The Older I Get The More Clutter I gather!

It occurred to me that each day I add to my many years of life I also gather clutter, not just material things, but thoughts and beliefs that are no longer the way of life. There is no secret about getting old- it is what it is, but it makes no sense to live out your life in the yester-years. Be aware of what is going on around you.

Surround your self with activities that keep you healthy and moving. Don't be afraid of walking each day alone. Get a cell phone to call for help if needed.I walk with a four wheel walker and that cell phone in the basket is my security, and I see friends outside in my neighborhood as I walk. Sometimes they join me.

I love to read books and have learned to order my books online. Yes, I won a Kindall and have learned how to use it. I can down load books from the library as well. This brought about learning about WiFi as well. So with a little practice I started a book club at our community senior center. Now I have 12 new friends in the Imagination Traveler's Book Club.

Chain reaction ! The book club members communicate through email. Another project learning to set up groups in email contacts, and setting up a book club membership list on Excel spreadsheets.
Next came the social media 101 on the computer. What a learning experience this has been.  Don't get me wrong- I still believe in writing personal thank you notes and special cards and sending them through snails mail.

So the lessons this vintage soul has learned is :
Always be aware of what is in the now.
Exercise your brain as well as your body.
Keep growing and learning.
Share your days with others.
Ask for help if needed -you may be strong but everyone needs help once in a while.
Put The new techie phones down and listen to what people have to say.
Improve communication skills

Remember, as you grow older and gain those laugh wrinkles it is better than worry warts.

Baby Sitting A Trpopical Fish

 My next door neighbor ask me if I would baby sit her tropical fish while she was out of town for a week. I have done a lot of baby sitting before;children, dogs, cats and yes even a bird but a fish never.

I said yes, and the fun began. She brought the little fellow over and introduced him as "Pinkie". Her grandchildren name him because of his color.

Her instructions were: you don't have to change the water, it is good for a week. Give him just three pieces of fish food every morning. Don't give him more because it will just dirty up the water. Piece of cake I thought. The first morning I followed instructions and gave him three pieces of food. Then I thought i would look at him and just talk. He ignored me.

The next day I saw a video on the Internet showing an oriental man with four gold fish in a bowl. He had trained them to follow his hands like you would a wand. At the same time he move the left hand left and the right hand right. To my great surprise two fish swam to the right and two to the left in a synchronized swim. Aha! I am going to train Pinkie.

The next morning I tapped on the glass and started moving my right hand to the right around the bowl. Pinkie didn't move. I kept moving my hand in the same motion every day and talking to the fish. He did turn once and I thought he was turning his back to me. Well, I knew I would not have him trained by the time his owner came home but at least I tried. It was worth the effort. I felt I had a little buddy.

So when Ann returned home she came for Pinkie. For the last time I walked up to the fish bowl and tapped on the glass. To my surprise Pinkie rewarded me by swimming up to my finger as if to say "Good Morning"

To sceptics the picture is of Pinkie and the story is so true. With a little effort you can even communicate with a fish.

Older People Are Happy: Life Begins At 40 And 50 And 60

Older People Are Happy: Life Begins At 40 And 50 And 60 There are many misconceptions about a person who reaches the age to be referred to as senior citizen can no longer be active. As an 84 year old I found it is not the case. The label just doesn't fit. I like to use an adjective that a friend of mine uses "vintage". I live in a gated retirement community where 55 plus is a requirement to buy a house .
There are over 100 clubs and as many activities. One of the gentlemen tennis player's just won the National Men's singles in the Senior Olympics As long as "Seniors" keep active they are happy and healthier.

This fact of being active compels me to tell you about one of my neighbors Mary. She is 85 years old, raised 9 children, and has been part of the foundation and backbone of her church. She teaches Sunday School, participates in the church Women's Council, and many other church functions. Mary also participates in many of our retirement community functions. Mary was diagnosed with leukemia this year and is undergoing chemotherapy. She is in a lot of pain with spinal stenosis. She can't attend church but she still does her church work by Skypeing. Yes, that is right! She is looking into an application that will allow her to speak and her computer will write. She only asks that she lives long enough to see her youngest grandson enter college in three years.

This brings me to the point of my reason for writing this blog. Not every Senior has the surroundings that I do. Not everyone has family and neighbors like I do. There are many living alone and do not get out much because they can't drive, don't drive at night and don't feel safe. There are many in nursing facilities who need activities. There are so many new technologies like, music downloads to share, games to play. books to read, and yes computers to share pictures. like Mary's Skype is a wonderful way to share with friends and family. The new voice applications will  help people with arthritic hands to voice a message. New digital frames to store family pictures is another great way to help.

But another way to help keep our Seniors in the loop is join and volunteer at your local Senior Centers to build, improve and expand for all the community to share. Activities and meeting friends is the best way to keep happy and healthy for all. As long as seniors can stay healthy and happy their life span will grow.

Sportsmanship For Fans

If you are a sports fan or involved in sports in any way you have heard the phrase "good sportsmanship". I have heard it all my life. But as I watch sports on TV and listen to social media or attend an event I begin to wonder if fans feel they are exempt.

Yes, I have heard bad remarks against umpires-foul language against them, against players and coaches. I've witnessed fans using I- phone applications and filming every move a pitcher makes and putting it out on social media with their own opinions. Have we lost the meaning of sportsmanship?


Parents, relatives, and fans expect players to play with integrity, respect for teammates, coaches, and umpires. I remember hearing college coach Bettye Jean Williams say many times: " Play hard, play smart, play fair"  If we didn't have other athletes out there who would be the opponent?  Opponents are simply athletes who love the sport and are in it to be the best they can be. Should they be treated like enemies?


We lead by example. Young people go to sports events to see their role models play. They look up to them and learn good sportsmanship makes winners. What message do they get when people in the stands are being disrespectful to anyone involved in the game. Yes, even being rude to the opponent's fans.

Good Sportsmanship means showing respect for the game, and everyone involved; coaches, players, umpires, owners and anyone needed to have a game. A little more sportsmanship from everyone would help improve and expand the sport. We all love a good game.

More National Pro Fastpitch On TV -Attainable.

It has taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get women's softball in the spotlight. The 2015 Women's College World Championship Tournament proved a point to all who watch on ESPN that the women's games provide an exciting entertainment for all ages. The stands in The Hall of Fame Stadium were packed with a record crowd. Softball ratings on TV were bound to be higher and the social media channels were buzzing through the hold series of games.

So, what's the point in making this statement! Why haven't the National Pro Fastpitch Women's League been on TV more. It takes a lot of money to provide national coverage. It takes a lot of advertiser's to get involved. Advertiser's will go for the highest exposure for their advertisements.

20 of the best players from the WCWS games graduated from college and have been drafted by NPF.
18 players will be selected to make up the USA Softball Team. There are many highly skilled players who will not be able to play softball as a chosen career. They do not have the equal opportunity as the baseball players do. There is no room to continue to play unless the league expands.

There are ways to help promote the growth of the league and gain TV coverage.

Partnerships have been a great backing for the league. MLB has been a great partner with NPF. This and more partnerships geared toward advertisements will help pay for TV coverage.  ASA, and Independent leagues should Look into franchising a team in the NPF. Companies can partnership with NPF and create a budget for the TV coverage. Title Ix brought about a big change for women in sports. Now let the companies share some of their advertising dollars and help build the Pro Fastpitch League's TV exposure.

" A Kind Act is like a boomerang -it always Comes back"

" A kind act is like a boomerang it always comes back" How many times Have I found myself using this little quote on Face Book and Twitter. I love old sayings and I use them on social media. It is my new found place to learn new "techie" lessons. I actually started two years ago on Twitter. Margie Clayman was the first to share with me when I got bold enough to ask questions. Then the kind, gentle, person Dave Carpenter shared with the newbie. I followed them everyday and the methods they used. It was time to share something of my self. It was then I decided to share my large collection of old sayings which began with grandparents and parents.

Old sayings brought me re tweets, mentions, and followers. GrandmaONDeck followers began to grow. I learned to follow back. Not only that, I learned to share their messages, blogs and pictures. Then I noticed that many of those I followed had blog pages and newsletters. My old sayings were good but were they enough.

For quite some time I thought about many subjects and wrote about random memories, softball, art, and acts of kindness.  I was still not satisfied with what I had to say. I recalled the first time I discovered that seniors were being isolated and lonely. It was at the beginning of the retirement from my second career when I was severely injured on a airport transport. I found myself in a rehab hospital learning to walk again. My bedroom was in the nursing home section of the hospital. It is there I began to notice so many lonely seniors. I spent time with them but worried about them when I left the facility. When I went home I found myself somewhat isolated depending on others because I couldn't drive.

So "Don't Isolate Our Seniors" became my theme.  I want to research and share how we can reach our seniors with our new technologies. Here are a few of may blogs about Seniors:

Name That Tune For Seniors

Don't Isolate Seniors in Severe Weather

Senior Isolation Awareness

A Kind Act Through New Technologies.

Now with the new computer skills I have learned,  I have  branched out into researching and blogging so that I can reach out to seniors and keep them in the loop with new technologies. It has been fun joining a walk group, an art group, neighborhood care committee, and a neighborhood Bunco group.

I joined the Mt. Juliet Senior Activity Center where I live. I enjoy their activities and events. It was there I founded The Imagination Travelers Book Club. I enjoy my new founded friends. The Executive Director of the Senior Center asked me to serve on the Media Committee monitoring The
Center's Facebook Page. What a natural for me. My kind Act Boomerang has returned.

Yes, I Fly The Flag

Yes, I fly the flag

I can remember the World War II Declaration made over the radio by Roosevelt. It was a strange and frightening message. Following that message, many young men were drafted or enlisted. I am from a large family of eight children, five boys, and three girls. During the duration of the war, it was a tribute to place a small banner in a window with one star for each member of the family that was in military service.

The Edwards family was proud to display a banner with five stars. Warren the oldest was in the Air Force serving as supply officer and station in England. Russel, the second oldest and smallest brother in statue served in
The Marine First Division landed on Guadalcanal. He drove an ammunition truck to the front lines. He received a Silver Star for his bravery.
Sister Evelyne served in the United States as an Army Nurse cadet in a military hospital.  Robert served on a US Naval carrier transporting troops for beach landings in the war zones. Jack served in the US Army Infantry. As I wrote this I realized we had a family member in the Air Force, Marines. Navy, Army, and Army Nurse Cadets. The three youngest, Don, Sue, and I too young to serve. However, Donald did enlist as an Army Specialist and served as a photographer covering military events.

As for me, I married a decorated Army Sargent who served in two campaigns in World War II. He crawled across an open field and rescue a down soldier under his command.

There were several cousins who also served in World War II. A nephew served in the Viet Nam war.
 My Father's brother fought in World War II. My Dad had reached enlistment age and was to be ship out on the announcement of D-Day.

As I search back in family history I am sure that I will find more who served in the military. Right now I can say my immediate family served and all came back whole. I read about a mother who lost five sons on a bombed naval carrier. Everyone's lives have been touched by our soldiers. So many did not return.

Today, I place my American flag outside. I am pr

oud to salute my family soldiers and all the soldiers across the nation who fought to keep us safe. May we search each and every day for ways to serve them. Let us find ways to help our Wounded Warriors. Memorial Day should last all year.

"A Good Kind Act Is Like A Boomerang-Always Comes Back To You".

"A kind act is like a boomerang. It always comes back to you" I believe in that old saying.

I marked my 80th birthday with 5K walk for charity with my daughter, my trainer at my side. I realized this when I crossed the finish line and received a medal. The big smile on my daughter's face gave it away. She had walked with me and set my pace. She spent three months prior to the walk training me when to sit down on my walker, when to drink water, and how to build endurance. She was smiling because she felt Mom's happiness for finishing the walk. The other reward was she new  her Mom was in better physical condition and a happier person.

The walk gave me inspiration and motivation to find ways to keep our seniors from being isolated. There are many seniors who are lonely and need someones help to keep them in the loop of daily living. The idea of reaching seniors through new technologies turn the light bulb on for me. I love connecting on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Linkedin and Pinterest. I  learned to blog and share my thoughts and ideas.

For my 81st birthday I founded a book club at the Mt. Juliet Senior Center in Mt. Juliet, Tn. The Imagination Traveler's book club held its first book discussion March 23,2013. Ten members discussed the "Shack" by William P. Young. Each member received a special notebook to store book club minutes and club related materials. On April 25th, two days before my birthday, the book club discussed "The Black Chokeberry by Martha Nelson. This was a special event because Mrs. Nelson join the members for the discussion and signed their books. She presented each member with a membership certificate.

The excitement is building. The book club participated in a special Senior Center event May 11, 2013. They collected and sold used books to support their club activities. All books, notebooks, bookmarks, certificates, and supplies have been donated. We are looking forward to planning a tour of the big Nashville Library and box lunch soon.

This month, Nancy Armstrong, Librarian from the Mt. Juliet Library in Mt. Juliet, Tn. will discuss library services: including audio books, digital books, and other services.

The reaping of rewards have already started. Club members are smiling, talking and enjoying each others company. They showed great pride in their participation in the book sale. And, for me the boomerang blessed me with these new friends. They are a special group and together we will share our of love for reading. Start a book club at your senior center in your neighborhood.

Name that Tune for Seniors.

Music has always reached people all over the world. Music has no language barrier and is known to be soothing and therapeutic. So why not use today's new technologies and bring the music to the ears of the seniors who are in need of companionship an interacting with others.

There are many ways to download music to an MP3 player- an audio book or to a Kindle. In this way songs can be selected from seniors time frame. Music they were brought up with. Music of their early adulthood. Each day I am on twitter I come across tweets that remind me of songs of my past. Some times, just for fun I go to YouTube and select a song. I copy and paste the URL to my twitter sight to serenade my followers. For example: Some one tweets have a great day. You can select Zippidydudah. It has made an impact with many and I certainly have enjoyed sharing my game.

Remember the old radio program "Name that Tune". You would listened to a few bars of a tune and named the tune. This could be done in a senior care facility. Play the music and the first one who names the tune correctly gets a small prize. Folks love to hear music and they love to win. Small gifts can be donated and ones that the facility allows. Cd's can be donated for the game as well. Give them 30 minutes of music and games.

For the Senior who is home bound this could be a fun thing to do with the whole family.  Let the family enjoy the music and learn the songs that grandma and grandpa listen to through their years. The elderly Aunt surely will hum a familiar tune of her yesteryear's.

I met a music therapist on line who has a website and shares ideas and songs for intergenerational activities with music. Joann Jordan is a board certified music therapist who loves working with older adults and preschoolers-especially intergenerational groups. Her website has some good information. The address is www.music2spark.com Oh twitter she is @JordanEM


Keeping our seniors from being isolated is something everyone can help with. Get involved in how we can bring some friendship to our seniors and keep them from being isolated

Seniors-Don't Iolate Them When Severe Weather Strikes

When spring approaches we all know that shifting temperatures, snow and rain can bring some severe weather. It is the time for tornadoes and flooding .They occur suddenly and many times without warning.

This type of weather can be quite frightening for older loved ones. It is quiet comforting for them knowing they have family, friends and caregivers that can make sure they are prepared.With a little encouragement, and  few important steps we can help them plan ahead and feel secure no matter what is happening outside their door

Caregivers play an important role in developing a preparedness plan. The local TV stations weather programming is an excellent way to stay informed about approaching severe weather. Help them identify their "safe place " in their home.  Help them plan and practice on what to do and what to take with them. Taking the home phone if it is portable or if the cord each is very important.

Help them pack an emergency kit. It will ensure a senior has everything he or she needs to make it several days or until help comes. In addition to nonperishable food, water,batteries and a flashlight a senior needs to pack at least a five day supply of medication,an extra pair of glasses and important
family documents, bank account records, an personal identification

Add some personal items and a whistle so your loved one can signal for help.A cellphone fully charged is another great to add in a senior's emergency kit. Be sure to include family numbers and emergency res-ponders number.

Be present. The safest thing we can do is be present in their lives. Let them know they can count on you in an emergency. Make sure they know when severe weather is in the forecast Remind them of their safe place and their survival kit.Agree on a "call plan" so that during the emergency you will call every 30 minutes to check on them. If there is no answer you will either be on your way or you will notify 911.
Remember a seniors with a good support systems typically thrive. By helping them plan ahead, and being involved in their lives on a daily basis, you are giving older loved ones a voice and a sense of empowerment long after the storm has passed.

So, Why A Smile

Have you ever noticed that people will always smile when looking at a baby? Is it because the baby flexes the muscles at the corner of its mouth and gives an infectious and true smile back in response to yours.
"Wear A smile, one size fits all".

So why smile? First of all, it is an attractive feature that draws people to you.
A smile makes us more attractive. We want to know a smiling person so we can find out what is so good. It is the frowns and scowls that push people away.
"Smile, It increases the face value"

It is a mood changer. If you feel a little down try smiling. Look in the mirror and see that smile. There is a good chance it will change the mood. Smiles confuses an on coming frown. All it takes is changing the direction of the corners of your mouth from down to up. A person can't stay mad at someone who makes them smile. My favorite exercise is smiling".
"A world always looks better with a smile"

A smile is contagious. When you smile you light up the area around you. Remember the song, "When you smile the whole world smiles at you." You should count your life by smiles, and not by the tears that roll. Don't wait for people to smile, show them how. It was quite interesting to read where retail stores who sell clocks often set the clock at 10 minutes after 10. In that way, the clocks appear to be smiling.

" The whole world works behind a smile because everyone smiles in the same language".

What does a smile do? A smile brings sunshine to the world.
"A friendly look, a kindly smile, and one kind act and life are worthwhile".
Some other collected quotes:

* "Wear a smile, one size fits all".

*  " Keep smiling it makes people wonder what you have been up to".
*  " A hug is a smile with arms"
*  " Smile your teeth like sunshine too".
*  " My favorite exercise is smiling".

Keys To Change

My brand on twitter has been old sayings that pack meaning, power and wisdom. I grew up with old saying through the trickle down method from one generation to another. Some old sayings are packed with humor as well as wisdom. My collection has grown quite large and includes some of my own. I am now categorising them into topics. Here 10 old sayings under the topic of : "Keys To Change"


1. "Key to change is let go of fear."

2. "Sometimes you have to let go to see if there is anything worth holding on  to."

3. "There is an important difference between letting go and giving up."

4. "Accept the things that can not be changed and move on."

5. "Hanging on to resentment is like letting someone you dislike live in your mind rent free"

6." Think about any attachments that are depleting you emotionally." Consider letting go.

7. "You can close your eyes to things you don't want to see, but you can't close your heart to things you don't want to feel."

8. "Holding back grudges, guilt, resentment and anger are all energy draining."

9. "Being happy doesn't mean everything make everything perfect. It means you have decided to move beyond imperfections."

10. "Some people regard change means quitting-which we all know is cowardly. But holding on to things that make you stumble makes you cowardly."

Nothing stays the same. Think about your fears of change. Think about accepting the things you can not change and move on. Let go of the clutter,

Random Memories

Recently I posted a quote: " I enjoy those random memories that pop up at no particular time that makes me smile. I love those of my early childhood when I was in awe of the world around me. It was a time of being a child, testing, learning and growing. When I posted the quote about random memories I immediately saw a picture in my mind of my best friend Dorothy and I learning  how to cook. It  made me smile.

One day we decided to make donuts. We got out the "Joy Of Cooking". cookbook, It was the cooking bible of the times. Carefully we read the list of ingredients, in fact we read it twice. As I read the amount for each ingredient Dorothy measured and placed them into big mixing bowl. The big bowl of batter was ready. I read the instructions :Drop in a deep kettle.
I dropped the batter in a tea-kettle that always sat on the cook stove. We cooked the batter for the specified time. What? the batter came spewing out the spout ! This is when it happened. I did not read the complete sentence. It said in a deep kettle of fat. On a recent visit Dorothy and I had a big laugh over the cooking experience.We certainly enjoyed our visit over a nice home cooked meal .Yes, we both turned out to be good cooks. I still have a cook book on my shelf named "Joy Of Cooking". Even though it is not the first edition I had, I find some of the old information on canning, pickling, and cooking all kinds of food are in it. Using it reminds me, how to keep valuables and how to lock some up in your heart and move on. And, after posted this random memory, I will start recording my random memories as they occur for my daughter for her to enjoy and smile.

See It Through

I have written about "Don't Isolate Our Seniors for about six months now. Through a long stay in a rehabilitation hospital fighting to walk again I found many lonely seniors. I also discover how much better they were when involved in activities. I am talking about the seniors who live alone and don't drive. I am talking about the ones in a senior care facility who has no visitors. I am talking about a senior family member or a next door neighbor.

It occurred to me that through the very technologies that help isolate the seniors could be used to reach them. One of the first items I thought of was an audio book club for facilities and the home.

Through research and discussions with the Mt Juliet Senior Activity Center Executive Director we discovered there was an interest right there in the Center. A planning meeting was held on February 8th,2013. And, I am proud to say On February 28th the first book club meeting will take place.

My efforts have been research, providing materials, and finding was to raise money to support the club. The Senior Center has a policy that no one will be turned away because they couldn't afford to participate. To get the fund started I have offered to donate $1.00 for each box of note cards I sell from my shop, From My Brush.

To make it fun, I will be making membership certificates, book marks, and
providing a notebook to hold book club information. It is a dream come true. One that makes me realize it is the kind acts we can do each day that makes a better place for all of us. Whether it is in your home, your neighbors home, or a senior facility make reading books available through new technologies

Senior Isolation Awarenss

Do you know how it feels to be isolated and lonely? Are you aware of senior friends and neighbors who don't get out of the house much. Ones that you can reach out to and invite for a walk, or invite for coffee, and even invite to a Bunco party or card game?

I became aware of seniors who were starved for friendships when I had to spend four and one-half months in a rehab hospital facing the possibility of not walking again. My daughter lived two states away and flew in every two weeks for the weekends to see me and take care of my house.I knew I had a lot to face, keep up my spirit, work with a vision of walking again. It was here I began to see isolated seniors. My roommate had no visitors and often cried when I left the room for therapy or dining. Weekends were the worst because the activities director and the physical therapists did not work weekends.It was then I decided to push my wheel chair around and visit. I had to learn to maneuver the wheel chair because I couldn't put my foot down. My left leg was extended straight out in front of me by a leg apparatus attached to the wheelchair and my steel surgical boot made me look like a military tank.
Visiting gave me something to do and along with several hours a day in therapy kept me busy. By reaching out to others it gave me strength and a positive attitude and made the days go by quickly. It was during that time I
began to list what types of service programs would benefit residents in senior facilities. Musical programs topped the list. Providing equipment to download music and play to a group, or downloading talking books. Be creative with new technologies.