From Umbrella to Dress

Daughter Alicia Magal speaks:  I am so enjoying sending out my mother Nika's Words of Wisdom.  You have to understand that she speaks in telegraphic, short phrases. I slightly edit to help the reader jump along with her leaping conversations. Every day she finds adventure, truly an admirable way to live. Always something exciting that gives zest to each day. This is #2.  If you missed #1, just scroll down to find the earlier postings.  One day this might turn into a book.  Right now you are getting the chapters in installments... like Charles Dickens!!  I'll be sending out about one each week.
Let us know your response.  Hoping these are inspiring.  Feel free to "share" with others.  
Here is "From Umbrella to Dress":

So I have a purple umbrella with a handle in the shape of a duck.  Real conversation starter.

Then I went into the Left Bank Gallery in Wellfleet, on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, where I spend four months from June through September.  There was a roll-up carry bag that matched the umbrella with bright purple, magenta, and pink flowers. 
Had to get it! 

Across the street in the "Eclectic" Gallery there was a beautiful scarf with the same palette of colors.  Had to have it too!   

And then hanging in one corner was a pleated, crinkly dress by Veeca, in gorgeous magenta, with a cheerful, off-center pattern of flowers in purples, pinks, turquoise and green.  Well, had to have that to go with the scarf to go with the bag to go with the umbrella.  Absolutely! 

Then it was nearly 4 o’clock, time for coffee with a bit of brandy and whipped cream.  As I entered the cottage, Itzhak, my son-in-law, was making the coffee in the Italian espresso coffee maker; my son Will, his wife Wendy, and their younger daughter Mia entered straight from Great Pond to appreciate the colorful display of our latest adventure with my daughter Alicia.

Remember: Every day presents an unexpected adventure!

  

Adding to this blog post in March of 2015.  Wore the entire outfit to the Purim spiel where everyone dresses up in costume.  Needed a hat... so put an elastic band in the bag and turned it into a hat.  Here I am, with Larry, the member of the cast who played the villain Haman in the play.

First Posting - Life Begins at Ninety!

After the publishing of the book "From Miracle to Miracle:  A Story of Survival" that my daughter, Rabbi Alicia Magal, wrote about my survival adventures during the Holocaust of World War II, I decided that I'm now finished with Holocaust stories- I suffering unjustly for years- and truly did survive from miracle to miracle. The book came out in 2010 a great gift for my 90th birthday.

I decided to write a new kind of book, containing whatever "wisdom" I may have accumulated in my years of living. I send emails to my daughter, my family, and my friends. Why not make this into a book?! My daughter thought that a "blog" would be the perfect medium for my short emailed messages of inspiration that I send out early in the morning when I have energy.  "What's a blog?" I asked her.  "Never mind, but it is perfect for getting your thoughts easily accessible to many people," she answered. "You write these short telegraphic style insights and send them off to a few people.  Let's just expand the circle of readers. You will make them smile and think."

Alicia Magal and Nika Fleissig walking in Wellfleet, MA, planning Blog

So these postings will be the basis of that project.

Now is time to enjoy the remaining few precious years- no elegant “home” for the aged- most depressing places- unless one needs physical care.

I close my door to leave my house - adventure here I come!!!!! It helps that I speak after all these years with an accent.  Sp wherever I go they ask me- "Where do you come from?: Next thing, they order Rabbi Alicia’s  book and I have a new friend.

My day in Cape Cod, Massachusetts from June - September begins with getting up around 5:30 a.m., exercising in the hot tub, then rinsing off in my outdoor shower (no door!), then a walk around the marina. I am the only one without a dog to walk, but just enjoying the heavenly breezes carrying that smell of the salt water from the bay the always changing light on the water,and  the rising and falling tides.

Have my favourite corner in the shade where I enjoy coffee and a croissant. Sitting there and looking out at the boats makes me  remember  the many summers here in Wellfleet- back then with my adorable small children and those early years when I was discovering painting. My “good angel” Xavier Gonzales had a painting school and thought that if I do not have to make money for a living- why not paint? I told him that I do not have to make a living, I'm a "kept woman" - married! So I did learn at his school, and with many other teachers over the years. 

The most exciting time of my life was diving into this exciting world of art - so many new discoveries - colors,shapes,textures, and learning how to LOOK at the world with new eyes. I left behind old problems- all is new discovery!

Now at this “last chapter” of my life surrounded by my paintings,sculptures- and yet never knowing enough, I feel I'm still always always learning. 

The master (Gonzalez) said "We are all born blind and it takes a lifetime to learn to see!!!!!"  I am so grateful- instead of thinking that I am getting old, looking like a few aunts of mine who survived the war and lived into their nineties, – i'm enjoying learning new media and trying new ways to express joy of life.  

I ask people "What is your passion?"  That will keep you young and involved in continually learning more.

Time for a swim....