How Do You Spell Retirement?

I’m not sure, but . . . .

I would say that today is the first day of the rest of my life, but alas I am behind in that the first day of my retirement began on February 28^th. What an odd thing to say, at least for me. I had actually hoped to be able to truly retire when I turned 75, and in retrospect had actually wanted to do so at 65.

I am in a unique position. I cannot actually afford to retire, but due to the generosity of my daughter and son-in-law, they have afforded me what I could not afford to do. I have a ‘very’ nice roof over my head and no pressure to ever having to return to work for my livelihood.

Like many seniors who are 72 years of age, I do receive a monthly SS check, but at the present time I could easily be placed in the poverty income level.  Not complaining though: I’ll manage, although my free-wheeling spending days are behind me.

So what does one do when they retire? For me it will not sink in for at least a month or so because just getting everything put away and in its proper place will take time.   Since my daughter works full time it is only right that I do the domestic thing and help out with the lions’ share of getting this household ship-shape.

Ah, but when the bulk of the domestic chores are done I am off to see what retirement is about. As you can see, I am off to a soft beginning by just blogging about it. I had actually thought to do a daily diary but alas that too went by the wayside, at least for the first 6 days of my retirement. You will forgive me then if I do my daily diary retroactive, won’t you?

February 28^th: Moving Day – it took us all day long, beginning at 6:30 in the morning and finishing up right at 12 hours later as I believe we finally sat down for our first breather and sigh of relief around 7pm. This was however just the start. I was amazed though that my son-in-law, in short order, had some of the media up and running. Of course I told myself, because one thing for sure, no grass will grow under his feet. He is a get-it-done now no nonsense type of guy. I just wish he would take time every now and then to smell the roses . . . LOL

March 1st: The Day-After Moving Day – I really don’t remember what we did. Good grief is it already happening. I’ve only been retired 2 days . . . really LOL

March 2^nd: I missed not going to church yesterday, but do believe we are forgiven since most of us couldn’t even find our clothes – which were packed in a dozen or more boxes, which brings me to what we did on Monday, the 3^rd day of my retirement: unpacked box after box and began finding out that most of the cabinets in this brand-spanking new house are more shallow than our previous home. I am having to be creative as to where everything will go. Ha: it will be a hunt ‘n seek for the others since ‘they’ don’t know where I put the stuff!

Christmas 2014 – yup, that’s me, Santa Nana Claus with Jack, one of my canine charges.

March 3^rd: I am now the official dog sitter. Yup, my bedroom has become the temporary prison for our four pups, who can be very loud at many times, but in order to contain their anxious selves someone has to be with them. I have discovered a good way to keep their barking and howling at bay is to read to them. I am not sure if they are enjoying my reading, which by the way is a little highbrow for them since I am reading from Masterpieces of Western Art, or if I am merely putting them to sleep with my droning on about how art began in the 13^th century and how it has progressed over the centuries since then.

It works though since as soon as I begin reading they nod off and from the looks on their faces slumber must be a welcome break from the anxiety they are feeling from this big change and move.

March 4^th: I forgot to mention we had company on the 2^nd and 3^rd day in our new digs. My son-in-law’s oldest daughter (my step granddaughter), her husband and the first grandbaby, sweet little Maximus (he is called Max for short) came for a visit before heading to Florida. It was nice to see them; especially that blue-eyed angel. It’s been a while since I have been around babies and I was actually a little nervous. Surprisingly, Max was not frightened by our hoard of barkers although I do believe all of the dogs were at first anxious to be around him, but then their curiosity got the better of them and they were enthralled with the little fellow, especially the Basset-Dachshund mix, Mylee, who couldn’t help but bark as she watched Max hop up and down in his toddler jumper-chair. It was rather comical at that.

We continued un-packing boxes. When will it ever end?

March 4^th: We can see a little light at the end of the tunnel as my daughter has brought over all the boxes from the storage unit we rented to hold housewares, etc. as we prepared for the big move. Did I mention we moved from the big A: metro Atlanta, to the little K, Kathleen in the peach state of Georgia? Okay, so it’s about a 2+ hour drive difference, but a difference it is!

Employment has a funny way of relocating people, so the home my daughter and son-in-law have known all their lives (they are in their early 40’s) is now part of their past. I am well-traveled though and have actually lived near this area eons ago, but I must admit I was somewhat excited about being in an area that I hope has a little slower pace of life than the big city I had lived in and near for quite some time.

March 5^th: Yes, I’m still unpacking boxes and still being creative on where to put things. My daughter was able to get out and do a little grocery shopping today. She sent me pictures of the Kroger in our area, and WOW it is something. I can hardly wait to go and meander through the store and see what goodies I can find. I am a foodie after all and even though I am unable to eat what I would like to eat I can still cook with the best of them so the epicurean in me is excited to learn about places to find great victuals.

Did I forget to mention we ventured into downtown Perry today and found a blast to the past retro-eatery called “The Coffee Cup of Perry.” The old-fashion drugstore type establishment had a soda-jerk-like fountain but this unique bistro offered breakfast all day (a welcome change from Waffle House and I-Hop for sure) plus a place to sit and have a cup of java, wine or cold smoothie during the hot humid days just around the corner. I foresee us eating there at least a couple of times a month.

Until tomorrow my e-friends. Hopefully my repartee will be more interesting from here on out.

Just Over the Horizon: Bucket List 13!

Sunrise in Cozmel Mexico, the third port in our week-long cruise

Although I could go on and on and on about my very first cruise; I won’t. But, what I will do is let my photos speak volumes, and to point you to www.get-packin.com for more details about the best vacation I’ve had in my 71 years young . . .

There was plenty of water fun as evidenced by these photos.

Time is All We Have After All. How Do We Cope When We Know Our Time is Limited?

You’ve just been told you have 5 to 7 months to live! How would I react to a declaration such as this? I’m sure I would be devastated, and my mind would begin racing with hundreds of thoughts all jumbled. Let’s face it, five to seven months could seem like an eternity to someone who is in pain, both physically and mentally. To others the feeling would be “there’s just not enough time to get done what needs to be done!” And, I imagine others would simply be numb with little or no thoughts at all.

I recently received word that my beloved brother; my protector when we were children, my sometimes aggravation when we were teenagers, and always my shoulder; no matter our ages, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in his liver and pancreas, and cancer in his esophagus and stomach, with an estimated 5 to 7 months to live. I am going to visit him this next week, and while I am going there to be his shoulder to lean on, I am in no way going to give him sympathy. That is the last thing he needs. I am hoping to give him encouragement to live each hour, each minute and each day to the fullest; however that may be.

I don’t know how I am going to manage this because I am extremely emotional about his condition and I am prone to break out in tears so easily, but I have decided I’m going to spend every minute I’m allowed at the VA hospital, to memorialize the past so that he can leave, not just a footprint, but a larger than life memory to share with his wife of 30 years, children, grandchildren, other siblings and anyone he has crossed paths with for the past 72 years.

My brother is an artist, self-taught and also university educated. He has been a successful commercial artist but gave up his art some years ago. I was sad to learn that because his talent was huge. He was even commissioned to paint a wall of history in a small museum in Southwest Colorado. Seeing the news article about this made me extremely proud, but I have always been proud of him. This actually began when we were small children. I think he was five, so that made me three years of age. I remember, quite clearly, when he first sketched Mickey Mouse. I was in awe, and I still am.

I have seen many of his paintings and have looked through them, not just at them, because every subject has a story behind it. There was the blue painting: a blue hued swan, gently floating atop the slow rippling effect of a bluish colored lake with a mist in varying shades of blue, making the entire painting surreal. My brother, at this time, I believe, was at peace in his life. I saw that in his painting.

That painting would later take on the pain of losing our Father at the young age of 44, and our beloved grandmother, who raised us, just three days after we buried our Dad. You see, my brother retrieved the swan painting from my grandmother’s home, and he painted over it using red and black and gray as the main color pallet. The swan became a facsimile of a painfully looking Jesus Christ. A painting that when looked at would follow you no matter where you were in the room. The painting actually frightened my young children.

I try to remember that painting in my minds eye (for it has been lost for many years) and look past the intense uncomfortable feeling I always got, and see the true meaning of it. I now realize this was my brothers’ way of coping with the loss of our Dad and Grandmother. I honestly believe he was asking God for answers. Why did they die, both so young it would seem.

As I look back over the years I realize we both have faced many obstacles, much heartache, but so have we had joy and happiness in our life. We are simply living out the cycle of our lives. Some have shorter cycles than others. I have finally decided that God needs a really good artist in Heaven, one who can use the same canvas over and over again and provide a story in the painting that might bring comfort to some or an answer some have been seeking.

I am still not resigned to the fact that my brother has so short a time on earth, but I am consoled by the fact that his life is not over; he will continue to live in the afterlife. So too will I when it is my time to say goodbye to Mother Earth.

Nana Claus . . . .

This year I will be participating in FREE pet photos with Nana Claus for Paws at one of our local retail establishments.  I also suggested we consider making this a fund raiser for our local police department’s K9 unit.

You’ll have to return to my blog to see the photos and hear all about it. 

. . . . belated Thanksgiving greetings . . . until next time

Halleluiah – I’ve Reached Another Milestone – 70 Years of Age!

I had intended to post this on the 6th, the day of my birth, but just didn’t get around to it.

My, my, what does one say when they turn 70?  I feel a little odd (notice I didn’t say old).  The 60’s, for me were definitely a mixed bag.  Good times, bad times, good health, bad health; but, in the end, I survived.  I went from working in the corporate world to making beds and cleaning toilets, then came back to the corporate world.

You ask, how is one who is just now 70, still working?  Well, necessity is a real motivator, plus I bore easily.  I actually excelled when working as a manager of a small motel — I was never bored, moving all the time and lost weight along the way.  I’m back to my first love though; creativity, and working for the company I have worked for, off and on for more than 30 years.

Catching the bouquet at age 69

Instead of putting a few dollars away for a rainy day (basically my retirement), my philosphy was take care of today, tomorrow will take care of itself.  As a consequence there is no early retirement for me.  Not a problem though – remember, I said I was easily bored, so given the opportunity to continue in the work force is actually a delight.

Who would have thought though; this ol’ broad, at the ripe age of 70 is a graphic artist and professional blogger – skills I acquired later in life.  I still edit the corporate newsletter, create ads and have entered the life of social media.  I haven’t quite got the hang of twittering though – LOL!

My grandchildren have all gotten older; from 13 to 24 yeas of age.  Where does the time go.  I remember rocking them when they were infants, singing lullabies.  No great grandchildren yet; and that’s still okay since I am still doting on the younger of the six grandchildren I have.

Santa loves all dogs – from Doberman’s to Boston Terriers

I plan to be Santa again this year – to the animal kingdom, and if my either of my younger granddaughters need a volunteer Santa, I’m there woman! 

Baking is still my thing, and yes, I’m still an ol’ foodie, watching food network TV every chance I get.  Chopped is my favorite and I so enjoy the challenge shows. 

Speaking of baking, my youngest son is attending college, taking a course in culinary arts — oh, how I so wish I could take a culinary course.  There might still be time since my youngest granddaughter said I was going to live until I’m 99; hmmm, that means another 29 years to go.  Who knows, the next time I blog I might just be telling you about my escapades in the college dorm … ha ha!

Be on the look out for new Christmas poems and photos . . . . until then, check out www.get-packin.com

Be sure to log on to my Arm-chair tourist et al blog

I’m trying to stay current and relavant . . . therefore, if you don’t see a new blog on Scoop1942, then check out my other blog ‘Arm-chair tourist et al’.  Note this teaser: indoor plumbing was invented circa 1500 B.C., but American building codes didn’t require indoor plumbing until the 1920’s.  By the way, out houses are still used today although most are called port-a-potty and are used in temporary settings like construction sites and at festivals and outdoor events where large crowds gather.

Indeed – we should all be thankful!

Many have suffered tragedies from time-to-time and it seems impossible that the hurt and pain will ever diminish, but as the saying goes, “time heals all” . . . does it really though? 

So many tragedies happen when Mother Nature rears her ugly head with tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons, earthquakes, floods and devistating weather in general, and events created by human mistake.

I recently met a mother and her son whose house burned to the ground.  They lost everything!  Theirs was the fourth house fire that occured in our small community over the past six weeks.  House fires occur for many reasons, such as electrical failures, a candle burning and left unattended, cooking mishaps, and something as simple as filling a kerosene heater; all of which can turn tragic within seconds. 

According to www.epicorp.com,  “A house fire is reported in the United States every 90 seconds.  This is an average of 1.9 million fires reported each year and someone dies in a house fire every two and one-half hours.”

I could almost feel their pain which was evident in their faces.  While they, I am sure, thankful for not suffering bodily injury or worse, they will experience emotional pain and uncertainly for quite some time.

This tragedy reminds me that we should be thankful everyday for little and big blessings, and not just at Thanksgiving.

50 Years Have come – and gone . . .

I wanted to share with you a few pics from my trip to Denver, Colorado for my 50th Senior Class Reunion.  What a blast!  We had about 35-40 of our classmates present.  When you consider that we only had 79 in our senior class, and 20 were reported deceased, that is indeed a good representation.

Many brought their spouses with them, and a couple had grown children as their guest.  We had two evenings of nostalgia, good food and good times.  The reunion committee, headed up by Steve, did a great job.  They are to be commended.

While in Denver I was able to do some site-seeing; even went to Boulder and had lunch at the Tea House — what a great day that was (a big thanks to my friend and classmate Kathy’s brother George, who escorted us about this lovely college town).  It had been quite a few years since I returned  to my home roots, so I rather enjoyed visiting it like a tourist.  You’d be surprised at what you miss when you are a resident.  Much can be taken forgranted.

What I did learn is that Denver imposed an interesting requirement to all new building (or remodeling) projects, and that is (I believe this is correct) that 14% of whatever is done must include something related to the arts. 

The Big Blue Bear is the art contribution to the Convention Center, and in a nearby park which is part of the arts community (college and museums) is the photo shown here.  There were many artifacts displayed throughout Denver as a testament to their commitment for beauty through the arts.

Even the construction sites have an artsy decor, as shown in the photo below, of what I thought was so ingenious; imagine brightening up what normally is an eyesore with home-spun art.  The cost is reasonable, but there is a great deal of labor involved in this art project (done with love and pride).  I can certainly say, had I been living in Denver when this project came to fruition I would have loved to contribute my part. 

These are hand-made chrochet flowers, affixed to a chain-link fence that surrounds a construction site (near Denver’s Union Station). A pile of dirt and part of the Denver skyline is visible behind the fence

I apologize as I have been remiss in keeping my personal blog current.  So much to do, so little time; or so it seems.  Yes, even at 67 years of age, I am still in the work force, although I have cut back from 5 to 4 days a week now.  I’ll eventually get my life in order and keep up with all the projects I have at hand.

In the meanwhile I will retun to memory lane as I peruse the many photos taken while in Denver; ever mindful and thankful that I reached this milestone in my lifetime. 

I’ll end this blog with a pic of the souvenir book I put together for me and my classmates, and a look at the beautiful mountain peaks I was able to see from the condo (what a privilege this was) I stayed in while in Denver.

The brother (Manuel) of my good friend (and classmate) Kathy were gracious enough to offer me use of his (Manuel’s) condo while in Denver for this auspicious occasion – I can never thank them enough for their hospitality and generosity! 

The skyline of the mountain peaks were easily visible from the porch – a great place to have a cup of coffee as dawn breaks.

50 Years ago . . .

A major milestone in life is being able to look back over the past 50 years and remember the milestones of 50 years ago. 

For instance,  I graduated from high school on June 8, 1960 – 50 YEARS AGO!

I weighed barely 90 pounds (as they say, soaking wet) and barely out of diapers (as some would say) when I drove half way across the United States to get married to G.I. Joe (literally). 

Don Juan on a hot day in June

My Mother’s birthday was also in June, the day I married (for the first time) on June 12th.  Had she lived passed her 72nd birthday she would be 85 years old today.  Roses were her favorite flowers – and I love roses and grow them, so this one’s for you Mom.

My youngest granddaughter said I would live until I’m 99, and at 67.5 years of age it appears that I may celebrate even more milestones when all is said and done.

You might say that I am a product of the decades, having learned something new and innovative each of the past 10 years of my life.  This decade is one of technology.  At first I came in kicking, thinking I couldn’t learn ‘computers’ and here I am a techno granny learning something new every day, or so it seems.  And, that my folks is what keeps you alive and makes each day worth getting up for.  Its called challenge and motivation.  There is life after children and even grandchildren after all.

Oh, I’m like a lot of older folks, I’ve got my miseries and ailments.  I’m a Type II Diabetic, and can give you a laundry list of other ailments as well.  Let’s not ponder on that though. 

The tag said 'medium' heat - I guess I'll find out by about the end of this month

Let’s talk about the five varieties of peppers I’m growing in my little garden out back.  Can you imagine, I’m growing PURPLE peppers. 

I’ve also got two varieties of cucumbers, six varieties of tomatoes and two types of squash.   Ah,  I forgot I put in four seedless watermelon plants as well, and I have a bevy of herbs – let’s not forget I’m a foodie and love to try cooking new stuff.

So, along with my blogging, growing fresh veggies, and soon to attend my 50th Senior class reunion, well I’ve got a lot to be thankful for, like being able to share my life and thoughts with you all.  Thanks for keeping up with Scoop  . . . . .

Where Does the Time Go?

Angel Wings Begonia plant is flanked by Adams Coat

Goodness me – I haven’t posted the first thing in the month of May.

 Where does the time go?  Between my day (career) job, putting in a few extra hours here and there to stay on top of a variety of projects for work, and all my evening ‘things’ plus good weather on the weekends for gardening and keeping up with American Idol, well I have just been remiss in keeping you all posted with what’s happening in Scoop’s world.  I haven’t  done any beer tasting in I don’t know how long, and like I said, haven’t even added to my personal blog since April.  The saddest thing is my bread maker has been idle for some time.  Now that’s just wrong!

We’ve been so fortunate here in Hotlanta (an appropriate name for this part of Georgia, and it isn’t even June) because we’ve had great weekends for doing things out of doors.  If you’ve read my posts at all, you know I am an avid gardner.  I’m even putting in a small vegetable garden.  So far I’ve planted salad veggies.  Actually I’m a seasonal kind of gal.  Every season I embark upon a different path.

This Father Christmas is dressed in an ivory colored soft felt robe, topped with a brown faux mink cape lined in gold velvet, and adorned in an antique faux gold covered cross

For instance, in the fall months (pre Christmas) I become pretty crafty.  I wield my magical wand and create one-of-a-kind Santa’s and Father Christmas dolls.  I’ve also made special Christmas wreaths, bearing in mind color schemes, favorite things, cultural preferences, etc., and I’ve also put together beautiful holiday center pieces.  I had been making heirloom angel dolls but had to discontinue because I crocheted their dresses and my arthritic hands can’t hold the chrochet needles any longer, although my favorite craft for this past holiday season was Teddy Bear goodie containers.  I’m sorry, I don’t have a photo of any – I gave them all away as Christmas gifts and never thought to take the first picture.  I may just have to repeat this crafty treasure for this year because everyone who received one last year seemed to have loved the bears, container and all.

My claim to fame is recycling or repurposing items.   This is what pleasures me most.  Using things instead of discarding them makes sense to me.

Hopefully my next post will have photos of some beautiful veggies if my neighborhood rabbits don’t abscond with my greens.  Between the birds, the squirrels, chipmunks, and now rather large rabbits it is a wonder I have any vegetation growing at all.  Someone must be smiling down upon me though because my thumb has been greener this year than in many years past.  Hallelujah!