Memories and Aging Well

Popovers

Backstory

It’s not like I’m the Kitchen Master. Kitchen Monster may be more like it. Once I was the mother who cooked seven meals on Sunday so there would be home-made dinner, the whole week. My recent forays into the cooking den, however, usually involve turning on the microwave. But this one baking challenge, I just had to conquer.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Popovers – #487

I had been on a mission to learn how to make popovers. These are a very simple breakfast treat. Something like Yorkshire Pudding.

Very simple set of ingredients, but you have to get everything just right. The temperature of the pre-set oven, a special pan heated in the oven before the batter is poured in, the temperature of the ingredients, the length of baking, and of course, the foibles of my particular oven.

In over a dozen tries, my family put up with a whole bunch of popunders, while I mastered all the techniques.

Now, I have it down pat. When my family hears that popovers are on the way, they know they will be perfect. Golden brown, crusty on the outside, empty on the inside. It took a long time and many tries, but I learned something new by conquering the baking of popovers.

That was a few months ago though. Since then, I have learned lots and lots of new things. My goal is to learn something new each day. Do you do that too? When it does not come organically through my interactions during the day, I use the internet to connect me with some new learning.

Never a day should go by without you learning something; from baking the best cookies to learning Bill O’Reilly’s latest new word. Crown each day with learning and you’ll never grow old.

P.S.

It’s OK to give yourself credit for easy new things learned too. Like figuring out how to pull the ring on the soda can without ruining your nails. Pat yourself on the back and move along.

[Show #487]

Mom’s Wedding Hat

Edited 1-19-20

Backstory – Mom’s Wedding Hat

Out in the country where we live, auctions have always been a big deal. You never know what to expect. You may find treasures offered – or collections of mayonnaise jars. There could be dozens of locals and household items go for pennies on the dollar – or the city folk may have poured in, raising bids beyond affordable.

In years past, auction items would be displayed on farm wagons, with bidders standing around. Then the auctions were brought into large buildings, with chairs for all the bidders. Sometimes you’d shake your head over the prices paid.

We went to auctions to furnish our weekend farm house. We were in the market for virtually everything. Then, over time, we filled out our home and no longer needed the basics. Then the auction became more of an entertainment. We looked for something unusual or enticing, rather than something we needed.

That’s the state we were in when I went to the auction that is the subject of this week’s story. Didn’t need anything; just watching for something I might want or enjoy. Boy did I find it! Please listen in and hear what happened.

Consider This Show – Mom’s Wedding Hat

Click to listen or follow below to read.

There it is, on the auction block; the exact replica of the hat my mom wore on her wedding day in 1936. I want that hat!

The auctioneer is selling a trike first. Some fortunate kid will see it in the morning and tonight, it will cost his parent only $5 . . . No, $10 . . . No – OMG it’s up to $25. Well, you just never know.

Ok, here comes the wedding hat. I have to be careful not to overbid and not to let someone else get it.

It’s very distinctive. Lots of veiling and feathers. And such good shape. Old, but obviously box-kept – sort of like a car that is garage-kept.

Well the suspense is now building. My heart is racing. I just HAVE to be sure the auctioneer sees my bid. I want that hat!

He is starting the bid at $50. Way too much for me. No wait, there are no takers at the high bid. The auctioneer is down to $20 . . . now $10. OK – I bid. $5. Hold my breath. The auctioneer asks for a bid of $7.50. None comes. Going once, going twice . . . OMG, I got the hat. It is mine!

My piece of family history, come to life. Wait ‘til I tell . . . everyone.

P.S.
Nothing like the thrill of winning – especially when it only costs you five bucks!

[Show #370]

Creating Memories

Backstory

My daughters and I were laughing about a party held at our big New Jersey home decades ago, when they were still small. It was hilarious to hear their take on the party from their aspect, as a young child on the side-lines.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Creating Memories – #603

Recently, I told you about the surprise birthday party in my honor. It lasted one afternoon. But the aftermath is what I want to share with you. Because that event had a life of its own. It was like seeing a movie that keeps repeating in your head.

For weeks, I went to sleep remembering a vignette or a conversation or a hug shared that afternoon. I knew the memories of that day would be with me forever.

But the good part is that it gets to play over and over WITH OTHER PEOPLE as well. Every time I get together with a friend who was there, or a relative who helped plan or run the event, the warm rush of affection happens all over again. I hear what THEY took away; entirely different from what I did.

So the gift provided by the folks who planned and attended that surprise party did NOT fill just one afternoon. It became another story that is part of my life. How precious!

So I have a suggestion for you. If you are invited to a surprise party . . . or any such event . . . GO! Make the time, go out of your way to get there. Does it matter if you are in the crowd? Yes, it does.

You are giving the gift of time and sharing, to someone you care for, who no doubt loves you in return. The scope of the gift you provide by your attendance is immeasurable. It will pleasure the person honored with happy memories and provide stories to tell, for years to come. Don’t miss it. Be there.

P.S.

We celebrated my mom’s 75^th birthday some 20 years ago, and family members are still posting photos, remembering the laughs and memories it conjured up. We plan to put those photos together into a book. Of course, we have planned that, for twenty years now.

[Show #603]

People Change

Backstory

Bill and I watched a British movie the other night. The lives of a whole family changed dramatically in less than a year. Some of the characters tried desperately to cling to the way things were; others rushed blindly toward change. Contemplation on those fictitious events led to consideration about how fast change occurs in real life.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

People Change – #315

Do you think people can change? I’ll bet you’ve seen it happen in your own life. Someone is grieving and unhappy and really off balance and yet, over time they straighten themselves out. Sometimes it’s the love of another person that helps them move on, or the person himself that may learn to live with the way things are. Or she may find new interests and a new way to participate.

Psychologists say that major changes in life take four years to accomplish.

For instance, a college graduate carries the person he or she was in school into the first four years of their career. It takes that long to lose the essence of being a student and adopt to the professional lifestyle.

They say it takes empty nesters a full four years to think like a family of just two.

It takes four years before the remarried person is totally comfortable with this new person.

Do you agree?

It probably seems the change occurs a lot faster than that. But we’re talking about change to the core. Change of your very being from the previous person you were to the skin and heart and soul of the person you have become; someone who has created contemporary values for their today, not their yesterday.

P.S.

What do you think? Are we humans so flexible that we can move from one corner to the next and take it all in stride? Or do we need to give ourselves – and others – time to adjust, become familiar, get into a groove that’s comfortable. Scroll down and jot down your thinking, please.

[Show #634]

Winter In the Bubble: The Villages

Backstory

After 25 years in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, we are wondering whether to spend retirement somewhere else. We’ve been weighing pros and cons, like these.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Winter In the Bubble – #656

We lived in a bubble in the winter of 2018. We spent the coldest, snowiest months of the year at The Villages, a huge community for active adults over 55. The winding streets have beautiful landscaping, flowers bloom all year long, there is nightly dancing to live music, dozens of golf courses, a polo field, eleven country clubs and recreation galore.

It is Florida’s magic kingdom for mature adults.

A 50 page newspaper lists hundreds of events each week by different interest groups. You can go to the card game, the lecture, the swimming pool, the pickle ball court or the talent show.

But it is indeed a bubble. What’s missing? The sound of children playing in the streets, neighbors with hair that is not gray or white, anything messy.

The Villages is pristine and perfect. Over 100,000 retirees call it home. Every resident you meet sings its praises.

Critics say it is too sheltered from the outside world and lacks diversity. Residents feel they have earned this perfection in retirement and they make no apologies for their lifestyle. They volunteer, donate, support churches and tend to local underprivileged kids.

We have to decide whether we’d like to live there someday.

P.S.

What things would you take into consideration when deciding where to spend your retirement? Scroll down and share in COMMENTS. Thanks.

[Show #656]

Rewards for Successful Aging

Backstory

Working on the Council for Aging In Place, I’ve been doing research on how and where people like to age. That led me to the book, Script & Flame by B. K. Haynes. And that led to writing this episode.

Click to listen or follow below to read..

Rewards for Successful Aging – #654

For a century, mankind believed that old age started at 50. Now the aging process seems to be racing on past 80. An example is the author, B. K. Haynes.

An old-time rural land developer, B. K. has written four books, since the 1960s, when he ruled the recreational property development boom.

His last book was written at the age of 80. It’s titled Script & Flame and one segment talks about rewards for successful aging.

The first reward is – Freedom from Fear – Imagine what contentment that would bring. Next is Love of One’s Work. B.K. never wants to stop. Harmony with Others is number 3.

With Good Health and Economic Security, the next two items on the list, B.K. says you should have Definite Future Plans and Hope for the Future. He advises Breaking Bad Habits, adding, “Your objective should be to restore and form good habits and to become a slave to them.”

Sharing with Others is the next step in successful aging. Then Control of Self and A Positive Attitude Toward Life. Lastly – Having an Open Mind and Having Concern for Others.

You’ll find more advice, deeply spiritual observations and downright entertainment in the book, Script & Flame by B. K. Haynes, available on Amazon.

P.S.

What rewards would you add to B.K.’s list?

[Show #654]

« Previous Page