Pink Slipped...a Slippery Slope

I have been teaching yoga at a corporate location for the last six months. The number of participants had been steadily increasing up until June when there were weighty layoffs. At the beginning of August, I was informed in a rather impersonal email that my services were no longer needed. Apparently, the fitness provider that had hired me as a subcontractor, had lost the account. I was confident that my reputation had preceded me with good grace to the new provider. It had, however I was told that my pay rate was substantially higher than usual...

"Calling Suze Orman, Suze Orman"...from a TV program in a hotel room in Raleigh NC, Suze's #4 Precept stuck in my head..."Ladies, you are not on sale!"

Months ago I held firm with my rate...then I renegotiated to a lower rate. This time I held firm and I lost the gig. I taught my last class today, brought in fresh garden veggies for the participants, and skipped out with a smile on my face. I am confident that the income will be recouped. I've added another class Thursday nights, and my body is grateful that it can recoup. I will devote that 2 hours per week to my prop resource promotion or the etsy shop. Or more frequent blogs.

Your Biggest Fan

My sweet little Handybreeze mid-century electric fan was featured on etsy's front page...
Keep Cool!

Bumper Crop

We expanded the garden this year.
















Need I say more?

Milwaukee

I hadn't been there since the summer of 1973. My good girlfriend Shelly was back from a student exchange program in Argentina. She asked me to help her make the move as she was attending Marquette that fall. Didn't see much of the town that day. And I was back home, via greyhound bus, that same evening. This July, Richard ordered tickets to see Bob Dylan at Summerfest over the the July 4th holiday. At the concert, Richard got a lap dance and I got Laura Bush's recipe for peach pie. Then we spent the next three days exploring the city on bicycles mostly. What great fun! Our base was the County Clare Guesthouse and Pub, a charming small hotel less than 3 blocks from the lake, tucked between churches, high rise buildings and residential. The hotel was bike friendly, and aside from my initial check-in response, friendly all together. Sumptuous bedding and a jacuzzi in every one of the 30 plus rooms made a comfortable landing at the end of the day. In the pub, I found a pint of Magner's cider to be a more refreshing finish than a Guiness. I also found that the savings of shipping from Milwaukee to Ontario vs Minneapolis to Ontario is negligible.

The graceful Quadracci Pavilion is a sculptural, postmodern addition
designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Asphalt shingled houses with colorful trim and stair steps define a neighborhood south of the "Polish Moon".

Catulpa in full bloom on Prospect Avenue

Hmmm...glad we were at Summerfest with Willy and Bob instead of the State Fair with Mayor Tom Barrett.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Hit With Pipe
Shared via AddThis

7 is a Good Number

I am getting razzed about the infrequency of my blogs.
The date of the last one was July 17.
Today is the 7th of August.

I like 7.
I was born on a Saturday, the seventh day of the week...January 17th.
To announce the word "seven", after droning through the one-syllable numbers, sounds interesting...sexy.
There are seven deadly sins, seven wonders of the ancient world, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and the now defunct Seven-Up candy bar(maple cream,caramel,jelly,brazil nut,coconut,fudge and cherry).
Don't forget # 7 Shades of Black is a song on the Smashing Pumpkins album Zeitgeist, which made its release in 2007....huh?

This one's for you, Richard.