Category: Friday Five

The summer is coming to a close. In some places, the kids have already gone back to school. Life is going on.

1. Just a little over two weeks ago, I fell. It was a stupid, careless fall, and thankfully there were no broken bones. I did, however, twist my knee, and instead of getting better with time, it has gotten worse.
2. My Nurse Practitioner ordered X-rays and some blood work. So I drove the eight miles to our local hospital, arriving at 3:15. I went straight to X-ray and learned that, as of the end of July, they will close the X-ray department at 3:00. I stood talking to the receptionist and explained that there was no one to drive me tomorrow. She went back to plead my case and returned just as the last walk-in X-ray person was leaving. She asked him as he stood in the doorway, and he looked at me and said, “NO.”
3. Ordinarily, I would not care, but driving anywhere right now is painful as the knee I hurt is my right one.
4. I drove home and curled up with Heidi in my recliner, where I could prop up my right leg. Come tomorrow morning, I will return to the hospital and get the blasted X-ray.
5. Heidi is doing well. I have not gotten the pathology report yet. Hopefully soon!

The weeks are slipping by, and with them the sunny days and heat of the summer. I grew up in the tourist destination of Cape Cod. Each summer, our bridges and our roads were packed.

Now I live in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, and since more people are taking staycations, our roads are packed!

So, as I watch the sun set, these are my thoughts.

1. I am doing searches for replacement windows for the house. I know it must be done, but I am shocked by the prices. I want nice airtight windows. Simple windows. But for the prices I have been quoted, you would think they are lined with gold!
2. Miss Heidi is going in for surgery next week. She has developed a tumor that is walnut-sized. I’d hoped it was a simple cyst, but it is hard. Poor baby.
3. My sister, brother-in-law, niece, and grandniece are coming next week. I have a list of all the fun things to do around here. And I discovered an Asian Fusion restaurant and a fabulous ice cream place for a treat after! Pictures to come.
4. They’re continuing to do testing to determine the best course of treatment for my own health problems. Ah, the joy of the golden years!
5. I was thinking how very lucky I am. A year ago, I had lost the vision in my left eye. There were many long days spent wondering if my vision would ever return. From July until October, I was in limbo. Then one day I woke and had bits of vision coming back. By Christmas, it had all returned. I am so fortunate!

Have a happy and joyous weekend, everyone!

Here we are. The last day in July of 2026! Now, how did that happen? It’s been a good summer, and this year I decided to make small improvements around the house. Here’s the list.

1. I had an overgrown area bushhogged and the broken birch trees removed. The poor trees simply cannot take heavy snow or ice. It looks a bit barren now, but I know it will fill in with ferns and other fauna.
2. I purchased insulated blackout curtains for the family room and my bedroom. During the really hot days we had, closing these helped keep the heat out. Somehow putting these up makes my home look a lot more cozy!
3. In “The Madison”, Stacey tells her daughter, “I am 65 years old, I don’t have a whole life ahead of me. I have a very small window to be reckless…and that’s what I’m going to do.” I’m not being reckless, but at 67, I see that as far as time goes, my days on this earth are numbered. So my plan is to enjoy the time I have left.
4. I called Sunsetter Shade. I have an awning of theirs that we put in back in 2000. It’s old, cracked, and I need a new one. The salesman came by in the middle of a power outage. I was unable to open it; however, for the size we have, there is only one that would fit width-wise, so I selected the fabric and made the deal. It should be here in about three weeks.
5. I got the cutest sunbed for Heidi. It will help to keep her off the patio and away from spiders.

   Her bites still have not healed. She goes back today for a recheck.

   Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

This week I am doing a short list of the TV shows/movies I am enjoying. Here goes!

1. 1. 1. 1. The Madison:
            
            In The Madison, the Clyburns uproot their comfortable New York City lives for the wild, untamed beauty of Montana’s Madison River Valley in a search for connection. In my opinion, this is truly a fabulous series.
         2. Why Women Kill:
            Why Women Kill is a dark comedy (created by Marc Cherry, Desperate Housewives) that follows the lives of women across different eras—each grappling with betrayal and infidelity. As the series unfolds across decades, it explores the shifting roles of women in society while highlighting the timeless nature of heartbreak, revenge, and resilience. My opinion: It has that Desperate Housewives feel to it.
         3. Remarkably Bright Creatures:
            follows Tova Sullivan, a grieving widow who cleans a local aquarium, and her unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a curmudgeonly giant Pacific octopus who pieces together the mystery of her son’s disappearance. Sally Field is truly one of our best actresses.
         4. Hamnet: follows William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes, as they celebrate the birth of their son, Hamnet.However, when tragedy strikes and Hamnet dies young, it inspires Shakespeare to write his timeless masterpiece “Hamlet.” In my opinion, this is so well done on many levels. Writing, acting, and costuming.
         5. Outlander: After serving as a British Army nurse in World War II, Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon in Scotland with husband Frank, an MI6 officer looking forward to a new career as an Oxford historian.Suddenly, Claire is transported to 1743 and into a mysterious world where her freedom and life are threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a strapping Scots warrior with a complicated past and a disarming sense of humor. I think this is probably one of the best shows that have come onto the streaming services.

So there are a few things to watch if we find ourselves inundated with rain. Have a great weekend, everyone.

It’s July! Wow! How did that happen? Not only is it July, but we are in the midst of a terrible heatwave.

1. Yesterday our heat index peaked at 105! And of course, at 1:30 pm, give or take a few minutes, the electricity first browned out and then went out completely. I watched the inside temperature go from 74 degrees to 82 degrees. And there I was stuck in my electric recliner!
2. When the electricity returned, I attempted to cool the house off, but it was a challenge.
3. My project today is to hang the thermal curtains I bought a few months ago to help block out the sun and heat.
4. I needed a drill bit to hang the drapery hardware, and when I got to the stairs to the basement, the lights would not come on. I could not easily find the tripped breaker, and that is next on my list. If I cannot find it, I will need to call an electrician.
5. It’s hot again today. It’s already 80 degrees. The air conditioners are on, and I hope there is not another power outage today. I simply have too much to do!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and can find some way to stay cool!

It’s been a week of motorcycle drones as the yearly Motorcycle Week goes on. They have reported that the crowds are lighter this year due to high energy costs. That’s too bad, as local businesses benefit from this event each year.

So, without further ado, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. Yesterday we had a frontal system move through. For about an hour, we had torrential rains and winds. In the distance, I could hear thunder, but it never got too close.
2. My landline phone went out during the storm. The wires for this phone are all underground. I’ve kept this phone for many reasons, but I think I will probably get rid of it.
3. Miss Heidi was at the Vet this week. She weighed in at 23 pounds (holding steady) and had her eyes checked. Conjuctivitis. Probably allergic, but she needed new drops and salve.

   I must add that she was very happy to go for a ride in the car! She loves her car seat. I use a harness with the safety belt.

4. I’ve been enjoying the Beatles channel on YouTube. The music brings back so many good memories. Also, watching them play together, I recall when they enjoyed performing together and making some of the best music the world has known. It’s sad that two of them are gone, and the two remaining are in their 80s. It’s what I have been saying about time. It rushes by us.
5. I’d planned to go out today to run errands; alas, my plans were thwarted by the June 19th federal holiday. Ah well. If I don’t go out tomorrow, it’ll all have to wait until Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the warmth of the summertime!

I left Florida on Tuesday, hoping for cooler and drier weather here in the north. It was not the case. We have had high temperatures and high humidity. Ugh! Anyway, here is this week’s Friday Five.

1. At first, it felt odd being back in Punta Gorda. So many of my friends and fellow church members have passed away. Then something wonderful happened. Each day I saw people I know well, and we sat and talked as though the last 28 years had not separated us.
2. I did not make it back to Florida in 2019 for my friend Candy’s funeral. I knew her ashes were in the church’s columbarium. So I spent time at the church to find her grave and pray. Well, I looked, and I looked, and then sat down because I couldn’t find them. As I sat there, I glanced down, and there they were. I prayed, lit a candle, and then left. I stood in the doorway of the church, sighed, and looked down.

   There was a small white feather. Since Candy died, I have found a multitude of feathers whenever I think of my friend.

3. I also found myself in a difficult position. Although the outside temperatures were in the upper 90s every day, the temperatures inside hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. were in the 60s!

   Needless to say, I needed something warm. I shopped and found a sweatshirt. I slept in this every night and used an extra blanket.

4. I had problems with my feet swelling up. I mean huge! One friend is a retired nurse, another is a Nurse Practitioner. Both of them were concerned and asked me to see my Primary Care as soon as I got back. I did, and so begins the long journey of determining what is wrong.
5. The early diagnosis was congestive heart failure. I still have many more tests to go. But at least I am doing something about this.

   I have had this problem since 2010, and, being slightly strange, I have taken pictures of my feet all along. The above pictures are recent.

So that’s it for this Friday Five.  It’s pretty compressed for all I accomplished in a very short time. Have a great weekend!

I’ve been thinking a lot about life and how best to enjoy the time I have left on this earth. It’s slipping by so fast, and I do not want to waste a moment.

1. It’s odd, but I used to look at being 67 as very old and very far away.  But…
   I’m 67 years old, and I need to tell you something…
   I’m closer to death than life – the math is simple now.
   I’m watching my body slow down; some systems don’t work the way they used to.
   I’m saying goodbye to everything – people, places, abilities.
   I feel both afraid and at peace all at once.
   I often feel invisible to the world, like a ghost walking through it, watching all that I see, but with no one really seeing me.I’m still me inside. A 67-year-old body, but with a 25-year-old soul.
   I am proud I made it here – not everyone does.
   I am tired of fighting. It seems much better to just let things go. Why waste my time and energy on things that don’t really matter.
   I’m ready when my time on earth ends – death no longer scares me, as it once did.
   But I’m here today, and that alone is enough.
2. My plan to enjoy my life includes a bit more traveling. Not so much overseas, and definitely no more cruises,  but a nice, slow enjoyment of friends and family.
3. I find myself smiling and admiring those in the theatrical field who have left their bodies and faces to age as nature intends them.

   To me, Ali MacGraw, age 87, is one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, while others look unrecognizable.

4. I think accepting yourself for who you are is so important. It’s why I stopped coloring my hair. That and the fact that my hair began to fall out after years of coloring it. No kidding. Years! I started when I was 27, and my hair began to turn gray.
5. And lastly on this chilly Friday morning;

Have a wonderful weekend!

I’ve reached a point in my life where day to day, life tosses in many changes, and unfortunately, these changes include the sudden deaths of loved ones. Sometimes you are lucky enough to say your goodbyes, but other times, we are shocked by the loss. So it was with me this week.

1. A gentleman I have known since we were eight and nine years old passed away, unexpectedly. As kids, Doug and I did things like shoot BB guns, water ski, and ride his dirt bike. He wasn’t a local friend, but was the brother of my sister’s boyfriend, Ron.
2. Ron and Melodie married young, and Doug and I were the Maid of Honor and Best Man, Godparents to their kids, and Aunt and Uncle as well. We were just young teenagers when our nephew Mike was born, and then our nephew Tim was born. It was a good time.
3. Through the years, we remained friends. Now he is gone. Quite quickly. I will miss Doug. A friend who shared many of my teenage memories.
4. Naturally, I have thought a great deal about my own mortality. You know, you read an obituary, and it says, “John Doe passed away of natural causes at the age of 67.” I’m a little nervous about what natural cause may get me in the end.
5. And lastly, I am trying to put a few things in order. I wonder if you ever reach a point where everything in life is well-organized and you can relax?

Have a great weekend, everyone, and enjoy Springtime!

Well, here we are, and it’s May 1st! I simply cannot believe how quickly this year is going! I think it is safe to say that winter is over and that snow won’t fall until November or December, although we did get clobbered once in October. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. So here is this week’s Friday Five!

1. I’ve been waiting for a portable air conditioner to arrive. It was due yesterday. Imagine my excitement when Kevin, my UPS man of 27 years, arrived. He shut down the truck, and after a few minutes, he said, “I cannot believe this!” He went to get the box with my air conditioner, and when he lifted it, he discovered the bottom was gone, and the air conditioner was in pieces! He doesn’t always load his truck, and since this item was loaded before he started his shift, he didn’t catch it until he was in my driveway. So it was rejected, and by 8 o’clock last night I’d ordered a new one.  Ugh!
2. I was looking for a document, and since I am a terrible filer, I was having no luck. I looked and looked, dragging out several boxes of papers. Since I had no luck, I stopped by our Town Offices, and they checked their records and discovered that the document I was looking for had been sent to the wrong address. It’s not a problem, except I now have stacks of papers to dispose of. That will be this afternoon.
3. I did find a few papers that were upsetting. I did what everyone should do in this instance: I threw them away. But it got me thinking, I need to pull out Jack’s computer, clean the outside, and then wipe the hard drive. After all this time, I know there is nothing on that computer I need to see.
4. I saw my grandchildren last weekend, and that was so much fun. I got to meet their new puppy, Kodi, who is a black German Shepherd. He’s a sweet and beautiful pup.

   The white dog is Winter, and they do have an older dog, Freya, who missed being in the pictures. Quinn is now 10, and Savannah will be 14 at the end of the month.

5. Today I’m going to pick up my new car. A Rav4 Hybrid. With gasoline over $4.00 a gallon, I just had to make the move! I’m excited!

Have a great weekend, everyone!