Good News on the Alzheimers front

 I just got my newsletter from AARP and was thrilled to see an article about Alzheimers. Seems they have a new blood test that has proved to be 90% effective in detecting Alzheimers. I know my children are thrilled about this, as am I.

Elbert (on the right with two of our children)

You see, their active, fun-loving, joke-telling Dad got Alzheimers. That was determined in 2001. He was 71 years old. 

We'd just moved to Virginia to be closer to our children and I had this vision of him and me just sitting on the porch holding hands, watching the sunset until we both were so old we had to pass on to another life. 

My vision which changed drastically

That vision became a nightmare. I cared for him for 10 1/2 years. He forgot who his family was, he tried to 'go home' more often than I want to admit. He thought he was still in the Navy and was AWOL because he wasn't on the ship. He fell so often I couldn't be out of his sight. 

He could still fit in his old uniform and he still knew how to salute. 2007

My children worried about getting Alzheimers, especially my son. So, this is great news .... that research is making great strides in detecting it. Now, if they could just figure out how to cure it! 

2009 just over one year before he was gone. 

Dancing to a SLOW tune these days!!

I'll swear, I don't know what's to become of me!!

There's so much I want to do and my energy level has reached it's 'Best if used by' date. 

I have been cleaning and organizing my office closet the last few days. 

What! it takes days...

I remember when I  could whip that chore out in a couple hours. 

Anyway, this body of mine is slowing down. Guess it's about time! 

I played Bingo Saturday afternoon. We residents are thrilled that Bingo is back on the schedule. We've played twice now and I didn't win either time. I should pout... but I won't. I'm too happy having fun. 

On Sunday we met to say goodbye to two of our resident/friends. We had the biggest array of desserts you ever saw. 

Lisa's husband and his best friend bet her ten dollars each that she couldn't bake a 12 layer cake for the event. She did and it was quite the show-piece. She donated her bet winnings to the two that were departing. 

It's turned off cold again here, if you can believe that! The temps got low enough last night to just about have a freeze warning. I brought my plants inside so they'd be safe! 

I need to catch up on checking out all of your blogs. The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!! 

 

A Long Weekend Get-away!

 I got back late Monday and here it is Wednesday. Yesterday was kind of lost, if you know what I mean! 

Had a wonderful, relaxing long weekend at the beach. A two-bedroom condo with a nice, large balcony overlooking the shoreline. I practiced making selfies. 

We had so much fun watching the waves, the pelicans and gulls, the children looking for seashells. 

I enjoyed watching a dog prancing along on a leash, then as he was released he ran into the water and played. They walked on out of sight.... not long after, here they came, man tugging on the leash and the dog definately not wanting to head back to the condo. 

We ate out one night at Mulligans. Of course, I had scallops, my favorite seafood. 

Our last night we spent on the balcony with sandwiches, a cheese plate and glasses of wine. 

                              And, then, darn, just like it always does, it's time to go home!! 

Get-away Time!

 

A phone call!

I said 'yes'!

See y'all Monday! 

The Sun, the Moon and a Convertible

 One day Shirley and I were out tooling around when we stopped at the Visitors Center here in Suffolk. Sitting next door was this gorgeous old convertible. It looked lonesome. I sure wish I'd had a key... it wouldn't be lonesome anymore!!! Don't you think I dressed the part. We even match. 

We had an eclipse today... guess you did too wherever you are.

I didn't have the viewing glasses so no pics. But, I thought I'd post a picture I took some time back of the moon rising over the pine trees near my apartment. 

My crazy Christmas cactus is blooming again. It doesn't know what season it is anymore than the weatherman does!! 

I am happy to report that since my daughter gave me the subscription to MasterClass online I have seen and learned a lot from over 22 hours of instruction so far. Everything from Gut Health, Writing and Cooking. I have a ton more to watch yet. They give you workbooks and instruction books with most of the classes. I'm enjoying it all so much. 

Today I started watching Alice Waters (restauranteur, cookbook writer, etc, etc). One class was on how to shop for the best produce at Farmer Markets. Now, I can't wait to go to one to try out my new skills. 

Here's a picture from 2013 of me in the Farmer's Market in Smithfield, Va. 

Have a fabulous week. 

Hugs,

Latane

A Rose is a Rose!!

 I got another beautiful bouquet from my daughter Susan. She signed up for one of those 'Once a Month' deals. I'm loving it but I hope I have convinced her that she should stop. Flowers are so expensive. Well, isn't everything and anything these days. Price of groceries are up about 35%-50% from 2020. Eating out is ridiculous. Gas is high, flight is high, Oh.. I will shut now about this now!! 

And, back to the flowers. This month it was a dozen roses, grown in Ecuador. I see a difference in those from what's grown here. Stems much longer, stronger, the blossoms last longer and there a nice aroma to these. 

Just look at this beauty!

and this one....

I love flowers, never was much of a grower myself. But, I love that other people grow them so I can enjoy them. 

Have a wonderful weekend!!