#111: Hallowe'en (at the Home)

A Hallowe'en party was in full swing when I arrived at the retirement home today.  There were costumes and snacks, and a lot of bored and bemused 80 and 90-year olds.

A guy in sixties garb was playing his guitar and singing music that was very familiar....to me.  Simon and Garfunkle.  The Mamas and the Papas.  I could have rhymed off his play list by heart.

He was pretty good, but I decided not to stay in case I embarrassed myself.  I appeared to be the only person in the entire room who knew all the words to California Dreamin'.

I'll have a lot of fun at Riverside Glen in about 20 years.

#110: Senior Moments

Last night at the dinner table one of our guests had a brain freeze.  The name of a film escaped her.  She couldn't recall the actors or any words from the title.  The movie may have taken place in Nepal, but she wasn't sure.  Five of us tried to prompt her with "twenty questions" that were intended to unlock another clue, but none was revealed.

I have this happen all the time, and it is particularly weird when it involves a group .  My book club (all older women)  is reduced to giggles when --each giving it our best shot-- we fail to recall a book title. Shouldn't 12 reasonably intelligent (but older) brains be able to conjure one bit of information?   Not necessarily.

But, thank goodness, the senior "moment" is usually just that -- a limited phenomenon.  Older brains have the time to cogitate and eventually the missing word, phrase or movie title is unearthed.  A bit late for the dinner table, perhaps, but on the tongue at last.

I fully expect an email from my dinner guest with the subject heading: Eureka!

#109: Vintage

In spite of two groups of dinner guests this weekend, I managed to organize myself so as to attend a big sale of vintage clothing in Toronto with my daughter. 

It was fun to stroll down memory lane, or "memory closet" in this case, but no vintage items were purchased.  I certainly bought nothing for myself.  I figure that if you remember wearing something, you've had your turn. 

If you are vintage, you  probably shouldn't wear it.

#108:The Zen of Zehrs

Zehrs is our local Loblaws grocery store -- not my favourite destination, but a much pleasanter place to be now that I have time to find what I need.

So what if I forget the lemons and have to walk back to produce?  I'll retrace my steps and call it exercise.

So what if older folks are clogging the aisles with their slow moving carts?   I'll smile and breathe deeply and I won't look at my watch.  Just Breeeeeathe.....that could be me in a few years.
   

#107: Perception

It beats me why at 7 am, it is now so very dark outside.

Much too dark to get up.  Way darker than the same day last year, I swear.

The retired brain must perceive light differently.

#106: Tea and Company

It was a toss-up: go hiking in chilly drizzle or stay home, before the fire, tea in hand.

Having picked the latter two rainy weeks in a row, I put on my rain gear and headed out with the ladies.

Good choice.  I was rewarded (eventually) with Shirley Ann's fire, her tea and fresh baking, and the company of witty fellow walkers.

A sunny Wednesday would have been nice, but today's default was more than acceptable.

#105: Thanks

I wrote a note today to a former volunteer whose husband has just been diagnosed with ALS.  What rotten news.

I would have certainly have sent a card while I was working, but I would have done it "on the job".  I'm glad that I now have time for this sort of thing without millions of other tasks shouting for my attention. Today I could simply reach out to her as a friend.

Her situation reminds me that life is precious. Every day with our dear ones is a gift.