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Wednesday, November 26, 2014

TYPICAL DAY

                                        TYPICAL DAY?

                                                                            

DO ALL TYPICAL

DAYS START

LIKE THIS ????











I wake up and turn over and pull up the quilt under my chin. I am not sure I want to get up? I think it is too darn cold! However I know a new day has started so I must do my routine. I make sure both feet are set firmly on the floor. I head for the shower, which used to take 15 minutes but now takes a half hour or more. I get dressed-about an hour. I make my bed-20 minutes. I try to decide what to fix for breakfast-20 minutes. I then fix breakfast-it could be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but usually about one half hour. I eat breakfast- 10 minutes and I am ready to face the day. OR AM I?

I try to remember what my USUAL DAY is like? It usually consists of checking the phone to see if anyone has called. Then I check the computer and the Android to see if have been checked up on? All that done I read the newspaper, but I really did not have to because it is just like yesterdays, with a few names and places changed. (How ever I really have to check and see if there are any "dead people" there that I know?)

Then I take my meds being very careful to be sure and take the one that causes me to go to the bathroom and then I am careful to be sure and take the one that stops me from going to the bathroom?? I think to myself "couldn't I just not take either one of them and that would balance things out"? I suppose not that would be to easy.

Well by now my day is more than half over and I don't feel like I have accomplished much. Should I take a nap or should I let the positive side of my brain take over? I think to myself- My sister may call and want to do lunch where we eat, visit and reminisce. We always enjoy that (In fact the food seems to take a back seat to the visiting.)

Then the thought pops in my head--If I take a nap and do not go out, who will "pay off" the  kids in a restaurant when they get $1.00 for having good manners and being polite? That is a fun thing I started doing several years ago when I was traveling a lot, and I still do it. It is fun to see the big smile that comes on the kids face when they each get $1.00 which is all their own. And the look on the Mom or Dad's face is sometimes more fun to watch than the kids.

If I take a nap now who will smile at the 7-11 workers and tell them Merry Christmas. Who will help the older ladies get their groceries in the trunk of their car and the shopping cart back to it's stand? Who will write my grand kids and give the "sage advice" from an old Grandpa? If I nap all day will someone else do those things? Then I realize some people are depending on the "tender mercies" of life done through people like me?

After this short spurt of thought my mind really gets going and I recall asking a lady at the hospital if it was OK to tell her I liked her dress? She got tears in her eyes and said, "Oh yes, no man has ever told me that before." Now at this point I thought "I could be thought of as a masher" (a Masher is a word from MY generation.)

Now I am thinking of how it is the small everyday things we do that really makes people happy. We do not know their problems and we do not know their trials, but I do know that a smile and a kind word usually gets the same thing in return.

I suppose by now you have figured out I like people and I love my family. People not so much in big bunches but one on one or a few at a times works for me. At least then I can hear what they have to say. Ha Ha--( I wear hearing aids- and others that do, will know what I am talking about.)

After my mind processed all this stuff an amazing thing came to mind. "People depend on me!" It is amazing what a positive attitude will do.

No nap for me today, maybe I can help someone be happy and they can do the same for me. In fact not just today but many, many more days. No nap for me I am going out among the "folks."

I can smile and talk to them as friends and family. I can give them a hug (I am not a masher) I truly love my family and friends and especially this time of year.  From Halloween to New Years Day was my wife's special season and I am glad some of it has rubbed off on me.

I hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving, A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

TOUCHE (my signature name for the people I love.)

   

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

(GETTING OLDER)--THE BACK NINE HOLES

I had nothing to do with writing this. It was sent to me by one of my Hiawatha Friends (Max Reaveley). It coincides so much with what I do and say the past year or so that I want to pass it on
WALLY

THE BACK NINE HOLES

I FIRST STARTED READING THIS EMAIL & WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS EMAIL IS VERY THOUGHT PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK. READ SLOWLY!


AND THEN IT IS WINTER


You know ... time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.


But, here it is... the back nine of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?


I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that I was only on the first hole and the back nine was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.


But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting gray...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change...Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd become.


Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!


And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though I’m on the back nine, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.


So, if you're not on the back nine yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the back nine or not!


You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!!


"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2015!


LASTLY, CONSIDER THIS:
~Your kids are becoming you......but your grandchildren are perfect!
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~You forget names.... But it's OK because some people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything like golf.
~The things you used to care to do, you aren't as interested in anymore, but you really do care that you aren't as interested.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV 'ON' than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... ???
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.

~~~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!


Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!! It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.


TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN; YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE, SO ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS


Thursday, November 20, 2014

WHO AM I

      ? ? ?
                                            WHO AM I
As I contemplated myself and my family today
I thought to myself: Who am I?
Did I come here on earth with a mission in mind
Or just to live and to die?

Was I sent here as a babe for my mother to love
To hold and cuddle when I cry?
Or was I sent to accomplish some wonderful thing?
Someone please tell me; Who am I?

As I grew as a lad, met friends and had fun
Amid the mountains and blue, blue sky,
Did I imagine myself doing some good
Or did I wonder to myself; Who am I?

I sit at my desk amid albums, journals and books
Of my wife, my family and I.
And I thought to myself, heaven forbid,
Does this really record; Who am I?

I grow older it seems and years 40 and 50 go by
But I don’t think of myself as being old.
Year 60 did come and year 70 went by
And I looked in the mirror; Who am I?

We go to reunions, we reminisce and we dream
Of the good old days gone by
And I think to myself as I sit here and write
Does ANYONE really know; Who am I?

What was my role in this life here on earth,
Did my spirit direct me aright?
Did I trod the right path; did I do what is right?
Please help me know; Who am I?

With direction from father, mother and wife,
Did they all help me get through this old life?
Have I done any good? With anguish I cry,
I need an answer from someone; Who am I?

My challenges in life from a babe till old age
Brought a little strife, but also much joy
To the old man I am, from the time I was a boy.
Now I’m beginning to see; Who am I?

As a spirit of God I started, before this life.
Then a boy, a husband and father did rise
And I looked in the mirror with wide open eyes.
And I said Father now I know; Who am I?

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

HUGS


                                    HUGS
   I walked into the room where our family had gathered for what we call one of our family get to gathers. Immediately I started getting the “hugs” from everyone. This was nothing new it has happened as long as I can remember. Of course there are all kinds of “hugs.” Some people like to give you a great big bear hug that feels like they are breaking you in half. Then there are the ones that put their arms on your shoulder so light it feels like a feather just settled on you. But for the most part a hug is just a squeeze and a comment. As I have said this has been going on for years in our family.
   This particular day, when the hugs were all finished, I sat in my “observation chair” to watch and listen what was going on. I started thinking more deeply about “hugs.” (Why do I always have to do that—Ha Ha) Anyway at that point I had decided that “hugs” were a sign of affection or perhaps a feeling that you get when you have not seen a person for a long time and so a hug becomes a sign of a happy reunion. However even though it could be someone you have not seen since your childhood, it also could be someone who is a very good friend and you saw them just last week?
   Hugs are not all the same, there are some people who DO NOT LIKE a “hug”, for whatever reason? Their reaction if they get cornered is usually to turn their head and try to escape--- very uncomfortably I think? They may give you a “Hi” or something like that. Some people do not like a hug when they are in an emotional state, because a hug at that time usually starts the pent-up emotional tears to start to flow. However when they are emotional is exactly the time some people need a big sincere hug” and a comforting comment.
   I am about as far as you can get from being an English Major, but I think that “Hug” has to be an action word. A lot of times a “hug” happens spontaneously but it still takes a reason, feelings and some action for a sincere big hug.
   There are a lot of reasons for a “Hug.”
*Thanks for being there when I needed someone.
*Thanks for coming.
*Thanks for being so good with my kids.
*Thanks for dinner- lunch or breakfast.
*Thanks for just being a friend.
In addition to being an action word a “hug “is almost always connected with thanks in one way or another.
   A “hug” can also be a non-verbal feeling. They can be given without saying a word and both people feel the comfort, consolation or happiness that comes from a sincere “hug.”
   However I also have found out that a hug from a BIG OLDER ADULT to a toddler, in many cases is a scary thing for the toddler. I have seen –and had- a few cases where the Grandpa reaches out to give the Grandchild a hug and they run for MOM as fast as their little legs can carry them. They either hide behind Mom (their protector) or hold on to their leg so tight that Mom cannot move.
   My wife was in a wheelchair for the last few years she was with us and the coming and going ritual of “hugs” was an interesting thing. She loved “hugs” from all of her family and friends. When it was time for a party to break up she would set in her chair and wait to say goodbye to each one. The tall ones would almost bend in half to give her a hug and the little ones would crawl up on the wheelchair for a hug and they knew they would get a ride with grandma before they left.
   I have not taken a survey or anything like that but I personally think most “hugs” happen in a time of stress, a time of happiness, a time of joy or a time of extreme sadness and sometimes a combination of  some of them.
   I think a hug is GOOD THERAPY. I know I like a good sincere hug and I think most people do.
 
W.R. Baldwin

12 Nov 2014


Thursday, November 6, 2014

Cantankerous Carl's Worries?

Today I have been thinking of a truth that Elizabeth Gilbert once said."I don't have much fear of getting older, but I do dread that someday a wicked genie will make me go back and live my 20's all over again."

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

ELECTION DAY

                                                                             
                                    ELECTION DAY
4 November 2014
Well today is (or should be) the big day I have been waiting for. Election Day 2014 is here and the thoughts are running around in my head driving me crazy. I don’t know if it is because of the situations in the county or if I am just more aware or perhaps I just have more time to think about it now that I am older.

I got up early and went and voted at 8:00 AM so I could relax from my “stewing” the rest of the day.

In any case I really am happy that I live in the county where I have a right to exercise my right to vote as I want and then hope I choose the right person and ideas and actually accomplish some good with my vote. I then hope my vote gets counted and that someone who has been PAID or REWARDED to vote does not cancel my vote.

With all the rampant and contradicting things that are being said on TV, the Internet and Newspapers it is hard to sort out the truth from the blatant lies that are floating around. I suppose my answer to all this was to read all I could and listen to those running for office and then pick the ones who SEEM to think the closest to what I do and then go VOTE for them. But then---were they saying what they really feel or were they just pandering to people to get voted into office?

We as a nation are on a slippery slope just as the people in the Book of Mormon and the Bible days and if we do not repent; we will probably meet the same fate they did.

Well I better hurry and post this before I change my mind. I do not do well with politics and I decided when I first started my Blog that politics and religion would both be a small part of it.

               Wally

Saturday, November 1, 2014

WHAT AM I USED FOR?



















The item is made out of glass. It is about one inch thick and three
and one-half inches diameter. It has a pattern of holes in it. Does
anyone know what it is?