Winter Wonderland

                                    I woke up to a winter wonderland this morning! 

Oh my, how beautiful it is. Soft, fluffy snow caught on every limb, every blade of grass, on tops of cars, on everything. 

I wish I could get out and play in it.   I do have some regrets about how I didn't do some things I could have when I was younger. If I get the chance I might try to correct those regrets but... not by myself. I am too afraid of falling and breaking something, like my leg or my hip or something. 

I wish I had built a snowman. I never did.

                  I wish I had gone sledding. I never did.

                                   I wish I had gone snowmobiling. I never have.

                                                     I wish I had taken a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh. Covered with a warm blanket and little bells on the reins jingling. I never had.

But, once I did have a snowball fight.

And, my grandson and I went in search of animal paw prints in the snow. We stayed outside so long his mother got worried about us. But, we had such fun.

And, yes, I have made snow ice cream and it's so good. 

But, watch out if someone comes along with a sled or a horse-drawn sleigh... I'll be bumming a ride!!

The Tale of a Mocking Bird

 

First let me tell you that the picture above does not go with this story. Due to circumstances beyond my control I could not get a picture of the mocking bird that this is all about. So, I just used an old pic.

I decided the other day that I would go to Wendy's and pick me up a chicken sandwich for my supper. Due to most people not eating indoors at restaurants these days, the line was kind of long. So, I creep along, inch by inch until I get to the speaker to do my ordering.

As I am sitting there I hear this clicking sound. My car is old (2005) but it runs great, looks great and at this stage of the game I am not buying another car! So, what is making that clicking? I edge forward, following the car in front of me, I still hear it. I move again a few inches. More clicking. It seems to be coming from the back of the car. 

Now, I can't drive and turn all the way around to look so I take a peep at my rear-view mirror and find the 'clicking' culprit. There is a mocking bird sitting on the truck of my car, cleaning out that area around the window where pine straw collects (and I had a bunch in there). He'd lift a straw out, place it on the trunk, peck until he got ahold of another and add it to his pile of straw. I'd never seen anything like that. 

He stayed in place, gathering pine straw until I got to the pickup window and then he flew away. 

Have you ever seen one do that? I've seen them get straw for their nest but this is not nest building time. It's winter... cold... and he wasn't taking any with him to make repairs to his own domicile. I just got the biggest kick out of it. 

Our New Digs!

                                                It's Monday and I am in a fine mood! 

The snow has about all melted and the temps are gonna be a bit higher. Brrrr. I hate cold weather! 

When I moved in to the Commons, it'll be 8 years come April, one of the things that drew me to this location was the fact that it provided me with a lot of what I wasn't getting in my other place. It was close to hospital, doctors, stores, restaurants and even though, this was an apartment complex, we had a common room where they helped us with activities. 

And, then Covid hit... 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Our old kitchen. 

 New owners had just taken over and had begun to update the place. But, things slowed down what with workers out sick and all  that. So, now, 9 months later they have completed the renovation of our new common room. 

I went down to take a peek and I am so excited. Can't wait for potlucks and games and just meeting friends again. But, of course, we have to be careful.  That awful Covid is not gone yet. 

Our new kitchen! The bar in the old one was so high that when we had potluck and the dishes were set on top of the bar you couldn't see what you were spooning onto your plate. Look at that new lower bar, we won't have that problem anymore. 

The seating area is behind the divider. There's a television and a fireplace to enjoy. And, things for the guys to do was non-existent before. Look at this... chess and you can see a pool table in the background where a game is going on.

Behind this wall is the pool table, also tables with games set out on them for anyone to play. the computer station is to the left. 

Like I said.... I can't wait to enjoy this wonderful, new space. 

Overcoming Fear

                                                              My Thoughts

I sometimes think of something I want to do, some place I want to go, some goal I want to achieve. And, it seems so unattainable.

There's too much involved, the pathway is not clear and I am afraid of the unknown.

                                             Fear begins to control me. 

But, the fear will lessen with each step that I take. So, I take just one step. Tomorrow I take another. 

Before I know it I am nearly to the end of my quest and fear has been overcome by courage. 

                           Live in the moment. Keep your eyes on the road. Enjoy the Journey. 

Finding My Purpose As a Widow

 I'm a Blogger! Have been since 2007 and I enjoy it so much I can't imagine not doing it. 

Early on, I blogged/documented 'our journey through alzheimers'. It was a release for me as I was, at the time, caregiver for my husband who had Alzheimers. It served as a support group and we caregivers all went though our journeys together. I made some really good friends and had wonderful support. 

On our 60th wedding anniversary, a month before he passed away

After he passed away, I changed the name of the blog to Living On Main Street, 'cause I posted about what kind of life I was trying to live as a widow on Main Street. 

Those first years of grief I was one lost soul. I could not figure out who I was, what I was supposed to be doing, what my future held. But, I was determined to not waste one single moment being bitter, lazy or disinterested in life. 

And, first thing you know, people were telling me how much I inspired them with my determination, my attitude, the way I looked at things. So, I started a new blog Accidently Aging in an effort to share with others some words of encouragement, some hope, some fun. But, I get so off track and I'll have first one theme going, then another. I told you in my last post, consistency is not my main suit. 

The other day I picked up one of my notebooks and flipped through it. On it's pages I had been writing my thoughts on different subjects, most about growing older. So, I thought (there that hair-brain idea thing goes again) that from time to time I would share my thoughts with you. I sure hope it encourages someone who needs lifting up. Who needs someone who understands. 

I am a writer, a story-teller, a keeper of family history. I think that I forget that sometimes. I have a lot of stories to share, a lot of experiences, too. And, a lot of wisdom gleaned from 88 years of experiences, mistakes, and learning that I have had. Some people like to just scan through blog sites looking at pictures. Some like stories. I need to post what's in my heart, not what I think someone else wants me to, or to follow a trend. 

It's still going to be a hodge-podge of ideas, but I hope to in-corporate more of my feelings about this aging process we all are going through. Hope you are along for the ride. 

Stay tuned for The Next Hair-Brained Idea.

 Well, now that I am over my little hissy fit, I'll move on to bigger and brighter things. 

For those whom have known me for awhile, you know that I am not a very consistent person. I want to try it all so it makes me wear many hats, many faces. 

I think that is probably why my blog never had a lot of followers.

People may have a hard time figuring me out. 

I get these hair-brain ideas and I go in that direction and then along comes another hair-brain idea and I am off in another direction.

At least, I hope I keep things interesting. 

Stay tuned. 

Mad As An Old Wet Hen!

                                                                   Mad as an old wet hen!!

        Okay, girls, I need a friend's shoulder to cry on this morning. Maybe more than one.

                                            And, anyone who is willing to listen to me bitch. 

You see, I went to the dentist last Thursday and came out of that office mad, confused and upset. You see, I have been losing teeth at a faster rate than anyone would want. I have a lot of 'empty' space on the right side of my mouth and then I had three teeth pulled on the left side. One of those I had a post put in.

So, I asked my dentist (who is a man of very few words) what my options were to fill in the one space that was noticeable when I talked. You might say it was more cosmetic than medical. 

If that dentist hadn't been so silent, he would not get that unwanted drama he's about to get from me. 

The receptionist was to email me the options. I never got them. Then, I am informed that my insurance has okayed a bridge (which was how I was leaning) so I started asking what did putting a bridge in, entail.  All I got was "we'll prep the two adjoining teeth and then cement in a permanent replacement." End of explanation. I should have pushed. I wish I had. 

So, last Thursday I went in for the "prep". Figured an impression was in store. But, when the impression was made, here the dentist comes with a big needle and proceeds to give me 4 big, ole shots. What the dickens is going on. 

To make a long story short, after the dentist had grounded down two perfectly good teeth so he could attach my 'bridge' to them, I came out of there mad as an old wet hen!! Mad at him for not explaining things to me and even madder at myself for not pushing for answers. 

So, the reason for this post. Don't even think about saying the word bridge to me ever again! And, I would highly recommend you think long and hard about such a procedure if you have the need to 'fill a space' in your mouth. 

        Thanks for listening. I feel better now. You all are such sweet friends!! 

Blast From The Past - Snowed In

 There's absolutely nothing going on... well, at least nothing newsworthy.  

Since there is no news, I will go into my memory bank and share a story with you. 

Back in 1986 my daughter Susan asked me to accompany her to Paris. She needed to model there for awhile so she could get new European photos for her model portfolio. We flew in to Brussels, Belgium (flights were dirt cheap if we did it that way) and continued on to Paris via train. 

Susan with two French friends we got to know on the plane.

They were so helpful to us. 

We girls had done a ton of sightseeing for a week and it was time for me to leave her there.  She was 23, never been to Europe before and didn't speak French. But, I knew that's what she wanted so I had to trust that she would be alright.

We went to the train station and I got settled in my seat on the train to Brussels. I waved goodbye to her as the train pulled out of the station. So, now, I am alone and not speaking the language!! I, however, made the trip just fine. I got to the airport after dark, knowing that my flight wasn't until morning.  So, a night in the airport. I can do this! 

I settled into a seat in the terminal, the airport of course was pretty empty, placed my bag in the seat next to me, crammed my purse behind my back to protect my money, laid my head over on the bag and went to sleep. Sometime during the night I woke up, looked out the big glass windows and saw huge snow flakes coming down ninety to nothing. So, I went back to sleep.

my icy plane sitting on the tarmac in Brussels Belgium.

Yep, you guessed it. Flights were cancelled. I spent the entire day waiting until we could board and head home. Finally the plane left, sometime around 8 p.m. if I remember correctly. By now it has been nearing 30 hours since I had left Paris. 

I got to Newark, N.J. airport only to discover that, of course, I'd missed my flight  home. Nothing to do but wait once again. 

And, wouldn't you know it..... it started snowing in N. J. Must have been a record year for snow all over the globe!!  A real snowglobe. hehe. So, I settled in once more. But, this time, I was dead tired, I needed a hot bath and my toothbrush but I had to wait and wait. Around 7 p.m. they de-iced the plane, boarded us and we slip and slid down the runway and took off into the darkness. 

When I finally got home in Alabama, after my hot bath, I called Susan. She had been petrified that she had put me on the wrong train. After all, she had not heard a word from me for about 48 hours and this was before cell phones! She thought she'd sent her Mama to Siberia or some other awful place. We both were thrilled that I was safe and sound, having survived two snow storms, crossing the Atlantic, long delays in the airport. 

But, man, it was worth it. What a trip and one the both of us will never forget. 

2022 - Off to a Rocky Start

 I had such hopes for 2022 to be the time of renewal, of things getting back to normal, of happy times. 

Sadly to say, my granddaughter's mother-in-law, Emma, passed away Sunday due to Covid. So, we have been dealing with that. I'd only known her 3 years but found her to be a delightful, lovely lady whom I enjoyed being with. She'll be missed, that's for sure. 

And, Lordy, is this Covid ever gonna get gone? Now they are recommending that you wear only the N95 or a surgical mask to protect you against the new strain of the virus. And, I hate those things! But, I'll do it to protect myself. I hope you will, too. 

I stay inside most of the time. But, this Friday I am going to put on that mask and go downstairs to check out our newly remodeled community room. It's been a long time since we residents have all been together and that concerns me. I will be careful and keep my distance. I hear the room is really unbelievable, a wall torn out, new kitchen, new flooring, the works. I can't wait to see it. 

It definately has turned cold. And, this week I have had to be out in it. Brrrr.   I had a filling fall out of one of my teeth so I had to have that replaced. Went out to get my long, stringy hair cut yesterday. Today I go back to the dentist. He's fitting me for a bridge to fill a gaping hole where I had a tooth pulled. 

No, this year hasn't started out on a good swing.  So, here's great hopes for 2022 to turn itself around! 

#88 - can you believe it?

 # 88 has left the station. It's going strong, gonna make some exciting stops along the way and remain full steam ahead until it gets to where it's going. 

Yep, yesterday was my 88th birthday. I am so proud of my years. Some women don't want their age known and would never tell, but me.... I tell everybody, strangers even. ha ha. Isn't that a dorky thing to do.!!

It was a very quiet day. I never saw a single soul all day but I did have lots of birthday wishes on social media and calls from friends and family. 

I think Shirley felt odd about the fact that I was alone but she had taken me for a celebratory lunch the day before. I told her 'listen, these birthdays are overrated. I don't need to have a special day to celebrate 'cause I celebrate every single day'. And, isn't that the truth, if anyone my age is still kicking up their heels it's a blessing. 

Besides, it's cold out there and I am so chicken about getting out in the cold. I bet my poor car is wishing I would use it. It's been so long since I went anywhere in it I wonder if it will even crank! 

                                                   A bit of update on the sick folks:

Everyone in my daughter's family is over covid. The grandson-in-law's mother is on a ventilator now and is struggling. It's gonna be a long haul and we don't know the outcome. And, I got a call from my sister (well, her granddaughter made the call and held the phone up to her ear) and the first words out of her mouth to me was 'I love your white hair'. 

There's a story behind that. She never colored her hair so she has been gray a long time. But, she had not seen a picture of me after I let mine go gray so when her granddaughter showed her a picture of me, Sis thought it was one of her. Then, she was so excited that I had finally look like her now!! Gray hair and all. 

                                               Take care. Stay warm. Be safe. 

Eating Black-eyed Peas and Collard Greens

                                                 Did you make a New Years resolution?

                                                                        Nah

                                                                  Me neither!

We (Michael and me) did drive up to Wakefield to join Shirley, John and Chris for our New Years Good Luck Lunch.

                                  The rest of them ordered the delicious barbeque.  

Me, I was taking no chances!! I stuck with the southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Years Day that is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. Let's see if it works 'cause I sure ate my share that day. 

An update from my last post...

The Covid is gone from my daughter's family. Thank the Lord for that one!

My sister is out of ICU and may get to go back to rehab in a few days. Thank the Lord for that!

And, grandson-in-law's mother was intubated to take over her breathing so her lungs could rest. She had pneumonia in both lungs as well as the Covid. Last news is that they are having to give her less oxygen now and hopefully in a few days she can go back to breathing on her own. However, the road ahead of her is still long and arduous. 

thanks for the prayers!