As people age and grow, they are suppose to learn from their mistakes. Maybe as we become seniors, we are a little slower to learn than in our youth.
Today I learned a lesson which I will remember – and not repeat, hopefully.
I may have a different perspective on “friendship” than others, but when someone I know dies, it saddens me for the loss. Death is inevitable in this life on earth, but I always FEEL for the family of the deceased. The family goes through a grieving process for the loss of their loved one.
If I know a person for many years, know the person's son (let's say), have been to their home, but we don't talk or see each other often, by some standards that person would be in the “acquaintance” column, instead of the friend column. Whatever.
But today I learned not to mention the recent death of a friend or acquaintance to one of my friends. The brick had to hit me twice, but I am now getting smarter.
The “he's no one special” type comments, or the “he was horrible” response was distasteful to me. I have no prejudices and I do not judge others, especially if they have never hurt me, or they have always been nice to me.
Death is final and it is up to God to make the final judgment as to the deceased's entry into Heaven. No one is perfect in this life, and whatever transgressions or good the person did in life, they will meet their Maker in the end. Whatever transgression might have taken place in a life, it is not to be judged by us. I might have an opinion of said person's transgression, if I knew about it, was personally affected, targeted, or hurt by the act.
But death is sad and my heart goes out to the family of the deceased friend or acquaintance, for no matter what, they lost a loved one to the final step on this earth.
RETIREMENT DOES HAVE SOME BENEFITS!
(Kitchen area where a menu is posted daily.)The Court House Manor Nursing Home has officially moved into their new facility on Glenn Avenue (beyond Rawlings Street on the left). St. Catherine's Care Center (nursing home) has been moved into their old building on Glenn Avenue from their old facility. (Dining area like this in each wing.)
I wanted to see a neighbor who was currently spending some time in the Manor after her four-day hospital stay. I found the new Manor to be welcoming and beautiful inside and out. A nurse met me at the desk and when I mentioned that my mother and grandmother were both past residents at the old facility, she gave me a tour of this new one.
I remember the four wings formerly being designated A-B-C-D, and now they are named Airy Acres, Bridle Way, County Crossing, and Derby Drive. There is a large therapy room off the main entrance, and a lovely Chapel for residents and/or family.
Each of the four wings of the building have their own dining area, with kitchen facilities; large common area for relaxing on a couch or chairs, and a large TV to watch; and spa for patient rehabilitation.
(The walk-in jet tub w/lift assist, also has a shower.) The patient rooms are large with dresser drawers and small closet area and shelves for personal items. Most share a bathroom between two rooms that are connected by a small walkway. In the past, a resident had to provide their own television if they wanted one; now a small LG flat screen is provided in each room.
(Picture of cafe look in the entrance area, with kitchenette on the right and tables/chairs for parties.) The beauty shop in the new building is larger than the one in the old facility and each wing has its own nurses' station. It is very modern and homey. I'm sure the public would be proud of this new facility and nice atmosphere for any relative that might need to reside there.
The first step you have to take in changing your life is to MAKE THE DECISION TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE. All things that happen begin with a decision. If you decide that you really want to do better, you will take the necessary steps to do what it takes to do better. Most people never do as well as they expect or desire because they haven't made that first decision.
I made that decision five years ago, and I am so glad I did. I've had my ups and downs, but this year I've realized that SENIOR LIFE isn't really so bad.
ENJOY LIFE!! It's the only one you have on this earth.
They say age is just a state of mind. Age is in the body AND mind, so just make sure your MIND is stronger than your body in order to remain YOUNG. Some say I don't look my age, but there are days I sure FEEL like it! Next year I'll stop counting!
I must admit that Miss Kitty is learning and adapting fast to her inside home environment. I do believe she is already being spoiled. But, isn't that what we do with our pets?
She is comfortable on the porch at night and she comes in when the dog goes out in the morning for her quick stop. She follows me around the house and has laid claim to a chair where she spends her nap time (upside down is comfortable).
She is still curious and likes to check out corners, behind chairs, and empty boxes; but that's normal for a young cat. She meows when I talk to her, so her vocal responses are friendly and welcome. We have achieved a good rapport in a short amount of time.
Miss Kitty has already learned how to lighten my stress load...she sits on my computer so I don't do any work for a while, giving me a break. When she thinks I have had a sufficient break, she goes back to her nap chair and I get back to work.
She wants special attention sometimes, and when she wants my attention, there is no denying it. When I'm on the couch, she will walk up onto my chest and just lie down and rub her head against my chin. Pet me - pet me - now.
My dog has adapted to her new friend being in the house and no fuss as yet. They eat in different areas, so no jealousy will interrupt mealtime. I think this is going to be a beautiful relationship.
On Saturday, The Fayette County Museum hosted The Ulysses S. Grant Homestead Association to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Michael Miller's portrayal of Grant was amazing in likeness and stature. Miller lives in Georgetown, Ohio, where Grant lived until the age of 17, when he left to attend West Point. Miller has been re-enacting Grant for the past 15 years and is very familiar with his life before and after the Civil War.
The displays of historical weapons, and soldier's memorabilia of daily living, were shown and explained by re-enactor soldiers from the association. Other members of the association portray Grant's staff during the war. Their authentic woolen uniforms and speeches captivated the audience.
After Grant's talk, he took questions from the crowd seated on the lawn at the Museum. A friend and history-buff asked Grant about his General Orders #11 whereby he expelled the Jews from selling goods in his territory due to smuggling. Grant had no knowledge of that historical item and expressed his interest to the questioner.
As I later learned, it was the first time in 15 years Miller had been stumped by a historical question. Someone in his group must have gone inside the Museum or used his Smartphone to Google the answer, because soon the speaker began to talk about Order #11 and its significance and outcome. Thank goodness for Google!
I have taken much more of an interest in Civil War history since I learned that my maternal great-grandfather left Greenfield, Ohio to enlist in the Ohio Infantry and fought at the Battle of Chickamauga on the Tennessee/Georgia border in 1863.
On a busy Saturday, one of my stops was to go see Elvis at the Relay for Life event at the high school track field. They were having several entertainers perform for the attendees from a stage behind the field house.
I met this Elvis at another event last year, and I became a Facebook friend. I was glad to hear he was going to perform today.
Being the camera buff that I am, I walked to the side of the stage to take a picture of the Guardians of the Ribbon Pink Heals fire truck, which I've also seen many times. As I turned around to head back toward the stage, I thought I'd take a picture of Elvis while I was closer. He saw me coming, turned toward me, and after snapping the photo, he handed me one of the many scarves he gives the women at his events. I quietly said, "Thanks Freddie," to let him know I knew him.
I stayed to hear him sing for quite a while before moving on to my next event. He sounds so much like him and is a very good impersonator. He passes out red, white, and blue scarves, and I was glad to get a while one - to go with the red shirt and blue jeans I was wearing to the flag event later in the day.
He sang "How Great Thou Art" with so much feeling and heart, it was a pleasure to be there.
I have been twice blessed and my happiness level is through the roof. I had two things worrying me this past week, and last night the worry was relieved and all is well again.
Someone close had a problem, but was not ready to share. I can't help if I don't know. Last night, after days of worry, a face to face discussion took place and a new bonding. Understanding is a great healer for worry. Of course, I dispensed my usual wisdom and advice which, at least, was well received. Time heals and so will the former problem.
Late in our talk, I happen to mention that I had not seen my cat, Miss Kitty, for almost four days. I had also been worried about her since my “kat-killer” neighbor still has his trap set with cat food under the bushes near his bird feeders. I have to watch it daily.
As I mentioned her being missing, I was told to look behind me on the outside window sill – there she was, returning home. I decided it was time for a change. I went outside, scooped her up and headed for my screened-in back porch, where the door locks. I gave Miss Kitty some food and water, some loving and talking to, and left her on the porch for the night. She had three blankets to curl up on and fresh air.
This morning I got some kitty litter, fixed her a litter box, fed her again and let the dog out on the porch so they could meet and greet. I warned Miss dog to behave and she did. They got acquainted and all was well.
I was gone for a couple hours, but when I got home I let Miss Kitty into the house and she wandered around checking the place out. She is such a loving, attentive cat. She found a nice place to lie down and I could not resist the picture. We later ended up on the couch; she laid down beside me and we took a 90 minute nap together. When we both woke up, she climbed onto my chest and laid down again, making herself right at home. That's when I decided it was time to feed her again, so back to the porch.
The cat and the dog have made friends, and as I sit here writing this, Miss Kitty is at my side, curled up next to my leg, safe and sound. All is good.
See how many right answers you had to yesterday's blog:
1. Tiny Tim (Tiptoe Through The Tulips)
2. Walter Matthau (actor)
3. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
4. PeeWee Herman
5. Danny Thomas
6. Rock Hudson
7. Audry Hepburn
8. Andre The Great (wrestler)
9. Cher (and Sonny Bono)
10. Dean Martin
11. John Wayne (The Duke)
12. Mother Teresa
Bonus answer: Underground Railroad
Trivia Item:
Did you know that Louis Feinberg (Larry Fine) was a professional violinist before he played Larry, with Curly and Moe Howard, as the Three Stooges?
Most everyone of my generation knows that Jay Silverheels played Tonto on The Lone Ranger. Do you know any of these: (No Google-ing help!)
1. Herbert Khaury (married to Miss Sue)
2. Walter Matuchanskavasky
3. Leonard Franklin Slye & Francis Smith
4. Paul Reubens
5. Muzyad Yakhoob
6. Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. (former vacuum cleaner salesman)
7. Edda van Heemstra H...-Ruston (buried in Switzerland)
8. A.R. Roussimoff
9. C. Sarkisian (once married to Salvatore B.)
10. D. Paul Crocetti (formerly a boxer)
11. Marion Morrison (formerly a college football player)
12. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu
Bonus question: What was Harriet Tubman famous for?
How many correct answers did you have? Check your answers tomorrow on my blog.
I watched two squirrels chase each other around my front yard. Then they jumped up, together, onto the railing of the ramp to my front porch. They were eyeing the water in the birdbath just below where they were perched. Like I've said before, even squirrels need a drink of water now and then. I reached for my camera and they saw me at the window and just stared at me, not moving for a few minutes. I moved away from the window slowly and carefully, so as not to deter them from their watery goal.
After finding all the greenery of my growing lilies in the back yard yellow and dead, I decided I needed to make a move. (See my previous blog about the killing.)
The guy who planted my flowers out front this year is very knowledgeable about gardening. I asked him to plant some small lily bulbs someone had given me. I wanted to finish the flower bed in the front yard.
Then I asked him to dig up the lily bed my mother planted over 20 years ago along the fence. I guess my neighbor on that side didn't like the green leaves that sometimes grew through the fence (even though six inches on the other side of the fence is still my property). [Back in 1968-1970, as I understand it, a fence had to be built six inches inside a property line.]
As the digging began, more and more large and medium size lily bulbs emerged. A row of bulbs were planted on either side of the back porch along the back of the house (25 on each side). We still had many left, so another row of 20 were planted along the side of the storage shed behind the house. They are all planted so I can see them from the porch. I had no idea that so many bulbs had been planted in one area, but my mother did love her flowers.
Another six bulbs were planted out front by the little white fence (see a photo in a previous blog) near the street. I ran out of room so he planted 26 bulbs in my neighbor's yard across the street. She has a bigger garden area, which he also takes care of. I had 20 bulbs left, so I gave them to a friend for her garden.
I had no idea that the total number of lily bulbs I started with was 122. It is a real shame that they were sprayed with something like RoundUp to kill them from blooming this year. But next year I hope to have a full array of blooming, colorful lilies to admire and share. They are no longer within reach of a neighbor's spray.
I was recently reminded that friends can be old friends or new friends, even if you don't see or talk to them every week or so. It reminded me of the following:
The joys that make our lives worthwhile
Are little things, like a baby's smile,
The song of birds that greet the morn,
A path, familiar and well-worn,
The beat of a gentle nighttime rain,
Scent of a rose near a country lane,
The glow in the sky at the close of day,
Returning home when we've been away.
And happiness, for me and you,
Is the love of friends, both old and new.
Today was the funeral for Larry Walker, a Lieutenant with the Sheriff's Office, criminal investigator, and former Police Chief of Washington Court House. I got to know him in 1994 when he was the Chief. Later in the 1990s, my mother introduced me to Larry's wife, Kay, who worked at a bank my mother frequented. They were a lovely couple.
Larry was active in law enforcement for 40 years. According to some co-workers, he loved his job, had a lot of attention to detail, and was was good at what he did.
The funeral was held at a church near Jamison Road and burial was in Washington Cemetery. Between the two locations, the processional passed by the Sheriff's Annex building, where he worked, the Sheriff's Office across the street, and the police and fire building one block further. It was a tribute to the passing of a deputy and former chief as he had his last ride past the places of employment that he was so dedicate to and loved.
The county car which was assigned to him by the Sheriff's Office preceded the hearse draped with a wreath. The fire department raised a flag from the top of the ladder of the tower truck for the processional to pass under.
R.I.P. Larry, you will be missed.
