My friend Colleen

 We grew up in the same town and we barely knew each other. That's a different story. We became friends in our adult life surreptitiously and that is a whole other story. 

Colleen is a writer, and in my mind a very good one. By reading her writing and being her friend, I know we are on common ground. When we get together, time seems to disappear.

It might be odd to think that two widowed women would be such very good friends and still be so busy that keeping in touch is haphazard for both of us. It is true. Colleen writes for Greene County News Online and I know I can be in touch with her writings in the opinion section if I go there, and I write in my blog on a somewhat regular basis. We are both guilty of forgetting to read the posts of each of us.

Colleen writes about trees because she loves them. So do I. Go read her entry and you will learn something, about trees, about Colleen and about me.  https://greenecountynewsonline.com /2026/09/16/what-trees-do-for-me/

7 second poop method?

 

I was trying to find the method online. Just curious! I kept being led to another site with promises but no facts. Frustrating! But I am persistent, one of my best traits even though there are those who might not agree.😁

Here is the answer, my friend.

How to Do the Routine

Drink Water: Drink a full glass of room-temperature or warm water right after waking up to rehydrate and wake up the digestive system (some versions also suggest a small amount of apple cider vinegar). 

Gentle Stretching: Do light stretches in bed to increase blood flow and relax muscles.

Wind-Relieving Pose: Perform Pawanmuktasana by lying on your back and pulling your knees to your chest for a few seconds to compress the colon and release trapped gas. 

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Finish with deep belly breaths to signal calm and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.    

Who has been hanging out at my house watching me do my morning routine?! This is something I have done for quite a few years. I admit to getting offtrack sometimes. I do the bed exercises first because if I waited I would be reluctant to return to bed to get them done.      

Happy trails to you!!                                            

Local News

 One of our Evergreen neighbors enjoys cooking. That is how Mike spends his time. If you are lucky you might get a sample. He is also willing to share recipes. Here is one that was mighty good.

We have had a string of dampish weather with no sun in sight. This morning I heard someone say it was going to be a long day. I said, "Good!,We can get more done!" Not sure it was appreciated. 😁 This is when we start thinking of heading South. Just a tad too soon, however.

Jason's latest artistic endeavor. ( Abstract, art, steel, wood, and stone)

My latest pair of earrings.

Till next time...

Recalculating!

Planning

Maybe I did...I don't remember!

Month from now...

 A month does not seem very far away and that is a date that has tentatively been chosen for "going South". So it is time to cut back on the groceries that will not stand the test of 6 month sitting in a fridge getting closer and closer to being outdated. Heaven knows we are well aware of what being outdated means!

This will be a much easier experience of preparation. The items to pack are minimal compared to years past. A few clothing items, toiletries, meds, craft supplies,T-Mobile hookup, and laptop.

I was surprised to learn that my mail can be put in my apartment by staff. And Keri has told me she will look at any mail that might seem important for one reason or another.

I have my cactus plant with me and staff also said they would water it for me. The cactus is special to me because my middle son, Gary gave it to me for mothers day in 2008. We were full-time RVing at that point and he had purchased one of those very small plants at WalMart so it worked great. I have been taking care of it ever since and there have been several generations since then. 

Enough for now. Stay tuned.

Fall

 Looked it up. The type of Hydrangea I have outside my window should be dead- headed in the fall. Good news! They are truly beautiful and do not require much effort from me.  I am currently seeing a few dead heads. 

I have had a year of many things to take care of and it has come to a normal amount of every day items that happen in most every ones ToDo lists. I was not sure I would ever get here, but here I am and ever so grateful. I set out to simplify my life and simplify I did. I have small, tidy living quarters that I am enjoying every day.

In about a month I will be heading South to enjoy another part of my life in sunny South Texas. I am frequently asked which I prefer but that is asking a question I cannot answer because there are things about each that hold equal appeal. I have friends on both ends that mean so much to me. 

Both places are like small town living. My life would be very different had I stayed in the house. As I looked into the future of that, I knew it was not for me. In a way it is a bit strange. I am somewhat of a loner on one hand and an extrovert on the other. I could see me going not days but weeks and perhaps even months without any human contact if I stayed in the house. The decisions I have made will allow a balance on both ends. If I want to sit at my computer and type out my thoughts on a myriad of subjects, or spend hours putting earrings together, or finding someone who wants to play pool, I can. Or it is easy to seek out someone to visit with if you are leaning in that direction. Uhh, the pool thing is easier in the southern part.😄

Well, it is time for some breakfast!

Grands and greatgrands

My granddaughter Ann, with her husband Anthony and their 3 daughters. Scarlet, Skyler and Nina. Ann is second from left.

Hummers

 I was part of a conversation the other day about humming birds. Jason did some research and found the first to leave and head South are the males, followed by the females, with the youngsters going last. Of course, that brings up many questions. ore research is needed.

My observations about the youngsters are many. They are brave, Mom and Dad would not argue much with wasps, flies, or other things that would try to take over on the feeders, but the youngsters persist. It makes for some interesting encounters.

They also play, "cowboy and Indians". In other words mock battles that look like dancing.

And in discussing the trip south, there are many unknown things. Today I found a post of a friend of mine who lives in Weslaco, Texas. The picture below is what her feeder looks like! I would say that Mom and Dad have made the trip!

Laps

 I have been doing the 7 laps (equals 1 mile) indoors because at my usual walk time it is still dark outdoors. So I should be doing my outdoor walk now but here I sit in front of my computer. Trying to think of something to share with you.

I can see the north side of the hospital from my living room. I know that the hospital provides meals for the prisoners and it gets picked up by the police at 12:15 and 5:15. In the early morning I am too busy to notice. 

I can see life-flight hellecopters when they come and go. Of course I wonder who,what and where whenever I see them. Sometimes I find out later, but most of the time I do not. Last night was a busy night, lots of ambulances arriving and going.  Many police cars coming and going. Jefferson is a small town of approximately 5000 people so this is unusual.

Evergreen is a like a small town within a small town. I am beginning to know everyone. We have about 6 openings right now and I won't get to know the new arrivals until I return in the spring. When a vacancy occurs it can take 1 to 2 months to get it ready for new tenants. As I am going south in October, I will be a stranger to them when I return.

On another subject, I am still making earrings, playing pool, reading or listening to books and other fun things.

Till next time!