Winning the Endgame ~ A Book Review

 

Get used to it, the Population of the world is aging and aging quickly.  Let's clarify, it is still aging one day at a time, but there aren't as many young ones coming up in the ranks to fill our shoes and our responsibilities to our family's and society as a whole.

Gone are the days when your children would look after you when you were no longer able to do it yourself.  Today we need to make our own plans for what our future looks like and there is no better time to start than right now!

Aging is something that we really don't give too much thought to.  It's a topic that really doesn't interest us until we are at that "AGE" when our bodies and maybe our minds start to slip a little.  \

I can remember vividly during my 40's and early 50's never needing a phone book!  I could remember peoples' faces and names and yes their phone numbers as well.  Then all of a sudden one day I could not remember a friend's phone number that I would have called at least twice a week.

What was going on with me?  

It was time to take a good hard look at the aging process and understand what was happening to my mind as well as my body.

No one has the magic pill that will keep these things from happening to us, but we can and do have tools that will make life (and aging) that much easier.

First and foremost, get used to writing things down.  You will NOT remember! ( Or you might remember two weeks later )  Get used to it!

Don't give in though!  Reading and using your mind to do puzzles, crosswords, math problems like SUDOKU, will help to keep your mind sharp.  So don't just sit back and let nature take it's course without giving it a hard time.  Using the brain cells will help to keep it active.  

Join some groups that will teach you new skills.  Maybe something that you have been wanting to do for a long time, but never had the opportunity or time to pursue.  Painting, quilting, needlepoint, card playing, fitness classes ( for seniors of course), sitting in on some university courses or listening to podcasts on any topic you enjoy, will help to keep your mind and even your body moving.

Take the time to do some reading about aging, what to expect and how to win at the "End Game"!

We will all do this at some point in our lives, so let's do it our way!

This book might be the help you need to get you started!

With a little humour and lots of honesty, this time in your life could be the best that ever was!  Winning the Endgame is an easy read and just might get you on the road to looking at the rest of your life with open eyes and a willingness of spirit.  

May we all live our lives well and smile at everything that we have experienced during our voyage around the sun!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Checklist for Travelling Abroad While Leaving a Senior at Home! FYI

Our lives seem to take turns and detours that we never expected.  That makes for an interesting time and a time to learn all kinds of things that we had never thought of before.  This is Coming from the Heart and I hope it might help you as well.

We are finding out that talking to friends in similar situations helps. Yet depending on where you are living and what kind of "help" is available for seniors, your plans may have to be adjusted accordingly.

Let me back up a little and explain:

We are currently looking after my 92 year young mother.  She has just moved into our home as she is no longer able to take care of herself properly.

We have help that comes into the home 3 times a week to bathe her  That is a chore that I really didn't want to do as I have mobility issues myself.

So now there is a new wrinkle in the mix.  Both my husband and I were planning a trip before Mom came to live with us and we are not getting any younger either,  So what do you do?

Mom is not able to live on her own and we are running out of time to go on this trip.  The options need to be looked at and plans made for her care before we commit to our own travel ideas.

So we need to make sure there is a place that will take her for a short-term stay.  One that is clean and nice.  One that cooks meals that she will enjoy,  One that has some activities to keep her mind active and off of the fact that we are not there.  One that will look after her medications and also her general health while we are gone.

That's not too much to ask, is it?

So where do we start?  

• Thank goodness there are places that have "RESPITE CARE".  These are rooms that are set up like a bedroom (sometimes private or semi-private) in Registered Nursing Homes. We are in the process of checking out 3 or 4 of these homes and choosing the one that seems to fit all our requirements.
• Making sure that the place of temporary residence has all the required information regarding 1. prescriptions. 2. Family Doctor's phone number.  3.  Next of kin in case of a great emergency.  4. All necessary tools to make her stay comfortable (glasses, hearing aids, walkers etc.)
• Labelling all of her clothing.
• Packing her favorite toiletries, creams, lotions and potions.
• Making sure she has shoes as well as her slippers.
  

There is a lot of things that need to be looked after  before we can leave and not need to worry.  Also the grandchildren (who are well into their 40's and beyond) will know where she is so that if they feel like going out for dinner with her, they will know what the ground rules are as well.

Preparedness is key in doing this,  Everything needs to be in order and then we can go on our holiday without the panic that might otherwise make a holiday into a nightmare instead.

I am preparing a Mom's Diary, a book with all of her most important information. Lists of Medications, Doctor's phone number, hospital where she has been before, grandchildren's phone numbers, Health Card information, Dentist info (just in case), and any other information that may benefit the caregivers at the home.  Allergies and food sensitivities will be noted as well.  Favorite foods and least favorites will also be listed.

We are trying to make this a good experience, so that if we travel again, we know exactly what we need to prepare.

Clothing labels for her personal things. We are looking for labels that are easy to attach and yet are not irritating to the person wearing them.  As always, Amazon is a great place to find just about anything and they have a whole bunch of "label" possibilities!  This is the one that I happen to like:

 

But there are many other choices as well.

We are hopeful that by taking all these steps, we will make sure that my Mom has the best of care while we are away and that putting all of this into play, we may be able to travel again and have a much easier preparation because some of it has already been done!

I will come back here and let you all know how successful we were and if there were any other things we should have included or not!

Hope this helps anyone who is thinking or living the same journey as we are on!

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Summertime and the Reading is Easy ~ A Book Review

Summertime is a great time to catch up on reading material that has been stacking up and this past week I found myself in need of an easy read while waiting for x-rays to be done in the hospital waiting room.

As luck would have it I happened to download a book called The Waiting Room by Joan S. Peck, that I was waiting to read.  I did not quite expect to be reading it while I was doing my own waiting in the Waiting Room, but that is exactly what happened.

As I am writing this review for you, I am nursing a broken shoulder!  That is making my life a little more difficult than Allison's, Bella's and Marianne's.

These three women met while undergoing their yearly Mammograms.  Every woman knows how wonderful these tests are (not) and how they can bring you to your lowest common denominator!  But it's a great way for three very diffferent women to meet.  Allison the most outgoing of the three asks the other two if they would like to go out for a coffee after their mammograms are done.  

Bella and Marianne had not made any other plans for that day, so going out for a nice brew after a stressful test seemed like a great idea.

For the first little while these three are testing the waters of friendship.  They are learning a little bit about each other and after a few awkward moments, laughter is sounding around the table.

Each of these women knew that they had found something that they needed from each other.  Nothing was more important than having someone to share life's moments (good ones and bad) with.  Someone who understood what life was like from a woman's perspective.  Who knows, this could be the start of a great friendship.

After that first girl's coffee date, they all decide that they will do this again in a weeks time.  After all, they would be meeting back at the Waiting Room to get the results of their mammograms. 

The Waiting Room is a lovely book that I'm sure many women could immediately relate to.  There are crazy things happening in each of their lives and a good observation from an outside party is sometimes what is needed so badly.  These three become sounding boards for each other and yes, they become the best of friends.

I really enjoyed this book as a summertime read, it's not heavy in details that you need to remember to make sense of the story line, but there are details in there that I'm sure most women could understand and have an  opinion about.

Sit back, grab a good cup of coffee or lemonade and open this book.  You will find yourself transported to another time in your life when you wish you had a really great friend to share your problems with, while finding solutions that work for everyone.

I'm sure you won't be disappointed!  

HAPPY SUMMERTIME READING

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Problems with Aging Parents and How to Cope ~ A Product Review

Having a parent move in with you sounds like the ideal way for an elder person to spend their remaining years.  

I'm here to tell you that it is indeed one way to manage the care and physical needs of someone who can no longer do these things for themselves.  Entering into a long term care facility was not an option in our case, and I'm kind of glad that it isn't.  But I'll be the first one to tell you that it is not the easiest thing to do.

Aging is a process we will all go through if we are healthy.  As the years go by though, those aging processes become much more intense and possibly detrimental to a good relationship that you may have had years earlier.

I will tell you our story as it is unfolding.  My mother will soon be 92 years old.  When she first moved in with us, she was still fairly mobile and able to do many things for herself.  She just needed us to make sure she was taking her meds and eating well balanced meals. Getting her to doctor's appointments and such.  We were happy to be able to help her do all those things.

At almost 92 though, things seem to change a lot quicker in a very short period of time.  

 shoelessRVA_photography/pixabay

Mobility has become a major issue.  She just isn't able to get up as quickly as she did a few months ago.

Incontinence has become a major issue!  She still is able to use the facilities, but sometime she's not able to get to the facilities as quickly as she should.  So what happens next is the problem.

Just the other night she was sitting in her favorite chair watching Jeopardy!  So far so good, but then she thought she should get ready to go to sleep.  When she got up, I think she realized that she had had an accident.  There was a towel on the chair.  

Not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable, I got the towel and realized indeed it was very wet and the chair was as well.

Google was a big help in finding a solution to the odor accompanying the accident on the chair.  I found this article to be very helpful and you could use it as well for accidents with pets!  Removing Unpleasant Odors from Couches and Chairs

So after treating the chair with this solution we decided to go one step further in case there are any more accidents just waiting to happen.

A waterproof chair pad was ordered from good and trusty Amazon.  The chair pad has a cloth surface but is lined with a waterproof plastic underneath.  It has an anti-slip and waterproof backing to keep the pad in place on the chair.  If my mother has another accident, it will just be a matter of removing the chair pad and replacing it with a clean one.  It's big enough and yet small enough that you can had launder it in the kitchen or bathroom sink.  Hang it out to dry and it'll be ready for another use in no time at all. Or most of them can be laundered in the washing machines as well.  It is not bulky or odd looking on the chair so I'm sure this will be a good solution to this new problem that we are encountering.  These come in a TWO Pack and in three different colors.

Waterproof Incontinence Chair Pads 2 Pack Non Slip Absorbent Pads, 22" x 21" Wheelchair Reusable Seat Pads Cover, Washable Nursery Pee Pad Seat Protector - Navy

 Choose the color that you like the best or that matches your furniture the best!

I really like that the size is a good fit and that it doesn't move around because of those little grippers on the backside.  This was an easy fix.

We also have incontinenece pads for her to use on a daily basis and there are several different brands and absorbency levels available.  We are using the maximum absorbency for her now and she really likes that they keep her dry and fresh even when little leaks might occur.

Aging is not an easy process and our bodies need all the help they can sometimes get.  Thank goodness there are products available just for this purpose.

Our hope is that we can continue to keep my mother here with us and with the help of these products it should be fairly easy.  

Now we have to work on the memory issues as they too are becoming more frequent.  But more on that at a later date.  

For now this is me signing off and wishing every elder parent finds something here to help them live their best lives everyday!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

When your iPad Dies, What are your Options? A Product Review

This past month has been one of many ups and downs in my life!  Three weeks ago, I hit the wall when my iPad died!  

Now that my mother has joined our family, I find that I need to keep track of so many things and I did this quite easily on my iPad.  So when it died, I was in a state of panic.

I don't have the funds to buy a new replacement!  The one I had was a refurbished model and it worked great for many years.  I was not going to shell out lots of money for a new one!

My other half has been using an Amazon Fire tablet for a couple of years now and he was always touting its ease of use and how much time he was able to spend on his tablet without recharging it.

So the next thing I knew is that my better half had gone ahead and bought me a new Fire Tablet 10!

At first I was not convinced that I would like it as much as he loves his, but after this first three weeks I can honestly say that I'm not looking back.  The price point for this Fire Tablet 10 is just so reasonable, it really is affordable for all people.  If you get it today or tomorrow, with Prime Days you will save yourself a nice little bundle.  

It was easy to set up and all my reading apps, games, Facebook and more are all installed and working as well as ever!

My calendar with all my mother's appointments and medication lists and all things regarding her health and care are all in a nice little package on my new tablet!  Nothing is missing and nothing gets missed either.

The "Home" screen looks much like the iPad and getting used to some new and different ways to do things has just taken me a couple of days to figure out.  I must add that I'm not the brightest when it comes to technology.  

One other thing that the other half did for me was to make sure that I had a screen protector and a good strong case for my new Fire Tablet!  Even though the cost of this tablet isn't near what a new iPad costs, doesn't mean that we don't want to protect this new investment.  Plus I can be a real "klutz" sometimes!  Better to be safe than to be sorry (in my world those are words I live by).

The camera works well too!  As you can see from this picture of my other half, I was able to edit the picture right on my tablet and share it with you!  Handsome guy, right?

So far I am thrilled with the new replacement for my very sick (almost dead) iPad.  The only real difference between the two is a matter of weight.  The Fire Tablet is a little bit heavier than the iPad.  But with the right case and ability to hold it while walking around, this is a minor point.  

I would highly recommend this Fire Tablet to anyone who finds themselves in my sorry position of having to say good bye to an old friend (my iPad) and hello to a new way of doing things (my brand new Fire Tablet)..

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer ahead!  May your days be full of great new technology!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Calling all Bibliophiles! A Fantastic App Review!

Bibliophiles Unite!  This is a song that many of my fellow reviewers are sure to get on board with.  Why, well, let's just say that in the world of the "Written Word" , books are one of the favorite topics here at Review This Reviews.com.

And why not?  After all there are just so many ways that you can get lost in another world or find yourself in this one.  It's all up to you and what you set before your eyes and mind.

I love reading and have been fortunate to be a part of a few different reading groups!  What I love about some of these is that they also have their own "apps" (short for applications).  These apps can be used on all your devices, phones, tablets and desktop computers to download books that are not yet published.  

These books are known as ARC's (short for Advanced Reader's Copy) and you must belong to the group in order to get these books.  

All of these books are FREE!  Yes, you read that correctly, FREE!  

So if you love to read, there is no greater happiness than to read a book by an author you may or may not have heard of before, and help them to become better known.  

The whole idea behind these free reading apps, is that in exchange for the privilege of reading a not yet published work, you will give it an honest review!  This way the author will gain some valuable feedback on their "story".  It will not only help them with a reaction to their work, but may also contain some much needed constructive criticism, so they can work even better at their craft.

So what are these free reading apps and how do you become a member?  It's really quite easy.  

The first app I like is Netgalley!  

When you join this group, you will be asked to complete a profile.  This will include you name, email address and what types of books you like to read.  They will also ask you for a place (website) where you will share your reviews.  This could be your own website or another social media channel.  The important part is sharing the titles that you have read and enjoyed.  It's s small price to pay for the pleasure of reading some great books.

The next app I like is BookSirens!  

While this app seems to focus more on Romance, it doesn't always have romance as it's only subject.  Let the app know what you like and they will send you titles to choose from.  Whether you choose one or not, it's entirely up to you.  No one makes you read anything that you don't want to read and if you ask for a book but really don't like it, you can send in a DNF (DID NOT FINISH) review.  

Voracious Readers Only is another app that can fill your mind with lots of stories.  Four easy steps will get you started on being part of this group of readers.  

I am a reader not a writer, so for me these services are free, but you can also use them if you are a writer.  For that there will be some costs involved and you would have to get in touch with each platform to see what you are willing to spend as an author.  

All of these services are very happy if you post a review to Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads etc.  They are also happy if you are talking about books that you have read with friends and family.  There is even help available if you want to organize a Book Club, so that more eyes can read and discuss the stories.  Everything is done to help the authors get their names into the public eye.

Authors work very hard to get their stories written and can use all the help they can get to make sure their work is enjoyed by a good crowd.  By writing reviews, you not only help yourself to some great stories, you help struggling authors hone their work and get their names out there.  One of the best books I read as an ARC was "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus!  I reviewed her book right here! 

I think this is a WIN-WIN situation.  I get all kinds of books to read (free of charge), I don't have to wait for my next great book and it's always fresh and new!  The author gets, my honest opinion of their work and possibly some constructive criticism to help them better hone their skills.

This summer I will be busy with my Kindle, my Tablet, and my phone, so that wherever I am I will always have a book on hand!  

Happy Reading to all my book reading friends, come and join me on one or all of these platforms and enjoy some really good new authors at the same time.

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

June 14, An Auspicious Day on the Holiday Calendar ~ A Holiday Review

People love to know what kind of "Holidays" or "Special Events Days", are out there because there are just so many!  If you want to be in the KNOW, sign up for Days of the Year, you will find out that there are holidays and days of remembrance for just about everything and anything!

Today June 14th is Flag Day and I must admit that it comes just at the right time.  In a couple of weeks the two  largest countries on the North American continent will be celebrating holidays where their own country's flag plays an important role.  But don't let that stop you from showing your Flag pride today!  Show us where you are now and where you have come from!  There are flags for every country available, just remember if you are flying more than one flag, your new home's flag is on top!  For Americans it's the stars and stripes and for Canadians it's that lovely maple leaf!

Now if you live in either Canada or the USA, you will know that Canada Day on July 1st and Independence Day on July 4th are 2 very important holidays and both our countries celebrate them with lots of festivities, pride and the waving of our flags.

Most important for us all is the displaying and flying of our flags, signalling our pride in our homeland!

It is a good two weeks before these great holidays and a wonderful  time for us to look at our flags and make sure that they are in proper condition for the trooping of the colors.

There is nothing sadder than seeing a flag that is torn, ragged or tattered from use being flown on such an important holiday.  So might I suggest that today is a good day, no, it's a great day to take down your flag temporarily and check it over for wear and tear. 

If your flag is in any other shape than perfect, it's time to get a new flag!

Being Patriotic means more than just flying a flag.  It means that you will not fly a flag that is tattered and torn or worn out.  Doing that,  (for me anyways) is a sign of disrespect for the country that I love.

A beautiful pristine flag is what I will be flying so that everyone will know that I love my country and am proud to fly it's flag.  A perfect flag that sets a smile on my face and gratitude in my heart.  

 While this particular flag is not the least expensive one, it is made in the USA and it has the highest customer satisfaction rating. That says a lot to me, but you make up your own mind. Just make sure that you have a beautiful flag to fly high!

For Canadians who might be reading this review, you are NOT left out!  July 1st is coming quickly and that beautiful red and white flag needs to be as spotless and fresh looking as any flag can be.  So now there is no excuse for you to be flying a flag that would rather not be seen.

Be wonderful, be patriotic and be proud! We do live in two of the greatest countries in the world and we have every reason to be proud! Happy Flag Day and I know now that you will be ready for the next two big holidays as well!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent ~ A Book Review

 Strange Sally Diamond is set to be the talk of the book world when it is published on July 18, 2023!

I love to read and I'm generally drawn to Historical Fiction and Cozy Mysteries.  But once in a while I like to stretch my boundaries and search for something completely new!  

Strange Sally Diamond caught my eye as a book that might interest me mainly because of the title.  We just found out that one of our grandchildren is on the Autism Spectrum, she can be a little strange sometimes and I thought I might learn something when reading this book.  Well, I did learn something for sure, but nothing that I had expected!  This book was a real eye-opener for me.

Well, it has nothing at all to do with Autism per se, but rather what happens when someone is so damaged early in life (by circumstances imposed on them) and how the human spirit helps (or hinders) the very fragile psyche of the individual in the outer world.

Strange Sally Diamond is that girl.  She has a horrific childhood that she cannot remember.  At the tender age of 7 she is adopted by the very people who "found" her.  So damaged was her mind, that no one was considered capable of caring for this youngster.  So the psychologist and the medical doctor (The Diamonds) who were working with her, were granted guardianship of this young girl and adopted her.

Sally is a reclusive person, by nature of where she has come from and what she has been through, and encouraged to be so by her "new family".  Much media attention followed her for many years after she was first rescued.  In order to help her the Diamonds decide to live in the country away from media attention while Sally grows up.

She has a loving relationship (in her mind) with her new mom and dad as they don't make too many demands on her personally.   She is home schooled and doesn't have too many friends.  Sally's problems begin when she tries to incinerate her father after his death in their home. He left instructions for her and she followed them to the letter!   Media frenzy ensues as Sally is arrested for this "crime" and she's no longer protected by the confines of the family home.  She only has a couple of really good family friends who have been with her from the time of her arrival on the family 's farm.  

Stepping out into the world for the first time Sally must learn to navigate a world she does not know or understand and really has not been a part of for most of her life.  Her new mom and dad had sheltered her completely.  After mom's death, dad kept her even more isolated from the "outside world".  But then he died too.......

The twists and turns in this book are enough to keep you turning the pages.  What is "normal"  and how do you help someone who is NOT part of that very narrow definition?

Sally has some help, but she also has a lot to learn both about the present, the past and the future.

You can pre-oder this book through Amazon and it will be published July 18 of this year.  It is a page turner and if you enjoy mind bending books, this one will keep you totally captivated.

I'm going back to re-read it once again, it is that good.  Mark your calendar or pre-order the choice is yours, but you will not regret reading this book!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Safety and Aging Go Hand in Hand ~ A Product Review

For anyone who has had to look after an aging relative or even an aging spouse, you know that the most important thing from day to day is a person's safety.

While our loved ones may still be able to do many things, there are also many that they can no longer do for themselves.  So as their caregivers we need to make sure that their independence and safety come first and foremost.

We took my mother into our home at the end of February and since then have made many small changes that has resulted in her being able to do some things for herself .  This helps her with her self-esteem!  The more we can help her be independent, the less she will suffer from Depression.  

One of the major things we needed to do was to make sure that her night-time routines would be easier for her and for us as well.

Nightlights became a "must have"!  She has one in her bedroom and one in the bathroom.  What I love about these nightlights is that they don't cast such a glow as to interfere with her sleep, yet when it is dark at night, they illuminate her surroundings enough that she can make out a clear path to her bathroom.

We were talking with many representatives about services and tools that are useful for seniors.  They gave us a great list of things we could do to make my mother's situation as good as it can be.

The second part of this safety lesson for us, was having something that she can hold onto when getting up out of bed.  It's difficult at the best of times for the elderly to get safely from their beds to the bathroom, but when they also have lightheadedness, it is even more critical to make their trip to the loo, an easy, and safe journey.

This may be of great help for you in whatever situation you might find yourself.  It is a simple bed frame that is firmly attached to the box spring on the bed.  It offers a rail that can be held onto until they get their feet under them.  It stabilizes them until they can take that first step or two after getting up!

My mother loves this rail and uses it even through the day when she feels the need for a little extra support.  It has a non-slip covering that is soft on "old hands".  This is the Amazon Choice for bed rails, but in our case it was also the one most recommended by Senior's Occupational Health and Safety.  It is not terribly expensive and gives us so much piece of mind.  Because of the relative costs for her safety and depending on your own situation, you could install these rails on either side of the bed or on both sides for that little bit of extra safety and security.

In our case one rail was enough as her bed is on a wall on the other side.  There is only one way into her bed and one way out!  We are so pleased with this purchase because it makes our lives easier knowing that she is safely tucked into her bed at night, but that should she need to get up, she can do so in a manner that doesn't put her at risk of falling!

In the description of this item it says that it takes 2 minutes to install and I thought to myself, that for sure it was an exaggeration.  Well, I was wrong!  It really did only takes a few minutes to have this bed rail installed and ready for use.  Over all both my husband and I are so pleased with this purchase and my mother loves it as well.

Aging is not easy as every day brings some new challenges, but with the right tools, everyday life can be made easier!  

Here's to keeping our loved ones safe and secure in their later years.

You can read more about safety and seniors in my other review:

Wonderful Tools to Help You Age Gracefully

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Mother's Day ~The One Gift She Really Wants

 Many of you may know that in the last two months my life has changed drastically.  Not in a bad way, but in a drastic way none the less.  What happened?  Well my almost 92 year old mother fell, was hospitalized for a month and then it was decided that she could no longer live on her own.

So, our family has shrunk over the years and now it is growing again.  My mother has come to live with us!  There will be some challenges ahead.   Mother's Day is coming up quickly and it will be the first one she is spending in her new "home"!  As always we are looking to make it special.

After 70 some years of Mother's Days under her belt, you would think there is nothing in the world she could truly want.  Right?  

Wrong!  It seems that during her fall, her watch broke!  We have had it to several watch repair places and they all say the same thing - "It's not worth fixing!"  This was a watch that my father had purchased for her on one of their many trips home to Switzerland.  So she really did not want to give it up!  

So this Mother's Day we are on the hunt for a watch!  This may seem like a no-brainer, but, when you have a lady who is used to having a "nice" watch, it's not so easy anymore.  We are hoping that one of our choices will be close enough to her old watch, that she will enjoy the new one as much as the old.

There are so many new-fangled watches that keep track of steps taken, pulse rates, oxygen levels and so much more and she's not interested in any of that "nonsense"!  Personally I think she could use the extras to make sure she gets some walking in, but that's me and not her!

She wants a replacement for her watch that told her the time and the date!  She wants nothing more and nothing less.  And none of this Plastic or Silicone bands for her!  It has to be a metal bracelet type watch that is big enough for her to read but still looks nice.  Nothing that is heavy and /or bulky!

As you can see there are lots of options available for someone who is looking for a "simple" but elegant watch. Sometimes all the new electronic watches with their multi purpose uses are just not fitting the bill.  In her 92 years she has seen a lot of time pieces go by and the new ones just don't do anything for her at all.  

Simple, straight-forward and useful are her main needs and nothing more.  Truth be known, I think she'd be overwhelmed with the new digital watches/fitness trackers.  She would have to learn how to use that kind of watch!  I could see her jumping out of her skin if it started to vibrate or flash or sound an alarm.  She just doesn't want to do that!  

I get it and I'm so happy to report that while watches have been taken to a whole new level of usefulness, the old trusty analog watches are still there!

Now it's just a matter of choice!  I don't think we will surprise her, rather, we will give her the option of choosing the one she thinks she'd like best!

For all those Mother's out there, may I take the time to wish you all a Happy Mother's Day, may it be a timely one!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

To Dream of Shadows ~Steve N. Lee ~ A Book Review

To Dream of Shadows is a book that I could not put down.  While I love many different types of novels, I find that I have been drawn to those that take place before/during and after the Second World War.

I know there is a fascination with all that went on during that time and I'm sure that having had family in the European world during that horrific time, makes those novels seem to come alive for me.

It was a horrible time in our history for sure.  Given what we know now about the atrocities that took place during that time, but, we also hear of immense heroic acts as well.

Even though the German army was the perpetrators of many of these terrible deeds, there were those who used their rank to undermine the intentions of the Nazi party!  Just think of Schindler's List as one of those!

To Dream of Shadows falls into that category of book.  While the Nazi's were the POWER , many of the people who found themselves in positions within the Reich,  really thought that the intention of the labor camps was to make the workforce (they were not humans) productive for the needs of the Reich.  To be sure,  these individuals were totally deluded in their thinking.  The Reich did not care about productivity of their workforce (Jews were replaceable), as much as it cared about showing the Jews who was in power and yielding that power without consideration for anything humane or decent.  The Germans did not think that the Jews were human, they were less than the family dog!  They were there to be dominated, made to feel less than dirt! Their main use was being worked death or on really bad days, being used for the entertainment of the officers!  They would find all kinds of ways to make a Jew suffer for their very sordid amusement. When morality gives way to power, all manner of abuse is possible and some of these officers devised ways that were so horrific that even today we get the chills at the thought of what was happening in those prison camps.

Even in these terrible circumstances, the light of hope is never extinguished.  There will always be hope and that is what author Steve N. Lee uses to drive this story.  Hope in the midst of every possible horror and dehumanizing situation, can keep the strong willed alive!  

From the time of her incarceration at 18, Inge has been relocated away from her family to a hellhole of a war prison.  Not knowing what has happened to the rest of her family, Inge undergoes all manner of deprivation.  Starving and being worked almost to death, she finds her inner strength with the hopes of liberation. But can there be hope right here in the midst of this prison?

Heinz, aka as Rudi,  one of her captors and an SS Sergeant, has been fed the lies about the Jews since childhood.  He never questions what is happening right before his eyes until he falls in love with one of the prisoners and begins to see that they are just as human as he is.  

He becomes a bright light in a very dark place, trying to make things better for all those captives.  But his intentions do not go unnoticed by others in the rank and file, at the prison.  Turning in one of their own (who is helping the enemy) would mean extra honors for them.  Heinz needs to watch his back as his subordinates are getting concerned about his treatment of their "subjects/prisoners".

Can he get out of this squalid place with the prisoner that he adores? He and Inge can be put to death in a heartbeat if their relationship becomes public. It is a forbidden love and the consequences of this union could result in death for both of them.  

What can be done?  You will have to read this book and see what happens.  Just be ready to hold your breath in anticipation.

Steve N. Lee has done a masterful job in retelling this story and I know if you are anything like me, you will have a hard time putting this book down.  Suffice it to say this could make a great movie along the lines of Schindler's List and maybe open your eyes to what the human spirit is capable of when love is the driving force.

***All pictures used in this blog post come from Pixabay, thank you!

 

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Fit to Die: A Thriller by Daniel Kalla ~ A Book Review

How far would you go to get the "Diet" results that seem to be eluding you?  It is a known fact that we are obsessed with our own individual perceived short comings!  We are hard on ourselves in so many ways and because of this predisposed condition, we fall for so many "quick fixes".

In this novel by Daniel Kalla,  hones in on this shortcoming many of us have and weaves a story around those people who are determined to the be the fittest, slimmest, most beautiful people in the world.  

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

Just imagine if you will, an elite athlete, after a competition hears someone comment that if they were just a couple of pounds lighter, the results of the race would have been so much different!  As an athlete little things like a couple of pounds can be the difference between winning and loosing!  Could that be true?  Would that comment stick with you?   If you were the person being spoken about, what would you do?  

Enter the shady world of "Diet Pills" and online "doctors" who are always pedaling their overpriced and often unreliable and useless products to a population looking for a quick fix.  All of us with our insecurities, are the prey these advertisements are geared towards.  That's one of the reasons the "diet" industry is thriving.

Fit to Die follows the death of a young man (Owen) who is in his prime, a great student and a successful athlete.  He ends up dead with symptoms that no Emergency Room doctor can figure out.    Multiple organ failure and super high body temperatures that are causing seizures and ultimately his death.  Yet there are no signs of drug use, steriods or anything else, even though he is in the typical age range for these problems!  What has cause this death?  His mother a US Senator in California wants answers!  

Then there is another suspicious death in Vancouver.  A young beauitful and very popular singer and media influencer  dies with the same symptoms.  What the heck is happening and what is the connection between these two seemingly unrelated deaths?  Could there be a connection?

Image by Anna Mikkelgaard from Pixabay

Detective Chen from Vancouver and Detective Cari Garcia from LA must  put their heads together to find out what is going on before it becomes an epidemic and more lives are lost!

You will have to read this book in order to find out the who, what, where, when and why of all the mystery!  

This book had me reading well into the night and I know that this scenario is quite possible in our day, given our "need" to be perfect or as near perfect as possible.  Who hasn't wanted a quick fix after dieting for months only to have the last 10 pounds hang on forever?

Dr. Daniel Kalla is not only a gifted writer, but he is also an Emergency Physician in the Greater Vancouver area.  He has written 13 published novels and had a few of them optioned for film and a TV series.  Keep your eyes open for this novel that is sure to keep you turning pages.  You can preorder it on Amazon!  Due out after May 9th of this year.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review by Goodreads, Simon & Schuster Canada!  

You can order yours here or you can read for free with your Audible account!

   

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON:

Did You Miss it? Jan. 22nd, Chinese Lunar New Year ~ A Holiday Review

 Don't fret if you missed the first day of the New Year in the Chinese Calendar.  You still have a few more days where you can celebrate it!  Truth be known, you can celebrate the New Year of the Rabbit right now until the 1st of February 2023!  It is the longest holiday in China with a whopping 16 days to celebrate!  Most of the country celebrates only the first 7 days (no one could afford to be off work for that long!)  

Chinese New Year is always celebrated somewhere between January 20 till February 21st on our Gregorian Calendars.  So it's always nice to look forward and have something to celebrate during those winter months.  

The Chinese have adopted the Gregorian Calendar as their norm from day to day, but still rely on the Chinese Calendar for special events like the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festivals.  Many of our Chinese immigrants love the idea of holding onto some of their traditions and honor their past with celebrations during these special days.

 

If you were born in 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and 2011 and now in 2023, you are under the sign of the Rabbit.  The only exception would be those born before Jan. 21st.  They are part of the group with the Tiger as their animal sign.

Chinese calendars have a 12 year cycle similar to Horoscopes, but they last a year where Horoscopes change every month.  People born in the year of the Rabbit have certain characteristics attributed to them.  Do you know what your "animal" is?

If not, just check out this chart:

But the Chinese zodiac is a little bit harder to understand than our regular monthly horoscopes, because not only are there different signs for the years, but there are also 5 different elements (water, fire, earth, metal and wood)  that each animal passes through too.  So 2023 officially is the year of the Water Rabbit!  

You can read more about this at https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/rabbit/

There are many does and don'ts for Chinese New Year Celebrations!  You can never go wrong with the color RED for this celebration!  You will find it everywhere, in home decorations, clothing, and those great little envelopes given to children (with money inside)!  

So what do you do for a child born under the sign of the Rabbit?  Well if you know someone who is having a baby this year, then a lovely gift instead of the requisite Bear, would be a lovely Bunny!  Pat Austin (one of our writers) has a lovely shop on ETSY!  And there is a lovely bunny  that is handmade and special of it's own accord, but would make that special gift for any newborn in 2023!  

I don't know about you, but I love bunnies as much as I love bears and I'm sure that any child would be happy to receive this little critter as a gift!

In the meantime, you can learn more about Chinese New Year and Chinese Celebrations, do some reading and some games with this lovely book!

So much to learn and some fun while understanding a different culture!

Gong Hei Fa Choi  

(Happy New Year in Cantonese)

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

FOLLOW US ON: