February 6: It Is Scary

During long hospital stays, my dad coped by reading the NYTimes and watching Jeopardy. We laughed that while his body was failing, his mind was intact. As I learn of dementia diagnoses of people I know, I realize why my dad said he was one of the lucky ones.

"I just don't remember this road," she said as we drove a familiar road. 

"It will be our last," he noted without elaboration.

"He does not know me," she sighed.

Neurons are damaged or destroyed

Alzheimer's is the most common (60-80%)

Vascular, frontotemporal, 

Hippocamp sclerosis, Lewy body, and more.

More than 7 million Americans have it.

Risk for women, 1 in 5

Risk for men, 1 in 10

42% may develop it in their lifetime!

More than 12 million family members are caregivers

Between 2020 and 2022 deaths increased by 142%

Why aren't we talking about it?

Are we afraid talking about it will be scary?

February 5: Every One Matters

Today, I am sharing with Spiritual Journey, a new-for-me-to-share group; however, I have long been on a spiritual journey, Today's prompt asks us to think about our attitude and consider this quote by Dalai Lama, “Just one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.” 

It was cold, again, this morning and I really was thinking of skipping aquacise in favor of a second cup of coffee and another chapter or two; however, I had offered to to drive a friend and didn't want to leave her hanging.  It was still single digits when she got into the car and sighed, "I would not have come if I had not agreed to go with you."  

Now, we could have just bagged the pool plan and headed to the local coffee house; however, we headed to our destination where the real fun began. We played with pool noodles rather than belts and kick boards rather than weights. Time flew by as we laughed, sighed and sang happy birthday to a friend, because every one matters. Somehow, the sun was shining as we looked forward to the rest of the day and the days ahead.

We almost missed it!

A memorable gathering

On a frigid morning.

We almost missed the reminder! 

Every one matters.

Everyone matters.

T

February 3 Slice of Life: Not Goldfish

 It's February and like the herds of other pathetic grandmothers who never ever got their own children gifts for Valentine's Day, I was thinking of a gift basket for my grands as I grabbed a few things at Shop Rite. I was planning on fruit, nuts, and some treats when the 23ounce box of Goldfish, on the endcap with the sale sticker, caught my eye. 

Thinking, "What a cool idea,"

Tossing the box in the cart before

Stopping in my tracks while

Reading the sign closely

Pondering what the sign meant

Questioning if the sign matched

Rethinking that snack food 

Reconsidering its artificial ingredients

Guessing the impact of high prices

Supposing many will not be

Buying that age-old junk food 

Selling for just $9.99 rather than $11.39

Conjecturing that they/we all will be 

Eating healthier treats, perhaps?

Speculating about Pepperidge Farm's future?

Thinking perhaps a bin of ants on logs*?

*Ants on logs is peanut butter filled celery with raisinsToday's Slice is not sponsored by Shop Rite

February 2: Growing Up Is Hard to Do

I watched Joni Mitchell during her Grammy speech accepting the award for best historical album and clearly I joined most who were watching as thoughts about aging swirled in my head. Joni has struggled back from a stroke a decade ago. Thus, it was amazing that she was able to be on stage. I smiled as she joked about the glitter; I shuddered as she stood silently, appearing to forget what she was doing on that stage as lines from Teddy Swims (which I am highlighting) swirled in my head.

Growing up is getting old,

I'm now less bold and always cold!

It hits me when the wrinkles show,

Bothers my back when I reach down low,

I still make the same mistakes,

But now only dream of eating steaks,

At times, life starts to lose its magic,

I have learned, though, not to panic

Growing up is hard to do,

At times, it really makes me blue.

February 1 I Lost January

I spent many evenings sure that I must have dropped one of the 1000 little pieces causing me turmoil. I was sure there was some logical reason that I could not find the needed little piece of yellow with three ins and one out. I even searched the vacuum once!  When my back ached from leaning over the counter and my eyelids struggled to stay open, I was critical of both Van Gogh's iconic painting and the giver of this gift that gnawed at my soul. I lost January to a puzzle!

As February begins, the stars are a lot clearer and those endless swirls now resemble happy doodles. The wide expanse of this starry night sky rests perfectly on top of the sleeping village, rolling ills, and babbling brooks. In fact, the whole thing came together because every day I decided to stay with it even when I was frustrated. Perhaps, this Starry Night is a metaphor for fighting through the tough times. 

January 31: Favorites

 It was 2 degrees early in the morning when we headed to the pool, dressed warmly and wondering if we would be alone.  We were met with good music and equally-crazy friends who filled the locker room with shared wisdom before heading back outside. This conversation ensued as I put on my socks!

"Let me see those," she said,
Pointing to socks bearing my name

Honoring my love of books.

"They're warm and my favorite," I began

Interrupted by 

"Have you seen my favorites with the image of my dog?

"My favorite socks have kittens!"

"My favorite cousin sent me these," I finished.

"My favorite cousin lives far away. I miss her."

"My favorite cousin sent me soup when I was sick."

"I made my favorite lentil soup last night."

"I had my favorite salmon at the Inn."

"I snuggled into my favorite pajamas early,"

"This cold is not my favorite."

I think the message is this: If you show a group of women in a locker room a pair of socks, they will talk about everything and anything!

January 29 Weigh, Weight, Weights

One thing I have noticed again and again about writing is that the more I write, the easier the topics seem to flow from my cursor! A trip to the Dr spurred this one.

• 
  

"Hop on and we'll see

What you weigh," she

Said with a cadence suggesting

It has been said before and

Will be said again.

"Your weight is borderline," she

Said with a cadence suggesting 

It has been said before and 

Will be said again.

"I'm exercising and lifting weights," I 

Said with a cadence suggesting 

It has been said before and 

Will be said again.

These days, I do the weights

Even if it does not help my weight.

Bones, muscles, strength, stairs,

My goals not theirs, but clearly

Weights seem to offset the scorn

When what I weigh is not the 

Optimal weight.

January 28 Something Valuable Has Been Stolen

Yesterday, Glenda Funk wrote about a prompt triggered by another blogger, Kim Johnson, based on a book found in a thrift store.  One of the prompts, Something Valuable Has Been Stolen, spoke to me. This Post makes me very sad.

I wish you had been here

When

They were tiny miracles, dependent,

Squishy bundles, reflecting the future.

They took those first  bites, steps, rides

Reaching for support, reassurance, 

They drew you a rainbow, 

Filled with hope, love, 

They ran, biked, slid, scooted, swam,

Faster and faster and faster time has gone

They needed those lessons, snuggles, ideas

Linking their history with their future.

They have a void they cannot fill because

Something valuable has been stolen

January 27 I Hope

I am sharing as part of the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life group today.  I am devastated by the recent ICE events that killed two people. This has weighed heavily on my heart making it hard to focus.  I know I am not alone.

Frigid temps, 

Huge storm looming,

Emily in Paris, total distraction until

Fitful sleep, waiting the beginning,

Waking to steady snow, devasting news,

Watching, processing the events, 

Shoveling, listening to reactions,

Watching, in disbelief,

Shoveling, praying for change,

The Housemaid for distraction while

Frigid temps, 

I hope this ICE storm ends, soon.

January 26 A Charged Rhetorical Moment

At Ethical ELA, Sarah Donovan shared "Teaching a Charged Rhetorical Moment with Care: Reading images Before They Become Arguments" on January 26.  It is worth a read even if you are not faced with the Herculean task of working with our youth during these very challenging times. We are all trying to process the words and pictures that evoke strong emotional responses. 

Dr. Donovan suggests, "To keep this work from becoming positional or combative, writing should function first as sense-making rather than argument." She goes on to say, "literacy is not only about persuasion. It is also about attention, restraint, and care."