these days he will surprise me with a visit to Florida.  And I’m excited that my cousin Bill is moving to Florida soon having just bought a home south of me.

So you can see I have lots of joy when I accidentally wrote joyrnal.  I have additional joys on many things too long to mention here.  However, maybe my joys will get you thinking about what joys you have in your life.

Of course, disappointments hit us sometimes.  My big disappointment today was Whole Foods in Devon, PA.  Whole Foods now owned by Amazon, will be doing away with the bulk seasonings.  I use to live for the dried herbs d’provence, marjoram, tarragon and basil that I could buy a scoop of it rather than a whole jar that’s been treated somehow to last in my cupboard for years.  One more reminder that it’s the little things that we enjoy that are being eroded away in our society.  If you’ve never bought loose herbs you don’t know what you’re missing.  A scoop (the scoop is the size of a melon ball scooper) of dried herbs may cost you pennies and lasts as long as you use it.  However the same herb, processed and jarred by any of the name brand herb and spice providers would cost you anywhere from $3 – $6 and usually it’s in a plastic bottle.  I’m very disappointed in one more area of my life being consumed by Amazon, even though I am an Amazon shopper, I sell my own books on Amazon, and Amazon pays me royalties every month on my book sales.

So don’t be discouraged by your disappointments… be happy for your joys.  I’ll get over the bulk seasonings being lost at Whole Foods.  Maybe I’ll just have to create an herb garden and grow my own and dry them in my oven.  Now there’s a book I’ll need to buy on Amazon! … “How to Grow and Dry Herbs at Home” … Ha!  Or maybe it’s a book I should write!

Always Make It a Great Day

Love and Hugs

Rosemary Augustine

. . .

Photographed by Rosemary Augustine at Chanticleer in 2012

March 29, 2018: Since the first day of spring, I have been de-cluttering – my entire home.  I first decided to purchase a competitor’s journal course on de-cluttering.  Well, as much as I love to journal, by day 7 I was tired of constantly being asked “how do you feel about such and such” Ha! Damn it.  Give me some motivation to start purging, and what to purge other than spend a 10 minute burst each day doing … something.  I don’t need to organize my clutter, I need to take a serious look at purging, donating, selling and re-assigning my “real estate” in my home.

After day 7 of the de-cluttering journal course, no way was I going to continue to day 21.  Though I did skip ahead and sure enough by day 20 the author was still asking me “how did I feel.”  Day 21 sped me through what to do with my clutter.   Later that day I was online buying books (not related to de-cluttering) and came across “Real Life Organizing: Clean and Clutter-free in 15 minutes a day” by Cassandra Aarssen.  Let me tell you, just the opening chapter sold me.  This woman is a genius!  She has a questionnaire in the very beginning that determines the type of organizing that suites your style (you style of cluttering).  By the 3rd or 4th question, she had me pegged.  I’m a Butterfly!  And butterflies do best using vertical wall space, color coding and drawer dividers.  Oh my!  My de-cluttering has accelerated, and I’m organizing up a storm.  I’m purging unwanted items too.  And the journaling course was left in the dustbin.

If you have more “stuff” than you really want, or just don’t know what to do with it, do yourself a favor and buy this book.  I purchased it as an eBook for $4.99 and had it delivered to my Kindle.  Although Amazon jumps the price up and down, it was the best $4.99 I ever spent.

Meanwhile, I went dark on Facebook.  When I went to deactivate my account, I was given the option to assign someone else to be the administrator of Ziggy’s Secrets.  So, I’m in search since that’s the one page that made me so sad to give up Facebook.  I changed all my settings, blocked many settings, and logged out, so I’m off for now.  I’ve had to change my password three times just this month alone because of somebody trying to access my account.  I just need to think about who should handle posts for Ziggy’s page.

Hard to believe we are at the end of the first quarter of 2018, aka 1Q18.  Hope you’re still working your New Year’s Resolution(s), and if not, hope you are at least doing something fun. Enjoy the spring blooms and warming temps.

Have a wonderful Easter and watch out for all the bunnies.

Love and Hugs,

Rosemary

. . .  . . .  . . .  . . .

December 27, 2016: As we come to an end of 2016, it’s been a great year.  Lots accomplished.  January kicked off with the start of The Self Publishing Group – a monthly teleconference helping Indie authors navigate the business of book publishing.  This is an extension of the Meet-Up group I ran for three plus years in the Philadelphia suburbs.  If you know someone who wants to participate, please let them know of the link:  www.bluesprucepublishing.com/group.

In the spring, an eclectic store named Every Nook and Cranny in Mt. Dora, Florida accepted my art work and books to sell to customers. I’m excited, since I am selling my art – mixed media and collage items along with my cat books.  Here are a few samples.

I also spent most of the 1st six months revamping my book Secrets I Learned From Ordinary House Cats – adding additional text / pages, photos/graphics and a new cover.  My goal was to take it to a hard cover, but the only print on demand company (Ingram Spark) that offers hard back covers did not meet my standards for satisfaction.  I will be adjusting the size of the softcover book that is available on Amazon.  Long story but you can read all about my dealings with Ingram Spark at:  www.bluesprucepublishing.com/category/blog.

The summer months were glorious here in Florida with long hot sunny days that yielded much use of the fantastic swimming pool at my condo.  It was a chance to visit with neighbors and get some exercise.  The summer also brought the sudden death of my beloved feline, Ziggy.  Totally unexpected, yet it threw me into a 4 hour block of amnesia.  I have no recollection from the moment I found him until I returned from the ER with my neighbor.  It took a toll on my health with heart and digestive issues for several months.  His ashes rest with my other felines on a special shelf in my home.

By the end of October, however, I adopted two new kitties – Oscar (an orange tabby) and Zora a calico, that are six years old and litter mates – a brother and sister.  They are curious, full of mischief and just a couple of little loves.  Surprisingly, they adapted to my home very quickly, considering they’ve been passed around a lot in the last couple of years (original owner died and in/out of foster homes that didn’t pan out to be permanent).  They love the screened patio that overlooks lots of wildlife.  They are very spoiled.

If you are on Facebook, and are already one of the 2000+ followers on Ziggy’s page, thank you! Check out Oscar and Zora at Ziggy’s Secrets on Facebook.

As the fall approached, I did a little traveling to favorite spots including a short trip to Denver.  Frustrated by the election, I pulled way back on my personal Facebook page.  However, I would spend time sifting through cat videos and photos for Ziggy’s Secrets or add pictures to my boards on Pinterest – find me on Pinterest at Journal Queen. There were weeks that I would only post on Pinterest and Ziggy’s page.  These two sites Pinterest and (Ziggy’s Secrets) brings me much pleasure.  It’s my way of dealing with the election, various world events, and all the daily craziness of life.

As we move into 2017, let’s enjoy it to its fullest, since we don’t know what will happen.  After losing Ziggy so suddenly, it makes me realize we can be gone in a flash. Live in the moment, be grateful for the day and enjoy the holidays.

Wishing you all the best for 2017.  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you and yours.

Warmest Holiday Regards,

Rosemary Augustine

~ ~ ~

Well, it’s the last day of June!  End of the 2nd quarter and half of the year has gone by so far.  In six months, tomorrow will be New Year’s Eve.  It’s just another sunny day here in Melbourne, FL.  So far enjoying my new home, my new city and all that it has to offer.  But I’ll give you a good laugh for a Tuesday… The name of my Condo Complex is Fairways Four Condominiums and we are situated on Mallard Landing Golf Course in Melbourne. I’ve been wondering what hole I’m on as I see golfers out my window on the other side of the pond.  I often hear them yell after hitting the trees or hear them curse because they made a bad shot.  So one evening after dinner I took a walk toward the entrance and where the golfers cross to continue to play in front of my building.  I had a really good laugh when I saw that the hole is “Four” … you’d think it would have registered for me with the name Fairways Four.  Oh Well… I laughed for days on that one.

Meanwhile, Ziggy is having a ball.  He acts like we never moved and just loves the patio and all the critters that taunt him, including birds, squirrels, frogs, ducks, egrets, salamanders and only God knows what else.  Hopefully you have visited him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MyCoolCatZiggy.  We are currently in a month-long ad campaign on Facebook and so far he has 217 “Likes” as of this writing. He has surpassed my author page by over 100 “Likes” … so I guess that means he’s more popular than me on Facebook!  He posts things like: “TGIF – Thank God I’m a Feline” and “No, I’m not pole dancing, I’m resting against the patio table leg.”  He loves the warm afternoons and muggy evenings and comes in to get cool when it’s time for bed.

Talking about Facebook, if you follow me at all I want to clarify my different pages.  My personal page you’ll have to send a “Friend Request”; my author page and Ziggy’s page you just need to “Like” to follow either of us:

Personal Page: www.facebook.com/Rosemary.Augustine

Author Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorRosemaryAugustine

Ziggy’s Page: www.facebook.com/MyCoolCatZiggy

As for me, I started an acrylic painting class and of course I’m attempting to paint a picture of Ziggy next to a  pineapple.  I’ve been making a few crafts and most importantly, I’ve been writing, working on finishing my new cat book titled, Adventures with Byron.  There is an excerpt for you to read at my website: www.RosemaryAugustine.com/books/Byron.  I hope to get a copy to my editor before she goes into vacation mode with family at the Jersey Shore in August.  Katherine if you’re reading this… you know I’ll work with your schedule.

Thinking of all the projects you want to finish this summer? Have you put together a list of things you want to accomplish before September?  I have and when the list gets too long, I just pick 3 things and it makes life easier and the accomplishing more doable.

Some of you searching for a creative spark may want to join my Journaling Circles.  I provide a prompt every 1st Monday of the month and you work at your own pace and then upload it and interact with others on our private Facebook page: www.facebook.com/groups/Journaling-Circles.  We’re a small group but we’re consistent, and steadily growing.

Wishing you warm sunny days and cool nights over the next few months, as we’re heading into our hot days and warm nights here in Florida.  The AC is on 24/7 and has been serviced for the upcoming hot summer months.  Here’s wishing you a great 4th of July weekend with lots of apple pie and lemonade.

Warmest Regards,

Rosemary Augustine, Artist and Author

 . . .

Many of you remember milestones, special events and tragedies in your life, such as your 5th, 16th or 21st birthdays, the birth of your 1st child, buying your 1st home, your 1st car, or your farewell parties.  Many of you know where you were when Kennedy was shot, or that the day of 9/11 is etched so deeply into your memory.

Today marks the 1st anniversary of my  mother’s death.  The milestone we are told “things get better, the grief gets lighter – after you pass the one year mark.”  We’ll see.  May is particularly hard because the world celebrates Mother’s Day this month as well.  And Mother’s Day was 2 weeks prior to her death last year.

So on this glorious day in May, springtime in bloom, I give thanks to the woman who bore me, trained me, reprimanded me and loved me in her own way.  She lived to 100+ years (100 years, 3 months and 8 days), and she would tell you so regardless if you asked.  May 28th will always be a day of remembrance, along with my birthday, holidays, and 9/11.  A day to give thanks for all this woman gave me and all she represented.

Rest in Peace Mom!

…