PAST - PRESENT - FUTURE
When I refer to the word PAST - I'm thinking of past winters I have spent in Florida.



If you have been reading my blog you know that the weather this season has been great, I've done a lot of fun things, seen some great shows and movies, gone out to eat a lot and gotten together with family and friends.

There is a Yiddish expression that explains what has been going on here. "Mit ein tuchus ken min nit tansen oif tzve chassenes." Translation - "With one rear end you can not dance at two weddings."

It's a lot funnier in Yiddish but you get the message. There is so much to do here, you just can't do everything.

There have been winters in Florida where I have landed in the hospital, once for something minor and once for major surgery.

One year when I was here with my husband he had major surgery and spent the winter recovering. One year we had to cut our winter short when my sister-in-law took ill.

Last winter I was very limited in what I could do. I needed hip surgery and waited until I got back North to have it done. Just going to the supermarket was a painful experience! So that winter was "for the birds."

This winter has been one of the most enjoyable, with good weather, good friends and good health!

THE PRESENT

Now it's time to close up shop here, close this phone, open phone up North, stop paper, start paper, disconnect computer, start computer, stop mail, start mail.

And then there's the packing!! I've started that job, I do bits and pieces whenever I can. My freezer and refrigerator are where they should be at this point, running on empty.

Just a point of information: I recently bought some gas, the price was $3.77 a gallon. When I first came down gas was $3.05 a gallon.

THE FUTURE

I know that when I get home it will still be chilly, but I really don't mind.

I can deal with that.

It will take me some time to get things put away.

I can deal with that.

It takes a few days until I find my way around the house. Where are the light switches, where are my pots, pans and dishes?

I can deal with that.

I might have to wait for a few days before my car gets delivered.

I can deal with that.

There is one challenge I will face when I get home - I don't expect to have the busy lifestyle that I have in Florida or the many opportunities to do different things that are available to me.

There is a senior center around the corner from where I live, never really looked into it. My impression is, "they play bingo." I have heard that they offer some day trips but they leave at 7:00 a.m.

That's not for me!

There is another center a few towns over, I'll check that one out.

The local library has an occasional program in the evening. The street is not well lit, the sidewalk is made up of irregular red bricks. (That's not a good thing for a senior)

So you see , my work is cut out for me. All I can do is keep my ears and eyes open and hope for the best!

Once I get settled I'll make a post from the North country.

posted by millie garfield @ 2:54 PM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 9 comments

 
TODAY IS RONNI BENNETT'S 70th BIRTHDAY
Every birthday is special but when you hit a number like "70" it's really special.

Our blogging friend, Ronni Bennett, from "Times Goes By" is observing her birthday today.


Happy Birthday Cake. Photo by freakgirl cc by-nc-nd

I had the good fortune to discover Ronni's blog soon after I started blogging, what a find that was!

She was writing about what it was like to get older, in a serious way and sometimes in a humorous way.

At other times Ronni writes about issues that are important to seniors. She also writes about her work and life experiences - so interesting!

To this day, she writes about all of the above and once in while throws in a surprise post. I love those!!

After following her for some time, I really felt I knew her. That's the way it is, when you read someone's blog for a while you really "do know" them.

I have only met a handful of bloggers and one of them happens to be Ronni. When she lived on the East Coast we met for lunch one day and it was like meeting an old friend.


Ronni and Millie

If you haven't read her blog, go visit and discover a great lady.

If you are one of the lucky ones who reads her blog, go over and wish her a happy birthday!

"Ronni, enjoy the cake and have a very happy birthday!"

posted by millie garfield @ 7:00 AM | Permalink | I LOVE COMMENTS >> 2 comments