"Accentuate the Positive"

 I just thought I would let you all know that I am DONE. I have watched my last POST, VIDEO and  LIST. I'm swearing off the "What not to wear (or how not to style your hair) or (or what not to buy) if you are over 60!"

When I first started looking at those things, I said to myself,  "Oh, I would never wear, buy or try to look like that old lady" Then, I started to realize that I had a closet full of "turtlenecks" and "baggy tops". My jeans were all "out of style". I didn't want the latest shoes...just comfortable ones. And, my hair looked just like how I was "not supposed to have it cut". Egad! My whole life mirrored those nasty VIDEOS. I started to believe I was a complete fashion horror.

Now, after viewing several hundred of these Horror Tales, the truth is, there is no way that I can change my whole lifestyle. And, what's more, I don't really want to. I am over 60.......way over sixty. I  possess a whole closet full of decent clothing that I will continue to wear. I like my hairstyle......most days. Sometimes, I even get compliments on my appearance. I have decided that I'm comfortable with who and what I am.

I'll bet you that the writers and authors of those same Horror Tales, are in their mid-twenties. Hell no, they wouldn't wear what I like to wear. I wouldn't want to see them in my clothes. And, seriously, I don't want to be wearing theirs. Just letting you know, I'm not paying any attention to their advice.

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Dear Lord. Growing older isn't for the weak. We seniors should be thankful for all of the things that we can still do. We have wrinkles, lines and gray hairs. Nobody can call us young. We all show signs of courage and survival. We are blessed. We are thankful for life as we have experienced it.

"Don't Worry. Bee Happy"

    

 We have two new additions, to the home site. A friend of Rick's called last week and asked if we would allow him to set up a bee trap and hive, on our back pasture. Our reply was an enthusiastic "YES".

For the past several winters, the back wooded area has been adorned with plastic bags for catching Maple Tree Sap. It seems, that there is plenty of room, on our 5 acres, for all kinds of food production. Especially, when the permanent human residents are charged with nothing more than watching the process. Our friends tap the trees, hang up and collect sap in the bags for a month or so. Then, they do the syrup production and voila'. We are presented with a bottle of delicious Maple Syrup.

I know very little about bees and honey production. But, I plan on doing some research. I'm not interested in getting stung or interacting at all, with the flying sweeties, but I would like to know about how the honey is made. I am fascinated by the whole idea of a Queen and workers. The hive and trap are neat and attractive. They are nice additions to the property. We hope the bees will be happy and in the future, we will be gifted with some local honey to enjoy. 

Before I moved to Stilwell, Rick allowed some friends to add a few small Koi (pets that could not be transported to a new home), to his pond. These Koi are now 2-3 feet in length and could, if they chose to, carry off a small child! We love feeding them and they appear to be very docile and content being admired, from the docks.

But, I am adding this caveat........this notice is to warn you in advance. There is a limit to our benevolence. Please, don't even think about bringing us any goats, chickens, or cattle, for housing and care. We will say "NO, thank you!", without hesitation.

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  Dear God: You Blessings abound. Remind us to be Thankful.                                         

                                              

"Just When Everything Seems So Dark"

 If your life is like mine, you are often reminded, during the passage of time, of those many adages about the foolishness of making plans. Now, I am not putting down the wisdom of planning ahead, we all plan ahead to some extent, but everyone knows "the best laid plans of mice and men....,etc.")

Well, I've been laid low by a rotten cold, this past week. It ruined some of my plans. But, I'm living, although still-coughing proof, that life goes on quite nicely, without being able to complete each and every segment of minutely planned schedule. So, I cancelled a couple of engagements and I missed a self-designated deadline or two. Too bad. Apologies have been made and I am on the mend. No one was injured and no property was destroyed in the process.

Plans are a necessity, in order to accomplish goals, but when Plan A doesn't work out, Plan B or even F, can be just as successful. I read recently that life is just 2 numbers after your name. Two numbers with a dash in the middle. 

Dear readers. Enjoy the dash........ because it's all we've got.

 

 

 

 

"Daddy sang Bass, mama sang tenor....."

I consider myself a music snob. I know what I like and what I dislike. And, what's more, I can be very vocal about my opinions. I've got reasons!

I've made a few jokes about the hours I've spent drinking in bars, in all parts of the world, while my singer-spouse practiced, in near-by performance venues. I did, eventually, sit through all of his concerts. Trust me, when I tell you that I have listened to symphonies, choral concerts, operas and recitals by the dozens. I've watched professional singers, at all levels, in performance. God knows, I could write publishable reviews.

So, why I am I telling you this????? Because, my mother used to say "If you can't say something good, just keep your mouth shut." You will find me listening to what's being played or sung, and then I'll clap like a good audience member. It is possible, for great music to be played or sung very badly. And, likewise, bad music can be performed expertly. 

I've heard high school bands in concert, that were so bad you could not distinguish their rendition of our National Anthem, from their rah-rah fight song. I've even smiled through beginning violin recitals, and imperfect back to back renditions of "O Holy Night".  I'm even quiet, about my opinion of contemporary church music. Mostly.

Yeah, I'm picky, but unless you are sitting right next to me, at a particularly awful performance, and I chance to abruptly grip your arm in sheer audio-pain, you'll never know why. Silence is golden, and I can turn off my hearing aids. 

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Dear God. Help me control my mouth and my typing fingers. Guide me towards curbing my enthusiasm for caustic words. Remind me that praise is preferable to criticism. Gentleness is better than harshness. This help I ask, in your Holy Name.

 

"Thanks for the Memories"

 I have, in recent years, promoted acceptance of change. After all, change is growth. Nothing ever stays the same, in our lives. "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." - Winston Churchill. 

But, no matter how hard we try, we often remember how things used to be. Realistically, familiarity can be pretty awesome and comforting. I certainly embrace new acquaintances and new experiences. I like to think that I am growing, daily. However, I frequently communicate with friends that I have known for 70 plus years. I know and love them, not only for how they have evolved (since the nineteen fifties, yikes), but also for what they once were. Together, with our years of shared experiences,we can discuss the past and embrace the future. We have shared broken bones, broken romances, successes and failures. We've shared joy, sadness and devastating loss. This deep connection has enhanced our lives.

Who, among us, doesn't (just occasionally) jump at the chance to have a greasy old-fashioned hamburger and fries? Or, wolf down a serving of gooey macaroni and cheese (when it looks like the stuff we enjoyed, in the grade school cafeteria). Comfort food at it's best! We do it because it's familiar (and yummy), although we all know better. Thanks goodness for the anti-acids in the bathroom cabinet.

Isn't life great?  Enjoy your life to the fullest. Look forward to the new, but hold on, just a little bit, to the past. Both are amazing.

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Great God. We thank you for life.

 

 

 

 

 

"Don't mess with Mr. In-Between"

Congratulate me, please. I just discovered a new word. Well, it's probably not so much a new word, but a new definition of an old word. The root word would be influence. And it means, "to persuade." That's the common, old-fashioned definition. I've just discovered the word, "influencer".

Now, perhaps I used to be an influencer............to my four children. I would suggest that they should clean up their rooms, or else!!!!! Perhaps I was more of a threatener. I was the influencer, who put food on the table and encouraged them to eat it, or starve!!!!

Today, the word influencer is used in regards to Social Media. I checked the Internet for a list of the 10 most successful "influencers" and I recognized four, of the ten names. Frankly, in spite of their popularity, I haven't been influenced by any of them. And, seriously, probably never will be.

An "influencer" in today's jargon, is someone who promotes a product or products. These folks make huge amounts of money doing it.  For example, Justin Bieber (one of the 4 names I recognized) will wear a holey pair of jeans or sport a new tatoo, on his face, and thousands of folks will buy the jeans and rush to the closest tatoo parlor. 

The top influencer, in today's crazy society, is a soccer player names Christiano Renaldo. I'm not interested in knowing anything about him. Common sense tells me that there's not much this mega=popular, gazillionaire guy can influence me to buy, do or change in my life. My age, alone, should make me wiser than this 30-something athlete.

I'm pretty happy with who I am. I'm not interested in following any of the recognized "influencers". I am sure they are all perfectly nice individuals. But, in the end, we all have to make our own decisions and take responsibility for our own actions or inaction. We have free will.....let's use it, wisely.

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Lord. There is but One Influencer that should be guiding our lives. Help us to keep an open heart and open mind, to Your Words.

 

 

"Open my eyes, that I may see."

 Here's a simple question. What did you do, the last time you had a few minutes, unscheduled? Just a few minutes of peace and quiet. Chances are, from I have observed, you probably pulled out your cell phone and checked your messages, your email, or just scrolled through whatever. Listen up! Get your face out of your phone, and observe what's going on around you. Try it.

Here's a suggestion, in my opinion, for the good of you and your fellow human beings. Keep your phone, in your pocket or your purse, and let your mind wander. Think! Use your brain, instead of your fingers. 

There's no telling where your mind will lead you, if you let it wander. 

Or how about speaking to someone you encounter? I believe that it is possible for folks to go for days without opening their mouths and making a sound. We are using our fingers to do our talking. A two year old knows how to swipe a device. A fourteen year old can't write, but he/she can sure text!!!!

Seriously, why aren't we using our time to let our mind's wander and think? Why aren't we enjoying our amazing world? Can we remember a time, when we were actually living our lives and when we were not on the phone, all of the time, texting, messaging, reading nonsense, or waiting for someone to call?

I understand that our cell phones are our present form of communication. But, I am questioning whether it is a totally good thing. Just for a smidgen of time today, cast your eyes upward. Put your phones down and fold you hands in your lap. Quit moving your fingers and let your mind wander. 

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Thank you Lord, for our many blessings. Help us to remember that there are many forms of communication. Remind us to love one another.