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Cabin Fever

(Edited 3-3-19)

Backstory

Today’s story could refer to January of this year and the Polar Vortex. The Northeast became a dangerous frozen tundra. Morbid cold demanded staying indoors, often for days. Particularly challenging if the kids were cooped up too.

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Cabin Fever – #534

Remember back to the really harsh winter? If you were anywhere in the Northeast, you had snow, snow and more snow, And extended cold like you had not experienced in decades. First it was pretty, then dangerous, then annoying, then downright nasty.

It was hard to get anywhere. You did best to stay indoors and not cause problems for yourself and others by being out on the roads.

Schools were closed, offices were locked up, retailers were shuttered, grocery stores were out of milk, bread, beer and TP.

And the big result, at one time or another, was CABIN FEVER! Think back to how you dealt with it, and let me know. We’ll do a show about beating cabin fever, so you’ll have the tools, when the next nasty winter rolls along.

One option for a lucky few was to jump on a plane and fly to a warm spot.

Folks with a winter home in Florida got plenty of company during that winter, and were no doubt delighted to provide a temporary escape for friends and family from up north.

But most people had to tough it out, right there at home, shoveling driveways, contending with slow-downs and fighting cabin fever.

So remember, share how YOU addressed cabin fever that winter. How did you keep spirits up and bodies entertained. And listen in for a report before the blustery beast hits again this year.

P.S.

Friends and relatives in New Jersey had experiences that probably helped them avoid cabin fever last January. They made it through weeks without power in the storm known as Sandy. That was in October 2012.

[Show #534]

Snow Birds

Backstory

It takes a lot of planning and logistics to leave your primary residence for two or three months and live elsewhere – even if the elsewhere offers warm breezes and sunlit skies. It was a big decision to make and here’s the dilemma that we faced.

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Snow Birds – #187

This year, we wintered in Florida. We left our permanent residence behind and rented someone else’s home for the two coldest months of the year. The sun shown daily and the dress of the day was shirtsleeves. It was wonderful.

I’m still trying to come to terms with becoming part of the great exodus southward. They call us snow birds.

Actually, it’s the natural things to do, just as the birds do. It makes sense to remove your body from the environment where it will shiver and ache as the cold wind blows.

And yet I felt that I had abandoned my place in life by taking the easy way out. Perhaps I would have been made stronger or smarter or more resilient if I stayed in my snow-swept home.

Would Valentine’s Day have been more romantic up here? Would the St. Patrick’s Day beer have been greener?

To my neighbors and friend back here, I apologize for not donning my boots and wool-lined gloves, For never scrapping ice from my windshield.

For not being able to join in the myriad of complaints about the road conditions and the salting crews and the electrical lines down.

But you know what? Next year . . . I’m heading south again!

P.S.

We’ve wintered in St Augustine, Tampa and The Villages. Looks like we’ll experience Sarasota next. What is your favorite Florida winter get away site?

[Show #187]

I Was In Her Prayer Book

(Updated)

Back Story –

I sat there in the car, outside the hospice. This could have been the last time I would ever see her. And indeed, it was. Yet something she told me has stuck with me for lo the many years that have passed, since that visit.

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I was In Her Prayer Book – #419

I was in her Prayer book. What a surprise that was. I had gone to visit someone I used to work with. We had lost touch and I found out she was very ill, so I went to see her. That’s when I found out that all those years, I had been in her prayer book. I had benefited from the entreaties she made to God asking Him to protect and guide me. What a revelation that was!

Then a friend told me just recently, “On 9/11, when there was such chaos from the terrorist attacks, I checked on my daughter and then I checked on you.” Again I was moved. Such an important role to play in someone’s life without even being aware of it.

And so it is in YOUR life. There are people you have helped, or influenced or just spoken to, over time, who remember you; relate to what you said, have been moved by you and what you stand for. They recall their time with you. There are portions of their behavior or their way of thinking or smiling that you helped to form.

What an important role we play with each other. It’s why we have to make every word count. Make every word bring something positive to someone else. You never know what effect you may have on someone. Be sure it’s always something for the better.

P.S.

Was there ever a time when the opposite happened? Someone was hurt or wounded or demeaned by something you said? Best to fix it – sooner rather than later.

Show #419

Bring Back Yesterday

(Updated)

Backstory

This story was written after lunching with friends where the main topic of discussion seemed to be “the good ole days.” It’s not unusual to hear such conversations among those of retirement age. But this was a young group – folks in their 40s and 50s. Already they were considering previous times an improvement to current times. It got me thinking these thoughts.

Bring Back Yesterday #321

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Henry Herman is quoted as saying, back in the 1800s – “Oh God, put back the universe and give me yesterday. “

Those who have traveled half a dozen decades or more do seem to value their yesterday’s more than their tomorrows. Their yesterdays, it would seem, were better …sweeter . . . simpler . . . less demanding.

It was a time of sitting on the dock, watching the clouds go by: of walking down the lane, hand in hand; a time without troubles or concerns. Or perhaps those yesterdays are just the result of selective memory.

They also have tales of having to walk five miles to school, uphill both ways!

Of course, TODAY is the yesterday that our kids will remember. How will this time be reflected in their memory? Will they remember too many toys . . . too many demands . . . time disappearing into a texting telephone?

What can we do, to make today a joyful memory for them? They probably won’t remember who had the biggest toy or the designer book bag.

My guess is that they’ll remember who made them feel good, and why.

Make sure you are part of those happy memories for the youngsters in your life.

[Show #321]

P.S.

What happens when you apply a reality check to your yesterdays? Here’s hoping that you find laughter, lessons learned, happy memories and legitimate nostalgia. Now on to creating tomorrow’s memories, today.

Bridges In Life Planning

Backstory

When I wrote the Christmas story book last year, several book signings were sponsored. It was such fun to meet neighbors and radio fans and friends who came out to support my journalistic endeavor. I also got to speak to groups like the Rotary Club about the book and how it came about. It reminded me of a talk given previously about bridges in life planning. Here’s that story.

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Bridges In Life Planning- #09

I had the privilege of talking with folks up at the Basye Library. As part of their lecture series, we were talking about Bridges in Life Planning – all the decisions that need to be made, when we get to be 60 or 65 or 70. We talked about keeping control of your life, for as long as possible; appreciating the input of others but valuing your own alternatives as well.

There were many opinions about just how much say adult children should have, once parents are up in years. There seemed to be general agreement that older folks have the right to decide how they want to spend their retirement income – as conservatively or as flamboyantly as they wish.

We discussed leaving a legacy of love and integrity and values and how that can be much more important than a trust fund.

We talked about the kinds of people you want to be with and those you don’t want in your life, in later years, and making those decisions for yourself.

It was a spirited discussion. We all learned something about ourselves and each other.

Perhaps the best suggestion came from one man who pointed out, more than anything else, be sure you are still having fun! Never stop having fun.

P.S.

Independence and control. Americans like us are brought up on those principles. We expect to keep them, even as we age. The bridge to a place where we have less independence and control is therefore a hard one to traverse. If you are the adult child, understand your parents’ wishes. If you are the parents, understand that giving over control to someone you love is the easiest way to cross the bridge. Trust, love and understanding. They are each badly needed at this time.

[Show #09]

Shedding Her Skin

(Updated January 13, 2019)

Backstory

In simpler days, people pretty much stayed who they were and where they were. If you were a farmer, you stayed on a farm. An attorney remained in the law. A nurse kept caring for patients. Today, the marvel of available education allows us to decide who and where to be, at any time during our life. You can reinvent yourself over and over during a long lifetime. Watching a friend do that, is what led to this story.

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Shedding Her Skin – #03

She was moving out of the home she had lived in for decades; feeling like a snake shedding its skin.

She hated leaving the well read books, but knew she had extracted from the musty bindings, all their wisdom and wizardry.

Parting with the clothes was hard. From bargains never worn, still bearing tags, to favorites now worn to a thread. And the photos; surely precious heirlooms, every one.

She packed boxes of souvenirs and somehow started to feel free. A burden lifted. A life simplified. Nothing important given up, just stuff now getting in the way.

As she lightened her load, she planned her future. What a surprise! The snake that shed its skin had morphed into a golden eagle, just beginning to spread her wings.

P.S.

We are so blessed to live to the current age. So many people in their fifties are switching careers or taking on entirely new tasks. Those of us in the sixties or seventies are reinventing ourselves at will, backed by the health, education and stamina to do so. My friend, the golden eagle, made her mark on the world after rediscovering her talents and abilities and gaining the courage to proclaim them. Have you done something similar?

[Show #03]

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