Getting Older is Not for the Faint of Heart

 As I approach mid 70's, I sometimes reflect on the changes I am dealing with as I age.  I also do quite a bit of reminiscing about my life, but today I want to talk about how growing older affects us all.  

Recently I have been having issues with my joints.  I realize that working 27 years as a psychiatric nurse may have played a part in this issue I am now having.  I worked long hours on my feet, often dealing with out of control people; sometimes being assaulted by my patients.  It was hard work and, although I am now paying the price, I truly loved my job.  I loved my patients and I thoroughly enjoyed my team.  That said, unfortunately, I am now paying a fairly high price for my service.

I developed the most extreme pain in my right knee last Autumn and it grew to the point that I could not move my right leg without screaming.  So.....many moons later, I now have my own personal titanium knee residing inside my leg. Yea! That experience took many long months to recover from and included three times a week physical therapy.  I am happy to say that, for the most part, all of that is over and I now have a fully functioning leg with only minor issues.

I thought I was through with all of that when my right foot went kaput.  Now, I have had bunions on both of my feet since I was in my 20's and they have never bothered me.  Now, all of a sudden, I developed a hammertoe next to the big toe on my right foot.  That was most unpleasant, but because it continued to rub against my toe, I developed a large ulcer and that sent me to see a Podiatrist who said I would have to have bunion/hammertoe surgery.  

I was not a fan of this idea, so I went for a second opinion.  The new doctor said he would see after we healed up my ulcer. So, three weeks later, I saw him and he said if it wasn't hurting me, no surgery.  I was ecstatic because I do not want anyone else cutting on me.

I thought I was in the clear and I was feeling pretty good.  I was able to walk my dogs again, I was able to exercise again, I was feeling like myself again.

I was recently thinking about how many doctors I have managed to accumulate in my retirement.  There is my PCP, whom I really like; there is my Oncologist, who is very sweet and I like very much; there is my Orthopedic Surgeon, whom I dislike intensely; there is my Podiatrist, who is very sweet; there is my Sleep Doctor, who I cannot stand so I only see his PA; there is my Endocrinologist who follows my thyroid; there is my Hepatologist who is following my liver; there is the Audiologist I see for my hearing loss; there is my Optometrist who keeps my eyesight manageable; and then you add the mammogram, the bone scan, and all the lab techs.

It seems that I am accumulating doctors at an alarming rate.  I can remember the time, not too long ago, when all I had was my GP and I only saw him once a year.

Aging sucks for your body! Don't let anyone tell you different.  The flip side is that aging does not have to suck for your mind or your emotions.  Those are solely under your control.  I firmly believe that.

Even with all that has been going on with my body, I still am actively enjoying my life.  I look forward to learning something new each day.  I enjoy spending time with my family and my fur-babies.  I love socializing with my friends, either in person, on the phone, or online.  Everyday is a chance to improve and make things more enjoyable for myself.  I think it is all in how you look at aging that really makes the difference.  

I hope my story encourages you to really reflect and find the joy in your own life!

"Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever." - Walt Disney

Why Having a Pet is so Good for you, No Matter your Age

Pets just make us happier and healthier

I have always had a pet for as long as I can remember back. It seems that having a dog or cat was just the normal thing to do for me.  I do know that some people don't have pets now and some people have never had a pet.  What a shame.  I find as I age, the benefits of pet ownership are so great that I can not imagine being without my fur babies.

I have researched this topic quite a bit and here is what I have found out:

• Pets help keep your brain healthy. (https://www.sciencealert.com/pets-help-to-protect-your-brain-as-you-get-older-study-suggests)
• Pets can serve as a source of comfort and support. (https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2018/02/power-pets)
• Pets help to lower your stress and anxiety which in turn may lower your blood pressure (https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets)
• Pet ownership may act as a buffer against loneliness (see above url)
• Pets help your heart stay healthy (https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/20/health/benefits-of-having-a-pet-wellness/index.html
  
• Pets can help to reduce pain (https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets)

There are many other benefits to owning pets that I found, but those are the top ones for me.  That said, I looked to see if owning a dog vs. owning a cat made much difference and I believe the answer is no.  The benefits of dog ownership include:

1. Dogs make us feel less alone.

2. Dogs are good for your heart.

3. Dogs help you stop stressing out.

4. Dogs help us cope with crisis

5. Dogs encourage you to move.

6. Dogs make you more attractive—even virtually.

7. Dogs make us more social.

8. Dogs are so adorable they make us love them

9. Dogs make us happier

10. Dogs help seniors with cognitive function and social interaction

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/10-science-based-benefits-dog/

The benefits of cat ownership include:

1. 
   Lower stress and anxiety.
2. Improve your cardiovascular health.
3. Prevent allergies.
4. Reduce feelings of loneliness 

(https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/joys-of-owning-a-cat.htm)

There was one amazing benefit of cat ownership that I was unaware of and the is:

THEIR PURRING HELPS TO HEAL BONES, TENDONS AND MUSCLES

A cat purring is one of the most comforting sounds in the world and while it certainly means your cat is happy and comfortable, the sound has also been long associated with a therapeutic healing ability on human bones and muscle.

A cats purr creates vibrations at a frequency of 20-140 HZ, and studies have shown that frequencies in the 18-35 HZ range have a positive effect on joint mobility after injury, scientists have begun talking about how the cat noise could help humans.

(https://www.goodnet.org/articles/7-scientifically-proven-health-benefits-being-cat-ownerPets)

Overall, I believe that there is enough scientific and anecdotal evidence to show that having a pet in your life is a huge benefit, even if you don't know it.

That said, go out and get yourself a pet now if you don't have one.  It is never too late to reap the benefits of owning a dog or cat; and there are so many out there that need homes and people to love and be loved by.  Go, Adopt!

Here's the finished portrait done in pastels

This is finally done.  I've sat and looked at it as much as I can and I have added all that I feel I can to it.  I think she turned out quite nicely and I hope you agree.  Tell me what you think.  Should I continue with these pastels?

Here's what I've been up to lately.

Instead of blogging all the time, I have been playing in my sketchbook and working on a pastel profile.  Here is a glimpse of some of what I have been playing around with.  Nothing earth-shattering, just playful, fun sketches and pictures:

And here is a peek at the newest pastel I have been working on.  This is just the first layer, she will need more fine tuning still, but I really like her.

Let's have a home spa day

The holidays are over, thank God!  Time to relax and rejuvinate ourselves and our moods.  Nothing does that better than a home day spa!  Here are some videos to help you learn how to pamper yourself and relax.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012!!!!

Here's a clip from a movie that I think says everything you need to say.
Don't wait until you think you are about to die to live. Happy New Year. Make this the best year of your life!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  May the blessings of the season be yours always.