Brazilian Girl --- She Surfs

Somehow I can't imagine packing a suitcase and heading for Brazil. However, our technorati entrepreneurial son is doing just that. He and his young family are planning a new life on the Brazilian island of Florianopolis. (Apparenly it is not only a great place to live but also a cool place to surf.)

It's funny, but I have this persisting notion. When I invest emotional energy and time in a place, it seems that eventually I am physically connected with that location. I have had this happen multiple times in my life.

Last summer I came across a Brasilian jazz pianist on YouTube and watched it over and over; I spent hours listening, dancing and painting to her music. Her name: Eliane Elias. I love jazz piano and love the way she plays it. So now, here is another unexplainable connection. The people I love most are going to be in Brazil.

Going Up and Down

Thought you might like to know a few of the dramatic ups and downs of my life. I have had hundreds -- no, more like thousands of them.

In Seattle, Nordstrom only sold shoes. In 1963 it merged with Best Apparel. While my fiancé and I were saving money for our first apartment, I worked at Best Apparel as an elevator operator. I wore a sassy little uniform and white gloves.

"Please step to the back of the car," I said sweetly. "Mezzanine -- Bridal to your left, Customer service to your right. Watch your step, please...."

My right arm was awesome from opening and closing the elevator door so many, many times.