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Ever since crossing the 55-year mark, staying healthy and buff (if you can call it that) has practically become a full-time job. Long gone are days of: Eating whatever Exercising for the endorphin buzz Having no clue what joint pain is Hello: Careful snack choices Semi-personal trainers Muscle-injury management If you’re one of Triangle Park’s majority age readers (24 – 35) and you haven’t clicked out, thank you for reading this far. Tips from “those gone before” put you one step ahead of the inevitable, downward-physique game. Here are a few of my healthy snack choices that I use to avoid inflammation, low energy, lackluster skin, fat and illness: Pitaya (dragon fruit) – This is a new kid on the block for me. Looking at this healthy gem is more enjoyable than eating it though, IMHO. The magenta, contrasted with black and white specks is spectacular…God art. https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/7-dragon-fruit-benefits-the-antioxidant-vitamin-powerhouse-1247454 Frog Fuel – This gem of a protein supplement aided me during a muscle injury less than a year ago. There is zero sugar, zero fat, zero carbs and its gluten free! Best of all, it was developed by Navy Seals. If it works for Navy Seal muscles it will work for mine.https://frogfuel.com/ Power Shot (Whole Foods) – This little number is not the greatest tasting beverage on the shelf.  I gag it down any way becauset it’s loaded with anti-inflammatory effectiveness and immune system support (ginger, lemon, wheatgrass). Use it or lose it! Isn’t that the truth? After injuring myself last January, I discovered how quickly the body resorts to flab and also how painful it is to withdraw from weekly endorphin highs. I’m back in the game at Piedmont Fitness/ATL.  One particular class (Tues./sculpt) is often so small I liken it to having a personal trainer. This buff guy, Jamal, works participants’ bootays to their maximum ability in Tuesday’s sculpt class. Sometimes it takes days to recover. PT is the new MD? If you’re over 55 and haven’t made your way to a physical therapist yet, congratulations! Physical Therapists are in high demand and it’s no wonder. I all but consider mine (Ally) at Atlanta Sport & Spine a miracle worker. Ally solved a wrist/muscle issue for me this year.  She also teaches Pilates there. I highly recommend Ally if you’re looking for a PT  in Atlanta, and Jamal’s sculpt class at Piedmont Fitness. Atlanta Sport Spine / after pilates this week Cheers to staying healthy and fit! Love, Shelley Two more healthy-living faves that I just HAVE to share :-).  R. Thomas makes the Coconut Keifer (Zifty will deliver) and the Oolong tea can be purchased online.

Atlanta’s very own Music Midtown is this weekend.   The set up took place today. Gus and I walked around and checked it out. There are four elaborate stages, pop up bars, porta potties, legit entrance/exits, and chain link fencing…lots of it. I attended Music Midtown’s first-ever concert event back in the day (1994). It took place in a vacant lot on Peachtree and 10th. My friend Suzanne, Shelley E. and I walked from Shelley’s house in Ansley Park. It was a leisurely walk that amounted to a few short blocks. We inched our way to the stage by politely saying “excuse me,” “pardon me,” and simply squeezing through the masses. As I recall it, there was only one stage. Paula Cole belted out I Don’t Want to Wait and Atlanta’s own Indigo Girls got the crowds going with Closer to Fine. It was fun, safe, artistically appealing, and oh so different than it appears today. It was really hot today (94 degrees, 85% humidity).  There’s no relief tomorrow and hopefully hurricane Florence won’t visit ATL over the weekend. Check out Diana’s blog on how to survive Music Midtown:  https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/09/12/5-tips-to-survive-music-midtown/ While Gus and I walked around the park we ran into three, shall we say young people, who asked if they could pet him.  Why, of course they could…Gus has no idea what a stranger is. I asked them if they knew who was in this year’s line up and they named a few groups. I was familiar with zero of them. Here’s the official line up: https://www.musicmidtown.com/lineup/  Sadly, I still don’t recognize any of them. Well, I’ve heard of Post Malone but that’s only because he made the news recently because a jet he was riding in had to make a precarious emergency landing. I’m sort of surprised that there aren’t any classical names on the list. It wasn’t too long ago that Lenny Kravitz and Elton John showed up. Oh well, I’m not going any way. But, I was there today and so was Gus . Unlike back in the day, you’ll have to pay to get in (2-day ticket = $155+) and you’ll have an array of stages to wander around to. It was fun watching Midtown Music 2018 all come to fruition and I’m sure it will be fun attending! Thanks for visiting Triangle Park! Love, Shelley The athletic field is not participating in Midtown Music — great place to go for a jog. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oyYGwdiAkBs

Fact: Pets Live High On The Hog in our home ~ Why, because they’re entertaining, adorable, and unconditionally loving companions. Why wouldn’t they dwell in the lap of luxury relative to one’s lifestyle? Individual reasons for owning pets are intriguing. My reason is simple: unconditional love, especially for children. It hardly seems fair that all one has to do is care for, love, and respect animals by: Supplying food Scooping poop Sharing affection Providing medical care That’s basically it… Presto: Unconditional Love! Who can deny that humans, as well intentioned as we strive to be, require far more than four modest things to garner unconditional love, and that such love may waver from time to time. We are…after all…human. Back in the day, Jeff and I brought an AKC registered German Shepherd into our home (Buck). We are neither dog nor cat people. We’re both…including horses. Currently, however we don’t have a cat.   I’ve been hearing a lot of talk from Sav and Dan suggesting I birth-buy our next, inevitable feline family member. I’ve also heard rumblings that Savanna may add a kitty to her life. If and when Sav or Dan adopts a pet on her own, I’ll be hopelessly happy. Not only because it will be a grand-pet but also for vicarious, unconditional love. Save for God’s love, there is IMHO no tenderness that compares to it. As with all wonderful things in life, there is a downside to pet adopting: their too-soon departures. Losing pets during such small portions of life sucks. But, it’s worth it…for us and more importantly, for them. As the saying goes: It’s better to have loved and lost Than to have never Loved at all As always, thank you for stopping by.  Love, Shelley https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/09/05/one-pet-two-pet-three-pet-four/

No doubt, Triangle Park is a girlie-girl group. But enough already. Last week, it came time for some man inclusion. We love our boys (fathers, brothers, grandpas, uncles, nephews, cousins, fiancés, boyfriends…). In particular, Jeff Sweeney a/k/a Babe and Dad. Babe and I barbecued pineapple chicken shish kabobs last weekend (lead topic in his guest blog). Oh my, they were palette-pleasing to the extreme!  Usually when it’s “grill night,” Jeff does his thing and I kick back. But this time was different. I jumped in by choosing the marinade, peppers, chicken, mushrooms, and overall theme: Pineapple Poultry Kabobs! He said I got control-freaky when I tried to tell him how the coals should simmer and when the kabobs needed attention. So, I told him that I knew more about cooking because I did it more often. He said, oh no, this is my territory. I said, hmmm. We bantered back and forth amusing ourselves with chuckles and chimes, eventually losing interest. A drool-worthy aroma and smoke spectacle from our deck soared into the sky. It was enticing!  I had an urge to invite friends passing by but was let down by our culinary quantity. What we did have an abundance of was admiration for how incredible our grilling team-work panned out. Here’s the marinade if you you’re interested:  https://www.vitacost.com/kona-coast-marinade-grilling-sauce-paradise-pineapple-teriyaki That cook-out was our official first one as empty nesters – sniff sniff. Zoom, just like that the kids are gone. We miss them terribly, but are looking forward to just-the-two-of-us time in the future. Some things won’t change though. For instance, there will still be a lot of travel in our lives. Travelling is how Jeff and I came together in the first place (Atlanta, GA to Salt Lake City, UT). We were seated side by side in the very last seats of a Delta L1011, by the bathrooms — flew home on the same flight too, but weren’t seated together. In baggage claim he asked for my number. I told him it “was in the book” (remember that?) but I didn’t spell my last name: Corkill. It’s not the easiest name to decipher and only my initials were listed. Spoiler alert: He cracked the code and found me! Since meeting on Delta many moons ago, we’ve toured the world. You might wonder: how can anyone travel so much, it’s demanding and strenuous? Well, glory be to God, we no longer ride in the back of the aircraft, by the toilets. This small improvement makes flying a smidgeon less arduous. It’s tasteless to brag about oneself, perhaps even team-work barbecue?  But it’s ok to brag about your kids, right? What about husbands? Can we brag about husbands? Hopefully so because I’m about to… Jeff Sweeney is an: Amazing (got to where he is single-handedly) Intelligent (valedictorian H.S./high honors GA Tech) Classy (allows Triangle Park to wardrobe him) Considerate (mother-in-law is obsessed with him) Caring (loves his four-legged children!!!!!!) Smart (business savvy supreme) Hands-on with his kids (proof below) Heaven-sent (Christian, loves God) Dad and Husband CHEERS TO ALL the amazing, intelligent, classy, considerate, caring, smart, hands-on, heaven-sent men! Thank you for reading! Love, Shelley https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/26/taste-travel-and-time-a-guys-perspective/ https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/29/square-park/ https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/29/parallelogram-park/ Jeff and Savanna Jeff and Diana Diaper Duty proof

Diana: “This past weekend Triangle Park did something that we have never done before…we went wedding dress shopping!   I say “us” like we’re all getting married…” Savanna: “For all of you ladies out there fantasizing about dress shopping, the time will come and I promise it will be just as fun as it seems.” Reading these quotes from Sav and Dan’s blogs this week (links below) sent me on a reflective journey to my wedding-dress, shopping experience: There Was No Wedding-dress Shopping Experience Nobody took me wedding-dress shopping or spoke of wedding-dress shopping. I went by myself and I bought my own dress. But, this past weekend I shopped for a wedding dress with and for Savanna.  I must admit I struggled to keep my heart from wandering to thoughts of how and why I missed out on something so cherished. It was the first time I’ve stepped foot in a wedding dress store. Ever. Kelly’s Closet is a charming boutique in Inman Park, one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods (circa 1890). Midway through our appointment, I spied a mesmerizing piece. I say “piece” because it wasn’t a dress, but it sort of was. This beautiful garment would have been a dream to wear, had I experienced a big wedding. Savanna loved it too!  When I saw the price I knew why we loved it.  The intricate beading was extraordinary — I proposed that Diana could wear it in her wedding TOO (a little price justification :-). Then, get this! I got to thinking:  hmm, maybe after both girls get married in it, I just might hang it in my closet…take it down from time to time, try it on, play dress up, fanaticize, pretend we ‘all got married’ in it.  And…maybe…it would be ‘just as fun as it seems.’ Cheers girls, to joyfully living vicariously through you, my Triangle counterparts. And thank you for the inspiring quotes from your blogs this week.  It’s going to be fun sharing (with readers!) whichever dress Savanna decides upon. It truly is better to give than receive! https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/15/wedding-bells/ https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/13/wedding-dress-dreams/ You’re a model bride Sav.

Are you [contentedly] motivated and organized in your life? What’s your secret? This week, Savanna chose our topic: organization and motivation. IMHO they’re crucial elements to living blessedly. Great choice, Sav! God motivates me to be organized. And that’s not all He motivates me to do. He also inspires me to: eat healthy; to exercise; to love; to strive; to hope; to dream; to give; to share; to live. God is a one-stop shop inspirer for me. A lot of people don’t believe in The Word. I get that. And I also don’t get that. Why wouldn’t you opt for something that’s been around for thousands of years with proven promises and testimonials, even to this day? Reading, writing, and blogging are my favorite hobbies. Even hobbies require motivation and organization. The Bible is my preferred “read again” book. There never ceases to be something in it that I didn’t catch during one of the other times I sat down with it. No doubt it’s complicated, but if delved into, there are great motivators inside. I’m a fastidious housekeeper and organized in most areas of my life. Wouldn’t you say, girls? Asking oneself, “what exactly motivates you to be that way,” is a thought provoking question, albeit it is easy for me to answer: God. People, food, money, and/or kudos just don’t motivate me. Of course, I love and enjoy all of those things, but they don’t ignite me to live contentedly. Tangibles die and disappear the way people will if there isn’t a promise of eternal life. It boils down to the best God-given gift of all: choice. Choose motivators to organize wisely! Thanks for reading Triangle Park! Love, Shelley ShellsweenArt Check out Savanna’s blog: https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/06/organization-motivation/ Check out Diana’s blog:  https://triangleparkatl.com/2018/08/09/procrastination-station/

(please view our first micro video attached 🙂 Have you ever heard people say that you shouldn’t be your son or daughter’s “friend?” Similarly, have you heard others say that their son or daughter IS their “best friend?” Which do you believe in? I’m some where in the middle, with a slight tilt toward the friend side.  I mean, I’m crazy in love with my girls.  It seems impossible that “friendship” wouldn’t be mixed in with all that love? So ya, the three of us are friends.  You might even say we’re joined “at the hips.” Don’t get me wrong though, we get on each other’s last nerves too – and we’re not afraid to admit it. But, mostly we love each other and can’t imagine life without one another. Which brings me to Savanna’s engagement Diana and I are so happy for Savanna’s pending marriage But we’re/I’M also sad We’ve come to a fork in the road Savanna will take a path with her husband Our final episode of me being a mom with two single daughters will play out There’s no turning back (nor would I want to) Savanna met and fell in love with a wonderful man Now, it’s up to me, [Jeff] and Diana to bid her farewell Sweet Savanna holds the key to her future with her prince But whenever she needs us, we’ll be there I’ll be there Sav! Thanks for Stopping by to read Triangle ParkATL! Love, Shelley http://triangleparkatl.com/diana-blog/2018/8/1/moving-out http://triangleparkatl.com/savanna-blog/2018/7/30/the-times-are-changin http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiczMhJg1k0

In 30 seconds or less could you name your favorite, most memorable vacation or experience? BAM, just like that you know the precise place where you travelled that out shines all others? For me, it’s easy: London — fave city in the world. I’m ready to go in a split second. Horseback riding is my number one thing to do while there. But, I’ve also developed a “beef “ with it in recent years. I have Horse Disease; there’s no cure. Those afflicted must find horses wherever they go. The year was 1980, I was 18-years-old. A stable in the center of London offered rides through Hyde Park atop premium horses. The horse I rented that day was magnificent: a bay, 16 hands high, long mane, cool head marking, spunky, with personality+. Five of us paraded around the park — walking, trotting, cantering and even riding along S. Carriage Drive not far from Harrods. My Horse Disease was in check. I haven’t owned a horse for many years. But, you can find me at rental properties around the world to this day. My beef with facilities today is that they don’t rent real horses. Here’s an example: Stable owners never fail to ask: “Are you an experienced rider?” “Why yes, as a matter of fact I am — thank you for asking.” So, why do I get placed on Cobs? That’s what they’re called, Cobs. One riding guide told me, “a bomb could go off next to that horse and it wouldn’t bother him.” Apparently, nothing agitates a Cob. Joking aside, they are indeed gentle beasts. Horseback riding back in the day in Hyde Park, London is my all time favorite activity and London is my all time favorite vacation destination.  There are simply too many excursions for me to pick just one as the tip top winner.  Triangle Park would LOVE to hear what yours is! Thank you for stopping by! Love, Shelley

Do you advertise your birthday on Facebook?  If so, do you display the year as well?  If yes, that’s awesome — you’re truly celebrating an addition to your tenure on earth.  If you don’t share the year you were born, isn’t it more of celebrating just yourself? I love birthdays, but not on Facebook or any other social media.  The first time I received an avalanche of notifications on –/–/–, I was dumbfounded.  I had no idea that birthdays were “announced.”  I thought when I added my birthday it was som Celebrating Papa’s 80th birthday ten years ago e sort of requirement of Facebook.  Initially, it was fun hearing from people I barely knew.  I thought, wow, they must really like me but have been too shy to express it until wondrous Facebook made it easier for them.  Typically, only my immediate family and very dear, close friends contact me on the big day.  It was intense stuff having dozens of “Happy Birthday, Shelley, hope it’s a great day!” But then, after a couple years of participating in the Facebook BD frenzy, I realized if I neglected to wish one or two distant acquaintances HBD, there was a good chance they’d dis my sacred day that year as well.  And if someone I truly cared about missed my day, it would cryptically bother me.  I mean, who cares?  It bothered me that it bothered me, more than the birthday-less message I didn’t receive. So ya, Facebook birthday participation didn’t last long for me.  If you’re a friend of mine, I’m sorry I don’t wish you a HBD on Facebook.  It’s just too phoney baloney for me.  But, in the future I’m going to check and see if years are shared.  Those, I’ll not only wish HBD, but also congratulations! Thank you for stopping by, Love, Shelley https://10618.anovite.com/ Redken Chromatics Permanent Hair Color – 7N redken

Triangle Park is obsessed with skincare and anti-aging. Are you? “We only have one face to get through life with,” I tell my girls, “take good care of it.” Savanna and Diana learned early on to adopt healthy skin care habits. “Girls, facelift surgery is just no fun…trust me.” My mother (their grandmother) went under the knife when Savanna was a baby. She recuperated in my home before returning to Utah where she lived at the time. It was not a pretty experience. Invasive surgery is less popular today than it was 25+ years ago…thank God! Botox injections seem to be the procedure of choice these days, and not only for those of us over 40. Many doctors advise women in their 20s to begin the muscle-paralyzing botulism process. Stop those blasted expression indentations from forming in the first place. I tried Botox one time – total nightmare. It caused horrible diarrhea, uncontrollable tearing, fainting, and depression. My friend’s husband, a dentist, contemplated administering Botox to his patients. Before doing so he tried it himself to learn firsthand what it was like. He ended up in the ER with worse symptoms than I had. The biggest bummer about Botox being a bummer is that it “looks” really good. I have ten do’s/don’ts; five products I can’t live without; and, one supplement that is my holy grail: 10 SKIN CARE DO’S / DON’TS ·      Don’t pick pimples; scars are forever ·      Do remove/exfoliate all signs of dry skin, hair and peach fuzz; women look bad with beards and dead skin ·      Do get facials regularly; professionals deep clean and condition ·      Don’t leave the house without sunscreen; skin cancer is real and scary ·      Do use Occusoft lid cleansers occasionally; eyelids don’t get the attention they need ·      Don’t share eye make up; it’s an unsanitary germ swap ·      Do tone (alcohol free); toners are skin stabilizers ·      Don’t touch your face unless you wash your hands first; hormones are hard to control, keeping dirt off your face is not ·      Do use only your ring finger when working around eyes; it’s the most forgiving digit ·      NEVER EVER sleep in make up; it’s just so gross 5 SKIN CARE ITEMS I CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ·      Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil – Hourglass/Ash ·      Aveda Botanical Kinetics Hydrating Lotion (night) ·      Laura Mercier Flawless Skin Face Polish ·      Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer / SPF 50 ·      Fresh Soy Face Cleanser ONE [HOLY GRAIL] SUPPLEMENT Anovite Colostrum6 has worked miracles for my daughter, Diana’s, skin and for my overall wellbeing (fabulous anti-ager!). We are beyond thrilled with it. I discovered Anovite products through a friend, Lisa.  It’s a long story.  In short, I was very ill last winter.  I started taking handfuls of vitamin supplements with little to no results.  Lisa sent me a free sample of Anovite Colostrum6, plus LimuZ.  I was shocked by how quickly I began to feel better.  I mean REALLY shocked. I asked Savanna and Diana to try it, to help me determine if I was crazy or not.  They, TOO, said they felt really good while taking it (better mood, energy, attitude, etc.).  What I didn’t expect was how Diana’s face would clear up.  She’s had difficult skin outbreaks from time to time.  The results of Anovite Colostrum6 have exceeded all of our expectations in areas we never imagined. Check this amazing product (and others) out on my website:    https://10618.anovite.com/es/           and/or contact me at shelleysweeney@rocketmail.com.  There’s a 90-day money back guarantee.  What do you have to lose? Be good to your skin.  It will thank you down the road when you look in the mirror.  Simple healthy habits like cleansing, moisturizing, exfoliating, being a water-aholic and taking Anovite Colostrum6 (the purest, 6-hour, Colostrum out there) will keep you looking snappy in your selfies. IMHO, say NO to invasive surgery and Botox. Love, Shelley P.S. Our new website is taking longer than expected 🙁

She always says, “It’s short for Oreo, not Olivia. Life’s a constant search for which color we ‘oreos’ identify most with.” I can’t fully relate to O’s journey, but I try to. Figuratively speaking, all of us have an “oreo” journey of sorts: Which side of our families are we sandwiched into the most; which side do we relate to the most? With each passing birthday over a lifetime, a decision-making process develops as to which half of our genetic equation we more comfortably recognize. Or is the answer logically equal; it is what it is, no analysis necessary? Individual circumstances reign of course. Even though my parents were born and raised in close, small-town proximity, virtually nothing about their families was similar. Diversity was their common ground. Mother’s family: Energy Vibrancy Competition Father’s family: Calm Comforting Harmony In other words virtual opposites, IMHO. Putting my finger on which side I identify most with isn’t easy. In fact, this blog isn’t easy. Triangle Park came up with it because we attended a family celebration for my husband’s side of the family last weekend. A rare occasion; my girls seldom see that side. It isn’t far-fetched to suggest they “don’t know them.” My side, however, they are intimate with. We thought it’d be interesting to write about the contrasts between different sides of our families. Well, it turned out interesting indeed. Why? Because it’s hard! Try writing about both sides of your family and make it for public consumption. I discovered an unexpected cloud of: if I suggest this it will hurt his feelings; if I say that, it might hurt her feelings. This may be a cop out, but for me, it’s truly split down the middle. No doubt I’ve contemplated and analyzed it over the years; I was certain one side took precedence. I love and relate to both sides 50/50. The diversity of the whole is what makes me, me. O’s search clearly has a distinct variable that mine doesn’t have. I get that. But, our fundamental 50/50 and all the diversity combined within that, is what matters most. It makes Olivia, Olivia; you, you; and me, me. Contemplating which side you relate to most becomes irrelevant. All that matters is us. Thank you for stopping by our blog! Love, Shelley

We were somewhat cocooned in the beautiful, brand new, Baha Mar Resort. Actually, “somewhat” is an understatement.  We literally were cocooned on the grounds of Baha Mar…by choice.  It’s a downright spectacular enclave of restaurants, bars, pools, beaches, casinos, and high-end shops.  We were never without something to do, eat, or drink. It’s amazing how “pictures drive vacations” these days.  Back in the old days (haha), it was important to pack a camera just like it is in 2018, but the photographs, as I recall them, were not all consuming.  They were more like souvenirs, a take it or leave it, no big deal, option. Nowadays, vacation photo opportunities seemingly motivate and energize with incentives — the likes of which are “likes.”  But, what if a picture of you is unflattering?  What if it doesn’t show potential to satisfy the “likes” count that you might garner from an otherwise “great” (doctored?) shot.  Would you care?   Would you still post it? Getting older and watching myself fade away in the mirror is bad enough.  But, doing it publicly while watching my young, beautiful (if I do say so myself J) girls enjoy photogenic heaven, is the personal picture-pits.  (I love pictures and I love the game, but if you’re over 50, I’m going to assume you know what I’m talking about.) Solution:  Maintain an energetic sense of humor. One night while in Nassau, the three of us went out for a delicious dinner.  Sav and Dan looked spectacular.  As for me, I was feeling all of 56 and then some.  After dinner we walked around the grounds to take some pictures. As my co-tri-angles were posing in their usual youthful way, I accidentally clicked the reverse camera button.  Gasp!  What I saw was nothing short of flabbergasting.  I went from seeing two 20-somethings to…omg…who is that weird looking woman and why is she on my camera screen? Nobody is more sensitive to lousy shots than I am (it’s a long, painful, story :-). But, get this!  Right then and there, I decided to give myself a great, big grin, and go into selfie overdrive.  Sav and Dan had no idea what I was doing; they were posing away.  I snapped the selfie and it was every bit as wretched as I knew it would be (don’t you sometimes hope they’re not going to be as bad as you think?).  It was perfectly imperfect and I loved it!  I said, “who gives a manure?” Why do pictures have to be flawlessly, phony-baloney?  We all know we’re far from flawless.  In stories, characters with flaws that readers can identify with are the most beloved characters.  Why not in pictures too? Here’s the dreadful selfie.  I must confess, I edited it.  The shadows, highlights, and sunburn on my neck desperately needed adjusting, lest I die of insecurity illness. The three of us laughed our booties off at the whole spectacle. PLEASE, please, PLEASE, girls, have a sense of humor and publicly share the not-so-good photos too.  If people (and you) don’t “like” the imperfect shots, perhaps they don’t sincerely like you. And, worse than that, perhaps they don’t have a sense of humor. Thanks for reading everyone!  Love, Shelley http://triangleparkatl.com/savanna-blog/2018/5/30/bahama-mama-picture-drama http://triangleparkatl.com/diana-blog/2018/5/30/toxic-pictures Also, I’m thrilled to mention that a story I wrote was chosen as a winner in the 2018 Bristol, England, Flash Fiction Walk, contest.  It will be read by an actor at a Bristol festival on June 16.  Here it is if you’d like to read it: Fate Folly Hottie alert at the Starbucks on Cabot Circus.  He squeezes in next to me on the sofa.  Good vibes.  He hasn’t shaven in a couple days.  He notices I notice.  I never lie.  It’s not a lie if it’s none of anyone’s business.  His almost beard looks amazing.  I straighten up and put my coffee on the table.  The energy is apparent.  Never mind, this is it.  Haven’t I seen you before?  Perfect.  Buuuzz kill.  Two kids crowd in, ‘Daddy, daddy.’  He scoops them onto his lap as if I’m invisible.  I’m going to lie now and say I didn’t care.