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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)