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When Sheila encountered old age her design career’s unique experiences became a guide to embrace change and shape an entirely new lifestyle; the adventure of being a resident with 800+ elders all heading to the backstretch…………

Can tigers change stripes? Can an intrepid octogenarian learn new rules/schmules?

Is she smart enough to learn new ways — hmmm? Will she follow new rules — hmmm?

Talk about big challenges for her! Check out Post 9

I kept getting lost!

This was really hard because I was capable of cutting edge navigation — maybe….wellll…. sort of?

Welll….I better well try because scattered around our new acreages are cunning little side streets tucked here and there and I was the sole family driver.

There’s more….around those 65+ acres are seven apartment buildings, each 3 floors tall, holding  31+ apartments of different sizes.

Those buildings are augmented by dozens of small bungalows set around the perimeters of the property that have their own individual garden areas as part of their property, the owners being petit land barons.

For me, just being surrounded by legions of accomplished retirees amounted to a significant learning curve along with a disturbing rule for which I would need a tutor because upon entering the “Open Sesame” gates to this retirement property, a sense of sadness ensued.

Dominating the streets and all over the place….“10 mph speed limit signs.”                 Every time that sign appeared, I had a strong, but fleeting touch of nostalgia and sorrow for the freeway speeds I had just left in the dust. I wanted to execute a U turn and just go for a quick ride on the freeway, but I learned to be strong and tough it out.

            (I had to get home, someway.)

Full disclosure: In my past life, I truly wish the below marquee nudged me every other mile because those highway motorcycle people, all gussied up in snazzy, dark uniforms, never listened to my creative reasoning/excuses for my gravitationally challenged lead foot.

Where was Thomas Paine* when I needed a whack of his Common Sense? But,  just for a brief sake of argument…

Does a car actually move at ten miles per hour? (It does not!)

My bike-riding neighbor exceeds ten miles per hour while coasting!

A Chinese man hand pulling a people-loaded rickshaw pulls faster than 10 mph on massively crowded Beijing streets—and trust me, most of the other 800+ drivers here were not driving ten miles per hour — — maybe an obscure one or two, maybe a few hundred, but unquestionably a formidable task for some of us.

Where is that silver lining for exceedingly high-caliber drivers like myself?

I have a brilliant solution.  Remember, we have 60+ Activities. We need one more….a spot where superior drivers could excel.

Our Own  Racetrack?

Yes!

A racetrack installed around the perimeter of these 65+ acres — this could be promising — maybe we wouldn’t wear uniforms, but trophies could be won and proudly displayed.

Noooo….!

.                                                                                                                              **

I did love this idea, but truth be told, my friends…. safety rules. It must forever be –
ten miles per hour for me.

More nitty-gritty….another “schmule” that’s a sterling biggie for our community and population, drum roll, please, the Safety Pendant that is worn on this property at all times….not in the shower. Each resident is given one to be worn around the neck or on the wrist and residents use such personal choices as an attractive chain or a bracelet wrist watch type of jewelry. They must be handy for each resident to push promptly if a fall occurs or an illness ensues.***

Advanced Trivia: Take your time….this is a hard one! Can you spot the authentic Safety Pendant?

Safety Pendants are the life-line of that extra touch of care, especially in the case of falls. With the push of a button, a medical professional answers within minutes and in my retirement community, it is our Safety Department personnel who answer. They arrive in jet-speed time. All are EMT trained and a first-class asset!

Now you know, our schmules are worthy, beneficial and we know someone really cares about us….

Sy’s Salient Points:

The schmules discussed in various blogs are just one part of a definitive message that Retirement Realms offer….a manifesto for positive aging.

Common sense is sound, practical judgment concerning everyday matters, or a basic ability to perceive, understand, and judge in a manner that is shared by nearly all people. Wikipedia*

Many residents attest to the magical arrival of Safety Personnel arriving to offer necessary help and judgment in an emergency.

*Published in January 1776 in Philadelphia, Thomas Paine’s, “Common Sense had nearly 120,000 copies in circulation by April. People will be much happier if they are responsible for the creation of the laws that rule them.”

**byB

***Each year, 3 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries. “Falls Are Serious and Costly” CDC 2021                                                           Medical alert or alarm systems do not qualify under durable medical equipment and are not covered by Medicare.

                             Happy Birthday to your Mommy and Auntie D., Blaire

AN INTREPID OCTOGENARIAN

Please help SY direct those busy traffic patterns. 

          After downsizing,

we ferried former treasures to our new space in a sincere attempt to bring the outside-inside — albeit, a very diminutive garden room. But, I never expected it would offer such a happy tongue-in-cheek atmosphere. It’s verdant vibrancy showcases nature’s greenery amidst funky bibelots — a not-so-secret garden, that creates an extension of our apartment.*

(Full disclosure, it does  not take a green thumb to grow succulents and cacti.) Plant food food and water and cacti and succulents grow grow anywhere. Plunk them anywhere, they don’t care. 

Following the December arrival to our Retirement Realm, our audacious Christmas Cactus literally sang “Oh Christmas Tree” showering itself with blooms.

Plus, our porch has a few over-the-top “piece-de-resistance” art statements…two noble cranes — really noble — 5’  of nobleness and…a vintage wrought iron balcony stand from the Mayor of Atascadero’s, CA. office. (The complete small iron balcony was removed intact when the building was renovated and given to us by a cherished designer friend. We upended to create an attractive design structure.)  Plus, it holds a place in our hearts because it is from our friend, Wayne.

About those two 5′ cranes , Clemmie & Winnie, two unstoppable historical standouts petitioned for a trial porch visit. They promised to offer that extra spark of porch panache and once they arrived, they would not budge. So here they live “Clementine and Winston” — Churchill, that is!

Clemmie, beside being quick-on-the trigger with unwavering support for Winnie was purposeful, stylish and beautiful, whereas, Winnie, known to be a bit rumpled with his ubiquitous cigar and homburg hat had a staggering vocabulary.

His articulation & phraseology took language to “stately and noble” stratospheric heights — a league of one! (As you see, he’s still articulating.)

And he was a staunch, unwavering patriot who rescued his country to bring peace to our world in 1945.** So happy he decided to join us! 

Then….there’s Mozart,

(no slouch even at age six) who would not be left behind — nor would he stop serenading the Sago Palm that persists in poking a frond into his space/face.

Stay tuned, I’ll let you know who wins…

                                                                          Amadeus?             or                 Sago!

There’s more:

Comfortable furniture offers harmony and solace while those perky glass gazing balls add decorative touches that reflect bright colors. ***

Years ago, while driving to my family’s Missouri Lake home, we were barreling down the too narrow roads — (my father only knew “barreling down”) when we raced past a yard sale. He could decelerate in a nano second and behold, just waiting for the right Californian to arrive was a quaint day bed begging to go to California.

Guess where it is right now with paint, a new mattress and extra foam padding where my son-in-law loves to take an afternoon nap, but more importantly, it’s that memorable family extension of my Father, my Mother and their lake house.

The winsome small wooden gizmo in the bottom picture was made my Father in his late eighties. He created a mini-workshop in the garage after my parents moved to California late in their lives. With almost no tools or space, he created sweet plant stands and a gizmo or two.

How great was that?

SY’s SALIENT POINTS:

– The smallest Pocket Garden can create joyful moods and resonate with nature.

– Be inventive with cherished antique pieces.

– A garden amplifies air quality and nature to capture feelings of renewal & a sense of peace.

– A mix of architectural objects will integrate decorative history into reusable design.

*May AARP 2021 Bulletin: “Bring plants into you home. Plants not only look beautiful, but many of them…can improve air quality.”

**Eleanor Roosevelt said about Winston Churchill’s speeches….(they),  “were a tonic to us here in the United States as well as to his own people.”————”Franklin and Winston:”….by Jon Meacham 2003 

*** From Gazing Ball History by Mick Telkamk: “First introduced in 13th century Venice by artisan glass blowers, gazing balls are a common sight in yards and gardens as decoration. The reflective spheres have served many purposes over the years. Those colorful globes may bring an attractive bit of flair to the garden, but did you know the popular lawn ornament has also been used to ward off evil, bring good luck, spy on young lovers and alert a considerate host when guests might need attention?”

                                               Happy Back to School, Blaire