What Do I Do?

   Often someone will ask me what I do on the computer in general, on the Internet in particular. I have been online for just over 10 years, what is it I do?
   For one thing I simple love it, so don’t need a reason. I started out doing lots and lots of general surfing, as the Internet grew so did my research skills using search engines etc. Research, reading, and learning have always been part of “me” since I could barely read. Being able to research online 24/7 is a big “WOW”
    The one big thing that I have not done, get upset about even thinking about it, is not getting an online business up and successful. But this article is a happy tale, so I’ll not go there.
    Long before I knew the term “social media” I did go a little blogging and read several blogs. I joined a couple of sites; Eons.com is one I have belonged to the longest. One of the good things about being on Twitter and Facebook is connecting to people. Although I don’t like Facebook, I have reconnected with a couple of lost online friends there.  
    It is a well-known that I am on Twitter 24/7. Well, maybe 20/7 since a girl does need her beauty sleep. I would like find more people over 60 years old on Twitter. Also more websites and blogs by business people over 60.
    One thing I have discovered, you can make some true sincere friendships online. I am so thankful for these people…you know who you are. Angels on you!

Can I Have the Car Keys?

    Remember how excited you were to get your first driver’s license and to be able to go and come as you please? Remember your first car, the one you washed and waxed every day or so? Now remember how Mother, probably Dad too, worried about you and how you drove? Mom would always say, “Please drive carefully and don’t speed. Do you have gas in the car; here take a couple of dollars for gas.”   
   Many years later we were the ones concerned when our teenage sons and daughters became 16. I had 4 sons and one daughter. I can remember those first cars very well; never went to sleep until everyone was safely home.
   Now let’s think about when we are older, maybe a bit feeble, maybe a bit of mental confusion. Just a bit. Should we still be driving and who is worrying of us now? Of course, there is not a one answer fits all, nor does anyone agree on the question much less who should answer it.
   I can only share my personal stories on the subject of older people driving. First, my story. I didn’t learn to drive and get a driver’s license until I was 26 years old. (Now that is a subject of another blog post.) I love driving; in fact I said I love driving more that sex. About 5 years ago I stopped driving. I was having too many problems with feet and hands working, I began losing coordination, and reflexes slowed. Frankly, I didn’t have the strength to drive. Add in that I was frightened of hitting someone I made the decision to stop driving. I HATE IT. Bruce is the most understanding husband, takes me anywhere I want or need to go. But I HATE not having my independence.
   Many years ago my Dad said he would rather be dead than not drive. He was in his 80’s at the time, when he passed away at 83 he still drove a bit. Luckily, my sister and brother-in-law lived close and drove him places. A dear friend finally stopped driving in her mid-eighties when she bumped into another car, one driven by another elderly woman. The police couldn’t decide which old lady was at fault. I know of so many similar stories, geez...
   One of the very best articles I have ever read on the subject was in the Forbes Magazine online entitled “Boomers' Burden: Aging Parents Who Shouldn't Drive” 
Credit: Carolyn L. Rosenblatt, RN, BSN, PHN, attorney, is author of The Boomer's Guide To Aging Parents, available at Agingparents.com.
   Bruce has been driving since he was teenager, in fact made his living in the transportation field. He is an excellent driver, so very careful. However, he knows there will be a day when one of our kids might say, “Can I have your car keys?

Elderly Versus Youth Part 2

   

  
This blog post is one I have had buzzing around in my head for weeks. Again, I am writing to help clarify my own thoughts. It has been over a year now since I first signed up on Twitter. I did so to connect with others who have RA and/or arthritis. Very quickly I started reading posts by people in business, both large and small businesses, and especially people who are experts and passionate in social media. Another interest of mine is writing, so connecting with writers and writing teachers was both a learning experience and stimulating.
   At that time I barely knew what social networking consisted of, much less what I was going to do with it. I have found I love Twitter, hate Facebook, and can ignore the rest. I read several blogs on various subjects every day; I don’t always leave comments, but when I do, they are positive. (I also learned I get my feeling hurt too easily when people are critical.)
   I have met some extremely interesting, intelligent, friendly people. These and many others have taught me so very much. A couple or three I’d like to write about tonight.
   Becky and Sheila are remarkable businesswomen. I often wonder where they get the energy, have time to do so much, and always reply to people tweets. They are a perfect example of having real conversations online with others. Each of them has more than one business, sites, and blogs. Here is one they do together:Tourism Currents
   Glenda is my hero, her blog is called "Do It Myself". I can’t express what it meant to me to connect with Glenda. It was during a bad spell of depression, feeling so sorry for myself because I can do less and less. Then I read a tweet about this young woman who blogs with her left thumb. Moreover, is so very cheerful. Gee, maybe there was a way for me to continue being online. Just type with the fingers you have working today.
   Via Twitter, I have met Lisa, who writes about MS and RA. I have met the always grateful Jules, writers Laurie and Jane, and visited with others.
   Oh, there are so many others, and I am grateful to have met them all via Twitter. There is one thing each of these remarkable individuals has in common; they are all young enough to be my daughter. Thanks, ladies for being so nice to this elderly “new Twitterer”, you are teaching me well about the wonderful world of online stuff.

Day Trip Through Kansas

Coffeyville, Kansas

    It was a perfect day last Thursday when Bruce and I went to Coffeyville, KS to attend a funeral. It was overcast so the sun was beaming through the windows making it hot. We stopped in Joplin, MO for a late breakfast, had either Frank Sinatra or Big Band music on XM radio, and both were completely enjoying the scenery.   
   Bruce knew exactly how to get there, he turned onto US 166 from I-44. (US 166 is the old historic Route 66) This takes you through a few small rural towns, some nothing more than a few houses, convenience store and a church.   

Baxter Springs Heritage Center & Museum

  The first town of note is Baxter Springs, KS. There are some beautiful old houses another the highway, I’ve made myself a mental note to research the city of Baxter Springs and it's history. They have a historical museum, wonder if they have a local diner or tearoom.

  One of the prettiest areas we went through was around Chetopa, KS. There are big pecan farms in the area, plus the Spring River. According to their website Chetopa is known for pecans and catfish. Again, I enjoyed looking at the old buildings, I like to observe the architecture and think about what the building looked like when first built.
  We got to Coffeyville about noon. Bruce has been to Coffeyville many times, in fact lived there 50 years ago for a year or so. He used to go there often because Campbell 66 Express had a terminal there. The company closed in the late ‘80s; it had been that long since he’d been in the area. He was shocked at the changes. I kept asking him what did he expect in 25 years. He went straight to the old terminal building, which was not being used and was boarded up. Then we took a ride down memory lane; he told story after story of his experiences in Coffeyville.

   I do believe that Coffeyville has some of the most beautiful churches I’ve ever seen in a rural city. As with most Midwest towns, every domination is represented within a block or two of one another. The service we attended was held in the First Baptist Church, it is a newer style building. The church across from it was majestic old brick building with beautiful stained glass windows. I didn’t have a camera, wish I did.

   One thing I find so sad for small towns is the lack of businesses. It seemed everywhere we looked were empty buildings with for sale or lease signs of them. Coffeyville is large enough to have several business areas, so probably their old downtown area has taken a back seat to progress. There is a brand new Walmart; we passed the old building now empty on the opposite side of the city.

   Yes, the ride through SE Kansas was very pleasant. I am not a small town person, but did enjoy my day.

Elderly Versus Youth Part 1

   I have officially become my Mother. It happened over the course of several years, but only recently have I found it so annoying. It is especially annoying to me because I swore I would never act or talk like that. Don’t get me wrong, my Mother was a wonderful person and I loved her very much. However, she never tried to understand young people or modern ways. It would have been fine with her if everyone lived as they did in the 30’s and 40’s. In fact, she lived much like that in some ways.
   When I was a teenager rock and roll exploded over the radio thanks to Elvis Presley. My folks never tried to understand that. Fashions changed, we worn mini-skirts and capri pants. We spent good money at drive-ins, particularly McDonalds. Instead of accepting change, my folk complained and made fun.
   No sir, I wasn’t going to be like that. I am going to understand, embrace changes, and encourage the youth. Now that I am elderly, I can’t understand what in the world is happening to our young people. How can they play those awful video games, be on Twitter and Facebook all day long? What fun is it getting drunk and throwing up? Don’t get me started on drugs. Who brought back the 70’s and why? You call that music? (Whatever happened to Frank Sinatra?)

   I have several ideas why some of us think that way. We are older and death is real. Maybe we are simply sorry we have less time to live, do things, be productive. Maybe we are jealous. Maybe we have stayed in our own comfort zone too long, not kept up with new trends, and really don’t care to make those adjustments.

   Oh my, this article is getting too serious. There is one thing I simply love about people under age 50; they invent neat stuff like computers, the Internet, and cell phones. Maybe I can adjust to this modern world, I am addicted to Twitter and CNN.