http://artofthehome.com/articles/french-photographer-robert-doisneau-on-kindness
My mom, Helen Hart loved the sound of lovely accordion music. She told my sister Georgia that she would like to learn how to play the accordion, she loved the music it played so much. I think its influence on her must have come from her Greek background and growing up in Long Island around the time of the depression. My mom was very close to her Grandmother on her Mother's side, the Greek side. She even spoke Greek, the only one of her sisters who spoke it fluently, to her Greek Grandmother, GaGa (Greek short for Grammy). I hope you enjoy this download, for your ears and eyes, and for your heart too.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
DR. Diamond Dallas Page
This evening, I had a most inspiring talk with the legendary legend of living legends, Diamond Dallas Page, also known as DR. Dallas Page to me. He has given me such practical and simple advice, with no smoke and mirrors or slick tricks to self-improvement. Dallas Page is working on a new series of exercises using yoga techniques, but "this is not your mamma's yoga" as he says on his website, and he is not overstating that by any stretch (yoga) or not! For nearly two months, I have been practicing his WAKE UP dvd, which incorporates some pretty decent challenges and postures for first thing in the morning, all within 30 minutes. I have also tried different routines he offers in his very approachable way, as only Dallas Page can, several other dvds which have a lot of routines that I find interesting and challenging. Davey Boy would have loved this stuff, even though he was a die-hard power-lifter. Davey would really have been hooked for life on Dallas' diversified workouts and techniques. His Double Black Diamond DVD, which I have on loan to my very flexible and powerful son Harry, is about the toughest workout I have done, and these work-outs are not using weights.
I am still reeling from my phone call, and just getting ready for my bedtime, as all the kittens and my dog are waiting for me to climb into bed with them, so I will just briefly say a few things more things that DR. Dallas Page has told me, which I believe keep me motivated a lot more than anything I have read in fitness magazines. He said to me, "How do you want to look and feel in five years, Diana?" I answered, "Better than I look and feel now." Then he asked me, "Diana, how do you want to look and feel when you are sixty-five?" I replied, "I want to be healthy, not just look like I am, and I want to look healthy, Dallas."
He suggested that I might very well become one-hundred years old and if that was the case, or however old (or young, as he phrased it) I live to be, would I want to be struggling with my health or be mobile and respectively healthy and happy? I, of course thought that probably wouldn't happen--me living to be one-hundred years old, but after thinking about it over a few days, and then many more times since, I realise it could happen, but no one knows how long they will be here, so why not prepare for it every day live better. My father lived to be eighty-eight and my brothers Dean and Owen each lived only to see their thirty-fourth birthdays.
If we are here for many more years or just a few, I decided Dallas was absolutely right in suggesting that if we are here for another day or many years, why not try to make the most of our time here. I have my bad days and my good days, and sometimes I don't want to do much other than sleep and even wallow in self-pity. When that phase gets out of my system, I think about what Dallas said and I am inspired to do my best until I can't. Whether it is because I have to go to sleep or because I am missing someone who I can't ever see again, I understand I have my ups and downs, but my ups are taking care of me so much better lately that I can recover from my downs much easier. I am doing well on my up days and those get better all the time too; if I am going to live to be ninety-five, then I will be ready (more ready at least) for it when the time comes, in better ways than if I just let myself go. I don't want to be suffering for any of my remaining life, and that can be helped along by taking better, sometimes the best even, care of myself now, while I am able to, when I am able to.
I am now enjoying the wheat-free and dairy-free lifestyle, which I gradually accepted after meeting Dallas Page at this past Wrestlemania, and he promoted this way of eating with enthusiasm, but without pressure. He showed me pictures of people whom he helped, and seeing is believing for sure. They were incredible--the pictures showed tremendous positive changes in people, not only in their drastic weight loss, but also in their flexibility and in how they looked. They definitely were changed for the better. I was captivated by the way in which Dallas Page talked about his friends, these people he helped. He was inspiring and I wondered if he perhaps had not missed his calling in this life to be a minister or a motivational speaker, without the yelling, as some do speak loudly when they 'motivate'. It didn't happen overnight and sometimes things sneak by me that are not supposed to, but I have been virtually wheat and dairy free for about six months, and I really do feel better. This is all because I was fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Dallas and my son Harry, only a few months ago and his words made so much sense to me.
No, Dallas Page did not miss his calling as a motivivational and inspirational speaker, for he is motivating people everywhere he goes laready. I probably would never have met him had he not become the wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page, so I am truly grateful that he became a wrestler, as well as everything else he has accomplished in his fulfilling and not easy life. I am one of the many fortunate fans who has met him and since, been coached by him over the phone to see how I am and to continue to encourage me. He told me how much he cares about his fellow wrestlers and his fans and about people in general, and if anything he says or promotes or creates works to benefit a better life for any of us, then he is happy. He is sincere when he says this and I am sincere in writing this about him. He is a really nice guy! He lives what he speaks and also eats what he speaks about too. For that matter, he stretches what he talks about as well. He is real and very nice for real.
I am better in my health and well-being in general is greatly improved over the past few months. My diet had drastically changed, I have incorporated yoga into my fitness routines, I train in jiu jitsu with my son Harry and daughter Georgia, and I am watching my children grow up and persue their truest dreams. Why wouldn't I want to live to be one-hundred, if this is how great life can be. It can be, and tonight it is a really good place to be. I am really grateful to see tonight how truly blessed I have been.
I am still reeling from my phone call, and just getting ready for my bedtime, as all the kittens and my dog are waiting for me to climb into bed with them, so I will just briefly say a few things more things that DR. Dallas Page has told me, which I believe keep me motivated a lot more than anything I have read in fitness magazines. He said to me, "How do you want to look and feel in five years, Diana?" I answered, "Better than I look and feel now." Then he asked me, "Diana, how do you want to look and feel when you are sixty-five?" I replied, "I want to be healthy, not just look like I am, and I want to look healthy, Dallas."
He suggested that I might very well become one-hundred years old and if that was the case, or however old (or young, as he phrased it) I live to be, would I want to be struggling with my health or be mobile and respectively healthy and happy? I, of course thought that probably wouldn't happen--me living to be one-hundred years old, but after thinking about it over a few days, and then many more times since, I realise it could happen, but no one knows how long they will be here, so why not prepare for it every day live better. My father lived to be eighty-eight and my brothers Dean and Owen each lived only to see their thirty-fourth birthdays.
If we are here for many more years or just a few, I decided Dallas was absolutely right in suggesting that if we are here for another day or many years, why not try to make the most of our time here. I have my bad days and my good days, and sometimes I don't want to do much other than sleep and even wallow in self-pity. When that phase gets out of my system, I think about what Dallas said and I am inspired to do my best until I can't. Whether it is because I have to go to sleep or because I am missing someone who I can't ever see again, I understand I have my ups and downs, but my ups are taking care of me so much better lately that I can recover from my downs much easier. I am doing well on my up days and those get better all the time too; if I am going to live to be ninety-five, then I will be ready (more ready at least) for it when the time comes, in better ways than if I just let myself go. I don't want to be suffering for any of my remaining life, and that can be helped along by taking better, sometimes the best even, care of myself now, while I am able to, when I am able to.
I am now enjoying the wheat-free and dairy-free lifestyle, which I gradually accepted after meeting Dallas Page at this past Wrestlemania, and he promoted this way of eating with enthusiasm, but without pressure. He showed me pictures of people whom he helped, and seeing is believing for sure. They were incredible--the pictures showed tremendous positive changes in people, not only in their drastic weight loss, but also in their flexibility and in how they looked. They definitely were changed for the better. I was captivated by the way in which Dallas Page talked about his friends, these people he helped. He was inspiring and I wondered if he perhaps had not missed his calling in this life to be a minister or a motivational speaker, without the yelling, as some do speak loudly when they 'motivate'. It didn't happen overnight and sometimes things sneak by me that are not supposed to, but I have been virtually wheat and dairy free for about six months, and I really do feel better. This is all because I was fortunate enough to spend a few minutes with Dallas and my son Harry, only a few months ago and his words made so much sense to me.
No, Dallas Page did not miss his calling as a motivivational and inspirational speaker, for he is motivating people everywhere he goes laready. I probably would never have met him had he not become the wrestling legend Diamond Dallas Page, so I am truly grateful that he became a wrestler, as well as everything else he has accomplished in his fulfilling and not easy life. I am one of the many fortunate fans who has met him and since, been coached by him over the phone to see how I am and to continue to encourage me. He told me how much he cares about his fellow wrestlers and his fans and about people in general, and if anything he says or promotes or creates works to benefit a better life for any of us, then he is happy. He is sincere when he says this and I am sincere in writing this about him. He is a really nice guy! He lives what he speaks and also eats what he speaks about too. For that matter, he stretches what he talks about as well. He is real and very nice for real.
I am better in my health and well-being in general is greatly improved over the past few months. My diet had drastically changed, I have incorporated yoga into my fitness routines, I train in jiu jitsu with my son Harry and daughter Georgia, and I am watching my children grow up and persue their truest dreams. Why wouldn't I want to live to be one-hundred, if this is how great life can be. It can be, and tonight it is a really good place to be. I am really grateful to see tonight how truly blessed I have been.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Harry Smith and Bobby Lashley vx Kazuyuki Fujita and Kendo Kashin in Japan September 2011
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xkwz7j_igf-genome-17-kazuyuki-fujita-kendo-kashin-vs-bobby-lashley-harry-smith_sport
I am very proud to see my son Harry wrestling in the same styles as his late father Davey Boy Smith and late grandfather Stu Hart did. My brothers Bret and late brother Owen also knew their share of submission and technical wrestling and could hold their own against pretty well anyone. I believe all of them faced their hardest battles wrestling amongst themselves, whether it was Davey Boy against his extremely salty and athletic cousin The Dynamite Kid aka Tommy Billington, or Bret wrestling against Owen in Madison Square Garden, they wrestled their hearts out against the very closest allies. When my father wrestled or trained his sons, and sons-in-law, they were taught tolerance of pain and humiliation, and how to fight for their lives and the honour of the great sport of grappling and later professional wrestling. I am so proud to see my son Harry wrestling in Japan, where I can witness his steel-like confidence and truly endless knowledge for combat contact sports. I was impressed to see the how well Harry's solid stomps and kicks connected in this match, and how well he and Bobby did as a tag together, since they never tagged before, or wrestled each other before. The language barrier between the two teams also is something I want to refer to here, as they are not fluent in Japanese and their opponents are not fluent in English, and never had any of them battled each other before, and they put on a suberb wrestling exhibition, the kind my father (and mother) and the Stampede Wrestling promotion in Calgary used to provide every week for over forty years to its loyal fans.
Just to see a match concluded with a solid suplex after several minutes of real strategic wrestling moves and tag work, was something I have not seen in years, and it makes me glad to be a wrestling fan, again.
One fan wrote to me on facebook and said it was great to see Harry not collecting dust anymore on the WWE shelf, and I thought that was a good way of putting it--he is not collecting dust and he is going to go to the top of this great sport of professional wrestling and he will go to the top of the world of mixed martial arts too. It is already happening, even if everyone can't see it from where they are now--it is happening--the evolution of Harry Smith!
Speaking of mixed martial arts, I want say how thrilling it is to see one of my family's favourite MMA fighters (champion in our eyes), Josh Barnett win last night against Sergei Khoritonov. Josh said in one of his pre- fight tweets that Sergei was in fantastic shape and was a tough competitor. I am glad to see that there is respect for the hard work of the opponent, as it only makes the winner that much more accomplished when he/she has defeated someone who they regarded as a challenge to begin with. My father never underestimated his opponents either, at least not openly. Perhaps in his mind he always was bracing himself for victory, but he never undervalued his challengers, (especially ones like Siberian tigers or Canadian Stompers or butchers named Abdullah).
I am very proud to see my son Harry wrestling in the same styles as his late father Davey Boy Smith and late grandfather Stu Hart did. My brothers Bret and late brother Owen also knew their share of submission and technical wrestling and could hold their own against pretty well anyone. I believe all of them faced their hardest battles wrestling amongst themselves, whether it was Davey Boy against his extremely salty and athletic cousin The Dynamite Kid aka Tommy Billington, or Bret wrestling against Owen in Madison Square Garden, they wrestled their hearts out against the very closest allies. When my father wrestled or trained his sons, and sons-in-law, they were taught tolerance of pain and humiliation, and how to fight for their lives and the honour of the great sport of grappling and later professional wrestling. I am so proud to see my son Harry wrestling in Japan, where I can witness his steel-like confidence and truly endless knowledge for combat contact sports. I was impressed to see the how well Harry's solid stomps and kicks connected in this match, and how well he and Bobby did as a tag together, since they never tagged before, or wrestled each other before. The language barrier between the two teams also is something I want to refer to here, as they are not fluent in Japanese and their opponents are not fluent in English, and never had any of them battled each other before, and they put on a suberb wrestling exhibition, the kind my father (and mother) and the Stampede Wrestling promotion in Calgary used to provide every week for over forty years to its loyal fans.
Just to see a match concluded with a solid suplex after several minutes of real strategic wrestling moves and tag work, was something I have not seen in years, and it makes me glad to be a wrestling fan, again.
One fan wrote to me on facebook and said it was great to see Harry not collecting dust anymore on the WWE shelf, and I thought that was a good way of putting it--he is not collecting dust and he is going to go to the top of this great sport of professional wrestling and he will go to the top of the world of mixed martial arts too. It is already happening, even if everyone can't see it from where they are now--it is happening--the evolution of Harry Smith!
Speaking of mixed martial arts, I want say how thrilling it is to see one of my family's favourite MMA fighters (champion in our eyes), Josh Barnett win last night against Sergei Khoritonov. Josh said in one of his pre- fight tweets that Sergei was in fantastic shape and was a tough competitor. I am glad to see that there is respect for the hard work of the opponent, as it only makes the winner that much more accomplished when he/she has defeated someone who they regarded as a challenge to begin with. My father never underestimated his opponents either, at least not openly. Perhaps in his mind he always was bracing himself for victory, but he never undervalued his challengers, (especially ones like Siberian tigers or Canadian Stompers or butchers named Abdullah).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Wonderful fan mail
I came across this letter from a fan of Davey's in England. It was dated April 25, 1999.
I found it quite touching and inspiring, as these days I am at a loss sometimes for what to do and where to go with my life, though many years have passed since Davey died. I still need his direction and somehow this letter came into my hands this morning and I am sharing it with you now, as maybe it can help more than just me, today. I know it meant so much to Davey, to have fans like this one. This dear fan probably met Davey in person along the way. By the sound of his comfortable prose, I feel like we surely must have known him.
His letter goes like this:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I have just read in my paper of your unfortunate situation. As a wrestling fan (as is my wife) for many years, having seen you and your cousin Tommy (Dynamite Kid) winning your first English titles and as boys against bigger men you both have much to be proud of, having been - always - the best fighters throughout your careers, singly and together. Sadly your chosen calling is so physically demanding, where pain has most often to be hidden that I can well understand your willpower and determination to fight on through the pain of severe injury as you must have done many times and we are both so very sorry to hear that you have both to bear severe injuries with immobility too.
It may be little comfort to you, but I heard today of the death of Rick Rude as a result of an injury and you are still here - be thankful - it could have been you, down that same road! I'm a cranky old pensioner living on pills and as I hear news of people I have known passing away I always say to myself, "There but for the grace of God," etc. and feel thankful, because if you look around there is always someone who is worse off than you and though it's humbling, it gives me some comfort when I'm downhearted. Perhaps when you've been over here in recent times you may have seen on TV occasionally in an advert, a sad figure of a man crippled to the point of total helplessness and can only talk with the aid of a voicebox and yet that man has been able to study and achieve a professorship in mathematics and evolution and is greatly respected for what he has done despite his very severe handicap, so it would seem to me that you must now see what you can achieve in some other direction as you still have a fighting heart! So don't even think of giving in -ever-! Always stay a Bulldog! At least you will have the support of your family and at thirty five, time is on your side for much more achievement in the coming years (I'm 76. too shaky to write or walk far, but I can still learn from the TV and enjoy a good book, take my wife for a drive, etc.). Then sometimes we sit and look at photos we've taken over the years when we could travel and do things, so we are so thankful, it could have been so much worse for us. We've grown up (& old) during a period of great change and innovation so all our lives we have had to change and adapt, to be aware, to keep slogging once a course of action is decided. Although we haven't made a 'packet' (loads of money), we live quietly and securely as a result. It's like turning to another chapter in your 'Book of Life' - a fresh challenge - O.K.?
Our best wished to you and your family, also to Tommy and his.
Yours sincerely,
Win and Les
I found it quite touching and inspiring, as these days I am at a loss sometimes for what to do and where to go with my life, though many years have passed since Davey died. I still need his direction and somehow this letter came into my hands this morning and I am sharing it with you now, as maybe it can help more than just me, today. I know it meant so much to Davey, to have fans like this one. This dear fan probably met Davey in person along the way. By the sound of his comfortable prose, I feel like we surely must have known him.
His letter goes like this:
Dear Mr. Smith,
I have just read in my paper of your unfortunate situation. As a wrestling fan (as is my wife) for many years, having seen you and your cousin Tommy (Dynamite Kid) winning your first English titles and as boys against bigger men you both have much to be proud of, having been - always - the best fighters throughout your careers, singly and together. Sadly your chosen calling is so physically demanding, where pain has most often to be hidden that I can well understand your willpower and determination to fight on through the pain of severe injury as you must have done many times and we are both so very sorry to hear that you have both to bear severe injuries with immobility too.
It may be little comfort to you, but I heard today of the death of Rick Rude as a result of an injury and you are still here - be thankful - it could have been you, down that same road! I'm a cranky old pensioner living on pills and as I hear news of people I have known passing away I always say to myself, "There but for the grace of God," etc. and feel thankful, because if you look around there is always someone who is worse off than you and though it's humbling, it gives me some comfort when I'm downhearted. Perhaps when you've been over here in recent times you may have seen on TV occasionally in an advert, a sad figure of a man crippled to the point of total helplessness and can only talk with the aid of a voicebox and yet that man has been able to study and achieve a professorship in mathematics and evolution and is greatly respected for what he has done despite his very severe handicap, so it would seem to me that you must now see what you can achieve in some other direction as you still have a fighting heart! So don't even think of giving in -ever-! Always stay a Bulldog! At least you will have the support of your family and at thirty five, time is on your side for much more achievement in the coming years (I'm 76. too shaky to write or walk far, but I can still learn from the TV and enjoy a good book, take my wife for a drive, etc.). Then sometimes we sit and look at photos we've taken over the years when we could travel and do things, so we are so thankful, it could have been so much worse for us. We've grown up (& old) during a period of great change and innovation so all our lives we have had to change and adapt, to be aware, to keep slogging once a course of action is decided. Although we haven't made a 'packet' (loads of money), we live quietly and securely as a result. It's like turning to another chapter in your 'Book of Life' - a fresh challenge - O.K.?
Our best wished to you and your family, also to Tommy and his.
Yours sincerely,
Win and Les
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