Category Archives: Short stories

Nov29

If You Were Stranded on an Island….

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We’ve all had dreams of being on a tropical island while Pepe the Cabana boy waits on us hand and foot! But what if we really were stranded on an island, and without Pepe, what would you need to survive?

It might be a far stretch to think you’d be comfortable, however your resourcefulness would be a determining factor on this adventure. Maybe you have a friend with you…that would be fortunate. Someone that could take care of everything you couldn’t. And, you could do the chores that they were unable to. A division of necessities!

What would be the essentials you might just happen to have with you that would help surviving be just a little more comfortable. Maybe how you got there would be a factor. What could you salvage, presuming your boat ran aground, or drifted off course….Or maybe, an emergency (soft) landing on the sand was necessary, and unplanned!

What would you do for food and shelter? We are going to say, this adventure would be on a tropical island, with lots of fruit dripping from the trees. Then food clearly wouldn’t be an issue, but what about water? With all the lush fruit, there must be a water source. But where?

This is where your resourcefulness comes in. Remember when you were a child, and you had a very active imagination? Pretend you were once again playing with your friends in a big wooded back yard. Your imagination soared, and you could come up with all kinds of things to do, and games to play. This is the time you need to pretend you were that age again, and find water, food, and something to build shelter out of. Shelter might be the easiest thing to do. What would you need to do all this?

There are things to be salvaged from a boat or plane. Maybe pillows or a blanket or two. There could be all kinds of things to salvage that had never occurred to you as being of necessity. But then you’ve never been stranded on an island before.

Ok, so a knife, preferably a big knife, or a machete. That would come in handy cutting fruit off trees, and cutting palm fronds to make a shelter. It would probably take a bit of time to get organized and put all that together, but once you did…just think of how good you would feel to have accomplished shelter for yourself. Maybe while you were at it, before you collapsed out of exhaustion, to help your friend put together their shelter as well.

If I were doing this today, it would take me years to accomplish. But remember this is fantasy! And both or all of you will have enough energy to face each day, harvest food, make a shelter, and, still look for water.

While thinking about this, never go into the jungle alone! Mother was right, always use the buddy system. “Safety comes in numbers,” Mother would say, and I now believe Mother was right. This trip is not for sissies, and we are all bad ass women, but safety really does come in numbers.

Just about the time you’re about to give up, you hear something. It sounds to me like a waterfall, or running water. Thank heavens, water! Did you find anything to put fresh, clear, cool water into? It might be a good idea to keep something with you to keep water in should you actually find clean water to drink. So that’s another thing we will most definitely need….a container to keep fresh water in.

Now our list is growing, we need:

  1. Knife/Machete
  2. Blankets/pillows
  3. Container for water
  4. Food/water
  5. Shelter1

The last two depend on how resourceful we can all be. What can you salvage? Think about the possibilities, think of your younger self, and how you use to play for hours on end just being a kid! Playing in a total fantasy. Kids are good at this, and I remember spending hours just playing with my sister in our huge back yard. We were always pretending we were in a jungle with wild animals lurking behind the big trees. We were clever though, we were never eaten or even attacked!

I’d say rope or at the very least string would be helpful to tie together the palms for our shelters. With enough fronds we might even be able to make sides for our shelters.

Has anyone found a radio, or a phone that might be of help getting us off this island? That too would be a huge help. It’s possible at the moment we have not been labeled as missing!

Sooner or later it would dawn on us that being able to catch fish to eat would increase our choices for food. So a pin, or paperclip, even a fish hook might help with a string tied to a pole so you could fish, that would help! None of this would be easy, survival isn’t easy. It’s stressful, and scary, but I have no doubt that each and every one of you if challenged with a survival situation would be able to survive. You’d have your moments, but it would pass, and soon you’d pull your big girl panties up, and get it done! Yes! Each and every one of you!

Before you get rescued, and you will get rescued, you will have pulled it all together, and set up a fairly decent, and comfortable camp.. It might take a few weeks to be found, but you will be found.

When the whole thing is over there will be dozens of opportunities for talk shows, and news hours will want to interview you to find out how you did it. You might even be offered a book deal. How cool would that be. It all sounds overwhelming, but again I promise you it can be done,…..by you! It could help to get your friend or friends together and write a book together. Collaborate on a book, make it fun instead of reliving a nightmare.

I thank you for coming along on this fantasy journey. Just remember, you can do anything even at our ages. Hugs to all of you, Karen

Jun13

Just what is OLD?

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I ran across this short video on You Tube, and thought it was interesting. It brings up so many thoughts. So I thought I’d ask all of you a few questions related to perception, reality, thoughts, and ideas.

When I was much younger, I never thought I’d reach old age, not even middle age. I didn’t think I’d leave this planet, I guess I just never thought! Now I can’t imagine not realizing old age was imminent!

What’s worse is that I didn’t even think older people had anything to share. How immature I was! I wondered how old people could even think they had anything to share. It saddens me to think how naive I was, and how much young people miss by thinking that way.

We can be fun too! Just look at us toddling around the neighborhood doing all our old people things at old people speed. Is it any wonder everyone gets upset with us for driving our cars at 15-20 miles per hour to save on gas. After all bread was .25 a loaf when we were growing up, and gas was about .50 when we started driving. No wonder we think this way.

Did we raise our kids to be part of the throw away generation? Because that’s how they turned out! Who taught them that anyway?

I love reusing things, going thrifting, and sometimes nosing around garage sales. Many years ago, and I mean many, on trash night people would put out treasures for others to find, and find we did. It was not illegal in those days, and our homes were eclectic, and fun. My kids would never do this, they are the ones throwing away stuff. Sometimes we would find really good furniture, and turn it from trash to treasure making a little money on the side.

All the affluent neighborhoods would have the best pickings, and we picked, and picked ’till our hearts desire. The thought still excites me, but laws have changed around here, and people aren’t throwing away treasures like before.

There are times when I feel like old furniture, all embellished with nicks, scars, and pale skin. Waiting to see what’s next is the interesting part. We never know, and many times aren’t ready for it. I’m never ready for it!

One thing is for sure, we can only do our best. We are all in the same boat, dealing with the same problems, but we aren’t alone, we are never alone.

And the young people, well they too will have their day. One day they will be old, and wrinkled, they’ll waddle around wondering what happened to the last 50 years.

I guess the Botton line is, you are only as old as you feel. Some days I feel 100, some days I feel 50 again. Keep moving my friends, because we don’t want to walk around like the tin man all stiff and squeaky

Thank you for taking time to stop and read my blog. I hope you have a great day without squeaks, and waddles.

Remember united we stand. Karen

May3

Travel Adventure

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I recently took a mini vacation up north to visit my daughter, and her family. They have a small ranch, and live in a very rural area. I love it up there because I can sit in the middle of nature, and talk to all the animals.

I usually fly when I’m traveling alone, as I did this time. But things are different these days. The airlines have changed policies, and it’s a bit stressful trying to figure out exactly what is required of you. After watching many Youtube videos on the airline’s “New Rules,” I still wasn’t any further along than when I started.

I just didn’t want to get to the gate, and be turned away because my case was too large, or I had something inside that was the tiniest bit larger than they required. I’ve had my luggage gone through before, had things taken out and tossed. Some of it was my fault, I should have known better. Other times they pulled something that wasn’t too large and tossed it. That one really got to me!

All in all, because it was my daughter, there were many things that I didn’t need to bring because it was already up there. Lucky for me, the cary on’s that are required are really small now, and one has to be a really efficient packer to be able to get away with a mini cary-on.

The next thing was for me to mark my luggage so it would be easily identified. After spending hours selecting a bag that was just the proper fit at TJ Max, I then had to decide what to put on the side so it could be recognized. That took another day or so. After all it had to be my signature look!

Finally, after trying many different things, this is what I decided on. It took me about three days due to drying time. I’m happy with it, and it didn’t get scrapped up even after being thrown around by the people that love throwing baggage around.

I stayed twelve days, and had a very relaxing visit. My Granddaughter turned eighteen the 4th of April, and I love seeing her on her birthday. She picked a dinner place for us all to enjoy, and just to top it off, she had a very excellent place for the three of us girls to go for lunch the following day. It’s never an inexpensive trip, but it’s always a memorable trip.

How do all of you find these little get aways, or even big vacations? Do you get stressed out, or are you a chill traveler? Is it more stressful unpacking when you get home? If you are traveling with family, do you end up being host? My husband joyfully play host, and hostess every time. After all, what is Grandpa, and Grandma for?

I love going, but it’s really nice to get back to the comfort of my own home. Never do I feel unwelcome, but I am aware of the fact that my family needs to make me feel comfortable. I always feel relief when I can get on the plane, allowing my daughter and her family to take a deep breath, and get back to normal.

Thank you for stopping by and allowing me to share my little adventure with you. Until next time, “United we stand,” Karen

These are just a few pictures of the ranch, there are many more, and many more animals to be seen…

Mar1

Hair Color Choices for Older Adults

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As I adventured through all my years, I had so much fun with hair color. The only color I didn’t have was black, or anything dark. Being of fair skin, the darker colors washed my skin out. It just wasn’t done in the olden days. The days of Hippie Love, and sex, drugs, & rock ‘n roll. So having long hair with bleached blond was about where I belonged. I could never grow my hair very long. Maybe to my shoulders was about it. Probably because being a blond, I had fine hair, and adding it all up didn’t amount to the same thing a handful of dark hair did. The longer it grew, the more straggly it became.

Today as I’m approaching the Golden Years (ha, ha), I have let my hair go completely gray, or silver as I like to call it. Many of my friends have let their hair grow gray, and why would that be? It’s easier than taking time to color, they might be allergic to the dye, it’s very expensive in our present climate to budget that expense into our monthly obligations.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d like to look younger with even a slightly tinted hair color. I’ve thought about it, asked about it, but I’ve not done anything about it. Several of my friends who are older than I still color their hair, and it does make them look younger. They don’t seem to mind going to a stylist for color correction, and a cute cut.

For me I think attitude has more to do with looking younger than the color of our hair. And…I’ve always said I was going to grow old gracefully. Now that I’m saying it, gracefully sounds quite boring! So I’ll rephrase that statement.

I want to skid into home plate with a “paint brush in one hand, and a glass of Champagne in the other!” The other thing is, I’m not ready to skid anywhere!

I have oh so many thoughts and ideas. Thoughts that you only have when you get “Older Than Dirt!” I share them with you because many of us seem to have the same thoughts and ideas about staying upright, and the challenges facing us as we glide through our Golden Years. Hair, and hair color and/or length is only part of the exciting process of growing old, we have to make sure we have a positive attitude even if it seems impossible.

Well, what do you think? Gray or Red?

Let me know what you think about this subject, I would love a different perspective.

Thank you for reading my blog, don’t forget to send me a quick not with your thoughts and ideas. Much love to all of you, Karen

Feb8

Things You Need To Know

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This morning I picked a journal from my very large stack of journals, and found this. I thought it might interest you, so here it is…..

There are a few things one needs to know and remember…

  1. Diamonds are a girls best friend! This I have known to be true, but in the most recent years I personally have found they are really expensive, and what I really love is their bling. So I have now settled on Moissanite instead. Moissanite is just as hard as a diamond, and they sparkle their little hearts out! I’m happy!
  2. Shop ’til you drop! It’s easier to do once we reach a vintage age, however we can still make a pretty good effort doing retail therapy. Maybe stop for a coffee, ice tea, or soda just to rest up for a second round.
  3. Travel, Travel, Travel! As long as you can pack a bag, grab a friend, or join a travel group do it! There are so many interesting things to see even here in our own country. Just do some research, and the places will find you even if you don’t find them. Personally I think research is the most fun, because it gives our minds a chance to dream. And dreaming is the best thing ever!
  4. Always have a home to return to! Knowing there is a cozy, comfy home waiting for the day you return is also the best. I love traveling, but I also love returning to my warm, and comfortable place I created.
  5. Always value your friends, and family! They will support, and give you strength at a time when you don’t have much energy, or inspiration for yourself. From my experience, my friends have supported me during my darkest times.
  6. God doesn’t give you a dream without a way to achieve that dream! That dream doesn’t fall into your lap, you have to do your share also.
  7. Eat lots of cake, and blow out all your candles! Don’t stop celebrating your birthdays just because you are getting old. Many of our close friends haven’t lived as long as we have, so in their name, celebrate long and hard. Blow out your candles, be proud of getting to the age you have, don’t look back. Look ahead with a positive attitude, and you will enjoy life just a little bit more.

This I wrote to our Oldest Granddaughter on her Seventeenth Birthday.

I hope you enjoyed my seven most important things to remember. Oh, I can come up with more, but for now these are a good start!

Thank you for stopping to read my blog. Don’t forget, “We Stand Together!” Karen

Dec21

Fun, What’s That?

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Lady in a hat.

We all had fun years ago. Some more than others. Sure life isn’t always a bowl of chuckles, and it comes differently to each of us, but at one time or another we had real fun. I hope in our own way, we still do have fun.

Growing old isn’t always fun, and it definitely isn’t for the faint of heart! Since we can’t change any of the old age stuff, negativity is a waist of time. I’m not waisting my time being grumpy, and complaining. The flip side of that is always being positive. That isn’t always easy either. What I can tell you is that each time you have a negative thought, be it nasty or just plain down, if that thought is replaced with a positive thought it will go a long way. Of course, that’s difficult also. But, if you keep doing it, soon it will work. I’ll be the first to admit that the bad stuff doesn’t go away, but before you know it, those negative thoughts will be much less consuming.

Dr. Weil from the University of Arizona is a man I’ve listened to for years. He is progressive in the sense that he believes we can go a long way by thinking positive. He also believes in clean food, but that is an entirely different blog..

Since we are heading into the Holiday season, I’m keeping this short. As usual, these are my ideas and opinions, you don’t have to agree with me. I’m ok with that, I think we should all have our own opinions.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy Chanukah, and if you have a different holiday you celebrate, I wish for you a magical holiday. Much love.

Thank you for stopping to read my blog,

Together we Stand, Karen