New "Normal"

I've come to the conclusion that my new "normal" is odd.  Not the typical, not what most would expect.  Just different and oftentimes, odd.

Started out the day with a nice 1.5 mile walk with a friend, then home to make phone calls and see if I could call in a special favor (which turned out MUCH better than I had hoped) and then it was time to fill those bird feeders that are impossible to keep seed in!  Need to get more peanuts for my blue jays, but I did put out more woodpecker suet in the meantime.  I also need to get my butt moving tomorrow and make suet for some of the other suet holders.

Then, it was off to Friendship Village again to see what was going on to celebrate the 20s and 30s . . . 

There was a movie marathon going on that I couldn't get pictures of, but I did get pics of some of the decorations in the commons lounge, as well as some of the staff who dressed in character for the time, AND the barbershop quartet.  

Then, it was off to visit with the favorite pre-15 year old niece and find out her version of what it was like to have an upper GI, followed by a trip to Englewood MetroPark before returning to Friendship Village for session 2 of the series presented by the Alzheimer's Association.  

Loved watching the Canada Geese move through the water.  I don't remember seeing them move their necks back and forth to help propel them . . .

I took 2 pictures from this same spot, but I think this is the better of the two.  This one has the water as the focal point, which gives it more of an Impressionistic painting look than a photo; the other photo has the foliage as the focal point.

I have no clue what this is, but the shape reminded me of a swan neck and head.  Thought it was unusual, so it had to be part of my day!

Pretty sure this is Mock Orange and I'm assuming it was the fragrance I kept catching as I walked along (I saw NO honeysuckle that might account for the scent).

I was captivated by the play of light and shadow on the walk.  There were times the sun was so bright I had a hard time figuring out if I was seeing a leaf reflecting a lot of light, or a flower in bloom.   It was crazy, but crazy beautiful.

I heard a lot of birds singing, but didn't see many of them, unfortunately.  This little guy was the first critter I was able to catch a shot of, and loved seeing him upside down, but keeping an eye on me.

 A part of the trail I took to snap my pics tonight.  You can see from the light and shadows that there are a ton of trees lining the path.

I was fascinated by the view when I was able to get down on a knee to be almost eye level with the tree trunk and the moss growing on it.

More of that super bright light and shadow . . .

The shot above is of the shadows of plants thrown onto the tree trunk.  The shadows below were so distinct and in such sharp contrast to the foliage and the trunk that I couldn't pass up a shot of them.

  
These flowers were in the middle of a lot of shadow, tree limbs, and leaves.  Their yellow stood out, especially with the ray of sun that they were bathed in.  

The only shot of a bird I was able to get today.  Every time I tried to get closer, it would fly off just far enough to keep pretty much the same distance between us!  Normally this would not be a photo I'd use because it's a little too grainy, but my "Master Birder" friend Jenny @ I'd Rather Be Birding! suggested it might be a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (it's not easy to try to identify from this pic), and I've never seen one of those before . . .

Let's see . . . that's people dressed in styles from the 20s and 30s, a barbershop quartet, an awesome pre-15 yr old niece (she's always pretty darn awesome!), swan shaped plants, lots of sun and shadows creating their own amazing beauty, and a "new" bird.  I think I'm liking odd!


So, if odd is my new normal, then my new abnormal would be the expected.  I like that idea a LOT.  Since most of what catches my eye is the unusual or unexpected, it all fits.  I like finding unexpected beauty - it's as if God has given me a little surprise party to enjoy.

Reflections from behind the bars

I had an extremely different view of life this afternoon . . . from behind bars.  Those dirty cops pictured "arrested" me as soon as I got to Friendship Village for, of all things, "Excessive picture taking on campus."  This is one of their special, fun weeks to recognize the staff and residents, and the theme is "Celebrating the 20s and 30s."

Officer Chaplain (he's really the Chaplain at Friendship Village) and I playing at dueling cameras.  Neither of us are usually in photos, so it was just silliness.


I was incarcerated for 5 very long minutes, during which Mom tried to break me out!  It was tough, but I lasted the whole 5 minutes.

This is the 1936 Ford convertible they had available for the residents to take a short spin in (with the owner driving it).  Pretty spiffy looking car.

Oh, man!  I coulda had a V-8!!

That rumble seat looks mighty uncomfortable . . .

Look at the shine on that chrome bumper!  You can see the reflection of the portico on the right, and check out that shiny tailpipe, too!

There's that dirty copper again, taking in aides and nurses from Assisted Living!  

Just one of the decorations for the week to celebrate the 20s and 30s.  They will be having a barbershop quartet in to sing tomorrow, and a dance on Friday that will include lessons on how to do the Charleston, along with a Charleston contest.  I know there will also be a movie marathon one day, but I'm getting a bit fuzzy on the rest of it (there's just so much going on).


I find it a bit ironic that the method of raising funds for the Alzheimer's Association was to put people in jail.  I know some of the residents with the more severe dementia or Alzheimer's issues feel as if they're living in a jail already; they can't come and go as they please, and they don't really understand why.  It is sad to see how the disease changes people to the point where they can't (or is it won't?) enjoy life.


It took Mom a long time before she began to feel comfortable at Friendship Village, but she does seem to enjoy it for the most part now.  She has much more social interaction (even if only at meals, or in the halls) than she did when living at home.  We have stressed with Mom that she's not in a nursing home (and she isn't; Friendship Village is a retirement community.  Mom is in a section that provides meals, cleaning, laundry services, and distribution of medication; she is free to leave the campus and can participate in any of the activities, whether for Independent Living or Assisted Living).  It helps that she has her own room, surrounded by her own things from home, including the bed.  It was a painful transition for Mom to make, but I think she enjoys not having to keep up the house or make sure the lawn gets mowed or laundry is done, at least on some level.


It's been a year and a half of learning all kind of new things, many of which I wish hadn't been necessary.  But, it's also been wonderful in providing me with an opportunity to alert family and friends of some things NOT to do, as well as some things to do so they aren't playing catch up due to an emergency.  I have been blessed with wonderfully supportive friends and family, which at times has made all of the difference in the world.  


The biggest thing I've learned is that I want to age, if not slowly or easily, at least realistically.  I may have to give up some activities or not do them as often, but as long as I'm breathing, I am determined to enjoy this wonderful day God has given me.  Even if I wake up in a crabby mood, I don't have to stay in it (and I hate it when I'm out of sorts; I'd much rather be having fun).  


"Whatever your work is, do it gladly. Do it as you would do it unto the Lord and not for people."  Colossians 3:23