doesn't mean that I should sit back and do nothing. I think back of my mother. Seriously. By the age of 62, I think she quit living life. I understand more of the family dynamics at that time, but I think she 'retired' from work as that was probable the age then. My youngest brother was 20 (she had him at 42), and so what did she do? Besides continuing to read Grace Livingston Hill books (I still love them!) and crochet, she took up ceramics. Soon she had her 'own' shop. Rosebud Ceramics. Not really a shop, as it was not out of the house, but she got involved with the kiln, slip, molds, and painting of the different things she would make and sell, or give away. I had several of the things she had made, but over the years, they have broken. I think I may have a small lion left she had made, and perhaps a Pluto, but I can't remember why I have the Pluto. I'm sure it was for one of the kids, but none of them claim it. But mother found something to do as she aged, until she couldn't lift the molds anymore.
I remember what a mess her kitchen table always was with ceramics ready to be cleaned up and put in the kiln, other pieces to be painted. There were slip splashes on the carpet where she had spilt it when she poured into a mold. She got me interested in ceramics to where my 'first hubby' and I had our own ceramic shop that we called R & N Ceramics. Another story for another time, perhaps. Anyway, my point is, although she didn't do much, Mother was busy until she got much older. Then she just sat and would read, or write letters, or draw women's faces - the side view. I wonder if any of my children remember that? I think I have an envelope or something she 'doodled' on and it has the woman's face on it that she drew. I always tried to mimic it, but could never succeed. She also drew Woody Woodpecker. I got pretty good at one time on it.
Why is my mind going to being older? Because I read today of Caleb, who at age 85, told Joshua:
Joshua 14:10-12) "Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey (to the promise land), and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then. So give me the hill country that the Lord promised me."
Caleb was 85 years old and was still ready to do whatever it took to secure the land that the Lord had promised him. He was strong, he was sharp, he was ready.
Hubby is 85 years old and I guarantee you that he could not clear the land like Caleb did. I am not putting him down. He has some physical restrictions, but I think a lot of it is the mindset that once we 'retire', we don't have to do anything anymore. Other than normal day-to-day activities, if we don't have to go into the office anymore, or if we don't have to do manual work like we did before... what is there to do? And so we tend to sit around and watch tv. Or read. Sometimes, if one has a hobby, like golf or hiking, or even exercising, if they continue them, they keep them up after they retire. For my parent's age group, the retirement thing was going to Florida for the winter months. They got in a retirement community. Sure, they went and saw things, but other than that, they sat around, had potlucks, and didn't do much else. Although I do have a basket that my mother made when she was on one of those Florida trips.
Here I am at 72, still work,ing, and wondering if I will ever get to 'retire'. I've told hubby that in January of 2025 I will retire, whether he will agree to it or not. If he would give me permission now, I certainly would retire - and find a part-time job somewhere. I'm so very tired and weary of office responsibilities, although I work from home. I don't want to learn One Drive (yeah, got the book still haven't looked at it), I don't want to learn new programs that will never be used again once I retire. I'm tired of working. Money is great, but we can make it without it. I'm willing to get a part-time job to help with 'play money'. But other than that - what would I do?
I love to crochet, yes, but I don't want to sit and crochet every day. I love to read, but I don't want to sit and read every day. I love to cook - but why cook meals every day. I've had to give up my hiking... don't do much of that anymore. I've not been doing any serious walking for some time now. Yes, a lot of that is my fault. I've gotten lazy. I often mention I'm going to exercise... and then I allow other things to get in the way. My 'drive' to do things seems to fall by the wayside so much of the time anymore.
I have two years in which I need to find something that will not only bring me joy in doing, but will strengthen my body for my life ahead. If the opportunity to retire comes next year - would I have something in place that I could continue to 'live'? Would I be active enough - or want to be active enough to keep my body moving and able to do things? Guess I need to work out that question in my own mind. If Caleb was strong and healthy and sharp-minded at 85, why can't I be?
My neighbor across the street and I chatted briefly last night via text and I casually mentioned a long ago dream of writing a book. I knew she had written a children's book, but I haven't been able to find it on Amazon - so last night I got the title - and bought some for my great-grandchildren for Christmas! She is working on another book for children, but her book artist passed away. I remembered that I have another friend who writes Christian fiction and I would check with her on her artist and perhaps connect the two of them. Then my neighbor suggested I start writing and we could be called the 'Gleesome Threesome'. LOL I have no idea how she came up with that! But it made me laugh, and caused me to dream again a little.
I reminded her that I work. That I haven't written anything. Only short stories and poems in high school. And other than this blog (which she doesn't know about), I haven't written anything in years. I often wonder where I would start. I guess the point is to 'just start'. There will always be numerous drafts to finish a book, to get it to say what you want it to say. But the point is, start with one word. LOL The thought just occurred to me... my middle child and I have this thing about the 'last word'. Sometimes I let him 'win'. Sometimes he lets me 'win'. It always makes me smile (as it is now as I am remembering it).
I need to get better at taking care of myself. I am trying to eat better (ok, I ate the last ice cream cup in the freezer while hubby was gone last night. But it's been there for two months and no one ate it! I needed to get rid of it.). I started to work out yesterday afternoon, but then my daughter called, and then hubby started talking to me... and I never got back to it. As my daughter is out of town, we didn't meet up last night (hubby met up with his 'men friends'). So what did I do? I didn't exercise! I watched two movies and crochet'd on the afghan I'm making for a wedding gift. I was productive, yes, but not physically. That's the part I fail in the most. Physically. I know I need to move about more.
I told a grandson who is getting married next July that I plan to have a 'six pack' at his wedding. LOL He is still trying to erase that photo from his mind! But wouldn't it be cool if I dropped 30 pounds and had a flatter belly Maybe not a six-pack (I could always buy him a six-pack, right?) belly, but one that doesn't stick out to put my plate on? Ok, I'm not that big, but if I continue as I have, it could be! It's just me - I'm wanting a healthier body, an active body. I don't want to be so old I can't get down on the floor to play with my great-grandchildren. Or even my great-great-grandchildren. I hope I live that long. That is important to me. I want to be INVOLVED in their lives, not just BE in their lives.
Ok - I guess I have rambled on enough this morning and will hush. Perhaps I gave you something to think about. So you don't have any weights. Why not grab a couple cans of beans and use those to work on your arms by lifting them and giving your biceps something to do? I do have weights... I can give you a lot of my excuses... but that is all they are. I need to get over hubby seeing me work out and offer advice. Some of it just might be good. Oh, he'd leave me alone for the most part... but I want to do it on my own.
So what do you want to do as you age? When you turn 85 - what will you be doing? Something to think about!
Be a Caleb! Claim your hill country! What is your greatest challenge that you need to overcome and fight for? Go for it!
Blessings!
