Book Review, This and That

 Back in January, I read a book on Kindle that I felt was so important that I wanted to get it in paperback, so I could underline, highlight, write in the margins, and take notes on things I wanted to remember.  I have been doing that for the last few months, finishing a couple of days ago. The book I am referring to is Growing Young:  How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100, by Marta Zaraska.  Before you dismiss it as yet another feel good self-help book, let me explain.  Ms. Zaraska distilled the scientific research on longevity into this most readable and interesting book.  Everything she says is based on peer-reviewed, exhaustive findings.  The reference notes at the back of the book are 35 pages long!

Key takeaways: 
Having at least four healthy lifestyle factors combined was a significant factor in longevity (-66% change in mortality risk.)  However, the surprising thing was the importance of social factors:  A happy marriage, for example, meant a -49% in mortality risk. Having a large social network, feeling you have others you can count on for support, and living with someone all contribute to longevity. (Loneliness is a killer, apparently.) In fact, folks who are socially integrated into society have a -65% change in mortality risk--almost as good as a healthy lifestyle.

It is ironic that I read about the importance of social factors during a pandemic, when getting out and being with people was actually life-threatening.  I am so lucky that I have a wonderful, loving husband, who has been the joy of my life for over 29 years.  But we did miss our friends and social life so much.  Now that we are vaccinated, and we sincerely hope you are too, we will be reaching out to try to safely connect with folks again--restarting pit sits around the fire pit on our patio, movie nights in the den at our big-screen TV, etc.  If you are local, please know that we are always open to do fun things, even on short notice.  No big plans required. Our door is open to those who want to drop in--as long as you are vaccinated and being safe.

We won't be traveling in the trailer for a while because there are needed house things going on:

• We've decided to give away the small above-ground pool in our back yard.  We rarely used it, and Alan hated maintaining it.  (If you know of someone who will dismantle it and take it away, including a plethora of accompanying stuff, let us know.) As soon as the decision was made, Alan immediately drained it.  This caused a funny incident not long after.  About 5:30 one morning we were awakened by horrible, loud screeching.  In the dark, one of the raccoons that had been using the pool as a watering hole didn't notice it was empty, plummeted in, and couldn't get back out.   Once it got light, Alan put a ladder in, and it climbed out.

• Besides getting rid of the pool, a railroad-tie retaining wall running the length of our property below our driveway needs to be rebuilt.  In order to do that, we had an overgrown row of trees next to the driveway removed.  

Retaining wall not retaining anymore

Trees that needed to be removed

Atta-Boy tree guys did a great job.

They hauled off four truckloads of trees.

Not a jungle now

Can actually see side of house now.

• The next step is getting bids for the retaining wall.  Local folks: If you know of a company that does such things, please let us know.

Alan is presently with his sisters in Auburn, Alabama at Charlotte and Harry's condo.  They used the sibling get-together to go through the many boxes of photos, photo albums, and slides that were in their childhood home, which recently sold.  He says that it has been a bittersweet experience--remembering happy times, but sad seeing photos of so many loved ones who are now gone.

Next weekend we join nephew Paul Bliese and his wife Marta at an Air B&B in Black Mountain, NC.  It is always wonderful to see them and spend time with them.  They are now empty-nesters, with both of their daughters now in college.

Shelby continues to be a good kitty.  The first day Alan was gone to Auburn, she stuck to me like fly-paper, which is very unusual.  "You aren't going to go away and leave me too, are you?"

She sat right next to me on top of the couch in the sun room.

My left knee continues to give me some problems, but it is getting better.  Saw an orthopedist who prescribed steroids and physical therapy.  I have a lot of arthritis in my joints, so that can't be helped, but I should be back to "normal" before too long.