Paul and Barbara know how to live!

My niece and nephew really keep themselves in terrific physical condition...and I'm so very proud of them for this since they both have full-time jobs which allow them little time to squeeze in exercise. But they do because they just climbed all the stairs up to Asheville Mountain in the Smokies....North Carolina..and they enjoyed every step. They manage to try to use long holidays to see America and I think that's great. They even went to Thomas Wolfe's house ...You Can Never Go Home Again. Paul and Barbara sent me tons of pictures which I will put in my picasso gallery and I can virtually visit all the places there. There's lots to see in the good U.S.A.

My first library was in a storeroom! written 5 years ago

We had to be very quiet...not speak a single word...or we would have been kicked out!

There were no paperbacks back then...only bound books and they were very precious.

My first document that I personally owned and was responsible for, was my library card. It was sacred. Nothing should happen to it! And if a book was overdue, I felt mortified...like I'd created a crime...all for 2 cents. The librarian took her job very seriously and, if asked, would refer you to a special section.

Besides getting a book for myself, my Mother wanted me to bring her back a novel. I recall asking for Edna Ferber....she's the lady who wrote the book that the musical Showboat was all about.

My Mother was an avid reader and during dinner she would present a book review to us letting us know what it was all about. How interested our little family of 4 was in her presentation. So, not only did we digest the best cooking in the world...and we had entertainment with it.

That was my Mother....and I adored her so much!

Now I go to a big library on Hagen Ranch Road...and what a myriad of books from which to choose....more authors than ever before in history. And most of them are very good...but we can't read everything so we must be select.

Ruth, my friend and next door neighbor, usually brings me back something that is just to my liking...no violence....no C.I.A. stuff...just lots of emotions.

Having a good book to read is such a great feeling.

As Time Goes On!

Is this what they mean by senior living....a bit scary and depressing!
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I've been so lucky...so far! I haven't had to use a crutch, walker or motor chair.

But that isn't too say that I don't feel like an accident waiting to happen...because as I look around me...I see aging......mainly forgetfulness. Do we lose brain cells every day when we reach a certain age. Is it because we're not stimulating ourselves enough....could it be that because we're not productive any longer...we just seem to fade.




However, it's affecting me mentally. It's really getting me down....seeing my friends using equipment to get around. When I go to our pool, there are three walkers lined up by the steps because the owners aren't able to take one step without help.

We have to crawl around in between to make our way to the stairs. And many times, I haven't been able to get down the stairs because ladies are sitting there...maybe they just wanted to get their feet wet. Many conversations are being held right in that spot.

I say...excuse me...excuse me.....and they move their tush's a little bit to let me by.

This is my social life too....but I'm here for ernest exercise which I need desperately. Maybe I'm labeled a 'loner' because I go and do my thing...I splish and I splash...and kick and squat.

As I'm doing all this...I hear various conversations taking place....where they dined last night....what hurts them today....is it going to rain....and then a little gossip about someone.

I'm not imune to gossip...so I head in that area to listen a little harder. Either it's something I've heard before....or something that's unbelievable.

What really bothers me is when I hear someone lost a child. That's not supposed to happen. That is a tragedy...unexplanable.

I love to hear someone child is expecting a baby. That is what life is really all about...procreation.

Anyway, I'm beholden to God for creating my ancestors through the thousands of years...because without them....I wouldn't be! Thank you, God!