Swimming Upstream...

Living well into your 90's is not impossible--unless you're
an unlucky skydiver, big game hunter, or bungee jumper.
A good mental attitude helps, along with good health
and eating habits.

I'm humorous, I eat smart--most of the time.
So, I've got this living thing licked so far.
It's amazing to me that the package of cheese in my
refrigerator may very well outlive us all...

Most everything is processed.
That's why food lasts so darn long.
I try my best to stay away from processed foods.
My hair's not even processed.

I've heard a crab can grow back a leg,
if he's so unfortunate as to lose it--in crabby tug-of-war.
Lucky him, or her!
Fish never seem to age.
Ever see a fish with wrinkles?
They can live eons.
Must be all the fish oil they carry around
with them in fanny packs!

I take fish oil, by eating fish, and taking capsules.
It's supposed to be great for your skin, and increase flexibility.
I'm still waiting...

Sunny Side Up...

Today's my birthday.
I don't feel 62.
I think I have the 'think young, feel young gene'.
My husband tells me “You're getting up there.”
Up where?
Age, to me, is a matter of brain matter.
If you think you're old, you're going to feel that way, and act he same.

I have a good friend Mary, in California.
When Mary was in her early fifties, she started wearing elastic waist pants.
She wore them because she'd put on a few pounds.
Mary laughed , said she was getting old.
I looked at her pretty face and realized she'd given up on wearing a little makeup, too.
“Too much trouble everyday,” she informed me.

It's never too late to make some changes, so I encouraged Mary to adopt a few.
She tossed out the cheesecake desserts, and the salted chips.
She lost a little weight too, and started feeling better.
Mary got involved with a senior group, taking trips to the Nevada casinos,
or day long trips to San Francisco.
Her outlook on life improved.

I may be getting 'up there', but my mind and body doesn't know it.
Not one to be a couch potato, I get out for daily walks.
I exercise everyday—I really don't enjoy it that much, but I push myself.
People say 'I eat like a bird.'
I like healthy salads, fish, chicken ,nuts, and fruit; I drink plenty of water.
If I fall into the pattern of feeling old, I'm afraid my
body will pick up on that, and decide to give me assorted aches and pains.

Sure, there may be days that I feel like spitting tacks,
when the day may not be going quite right.
I blame it on bio-rhythm--sounds like a good excuse.
I realize that if I put my thoughts and efforts on something else, small problems seem to dissolve.

I have many interests to keep me active and busy.
There's no time for negative thoughts.
I love to write, and I paint--not as often as I should.
I have to wait for inspired moments.
Photography is what I'm passionate about.
I love the creativity photography evokes.

Humor is the best ingredient for a long life, too.
My mom was young at heart, a real character.
She gave me her wonderful sense of humor.
We had great times together, always laughing until our sides split.
It's one of the things that I miss the most, now.
Every day I keep mom in my thoughts.
It's also what keeps me feeling young.

Life in the fast lane...

Tom and I were walking out of a natural foods store yesterday and noticed customer suggestions posted on a bulletin board by the door.

Many of the posts were compliments about the friendliness of the staff; some customers suggested products they'd like the store to carry.

One post caught my eye.
One woman vehemently complained that the store had run out of organic sunflower seeds, and was told by a manager the item would be restocked on Friday.
At least a 4-day wait.
She was angry that she had to wait that long.
Everyone seems to buy it, so why can't the store keep the item stocked, she ranted on.

We could only think she'll probably need an extra therapist session this week.
Her personal organizer is probably filled with important things to do for the week: get teeth whitened, hair foiled, manicure and pedicure, tickets for the Phil.
Nothing wrong with all of that, of course.
Poor woman, more than anything, needs a dose of coping skills.
Heaven help her if her schedule gets thrown off.

Some people think the world revolves around them.
They're used to an organized life, all neat and tidy.
How would these individuals cope if life threw them a curve ball?

Some things don't always work out the way you plan or hope they do.
I've certainly found that out, but have learned to make adjustments over the years.

Growing up in the late 40's I learned so much about coping and sacrifice from my parents. We had few possessions.
My brother and I relied on our own creativity.
I developed a love for writing,art, books.
Thank God for the library.
I had an appreciation of what I did have, and realize today, all the misfortune of the past has made my brother and I grateful for our lives today.

Bumpy Road Ahead...

Who said life was fair?
Things, big and small, all have a way of creeping into our everyday existence. Whether it's someone who cuts you off in traffic or the barking dog left outdoors for hours, these annoyances can simmer and boil, until you feel yourself changing into Frankenstein.

You suddenly start thinking of ways of getting back: the middle finger's been on vacation for awhile—what's one little wiggle going to hurt..? Yes, I'm guilty!
The barking dog a few door's down may eventually become dinner for our neighborhood coyote, panther, or alligators--of which there are three inhabiting the lake close by.

Yes, it's sometimes fun to entertain thoughts of revenge.
We're only human, after all.
Some annoyances needle and wedge, and cause brewing worries, until something alien takes over.
You've suddenly become a victim of a bad science experiment!
Where did rational thought go?

I've discovered the more something hovers over you, overwhelming your normal brain function, the more inclined your health—mental and otherwise—will suffer.
Increased blood pressure, junk food snacking, losing sleep, all add up to a doctor's visit.

My friend, “Mark” [see the archived blog, On the horizon..] has been stressfully waiting for a meeting with administration of the college where he instructs.
For two weeks, he's worried himself, speculating about the meeting, and what it may mean to him in relation to his job.
His blood pressure has gone through the roof.
I've commiserated with him, offering support and encouragement.

Allowing negative thoughts to upset your life to such a degree , is like speeding down a road with a sign saying DANGEROUS CURVES AHEAD.
There will always be worry of the unknown, and annoyances that want to burrow, but neither of these should be a winner...