“December is a month of enormous potential. It’s a time we can all give and receive. A time when the spirit of humanity shines the brightest,” said Michael Josephson.
Thanksgiving weekend 2024 was one we will not forget. At least 18 inches of snow, along with the excitement of World Cup will create stories for years to come. Mikaela Shiffrin did not win race 100 here at Killington but we are thankful she is ok and will return to the medium she dearly loves very soon.
Because of the weather, the company I was expecting did not come, but I cooked a turkey anyway.
Someone please remind me the next time I get this bright idea of the pile of pots and pans and work it is to cook a turkey dinner for one. However, the bright side is I can have turkey tetrazzini soon and I already have a big pot of turkey soup for the next snowstorm expected again this Thursday.
Jeannie turns 93, shares tips
Do any of you remember the TV show “I Dream of Jeannie?” Barbara Eden, who played Jeannie, turned 93 this past summer and shared her secrets. According to Eden, the secret to a long life is work, weights and guilty pleasures. Eden loves sweets. She makes it all sound easy but I’m sure she has a trainer, a cook and a host of other people to help maintain her lifestyle. Or maybe there really was some magic in that bottle she jumped out of all the time. We don’t have a magic bottle but we can follow guidelines suggested by doctors who study aging and how to deal with it. I know it’s only December and not time for New Year resolutions but here are some suggestions. We may as well start now.
Move your body: This is important regardless of age. We probably can’t run a mile anymore or stand on our feet all day but we can walk, do simple exercises and do some resistance training.
Challenge your brain: Crossword puzzles, reading, Wordle or maybe a new hobby.
Stay social: Apparently there is a loneliness epidemic happening across the country. We are social beings and need to maintain positive social connections.
Manage stress: Stress is a fact of life and some can actually be helpful. Stress can also take its toll on our hearts so take time to rest and find things that bring you peace.
Stay on top of your appointments: Prevention is key but early detection of health problems is important.
Spend time outdoors: We need to be in the sun to get vitamin D. It’s known to boost your overall physical and mental health.
Eat nutritious food: Avoid the highly processed foods that tempt us. Stay simple with fruits, vegetables and a little protein.
Upcoming events for seniors
This coming weekend The Festival of Trees will be at the Killington Grand Hotel. It’s fun to see how the various businesses in town decorate their trees and the best part is you can win one and bring it home. There will be other vendors selling their wares and breakfast with Santa along with fun things for kids to take part in. Sherburne Library will be there as they are raffling off a beautiful hand made quilt made especially for the library. They are also having a bake sale. So there are two ways you can help with this. Please bake something for the sale and drop it off at the library on Wednesday, Dec. 4. Then come to the Festival and just imagine all the places in your home this beautiful quilt will enhance.
All proceeds from this effort go to finance the annual Fairy Tale Festival in the fall.
The Book Club will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The book to be discussed is called
“The Turner House” by Angela Flournoy. All are welcome whether you have read the book or not. The discussions are lively and truthful and one always learns something new during the discussion.
Movies continue on Monday afternoons and if you have a request, please ask our librarian about it and she will do her best.
The Little White Church is also hosting a Holiday Sing-a-Long on Sunday, Dec. 15 starting at 4 p.m. This is such a fun time with all of our favorite songs the program for the night. Come and bring your friends and then after singing we can all meet downstairs for hot chocolate and cookies.
The Little White Church continues to support any needy families in town. This year turkeys and pork roasts along with all the trimmings and a little extra has been provided for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you would like to donate to this endeavor please email me: grussell40@yahoo.com.
Reflections on aging
A friend sent me an overview of getting old and I hope it will make you smile. Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we are kids. If you are less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions. How old are you? I’m 4½. You’re never 36½. You’re 4½ going on 5. That’s the key… you get into your teens and now they can’t hold you back. You jump to the next number or even a few ahead. How old are you? I’m gonna be 16.
And then the greatest day of your life… you turn 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. You become 21. Yessss!! But then you turn 30. Ouch, what happened there. Makes you sound like bad milk.
He turned, we had to throw him out. There’s no fun now. You’re just a sour dumpling. What’s wrong? What changed? You became 21, you turn 30, then you’re pushing 40. Whooa!!! Put on the brakes. It’s all slipping away. Before you know it you’re 50 and your dreams are gone. But wait, you make it to 60.
You didn’t think you would. If you become 21, turn 30, push 40 and reach 50 and make it to 60 you’ve built up so much speed that you hit 70. After that it’s a day by day thing. You get into your 80s and everyday is a complete cycle. You hit lunch, you turn 4:30, you reach bedtime. Into your 90s you start going backwards. I was just 92. Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. I’m only 100½.
May we all make it to a healthy 100½!!!!!
You may have missed any mention of a “Holiday” party this year. That’s because we were not able to make arrangements. However, the plan is to celebrate Valentines Day with a special dinner. Things will not be quite so busy then. I wish all of you a wonderful, beautiful and happy holiday season. Remember to reach out to each other. Love who you can. Help who you can and give what you can.
A very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
