A Great 'Sunday Morning'

 As usual, on a Sunday Morning, I tuned into CBS's 'Sunday Morning'.

In the world of television with all it's various opinions, reality shows which are NOTreality at all and the stupid sit-coms, 'Sunday Morning' is a breath of fresh air. 

I really miss Charles Karault but Jane Pauley is 'growing on me'. 

I learn so many interesting things by watching that show. it's just good, basic facts which is rare to find these days.

Take that Silicon Valley exec who had a stroke. It left him mute and paralysized from neck down. Most people would just give up. But, this guy is playing cards, writing song lyrics and connecting with his grandchildren all through robotics. Amazing!

And, the strange little buildings in southern Italy with roofs made of layered stone (nothing holding the stones in place). Well, I wouldn't want to go inside (it might cave in) but what a unique idea. I wonder why they started building them like that... 

We lived in Hawaii for a short period of time. And, I left there with a plumeria lei around my neck. I found out on ;Sunday Morning' that due to farm land in Hawaii being gobbled up with urban sprawl and the environment changes, Hawaii has a shortage of blossoms to produce those beautiful leis. As things do, that craft is evolving into using more stable items such as shells, bark etc. instead of the flowers. A way of life is disappearing there as everywhere else. 

I wonder if you are still curious about the world, if you still love to learn things and too, if you are concerned about the amount of false information we are being exposed to? 

I don't think we should ever stop being like a child, with open eyes, open heart and open mind. 

a Trip To The ER

                        

              What's with getting to see a doctor these days? 

I mean, I have a GP I love but if I have something come up that I need attention to, I get sent to the Emergency Room! Seems the only time I see my GP (general practicener)n anymore is on scheduled wellness visits. 

I've been having some issues (we don't have to discuss which ones (grin). It started with the gall bladder attack and progressed further down, if you know what I mean. I called for an appt. to my gastroentologist and it's mid October before I can see her. So, that's when I called the GP.... 

Now, I am not a big fan of Emergency Rooms. So, I was resisting going big time... 

Enter my daughter, Shirley... Came down for lunch and as soon as she heard me whining about the doctor situation, she said 'Get your things. We are going to the ER.' and so we did.

After numerous tests it turns out that I am very healthy (as they say, 'for my age') Don't you just hate that!! 

But, the point I want to make is this. I am very independent. May be why I am so healthy, who knows, right? But, I have taken care of people my whole life. I've gone through raising teen age sisters-in-law (twins), raising my own 4 kids, ten years of caring for my aging mother and then another ten years caring for my husband who had Alzheimers. 

And, I have been a stinker about that independent thing up until recently. As much as I try to remain independent, deep down inside me is the cry for someone to please just take care of me!

                   for listening to me whine! 

I Was Just Wondering

 I do what I call 'scrapbook journaling'. My made up name for just piddling around with thoughts put with creative designs. 

There's a lot of things I wonder about... too many to put in a book or on a blog post. However, I did like this grouping of wondering from Ralph Fletcher (whomever that might be) that I found and added it to my book.

The first two really caught my eye.. Yes, why did God make some birds fly while other's never get off the ground? And, aren't you supposed to cry when you are sad, not happy? Of course, I do both as do most people but it's just curious, that's all. 

I have wondered how do they put concrete down in deep wateer and anchor it to build a tunnel for millions of cars to pass through? How do the workers not drown? And, who in the world ever thought of doing that in the first place. 

What do you wonder about? 

And, I love the one about fashion and who makes decisions about whether certain things are fashionable or not. Reminds me of something I read.... which brings me to my

                           QUOTE

"The head monkey at Paris puts on a travelers cap and all the monkeys in America do the same"

                                                                                             Henry David Thoreau

The Difference Between Solitude and Loneliness!

My daughter Shirley is a people person!

She has to have daily contact, lots of chatting, going places, doing things. She wears me out! haha

Me.... I tend to be a loner!

I can spend days all by myself just having a grand ole time. 

So, of course, she's always encouraging me to get out, go to lunch with friends etc. And, I butt heads with her telling her I am fine! 

So, I wrote down my thoughts of the difference in our personalities, our needs, the way we see our lives. Here it is. 

 "There's a difference between loneliness and solitude. Loneliness is a part of you that needs people around you, somewhere to go, noise, activity. When you don't have that, you feel deserted. Solitude is being ok to be alone. It's being comfortable in your own skin, being your own best friend, knowing that you are good enough - all by yourself." (WLBarton)

The Past, The Present, The Future.

 For several years now I have been interested in 'self-help' books on how to improve myself and my life. I was so taken by many quotes from all these books so I started handwriting them into a notebook. And, I started adding my own 'quotes' (thoughts of mine on different subjects, as well).

I often pick up that notebook, read a few pages, just to reset, get my focus back in line with what I want out of life and I find it very calming. I do use some of those quotes in my blog and instagram posts. 

Several months ago I read 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. I wondered at great length about this quote: "Because I don't live in either my past or my future, I'm interested only in the present."

I got to thinking of what it might mean. How do we not live in the past? That's where our footsteps have already taken us. I don't see living in the future for we know not whether we will have a future. The past, though, is where our memories are (good and bad) and those events shaped us into who we are today.

                                     What are your thoughts on this?

Age is Wisdom

 I am finding that slowly but surely, the way the 'older' generation is perceived is changing. There was such a stigma attached to being OLD. If you had aquired some age on you, you were thought of as being frail, sickly, a burden, useless. You pretty much became invisible. As Mary Pipher says in her book, 'Women Rowing North' .... "I'm invisible now. I could take off all my clothes and walk through the courthouse and I'm not sure anyone would notice."  If they did notice, they'd probably think we were crazy as loons. 

However, the tide is turning. Old people are making their lives and their wisdom known. And, they aren't afraid of admitting their age. In fact they are proud of it. Take William Shatner who took to space at the ripe old age of  90. I can't imagine myself at 90 taking off into space but I really respect Shatner for doing it. What about Gladys Burrel who completed a marathon at age 92. And, Jamie Lee Curtis, bless her heart for being her true self. She knows who she is and she flaunts it. She's 65. 

I know that I am proud of every single moment of the entire 90 years I have lived. I wouldn't have missed it for the world. And, I am proud that I still am learning and growing and I will continue to do so until my last breath. As our bodies grow old, we must both care for our aging bodies and teach people to care about us. 

My Going-Away Box

Well, I up and did it!  I opened my mouth when I should have kept it shut! 😐

I'd just read a book written by a hospice nurse so when I ran into a couple of residents chatting about dying my interest was peaked. And, I ended up offering to conduct a meeting about 'That Next Step' that we all will take one of these days.

It was on Monday night, a small crowd. I already knew quite a bit and I had spent a couple weeks researching online for more information. The meeting lasted an hour and a half and I was complimented and thanked afterwards. I had given them something to think about, new things to set into motion. 

                And, I had taken my 'Going Away' file box to show them. 

This box holds all my original certificates, notes on my wishes for, say, my funeral, my care before I die. There's a handwritten letter to each of my children that they can open after I am gone. Even the passwords to my online accounts. My will, Durable Power of Attorney, Medical Attorney and Advance Directive (Living Will) are all in there, as well. 

And, my children won't have the heart-breaking task of trying to find where I stashed stuff. It's all in one place. 

I felt really good about what I had done, maybe the little help I had given others. I've always been involved in organizations and clubs who have a purpose, who lend a helping hand'. So, it was pretty neat putting 'that hat' back on for a brief period of time.

Do you have your affairs in order? I am talking to you younger gals, too. We are not promised tomorrow. Anything can happen. 

I can't imagine a loved one scrambling around in the back of a closet, looking for an old shoebox that might have the house deed in it, or your cemetery plot deed. And, to make decisions instead of you having done that for your children already! 

What a gift. 

 

My Heart is Heavy

 

This Sunday morning I want to take time to send my love, prayers and support to all those people affected by Hurricane Helene

We have hurricanes... we expect damage on the coast... but never, in a million years did we expect the devastation a hurricane caused in the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia. They certainly never thought something like that would take their lives, their homes, their way of life. Floods of that nature just don't happen high in the mountains. 

I am heartbroken by all the images flooding the tv, internet etc. It really is beyond my comprehension. A lot of families lost loved ones and no amount of words or comfort can heal the hole in their hearts. 

I probably have acquaintances affected by this storm. There are ones I wonder about. I do know that my niece living in Greene County, Tennessee posted she was so thankful to be able to go to a relatives house to get a shower and wash her hair. Her home was not damaged but the entire county has no  water. 

Things like entire highways being impassable, I40 shut down and will be for years probably. The Blue-Ridge Parkway closed in definately. Oh how beautiful a drive that was! The Appalahian Trail damaged so badly it will take years to recover. Hearing that made me wonder if hikers were lost. That Trail always has hikers on it. 

So, let us all be thankful for the souls saved, hold in our hearts those who lost their lives and do what we can to help out.  

My 'Going Away' Box

 

I seem stuck in a rut lately. My creative juices have all leaked out. 

Let's see....

I need to think about this for a bit....

I could tell you that I have been busy preparing for a 'What's Next' program for the residents here at my apartment complex. 

What's Next? you ask.. We all are getting older and some of us were discussing dying and getting ready to die. 

I know, morbid, wasn't it? But, if we don't recognize the reality of life, we can't enjoy it. We have to take the bad with the good. If you have breathed your first breath, you WILL breath your last. 

I had just seen a program about how a young wife had chronicled her last days on the internet and how it had helped her and her new husband to deal with things. Yes, we do need to talk about it.

I hear the clock ticking every day. So, I ordered a couple of books and decided I'd share what little I know with the other residents. 

I have a 'going away' file box. It's filled with all the documents my children will need once I am gone. And, there's more to getting your ducks in a row than you think. 

Can you imagine your grieving children having to all of a sudden start going through drawers, closets, safe deposit boxes trying to find things like your birth certificate, your house deed, your cemetery papers etc, etc, etc. I believe in having all that in one place so they won't have to go through all of that trauma. 

And, I am also going to talk about how we want to spend our remaining years... and geez, I hope it's a big number!! 

Would you want to be resusitated? A feeding tube? would you want Hospice so you could probably stay at home? Your family needs to know these things.

How about whether you want to be buried or cremated. Do you have a favorite song you'd want to be sung at the funeral? Maybe certain facts put in your obit. All this needs to be in that 'going away' box. 

Oh, you say, I have all of that in the safe deposit box at the bank. Well, guess what! If you are the only one on your account when you are gone, the bank freezes your assets and your children can't get to what they need. 

Oh, I could go on and on but I won't bore you or 'scare you half to death'. But, we are not guaranteed one more second of life... just because you are young doesn't mean you'll be here 'forever'. I can't believe that I am edging on toward my 91st birthday. Yes, I do hear that clock ticking! I am one of the oldest residents here at our 55+ complex. And, I am in better shape than most of them. I'm not saying that to brag but to be surprised, amazed, it's unbelievable. 

And, through preparing for this 'session' I will be presenting to the residents on the 14th, I am feeling more comfortable with the thought of going away. I feel like I am in control of how my life will play out to the end. That feels good. 

We Must Never Forget

 

Oftentimes we move on, get busy with life...

but there is one day in our lives that we will remember forever! 

                                                                         Sept 11, 2001

As that morning evolved, we all stopped in our tracks and stared at the television. Surely this was not happening. Not in OUR country. 

But, it was. 

How it affected each of us is different but it left it's indelibile mark on our lives, nontheless. That scar will never heal. 

                                                                        Do Not Ever Forget

Moving Forward

 

If you read my last post you know I was 'in a mood'. Your concern and remarks were so helpful and appreciated

And, then I ran across this! 

So, I got myself up, dressed up and met my daughter and son-in-law for lunch. 

I'm moving forward! 

Trips At This Age?

 I've been struggling since my return from New York.  I know at some point in my aging journey that I would have to curtail some traveling. It may be closer than I think. 

This trip really took the 'starch' outta me! 

I've been home almost a week and I am just not bouncing back, have little energy, feel weak. I did drive 4 blocks to Bojangles to get me some drive-through breakfast and I just didn't feel comfortable behind the wheel. Dang, this sucks! 

I have such a great time with my kids and grands. I would hate giving up some of my time with them. They all are so busy with their own lives, kids, jobs, etc. that it is easier for me to get away since I don't have those responsibilites.

I guess what I am asking this morning is... have any of you reached this point in your life yet? If so, how did you handle it. 

Now, for more on my trip.  There were lots of scrabble going on! 

Ranger and I spent time on the patio

Loved going to lunch with my daughter 

I rested

and much more! It was a wonderful visit! 

Four-Leaf Clovers

 

I think I may have found one, maybe two, four-leaf clovers in my lifetime. Just never had any luck at that but I can say that I have had my share of luck (blessings, whatever you want to call it) without finding a thing. 

Do you ever stop and think about what kind of blessings have rained down on you? We just don't pay enough attention nor give enough thanks.

Just wanted to share this little poem with you today. I've had this poem for eons, read ever so often. Keeps me reminded that I don't have to find those four-leaf clovers to have showers of blessings fall on me every day. 

Life Is A Gift

 Call me weird, call me crazy, whatever... but I follow the obituaries in my home town paper. I haven't lived there for 24 years and I am finding that just about everyone I knew back there are gone now.  Sort of sets you back a bit, knowing they aren't here but you are. 

The other day I was scanning down the list of the departed and I got to noticing the ages. Yes, I know people are living longer these days but for some reason that particular day the ages were: 64 - 57- 72- 19 etc. 

And, it hit me. I could have been gone long ago so I have received a gift from God to live all these extra years! 

I just wanted to share that little thought with you on this Sunday afternoon. We all are given gifts of life. Some are short, some are long. God makes that decision. It's how we use that life that is important. 

I just want to thank God for my life ...

and, man, I hope He doesn't have me on the check-out list anytime soon!!

There's a Ghost In Here!!

When we lived in the big house (before here) it was so  big I was forever losing things. I never knew where I'd find whatever it was I was looking for... was it upstairs? in the laundry room? maybe the living room. To cover up the fact that I was the one who lost it in the first place, I told everyone we had a ghost. 

Myrtle wasn't mean, she was just mischevious. She'd take my stuff and hide it from me. When she'd tire of the game I'd find whatever I was looking for lying in plain sight. She caused me more aggreviation and more steps than I could count. 

I was often heard saying 'Myrtle, you go get (what it was that was lost) and bring it here right now'. Of course the kids thought I was nuts. 

Well, Myrtle hasn't been around in a long time. She doesn't like apartment living evidently. But, at Christmas that ghost was in full swing. I lost a monetary gift I was giving. Never did find it. 

Then my debit card went missing. And, then my driver's licence. 

Myrtle has turned a deaf ear to my plea.. 

So, yesterday I ordered me a new debit card and driver's licence. Unfortunately I can not 'order' another hundred dollar bill I was gifting someone. I hope Myrtle is having a high time enjoying that one!

I Rule The Roost

                        What y'all doing this Saturday morning? 

Me, not much. I did get some Christmas gifts (money) mailed to my kiddos far away. That made me feel so much more on top of things. 

I am not sending out cards this year! I mean, come on.... I've done it for 70 years. Time for me to put that baby to rest! If people haven't figured out yet that I hope they have a wonderful holiday season then sending a card isn't gonna convince them. 😁 At least I am telling myself that! 

I guess I am getting rebellious in my old age. I certainly wasn't in my youth. I was a good little girl! You'll have to take my word on that... Most people who were around when I was little just aren't with us anymore. 

But, rather than being rebellious, I think I am just putting priorities where they should be. Too often we do 'what's expected' of us. Now, I don't give a hoot. I do what I can, what my energy allows and what I darn well want to. 

                                    So there!! 

Y'all have a good one. By that I mean I want you to have a very special day. And, take my advice... do what you darn well want to! Love you all. 

Sunday Musings

                                  Sundays always seem to be the hardest for me... 

So, I will work on what I am, what I've been to others, and what I can still do to better this world. 

Footprints in a Parking Lot

 Do you ever stop to think about footprints?

We certainly leave our footprints on life, what we do, what we say, how we conduct ourselves. Long after we are gone people maybe will remember a footprint or two we left behind. 

I am not getting philosophical ... I was just scanning through some pictures and ran across this one that I took some years back while driving through an old parking lot. 

This person not only left his footprint... he left his shoe. 

We Are Never Too Old To Boogie

                                               From the book 'Status Report' by Judith Viorst

"Too old to dream.

Too old to flirt.

Too old to sit and dish the dirt.

Too old to drink,

Too old to pet.

Too old to boogie,

Not quite yet. "

I still have a lot of boogie left in me. 

Surgery is tomorrow. 

And, I plan on boogieing again very, very soon. 

picture: me dancing with my grandson  2018

picture: me dancing with my husband  1999

We Are Getting Older

 A post on one of my friend's blog set me to thinking. She was having a difficult time with getting motivated to do things, not sure about this slowing down we gals have to deal with when we get older. It's hard. We are so used to staying busy. 

I used to ask 'Lord, when is my time coming where I can sit in my rocking chair and not have to work so hard.'  Well, darn, if it didn't happen and now I am not sure I like it. 

Covid reset all our lives. It's hard to get back to normal. But, I will not let Covid and being cooped up in my apartment for 2 years define how I want to spend the rest of my days!!!! It's time to break free.

I love my friends that blog. We all are different in likes, beliefs, and age. Some of us have not reached that time in our lives where we wander around wondering what to do with the rest of the day. But... some of us have! 

I have spent several years reading books on 'staying positive', 'being happy' 'making the most of my life'. I love to collect uplifting 'quotes' from those books and any other source I find and often pick up my quote notebook and reread those. Right now I am reading 'Meditations' by Marcus Arileous (2nd century Roman Emperor) and if nothing else it is giving me a whole new way to look at the dying process. 

I wish I had friends (nearby) that I could share my quotes, thoughts, experiences with but no one is interested. I am one of the oldest ones living here and yet I am the one always pushing for things for us to do. I 'm just not ready to throw in the towel yet. And, I won't be until I am no longer physically able.

Oh boy, did I get off on a tangent!! Sorry. But, I see all around me, women sitting in their apartments for weeks just watching the boob tube or counting the cracks in the wall. Life has so much more to offer. 

I guess what I am saying is that we all need encouragement from time to time to keep on keeping on. And, what better platform than blogging? 

                                from the book 

                      "Women Rowing North" by Mary Pipher.

"Perhaps one of the best gifts we can give ourselves is to practice slowing down and doing one thing at a time."