Anne Frank Remembered

I had watched the movie but had never read the book.  Finally, just recently I ordered the paperback from Amazon.  Usually, a book is so much more detailed and absorbing than the movie.  This book was no different.

But as most of us know, Anne's story did not have a happy ending.

Throughout Anne's writings, she made mention of a couple,  Miep Gies and Henk who were often visiting Anne and her family in the Annex and bringing them food and gifts.  Anne Frank Remembered is Miep Gies story.  

Tonight I will finish it.  It is haunting and troubling as it takes the reader through those awful days of Hitler's attempt to destroy all Jews.  But it is a story of friendship and hope, as Miep helps the Frank family and others who were hiding out in those troubling times.  If you have read Anne Frank's Diary, you need to read Miep's book Anne Frank Remembered.    You can get it here HERE on Amazon.

It Ain't for Sissies!

I hear it over and over again.  I work with the elderly and so the words ring in my ears often.

"Never get old!"

That's what they tell me.  Those 'old people'.  But I think it is too late.

Guess who is on high blood pressure medicine now?

Ha!

I can no longer brag that I do not have to take any meds.  I now take a low dosage of diuretic to keep the BP under control.  Mine always ran good to low and now, suddenly out of nowhere...  it is off the charts!  210/136 is what my reading was at the ER a couple of weeks ago.  They put me on meds and I forgot to take it for almost 2 days and 2 days of eating the wrong foods and BAM - it shot right back up!  Last night all I could think of was... oh no!  It's going to be back to the ER for me!!! Anxiety followed.  I used my BP cuff that I have at home and became a bit obsessed with it.   The numbers were going up, up, up.  I was not amused.  I told myself, stay calm.  That didn't happen.  Today it's better.

Blah!

Another common quote I hear from my customers:

"Old age is not for sissies!"

It's not.  Really.  It's not.

But, hidden beneath the awful reality of growing older, slowing down, health problems as well as wrinkles and aches and pains...  I search for the good.  And it's still there.

In Chocolate cupcakes that represent our flag....

Giggles and sunglasses....

Big splashes...

Saving the grandkids from Jaws...

Memories....

That can melt your heart....

That is if the sun doesn't melt it first....

And to top it all off, a beautiful campfire that goes into the night, Smores, and sticky fingers ....

The morning after....

Thank you God, for family and friends.  For beautiful summer days.  For good health to enjoy the many blessings.   Hope everyone is having a blessed 4th.

Dear Diary,

It's been crazy around here lately.  The cookie carriers all came over and totally interrupted my sleep. There was no rest for the weary.  They were in and out and here and there and doing this and that and... makes me tired just thinking about it.  The good news is this.  Something called smores.  There were droppings.  Lots of droppings.  I must rest now.  My playful pup days of wreaking havoc and tearing through the house day and night are a thing of the past.  This old gal needs some sleep.  Later. Gracie.

Forever On My Mind

Camp Serenity is coming along nicely.  After our first full night there, I realized I would need some change, such as an air mattress for comfort in hopes of a good night's sleep.  And so, we took our air mattress down and tried it in a spot that would work (the booth/table that pulls out into a bed).  I no sooner laid down on that newly blowed up mattress than a giant bee zoomed past me causing me to scream and run for cover... well... outside was my safe place at that point.  

Bees in a camper = not cool.

G is taking care of that for me.  For us.

So, when I was pretty sure all was safe inside I decided to sit on the sofa that pulls out into a bed (the hard one that I cannot sleep on) and check out the new TV/DVD player that G had purchased and hooked up.  As I was sitting there trying to figure out the remote, a tickling on my leg and then a spider siting on that same leg caused yet another blood curdling scream.  G thought it was another bee.  No, worse.  

A spider!!!!!

It got away.  It will be forever on my mind.

On our way home we noticed (compliments of G having left his car window's open) a plump and huge red ant crawling the inside windshield.  My seat belt prevented me from killing it, and it disappeared.  For a while.  In the corner of my eye I saw him.  This time, I unhooked the seat belt and got him!  RIP Mr. Huge RedAnt.

But that Spider.  He will be forever on my mind.  Him and his family and friends.  Forever.  On my mind.

But I will need to suck it up, buttercup if I wish to enjoy Camp Serenity in the future.  My only hope is that I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, NEVER see a snake inside that camper.   I don't want to have to change the name of our place to Little Camp of Horrors.  

Meanwhile, back at home my little Chicklets ready themselves for Bible School.  They are having a great week with lot's of fun learning about Jesus.  

And in other news!  The pool is now open!!

And me?  I'm busy these days chasing baby bunnies away from eating the clover in my yard.  One day soon I hope to catch one of those little critters and bring it inside.  Dad loves new toys.