How Would You Want Your Grandma Treated?

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Smiling elderly woman seated in an armchair with a colorful blanket

For many years I have noticed how the public treats older people in the stores, and other places that you might find one of those things called, “the elderly!”

I admit there have been times when I was out shopping, or standing in line ready to check out. An older person was at the register counting out their change from a tiny change purse. The line was held up, they were slow while trying to make sure they were getting the correct change. They were really slow, and the people behind them were impatient, and sometimes actually rude.

I could hear the very large sighs, loud enough to be heard by all, or even loud comments. Everyone could hear them, and frankly it was embarrassing. The slow person who by the way was doing the best they could, was also frustrated, and most likely even slower given all the rude comments, and sighs.

I never said anything, however, nothing said I couldn’t think it! I could only imagine, if that were my grandma, how would I want her to be treated? Not Like that!

To this day, I still feel the same way. Only now I’m the grandma standing in line handing out my money for items that are usually way over priced. Everything is always way over priced.

I’m not going to tell you when I was a girl bread was a nickel a loaf, but as it always goes, items are naturally, more than in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s as so on. As you know we are all still working on the same income that seemed to be so adequate when we were younger. Everyone struggles even if it is with less than someone else.

That brings us back to holding up the line at Albertsons, Piggly Wiggly, or Walmart. I’ve been fortunate with people being kind to me, holding the heavy doors for me going into, or out of a store, crossing the street, or walking through a parking lot. Most people will stop, and wait until I pass. Some people would rather run you over than slow down their day for even two minutes. They’ll get theirs!!!

As a side note: I use a cane, and I think that is why people are more considerate. Several years ago, for reasons unknown to me, my knee went out on me on the way to have lunch with a friend. My girlfriend just happened to have an extra cane in her car to loan me. Because of that, I’ve carried a cane in my car for emergencies for years.

They too will one day be old, and they too will hold up the line at Walmart, or Kroger’s. I am fortunate in the sense that I can still show kindness to the Grandma’s, and Grandpa’s of this world.

Quite often the children are the ones being kind, and courteous. We all need to make sure we praise them for their good deeds, it will make a difference.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. Stay safe, and healthy. Karen

BEWARE…..October Brings Gremlins!

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Some of you may remember this, some may have dodged a bullet either intentionally, or the planets just didn’t line up.

My children are all grown up with grown ups of their own. But when they were little I remember the buzz of planning Halloween parties, outfits, and of course the candy.

Side note: It’s better to get candy you like just in case you have copious amounts left over. At least it’s will be something you like!

The buzz around our home was energetic to say the least! My three kids all wanted to buy outfits at the Halloween shop. I on the other hand thought that creating something unique was way more fun than spending money on cheesy, cheep (hardly) costumes. Can you guess who won out? Not me.

My daughter once said that the kids peck you to death just to get their way. She wasn’t wrong. They did.

When my sister, and I were Trick-or-Treating we always made our costumes. They were creative, unique, and definitely one of a kind. My sister Cheryl, would dress up our Irish Setter with a sweat shirt, and a whistle, she would do the same, and off they would go with a bag large enough for all the candy the neighborhood had to offer.

I don’t remember what I looked like, but I do remember having a great time. The really good time was when we got home, and dumped all the candy out to see haw big a haul we were able to get. By the time our parents finished sorting through the copious amounts of sweets, it would be half gone.

When my kids were small, it wasn’t the thing to do to create your own outfits. And yet my youngest grandchild always made his own spooky self!

Now everyone is grown, and the dressing up they do is of the Party Hearty kind. I did love to see the kids all dressed up, and ready to gather candy.

Holiday Pumpkin

A few years ago, my girlfriends, and I made Halloween decorations, and decorated pumpkins. We all had a great time, and still today I pull out skulls, and pumpkins to scatter all over the house.

Are you over this holiday, or are you still getting into the fun of it?

Holiday Pumpkins

Several years ago, at the request of my mother, I would buy a “large” bag of candy bars. You know, the little bars you hand out to the kids. Mom always requested I buy something like Snickers, or Hershey’s. She wanted the good ones just in case she had left overs. Then she had something she liked to nibble on.

In all the years we’ve lived in these houses, we have never had even one Trick-or-Treater. Mom got the entire bag to herself!

I hope it doesn’t get to crazy at the end of the month.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and if you have time, let me know how you feel about this Gremlin holiday.

What’s Been Going On?

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When it’s really hot, and humid I don’t get a lot done. It zaps my energy.

When it’s really cold and damp, I stiffen up like the Tin man, I don’t have any energy to zap!

So, where does that leave us as far as “keeping moving, engage in an activity etc?”

There is reading, and I know many people love to read, and this keeps them busy.

I dislike turning on the oven to cook, or bake. It seems too hot to do anything. But, when it’s cool, it’s it’s easy to turn on the oven and bake. Think of all the cookies, fudge brownies, and cakes that could be created just because it’s cooler! How many of you love to bake? I personally don’t like to bake because I eat it all.

My Dr. just told me that the trick to staying young, and vibrant is to have a good solid support system, ie: family, girlfriends, the senior center is a good place to have lunch, and meet people. Get out of the house, go to a movie, walk the malls.

Many of us have stopped driving. The answer to that could be to have a friend that still drives, or there are shuttles that transport seniors to their destinations. The Dr., the mall, a movie are all places they help us with.

Sometimes if we are lucky, a relative might help.

Whatever you choose, we need to keep active. As active as possible!

I am quite aware that not all of us have the same energy level, but do the best you can. Keep up the good work, and if you haven’t started the good work, make up your mind to start doing something good for yourself.

Thank you for stoping to check out my blog, or I should say our blog because it’s for all of us!

Stay cool, keep moving, and I’ll catch you next time…. Karen

Are we in Fall Yet!?

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Woman reading beside a lake at sunset with blanket, tea, and autumn leaves
A woman relaxes with a book on a lakeside dock as autumn sunlight reflects across the water.

As we have slipped out of August, and into September I’m feeling hopeful that it soon will cool off. Oh I know, we aren’t there yet, but how tired are you hearing me go on about the heat? I’m tired of talking about it, so now I think I’ll talk about the things that are coming up next.

The last couple of days of August have been such a delight to me. Even just a little cooler is a help. I’m hoping you feel the same. I think the only people who don’t mind the heat are those raised in hot weather.

So as we slip into fall, I’m thinking of Apple pies, Halloween, and on into winter. I know, don’t get ahead of myself, but that’s the only thing that keeps me going. The dreams of fall… that is!

Globally we have had some interesting weather, and I don’t think it will stop here. I’m told we expect a crazy winter with lots of rain, and maybe even wind. I don’t love the wind, but having to put on a sweat shirt as opposed to stripping everything off because it’s too hot, is in my book better.

If we all have the same thoughts of cooler weather, and how much we are ready for it, there could be a change for the better. Let’s do it!

Actually, I just remembered I was not going to talk of heat any longer.

Won’t it be nice to have lunch with friends, play cards, or paint without getting slammed by the humidity? What are your favorite fall activities? Let me know in comments.

Thank you for taking time to read my crazy blog. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Happy September, Karen

Heat, Heat, and More Heat!

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Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

Is anyone else over the heat and humidity?

I have to admit after having one week of the hot weather, I was thinking, “how long will this heat last?” Of course as I’ve said before, I’m a Goldie Locks Girl. I really have trouble with the heat, but most of all the humidity. It just lays me away!

That must be why it is said that young children, and the elderly need to hydrate, stay in a cool place, and keep quiet. But then again, we are not elderly, we are well seasoned!

Who’s elderly? I’m not and I certainly don’t think any of you are either. And yet, they continue to insist we are elderly. To me that means we are sitting in a wheelchair, by a window in a home drooling, with glazed over eyes, and frog fuzz shaped into a rats nest called hair!

I sincerely hope none of us has this problem.

I admit my hair, although it isn’t a rats nest, is now extra fine, and I prefer to call it silverly-white. I use to think I’d never let my hair grow out natural, but now I really love it. I also have it very short, and rather spiky now. In my eyes, this gives it an edgy look even though it is all natural. At times I’ve had wisps of pink, or teal put into the front, but right now it’s all natural… Now I ask you, would an elderly person ware spiky hair with or without color? I think not!

Let me know if you have cut your hair short, and if you have had the courage to have a little color put into the front. If you haven’t, it lasts, but not forever. Some ladies have used a semi-permanent color, and applied it themselves. I’ve done that also, but if done right, it will be a permanent color, and last for quite a while. Don’t get to the end of your life, and wish you had been more brave.

It makes me happy to know that you have taken time to read my blog. If you can please respond, it helps me keep posting.

Stay cool my friends , it will all get cooler soon… Many thanks, Karen

Coping with Southern California’s Heat and Humidity

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A few blogs ago I posted about on Adapting to our Southern California weather, however what I didn’t mention is how this heat, and humidity effects us personally.

Everyone isn’t the same!! That seems obvious I know. Many people have been raised in the heat, and humidity. I was, but I sure can’t take it now. The older I get, the more difficult it is to put up with all this climate change.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, that’s in Los Angelous County in California. I wasn’t born there, but I was raised there. The heat, and humidity didn’t bother me as a child. Even after I was grown, and had started a family, the heat didn’t bother me. But, as I get older, it becomes evident that I can’t take it, and I didn’t pay for any of this.

Now living in San Diego County, I realize our weather is changing, and not for the better. Yes we do have months of beautiful weather, and yes other parts of the country have much more severe weather. That doesn’t mean I’d move there. As I’ve said before, here in Southern California…”we are pansies.”

My fate was sealed when my parents moved from Michigan to California many years ago. I was then three years old, and my father was transferred to California for his job. Mom, and Dad were excited to be out of the snow, and into a place where it was sunny and warm! It was once said, “It never rains in California!” As opposed to the rest of the country, that’s probably true.

I think back in the day, you were told anything to get people to head west. Almost like the covered wagon days, only without the Indians.

My energy is zapped, and I don’t have any desire to do anything. This is not good! My best advice is to keep hydrated, stay out of the sun, and lessen your activities.

I’d love to know how you as readers cope with this weather. Does it bother you, or not? Do you have tricks to keep cool, and deal with the humidity? Your input, and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I know sometimes it can become a little scattered, and you might not get my point. That’s OK! Sometimes I don’t even know what my point is! . It’s all me!

Stay cool, until next time. Karen