Anyone still out there ?

I'm not sure that a personal blog of an 80 year old is relevant in today's onslaught of social media.   But that is really not the point, is it.   Of course, we all want to be relevant to our family and our friends but otherwise.......nope.     

I follow a blog written by an 80 something woman in Boston.    She is writing about her daily life and it is a wonderful look at aging in a positive manner.      She is highly educated and continues to seek out learning opportunities available at the various excellent schools in Boston.    She was married for many years and her husband decided to leave life when his Parkinson's and infirmities became more than he wanted to deal with.    He withheld food but accepted Hospice care.      A few years ago they decided to move closer to one of their sons.    They sold their beloved condo, moved to a vibrant city, actively participated in the grand children and after a year, decided it just wasn't how they wanted to spend their later years and moved back....buying a condo in the same building if I remember.     She is an honest window into aging.  

Meanwhile, in this aging home, we are well.    We need to get out a bit more and travel more but sometimes home feels best.   I look at ideas for exploring and then maybe think we should be part of group if we go across the seas.... ( that age thing again).    We've been most everywhere in the US but a repeat of some of them would be fine on our own.    Somedays, I miss the RV life....not the BIG RV life but just something smallish.   An off road camp in the mountains or the favorite hiking places in Utah ..... 

My classes at the Botanic Gardens are over.   I could take many more but I learned what I wanted and certainly don't need validation ( a certificate ) to say I can do it.    I still enjoy capturing a plant but lately, I've discovered animals.    I have never had any interest but then suddenly I did.   I spend my days studying excellent sites for learning all the intricacies and capturing a dog or cat or bird or whatever.    I have practiced and spent hours trying to decipher dog hair..... it's not just brown or black.   For now, I won't show any results as they are family animals and I'm not ready to share with family.  

This kind of sums up learning a new skill......

And, here's our college freshman..... all dressed up for the UND Pride of the North marching band.   

 This week he has been on a bus band trip to a football game in Boise..... with stops in Yellowstone and assorted sites.    College sure is different from my days.    But so glad he is in a good place and appreciates his grandma's care package so he doesn't starve.  

And now I have to spend my afternoon wondering if the Denver Broncos really are new and improved...so far they have a lot to prove.      BUT, what about those CU Buffs !!!    I remember the old glory days of the Buffs and then the loooooonnnnng drought.....  it's fun to watch the turnaround and the circus that it is.