Going back to the office

Feeling uninspired today, I am going back to the office I left exactly one year ago today.  Hoping to find most of the people still there and hoping they will remember me.  This is a picture of Harry from last evening on my lap.  We are getting along fine.  His pooping schedule continues to be a daily mystery.  Every time it is figured out, he changes it, very frustrating some times.

Had the discussion yesterday about male isolation in older years.  It is truly damaging to the the aging male population.  We do not reach out to form and continue relationships.  Interactions are missing an you spend too much time being alone and feeling alone.  It seems that women in the same age bracket are happy to be grandmas and mothers and completely use their time for this purpose.  Men, not so much.  Your life and purpose of life has changed drastically.  In traditional models, men spend at least 50 years being the primary income earners for their family and when that stops, you can fall off a cliff.  Wives move into the grandma role and you don't know what role to move into.  Many men simply isolate them selves and almost never look to interact with men in their similar circumstances.  

This seems to me to be the problem.  Life has changed.  It is not going to be the way it was.  Really it is damaging to sit around trying to figure what you are going to do next.  Call an old friend for coffee or lunch.  I did a few of these and it was good to reconnect on a one to one basis.  Social media is not the answer. It is a noncommittal way to say things to people with no visual feedback, really not enough.

all for now

Feeling safe

No pictures today.  I had a thought today while my new friend Harry fell asleep in my arms.  It seems that one of the most important things we can offer to our friends and family (and pets) is the feeling of safety when you are around us or in our care.  People and especially children need to know they are in safe haven. Schools should provide this.  Mom and Dad and grandparents should provide this.  Without it, there is no relaxation, no easing into the day or expecting to be fed or nurtured.  The chance to be accepted as you are with all your shortcomings is an essential part of life.  We don't care what you look like, how your hair is or how you smell. If you get something wrong or make a mistake no matter how huge, you are still okay with us.  I have made plenty of missteps in my life.  My mother especially helped me roll thru it and come out better on the other side.

We went back to the gym today with the new owner.  She is so excited about the improvements being made and a nervous wreck at the same time.  She is a co owner with her husband and he is out of town on business with her bearing all the load of these changes.  We wish her well and appreciate all the hard work she is putting in making the place attractive, functional and welcoming.

Dinner last night with good friends Anne and George.  She is an eternally upbeat person who is thrilled to be a grandma and thrilled to have George as her husband.  He is a very regular guy who doesn't see himself as special, but his wife does.  We had lots of laughs and shared some shared experiences with grand kids.  I guess these discussions are one of the up sides of retirement.  Conversation is key to growth and connections with people are extremely important.  I am going to try to do more of this.  
all for now...

Birthday....celebrate??

That's me, an old truck that cleans up well and still has some fire in the tank.  I just don't move as fast. This is the first birthday I will spend without my mother.  She always made a point of telling me the circumstances of my birth and the weather of that day in 1950.  Its the only thing that makes me sad.  You know, I come from the generation that said "Never trust anyone over thirty". Now I am more than twice that age.  I cannot imagine being on the short side of 70.  

on another topic, the wheelchair is fixed thanks to the diligence of my wife and some help from Channel 7 News.  One carefully worded and placed email to them got the vendor moving and the parts were located and installed the same day.  I you are having an issue with a company and can document the events that led up to the problem, they can and will help. Keep this in mind.  

We are on week 2 with Harry.  Things are going pretty well aside from a few accidents and the colder temps for walks.  We are surrounded by dogs in the neighborhood and he is spooked by their barking.  He will have to get used to it. 

My wife is making cupcakes today for the party.  The kids like these better.  I am past the point of big desire on a particular cake.  Shannon is watching Handy Manny on Hulu and listening to her tunes on the player.  All is cold and calm today.  The sun is brilliant.  Our neighbors lost power because of the windstorms earlier in the week.  Fortunately the power is now up and running and they can sleep in their own beds again.  

I went for a dentist visit this week, for a non event filling.  He is a great guy and dental technician.  During the process, I had no "white knuckle" moments.  At the end I complimented him and his work stating that he always made me feel safe. I got a warm smile in return and he was touched. (did something right).

 Drivers license renewal also this week.  Was nervous about the eye test.  I have good days and not so good days.  But it went well and I am good for another 4 years.  There was an elderly gentleman that was abruptly told he was not eligible for a license due to his physical condition.  He was devastated and I could feel his remorse.  We need alternatives in transportation for those somewhat diminished.

This is Harry and me in quiet repose.  He has become my buddy and we are learning about each other.  He is a reluctant walker especially in the cold.  I collapse after in front of the news most days and awaken in round two of Jeopardy.  Well that's all for now and I am preparing for day of relaxing, pizza and kids and grand kids.  Should be a good day.
 

 

Harry

We added a new family member last Sunday, Feb 26th, he is a rescue dog from a local non profit Good Karma Puppy Rescue, White Lake MI.  Harry is a mix of rat terrier and something else weighing in about 4 pounds at this point but will not be more than 20 lbs full grown.  This is a shot of Judy and Harry on adoption day.  The name comes from multiple sources.  Her dad was named Harry, I am Jerry Harry and my grandfather was named Harry, so appropriately named Harry.  We are in the throws of puppy training, including middle of the night potty time in now the cold weather.  He is fun and rambunctious put a couch potato at night.  

On another front we are trying to get this wheelchair repaired.  Dealing with all the parties involved has proven quite cumbersome in that you don't get straight answers.  I feel like I'm being played like a violin.  The battle continues.

One notable thing.  Occasionally products advertised on TV actually work.  We bought a couple of the new copper pans for cooking.  THEY REALLY WORK! Nothing sticks to these pans.  If I had the money, would buy one for all my cooking friends.  I made a grilled cheese sandwich with muenster cheese between a blueberry English muffin today.  It was spectacular.  The cheese that went over the roll melted and could be incorporated in the sandwich.
all for now