Take it to heart...

How do you stay married for 60 plus years? This is how!

 

It happens every fall

 My thoughts start heading South every Fall. I am not quite there yet but it isn't far off. After all October follows September right on it's heals. I pare down what I buy for food. I have a container that holds things I plan to take but do not need in the margin. I start making lists. Not as long as they used to be, however still needed.

My main thought in coming to Evergreen Ridge was having a life with few complications and short ToDo lists.  I have achieved that. It leaves time for many things, such as reading, walking, crafting, playing pool, playing cards with friends, and many other fun things. 

We have several openings in this wonderful place I am living in. I asked about that when they were still full and was told it fluctuates. We currently have 6 maybe 7 open units. In our age group the coming and going can happen quickly. Keeping in mind we are an Independent facility. We must be able to take care of all our needs on our own. Another good reason to stay fit as a fiddle. 

Across the street is an assisted living place. I heard yesterday that a person from there is coming here! I asked how that happens and was told they went there first not thinking about the differences. They happened to be a late sleeper. They would not let them sleep in. Must be up for breakfast! I can see the reason for that as they are supposed to keep tabs on the people.  But if you have slept till at least 8 AM most of your life 7 AM breakfast is not on your to-do list. I guess that is another motivation to stay able to do for yourself as long as possible. I also thought of several people in my life. My mother had a business in her home but if you called or came by before 9:00 you were on her blank list. I told her the World turns at 8 ,Mom. She did not believe it. And my husband loved staying in bed in the morning as long as possible. He would have been livid if he had to get up before 8, unless it was to play golf or some other fun event. 

So I walked 2 miles this morning...now if I can stay away from the sugar treats I might be able to stay Idependent.

Going WAY back!

I hate to admit this, but I never look at comments. I didn't know I could, to be honest. And today, of all days, I found 74 of them going way, way back to before 2012! 

Bill and Kay were our friends and neighbors when we wintered in Magnolia Park, Donna, Texas. Bill of Bill and Kay was a very thrifty fellow, along with being a happy and very fun guy to be around. Bill and Kay are both deceased now. I so enjoyed finding this post, so I am sharing it with you.

Sent on May 6th from Kay S

For my friends who know Bill and Kay this will not be surprising...We need to reach out to our friend in this time of need. Perhaps we should consider an intervention.
Barb
From Kay:
"I have been home exactly 1 week today and already I am dreading the summer. Bill went up to his special little fruit market just across the border in Michigan. They had fresh strawberries for 25 cents a quart. His heart stopped, his eyes bugged out and he had thought he had hit the mother lode. He came home with 20 quarts. I am just now getting done. I ended up with 9 (16 oz). Red Neck wine glasses, 18 other jars of various sizes, but most were 16 oz, and 4 quart bags of sliced berries that I froze. I could give a s--t if I ever see another strawberry. Tell Butch there will be an ample supply of jam this winter on Peach Street. Also in this same trip he got a head of lettuce, a head of cauliflower, celery, and last but not least a bag (not small) of fresh green beans. Think of me, as it is only the first week of May. Somebody please adopt me QUICK"
Kay S.

Right?

Oh, yes! This happened at our house! Always with a smile!

Let's go for a walk!

 When I lived on Cedar Street, I had it all figured out. From the house to the mile marker on the bike trail was a block or two over a mile. So to the mile marker and home again was easy, a bit over two miles. 

It has been a bit of a struggle to figure it out since moving across town, but I had a breakthrough this morning. It was too dark to start off outdoors, so I made the seven trips around inside that equal one mile and then went outdoors to do my usual trip. I clocked the whole business, and it was the same amount of time it always was on Cedar. In other words, a bit over two miles.

I have been committed to walking for more years than I can count. I assume if you know me very well at all that isn't news. There have been times and circumstances that have kept me from walking, but the way my day goes and how I feel always brings me back to it. 

There are things that make it easier. Walking with a friend, the time just flies. It isn't always easy to find one who will commit. Set a time and a place every day to meet, and then you don't want to let your walking partner down. Or you can listen to an audiobook. I only wear one earbud so I can still hear what is happening in my surroundings. Many times I continue to listen once I get home.

Intending to lose weight by walking is not a good reason to start. Results are not quick or perhaps impossible. I have talked to many who have made that a goal without results. More energy, sleeping better, and a general overall good feeling are all better and often immediate results. Now, if you are a lifelong couch potato, take it slow, maybe starting off with a block. If you don't, you may not believe a word I have written.

I used to take my camera. I can always find something to take a picture of. Your phone can work too.

Trail pics: A favorite of my trail pics. I was very close.

On the trail

Taken this year!

Pondering

Good Grief

 September 9th, 2026, will mark the one-year anniversary of Butch's passing

Butch and I were a team. We knew each other like the back of my hand. You do not happily live together for 66 years without that truth. Every time we embarked on a new adventure, we would say, "Just you and me, kid!"  We were and are as tight as any two would want to be. It was a gradual thing, of course, as life is, and there were rocky times for sure. After all, we were married in our teens!

But now he is gone from here, but not gone from me. I know he would be proud of me, as I am so proud of him. In the last days of his life, he knew it was about to end, and he did it so well and tried his best to make it easy for me.

Everyone grieves differently. It is the most personal thing to go through. I am happy, and there are those who may think I shouldn't be. All I can say is you can't take that away from me. I am happier and more grateful than ever and always will be. He would approve wholeheartedly.

Maybe In your 80's?

  I do not know how it happened, why it happened, or, in particular, when it happened. Perhaps the beginning was when we retired.  I am genuinely and cognitively happy. To this recipe add a giant-sized amount of gratitude. I wish everyone could look at life this way and feel the result.

Being a Kid...

 Butch and I were married in our teen years. When I read this cartoon, I immediately thought of Butch. One of his wonderful qualities was that when he came home from work, he played with the boys. I didn't think a thing of it at the time. Now I know how wonderful that was.

Romance in the Air!

 No, it is not me! But I might have had something to do with it. One of them expressed to me an interest in the other one, and I passed the word along. Younger people may be dismayed or encouraged by this, but romance does not change much no matter the age. We might be in more of a hurry considering the time limit we are working on. Other than that, it is much the same. 

As far as I know, the majority of us are very happy for them. I'm betting that is not a subject you ever expected me to write about! Me either!

Moving on... As I was walking through the main hall yesterday, one of my Evergrene friends said to me, "You sure have a lot of friends!" I hadn't put much thought into it. After consideration, I sure do! I have Jefferson friends, South Texas friends, Family friends, and now Evergreen friends. And Butch and I, during our 10 years of RVing, picked up a few strays along the way. It is nearly impossible for me to keep up with them all, and that is the reason for this blog. The only negative to this is that you all know about me, but I don't get as much info about you. So send me a note if you will to Keep.movin.on@gmail.com. Whether you do or not, I will still count you among my friends. 💞

Love those AI photos!