Author Archives: Tricraftual
Two Funerals – Big Lessons
Believe it or not this morning I attended a funeral and this afternoon a memorial service for two friends who died this week. Both in their fifties and both ill for a long time. The first, my friend Larry apparently suffered from a life long illness that eventually led to his death. The second my friend Jerry was like a brother to me and he succumbed to cancer after a twelve year battle. So I am not writing this to talk about how sad it is that they died. But rather to talk about how well they lived.
I knew Larry for over twenty years professionally and to some degree personally (we shared personal friends) and I never knew that he was ill. He was always cheerful, had a laugh that could cheer up anyone and never complained although he was probably not feeling well often. He seemed to enjoy life and probably had an appreciation for the good times that we all should have. The church was full of friends, former co-workers and church members all paying tribute to a well loved man.
Jerry was diagnosed with cancer twelve years ago and was told that he had two to three years to live. He too was in almost constant pain but never complained. Today a gentleman got up to speak and said that he has cancer and that in 2004 he was defeated, depressed and ready to give up and then into the Chemo room walked Jerry. He said that Jerry came into the room and announced that he was told that he should have been dead already and that he was a fighter and that everybody that had chemo with him needed to be a fighter. The man said it changed his attitude. Wow!
So I will miss my two friends. But they will always be in my mind and when I get up with my aches and pains I’ll remember that sometimes we have to put a smile on our face and keep it moving.
End of Year Plan
This post is more for me than for you but if anyone can identify, okay. Note to self, I will not make myself crazy between now and the end of the year. Just a few short weeks but in America at least a few of the craziest weeks of the year. The pressure to spend money is tremendous. The platform for overeating can be overwhelming and for many of us in recent years the dangerous desire to compare our current status to the old days or to how others are living is as they say a “cruel mistress”.
So my plan for the rest of the year is simple. I am going with the flow. We will buy some gifts for the grand kids and that’s it. One way or the other we will spend some time with them during Christmas week. I will not eat every cookie and cake that floats by and most of all I promise to enjoy this time with family and friends.
That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!
Acceptance is Part of the Battle
So what have I learned at 60? To accept things. When I was in high school I could get up 4o minutes before I had to leave the house and do all the necessary things, get dressed and slide out of the door. At 60 I need an hour to an hour and a half to do the same things.
The body changes over time. Not all the changes are fun but most are inevitable. You can be upset but it won’t change anything.
I hate being called Miss Karen and other than the classroom where I think there needs to be a boundary, I just want to be called Karen, that’s my name. Okay so I hate that I look old enough to be called Miss Karen or anything else that serves as an age place marker.
I don’t like hearing my knees pop but I’m glad I can still walk on them.
It annoys me that people don’t believe that my hair isn’t dyed because I’m not gray. It’s in the genes for Pete’s sake.
But I have come to accept these things and truly I am happy every day when I get up. I look on each day with anticipation and though nothing earth shattering happens most days, that’s okay too.
Best of all I have accepted my journey as the one I am supposed to be on and good, bad or indifferent, I’ll keep moving forward as long as I can. Happy Friday!!
Happy Holidays – Be Thankful
Today begins the winter holiday season in the United States of America. If you ask ten people what Thanksgiving Day means you may get ten different answers. In 2011 for sure it is a day to reflect on what we have and be thankful for it all. Today, some did not get a special dinner and struggled to find shelter. The rest of us no matter how diminished our circumstances have plenty to be thankful for. Perhaps we can take the time to find a way to pay it forward and help those less fortunate. I make it my business to give a few dollars to the folks that I pass on the streets of New York on my walk to school. I put my clothing in the bins or drop them at a shelters so that someone else can use them. It ‘s not much but it’s what I can do now. Some times just a kind word can make a difference.
Between now and the New Year whatever your religion or tradition is take a little time to be thankful for people who are important in your lives. Remember to give a little to someone else no matter how small and oh yeah pray for me because thirty days of Christmas music on the radio is more than I can take.
Don’t Look Under the Bed and Other Advice I Ignore
I grew up a scary kid who loved the Twilight Zone and horror movies and then couldn’t sleep. My Dad built shelves for all of my dolls and they were right next to my bed. Under the bottom shelf was a dark space that (those of you who are old enough to remember the Twilight Zone episode) of course was the entrance to outer space. So very early on I learned to make sure that none of my limbs were out of the bed and preferably covered by at least a sheet. Also NEVER LOOK UNDER THE BED!!! Here I am at sixty, and I still have to sleep with at least a sheet. But I forgot the part about not looking under the bed.
So what do I mean? Sometimes as adults we aren’t satisfied until we find something wrong. We try to find something wrong our spouse has done, are suspect of our co-worker for no clear reason, are convinced that our kids are drug using, gun carrying bank robbers and that our boss has it in for us. In other words we are always looking under the bed. Now I am not suggesting that we should bury our heads in the sand but I wonder if some of us aren’t satisfied until we have proven that something must be wrong. The reason that we feel this way could have lots of causes and I am not analyzing anyone including myself. I am suggesting however that if you are constantly looking under the bed, let it go. Be observant but not overly suspicious. Look for the good in situations first. If there is a down side it will be revealed without your interference.
Give your self and the world a break. You may find that what ever is under the bed needs to stay there. If it floats out deal with it.
Sesonal Attitude Adjustment
I had been going great guns since my birthday several weeks ago and then something happened. I found it hard to get up and by evening I felt kind of lost. Well I guess my memory isn’t what it used to be because it finally dawned on my that this happens every year! In the northeast October/November/December bring the darkest days of the year. And every year it takes me some time to get adjusted. So as much as I can, I will try to hold on to my regular routine and remind myself that it really doesn’t last long. December 21st is the shortest day and then it starts getting lighter every day. So if you are like me, hold on and find enjoyment in these days. Maybe a bit more meditation, quiet thought, sleep! Lots of activities that don’t need daylight. It’s yet another reminder that nothing lasts for ever!
Pre-Occupied by Craft
As you all know I blog about my love of knitting and crochet at knitteddreamscrocheteddesires.com. This evening at our regular Wednesday gathering of the Bergen Crafters, someone said that a man watched her knit at the laundromat and said ” I haven’t seen anyone do that in years. People around here have better things to do”. Well I thought about that and decided that you may have better things to do but not many that are so satisfying and mind calming. When I am a bit on edge I find knitting/crocheting very soothing and when I finish I have something that some one can use or wear.
Relax I’m not recruiting we have tons of crafter’s out there. What I am suggesting though is that you pick up that hobby and give it another try. You don’t have to spend a lot, start with an inexpensive project. Satisfaction has no dollar amount attached. So buy some crayons, paints, yarn or fabric and get to working. I bet you will feel a real sense of accomplishment when you finish. So okay it’s not the vacation that you wanted or the new car but just for a short time you can enjoy yourself. Try it and see!
I Love the Fall – How About You?
I haven’t had much to say in the last two weeks. Had a cold last week which occupied my body and brain. I am much better this week and again assuming a full schedule. Anyway I have included some pics of my birthday flowers and probably the last harvest of my garden except for my collard greens which will continue to grow to at least another month. I love the fall and all the things that come with it. The beautiful second act of our parks and gardens, the pumpkins, apple picking, an excuse to knit sweaters and shrugs and of course my birthday! I enjoy every day of it. Hope you do too.
Our Garden Produce
My tomatoes, bell peppers and jalapenosBirthday FlowersBirhday Flowers
First Steps the Hardest 