Senescence - The Flimsy

A funny thing has happened along the way  . . .

This 49 x 72 flimsy has come to embody so many of the ideas

that have been floating through my mind after/during recent reads.

Senescence is gloriously colorful,

random yet richly predictable,
and

so full of textures and patterns.

DH had reason through his employer to visit 

a Green House  in Tupelo, MS a while back.  

He came home bursting with stories about

the living arrangements for that fortunate group of seniors 
and their care-giving companionships

(definitely NOT a traditional nursing home).

Having experienced first hand with both my mother and MIL

where I do NOT want to spend my final days/months/years, 

I was intrigued enough to order a copy of

What Are Old People For? by Dr. Bill Thomas. 

It took a while to work my way through the volume, 

but I am SO glad I kept at it.  

Two of the key concepts are

 The Eden Alternative and Green Houses.

One of the books referenced in Old People is 

Where River Turns to Sky by Gregg Kleiner.  

I’m now mid-way through the story of George Castor and his housemates
(they live in a bright red house with dandelion yellow trim).

I can SO identify with the character of Clara Paulson ~ 

not because I was a night club singer in Vegas but because
 of the stroke that sent her to the Silver Gardens Nursing Home.

I suffered a stroke 20 years ago so there’s a lot of “been there/done that” 

understanding when she references her “dead side” 

or shares her frustration at not being able to sing or speak 

or walk or play her beloved piano.  

[Thankfully, today I have only minimal deficits ~ 

wearing sensible shoes, walking a bit crooked when I’m tired, 

and feeling a tad older than I really am are such small issues in 

comparison to where I was at the worst points.]

Understandably, there is a deep sense of unending gratitude for 
not only sunny days and blue skies 

but for rainy days and puddles on the ground.

Each and every step I take is precious.  

So is every stitch I take in my studio ~ nothing is taken for granted.

Backing fabric ~ Daiwabo by E.E. Schenck

The main character in the book, George, is so much like DH ~ 

able to invent, create, repair, or manage most anything that comes along 

(using in the box or out of the box methods).  No clue yet how the book will end 

but I hope, when the time comes, there is a Green House 

with companions like George and Clara in my future. 

In the meantime, I plan to embrace the approaching time of 

senescence as I prepare to become a colorful quilty elder.  

I hope there are many more years of DOING-being ahead of me, 

but I want to incorporate more BEING-doing along the way.  

Quiltdivajulie

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"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.  We grow old by deserting our ideals.  Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."  (Samuel Ullman)