lifestyle

Love It !

by Penny

I am so enjoying the “Sex In The City” spinoff, “And Just Like That”. It seems like only yesterday (such a cliche) that I was enthralled with the original series. It encompassed so much that I found entertaining… the fashion, life in a big city, relationships, bad choices, exciting careers, and of course, men. It was refreshing that the writers were gutsy enough to tackle sensitive topics. I could identify with each of the characters in some way, but on a deeper level, Carrie became my alter-ego. Not only did we share a passion for writing, but our love of shoes, especially high heels was a match. Once a week for the duration of the series, I lived vicariously through this character. Yes, I know, I know! The series was frivolous and often too sugary sweet and silly, or for some offensive in content, but they touched on real topics that many women could relate to in their own lives.

Sometime ago when the “family cottage” was still in our possession, a weekend guest left the entire “Sex In The City” box set behind. I watched the episodes over and over. At some point, my son invited a friend of his to join us for a short visit. As was generally the case, we would play cards or a random board game in the evening and then watch a DVD since there was no television reception. On this particular occasion, I woke in the morning to find my son’s guest relaxing on the couch absorbing an episode of my favorite. I jokingly asked him if he was desperate for something to watch. “Not at all,” he assured me with eyes glazed over from lack of sleep. “I’ve learned more about how women think and talk than I ever thought possible.”

The new series has been met with plenty of criticism. Someone even wrote that the characters are old and unappealing now, that they have wrinkles and a few extra pounds, that women don’t talk or think this way as they age. I am here to tell you that they do. Just because we get older, does not mean that we lose interest in our appearance or our sexuality. Now, to be honest, some women never show an interest in these topics, and they will never start as they age. We all know those ladies who are old before their time.

For me, aging has come with its own set of problems and changes, but it has been the most freeing time of my life. I no longer feel the need to conform to societies expectations. I have laboriously climbed the mountain of building a career, making a home, raising children, and yes, even losing my spouse, but I made it, theoretically, to the top. The only negative of this is that I am now on the downside of that damn mountain, and we know how much faster it is to come downhill. However, I intend to squeeze every moment of pleasure out of whatever time I have remaining. Betty White is my new inspiration.

I will dress up and show up for every opportunity to enjoy my life. The fact that I have like-minded girlfriends makes my life even sweeter. Look out world! We are coming for you!!!

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo

Single and Happy

by Penny

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The name of my blog includes the word “single” for a reason. At this point in my life, I have no desire to remarry or be a part of a committed couple. I have lived alone for twenty plus years, and I am quite content with my situation. Even before that, when my children were still living at home, I was very much single. After my husband passed away, they had made it perfectly clear that they did not want a new dad, period. And so, I grew to accept my singleness gradually.

As my kids got older and needed me less, I did date occasionally. Friends often tried introducing me to available men, but I never found that special someone who I wanted to share my life with again. I was set in my ways and did not want to adjust to a new partner’s habits. As I got older, the men I met seemed needy. They were looking for someone to care for them as they aged. 77b4f23c73b1a4f0f8ef9dda08bbed5d

 

 

 

 

I would often look at the relationships around me and hear the partners’ complaints about each other.  “He’s never home; I will have to check with my husband; He never leaves the couch on weekends; He’s out with the guys drinking; I’m always stuck with the kids; and on and on. I was not in a hurry to join their ranks. I did not have to check in with anyone, or ask if I could buy something, or ask about someone else’s schedule.

ba2e18a1d5a8bd1d14d29d209a36c257  My life is uncomplicated. I come and go when and where I wish. Believe it or not, being single is very liberating. People used to look at me with a certain sadness in their eye. I was asked so many times why I had not remarried in all those years. Wasn’t I lonely? How could I manage a job, home, and family on my own? If I had to be honest, I never wanted to marry in the first place. In the 60’s, it was just expected that you finished school, got a job, married, and had a family. So, rather than buck the norm, so to speak, I did what was expected.

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Now all this sounds like I do not like men. Nothing could be further from the truth. I enjoy their company immensely. I would love to be able to date casually, but from my own experience, men my age want commitment or a much younger lady. To be honest, the men my age that I meet seem OLD! Perhaps that’s the problem! I need to focus on a younger age group. Hhmmm!

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo ♥

 

 

Green Medicine

by Penny

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When I was a kid, it was common knowledge that people who used marijuana were criminals or at the very least bad people. Right??? Then the hippies and flower children gave new meaning to this beautiful green plant. My how times change! The Canadian government announced last year that they were planning to legalize cannabis in 2018. Medical marijuana clinics have popped up in numerous cities, and some doctors are prescribing cannabis for their patients as a method to manage pain. Last year, our local Senior Citizens Association hosted a luncheon, and the guest speaker talked about…… you guessed it, cannabis. The response was overwhelming. Many could not even get a ticket and another presentation is in the works.

Apparently, marijuana’s time has come !

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Not only has its time come, but seniors seem to be on the leading edge of its popularity. I know numerous friends who use it to help combat anxiety, reduce pain, and to help sleep.

I can personally attest to its effectiveness. About three years ago, I began to suffer from pain in my knee which ultimately was diagnosed as arthritis. My doctor recommended taking Tylenol for Arthritis to ease the discomfort and casually mentioned I would no doubt need a knee replacement down the road. I knew several people who had had this surgery, and I did not like the outcome. Many were still unable to resume normal activities and had to be very cautious about stairs, uneven ground, standing for lengthy periods, and even walking for a distance. This definitely did not fit into my pastime pleasures of travel, dancing, and gardening. There had to be some way to reduce the pain and stave off surgery for as long as possible. And so I began my research.

The medical marijuana clinics were on my radar, and I decided to look into this a little more. I discovered a wealth of information on the internet and by talking with people. It wasn’t long until I discovered CBD cream. I won’t go into a lengthy explanation about this “green medicine”, but it is made from the cannabis plant and no, it will not make you high. Cannabis has two active ingredients, THC which will alter your mental state and CBD which will not. Our bodies all have naturally occurring cannabinoid receptors.

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CBD Cream

These receptors help us absorb the CBD through our skin. CBD reduces inflammation  among other things, so you can see where it could be very helpful with NO side effects. Call me crazy, but I really do not feel good about ingesting medication to relieve pain and at the same time rotting my stomach out.

I am not a doctor, nor do I know everyone’s individual situation. I am only suggesting that it may be worth a try. I know some that have tried it and proclaimed it ineffective. I do know it is not a magic fix. Like all natural products, it takes time to build up the necessary CBD levels in your body. I also know, I am pain free.

Some of you may remember the story about “The Little Red Hen” from your childhood. She found some wheat seeds; she planted those seeds; she tended those plants; she harvested the wheat; she ground the grains, and she baked bread.

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I am beginning to feel like that “Little Red Hen”, if you get my drift. I, too, can grow it, harvest it, and turn it into other products. I may even try making the cream.

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If you have any interest in the benefits of marijuana, there is endless information online. In today’s world, we really must advocate for our own health. I do hope the government makes good on its promise to make this extraordinary plant legal.

 

Thanks for reading

Penny xo

 

 

Techno Grannies

by Penny

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Ask him if he has three friends.

Over the years, it has been my observation that most seniors either resist or struggle with the use of new technology. My mother was actually responsible for my first foray into the tech world of cell phones. She worried about me driving my kids to and from sports tournaments and dance competitions late at night. What if I had a flat tire or engine trouble?? So, to put HER mind at ease, she gave me a mobile phone for Christmas one year. It looked something like this. PRODPIC-406It was about the size of a brick and weighed as much. You could make and receive calls, nothing more. It fit neither a pocket nor a purse, but I dutifully carried it in my car for several years. Eventually the rechargeable battery needed to be replaced and I decided it was too expensive. That phone eventually found its way into a yard sale.

When the new compact cell phones first arrived in stores, I did not rush out to get one, but later with the urging of my kids, I finally joined the 21st century. I initially took some teasing because I carried it in my purse, but did not turn it on. I was afraid the battery would be dead when I needed it. My kids were exasperated with me. “How can we call you, if it’s never on.” Good point! I was definitely a work in progress. I have since used that same line on some of my friends. I still have plenty to learn about the capabilities of my cell phone, but I’ve “come a long way, baby”. However, I am not ready to give up my landline just yet.

Computers are another story entirely. I was basically forced into using them near the end of my teaching career. I spent endless hours over weekends and in the evening in the school library working on the new computerized report cards. It was painfully inconvenient, but I had no choice. My lack of typing skills only exacerbated the situation.

I finally decided to purchase a computer of my own. I was actually  so naive that I assumed it would be plug and play. The salesman assured me it was a very straight-forward operation. When I opened the carton, I was overwhelmed by cords and instructions. The terminology made my head spin. Too stubborn to admit I was in over my head, I forged onward following every word of the manual and two days later, I was ready to push the “on” button. I was in utter shock when the screen lit up. Of course, the real challenge was still to come. I now had to learn how to load the programs into my new computer. By the time everything was functional, the instruction book was in tatters.

Well, I am happy to report that two computers and four laptops later, I can find my way around the workings of many computer programs and can’t imagine my life without this amazing technology. I still can’t type, but I learn something new almost every day.

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My point here is that technology can be fun. There is nothing to fear. There’s a whole world out there to explore, and this just allows us to do some of that from our own home. It’s an amazing way of staying in touch with both family and friends. I still believe that nothing can replace seeing each other in person and talking face-to-face, but when that is not possible, technology can allow you to stay connected. It was amazing to me that I could pay bills at home while traveling in Tibet.

Of course, some people are a little slower to catch on. One of my friends was recently in Florida. When she returned, she complained that she had texted us, but no one replied. We couldn’t figure out why we had not received her messages. A little further probing revealed the problem. She had texted to a landline. Oops! Well apparently there is still some work to be done, but we have lots of time to work out the kinks.

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You go girl! We’re never too old.

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo

Olé, Olé, Zumba!!

by Penny

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I told you I was a Rockette once.

We all know how important it is to stay active at any age. Before retirement, it was never my priority to be physically active. My life was physical enough with work, kids, cleaning the house, maintaining the yard and walking the dog. I was a single mom and had to do it all. There were a few times when I did join a gym with the intention of getting in better shape, but as the membership ran out, so did my interest and often my budget.

After retirement, I coasted along thinking little about exercise. I was more focused on filling my days to avoid boredom. I still had to maintain the house inside and out, and of course the dog demanded her daily stroll, but there was a lot more time available for eating and drinking wine with friends, so it is not surprising that my clothes started to feel tight in all the wrong places. In addition to that, my knees were feeling the onset of arthritis, and I worried  that I may join the people I knew who had to have knee replacements. I was determined to make some changes.

Several of the girls who had retired before me, were taking classes at our local senior citizen centre. The programs are extensive with numerous choices from yoga to swimming and tai chi to pickle ball. And yes, they even offer chair fitness for those with physical limitations.

I decided to check out some programs for myself. A few of my friends were already taking Zumba classes, so I decided to give it a try. Now for those of you who don’t know what this is I can explain simply. It is low-impact movement done to mainly Latin music. Classes are generally an hour in length. You can rest or modify the arm or leg motions  according to your own needs. I love music and I love to dance so it seemed like a perfect choice. 

Little did I realize how popular these classes are. Registration day, there we were lined up at 7 o’clock in the morning to ensure a spot in the class. It was like registering my kids for swimming lessons all over again. 

Just to make it fun, wear something that makes you smile. Here is something I chose.

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There is so much to choose from and it doesn’t have to break the bank. Try Joe Fresh for some great pieces.

Well, I have to say I am really enjoying Zumba. Of course it doesn’t hurt that after class we head to a nearby pub for a lovely chilled glass of wine and perhaps something to nibble on as well. The other patrons look forward to our weekly visits too, I think.

And if physical activity is not quite your “cup of tea”, there are many other activities to choose. Just get out and do something!

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The girls are going to be so jealous!

Thanks for reading,

Penny xo

 

 

The Sensational Single Senior

by Penny

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Age has never been very important to me. I once saw a quote on a headstone in the cemetery that read, ” Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of moments that take your breath away.” I’m not sure who said it, but it resonates with me more and more as each year passes.

My friends laugh at my method for keeping track of my age. I always round off to the next number ending in a zero. So for example, I am currently 68, but when asked, I say I am 70. I have been 70 since I turned 61 because I round up. I love the reactions I get from strangers. My response is often, “Age is only a number. Pick one you like.”

This little idiosyncrasy of mine does have repercussions at times. My family was on a fabulous trip on a beautiful five-masted sailing ship one year. My birthday happened to fall during the vacation and my children were convinced I was turning 60 for real. There was a huge celebration, special dinner prepared by the chef, cake, and gifts all to mark my 60th milestone. I thanked them profusely, then admitted that it was actually my 59th birthday. They accused me of not knowing my own age. When I finally convinced them I was telling the truth, they laughed and said there would be no repeat party next year.

This year when I turned 68, my daughter surprised me with a lovely cake that said, “Happy 80th” ! I loved her sense of humor.

Why do we focus so much on age? Instead of counting the years, we should learn to make every day count for something. Learn something new, try something new, go somewhere new. After all, when all is said and done the only thing that matters is how you live, not how long.

I am so lucky to have collected a group of friends throughout my life that share my outlook on growing older. They are a most eclectic group of women, each with their own unique qualities. This is my first of what I hope to be many blog entries about this sensational group of seniors. I look forward to hearing your comments or your own opinions.

 

Thanks for reading,

Penny   xo