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.