EndorphinGirl™ was recently asked whether Art Hritis or Vita Min were with her during her escapade in Moscow back in December 1999. They were not as they are really her parent’s friends. So this is a good blog segue into meeting EndorphinGirl™’s parents as well as a brief introduction to Art and Vita and a few other family members. 

EndorphinGirl™ comes from very good genes, she is lucky! Her maternal grandmother lived a long and healthy life, until 103 years old.  Her parents are made of good genes too.  They have always been very active, and remain that way today. It was often thought EndorphinGirl™’s mom had an invisible twin because what she could accomplish around the house always seemed herculean, while working full-time in the record industry (i.e., today’s music industry!), commuting, with four rugrats at home. When they lived in their big house she was the one with the tool belt swinging around her waist always ready to hammer a nail to hang a picture or to sandpaper and shellac a bannister.  She could also be found tinkering in the garden, where she had a true green thumb.  For years she grew delicious tomatoes among other vitamin-filled veggies or fruits!

EndorphinGirl™’s dad is equally as active.  Before retiring he was in a ‘heavy lifting’ job for over 45 years, working all sorts of shifts (late night, early morning, day, evening, etc.) throughout the years, with never a complaint.  While he was not so much the guy to take a gamble in the garden (perhaps more the brown thumb guy?), he is willing to place his bets elsewhere, as his good friend AC may share one day!  And, he was an active ‘rowing machine’ guy back in the day.  Upon retiring he began an active walking regiment.  We are talking serious walking - on average memory recalls about 5 miles a day at least 4-times-a-week, though it was probably more.  This went on for about 10 years before EndorphinGirl™’s mom retired and they started an exercise regimen together.

So in fact during that 10-year-ish period EndorphinGirl™’s
dad could have walked to China and halfway back.  The distance from New York City to Beijing is 6830 miles (and for those who prefer kilometers or nautical miles -10991.82 km / 5935.11 nautical miles, respectively).  So if Duffy, as he is known by friends, was walking 5 miles a day X 4 days a week X 52 weeks a year X 10 years = 10,400 miles, he made a nice contribution to the 'walking shoe' industry!  Wow - go Duf!

Today the EndorphinGirl™ parents remain active.  They walk in a local park on average 4-miles-a-pop several days in the week.  Perhaps they have that aspiration to walk to Beijing, though they have not yet revealed it!  They travel a lot too. In fact, part of their travels, along with EndorphinGirl™’s aunt, have warranted them the status of Groupies!  Groupies?  Yes, Groupies.  Marathon Groupies that is watching EndorphinGirl™’s brother run.  He is a serial marathon runner and these three Cats (i.e., Groupies) travel to one of the 50 States once or twice a year to see EndorphinGirl™'s brother run marathons. He is up to his 17^th marathon.  Endorphin-neediness really does run in the family!  Wow – go Bro!

So how do Vita and Art fit in. Well let’s meet them and you decide!

Vita Min is a lifelong friend of the above Groupies from when they first met in their 20’s at a Jitterbug dance party in
Greenwich Village.  Circa about 1955! You know, Greenwich Village when it was known as Greenwich Village or simply the Village. As Duffy, will say – there was no NoHo, SoHo,
SoCa, East Village, West Village, etc.  It was only Greenwich Village!

Vita showed up at the dance party sporting a really trendy outfit, especially for back in the day.  She wore an above-the-knee-length skirt and matching top, colored with different circle- and oval-shapes sprinkled throughout the design.  Duffy thought the shapes looked like vitamins. With that and Vita being the life of the party that evening, Duffy gave her the nickname Vita. (For those who remember their HS Latin J – vita means life).  By the way, Vita’s full first name is Victoria, but she really liked Vita so the nickname stuck all of these years.

Vita retired from her job as a CVS pharmacist about 6 years ago.  She remains active traveling and working part-time in a local hospital’s vitamin shop!

Art Hritis is a more recent friend of the parents.  While Art is a nice guy, he’s really sort of stiff and can inflame any conversation with his excessive talking and strong opinions which sometimes get under your skin and even into your joints.  But generally he’s a good guy.  Duffy and Art met through a mutual friend about 20 years ago while picking up a prescription at a local pharmacy.  Coincidentally, Art, like Vita, was also a pharmacist, but he liked to be referred to as an Apothecary.  One time instead of Apothecary he even put Chemist on his business cards!  (See how he can be inflaming?).  He was employed by a mom-and-pop pharmacy in Hell’s Kitchen.  Art is retired today as well, and he spends his time lecturing on the Apothecary Circuit!

So there you have it.  You may hear more about Vita and Art in future blogs along with EndorphinGirl™’s parents, aunt and
brother!

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This week’s snaps are two.  A picture of EndorphinGirl™’s
parents and aunt showing proof of how active they are.  Stay tuned for a snap of the serial marathoner brother, Vita Min and Art Hritis in future blogs!  We’re getting more synched between blog and images.  Yeah!

Til next time, keep on endorphing!

EndorphinGirl™

[Countdown: 103 days]