When I visit my parents, the same basic information, they share with me is 'laugh through our mistakes, our blunders and the little things in life.' I don't know about all of you, but for me, there are times when the little things of life are bothersome and not so laughable. Especially after a long day at work, all I wanted to do was gripe, complain, vent. Or maybe after a long day of feeling lousy because of MY ILLNESS. After all, no one else can understand what I just went through. These days I am no longer face with a full day at work but like all, I still have 'bad days.'
I have come to understand, no I have come to appreciate, the power of laughter. Or what about a simple smile. Once you have a smile on your face it becomes difficult to fuss about an injustice. This mind set, of a smile or a laugh, does much to improve what was qickly becoming a lousy time. It improves not only my disposition but also the others who were going to hear me out.
While at work, I had the privilege of conducting a number of courses designed for management. One of the courses was how to deal with improving and increase success. One of the points was the importance of laughter. In part I stated the following:
'Laughter! Tis a poor man's plaster,
Covering each sad disaster.
Laughing he forgets his troubles,
Which though real seems but bubbles.
Laughter! Whether loud or mute,
Tells the human kind from brute.
Laughter! Tis hope's living voice,
Bidding us to make the choice,
And to cull from thorny bowers
Leaving thorns and taking flowers.'
Why did it take me so long to understand? To put into practice? I even taught the importance of this quailty. I taught this for years to classes of supervisors. The answer;I am not sure about all of you but for me it is because I am simply stubborn. That stubbornness comes from the Dyer's side, my mom's side and not from the Wallace's side.
As I watched the gentle falling of snow, I ponder this line of reasoning. If you were born without sense of humor, set about acquiring this without delay. Nine-tenths of the little vexations of which we make so much have a funny side. If we only looked for it. To meet them rightly, we should laugh about them, instead of crying or whining, as so many of us do. Cultivate that practical sense of humor that will enable you to see the funny side when things go wrong, for it is a quality that is valuable all the way through life.
With a nod and a wink, HeWal

Why when I retired, I am going to have all of this free time. With all of this free time, my flower beds, would be picture perfect. I was going to brush up on my art. Why even my younger sister, Jenny, is sending me pointers to further this education. I was going to read all sorts of books, especially American history, since I seem to lack in this area. I have not read one book on American history. I even went to the library and picked up a few books never to be cracked open. Baking was another area I was going to brush up on. Now with bake goods, my stomach never seems to be full of sweet doughy concoctions. So because of this one small point, I have been busy baking.
I was going to have coffee, at a book store here in BG, three or four times a week with friends. I maybe have done three or four in the last six months.
What happened to this time? Is it possable, that in this retirement life, I have neglected a life of simplicity? Eleanor Roosevelt once said 'A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.' Time is like a block of marble. You can create simplicity by chipping away at the unreal, useless and the meaningless until like Michelangelo's David, you are left with a life that is breathtakingly beautiful. I use to instruct a number of courses on time management thru simplicity and maybe I have forgotten this one point that 'nature doesn't move in a straight line and as part of nature, neither do we.' The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith. None of us knows what is ahead, especially when faced with a progressive disease. The important thing is to use today wisely and well and face tomorrow eagerly and cheerfully and with the certainty that we shall be equal to what it brings. My body is waning. So maybe I did not get everything done, however did I love this past summer's time? No question it is YES.
With a nod and a wink? HeWal

I am not sure about the rest of you, but I am not ready for bone chilling cold. As most of you know I love winter. I love seeing the snow, the cloudy days, the cool crisp breeze, even some of the cold. It is just that my body gets so cold. I wear thermals to bed, I wear socks all day, and I now I wear a coat when going out. In the past I never wore a coat because it is so bulky, you get hot quickly, and the seat belt just will not click correctly.
I keep a winter coat by the bed so when I need to get up at night, as most of us have too once or twice, maybe three times, or more, so my shoulders, neck, and back stay warm. I notice that if I forget to put the coat on, the muscles, lock up, thus a headache. Even the warm spot in the bed cools down during the nightly walks. This early into winter, i have a sheet, two heavy blankets and a very heavy quilt that mom made for me. This quilt is made from all of the leftover pieces of clothing she made for me. I can see the shirts, or the jackets, pjs etc. When did I get so old? I have said it and will say it again, I have a ninety year old body. I have two uncles in their nineties and get around better then I do.
So even though l love this season, I am not looking forward to the upcoming cold months. I use to say that when I retire we would live in Alaska in the summer and live here the rest of the time. I always thought going to a warm place in the winter is for whimps. Well, welcome to the new whimp!
This little story, that I found, reminds me that spring is not that far:
The snow has built a fortress on the hill-
It looms, forbidding in the winter dawn;
The bare trees shiver as the north wind shrills,
Keens a lament for the summer dead and gone.
But in a window where a sunbeam, wan,
Shines for an hour, a splash of crimson bloom
Lightens the shadow, glorifies the room.

'red geranium'
With a nod and a wink-hewal

Pain

The last couple of weeks, my muscle's have been tender. So what should one do? I try sleeping 12-14 hours a day, however what sort of life is that? I have been trying to stay busy and them my muscles are screaming afterwards. I went to the library and checked out eight fiction books. Most of the time I read only non-fiction, but lately it seems to dry or just tired of all the detailed history or facts. In the last three weeks I have only read one fiction and started a second one. I quit reading them and took them all back to the library. I tried watching more TV but what a waste of time. I found I was glued to the set, watching but I really was not watching just staring at it. Ellen or Alex would point out a acting style or a saying, commercials, movie and would ask 'what a great point? A funny? Their clothes?'then I would reply " what saying? what funny? Clothing?"
So I then tried watching the moon with it's waxing/waning, a sunset, the beauty of falling snow. I buried my self with the coloring books from Dover Publications designed for adults, not xxx adult, but just more detailed. I love using colored pencils. I try mixing different colors or experimenting with shading, or making water come alive?
Or I clean the floor, run to a used book store, see someone. But I cannot seem to ease the pain even taking pain medicines. Don't get the wrong idea, the above does help in the passing of time. I think I am finally getting bored with retirement. What else can I do? My body is limited with my muscles disappearing. I try to keep a positive frame of life, but sometimes soming more is needed.
Any suggestions?
With a nod and a wink hewal,