Appliances are almost pretty today, wouldn't you say? They come in a number of attractive colors, lovely finishes and sizes; fridges come equipped with double doors, freezer on top or bottom or side, on the door ice makers; stoves offer flat tops, varied surfaces, warmer drawers and are powered by a few different energy sources - haven't seen any powered by water or sun yet - pity, yet, what lurks behind this pretty facade is a high energy maintenance babe, the Marilyn Monroe set of appliances, requiring scads of time, attention and beautifying products.
My particular brand of stove demands at least 5 beautifying products to make it shine, pop, look the role. One cleaning product for the area around the flat top burners; an entirely different white goop to bring the burners to sheen splendor; a third to give the stainless steel that new happy look, and for the glass window, a streak free product. Oh wait, the light bulb just went dead, this has to be replaced in order to see if the food is done. To cap it all off my Fridgidaire stove self cleaning unit never worked, by the time it required cleaning the warrantee was up. Now add another product to clean inside surfaces.
We've been duped by our appliances, masquerading as honorable items promising to make our lives easier, use less of our valuable time, give us a leg up by saving us energy and money. Still waiting on those. Let us get real with these cute lookers, they all get dirty, break down, and while doing some work for us they likewise make us work for them. As our owners, how pretty are they now?
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
funny, funnier, funniest
Have you noticed that what is funny to older folks is not so funny to the younger generation? The opposite is true, as well. I'd venture to say what is funny to older folks is not always funny to other older folks, particularly when it comes to damage to your person.
In my previous blog I wrote on taking a header into a garbage can, not so funny at the time, but funnier as time lapsed and funniest in the telling and retelling, most importantly knowing that I could count my blessings that I wasn't maimed for life. The younger ones to whom I relayed the incident smiled and in some cases almost laughed. The older ones I told showed sympathy and asked scads of health questions, such as 'did you gouge your eye, did you have to go to the emergency, did you hurt other parts of your body?' and so on.
The difference might very well be that older folks who have experienced falls, spills, cuts and bruises, sometimes brought on by medicines that don't interact well together, failing eye sight, equilibrium issues, don't find it so funny. Listening on radio to Dr. Hoffman in the wee hours of the morning, 3:00 A.M. to be exact, he corroborates the dangers brought on by medicines which can play havoc with our health. His take is that the medical community does not always pay attention or interact with one another on medicine aftereffects. He stated that some medicines in conjunction with other medications simulate dementia symptoms, and speculates how this can lead to dire consequences: the possibility of patients being admitted to a health care facility for dementia. Serious stuff.
On the light, salubrious side, Dr. Hoffman did an interview with a YWCA director from New York. The Y, established in the late 1800's to reduce the high incidence of drownings, is coming forward to combat the diabetes pandemic by offering lessons on food health, swimming and aerobic exercises for folks in the pre-diabetic and diabetic stages of the disease. Dr. Hoffman makes a good listen.
With all that was said, I will thank my guardian angel once again for my good fortune in coming out of the can unscathed, and staunchly vow to give up my garbage can story and search for other stories to tell. Tales that might be humorous to all populations of folks.
If you happen to find this blog, tell me your stories, funny or not.
In my previous blog I wrote on taking a header into a garbage can, not so funny at the time, but funnier as time lapsed and funniest in the telling and retelling, most importantly knowing that I could count my blessings that I wasn't maimed for life. The younger ones to whom I relayed the incident smiled and in some cases almost laughed. The older ones I told showed sympathy and asked scads of health questions, such as 'did you gouge your eye, did you have to go to the emergency, did you hurt other parts of your body?' and so on.
The difference might very well be that older folks who have experienced falls, spills, cuts and bruises, sometimes brought on by medicines that don't interact well together, failing eye sight, equilibrium issues, don't find it so funny. Listening on radio to Dr. Hoffman in the wee hours of the morning, 3:00 A.M. to be exact, he corroborates the dangers brought on by medicines which can play havoc with our health. His take is that the medical community does not always pay attention or interact with one another on medicine aftereffects. He stated that some medicines in conjunction with other medications simulate dementia symptoms, and speculates how this can lead to dire consequences: the possibility of patients being admitted to a health care facility for dementia. Serious stuff.
On the light, salubrious side, Dr. Hoffman did an interview with a YWCA director from New York. The Y, established in the late 1800's to reduce the high incidence of drownings, is coming forward to combat the diabetes pandemic by offering lessons on food health, swimming and aerobic exercises for folks in the pre-diabetic and diabetic stages of the disease. Dr. Hoffman makes a good listen.
With all that was said, I will thank my guardian angel once again for my good fortune in coming out of the can unscathed, and staunchly vow to give up my garbage can story and search for other stories to tell. Tales that might be humorous to all populations of folks.
If you happen to find this blog, tell me your stories, funny or not.
Monday, September 5, 2011
you know you are stressed when. . . . .
pYou know you are stressed when you take a head first plunge into a large curbside garbage pail. This was my reality today as I attempted yard work. I always sparkled with confidence over performing my own small repairs, inside and out of the house wielding tools like hammers, saws (hand varieties), trowels, scrappers, sandpaper and so on, and now this.
While in work mode, I readied the pail by opening the lid, then proceeded to roll the pail to its designated spot to then gather up raked leaves, wood bark strewn around by Hurricane Irene, and other detritus. I did not get far since my feet stepped on the lid, the pail tipped and in I went-head first. This was not serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital on this fine day, simply a one inch long gash that didn't require sutures or more, there was some minor damage to the eye area, fatty part of the cheekbone (thank goodness for fat) and above the eyebrow. Peroxide and Bacitracin did the trick. The knee area was bruised but nothing a cold pack couldn't help.
With a friend, we went over all the ways we possess great luck during our contacts with the ground. This friend, in her late 70's had fallen on her lawn. An error in a prescription dosage led to dizziness and to a fall. Down she went - backwards, narrowly missing the sidewalk. What great luck that the sidewalk wasn't underneath her at the time. What great luck that the sticks and wood particles did not gouge my eye.
As far as the stress part, there will always be stressors and reasons that we need to pay more attention to our present condition. There will also be plenty of times when we have to thank our lucky stars that we came out of our situation as well as we did.
Banged up a bit but still smiling, I'll sign off.
Glo S
While in work mode, I readied the pail by opening the lid, then proceeded to roll the pail to its designated spot to then gather up raked leaves, wood bark strewn around by Hurricane Irene, and other detritus. I did not get far since my feet stepped on the lid, the pail tipped and in I went-head first. This was not serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital on this fine day, simply a one inch long gash that didn't require sutures or more, there was some minor damage to the eye area, fatty part of the cheekbone (thank goodness for fat) and above the eyebrow. Peroxide and Bacitracin did the trick. The knee area was bruised but nothing a cold pack couldn't help.
With a friend, we went over all the ways we possess great luck during our contacts with the ground. This friend, in her late 70's had fallen on her lawn. An error in a prescription dosage led to dizziness and to a fall. Down she went - backwards, narrowly missing the sidewalk. What great luck that the sidewalk wasn't underneath her at the time. What great luck that the sticks and wood particles did not gouge my eye.
As far as the stress part, there will always be stressors and reasons that we need to pay more attention to our present condition. There will also be plenty of times when we have to thank our lucky stars that we came out of our situation as well as we did.
Banged up a bit but still smiling, I'll sign off.
Glo S
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
An epiphany
An epiphany is a moment of sudden revelation or insight. Well, I had one of those today. In a conversation with my dear daughter we spoke on the serious matter of hurts, bad feelings, anxiety and other negative emotions brought on by interactions with others, others such as relatives, friends, acquaintances, representatives of companies via phone and so on, others who have left us feeling harmed.
Following a stand off with a utility company representative about a bill that should not have been, I made a final decision. I will deal with the situation one more time with a supervisor and then let it go! If any other issues come up I will make my absolute best stab at resolving each and every problem before the month is up so I can begin a new month on a good footing, a clean slate so to speak, sprouting a positive attitude. The previous months issues will be put to rest. The point in all this is to save myself and others mental anguish and heart pain.
A segment of the "let it go" philosophy goes like this.
'If you want to be healthy morally, mentally and physically, just let it go. Let go of the
little annoyances of everyday life, the irritations and the petty vexations that cross your
path daily. Don't take them up, nurse them, pet them or brood over them. They are not
worth while. Let them go'.
With advanced age on us, we can certainly claim to have carried our share of hurts and harms from the past. I won't fool you or myself into believing I won't falter on this effort. This 'let it go' adage is a tough one to conform to and will require much trial and error.
'Let go of that feeling of jealousy, envy, malice,
let go all such thoughts. Sweep them out of your mind and you will
be surprised what a cleansing, a rejuvenating effect it will have on you, physically and
mentally. Let them all go, you house them at deadly risk'.
A good friend commented, 'who does all this anxiety hurt the most'. Of course the answer is ourselves. We must attempt to keep our heart and other body parts clean of contaminants and other dangerous aging elements that at times put weight on our shoulders and hips.
With that said I wish you all a healthy and cheerful new month of September.
Following a stand off with a utility company representative about a bill that should not have been, I made a final decision. I will deal with the situation one more time with a supervisor and then let it go! If any other issues come up I will make my absolute best stab at resolving each and every problem before the month is up so I can begin a new month on a good footing, a clean slate so to speak, sprouting a positive attitude. The previous months issues will be put to rest. The point in all this is to save myself and others mental anguish and heart pain.
A segment of the "let it go" philosophy goes like this.
'If you want to be healthy morally, mentally and physically, just let it go. Let go of the
little annoyances of everyday life, the irritations and the petty vexations that cross your
path daily. Don't take them up, nurse them, pet them or brood over them. They are not
worth while. Let them go'.
With advanced age on us, we can certainly claim to have carried our share of hurts and harms from the past. I won't fool you or myself into believing I won't falter on this effort. This 'let it go' adage is a tough one to conform to and will require much trial and error.
'Let go of that feeling of jealousy, envy, malice,
let go all such thoughts. Sweep them out of your mind and you will
be surprised what a cleansing, a rejuvenating effect it will have on you, physically and
mentally. Let them all go, you house them at deadly risk'.
A good friend commented, 'who does all this anxiety hurt the most'. Of course the answer is ourselves. We must attempt to keep our heart and other body parts clean of contaminants and other dangerous aging elements that at times put weight on our shoulders and hips.
With that said I wish you all a healthy and cheerful new month of September.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
catching up on reading
With all the 'free time on my hands' (how does free time get to our hands, anyway), I'm exploring writers I would never have considered reading before. George Carlin, humorist, author, satirist is one case in point, an author I pooh-poohed because of his profanity and over the edge approach. He comments on phrases like the one above and puts a Carlin spin on it. Ever wonder about such idioms like 'you take the cake','the greatest thing since sliced bread', and so on? He expounds on these freaky sayings and brings on a laugh.
I have shied away from some poetry, especially old English bards, Wordsworth, Keats, Coolridge and other dead writers, Burns, James, Thomas due to inability to get the cadence of the writing. I will attempt to make some understanding out of their writing because it exists, has import and I have the time.
It is a common thought that as we age we get more set in our ways and we tend not to let in new ideas. With hopes of trying to dispel this myth and others I will continue along this vein and let you know what happens next. Let's all attempt to do the same - take a myth and give it a good dispelling. Then let me know what happens next.
I have shied away from some poetry, especially old English bards, Wordsworth, Keats, Coolridge and other dead writers, Burns, James, Thomas due to inability to get the cadence of the writing. I will attempt to make some understanding out of their writing because it exists, has import and I have the time.
It is a common thought that as we age we get more set in our ways and we tend not to let in new ideas. With hopes of trying to dispel this myth and others I will continue along this vein and let you know what happens next. Let's all attempt to do the same - take a myth and give it a good dispelling. Then let me know what happens next.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Eating out
We're retired. With all the free time on our hands and staunch promises we made to ourselves to do some home cooking, we have finally arrived at the stage of 'eating out' for both socialability, as well as sustenance. This is a very big Florida event, but other places have this event going on.
When we arrive at our eating location, the first line of questioning of the server has to do with, do you offer a senior discount? This is a very honorable question since it has much to do with looking for the ultimate bargain.
We might next proceed to ask all sorts of other questions some having to do with food, such as, can I have large napkins, is the bun buttered, do you have whole wheat bread, are there extra pickles, followed by statements such as, I have diabetes and can't have sugar or salt or whatever goes with our state of health.
The servers are now saddled with far too much information on us. But that doesn't deter us seniors. We go into personal mode and begin to fire questions at them about their personal lives, such as, do you have children, have you seen the latest Robert Downey movie, do you like working here?
Our own children haven't been around enough because they live a distance away or are busy working and we need to establish some close parent/child relationship with someone. We have chosen the youth who are employed at the restaurants we frequent.
Now, this entry might sound like a knock against retired seniors when in fact it is a true assessment of what was overheard at a number of restaurants during all feeding hours and days of the week. Part of the reason I am such an expert at reporting this information has to do with my own involvement. Yes, at times the person I am referring to in this blog would be me, and my eating partners and certainly many, many others at all eating times and days of the week.
Now, about the servers, some have warmed nicely to the barrage of questions and others have maintained a professional stance. For the most part I would judge that fun was had by both servers and servees.
Bon apetite, all you retired seniors, see you at the eating establishments.
When we arrive at our eating location, the first line of questioning of the server has to do with, do you offer a senior discount? This is a very honorable question since it has much to do with looking for the ultimate bargain.
We might next proceed to ask all sorts of other questions some having to do with food, such as, can I have large napkins, is the bun buttered, do you have whole wheat bread, are there extra pickles, followed by statements such as, I have diabetes and can't have sugar or salt or whatever goes with our state of health.
The servers are now saddled with far too much information on us. But that doesn't deter us seniors. We go into personal mode and begin to fire questions at them about their personal lives, such as, do you have children, have you seen the latest Robert Downey movie, do you like working here?
Our own children haven't been around enough because they live a distance away or are busy working and we need to establish some close parent/child relationship with someone. We have chosen the youth who are employed at the restaurants we frequent.
Now, this entry might sound like a knock against retired seniors when in fact it is a true assessment of what was overheard at a number of restaurants during all feeding hours and days of the week. Part of the reason I am such an expert at reporting this information has to do with my own involvement. Yes, at times the person I am referring to in this blog would be me, and my eating partners and certainly many, many others at all eating times and days of the week.
Now, about the servers, some have warmed nicely to the barrage of questions and others have maintained a professional stance. For the most part I would judge that fun was had by both servers and servees.
Bon apetite, all you retired seniors, see you at the eating establishments.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Mom and the three bushes
This entry about mom does not have to do with bears she has come in contact with, but is about the three bushes she confronted in her front yard.
Unable to see clearly through her front windows, she decided to attack the three bushes that obstructed her view. She equipped herself with hedge clippers and who knows what else in the way of rusty tools and proceeded to saw and chop. The hedges got the best of her and after hacking and chopping she succumbed, fell into the jagged bushes and sustained some mighty severe bruises.
She appeared haggard and weak when I came for a visit. I consulted with my siblings and made a decision to take her with me for some tender loving care. Naturally, she protested. I countered with, "only for a week, Ma, until you get stronger".
Not having told a soul about her ordeal, I did not discover the bruises until a day later when she removed her sweater. Imagine the shock of seeing massive bruises on both shoulders, gash on her head, a black and blue that started at her forehead and ran down her face and around her ear.
After informing my sibs about all this, I called an ambulance and off she went to the emergency and then the hospital for a four day stint. The nurses and doctors could not believe the fall she sustained, and the strength and good health of this nonagenarian.
It is some kind of miracle that she lived through this. The condition of her house was deemed as uninhabitable for a 96 year old. She now lives with me, gets three meals a day, (she eats like a horse) bathed regularly, visits from the visiting nurse association, therapy sessions and is thriving.
I'm sure she misses her back yard with the bears, vegetable garden, all her flowering shrubs, peach trees and more, but at her age she was unable to eat properly, care for herself, and get up and down stairs.
She is a joy to be around. With all the caring she has done for the family and many many others, it is about time that she has the catering she deserves.
My grand desire is to be able to make her house livable and see her back with the bears. This is a tall order. The house will need major reconstruction, a bedroom with bathroom built on the first floor, a shoring up of her broken floor and new walls. Her two daughters will take turns staying with her at all times and will require a decent bedroom on the second floor. Her son lives in a house behind her and can assist, too.
Unable to see clearly through her front windows, she decided to attack the three bushes that obstructed her view. She equipped herself with hedge clippers and who knows what else in the way of rusty tools and proceeded to saw and chop. The hedges got the best of her and after hacking and chopping she succumbed, fell into the jagged bushes and sustained some mighty severe bruises.
She appeared haggard and weak when I came for a visit. I consulted with my siblings and made a decision to take her with me for some tender loving care. Naturally, she protested. I countered with, "only for a week, Ma, until you get stronger".
Not having told a soul about her ordeal, I did not discover the bruises until a day later when she removed her sweater. Imagine the shock of seeing massive bruises on both shoulders, gash on her head, a black and blue that started at her forehead and ran down her face and around her ear.
After informing my sibs about all this, I called an ambulance and off she went to the emergency and then the hospital for a four day stint. The nurses and doctors could not believe the fall she sustained, and the strength and good health of this nonagenarian.
It is some kind of miracle that she lived through this. The condition of her house was deemed as uninhabitable for a 96 year old. She now lives with me, gets three meals a day, (she eats like a horse) bathed regularly, visits from the visiting nurse association, therapy sessions and is thriving.
I'm sure she misses her back yard with the bears, vegetable garden, all her flowering shrubs, peach trees and more, but at her age she was unable to eat properly, care for herself, and get up and down stairs.
She is a joy to be around. With all the caring she has done for the family and many many others, it is about time that she has the catering she deserves.
My grand desire is to be able to make her house livable and see her back with the bears. This is a tall order. The house will need major reconstruction, a bedroom with bathroom built on the first floor, a shoring up of her broken floor and new walls. Her two daughters will take turns staying with her at all times and will require a decent bedroom on the second floor. Her son lives in a house behind her and can assist, too.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Birthdays
Birthdays - or bold enough to tell them what you really want.
Firmly resolute about never, ever, ever getting what I want for my birthday. I tell them time and time again PLEASE! They will not listen. What is it that I want?
NOTHING!
I don’t want or need a thing. If they must do something, how about detailing my car, spending the day hanging out together, but NOOOO, they have this need to buy me something. Well, If I can’t get what I want, then I don’t want anything! Wait, that is what I want. The gift I made my strong stand against?
Michael Buble tickets.
WOW! That was the sweetest, most thoughtful, gift that I never, ever, ever didn’t want. I’m already dreaming on a gift that I won’t want for my next birthday. The anticipation is palpable.
There is something to be said for birthday presents. Have you had your fill of potted plants, a lifetime of socks, (I’ll request to be buried in a few pair), a plethora of ties, scarves, pajamas, sweaters, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Of course, we are forever appreciative of the fact that folks are still willing to extend offers of gifts. Belonging to the practical school of gift giving, I say we take our altruistic gift givers off the hook and put forward for consideration a gift that adds to our education, enhances our skills, improves our socialization. A night school class in dance, hiking, jewelry making will work nicely.
There’s never enough of flora the likes of clematis, hydrangea, snowballs. May I add a bit of opinion? Make plant matter perennials, please. Anticipating the plants annual spring revival is a nifty way to remember the gifter. If perchance you happen to receive an eponymous Eleanor Roosevelt rose bush, keep in mind a horticulturist’s description of this rose; ‘not good in a bed, but fine against a wall’.
Once you have used your noggin and come up with a creative gift you can feel proud to gift, don’t lay back on your laurels, you are not finished. Along comes another occasion. An anniversary, graduation, one of those insipid occasions, i.e. mother’s day, father’s day, grandparents day, secretary day, boss day. Thanks a lot, Hallmark! Why snub Ground Hog’s Day? We honor Washington and Lincoln, what about Buchanan and Polk, they were presidential too?
If you care to give the VERY best and yearn to get really imaginative about this chronic venture, consider these;
-Donate to a worthy cause, animal shelter, cancer society, or college,
-mall gift cards
-plant a tree, buy a brick in the honoree’s name
-sports, restaurants tickets -look into Groupon.com for half-off offers
-Spa, grocery store gift cards,
-trips,
-car gear,
-movie tickets,
-mall gift cards (did I say this one already, never get enough of these)*.
-Umbrellas, a sure hit since they get misplaced over the years, or in the same year.
-A delivered pizza - my most creative offerings.
100 year old Uncle Willard, spurned an honorary party, yet agreed to an anchovy and pepperoni pizza- -yiiiieeeccch-- hope he didn’t get ‘agita’ (Italian heart burn). How many more ideas can anyone conjure up for these 90 to 100 year old youngsters.
*beware of gift cards. Companies and restaurants go out of business, cards are easily lost, misplaced, forgotten and the money is sitting out there, never to be recaptured, by you, that is. Note the conditions on the cards, some have a shelf life, expire, devalue through nonuse. If stolen, there’s no recourse.
Plum out of ideas? It’s now time to rely on the old standbys, scarf, tie, sweater, a potted tulip, gifts that can be stockpiled with the others, except for the tulip. Speaking of flora, these perennials come up every year to remind you how pleased you are that you did not get a scarf, tie, or sweater for your last birthday. No way to replant those. Another imaginative idea was the planting of a mother’s day garden for a friend. Did I mention perennials come up every year? There’s got to be many more spiffy gift notions out there.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Swiffer me til eternity
Please excuse my short hiatus as I was working out some of life's little curve balls, death of a baby and health issues of loved ones and so on. I'm back and feeling a bit bloggish, so here goes.
Swiffer - A Love Story.
As with the word salve, I equally love the word swiffer. And how I love to swiffer. The word swiffer is more than a noun. Like google, this word is flexible enough to be used as a verb, as in ‘I’ll google it’.
An Ode to Swiffer
I love to swiffer day and night,
even when I’m a fright
I swiffer high I Swiffer low,
and who’s to know
In formal dress and when I’m bare,
so who’s to care,
Easy, convenient, low energy
Swiffer me til eternity
If ever asked which house appliance I would part company; stove, microwave, washer, dryer, all would be sacrificed to my Swiffer. Byebye Amana, so long Westinghouse, HELLO SWIFFIE.
As with all love interests there is a downside to household products. Somewhat improved, Swiffers are a boon to the world of dusting, although a small hand vac is still needed for the trailings. Frugal me, I prolong the pad by flipping it. In the land of recycling, this product presents a big negative, not at all thrilled that a good portion of the pad goes unused due to a design flaw, plus the item isn’t biodegradable. Maybe the company can improve on this. Just maybe I’ll contact them with a complaint, ahh, constructive comment, hahaha. I feel one coming on.
Dear Swiffer (Proctor and Gamble), I admit to a serious yen to Swiffer but care to put to use more body parts than my hands. My feet want to get into the act, too, and in my humble opinion, I offer this suggestion. ‘Pedders’. They work like this, while swiffering to Michael Buble, I might get in some side step action and Pedder at the same time. For as you see, I’m retired and must maximize my time minimizing housework, for there are many more exciting things awaiting me out there. Additionally and please, Swiffer people, design your product to make full use of the pad and peds. Thank you. I remain, a devoted customer in perpetuity, or til hell freezes over or which ever comes first. Go green!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Death Matters
There is a dirty little secret in my family. It is a hard one to let out but here goes.
Mom has always hushed us up if we dare address the topic. Once, in front of her, I said something about the topic to my children who were in their early teens. 'No', says Ma, 'don't say that in front of the children.
The family secret, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE. There it's out. Now deal with it! How can anyone with all candor say they know about this one, it is a misconception of grand proportions, a biggie for sure. We're all heading there, wherever there is. Yes, all of us. Many of us from our generation are in denial about this well proven fact of life-or death. Charles from Chicago expounds, 'each time a relative or acquaintance dies, I swear I will address my own mortality, and speak to my adult children concerning my burial, although the kids have some squeamishness about death issues.
At a 60 year reunion, some alums spoke of writing or having written their obits. This leaves much room for creativity and can be a fun activity.
We need not delay these dicey hard to face arrangement for the last minute, til our dying breath. The decisions for where when how and why-not why, or when for that matter, must come from me along. My children have balked at some of my death thoughts, but after all is said and done, they reserve the right to do 'what in the hell they want'. WHAT? AM I TO COMPLAIN? I think not. Might not be such a good idea to mention hell and death in the same breath.
So, folks, what are your plans? They are certainly subject to change, put them on paper before there is no subject to change.
I am putting it all out there for public consumption. Feast on it.
Mom has always hushed us up if we dare address the topic. Once, in front of her, I said something about the topic to my children who were in their early teens. 'No', says Ma, 'don't say that in front of the children.
The family secret, WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE. There it's out. Now deal with it! How can anyone with all candor say they know about this one, it is a misconception of grand proportions, a biggie for sure. We're all heading there, wherever there is. Yes, all of us. Many of us from our generation are in denial about this well proven fact of life-or death. Charles from Chicago expounds, 'each time a relative or acquaintance dies, I swear I will address my own mortality, and speak to my adult children concerning my burial, although the kids have some squeamishness about death issues.
At a 60 year reunion, some alums spoke of writing or having written their obits. This leaves much room for creativity and can be a fun activity.
We need not delay these dicey hard to face arrangement for the last minute, til our dying breath. The decisions for where when how and why-not why, or when for that matter, must come from me along. My children have balked at some of my death thoughts, but after all is said and done, they reserve the right to do 'what in the hell they want'. WHAT? AM I TO COMPLAIN? I think not. Might not be such a good idea to mention hell and death in the same breath.
So, folks, what are your plans? They are certainly subject to change, put them on paper before there is no subject to change.
I am putting it all out there for public consumption. Feast on it.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tiiiiii i i immm is on my side, yes it is
A critical question that arises when considering retirement or if already in the coveted position is, What the hell will I do with my free time? While in the ultimate quest for the retirement holy grail, you’re in the land of make-believe, idealizing the infinite wonders that await. Answers might range from the grandiose to the practical; travel, purchases, repair of all those nagging long neglected chores.
The answers as well as the questions themselves will change when in the reality stage. In the wake stage, you come face to face with reality. Time has a different look. In a flurry of first activities you will take a good view of your home, and your immediate surroundings. You will take time to rest. Then time turns on you and becomes a mammoth gaping black hole that stalks you, haunts you,needs tending to and most importantly, filling, the filling part requiring great amount of thought. Time, with all its various angles, directions, lures, conjures up marvelous possibilities, it can leave you yearning for more, it can overwhelm you and make you ache for internal definitions, for answers, for a sign of what is to come next and for some outside force to rescue you. Putting work aside, you no longer have the cover of work to shield you, define you. Now what? Indeed, now what!
The expression ‘doing nothing’ is highly over-rated, a misnomer, in fact. Ready yourself with ‘carpe diem’ philosophy. Time is different now. The eager anticipation of 4:00 P.M. is irrelevant and brings no joy, except to watch Oprah. 5:00 has a new dimension as well. There is no end of the work day euphoria. The beginning of the day and the end of the day don’t have the same ring to it. Monday doesn’t bring on the angst or dread it once did. Even if your job was a positive place, Mondays did something to yah, which can be said for weekends too. Monday always took such a bad rap. Monday, though a good name for a day of the week, happens to be cast in a harsh role of first place. Who wouldn’t want to be in first place? Monday, if it had a brain, might respond, why me, what did I do to deserve this. I don’t want to be #1, I’d rather be Tuesday or better yet, Friday.
Other days of the week are nice too. Wednesday is a nice day of the week. Where Lucy had reconfigured her Mondays post retirement, Wednesdays evolved into senior movie day. This day was special. At $4.50 for seniors we became a lot less fussy about our choice of movie. There’ve been some rotters, some memorable ones, too, but the price was right.
If you find that one day is becoming the same as the next and the next, you need to
stop
refresh,
review and
get back on track.
Begin by taping a cartoon on your fridge, change your routine, ask someone to join you for lunch. Make each day a gift to yourself with a promise to smile, rest, eat well and exercise. Lastly, keep the promise.
Monday or Blue Monday, due to it’s placement at the beginning of the work week played the bad guy role. This need no longer be the case. The dread that was felt when Sunday ended and Monday started is done and gone. Build in special activities that differentiate each day from another. For me, Friday is the day I visit Mom, an absolute must day.
It took some time to adjust to the realization that there was no job on Monday morning. No chance to use the expression Blue Monday, no need for those ever popular Monday jitters. Still now, I must confess, Monday jitters emerge without rhyme or reason. Mondays can still exert a sway and bring on slight surges of anxiety. It will pass. Fridays bring on the thank goodness it’s Friday (TGIF) effect. A restaurant, TGI-Friday’s, capitalized on this end of the work week euphoria. The Friday thing will remain, as more folks are available to come out and play.
If you have reached master status at frittering time away, and feeling embarrassment at losing track of time, a calendar to mark off the days is one way to get back on track. Weekends are more notable because of the loud ecstatic clammer over the advent of TGIF. However, when Mondays arrive, and trust they will, the days blur. Prep that calendar for Tuesdays through Thursdays.
No need to concern ourselves with rushing here and scurrying there, for grocery shopping or the mall. Selfishly, we have the sales clerks mostly to ourself to ask endless questions, to harp on the terrible/beautiful weather outdoors, to offer up an opinion on whatever topic arrises, politics, marriage partners, etc, it matters not and whether the listener likes it or not, because we have RETIREMENT POWER!
Helene confides that she is more than concerned about her periods of confinement, as she nears the great event. “I can become a recluse if left to myself, particularly on weekends. I feel that I want to sit still for the first year’. She is straining to put in a full 20 years of service before calling it quits. As a septuagenarian, it’s time.
There certainly will be periods of confinement and sufficient bouts of doubt, sorely needed for recuperation of mind and body from decades of set routine. Your internal time clock will let you know when it is time to move on. And it is critical that you do move on.
As to a small part time job Helene says ‘at my age there is no guilt over needing to stay productive’. My response? BUT, YOU NEED TO BE USEFUL- WHAT ABOUT KEEPING BUSY - HOW DO YOU THINK YOU CAN STAY YOUNG- HEALTHY - IN GOOD SHAPE - followed by an admission, yeah, she’s right.
Karen from NY, NY says she just wants the day to come. Not a fan of lists, she insists that no expectations are attached to the big day. Phase one is only to relax, the possibility of part time job is a mild thought. As far as her original intentions to travel, the weak economy has put a damper on that.
Here is a call to action for relatives and friends. With the hoopla and glee of a retirement party over and done, the afterglow will last for a week or two, maybe a month. When the enormity of what has taken place sets in---- then- - - - . While your beloved friend/relative/neighbor is experiencing solitude for the first few months, be prepared with an invite to lunch, a small gift, a conversation. Ask advice on a topic relevant to the retiree, pick the retiree up for a walk, ice cream, or a drive, in other words extend a helping hand to ease your friend into their new state.
Monday, March 21, 2011
WHAT?
Three old guys were out on a walk
One says, 'it's windy today'.
Second one says. 'no it's not, it's Thursday'.
Third one comments, 'so am I, let's go get some beers'.
Our state of hearing is the butt of many jokes, just like all our other failing senses. You'll find collections of greeting cards at pharmacies, grocery stores, the marts -K, Wal, Food- that speak to our health conditions. Though the truth of the matter is painfully harsh, the humor can bring quite a laugh. One writer reported seeing a sign by the cards that warned readers not to laugh out loud. Imagine that!
WHAT, a single syllabic four letter word, seems to bring on such loud voices when iterated too many times in conversation. What else is there to do when a hearing challenged individual can't get your drift. What else is there to do but raise the volume. When in the company of strangers your choices are either to keep your thoughts to yourself or let everyone in hearing range in on your business.
Hearing aids don't seem to help the cause, for they can end up in places other than their intended purpose, namely, down the drain, under the bed, in the sofa. I've heard tell that these devices are uncomfortable and difficult to adjust, and most importantly hard to find when lost. One positive to be said for glasses, multiple pair won't set you back thousands of dollars.
96 year old mom simply refuses to consider a hearing aid. She'll adjust to not hearing a person's statement by staring at them when they talk then giving an obligatory, yes, yes answer. She didn't hear a word. I made my case to her for the device once or twice and have given up. She is much too set in her ways. I learned to adjust my volume. My sister and I need to be eternally grateful that she remembers words like Brussel sprouts, a vegie sis and I were struggling to recall. Sharp mind-shot hearing. Reverse that for sis and me. Together we make a perfect bunch.
One says, 'it's windy today'.
Second one says. 'no it's not, it's Thursday'.
Third one comments, 'so am I, let's go get some beers'.
Our state of hearing is the butt of many jokes, just like all our other failing senses. You'll find collections of greeting cards at pharmacies, grocery stores, the marts -K, Wal, Food- that speak to our health conditions. Though the truth of the matter is painfully harsh, the humor can bring quite a laugh. One writer reported seeing a sign by the cards that warned readers not to laugh out loud. Imagine that!
WHAT, a single syllabic four letter word, seems to bring on such loud voices when iterated too many times in conversation. What else is there to do when a hearing challenged individual can't get your drift. What else is there to do but raise the volume. When in the company of strangers your choices are either to keep your thoughts to yourself or let everyone in hearing range in on your business.
Hearing aids don't seem to help the cause, for they can end up in places other than their intended purpose, namely, down the drain, under the bed, in the sofa. I've heard tell that these devices are uncomfortable and difficult to adjust, and most importantly hard to find when lost. One positive to be said for glasses, multiple pair won't set you back thousands of dollars.
96 year old mom simply refuses to consider a hearing aid. She'll adjust to not hearing a person's statement by staring at them when they talk then giving an obligatory, yes, yes answer. She didn't hear a word. I made my case to her for the device once or twice and have given up. She is much too set in her ways. I learned to adjust my volume. My sister and I need to be eternally grateful that she remembers words like Brussel sprouts, a vegie sis and I were struggling to recall. Sharp mind-shot hearing. Reverse that for sis and me. Together we make a perfect bunch.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
and it's free, all free! or is it.
Welcome, fellow senior citizens aka senzens. I'll address the work 'free' today. Is what is claimed to be free, really free? We'll in some cases it is, mostly.
If you have a modicum of computer skills check out the web site freecycle.com. Using this site you can find items for the taking, but here's the mostly part. You must go and get the item. With that said there is another part to freecycle. Do you want to rid yourself of some of your clutter? Then post it on freecycle, if you receive a phone call from a customer, say your goodbyes to your junk. Remember the adage 'one persons junk is another person's treasure'. The reverse hold true, as well, one person's treasure is another person's junk - so when holding on for dear life to treasures, your treasures might just be kicked to the curb, when you say your final goodbyes. But that I'll save for another time and entry.
My daughter, Leah and I play what we call 'the curb game'. It goes like this. Put an unwanted item on the curb, watch from a secret perch, and wait for a customer. We return periodically to our station to watch the festivities and gauge the time it took for the item to be snatched up. She and I can be found cackling like fools when we spot a taker. Great fun.
I have a long time ago recollection of furniture found on the streets of Charlestown, Ma. Dick now in New York, furnished his Charlestown house with fine pieces of street furniture. That is great fun too.
For clarification purposes, I must, really I must, add more.
- -When I say mostly free what I mean is that in order to pick up the items a truck or large vehicle is required. Gas, borrowing or renting a truck, paying people to help must be factored in.
- - Additionally, while it takes a computer to find the site, an old fashioned phone call is required to set up a time and date to retrieve the free goods.
- - As far as the computer thing, some of us aren't tech literate. Get to a library take a simple lesson or find someone, they are all around us, to help get on the site. You'll discover new vistas and love it.
- - The curb game has its faults. There is a serious struggle going on in our brains to get rid of stuff. When we play the game, Leah will select her mother's items, that would be mine, hers remain safe and intact cause you see she just can't part with her old items and the past. The stuff of hers has sentimental value, but this is another topic for another time.
Now, I must take leave. I have found a delightful museum with free admittance until noon, so gotta get going. Til next time, I remain - a senior citizen -senzen.
If you have a modicum of computer skills check out the web site freecycle.com. Using this site you can find items for the taking, but here's the mostly part. You must go and get the item. With that said there is another part to freecycle. Do you want to rid yourself of some of your clutter? Then post it on freecycle, if you receive a phone call from a customer, say your goodbyes to your junk. Remember the adage 'one persons junk is another person's treasure'. The reverse hold true, as well, one person's treasure is another person's junk - so when holding on for dear life to treasures, your treasures might just be kicked to the curb, when you say your final goodbyes. But that I'll save for another time and entry.
My daughter, Leah and I play what we call 'the curb game'. It goes like this. Put an unwanted item on the curb, watch from a secret perch, and wait for a customer. We return periodically to our station to watch the festivities and gauge the time it took for the item to be snatched up. She and I can be found cackling like fools when we spot a taker. Great fun.
I have a long time ago recollection of furniture found on the streets of Charlestown, Ma. Dick now in New York, furnished his Charlestown house with fine pieces of street furniture. That is great fun too.
For clarification purposes, I must, really I must, add more.
- -When I say mostly free what I mean is that in order to pick up the items a truck or large vehicle is required. Gas, borrowing or renting a truck, paying people to help must be factored in.
- - Additionally, while it takes a computer to find the site, an old fashioned phone call is required to set up a time and date to retrieve the free goods.
- - As far as the computer thing, some of us aren't tech literate. Get to a library take a simple lesson or find someone, they are all around us, to help get on the site. You'll discover new vistas and love it.
- - The curb game has its faults. There is a serious struggle going on in our brains to get rid of stuff. When we play the game, Leah will select her mother's items, that would be mine, hers remain safe and intact cause you see she just can't part with her old items and the past. The stuff of hers has sentimental value, but this is another topic for another time.
Now, I must take leave. I have found a delightful museum with free admittance until noon, so gotta get going. Til next time, I remain - a senior citizen -senzen.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
doctors, doctors, everywhere
Henry, an 80 year old man was walking down the street and spotted his doctor. The doctor noticed Henry wore a big smile and had with a beautiful woman on his arm.
His doctor said, "Henry, you seem to be doing very well for yourself".
Henry responded" Just doing what you told me doc, get a hot mama and
be cheerful".
Doctor looks at him with a frown and responds, "no I didn't, I said you
have a heart murmur, be careful!"
Claire from Cromwell, Ct was inundated with between 2 and 3 doctor appointments per week when she first retired. The doctors were cute, she reported, but there was waaaay too much doctor time in her schedule, and she just wanted to relax.
I had not seen my doctor, Dr. Sam from Hartford Hospital, in the cute category too, for a number of years. I suppose we tend to go to the doctor when we are feeling ill, and not for wellness visits. Realizing it was time I made my appointment and was met with Dr. Sam and his intern (what is with all these cute Drs?).
In the process of a thorough inspection the doctor asked, "are there any
heart troubles in your family?"
"No, Dr.", I said, "we don't have heart problems, we give them".
"That's funny" says he with a deadpan expression.
I think to myself, was it so funny that you forgot to laugh?
So much for my intended comedy gig.
Back to doctor appointments. While at the hospital, I made two others, the OBGYN and the all important eye doctor, a neglected commodity in my world.
Claire still continues her regular doctor routine. Barring a few falls due to dangerous conditions out there, (can't be helped at times), her health is fairly good for her late 70's, but her health is doing what comes naturally, slowly deteriorating.
As to all those appointments following retirement - yes, the doctor visits do take up some of your time and keep you busy, but, gees, why not get many of them out of the way before the big R arrives. For those of you with sick time and vacation time remaining in your work banks, take these days or half a day off and make good use of them for appointments. When the big day comes you'll have all that time to use for your house cleaning regimen. That oughta keep you busy, as well.
His doctor said, "Henry, you seem to be doing very well for yourself".
Henry responded" Just doing what you told me doc, get a hot mama and
be cheerful".
Doctor looks at him with a frown and responds, "no I didn't, I said you
have a heart murmur, be careful!"
Claire from Cromwell, Ct was inundated with between 2 and 3 doctor appointments per week when she first retired. The doctors were cute, she reported, but there was waaaay too much doctor time in her schedule, and she just wanted to relax.
I had not seen my doctor, Dr. Sam from Hartford Hospital, in the cute category too, for a number of years. I suppose we tend to go to the doctor when we are feeling ill, and not for wellness visits. Realizing it was time I made my appointment and was met with Dr. Sam and his intern (what is with all these cute Drs?).
In the process of a thorough inspection the doctor asked, "are there any
heart troubles in your family?"
"No, Dr.", I said, "we don't have heart problems, we give them".
"That's funny" says he with a deadpan expression.
I think to myself, was it so funny that you forgot to laugh?
So much for my intended comedy gig.
Back to doctor appointments. While at the hospital, I made two others, the OBGYN and the all important eye doctor, a neglected commodity in my world.
Claire still continues her regular doctor routine. Barring a few falls due to dangerous conditions out there, (can't be helped at times), her health is fairly good for her late 70's, but her health is doing what comes naturally, slowly deteriorating.
As to all those appointments following retirement - yes, the doctor visits do take up some of your time and keep you busy, but, gees, why not get many of them out of the way before the big R arrives. For those of you with sick time and vacation time remaining in your work banks, take these days or half a day off and make good use of them for appointments. When the big day comes you'll have all that time to use for your house cleaning regimen. That oughta keep you busy, as well.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Clothing concerns
The time has come. The situation is critical. What to do, what to do.
Clothing has become a problem. We must learn to deal with dressing in a safe manner. Shirts often end up buttoned improperly, underwear are sometimes put on backwards and certainly inside out (can't manufacturers work with this part and make them reversible?
Once was that clothes were made with tags, labels that could be held onto. Without the advantage of eyesight we had the benefit of the label to tell right from wrong - front from back. Not the case now. Now labels are either stamped on, or are so teeny we just can't feel or see them, the elimination of the label no doubt due to cost.
Clothing mistakes can have a serious impact on life and limb, especially getting out of those backward undies only to get back in. Men have it easier since they have a handy front pocket that identifies front from back.
It is the right thing to glance in a mirror before venturing into the world to check for lint, zipped pants, buttons in the correct slots, food stains and so on. Gives feelings of confidence and readiness. However, this can only be done successfully with glasses on hand.
Watch out world, here we come! Where the hell did I put those glasses!
Clothing has become a problem. We must learn to deal with dressing in a safe manner. Shirts often end up buttoned improperly, underwear are sometimes put on backwards and certainly inside out (can't manufacturers work with this part and make them reversible?
Once was that clothes were made with tags, labels that could be held onto. Without the advantage of eyesight we had the benefit of the label to tell right from wrong - front from back. Not the case now. Now labels are either stamped on, or are so teeny we just can't feel or see them, the elimination of the label no doubt due to cost.
Clothing mistakes can have a serious impact on life and limb, especially getting out of those backward undies only to get back in. Men have it easier since they have a handy front pocket that identifies front from back.
It is the right thing to glance in a mirror before venturing into the world to check for lint, zipped pants, buttons in the correct slots, food stains and so on. Gives feelings of confidence and readiness. However, this can only be done successfully with glasses on hand.
Watch out world, here we come! Where the hell did I put those glasses!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Senior napsters
Naps can happen at any time of day and night and almost anywhere. They are good for all but are especially important for us to maintain our senior health and well being.
Along the lines of kids say the darnest things, I bring you this actual dialogue.
A Sunday school teacher was bringing her students to a church service and posed
this question to them. " Children, do you know why it is important to be quiet in church?"
One little girl responded, "because people are sleeping."
Yes, these hallowed halls are potential nap inducing sites. Lucia from Cromwell Ct finds that by sitting quietly or praying or allowing all thoughts to dissolve from her mind, or all of the above, she is quickly in a nap stage. Her one primary concern is not that she naps but as she apologetically states, "I begin to snore." She feels she has disturbed attendees more than once, but due to a sleep disorder her sleep is regularly disturbed.
One of the few locations that I do not recommend a quick nap is a no-brainer, please folks, not while behind the wheel of a car. If drowsy while driving, pull over, push the seat back and catch a few ZZZZZ's. Keep a travel pillow in the car and take advantage of it when the mood strikes. Aint nothing like it.
Along the lines of kids say the darnest things, I bring you this actual dialogue.
A Sunday school teacher was bringing her students to a church service and posed
this question to them. " Children, do you know why it is important to be quiet in church?"
One little girl responded, "because people are sleeping."
Yes, these hallowed halls are potential nap inducing sites. Lucia from Cromwell Ct finds that by sitting quietly or praying or allowing all thoughts to dissolve from her mind, or all of the above, she is quickly in a nap stage. Her one primary concern is not that she naps but as she apologetically states, "I begin to snore." She feels she has disturbed attendees more than once, but due to a sleep disorder her sleep is regularly disturbed.
One of the few locations that I do not recommend a quick nap is a no-brainer, please folks, not while behind the wheel of a car. If drowsy while driving, pull over, push the seat back and catch a few ZZZZZ's. Keep a travel pillow in the car and take advantage of it when the mood strikes. Aint nothing like it.
napping
Naps can happen at any time of day or night and practically anywhere. Along the lines of children say the darnest things I bring to you this humorous dialogue.
A young girl was attending religious school. The instructor asked her
A young girl was attending religious school. The instructor asked her
Monday, March 7, 2011
glasses- boon or boondoggle
glasses- a much needed commodity for our failing eyes. We place them in many spots then knew we put them there but by golly just can't find them. I'm down to one good pair. So glad though that the one pair I still can find are the prescription pair, at least to replace the others I can head for the dollar store or the marts.
Roseanne from Newton, Ma reports that she is virtually blind, but lucky for her there is another set of eyes in the house- her soul mate. But there is more, she says he happens to lose his glasses many times in the course of the day. The clincher? He does taxes!
Roseanne from Newton, Ma reports that she is virtually blind, but lucky for her there is another set of eyes in the house- her soul mate. But there is more, she says he happens to lose his glasses many times in the course of the day. The clincher? He does taxes!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Retirement Are Us - Reading glasses
Today January 1, 2011, I day I begin a blog. To say I know blogs or to claim I know what I am doing on the computer is an out and out lie. I am flying by the seat of my pants - a real piece of work in progress. Like Julie in Julie and Julia, she grabbed on a seed of an idea and began a blog about Julia Child's recipes. I claim the same effort.
Although the blog offers much food for thought, the seed of my idea is not about cooking or money matters. This is a blog about retirement, a new stage for me which for sure has its ups and downs.
An example of what will be contained within ranges from aging issues, eyesight problems, falling concerns, and much more; part humor, part deadly serious and part tongue in cheek. This is what I want to share with others like yourself who have done the great deed or are in the planning stages. By putting some retirement concerns out there my explicit hope is for you to respond with pearls of wisdom, stories, mistakes and advice. The information you proffer as feedback will be included in a retirement workbook/comic book that is in the planning stage. I say comic book for much humor is forthcoming.
Here's how it will work. An issue that is of great relevance to seniors and retirees will be presented on the blog, examples: reading glasses and how we lose them; dressing issues; driving concerns; eating; falling; the normal irksome daily problems to us aging folks. My hopes are that you will respond with your personal stories, suggestions and naturally, some handy advice.
Although the blog offers much food for thought, the seed of my idea is not about cooking or money matters. This is a blog about retirement, a new stage for me which for sure has its ups and downs.
An example of what will be contained within ranges from aging issues, eyesight problems, falling concerns, and much more; part humor, part deadly serious and part tongue in cheek. This is what I want to share with others like yourself who have done the great deed or are in the planning stages. By putting some retirement concerns out there my explicit hope is for you to respond with pearls of wisdom, stories, mistakes and advice. The information you proffer as feedback will be included in a retirement workbook/comic book that is in the planning stage. I say comic book for much humor is forthcoming.
Here's how it will work. An issue that is of great relevance to seniors and retirees will be presented on the blog, examples: reading glasses and how we lose them; dressing issues; driving concerns; eating; falling; the normal irksome daily problems to us aging folks. My hopes are that you will respond with your personal stories, suggestions and naturally, some handy advice.
I ask your permission to use your first name, city and state when emailing. Please employ the KISS method, keep it simple, seniors, when responding, info should be presented in simple format, concise and brief.
As I have already indicated I know little of what I am doing. I have included a picture, I think, of myself pajama clad, with reading glasses hanging from all pockets and a pair sitting on my head. I can't see them because I'm not wearing a pair to be able to find the others.
So my first instruction to those of you out there who find this blog - tell me how you deal with failing eyesight and the almighty nettlesome issue of reading glasses. I recommend 10, ten pair. What say you?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)