Category Archives: Images

Sixty-two and Senior

I recently read somewhere, and it might have been fiction, that you’re not a senior until you’re 62. I turned 62 in March. How in the world did I ever get here? This river of life my boat has been traversing has been moving at a fearsome speed while I drifted unaware, content to celebrate the spring blooms, to listen to the music of the summer rains, to contemplate the floating leaves as they fall from the fiery trees, and to marvel at the magic and beauty when I discover, upon dawn, a pristine snowfall blanketing the ground and decorating the bare limbs of trees. My life moved on all the while, and I wasn’t paying attention.

Maybe it is fiction.

I’m going to have to change the subtitle of my original blog, “Random Thoughts from Midlife,” to “Senior Moments.” Maybe it will be more lighthearted and humorous. Maybe the last quarter of my life will be more like the first without all the hard work and angst that happened in-between. There will be more good-byes. I know that now. But maybe, like most things in life, it will get easier to say good-bye with experience. Maybe it will be easier to surrender to the inevitability of loss. I don’t know. I can only hope.

All I know is that my boat is still on this river, and it is still moving, carrying me forward. This boat only moves in one direction. Reverse is not an option.

Ohio River

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Eagles at Carrillon Park, Dayton,Ohio

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Eagle at Carrillon Park

I knew the eagles were there, but I was still pleasantly surprised and a little thrilled when one soared over a building to my right, and flew overhead and up to the nest high in a sycamore tree. It’s white tail feathers flashed in the sun. I regretted that my camera was inaccessible in its case hanging from my shoulder as I meandered down the walkway. I wasn’t expecting to see it so soon.

The presumably male eagle landed on the nest, then flew to a nearby tree shortly after. The only time I’d ever seen eagles in the wild before was during a trip to Alaska in the late 1990s. This nest is a half-hour drive from my house.

I expected a large nest, but was surprised by how large. It’s much larger than the hawks’ nest I’ve been watching in the woods behind our house. I expected a majestic bird, but was enthralled by its majesty.

I hope to return again soon.

Eagles’ nest

Eagles in nest

Eagle

While we’re not watching

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Christine M. Grote

The backyard drops away from where our house sits on the hill. Because of that, our view from our windows is at, if not treetop level, certainly a tree-house level. From the bay windows around our kitchen table, I can watch birds while I eat. Since I spend a fair amount of time doing that on a daily basis, I witness things in the woods I might miss were I not watching.

Like this little hummingbird, for example.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA The little humming bird is perched on the sycamore tree in the center of this photo.

“That little bird really likes to land at that spot,” I said to Mark. “I’ve seen it in that same exact spot several times in the past couple of days.”

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

I wanted to get it’s picture so I zoomed in with my camera, but the little lady wasn’t there.

I didn’t realize it immediately, but you…

View original post 363 more words

I have a cover

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I’m excited to show you the cover for the soon to be published, Where Memories Meet – Reclaiming my father after Alzheimer’s. My daughter Anna designed the cover, as well as the interior of the book. Anna is an experienced graphic designer, having graduated from the University of Cincinnati School of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning with a degree in Graphic Design. She worked several years for McGraw-Hill designing layouts for text books, and presently works for Humana in their Design Research Department. I’m very proud of her, and grateful for her talents and help on this project.

I’m very pleased with Createspace for my publishing service. I sent them files early last week and had two print proof copies on my doorstep by Friday. I had to use a temporary cover because we hadn’t decided on a final design yet and I wanted to proof the text. Who knew there would be so many things to correct, even after all the editing and proof-reading?

Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to order a second, corrected proof copy. And hopefully I’ll give myself the publishing green-light after I see it. Soon.

Piqua, Ohio

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The early years of Dad’s life story, as told in Where Memories Meet, occurred in Piqua, Ohio. Dad gave me this map to use and mark on as he was telling me his childhood stories in 2008. Black dots and other markings on the map designate Dad’s homes and other significant locations in his childhood.

Map of Piqua, Ohio city streets..

Map of Piqua, Ohio – (Source unknown)

A brief history of Piqua Ohio can be found here at Touring Ohio.com.
More information about Piqua’s history can be found at the City of Piqua site.

Map of Ohio showing the location of Piqua.
(Source http://www.american-number-plate.com)

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