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Sunday, March 26, 2017

Won't You Be Our Neighbor?!

Life on Newark-Granville is looking for new neighbors.  The house next door, gorgeous historic home, is for sale.  It has been empty for some time and now it is on the market.  I remember Joe visiting the Abbotts when they lived there and he said- that is the most beautiful home in Granville. The stair case, with bench seat in front of lattice work window is just one example. The park-like tree setting with great access to town makes this a very special proprety.   Know someone that wants to be in Granville and wants to invest in history and charm....share this listing please!

https://www.herrealtors.com/HughPrice/homes-for-sale/1098-Newark-Granville-Road-Granville-OH-43023-198986448

AND a beautiful, practical (says the woman not liking stairs leading into her house) brick ranch around the corner is also for sale.  Joe and I love this clean lined, beautiful floor plan home that has been so well cared for by fabulous neighbors!   Great street, same great access to town! http://www.mckivergingroup.com/Granville/Ohio/Homes/Granville_Schools/Agent/Listing_238160029.html 

It isn't us, it isn't the cows- we rarely smell the country perfume by the way.  I'm embracing the opportunity to welcome new friends into our lives on Newark-Granville Road.  Thanks for helping us find great neighbors.

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

more blogs.....perspective and donuts....and some fun coming up!

Quick update today.  Thanks to friends for sharing so much through one blog.....it started with one poem that I'll share later that relates to my fall, but it relates to this poem as well.  Enjoy....


And here is the blog I submitted about the opening of Brick Alley Donuts- yummy stuff. How fun to be asked to cover the grand-opening!  By posting this now it takes me back to Saturday morning.  I settled in with a cup of tea, donuts and my lap top to write and reflect- it was a great day Saturday and started well.  https://lickingeats.com/letseat/10-restaurants/120-tasty-treats-celebrated-in-downtown-newark  

Lots of fun next week with Licking Eats- get your tickets to the tap take over and benefit concert on Saturday at Thirty One West! Plus check out all the great specials happening with tasty buns!

Life on Newark-Granville Road- always full in delicious ways!

Friday, March 17, 2017

You don't know what you have until it is gone, or out of reach.....

Figure eight moments- another time in my life to exemplify my perspective that life is a series of figure eights, not just circles.  Figure eights are circles of course- touching, overlapping. Just as an ice skater moves over this pattern without replicating the exact course, no two journeys are the same.  Often our patterns are similar but not identical.  And this is how it has been for me with time in a boot, not using one leg, on crutches.
I’ve been working but in different place.  Wednesday morning, I returned to my office on the 2nd floor of Beth Eden. I sat with tears (and I have not cried much the past seven almost eight weeks) with my mind racing in reflection: what ifs, ah-has and reminders and ideas.  I can’t just have the results of neuron stimulation reside in my brain- they must come out; they must do good.  Yes, my true extrovert behavior takes action.
Sunshine- oh how I’ve missed you.  The 2nd floor office affords me a beautiful view but most important, what I had not thought about until it was missing- the sunshine as a direct companion.  I’ve also learned I am deficient in Vitamin D- even more reason to crave the sunlight.
It was as if time stopped- the calendar on the wall had not moved- it was left on January.  I returned on March 15th.  I left my office on a Monday evening with every plan of returning the next day. I left with piles on my desk, organized with projects for the week in the queue and have not returned. A fall down the stairs, a ride in an ambulance, an x-ray to confirm two broken bones that led to surgery- put me in the downstairs office and working from my couch.  It felt so good to return.
Moving, changing spaces- I’ve resided in four spaces to do my work on campus since returning to Denison as my employer almost two years ago.  The moves are so healthy.  This too is a figure eight movement. Think of the center as work, and where I do the work as the loop of the eights.  Go back further in time and my work in Beth Eden as a tour guide and senior interviewer showcases another journey on a similar but different path.  Enough about figure eights, lessons to share during this time:

-disability insurance- number one!  We all should have it.  Don’t have it?  I have someone for you to talk with to understand why. Then I suggest you research getting it.  I think I’m still in the age where we’re most likely to become disabled than to die.  As we plan for life insurance, what about disability insurance?  Close to home right now- we made due, I didn’t miss work but what if…. I shudder thinking about this.

-planning your day- can someone sit down at your desk and do your job, pick up your work and bring it to you?  I joke about the beer truck taking me out, a friend would joke about winning the lottery- what about a fall with a broken ankle?  We work with talented folks that could carry on and make due- we should make it as easy as possible.  It also helps us pick up productivity day to day.

-clutter- what can we do without?  I’ll be pitching more things that I have not needed these last few weeks.

-take time to appreciation and in your own way step away and look with refreshed eyes. 

-art- I’ve so missed my art!  And the spirit of the artists. I intentionally brought art to this work space that inspires me, comforts me. Landscapes, florals, mountains, sea. Some gifts from others providing deep gratitude and the gift of memories. Some gifts to myself connected with my children’s presentations. Various mediums now appreciated- the felted landscape of Chris Lang has particularly touched me this morning and Jane Heller’s colleague.  I love to explore the “why” but will save that for another day, another blog.


There is more to share and reflect, such as more about the people I’ve missed and now will miss. For now, I’ve channeled the swirl of emotion into a vessel for others to sail and to carry me further another day.  Life on Newark-Granville Road one of the figure eights of my life within my work life, thanks for reading and traveling this part of the journey.

** Update on the ankle- I'm now able to put weight on the boot.  I'm in the boot for six more weeks. I can drive by taking my boot off in the car, putting on a shoe.  Then I put the boot back on to go places. I've started PT and will do this for eight plus weeks to get me back in full form.  Every day I make progress and become more mobile!

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Blogging about a Blog entry- check out Donatos Granville!

https://lickingeats.com/letseat/10-restaurants/118-donato-s-for-family-dinner-in-granville

I hope you will visit the Licking Eats blog to read about our family's outing to Donato's Granville. The team there is doing a great job.  I made sure to send my two cents to corporate as well -lots to praise.  I don't know why but I am always willing to make a suggestion or two- love to share ideas and input.  I use to write to customer service centers all the time.  Being in a customer service field for my first employer may be part of it. I personally do value feedback and so that may be why I share it.  Golden rule?

Anyway- I hope you'll follow the Licking Eats efforts- great insights and a fun event coming up the last week of March.  Spring Break for the Leithausers is local so we're looking forward to the inspiration to get out!  Life on Newark-Granville Road enjoys a night or two out of the kitchen, Licking Eats shows us the way.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Watching TV and why- go Lila!

What we are watching in our lives on Newark-Granville Road and Why!

I found about the show because of Facebook.  A college classmate’s daughter is a contestant on Master Chef Junior, Season 5. Maybe I do live in a bubble as I had no idea there have been four seasons before this?!  My kids knew… What fun it has been to tune in and have a connection.  I shared the news with my kids as they are HUGE fans of cooking shows. Cupcake Wars was a staple forever and it isn’t a surprise when something else cooking related is on the tv. Sally has joined me to watch Lila DeLuca and cheer her on- we’re both impressed with all the young talent!   http://www.fox.com/masterchef-junior/full-episodes  I admit to being a bit behind in the show but will tune in tonight and catch-up later.  More about our favorite contestant, the one in the braids: http://www.theothercape.com/stories/2017/3/5/liladeluca

And as I’ve been watching I’ve enjoyed the host/judges.  Christina Tucci - wow, just today I found out she is the mastermind behind MumufukuMilkBar- a NY favorite place and memory!  Yes, memory- an extended work trip to see NYC through the eyes of dear friends’ daughter!  The group introduced me to this addictivly yummy dessert stop.  What fun we had saying mumufukumilkbar. I was a skeptical but one taste of cereal milk ice cream and I was all in…I even went back the 2nd day for breakfast at a 2nd location.  Take a look, find a location, order on-line and enjoy!  http://milkbarstore.com/

Bottom line all of this is about creativity, risk taking, life lessons and people!  Talented, hardworking people and young people- sharing their passions and talent!  What is not to love about that? It is also a nice way to have some down-time in our lives on Newark-Granville Road…with our foot elevated!

Sunday, March 5, 2017

See you Wednesday Night at Denison for.....

Two Great Options!  It will be a typical Denison day- too many choices, too many good things to do, too many options.  So many good people make good things happen and so there is overlap. Wednesday night is one of those nights.  Since I can't be in two places at once I'll start one place and end another.  This was typical of my social life back in the 80s as well.

J.D. Vance- author of Hillbilly Elegy will be talking to the community at 7:30 pm in Swasey Chapel. Last minute booking has delayed publicity by a student group so help us spread the word. I enjoyed this book and was disappointed to miss my book club's discussion.  We read it before the election by the way- a member had the foresight to recommend it to give context the political energies some of us were struggling to understand.  An interesting follow-up about this author:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/hillbilly-elegy-made-jd-vance-the-voice-of-the-rust-belt-but-does-he-want-that-job/2017/02/06/fa6cd63c-e882-11e6-80c2-30e57e57e05d_story.html?utm_term=.5a39bd027dca

Hidden Figures was one of my favorite movies of the year.  I found the stories fascinating and inspiring for so many reasons. I look forward to the discussion that will follow and appreciated this article to summarize the real life drama that pulled me in:  http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a24429/hidden-figures-real-story-nasa-women-computers/   Get a group of boys and girls and come to the hill- 4th floor of Slayter Hall- free! 7 pm- park in the parking garage.

Here is the link as you might find something else you want to attend- arts, athletics, lectures- our own and the "really, here in Granville?" will delight you!http://denison.edu/events  Life on Newark-Granville Road loves to go up the hill and wants to share what is there with you!

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Documenting Dinner Club

What a special way to end the week- dinner with friends.  And not just any dinner, or any group of friends.  A group that has gathered together for over seventeen years- our dinner club.  Four couples who take turns hosting, providing the entree that then sets a tone or a theme.  I've posted here before when we've hosted and I so enjoyed last night that I want to post again!  I do love to document these special occasions and share the behind the scenes and stories that made it so special.

Our theme last night....March is here, think Spring!  Since it was looking like an "in like a lamb" start to the month we choose to prepare lamb.  When we put two and two together that we'd be hosting with me on one leg, using the scooter we asked for help.  Dear friends had made this entree for us and we asked for the recipe and coaching.  Lucky me- I had hands-on coaching/ assistance for the marinade and prep as well as concierge shopping- not once but twice! Thank you Betsy and Jim for the help- it worked.  The bonus in my life on Newark-Granville Road....Sally with us the whole way and learning from Betsy!

Then we set a fun table. I pulled out the Lilly P place mats, Peter found his lion since the weather switched and we needed to represent both lamb and lion.  Spring veggies and flowers set the tone and donned the table and counters.  March also means spring training baseball and basketball brackets so both of these items were represented on the table. Div. III Tourney - I have Babson going all the way!  So sorry our Big Red teams are not there this year- such a great season to cheer for the Big Red!  Special group of seniors and parents.

And now to share the meal! Our friends take this seriously and we're lucky and reap (or eat) the benefits!  The appetizer last night was beautiful avocado and crab bites on pastry shamrocks- melted in your mouth deliciousness.  Next we enjoyed Spring vegetable French soup that was gorgeous, healthy and quite pleasing to the palate.  Joe did a great job grilling the lamb that we served on cauliflower puree and I even can admit it was quite tasty.  Our chef in the group never disapoints- dessert was sugar nest with hand made ice creams in tropical flavors with a divine sauce at the base.  The pictures tell the story, I hope you enjoy- we did!  Of course the gift was the time around the table catching-up, sharing updates, input and news and making memories into the late evening.

 

 


Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Getting Vitamin D, Planning a Get-A-Way and good advice on line....

The blog's purpose is all about sharing....

I love that Sally summed up "A Doug's Purpose" with the answer to the question- what is a dog's purpose- "to be in the moment".  This was the reminder that I needed too- so much goodness around me to celebrate and embrace at the time it happens.   YES I am losing patience with not driving but I do so enjoy the time with those that are caring for me with rides.  I'll know more about my progress mid-March and I'm so happy to say it is now March!  So how am I passing the time beyond work and helping as able at home:


February 24th was a lovely warm, almost hot day...in February!  Life on Newark-Granville Road right now has limitations but I do try to make the most.  Not always and not all of the time but here was a fun silver lining to share:   Convertible Cocktail Hour!  Getting in and out of the house takes time and effort.  If we're going to have a quick turn around I stay in the car. Today it meant staying in the convertible.  And it was 5 pm...so Sally delivered my scotch and soda in glass (no plastic unless necessary) and the Granville Sentinel.  It was such a gorgeous day- almost hot.   I always say there is no bad attitude when driving with the top down in a convertible and the same goes for when seated in one with a cocktail!  Plus it gave me Vitamin D time.....I am bumping this item missing from my blood with supplements but do love the sunshine.  Calcium levels OK- bone scan results will be discussed at next doctor appointment.



Planning a Get-Away.....what do to over the kids Spring Break?  Camp drop off and pick-up- all things that give me the chance to plan a get-away which helps my morale.  I miss my work travel and until I really know I can travel I'm not booking anything.  Same goes for spring break....staycation ideas appreciated.  Love looking at Air BnB for new options at an old favorite.

As always I enjoy passing on a good resource here in the cyber world....http://jamesclear.com/grit  Joe and I talk about Clare's grit- good to see it defined with opportunities to increase/enhance in my own life.  I enjoy receiving his emails- you might as well. Denison alumnus! #denisonproud.

So that is a quick look at what is happening in my life on Newark-Granville Road.  All the more grateful to the help and support and communications- amazing what a difference a text, a card, a call can make.