Yep, it's true. This my mom and she's 95 years old.  We should all look this good at 95!!!

 

She certainly didn't look this good last month.  She spent 9 days in hospital, followed by nearly a month in rehab to regain her strength.  At 5 foot nothing and 95 pounds she's quite a powerhouse.  Not everybody could have recovered from that one.  We all had our doubts for a bit.  It definitely took its toll, but she's back!!!!!!

 

Julie took this picture just 5 days after she moved to Sweet Memories.  It is the memory care section of Kings Grant House in Virginia Beach, just 5 minutes from Julie, and 15 minutes from Betsy.  There are about 20 residents and lots of excellent caregivers.  We know that Momma will be safe there and well cared for;  and we're hoping for happy.

 

The reason I'm sharing this is to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  It was a difficult decision for daughters to make.  But I'm proud to say that we understand things now, that we never imagined we would ever need to know.  

 

But this we know:  Getting old isn't for sissies.  It is hard work to keep your body healthy, but worth the effort.  

                            Patience and kindness are virtues that we should all practice, cause someday we might need them.

                            Love is stronger than everything. 

 

When you love somebody so much, it's easy to work at making them happy, whatever it takes.  Sometimes it requires listening to the same stories over and over, sometimes it means answering the same question again and again.  Sometimes you have to sing, recite childhood poetry, or just sit and watch them sleep.  But we do it for love; she did it for us all those years ago.  Now it's our turn to show her how much we love her. 

 

I know that Momma is proud of us, even if she can't remember.  She did a good job raising us.      

 

 

THANKS FOR CARING!!!

 

We were walking up Clifford's hill today, and saw this.  According to Siri it's called needle ice.

 

It occurs when the ground is wet and the temperature drops below freezing. It looks like ice is growing up from the ground.  It's beautiful!!!

 

We learned something new today. We'd seen it before but didn't know what to call it.  Now we do:  needle ice.

 

I hope you see some in your hikes around the mountain.

 

HAPPY TUESDAY!!!

Thanks to a question from one of the neighbors I had to do some research to learn something. If we have a gate closed all the time how do the emergency services get in if they dont know the new code? Our gate system has a service called “SOS”  or Siren Operated Sensors. You can read more about how this works and what this is here: Www.sosgate.com

 

The next time you come in look on the keypad post and see this box..

 

 

We woke up to this today!!!!!  "Yikes," said Sandy Bradley, from Florida.  

"Impressive," said Mark Conde, who's here.  He was responding to the temperature, and this:

 

 

Both "impressive!!"  Tere Christensen's response was "Ahhhh-magical!  She's in Florida too.

 

We are so fortunate to be viewing the Super Blood Wolf Moon.  This picture is looking west watching it set over the Southern Appalachians.  

 

My understanding of the title is this:  Super moon because it is in perigee, nearest to the center of the Earth right now. Blood moon because it was in eclipse last night about 10:30, (we missed that part.)  Wolf moon is the name given by Native Americans for the January full moon, when wolves climb the hills and sing together.  

 

I hope you you got to see it.  If not, you can enjoy my picture.  I went outside in 10 degrees so you could see it.

 

 

You're welcome!!!!!

 

 

 

This is Camellia japonica.  I was surprised to see it blooming in January. But I just read that it's sometimes called Rose of Winter, since it blooms between January and March.  OK.  Normal.

 

My sister, Julie has these huge bushes (15 feet tall) growing in the middle of her circular driveway. They are beautiful right now.  The blossoms are about 5 inches across, and each branch is loaded.  Kinda messy on the driveway, but beautiful when you look up.

 

Camellias will grow in our area too.  They like bright light, but will do well with a little shade.  Roxanne and Jim have some in their yard, and they seem to do fine with a lot of shade.  The leaves are thick and leathery, making me think the deer probably don't eat them.  I'll get back to you on that assumption.  

 

Maybe I'll write a blog all about deer and their food preferences.  For Karen.  ;)

 

There are several species of Camellia.  They are all evergreen shrubs or trees. Camellia japonica has large leaves and big, showy flowers and the plant can grow to 36 feet!  Camellia sasanqua has smaller leaves and flowers and the plants grow 5-6 feet tall.  These two species are common garden plants, available in local garden centers.

 

Another species grown mainly in Asia is Camellia sinensis. It has small white flowers and is sometimes called tea plant or tea shrub. Because the leaves and leaf buds are used to make tea.  Leaves are collected at different stages of development producing different tea qualities.  Too much science for this blog entry;  I just like knowing that Lipton tea comes from a familiar plant.  

 

If you see a bush booming in winter, look closely, it might be a Camellia.  

 

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!

 

Jon took this picture this morning as the sun was coming up. 

 

A beautiful reminder that it's a new day with no mistakes in it.  

 

I hope you're making the most of it.

 

 

Happy Thursday!!!

 

Momma is out of hospital and finished with rehab.  It has been a whole month!!

 

She's getting stronger every day, and is ready to move back to Atria, her assisted living home.  Since transitions are so difficult on the elderly, my sisters have asked me to come stay the first few nights with her.  Even though her pictures and furniture and things are there, we want to be sure that she has somebody familiar there in the middle of the night.  

 

And so she doesn't feel babysitted, I can just be coming for a visit, and still preserve her dignity as an independent person.  She turned 95 in December, and is doing remarkably well.

 

Thank you, friends, for your loving thoughts and prayers.  We are going to make this a great new year!!!

 

I'll be on the lookout for something interesting to blog about.  

 

 

Hope to see you soon!!!

 

 

Here we are again on the trail.

 

We saw lots of cars on the road today, but nobody on the trail.  Hmmmm.

 

It's really pretty down here.  Nice weather, fresh air, exercise.  

 

 

Hope to see you soon.

 

Where in Five Forks is this?

 

If you don't know, then you've never been on the Creekside Hiking Trail. 

 

This is the bridge that crosses the creek about half way down the trail.  

 

The hiking trail has always been here.  And it's delightful spring, summer, fall, and winter.  There is always something new to see.  It's not a long or strenuous hike, just go slow on the uphill climb.  

 

You really should check it out.  It's beautiful right now.  I hope to see you out there.

 

 

Happy Hiking!!!

 

Sorry it's been so long since I've written a blog.  The last couple ones were written on my phone. Way too much work. 

Well I have an iPad now, a gift from a friend. And I have something important to write about. 

 

 

This is our friend, Floyd Bowen.  He was very instrumental in the establishment of our Fve Forks community.  When the Board of Directors was getting started, Floyd volunteered and served on the board for 2 years. Then he was reelected for two more years. During that time he facilitated the establishment of the bylaws for our HOA. Lots of legal stuff, which he understood. He offered wisdom and advise based on his experience as a lobbyist for Exxon in the state of Texas. 

 

Floyd and Lois were some of the first residents in Five Forks.  Their permanent home is in Austin, Texas, and they would travel by car to North Carolina; nearly 1000 miles, to spend time in their mountain home.  

 

When they were here, often staying 3 months at a time, they worshipped at the Methodist Church in Young Harris, and played bridge several times a week.  They loved to travel too.  We heard about cruises, trips to Europe, and other adventures.  We also heard good stories about their children and grandchildren.  They were very proud of them all. 

 

Now for the the rest of the story.  Early last year Floyd was diagnosed with liver cancer.  He bravely underwent treatment, and got the green light to go on with his life.  When he went for a 6 month check up, they found that the cancer was back, and had spread.  He volunteered for an experimental drug, knowing that it wouldn't cure him, but may help somebody in the future.  Floyd was only 80 years old, but had such a good outlook on life, we all thought he would pull through it.  The doctors knew otherwise.  So they began Hospice care, and made those difficult end of life decisions. They sold the mountain house, and concentrated on living their best life while they still had it together. Floyd died on Saturday, December 15, 2018, leaving the world a better place for having lived.

 

Our hearts and prayers go out to Lois, because Floyd was her best friend for nearly 60 years!!!  How does one say goodbye?  I will tell you that my life is richer for having known Floyd and Lois as neighbors and friends. 

 

 

Bye, Floyd.  I love you.