The most important thing...

 

Image via _alicija_ of Pixabay

As people move on through the seasons of their lives they start to do more serious thinking about what is really important in life.

Opinions vary. Some think health is paramount. Others regard having enough money to provide for themselves as most important. One 98-year-old neighbour says without any hesitation that time is the most vital thing in life. He’s feeling pretty smug, as his drivers license was just renewed for five years! And yes, he does still have his own car to drive. At 98, Ken is still doing intricate woodwork in his little suite.

Age can be your time

Today I’m grieving the death of one of my greatest examples of life ever. Jane Goodall aged 91 died at the very beginning of this October month. I’ve always read about her chimpanzee studies with great admiration. 

I’ve loved her quiet, thoughtful personality. Nothing stopped her from expressing her views on the habits of men, on cruelty, and on the wonderment she found each day, no matter what happened. 

I will miss you, Jane. 

More self discovery

Yesterday I went to my beloved daughter’s home to plant the few remaining saffron corms I’d carefully sorted, graded and packed in a few envelopes when time for my moving day came Our gardening beds here at the retirement centre had to be removed this year in order to repair and renovate the building itself. Suddenly this presented an opportunity to share soil with my ever patient family.

Time and healing are connected

It was a moment of clarity as I worked on this humble task. Gardening as I’ve always known it has gone. But it’s usually possible to modify what has left your life, and continue on in a changed but still satisfying way. It doesn’t miraculously change, but growing micro greens on a small balcony just might work. And it’s a whole lot easier to focus on that connection to the earth than dealing with a large garden at this season of my life.

Time always brings change

Over last weekend I drove past not one, but two large playing fields. There was not a soul to be seen. The weather was gorgeous, not a cloud in the blue sky. But where were the children? Where were parents enjoying play with their young ones?

Time changes rapidly

Technology has brought about incredibly amazing changes in all our lives. There seems no end to it, or the speed that propels it forward. It is part of all of us, and yet we regard it as something separate. Many of us have memories of trades and skills that have been forgotten and overtaken by the sheer speed needed by new technology. I wonder how many reading this can relate to this doctor describing how his work life  has changed. 

I wrote about my dear young family doctor also some time ago. I always thought of her as Doctor Lovely. The very first time I met her she told me she would always be late. She regarded actively listening to her patients as her greatest medical tool.

Over time in her practice I saw stress changes in her. It seemed that her practice owners demanded the system that is described in the video above. Basically, cut down your time with your patients. She looked at me sadly one day as she said “I can’t doctor like this. I have decided to leave.”

She left to go to university and study archeology in depth. You can’t get much more aware of time than that, I suppose. With her departure we all lost one of the most valuable gifts we can give each other: listening time. And her bosses never supported that, because in their minds time was money.

I’ve thought many times about my friend Ken’s definite statement that time is the most important thing in life. As I’ve spent time thinking and writing about it here, he presents a powerful argument, short and sweet. 

Do you think time is more important than, say, health? Wealth? How do you use your time? I’d love to read your comments below!

Transition

Fall weather is approaching. Only perennial plants will continue to survive outside. Shorter days, and tree leaves starting to colour and fall.

Inside my cabbages in their planter continue to thrive and develop near their sunny window. 

Looks like I’m stuck with them inside now, as those exterior renovations and painting have taken a long gardening time. Nevertheless I’m enjoying their daily development. I’ve never really studied cabbage development before. Just enjoyed the finished article!

An unexpected surprise is to quite suddenly enjoy beautiful perfumed Hoya flowers from one of my collection. I feel so lucky, waking up to that gentle fragrance.

Image via VickiW

Thank you!

As always, your visits are much appreciated and wishing the best to you and your gardens, wherever they may be! 

Remember, a pot can easily become a treasured garden. It all depends on what you decide to grow in it!

VickiW

Poop... Included in your coffee?

 

Image via WarnerWords

The simple story

Humans (why?) collect the partially digested leavings, and sell them to others at significantly more expense than any other coffee on the market. 

If you really can’t think of a better way to spend your money, just go to a participating coffee shop (not Starbucks, they’ve resisted the impulse of second-hand coffee delight) and buy yourself some java to really impress your friends. In the USA, Kopi Luwak sells for 50¢ to 85¢ per cup.

How it happens

Yeah, in some countries, mostly like Indonesia and the Philippines, civets are kept on farms and fed coffee-cherries to produce coffee in the same way. Civets in their natural habitat like to hand pick the best, ripened and plump berries for their own consumption, but farmed, they have to make do with berries of any grade, and they are kept in cages. Sometimes in appalling conditions.

It doesn’t take rocket science to figure out your coffee will take a hit in terms of quality. But you’re still going to pay premium prices for that Kopi Luwak cuppa. It has varying costs, but in the USA, $5.90 per pound is a good guess.

Coffee as an animal partnership?

Turns out there’s more than one kind of this animal-produced exotic coffee. Always just a step further, especially when money is involved!

So depending on which country you’re in, and whether you’re enterprising enough to handle it,  there are lots of wealthy folks ready to buy your product, eaten and processed into poo by animal friends.

More delicious coffee...

Bat coffee is also said to be delicious, with a slightly fruity taste.

The most expensive coffee in the world though is processed through the digestive system of elephants in Thailand, and presumably can be found in copious excrement quantities. There is a website devoted to this product. It’s worth reading, just click here to view it. 

And yes, you can also purchase it via Amazon. 

None of the original discussion group had heard of this type of coffee, or its manufacturing process. Many thanks for reading here, even though it might not have been your favourite topic. I’m always grateful for your comments, if you find my work interesting. 

None of the original discussion group had heard of this type of coffee, or its manufacturing process. Many thanks for reading here, even though it might not have been your favourite topic. I’m always grateful for your comments, if you find my work interesting.

A micro-garden move

My entire micro balcony-garden is now taking up a large portion of my living room. I’m fortunate indeed to be on the sunny side of this building, but all the balconies and exterior are going through extensive renovations and painting.

So this week I can offer a sweet picture of my blossoming Indian Rope Hoya.

Image via VickiW

You can just see part of the balcony. No plants are out there. Cabbages continue to thrive inside!

Thank you!

Your visits are always much appreciated! Hope you’ve enjoyed the post and if you’ve got any experience or even preferences for animal-coffees, please tell us all about it in the comments!

VickiW

Senior Living 101: Brain Building

 

Image via congerdesign of Pixabay

Have yarn–will travel!

There’s a certain satisfaction when your instincts actually prove to be right. One of the things that seemed essential, when I left my previous home, was to make sure I packed my plentiful supply of yarn for knitting and crocheting. Somehow just knowing those beautiful, soft and colourful wool balls were with me no matter what happened, was comforting during a stressful time.

It wasn’t just the sight of them. It was the winding around my fingers as I manipulated threads and turned them into complex creations. It was the peace in my mind as my brain sought out unfamiliar patterns, and quietly achieved success in interpreting them.

Yarn creators…they’re everywhere!

My passionate love for knitting and crocheting inspired me to seek others with similar feelings online. Surprise! There have been studies on this topic. There are get-togethers known as knit-ins where knitters and others gather to enjoy the process. 

True to my own limited personal study, neuroscientists have found that knitting “activates areas of the brain that are good for generating a sense of calm, (and contribute to) improved emotional processing and better decision making”.

A knit-in gathering

In a survey of 3,545 knitters worldwide, respondents who knitted for relaxation, stress relief and creativity reported higher cognitive functioning, improved social contact and communication with others. 

It doesn’t have to be folks who know how to knit. Just handling the fibres seems to help people be happier. One of my important yarn helpers here is Betty, who complains about my inability to keep my yarns in neat order, but thrives as she untangles my messes and restores the balls to something easier to use! 

Workshops worldwide  have been held for preschoolers, retirees and sufferers of dementia and depression. Participants have included students, library and mental health service patrons, university staff and scientists, with expert guests ranging from dementia carers and mental health workers to neuroscientists and university researchers.

Working with yarn, because of  its mental challenges, social connection, (meeting with others) and mindfulness, helps keep brains fit by solving creative and mental challenges, developing eye-hand coordination and fine motor dexterity and increasing attention span.

Don’t be content to be a “used to” 

There are neural studies using yarn to show interested knit-in participants how actual brain neutrons work, by making their own interpretations of neurons. In this post we won’t go there, but we will know with certainty that when we interact with fibres we are alerting our brains to wake up and move with intent to learn.

Living in an independent retirement home gives wonderful creative opportunities for increasing your brain power and excitement in each day of life. Knitting and crocheting provide endless scope for fun and imagination, both crucial for brain building.

We have a comfy living room in my independent living facility home. There’s a well-stocked library in addition to several chairs. There are ornaments and flowers: a piano for music, a barista machine, and all-day pastries supplied by our incredible kitchen staff. 

People chat together. It’s nice. But somehow I feel there’s still something lacking. I’ve always enjoyed keeping my hands busy, and continue to take my knitting and crochet projects with me whenever I feel like company in the downstairs room.

My friends admire my work. I ask them whether they do any crochet or knitting, and most times the reply is they “used” to do it. Thy report making  all kinds of items for family and friends. You see the momentary tenderness as they remember. Then my big question is, “so why don’t you do it now?”

I’m still waiting for a satisfactory answer to that one. With most, it’s a deep sigh, and possibly another dug up memory. 

There was a very active knitting and crocheting community where I lived before moving here. It was vibrant and fun at the library where we worked. We tackled all kinds of interesting projects. I even made a video of elderly hands in amazing action.

WarnerWords: Beautiful Hands

I am so determined not to be a “used to” crochet and knitter here in my new home. As older folks for the most part, this is now our season to impart our knitting and crochet skills to others who can carry on with them.

Upgrades

Renovations are happening soon on this side of the building, so there is a shortage of my own plants. But lucky us, there is a beautiful little park next door that can be walked any time, and is so available. It is carefully tended by expert city staff.

It’s amazing to have this extra garden always available.

Images via VickiW

Thank you!

Your journey with me is always appreciated! I look forward to your interaction and suggestions in the comment section and hope you'll visit again soon!

VickiW

Senior Living 101: Life Seasons

 

Image via Pexels of Pixabay

Finding home

Remember how I told you about taking the time to go to the condo ( now sold, yay) where I lived with the narcissist ex-husband for far too long? I was foolishly thinking I might like to go back there, just on my own. Buy him out from my savings…

After all, it was a beautiful place.

While sitting in the silence of what used to be my home, I mentally compared the intrinsic value of living there, versus enjoying the amazingly wonderful situation I find myself in nowadays. It was not difficult to realize that I have passed my time as a condo/apartment dweller, and wow, my retirement situation is the absolute best place I could possibly be in these days.

A phrase keeps running through my mind. For everything there is a season. I realize my season for living alone in an apartment is over. Combine that with fetching, carrying, planning and caring for a completely ungrateful heartless narcissist, and that season is over too. All that remains is gratitude for everyday enjoyment in my independent retirement living space. 

I’ve been here for over a year now. In that time I’ve moved three times and divorced once. According to research on such things I should probably have succumbed to the trauma of it all! 

Some learned, powerful life lessons

1. Listen to your head when you see warning signals, and BEFORE you make the mistake. You don’t want to waste your precious time on earth catering to a lost cause. Saying this though, it’s never too late to change all kinds of things!

2. Family is hugely important. I don’t know how I would have managed to do everything required as a new life presented itself. But they all stepped up and have made sure I’m doing well, no matter what happens. Always show your appreciation, and NEVER demand. They have their own seasons in life.

Embrace your knowledge! As folks age, a lot of them will tell you about things they used to do. Looking back at your accomplishments can be satisfying. But looking forward gives you an opportunity to share your life learning constructively with others. In many cases, you’re able to learn new skills with new technology. Pure fun!

3. Conversation with others is crucial for the mind. As I continue living here I realize this is indeed an amazing benefit of being able to join others at any time in the communal lounge, or join in walks with friends. It’s all about communication with others, no invitation necessary, no planning required.

4. Use every strategy to manage stress. If you don't, your mind and body will let you know in uncomfortable and unforgiving ways. I haven’t been too great at that in the last couple of years. One of the ways I’ve paid for it is being unable to write. Hopefully, I will manage to regain some sort of momentum there. 

Micro-garden update

I have a small garden these days. It’s on my small balcony, and has been quite productive, thanks to a wonderful little planter. It was made in France, and is an incredibly clever way of growing my veggie plants. 

Only a few at a time, of course, but at the moment I have eight special, small cabbages under cover there, just starting to develop heads.

Earlier on, I had lettuce, beets and carrots. It was a lot of fun, and I still have a lot of beet tops in the freezer for later use. The interesting thing about the planter is the legs, and a certain area inside it is filled with cheap, extruded clay pellets, so watering is minimal. Also, I’m safe from pests with the easily adjustable covering.

Another fabulous planter is the one used for herbs. It can be turned around to advantage different plants. I supply many fresh herbs to our kitchen chef, and it’s wonderful that they are used in his delicious soups, etc.

Rotating herb garden.

Planter with cover on.

Planter with cover off, developing cabbages.

Extruded clay pellets.

Thank you!

I’m hoping now to be back on a regular basis. Thank you so much for your emails, and support whilst I’ve been away.

VickiW