VENICE, CA. USA , RAINY NIGHT 2007

Here we are in Venice on a rainy night. Good thing too because we really need the rain in California after a long hot dry season and wild-fires.
This picture was taken with a phone camera and is not too bad. They just restored this old sign of Venice. It had been taken down a long time ago.
It really does look like the picture could have been taken 50 years ago except for the cars in the background.
If you look straight ahead you are looking at the beach area. Not many people out at 10pm at night. I think Californians are afraid of the rain.
It might get them damp.. When I lived in New Jersey once upon a time we used to love to go to the beach in the rain. The waves were beautiful. I like to go to the beach when it is cold and stormy and the tide is high.
Perhaps no one will ever see this but it is still a good picture.


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Why The Mask?

I posted the mask because I really think it's pretty. It also represents what we do in our lives. Sometimes we play at being other people all of our lives. There are personalities who seem to be really out there and themselves. If you know people long enough you can see the real person underneath the mask.
In order to survive to the 80's and beyond you sometimes have to be masked. Example: If you are hyperactive as a child you have to calm down in order for people to like you. If you are submissive then you have to learn to take chances and defend yourself. This applies to the work you choose to do in your life. You have to fit in to the category you have decided to be a part of in life.
Only you know and understand who you are and how you fit in this world. Lets hope it becomes easier to be real in your later years.
No matter who you are the world will see you as your mask. Not to mentioned the unrealistic view of young people who see old people without seeing themselves.
I like younger people and its a good thing they can't picture themselves getting older.

REMEMBER THE MOVIE "BEING THERE"

Surviving your 80's is not really about survival. You are just there and you are not sure how you got there. As the King in an old movie once said,"IT'S A PUZZLEMENT".
So there is no secret , just strong genes passed down by your distant relatives. A gift perhaps but then perhaps not. There are good things about this age group. Especially if you are blessed enough to have your mind and not too many debilitating diseases of old age.
Trust me! No one escapes. The bad parts are that year by year you lose your best friends one at a time. You suddenly realize you might be the survivor who gets to open the champagne from your 20's.
If you have children they get older. You may have to deal with their illnesses or losses. You are not necessarily responsible to do anything about their problems. But somehow your children stay in your mind as your responsibilty forever. It "ain't" easy folks.
There it is in a nutshell. You can still enjoy the sunshine or the rain. You can enjoy your pets if any. You can walk outside or go to the markets. If you still drive you can manage your own appointments and shopping.
If anyone happens to read this please contribute to the blog. I have more to say but I will probably wander into the past with some experiences I want to remember or forget. Kate Arnott