Second Award

The second award for the year's end came to me from Lisa, The Butterfly Farmer.


This one is more serious, and much harder to comply with. You are asked to list ten honest things about yourself. I suppose this could also be taken rather lightly. But I didn't think of it that way - especially since I read the lists of a couple of other people, and they were quite serious. So, here goes.

l. Forgiveness. This is a concept I have trouble with. I try- I really do. But I find it difficult, if not impossible to forgive Amanda, who was the woman my father married after my parents' divorce. The same thing goes for one of my nieces, for the way she treated my sister. And then of course there are people like GWB. I find it hard to forgive him. And Adolf Hitler and so many others throughout history for their crimes against humanity. How do I forgive that sort of thing? I wrestle with that idea.

2. Prejudice. Everyone has them. Me too. I think my strongest prejudice is against prejudice itself. For instance: within so many religious groups are those who truly believe that their way is the only way, and the rest of us poor souls are doomed to hell. "Born agains" have told me they can't even pray for those who do not believe their way. Yes, I am prejudiced.

3. Honestly, I spent too many years searching for a religious group to call my own. I was raised in the Episcopal Church. Attended the Lutheran Church with my best friend, and joined them. Had occasion to attend many others. In 9th grade I wrote a thesis on Comparative Religions. Much later became a Catholic, but was soon disillusioned there. I have for some years now found peace in realizing that my Faith is my own, and am very comfortable in my present relationship with God, without attending any formal church.

4. On a less deep and possible disturbing note - I am a terrible housekeeper. I've always said my house is clean, just not neat and tidy. More recently, since I cannot do some of the physical chores I used to, I'm not too sure it is even clean. My daughter's visit over the holidays took care of some of that part, thank heaven. But there will always be piles of paper, and things not put away because I will want to use them again soon.

5. I can't drink. I enjoy a drink on occasion, but I can't take more than one. Well, maybe one and a half. More than that, and I'm tipsy. I don't like being tipsy.

6. I am never really comfortable in a really fancy restaurant. Can't relax. I don't really enjoy being waited on, there or anywhere else. I like to do things for myself. Well, it's just as well. Being diabetic, I shouldn't eat all those sauces and things. And they always serve you much too much. I don't eat that much.

7. Speaking my mind. This one works both ways. When I was in high school, I didn't speak my mind enough. I had all these wonderful (or so I thought) ideas and responses running around in my head, but never voiced them. Once I was more or less an adult, I spoke up, probably too often. And now, here I am writing a blog, and may have way too much to say at times.

8. Playing dumb. This started in my teens. I found that there were times during a date when, since most boys were basically nice anyway, if I played dumb when they made suggestive remarks or gestures, they usually decided I was a "nice" girl and cut it out. Then I found when I was out in the working world that the same tactic worked with co-workers and bosses in other situations. Playing dumb can be your best friend.

9. I had two "best friends" throughout my school years. If I have to be honest, only one was my best friend. Or I was to her. The other, I really didn't like all that much. We got along fine. There was just something about her I never really felt comfortable with, and I couldn't quite trust her.

10. Practicality. I am really not practical. Never have been. Guess I never will be.
If I am down to my last couple of dollars, and I have a choice of buying a loaf of bread or a bunch of flowers, I'm going for the flowers every time. I mean, if things are that tight, I'm going to starve to death anyway. Why not have the pretty flowers to enjoy in my last moments?


OK. That's enough honesty for a while. Lisa, it was an interesting exercise. Thank you very much for the award. I'm not going to pass it on. Not this one. But I'm glad you offered it to me. I kind of enjoyed thinking of honest things about myself that I don't normally drag out to view.

Ten Things I Like About Being Old

Before I get on with my list, a word about my dear friend, Wyetta, who as you may remember is still in a convalescent and rehab facility. I visited her yesterday and discovered that her daughter, Ashley, has bought her a computer! She has it by her bed, and I know that it means a great deal to her. She is in a good facility and is receiving good care, but it has been such a long, long time! Her computer will let her see what the world looks like these days outside of the walls of the building as well as enjoying her favorite scenes in nature, visiting pages of literature that she loves, reading her Bible without the need to hold the book, etc. Bless you, Ashley. You've found the perfect gift for your mom.

(And she can read my blog posts and my emails.)


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A little while ago I published a post titled Ten Things I Hate About Being Old. I suppose it's only fair and reasonable for me to speak to the other side.



1. I like having no schedule to follow. I have always wanted that. I dislike being forced to do the same things at the same time or in the same way. When I was working - at least for the last 18 years that I was working - the office was about three minutes from my home. I could have turned left out of my driveway, left again at the next corner, then right, and I was there. I almost never did that. I would go around the block, zig zag through the neighborhood, or maybe go up to the bay and drive along there. I wanted to see what the water looked like, or which neighbors were planting new gardens, or what was in bloom. I always allowed plenty of time to get to work each morning. Now it is necessary for me to do some things at the same time each day, like taking medication, or eating somewhere near the same times (though I often forget to eat and it runs late). But for the most part, I can do as I please when I please.

2. I can sleep in if I like. Strange. All my life I've been a morning person. I still am, up to a point. I do all my chores or shopping early, and by noon I'm ready to sit down and relax. But these days I find I sometimes want to sleep as late as 8: some mornings.

3. People hold doors for me! And salespeople often go find what I'm looking for while I wait by the counter. White hair and a cane seem to inspire courtesy.

4. There are some Senior Discounts. Not a lot, simply because I don't buy much very often, but occasionally I run into them.

5. People don't expect as much of me. That can really go on either list, because it can be a bit insulting. But it can also be nice if I don't feel like giving much of myself at some particular time.

6. I can speak my mind. Not that I haven't done that most of my life, but now I can get away with it more often without repercussions.

7. I have time to blog - or whatever I feel like doing. Or doing nothing at all.

8. I am no longer responsible for anyone else, day to day. We all have responsibilities for others all our lives of course, just because we are here on this earth along with them. But I no longer have to cook or sew or wipe noses or write notes to teachers, or deal with teen-age angst. I miss that sometimes. But mostly - not so much.

9. I don't have to answer to anyone. I would give anything if my husband were still here to answer to. But that aside, I no longer have an employer, and that is all good.

10. I still have a grandchild young enough to be pure joy as I watch his development and share his excitement of the discovery of the whole, wide world around him. He lives 3000 miles away of course, which is a huge disadvantage, but I am fortunate enough to have a daughter who keeps me well informed about his doings and sends many pictures on a regular basis, and encourages him to talk to me on the phone.


Well, that is ten. And at this point, as my life is winding down, my favorite thing is remembering. I have been very fortunate all of my life. It has always been very full of love and happiness, and many good people.The best of all, my husband, Ralph. I could not have asked for more.

So, I guess I'll stay around a little longer and enjoy it. Whenever the good Lord wants me, I'll be glad to go, but until then, I'll try not to turn into a crabby old lady. I'll keep on keeping on, as they say, and I know one of the most important things to keep me happy will be my blogging friends. So - thanks.