12 Oakdale

76 and amazed how well I feel. Still fraying around the edges, but my core is holding. So where am I, where am I going? Not waxing philosophically.  Too much to do, both short term (pumpkin pies to bake today plus I want to work in the yard, and I’d really like to paint, but that’s not possible with grandchildren around, which I wouldn’t trade for a second) and long term (although we are slowing down, I still want to spend a month or more in Europe, especially France and Italy. And Spain. And England, plus we really should drive around our Southwest.) As ever, I am shedding stuff but not as far along as I’d like. More and more, things mean less and less to me. For example, Windermere Garden Club is fundraising by collecting broken gold and silver jewelry to be traded in for cash. I am going to donate single earrings whose mate is irretrievably lost. I’d hoped to have them made into something. Now I know what it is: a donation. The pictures and other nostalgia still loom, and the sc...

In a concession to old age, I suggested we move our stand mixer up to the countertop. I had resisted because I like the minimalist kitchen look. However, this relic from my first marriage is getting too heavy for us to move when I want to use it. Yes, we probably should lift weights and stay stronger. But we’d rather eat cake. Another adjustment: we have learned the abbreviation CCRC: Continuous Care Retirement Community. A simple plan: give us a gazillion dollars, and we will take care of you for the rest of your life. I’m considering it. Our first look was with friends of friends who showed us around Westminster in Winter Park. They moved in April and apparently love it. Lots of things to do, food is good, new friends, etc. I was claustrophobic in their tiny apartment. Too much stuff, and no outside balcony or patio. I’d miss my lanai. And we’d be committed to the Orlando area. Do we want to be here forever? Ironically, the same day we received a brochure with an invitation to tour O...

I am in a dither getting our house and yard in order before we go to Michigan and Ohio for a 10-day birding trip. The weather here is between spring and summer. The mid- day temperatures are getting to low-mid 90s with promises of  30% precipitation that doesn’t happen. Everything is dry and crispy. I’m running the front yard sprinklers everyday, using 2 programs on the timer so I can easily turn one off when the rains finally start. We are supposed to be on twice a week watering, however I have a few new plants who need help getting started, especially my fairy hibiscus (Hibiscus poeppigii) I planted under the oak and tiny gaillardias (Gaillardia grandiflora )  over in the bright sun. Were I to be home, I’d just throw a bucket of water on them each morning. We’ve started turning the AC during late afternoon and night. It’s still cool enough to open the house until about noon, but that’s about over. Until then, Gracie enjoys looking out the living room window, unfazed when th...

Well, that wasn’t what I expected. I noticed I am not seeing as well out of my right eye as my left. I’m already annoyed that my astigmatism has reappeared. Now what? The only three reasons I could think of for my mismatched vision was a poorly ground lens, a misdiagnosis of my prescription, or more deterioration of my eye. I spoke to Loren at my optometrists and made an appointment to figure out which. Macular degeneration and an irritated cornea were not on my list, but that is what the doctor said. Hmm, old age is once again a factor. I did get points for not smoking and for eating my leafy green vegetables. Now I putting drops in my eye for 2 weeks to calm down the cornea irritated and taking vitamins to perhaps slow down any more deteriorating. I guess it’s patch, patch, patch until the end. I made an appointment to return in 3 months and hurried home to pick up Grant for his doctor appointment over in Winter Park. Routine evaluation so he can get new prescriptions for all his fat...