Uncharted waters? Don’t we think that as we awake each day, we have absolutely no idea what lies before us? We cannot predict the unexpected phone call that will change our lives; we cannot predict accidents that may befall us or our loved ones. We cannot predict the best thing in life (in my estimation) which is love, can we? Nothing is certain. For most of us, no day is quite the same as the next — and I would say to that that we are lucky - for the most part - that we can look forward to something new, something wonderfully unexpected. We know, of course, that life is not a bowl of cherries. No one is immune to the sad times, the bad times, the unbelievable times, the times we may say “what happened here? I did nothing to deserve this? to hear that my life has turned upside down in a moment.” Things happen. The “uncharted waters” - be it cancers that so many of us have had, or deaths of loved ones, or tragedy for our beloved child that seems “the worst” of the whole group ( at least that is my experience) - are there. We are on a sailboat in life, going out on the waters and hoping for smooth sailing and the feeling that life cannot be better. And yes, at times it does seem that way. If we are wise, we bless those times - give thanks. But out on the sailboat of life, tell me one of us who has not encountered the reefs, the maelstorm that is rougher than we should have to endure, the whirlpool that can so easily suck us under - and sometimes does. You all know I am the positive thinker of all time here. I too have gone through the bad and the worse that we all have spoken of, but I am still here. In our world now, we cannot predict even tomorrow in our country. So far we have all been wrong. We can worry ourselves to death on this. But isn’t it better to make the most of today — and I hope it is a good day for most of us — but can’t we make the most of it in the ways that we enjoy most? I personally see no sense in looking back. There is no sense in saying “if I could only have done that over”. It is all done. Instead, can’t each of us gals today take a baby step or two out our own doors and maybe - if we want to - make others who are stuck in the muck and mud of life feel a little better by our own attitude? There was a mention of death by Joan Cooney. Of course, it is inevitable - and can come at any time,young or old. I have found that out big time, shed tears beyond belief. That is normal. Then we re-group, hopefully. And speaking of groups, we have the most wonderful, caring group of women on this site who provide support for each other, are there for each other in a way we are so thankful for — often better than best friends - and they spur our minds to go in all directions with the stimulating threads. Some days - many days - they are almost a lifeline for those who are in the house and not feeling as well. WOW women help us through the uncharted waters we are in, and can be counted on to give us a life when the waves are over our heads. We have a new lease on life —- as we have friends that will together pull us to shore in the high waves. How lucky can we be?

Kryssi K….do you have everything you need? Write about it.

Every day that we awake, open our eyes and roll out of bed…..leads to unchartered waters. No one knows what the day will turn out. So take each and everything whether it be exciting, mundane or frightening and go with the lessons, hidden within each!

The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say. — J R R Tolkien

Every day of our lives is unchartered water. We never know what the day will bring us. Coco Chanel said to always be prepared for destiny. And, so that is why I believe that when chances present themselves, we have to explore them; otherwise our destiny will never occur. As I’ve said before, I keep a magnet on my refrigerator—a quotation of Eleanor Roosevelt’s—“Do something every day that scares you”. Suzanne, you just wrote my favorite poem above, and one I read to my self aloud every New Year’s Eve, Ithaca. Every day is a journey to that wonderful destination, Ithaca. That is why I will vote for Obama and ventured into the beauty of uncharter water in a different direction than we’ve been before.

Uncharted waters? At the time—PTSD—took quite sometime to voyage my way through that minefield of terror.

I can only say, My whole life has been one of uncharted waters ! And for those waters yet ahead, Bring them on, life is an adventure! I am off to get the wires out today. It has been 9 months of jaw wires, can you imagine how excited I am to get these suckers off! In total I have had jaw wires for over 6 years, collectively, but this has been the longest single stretch! So it is off to the city NOLA, I look forward to catching up with all the posts this evening…

Columbus’ October 12, 1492, entry in his journal : “Many of the men I have seen have scars on their bodies, and when I made signs to them to find out how this happened, they indicated that people from other nearby islands come to San Salvador to capture them; they defend themselves the best they can. I believe that people from the mainland come here to take them as slaves. They ought to make good and skilled servants, for they repeat very quickly whatever we say to them. I think they can very easily be made Christians, for they seem to have no religion. If it pleases our Lord, I will take six of them to Your Highnesses when I depart, in order that they may learn our language.”[16] Lacking modern weaponry and even metal-forged swords or pikes, he remarked upon their tactical vulnerability, writing, “I could conquer the whole of them with 50 men, and govern them as I pleased.” According to Wikepedia.com. (sounds familiar) Roland

my columbus day story: two australian aborigines rowed across the english channel and claimed england for their people.

You all do know what happened in 1492, don’t you? My people, the Sephardic Jews were thrown out of Spain. If they did not leave, they had to change their religion, or be killed. Well, my ancestors left - found their way to Greece and Turkey. Others went to Holland, and other countries. It has always been told that Mr. Columbus was one of us. I believe it, but the Italians will never give in to that fact, nor will anyone else. As far as my life, it always repeats itself. Not the good stuff, but the bad stuff, nothing bad only happens once.