AnneLyze

I read in the paper today that going to the farmer's market was on everyone's summer bucket list.  Mine too, but I go to one, sometimes two a week.  Odd for someone who eats so little, but I just love a good outdoor market on a sunny day.  Between the people, music, fruits and vegetables, bakery items, yummy smells, dogs and a variety of other items, it's a great place to be on a weekend morning.  Mostly what I love are the beautiful displays and the wide color palette found everywhere.  Have a look for yourself. And support your farms by buying local! All the photos were taken by me at the following: Troy Farmer's Market, Troy NY Delmar Farmer's Market, Delmar, NY Schenectady Farmer's Market, Schenectady NY Concord Farmer's Market, Concord NH Make a free digital slideshow

I first noticed Neal at the Travel Soccer sign ups.  He was in the corner filling out forms with 3 Asian boys. Over the indoor and outdoor soccer season, I got to know Neal and his boys better.  But he never came with just his boys, it turned out he's a Pied Piper with an old beat up 15 passenger van, unloading lots of kids and even some adults to come watch the 3 play. Everyone, it seems, in the Burmese community knows Neal.   But as I learned there is more to him than sponsoring some boys to play soccer.  Meet Neal Andrews, a man on a mission to provide each child a slice of summer fun. It might have started for him by answering an ad in Metroland to sponsor a refugee family , or maybe it was as a young man listening to his Mother find spots for kids in the Fresh Air Program, but it has grown into a major role in sending a passel of refugee kids to summer camp every year. Think about sending one child and the work and time it takes.  For each...

It was suggested to me in June as a fun adventure and a great way to relax and get away from it all.  I wanted to go and had no problem picturing myself gracefully floating down a river, surrounded by beautiful scenery and soaking up the sun.  When looking for adventure, the guy to turn to is Neal.  "Not enough water in the river, it will be too low".  Every time it even sprinkled, I sent him an email, "it rained".  On Friday we went, Neal and his van full of refugee boys and me.  Missing was Ben who backed out at the last minute leaving Neal and I disappointed.  Schroon river was our destination.  It was sunny and hot and I thought tubing down a river was a perfect summer activity. After dropping one car off at an exit point near a bridge, we traveled 5 miles up the road to our start.  Emptying our gear, we were soon headed down the river in our tubes.  The water was warm and the sun was out.  I could tell by the sides of the r...

Like everyone else, my life is a mixed bag, sweet and sour. I've lost 62 pounds. I still feel like a fat, unattractive person. My current size is a 12, occasionally even a 10. I feel better physically, but my demons are still around and causing grief. I can't eat much, but it's getting better and I'm tolerating things without as much discomfort. I. want. to. eat. so. bad .  I dream of eating something so delicious that it will take away all my pain. My CPaP makes me feel better.  I sleep great and I have no fatigue. But I want to get rid of it, please. Despite my weight loss, the Doctor told me Monday, that my sleep apnea is no better and I would still need it, probably for life. I love my patients at work.  They are remarkable, brave and inspiring women. But the need for a magic wand never goes away and it brings me to tears sometimes. I enjoy my co workers and my job. But there are a few who I don't and I give them the power to ruin my day.  Fuc...