Falling and Fun or Support Your Local Tree Trimmer

Here are a couple more posts about my husband. He is an amazing man.

I'm sure you know that older people fall more than younger ones and it is not a good thing! And the ways people find to fall? Holy cow! It is astounding what humans will do. Some fall because they are doing something a little daring or are not paying attention to the cracks in the sidewalk. There are rugs and cords and door jams and steps. I bet every reader could add to the list.

I fell walking on the golf course a couple of years ago and my neighbor did the same thing last month. We both fell because we stepped in holes covered by long grass. I only sprained my ankle but my neighbor broke himself in several places. Yesterday my husband began telling me about a man that fell out of a deer blind in a tree. Actually, that accident happens many times each year. I should have changed the subject as soon as I saw where it was going.

See, here is the thing...my husband and I quarrel about him getting up in trees. He is 75 and in very good health but still, I just don't think he should trim the tree while balancing on a branch. I never did. There are people that make a living climbing tree and cutting off branches. I want them to trim our trees. I am all for supporting the officially bonded tree trimmer in my neighborhood.

Yesterday we took up that very old conversation right where we left off the last time. "Why would you do that?" I keep asking.

He always stands as near to the edge as he can get!
Falling never crosses his mind.

That's when I saw it in my husbands eyes. This man/child I live with, the one that brings stray cats home and can make a bird land on his hand, loves to climb trees! He is having fun doing what he did when he was ten. My husband is proving to himself that he still can clamor around in trees and he is enjoying every minute of it. 

I don't know how this will turn out, I really don't. I am not his mother but still I feel responsible somehow. I will let you know when we actually hire a person to trim our trees. Keep your fingers crossed for him...and me. When we go back to Oregon there are trees waiting to be climbed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

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Note:  Here is a little statistic for you.

Men are more likely than women to die from a fall. After taking age into account, the fall death rate in 2010 was 40% higher for men than for women.

10 Christmas gifts for Adults (20-90 years of age)

You know what, I want all the good stuff too.  At my age I see what young people are buying. If you are young, maybe you have all these beautiful thing...remember, Mom and Dad want these things too.

Whynter WC28S SNO 28 Bottle Wine Cooler, Platinum with Lock
I want one of these just because!

Vacu Vin Wine Saver Extra Stoppers, Set of 4
These wine corks are so wonderful.  We don't drink a whole bottle and the real cork won't go back in.  These just push in easily and save the quality of the wine.

Jones New York Women's Long Sleeve Open Front Cardigan Sweater
I have a sweater with a collar like this...I absolutely love it.

Celestron 21034 Ambassador 80mm Refractor Telescope (Brass)
This is a dream item...it costs a lot but wouldn't you love to have one
of these.

Disney Women's W000589 Mickey Mouse Pink Silicone Strap Watch
I love a Mickey Mouse watch and older women are really liking these
plastic watches that are so affordable you can
have one for every outfit!

Pure Handknit Women's Amelia Tunic Swing
I cover up more and more as I age. I love the detail on this sweater.

Plum Feathers Light Weight Elegant Solid Color Infinity Loop Jersey Scarf,32" x 34",Light Grey
This type of scarf can be wrapped around your neck or pulled up
over your head to be used as a hoody.  They are very stylish too!

Neiko 40367 9 LED NINE Super-Bright LED Flood Light Head Lamp
You have to think outside the box with this little device...it is great for leaving
your hands free while working in a dark space.  My husband loves his! Oh, by the way, children
love these too!

Zooka Wireless Speaker for iPad and Bluetooth Devices (Green)
This little speaker is so small it goes into your bag.  We take ours
on vacation, picnics and even into the neighbors backyard.  All I need to play music
is my iphone or smartphone with bluetooth.

Womens Canvas Slip on Shoes Flats 2 Tone 7 Colors
Older women are wearing these more and more.
They are like a slipper but can be worn as a sandal on the beach.
I love mine.

Ideas for Christmas shopping for older people coming soon!

Our dear friends are having their 25th Wedding Anniversary celebration today...so we are having a party!  I have put on my new J.Jill top with a skirt from Marshalls. My shoes are 7 years old and I am not sure if my makeup is on straight but I am going to a party.

I have this j.jill top in black!  Perfect for my party!

I wish I had this scarf to wear with it...
LibbySue-Indian Inspired Woven Stripe in Black and Grays

Which reminds me...are you starting your Christmas shopping yet?  I have a few ideas so I will post them for you tomorrow or the next day.  Buying for old people can sometimes be a problem but if you keep in mind that no matter how old you get, beautiful for women and practical for men will always work.

Have a wonderful day.

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Watching the Old Pueblo (Tucson) Grow-up...Hotel Congress

Tucson is a very old pueblo here in the southwest. The city itself was found in 1700 by Hugo O'Conor and yet the "Old Pueblo" has managed to stay very young and wild at heart. The best way to describe the development of this city I call home in the winter is scattered and even disorganized. At least that is the way I see it.  People resist development for reasons of their own and it has been very difficult for civic leaders to drag the community into the 21 century. But things are slowly changing.

Local artists display work in the lobby of the Congress Hotel (history)

A cup in the Cup Cafe...just because.

Cactus in the window of Cup Cafe

Many years ago the city leaders managed to get a development plan for the downtown passed by taxpayers and now locals are beginning to see changes in the city center that are remarkable and exciting. Brew pubs and restaurants dot every corner. Lofts, condos and apartments line the streets. Before the downtown was a collection of abandoned buildings and seedy tattoo parlors. The main advantage this city core had was it close proximity to the University of Arizona. The one place worth seeing was the Hotel Congress and we managed to visit their Cup Cafe once a year for breakfast just because it was fun.

On our anniversary last week we revisited Cup Cafe to find it full of college students, loft dwellers and hipsters. The lobby of the Congress was very crowded. The traffic downtown let us know that Tucson is growing up and living up to the all possibilities it holds. We love it!

Note:  Be sure to take a look at a previous post called Looking for Ghosts....  I think you will like it too.

Arizona Color decorate columns in the lobby of the hotel.

Pueblo/art deco design in Hotel Congress lobby.

Related articles

• Tucson Ghost Stories: Is Room 242 Really Haunted?
• Tucson Among 35 Best Cities For Hipsters 35 and Younger

Religion My Way: Pascal's Wager

I suppose that most of you know a lot more about religion than I do. I have lived a long time and was raised to be a good girl using the Christian Ethic so I am not totally clueless.  However, I am finding that I love Pascal's Wager. This little philosophy describes the games so many of us play with our religious beliefs.

Blaise Pascal was a philosopher that lived in the mid 17th century. Here is the game of chance he talked about:

Pascal's Wager is an argument in apologetic philosophy which was devised by the seventeenth-century French philosopher, mathematician, and physicist Blaise Pascal (1623–1662). It posits that humans all bet with their lives either that God exists or does not exist. Given the possibility that God actually does exist and assuming the infinite gain or loss associated with belief in God or with unbelief, a rational person should live as though God exists and seek to believe in God. If God does not actually exist, such a person will have only a finite loss. Wikipedia

unknown; a copy of the painture of François II Quesnel, which was made for Gérard Edelinck en 1691. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I find that rationality and religion belief are two intellectual inclination that cannot walk hand in hand very successfully. I try to live a moral and good life but I often question belief systems and widely held rules. However, I always keep in mind that I could be very wrong about what I think is true. I suppose that is the reason I live as though I believe it all and remember the golden rules of religion. It seems that it is a good idea. After all, according the Pascal, I have everything to gain if it is true and nothing to lose if it is not.

I think Pascal's Wager is fascinating. How about you?

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Thanksgiving Colors: Where do you feel at home?

At one time I owned a blog called Always at Home. At the time my husband and I were searching for our place in a world without a job.  We were retired and, like so many other newly retired people, we felt a need to search the world for something different, more exciting and......? I began writing the blog because, no matter where we went or what we saw, I felt very at home. I could imagine a house or an apartment with us living contentedly. I was Always at Home.

Then someone asked me why my husband and I didn't move to Spain and live. We loved the country, culture and pace of life there. Something inside my heart gave me the answer I had been seeking for several years. See, it didn't really matter where we lived; we would simply set about recreating the life we loved right where we were. I would find the friends and colors I loved...the ones I have here in the USA. 

Fences of Crosses, Chimayo Sanctuario, New Mexico

My Oregon home after sunset!

We have settled down...we are no longer retired teenagers. We have matured and mellowed. Here are some images of my favorite colors.  No matter where I go, I will seek them out. I love fall, decorate my house year around in fall colors and even dress in the glorious golds, blacks, reds and yellows. 

Here are a few pictures I took this fall as we traveled. I hope you like them. 

Golden Dawn over the Columbia River, Oregon

Oregon Willamette Valley back road overlooking the fields below.

Santa Fe Sunflower...one of the last in bloom. 

Golden leaves on the ground near Georgia O'keefe's Ghost Ranch

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Presidio Area restaurant, Tucson, AZ

Doing Thanksgiving Our Way...Kendra Thornton and Me

A few weeks ago Kendra Thornton, a former Director of Corporate Communications at Orbitz.com and founder of Thornton Public Relations, approached me with the idea of publishing a partnership piece about our Thanksgiving celebration. Ms. Thornton has appeared on ABC, NBC and local TV markets located in Chicago and New York City to mention a few. You may have also seen her on Fine Living Network or The Tyra Banks show. Even though she is a very busy woman, when it comes to Thanksgiving, she is at home doing what we all do...cooking up memories.

Her bio says "I am a long time travel expert who has been packing my bags and traveling the world since I was 3 months old! I've found my utmost desire in life is right here in my own home with raising my three wonderful children. I am getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving season and are so happy to let you in on some of my very own traditions!"

I am thrilled to join her in this Thanksgiving holiday post.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KendraThornton

Website: http://www.thorntonpr.com/"

The Thornton Thanksgiving from Chicago 

As the leaves start falling, families are starting to recognize what time of year it is. The outdoor air is starting to freeze, and many families have already started making plans. Out of all of the holidays, I really love Thanksgiving because of what it represents; gratitude and giving thanks for what you have. In the Thornton household, we’ll have many relatives visiting our home in Chicago this year and I can’t wait!

Pinterest has been a lifesaver this year as I’ve been looking for recipes that I can make with my kids, which will make Thanksgiving that much more enjoyable. As my kids grow older, I feel like they really enjoy giving me assistance in the kitchen. I think my kids really enjoy helping me with simple, fun and festive desserts. I have to keep an eye that they won’t be dipping their fingers in any extra frosting though! I find that simpler the recipe, the less hassle and cleanup it’s going to be for me in the kitchen!

It’s always enjoyable and delicious to have a traditional type of Thanksgiving dinner. When making a Thanksgiving meal, I always use my favorite staple foods like, turkey (of course), stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy (my favorite) stuffing, cranberry sauce and pea casserole! However, this year, I’ve decided I want to make some unique dishes as a little added twist!

I came across a great article on Gogobot called, “Turkey Trimmed to the Nines,” and it talks about what five luxury hotels are offering their guests this year for Thanksgiving dinner. I read about the Waldorf Astoria, which is located in Orlando, and how chefs there are planning to create a velvety pumpkin soup that is accented with lobster. I’ve decided to try to make this meal because nothing warms my heart and soul like a tasty soup!

My relatives and family know how grateful I am for each and every one of them in my life; however, the Thornton family has somewhat of a ritual, and every year, everyone at the table describes something they’re grateful for. I think it is a great reminder for everyone to share what it is they are thankful for in life or what is their favorite Thanksgiving memory from years past.

I would love it if you adopted this little tradition at your table this year and say out loud what it is you appreciate. I truly hope your Thanksgiving holiday is safe and enjoyable, and that it is filled with unforgettable memories and some of the tastiest foods imaginable. Have an amazing Thanksgiving holiday!

The Torris Thanksgiving from Tucson, AZ

The joy of friendship in a season of plenty! My neighbors Dee and Nan.

Here in Tucson the temperature is about 70-75 degrees during the day and we still eat outside on our porch almost every day. We live in an RV resort during the winter months. Our home is a small park model and our neighbors are very close to us both physically and emotionally.  

Family is far away. In Portland, Oregon where winter is fast approaching, our two youngest children and their families will have dinner together on Thanksgiving  Our other family is scattered around the world...one son and his family in China, a grandson in the Marines in Virginia, other grandchildren in college.

It usually snows in Oregon over Thanksgiving weekend, so the Christmas holiday gets a wonderful welcome. Here in Tucson where the air is warm and the skies are blue, we celebrate Thanksgiving with friends. Many people have decorated their little houses with Christmas lights. We too are feeling the holidays approaching. 

This year our dinner will be catered so those of us that long for "leftovers" will cook a small turkey at home. That way we can have part of what we love about this holiday celebration...good homemade food. (Catering is wonderful but I have to admit that we are all very good cooks and try new recipes all the time.)

We will decorate our table "Sandra Lee Tablescape" style. I love Pinterest too so I will see if I like any ideas from that website. We will have a beautiful table setting.

The joy of being with friends fills our hearts. Talk will always turn to bygone Thanksgivings and what our families are doing at home. Family traditions are a part of our day even though we are not with our families.

We are all part of a generation of people that know about video chatting or at the very least the telephone. We spend part of the day connecting with all those people that are young and back home wherever that is. 

If there is a new James Bond movie or something equally as appealing to both the men and the women, we will go to the movies. If not, we will spend the afternoon in front of the TV watching a football game(or three). Some online shopping (we are doing our part for the economy) or a new book might fill the rest of our day. We always walk a little or might even play some golf. No matter what, it is always a day to remember.

This season is a reminder that we are happy and so extremely grateful for all of our blessing, beautiful families and beloved friends. Things are changing in our lives but it is still very good. We love our life.

So, as you can see, Kendra and I celebrate in very different ways. Her Thanksgiving reminds me of my former life. I loved her words, " I truly hope your Thanksgiving holiday is safe and enjoyable, and that it is filled with unforgettable memories and some of the tastiest foods imaginable. Have an amazing Thanksgiving holiday!" Isn't that perfect.

Thanksgiving Blessing
Dear God,
Thank you.
Please bless those we love no matter where they are.
Amen

Note: I was not paid for this post...it was a pure joy to put it together.

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