mermaidcamp
Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water
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Ikigai – A reason for being
October 18, 2015
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Ikigai, a perspective on purpose
Ikigai – the place where passion meets mission, vocation and profession. A place where we sit, contented and ‘right’ with the world, a place of where the energy flows freely, beautifully, productively. A place where we have purpose.
When this diagram appeared on my personal Facebook feed last week I just had to share it. I also promised myself that I’d take some time out to give form to what each arm of the diagram means to the ‘Realize Beauty’ me. I guess in doing this it will be a sort of business ‘sanity check’ or review….
Here goes.
- That which I love.
- PASSION: Chemistry/ science/ the scientific process/ seeing detail and beauty. I have ALWAYS been fascinated by the natural world and turned that love into a passion for science early on – a passion that was nurtured and indulged by my parents and my Uncle Raymond, a loveable uncle…
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Mabel Paws and her cat Bunny
October 14, 2015
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Feline Familiars
Photo: Pinterest
Mabel and her mother Sofie raised cats. They weren’t just any cats, they were Familiars. They were cats who knew, and were, magic. They were Witches’ cats. They were cats who had power and knew how to use it.
Mabel’s mother didn’t know how far back the line of cats went. Raising Familiars was simply what the Paws family did. Mabel, herself, was raised surrounded by cats. They slept in her cradle, licked milk off of her rosebud lips, purred into her tiny ears and cuddled around her to keep her warm and safe. To say that Mabel and her mother loved cats was a huge understatement. The cats loved them back but everyone knew they couldn’t stay together. Each had a job to do and a path to follow. Everyone except for Bunny. Bunny was a stray. She was a tiny little thing, undernourished, dehydrated and desperate…
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Margaret Lang, 9th Great-Grandmother
October 8, 2015
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Lang Coat of Arms
My 9th great-grandmother was born in Dedham, Essex, England and died in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. She arrived in Salem with her second husband by 1630, but had a hard life in the new world. Her husband abandoned her, but she won a suit against him for support in Rhode Island:
June 5, 1665 Rhode Island Records
“ Wheras ther hath ben a petition presented to this presant Asembly margrett porter the wife of John porter of This jurisdicyion of Rhod Iland &c; in which The said margrett doth most sadly Complaine that her said husband is destitute of all Conjugall Love towards her, and sutable Care of her; is gone from her and hath Left her in such a nessesetous stat that unavoydably she is Brought to a meane dependance upon her Children for her Dayly suply, to her very great griffe of heart. and the Rather Considering that ther is in the hands of her said husband a very Competant Estat for both ther subsistance; and Thervpon the said margrett hath most Earnnestly Requested this gennerall asembly to take Care of her and to take her deplorable Estate Into your serious Consideration, as to make some sutable provition for her Reliefe out of the Estate of her husband, and that spedily before both hee and it be Convayed away.
“The Court therfore Taking the matter in to ther serioues Consideration and being Thoroughly satisfied, both by Common fame and otherwise, That the Complaints are True; and that the feares premised of convaying at least his Estate away are not without grownds; and haueing a deep sence upon ther hearts of this sad Condition which this poore anciante matrone is by this menes Reduced into…bee it by the said Court and the authority thereof decreed and Enacted that all the Estate, bothe personall and Reall of the above said John porter, Lying and Being in this Jurisdiction is hearby secured as if actually seazed upon and deposited for The Reliefe of the aforesaid Complainant…untill hee hath settled a Competent Reliefe upon his ageed wife to her full satisfaction…”
Rhode Island colonial records
The following is excerpted from an article in The American Genealogist, July, 1998, Vol. 73, No. 3, p.180,
“Reconstructing Sarah (Odding) Sherman, wife of Philip Sherman of Portsmouth, Rhode Island,” by Patricia Law Hatcher :
The life of Margaret Lang Odding Porter was not one of stability. She was probably born by 1590 and married by 1610 to William Oddyn, a weaver.
In 1612 she was left with a small daughter, Sarah. Sometime before 1633, probably before 1629, she married John Porter, likely in Braintree. John and Margaret had a daughter, Hannah, probably born in England.
John, Margaret, Sarah and Hannah came to Roxbury during 1633, where they joined the church late that year. John Porter and his son-in-law, Philip Sherman ( Sarah’s husband ) were amongst those who broke from the Roxbury church.
Margaret was uprooted again, moving to Portsmouth, RI by 1638. Her life there was not a happy one as John abandoned her by 1665, moving to Pettaquamscutt and apparently taking up with another woman. Margaret was obliged to petition the court for relief. This court action was the last mention of her in the records.”
Margaret Lang (1590 – 1671)
is my 9th great grandmother
Sarah Odding (1609 – 1681)
daughter of MARGARET Lang
Eber Sherman (1634 – 1706)
son of Sarah Odding
Mary Sherman (1688 – 1751)
daughter of Eber Sherman
Thomas Sweet (1732 – 1813)
son of Mary Sherman
Thomas Sweet (1765 – 1844)
son of Thomas Sweet
Valentine Sweet (1791 – 1858)
son of Thomas Sweet
Sarah LaVina Sweet (1840 – 1923)
daughter of Valentine Sweet
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Sarah LaVina Sweet
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Are You Rich? Midas/Miser Archetype
September 29, 2015
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Each of us has a different scale by which to measure reward or gain. One man’s treasure is, indeed, another man’s trash. The movement toward minimalism and recycling is an uplifting worldwide trend to examine just how much we realistically need. Security is elusive as well as individually defined. One person may feel perfectly secure in a situation that another would find difficult or stressful. We are creatures of habit. Our spending and consumption is often kept hidden from ourselves in a self delusional zone. Many prefer not to confront financial reality until it rudely awakens us for some reason. Security is basically a figment of our imagination because life can deal out any card at any time.
The Midas/Miser character reminds us of the balance between enjoying our good fortune and maintaining high anxiety about loosing it. King Midas turns all he touches into gold. When he turned his daughter into gold he realized he had gone too far with his magical wealth creation. The miser archetype hoards possessions and emotions closely in the illusion that control is protection. King Midas, Mr Goldfinger and the hoarders on reality shows suffer from the same psychic complaint. Our culture has supported and praised the creation of wealth and consumerism as an economic religion. It is not a surprise that people have always had issues with gratitude and sharing. Now we die from diseases caused by over eating and leave behind a large pile of stuff that may have little value to others who inherit it. My own father was the spiting image of Midas when he died. I can tell you it is not a good way to go.
Insatiable greed comes with a full-time fear of decline. Sharing and fully enjoying the bounty life offers requires discernment. To know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em is a constant tightrope act. We have real needs and desires that must be met for our wellbeing. It is a fine goal to be healthy wealthy and wise. Presumably the wise part knows how to multiply the health and wealth by sharing it with others. As a global community we are learning this heavy lesson. Lifting everyone out of poverty is in everyone’s interest.
shadow financesFull Moon in Pisces August 2015: A Dream-Like Perception
August 29, 2015
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Full Moon Opportunity
Medicare on My Mind
August 25, 2015
— 3 Comments
Silver Sneakers
I will only pay four more ridiculously high premiums to the Aetna Insurance Company before we break up forever. They are leaving the state at the end of the year, and I will be eligible for Medicare at the same moment. I think I am lucky with that timing. I will not need to learn about anything other than Medicare, but it is a complicated task. I did not change my private insurance policy when the new regulations came into effect because I had only a couple of years left to use it. Now that I have a chance to design and create a plan that may really benefit my health I am pleased.
My investigation started with a referral for a health insurance agent. My friend’s agent referred me to a Medicare specialist who will see me this week for an initial appointment. Karyn Damschen is the agent who will walk me through the basics and help me decide on the best plan for my needs. After a short phone consultation I was happily relieved to know that an impartial independent representative of all insurance companies can advise and guide my choices. She works for me but is paid a commission by the insurance company whose policy I purchase. She also is my support for using the system and making the most of tax credits I may deserve. I probably could navigate the computer system when the policies and pricing become available in November, but the decision is important. My future health care (at least until the market opens again next year) depends on making a wise purchase. The more I know the better. I look forward to the guidance of a professional to help me make a wise decision.
Silver Sneakers is a program I plan to use to pay my health club dues. My club has the program, so in January I will be able to assign my dues to the insurance company of my choice. This is a gift that goes on giving. Now that I have paid into the insurance pools for years and extracted no benefits, I am ready to receive something that I value. There are specialty classes created for the senior set to enjoy in good health. My club offers Zumba Gold and a senior strength/flexibility class. I have not participated, but think it is an excellent idea to give special attention to this part of the population.
Zumba Gold
If you are eligible soon for Medicare I urge you to find an agent to help you make the best of it. Who knows, maybe I will see you at the Tucson Racquet Club sometime. I will be there enjoying my excellent benefits. I will be in the steam room if you need me.
Healthy Aging for Women, an Infographic via @UF #WomensHealth
August 11, 2015
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Basics of better aging for women
Summer Sun and Skin Safety
August 10, 2015
— 3 Comments
reflection in my pool
Summer ends with monsoon season here in Tucson. The humidity builds and storms bless the desert with rain in July and August. September can go either way, but normally it is dry, and just a little cooler. I do love our hot weather and spend time chilling in the pool to stay cool. I wear protective clothing, hats and sunscreen when I am outdoors. Recently my dermatology exam revealed a couple of spots worth of further testing. I had two biopsies taken, one from my shoulder, and another from my forehead. The results have not yet returned, but the physician’s assistant was certain that I am heading for surgery soon for both of them. This is the first year I am glad to see the hours of sunlight receding.
I am freaked out by the idea of cancer growing my skin, but am very happy that I can take care of them now before they become serious. A friend from the beach in California had a similar experience recently, but her medical doctor had to be convinced to examine her spots more carefully. She had to ask for a second opinion, and then was correctly diagnosed. (scary) Dermatologists can recognize the potential problems based on their extensive experience and training. The dot that will be removed from my forehead is practically invisible. It shows itself as a tiny red blotch, no roughness. The spot on my shoulder is a little rough to the touch, but I did not suspect it was cancer. Neither of these seemed like anything to me.
You may guess where this story is going, gentle reader. Sunscreen and hats are no guarantee against damage. We do owe it to our skin to be careful with exposure and use products to guard against damage, but the best defense is regular consultation with your dermatologist. With the expertise they possess and the techniques available now your outcome is likely to be good if you stay on top of your visits and exams. I am lucky my doctor, Dr Hu, at Specialists in Dermatology is located very near my home. I have spoken to a friend who had mohs surgery from Dr Hu for a spot on her nose. She is very grateful also to have nipped it in the bud. In both of our cases the early diagnosis when few apparent signs of danger were obvious to the untrained eye has made a big difference. No matter where you live, plan to visit the dermatology office on a regular basis. The face you save may be your own.
Tucson Sun
Learning from Mistakes, Genealogy
August 6, 2015
— 18 Comments
Pam and the Fam on the farm
I study my ancestry and family history. This fascinating subject consumes as much of my time as I allot to it. I have spent six years on Ancestry.com working on my tree. I am more skeptical now than I was in the beginning because I have been burned by specious data. It is painful to discover an error in one’s research, yet it is better to know sooner than later. I once had a magical surprise experience in Rhode Island at a very special private family home from the 1600’s. I was treated to a tour of the home and grounds since I announced that I was a Carr descendent. I was given instructions to find the family graves by my long-lost “cousin” who still lives on the property. I was in heaven. It turns out I was also delusional about my connection to that family because I had made a mistake a couple of generations earlier in my research. I discovered this error after I had returned home from my trip, and had to laugh about it. I also had to start again to retrace the lineage. That correction was easy because I had some good documentation to verify the facts. Other problems I have discovered or had pointed out to me have left me with a dead-end when I removed the phantom limb.
The odd phantom feeling after chopping off limbs and branches is caused my the attachment formed while studying them. There are several very common names in my tree including Scott. When I began my sturdy I started with notes written by my maternal great-grandmother about her knowledge of the family. She stated that my 2nd great-grandfather, Thomas Scott, was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. Even though we know his full name, Thomas Ewing Scott, born in 1842 in Ohio, I can find no decisive record of his military service. There are too many Thomas Scotts from Ohio for me to be sure. My maternal 2nd great-grandfather was, indeed, a soldier for the Confederacy. I am positive about that because I have a copy of his service record as well as his Confederate pension application that he made late in his life in Texas. After his death his wife also applied for a pension as a surviving spouse. I have her application documenting her husband’s service also.
If you find written documents of a private source they may or may not be accurate. Only when you can back up your story with official documents do you have a solid case. I have learned the hard way to verify all the connections fully before jumping back to another generation. There are many trees on the Ancestry.com site that have unverified connections. Copying the work of others without making sure of it can lead to bigger and longer errors. This is not even as safe as the cold war when we trusted by verified. Don’t trust until you verify. This practice may save you many hours of wasted time. After I have recovered from the vexation of discovering I had been wrong I still had certain affection for those people who turned out not to be related to me. My philosophy now is that I learned about history while I was out on the wrong limbs, and I have never claimed to be a professional genealogist. I am more of a time traveller. Do you know any of your family history, gentle reader? How did you learn about it?
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- Carr fam cemetery
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- Carr plaque
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- Carr home
Fitbit Addicted
August 1, 2015
— 7 Comments
Fitbit monitor
My iPod touch has suddenly lost its mind and ability to function. This might not be a big deal but when it crashed it took with it my ability to sync my Fitbit. This turns out to be a much bigger freak out than I could have imagined. I have reset and attempted to sync it with my other devices but it refuses to operate. I am unable to count my steps/miles/calories since early this morning. I had no idea how addicted I have become to knowing how far I have gone at what time during the day. I dance or walk 5 miles in the morning and then put in between 3-4 more miles during the course of the day. I love watching my little graphs and numbers move as I do. I might be completely obsessed with these graphs, truth be told. This temporary interruption of technical feedback shows me I need to back off the addictive qualities and enjoy the fun aspects of the Fitbit a little bit more. Long ago in a land far away I had exercise anorexia. I hardly suffer from that problem now, but this is reminder to keep my attention on what is important..healthy fun.
I have found a place in Austin that will repair my iPod at a reasonable price, but since this death happened on Saturday it seems I will need to wait until Monday to communicate with the repair shop and ship the device to them. I have done this before with an ancient iPod with success. I believe a battery replacement will get me back to normal quickly. If not ,I can consider repairs and costs they will present to me after a diagnosis. All in all it will be simple for me to get my favorite device back in order. I have an iPhone and 2 iPads, so I am not really suffering without connection. I have all my internet powers EXCEPT my sync for the Fitbit. I hate to admit how seriously I love those graphs and numbers on the Fitbit. I have reset the Fitbit several times, but this is not working.
In order to embrace how helpful it is to have the graphs as well as how the graphs only represent reality, I need to chill in this situation. I can move and dance to my heart’s content even if the Fitbit is not reporting my good deeds back to me. The feedback has been helpful, especially the information I have gained on my sleep patterns. The tool is only a tool, however. Reality is the important aspect of my fitness program, not how self competitive I can become with my Fitbit. This short break might bring me to a happier medium, but when I can once again sync I know I will be very happy. Do you have a movement monitor, gentle reader? I highly recommend the systems. Just be careful you don’t get too crazy about your numbers as I have. The numbers matter less than the reality.
