January 2

Quiet day today. Watched Sunday Morning and was glad they did a segment on Billy Taylor. I always loved his segments on the show. Read the whole Sunday NY Times. Also watched American Master's Glenn Gould which was wonderful. And watched Live From Lincoln Center's New Year's Eve Special. Lang Lang was the guest and was great. It was all Tchaikovsky including the Polonaise and Act II of Nutcracker. Then we watched The White Ribbon which held my interest, but was not at all what I expected. I much preferred The Secret in Their Eyes, and now know the Academy made the right choice for Best Foreign Film. Some lighter fare on TV and segment one of the Dakar with Robby Gordon coming in 8th today due to not having four wheel drive, more reading, found five photos of Kyle Busch's wedding (none of Kurt) some light yoga, finished the fabulous duck from Steve and Cookies, and now off to bed. An uneventful, peaceful day, a post holiday recharge day on a dreary weather day in Longport.

New Year 2011 I will be 60 this year

In June, I will turn 60. I wanted to start the year out in an exciting way, and I decided to do the Polar Bear Plunge in Margate, NJ at noon on New Year's Day. This had been on my bucket list for many years. When I awoke this morning, I was not sure, but as I thought further about it, I decided this was exactly what I needed to do to kick off my momentous year.
I dug out my 2 piece bathing suit, put it on, did some quick grooming, slathered moisturized with SPF on my face and a little pink lipstick and Kiehl's lip balm on my lips. I grabbed my Mom, and said let's go. Luckily she was amenable. I wanted her to share this moment with me as well as take photos, hold my coat and gloves (the Mom role that she excels at). We were amazed how many people were there. It is not my fault, but today was not as cold as some New Year's Days, but the water temperature was plenty cold. The plungers were dressed in everything imaginable-pajamas, bathrobes, jeans, bathing suits of every size and shape, skirts on men, some of the strangest hats and other get ups I have ever seen.
My Mom snuck over and bought me a T-Shirt with proceeds supporting Covenant House in Atlantic City, a great charity. Now I have something special to show for my adventure.
About 11:45AM, the plungers left Robert's Bar and headed for the beach with bagpipers leading the way accompanied by firetrucks, ambulances, rescue boats and other things that made me almost think this through again. The beach was loaded with people from all over. Kids, teens, young people, married people and families of all ages, many over 60; and some were accompanied by their family pets. One lady told me she was 67, and this was her 7th year of taking the plunge. I saw many greyheads way over 60 in their bathing attire.
At noon everyone ran to the water. I had no time to think it through. I was carried by the crowd, and my Mom was clicking away and cheering me forward. When that water hit my barefeet and legs, I thought they had been swept away. They were totally numb. But as I got all the way into the water, I did not feel it as much. It actually felt great. No sooner was I in the water, but out again, swept along with others leaving the ocean. I never shivered once; it was positively exhilarating. What a way to start the New Year and my 60th. I got home, took a shower, and had lunch. It was almost surreal.
Tonight my Mom and I will celebrate New Year's Day dinner at Steve and Cookie's Restaurant, a fine dining establishment overlooking the bay in Margate. I will look at the water, and remember with pride that a few hours earlier I took the plunge into the Atlantic Ocean and into my 60th year.
Postscript-If I choose to do this next year, I will definitely wear makeup!!!!