Life in Geezerville: Hummingbird Edition

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The following was told to me by Karen...a special friend in the 'hood...and I hope you are touched by the story as I am.

It starts on a typical morning with Karen walking into her garden to see if the hummingbird feeders need to be filled, when she sees a tiny hummingbird on the ground, belly-up. She's sure the little bird is dead, so she goes into the house for a tissue to wrap up the bird. As she picked up the colorful little bird, it moved. Karen said to the little bird, "You're alive! Would you like some water?" 

She carefully wrapped the hummer in the tissue, making a tiny nest,  and brought "her" inside. Karen was convinced the bird was a girl, as she was super tiny. Karen put a drop of water on her fingertip and gently put it onto her beak. The bird moved her tiny head to get some more water and Karen continued to give her drops of water. Soon the bird looked at Karen and started to move some in the tissue. 

Karen placed the tissue with the bird on her counter and started talking to her in a calm, soothing voice and the little bird responded by moving back and forth. Then, Karen turned her head away from the bird, and suddenly she flew out of the tissue and toward the light of the window, but she fell to the floor. Karen told the little bird that she would take her outside and lo and behold, the bird let Karen pick her up in her hand. Karen said the tiny bird weighed less than a penny it was so light. 

She brought the bird back to the garden and placed her on the "hummingbird bush" (the bush the other hummingbirds like to hang out on). Karen thought the little bird would fly away, but she stayed on the bush for several minutes, all the while Karen talked to her. Finally, she stretched her wings and flew away. 

Can you imagine holding a hummingbird in the palm of your hand? Can you imagine dripping water on the hummingbird's long beak? For a bird that's smaller than a second and faster than light, Karen touched a hummingbird--and the hummingbird touched her too. What an amazing tale to tell.

When Karen told me this story she said that was the second time she had saved a hummingbird. That's so special. 

Hummingbirds are native to the Americas. They are brave, long distance flyers, with an attitude...that's how they survive...and every so often a friendly human helps one out. That's the important part--helping out. Remember, we're all in this together.  

Life in Geezerville: Going to School Edition

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Today I went back to school--and I was not the teacher. Like most teachers, I'm not a good student, as teachers are used to being in the driver's seat. Today I was a good student. I was learning a new skill and I enjoyed the process. You might wonder what I was doing? Well...I was doodling. Don't get me wrong,  I've doodled  most of my life, but this was different. I was learning how to make my doodles look good and interesting...like the sample above...something my doodles have never done. 

Our group is named "Desert Doodlers" and our teacher is a fireball of energy and talent. I went with 2 other women in my 'hood...and the three of us had a grand time. There were about 20 other women in the class in addition to us 3 newbies. Our Instructor, took us in hand and gave us a private lesson overviewing what had been taught in previous sessions. We learned about shape, shading and form while having a good time. We not only learned the basics, we were given an assignment, which we have one month to complete. In the meantime, we've planned some practice sessions in the 'hood. We want to do our instructor proud.

I had fun learning something new. Doodling is certainly out of my milieu. It's definitely not writing an academic article, nor is it crocheting.  It's about time I started doing something different. Doodling with the Desert Doodlers is going to be fun. To that end, if you have an opportunity to learn a new skill, go for it. Not only is it good to get out and meet new people, it's a chance to learn a new skill. Doodling seems to be great fun. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Valentine Edition

 

Fifty-too-many years ago, the other DrC and I became officially engaged. He had asked me to marry him before February 14, but--that was the day he gave me a diamond solitaire engagement ring. I knew a ring was coming but I did not know when, so I was surprised on that very special Valentine's Day. 

We had shopped for rings and decided upon a particular diamond for me, and a special wedding ring for him. I did not know what my ring would look like, as he was going to design it. When the ring arrived, it was not what he planned, but he gave it to me with the proviso that we would take it back and get it "done right."  So, we took the ring back the next day, and had it remade to his design. No matter what--WOW! I was officially engaged to be married. 

At the time, I was teaching elementary school and all of the kids at school were so excited to see my new ring and hear of my new status. I don't think they had ever had a teacher get engaged before. It was a special event. The hard part was HE wanted to get married ASAP and I wanted to wait so I could plan an event. Turns out we got married 7 weeks later, not a lot of time for planning. It was a busy 7 weeks but everything got done on time. 

Since then, we've spent a lot of Valentine Days together. Does it get any better? So, on this Valentine's Day, I wish my hunny a Happy Valentine's Day...and I wish you and your hunny a Happy Valentine's Day too. Love does make the world go round. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Pink Tutu Edition

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Many years ago when I was a university administrator, I found lots of things about the job wonderful and controllable...but there were "things" or "people" I had no control over...and they were annoying. When one of them "went off" there was not much I could do. This was more than stressful because, like so many other people, I like to be in control. In an effort to reduce that stress, I learned biofeedback which has continued to be an important tool in my tool belt. 

Derek, my biofeedback teacher, was calm and patient with me. In every session, he outfitted me in a set of electrodes on my head and a thermometer between my thumb and index finger. He would have me visualize ways to relieve stress when I was confronted with an annoying and uncontrollable situation. The most effective tool for ME was to visualize the "annoyer" in a pink tutu dancing a merry ballet. It was an absurdly ridiculous visualization, but it worked. All the electrodes connected to me would twinkle light blue and my temperature would increase (indicating calmness) when I thought of that annoying person or thing dancing in a bright pink tutu.

Nowadays, I'm not dealing with lot of annoying people, but I learned there are things I can control and things I cannot control (like the news?). If I cannot control what is happening, I visualize that "thing," being person or object, wearing a bright pink tutu doing a pirouette. It does the trick every time. That visualization takes my mind off the problem, and makes me think of the tutu, and voila I calm down. I learned how to fight the battles I could win...and the others were not worth fighting. 

It took awhile to find the pink tutu...there were other visualizations that Derek recommended like a favorite location, or a magical moment, or a favorite person or car...but the absurdity of the pink tutu did the trick. I'm a believer in the pink tutu.

So, if you feel that things are spiraling out of control, find your inner pink tutu. It just might make things better for you. For things you can control, you can take other actions...but, when stuff gets out of your control, find your inner pink tutu and start visualizing away. It works for me. Remember, we're all in this together. 

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Life in Geezerville: Funnies Edition

Sometimes I see funnies (which other folks call memes) that strike my funny bone. Here are few of them

Need I say more? I bet you know a few of these zombies

 

There seems to be an app for everything, why not the toilet?

It's good to be multilingual? 

This is the truth

Hahaha

A cat lover knows this is true

...and I'm still not asleep.

A little laughter makes things a little easier. I hope you enjoyed them. Remember, we're all in this together. 

Life in Geezerville: Super Bowl Edition

Guess what? The geezers in the hood are having a pre-Super Bowl party. That's what geezers do....we love to party. There's going to be food and drinks and fun warm-up games to play and did I say there were going to be lots of snacks, and lot's of talk as we get in the mood for the big game on Sunday. That Super Bowl party will be even bigger.  Our pre-party is on Saturday night....and I have a confession to make...you have to be ready for this... ... ... I'm not a football fan. I know, that's almost unAmerican to say, but it's the truth. I know about sports don't get me wrong, but my life does not revolve around sports. Am I the only person out there who is not a true sports aficionado? Am I lacking something in my DNA? NO. You might think that's kinda sad, but it's not. Football just does not float my boat.

Will I go to the pre-party? Yes. Will I stay for the action? NO. I can't do it. My back can't handle the pain nor can my brain. It's not entertainment for me. I will love the party...just not the game. I'm a geezer and I'm old enough and brave enough to say that. I don't like seeing people inflict pain on each other for the love of football. I don't understand it. Gees...I think I said something really weird! Can I say stuff like that? I just did...and it's all right. Remember, we're all in this together.

Zion 2.0

The glory that is Zion. Around here you see names like "Crimson Desert" or "Coral Dunes" or 

"Red Rock Canyon" -- because that's the color you see. The huge mountains are shades of red, gold, tan, brown, white, and pink. Many of them are splashed with  black or white desert varnish, adding definition  to their rocky forms, making the reds deeper, the golds shinier, the whites whiter.

The mountains caress the sky...and in the winter, that sky is a wonderful clear blue. See that white patch in the middle of the picture--that's a frozen waterfall. It's that cold right now. On the west side of the park, there's not any snow, but there is snow on the east side. It's cold outside.

That's just one of the frozen falls in the Canyon

The tip of the "Great White Throne" can be seen here...part of the color of the place.

Later in the day, we went to Springdale, UT. In 1973, the first time we camped at Zion, we stayed in a very small 4 space RV park in what was then a tiny town. The Blue Moon campground was named after an old Blue Moon trailer that served as the office for the campground. We liked that little camp except for the ants--thousands of ants wanted to invade our little motorhome--one of the "joys of camping." We learned, and the next year we brought ant spray and were not bothered by them. I mention this, because we can't find where that campground was located. Springdale has changed from a sleepy hamlet to a tourist spot. Blue Moon CG was near the border between Springdale and Zion. Today, that same spot, is a very nice "tourist" mall with a market, gift shops, galleries, museums, paved "trails" a parking lot, etc. Very civilized and a far cry from "ant-camp" of over 50 years ago.  But, we did see something that harkens back even farther in time.. 

One of a pair of Mexican ox-cart wheels displayed outside the market. Long before we came to Zion as children, goods were hauled in two-wheeled ox-carts pulled by either one or two oxen. I see an artifact like this wheel, and I wonder about its "story?" What it hauled, what it "saw," who made it, and who worked the oxen?  I will never know, but I can imagine.

Some parting shots of Zion...our time in this gorgeous red rock canyon is coming to a close for this little vacation as we are leaving soon.

We had a great (little) escape!

 

Zion National Park

We are at Zion National Park in southern Utah. It's a magical place. It's one of nature's cathedrals. Peaceful and beautiful and one step toward heaven. It's that good. Because it's a National Park, it has not been over-developed--but it has been over-loved. In the summertime, this place is alive with people and more people...but in the chill of winter, it's a quiet park with a few folks and lots of gorgeous red rocks.

I love this arch...as there's an old native cache hidden in it. Every time we come to Zion, we look for the cache and wonder what the ancient ones hid inside of it. It's high on the cliff and not easy to get too, so I'm sure it was protected from animals invading the yumminess inside. Can you find the cache? Stretch the picture and you might find it on the left hand side of the arch. Happy hunting.

One of our favorite walks in the park starts here and goes to the Narrows of the Virgin river. It's a mile long and filled with beauty. When you are here, plan to walk the Narrows Trail. It's relatively easy and you won't be disappointed.

Hidden in the back of forest was a lone deer dressed in her winter coat. We saw about 6 deer--all are dark brown and shaggy...they get swallowed into the background and are hard to find...but if you look carefully you will see a ear twitch or a jaw munch on something...and then you'll see the deer hiding in the brush keeping safe from the tourons.

The Virgin River flows thru the park and this time of year it is frigid. There were patches of ice on the riverbanks telling us it was not a good place to take a hike. One of the good things to do in Zion is look at the mountains and listen to the babbling river.

I've been coming to Zion since the early 50s, and the other DrC has been coming since the late 40s. We've seen the park thru the eyes of a child, teenager, young adult and now as seniors. The scenery always amazes us. We think of Zion as an "upside down Grand Canyon." At the Grand, you look at the canyon from the top--it's truly grand but way too much to comprehend. At Zion, you are at the bottom of the canyon looking up and it's easier to understand. These mountains are HUGE and we people are Teeny-tiny. The mountains are painted with desert varnish and the colors change to the time of day and the season. The park changes and yet it never changes. It's just a wonderful place to be.

 

Life in Geezerville: Playing Edition

We are going to take a little vacation from the hood. We're going to play for a couple of days. There's a break in our schedule where we are not seeing doctors for 3 days in a row, so NOW is the time. Yes, I did say "No doctors?" I was beginning to think that was impossible.

Nowadays, the calendar revolves around our various conditions. And, of course, we have a doctor for each of those conditions (and each doctor has a portal that is different from all the other medical portals we have access to, so they do not talk to each other so I get to input information a gazillion times--and this is easier??) But, I digress. We're going to take a little road trip to a place I'll disclose later today, when we get there. 

The suitcases are on the bed, diligently over-packed, because you never know exactly what to bring--so we are prepared for just about any type of weather. Since we will be home Sunday night, we have to make sure we have enough with us? 

The bottom line, we are going away for a couple of days. We've been scheming on this little vacay for over a year! It's time to have some fun. It's time to get away from the doctors. It's time to enjoy the fresh cool wintertime air away from it all. I hope y'all can take some time to get away too. It's important to remember that even though we are geezers, we still know how to play. Remember, we're in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Saying Goodbye to Friends

Today the 'hood is having a going away party for one of our neighbors. Sadly, they are leaving our beautiful little place in the world to be closer to their family, which moved far, faraway. We will miss our neighbors--our friends--a lot, even though we know why they are leaving, and we think it's a good idea.

I saw this quote somewhere on the 'net...and it felt right. What do you think?

    Friends are the people in life 

who make you laugh a little louder;

 smile a little brighter; 

and life a little better!

That's what this neighborhood is about. Friends who are family. We are community. We are related. We are there for each other. Now we get to introduce some poor unsuspecting souls to our 'hood. We have not met our new neighbors but I believe they are going to be in for a surprise. A happy surprise.

We will miss our old neighbors more than they will ever know. They have helped make this 'hood as wonderful as it is...and I wish them a 'hood like this wherever they hang their hat next. There's nothing like a good 'hood with friends. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Snowbirds are Back, Edition

In our little winter community, there are 2 types of residents: Full-timers and Snowbirds. We are snowbirds. We travel from north to south to enjoy "good weather" all year long. When we first retired, we promised ourselves that we would follow the sun...and after many years of retirement, we are still keeping that promise. Wintertime in the desert; summertime in the mountains. This way we do not have to deal with really cold or really hot weather--we get Goldilocks weather all the time.

Right now, the snowbirds are back to town. After Christmas and New Year with their friends and family in the north, they are moving to the warmer climes in the south. There are snowbirds everywhere. We come in cars, trucks with trailers, and motorhomes. That means there are a lot of big vehicles in town taking up precious space. Our little town is trying to digest a big blob of people. Our streets and stores are more crowded; as are our services. Today my manicurist proclaimed that the city was actually getting traffic jams. We are NOT used to traffic jams. I told her I was sorry, as I was part of the group that brought that change about.

For the most part, I think the community likes us 'birds. While we bring traffic and congestion (everywhere) we also bring custom. Stores plan for us to arrive as we bolster the economy. Just like migrating birds, we bring more color and life to the greater community. We have new stories to tell to our old friends. We also dream of more adventures to come. If you are snowbird, enjoy your time in your winter community. If you are a full timer, know that the 'birds will leave in a few months and your peaceful little town will get back to normal. Remember, we're all in this together. 

Life in Geezerville: President #47 Edition

On Monday a new President of the United States was inaugurated. A change of government happened. As you know, I do not write a political blog but I do pay attention to the news. With a change of government we have a beginning. According to the book, Dune, a "beginning is a delicate time." I believe that all Americans want this "delicate time" to go smoothly, no matter what their political persuasion. You can call me a Pollyanna, but that's what I believe. Some things will be done the same; some things will be done differently. I know things will be done, and I hope that they will be done the "best way possible" for the American people. Good Luck Mr. President, #47. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Fire Edition

 

That picture was taken 6 years ago, about noon, from my house, after the Camp Fire in Northern California destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 86 people. The air was dense with orange smoke...houses and barns and schools and businesses were burned to the ground. Cars couldn't move as their tires had melted. The place smelled of smoke and despair. The town of Paradise pulsed with sadness and desperation.

Given that, I might feel the fires in Southern California with more intensity than other folks. We survived the Camp Fire. Our house did not burn. The fire stopped at my 499 gallon propane tank which was close to my home.

Our home was on 12 acres of land. It had 3 fire breaks. It was a stucco house with a tile roof. We had a cement apron around the house acting as yet another fire break. The fire broke through one of the fire breaks, but the others held. We had planned that house to withstand fire, and for the most part we succeeded. There was NO way to plan for smoke damage or the impossible air quality--air quality so bad we could not breathe without gasping for air. There was no way to plan for the loses that every local resident took.

I think of surviving that fire, with a house intact, and my heart goes out to the thousands of folks in SoCal who cannot say that. I have no idea what they are going to do? What their children are going to do? How are they going to get back to "normal" or when they will see "normal" again. I have so many questions that no one has started to answer.

It took us awhile to "get back on our feet" and we had minimal damage compared to the people in Paradise. We had a house, but we couldn't live in it as it was too smoky inside. Lucky for us, we had an RV that did not sustain much smoke damage from the fire (the fire stopped before it reached our barn where the RV was stored). We moved the RV to a non-smoky location and waited it out...then we moved the RV to our home RV space on the property and cleaned up the home. 

In the meantime, an army of FEMA folks were in town helping everyone out. FEMA did an excellent job. Six years later, Paradise is making a small comeback. Folks are moving back to their mountain home. It takes time. It takes healing. We left the area.

So, when I see pictures of the fires in SoCal my heart weeps for the survivors who are left with the aftermath. There's so much to do and a billion decisions to make. It's not political...it's human. The community in and around Paradise came together and helped each other...I hope that will happen in SoCal. The greater human community can help out too. We need to band together to help our fellow man. I wish them help; hope; humanity. I hope you do too. Remember, we're all in this together. 

Life in Geezerville: YAGO Edition

 YAGO in case you don't know, stands for You Are Getting Old. It fits in with that other famous acronym--YOLO (you only live once). My sister sent me a bunch of quotes from famous people that explain geezer-hood fairly well. I'm reprinting it here. None of this is my original work. I hope you have a laugh or two. Here goes:

Old age comes at a bad time." (Ed Sullivan)

"Old age is like a plane flying through a storm.  Once you are aboard, there is nothing you can do about it."  (Golda Meir)

"The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened.  (Mark Twain)

"I'm at that age where my back goes out more than I do."  (Phyllis Diller)

"Nice to be here?  At my age, it's nice to be anywhere."  (George Burns)

"First you forget names, then you forget faces, then you forget to pull your zipper up; then, you forget to pull your zipper down."  (Rob Reiner)

"You spend 90 percent of your adult life hoping for a long rest and the last 10 percent trying to convince the Lord that you're actually not THAT tired."  (Princess Grace)

"Old people shouldn't eat healthy foods.  They need all the preservatives they can get."  (Bob Hope)

"At my age, flowers scare me."  (George Burns)

"It's like you trade the virility of the body for the agility of the spirit."  (Ed Sullivan)

"The years between 55 and 75 are the hardest.  You are always being asked to do things, and yet you are not decrepit enough to turn them down."  (T.S Elliot)

"At age 20, we worry about what others think of us.. at age 40, we don't care what they think of us... at age 60, we discover they haven't been thinking of us at all."  (Ann Landers)

"When I was young, I was called a rugged individualist.  When I was in my fifties, I was considered eccentric.  Here I am doing and saying the same things I did then, and I'm labeled senile."  (Milton Berle)

"The important thing to remember is that I'm probably going to forget."  (Martin Scorsese)

"We don't grow older, we grow riper."  (Pablo Picasso)

"It's paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn't appeal to anyone." (Andy Rooney)

"The older I get, the better I used to be."  (Lee Trevino)

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me — they're cramming for their final exam."  (George Carlin)

"Everything seems to slow down with age, except the time it takes cake and ice cream to reach your hips."  (Elizabeth Taylor)

"You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks."  (Dennis Quaid)

"There are three stages in man's Life: he believes in Santa Claus, he does not believe in Santa Claus, he is Santa Claus."  (Leon Phillips)

"Looking fifty is great — if you're sixty."  (Joan Rivers)

"Time may be a great Healer, but it's a lousy Beautician."  (Zsa Zsa Gabor)

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting "Man, what a ride!"  (Hunter Thompson)

 

“...inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened.”

― Terry Pratchett, Moving Pictures

 So, my fellow geezers...are there any quotes you can relate to? I can relate to the back comment made by Phyllis Diller. The idea is to remember to laugh every now and again. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Pocket Princess Edition

I've been crocheting little dollies for a few months now. Each one is a bit different, even though they are made the same way. The other day, I was talking to my neighbor JoAnn, and she showed me a critter that she had purchased that had a story....and I started thinking, why not create stories for my little dollies. To that end, I renamed the dollies "Pocket Princesses" because they all fit inside a pocket and every little dolly wants to be a treated like a Princess. Below is the story for my latest dolly, who I named Bethany Blue. Please tell me what you think about Pocket Princesses.

Meet Bethany Blue

Hi, I'm Bethany Blue. I'm a Pocket Princess because I want to live in your pocket and I want to be treated like a Princess. Right now, I'm only a make-believe Princess, but if you love me, I'll become a real Princess just for you. 

I like to do a lot of things, as long as I'm in your pocket, keeping you company. If you like to walk along a beach, I like to walk along the beach. If you like to travel to faraway places, I like to travel too. Just put me in your pocket and let's have some fun together. Let's have an adventure.

I have one magical power. I keep secrets. I'm the best secret keeper in the world. You can tell me anything and I promise, I will never tell anyone else. Your secrets are safe forever and ever. 

You might have noticed that I'm blue. My body is blue, my hair is blue, my dress is blue, my bloomers are blue--even my hat is blue. I like blue. I'm so happy I'm blue, because blue is the prettiest color of them all. Now, put me in your pocket and let's have an adventure. I'm ready, are you?

So, that's my newest outlet for escape. Should I continue down this path? I like to write. I like to crochet. Why not put the two skills together? The creative process is fun. It keeps me engaged with the world of whimsy. When there's so much "stuff" going on in the outside world, I feel we all need a bit of whimsy to keep us "grounded" and protected from the slings and arrows of reality. To that end, why not gardening? Why not escaping to a work of fiction? Why not a Pocket Princess? I know we all need a time/place/space where we can get away for "it all" if only for a few minutes. What is yours?  Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Sunday Breakfast Edition

Today we celebrated a time honored tradition of going to breakfast after church on Sunday. This has happened for as long as I can remember. As kids, we'd go to church, then hop in the car and have breakfast or brunch. We were all dressed up in our Sunday best and we'd go to a real restaurant and we had to use our good manners. It was a big deal. Sometimes, after breakfast, we'd go home and quickly change clothes, and my dad would take us on a Sunday drive. I used to love the "Sunday Drive" as dad loved local history and told stories and took us to "fun" places.

Nowadays, it's about the same only I don't need someone to remind me of my manners. After church we go to breakfast. We want to leave church as soon as we can so we can don't have to wait too long to get a table. Some places get really busy about 9:30 and we want to miss crush.

We see lots of folks from all the churches in town. We stop to talk to them, but we're all in the same hurry to get a table before they're all gone. It's strange/funny that way.

Now that the "snowbirds" are back (of which I am one), there's more folks in town and I'm told the breakfast places are busier than they are in the summer when the desert is burning hot. There are more cars with license plates from Montana, Wyoming or Idaho around town. Yesterday I saw a plate from Minnesota and another one from Alberta. The snowbirds drive many hundreds of miles to escape from the colder climes. The rest of the snowbirds will be trickling in during January. Our little town transforms to a bigger "little" town when we're all back.

The bottomline, we are returning to our winter-home where we have friends. We see our friends at church and then we do the next logical thing--break bread with them at a local restaurant. In Geezerville, that restaurant is usually associated with a golf course (we have a lot of them in town) so the surroundings are green and pretty. It's a good time to renew faith and friendship at the same time. Some might even go on a "Sunday Drive" after breakfast. If we don't go on the Sunday Drive, it is always in the back of my mind as a fond memory of my youth. Remember, we're all in this together.  

Life in Geezerville: Day Spa Edition

Today was "my day" to get pampered. I had a mani-pedi. For those of you who don't know what that is--it's a manicure and a pedicure. It's the ultimate "me" thing to do. For 3 glorious hours I was treated as a very special person. I did not have a worry in my head. I'm in the day spa and I am getting spoiled, complemented, pampered, and rejuvenated. What's wrong with that? As far as I'm concerned, nothing!

Going to the day spa is more than a mani-pedi. It's time to spend with other women who are also enjoying the same experience. I see my neighbors in the 'hood and we talk and hug each other. It's a time to find out local gossip and news. OR, if you're not in the mood, it's the place to zone out and enjoy the pampering. No matter what, spending time at the day spa is always a good thing.

The nail techs and hair-dressers listen to a LOT of stuff. They KNOW what is going on in the community. The beauty-techs know the movers and shakers. They know the best sales. They know the "latest" everything. They hear it all. All you have to do to get some of this primo information is to ask: What's going on? And the info comes about. If you don't want to ask, all you have to do is listen to conversations going on around you. It doesn't matter, as it is all good.

Is this important? Absolutely. It's one more way to stay connected with each other. It's part of life in Geezerville. It's not malicious. It's FUN. If we find out that Sammie's daughter's daughter is having a hard time, we can give Sammie a call when we get home. We can give her a break from the difficulty of the time...and if Sammie does not want to talk then at least she can take her mind off the matter for a bit of time. That's a good thing. It's touching base with our friends. It's part of the network of threads that keep our community together. It's important. We all need friends and the day spa is a good way to re-connect--with our friends, with our community, with our beauty-tech, with each other. Remember, we're all in this together.

 

Life in Geezerville: Happy 2025 Edition

 

A new year arrived at midnight and all the Geezers in Geezerville were sound asleep. We hugged and kissed the arrival of 2025 a bit early and we were happy. At midnight we were sound asleep in our comfy beds with visions of sugarplums swirling in our heads.

Remember when we could stay up late? I can remember those days. Sometimes I lay awake at midnight, but that's only because I can't get to sleep. It's all good though. We all saw glittery ball drop in NYC. 2025 made an entrance on our continent so it's all good? Right? Yes--all is good.

Now it's time to think what 2025 will bring. If you want, you can make New Year's Resolutions. I don't make them. To me a resolution is something to break. If I resolve to do something that I was not able to do last year, why do I think I will be able to do it this year? Instead, I like to think about New Year Wishes. 

To that end, I wish you peace and joy for you, your family and friends. I wish you health and happiness. I wish your finances to increase while your pains lessen. Lastly, I wish that your worries disappear. Happy 2025! Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Charger Edition

When I was a kid, a charger was a large gold-colored plate that my mom would put under her "good china" when she set a fancy dinner table. The golden-colored chargers were never used for anything else, but when they came out we knew we were going to have a special feast. The golden-chargers were special. 

Today, I never think of those golden chargers when I say "charger." I think of all the gadgets I have that "stay alive" due to a charger. I have chargers for cell phones, tablets, lights, hearing aids, computers. Almost everything seems to come with a charger from golf carts to cars, vacuums to drills, screw drivers to wheel chairs, snow blowers to potato peelers...etc. Heck, even under counter lights have chargers...Isn't there a reindeer called Charger? 

When we go on vacation, we need to bring all the chargers (and cables) we're going to need...and hope we don't forget any because then our beloved gadgets won't work (and I hate to say this) we might not know what to do. Rue the day when we're out of power and can't find the right charger (and cable) to charge a cell phone.  

For some reason, every gadget seems to have a different charger too. What ever happened to interchangeable parts? Chargers don't seem to follow that rule. So if you have to gather up your chargers you have to gather ALL of them--for the last cruise we were on, one half of my carry on bag was filled with chargers and cables for the 2 of us...gees. What's wrong with this picture? In addition, I have a large canvas bag filled with out-dated chargers and cables that I'm afraid to throw away. I bet you have a similar collection of out-of-date chargers that you are keeping too, because "you never know when you are going to need them again."

So on this Eve before Christmas, think of all the gifts that you are giving that have a charger attached? In an effort to get away from the charger society, I'm thinking that next year, everyone on my list is going to be given a charger-free gift. One that works on imagination. What a concept! Remember, we're all in this together. 

BTW--Merry Christmas everyone!

Life in Geezerville: Christmas Music Edition

If you haven't been paying attention...Christmas is 3 days away. Where did 2024 go? How did it get to be Christmas so soon? I ask that question, but I know the answer. I've already delivered presents and there are a few more that I have to deliver. My Christmas cards were mailed 2 weeks ago. BUT, somehow, it's December 22 and I'm not quite ready for Christmas.

To get in the mood, we've been listening to Christmas music on the Telly. Our local PBS station seems to have an unending repertoire of Christmas choirs and ensembles and soloists. The best and brightest this year has been the Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City. The 2024 program might be their best yet. When that huge organ plays and the choir sings, I feel the spirit of Christmas down to my bones. If you've not seen it yet, look for it on your TV menu and record it on your DVR. But there are other musical programs too. We've listened to Sir Rutter and his choir and orchestra as well as the Concordia Navidad program and a few others. Gee...the music is incredible and if you are not quite in the spirit of Christmas now, these musical extravaganzas will help pave the way. We think Christmas music is some of the best music out there and this year there are a lot of home listening opportunities. I hope you get to listen and enjoy and feel the spirit too.  Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Another Day in the 'hood

 

Another day in the 'hood...and what a 'hood it is! I delivered tiny Christmas bags to my neighbors--nothing big...just a home made item and a "something selected for each neighbor"...just to say "I love you and appreciate you and thank you for being my neighbors and Oh!  Merry Christmas." I love my 'hood.

The other day I was making muffins and I ran out of sugar...so I called a neighbor and asked if I could borrow the proverbial "cup of sugar" and she gave me a cup without a blink of an eye. Then, she called me the next day to ask if I had any parmesan cheese she could borrow and I said YES without a blink of an eye either. That's what the 'hood is about. Helping each other. Loving each other. Thanking each other. 

I love my 'hood and cannot think of a better place to be. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: Musings Edition

I meant to write something on December 7--the day that lives in infamy--but I never got around to it. Sometimes, intentions and reality don't coincide. So--I'm writing now. 

I don't remember that fateful day in Hawaii in 1941 as I was not alive. I do remember a years later aftermath of that day. Sometime in my 8th or 9th or 10th year one of our neighbors who had served in WWII, hung himself. I was little and I did not know what that meant, so I asked my mom. She said "he was so sad he did not want to live anymore. He had shell shock. I guess we should have been nicer to him." Surviving with a burden is real, and we still do not know how to treat it.

Geezers, by definition of our age, are survivors too. We have dealt with way too many stressful, hurtful situations--way too many health issues--and way too many of our friends and loved ones passing away. Non-geezers listen up. We cross the street more slowly than a you. Please don't run into us. We drive slower than the speed limit. Give us a break and when the time is right, pass us up, but please don't give us the finger. Be nice, as my mother used to say.

But I digress...maybe it's more than being nice to survivors...how about being "nice" to one another? I read the daily news and I don't see much "niceness" out there. We are always in some sort of conflict? Does conflict make the world go 'round? 

The first year I taught school, I had a 4th grade class with somewhere between 36 and 42 kids (the number fluctuated throughout the year). They were always sniping at each other and one day I got tired of it and in one "class discussion time" I said "Kids..quit arguing." And something weird happened...they stopped arguing. It seemed like a little miracle...but it worked the rest of the school year. I've said that line to other classes I've taught, and it has worked. The kids knew I did not like it and so they were "nice" to each other. 

I'm meandering in my musings...but what would happen if we were  "nice to each other." To put our differences aside and try to accommodate other points of view without yelling and arguing. Maybe my neighbor would have lived?  If we give folks some "tea and listening" things might be better...and maybe the geezer walking slowly across the street can be appreciated a bit more because that geezer is indeed walking. Remember, we're all in this together.

Life in Geezerville: December 1 Shopping Edition

Today we went shopping. We avoided Black Friday like the plague--and we avoided "black" Saturday too--thinking there would be huge crowds everywhere. So we went today. 

As usual for us, we did not leave at the crack of dawn--nor at the "crack of noon"--we left about 3:30. A much more comfortable time for us to shop. Our first stop was the grocery store. It was strange going into the parking lot because there were handicapped places available. We live in Geezerville where most of the geezers have handicapped parking permits (I exaggerate only slightly). Given that, it's always hard to find a handicapped parking place--yet there were 3. My first thought was "what is going on?" but, I did not think anything weird was going on yet.

In the store there were electric carts available for the other DrC --now this is strange. There are never carts available. What is going on? In the store, there are a few people shopping. There's always geezers shopping at Smith's but today it looked like a ghost town. It was easy to maneuver around the store and check out was a breeze because there were no lines.

Second stop was the post office. I did not expect anyone there and there wasn't. That was normal. 

Third stop was Walmart. Now Walmart is our BIG store. It has everything. It's always jammed  with shoppers and the parking lot is always full (except for the places miles from the door). Today I drove into my favorite aisle and there were 4 handicapped parking places. Now I know something weird is going on. The rest of the parking lot was not crammed with cars either. Are the geezers asleep this afternoon or what? 

Once in the store, there are NO electric carts by the door ..first "normal" thing we've seen in Walmart. BUT, DrC went to the other door and there were 8 carts, fully charged and ready to go. We took our carts and went shopping. We found what we needed in record time because again, not a geezer in sight. Where were the geezers?  They were not shopping...or driving. I'm guessing they were asleep or watching a game?

From this non-scientific study of one late afternoon the Sunday after Thanksgiving, I conclude that today was the best day to shop in Geezerville. It's not a big study but I went to all the important places in town and NO ONE was out. I don't know why there were no geezers out and about in Geezerville...but they weren't. This might be a good piece of information to know. Remember, we're all in this together.

Sayonara

 

Courtesy of https://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Posters/S/Poster%20-%20Sayonara_03.jpg

Last night I saw Sayonara and it was not what I expected. The ending was a complete surprise for me.

The film was made in 1957 and set in Japan right after the Korean War. Japan is ruled by MacArthur and lots of military men are stationed there...lots of single military men. Japan has lots of pretty single women. Now picture the idea that those men are not allowed to associate with those women. That's  a military rule that is almost impossible to follow and enforce.

Given the above, our hero, who is played by Marlon Brando falls in love with a pretty woman who is a professional dancer and she is not allowed to marry--ever. Brando has a friend who actually marries a forbidden woman. (BTW about 10,000 fellows have already taken Japanese brides, with full knowledge that they cannot bring their brides to the US.) When the friend is ordered back to the US, he knows he cannot take his wife...so they do the proper Japanese thing--commit suicide. 

When the movie ends...does Brando marry his love? Does she give up her career? Does he give up his military career? Do they commit suicide? I'm not going to tell you...it would be giving a lot of the plot away.

The setting for the film was gorgeous. Japanese gardens are beautiful, and there are many in the film. The music is good, including the theme song. The story of forbidden fruit is as old as mankind. If you get a chance to see it, do so. I think you will like it. 

Life in Geezerville: Birthday Edition

 

Yesterday we celebrated 2 birthdays--when we added the ages of the 2 birthday boys, the total was 165!  You might say WOW! but remember we live in Geezerville and all of us are -- well -- geezers. Geezers by definition are OLD. When I became a teenager, it would have taken 12 folks to add up to 165 years of experience. It takes far less than that in Geezerville.

Us geezers are special people. We've seen a lot in our collective lives. While we did not see the first car roll off the assembly line, we did see the first Corvette and Thunderbird. We sat in front of our TVs and saw a man land on the moon. Many of us saw the end of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War...and a few more. We all hoped that the last war we lived thru would be the "last war" but alas that has not happened.

We've seen a lot of Presidents too. Many remember FDR, fewer will remember Hoover, Coolidge, Harding, or Wilson as they were President a very long time ago. I'm sure most can remember  presidents after Truman.

We have a lot of collective memories too. We've seen "the good, the bad and the ugly" but we are still an optimistic bunch of souls who can have a good time. We still have "bucket lists" that need to be fulfilled too. We might be a bit slower than we were, but we are still mighty. Remember, we're all in this together.

Happy Thanksgiving Every One

 

I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for this year--

we hope you do too. 

Old Movie Review: The Forbidden Planet

Sixty-eight years ago, The Forbidden Planet was made. It is a science fiction "wonder" with special effects by the Walt Disney Studios. The special effects include Robby the Robot, a real flying saucer and eerie space-agey weird music. Come to think of it, the whole movie is bad...and that is what made it fun for me to watch.

The year is 2200; the planet in question is Altair-4; the actors are Leslie Nielsen, Anne Francis, and Walter Pidgeon; there are only 3 sets and the action is slow--oh and did I say it was a predictable story. 

It's not a modern movie that has to fill in DEI slots. It's a typical girl meets boy story set in space on an isolated planet that is no longer inhabited. The original folks who lived there, the Krell, are long dead as they met an awful death...by the Id Monsters. I'm guessing in 1956 not many people knew much about the Id, Ego and Superego...so the Id became the monster. I'm not going to give away any more of the story. I'm just gonna say it was fun to see how the movies pictured the future in 1956.

A mere twenty years later, Stars Wars came out...and the whole world of science fiction movies made a big C-change. I thought it would be interesting to watch a precursor to what was to come...and it was.If you want a good laugh, try to find The Forbidden Planet on Turner Classic Movies or maybe YouTube (I don't know if it's there, but everything else is). We need to laugh every now and again.