My Three Year Blogaversary - September 23, 2012

Little did I know I would still be blogging three years after my first effort -

now would I ever have imagined I would be writing from India!  My 21 year
nursing position with the city and county of San Francisco had ended in
February of that year because of massive budget cuts to the Department
of Public Health.  I was 64-years-old and not happy to be plunged into
forced retirement.  Having specialized in forensic nursing for so long, 
there really weren't nursing options open to me.  To say I was pretty
depressed is a vast understatement.  I had always enjoyed writing,,
especially poetry, so I concentrated my efforts in that direction.  With
the help of a dear friend, Joanne Olivieri, aka Poetic Shutterbug, "Carmen's
Chronicles" was born.  Subsequently, Joanne helped me launch my 
first book of poetry, "Life's Journey" which is still available on Amazon.

The world of blogging opened up an amazing number of new friends for
me and I was surprised at the people who began following my blog - total
strangers from around the world, in addition, of course, to loyal friends,
colleagues and family.  I found I enjoyed reading other blogs, as well.  My
skills as a photographer improved vastly and I found it was fun shooting
other than genital injury and physical trauma!  When I decided to use my
last frequent flyer miles to visit Royal Caribbean crew friends in India this
past year, I also took the opportunity to meet  blogging friends from this 
incredible country.

So how long will I continue blogging?  Well, who knows?  Probably as long
as people are interested in reading what I have to say.  What was the content
of my first blog?  Well, it was about travel, of course.  See the link below if
you'd like to check it out!


http://rnsane.blogspot.in/2009/09/birthday-scenes-from-last-years-trip-to.html#links

Another Year Has Passed - Happy 41st, Shawn - December 17, 2011

Boy, the years are certainly racing by.  Last year, I posted a blog in honor of
my son, Shawn's 40th birthday which you can check out at:

http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2010/12/flash-55-friday-happy-40th-birthday.html#links

There have been quite a few changes since then - not so much in terms of
Shawn's life but, certainly, for me.  Shawn is still that same terrific young man
he was last year, perhaps a bit grayer at the temples but still a George
Clooney look-alike and still a son of whom any mother would be pround.  He's
not even nearby so we can celebrate together.  He's off playing Air Force in
Texas for five months and I've moved from the home we had for 14 years and
am in India, of all places.  I'm fulfilling a dream and, Shawn, like his other
two brothers, told me to "go for it".  They've always been my best supporters.

So, my beloved first born, even though I can't be there with you today to share
a fine glass of shiraz or zin or pinot, my heart is with you in spirit.  It's ben a
great ride and I love you and am as proud as a mother can be to call you son.

Namaste from India.

Mom