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PAGE
TWO
Happy
New Year!
Lost In Life
Fleeing That Winter Cabin Fever
Travel Busters
We
Are Never Too Old to Learn
Customer
Service is Everything
Mother
Meaningless
Words - Lifetime Impact
Senior
Gardening
Angels
on earth an in heaven
Farewell,
Saul
V1-N26
January 6, 2003
Happy
New Year!
Welcome
to the new and exciting year of "2003." I'm sure
you have all set New Year's resolutions for the coming year.
My aim this year is to make new friends, and of course write
more. I wish all the peace, joy, happiness, health and prosperity
for the New Year.
"Bless
you all with the Spirit of 2003"
V1-N28
January 20, 2003
Lost
in Life
When
I think of Alzheimer's, I think of this debilitating disease
that cannot be cured and has no preference or choice as to
whose brain it will consume. This heart-breaking disease is
known for its ability to shrink away oneÕs own vital personality.
It is often a horrible reminder for the people in their early
60's to watch and observe people already afflicted with this
disease, and know in their hearts that one day they may be
in their shoes. For those who experience it at a rapid rate,
overtaking their lives, it may not be so noticeable to them,
but quite possibly find themselves struggling to understand
the rules and regulations of life affecting everyday living.
I think
the largest struggle is for the family and loved ones as they
must endure their parents or grandparents not recognizing
them, not returning their love, and worst of all, losing their
best friend, even though they are still alive. The memory
is always there of who they once loved, and who they love
today. We love our Alzheimer's sufferers the same as we always
did, weÕve just lost a part of ourselves when we lose a part
of our loved one.
For all
those caring individuals taking the time to care for a loved
one with Alzheimer's Disease, I salute you. I worked in a
ward of Alzheimer's sufferers at a hospital, and I saw the
pain in the eyes of so many people, but still they showed
up to visit and show their love. Even though sufferers may
not say they appreciate or express what you are doing for
them, they are able to feel love and they are that same person
inside, they are just living with an altered brain.
Ode
to the sufferers of Alzheimer's Disease; Though, they have
lost their memories, They have not lost their feelings.
V1-N34
March 3, 2003
Fleeing
That Winter Cabin Fever
Here we
are in late February, and we're all getting a little bit of
"Cabin Fever." It seems after the bitter cold days
and non-stop windchills, everyone is open to anything to keep
themselves amused. For all those grandparents out there who
need a few suggestions to brighten up your day regarding the
grandkids.
1. Make
a Sponge Garden indoors. Soak a large sponge in water and
place it in a shallow dish. Next sprinkle it with alfalfa
or rye grass seeds. Continue to keep it moist and watch your
little indoor garden grow.
2. For
the Boys: Make superman capes for the stuffed toys with scraps
of extra fabric.
3. Take
out colored construction paper. Make a design with the hole-puncher.
Get your grandchild to lace yarn through the holes.
4. Play
a game of "Twister" with the grandkids! When all
else fails, bundle up and go make a Snowman and some Snow
Angels.
See
you all in the spring!
V1-N37
March 24, 2003
Travel
Busters
Hello
Everybody! With the Spring Break approaching I thought I would
lend some travel tips of my own to take with you. These are
just a few ideas I found helpful along the way.
With the
increasing degree of violence today, a good travel tip is
to place your "Do Not Disturb" sign on your doorknob
to keep out would-be predators even when you are not in your
hotel room.
Take along
a second watch while on holidays in a different time zone.
This helps you phone home at the right hour.
In case
of luggage loss, place your name and address on a large piece
of paper on the inside of your suitcase. Therefore, it can
be returned to its rightful owner.
While
in another city, take the hotel matches. In the event you
are lost, a taxi can always find the address.
I hope
you have found these tips to be of use while enjoying your
time on holidays.
Happy
Holidaying!
V1-N39
April 14, 2003
We
Are Never Too Old to Learn
I have
been reading a lot about how the brain works, and how important
it is to keep on learning. It is this exercise, I believe,
that is never too late to start. I am currently taking a few
courses, and it is not easy starting again to use that old
brain, but it feels great to be learning new things.
This summer
I plan to lay pavers in place of my cement sidewalk. All this
takes a little time to read, plan, imagine, a whole lot of
effort and hard work. I find it refreshing to be open to new
ideas, and the creativity just flows when you're having fun.
I even
have thought about when I become a senior, the courses I plan
to take, and I am going to LEARN HOW TO KNIT! I wish I had
the time, but when I do I would love to spend a whole day
baking cinnamon buns, gardening, and going for coffee with
all my girl friends.
Days run
into days, into weeks, into months, and before you know another
year has passed. Let this year be the year for starting a
new hobby, a new project, or just completing something started
long ago but was left on the back-burner. Let's all get in
to the spirit of doing one thing new this summer.
Hope to
see you out Rollerblading!!!
V1-N41
April 28, 2003
Customer
Service is Everything
This week
I would like to expand on the Art of Customer Service. I have
worked in the field for many years, dealing with clients,
and I firmly believe, to build a good business, you must maintain
impeccable customer service. Last week I met the epitome of
impeccableness; if there is such a word.
I took
my car in originally to Fountain Tire on Ste. Anne's Rd.,
thinking I needed a wheel alignment. Being a single mother
I am frugal with my money, and cringed when I was told I needed
new tires instead. I was expecting to be handed a bill for
the services rendered, to inspect my car, and instead I received
a bill for $0.00 The manager and I talked about tire prices
and I decided to shop around. I later came back that same
day, after reflecting on how I was impressed by his service.
I weighed the money I felt I saved, his positive attitude,
with his principles that would reflect his company's workmanship.
I felt I would rather pay the little bit extra and know my
car will be taken car of properly.
They not
only matched the price I was quoted, but gave me a better
deal. After having my old tires replaced, I find out they
were actually closed, but stayed open for me as a courtesy
as I had a hard time booking an appointment.
I am thoroughly
impressed by this manager's professionalism and he now has
a happy client who will spread the good word on his behalf.
In today's
society I find, sadly, "It's not what can I do for you?"
but, "What can you do for me?" What we give out
always comes back to us, and one thing is for sure… I'll
Be Back.
V1-N43
May 12, 2003
Hi everyone,
I hope you all had or are having an enjoyable Mother's Day
weekend.
I came
across an old poem my daughter, Justine, wrote for me when
she was 12 years old, that I would like to share with you.
Mother
 M
is for Marmalade
Milkshake Manor, when you changed her cage (the hamster),
fighting through her stinking odor you won the battle, and
showed no rage.
O
is for Ouchies, which came with funny face poses, band-aids
for our knees and Kleenex's for our noses
T
is for Time you took out of your work, to go places: The Forks,
the orchestra. We saw many faces.
H
is for the Housework, you endured all day, brooms for sweeping,
the computer to play.
E
is for Exercise you spent with kids who were loud, birthday
parties, etc. You supplied food for the crowd.
R
is for Ravioli, Rice, Riceroni which you took time to cook,
although nothing is better than reading a good book.
Put
the letters in a row and take a look once more. Together they
spell a name we love for a Mom we adore.
Love,
Jus
V1-N46
June 2, 2003
This week
I feel compelled to write this topic on a personal experience.
I would like to address this issue to all the grandparents,
guardians and babysitters who have the privilege of spending
time with children and teenagers.
As many
of you are not aware, my daughter sustained severe head injuries
in an accident a while ago. Though she looks healthy enough,
her brain is far from being mended. She does not always possess
the capabilities which so many of us take for granted. Last
week a couple of old school friends from her former school
decided to voice their opinions and randomly phoned her to
say what they thought of her.
She was
unable to comprehend why they were saying the words they meaninglessly
said, but was able to feel the pain that those thoughtless
words caused. They have left a deep impact in her heart. I
am asking all my avid senior readers to take the time and
explain to the youngsters just how damaging spontaneous words
can be.
We have
compassion for the disabled and less fortunate people of the
world, but we need to realize our words can be as devastating
and painful as any physical slight to mankind.
As role
models for the future of our children's hearts… Please
Let Us Demonstrate Kindness and Acceptance of All Walks of
Life!
V2-N2
July 28, 2003
Senior
Gardening
Gardening
is one of the favourite leisure pastimes for seniors. It comforts
the soul and can be a welcome relief from life's everyday
challenges. In the quiet recesses of the mind, there is a
sanctuary that is having a calming effect on the whole body.
An oasis that can benefit you spiritually, physically and
mentally.
I'd like
to introduce you to our Senior Gardening Expert, Greta Gardener.
Her long-time practices and knowledge has served her well.
Let's spend an afternoon with Greta and learn her tips on
how she gets things done through a senior's perspective. (If
you didn't get a chance, this summer, to grow a few plants
outdoors, keep these ideas for reference next spring.)
•
"Common sense" Greta says she gardens early in the
morning or late in the day. 10 am - 2 pm is a definite no-no.
•
Greta dons her lightweight clothing, long sleeved shirt (those
pesky mosquitoes), sunblock, mosquito repellant, wide-brimmed
hat, Alfred Sung sunglasses, and her famous canary yellow
gardening gloves.
•
"I had my neighbour paint all my long-handled tools bright
yellow." Her eyesight isn't what it used to be and she
can spot them easily she says.
•
" I like to garden prepared." Plenty of water with
a twist of lemon, to prevent dehydration and my yellow lawn
chair for breaks in the shade to admire my garden.
•
"I designed my strawberry plants in a raised flower bed.
It is at waist level and this saves my back and my knees."
For those lower level beds a padded mat does the trick for
the old knees.
•
Greta's favourite garden asset, she says, is her arbour. Since
her grandsons assembled it, it has been a source of endless
enjoyment.
"I
planted ivy, vines and snow peas to entwine themselves on
it." This is a perfect height for anyone who likes vertical
gardening. "I also hung birdhouses from the top of the
arbour. Bird watching has become another pastime."
Greta
has a message for all the senior gardeners: "We may need
to modify things or find new gardening techniques to reach
fulfillment, but as we grow older isn't that how it is with
everything?"
V2-N5
September 8, 2003
Angels
on earth and in heaven
If I could
depict the exact chemistry of an angel on earth, it would
be with a Heart of Gold, ingrained and entwined within honesty,
integrity, and selflessness.
One weekend
I experienced the aura of this walking angel.
I had
planned to meet a friend on Corydon Avenue, at a well-known
coffee house. While sitting and reading the newspaper to pass
the time, I completely forgot my purse on the nearby chair
when my friend and I got up to leave to take in a movie. When
we arrived at the theatre, I was horrified as I realized my
purse was still on the chair at the coffee house.
We quickly
phoned the coffee house to ask if someone had turned it in.
My prayers were answered and horror turned to gratitude in
a single instant. Out of curiosity I inquired as to who turned
it in?
The lovely
lady with a "Heart of Gold" was Senior Scope's very
own Senior Spotlight in the September 8th issue, Millie Wornyck.
Thank
you, Millie!
V2-N5
September 8, 2003
 Saul
Selby
Born
March 15, 1913
Died August 26, 2003
It is
with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear
friend, Saul Selby. Saul was a positive inspiration in the
creation of our Senior Scope which is why we chose him as
our very first "Spotlight". He was not only a man
with a business mind, but with also a sense of caring and
compassion.
Saul's
role in life, even though he never knew it, was to instill
confidence in everyone he met. He saw only the positive in
everyone, and if you were so blessed to have formed a friendship
with him, it would be a lasting one.
As we
attended the graveside service, we learned of his many attributes,
principles he led his life by, and the love he shared with
everyone.
I shared
a personal friendship and had a permanent compartment in my
heart for Saul. He believed in me, and was the one person
who led me on the path of writing articles and publishing
them. My daughters saw Saul as a grandfather figure and will
miss him dearly as well.
"An
Angel Has Walked the Earth and has Fanned us All With His
Wings."
Farewell,
Saul
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