Month: April 2020

Misty Copeland

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Misty Copeland is an American ballet dancer for the American Ballet Company, (ABT). In 2015 she became the ABT’s first American American principal dancer in their 75 year history.

Ms. Copeland was born in 1982 to a single mother. While on a drill team in junior high her talents were noticed by her coach. At 13, while a bit late to begin ballet training, she started serious dance training. By 15 she had won first prize in the ballet category at the Los Angeles Music Spotlight Awards. From there she won a full summer scholarship to the San Francisco Ballet.

While other personal problems rose she overcame them and eventually joined the ABT in 2001 and in 2007 became a female soloist. While Misty’s body type was more full figured and skin color darker she was able to rise due to her exceptional skill.

Misty continues to motivate young woman of all colors with her positive attitude. She is an inspiration to all. To learn more of her life read her autobiography:

“Belonging shouldn’t mean you are like everyone else.” -Misty Copeland

Next Week: Queen Elizabeth

Bye, Bye Virginia

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My daughter sent me this cartoon several months ago and want to share it with those who read my blogs. It is my philosophy on life.

While I tend to be a budget traveler all else fits. Thanks, Sarah Andersen

Travel is everything to me and am grateful to have had many passion filled experiences with my adventures.

Will be leaving Virginia soon. Sadly was unable to visit many of the spots on my Virginia bucket list. If you get to any of the places listed below let me know your thoughts. Still trying to figure out how to access the comment page but am working on it. Here’s the missing places:

  • Fox Wire Farm – they have tours of their Alpacas. Google them.
  • Monticello – Thomas Jefferson’s abode.
  • Highland – President Monroe’s Home, next door to Monticello.
  • Westmoreland County, Virginia – Stratford Hall.
  • Chincoteague Wildlife Center – wild horses – boat ride.
  • Anything Washington D.C.

And remember…..

China Fess Up

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When reading the information about the Chinese death toll from the coronavirus I shake my head. This information does not equate. How can 1.8 billion people have 4632 deaths from this Virus? When visiting China 3 years ago a tour guide stated there were 450 weekly deaths from respiratory ailments.

Another concern is why western investigative reporters were removed from the country. And now all scientific data regarding the Virus is being reviewed by their government prior to publication. Cover up? Yes, to put it mildly.

Right now we need China for the PPE, (Personal Protective Equipment), they provide, so this writing is not done to create a rift. If you have read my blog I am a nurse, and we need them desperately. However, going forward globally we need to share accurate information to move closer to answers and hopefully a cure for this Pandemic.

We are all in this together on this one.

Lock Down Week # 4

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Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

Gosh this is already the 4th week of this blog. Ugh! Are you getting sick of being inside?? Here’s a couple of ideas of things to do.

Are you in the mood to do mindless things?

  • Amazon reviews – I can loose myself in these. Give it a try. Doing repetitive actions can help you forget, and don’t we need that today?
  • Cleaning out email files. Great way to find that missing email you really need. Put on some music and sing. Great stress relief.

Here’s some interesting clips to view:

And I promised exercise… Here’s my favorite. Miranda Esmonde White doing Classical Stretch. 10 minutes of pure stress relief via stretching. I promise you’ll want to do this daily. Everyday at 4:30 p.m. on the Classical Stretch Face Book Page. Can’t do 4:30? Just pick another previous session.

Keep to a routine, keep focused and busy.

And remember this is only temporary.

Hats Off to Governor Cuomo

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Thank you Governor Cuomo for your support and guidance during this pandemic. A long vacation is in store for you once this crisis passes. Each day receiving your update email enlightens and makes me proud.

The video attached to this email was particularly poignant and while having an uplifting message, it brought me to tears. But, as you say in every email:

Ever Upward..

YMCA: History to Present

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The Hampton Virginia YMCA closed last month due to coronavirus. My back misses it and tells me so. Swimming is essential for back pain relief. Working from state to state there always has been an available Y and for this I am grateful. Thinking of this let’s learn about their history.

How did the Y start?

The YMCA, Young Men’s Christian Association, started in London, England, in 1844 by George Williams, a 22 year old farmer turned department store worker. He and 11 friends began as a Bible group for young men needing a place free from the turmoil of early industrial England. The Y was an escape for these young men helping them find healthy social connections in large cities.

How did the Y come across the Atlantic?

In 1851, Thomas Valentine Sullivan, a marine missionary brought the Y to America. He created a home for sailors and merchants in the First Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

And today’s Y?

There are 2700 YMCA’s in America with 20,000 full time staff and 600,000 volunteers assisting 9 million youth and 13 million adults. The Y continues after more than 150 year of service helping others to remain active and fit.

Frances Perkins

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In tribute to the females of our world, both past and present, this blog will honor a woman every Tuesday.

The First Recipient – Frances Perkins

Frances Perkins, (1880-1965), was born to wealthy Boston parents. She studied at Mount Holyoke College, Columbia University, and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Though beginning her studies in chemistry and physics she was fascinated by her economics electives.

During a job in Philadelphia where she investigated employment agencies that preyed on immigrant women she enrolled in Wharton College to learn more of economics. From here she moved to New York City attending Columbia University studying political science and becoming involved in the women’s suffrage movement. Offered and obtaining a position at the National Consumer League she became interested in politics.

She was present at the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire where 146 female workers met their death due to unsafe working conditions. Theodore Roosevelt named her to the newly created New York State Factory Investigating Commission. After that Theodore’s distant cousin Franklin appointed Frances as Industrial Commissioner to the State of New York.

Upon his election to the presidency Frances became the first female cabinet member serving as Secretary of Labor. Most of the new deal policies of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt were crafted by Miss Perkins. Some of those being:

  • Civilian Conservation Corps
  • Public Works Administration
  • Social Security Act
  • Fair Labors Standards Act
  • Unemployment Benefits.

She was the longest tenured Labor Secretary serving from 1933-1945 and was the first female to be in the line of succession to the Presidency. The headquarters of the Department of Labor in Washington D.C. is named for her, The Frances Perkins Building.

In her retirement years she penned, The Roosevelt I Knew, which became a national best seller. She continued her work as a guest lecturer at Cornell University until her death at 85.

Next week: Misty Copeland