Author Archives: Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

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About Old as Dirt & Proud of It!

Welcome to Old As Dirt, and Proud of It, by Karen Samenow. I named my blog Old As Dirt And Proud of It because that's where I am in life. You may find art or music, or inspiration included because, I'm an artist, a spiritual medium, and I'm always learning more and exploring. I hope you find us interesting. My focus for this blog is to bring a little levity to well seasoned women. Sometimes it actually may help!
Sep5

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

Aug15

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

Aug1

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

Jul26

Are We Keeping Our Pets Safe IN The Heat?

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Somehow it’s easy to forget how vulnerable our pets are. Whether our animals are big or small, they all need love and care. Heat isn’t good for them either.

I’ve had big dogs all my life, except for three. The big dogs ranged from Irish Setters, Alaskan Malamutes, Great Danes, and Pitt Bulls. In the more recent years it’s been Jack Russels, Bechions, and now a French Bull Dog. I have loved them all, and all needed my care especially in the extreme weather.

The big dogs are more durable, work harder longer, but they still need attention. Water, good food, exercise, well you get the picture. All of our dogs were indoor dogs because I believe they need a family to be around, and live with. Not everyone feels this way, and that’s your preference.

We now have rescued the sweetest not so little, Frenchie. She is white, has a loving personality, and wouldn’t harm a flee. Maybe a cat, but definitely not a flea.

I found a pearl necklace (collar) for her, and she loves it. How do I know you ask? Well, I took off her collar and put it on the table before putting on her pearls. When she saw the pearls, and was wearing them, she picked up the old collar with her teeth, and threw it on the floor. What do you think? Was that letting me know she didn’t want the old collar any longer?

To get back to the topic. French Bull Dogs, along with some other breeds like, all bulldogs, Boxers, and anything with a short nose have breathing problems. It is important to treat these dogs with care. I would imagine cats would be the same. They need lots of hydration, and cool places to lye down out of the sun.

For some reason cats seem to be more tolerant of the heat, and some have faces that look like they ran into a train. They need care also…..

Some have cooling jackets for the animals that really can’t and don’t do well in hot, humid weather. Just consider your pets as you would a baby, or the elderly. Love them and care for them, they give us so much in return.

Thank you for taking time to read my blog. Stay cool, keep your animals cool and all of you stay hydrated.

Karen

Jun20

Adapting to SoCal Weather: A Goldie Locks Perspective

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I’m sure I underestimated June gloom. Many of us expected it to stay cooler for just a little bit longer, but we were wrong. Even though we have cooling trends here in Southern California, that means a few degrees cooler. For me it’s not enough!

You see, I’m a Goldie Locks Girl! That means it can’t be too hot, or too cold. It’s been this way since I was in my early twenties. We all deal with what we’ve been given, and that’s one of the things I was given.

Some of you are thinking, she doesn’t know what she is talking about. In a way that’s true. Here in Southern California our temperatures are temperate, sometimes even mild. For us, this is hot, and if you live in a highly vegetative area, or close to the coast it can get humid as well. Yuck!

What I’m trying to tell you is this, most of us are from a different part of the country, and after moving here we have become Pansies!!! Our blood thins, our tolerance becomes much less tolerant, and a lot of us whine a lot! This can only be attributed to the change in climate, and an annoying personalities.

Other parts of the country get much more severe weather, and they have to adapt.

Just look at Alaska for instance, or Wisconsin, Michigan, or Hawaii. Well, the first three are definitely a challenge, but we can’t even compare Hawaii. Although, I have been there when the humidity was so oppressive you could hardly breathe. (That was my opinion based on I’m a Pansy.)

We get colds, and flu more often. Our resistance has weakened. It might be a beautiful place, but our resistance is not the same.

What’s the moral of this story, darned if I know. I’m just here stating the facts! I can complain about the heat, but what good would it do? The thing is, you can put a coat or sweater on if you’re cold, but there are only so many things you can take off if you’re hot! I think the moral of this story would then be to “Stay Cool.”

Stay cool ladies, our lives depend on it!

Until next time, I appreciate you, I wish you all the best, and most of all take good care of yourself.

Much love, Karen

Jun6

June Gloom…..

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June Gloom…..
Current image: Foggy coastal beach with ocean waves, cliffs, and people walking on sand

As we start the beginning of the end of the half way point in 2026, I am surprised at the amount of cold, breezy weather we are having here in California. Yes, here in San Diego County at the base of California.

The sunny state that never rains here, and always has great weather! That’s what we were told when we moved here in the olden days. Yup, I moved here with my family when I was only three years old.

It was our first plane trip, and what an experience it was for a small child. I was allowed to walk the isles, and pretend I was serving water to the passengers. Would the airlines allow that now? I really don’t know.

My father was transferred to Los Angeles from Detroit, Michigan. It was a huge change from the snow, and ice we had in winter to rainy, gloomy days in California. Never the less, it was to be our home from now on.

From now on means to me seventy nine years ago. Yikes! I guess I am that old, but I usually don’t feel that old. Even though I can no longer do many of the things I had been use to doing, I’m still painting, and still writing. My kids have all grown up leaving us with an empty nest long ago. Their kids are now leaving their nest, and that seems very odd to me. Where did the time go? How is it time flies when we get old, but drags when we are younger?

What this means to me is this….We spend a few short years growing up, and thinking we know it all. Then because we know so much we find a partner, and have a gaggle of kids. Some find themselves with more, some with less. After those sweet, wonderful kids peck you to death, they leave the nest.

Leaving the nest doesn’t mean they are totally on their own because we all still feel responsible for their success. Emotionally, we continue to worry about their future. Financially we also continue to worry about their future. If we are able, we help out. If we aren’t able, we really suffer with them. Somehow we all survive!

But our nest is still empty, and if we aren’t careful we allow ourselves to hang our happiness of the children that have left, and are busy trying to find their own way.. In short, we need something to do to keep us happy in our Golden Years.

Most towns have senior centers and this is a place that often has a gym, occasional movie night or afternoon. There are many things the centers offer to help keep us engaged. This is a good thing even though we don’t consider ourselves a senior.

There are also many groups to get involved with through those centers. Many have lots of younger people taking classes as well. Also Community Colleges have programs for continuing education, classes for fun, and some are even free. Check into those if your interested, you may be surprised at what is offered.

Let me know what you find, and how it fits for you.

Thank you for reading my blog, it is much appreciated.

Until next time, keep busy and don’t forget to be happy! Karen