Fallen Leaf Lake-The Ultimate Zen Experience

I am lucky enough to have very dear long time friend that graduated from Stanford University. Their Alumni programs are second to none and my favorite, which I am attending now, is Stanford Camp at Fallen Leaf Lake. Session 5 rocks.

Fallen Leaf Lake is nestled in the Tahoe Lake area and happens to be one of the most beautiful blue, crystal clear, pristine lakes in the area. It is about a ½ hour drive from South Lake Tahoe if you are trying to locate it on the map. The drive from the commercialized South Lake Tahoe area to Stanford Camp triggered many old childhood memories.

My parents took us kids to the mountainous rural lakes outside of Spokane. The pine trees grew as large as the red wood forest or at least it seemed like that to me and the smell of the pine permeated the air. We played near the lake shore where the ground was covered with pine needles and cones and squirrels scampered around trying to steal food where ever possible. When the lakes were calm or better yet early in the morning they were always as smooth as glass with a bit of low hanging cloud just over the surface. A childhood experience that is indelible and forever in my memories

My girlfriends and I start the day at 6:30am rowing. No, not the typical old row boat you think of associated with a summer camp but the one the rowing teams use in the Olympics. They are called skulls. Very cool and not very easy to row. It will be my third day tomorrow and I think I am getting the hang of it.

Then off to a yoga class that is held in an open air chalet at the top of the a hill that commands a view of the lake to die for. Our cute young yoga teacher is so adorable in his zen like yoga positions. We all follow along and actually do OK with this class.

Breakfast is fantastic and I chose a healthy start with yogurt, oatmeal, nuts, and fresh fruit. Yum yum but not very low in calories. Oh well we are at camp right!

The rest of the day includes stand up paddle surf, kayaking, hiking, sun bathing, lectures from guest speakers, games with wonderful friends and then it's time for happy hour. We over 50 crowd do know how to enjoy ourselves. We exercise, eat, socialize, eat some more, maybe take a nap, always have happy hour and off to eat again.

Ahhhh. Stanford camp. I love you and what a perfect Zen week.

 

Older Women Look And Act Younger Now

Cougar: Women who are 40 or older dating younger usually significantly younger men. Here I thought a Cougar's age started at 50 not 40. Oh well girls, whatever age...go for it! Younger guys are hot.

Cougars have taken Hollywood by storm. Cheri a film currently playing in the theaters is about an aging but absolutely sexy courtesan who romances a man half her age. Thank you Michelle Pfeiffer and at 51 you are gorgeous.

Cougar Dream, a self-titled album being released in August, by Cooper Boone is an ode to a lady who's “a Demi Moore double”. Demi you are my idol and Ashton can eat crackers in my bed any day.

Cougar Town, a TV show coming out this fall is about a divorced single mom back on the dating scene. Watch out world, here we are. Courtney Cox hardly fits the “cougar” stereo type. However if Cher was starring in the TV show, I could bite off on the Cougar title. Didn't she start this whole thing with some guy by the name of Rob?

Cougar: A Guide for Older Women Dating Younger Men is written by Valerie Gibson, a relationship expert. She says “Suddenly aging isn't so awful. Women were supposed to shut down and be invisible and go away and drop off a cliff. Try telling that to women today. It just isn't in the books. Cougars are desirable and sexy.” A Must Read.

I have mentioned Demi Moore and Cher but Madonna has to be thrown into the mix. That girl has a different boy toy on her arm in every photo. Madonna does not act or look 50 and she makes any age gap disappear. If Madonna can date a 28 year old then 45 is not that far off base for me to try! Right??

Time for a reversal of roles. Normally you see an older guy with a younger women. The shoe is on the other foot and we have lots of material to draw from. We Cougars will set the standard for what it means to be single and dating in today's world.

Being Elected and Serving The Public

Driving to see visit one of my friends tonight, I starting thinking about Sarah Palin. I am sick and tired of all the negative news media blitz, newspaper articles, e-articles, the “Republican” white/fat/rich Washington beltway campaign managers (Carl Rove), and past campaign staffers all getting their day in the sun speculating on Sarah's decision to step down from the Governors position in Alaska. Love or hate the lady, enough is enough.

I am reacting to my 14 year “run” at serving in the Nevada Legislature and all the crap and BS I went through. Yep, I had ethics complaints filed against me, negative newspaper articles written, ugly nasty emails that should never have been sent, male stockers, nasty mean people calling me all hours of the day and night and Republican men that hated me. I am OVER IT.

Thank goodness I did not raise to the level of importance to have a SNL skit spoofing my intelligence, family and speaking ability. How embarrassing is that? I had the unions though. They hated me and sent mailers to my voters saying I was “On My Way To The State Prison” and compared me to politicians that ended up serving time in prison. That is public humiliation and most people think where there is smoke there is fire. In the public's eye I will always be guilty of something.

Serving the public is not all it's cracked up to be. I think Sarah was in over her head going National so quickly in her political career and as far as I am concerned, her political handlers are to blame.

I don't expect this ugliness to stop and I don't expect Sarah to quit and go away either! God bless you girl, I wanted out...