JPPENS

  Me & Velcro... My life teaching motor skills ( hop, jump, throw, catch, run, skip, swing,pass and on and on) as  Physical Education Teacher and coach brought me the great gifts of student engagement, it also brought me worn out body parts... ruptured ACL, knee replacement, ankle fusion, arch lowering and now a total reverse right shoulder replacement with a bicep transplant done last week with the left to be done in the near future... So thankful my bionic parts are possible and all my PT experience enhances every recovery. Mobility is, I believe, the key to healthy aging. Movement of any kind, to any degree is better than none.  I am motivated to continue my fitness walking but mostly to play the game I love...it will be winter golf! Wineingwithjackie.blogspot.com. Will be back writing in a few weeks...

                                                              SPEAK UP PEOPLE... We who are marginalized know that when we speak,write, post we will get the good, bad and ugly. We do it because we will never disappear, be silent or invisible. We deserve to be treated with dignity, love whoever we choose and live and work with equal rights of white men with money, shelter and food. We need to have people that support us be vocal and present because nobody ever survived long alone. Welcome to being prideful....wineingwithjackie.blogspot.dotcom. and THANK YOU

  PRIDE  MONTH is the time for me to once again answer so many folks who have asked, why is it so important for gay people to come out of "their closets", to parade and shout...  because it is a designated time for a community of people who have been throughout history told and treated as though we were less than, not equal to... past time to broaden your lens people.

                                                                               In late Spring the forest trees of the Western North Carolina Mountains are serving up a buffet of impeccable green flavors... The darkened leaves of kale and asparagus, shadowed by the light leafy lettuces dressed with hues of cucumber and kiwi overflow onto our platters. Lime, mint and basil dusted with thyme are the completion of this sensual presentation.  All are invited and welcomed to partake of our seasonal menu.

  Loud Secrets... We all have our stories, our Loud Secrets of traversing the road of personal acceptance and then managing life the best we can...when I wrote and published my story (Loud Secrets A Memoir) I did it for my wellness, never expecting the outpouring of folks who contacted me sharing their journeys. That my experiences helped anyone was beyond my expectations. I post this to encourage other LBTGQ+ to share, to speak their truth when ready and grow in the joy and peace that was once never imagined. I am not able to hold and fight for  pride  in this country at this alarming and horrifying time. I will now and always fight for  pride  in who I am and who loves me. That fight cannot take place as a closeted LGBTQ+ person, or for someone who's native language is not English or are not Caucasian, or are physically or mentally challenged... staying hidden and quiet only continues our ongoing battles for self-esteem. People MUST ALL BE SEEN in this world, ...

                                                                          So, trying to be a respectful individual... I know how busy doctors offices are... I know if you don't show up or call to reschedule you can be charged a fee...I know how precious time is...I know how very valuable it is...I know all this... I call my doctors office...I go through a directory of statements that finely tell me to then "push # 0" for the operator...I listen to a voice telling me that "someone will be with you shortly"...I listen to every service they offer, who their newest physician is, all of their office locations all over the city and then hear that "someone will be with you shortly"...I hear a voice saying "We are still practicing our COVID rules of masking and distancing" and so this craziness continues. I don't...