What Seasoning Am I?

Posted on June 9, 2023 by Grandma's Ramblings

In a recent conversation with my son, I said I was an old woman now.

He responded: “You are not old, just seasoned.”

When I asked him what seasoning am I he did not reply.

So, I’m thinking:

Am I spicy?
Am I sweet?
Am I sour?
Am I hot?
Am I bitter?

Often when my husband, a retired pastor, hears a good quote or reads an interesting passage from the Bible or another book, he will say “There’s a sermon in there” or “That will preach.”

Hearing my son’s comment, I am thinking, “There’s a good blog in there.”

I’m letting those thoughts run around in my head.

What description would you use to describe yourself? What spice are you?

Beware – I will be back with a blog on this. 🙂

This Sums It All Up!!!

Posted on February 26, 2023 by Grandma's Ramblings

I have a birthday coming this spring. As I realize I will be three quarters of a century old and I have fewer days ahead of me than behind, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on the years gone by.

Interesting – sometimes I cannot remember what I had for lunch but memories of life when I was five or six are so vivid.

If I had to say what these reflections have led me to conclude about life so far, this song says it all. Committing my life to Jesus Christ at six years of age was the best decision I have made.

Life has brought joy and sorrow, moments of great excitement and moments of despair. But through it all, I see the goodness of God.

Aging With a Laugh

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Grandma's Ramblings

December was not a good month for me. It started off with a terrible head cold. My poor nose suffered from constant blowing.

When the cold was over, I had three to four days that were good – and then I got Covid.

Of course, being a good wife, I shared it with my husband.

After a couple of weeks of misery, we both looked pretty bad. I had cancelled my hair appointment when I got the cold and it was now almost eight weeks since I had a hair cut. I keep my hair very short and usually get a trim every four weeks. So with no makeup and my hair sticking out everywhere, I was not a pretty sight. My husband also was looking ragged with no shave for several days.

Then we heard a joke on TV and it has kept us laughing as we slowly recover from the effects of Covid.

Husband, looking in the mirror: “My arms are like little sticks, my chest is sagging, I can’t see my feet and my face is full of wrinkles.”

Wife: “Well, look on the bright side. Your eyesight is still perfect.”

Today I got my hair cut – and I have promised myself tomorrow I will put on my makeup. My husband has shaved and is looking good again.

Still, we are old and certainly are not the wonderful specimens of youth and beauty we once were. 🙂

But we are grateful to still love one another – even with our perfect eyesight.

Gunsmoke, Joe Namath and Medicare Supplements

Posted on July 2, 2021 by Grandma's Ramblings

I wrote a few years ago about a favorite show from my childhood – Gunsmoke. You can check out that post here:

Anyone Remember Gunsmoke?

My husband and I found a TV channel that has Gunsmoke reruns every day at noon. Several days a week we watch the show while eating lunch. By now most of the shows we have already seen and know the ending before it even starts.

Obviously Gunsmoke is a show that appeals to old folks. We laugh because most of the commercials are for Medicare supplements, Depends, or in-home care. It is amazing to me how many different commercials they have for Medicare supplements and how untruthful they are.

One that plays over and over shows Joe Namath (remember this former professional football player also did a commercial years ago wearing pantyhose) talking about you getting all the Medicare benefits you deserve.

While Joe talks, very large letters appear on the screen listing these “new” benefits. Rides to medical appointments, private home aides, nurse and doctor visits by telephone. Even dental and vision coverage. All of these extra benefits Joe says, you can get with zero premiums. Joe then encourages you to call the number on the screen and assures you there is no charge for the call. He says “One simple call gives you free, professional assistance to help you get more benefits and save money.” It sounds like a public service announcement from Medicare and the screen is even designed to look like it is from Medicare.

Sound too good to be true?

There is a lot Joe does not tell you. While the ad says that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid has announced these new benefits and makes it seem as if they are part of Medicare, original Medicare parts A and B do not cover benefits like this. They are considered to be “benefits for daily maintenance”. To get these extra benefits requires you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. A plan offered by insurance companies.

Joe also says that “All of these benefits may be available to you at no additional cost.” While the screen is showing all these extra benefits and Joe is waving his hands around and talking rapidly, at the bottom of the screen in very small print it says that “plan premiums, co-payments and co-insurance may apply.”

These ads encourage you to call the number on the screen. They make it seem like they are doing you a great favor as they say there will be no charge for the call. Of course not. When you call you will be speaking – not to a Medicare government official – but to an insurance agent. This agent may not even live in your state. What happens if they sign you up and you then have a question. Will you be able to reach them when you need them?

I am certainly no expert on this subject and the Medicare Advantage plans may be the best option for some. However, I feel there should be a little more honesty in these commercials so that senior citizens are not fooled into thinking that Medicare is offering more benefits at no cost to them. They need to know they are dealing with insurance companies whose whole purpose is too make a profit and not with a government program offering them something for nothing. Instead of calling some number on the screen I would recommend anyone thinking about Medicare Advantage plans to contact a local insurance agent.

The American Medical Association passed a resolution in 2019 that says:

“Whereas, Medicare Advantage plans are heavily marketed to seniors by insurance companies, with less than ideal transparency in advertising; … and

“Whereas, Presentations by insurance company officials to seniors can overemphasize the value of different options and can create confusion; therefore be it

“RESOLVED, That our American Medical Association encourage AARP, insurance companies and other vested parties to develop simplified tools and guidelines for comparing and contrasting Medicare Advantage plans.”

The AMA identified the need for tools to help individuals go beyond the TV commercials and get the information they need to make a smart decision.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid has created a “Medicare Plan Finder” on their website Medicare.gov to help any senior trying to decide what works best for them.

Joe is not the only one doing these commercials. I have to wonder just how much money he makes with this less than truthful ad? It must be profitable because more and more celebrities are making these ads.

Watching one hour episode of Gunsmoke we counted six Medicare commercials. Much as we enjoy Gunsmoke we are beginning to think we need to find something else to watch during lunch time.

Any suggestions?

Give Me Hair!!!

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Grandma's Ramblings

My latest prayer

When I was a little girl I had beautiful red hair and my mother fixed it in curls like Shirley Temple. Everywhere we went people would comment on my hair and I felt special.

As a teenager I always felt like I was not “pretty” but I still took comfort in the thought that my hair was “pretty.”

Then as an adult cancer came and took my hair.

After cancer treatment ended my doctor told me my hair would grow back – possibly even thicker than before. But it did not. After a year or so he ran various tests to see if there was something else wrong as his cancer patients had always seen their hair grow back. We eventually found out that one of the three chemo drugs I took caused more permanent hair loss.

I did not really mind too much as I had worn wigs during my treatment and no one knew it was not my own hair. Slowly a little bit of hair came back but it was very thin and grey. So I just continued to wear my red wig and enjoy being that “special” redhead. My husband said he loved it when we were at ministers’ conference and someone asked him who was his wife, he could just say “the redhead.”

As time went by I realized it was probably time to accept that I was no longer a young redhead and join my husband with grey hair.

So I found a beautiful grey wig and made the adjustment to losing the “special” way I felt as a redhead.

Still, grey can be beautiful, right?

After accepting my grey hair I had to get hearing aids. With aids and glasses it became hard to get my wig adjusted and the ear tabs aggravate me. The last few years my hair has come back some but is still thin. I wonder if wearing a wig all the time is preventing it from growing back. So I am going without the wig and praying it will grow back. I always loved being a redhead and it was hard to go grey. Now I struggle with having little hair.

It has been hard for me to go out in public with my thin hair, but people tell me it looks good. (Of course what are they going to say – “you look terrible.”) 🙂

I am using different essential oils with lots of vitamins and nutrients and massaging my head each night. I will give it this summer without a wig and see what happens.

In the meantime I’ll just keep playing the Cowsills song and make it my prayer.

No More “Huh” or “What”

Posted on April 28, 2021 by Grandma's Ramblings

For some time I have been denying that I am having trouble hearing. Watching a movie or listening to my pastor on Sunday there are times when I will miss a complete sentence or two because I just cannot hear well. When listening to friends I find myself asking them “what” “huh” or just trying to guess what they said from the part of the sentence I did hear.

This is not good for meaningful conversation. Trying to “fill in the blanks” when you do not hear everything someone said can lead to real miscommunication.

My husband, who has worn a hearing aid for several years now, has pleaded with me to get a hearing test. I found myself turning the TV up louder and louder until he insists we must turn it down.

While I recognized I was not hearing well, I hated the thought of needing a hearing aid. Hearing aids to me were for old people and I did not want to accept that title for myself.

Still, I knew I could not deny my hearing loss much longer. Some days my husband would not put in his hearing aid because we were just staying at home and he did not want to bother with them. However, before much time passed I would insist he put them on because he kept denying he was not having trouble hearing – but I just needed to speak up.

When we began having that same conversation – but this time it was me who was insisting he was mumbling, I found it hard to deny I needed help in hearing.

The straw that broke the camel’s back so to speak came on Easter Sunday. My youngest daughter and her family joined us for lunch. After lunch we took communion as a family. When my husband finished leading us through the sacraments, I thought he said he was going to pray. Bowing my head I kept waiting to hear him pray.

When several seconds had passed and no sound was coming, I looked up to see my family all looking at me. My daughter said in that exasperating tone that told me I needed to listen, “Mother, he asked you to pray.”

I quickly prayed and I knew I was going to be in trouble when I finished.

Again in that very exasperated tone my daughter declared, “Mother, you have to get a hearing test.”

I agreed. So – I scheduled an appointment.

No surprise – I failed the test. So now there’s the cost to consider. Good hearing aids are not cheap. I checked out different models. This one was the cheapest, but probably not the best.

Now that my husband and I both have hearing aids, buying Christmas presents for each other will be easier.

Only one thing wrong with having hearing aids. Now I can’t excuse myself from not listening to others by saying I just did not hear.

Hope in the Storm

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Grandma's Ramblings

As my husband and I age, we find we are no longer able to be as active as we once were. For years my husband was a pastor and I worked alongside him teaching Bible classes, playing for worship and all the many tasks that come with serving a community of Christians.

This year I celebrated 72 years of life and my husband celebrated 80. While most people that meet us do not think we are as old as that and we do remain alert and active, we find our bodies do not always want to keep up with our thoughts and desires to be productive. Many days the afternoon hours call for us to take a nap.

Still, because we have both experienced true miracles in times of serious medical problems, we desire to still give and help others. (I share these stories in these posts)

I’m Back With a Miracle Man!

Cancer Survivor

Since my husband loves to paint he recently painted a beautiful rainbow scene he called “Hope in the Storm.”

The rainbow to Christians is a reminder of God’s promise to Noah after the flood. To us when we see the rainbow after a storm, we are reminded of the hope we have that God is faithful.

After receiving several compliments on the painting and its message my husband decided to paint smaller versions of this rainbow and send to those we know who are battling a health issue. He has send ones to young people fighting leukemia, to a young woman fighting a heart disease and to several others with different ailments. It has been a joy to hear from them that the painting and the message it gives of “hope in the storm” is an encouragement to them.

It blesses me to see the joy my husband has received as many have told him how much his painting has meant to them.

It is so true that when you give to others, it comes back to you.

Can I say I’m proud of my husband that at 80 he still is thinking of ways to bless others?

If you would like to see more of his paintings, check it out at PWL Art Gallery.

https://www.facebook.com/PaulWLaneArtGallery/

The Story Behind the Song (It is No Secret)

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Grandma's Ramblings

Music is magic.

Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand….Stevie Wonder

Music is the emotional life of most people….Leonard Cohen

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain….Bob Marley

I see the power of music every month as I play for the residents of a nursing home in my town. Eyes that look so dull without emotion suddenly light up as they recognize a song from their childhood. Bodies that were slumped in their chairs suddenly sit up as a song brings back memories of days gone by. Faces that were so sad looking suddenly light up with a big smile as I play a song that was once their favorite. Voices that were silent began to sing along as music works its magic.

As I research songs from the past to play each week it has been interesting to see the stories behind the songs. Each Friday for a few weeks I thought I would share of these stories behind the songs that I have discovered. Hope you enjoy.

This week’s story is about the writer of an old gospel song – It is No Secret.

The writer, Stuart Hamblen was a songwriter, cowboy singer and appeared in motion pictures with Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and John Wayne. My parents loved Roy Roger and Dale Evans, his wife, and was a big fan of these movies.

His songs were recorded by many artists including Eddy Arnold, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Perhaps his best known song was This Old House that was recorded by Rosemary Clooney and was Song of the Year in 1954.

Part of the Hollywood scene, Hamblen’s wife tried to get him to attend the Billy Graham crusade held in Los Angeles in 1949. At first he refused but then asked to meet personally with Graham. During his conversation with Graham, he committed his life to Jesus Christ.

Shortly thereafter in a visit with his friend, John Wayne, he was asked about the change in his life. He replied, “It’s no secret what God can do in a man’s life.” Encouraged by John Wayne to write a song about that beautiful thought, Hamblen went home and began thinking about it.

When he heard the hall clock chime out the midnight hour, he was inspired with the words of the first verse.

“The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through”

Hamblen went on to complete the song which has been sung throughout all the small churches in town after town.

If you have not heard the song – or if you just would like to hear it again – here’s Elvis Presley’s version.

And on a personal note: I truly have found

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Enjoy The Moment!

Posted on November 30, 2019 by Grandma's Ramblings

Growing up I often heard my mother say that as you age time flies faster. I always thought that was silly. Time is time. It does not move slower or faster. A minute is 60 seconds, an hour is 60 minutes. Same for everyone.

Now that my mother is gone and I am the old lady in the room, I totally understand what she meant.

As we approach the end of 2019 it is hard for me to believe another year is almost gone. It seems only yesterday my husband and I put our house in Illinois on the market and took a big step to move to Michigan. At our age (71 and 79) starting over in a new town, a new state was a little scary. After our house sold we loaded all our belongings in a truck and headed out for a new adventure. And here we are already in our second year here.

Come spring I will be 72. When I look in the mirror and see the old woman with grey hair and wrinkles I often wonder how she got there? Where is that redhead with the smooth complexion?

My mother was a strong, active woman and I found it hard to keep up with her as a young adult. The memory of the day I was walking with her and suddenly realized I needed to slow down so she could keep up with me is still so strong. Now I see my daughter doing the same with me.

It truly seems time is flying much faster as I approach old age. (Notice I said approach. I still refuse to believe I am old.)

Looking at life from the last stage I can say it has been a great ride. I plan to enjoy these last years to the fullest.

Life, if lived well, is long enough….Seneca
Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments….Rose Kennedy
The truth about motherhood is that the days drag on but the years fly past…ChildInsider
Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind….Nathaniel Hawthorn
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today….Mother Teresa

As we head into the Christmas holidays, enjoy every moment. Don’t spend time regretting what you may not have, but enjoy what this year, this moment gives you.

The Cycle of Life

Posted on August 10, 2019 by Grandma's Ramblings

My parents died in the same year – Mom in April and Dad in August. I remember my sisters and I looking at each other and saying “We are now the older generation.”

Until that time we could think of ourselves as young – it was our parents’ and their siblings who were old.

But now that generation is gone and we are the old ones.

Even then, still in our 50’s and 60’s, we did not really feel old.

But time has passed and we are slowing down. We look at each other and see the wrinkles, the grey hair, the slower gait and realize we have come to the last chapter in the book.

With that in mind, recently I have seen so many posts on Facebook of the next generation – my daughter, my nieces – becoming grandparents and it has made my heart so happy.

Watching them and their excitement at having grandchildren brings back the memories of that time in my life. I relive those wonderful days of children and grandchildren. Now I rejoice in great grandchildren.

I love this picture of my youngest grandchild. She is 8 now but this is still a favorite memory!

When this little grandson was born, doctors were not sure he would live and said if he did he would be a weak little guy. Today he is 6 foot 6 inches tall and anything but weak or little. God is good!

Love this picture of our youngest son with two of his children welcoming their baby sister. All three are grown up now but still a joy to me.

Seeing their joy, seeing the next generation take the stage – it brings me such satisfaction to know our family will continue on.

Shakespeare said it well:

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,

Each stage of life has had its blessings and its difficulties.

Those carefree days of childhood with little or no responsibilities. Still, there was the pressure to do well in school, trying to “fit in” with the other kids. Hoping to make friends.

Young adulthood brought the joy of first love and marriage and babies. What excitement those first years of marriage brought. Yet, there were sleepless nights with babies who would not stop crying, worries about meeting the bills. For me that time also brought sorrow as my husband was killed in an accident and I struggled as a single mom with two young girls.

Middle age came. Finally, jobs were more stable and money problems were less. The kids were at a age to really enjoy adventures with me and many evenings were spent playing board games, shopping or just “hanging out” together. For me there was new joy as I found love again with a wonderful man who loved my girls. However, I began to realize my body was aging. I could still do what I did in my 20’s but it took me longer and I was many times exhausted by the end of the day.

Now old age has come. This body refuses to do what it once did. Not only does it take me longer to walk the mall, I simply cannot shop as long as I once did. My husband and I love road trips but even those have to be shorter and I am exhausted for days recovering from the trip. Still, there are joys in this stage.

I can get up before dawn, sit with a cup of coffee and watch the sun raise. Or, I can turn over in bed, pull the covers over and sleep until long after the sun has risen. Lunch and dinner can be a gourmet meal with our best china sitting at our dining room table sharing a great conversation with my husband. Or, we can eat pizza on paper plates while sitting in our recliner and watching a movie. There is a great deal of freedom to just do whatever I want to do.

Realizing that my days are much fewer than when I started this journey called life, I am more appreciative of each one. Thankful for the sunshine, for the rain. Thankful for the silly jokes my husband tells, for the scrabble games we play. Thankful for the phone calls from grandchildren checking on me. Thankful for the hot shower.

A study by Laura Carstensen, a psychologist at Stanford found that as people age they got happier and their emotions bounced around less. Our drama-filled days seen to lessen as our negative emotions such as sadness, anger and fear become less pronounced.

Psychologist Karl Pillemer interviewed over 1,000 older people for his book, 30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans. He found that:

“Many people said something along these lines: ‘I wish I’d learned to enjoy life on a daily basis and enjoy the moment when I was in my 30’s instead of my 60’s,’” he says. Elderly interviewees are likely to “describe the last five or ten years as the happiest years of their lives.”

So my advice to those in the earlier cycles of life:

Enjoy each moment. Do not let the difficult times stop you from enjoying all the good times. This day, this moment in time will not come again. Look for all the good in your life and savor that experience.

As for me knowing I am playing out the last chapter of my story, I take comfort in God’s Word.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

May my last chapter be my best!