One thing I seem to be dealing with is stiffness. Yes, I’m stiff almost all the time. If I sit for more than five minutes, drive for more than five minutes, I’m stiff! When I get up in the morning, I’m really stiff! I officially feel like the Tin Man!
I would bet you’re the same way. As we get older we seem to be chronically stiff! It isn’t so funny when it’s happening to you. Is it arthritis, or is it something else? I’m not sure. If you know, I’d like to know. Would it really make a difference to know?
There are all kinds of information on You Tube helping us stay upright, and healthy. Here are just a few.
It isn’t just stiffness, it’s a whole bunch of things we have to deal with. Balance is a huge issue, and we all deal with balance sooner or later.
Eating well is another way to stay healthy. I believe sometimes healthy foods are way too expensive, and cooking is another subject all together.
Are any of you tired of cooking like I am? After putting together meals for a family for more than sixty years, I’m most definitely over it. Standing at the stove for longer than five or ten minutes is a killer for me. How about you?
Do you love cooking? I use to, but not any longer. Are we even suppose to cook when we get older? Shouldn’t someone else be doing the cooking? Maybe the imaginary chef! Wouldn’t that be nice?
I hope you were able to get something out of today’s blog, we could go on talking about our aches, and pains for hours, but I don’t want to focus on the negative. We must push the negative aside, and find the positive pieces of aging. It is freeing, and I really do not care about what anyone thinks. Your comments, and thoughts are always welcome.
One last thing; I’m learning that people that live longer, and feel better are existing with a positive attitude, and do activities they love. That is the key to being happy in the “Golden Years!”
Thank you for stopping to read my blog. I’ll be back soon. Remember we need to stick together for support both mentally and physically. Together we stand! Karen
As we speed through June, it suddenly occurred to me that we are more than half way through June, and are half way through the year. I have to say my life is flashing before my eyes. You might feel the same way.
I love the cool mornings that are soon to leave, and the cool afternoons. The days will get hotter and shorter at the same time. That doesn’t feel right to me. And yet I live in the perfect place, Southern California. Everywhere else is either too hot, or too cold, and I’m a Goldie Locks Girl. I get heat stroke in summer, and well I have to bundle up so I don’t stiffen up in winter.
But let’s get back to Spring! It is definitely time to plant flowers, and figure out just what color you want to splash in your garden. I love having those little faces blooming all over my yard. I even splash some yard art around for variety, and fun.
Because of our climate, and quality of soil I have grown to love succulents. It really seems like a waste of water to try and keep tropical plants thriving in our Mediterranean Climate. So we now have a healthy mix of plants that need less water, and attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other garden creatures. It makes me happy to know that I’m contributing food for their little tables, and picnics. Yes, birds must have picnics, after all they have families too!
Plants, and their sometimes unusual colors give me joy, and happiness. My next trip will have to be to Home Depot, Lowe’s, or one of our many nurseries for a mix of six packs of little plants to stuff in-between rocks, and other larger plants.
Tell me, do you enjoy potting or gardening as well? Even one little planted pot can bring life, energy, and joy into your home.
I hope you will try a little planting soon. It always helps give me an uplift.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts and ideas. I’ll be back soon. Karen
I was impressed with the relaxed style Ali McGraw has at 85 years old. Maybe you would like to see her style as well.
What did you think? I thought she had many good ways of keeping up the look, and still being relaxed, and comfortable.
We are all at the point where we want to look our best, and still be comfortable. I have said for several years that I want an outfit that feels like I’m wearing PJ’s, but I’m not. Something comfortable, but stylish. After that, I am what I am. I’m doing my best, and that should be good enough for all of us!
Thank you for watching, and hopefully commenting. Until next time, be comfortable, happy, and peaceful. Karen
From the time I was a young girl my family always traveled during the summer, and Dad always planned a summer vacation for us all to enjoy. I can only imagine the hours he must have spent researching the perfect place for our little family to explore, and travel to.
Many summers we would go camping into the forest of the great Pacific North West. My sister and I would explore the forest, listening to the birds that lived in the big redwood trees. There would always be a lake involved, and several days of fishing. Dad tried to show us how magnificent our country was, and how to respect nature.
We started out camping with a tent, and slowly progressed to a small sixteen foot Shasta trailer. Mother loved the trailer because it involved a mattress. That made life a lot easier for her. We kids didn’t really care, we were still limber back then.
One time while still using a tent, Dad told us not to take food to bed with us because bears could smell the food, and try to get it. Being the perfect child I was, I complied. However, I couldn’t say as much for my little sister. My sister was afraid of starving to death, so she stashed cookies, crackers, and who knows what else in her sleeping bag. After all it was going to be a long night in a sleeping bag, in a tent, in the middle of a forest, in a camp ground!
Sometime in the middle of the night, I was awakened by a noise outside the tent. I thought I could see an indentation on the side, and noise just the other side. In my mind, I could see a big black grizzly bear getting ready to rip open the side, and take all the food my sister stuck away to keep her alive. Just so you’ll know, that never happened. But the terror was still there all because one fat kid was afraid to starve.
Everything was an adventure to us, and I’m sure Dad looked at it the same way. Mother on the other hand was busy cleaning up after us and cooking. I can only imagine how much Mom looked forward to our vacations where she slaved away feeding the gang. I never thought it was much of a vacation for her, and for that reason I dreaded the thoughts of doing the same thing when I had a family. But eventually, I did the same thing because that’s what you do when you have a young family!
Those years traveling all over the United States shaped my lust for adventure. I still crave going on trips, just not as long or maybe as grand.
I always found it fun to see the reaction of my kids as they explored, and discovered new things on our trips.
One time I sold everything, house, furniture, toys, and we moved lock, stock, and barrel to Alaska. It was a great adventure! My oldest son really loved being able to experience the vast forests of redwoods as we ventured North, the misty meadows in Canada, and the dirt roads on the AlCan Highway. Back in those days traveling to Alaska was much different than it is now. We would actually call those the Olden Days due to the dirt roads, and primitive traders cabins we would explore along the way.
It was through all these adventures that I developed my love of traveling. I still love experiencing the sounds of nature, the music of whatever region I’m in. I love the foods of new places, and the colors that people paint their houses, and the clothes they wear.
As I was thinking about all the places I’ve traveled, I realized that many of us haven’t traveled very much throughout our lives. Maybe we never get to travel as much as we would like. Or maybe some of us never had a desire to explore, and experience different cultures.
I’m curious as to where are some of the places you have traveled? Would you go back again, and would you do anything different this time around?
Can you still travel, because for me, it is becoming more difficult as time goes on. Certainly it is helpful to have travel companions. Someone to carry luggage, or figure out where to go next.
Airports can be tricky, or even more so, train stations. I really like traveling by train because the people are so interesting, and the experience more enriching. Also moving around a little while on a train is helpful. I always find interesting people to talk to, and share experiences with regardless of how I get there.
Sure flying is faster, but it’s so confining, and many times cramped.
When my husband and myself have traveled by train, we have met the nicest people at dinner, and shared many stories with new found friends. I never know what interesting stories we will hear, or where our conversations will take us. These things feed my soul.
Where are some of the fun places you’ve traveled to, some of the stories you have been told. Stories feed our imagination, and I think our imaginations are most precious.
Do you have any plans to take another trip? Even if it’s a short day trip, it’s a trip that can feed your imagination, and enrich your life.
We don’t have any plans, however as I get older, I rather like making little impromptu trips that are unexpected. I call them surprise trips that give me something special to plan, and think about.
Let me know what your thoughts are. Where you would like to travel to if given the chance. How you love to travel, who you travel with etc. I want to know it all!
Thank you for taking time to read my blog, as always, together we stand!
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…
Fun is different as we get older. Did you use to go to concerts, or big parties? I did, and loved the energy. I don’t know how you feel, but I really don’t like large crowds anymore, or the chaotic energy. Don’t get me wrong, I love people, and getting to know their culture, colors, or even the different music. But, I really don’t like large crowds or rallies, meetings, and gatherings. Well, that just about covers everything that involves people doesn’t it? Maybe you are much the same. It looks like I might be antisocial, but I’m really not!
I really enjoy my home, and maybe having a few friends in for tapas, and a glass of wine, or a beer. One might say I’m a home body. I guess I am now. It’s more comfortable to be in my own home curled up with a good movie, a book, or even a friend. However, I’m missing my furry companions, (not my husband, he’s not fury! and he is my life partner!) but my dog, and cat. They use to curl up with me especially when it was raining, or just cold.
You might feel the same way. Is it because we are tired, and don’t enjoy the effort it takes to get dressed up to go out, or are we past putting up with a bunch of people that many times feels a waste of time. Sometimes I just can’t justify socializing with people that either don’t have the same interests, or complain a lot.
I don’t happen to enjoy drinking like I used to. And, I particularly don’t like being around people that don’t know when to stop drinking! I’m not against drinking, just excessive drinking.
Maybe it is more about driving. I still enjoy driving, but many of my friends don’t enjoy driving at night, or even at all. I’ll get there I’m sure, but not yet! There are ways to get around not wanting to drive. How about Uber, or share a ride with a friend? Something like, you fly, I’ll buy!
If you like to play board games, I’m told they are a lot of fun. Card games can be fun also, try a simple game to start, and work up to something more complicated. I’d have to do that since I haven’t played cards or board games in years.
As I close this blog, I’m reminded that I have a beautiful back yard to enjoy. My chimes hang from almost every tree, and they are beautiful to listen to. When the weather gets warm, I sit on my patio, or in my garden and quietly listen to the birds singing, or the trees whispering in the breeze. I am very blessed!
Thank you for stopping to read my blog. I know many of you have been with me for a very long time, and I really appreciate that,
Remember we stand together, share issues, send out love, while always supporting each other.
Old as Dirt and Proud of it! 
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