Where Are My Glasses?

 The day has come where I need reading glasses. Like most people I went out and bought a pack of five and then immediately started to strategically place a pair of readers around my house thinking now wherever I go in my house I will have a pair of readers. That seemed like the perfect and logical solution.

About a week later, I am in one area of the house in need of a pair of readers and I find myself looking all over, none of the strategically placed readers were where they had been a week ago. I ran around for about 20 minutes looking everywhere when suddenly, I see a glimpse of myself in the refection of a window and realized I had a pair of readers on top of my head, brother!

I then proceeded to round up the other four pair of readers and once again strategically placed them around the house where I thought was best. Over and over, I found myself hunting them down. I finally decided that it is just easier to purchase a glasses cord Lanyard to place around my neck. I never thought or saw myself as the person who would do such a thing, but here I am.

Written by Lorye McLeod

 

By: Kirsten Hartman

Do I have to shovel again this week? I have gotten used to Colorado's weekly snowstorm in winter, but two in a week, ugh. This year, my 80th, I am finding it more difficult to shovel my walk and driveway. Now it takes two or more times to get it done. Shovel a while; rest; shovel a while; rest …

I have always thought if I can stand up and walk across the room, I can do anything. Well, shoveling is showing me up and offering another reality check that comes with aging. Today, as I was gathering determination to pick up the snow shovel, I looked out and there was my neighbor Mike working away clearing my walk and driveway. Wonderful, caring, helpful neighbors - a new reality. I am grateful. Thank you, Mike.

 

By: Cherrie Thornton

Pick Up Fiasco

 Needing some items from the hardware store, I decided to try "PICK UP" method and avoid interacting with people. I found the items easily online,  and was able to order them.  Soon I received a notification that the order was  ready for pickup. So, off I went with a paper copy of my code to get into my locker as well as the notices on my phone. I found the locker and then proceeded to follow the steps on the screen to enter the pickup locker code. OH NO. The locker did not open...looking around, a worker from the store came to help me.  He tried to re-enter the code to no avail. He notified another worker and suddenly there were 3 people now trying to open the locker. One of those workers directed me to go into the store. While at the counter, the first worker came rushing in and handed me my items.  Now I had interacted closely with at least 4 people in my effort to pick up some items and not see anyone.  Another attempt to be "Covid safe" had failed. Oh well. The good news is that I saved myself the time and effort of wandering around the store looking for things. Hum..I may just try Pick Up again !  

By: Kirsten Hartman

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