I did a 3 1/2 hour stint volunteering at Kid's World this afternoon and received a payment so precious that it will keep me floating on air for days. A beautiful little 4 year old girl walked into the ice cream parlor where I was working and stole my heart. She was wearing a bandanna on her head and it was obvious her head had been shaved. She had such a look of gentleness and peace on her face that I couldn't take my eyes off of her.
As I spoke to her, I mentioned the pretty bandanna and she took it off. Her little head had indeed been shaved and there were 3 long, semi-healed scars which still revealed lumps that hadn't been completely removed. Her big brown eyes showed no sickness or fear, just that overwhelming gentleness that had attracted me to her.
I helped her climb onto a rocking horse and held on to her while she enjoyed her ride. When she was finished she softly asked me to help her down. As I lifted her to the ground she wrapped her arms around me and told me she loved me. I felt as though I was in the presence of an angel who had found me worthy.
This wasn't a sad moment, at least not one to make you cry. It was a moment of connecting with another human being and knowing this is where you were meant to be. I wish I had the words to explain how that felt. I do know I gave something of value to that little girl and she gave something of immense value back to me.
God, or someone, sure works in mysterious ways.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Kid's World in Kissimmee
I was just talking to my daughter about going over to volunteer at Kid's World this afternoon. Kid's World is like an amusement park for seriously or terminally ill children and their families and there is no other place on earth that makes a volunteer feel more useful. Kim thinks this would be a sad atmosphere to work in but I tried to make her understand how happy the children are in this magical place. They can forget their illnesses for a while. Their brothers and sisters can also enjoy the experience and the parents, bless them, can watch their children have the vacation of a lifetime...completely free of cost.
The "Make a Wish" foundation is only one of the groups who take advantage of Kid's World which is situated in Kissimmee, Florida. Lovely, fully equipped townhouses are provided for the families on the grounds and they can use the cafeteria, movie theatre, miniature golf course, pool, ice cream parlor, etc., etc., etc. at their leisure. Transportation to and from Kid's World and theme park tickets are provided free of charge also. Medical staff is available 24 hours a day.
Don't look for me at the pool today. Besides the fact that it's too darned cold, I'll be making fantastic ice-cream concoctions for starry eyed children and their patient and thankful parents.
The "Make a Wish" foundation is only one of the groups who take advantage of Kid's World which is situated in Kissimmee, Florida. Lovely, fully equipped townhouses are provided for the families on the grounds and they can use the cafeteria, movie theatre, miniature golf course, pool, ice cream parlor, etc., etc., etc. at their leisure. Transportation to and from Kid's World and theme park tickets are provided free of charge also. Medical staff is available 24 hours a day.
Don't look for me at the pool today. Besides the fact that it's too darned cold, I'll be making fantastic ice-cream concoctions for starry eyed children and their patient and thankful parents.
Cold in Florida
It's been darned cold here for 2 full days now and it's making us very unhappy. Aren't we spoiled? If we were back home in Canada and had temperatures like this we'd think we were having a heat wave.
It's a hoot to see Floridians wearing parkas and toques when the temperatures get below 60 degrees (I think that might be about 15 degrees celcius). Their bodies have become so accustomed to warm or hot weather that they feel the cold faster than northerners. Snowbirds are afflicted with the same inability to tolerate cold so we groan right along with the true southerners.
When we have a frost warning all the residents get out their old sheets and cover bedding plants and potted plants to keep them alive. The park looks as though everyone is laying their sheets on the ground to dry. The first time I actually saw this done was in New Brunswick and I couldn't figure out why anyone would do this. Now I know. It works very well to keep the plants just warm enough to survive if the temperatures go below freezing for a few hours.
It's supposed to warm up today into the mid 60's and then into the mid 70's tomorrow. This is winter in Florida and we learn to adjust. The one thing that is almost a constant is a sunny, blue sky and that lifts our spirits as much as the warm air. I think I could stand a full, frigid winter as long as the sun shone.
It's a hoot to see Floridians wearing parkas and toques when the temperatures get below 60 degrees (I think that might be about 15 degrees celcius). Their bodies have become so accustomed to warm or hot weather that they feel the cold faster than northerners. Snowbirds are afflicted with the same inability to tolerate cold so we groan right along with the true southerners.
When we have a frost warning all the residents get out their old sheets and cover bedding plants and potted plants to keep them alive. The park looks as though everyone is laying their sheets on the ground to dry. The first time I actually saw this done was in New Brunswick and I couldn't figure out why anyone would do this. Now I know. It works very well to keep the plants just warm enough to survive if the temperatures go below freezing for a few hours.
It's supposed to warm up today into the mid 60's and then into the mid 70's tomorrow. This is winter in Florida and we learn to adjust. The one thing that is almost a constant is a sunny, blue sky and that lifts our spirits as much as the warm air. I think I could stand a full, frigid winter as long as the sun shone.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Difficult People
Why are some people so hard to get along with? I'm talking about friends who are "normal" about half the time so that you get to like them...then you realize they have a moody, sarcastic side that takes over the rest of the time and it irritates the hell out of you.
There is a lady here who works hard, volunteers probably more than most of us, and can be the life of the party. Out of the blue she no longer talks to certain people who have no idea what they've done. She becomes bitter with almost everyone else and alienates the few people who try harder to look past her idiosyncrasies. I used to just ignore the silences and speak to her as though nothing was wrong but now I'm fed up and will just stay away from her. Everything was fine the day before our cruise but she's not spoken to me and a few others since then. She'll walk right past and not even glance our way. I think the problem started when we all took up a collection for the lady who did so much to arrange the cruise and "M" didn't want us to do it. Her snit could be as simple as that.
I understand she has emotional problems or she wouldn't act this way but her rudeness has overcome any inclination I've had to continue being her friend. She's often moaned to me that she can't understand why people don't like her because she says she tries to be nice to everyone. Apparently she's blind to her faults. If I was a true friend I'd tell her that people don't like her because of her behaviour. But then she'd stop talking to me. OOPS! Too late!
There is a lady here who works hard, volunteers probably more than most of us, and can be the life of the party. Out of the blue she no longer talks to certain people who have no idea what they've done. She becomes bitter with almost everyone else and alienates the few people who try harder to look past her idiosyncrasies. I used to just ignore the silences and speak to her as though nothing was wrong but now I'm fed up and will just stay away from her. Everything was fine the day before our cruise but she's not spoken to me and a few others since then. She'll walk right past and not even glance our way. I think the problem started when we all took up a collection for the lady who did so much to arrange the cruise and "M" didn't want us to do it. Her snit could be as simple as that.
I understand she has emotional problems or she wouldn't act this way but her rudeness has overcome any inclination I've had to continue being her friend. She's often moaned to me that she can't understand why people don't like her because she says she tries to be nice to everyone. Apparently she's blind to her faults. If I was a true friend I'd tell her that people don't like her because of her behaviour. But then she'd stop talking to me. OOPS! Too late!
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Proud to be White?
I received an e-mail today that proclaimed the sender to be "proud to be white". It got me thinking...am I proud to be white? I don't think what I feel could be called pride. I'm thankful that I'm white because, living in Canada or the States, we have an easier time in life. I definitely don't feel superior to other races and often envy them at times for a variety of reasons.
I have Irish skin...pale and freckled...so I envy anyone with healthy, naturally tanned skin.
I have no true family nationality (my ancestry is Irish, French, English, and who knows what else) so I envy people who can lay claim to one country that their ancestors came from.
Occasionally I've been in an environment where I was the only white person in sight and I have to admit I felt a little out of place. My concerns were how the people around me felt about my presence but it didn't make me feel like a lesser human being.
I don't think it's possible for white people to fully understand what it feels like to be of another race in north America. We haven't been subjected to the conditioning they've lived with for generations.
So, am I proud to be white? The answer is no.
Like Popeye says, "I am what I am and that's all that I am".
I have Irish skin...pale and freckled...so I envy anyone with healthy, naturally tanned skin.
I have no true family nationality (my ancestry is Irish, French, English, and who knows what else) so I envy people who can lay claim to one country that their ancestors came from.
Occasionally I've been in an environment where I was the only white person in sight and I have to admit I felt a little out of place. My concerns were how the people around me felt about my presence but it didn't make me feel like a lesser human being.
I don't think it's possible for white people to fully understand what it feels like to be of another race in north America. We haven't been subjected to the conditioning they've lived with for generations.
So, am I proud to be white? The answer is no.
Like Popeye says, "I am what I am and that's all that I am".
Saturday, January 27, 2007
No, Faye, You're Not Crazy Yet
My sister-in-law and I worked all day making Elvis tote bags for our trip to the Elvis Festival in Collingwood in July. Five of us ladies went last July and had the time of our lives so we're going again this summer. Faye had found fabric at Walmart that had a complete Elvis tote bag on it (in pieces). We carted all of our equipment, including sewing machine, over to the clubhouse at 10 A.M. and began our mission.
We argued over the directions and Faye was right. We argued over the placement of the straps and Faye was right. We argued over the size of the seam binding and Faye was right. Then Faye said she'd lost one of the straps and we searched high and low for it. We searched the floor, the tables, the garbage, her trailer, and came up with nothing. She feared she might have thrown it in the trash a few days earlier with some scraps. At 3 P.M. we decided to close up shop till tomorrow when we weren't so tired. We had 2 bags almost done.
I drove to Walmart to buy some more of this wonderful fabric thinking I could make an Elvis tote bag for my sister and a few more Elvis fans. As the sales lady was showing me that there was only 3 full patterns in the fabric left, I noticed that at the end of the piece was one lone extra strap. Apparently, when Faye bought her fabric yesterday, the sales lady had cut the piece incorrectly and shorted her the one strap. I bought the whole thing and raced home to tell Faye she still had most of her marbles...and that she'd been WRONG about losing a strap.
If anyone is going to Collingwood for the Elvis Festival in July, look for 5 old gals with the cutest matching Elvis tote bags. It will be us!
We argued over the directions and Faye was right. We argued over the placement of the straps and Faye was right. We argued over the size of the seam binding and Faye was right. Then Faye said she'd lost one of the straps and we searched high and low for it. We searched the floor, the tables, the garbage, her trailer, and came up with nothing. She feared she might have thrown it in the trash a few days earlier with some scraps. At 3 P.M. we decided to close up shop till tomorrow when we weren't so tired. We had 2 bags almost done.
I drove to Walmart to buy some more of this wonderful fabric thinking I could make an Elvis tote bag for my sister and a few more Elvis fans. As the sales lady was showing me that there was only 3 full patterns in the fabric left, I noticed that at the end of the piece was one lone extra strap. Apparently, when Faye bought her fabric yesterday, the sales lady had cut the piece incorrectly and shorted her the one strap. I bought the whole thing and raced home to tell Faye she still had most of her marbles...and that she'd been WRONG about losing a strap.
If anyone is going to Collingwood for the Elvis Festival in July, look for 5 old gals with the cutest matching Elvis tote bags. It will be us!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Poverty
Much is said about the effects of living in poverty but most of the people discussing it have no idea what it really is. There are two kinds of poverty...living on very little money but living clean and decent...or living on very little money in a drug and criminal infested environment. I primarily came from the former.
As a child I lived with my mother, sister, and grandparents in a tiny two room apartment. There was very little income between the three adults but the apartment was always clean and there was always healthy food on the table.
My mother, sister, and I slept together in one bed in the bedroom. My grandparents slept on the sofa bed in the livingroom/kitchen. There is no way to describe this other than poverty but we children never felt poor.
Our apartment was one of four in a converted townhouse (that townhouse has since been converted back to it's original state and is now highly priced and highly sought after). A prostitute occupied the apartment behind ours but caused very little disruption in our lives. At rare times she would become despondent with her source of income and open her door so everyone could hear her telling her "john" what she really thought of him...prostitutes apparently think their customers are disgusting and pathetic creeps. The only other criminal activity in our neighborhood was in my own apartment because my grandmother was the neighborhood bootlegger. I've already written a blog describing how that affected my life...it was mainly an interesting and mild part of my growing up.
My husband and I married very young and had our three children before I was 24 and he was 27. He was never without a job but our income was on the low side for most of our married lives. We did without luxuries but always had the necessities...then our income and lifestyle improved as we grew older. Since he also came from a rather poor background we were the first generation to really do well for ourselves. We never forgot our poorer beginnings and were able to appreciate how far we'd come from them.
Poverty can breed the "poor me, take care of me" syndrome or it can prompt you to try harder for a better life. Most of the people I know came from so-called "deprived" backgrounds but they had the drive to better themselves.
There is no disgrace in poverty but it can either destroy you or make you stronger. It's your choice.
As a child I lived with my mother, sister, and grandparents in a tiny two room apartment. There was very little income between the three adults but the apartment was always clean and there was always healthy food on the table.
My mother, sister, and I slept together in one bed in the bedroom. My grandparents slept on the sofa bed in the livingroom/kitchen. There is no way to describe this other than poverty but we children never felt poor.
Our apartment was one of four in a converted townhouse (that townhouse has since been converted back to it's original state and is now highly priced and highly sought after). A prostitute occupied the apartment behind ours but caused very little disruption in our lives. At rare times she would become despondent with her source of income and open her door so everyone could hear her telling her "john" what she really thought of him...prostitutes apparently think their customers are disgusting and pathetic creeps. The only other criminal activity in our neighborhood was in my own apartment because my grandmother was the neighborhood bootlegger. I've already written a blog describing how that affected my life...it was mainly an interesting and mild part of my growing up.
My husband and I married very young and had our three children before I was 24 and he was 27. He was never without a job but our income was on the low side for most of our married lives. We did without luxuries but always had the necessities...then our income and lifestyle improved as we grew older. Since he also came from a rather poor background we were the first generation to really do well for ourselves. We never forgot our poorer beginnings and were able to appreciate how far we'd come from them.
Poverty can breed the "poor me, take care of me" syndrome or it can prompt you to try harder for a better life. Most of the people I know came from so-called "deprived" backgrounds but they had the drive to better themselves.
There is no disgrace in poverty but it can either destroy you or make you stronger. It's your choice.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Hooked on Laundry
I've mentioned before how I have an affinity for doing laundry possibly a little too often. A few years ago my husband and I went away for a few days and when we arrived back at the trailer park we were confronted with a strange sight. A group of friends here like to play practical jokes and they'd decided to decorate our pretty little trailer while we were gone. They had strung clothes lines from tree to tree, from door to awning, and from one end of the eavestrough to the other. Then they hung old clothes, garbage bags, and rags on the lines. I think they were trying to tell me something.
Today, as I was carting my dirty clothes over to the laundry room, my friend and neighbor came out to welcome me back from the cruise. He saw I was headed to the laundry room and commented "now everything is back to normal". Wonder if this was another cryptic message!
Note: A person who loves to do laundry does not necessarily do other kinds of housework with the same enthusiasm. I don't.
Today, as I was carting my dirty clothes over to the laundry room, my friend and neighbor came out to welcome me back from the cruise. He saw I was headed to the laundry room and commented "now everything is back to normal". Wonder if this was another cryptic message!
Note: A person who loves to do laundry does not necessarily do other kinds of housework with the same enthusiasm. I don't.
Home From the Cruise!
We're back and I'm planning my next cruise! We had the most fabulous weather, the most fabulous food, and the most fabulous service that I've ever experienced...and we were on a budget cruise. If Carnival wants to use my blog for their advertisement, they're welcome to it because my praise is well deserved.
Since I'd never been on a cruise before, my expectations were on the low side. I've stayed in some fancy hotels and been slightly disappointed with what I got for my money. Our rooms on the ship (Sensation) were smallish but spotless clean and not too confining. The meals in the cafeteria were marvelous but the meals in the dining room were out of this world. The entertainment was nice and better in some ways than I thought we'd get on a budget cruise. The casino paid well...to everyone else but me, unfortunately.
We landed in Freeport and I was advised to stay on the ship because there wasn't much to see there. The following day we reached Nassau and did leave the ship. Our first stop was the straw market and it wasn't the same as I'd seen 15 years ago on a Bahama vacation. It was so tightly crammed with merchandise and sellers that there was barely room for one person to walk down the aisle...a definite fire trap and it also smelled bad. We left there quickly and walked down Bay St. to look in the stores where I bought a t-shirt and a tie dyed shift for a reasonable price.
Then we took a taxi to the Atlantis hotel on Paradise Island. It cost us each $4 and our driver was an erudite gentleman who filled us in on Bahama life, history, and customs. The Atlantis casino took a bit more of my money but my friend, Sylvia, won over $100.
Back to the ship and a few hours of sun, conversation, and music before heading off to the dining room. After dinner, we usually watched a stage show and then I'd head to the casino. I left many dollars in that casino but my friends just kept winning. Sylvia won more than $100 there and stopped gambling. Our guide and friend, Linda, won every place she went and even won a whopping $1500 on our last evening on the ship.
Because we had to be up at 5 A.M. the next morning, we wanted to go to bed early. The problem was that our duty free booze had not been brought to our cabin and we'd been told it might not get there till 10 P.M. At 8:30 P.M. I phoned our cabin steward and asked him, explaining the circumstances, if there was any way we could have our delivery as soon as possible. We had received excellent service from all the staff so we weren't especially surprised when he brought our purchases to the door about 15 minutes later. We thanked him with a nice tip...and we seniors don't tip too freely.
On our final morning, all non-U.S. citizens had to go through customs on the ship at 6:15 A.M. Sylvia and I were the first Canadians in line and the Canadians were chosen to be processed first. Lucky or what?? We even had a smiling, good natured customs inspector who couldn't stamp our passports and declarations fast enough. By the way...2 litres of rum cost me $17.95 U.S.
It was pouring rain and cold when we landed but the sun came out as we pulled into our park...120 happy travelers. I was going to take a nap but the pile of laundry I'd brought home forced me to haul it over to the laundry room.
Now my laundry is done and I'm off to a birthday party. Life is good.
Since I'd never been on a cruise before, my expectations were on the low side. I've stayed in some fancy hotels and been slightly disappointed with what I got for my money. Our rooms on the ship (Sensation) were smallish but spotless clean and not too confining. The meals in the cafeteria were marvelous but the meals in the dining room were out of this world. The entertainment was nice and better in some ways than I thought we'd get on a budget cruise. The casino paid well...to everyone else but me, unfortunately.
We landed in Freeport and I was advised to stay on the ship because there wasn't much to see there. The following day we reached Nassau and did leave the ship. Our first stop was the straw market and it wasn't the same as I'd seen 15 years ago on a Bahama vacation. It was so tightly crammed with merchandise and sellers that there was barely room for one person to walk down the aisle...a definite fire trap and it also smelled bad. We left there quickly and walked down Bay St. to look in the stores where I bought a t-shirt and a tie dyed shift for a reasonable price.
Then we took a taxi to the Atlantis hotel on Paradise Island. It cost us each $4 and our driver was an erudite gentleman who filled us in on Bahama life, history, and customs. The Atlantis casino took a bit more of my money but my friend, Sylvia, won over $100.
Back to the ship and a few hours of sun, conversation, and music before heading off to the dining room. After dinner, we usually watched a stage show and then I'd head to the casino. I left many dollars in that casino but my friends just kept winning. Sylvia won more than $100 there and stopped gambling. Our guide and friend, Linda, won every place she went and even won a whopping $1500 on our last evening on the ship.
Because we had to be up at 5 A.M. the next morning, we wanted to go to bed early. The problem was that our duty free booze had not been brought to our cabin and we'd been told it might not get there till 10 P.M. At 8:30 P.M. I phoned our cabin steward and asked him, explaining the circumstances, if there was any way we could have our delivery as soon as possible. We had received excellent service from all the staff so we weren't especially surprised when he brought our purchases to the door about 15 minutes later. We thanked him with a nice tip...and we seniors don't tip too freely.
On our final morning, all non-U.S. citizens had to go through customs on the ship at 6:15 A.M. Sylvia and I were the first Canadians in line and the Canadians were chosen to be processed first. Lucky or what?? We even had a smiling, good natured customs inspector who couldn't stamp our passports and declarations fast enough. By the way...2 litres of rum cost me $17.95 U.S.
It was pouring rain and cold when we landed but the sun came out as we pulled into our park...120 happy travelers. I was going to take a nap but the pile of laundry I'd brought home forced me to haul it over to the laundry room.
Now my laundry is done and I'm off to a birthday party. Life is good.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Packing
I started packing today for this 4 day cruise I'm going on tomorrow. I made a list and checked it twice...or maybe 20 times. And then I began adding more things to the list. It's difficult to go away for 5 days total and not make sure you have extras in case of emergencies. Like...what if I get a spot on my top and need to change it...white pants can only be counted on staying white for a few hours...what if it's cooler than expected...what if it's warmer than expected...what if I eat too much at the buffet and need clothes that expand with me???
I don't worry too much about neglecting to pack extras when I travel just to the States but I'm not sure there's a Walmart in the Bahamas. My husband and I went to the Bahamas about 15 years ago and I remember not being able to afford the clothes I saw in stores then. Today I'm an old age pensioner and don't tend to shop in boutiques.
About the packing...I need 4 pair of shoes for the 5 days (counting the return trip back home). I need the sandals I'll wear most of the time, Crocs for the pool, navy sandals for the one dress up night on the ship, and loafers for I'm not sure what...but I'll have them there just in case. I will bet my life that the men are taking, at best, 2 pr. of shoes. I'm taking a bottle of rum (not allowed) and 6 cans of Diet Pepsi (allowed). I'm also taking an alarm clock, air fresheners, and a night light. No wonder my suitcase is filled to overflowing!
Oh yes, we women also need hairblowers and cosmetics. I've put so much stuff in the suitcase that my trailer is starting to look as though I'm packing to go back to Canada for the summer.
Well, after a few last minute jobs tomorrow morning I'll be off on a brand new experience in my life. Wish me Bon Voyage!
I don't worry too much about neglecting to pack extras when I travel just to the States but I'm not sure there's a Walmart in the Bahamas. My husband and I went to the Bahamas about 15 years ago and I remember not being able to afford the clothes I saw in stores then. Today I'm an old age pensioner and don't tend to shop in boutiques.
About the packing...I need 4 pair of shoes for the 5 days (counting the return trip back home). I need the sandals I'll wear most of the time, Crocs for the pool, navy sandals for the one dress up night on the ship, and loafers for I'm not sure what...but I'll have them there just in case. I will bet my life that the men are taking, at best, 2 pr. of shoes. I'm taking a bottle of rum (not allowed) and 6 cans of Diet Pepsi (allowed). I'm also taking an alarm clock, air fresheners, and a night light. No wonder my suitcase is filled to overflowing!
Oh yes, we women also need hairblowers and cosmetics. I've put so much stuff in the suitcase that my trailer is starting to look as though I'm packing to go back to Canada for the summer.
Well, after a few last minute jobs tomorrow morning I'll be off on a brand new experience in my life. Wish me Bon Voyage!
Perspective
There's a T.V. commercial that shows a couple of very sad young ladies standing at the rail of a cruise ship as it sets sail. The camera pans out to show why they're so unhappy...the ship is full of seniors.
As we seniors prepare for our cruise we also have nightmare worries. We're hoping against hope that our ship won't be filled with wild teenagers or screaming kids.
As we seniors prepare for our cruise we also have nightmare worries. We're hoping against hope that our ship won't be filled with wild teenagers or screaming kids.
Friday, January 19, 2007
A Little Dose of Reality
I'm so thrilled to be going on my very first cruise this coming Sunday that I either forgot or chose to ignore the fact that I don't like being in deep water. I also don't like being in an enclosed space and our cabin will not have a window.
Before I become paranoid, I had to find a solution to my growing fears. Like the good trouper I am, I decided to have 2 or 3 strong drinks every night I'm on the ship so that I'll be happy as hell and not give a damn where I am.
See how easy it was to solve that problem??
Before I become paranoid, I had to find a solution to my growing fears. Like the good trouper I am, I decided to have 2 or 3 strong drinks every night I'm on the ship so that I'll be happy as hell and not give a damn where I am.
See how easy it was to solve that problem??
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Bad Hair Day
I woke up this morning with my hair literally standing on end...and it was late...and I had to put the garbage out immediately. I frantically threw on a robe and tried desperately to push my hair back against my head so I wouldn't scare the neighbors. As I rushed the garbage to the road I was thankful for the morning fog.
Women have always been fussy about their hair. When I see the odd lady with straggly, uncombed hair I just can't relate to her. I start fantasizing about her life. She must be depressed or have an abusive mate. She must have been brought up in a hovel and not know it's important to present a better image to the world. I just can't accept the fact that she might be happy with the state of her hair.
I remember the years of beehive hairdos. We'd spend hours spraying and backcombing our hair until it stood sometimes a foot above our scalp. Even when the hairstyle was completely straight we women didn't just wash and wear. We ironed it.
Men wet their hair and comb it out the same way every day of their lives. Of course they can't understand why women choose hairdos that take so long to fix before going out. Ever wonder why we do this to ourselves??
Women have always been fussy about their hair. When I see the odd lady with straggly, uncombed hair I just can't relate to her. I start fantasizing about her life. She must be depressed or have an abusive mate. She must have been brought up in a hovel and not know it's important to present a better image to the world. I just can't accept the fact that she might be happy with the state of her hair.
I remember the years of beehive hairdos. We'd spend hours spraying and backcombing our hair until it stood sometimes a foot above our scalp. Even when the hairstyle was completely straight we women didn't just wash and wear. We ironed it.
Men wet their hair and comb it out the same way every day of their lives. Of course they can't understand why women choose hairdos that take so long to fix before going out. Ever wonder why we do this to ourselves??
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Back on Track
My last blog doesn't reflect the way I usually view the world. Just occasionally I get a little melancholy and wonder why things happen the way they do. For the most part I accept the ridiculous random occurrences in life and just carry on doing the best I can.
In my fairly long life I've learned that life doesn't always make sense. Many people die too young. Many suffer illnesses and cruelty. Many get away with murder.
But I've seen the exquisite beauty of a lavender rose sunset. I've watched my daughter's thin and tired dog lean against a wall to nurse her 10 puppies because to lay down might have crushed them. And every day in this senior park I watch an elderly couple, the wife only partially recovered from brain surgery, walk arm in arm down the road.
There is so much beauty hidden among the mundane and the nasty. If we allow ourselves to become too negative we miss what matters most in life.
My motto is to have as much fun as we can as long as we can. Just make sure you're not hurting another human being in your pursuit of a good time.
Now I'm on my way to Bingo so wish me luck!!
In my fairly long life I've learned that life doesn't always make sense. Many people die too young. Many suffer illnesses and cruelty. Many get away with murder.
But I've seen the exquisite beauty of a lavender rose sunset. I've watched my daughter's thin and tired dog lean against a wall to nurse her 10 puppies because to lay down might have crushed them. And every day in this senior park I watch an elderly couple, the wife only partially recovered from brain surgery, walk arm in arm down the road.
There is so much beauty hidden among the mundane and the nasty. If we allow ourselves to become too negative we miss what matters most in life.
My motto is to have as much fun as we can as long as we can. Just make sure you're not hurting another human being in your pursuit of a good time.
Now I'm on my way to Bingo so wish me luck!!
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
What Have I Done With My Life?
Every once in a while I become very introspective and wonder why I'm still here when others, younger or more useful, have passed away. That's the way I'm feeling this morning.
I've always been bright, if I do say so myself, but I was lazy as a child and never did reach my potential. I fell completely in love at 15 and married at 17. It wasn't until my third child was born a few months before my 24th birthday that I began to grow up and want something more in my life than wifehood and motherhood. This didn't mean that I loved my husband and children any less, it just meant that I'd finally recognized myself as a person in my own right.
I began taking correspondence courses to upgrade my pitiful education. As I sailed through lessons I felt as though my mind was unfurling, opening up and grasping every new concept. I once told my young grandson that you never stop learning your whole life and this has held true.
When I look back and remember all the highs and lows of my life, the best thing that ever happened to me was my children. But secondly was the step I took in my 20's to gain a better education for myself. One of my biggest regrets is that I dropped out of high school at 16, naively believing that I was as smart as I needed to be. How wrong I was.
My life has mainly been spent raising my children and often taking care of my grandchildren. I've saved no lives nor built any bridges. I realize that mine was a life partly wasted but maybe we could all say the same.
I can't change my past but I can try to make each new day I'm granted one where I bring a degree of happiness to people around me. Maybe these simple attempts on my part can make up for my earlier years. And maybe it makes my life worthwhile.
I've always been bright, if I do say so myself, but I was lazy as a child and never did reach my potential. I fell completely in love at 15 and married at 17. It wasn't until my third child was born a few months before my 24th birthday that I began to grow up and want something more in my life than wifehood and motherhood. This didn't mean that I loved my husband and children any less, it just meant that I'd finally recognized myself as a person in my own right.
I began taking correspondence courses to upgrade my pitiful education. As I sailed through lessons I felt as though my mind was unfurling, opening up and grasping every new concept. I once told my young grandson that you never stop learning your whole life and this has held true.
When I look back and remember all the highs and lows of my life, the best thing that ever happened to me was my children. But secondly was the step I took in my 20's to gain a better education for myself. One of my biggest regrets is that I dropped out of high school at 16, naively believing that I was as smart as I needed to be. How wrong I was.
My life has mainly been spent raising my children and often taking care of my grandchildren. I've saved no lives nor built any bridges. I realize that mine was a life partly wasted but maybe we could all say the same.
I can't change my past but I can try to make each new day I'm granted one where I bring a degree of happiness to people around me. Maybe these simple attempts on my part can make up for my earlier years. And maybe it makes my life worthwhile.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Doing it on my Own
I spent hours yesterday trying to get some yard work done. One of my projects was to dig up a half dead palm tree/bush of some sort. My trailer is situated on a busy corner right across the road from the clubhouse so I get lots of stop and talkers. I'd manage to do about 2 minutes work and then someone would stop by. By the time they left I'd have to go to the bathroom. The talking and pit stops took up so much of my time that an hour chore took up the whole morning.
What I accomplished in 4 hours: 1. pulled out 2 Mexican Heathers (shallow roots in sand). 2. planted 2 small Blue Daze in the same hole. 3. pulled out 1 little plant (name unknown) and replanted it. 4. removed concrete half circles from unwanted planted sections. 5. half removed the half dead palm tree/bush.
Where were all those stop and talkers when I couldn't get the palm tree root out?
What I accomplished in 4 hours: 1. pulled out 2 Mexican Heathers (shallow roots in sand). 2. planted 2 small Blue Daze in the same hole. 3. pulled out 1 little plant (name unknown) and replanted it. 4. removed concrete half circles from unwanted planted sections. 5. half removed the half dead palm tree/bush.
Where were all those stop and talkers when I couldn't get the palm tree root out?
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Child Molestors
I have a theory about child molestors. Their minds are so badly damaged and distorted that they can never be normal again. Whatever has shaped their twisted thinking has made them permanently dangerous to the general population and they should be removed and kept isolated from the rest of us until the day they die.
I have many memories of "dirty old men" in my childhood who had to be kept at a distance. But there is one clear memory of being molested by my step father that I'll never forget. I was 4 years old. He was 22 years old and married to my mother who was 26 years old.
I lived with my grandparents but had been left alone in his care for some reason. He took me into the bedroom and made me touch him. I was just a baby and had no idea what was happening other than I felt a sense of something not being quite right. During the molestation my mother walked in the door and my memory of what happened next is blacked out. I do know she continued to live with him.
I can only hope that was the only incident because I have no memory of anything more. There has never been one moment when I blamed myself for what happened...many children who are molested believe they must share the blame.
This man sexually abused me as a small child, physically abused my mother, and later was imprisoned for disposing of his girlfriend's newborn baby in a garbage can. No one can tell me that man had any hope of living a normal life or being a safe member of his community. I believe he was able to do these horrible things because his mind had developed an accepting attitude towards depravity. He might learn more self control but the damage wouldn't be eradicated and he would always present a danger.
Molestors are most often men, but not always. They can be your priest or doctor , your hockey coach or teacher, your elderly neighbor or uncle, your friend's father or even a police officer. The disfunction can be anywhere.
My message to anyone reading this blog is that, if we really want to protect our children from sexual predators, we have to permanently remove them from society at the first infraction. They will harm again, and again, and again if set free.
I have many memories of "dirty old men" in my childhood who had to be kept at a distance. But there is one clear memory of being molested by my step father that I'll never forget. I was 4 years old. He was 22 years old and married to my mother who was 26 years old.
I lived with my grandparents but had been left alone in his care for some reason. He took me into the bedroom and made me touch him. I was just a baby and had no idea what was happening other than I felt a sense of something not being quite right. During the molestation my mother walked in the door and my memory of what happened next is blacked out. I do know she continued to live with him.
I can only hope that was the only incident because I have no memory of anything more. There has never been one moment when I blamed myself for what happened...many children who are molested believe they must share the blame.
This man sexually abused me as a small child, physically abused my mother, and later was imprisoned for disposing of his girlfriend's newborn baby in a garbage can. No one can tell me that man had any hope of living a normal life or being a safe member of his community. I believe he was able to do these horrible things because his mind had developed an accepting attitude towards depravity. He might learn more self control but the damage wouldn't be eradicated and he would always present a danger.
Molestors are most often men, but not always. They can be your priest or doctor , your hockey coach or teacher, your elderly neighbor or uncle, your friend's father or even a police officer. The disfunction can be anywhere.
My message to anyone reading this blog is that, if we really want to protect our children from sexual predators, we have to permanently remove them from society at the first infraction. They will harm again, and again, and again if set free.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Family Support
When we are young, most of us think we'll live forever. We think our lives will only become better as the years go by. Once we have children true reality settles upon us and we come to realize that life is tenuous. Our children develop illnesses that frighten us with their potential. Our own illnesses make us worry we won't survive to see our children grown. But life goes on and we deal with it in our own way.
I'm always harping on the strength of the family to help us survive life's catastrophes because I've lived long enough to know this is true. I've seen it over and over again in my own family and I'm grateful to the bottom of my heart for the wonderful family I've been blessed with.
My son-in-law had a cancerous kidney removed 13 months ago and recovered so well over the past year that we all thought he was one of the lucky ones. His last catscan showed a tumor lying between his liver and heart and will have to be treated with chemo and radiation because it's apparently too dangerous to remove surgically. David is 47 years old and the love of my daughter's life.
They are not alone. Both have very loving, supportive families to ease the pain of this new discovery and who will be beside them every step of the way. The Cancer Clinic in our home town is excellent (I had to learn this when my husband needed their expertise 2 years ago).
Being in a senior park, I'm surrounded by older people who have experienced everything that life has to offer and I often hear of people who are cancer survivors. One lady in particular has survived 3 separate cancers...esophagus, breast, and bowel. She walks daily at a pace to make me envious and has a very busy lifestyle. It's people like this who give us hope against this deadly disease.
As for my son-in-law, he'll receive the best medical treatment available and he'll also receive the love and support of his family. Only time will tell the rest of the story.
I'm always harping on the strength of the family to help us survive life's catastrophes because I've lived long enough to know this is true. I've seen it over and over again in my own family and I'm grateful to the bottom of my heart for the wonderful family I've been blessed with.
My son-in-law had a cancerous kidney removed 13 months ago and recovered so well over the past year that we all thought he was one of the lucky ones. His last catscan showed a tumor lying between his liver and heart and will have to be treated with chemo and radiation because it's apparently too dangerous to remove surgically. David is 47 years old and the love of my daughter's life.
They are not alone. Both have very loving, supportive families to ease the pain of this new discovery and who will be beside them every step of the way. The Cancer Clinic in our home town is excellent (I had to learn this when my husband needed their expertise 2 years ago).
Being in a senior park, I'm surrounded by older people who have experienced everything that life has to offer and I often hear of people who are cancer survivors. One lady in particular has survived 3 separate cancers...esophagus, breast, and bowel. She walks daily at a pace to make me envious and has a very busy lifestyle. It's people like this who give us hope against this deadly disease.
As for my son-in-law, he'll receive the best medical treatment available and he'll also receive the love and support of his family. Only time will tell the rest of the story.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Coffee Morning
Betcha thought that retirees have no problem planning a coffee morning for their friends. Well, you'd be wrong. We're all so busy and involved in activities that I have to move my coffee morning all over the week to accommodate my friends.
This year we narrowed it down to Tuesday mornings because that was the least invasive to our lives. Anywhere from 6 to 10 ladies meet here on Tuesday mornings to drink coffee, talk, and a few bring their handwork. We have one rule...NO BITCHIN'. That doesn't stop us from getting into some pretty nasty gossip but it's always to make us laugh.
When I first began the coffee morning a few years ago some of the ladies felt obligated to bring goodies but we had to stop it because too much was left over at the end of the morning and I got stuck with it...guess where it went!
Today we're meeting inside my trailer instead of on the patio because it's a bit cool out. When we meet out on the patio a lot of the men stop by because they see a small gathering and want to join in. We don't encourage them, though, because they are sometimes the topic of discussion. Last year one of the men joined us but left quickly when one of the ladies brought up the subject of menopause.
Women don't carry on conversation in the same way when men are present. Some become girlish and flirty (icky in a senior) and some become more reserved. A group of women alone brings out the best in us and we can be ourselves. This holds true for women or girls of all ages. Sometimes we just have to bond together with members of our own sex and I'm sure men feel the same way.
This year we narrowed it down to Tuesday mornings because that was the least invasive to our lives. Anywhere from 6 to 10 ladies meet here on Tuesday mornings to drink coffee, talk, and a few bring their handwork. We have one rule...NO BITCHIN'. That doesn't stop us from getting into some pretty nasty gossip but it's always to make us laugh.
When I first began the coffee morning a few years ago some of the ladies felt obligated to bring goodies but we had to stop it because too much was left over at the end of the morning and I got stuck with it...guess where it went!
Today we're meeting inside my trailer instead of on the patio because it's a bit cool out. When we meet out on the patio a lot of the men stop by because they see a small gathering and want to join in. We don't encourage them, though, because they are sometimes the topic of discussion. Last year one of the men joined us but left quickly when one of the ladies brought up the subject of menopause.
Women don't carry on conversation in the same way when men are present. Some become girlish and flirty (icky in a senior) and some become more reserved. A group of women alone brings out the best in us and we can be ourselves. This holds true for women or girls of all ages. Sometimes we just have to bond together with members of our own sex and I'm sure men feel the same way.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
True Story
6 of us went to Downtown Disney last night, sort of a goodbye get-together for Carole...she left this morning for home. My neighbor drove us and regaled us with jokes and funny true stories all evening. The following was one of them:
Ron's son was visiting the hospital nursery to see his newborn child when he noticed that the man standing next to him looked familiar. He watched him for a while and then said "Don't I know you from somewhere?". The man didn't answer so he spoke again. "You look like the priest who married me and my wife!"
The man finally answered "Yes, I was and I'm here because my wife just had a baby". Ron's son said goodbye and went back to his wife's room and told her "Honey, I'm not sure we're actually married".
True story!
Ron's son was visiting the hospital nursery to see his newborn child when he noticed that the man standing next to him looked familiar. He watched him for a while and then said "Don't I know you from somewhere?". The man didn't answer so he spoke again. "You look like the priest who married me and my wife!"
The man finally answered "Yes, I was and I'm here because my wife just had a baby". Ron's son said goodbye and went back to his wife's room and told her "Honey, I'm not sure we're actually married".
True story!
Friday, January 05, 2007
Volunteer Work
A senior park has a paid staff but actually runs on volunteer work. In my park it's the volunteers that see we have group meals, games, and bus tours. It's the volunteers that see we have an ice cream social on Sunday evenings and it's the volunteers that decorate the clubhouse for every season. Without the volunteers we'd have a pretty dull park.
One of the ladies (Canadian)here will turn 90 in April so this is her last winter in the park because she won't be able to get out-of-country health insurance after the age of 90. What a shame because she is the 8th wonder of the world. She is witty, loving, and has a zest for life that we can all aspire to. Dorothy has been coming to this park for the past 28 years and it has become a second home to her...as it has to many of us. After her husband passed away her son and daughter-in-law began driving her down along with a small camper trailer which she'd happily occupy until they returned in April to drive her back. Last year they bought a permanent trailer which she'll stay in this year, her last year, and they'll use when they retire.
Dorothy uses a walker to get around but it doesn't stop her from being out every day visiting neighbors, playing card games over at the clubhouse, or joining a group for dinner at a restaurant. She's always the life of the party and loves the attention. She is my idol.
My sister-in-law and I have decided that part of our volunteer duties this winter will be to do a bit of housework for Dorothy once a week. One of the neighbors cooks meals for her already and a few others check on her regularly and make sure she gets home safely every night. Like a lot of us, she usually doesn't get home till after dark.
Dorothy will never read this because she's of an older generation that missed out on the joys of a computer. My wish for her is that she have the time of her life this winter and carry the happy memories with her to warm her in the coming years when she has to stay in Canada.
P.S. I finally got some sympathy of sorts for my sore knee from a lady who just arrived at the park. She nodded and looked quite sad as I described my injury in full detail...then said her husband had been foolish enough to do the same thing at the New Year's eve dance 2 years ago. It's not much but it's better than I've been getting.
One of the ladies (Canadian)here will turn 90 in April so this is her last winter in the park because she won't be able to get out-of-country health insurance after the age of 90. What a shame because she is the 8th wonder of the world. She is witty, loving, and has a zest for life that we can all aspire to. Dorothy has been coming to this park for the past 28 years and it has become a second home to her...as it has to many of us. After her husband passed away her son and daughter-in-law began driving her down along with a small camper trailer which she'd happily occupy until they returned in April to drive her back. Last year they bought a permanent trailer which she'll stay in this year, her last year, and they'll use when they retire.
Dorothy uses a walker to get around but it doesn't stop her from being out every day visiting neighbors, playing card games over at the clubhouse, or joining a group for dinner at a restaurant. She's always the life of the party and loves the attention. She is my idol.
My sister-in-law and I have decided that part of our volunteer duties this winter will be to do a bit of housework for Dorothy once a week. One of the neighbors cooks meals for her already and a few others check on her regularly and make sure she gets home safely every night. Like a lot of us, she usually doesn't get home till after dark.
Dorothy will never read this because she's of an older generation that missed out on the joys of a computer. My wish for her is that she have the time of her life this winter and carry the happy memories with her to warm her in the coming years when she has to stay in Canada.
P.S. I finally got some sympathy of sorts for my sore knee from a lady who just arrived at the park. She nodded and looked quite sad as I described my injury in full detail...then said her husband had been foolish enough to do the same thing at the New Year's eve dance 2 years ago. It's not much but it's better than I've been getting.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Looking for Sympathy
I'm having a hard time gaining any sympathy for my injury. I'm limping around like an accident victim and as soon as people find out my knee injury was caused by dancing they have no sympathy for me. My close friends are the worse...they laugh.
All my life I have never suffered in silence. If I had a cold the whole world would know because I'd tell them. If I had the flu I'd make sure to milk every ounce of sympathy from anyone who would listen to me. God forbid that one of my few illnesses caused me to throw up because, not only would I phone people to inform them of the catastrophic event, but I'd also cry in deep sympathy for myself. My friend, Sylvia, derisively asked me how I was ever able to bear children. It was painful, very, very painful.
I'm also empathetic...I cry when I see someone else cry (sometimes people I don't even know). I can't watch the news if they present grieving relatives because it breaks my heart. I can't read newspaper articles about cruelty. I can't tolerate fighting either staged or real.
Since I have such a soft heart, doesn't anyone think I deserve a little sympathy for my damn sore knee???
All my life I have never suffered in silence. If I had a cold the whole world would know because I'd tell them. If I had the flu I'd make sure to milk every ounce of sympathy from anyone who would listen to me. God forbid that one of my few illnesses caused me to throw up because, not only would I phone people to inform them of the catastrophic event, but I'd also cry in deep sympathy for myself. My friend, Sylvia, derisively asked me how I was ever able to bear children. It was painful, very, very painful.
I'm also empathetic...I cry when I see someone else cry (sometimes people I don't even know). I can't watch the news if they present grieving relatives because it breaks my heart. I can't read newspaper articles about cruelty. I can't tolerate fighting either staged or real.
Since I have such a soft heart, doesn't anyone think I deserve a little sympathy for my damn sore knee???
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Update on Knee and Noise
The knee is very slowly improving and I'm becoming more confident it will heal completely, thank heavens.
I apologized to a few neighbors about the noise on my patio into the wee hours of the New Year morning and all said they'd thought the noise was coming from another neighbor who is notorious for late night parties. I should have kept my mouth shut and let that neighbor take the blame. The up side is that my neighbors laughingly forgave me and still think I'm a nice person.
I apologized to a few neighbors about the noise on my patio into the wee hours of the New Year morning and all said they'd thought the noise was coming from another neighbor who is notorious for late night parties. I should have kept my mouth shut and let that neighbor take the blame. The up side is that my neighbors laughingly forgave me and still think I'm a nice person.
Tea Rooms
I wonder why women love to have lunch at tea rooms. It could be that very few men frequent a tea room and the ones that do look either whipped or gay. The noisiest table at a restaurant is always the one occupied by a group of women but put that same group of women in a tea room and they tone it down. They are influenced by the ladylike setting and attempt to prove they belong there.
6 of us ladies are having lunch at a tea room today and, having been there before, we know the food will be special...small but delicious portions of home made delicacies. The ladies who run this establishment must have attended a prestigious cooking school because none of us can pronounce the names of the entrees. No matter, we'll enjoy our meal immensely, then compliment the cook before we leave and she'll bask in the praise she justly deserves. That's what it's all about!
6 of us ladies are having lunch at a tea room today and, having been there before, we know the food will be special...small but delicious portions of home made delicacies. The ladies who run this establishment must have attended a prestigious cooking school because none of us can pronounce the names of the entrees. No matter, we'll enjoy our meal immensely, then compliment the cook before we leave and she'll bask in the praise she justly deserves. That's what it's all about!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Never to Twist Again
My knee is slowly, very slowly mending and I've decided that my "twisting" days are over. Who ever would have thought that the day would come when I would have to censor a dance move? But when you become a senior you have to be practical about what parts of your body you abuse and the knee is like one of the gods you don't want to tamper with.
I spent all of yesterday terrified to place any weight on that darned knee because pain would shoot all over my body. It worried me that if it didn't start to heal soon I'd have to go back home to Canada and have it looked at by a doctor who would eat up my Florida time by sending me to one specialist and therapist after another.
Before bedtime last night I detected some improvemnt and this morning saw a marked improvement so I think I'll live to see the day I can toddle up to the pool. I'm going out today to buy one of those heat patches so I'm not confined to the end of a heating pad.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to give up everything you did when you were young but you do have to be sensible. I've got so many things I still want to do and enjoy and being sofa-bound with a sore knee doesn't fit into my plans.
I spent all of yesterday terrified to place any weight on that darned knee because pain would shoot all over my body. It worried me that if it didn't start to heal soon I'd have to go back home to Canada and have it looked at by a doctor who would eat up my Florida time by sending me to one specialist and therapist after another.
Before bedtime last night I detected some improvemnt and this morning saw a marked improvement so I think I'll live to see the day I can toddle up to the pool. I'm going out today to buy one of those heat patches so I'm not confined to the end of a heating pad.
Getting older doesn't mean you have to give up everything you did when you were young but you do have to be sensible. I've got so many things I still want to do and enjoy and being sofa-bound with a sore knee doesn't fit into my plans.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Dancing Fool...The Morning After!
We had our annual New Year's Eve party at the clubhouse last night and I was a dancing fool. I think it began when the disc jockey played "That Old Time Rock and Roll". From there on in I forgot my age and danced like there was no tomorrow but, unfortunately, there was and is and my knee hurts like hell. I just may have to grow up a bit and act my age at the next party.
My roommate for the week, Carole, and I sauntered back to the trailer around 1:15 and sat outside in the still warm air to enjoy watching the stragglers head for home.
Mistake.
9 of the stragglers, including the disc jockey, decided it was continuing party time on my patio and stayed till after 3 A.M. We told jokes, drank (water for me by then) and made an unseemly amount of noise. I know I'm going to owe an apology to at least one neighbor.
All in all, it was such a wonderful way to start the new year, with friends and laughter. Now if only my knee would start to feel better!
My roommate for the week, Carole, and I sauntered back to the trailer around 1:15 and sat outside in the still warm air to enjoy watching the stragglers head for home.
Mistake.
9 of the stragglers, including the disc jockey, decided it was continuing party time on my patio and stayed till after 3 A.M. We told jokes, drank (water for me by then) and made an unseemly amount of noise. I know I'm going to owe an apology to at least one neighbor.
All in all, it was such a wonderful way to start the new year, with friends and laughter. Now if only my knee would start to feel better!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)