Road Trip Down Memory Lane...

 A street we lived on back in the late 50's, early 60's



It's been well over 35 years since my sister and I had returned together to the small towns (Hanna and Delia) in Alberta where we'd lived for much of our childhood.  It was Sis's idea to spend a weekend back where our roots began.   I thought, "Why not?  It should be fun. "  She picked me up mid-morning and so we began our road trip venturing down memory lane.

Memory is a funny thing.  I'm four years younger than Sis so, it makes sense some of our recollections would be different, but most interesting (to me) was how different!  I was repeatedly amazed how as children, our age difference drastically changed our perceptions.  Although, we know each other well, it was the unexpected things we discovered about the other that was most remarkable.

 For instance...

Our first stop was Delia, where we'd lived for about 7 years.  It's a tiny hamlet of less than 200 people.  Not much different from 50 years ago.  We drove around reminiscing where we'd lived, who we went to school with, where we played, gone to church, shopped...so many memories.  Some good...some not so good...

When we stopped at this old graveyard on the outskirts of Delia, I discovered that it had been a place Sis frequented as a young child.  She'd pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then bike out to spend time in this lonely spot.  Her reasons were complicated and poignant and something I'd never heard her speak about.  This now desolate location managed to open up old wounds, but at the same time it was strangely cathartic for her.  Although it held no particular memories for me, it now gave me a keener insight into my sister's world as a young girl. How odd to learn these things after so many, many years?  And so the road trip went...

We laughed, we cried, we speculated on the "what ifs"...

 

It was strange going back to where we'd spent so much of our childhood.  Bizarre how so many of the ancient buildings that once housed families, friends, neighbours where now barren and bleak.  We could almost hear the echo of the many voices, the laughter, the tears...faded memories...


Most peculiar was how the weather grew cloudier and more deary as our road trip progressed.  A perfect setting on what felt, at times, like we were roaming around an old Hollywood sound stage.  Honestly, we both felt this weird combination of the here and now with the eerie quality of a time-warp. 

 

 As our road trip was ending, we left behind the ghostly murmurs in vacant buildings and decaying memories swirling over long-neglected graves.  The cold, dreary clouds began to part as we drove west, homeward bound, heading back to the present where (God willing) future memories and road trips begin.



No More for Me...

 

 

No more running for me or... vigorous workouts or...extreme sports or...even...

 

running vigorously uphill, carrying a ninety pound barbell in each hand, while chasing grizzlies in the Rocky Mountains!!!   No Siree!  No more for me!  It just hurts too much these days...

 



But then again who really can do these things after a certain age?  It just goes with getting older;  like having aches and pains, less flexibility, reduced strength and more B.S. and lies ...  Ah well, it sucks, but it can always be worse.  Right?

So, in an effort not to lose it all (you know..."don't use it - lose it") I've been trying faithfully to exercise 4 or 5 days per week.  To be honest, I don't always achieve this goal; last week I completely lost it and didn't exercise once.  However, by setting a goal, I achieve more than I normally would.  Which could very easily be diddly squat!

Besides doesn't gardening count for exercise??  Or climbing stairs several times a day??

I try to do two main forms of exercise, one with Jane Fonda (no, not in person!) on DVD and my ever so slight (yea sure) variations on yoga.  I use to do power yoga pre-back injury, but alas, this is more my style now...

or this...

But, I quite like yoga.  It definitely is my speed (slow and stop) plus, the added bonus of not breaking too much sweat.  I do HATE to sweat!  Hating to sweat runs in my bloodline; another blog topic, another day.  Anyway, if I stay away from the more exotic yoga styles...like this one... (shudder)

...I do quite well. 

Then there's Jane...  I hate her!!

My goodness, she's 70-something and I swear if she can do this and look so great at her age, I should be able to follow suit.  Uh-huh...  Right...

Sure I can...

Well, maybe Good Ol' Jane can just be my inspiration.  Regardless, she does have several very good workouts for the mature woman and trust me, they seem deceptively easy, but really are a decent challenge...at least for this old broad! 

I also, have to give Dear Jane credit, even though she is famous and all.  She is not only over 70, but has osteoarthritis and has had a hip and knee replacement so...staying fit can't be all that easy.  Kudos to her!

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Tha...that's all folks! 

The Joys of Weeding...

This has been an interesting summer for me.  It is the first one in four years (yes! you heard right!) since I haven't hurt too much to really play in the dirt aka gardening.  It's been a year since I've had back surgery and although I'd hoped to be more improved than I am, at least it's better than it's been.  It sucks, but I rejoice in any and all steps forward!

With that in mind, even weeding in my garden and flower beds is dee...lightful!  Before I injured myself, I enjoyed playing in the dirt, but it was never quite so fulfilling as it is today.  Mostly I did it without much thought...

it was just one of those necessary tasks that I actually liked doing.  But now, it requires much thought and preparation.  Here is what I need to do these days in order to do what I once done on impluse...

1. My new mantra... "Protect the back, Protect the back, Protect the back!"
2. Gather gardening equipment including pail, shears, trowel, small rake, gloves, hat, bug spray, sunblock and... most important, foremost, crucial...
3. The Pillow!  No, I do not intend to sleep in the garden!
4. Put on kneepads... Yes, the knees are shot along with the back!

Sometimes I feel like I'm outfitting for war, instead of gardening, but heh, a gal does what she has to do...

After all this rigamole, I get myself situated on the pillow (no kneeling for this old lady anymore) and the pain pills do their job.  I hope to be able to garden at least as long has it took me to get ready for the job.  Discouraging?  Yes, it can be...  Disheartening?  At times... but...

little by little, day by day, I get the job done.  The sense of accomplishment is more than I ever experiienced pre-injury!  I do rejoice!



 

 

 

 

 

Under the Circumstances...

My apologies Loyal Readers.  I have been tardy, negligent, remiss and yes...even indifferent about keeping up with my blog posts.  I know this is a most excellent way to lose faithful readers who make time in their busy schedules to read whatever "earth-shattering" pondering I may have put to paper and it is no way to build a readership.  I know it is disrespectful and ungrateful behaviour on my part. 

Did I not title my blog Growing Old Gratefully??? 

So whazup???  

Well...I have been attending a 3 week party.  Yes indeedy!  A Pity Party for one.  There!   I confess!  I have been feeling justifiably or not, sorry for myself. So, why the big downer?  Well...

let's face it...it takes effort to always see the light at the end of the tunnel

that the glass half full or...

belief in happy endings.

 I simply quit trying to "see" the many reasons I have to be grateful.  It is gratitude the gives our life light without which there is only darkness.  I know this, but sometimes, if I'm not careful I fall into the dark abyss. 

This has gotten me to contemplate why I stop being grateful?  What pushes me over the edge?

One of the Bible's scriptures tells us...   1 Thessalonians 5:18   In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

And of course the ever-popular verses Paul wrote...  Philippians 4:11-12  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Here's the thing...I believe I shouldn't be dependant on "life" to keep me contented or grateful as it always has a way of disappointing.  Yet...I continually battle against allowing circumstances to defeat me.  Am I alone with this?

Sometimes I just get tired of the effort it can take to be optimistic and hopeful.  Sometimes...it's just seems impossible to be thankful for all things. It can be an enormous challenge to be contented regardless of circumstances. 

But I do long to become one of those who, like Paul, have the faith to always rise above the trials that befall us in life and continue to be grateful.  Then it occurred to me...I may be slow, but I eventually arrive...
I do indeed have that kind of  faith.  I do always...eventually...ultimately... rise above all my ordeals, in the end.  It just might take awhile.  Sometimes a "Pity Party" feels...

easy

simple

undemanding.

Cos, gosh darn it!!  Staying content and thankful requires effort!  Sometimes I just get lazy!

And really who knows how many "Pity Parties" Paul attended before he could claim he was "thankful in everything"?

So, although I long to reach that spiritual plane where nothing can disturb me or darken my mood, I'm not there yet.  I always regret it when I allow my negative heart space to interfere with my joy,but I am grateful (most of the time).  I do value all the good gifts in my life, including my Loyal Readers who take the time to check out my words.

There are times when a good old-fashioned pity party can feel in order.  I hope I'm not alone in this either??

So, Loyal Readers I'm back in the saddle again...

I hope I didn't lose too many of you along the party trail cos, I really do appreciate you....

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Ta Ta!!