The healthy rule of thumb is that we all need a good solid 8 hours of sleep per night.  Our brain needs to rest and refresh.  Sadly, my mind is on 99% of the time, and it battles the concept of sleep even when I feel depleted.  It’s not that I don’t sleep at all, and I am not sure that is humanly possible.  However, when tired I fall asleep and continuously wake up every 45- 6o minutes.  Today, Sunday, August 12, 2018, I crawled out of bed at 5 a.m. with the hope that I would feel drowsy soon after and climb back into bed.  No such luck, it is almost 7 a.m., and I have answered emails, followed up on some show notes and have played a couple of hands of MAJ.

Soon I will be putting on my exercise garb and head over to Anytime Fitness (Sagamore Hills) and get my groove on.  I have become obsessed with wellness and despite the lack of sleep.

About a year ago I asked a RUNNER why they ran.  To me, it looked not only exhausting but almost like torture to the body.  The answer she provided me with as do other runners I have met is that running is something you do for yourself.  If you prefer being outdoors rather than on the treadmill it provides you the opportunity to observe nature through sight, smell, and sounds. Needing a change in my life at that time, wanting to lose weight and be fit I started the journey to observe running.  I began with walking (outdoors) and loving my solitude even when walking in the rain or the gloomy chill of early winter.  However, as the seasons changed into a bitter snowy winter, I began the journey at Anytime Fitness.  Within a month I was hooked, and then I became ill and had to take a hiatus.

At the end of April, I was given the green light to begin again, and I did!  However, this time I added the APP – Lose It, and life is even brighter.  What I have learned is if you want something badly enough you will make the changes and take the steps that will lead you to what is essential.  For me, it always has about liking myself so others would like me, but most of my life I did not like me.  I always wanted what “she” was having even if I didn’t like it.  I used to believe if I could be more like “her” my life would be complete.

Now, I want to be like me and make the choices that inspire me to be the best I can be, and that does not mean better than YOU or anyone else.  I wake up and choose to live and enjoy the day, and when I hit the downs (which is normal), I seek out a new path to turn things around.

I had shared in the past that in 1968 when I graduated and started college my parent’s hopes and dreams were that I would get my teaching degree and an MRS.  Little did my parents know I was studying communications and broadcasting.  After two years of college and struggling through the deception, I told my parents I had been lying, and despite illness, I had completed an Associates Degree.  My parents assumed I had wasted good money and refused to let me continue on their dime.  However, as many moms and dads of that generation, they were pleased that I was also earning my MRS.

To sum it all up, I thought I was happy and convinced myself that this was my journey. However, it changed numerous times, including divorce.

For me, the sun shines on the gloomiest of days when I am true to myself, and that means putting myself first without being selfish.  In the past, my time was for everyone else, now I am included, despite the lack of sleep.

Oh well…it’s just sleep.

I’ve said it before, and I will repeat it – Depression Sucks!

But depression is real it comes out of the woodwork of our minds and festers, often we have no idea what is causing this eruption of doom, gloom, and foggy thoughts.

I should be happy, smiling, and elated. My health to wellness journey is working for me, or is it the reason for this feeling I am having? I refuse to believe it so it must be something else, like waiting for a medication refill that got delayed causing me to miss four doses, or could it be something else that is not as apparent?

Weird dreams have been inhabiting my poor sleep pattern, and I am waking up in a sweat feeling like I need to do something, finish the scene I was just in, and how did my mother appear as if it were years ago when she is hovering over me from the heavens above? DEPRESSION!

I smile when I am working, and saying yes too many times, creating my own mania, as well as the lows that I come crashing into when behind safe walls. I refuse to let this overtake me, but there are moments like now that I feel like screaming and pushing the world away – not suicidal at all – just wanted my space, my time, and not to think of the needs of everyone else both near and far. But my personality tells me that if I stop being me, the one who must prove herself not so much to you, but to me, that I will not recognize myself, and then I will indeed be depressed.

If this sounds confusing to you, then you do not understand depression. I am among millions in this universe that experience the ups and downs of chemical changes in the brain. I make no excuse for this, but I share with you that after a mania high with the beautiful people I spoke to and interviewed today I have stumbled into the whirlpool of the grayness of life.

I know the sun will shine again and I will be the capable me without the fake smile, but for now, this is what you get.

Depression is real!

http://mixlr.com/new-cleveland-radio/showreel/vista-springs-with-joni-and-frankie-star-7_10_18/

Joni Starr was born July 21, 1938, and first became exposed to music at her parochial school, being taught to play piano by the nuns there.  It was soon obvious that Joni had the gift of music and could play by ear.  As she grew older, she was drawn to the piano and music. She played professionally at various venues in the Cleveland area as well as playing with various groups.   She met FranBobey Sr., an accordion player playing with the Polka Dots .  They fell in love and got married and had two children , Rachelle and Frankie.   Their children also grew up with the love of music , playing the piano , drums , violin, organ, guitar and more.  Joni started Rachelle  playing piano at the age of five.  Rachelle and Joni would play classical duets at their home in Walton Hills.  It seemed there was something else, a different instrument love, in store for Frankie. When Frankie got older, it was apparent that he had a gift to share with others.  He was a prodigy of the guitar, particularly blues guitar.  Joni and Frankie first started out with Joni’s country band and occasionally Rachelle would join in on drums when there was a need.  Later Frankie formed a blues band with Joni on the keys.  The gigs became so numerous, it became difficult for Joni to keep up, so Frankie’s band became a trio, opening up for many greats such as BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.    All of the family enjoy watching fame grow.   Joni continues to play the piano and can play any song you can name, entirely by ear.  She also gave piano lessons to her grandkids, Christopher and Ryan.   The whole family now enjoys seeing mom play at her current residence of Vista Springs Assisted Living.  Frankie can be seen joining in for four hands often and you will see them surrounded by their family and friends there.   She loves sharing her gift with others and making others happy with the music she makes.

Joni Star playing with the Al Gordon Trio (Cleveland)

Joni as a mom also a music teacher

Joni with daughter Rachelle and baby son Frankie

Joni on a performing day

Joni Star (Resident and Pianist at Vista Springs in Macedonia) with her grandsons:  Christopher and Ryan, their mother Rachelle, and their uncle Frankie Star – a Star himself!

Just B Cuz

Two Cousins and a Podcast.  Why? Just Because.

The objective of Just B Cuz is for cousins, Steve Soclof and Jeff Soclof, to explore the lessons of their over 50 years of combined business experience, primarily in the commercial real estate industry.

But it’s more than that.

Steve and Jeff have mutual interests in technology, health and fitness, social media and giving back to their community.  Oh yeah, and we have a small rooting interest in our local sports teams (but this won’t be about sports – ok, maybe a bit).

Over the years, Steve and Jeff have worked on various real estate deals together, but have also talked about other mutual interests.  This podcast is an outgrowth of those conversations. They will use it to meet the people who are making things happen in northeast Ohio and those who are involved in interesting ventures which will help our friends, families, and listeners enhance their own opportunities.  Those people may include:

·        Real Estate Professionals

·        Local Business Owners

·        Health and Fitness Experts

·        People involved in interesting projects regardless of location

Just B Cuz anticipates exploring ideas from contemporary business literature and new trends that impact our lives.

One interesting avenue they hope to drive down is meeting their other cousins and exploring what they do…Why?  Just B Cuz.

Steve and Jeff happen to come from a large, close-knit family. Within their family, they have cousins working on cutting-edge technologies, experts in logistics, parenting coaches, event planners, doctors, teachers, investors, marketers, cybersecurity professionals – and of course a bit of real estate expertise.

Future episodes of Just B Cuz will add insight and value to those who tune in, allow the hosts to learn some things themselves … and for everyone to have some fun in the process.

So give us a try –  why? Just B Cuz!

We are working on some new show developments.   I am excited to announce we are in talks with Morgan Malone for her live podcast sharing Lyft &Uber Stories.  All individuals will remain anonymous however, they may be a reflection of YOU, ME, or Someone we know. (Listen, laugh, and enjoy!)

Also, Adina David Soclof, from ParentingSimply.com, is considering bringing her parenting tips to our audience and beyond.  Adina also writes CEU courses for PDResources. & presents video courses for Home CEU Connections.   (We all could use a parenting course!)

We have more entertainment interviews coming your way including one with Sawyer Fredericks before his performance at the Rialto Theater in Akron.

• Thursday, July 26, 2018
• 7:00 PM  10:30 PM
• The Rialto Theatre (map)

Also

check out Alex Hale (owner of newclevelandradio.net) when he shares the stage with Andrew Salgado at (http://www.wilbertsmusic.com/) Wilberts on Friday, August 17th  from 5:30 _ 7:30 pm for one of Andrew’s song.  ANDREW SALGADO ~from Nashville Recommended if You Like Brad Paisley Hunter Hayes Keith Urban!

More excitement will be had on newclevelandradio.net both live and podcast programming.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July, and it’s a day that American’s celebrate and commemorate our Independence.  For many of us, like myself growing up in the 50’s and 60 ’s, we believed in the American Dream.  That dream included my grandparents and great-grandparents who immigrated here from the pogroms in Russia.  I have shared the story of my Zayde Friedman (grandfather) who came to the United States sponsored by a cousin to find work and a home, so he could bring his wife, my Baube (grandmother) to the land where the streets with paved with gold.  My Zayde expected nothing from anyone other than to provide them with his tailoring skills so he could afford to rescue his wife from the diabolical evil that was happening in Russia in the early 1900’s.

Both my Zayde and Baube learned English and became United States citizens, and they worked to prove they were worthy to live here.  They raised a family and their children worked, paid taxes, and raised their children.  I too began working and paying taxes at a young age, and I have respected this country my whole life.

Freedom is not a given, it is earned by working together and collaborating.  We must speak in tones that do not hurt and cause wars (words can be as damaging as not more than a weapon of mass destruction.)  Words are difficult to retract and playing with words is deceitful as well.

To maintain our independence, we must be willing to be dependent when our weaknesses need to be strengthened and when our strengths need to be weakened or slackened.

On July 4th it may be a perfect day for all of us to think about what might happen if we choose to continue the arguments over who is right, who is wrong, and the need to have the last word.  Being independent is not about having it your way and bullying others around you.  Instead, it is allowing others to share through a civil dialogue.

101 years ago today my father entered this world as the firstborn to Jenny and Abe Moss. Over the next few years, he would become the big brother to Asher and Leiba. My father and his siblings had a remarkable relationship despite the variation in age as well choices for different lifestyles. As adults these three siblings and their spouses spent not only family time together with mother Jenny and father Abe, they double dated and vacationed together too.

I cannot imagine my father as a newborn or even a little boy as few pictures exist, however, if he was half the person as a child as he matured he must have been a remarkable individual.

Dad was born on June 8, 1917, and named Jay Moss. He was given the name Harmon years later when he suffered from Scarlet Fever. It is a tradition in Jewish Lore if a young person becomes ill and their life may be threatened they are prayed for in the name of their mother or given a second name of a deceased relative that lived a long life. The concept behind this was to confuse the “Angel of Death” therefore allowing your child renewed health. This is how my father obtained the name Harmon which became his calling card.

My father had many calling cards, and if you read the tribute my older brother Gary wrote you will note that our father wore many hats in his 87 years of life.(1)

I too have many fond memories of dad using his writing skills to pen unique words meant for the recipient to one of their favorite songs for a very special occasion. My father’s dream was to be a published songwriter, poet, and many of words, hence: Words by Harmon. (Occasionally as a child or even an adult, there were some sparing words between myself and my dad, but despite the sparks that may have flown and the stings, there was always a bear hug and one of his big sloppy kisses to reduce any fiery storm, living behind a few ashes.) What I remember most about my pop’s words were they were never delivered to cause pain, but increase the love he had for you (me).

J Harmon Moss had many friends, and even to this day if you mention his name in the Detroit, Michigan area, there are still people who remember my father even 14 years since he passed on to the highway in the sky. As his youngest child, and only daughter, I kevel when others mention the special person this man was. The love of his life, my mom, was treated like an angel. Despite the “bickering,” they loved each other beyond word, even Words by Harmon. My parents had a unique relationship, they bickered and kissed, held hands, and bickered some more. (It sounds like the relationship I have with my husband Richard, a real loving friendship plus much more.)

I could sit here and write many more accolades to this man who suffered throughout his life with angina pain and many other chronic issues including spinal stenosis that caused him so much pain his smile turned upside down, however, he would hide it the best he could. However, when I saw him enter a room if he was not smiling, I took it personally and assumed it was my fault. As a young child I would run from the room and hide, it took me until my late teens to understand I did not have that much power over my dad’s emotions. The only power I had was to be loved for me and love him in return.

Pop’s died on my 20th wedding anniversary. February 3, 2004, will always be etched into my brain as the day my father was finally at peace without pain. I know if he had a choice and could have continued to fight for life he would have, but years of chronic heart ills were just too much for him to continue. Since that day I have remained connected to his spirit and the love he instilled in me. I will continue to celebrate his life and wish him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

(1) Tomorrow is June 8th, my dad’s birthday. In the years since his passing I take pause and remember less and less other than on special days. Jun 8 is one of those days. There are a small set of photos below that cement specific moments but what about all those other times? There were times during every day that dad spent reclining in his generic Lazy Boy. I think about dad a lot these days when I’m kicking back in my recliner. I have a lot of food issues. Whenever I find myself giving in to that sugary treat in the evening I can hear dad giving himself permission to enjoy his ‘mychel’. I love and cherish the alone time I spent with dad, working as his ‘hopper’ on his milk truck. He taught me to enjoy potatoes with my breakfast eggs; we chanted morning prayers whiling delivering milk, butted, and cottage cheese. •There’s a current advertisement on the radio for Gettl Air Conditioning. The speaker reflects about a time growing up when he accompanied his dad (an air conditioning repairman). He held a flashlight for his dad while he worked. I recall going along with my dad when he repaired Juke-Boxes; going along when dad delivered candy from his candy-truck route; spraying the power-hoses and chiseling away the excess mortar when dad was a Brick Cleaner on newly built homes. •When I was opening my Pre-School in 1968, dad shared his woodworking skills by helping build play furniture and shelving used throughout the school. We built most of it in my garage on Kipling in Oak Park, MI with table saws and tools from Sears. • Then there were our golf outings. In addition to learning about driving and putting I learned valued skills in club throwing and cussing. •Dad was one of the bravest men I’ve known. He underwent his first open-heart bypass surgery when the procedure was in its infancy.
What a guy!

I do not know all the rules of NBA basketball, however, as a hometown fan I remember when there is an unbalance I the system and when games are ‘rigged.” Golden State may have some exceptional players on their team; this is the first sign that all teams do not have the same advantage. Golden State brings in more money (winners or not because they are in a money market.) I am not here crying over spilled milk, but I want to make a statement when teams do not play fair, and the officials compromise their calls to favor one side over another, why should anyone play the game?

We have seen the unbalance in teams with the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Bulls. Occasionally another team comes close to beating them or succeeds.

As a Cleveland Cavaliers fan, my hometown team, I see the struggles our players have from the top down. Although I may be bias our team not only plays together, they work together on the court to follow the rules. We do not have hot shots trying to gain personal glory; the players work together for the win. LeBron leads by example as a gentleman and a mentor to his teammates (and the fans.)

We do not need to play ‘dirty ball,’ and each team in the NBA should be created and trusted equally. Yes the NBA system is a business geared to make money, but when we are teaching our children it’s OK to be bullied on, and off the court this is unacceptable. It is also unacceptable for the officials to close their eyes when the opposing team, no one I perfect, especially the Golden State Warriors.

I still BELIEVE LAND!