Getting fit with books

Of us at a later age remember sadly all we used to be able to do, but in this novel, the main character shows us it isn't too late. As many of us know when we are trying to get fit or healthy, it helps tread inspirational books. I heartily recommend The Memory of Running, and any of Diana Nyads books. She is the. Woman who swam from Cuba to Florida at 69.  Very inspiring.  Get out there and get going and when you come home read something that will inspire you to keep going

Review, Barbarian Days,A Surfing Life, by William Finnegan

I must confess, I was a third of the way through The Gene, Siddharta Mukerjee, when Barbarian Days came in the mail from amazon, which is where all my books come from these days.  I needed a break from the science, though I love science and read about it a good deal.  Anyhow, it is summer and I wanted a lift, a little mental vacation.  Any of you out there who saw the film Endless Summer, from back in the 60s will understand.  I got much more than a mountainous swell of detail on waves.  I got a fellow travelers experience of living, aging, and finding your way out from under the crushing waves of sorrow that go with living, such as the loss of parents, the diminishment of our own powers through the undertow of time.  Finnegan couldn't pop up from a crouch to upright on his board like he used to, I couldn't do yoga anymore on my inherited bad knees.                                                                                  Anyhow, I wondered how old the oldest continuing surfers were and it turns out there is a woman surfer age 73, Eve Fletcher, and a man, Woody Brown, aged 93.  A man at my gym just died age 94.  He hadn't been for a week or two and someone asked.  I hope I can go till I am 93.  The gym gives me strength and hope. Fi

Book talk

My friend, for whom I originally set up this blog decided she did not care to keep it after all, so in the spirit of recycling, I am taking it over for book talk.  The book I am almost finished reading now is Barbarian Days, but William Finnegan, about his life as a surfer.  It won the Pulitzer Prize.  Although I not only do not surf or even like the water, I also do not mountain or rock climb but I subscribe to Outside Magazine and read avidly on all those subjects.  The connection is outdoor adventure, which I love, and, in fact, I will end this first post now so I can take my dog for a walk.  More on this book later.

Trains

For my birthday this year, Nov.13, my daughter came and with my sister, we drove to Longwood Gardens, in Pa.  My daughter, Lavinia's grandparents Jones, met us there.  Her grandmother volunteers there and she gave us a tour.  We saw the thing I had most hoped to see before the exhibition period ended, the Garden Train set up.  It had it all, several sets of trains, many levels, a tunnel, gorgeous landscaping.                                 Possibly nothing can ever compare with the train set up at Jim Thorp, but that is closed now and will not reopen anymore.  Anyhow, why compare or compete, if you love trains, go to Longwood while the exhibition is still there,  Until the end of the month, it is the chrysanthemum festival.  We saw the giant with 1100 blossoms, and the Bonsai trees and many other natural wonders, but my great delight was the trains.

GREAT way to celebrate in Burlington

As you know I am always on the lookout for a terrific way to spend a day, and today was extra special.  I had some excellent personal news to celebrate and I decided, with a good friend, to drive to Burlington and hunt for treasure and visit the past at the Antique Center.  Everything here is beautifully displayed.  Tomorrow I will download and post pictures of some of our favorites, but for this entry I want to talk about a magical llunch.

I had looked up a harbor restaurant I had long wanted to visit and the one I found CurtCurtins Wharf on Pearl St.  There was a truly wonderful live jazz ensemble, I think called Bob Pollack Band.  Again, I am writing tired now, tomorrow I will add details as well as pictures but if you are looking for local charm and color for Memorial Day, fcrowdedseacrowded seashore and head over to Curtains Wharf for delicious food, GREAT music and a day full of fun.

On the way home, I decided to drive through the river towns, always charming, especially in Spring.  We stopped for coffee and dessert at what used to be zetas in RivMerton.

What a marvelous day and the lunch on Curtains Wharf was MAGICAL.

Happy Memorial day, I hope you find the time to remember and honor the brave ones who served that we might remain free.