A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Our Passions as We Age

Here's a picture of Joe, cutting pork chops for our freezer. Yesterday, he was in the basement making bird feeders....5 of them. He's a jack of all trades. Today, he's taking my car in for an oil change.He can fix anything. He keeps his cars and tools in perfect condition. I heard someone say once...if you are looking for a used lawnmower...Joe's are like brand new. We both have an interest in Church...we go every week. He checks on the Grotto and has been known to sweep and knock down cobwebs while visiting there. He has special things that he loves to cook...especially recipes from his Grandma.  These are the things that make him happy.



I like to do creative things. Like making appetizers for family parties. fixing food for our funeral lunches at Church, fussing with my houseplants, and last but not least...painting a picture. As we have roared into old age...we both do things to keep busy and do things for others. Nothing pleases me more than to take something delicious to a funeral lunch. This is our chance to tell the family that others are thinking of them at the most sad time of their lives. We strive for deliciousness...and beauty at these lunches. Flowers on every table and an array of wonderful food. A lasting tribute to a person who meant so much to family.

Yesterday found me fussing with my orchids. The picture is an old one...they are much bigger than that now. I keep reading about how to take care of them in blogs. I decided that mine weren't getting enough light...so I moved them to a brighter window on the south side of the house. Well, the leaves started to burn and I quickly moved them back. I got some new potting medium and re potted them. The root system looks good and they are sending out new roots and leaves. If they would only flower. sigh

Our family parties are times to try new recipes....although the old ones are always requested. I don't know how many veggie pizzas I have made...but they are the ones that everyone asks for. My grand daughter is starting to make them now...so maybe I can take a back seat and bring something new.

I love flowers...duh! Love to plant and care for them and also paint them. As the years go by, I am doing paintings in a new way, for me. I love to create collages out of my painting and some cut out things glued on...like cutting apart calendars with beautiful floral pictures and bits of doilies, lace, buttons....what ever I find to enhance the picture. This method is easier on my eyes and I still get in a little painting. This occupies a lot of time for me. 

Another thing I do is try to find easier ways to garden. I still want to keep my finger in the soil, so to speak, so I have had to learn new ways to accomplish it. I have found that container gardening is a way to go. I have enjoyed creating new containers...new each year.

I can't close without mentioning a passion that has been with me all of my life. From the time as a tiny girl, sitting on Dad's lap in the big brown chair...enjoying Dad reading Dr. Doolittle books to me and many others. He instilled a love of books without even knowing what he was doing. He could bring a book alive...the way he read. This summer our library is offering a travel mug to anyone who reads 5 books. I started late, so I have had to play catch up. I want that mug so bad that I can taste it. Am I competitive or what? I could buy that mug over and over again, but I want to win one. Yesterday, after fussing with my plants...I got the house tidied and fixed our meal...so that I could read. My old eyes get so tired now...and it is hard to read sometimes, but as long as they work....I'll never give up. I do love books...do you? What are your passions?
Balisha





10 comments:

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Afternoon Balisha, I think both you and your husband have found the secret to retirement..... keep yourselves busy. George and I do exactly the same, we are always busy, but with different things. My pleasures are cooking, sewing and gardening. George enjoys caring for his many Bonsai trees, reading and swimming.
I read that you had moved your orchids to a windowsill and the leaves burnt. Orchids love a lot of light, but not sunshine as that will kill them. If you have a windowsill which does not have the sun, then place them there and they will be very happy and they will flower for you.
Best Wishes
Daphne

Vicki @ lifeinmyemptynest said...

That book looks interesting - I am going to add it to my reading list - thanks :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

I noticed your painting right away, Balisha, it is simply beautiful! Adding bits and pieces to it really tells a story and makes it personal. Keep it up! I know how you love gardening and sometimes I feel the same way, it's not for the timid and it's heavy work most of the time. I really had to prove to myself that I could dig up a garden bed at my age and not so great physical condition and I was so proud that I did. Container gardening has also worked so well for me, it's a whole new world.

Keeping busy with your interests and giving of your time and talents are the greatest gifts we can ask for.

I hope you win that mug! I'm hoping to get to my stack of reading soon!

XO,
Jane

Balisha said...

Hello Daphne, Vicki, and Jane.

Thankyou for reading this morning. I'm going to try to answer my comments better from now on. I haven't read the book...it's her new one. I did read the last one "A Way to Garden" Margaret used to be on the Martha Stewart show...
back in the day...I really enjoyed her gardening ways..so wanted to read her books.
I think that the answer to a rich later life...is to follow your passions as long as you can and keep a positive attitude.
Daphne, Thanks for your orchid tips. I am going to have to be more patient with these plants. I guess that they can't be hurried. I saw your orchids, Daphne, and they are lovely. I am determined to get them to bloom.
Balisha

Diana LaMarre said...

Hi Balisha,

I think you and Joe have found ways to follow your passions. I love how you have added textural elements to your passion for painting.

You are such an inspiration to me!

prince snow farm said...

I also love to garden as you know...love to read....play....create....you are a talented artist!

Balisha said...

Hi Zoe and N.Daffodil,
Sorry ND...I haven'f found your first name.
Thankyou for your flattering comments. I think that we all inspire each other with our passions. Bloggers are all pretty creative with cooking, gardening, book knowledge, art, decorating and so many other things. I can get inspired each day reading various blog posts. I have found so many different... new things that I wouldn't have found if I didn't blog.
I really appreciate people taking the time to leave a comment. On the other hand I welcome people who never leave a comment for various reasons.
Balisha

Judy said...

My passions? As I age, they are different then they were years ago. Gardening. Cross stitch. Crochet. Reading. My cats. Watching baseball, in summer.

debra @ HOMESPUN said...

Well I like to READ...
YOUR....
Blog :)

You and Joe probably have more going on that many people in their 20's! :)

After dumping 2 or 3 inches of standing water out of containers ( big heavy ones ) at least 3 or 4 times yesterday and again this morning I am not so sure about container gardening any more, lol!:)

Barbara said...

Interesting and the tiny herb garden looks healthy.