Reflections of katlupe: September 2021

Monday, September 20, 2021

Living With Stress and What To Do About It

Everyone eventually will live with some kind of stress in their lives. We all handle it differently. They say stress is the cause of most diseases and I believe it. I am presently going through a very stressful situation in my life and I can feel the result of it in my body. When I think back on my life, I realize I have had many, many stressful situations. Thank goodness they were not all at the same time! It seems to me that your body says, "I know you are weak right now so time to let something attack you."

When I am stressed or worried I write out a list of all the things I could or need to do to get rid of it. Can I do them? No, not always. Sometimes.....more times than not, it is out of my control. I pray about it and put it in God's hands and then make an effort not to worry. Does that work? Often it does. Not always. Not always the way I expect or want it to. Sometimes I have to wait longer and I keep on praying. Other times my prayer is answered but not exactly in the way I hoped. Yet after a period of time it turned out way better than I had hoped. Every cloud has a silver lining!

Another thing I do when I have a burden to bear or on my mind is to look around and see how many others are so much worse than I am. There is always someone worse off. I have a comfortable home, food to eat and everything I need. I am not in need of anything really. Until I moved here, I could not say that. So I try not to complain to anyone about any problem I have presently. Life is funny that way. Once you make a change then those other problems you had seem to drift away or not be important any longer.

Problems that sneak up on you are hard to address when in the beginning you don't see them. Did you ever notice something then put it out of your mind to have it become a big problem later on? Yes, that is the kind of problem I am talking about. Those are the types of problems I seem to have all of the time. If I had recognized it for what it was in the beginning, it would not be quite so bad presently. Yet I do that over and over through out my whole life.

So what do I do about it besides pray? I make a list of the problems I am facing and then arrange them in order of importance. Actually not really importance, since every one of them is important but in order of which one absolutely must be done first. It is like when you are remodeling a room on your home and you find the ceiling or walls are rotten and have to be completely rebuilt before you can get to the remodeling project you were so excited about. I had that happen so I know what I am talking about.

Once you have a plan of action, it decreases your stress a bit. Then start working on your list and doing the things you need to do. A bad one for me is making appointments and telephone calls. I have always had a phobia of making telephone calls and I know that sounds funny since I worked as a receptionist in two accounting firms and as a telephone representative at the Home Shopping Network. Honestly, I don't know how I did that! To this day, it is the hardest thing I have to do. I love email for that reason. Stick to your plan and if you need to add more to your list then do so. Keep it where you can see it and view it several times a day. Try it and see if it helps.

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival 2021

The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival 2021 took place this week-end. It was a beautiful day and lots of people turned out on Saturday morning. The Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival has been a yearly event in Norwich since 1994 and takes place the first week-end after Labor Day. It gives people that one last event to look forward to before fall. It is the event for local, and some not so local, artists. There are many different forms of art and it was fun looking at it all. You can purchase from the various artists who have it displayed in their booths which are in both parks, East Park and West Park. The parks are across Broad Street (Rt. 12) from each other in the center of downtown Norwich, NY. The art is judged and awards given.

There was plenty of entertainment through out the day. Such as music, puppet shows, juggler acts, art projects for children to take part in and much more. My street was blocked off so the whole front lawn of my building was used for entertainment. The juggler, Jason Tardy, was performing his show in front of our half of the building. The puppet theater and children's art project tent was in front of the other half where the Chenango Art Council has their offices.

East and West parks are directly across the street from each other in downtown Norwich. South and North Broad Streets did not have to be closed down. Just the street I live on. Traffic was respectful of people crossing the streets and our crosswalks are clearly marked. There was live music all day on both sides of the street. The music was really good and the chairs around the stages was filled most of the day. I am fortunate to have a chair wherever I go since I was using "Jazzy" my mobility chair.

The food court was very popular with lines for everything. It smelled and looked good. We did not buy anything to eat from those instead choosing to buy from the local establishments. We bought pizza from Nina's, the Italian restaurant. In the morning we bought lattes from Deja Brew, the coffee shop around the corner. They had a long line to get inside too but we managed to get there at the beginning of the line. It was very good and we enjoyed it.

I was on my mobility chair and Sonny on his scooter and was able to get through to see everything with no problem. Most of the street corners in Norwich have ramps built into them so they are easy to use for wheelchairs and mobility vehicles. The parks have cement sidewalks and that is a big help for me. I kept getting stuck in the grass! My mobility chair, "Jazzy" is larger than the scooters and heavier with 4 small wheels and 2 large ones.

I had never seen this many people in Norwich since I moved here in 2018. It was a friendly crowd and everyone got along with no trouble that I saw. I only went on Saturday but Sunday had less people and seemed quieter. Norwich has a lot of public parking areas with the addition of the large parking lot at the county office building which was just across the street from West Park. They also had a number of port-a-potties available off to the side of the court house.

There were many different types of artists at Colorscape selling their art work. Not just paintings and prints. The baskets on display were absolutely stunning! I love baskets but had to make myself stay away from them. I do not want to buy more things for my apartment. I have been getting rid of a lot of stuff so have to stick to that. I had fun browsing though.

One of my friends is a sunflower fanatic and when I saw the sunflowers painted on a few different pieces in this one booth I had to grab a picture for her. I will be writing another post about Colorscape soon as I took a lot of pictures. One artist was doing sculptures with his chainsaw. I saw a lot of handmade jewelry and many other items that I can't name them all here. It looked like people were buying too. I hope these artists did well at Colorscape.

There were many dogs enjoying the day also. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to share a little bit of it with my readers.

Monday, September 13, 2021

Live For Today For Happier Tomorrows

Live for today. That was the way I lived when I was young. Didn't think much about my future or what my life would be like when I was seventy. It never crossed my mind. Amazing how soon those years go by and...............wait who is almost seventy now????? Does it bother me? No, not really. I say things about my age sometimes, but mainly because I can't believe I am that age already. Even though I have mobility issues, I don't feel that old. I always say that old is ten years older than me, whatever my age. People still are amazed when I say my son is 51 years old. I had him young, what can I say? Now though when I say live for today, I am thinking about the famous saying of one day at a time. That is what I am doing now. One day at a time. If I have trouble walking today, I don't walk. I work on my computer or read in my recliner with my feet up. No sense crying about it. Tomorrow is another day.

If you had to choose to be someone else for one day, who would it be? Would you want to be rich? Famous? Smart? Married to some hunk? Would you make every second of that day count since it was just for 24 hours? I bet you would not even sleep. I thought and thought who I would want to be and you know I could not even think of one person. Rich or famous? I don't envy their lives. They do not appear really happy to me. I think they are as miserable as the rest of us. When I was younger, I am sure my answer would have been different. I did live a number of years married to a man who made a considerable amount of money and we lived very good. Money wise I had everything I wanted. I did not have it in a husband, father to my child (who he adopted as his own), a companion or the type of relationship I craved. After two more marriages, I never found it either.

Who is the happiest person you know personally? I would have to say my boyfriend, Sonny. If you know him, I bet you would agree with me. He is not rich or famous (even though I often say I feel like I am dating a celebrity because everyone in my area knows him). Yet life has not been easy for him. Humor gets him through it. If you ever went to his Fakebook page, you would see why. His friends are always putting questionable memes on there because they know he will laugh at them. He seems to see the humor in almost all situations. The kindest man I have ever met. If anyone needs help, he is the one they call.

Be kind has became the quote of the year. The trouble with that is that the people using it are not kind at all. They are using it to make you think your ideas or beliefs are not kind (unless you are one of them). I see it in the news, in the entertainment world. especially in politics, etc. This is one of the reasons I find being an introvert is actually the truest way one can live and be themselves. That way no one can turn your thoughts to match theirs. I have always been a sort of a rebel. I gave my mother fits. My brother always told me to just listen and not argue and then do what you want anyway. I could never do that. I had to argue and tell her what I really thought and then get myself in trouble (again).

I am focusing on what I need in my life at this time. It is different than what I needed or wanted when I was younger. There are things I cannot do and things I must do. Everyone handles it differently. I think though it depends on your circumstances. If your health is not good than you have to work on that first. You cannot just give up. Why do that? Live every day to improve or make yourself happy. Think positive about all things. I pray a lot, well actually, I have conversations with God. I tell him what I need or discuss what I can do or should do to overcome whatever situation. You know what? Almost every time, my prayers were answered. Sometimes when they weren't it turned out to be better anyway.

My bunny boy, Rabbit makes me happy every day!

In closing I want to encourage you to write a list of steps you need to do to improve your life or situation. Things you can do right now. Not next week or next year. Now. Then try to follow those little steps and see what happens.

Sunday, September 12, 2021

Staying Positive In A Crazy World

I know everyone thinks of me as a positive person. Always looking for something good in every situation. Yesterday I had an appointment in my apartment with my new counselor from adult services. She is new to this job. Her boss told her she was sending her out on a fun appointment and that I had a pet rabbit! Now I take that as a compliment! You know how many of those social workers can be difficult to talk to or even make a joke with. I do remember earlier in the year having an appointment with her boss and we were laughing and sharing stories about our experiences on building our family trees. Mine has become quite extensive and talking about it is something I love to do. That is another post for another day.

It is not easy staying positive when things around you are crazy. I live in a senior housing apartment building so many of my friends and neighbors are elderly and/or disabled. Some can use a computer and some just use a phone. Others will say proudly that they don't know how to use a computer. Then they are knocking on my door asking me to find something online or print out something for them. One neighbor uses the computer across the street at the library. At least he uses one.

One of the things I am not too positive about is getting Libre Office (the writing software I use in my computer) into this new computer. I was used to having someone else do these things for me and having to learn to do it on my own is a whole new thing. I am determined to work it out. I do not use Windows but Ubuntu as my operating system. It is more complicated when you are not a software engineer yourself. I am considering taking a class on it so that I will know how to handle all these things myself. Probably easy to do if you know what to do.

Working on the computer is something I can do even when I am unable to walk. Some days walking is incredibly difficult so sitting at my computer is a lifesaver for me. I went almost 19 years without watching any television so doing so now is not something I do a lot. At least not during the daytime hours. I am a computer person and always will be. I cannot waste my time sitting around being depressed about it. I just have to remember to get up and move around even when I am in pain. My worst pain is when I stand in place for even a little bit of time. If I keep moving, I am okay.

One thing I know about myself is that it is important for me to take my time to react to something. I make it a rule to never show my anger. Not that I don't have it, but after living with a very angry person for many years, I know it can get the better of you. You might say, write or do something that will affect your life forever. Take at least a day or more to think about it. I always write it down. Writing something has always been my way of dealing with any problem or troubling thoughts I have. Which is one reason I need to get Libre Office into this computer.............my journals are written using it.

Every day I am grateful for the changes I made in my life in 2018. I dread to think what would have become of me if I hadn't. I think I was at my breaking point at the end of 2017 and I really thought I was going to die. The move here to my own apartment by myself has become the most significant thing I have ever done for myself. I realize now that after being married three times that I was not meant to live like that. Marriage is not for everyone and it was not for me. I was never happy and my favorite times was when my husband would leave to go somewhere. Now I wake up every morning to my own place with complete freedom of how to spend my day!

Friday, September 10, 2021

Wearing Compression Stockings For the First Time

I have been fighting the edema monster for a number of years now. Longer than the three years I have lived here. At my house, I did not have any option outside of soaking my feet in cold water. I have air conditioning here and it gives me much relief. My doctor has not been able to answer my question of why do I have this? And how do I get rid of it? So far, everything has checked out good. So I am not worried that I am going to die from this at any minute. I am awaiting an appointment at the lymphatic clinic that she referred me to. So until then all I can do is endure it and hope the cooler weather helps.

One of the recommendations from my doctor was to start wearing compression stockings. When anyone mentioned them to me before, I'd automatically think I could not get them on. I threw all my socks away because they were too tight on my ankles so how could I ever wear compression stockings? I figured this time, I'd listen to the doctor. Maybe she knows a thing or two about this! I bought the mild compression stockings since this was the first time I was using them. They were not easy getting on over my feet. It was the toes and the heel that presented the problem. Tired me out while doing it and I cannot bring my feet up high enough to make it easier.

A couple of years ago I bought the Sock Assist by Vive for my boyfriend, Sonny and one for his daughter too. They both use theirs all the time and could not put their socks on without it. So I ordered the exact same one for myself. I wasn't sure how it would work for compression stockings since they are so..........well, you know, compressed or tight. I ordered it from Amazon and it is $12.99. I have ordered a few different products made by Vive Health and think highly of their company. Their products are good and stand up well over time.

Edema

I just got it a few days ago. I used it immediately and it was great. I can now put these stockings on with hardly any effort. The only hard part is getting the stocking started on the Sock Assist, but once you get it going, it gets easier. If you cannot bring your leg up very high then this is definitely for you. A big help. It is important even if not using one of these to make sure you put your hand all the way into the stocking, then pinch a hold of the heel and don't let go. The heel must be in the right spot, as well as the toes. The toes can be tricky as well. Old toes have a mind of their own for some reason!

This is not really a review of this product. I bought it and used it. I am not receiving any type of commission from Vive or Amazon for telling you about this product. I am not even putting a link up because you can write Sock Assist by Vive in Google and it will bring up many places to purchase it. I no longer have any affiliate links on here because I am not trying to sell anyone anything. If you read my blog and believe me than good. If not, that is totally your choice.

Once the stocking is over the heel, check it again to make sure the heel is in the correct position on your foot. The same with the toes. Now you can pull the handles which brings the stocking up over the foot and up. Very smooth once you get the feel for it. If I can use it, I know you can.

I felt instant relief once both stocking were on. Now I have not been even wearing socks due to not finding any that weren't too tight. The compression stockings are different but don't ask me to explain exactly how or why. My doctor did tell me that the compression stockings will not cure it but they will make it feel more comfortable. They do. Even my neighbor across the hall raves about her compression stockings and she is 96!

Thursday, September 09, 2021

Living Your Best Life, Disabilities Included!

Recently I heard someone say that age does not matter if you want to establish new goals. I agree to an extent. If the goals can be attained at an older age or with certain disabilities that we have acquired along the way. For myself, I never saw walkers and mobility chairs being in my future. Obviously I cannot race walk or work out with free weights in a gym (as I used to do in the past). I think it means that you have to change the goals you have. Start doing things you can do at your age or with whatever disability you now have. For some people that leads to depression. They can only do that one thing they used to do. Or used to aspire to do or to become. You have to let go of that dream and create new dreams!

The internet gives everyone the freedom to travel the world online. To research with a click of a mouse. Music or art can be created with a computer instead of a studio. You can start a blog and have it up and online in a few minutes. Maybe I cannot grow food in my own garden now but I can buy it from someone who does. I can make my home comfortable and happy for my rabbit and me. I have never been a real social person to begin with, so life on my own has been very satisfying so far. I am learning to handle my disabilities and live with them. Every day I am working on creating my own so called "normal life" which is not the same for everyone else.

It is true that God has given us only one life. Nobody can dispute that. The common goal everyone should share is to make the best of it. Even if you are poor or in bad health. My own mother was bedridden in her last few years. I know she had become very depressed and bitter about that fact. It did not consume her though. She crocheted 50 beautiful baby sweaters for me to sell on eBay when I needed money. It gave her life purpose and I am not sorry that I needed the money at that time. I think it was meant to be. By helping me, she was helping herself.

Not all disabilities are physically painful, but most are. So dealing with pain and actually accomplishing something can be the most difficult hurdle to clear. If you are married to someone or in a relationship with someone who does not have a disability themselves, that can cause more pain. They don't understand where you are coming from. Or why you have turned into a grumpy person who is hard to be around. Or why you can no longer do your part of the work at home. Or why you left a job or have bills for medical treatments and drugs. Or why you no longer want to be physically intimate. Soon you start feeling like you are doing something wrong. You are not.

"Jazzy" My Mobility Chair

I have always written out goals or a "to do" list, whatever you want to call it. Big goals farther away. Little steps to reach those goals. Try to focus on what you need or want in your life and go after it. Now that I live here alone, I can do what I want and other people are not causing me neglect a goal. If I do that, it is me, my own fault! I will not blame someone else or the circumstances. Today write out about five long term goals. Then write smaller goals that you have to do first to attain those long term ones. Put it up where you will see it every day. Then read it over and over, every day, all day long. Let it sink into your brain. Good luck!

Wednesday, September 08, 2021

Visiting Cannonsville Reservoir

Recently I spent a day visiting the Cannonsville Reservoir which is southwest of the village of Walton, New York in Delaware County. It was a beautiful day and the sky was blue. Being there makes me reflect on why I love living in New York so much. Everyone urges me to move south but I never will. For one thing I have lived in the south before, having grown up in Florida. Now at this age, I cannot deal with hot weather. The biggest reason though is that I love the beauty of New York. I am in awe of it every time I take a ride out in the country. Lots of green trees, mountains, fresh water creeks, ponds, lakes and rivers. Spectacular views beyond every bend in the road.

The Cannonsville Reservoir is about 120 miles northwest of New York City. If you would like to see more detailed information about it read it here, Cannonsville Reservoir. It is a 455 square mile drainage basin that is the largest of the four basins that flows into New York City's water supply system. I believe they said 50% of the city's water comes from this reservoir. Wikipedia said on their site, "The Cannonsville Dam is being considered as a site for a 14.08MW hydroelectric generating station." I do not know anything about that for sure as I could not find it in my research.

In 1964, five small communities were submerged in water to build a reservoir to provide water to NYC. The residents of these communities refer to it as "the taking" but it was actually the truth of the law called the eminent domain ("the right of the government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction"). The five communities destroyed were Granton, Rock Royal, Rock Rift, Beerston and of course, Cannonsville which was the largest.

The building of the reservoir started in 1955 and was completed in 1964. How sad the people in these communities must have been! They had to move about 2000 graves to another location. 94 farms were destroyed along with their schools, churches and stores. These people were heartbroken, their hometowns with all their memories and connections to family, neighbors and friends. Now after all that, I saw several posts around the internet saying the water has become stagnant by the time it reaches New York City. That is a sorry turn of events that these people had to give up their homes and lives and it turns out to not last after all. I wonder why the people of these communities could not have started a new town nearby? There is a book about this that I need to find at the library. This has happened across the country to other communities in the past and present.

The day we spent driving around this beautiful area was so relaxing. No real plans, just exploring. Since living in the city after my move in 2018, I appreciate every chance I get to be in the country and especially the forest. The forest is my first love and sometimes I get the feeling that I need it. Actually I do. It gives me peace of mind. That may sound strange, but when I get worried or stressed about anything, just getting outside helps a lot. The parks near me are my go to now, but if I get a chance to spend a day like this again I will definitely do so.

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