Month: October 2024

I do not enjoy being the center of attention. Although I decided to embrace birthdays years ago, I have usually not enjoyed any gathering to celebrate me. This year is different. I am changing my attitude just for this year.

I am having a big (I hope) public birthday party. I am turning 75 and I want to celebrate with the friends I have made in the last few years. My BFF Deb is helping organize an “open house” on my birthday day to share in the celebration. I am not sure who will come, but I want to acknowledge my gratitude for life and the connections I have made over the years.

I am proud of my 75 years and grateful for the health that has enabled me to enjoy that time. I am grateful for a fulfilling career and now a second career as a volunteer. Although I have no idea whether I will have another day or decade to live, I want to celebrate big and little achievements along the way.

My parents lived long lives. I remember them talking years ago about not having high school class reunions any longer because so many of their cohorts had passed. Although I still have friends from high school, a little less than a fourth of them have passed. I am sad by the transition from this earth of younger colleagues over the years. By celebrating my years, I want to remember those who are no longer physically on this earth.

I am not a fan of silly birthday cards that can be agist and sexist. I am a fan of honoring people while they are living with special gifts that keep on giving. Paying it forward is always a possibility in acknowledging anyone’s birthday. I don’t want any cards or gifts for my birthday, but I hope those who want to celebrate with me will be kind to others and consider doing something that day (and every day for that matter) to make the world better for humans and/or animals.

To that end, think of me on November 4 when I celebrate the milestone of turning 75 years old. I honor all who read this who have already reached that milestone and wish health and happiness to folks who will someday join me in the “club.”

This fall marks the anniversary of four years of writing this blog. How time flies! I have made over 200 entries during this time–about once a week. I did not have a goal for the quantity of entries when I started. I focused on the quality of my work.

I ponder whether to continue this blog. Sometimes I worry I am running out of interesting (at least to me) thoughts. Other days I feel overwhelmed with number of ideas that bombard my head. Selfishly I wonder what I would do if I did not have an opportunity to write to an audience every week.

Writing has defined my life. I wrote my first “novel” when I was 6 years old. I have been a constant journal writer (I called it a diary) since I read The Diary of Anne Frank in junior high. Recently I was going through memorabilia from high school and college and started reading journal entries. I can’t remember who some of those college friends were who warranted space in my journals at that time. Someday I will toss all those journals, but I can’t quite bring myself to do it yet.

Several years ago, a therapist suggested that I not worry about writing for others but just for myself. Was it possible for me to write and then stick those writings in a drawer never to be shared? I concluded that I write secretly in my journals. Sharing other thoughts professionally as well as personally is a risk worth taking.

I stopped writing a daily journal for a few months several years ago. I was saying the same boring things as I wallowed in my unhappy life. Since resuming daily writing, I have focused not so much on what I was doing but what meanings life has for me.

The title for this blog (wanderingwonderingwithkarla), came about as I had hours to amble in the mountains during the pandemic. Often by myself, I observe my environment as well as reflect on how I feel about those surroundings. Those reflective thoughts sometimes end up in a blog.

Now that I am not writing professionally, I have a different, albeit small, audience. I told a friend that if she wanted to know how I was doing, she could always see what I was thinking each week by reading my blog.

Sometimes I am exuberant about what I post. Other times I like my entries but don’t feel overly enthusiastic that they will resonate with anyone else. Nevertheless, I will continue to write this blog until I run out of ideas or find myself bored with myself. I hope the best is yet to come.

I have long been interested in popular psychology ideas about living one’s best life. During periods of time, I have dwelt upon those ideas. At other junctions, I have been so busy with work and my personal journey that life was just unquestionably full.

As a retiree I have more time to think. I want a full life and continue to challenge myself to enrich my experiences to feel a continual sense of fulfilment.

I am aware of my values, passions, strengths, and foibles. This blog has been one way to dig deeper into processing my daily life of hiking, volunteering, and maintaining friendships. I value myself but also recognize my shortfalls as I endeavor to improve myself.

I have daily goals in my life. As discussed in the past, I am a list maker. I think about what I want to achieve each day as it fits with long-term goals. Now that I am retired, I have few long-term goals other than to find meaning in each day. If my goals resonate with my values, I feel good. I remind myself not to lose the present moment by thinking too much about the future.

Personal relationships are important. I try not to take them for granted. More than ever, I recognize how important support and a sense of belonging are.

Being a volunteer is my second career. I appreciate those possibilities. I am a person who likes to keep active and busy. Volunteering gives me the chance to contribute to my community as I pursue these occasions to add depth and excitement to my life. These volunteer activities elevate my sense of purpose and belonging.

Being grateful is central to a full life. I sometimes don’t think about how privileged I am. In my later years, however, I intentionally acknowledge in my journal the gratitude I feel for the full life I lead.

These days I am more attuned to my physical, mental health, and intellectual life. I know my body is aging and I am not capable of some activities that I used to do. Therefore, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate rest are foundational to today’s fuller life.

I remind myself of the need to adapt to change. I don’t want to be one of those old people who resists everything new. On the other hand, I recognize that life is unpredictable and developing resilience and flexibility are necessary. I reflect on my daily experiences and seek to adjust as needed, not always easy.

Everyone’s path to a fuller life is unique. I continue to explore these ideas as my life evolves.

“They” say it isn’t polite to talk about money, but it is important in everyone’s life. I started receiving an allowance from my parents when I got old enough to count. I got a nickel every week for the chores I did around the house like helping to wash dishes. The amount increased to a dime shortly thereafter as I took on more responsibility such as bringing in wood for our stove fire. I was expected to save part of the allowance and use some of it for what I wanted. A coke and a bag of chips only cost a dime in those days.

I learned quickly, however, that spending the allowance the minute I got it was not the way my parents expected me to behave. Having an allowance made me a better money manager, and I am thankful today that my cautious spending over the years makes retirement financially stress-free.

Having an allowance during childhood taught me some financial skills. I learned that you had to do the assigned chores, or the allowance would not be given. I also learned the hard way the consequences of overdrawing my bank account. My parents emphasized that they would only bail me out once. I realized deferred gratification through needing to save until I could afford something special. Getting a “loan” on my allowance was usually not possible.

The value of money was associated with work. I found my parents’ expectations were clear and consistent, although they were flexible if I needed to negotiate work activities occasionally. I also discovered that one did not get paid for everything done. Some chores around home contributed to the common good without having a monetary reward associated. I internalized the need to balance spending money with saving as well as donating for others when appropriate.

At my mother’s memorial service, our pastor talked about how my mother was frugal but generous. I hope that description also fits me. Perhaps I have taken fiscal management too much to heart. Maybe I should have spent more money during my life rather than focusing so much on saving. However, I cannot think of anything that I really needed that I was not able to purchase. I reap the rewards of that frugality now as I do not worry about not having enough money. I remain a cautious spender, but I also have money to give away to causes that are important to me. I relish those opportunities, and I am glad I learned money management early in life.

I was in college when Woodsy Owl was born in the “Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute” campaign. Since then, I have tried to cut down on the amount of trash that I give to the universe. I feel overwhelmed with how much garbage I throw away each week and I am just one person (with two cats) in a country with 330 million people.

In the US, consumption patterns have evolved resulting in great quantities of waste generated. The average American throws out 4.9 pounds of trash each day. This waste impacts not only the environment but also public health, urban landscapes, and economic resources. Our disposal habits load up landfills and exacerbates global warming.

I recognize that excessive trash requires a multifaceted approach. Public education campaigns and community projects such as electronic recycling days held in my community twice a year minimize environmental impacts. I, as an individual, also have a huge responsibility.

I strive to make mindful choices and adopt sustainable habits. I embody a minimalist approach by trying to reduce my consumption. I aim to purchase mostly what I need and not just what I want. I reuse containers as much as possible. I recycle paper, aluminum, and glass. I am not handy, but I attempt to fix broken items.

Unlike North Carolina, composting is difficult in Colorado because of the dry climate, but Deb’s chickens get the organic scraps that I have. I think about mindful eating by avoiding single-use plastics and other disposable products. My eating habits are inconsistent, however, since I am a lazy cook and often find getting take-out or a grab and go item in the grocery store easiest for me.

Two of my biggest peeves regarding trash are bottled water and the growing amount of micro-trash. I am proud to say that I can count on one hand the number of times I have purchased bottled water in the past few years. I endeavor to always carry a stainless-steel refillable bottle as well as a plastic coffee cup with me.

Micro-trash is mostly inadvertent. I am aware when I tear open a Kind bar, for example, because it is easy for the tiny top to fly off in the wind. When I volunteer in the park, I pick up far more pieces of mini trash than larger pieces of garbage. These bits add up.

I am struggling to reduce the amount of trash that comes out of my household. My kitties are responsible for pounds of litter that goes into my trash bags. Yet, I am not willing to part with these critters. Nevertheless, I think daily about more responsible consumption patterns and how I can minimize trash to play a small role in creating a healthier planet.