It’s Raining Cats and Dogs - #93

I have always loved animals. I used to bring strays home when I was a little girl and oh, the stories my mother would tell about me! I even worked part time for a veterinarian when I was going to college. We’ve had a lot of cats and a couple of dogs since I’ve had my own place, but I have to admit as I’ve gotten older, I prefer not to have a dog; they require a lot of care and I need the freedom to travel when I want. Minnie, our cat, is okay for a few days by herself although as she gets older too, she prefers being around us. She has been an excellent camping companion. 

So one way I have found to satisfy my dog itch is to pet sit. We’ve been helping out with caring for dogs and cats for many years now. I really enjoy it and friends breathe easier knowing their animals and homes are being looked after while they are traveling. 

Here are some of our animal friends. 

( starting from top) Mr. Big, Teddy, Weezer. Though Mr. Big and Weezer are gone now, we really enjoyed our time with these three. Weezer was a great walking buddy and we would go on long walks every day. For such a big dog, he was afraid of a lot of weird things! Both Charlie and I really miss him and his quirky personality.

Lucy. We helped care for Lucy in Mississippi when one of her owners took ill and was hospitalized for a period of time. Very nice dog, great companion and well behaved! She had a cat sibling too. 

Blanche. A really nice dog- well trained and a great companion. We spent time with Blanche in Plymouth last December. For some reason- she did not like Charlie and was rather protective of me. Nice having someone looking out for me! Also had two cat companions. 

Sunny (dog) and Merp (cat). Sunny definitely wins the most energetic dog award! She is one big love and if she wasn’t getting it from us, poor Merp got leaned on. Having a big fenced yard to run was a godsend; she needed it! This is one really good looking dog - loved that one black spot above her eye!

Spending time with these canines has been a lot of fun. Hope to continue on in future!

Retirement Is Not A Dirty Word And Other Passing Thoughts - #92

Most people I meet are thrilled with their retirement! They saved and planned and looked forward to the day when time would be their own and pursing their dreams was now the focus of their lives. On the other extreme,  I have also conversed with people who seem lost, out of their element or just downright unhappy.  They just don’t know what to do with themselves. Their lives focused around their jobs not only for work, income, but social interaction as well. There are even some I have met that take offense with the word “retirement”. Perhaps it’s a reminder we’re in the third act of life, getting older and don’t want to think about it. But, it’s just a word. To me, all retirement connotes is not having to work to support myself. It definitely is an adjustment but the key to making it happy is all in the planning.  Most things in life just don’t spontaneously happen - everything takes at least a little planning, a little knowledge. And with the internet at our disposal, there’s no excuse! 

Social media can be great thing if you use it right. It’s a fantastic resource for connecting and gaining information. I have found so many useful groups; some I’ve joined to be part of a community; some temporarily, like when we’re getting ready to travel or I need more information on a particular subject. I can get specific answers to questions, help others who need support, find out what’s going on in my area - or other parts of the country or world. Today, I researched how to get rid of the suckers, growing on the bottom of ornamental pear trees. Think I finally found my answer! I also adore YouTube! The diverse subject matter I watch and find fascinating- from slot machine players, catfish scams, living in a van, tiny houses, following a couple in Indiana converting an old school into their family home, cruising ports…. 

I feel like my weeks have been so busy - things just seem to come up! I was recently contacted and asked  to create a retirement piece for an upcoming event. I was given an original brick(stone) from the building this person worked at for 18 years and painted insignias and text as requested. When I picked up this beautiful stone it had a layer of cement on the side I was to paint; there was no way paint would adhere to that surface. But as I thought about it, knowing the talents of my husband and all the tools he had, I would bet he could sand it down. Charlie did a great job and it was definitely smooth and looked almost like a stone countertop! I made different sketches of how I would lay the designs out; Charlie made the best suggestion of all - standing the stone on its side. That was perfect! We were actually in love with the stone itself and really hated to do anything to it but it came out pretty good. 

            After the sanding ( I didn’t take a before)

Recently, I become a moderator for the Boston Minimalist Group Facebook Page. I have been a member for many years. Most people are still in the minimizing stage; I am in maintenance mode, having reached the level of downsizing that fits our lifestyle. It is surprising how excess creeps into your living space but it does. Right now I’m leading a month long minimizing challenge. I try to inspire others to make a happier more relaxing and less cluttered environment.

Last week with two ladies from my yoga class, we took the commuter rail - right from Stoughton- to the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. I had been wanting to visit this museum for a very long time, especially during the warmer months when I knew the courtyard would be in bloom! It was a wonderful day! It took only 25 minutes by train, with a short walk passing college campuses and interesting buildings. The ISG is infamous for having the largest art theft in the world 30 years ago; the 13 paintings have never been recovered and the empty frames that once surrounded these beautiful and priceless works of art, still remain hung in the various rooms of the palace. Netflix has a wonderful short series I highly recommend called This is a Robbery, covering this story. 

 

Charlie has been getting the Harley road ready after a long winter’s sleep. We will be celebrating 25 years of ownership in November! People still tell us it looks brand new. ( it does) He took it in for inspection and then asked Deena and Wally if they wanted to help him change the oil filter. Dee is definitely the more inquisitive and daring of the pair (not always a good thing) but they learned and helped. And then she took her first ( of now many) rides.  She looks so big for     6-1/2! 

I’m leading another rock painting class next week then joint-hosting a thank you luncheon at the COA for our gentle yoga instructor, Judy, whom we love. She is an amazing 85 with such a fun personality. 

Yes! So much to do, so little time!

Mortality - #91

I thought my mom would live forever.  Of course in reality, I know that’s not possible. And yes, those we love and treasure always continue to live on in our hearts and memories; I just thought my mom would be around a lot longer. At just a hair shy of 99, she had an incredible life and eventually an enviable peaceful death.

One way I have come to describe my mom is “Renaissance Woman”.  She was gifted in so many ways and could do almost anything. She was an extremely intelligent, determined person and such a great example to emulate. Truth be told, I was not the easiest of kids and we clashed a lot over the years. The one quality I wish I had inherited from mom was her focus to accomplish whatever she set her mind to. I always felt I lacked that patience gene; but I think I’m getting better as I get older. 

My mother’s death has given me a lot more thought about my own mortality. In the “natural” order of life, this now means I have moved up a notch, closer to the end of my life; next in line. I have been feeling more vulnerable these days. If I am lucky enough to follow in her footsteps and have good, healthy years ahead of me, I plan to use them to the best of my ability. I am even more conscious of that now.

The last number of years as my mom aged, she gradually faded away. Though her intelligence and abilities remained intact, her short term memory became nonexistent. I often described her as “Ten-Second Tom”- a character from the movie “50 First Dates”. I had been missing her for a long time. These last number of years, to quote my sister Anne, became our “long goodbye”.

last photo  

I remember when my first husband, Robert(Bob) died very suddenly.  I had described my feelings as if I was in the middle of reading a really good book and having it slammed shut. My mom just ran out of pages…her story now complete.  But like any really good story- it lingers on and remains a part of you.  I still feel my mom’s presence; she is definitely still with me. She always will be.  

My dad has been waiting a long time to be with her again.  I’m glad they are together.

Life and Death - #90

Life is wonderful when you feel good! I wake up excited to start a new day, consult my calendar and put the coffee on. 

On my days off, I love to lounge around in the morning, sipping the same cup of black coffee until it gets cold, reading articles, playing word games and doing searches on my phone. Such a luxury! 

On days when we are focused on home projects, Charlie and I do our own thing but also often work together at the same time.  Today I held the ladder and helped him move an antenna for his shed.  He cleaned off the top of the camper bump out and I pulled it in and prepared the inside of the trailer for travel for when we take it in for maintenance in another week.  He starts the power washer for me but I do the actual washing… so on and so forth….

May is a busy month for us and I’m really pushing myself. I’m participating in a town 5K a week from today (I’ll be walking) and a new Zumba class - first time for me at the COA.  I’m leading another class at the senior center on Diamond Art again later this month, as well as joining in on painting and jewelry making classes at the library. Brooke and her friend Allison - for the last 3 years - have taken the Mom’s ( Myra and Me) for Mother’s Day Tea. This is such a special get-together I have come to look forward to each May!

This year, I also focused on our finances. I had our insurance needs reviewed by a new and local agent and saved quite a bit of money for same coverage. I also had a new financial agent review my investments to see if we could do better.  He has really helped me a lot!

We have medical visits in the upcoming weeks (and months) as we prepare for being away over the winter. There is always a lot to do. 

I also had something unusual happen this past month and wondered if this has happened to others. From time to time, I will remember someone from my past - from school or my old neighborhood and will search them out on Facebook. Sometimes I find them, most often not. I might drop them a note but usually I don’t. A couple of weeks ago I had a nagging urge to seek out a person I worked with off and on for many years as his bookkeeper. I actually looked on Facebook for his wife, because I didn’t think he would have a page. I couldn’t locate her or their children who are much older now and whose names I happen to remember. Then I decided to try google. And shockingly, his obituary popped up. He had died just a couple of weeks prior to me seeking out the family. I was so saddened by this. Al and I had met when I had just moved to Plymouth; I was 24 and he was 35. It had been a good working relationship and I always liked him. He was a big tall guy; looked like a lumberjack. And I always liked his wife; she is such a sweet, friendly person. I wrote the family a note on the funeral home’s page but then a couple of days later, decided I would call Maryanne and reach out to her. I did not connect with her on my original call but happy to say, we have plans to meet for lunch in a couple of weeks. One of the things Maryanne said to me was “She kept looking for a sign from Al, to know he’s okay”. The day after we spoke I texted her “ Isn’t it strange that something made me look up your family and reach out. I wonder where that thought came from”. 

Spring, Yay! - #89

Spring is such a happy time of year! Nothing makes me feel better than seeing beautiful colors come to life, feeling the warmth of the sun, and spending my days outside! 

During the winter months, I went through a period of time feeling down- that dark winter cloud was hanging over me; couldn’t seem to shake it. Tried to get out as much as possible but it only helped temporarily. Our last trip really helped change my focus and I’ve been finally feeling like my normal self again!

In February- we celebrated my big 69th birthday and our 26th anniversary; we spent a couple of days in Springfield, MA with the MGM Grand as our destination.  We had a lot of fun at that casino and discovered a couple of new machines we really liked to play and had good luck with.  Springfield is a city that could really use some revitalization; it looks so tired.  Though we enjoyed ourselves, there are other places I’d rather go but I’m glad we experienced it! 

The rest of February and into March, I really started to focus on preparing for our cruise to Bermuda on March 29-April 5th. I pulled out the suitcases, started putting aside clothes and items we wanted to bring.  

In between, I went on several hosted nature and birding walks with the NRT in the next town, continued with my scrabble, bingo, painting, and exercise classes, met friends for lunch and hung out with the littles. 

And then before we knew it… the cruise!! We sailed conveniently out of Boston on the Norwegian Gem. It is one of  NCL’s smaller, older ships - which is our preference. This was also the first cruise out of Boston for the 2024 season, which meant our ship would arrive to port empty and ready for us sooner than if previous cruisers had to disembark. We had access to our stateroom immediately! On this trip, we opted for an ocean view cabin on the 5th deck, midship. It was a great location. I can’t emphasize enough how enlightening it is to watch YouTube videos from content providers. Great information about the ship’s layout, activities, food, cabin tours, excursions, etc…. I find it very helpful! 

The sailing itself was very rough and although we did not experience any adverse effects, we were glad when we finally docked in Bermuda! We had left in the rainy 40’s from Boston and arrived to high 60’s/70 and sunshine!

 It was great to be able to sit out on deck and relax. 

We loved Bermuda and thought it was gorgeous! 

We toured all that Dock Yard had to offer and were planning to spend a full day visiting other parts of the island… but as they say “ the best laid plans…”.  Due to an impending storm, we had to cut our stay in Bermuda a day short and left Tuesday ( instead of Wednesday). We spent an extra day sailing, going around the weather. Our captain did a great job! 

Honestly though, we loved being on the ship.  I took a paint class, we went to the gym, movies, shows and had wonderful meals! We also loved the casino and I had great luck! At any rate, we’d love to do this cruise again, just leaving a month later.

We’ve been home a few weeks now with renewed enthusiasm.  Charlie has started going back to archery and is really enjoying! It had been a long time. 

I have started making plans for our next cruise in July - the big one!  

We have an appointment to take our trailer in for maintenance and repairs next month in preparation for our fall travels.  I spent a few days cleaning the inside and it looks pretty good, though I’m thinking about doing some simple updating projects inside but I’ll leave that for our time in Mississippi.

In a couple of weeks, we are attending the Brimfield Antiques Flea Market! It’s been on our list ever since we saw it on the show Flea Market Flip! It will be an overnight getaway and should be fun!

The last couple of weeks, I’ve been slowly doing yard work and power washing. The house is looking good! 

Looking forward to an exciting spring and summer! We’re  just getting started!