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Perspective is Everything

Funny how life changes, and the way we look at things is altered. Right now, we have a weather mix going on that is a combo of snow and sleet soon to change to rain. There is water everywhere, and people are encouraged to stay home. I have no problem with that. Yet if we compare this winter's weather to last year's horribly long, cold, and snowy saga....this is a mere blip in an otherwise relatively mild season. 
I am now a year and 4 months in my new living arrangement which is an apartment complex for people 55 and older. Quite an adjustment at first, I can now say that it was a very good move for me. I have new friends, new activities, and all is well. Tonight is the sixth and final session of a "Healthy You" series which has given me reasons to pause and think about stuff. At each class, we were asked to make an action plan for the following week that was specific to each person.  I said that I had not written in my blog in more than a year, and I find myself with stories to share.  I declared that I would get going and rejoin my writing friends. Procrastination be gone!
The class is one hour away. I did manage to put it off to the final hour, but I did it. And so I will leave you with a small chuckle which might bring on a smile 
What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
One will see you later, and the other will see you in a while!

How We Get VD

When I taught 6th grade back in the early 70's, there was a classroom writing assignment.  While I can't remember the exact topic, I have always remembered this paper:

Title:  How We Get VD

The sun shines on the water and the plants in the water.
And so the plants get VD.
The fish eat the plants and they get VD.
Then we eat the fish, and that is how we get VD.

Now...VD is meant to be 'Vitamin D' but that little detail got left out.
Kids and their writing...gotta love 'em!!

Happy VD everyone!

That would be Valentine's Day, folks!!

Good Grief, Lucy!

Well I must say that I am surprised that my last post was in September!  Since then, I have moved to a brand new set of apartments and am getting my house ready to sell.  No small task scaling down 25 years of 'stuff'!  It was time for me to move on.
  My son was 10 when he and I moved there.There are many memories from our lives as I taught elementary school and he grew up and went on to college.

Then, I brought my mom [Sweet Flo] there after she had a stroke that sat her down in '07.  I didn't want her to be in a nursing home alone among strangers.  She lived with me for five years and there are many "Mom" memories, too. Her last 18 months were in a nursing home that was like none I had ever seen. We made sure she was pampered with painted nails, regular hair appointments, and frequent visits.  Flo was loved by the staff and we were all sad when she left.  I was holding her hand on May 25, 2014  when at 102 she was reunited with family and friends in the great beyond among the stars..  I know there was a rocking reunion party with a good time had by all who knew her and had been waiting to hug her again.  With a group chorus of..."At last...my love has arrived!!"

In October, an opportunity presented itself to be among people [relatively my age] with planned activities and new friends. Grace...poodle extraordinaire ...has adjusted very well and is a big hit here.  I had to adjust to taking her out four times a day instead of just opening my back door where she raced into the fenced- in backyard. I don't mind, though.  It has increased my activity level and  she is my biggest fan.  I am know as "Gracie's Mom" and there are quite a few folks who love to pet "the dog with the big brown eyes" and call her up onto their lap.

Big changes....  and more funny stories to share...in this new chapter of my life. I hope my blogger friends are still there.  "I'm baaaack!" So 'Start spreading the news..."  Are you singing?

Do You Have a Sense of Humor?!!

Oh...Unexpected entertainment happens when proof reading isn't done...or fails!
It started when the town newsletter arrived in the mail.  I read it and I was reminded that the water bill payment that has been riding above my car's visor needed to be turned in before Sept. 30th. As a part of reminders on the last page was:


Dog Control:  Please note that all dogs in the Town of "Ohhmmm" must be licensed.  Also note that there is a 'Lease Law' and an expectation for dog owners to pickup dog wastes.  Please refrain from feeding wild animals.  If you have any questions please call the Dog Control Officer.
A Lease Law??? Really??  At first I was going to call and say that I wanted to lease a dog, but then I decided I would go to the town hall and pay my water bill accompanied by my best bud "Gracie" ....dog extraordinaire!!  I put her on a leash, and off we went.
We walked up to the counter and I said,
"Do you have a sense of humor?"
"Sure...why?"
"Then I am here to pay my water bill, and sign my dog 'Gracie' up for the lease program!!"
We all laughed about the typo, and then I volunteered to be a proofreader for them 'free of charge' as I taught Reading/Language for 30 years.
Many years ago,  I had previously volunteered to proofread my school district's newsletter after the 'Back To School District Supply List' had a major typo that holds the world record for "OMG!!! Laughter Inducing Errors."
In the high school section listed under the "Computer Room Supplies", the students were asked to bring a five inch floppy dick to class.
Did you catch that?
While the person who was responsible for the error was horrified and upset, after a little time had elapsed we were able to convince her that it was not able to be changed and...the amount of laughter that had resulted was a kind of a possible positive effect.  Laughter is such fun!!
And my proofreading skills were welcomed with open arms.

Sing!

The older get...the smarter I get.  Actually, my perspective about many things has always been not necessarily in the 'norm'.  I am grateful that I can think for myself without trying to follow the mainstream patterns.  What am I talking about?
I sing. It is probably what most of my students remember and their parents, too. The song, "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra was one that I easily referenced when kids thought they couldn't accomplish something.  I would play it for them from my CD of favorite tunes.  They would learn it and sometimes all I had to answer them with was...
"Just what makes that little old ant... think he can move that rubber tree plant?  Everyone knows an ant can't...move a rubber tree plant!!  But he has 'High Hopes!!"
Imagine my surprise when at my last assembly before retirement, with all of the kids from all three grades along with a bunch of their parents in attendance...heard the principal ask me to lead everyone in song one last time with "High Hopes".  I thought, 'Really?'
I agreed to lead it as long as my kids joined me in singing it along with anyone in the audience who knew it, too.
It was refreshing to hear how many were singing along.  There was safety in numbers, and the event was priceless.  It was a good time.
So, what exactly is my point?
Ask people to sing and they will tell you they can't sing.  To which I reply that everyone can sing...if the focus is not on whether they sound like a professional singer.  Singing is therapy and fun.
Have you ever sung along with Kate Smith belting out, "God Bless America" ?
Ask someone to draw or paint, and often they respond that it is not one of their strengths.  So??  
Why are there many people so hesitant to attempt to join in something because it won't be perfect...or good?  Media and/or culture has gotten the message out that we must be the same, wear the approved styles,  be the correct size,  etc., etc, etc
What do you think?  And ... do you sing?

Little 'Rituals'

When I was a kid, we occasionally got on The Garden State Parkway to go south to the Jersey Shore.  My Aunt Marie lived there before it became popular, and my Great Aunt Emma owned a house one block from the ocean.  As we travelled on the Parkway, we would go through a tunnel-like part of the road.  My father always 'beeped the horn' so that we could hear it echo. If he forgot, we would remind him.  To this day, more than 50 years later, whenever I go through that tunnel, the horn must echo for old time sake.  It is just a ritual.

This morning I visited a fellow retired teacher who lives very close to the school where we taught.  As I drove along the familiar path, I came to the farm on the corner where I would make a right turn. Twenty years ago, my good buddy Emily would be standing under the tree waiting for the school bus.  I would beep the horn, wave, and then see her in 5th grade 45 minutes later. I cannot drive by her house without beeping my horn...just because.  So, this morning as I passed her house, I honked the horn even though all four kids are grown and out of the family farm homestead.  Emily is now a nurse...and that is  wonderful!  Where does the time go?
So, do you have any little rituals that you continue to carry on...Share with us!