So Good and more Pictures

quick trip to the market for greens, a mixture of broccoli, kale, radicchio, brussel sprouts
cranberries and pumpkin seeds, something new bagged in remodeled store.
I added leftover roasted veggies, small pieces of grilled chicken, tomato.
Do not like dressing from the store, mixed up small amount of olive oil, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar. Seems I have become addicted to black bean chips and hummus.
What I prepared could only eat half.  I just love preparing something.

This is the best Almond milk (Jimmy would buy and now me) and when bottle is empty I wash and label comes off, it is the perfect
size for me to fill with water to use on plants - not to heavy.  Had to replace 6 cup teapot
with smaller one :)

My first born and last born....

.

enough memories shared....
one more
of this one - 13 years ago at a city home

Wisdom

He is back in his world - safely
daughter and husband left yesterday
and now this one back to her life as it is.

I viewed something from the youngest granddaughter
the one that told me "relaxation takes time."

her pen name is sarcastic blackberry

and the words "get over yourself."

Guess that says it all :)

Problem Solved

Yes computer problem solved late yesterday
so pleased.
I am trying to use other ways to go on line, but so accustomed to AOL it is now difficult for me to change
Use Google some and on this site cannot pull up my favorites list of most I use.

Let me know what some of you use ?

It causes such stress when I cannot use computer in my normal way and have thoughts
at this age should I just stop but I cannot since this is a big part of my life.

Connection with children, grandchildren as most live far away, information I am constantly
researching, buy much from Amazon and on and on.  I still enjoy writing but now at this
age and health issues have started it is a challenge for me to know what to share
and not to share as do not want to be boring.   But now have the thought if no one reads
I just plain love to write as it is a habit....

So computer, reading and camera are so important to me.  In the past gardening would be on
this list and now I direct a young man.   Yesterday he was here for 3 hours pulling weeds,
moving plants and so pleased having him but so sad that he is now doing what I did for 60 years.

Jimmy leaves at noon, daughter Laurie and husband here a while this afternoon and then
Callie and this one.  Many coming and going down the gravel road and happy for this,
sad my son is leaving but so happy that he has a life he loves.

Have never been around anyone so patient with me, helpful with out me asking, taking me
to grocery, doctors, out to eat, suggestions on so much I do and much reorganized and taken to Good Will.
As a mother I am very proud of him and I have learned much from him over these last weeks. He is disciplined in his yoga and walking practice twice a day
and in his teaching of Yoga and helping others with health issues.

He leaves me with the thought
of striving to be more like him..


I can say no more

and from a mother's heart
safe travel wishes go forth for him.

Computer Problems

Placed several calls for help
and it has not arrived,

Lost my list of favorites and cannot lob in AOL the way I am accustomed too :(

Jimmy cannot help either.

An old memory image

My children, young grandchildren that are now grown, their dad holding 3 young ones.
All of this before two youngest.

A beautiful sunny day but rain returning tomorrow for a number of days

So just checking in....   Seems I can write on Blogger :)

Rain

Sunday and rains continue.
Grass is a beautiful vibrant green
flowers beginning to bloom
and pictures taken through screen on porch
show this.

Daughter, Laurie arriving from Tampa, Jimmy preparing for last days and time for this one and son
to return to their lives.  A special 6 weeks is coming to an end.....

Week of Activity

Last week end my Jamie and grand girls arrived.  A new way of cooking veggies for me, sliced many on cookie sheet that has been sprayed and sliced a lot of vegetables that had been brushed
with olive oil, garlic and some of my recently planted herbs.  A lot of good things to add to olive
oil but have not had time to research

several of sheets filled with Brussels sprouts, egg plant, zucchini, carrots, yellow squash and red, yellow and green peppers.

Girls were taken to friends home who raises goats, so many new babies.  Can remember a time
40 years ago when I wanted to do this.

Busy days continue and soon will end.  Many memories being made.  Rain continues, ground so wet
and flowers are thriving among the weeds (which bothers me) but if true as other years it will not be long until hot weather arrives....

Words of Wisdom

Kept thinking of these words all through the night and smiled

My youngest granddaughter in the shower or tub on loft
a long time
and I called up stairs and said
"Amelia, what are you doing, are you alright ?)

Reply as she opened the door wrapped in a towel

"grandma
you can't rush relaxation"

oh my a lesson I need to learn.

I Listen To His Words on Food

Daily I listen to his words as he observes what I do and eat.
Now agreeing with a lot that I listened too but did not totaly agree with over the last few weeks.
Making some changes.  So thankful for this 6 week visit and him to view instead of just listening
to me like I share on weekly emails.  Time soon ends:(

First sugar reminded of sugar :) since I have lost some weight even though eating healthy but 2 small meals
consume a lot of Ensure which is fine but not fine to add ice cream or add a better quality ice cream.
My reason for drinking the Ensure with Ice Cream is trying to add calories so I do not lose
any more weight.  I do not have a hearty appetite

Yes calories but adding a lot of sugar, also yogurt stopping purchasing flavored yogurt which is loaded with sugar and using the best high quality yogurt I can find.   I hear "sugar is a worse addiction then heroine"   Oh my and know it is not good for all of the inflammation in this body

Thought I already knew a lot but doing more research on healthy fat foods. I know what they are but when you wake up at
1 or 2 in the morning, hungry since last meal at 2:30 pm it is so easy and satisfying to open an Ensure and put ice cream in it.   So will now have quality yogurt with a few cashews, whole dates (that have been softened in warm water to make easier to chew) and 1/2 of banana.   This is healthier.

Yesterday's Lebanese meal gave me more ideas.   Tomorrow buying egg plant, zucchini, yellow squash, colored peppers and more veggies to roast in oven with olive oil and more ingredients.
Will add a good healthy cheese, black rice, lentil beans, hummus and pita bread.  A few more items and of course
turkey hot dogs and marshmallow's, used on burning pit  for granddaughter's.
Will buy some healthy cheese and some good dark chocolate.  I eat healthy but it needs to go to the
next level.
 Next morning
will make French toast, covered with blueberries and add some maple syrup for granddaughters.

breakfast this morning
scrambled egg with colored peppers and kale (frozen in freezer), yogurt with cashews and dates and a small side
of last of my Zucchini bread, green tea and small glass of whole milk.
Would say this was healthy....Callie enjoyed what I could not eat :)

Also, no more chances walking without cane in this cottage...

Special Lunch

Enjoying these Wednesday
outings to the big city.

Will soon miss
as all of this
so rare....

Today, lunch at a new place "Epice"
food excellent
gave me some healthy new ideas,
served black rice, the best hummus with pita
vegetables grilled (I need to do this)
a Lebanese restaurant
sat outside.

Visitors in the country at the close of the day.

Young granddaughter's soon spending the night,  Uncle  Jimmy will pick up Pizza Saturday,  and RN daughter Beth
taking me to breakfast on Sunday morning.

Everything Arises , Evrerything Falls Away - Ajahn Chah

When cottage was finished almost 9 years ago

son had  stored a lot here preparing for move to Bangkok

this reclining Buddha was deteriorating

and he placed him in the woods on a stump.

Have not been able to go back in the woods and view.

An image taken a while ago

but love the look :)

I want to plant some perennials from garden around him :)

He looks so peaceful
and like he is comfortable
in my woods

Saturday Ending - A Beautiful Day

Still not confident planting herbs in their outside pots.

Seeds I planted, doing so good,
 take out during the day
and bring inside at night.

Always through the years  hung clothes outside to dry, weather permitting,  line now on a slight slope and no longer can risk falling
but with the bright sunshine I hang on 2 racks on deck.
Last of 4 small loads and whites so very white and back on bed with the sunshine scent.'

I rarely see this done in this rural community, hung clothes outside, all through the years loved

doing this and when my girls would visit they liked using my line and wooden clothes pins.

They would  share- it brought back memories....

Alone today and finished vegetable soup I made with my pimento cheese for a sandwich, had not made in a while, kept thinking of it and made.

Day is ending..

I sit on the small front porch, I love sitting here,  many birds flying in and out of the feeders.  I notice a black bird

and finally see the small gold and red stripe on its side, captured an image of a Red Winged Blackbird

Googles image

Friday, home therapy started once again, over and over it is recommended that I use a

walker.  After Arthur explained, arthritis, aging and the fact that 13 years ago fractured

instep and ankle, stupid me thinking it was a sprain, did not go to doctor and it was painful.

When I finally went to have it exrayed months later was told it was fractured, healed

and surgery no longer an option.  Has not bothered me much through the years

but last 4 years severely affecting balance - my fault.

I want to be outside, nature is like therapy to this one and this will keep me safe in yard and drive with the big wheels

and basket for phone, water, camera and more will keep on porch or garage so I do not have to bring down steps.

Ordered yesterday and Arthur the therapist found it online and said he would assemble.

It was the least expensive on Amazon and if not pleased can return it.

Less then ordering through insurance and and takes forever to receive :)

Finally gave in because I have to be outside and hopefully feel safe with this...

Never the  thought in the past of using something like this

but seems everything changes...

Hopefully Spring Has Arrived

View this early morning after a few 30 degree and rainy mornings.  A beautiful sunny day is beginning.

Another day - Not many more like these and fall....

New place in Nashville
the best Fish Taco
and since I cannot eat spicy food they chopped just an avocado for me.
Mama's treat for his birthday.
Jamie was able to leave work for an hour.
I want to return again when once again no one near..

These weekly outings so good for me
and will soon miss.

Arriving home
made a quick turn
and fell on the floor on my side, hitting side of head.
I am fine, slight headache but it frightened me to the core,
happy I was not alone as Jimmy coming in from garage and I called for him and he helped me up,
When you have had a lifetime of busyness,
and now balance is really bad, I was not carrying cane and sometimes do not in this cottage as I feel confident within these walls,
 continually being told to  slow down in every way and RN daughter tells me to use the walker and I am not ready to do this and use at night if unsteady getting out of bed,
it is difficult and I am trying....I must be a slow learner.

I see my spirit as I look at recent pictures with some of my children, a happy and peaceful spirit that is shining through my eyes when family is with me
but in reality not the physical me.
Some of family see these images and think "she is fine" but really not - am I making sense.
My body does not feel the best, balance and falls frighten me and I think during this night
I must be two people - my spirit inside and the real body and mind at this time of life.

Morning, will go and have hair washed, have never done this during my lifetime  always cut my hair
now because of rotator torn in  both shoulders from falls cannot lift arms to do this,
I do not like having this done, want to do it myself - like past years.
So I share reality
forgive me.

I read
you lose what you cling too.

So maybe I am not facing reality and longing for the past....

Happening and Happy Birthday

Change is good, were told, keeps us on our toes.
A fresh breeze thrown to us through life
keeps us on our toes
fully alive until we die.      Joan Oliver

Happy Birthday to my son

Remember well
your grandmother bringing me home on a warm April morning
in her old car.
New one sitting in our drive
but dad had a busy day
so my mom brought me home.

a few memories

thank you for having car serviced yesterday and taking Callie for Rabbi shot...

love, mama

Today in the Country

A day full of pleasure

Family times
with everyone so busy
are few and far between.

Busy Day's

So much has been done in the last two weeks.   My long to do list is now down to about 3 items.

Wonder how I could have been so far behind with such a long list
but the last two years have not been normal.

Nice to have Jimmy with me for dental appointments, cortisone shots, business matters, hair appt,
books now so neatly organized, storage room cleaned and many items taken to Good Will
and thrown away.   Now down to Callie for Rabbi shot next week, car serviced and still going
over a lot of paper work in this cottage.

Morning yoga has started again for this one and have been given several new poses.  The one that I really notice
a difference is while standing, shoulders and face relaxed, upper legs tight, using strap behind upper
waist - your posture is perfect (probably not describing too well :) do this 2 or 3 times a day.

Thought I have an excellent diet but much has been pointed out to me - will share later and now
doing better.   I told him that I am not looking for longevity for one now traveling the beginning of the 80's
but would like the best quality of life I can have on this journey.

Trips to city every week to some special places I have wanted to visit and lunch in some of the
new places opening in Nashville.    Nashville not the same city I moved from 9 years ago, so much
building and I hardly recognize the city I knew so well in years past.

Tomorrow family will arrive for a cookout for his birthday.   Looking forward to seeing most
of family.

Still struggle with balance, being careful, health issues could be worse but still do not like
arthur and balance. Repeatedly being told I do everything to fast - a life time practice and trying to
be slower... it is difficult.   Purchased a Leki walking stick I really like better then their cane.  Did a lot
of research and this is better for posture and also helps with pain for the way you grip the top of the cane

Upstairs loft has been converted to his daily yoga practice of 2 hours

and my orchids have been blooming since December and show no sign of stopping :)

These special times will be missed when he leaves for his second home
all of these hours such a special gift to me.

He always meets with special boyhood, school friends on these visits and sad that two of these
friends have parents with serious issues....