Posted 8-23-19 What was your favorite mode of playground-induced near death experience when you was a grade school kiddo? I was a elementary/middle school punk in the late 1970’s and early 80’s. At my little (now huge) town we had the whole gamut of playground gear. Not like today, mind you, with thoughtful and wrap-them-in-a-bubble-suit…
Author: Mark Applegate
Just Smellin’ in the Rain
Posted 8-22-19 It is raining today in the Ozarks. In some seasons it rains quite a bit here, but late summer we are prone to decent stretches without the wet stuff. One thing I find interesting is rain smells and the sometimes lack thereof. Regardless of the science of smell, of which a lot can…
Aging is NOT For the Birds
Posted 8-21-19 Warning: this may be a little odd and different than the normal piece. Just sayin’. First of all, have you ever wondered why is something is said to be “for the birds”? Thank you very much Mr. Internet for saving me three hours of searching at the library. 🙂 If I ever convert…
Mom Hacks Version 1
Posted 8-20-19 This little piece of digital cornbread may have a grain of more significance for folks who have kids or fix things for a living. But, come to think of it, don’t we all “fix things” for a living? (Deep thoughts= no extra charge) If you are over 60 and/or not an Internet junkie,…
Big Boys Don’t Cry…and other things that make it hard to care for loved ones.
(Self-Care Tips for Male Caregivers) Posted 8-19-19 This article is pretty much for men. Ladies, feel free to read, gently chime in and/or give your take, but no piling on… I will be hard enough on us. First of all, let me preface these comments with some foundation work: I am not a feminist-type of…
Great! I Have the Diagnosis. Now What?!?!
Posted 8-16-19 I received a message from a super sweet, but shell-shocked lady in the Midwest yesterday that reminded me that we haven’t really done much lately with talking about “Now What???” issues when you first get the dreaded diagnosis. Here is my take of a good jumping off point of how to get prepared…
Walking and Surveying Losses in the Trenches
Posted 8-15-19 It has been a pretty rough month already. Three more have passed away in the last week or so, including a latecomer to the Sweet 17 ( at least 2 of dementia complications and the third likely probably did too although something else gets the blame for his passing). Multiply her little nursing…
Mom, the Crash Non-Test Non-Dummy Sacrificer Lady
Posted 8-14-19 One of the many things I have always appreciated about my mom is her sacrificial nature. She has always, especially in my later life, cared more that things go well for me than her. She, like all of us, had her occasional need for “Me Time”, but her primary concern was her role…
Making Hays
Posted 8-13-19 Today’s topic is hay!!!! <Whispering to self- Where did everyone go?> Come on, give me a chance! I have had stranger topics in past articles! For those who have endured, I give thanks. So, hay. This word popped in my mind several times yesterday for some reason while I had a nice visit…
Birthday Extravaganza
Posted 8-12-19 We all had a very nice time at the 75th birthday party Saturday morning. Mom was pretty alert and seemed to enjoy the festivities but she told me as I left she wished we wouldn’t leave. It is rare when I hear mom say a complete sentence that expresses her feelings, but that…