Dear Diary

[Loveslife]

Tina,
I felt that way too, because I have been so out of touch. I think it's best to just pick up where you can and respond to what you can.
I think the most important thing is to not feel pressure.

This thread is meant for all of us to unload, so to speak, and not feel pressure. We give when we can, and ask for help when we need it.

((((((((((( LOVE ))))))))))
XOXO

[tina martin]

Thank you, J. Your heart is big enough to accommodate everyone. Sure hope you have found the Yellow Brick Road. I remain the Lion. One thing about dementia: the news of the end can't come soon enough. It's what I long for every day. My gift from brother is that I will have the courage NOT to go out that way. He is now completely lost to me.

R, I have found a place that sells all the hardware and gives lessons in its use. Seems costly but is peanuts next to the costs of dementia. Now I must just find the courage to drive there as long as I'm still driving. Life and its many adventures. On a cheerier note, want to add that my experience with the robbies is a highlight I like to relive. It was wonderful when you lived it with me. Thank you for all the time together.

[LyndaLu]

tina: you are in my prayers.

L

[tina martin]

Thank you, Lynda, I know you mean well. We all do. We reach within ourselves, reach out to others, seeking the strength to face whatever we must. I walk every day, looking to the sky, clouds, trees, air, fragrance of pine trees, the sight and sound of birds, feeling connected to nature, trying to feel renewed and so can return to try and be supportive.

Nature can be a great solace.

[LyndaLu]

Speaking of nature, there was a beautiful full moon on March 8th. Hope you got a chance to see it.

L

[tina martin]

Have not seen the real moon recently but often see it when I meditate. One of my images (came out of nowhere) is me floating on a carpet in space toward what seems to be a bright moon. It is a calming, soothing image. Then I like to dance to Neil Young's Harvest Moon.

Meditation is big for me, it is part of the program. The program is really ahead of its time.

[LyndaLu]

tina: One of my images ( while getting a massage at a local Yoga studio) is to
imagine myself floating face-up in a very, calm quiet lake. And also while I
am getting the massage I am doing the deep, cleansing breathes so that I
remember to breath along with the massage. I will now have to add a wonderful
full moon to my "image".

[tina martin]

The water image for me is floating under water with fish, coral reefs. Weightless.

Have never had a massage but plenty of yoga for years. Now I have added Qigong where I almost do standing meditation. These are ancient practices that can be such adventurous and calming antidotes to our times of hyper technology. Hope all is well with you and the program is starting to work for you.

[LyndaLu]

Dear Diary:
I think that I am spending too much time on my computer lately. I cannot seem to turn
this computer off. It is almost like an addiction ! I know that there are practical uses for
this computer and I use my computer for important things. But now I can't turn the thing off
so that I can do other things, like work on the program or read my self help book. I used to
love to read, what is happening ?

I used to have a cell phone but I got rid of it. It was too much of a distraction with the text
messaging, etc. I am probably the only person in the world without a cell phone. I now have
a landline phone with an answering machine and it works out quite well for me and my lifestyle.

I once thought that the television was a huge problem, filling life with hours and hours and hours
of mesmerizing programs. Did I get anything out of them? Do I get anything out of them now?
Maybe the television does relax me every once in a while, but that becomes an addiction too!

Really, our society is full of televisions and cell phones and computers and no one really
talks to each other anymore. The other evening my sister sent me an e-mail and I just happened
to be on my computer at the time, so I answered her promptly. That sort of freaked her out
that my response was so immediate. Instead of writing on the e-mail, why can't
my sister and I just call each other up on the phone. I don't think long distance rates are gonna kill our
pocketbooks. Just to hear a voice would be nice, even for a few moments.

Going to sign off of this computer now, at least for today.
Lynda

[tina martin]

Lynda, you are not the only one without the cell phone. Count me in. And, yes, the computer can be addictive, no doubt about it. Self help sites may be helpful, to be sure, but we must use caution. TV has never been much of an issue for me, thank goodness. Am addicted only to Charlie Rose. But I can watch even him in muted mode.

Am skeptical of most of the "wonders" of technology including Facebook and Twitter and YouTube and the Apple products. What these things will do to our brain, to us as humans has yet to be determined. It may turn out to be quite different than at first glance.