Category: community

Just thoughts

by worrylessjourney, posted in community, connections, curiosity, Uncategorized

The weather has changed again. We go from ninety something degrees two forty degrees. You can never figure out what to wear.

At last after being here almost two years I am loving my apartment and feel at home. It’s always good to remember that nothing is ever perfect. And we can’t expect it to be. I am still amazed At the people who live here. It is like a brain trust here. There are so many people with p h d’s and amazing life experiences.

Crash does really well for a big dog in a small space. He ages along with me and we both move slower than we used to.

We have lifelong learning classes that we can choose to attend. At the moment I am going to a philosophy of aging class that is very interesting. I don’t think I will ever want to stop learning. Curiosity is a wonderful thing. I am also reading an amazing book the song of the cell. I can’t even pretend to spell the name of the person who wrote it but it is really good. He won a Pulizer Prize for his first book which was about cancer. His writing style is easy to read and makes If it’s something that interests difficult topic easy going. If it is something that interests you check it out.

Reflections on weird

by worrylessjourney, posted in acceptance, community, strange

Let me preface this post by saying that Austin Texas has a motto “keep Austin weird.” This probably came about since Austin is a liberal place. My son-in-law calls it “An island of liberals in a sea of conservatives.”

I have spent the last few weeks changing my apartment around and I can’t believe how much better it is. It is not only looking better but is it is so much more efficient. Now everything has its place and I can keep it neat. How is it that we find myself hunting misplaced objects more in this small space that when I lived in a much bigger house? How weird is that?

The days are getting longer and I find it easier to get up in the morning. I am so dependent on light. I will hate it when the time changes this month and we go to daylight savings. It makes no sense to continue to do this.

I have heard several reasons about how this came to be one of them says it was for farmers. This makes no sense since farmers get up regardless of daylight.

Oh well, another of those interesting decisions that government did. Living here in Texas I am finding a lot of those things. I have learned that Texans really love their state, know it can be wrong, but are passionate about it no matter what and that is one way to “keep Austin weird.”

Back again

by worrylessjourney, posted in aging, communication, community

It’s been so long since I have written. I hope I haven’t lost complete connection with Word Press friends. I don’t know what has stopped me from writing. I have been too distracted. I hope that I can get back into my routine. A lot has happened around here and I am learning about being the transparent generation. For that reason alone I need to keep posting about how it feels to feels to be 82…a minority that most people don’t recognize.

More about that later. Just want to get back posting and sharing. Peace to everyone.

Simple Pleasures

by worrylessjourney, posted in community, connections, fun!

The weather here is miserable. It is 40 F and raining hard. Going out this morning was the first time I have seen Crash run in forever. He did not like that much rain and came in soaked.

Tonight, for the first time, I am having a few people over for egg nog and cookies. My apartment is so small (and I do love it) that it can only take a few people at a time. Later I may do this again. Being able to do this is a real step forward for me. I used to love having friends in but here I kept thinking it was too small.

There are still people here with covid. I know that over time everyone will get it but most people have a lite dose because of the vaccinations. The hospitals are full because of covid, flu and RSV. RSV was a big problem for us when I worked with six pediatricians. It was really dangerous for infants. Now it has changed and is a problem for those who are at high risk. It is so sad to see the hospitals full again. I hope most people are able to get back home for Christmas.

A long time ago I ended up in the hospital over Christmas and cried a lot missing my family…especially my children.There are still people here with covid. I know that over time everyone will get it but most people have a lite dose because of the vaccinations. The hospitals are full because of covid, flu and RSV. RSV was a big problem for us when I worked with six pediatricians. It was really dangerous for infants. Now it has changed and is a problem for those who are at high risk. It is so sad to see the hospitals full again. I hope most people are able to get back home for Christmas.

I hope that everyone will manage to stay well and have a wonderful holiday! Peace, Suzanne

We are communal

by worrylessjourney, posted in community, humans need humans

I have always considered myself to be an extreme extravert but as I grow older I can see that I am becoming more middle of the road. As an only child I always had time to myself but sought the company of others. Now I like both. I do have time to spend thinking, creating, learning but need people at some point during the day

I am sure that the pandemic has made it emotionally difficult for everyone. We are not meant to spend all of our time alone. We are communal people. I have felt so sad for those who have had to stay by themselves for such a long time. I am sure the rate of those experiencing depression and anxiety has skyrocketed. I hope they have been able to find help and hope for the future.

Pariahs

by worrylessjourney, posted in aging, appearance, community, consequences, coping, decisions, kindness, unkindness

Yesterday I had the oddest thought. As people begin going out as they want, many without wearing masks, it will be us elderly and the sick who will stand out. We will become the stigmatized group. We will stand out like a sore thumb. I doubt that we will be able to feel the slightest bit safe until there is a vaccine and that will be quite a while coming.

There will be a point where we have to continue to live our lives and know that there is a risk. That has been true for those in war torn countries forever. Going out of the door in the morning does not guarantee that they will be safe. It’s just that we have never suffered that experience since the long past flu epidemic.

Shunned

So if you see us out with our masks until next year and see us obsessively washing our hands and safe distancing from people please don’t see us as lepers. We are just trying to survive.

Feeling stifled

by worrylessjourney, posted in aggravations, balance, centering, communication, community, connections, coping, decisions, hope, humans need humans, life changes

Today has been a good day. I managed to get myself moving and got some things done. It felt good. I think that one of the problems with this isolation is that it seems to sap your energy. The temptation is there to stay in your pajamas all day.

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Billy Taylor - YouTube

We seem to be at that point where the desire to be “free” is making everyone fidgety. You just want to break out and live life as you remember it. Unfortunately, the state has reopened some businesses…hair salons, gyms and ??? tattoo parlors. It will be interesting to see what happens. I would be willing to bet we will see covid numbers rising. It is logical that beginning to loosen the restrictions should be a gradual thing otherwise there will be second round of problems.

File:ABC - Always Be Careful.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

I really hope that very soon there will be some treatments that prove valid even if we have to wait for a vaccine. Just knowing that there is treatment if sickness occurs would be wonderful.

In spite of the things I have been doing to keep myself intellectually stimulated and my mind awake I find myself dull. I guess like everyone else I just miss contact with others. Continue to stay safe.

Help where you can

by worrylessjourney, posted in blessings, community, compassion, connections, empathy, friends, giving, gratitude, help, kindness, share, you matter

I keep a quote book and was looking through it today and found one that I am sure must have been on someone’s blog but I just love it.

If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. The Dalai Lama

Not only is this very true but I love his sense of humor.

13.375"x19" Poster

Each of us lives a life of importance. Even though we are quarantined and distancing we are needed. It seems that there is not much that we can do to help but that is not true.

Yesterday I ordered groceries from the store and they were delivered by a family…father, mother, two young girls. There were driving a nice car….not expensive but good. Obviously the parents work and no longer have jobs. So many people have been laid off or the place they work is closed. This may be their only way to make money. At least when I order groceries delivered I can give them a generous tip since it all goes to them.

The restaurants near us that are supplying take-out food are having their wait staff deliver it. We can pick it up but the delivery helps someone who has no income at this time. I am spending so much less than usual I can surely space some for those in need.

help people

Admittedly it is small help but it is help. So many people are in dire straits and we have no idea of knowing how this will turn out. If you are one of the blessed and have an income, a place to live, food to eat and safety please do what you can to help those who don’t have anything.

An unfamiliar world

by worrylessjourney, posted in acceptance, anxiety, appreciate, comfort, community, connections, coping, friends, gratitude, thankful

surreal worldAnother day in this upside down world. I have had some news of my husband which assures me that he is comfortable and being treated but will be there a while longer. Tough news but at least some answers are forthcoming.

The world for most of us remains surreal. Safely at home but having to clean groceries or leave them in the garage for several days. I am only cleaning the things needed immediately and with just me those are not many. I guess not spending much money is a blessing.

thank-you-clipart-for-powerpoint-8Life is certainly different and certainly interesting. One has no idea what tomorrow will bring. It helps us to take stock of what is really important in our lives. I am so grateful for all the friends and loved ones who have called, texted, or emailed.

I am also grateful for all the kind words from my Word Press friends. This is a wonderful community and helps me not feel so alone.