People who travel a lot in their recreational vehicles or even live in them are familiar with the words boondocking and moochdocking. RV living can be less expensive if you boondock or moochdock. Boondocking is a term used when you stay in a place that doesn’t have the amenities and hook-ups of a campground. You…
The Pepto Bismal House
Who paints a house that shade of pink? I walked by it every day on my way to work. I couldn’t pass it without thinking about its similarity to the noxious liquid my mother made me drink when I had an upset tummy as a child. As if having that thick gunk sliding down my…
Junk Drawers and Jockey Boxes
There was some discussion recently on Facebook about junk drawers. Some unenlightened folks said they had no idea what a junk drawer was. Really? Is this something only us aging folks know about? A junk drawer is that one place in your house, usually the kitchen, where all the little miscellaneous stuff ends up. Rubber…
How to Deal With Disappointment
Now that things have opened up in my state, people are gathering enthusiastically to do the normal things they enjoyed pre-Covid. Restaurants are busy, bars are three-deep, standing room only, and coffee establishments are allowing people to sit and enjoy their favorite brew. Our local coffee house has returned to offering live music one evening…
Who Moved My Glasses?
“Mrs. G, your daughter needs glasses.” I sat in the adult-sized exam chair, feet straight out in front. The ophthalmologist held a stiff white piece of paper in his baseball mitt-like hands. He was the ugliest man I’d ever seen in my seven years of life. And the biggest. I was in second grade. I’d…
Is it worth the worry?
What is it with those last five pounds that refuse to be banished into fat Heaven? Most women I know, even the most fit, moan about the five little lines on the scale that indicate they are not at their target weight. It could be ten, seven, or even more, but it seems like I,…
We hope you stay in touch, change is good!
With the change of seasons, my website will be evolving and making some minor changes. Going forward, I will write on a number of subjects, including aging with grace, how others handle the end of their caregiving seasons, and even some book reviews. I welcome suggestions and guest blog posts. In the weeks ahead, Jane’s…
A Mother’s Day Tribute: My Mother’s Hands
My mother gave me her ring. She can’t wear it anymore. Her once slender fingers have become swollen with arthritis. Four perfectly matched diamonds are mounted in a row on a gold band. I always thought it was her wedding ring because she’s worn it for as long as I can remember. She recently told…
Caregiver Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
If you’re caring for an elderly parent, it’s likely you’ll be exhausted by the physical and mental energy needed by your aging loved one. Take time to rest, or you may suffer from compassion fatigue, also known as caregiver burnout. Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Excessive blaming Bottled up emotion Complaining Substance abuse Difficulty concentrating Poor…
Caregiving Moments
“Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turned out.” — Jack Buck