Dark Poem

Years after my dad had died, I had a really sad dream. When I woke up, I wrote this very dark poem and left it in his antique metal box until now, 19 years later.

Dad's dead
It's been five years
Still
He comes to me at night
My chest hurts so
Why can't I tell them?
Why must no one know?
My sister comes
He turns and runs across the moor
so she won't see
I wake
and cry
and cry
and cry
Cause Dad's dead.

- Daphne

Knitting

I'm knitting a white blanket with little hearts all over it for my new grand-baby due in May. I've made many mistakes in it, but my mother would have said - that's life. So true. The local knitting expert here said "they're not mistakes, they're features". I like that.

This is the second white blanket I have knit. The first one, over eight years ago was for my first grandchild. I was knitting it while I visited with my mother who was then in respite care. She would stroke it and comment on the softness of it. I wrote a poem about that time. One person I loved was leaving me and a new one was coming into my life. I thought it deserved to be memorialized.

61 is just around the corner for me. My dreams for 60 fell a little flat and then I had a vision. I can't remember where or when it happened but it has had a profound impact on me. I saw myself from others eyes. Maybe I was viewing my own funeral, I'm not sure. Anyway the love and admiration was flowing and I was accepting it. That in itself is quite something. I had been bemoaning the fact that I hadn't accomplished anything of any great significance in my life and then all of a sudden I see all these people whom I have known through the years and they think I'm wonderful. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the vision is that I totally accepted the admiration and love of others. All my barriers were down. I actually allowed myself to feel it. When it was over, I had changed. I see now that my whole life has had great significance. God made me and He has been working in and through me all along. I can't go back under that shadow of self-doubt and recriminations.

Recently I was visiting with a terrific woman who is a budding artist. She had accomplished much already but I could see that she was under the shadow of self-doubt. I could hardly believe it as I considered her so talented and just a great person. I didn't say it but I thought to myself - she needs a vision.

A new look...

I know, I know, it's been a while. Today, I decided that I would put a new look on the blog...let me know what you think. As I said in a previous posting, I have decided to use this blog for my own benefit as well as anyone who wants to join or comment.

I have decided to join a gym.....and it's amazing how many ladies of our age are doing the same thing. The gym is a ladies only gym and just comfortably busy, with lots of ages, shapes and sizes to make the intimidation of a large gym with hard bodies and slim women non-existent. It has all the equipment and I sucked it up and had a session with a personal trainer to get started. It has worked really well....mind you, I'm only 3 sessions in but the only downside that I can see, is that with the music they have blaring out of the speakers, my MP3 player has to be at almost full volume!! However, I get to listen to my classical music station and am finding it quite enjoyable. Hopefully the gym sessions will improve my sleeping habits....which haven't been too good of late.

The Olympics have been keeping me interested...although I just can't allow myself to spend the entire day in front of the TV....as tempting as it might be. So I have done some picking and choosing with my favourite being the figure skating of course. I would dearly love to watch the hockey, but I get so up tight that it's just no fun. So I scoot downstairs and putter and then whenever DH cheers I switch to CTV on my computer and watch for a short time and then go back to whatever I was doing. When the score is to our benefit and nearing the end of the game where in all likelihood they will win, then I come back upstairs and watch the end in order to do the "high five" with DH!!

Well...for now, that's it. I know, it's not overly inspiring...but give me time. I'm finding enjoyment in reading other blogs, some weight loss, some cooking and some just very interesting. It can take up a lot of time ....but it's definitely fun time!!....and besides...don't have I have just all the time in the world???? :-)

Slainte!!

Inspiration....

Ok...so I know I haven't posted to this blog in a while, but then neither has anyone else.....

This morning I received a daily inspiration quote from Real Simple and I thought I would share....

You can only perceive real beauty in a person as they get older
- Anouk Aimee


Slainte!!

Shopping at a Walmart Superstore!!

So when I was away recently, I went shopping in a Walmart Superstore.
I normally shy away from Walmart for a various and sundry reasons, but this time I went with a friend and was quite impressed with the "superstore" concept.
For one thing, the selection in the clothing section was so much larger than a regular store.....which brings me to my topic....new clothes!!

Yes, I actually bought some new clothes in styles that I normally don't wear.
My clothing store of choice has always been Penningtons (and their affiliates)...
My tops have been long, straight, and easy to keep clean.
So....this actually started at Penningtons...I got a shorter top with and different neckline in a brighter colour. It looked great and garnered some positive comments....thus setting the stage for a bit of a makeover!!

So when I hit Walmart, my friend (who has a great fashion sense for "women of an age" as I call us), picked out some tops and pants for me. I tried them on and was quite amazed at how it changed my whole look for the better. Granted, the quality probably is not as good on some, but will last the summer quite well with careful washing and the pants....well, for someone who loves stretch material....these were a total change. Lightweight cotton with roll up legs so you have the choice of capris or full length....and a beige-khaki type colour.....so pretty much goes with everything. It was all very reasonably priced, so I'm kinda tickled !!

So now the task at hand is to sort through all my summer clothes and give the boot to some of the more worn ones (frayed at the seams etc.....) and make some room in my drawers for "new stock"

Slainte!!

Blog News.....

I have now opened this blog up for general viewing.....an experiment. It's been pretty much a dormant blog for a few months and I would like to see it active again., However, I could say that I have done this also for somewhat selfish reasons......it is yet another blog in which I can write my thoughts....only in this one, hopefully, I will be joined by others.

It is not a personal blog, it is a team blog...at least that's the hope. Some of the thoughts maybe personal, in that they are what I and others feel about things, but no more personal than that.

So...if by chance, someone reads this and decides they would like to comment, that's totally ok and if you want to post something relevant to the topic....feel free to let me know.....

The topic....well...it's all about being a woman at or near 60 years of age...or even just over 50.
Even if you're nowhere near that age and have something to say about it.....you are welcome to do so....even if just as a comment!!

Slainte!!