Hiraeth

 Hiraeth n. (Welsh)  A spiritual longing for a home which maybe never was.  Nostalgia for ancient places to which we cannot return.  It is the echo of the lost places of our soul's past and our grief for them.  It is in the wind, and the rocks, and the waves.  It is nowhere and it is everywhere.

 

Well I am off to a good start for 2024.  Gee it was just yesterday when we all worried that all the computers would crash when it turned 2000.  Called it Y2K.  But we survived.  Just a short entry tonite.  Staying hunkered down as we are having quite a cold snap.  At least so far we have had very little snow.  Heard from my friend Betty in Iowa they got about 20 inches and everything is closed up. 

So here's to my nostalgia which is with me a lot.  

George Carlin Quotes

 I was never a huge fan of Carlin,  I think mainly because of his potty mouth.  But some of his quotes and the story he does about our "stuff" is priceless.  So I wanted to get a few on here on this snowy January day.  I think a few years ago I wrote a blog about him but what the heck.

"Here's all you have to know about men and women:  women are crazy, men are stupid.  And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid."

"A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff"

"Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups"

"Trying to be happy by accumulating possessions is like trying to satisfy hunger by taping sandwiches all over your body."

"We buy stuff we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like."

If you want to really watch him and listen to him talk about "stuff"  Its on You Tube.  Just type in George Carlin Talks about "stuff"  Its really good. 

So this is what I am thinking about today.  At my age and don't forget its a new year so we have to maybe think about our "stuff"  I have stuff that is not mine!  You know when family members die you think you have to keep some of their stuff I guess to remember them by.  I have reached the stage in my life that I want a lot of this stuff gone.  I really want to understand the philosophy of being a minimalist.  It has a great appeal to me, because face it we sure are not taking any of it with us.

One of my favorite puzzle,  Now this is GOOD stuff right here!!!

Coddiwample

 (V.) To travel in a purposeful manner toward a vague destination.

                                                              My paint by number

Life's a beach, with sand in your britches sometimes

 

2023 Was a year of many changes for me some wonderful and some not so good.  So here is my summary.  Oh, picture is of my Pier trash Art.

Things started off well, A spring trip to our home in Tx. with decision made to sell it  as its to much to maintain 2 homes for us at this time.  Hubbys health not to good anymore.  First of June we started renting the house to the neighbors son and his family so I didn't have to make that commitment yet to sell.  Also the first of June Hubby went to live in an assisted living facility near by, with the conviction that  it would make my life easier and he would be with others in his condition. blah, blah, blah... Then my main checking act got hacked so had to close it down, open new one, change all my auto pay stuff, took a week to update everything.  Then my Dr. sent me to pain clinic for tx for sciatica, couldn't get in for 7 weeks.  Started PT and Chiropractor decompression treatments.  During all this I was dealing with the facility and all the problems that come up when they have staff that is not adequate.  Mid summer had a lumpectomy fully expecting to have radical bilateral mastectomy but it didn't happen, all is well.

Then on the up side of all this I took a trip to Oregon to visit my niece, and had a great time, even got to paddle a Dragon Boat with the team.  IT was awesome.  Have to find a picture of that.  After a few days she drove me up to Seattle area and I met up with an old class mate who lives on Widby Island Washington.  They were great hosts and took me all over to site see.  Huge heather fields were great and riding across Pouget Sound on the Ferry boat was an experience.  Air travel by myself and catching shuttle bus was a good learning experience as I have not flown alone in a couple forevers!  

By end of July I finally saw the pain clinic and was happy to tell them my pain was greatly improved with my self treatments but I wanted to keep apt to be established with them  I wasn't to thrilled that they identified some high blood pressure.  Well Crap  Not me!!!! So there I went on the rolly coaster of finding a medicine I could handle.

By later Aug Hubby was tired of the facility and wanted to come home and so he did and old routines fell right back in place.  But I had already booked a trip to NC for a week in Sept.  I lined up a caregiver to come in a few hours a day and be here to cook lunch and during his shower time.  They managed after a couple hickups   

In Sept I flew to Charlotte NV to see my 2 brothers.  Was a good trip.  Felt good about renting a car to drive to older brothers home by way of Winston- Salem, and Durham  Then back again to finish out vacation with younger brother.  Was barely home for a few days then drove to Iowa for family reunion, Was the best one ever.  Spent a couple extra days with my good friend.  

In Dec we took a trip to Tx and ended up putting the house on the market,  our renters were in process of moving out as they had to be closer to his job.  It all worked out to perfect timing.  Will be sad to see the house sold but glad too.  I know I am not afraid to travel now and if I can't drive I will fly.  Hubby talking again about wanting to go to another assisted living facility so we will wait and see.  Get thru winter first.  One day at a time.

So a long post but it sums up 2023 for me.  Im still here, going strong and looking forward to whatever 2024 brings.  My happy picture to wrap it up!!