Itsa Village

A Salon Rebirth?

I'm proposing these questions from the NYT as, perhaps, an early new discussion. What do you think?
These are All of the questions in an article about finding love, so they all may not fit easily for us.  These were also directed to younger people than we who were interested in dating opportunities. While that may be one or two of us, (ahem) we are not (to the best of my knowledge)
trying to date each other! :)   ...an FYI

36 Questions:

Set I

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

4. What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

Set II

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

16. What do you value most in a friendship?

17. What is your most treasured memory?

18. What is your most terrible memory?

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

20. What does friendship mean to you?

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?

24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

Set III

25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling ... “

26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share ... “

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
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There is a YouTube group called Jubilee who has filmed many fascinating conversations from these questions. This link is to their Playlists; to see the series, scroll to the group called Tea for Two.
You might enjoy a further look around that site; they have made some amazing (to me) videos featuring opposites such as Minimum Wage Earners and Millionaires.  Many different subjects. 
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Comments; questions?  Good idea? Bad idea?
What do we want now, as opposed to what we wanted pre-pandemic?
What do you need/want from this group?

 

 

Because I knew you...

I've not seen "Wicked", but I love this song: "For Good".
Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order...

Disclaimer:
I don't own the music or the recordings, nor do I benefit in any way from these postings.
Links go to public postings on YouTube where credit is given to those involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year 2021

This new year is not the marker we all want right now. I hear people talk about 'getting back to normal' or 'the New normal'.
I think it is way too soon to make guesses about how that will look. There is this nice clean New Year, though. Each of us must make of it what we will.

Here is Pentatonix's version of Auld Lang Syne:

And this link is to a good article about the song and its lyrics.

And the lyrics:

Auld Lang Syne by Robert Burns

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give us a hand o thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne*?

For auld lang syne, my jo,
for auld lang syne,
well take a cup o kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
and surely I'll be mine!
And well take a cup o kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
and pud the gowans fine;
But weve wanderd mony a weary fit,
sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paddld i' the burn,
frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roard
sin auld lang syne.

And theres a hand, my trusty fiere!
and gie's a hand o thine!
And well tak a right gude-willy waught,
for auld lang syne.

https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/12/31/auld-lang-syne-meaning-239618

Sharing Christmas during the Pandemic

It's possible to 'share' things these days... just not kisses and hugs!
What a bummer that could be were we not crones and so highly evolved!

As keeper of the blog, I sent an email out Saturday morning:

Good Morning!  I hope you had a great Christmas. I certainly did! 8-9 hours with Jessica!! Wahoo!
We rocked out with Rummicube, had a good meal, and talked too long to watch "Soul" as we first planned.
I'm going to miss our conversations tremendously. We're really good at the Deep Dive.
And we were aware, without being maudlin, that she will be gone in 4 days. I think it enriched the experience rather than damping it.

So, what was your Favorite Part of your Christmas Day?   Santa slippers, perhaps? LOL!
I have not hidden your names on this email in hopes that you will 'reply to all' and add just a little extra "Community" feel to this weird holiday.
I love and miss each of you. ❤️

 

Kate

What follows are the responses as they came in:

So great to hear, Kate,about your full and loving day with Jessica. Give her our love as she leaves for a new chapter. We had a wonderful day with our new “household “ with Kathryn and Marcia, who have generously taken us in as we live next door in our 5th wheel.
We had FT calls with family, played Joker, ate great food (thanks to Marcia and Mel), sang and watched football.
I am so grateful for all the goodness in my life even in this difficult year. We miss you all. May you have a safe and improving 2021. ❤️  

Kate H.

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Nice healing from y’all. We had a quiet day. Long walk with Daisy, nice meal and a little football. 

Today is looking a lot like yesterday. Well, I did drive to Zocca’s for lattes. Delicious. And on that drive I watched the wild horses stroll across Mechem. What a gift. 

Hugs to all,

Angela

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Hello friends,
Kim, Verna and I had a quiet day. Verna is my aunt who has multiple health issues and has been living with us since early March. Other than the challenges of dealing with someone with dementia, it was a good day. We exchanged gifts with my kids and grandkids via Zoom and had a yummy meals of homemade tamales.

Much love to all. May 2021 bring access to COVID vaccine so we can get her once again!
Love, Nona

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Hi all,

The best part of hearing from everyone is that everyone seems to be healthy. That is a blessing in itself. Our day was very quiet,a little sad, but worked very hard at working past that. Fixed Carol a vodka martini and she was in bed before 10 pm. Hahaha...She cooked a down to earth camping recipe that was delicious. Watched football and hit the sack early.. so good to hear that everyone had a wonderful day.
We hope 2021 holds many positives, most of all seeing everyone again.
Love to you all,

Mary and Carol

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so happy to be hearing of everyone's enjoyment in their day, even amidst some challenges....

my day was indeed a blessing also, filled with love and fun and laughter that i will surely miss ❤️

big hugs to all....🤗 
Jessica

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Thank you Kate and everyone for sharing. So beautiful to hear that you all found joy and laughter through this bizarre holiday season.  I have had my grand boys for a week and that is a blessing in itself. Much and good food has been shared, great conversation with my oldest, he is now 17, love to watch the change as they mature. 

Jessica, much joy and happiness in your new adventure on this journey 🙏   
Blessings to you all.  May you be safe, happy and well in the New Year. 

Angie

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We found that it doesn't take much to entertain us! We received toilet lights from our friend and neighbor, Kim. The toilet light, for those who may not know, fits on the toilet and lights up in the middle of the night when you go to the bathroom. It even changes colors! So this was one of our favorite gifts. And another favorite was from Peggy. She had a jigsaw puzzle made from a picture she had taken of Frida. When we get it finished, I'll take a picture and email it to the group. Love and miss all of you and am looking forward to the day we all get to get together in person.
Love,

Susan

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Hi guys, I also had an extremely exciting holiday.....NOT!. I zoomed with my kids in LA , San Francisco, and DC Christmas day then went to Carrizozo to a yummy prime rib dinner at my friend Bonnie and her husband's. Spent the night so I could drink to my hearts content! With my usual lightweight limit of 1 cocktail, 1 glass of Cab, and 2 itty bitty glasses of limonchello! my favorite gift, The promised land by B Obama. No complaints, my life is good. Miss you all and can't wait for 2021.

Irma

 

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Good morning, all;

 

So nice to hear from all of you this week.  I feel like I’ve been in a tunnel the last few weeks.  I have pre-registered for the Covid vax, because I’m ready to see all your faces sooner, rather than later.

 

Christmas was quiet here.  Mike’s mom passed away Wednesday afternoon and we’ve got his dad with us, who is understandably a bit of a mess.  We know she suffers no more, but that seldom eases a loved one’s suffering.  

 

I’ve had the opportunity to do quite a bit of cooking this week, given the circumstances, and I almost always love being in the kitchen, and don’t often get to, so there’s that.

 

Looking forward to a new beginning after this week and, hopefully, some time off during our coldest month of February, to go be somewhere warm...or, at least different.

 

Love you all gobs.  I still offer La Junta Guest Ranch for a socially distanced gathering if/when you all have grown weary of a lack of human connection.

 

Hug and smooch to you all.  Happy...HAPPIER New Year!

 

Sheri

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I forgot to report the joy and wonder of watching elk stroll by here frequently, wild horses come to the fence and we toss carrots, and M and K saw a mountain lion go by couple weeks ago. Natures gifts! 
I’m reading A Promise Land too. Good to hear u Irma.

Kate H.

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Kids Meet a 101 Year Old Woman

I couldn't resist putting this up, either. 

 

 

Birds of Paradise...a video

Only because they are beautiful, and we're unlikely to see them any other way...

 

Sing the Water Song

This doesn't really have anything to do with our Salon, per se, I just really like it. And think that you might, too.
The settings won't allow me to embed it here, but you can see it on Vimeo.

Sing the Water Song from Sing The Water Song on Vimeo.

 

TGB and Betty White!

OK, yes...I'm a little stuck on the Time Goes By blog... but look what I found!!

She has a whole category called TGB Interviews, here.
Here's a direct link to one with Betty White from 2011, when she was only 88!

Leonard Cohen at 75 (2009) and Hallelujah

 

Not much to be said. I love to hear a song writer sing her/his own material. 

hmmm...  'their' own material...  ?

 

One more I can't resist - 90 year old Swing Dancer!

90 year old Hollywood Swing Dance legend Jean Veloz dancing with Lindy/ Swing dance instructor Steve Conrad of the Arizona LIndy Hop Society at FatCat Ballroom in Phoenix, AZ Music by Solomon Douglas.

Full disclosure: Ms. Veloz danced all her life, much of it professionally.  I found this link to notice of her 95th birthday, which includes links to some of her much older material.

 

We're Never TOO Old!!!

From a famous Older, here's Willie Nelson's latest effort, published on Youtube only a month ago. He's 86 years old now.
Some horse lovers and maybe some old women will appreciate this particular song.

Ride Me Back Home:

And check out this one, published just Last Week. Hear an Older sing about the passage of time in Come On Time:

 

Great Depression Cooking from Clara Cannucciari

Clara is dead now. But she was a cool old woman who started posting videos to Youtube 12 years ago.
She's funny, and tells stories throughout the cooking process.

Clara Cannucciari:
98 year old cook, author and great grandmother, Clara, recounts her childhood during the Great Depression as she prepares meals from the era. Learn how to make simple yet delicious dishes while listening to stories from the Great Depression. Clara passed away in 2013. She left us with her recipes and stories and hoped that they would continue to entertain and teach you and your future generations.

a video chosen at random...

84 years old and still singing!!

Lyn Burnstine, among many other things, is an inspiring Elder who has a flair for language, sings, and is a repository of knowledge of American Traditional Folk Music.  In this video, she sings with her group, "The Merry Wives". She also writes Reader Stories at TGB (blog-Time Goes By). 
She's the one in the middle.