Still Cracking Wise

I knew of Barbara before I actually met her and became friends with her. She was known by many as the woman who wrote the history column in the Coloradoan. Folks loved her column but always commented, “but that hat!” I finally broke down and asked Barbara about “that hat.” Turns out her best childhood friend’s daughter got married at the Avery House and chose a Victorian theme for the wedding. Barbara was the “other mother” to the bride, so she was included in the family wedding party. They all dressed in Victorian garb and Barbara wore the hat. Barbara’s eyes lit up as she told the story, a story of a joyful family gathering and celebration. The wedding was three decades ago and yet the hat decorated the door of her apartment at Brookdale Assisted Living where her days ended.

Submitted by Jane Everham

By: Kirsten Hartman

Knowing Barbara

                

I was always a fan of Barbara Fleming’s history columns in the Coloradoan, looking forward to reading one every week. When I heard she was going to teach a class about historic women in Larimer County, I signed up. 

Usually I read the class expectations ahead of time, but this time I didn’t. I cruised into the first class, planning to sit and listen to a lecture with perhaps some discussion. But no! She had other expectations! We were to do research on a woman chosen from a list provided to the class and then make a presentation. After I recovered from this surprise, I found I enjoyed the experience of research, writing, rewriting and putting together a presentation that hopefully would engage the class. Barbara was encouraging, informative and helpful … of course, how many years did she teach? Not only did I learn a lot, the class was interesting and I had fun.

During 2020, with a lot of time at home, I decide to complete a biography of my great grandmother, also a woman of strength and determination. I thought maybe Barbara might be willing to help me finalize my writing. She agreed to be my editor, and I was so excited. She helped me clarify my thoughts, smooth the flow and all the details I never would have thought of. I never really considered myself a writer, but from this experience maybe I have to give up that notion.

Thank you, Barbara.

Cherrie, Thornton

November, 17, 2021

 

By: Cherrie Thornton

Goodbye

 

My friend, colleague, and mentor died last Friday. While her health was declining, her mind was clear and so determined to continue writing that her sudden death came as a shocking surprise to those who knew her. For the past 5 years she handled the Graceful Aging blog for PAFC. She edited ("lightly edited" as she would say), organized and, solicited contributions while my job was to post them on the website. She was more than generous with her time to keep the blog alive, healthy, and relevant.    

To read more about Barbara, The Coloadoan, the host of  her weekly Fort Collins history column, has published a tribute to her life.  And she has had her own website where her published books and thoughts about writing are highlighted.

Goodbye my very dear friend. I am saddened by your leaving.  I will miss you but I know that through your writing you are now yourself a part of our city's history.  

By: Bonnie Shetler

Masked

 Now that wearing a mask and keeping your distance is more or less voluntary, life has become a little more complicated. My personal preference is to wear one in any enclosed space occupied by many folks I do not know. In some environments that leaves me as the only one in the place wearing a mask. Do I care?  Not really but I do notice. In the before times it was just a natural part of the overall look for us all. Now it announces one’s level of concern about where this evolving virus is taking us. I have to say I appreciate it when the decision is made for me - at the doc’s office, on the bus. I feel more of a kinship with my fellow masked travelers. Not to mention that sense of liberation when I step outside and take the dang thing off.

By: Bonnie Shetler

On Being in My Ninth Decade

So here I am at 85, sufficiently functional and mentally competent, surprised at having lived this long. Assessing my condition, I find that I have lost:

• A degree of mobility and independence

• Dear friends who preceded me in death

• Appetite (and weight)

• Agility (not that I ever had that in abundance, but I could square dance pretty well)

• Energy

• Some short-term memory

And I find that I still have:

• Sufficient energy to get through the days

• The ability to think, reason and write, and enough short-term memory 

• Dear friends who are very good to me, and beloved family

• The resources and assistance to remain in my house with only my cat, Shadow, for company

• My car, and the ability to drive it safely

• As active and involved a life as I can handle

I have books to read, sunsets over the foothills to relish, blue sky most days, adequate food, excellent medical care, my computer to work on (a big improvement over typewriters), a caring church community and an abundance of gratitude for my fortunate circumstances. Being 85, after all, beats the alternative, as my father used to say. How blessed I am. 

Submitted by Barbara Fleming By: Kirsten Hartman

Prairie Grasslands

 

Took a road trip out to the Pawnee Buttes yesterday. Sat and contemplated the vast grasslands. It is easy to imagine herds of buffalo and Native Americans riding through on horseback. The Buttes reflect sunlight in different hues throughout the day. Such a vast, peaceful place.  Our plan is to return to this exact spot with our little camper and be still for a while.

By: Bonnie Shetler

Important Chore

   I always make the bed. It isn’t the first thing I do when I get up. It doesn’t come before washing my face or drinking a couple of cups of coffee, but it is important to me. This chore gives order to my day, and gets me organized. I would be at looser ends if I left the bed unmade.

   Probably there are many people who find making the bed an unnecessary waste of time. Maybe this is one more way our society is divided! Some do, some don’t. For me, it is the chore that symbolizes an orderly life!

Written by Jess Kerchenfeldt

              

By: Kirsten Hartman