The other day, I noticed the yard is mostly brown. Which is normal for autumn.  Especially when it’s been a bit dry.  The leaves in the trees are changing to muted heathers, and the grass is golden or brown. Mostly… When I first heard that locals consider these weeds, I could hardly believe it.  Now I know why, although I still like them.  They are smaller than the seeds I’ve planted in the past. My initial reaction is to smile, which lightens my load.  Instead of thinking of them as weeds, I am grateful I no longer have to plant morning glories to enjoy them.  Instead,... (Read More ...)

Play AudioPlay Video How To Knit Videos: What Is an Easy Knit Cast On For Beginners? Wondering how to cast on easily and quickly? Or maybe you’d like to just have options for your cast ons? Why should knitters have more than one way to cast on? Some yarns work better with one cast on over another. Some first rows are easier with one cast on over another. Sometimes you want a certain look to the cast on edge. Sometimes you just feel like a different cast on or a pattern calls for a certain one. Sometimes “just because” without any other reason. An easy cast on is to simply knit... (Read More ...)

Today the U.S. observes Memorial Day. In many areas it’s not so much a celebration as it is a way to honor those who’ve passed.  Started after or around the Civil War, traditionally Memorial Day honors fallen servicemen and women. Oh sure, there are picnics and parades and marching bands in some areas.  It’s also a time to place flags or flowers on graves in cemeteries.  And to solemnly remember those who paid the ultimate price for freedom. When I was a child, each year the local paper ran a story on historic Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, and how it was home to Memorial Day. Until… One... (Read More ...)

One of my great-grandmothers—who lived to age 96—said she never felt old until she reached the age of 90. The summer before she passed, she had a vegetable garden. She was known to go out and polish the chrome fenders of her adult grand-children’s cars when they stopped by to visit. And wanted to visit one of her grandsons in college because she felt “the boys” at the college could use her help! In the depths of the Great Depression she found purpose in her life in even small everyday activities. And apparently she never had any age dementia symptoms or other signs of Alzheimers disease. Wouldn’t... (Read More ...)

Recently Greta told me about her latest scrapbooking project. She used her family tree as a basis to create scrapbooks. By scanning old pictures into her computer, she was able to make multiple copies for her children and grandchildren.  So each one can have his or her own scrapbook of family memories. Adding stories and embellishments helped make history come alive. While Greta doesn’t have a memory problem or progressive disease, caregivers can also make scrapbook memories . . . When someone you love is diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s Disease or any progressive disease, couldn’t preserving... (Read More ...)

After Pat lost her vision, she continued knitting. Her specialty was baby blankets.  She knit them for friends . . .family . . .and her church members.  Welcoming each new addition with a soft cuddly blanket. Looking at her work you’d never know she was blind.  Plus she continued to knit after recovering from a major heart attack. Inspirational stories warm the heart . . . Seeing how someone with what the world considers disabilities can overcome them and create treasures is inspiring. And sometimes just the added push I need to complete a project.  My current project is a hat.     My... (Read More ...)

When Karen started taking care of her mother, she took her shopping and ran errands with her. With time, Karen noticed her mother needing help with knitting instructions. Then as her mother became more fragile, she took her to doctors’ appointments, and began helping with preparing meals. Next it was doing the housework and laundry. When her mother had a heart attack, Karen’s caregiving responsibilities exploded. Karen never complained, although she felt increasing stress as her responsibilities grew.  Despite the increased needs of her mother, her siblings never offered to help. Often... (Read More ...)

This week blossoms are bursting open in the flowering trees in this part of South Carolina. The long cold winter (for this area) seems to be ending.  And the promise of spring reminds me of an ancient Greek myth . . . The ancient Greeks explained the seasons of the year through the story of Persephone. Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, protected and adored her beautiful daughter Persephone. One day while picking flowers in a meadow, the earth opened up next to Persephone.  The god Hades, King of the Underworld, arrived in his chariot and kidnapped Persephone. He took her to the underworld... (Read More ...)

When your parent or another elderly loved one becomes unable to take care of themselves, you may have issues with guilt . . . Caregivers often feel like others think they don’t do enough . . . And with time, they can also feel they never do enough. Guilt is useful when it’s generated from a real fault.  And when it’s acted upon to correct course. Typically caregiver guilt comes from what others might think about what you do. When you’re a primary caregiver for a loved one, you life revolves around care for them.  It can be overwhelming. And impossible to do if you feel you have to do... (Read More ...)

Do you know that often by the time you actually feel thirsty, you may already be already dehydrated? The same thing happens with stress.  By the time a caregiver is feeling stress, it may be too late . . . When Janet complained of arm pain when knitting and fatigue all the time, her three sisters ignored her. They knew Janet was essentially caring alone for their elderly mother.  All of the sisters had families of their own.  Janet lived closest to their mother. And they just figured she needed to handle the situation. Their eyes were opened when they got a call from Janet’s husband. Janet... (Read More ...)