Random Acts of "Kindness"

Archive for August, 2017

NOT THIRTY

I don’t know if I will ever regain my flexibility. I don’t know if I will ever be able to get down onto the floor and easily get back up. I don’t know if I my knees will work like they did when I was young. A couple of years ago I DID NOT feel my age or even really remember it. Sadly the restrictions that I’m experiencing because of my aching body parts remind me that the years have flown by. I have discovered that water exercise is VERY GOOD for me. Our campground has it every weekday morning. If we are at the camper and the day is dry, temperature 70 or above, I’ll be in the pool.

The person who volunteers to lead the exercise has a GREAT routine that helps many of my body’s issues. Weights are available but I have learned that it is better for my shoulder to just use my body weight instead. I have also learned what leg exercises to do and which ones hurt rather than help.

Sounds positive right? Our instructor had to miss a session and arranged for a certified instructor to teach the class. She does water Zumba also. Her warm up exercises where high energy. I should have been paying attention. I WASN’T. I thought moving quickly the width of the pool would be okay. I WAS WRONG. It didn’t take much time before I had a pain in my knee. “You can do this”, I told myself. It wasn’t too much longer when I realized I could not keep up with her. I also wasn’t able to do the gentle exercises my body was used to. I hadn’t acknowledged my limitations. I left half way through the session. By then I realized that not only did I hurt my knee but the pain traveled down to my ankle. I’M NOT THIRTY ANYMORE, OR EVEN SIXTY. It has taken more than two weeks to get my body parts back into the shape they were before. Soon we are leaving for the city. We will be back but will there still be water exercise? I KNOW I’M NOT DOING ZUMBA.

Recently a man came in to the exercise hour. He did not WANT TO EXERCISE,. He wanted to swim — first in the deep by the diving board, then in the deeper water. Before we knew it, he was swimming in the shallower part of the pool, underwater near me. I told him if he wanted to swim, he needed to go into the deep. His actions brought back a memory. Last year a man swam underwater near me, catching my leg and almost removing it. I’m still dealing with the effects of that accident. That probably explains why I don’t go to the open swim. That also explains why I’m having more trouble with the knee — water exercise is helping make it better.

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CATS TOO

When I wrote a thought ramble about Barnaby, the cat which chose us on Independence day, I chose to publish it on Aug. 5. At that time I didn’t know that the local high school was planning for a three day performance of CATS, the musical. I’m familiar with the play and the music. I have enjoyed it performed by professionals on the stage two times. Watching Cats again sounded like a good time. CATS — the play was on Aug. 6.

If I said I was impressed, it would be an understatement. I had NEVER attended a performance in the high school before. I found the store that was selling tickets and was asked which seat I preferred. I didn’t know I would be able to chose a seat. I thought I would be seating on bleachers or folding chairs. I was WRONG. The person selling the tickets suggested that I might like an aisle seat. Worked for me! This way I could easily move for the others in my row. I was given D1. Four rows from the stage.

The theater vied with other professional venues. Seats were comfortable, temperature cool enough and audio excellent. The high school has put on summer performances for many years. Although we have spent many years at our campground — the plays at the high school didn’t catch my attention until now. I asked the director if all the cast were students — I learned the ages of the actors ranged from 14 to 70. It is a community enterprise.

One of the life guards at our pool was in the cast. She has performed in five previous plays. I knew which cat she portrayed and enjoyed following her character. I took the opportunity on Monday to inquire about other various performances that caught my attention. The woman who sang Memories had an amazing voice as did a few of the other performers.

I will keep my eyes open in July of 2018. If at all possible, I would love to go to another play at the high school. Great venue, professional cast and affordable seats — count me in!

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EAT TO LIVE

It is no secret — I’m always trying to lose weight. It has every thing to do with my knees hurting and my desire to get some of my weight off of them. I continue to try new things that might help. Since I’m no longer young and eat a healthy diet, it is not as easy as giving up soda and snacks. Because of various body parts, I can’t do the exercises I did was I was younger and more flexible. I’m always looking for a new diet plan or cookbook that will help me attain my goal.

Before we went to the camper the last time, I saw EAT TO LIVE, by Joel Fuhrman at Costco. When I picked the book up, I was impressed by the nutritional information. The recipes were quick to prepare, high on protein and low on sodium. Everything I need in a cookbook.

So far I have made four recipes from the book of 141 — one was a soup, two were salads. The only one that didn’t work to my expectation, was my fault. the soup and the salads were filling. I wasn’t hungry after lunch, looking for other stuff to eat. Did I lose any weight? I’m not sure. When we are at the camper, we eat out regularly and I consume more sodium than I should. The temperature has been in the 80’s. Do I drink enough water? Many questions — no good answers.

I enjoyed everything that I made. I found it helpful to have a salad in the fridge, ready to eat when I came home from the pool. I have planned not only to make the same recipes again, but I have looked through the book looking for more.

I have been going to aquacize on a regular basis. As long as I pay attention to the exercises, make sure I’m not stressing my shoulder or my knee, it seems to be good for my shoulder and for my knee. I’m having an easier time walking.

I tried on a dress I bought in Aruba last year, I couldn’t wear it, my tummy got in the way. I tried it on last night, it is now a possibility. That is PROGRESS!

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CAT

We have had a number of cats when our children were small. At the present time, our home belongs to only one dog. But she shared it for a couple of days with a cat. Let me tell you a story — that was very real.

We were at our camper in the country on Independence Day. I was just getting ready to go to bed, it was after 10 PM. I heard a meow, followed by another meow. It wasn’t very loud, just persistent. I turned on the outside lights by our room addition and saw a small black and white cat. I turned the lights back off, determined to ignore the voice. But it was persistent. My husband came to look too. Our dog was interested. It was such a small cat and crying. Both my husband and I have a soft spot in our hearts for animals.

I got some of Robin’s small beef dog food pellets. Cat ate it all gone — instantly. I brought out a small bowl of milk — gone. I thought since cat had its snack — it would leave. Go back about it’s business. Wrong!

I couldn’t fall asleep. About 1:00 AM, I was in the kitchen and I heard a meow. Cat was on our porch — Robin was barking at the door. My husband finally put Robin on a leash and took her out to meet cat. The meeting went very well. Cat rolled on its back and waited for Robin’s inspection. Cat stayed outside, Robin came inside and we went to bed. I hoped cat would continue on its way or go back to who ever was feeding it. WRONG!

I was up at 5:00 AM and curious, I looked outside to see if cat was still there. I saw a small black and white cat cross our yard, headed for the porch. So did Robin. She started barking and crying. She wanted her friend. I put out a bowl of food and a bowl of water. Both were instantly gone. I picked cat up to check for fleas and saw NONE.

Cat found a safe place to sleep on our deck. I don’t know how long life would have continued in that pattern but it was Wednesday and we had to go home on Friday. Cat didn’t act like a wild cat. It was too calm, too loving. I figured it belonged to someone so I called the gate to inquire if anyone was missing a cat. NOPE?
What to do with cat?

Finally 7:00 AM rolled around. I phoned our oldest daughter to see if they were open to adopting another cat — they already had two plus a dog. Thankfully they were. She suggested we take it to a Vet and see if it had a chip. Nope! Robin chased cat and it ran. I thought it had left. NOPE! Just hanging out under our trailer. Cat escaped from the crate I had it in, almost escaped from my arms. We discovered it didn’t have a chip, he was a male and had all of his parts. He found a safe place to sleep inside, in a corner under a table. Robin watched him sleep. We bought a cardboard carrying case from the Vet and took him to our daughter’s on Friday. He was so sweet, such a lover — he would have had a home with us if our daughter hadn’t said they would take him.

He is a VERY LUCKY CAT — He has a home with people who will give him the love he deserves. They even have a dog. The Vet inspection turned up infected eyes, ringworm, chipped tooth and sore toe. Even the vet commented on how loving he is. Now he has a name — Barnaby and is quarantined for ten days. Then he will get his shots and be neutered. Cats get angel help too! Welcome to the family!

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