He’s alive and well right here in Durham, NC! I ran into him and his wife this morning while getting my daily workout in at the Duke University cross country trail.
I was just starting my 2.8 mile trek and it looked as though they were finishing up. I immediately recognized Hartman even though he had on sunglasses. Some faces you just never forget and his was one I watched for many years when he was the co-host of Good Morning America.
He looked great and he was so charming! He was even gracious enough to stop and chat with me for a few moments. Of course I just had to tell him about my book, Whatever! A Baby Boomer’s Journey Into Middle Age. He smiled as he told me he was beyond the baby boomer generation. He may be 72 but he doesn't look a day over 50! That’s when I turned my attention to his baby boomer wife and told her she would absolutely love my book. I wanted to give them a copy but I didn’t have any in the car.
Let this be a lesson to all authors: Carry your books EVERYWHERE YOU GO.
Hartman said he and he wife walked the trail often so I was bound to see them again. And you know I’ll be looking out.
This is what I am calling a “Thank God for menopause moment!” because menopause and its annoying symptoms have forced me to be much more conscientious of my physical health and that’s why I go to the trail and that’s how I was able to run into David Hartman.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Why Baby Boomers are FAT in North Carolina.
When I first moved to Durham, NC more than 10 years ago, I noticed there were quite a few folks in my age group I considered to be overweight.
And then it hit me like a ton of bricks---The reason why baby boomers in my neck of the woods are overweight is because there are NO SIDEWALKS! Trying to exercise by walking in many Durham neighborhoods becomes a hazardous mission when you are competing with vehicles for road space. It’s especially challenging when the vehicles refuse to obey the speed limit signs or refuse to give us the right of way.
I never paid much attention to the city not having neighborhood sidewalks until this morning when my husband and I took a five-mile walk in Largo, MD. There were sidewalks for miles and miles and miles. And check this out: there were sidewalks on both sides of the street! It didn’t matter that it was hot and humid at 8am. Just the thought of strolling along on a beautiful sidewalk made exercising worthwhile and so enjoyable!
Many baby boomers in Durham are forced to take their lives into their own hands when they try to exercise. I wonder what developers were thinking about when they decided not to include sidewalks in their overall plans. Maybe they just figured we didn’t need them because we’d much rather spend our time smoking cigarettes in the city known for being the American Historic Tobacco District.
WHATEVER!
And then it hit me like a ton of bricks---The reason why baby boomers in my neck of the woods are overweight is because there are NO SIDEWALKS! Trying to exercise by walking in many Durham neighborhoods becomes a hazardous mission when you are competing with vehicles for road space. It’s especially challenging when the vehicles refuse to obey the speed limit signs or refuse to give us the right of way.
I never paid much attention to the city not having neighborhood sidewalks until this morning when my husband and I took a five-mile walk in Largo, MD. There were sidewalks for miles and miles and miles. And check this out: there were sidewalks on both sides of the street! It didn’t matter that it was hot and humid at 8am. Just the thought of strolling along on a beautiful sidewalk made exercising worthwhile and so enjoyable!
Many baby boomers in Durham are forced to take their lives into their own hands when they try to exercise. I wonder what developers were thinking about when they decided not to include sidewalks in their overall plans. Maybe they just figured we didn’t need them because we’d much rather spend our time smoking cigarettes in the city known for being the American Historic Tobacco District.
WHATEVER!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Smoking Can Cause Early Menopause
A newly released report indicates women who smoke are more likely to begin menopause before the age of 45 years, which puts them at increased risk of osteoporosis and heart disease.
Norwegian scientists have found that women aged between 59 and 60 years old were 59 per cent more likely than non-smokers to have undergone an early menopause. For the heaviest smokers, the risk of early menopause was nearly doubled. But women who had quit smoking at least a decade before menopause were 87 percent less likely than their peers who currently smoked to have gone through it early.
Personally, I’d much rather slip into an early menopause rather than develop lung cancer or heart disease as a direct result from smoking. The bottom line is SMOKING KILLS!!!
Other findings in the study indicated more educated women were less likely to go into menopause early, but they were also less likely to be smokers.
High social participation also cut early menopause risk.
The researchers found no link between coffee or alcohol consumption or passive exposure to smoke and early menopause risk.
I’m just wondering where all of this research was when my mother was suffering.
Norwegian scientists have found that women aged between 59 and 60 years old were 59 per cent more likely than non-smokers to have undergone an early menopause. For the heaviest smokers, the risk of early menopause was nearly doubled. But women who had quit smoking at least a decade before menopause were 87 percent less likely than their peers who currently smoked to have gone through it early.
Personally, I’d much rather slip into an early menopause rather than develop lung cancer or heart disease as a direct result from smoking. The bottom line is SMOKING KILLS!!!
Other findings in the study indicated more educated women were less likely to go into menopause early, but they were also less likely to be smokers.
High social participation also cut early menopause risk.
The researchers found no link between coffee or alcohol consumption or passive exposure to smoke and early menopause risk.
I’m just wondering where all of this research was when my mother was suffering.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Spend Your Next Vacation in Prison Baby Boomers
There’s apparently a new vacation craze for baby boomers. They’re being called incarceration vacations. Say what?
That’s right! The newest tourist destinations are former prisons, like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the Crime and Punishment Museum in Ashburn, GA. Eastern State goes so far to host a special Halloween Fright Night calling it Terror Behind the Walls and tickets range anywhere from $20 to $30 (depending on the day of the week you go) for a three-hour tour.
It seems that more and more outdated and closed prisons are drumming up new business with people who want the experience of being on “lockdown” while knowing they have a key to get out.
And if you still want more, you can always visit Boston or Amsterdam where their old prisons have been converted into upscale hotels.
As for me, I’ll see you on the outside!
That’s right! The newest tourist destinations are former prisons, like the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia and the Crime and Punishment Museum in Ashburn, GA. Eastern State goes so far to host a special Halloween Fright Night calling it Terror Behind the Walls and tickets range anywhere from $20 to $30 (depending on the day of the week you go) for a three-hour tour.
It seems that more and more outdated and closed prisons are drumming up new business with people who want the experience of being on “lockdown” while knowing they have a key to get out.
And if you still want more, you can always visit Boston or Amsterdam where their old prisons have been converted into upscale hotels.
As for me, I’ll see you on the outside!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Happy Family Barbie Grandma? Whatever!
My baby boomer girlfriend Angela hipped me to something today in her blog (www.angelabetts.com) I wasn't aware of and now I'm on my soapbox (thanks Angela)
I want to go on the record as totally objecting to Mattel's introduction of the Happy Family Barbie Grandma!!!
Who in the world is calling the shots at Mattel that they would think this is an acceptable product? I bet it's some youngster under 40 who doesn't have a clue about the baby boomer generation. We are the grandmas---we are baby boomer divas---and many of us don't look like the version they have depicted. The majority of "grandmas" I know are in the business world. They are sophisticated and savvy. We go to the Spa and work out at the gym. And Lord knows, the vast majority of us aren't looking like we're ready to retire at any moment. We don't have to hide our figures by wearing those grandma-looking sweaters and baggy polyster pants.
It's just like 50 years ago when they brainwashed us into believing that the only example of a "cute" doll was one who was white with long blonde hair. Now Mattel adds further insult to injury by doing this.
A doll like that might've been great for our generation when we were growing up. The family unit was different back then. Our grandparents looked somewhat like the image they're depicting. But it is totally unacceptable now. Mattel ought to be ashamed for introducing such a figure to the American public. I am starting a petition to get them to remove this doll image from their product line.
But if there's any consolation to this whole thing----she ISN'T BLONDE!
I want to go on the record as totally objecting to Mattel's introduction of the Happy Family Barbie Grandma!!!
Who in the world is calling the shots at Mattel that they would think this is an acceptable product? I bet it's some youngster under 40 who doesn't have a clue about the baby boomer generation. We are the grandmas---we are baby boomer divas---and many of us don't look like the version they have depicted. The majority of "grandmas" I know are in the business world. They are sophisticated and savvy. We go to the Spa and work out at the gym. And Lord knows, the vast majority of us aren't looking like we're ready to retire at any moment. We don't have to hide our figures by wearing those grandma-looking sweaters and baggy polyster pants.
It's just like 50 years ago when they brainwashed us into believing that the only example of a "cute" doll was one who was white with long blonde hair. Now Mattel adds further insult to injury by doing this.
A doll like that might've been great for our generation when we were growing up. The family unit was different back then. Our grandparents looked somewhat like the image they're depicting. But it is totally unacceptable now. Mattel ought to be ashamed for introducing such a figure to the American public. I am starting a petition to get them to remove this doll image from their product line.
But if there's any consolation to this whole thing----she ISN'T BLONDE!
Monday, July 16, 2007
This Baby Boomer Inquiring Mind Wants to Know
What was life like before cell phones?
I lost my cell phone over the weekend while on an out-of-town trip. I initially hesitated to take it because I make it a practice not to do telephone business on the weekends. Another reason for not taking it was because I was going to be with my husband and he’s the ONLY PERSON I generally answer the phone for on Saturdays and Sundays.
But then I figured if something happened to me on the road, having a cell phone would come in quite handy.
The last time I had my cell phone was early Saturday morning when my teenage daughter used it to talk to a friend. Instead of giving it back to me, she said she laid it down on the dining room table. It was only when I was getting ready to leave and return to North Carolina, did I start looking for it. By that time, it had mysteriously disappeared. I guess it just got up and walked away.
It’s amazing…just a few short years ago, I didn’t even like talking on a cell phone. As a member of the baby boomer generation, I grew up with a rotary dial phone. There was no such thing as cordless or wireless. Now I discover I can’t live without this new technology. I searched frantically all over the house looking for it. I thought I would die! No cell phone. No connection to the outside world. No way to call anyone if I should have an accident or break down on the road. What’s even worse is I lost ALL of my very important contact numbers. Do you know how long it took me to figure out how to import those numbers into my phone? Do you know how hard it was to get some of those numbers?
Today this baby boomer feels disconnected.
I lost my cell phone over the weekend while on an out-of-town trip. I initially hesitated to take it because I make it a practice not to do telephone business on the weekends. Another reason for not taking it was because I was going to be with my husband and he’s the ONLY PERSON I generally answer the phone for on Saturdays and Sundays.
But then I figured if something happened to me on the road, having a cell phone would come in quite handy.
The last time I had my cell phone was early Saturday morning when my teenage daughter used it to talk to a friend. Instead of giving it back to me, she said she laid it down on the dining room table. It was only when I was getting ready to leave and return to North Carolina, did I start looking for it. By that time, it had mysteriously disappeared. I guess it just got up and walked away.
It’s amazing…just a few short years ago, I didn’t even like talking on a cell phone. As a member of the baby boomer generation, I grew up with a rotary dial phone. There was no such thing as cordless or wireless. Now I discover I can’t live without this new technology. I searched frantically all over the house looking for it. I thought I would die! No cell phone. No connection to the outside world. No way to call anyone if I should have an accident or break down on the road. What’s even worse is I lost ALL of my very important contact numbers. Do you know how long it took me to figure out how to import those numbers into my phone? Do you know how hard it was to get some of those numbers?
Today this baby boomer feels disconnected.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
"I'm Still Hot" Tour Part II
Upon leaving the Fox studio in High Point, I ran into a few showers but they didn’t last long.
With my daughter and grandson in tow, I headed down Highway 85 south. It actually turned out to be a beautiful day for a drive! I popped in The Secret CDs and filled my mind with positive thoughts and inspiration. About two hours later, we’re pulling into the Concord Mills Mall, just outside of Charlotte. This is one absolutely incredible place! I’ve been there three times and still don’t think I’ve been able to visit every store. There are over 200!!!
Now those who really know me will tell you I never meet a stranger. I’ll talk to anybody---anywhere---and that’s just what I did at the Mall. I passed out my business cards and let folks know I was going to be on the Fox Morning Show the next day. I believe you should never let a moment go by without networking. As a result of that networking, I met a woman named Linda Dvorak who is a member of eWomenNetwork We exchanged business cards and she invited me to an event she’s having on June 28 at the Speedway Club in South Concord, NC. I was truly impressed with this woman and I believe meeting her was NO coincidence.
After doing a little shopping, I figured it was time to check into the hotel and then head over to the book store where I was supposed to be doing a signing after my TV interview.
Well, this is where I met my first two challenges. The first room I was given only had one queen size bed. That wasn't going to work. The second room had no hot water. How they didn't know that is beyond me. But finally, they got it straightened out and all was well in room 2312.
Next....the people at the book store (Park Road Books) didn’t seem to have it all together for my signing. They had no promotion up for me---although there was promotion for every OTHER AUTHOR scheduled to sign during the week. I decided it would be in everyone's best interest for me to cancel. What they missed out on was a wonderful opportunity to get some FREE PUBLICITY on TV because you know I was going to mention the book signing and location. But it was THEIR LOSS. Now, this is one of those instances where I could’ve made some “assumptions” but I figured if this window was being closed---God was preparing to open up another one---and that He did!
Coming up next time: My new “last minute” book signing and the interview on Fox 18 in Charlotte.
With my daughter and grandson in tow, I headed down Highway 85 south. It actually turned out to be a beautiful day for a drive! I popped in The Secret CDs and filled my mind with positive thoughts and inspiration. About two hours later, we’re pulling into the Concord Mills Mall, just outside of Charlotte. This is one absolutely incredible place! I’ve been there three times and still don’t think I’ve been able to visit every store. There are over 200!!!
Now those who really know me will tell you I never meet a stranger. I’ll talk to anybody---anywhere---and that’s just what I did at the Mall. I passed out my business cards and let folks know I was going to be on the Fox Morning Show the next day. I believe you should never let a moment go by without networking. As a result of that networking, I met a woman named Linda Dvorak who is a member of eWomenNetwork We exchanged business cards and she invited me to an event she’s having on June 28 at the Speedway Club in South Concord, NC. I was truly impressed with this woman and I believe meeting her was NO coincidence.
After doing a little shopping, I figured it was time to check into the hotel and then head over to the book store where I was supposed to be doing a signing after my TV interview.
Well, this is where I met my first two challenges. The first room I was given only had one queen size bed. That wasn't going to work. The second room had no hot water. How they didn't know that is beyond me. But finally, they got it straightened out and all was well in room 2312.
Next....the people at the book store (Park Road Books) didn’t seem to have it all together for my signing. They had no promotion up for me---although there was promotion for every OTHER AUTHOR scheduled to sign during the week. I decided it would be in everyone's best interest for me to cancel. What they missed out on was a wonderful opportunity to get some FREE PUBLICITY on TV because you know I was going to mention the book signing and location. But it was THEIR LOSS. Now, this is one of those instances where I could’ve made some “assumptions” but I figured if this window was being closed---God was preparing to open up another one---and that He did!
Coming up next time: My new “last minute” book signing and the interview on Fox 18 in Charlotte.
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