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Losing that Funk

9/26/2015

I have been in a funk for quite some time now. I have tried going and doing things that should be fun, and I have enjoyed them but have returned to that “blue” mood when they are over. Today, as I clicked on the posts that I like in Facebook, I clicked on many of those spouting the benefits of reading. I love to read and I do it every night before going to sleep.

As I clicked those reading posts today, though, that little light bulb went off. These posts are not just about the benefits of reading, but also the “wonders” of reading that good book that one cannot put down. Guess what! I have been reading books from other sources – ok, but not the type I usually read. You know those books that leave you wanting more and grieving when they are over.

This morning I am heading to the library to “find” some of those books. My low ebb has been caused from not reading “my” kind of book. I truly need to escape into my kind of books to relieve my brain from some of the strife that all our lives have. I have always used reading as this type of escape. I read before bed to get my mind off the trials of the day and to relax before sleeping.

As I said, the books I have read are OK, but they do not do what I need them to do. They are like reading the newspaper or a magazine. They occupy my mind for that moment but then it’s gone. I need a book that lives on in my heart and mind long after I read it.

I am hoping today that the library will give up one of those books. If I find one of my favorite authors, I should be out of the blue tomorrow and into the pink.

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Autumn

9/21/2015

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I have trouble with Autumn. Although the trees turn to beautiful colors in the north and the temps get a little cooler, I usually get depressed this time of year. Luckily, Halloween and Thanksgiving Day come fairly soon after everything starts dying (my feeling about Autumn). If it weren't for those "celebrations" and the anticipation of Christmas, I might not get out of my "funk."

But right now my "ebb is low." Even though I am on the Gulf coast now, I still have the blues. I have read that we have high and low points in the passing of one year, usually about 6 months apart. Mine seem to happen this time every year, especially in September, and usually right before Spring arrives.

I drove to the Pensacola docks yesterday and sat in the sun and watched people - a great pastime. No sign of Autumn anywhere. The sun and water were the same great colors and the people I saw were having a wonderful "summer" fun fishing, playing in the fountain, taking pictures of sailboats on the bay and all manner of fun things. My spirits lifted a bit, but bottomed out by the time I got home.

I know this will pass, as will this Autumn of my life. I believe that Autumn really signifies the ending of life, and I have to admit that I am in the Autumn of mine. I am hopeful that "my colors" will brighten and I will return to my usual optimistic self soon.

So this must be one of those low points I have every year, no matter where I live. It is a passing of time and life. The encouraging thing that I remember each year when Autumn arrives is that Halloween (fun time for the kids in us) and Thanksgiving will arrive shortly and all will return to normal.

I adore the Christmas season and I just need to get there. AND I will. This "mood" or depression that I get every year will pass, as it always does. That is the great thing about this "low ebb" I have; it does pass and stays away for about 6 months.

I will be counting the days until Halloween.

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Elder Abuse

9/12/2015

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I apologize for not blogging lately. I have been involved in protecting a relative from elder abuse. I am actually older by a few months than this relative is, but she got into some health difficulties and allowed an unlicensed caretaker into her home three years ago.

I had moved away from where she lived about 12 years ago. We were not close at the time – just related through our mothers. Recently I moved back to this area and tried to reach her to see how she was doing. We had talked about 5 years ago on the phone and she told me she had fibromyalgia and narcolepsy. I was dealing with my new health issues so we exchanged info on our health. But, we lost contact with each other and our phone numbers changed.

When I moved back to this area, I tried to call her and got the message that her mailbox was full. I continued to try and finally thought one Sunday that I would just drive over to her house (in a neighboring state) and see how she was.

When I pulled up into her drive, I did not recognize her. She was a skeleton. There was a woman putting something into the car in the carport and she looked up with a strange look on her face. I said, “Hello, it’s Peggy.” My relative’s face lit up, but the woman rushed over and said, “I thought you told me that you did not have any relatives living here.” My reply was, “I have moved back.” AND all those bells and whistles went off.

Needless to say, this woman was not feeding my relative, although her money bought the food. This woman had moved in and was not paying any rent nor was she doing anything to help my relative. The house has become a “pig sty.” This had been going on for over 3 years. My relative had social services visiting, but they could not get this woman out.

I tried everything I could think of and visited every site there was to try to legally get this woman removed from my cousin’s house. One day we spent the whole day going to 7 different offices in her county to get help. Finally, after many weeks, and a new checking account for my relative, I informed the woman that I knew everything she had done and there would be no more money for her. I informed her that my relative’s checking account was closed – no more making her sign blank checks, no more using the illegally gotten debit card for three trips per day to Walmart - basically no more money. I told her to be out by the 31st of August or I would continue to try to get her arrested.

She moved out, we changed the locks, we notified the social services people, and my relative is trying to get her life back. She is still frail from not eating and being verbally abused constantly, but she is returning to a life that she wants.

I am trying to get to normal myself. This quest had a horrible effect on me. My health needs to get better, too. The stress of dealing with this type of criminal was profound. My dear friends have been very helpful in getting me back to being myself. With a little more rest and calm in my life, I should return to normal and blog about absolutely everything I encounter on this adventure in getting older. Thanks for continuing to read my blog.

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Losing that Funk

Autumn

Elder Abuse

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