Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Pioneers and Free Smocks Via Spunky Senior Lois Carroll

After living in North Dakota for eighteen years, Lois Carroll found it fun to research the hearty pioneers who settled that area.
Switching from her usual romantic suspense, her first historical novel
about them is titled Trail of Dreams.
It follows families moving from Philadelphia west, racing to arrive before the winter storms set in. The sequel coming out this spring is set in the Dakota Territory where they are establishing homes, and where the weather is only part of what they must battle to stay alive.

Available From Whiskey Creek Press: http://www.whiskeycreekpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=804

Trail of Dreams Print Book on Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Dreams-Lois-Carroll/dp/1603137963/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323912594&sr=1-1

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Trail-of-Dreams-ebook/dp/B004I5C17S/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1323912594&sr=1-1

When she's not writing, you'll find Lois in her sewing room, headquarters for Sophie's Smocks, a service project she began last year. She makes feeding/craft smocks from cotton turtlenecks, adding a terry cloth applique on the front and a Velcro closure on the cut-open back. Sophie's Smocks, in sizes kid small to adult XXL, are free for children and adults with Angelman's Syndrome. The project is named after her granddaughter who has AS. She has mailed out 335 smocks to date to Angels around the world.

To order a free smock for an Angel in your life, send the size and complete mailing address to smocks@cox.net.

For more about Lois Carroll and her books, see http://loiscarrollbooks.com/

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Spunky Max Elliot Anderson's Exciting Adventures

I've always had a hand in several different things during my life. For most of the time, I've been involved in the production of films, video programs, and television commercials.


This has allowed me to travel and meet many interesting people.

One of those meetings resulted in a working relationship with a talented missionary / wildlife artist in Africa.


And as a result of growing up in Northern Indiana, I met a family that produces the finest honey anywhere. The flavors are based on where the bees have been kept. Each honey has its own distinctive character and natural flavor. Those flavors include Blueberry, Michigan Star Thistle, Basswood, Cranberry Blossom, Wildflower, Clover, Citrus, and many, many more.  The national honey brands simply put all the honeys into a big vat and cook the stuffin’s out of it in order to make sure it has a long shelf life. Here’s more information about Laney Honey http://www.laneyhoney.com/ I have distributed some of their products for nearly twenty years in the Northern Illinois area where I live now.

It wasn’t until I turned 55 that I began writing adventures & mysteries for readers 8 – 13, especially boys. I wrote like a madman for nearly four years, completing 36 manuscripts. By early 2012, nine of those will be published. The thing is, I grew up hating to read, even though my father had published over 70 books during his lifetime. I never read any of them. After extensive research into why I didn’t like to read, I began writing the kinds of books I would have enjoyed as a child. While writing them, I often felt like a kid, all over again. If you have grandchildren, and are concerned about their reading, too, this blog post might interest you http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/2011/10/has-something-been-stolen-from-your.html
Years ago, I used to think it was silly when someone said, “You’re only as old as you feel.” Today, I completely agree with that statement. In addition, I also believe that there is tremendous healing power in laughter, a positive attitude, and having a great sense of humor. That’s why I devoted several years to a project that I’ve recently sent to my agent. The title is, “The Sense of Humor.” The book looks at the positive power of humor in our health, families, work, relationships, ministries, education, and other areas. My agent is looking for a publisher now.

I suppose I’ll probably never retire. I didn’t intend to anyway, but there are simply too many things that interest me at this stage of life. And doesn’t the computer open up the entire world to us? I like to change that old phrase about aging to, “You’re only as young as you think.”
Max Elliot Anderson



Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving, Spunky Ones!


A Spunky Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving to all you Spunky Seniors, whether or not you're cooking the turkey!

Once upon a time I used to do that. Now I bring a dish. So much simpler and less wearing on my house and time.

What about you? Are you cooking or visiting, or both?

Morgan Mandel

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Mona Risk Talks About Retiring and Her New Career

Some people never retire because they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves. My uncle is one of them. At eighty, he still goes to work every day. But he can’t drive from Long Island to Manhattan and brave the horrendous traffic. Without him and his incredible experience as VP, the contracting company would collapse. To keep him, the CEO assigned him a car and chauffeur to bring to the office every day.

 Most seniors don’t have such luxury— or luck—to continue working while enjoying a certain comfort. If they don’t have a hobby and are forced to quit working, they often slouch in front of the TV for hours, lose interest in trying new things, and miss fantastic opportunities to be useful and active. I have another uncle in that category who ended up with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Others, like me, wish there were more hours in the day to fit my new career as a writer and the endless promotion that came with it as an unwelcome bonus. I also have to create time for exercising, socializing, traveling, doctors’ appointments, and answering my long-suffering husband when he tries to interrupt my busy schedule with a question or a request. Oh, I also try to create time for cooking.  I forgot to mention it because I often forget to cook, and end up quickly fixing a salad or grilling ‘something’.

Recently, I started a new endeavor: I publish my own ebooks. Check them on Amazon and spend an entertaining moment with two lovely romances that are priced at only $0.99.






 

RIGHT NAME, WRONG MAN http://tinyurl.com/85o4wg7
To which category of retirees do you belong?

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Jean Henry Mead Tells Us About A Spunky Virtual Tour & Her Own Books

The cover on the left is from a A Village Shattered, first in my Logan & Cafferty series.
On the right is Murder on the Interstate, my recent release and third novel in the series.

The series features my two 60-year old amateur women sleuths traveling the West in their motorhome solving murders. They  change their home base in the first novel from central California to central Wyoming (as I've done).
The Mountain photo is taken from the deck of our retirement ranch house (where we now live) in Wyoming's Laramie Mountains at 6,800 feet.
And now, here's something about the exciting, Spunky Virtual Tour - 
When fifteen mature mystery writers get together online to party—the oldest in her eighties—you have the makings for holiday fun, with more than 60 books to be given away.
The “Mystery We Write” Virtual Book Tour is planned for a two-week run from November 25 until December 9. Fifteen tours will take place concurrently on a rotating basis, with the writers hosting one another on their blog sites. Sound confusing? It could be if Anne K. Albert wasn’t coordinating the schedule, which can be found on my blog site: http://jeansblogtour.blogspot.com/
The tour has been in the planning stage since August, with the writers working on writing their articles and answering interview questions as well as collectively deciding the details of the tour. Among the writers are Tim, Hallinan, Marilyn Meredith, Michael Orenduff, Jinx Schwartz, Earl Staggs, Beth Anderson, John Daniel, Jackie King, Ron Benrey, Alice Duncan, Pat Browning, M.M. Gornell and Wendy Gager, all of whom will be offering writing advice and tidbits about their books and lives. There will even be pictures of their writing work spaces.
They’ll also be drawing names to award their mystery novels to visitors who leave comments and their screen names. So, if you enjoy the intrigue of mysteries and suspense, there’s a good chance of winning at least one book while getting to know the writers and how they operate.
I hope you’ll check out the schedule on my blog site and visit some, if not all the sites, listed. We all wish you the best and happiest of holidays!

For more about Jean Henry Mead, you're invited to visit:


Please welcome Jean here by leaving a comment below.


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Spunky Senior, Ginger Simpson, Has Just the Right Fit


I suppose being called a "Spunky Senior" isn't a bad thing.  I took me a long time to readily admit that I'd reached senior citizen status, but now I happily accept it because it does come with perks.  I get a check on the third Wednesday of every month, and my medical care, at least for the time being, is awesome.  The best part of being my age is having a grandson I cherish, but then if you know me, you've already heard about Spencer.  He's what keeps me "spunky."

I love to write, and I hope it shows in my work.  My upcoming release, Just the Right Fit, happens to be about a more mature heroine, and hopefully shows that romance is possible at any age.  I like to think that all my heroines are spunky, young and old, because if you're just living life day to day and not enjoying it, then you're missing out.  Here's a little teaser from Just the Right Fit, which is coming soon to Muse It Up Publishing (http://www.museituppublishing.com/):

Carolyn held an expensive walking shoe in her hand under the guise of inspecting it, but the gaze from the corner of her eye remained fixed on the handsome, mature salesman arranging a display across the room. The heat of his occasional glance served as a magnet, pulling her attention to him. She couldn’t ignore him if she tried.  He definitely was new—not the kind of hunk a gal forgot.
She shopped this specialty store whenever she needed new shoes, even though the prices were outside her restrictive budget.  One couldn’t put a tag on comfort, yet a pang of guilt stabbed at her as she thought of all the other things she needed: new tires, Freon for her car air conditioning, even a new bra.  Something had drawn her here today, but this was the first time she’d run across something much more interesting than footwear. Even at sixty-four and long past being a giddy schoolgirl, she hadn’t forgotten the feelings of an emotional roller coaster.
Countless years had passed since she’d been on a date, and the urge to flirt gnawed at her, but she’d forgotten how.  Back in the day, she would have had no qualms initiating a conversation and exchanging numbers, but her youth had sailed away, leaving her nothing but insecurities from a failed marriage and the string of bum relationships that followed.  Early retirement, forced by a situation with an intolerable boss, and the onslaught of legal matters, denied benefits, and health issues had taken a toll on her sanity.  Maybe she was crazier than she thought to believe anyone would find her in the least bit interesting.
She released a loud sigh and carried the single shoe back to a seat, waiting for service.  How could she get so excited over someone she didn’t even know? She stared into her lap and prayed for composure from the flush creeping up her neck. Maybe she should’ve shopped for a bra today instead.
“May I help you?”  The timbre of his voice matched the broadness of his shoulders and made her jump.  His tall silhouette blocked the light filtering through the front window, and her dipped chin seemed frozen in place.
She forced her head up.  “Y-es, I-I…” The words she sought lodged behind a lump in her throat. 
“I assume you’re holding the shoe you’re interested in.”  His smile dimpled his cheeks and displayed white, even teeth.
 An air of charisma hung about him while she felt caught up in a bubble of ridiculousness. She forced a smile and with trembling fingers, handed him the shoe.  “Yes, size seven please.”
Why in the world did this man have such an effect on her?  Could the draw be the splashes of gray at his temples?  It couldn’t be the slight limp she detected when he walked through the curtain to the storeroom.  But there was something—definitely something.  She thrummed her fingertips on the chair’s arm and fidgeted in her seat, waiting for his return—almost dreading the feelings he stirred and unsure how to handle them.
“Here we go.”  He appeared through the split material in the doorway with a beige box bearing the familiar logo of the footwear she’d learned to love.  With one hand, he hiked up his khaki slacks before kneeling in front of her. He removed her left shoe, his grasp warming her heel when he slipped off her worn pump.
*****************************
Hope you enjoyed this snippet.  Muse initiated the "Persephone Line" specifically for mature main characters.  Just so happened that my friend, Caryl, shared her experience with me at the right time and prompted this sweet romance.  I'm a true believer in love.  Having a husband who is ten years my junior keeps me feeling young and on my toes.  I joke about nagging him more to make him age at a faster rate, but reality is I need to adjust my attitude and act more his age than my own. Although no one seems shocked when I tell them I'm sixty-five, I hope they silently think, "Gosh, she sure doesn't look or act it."  Okay, so I can dream, can't I?  Sadly, they card everyone who buys alcohol here in Tennessee, and I find it highly annoying now when in the past I would have been flattered.  You'd think the age spots on my hands would be proof enough.  *lol* Age is just a number, and in my mind, I'm still twenty.  From one "spunky" senior to another...happy reading, and may your romance stay young and healthy forever.
Spice Up Your Life with Ginger
Ginger Simpson

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Spunky Nemo James - Musician, Outdoorsman and Author


Nemo James

Born and based in England, Nemo James worked as a professional musician and singer/songwriter for more than 30 years. He now lives in Croatia with his wife Federika and their cat Jutko who is becoming intolerable following his rise to fame on Youtube.

Among other pastimes, Nemo gets enjoyment from outdoor activities. Here's what he says about them:

I suppose I am very lucky in finding that I get a lot of enjoyment out of some of the most mundane pastimes and there is no shortage of those where I live now. Yesterday I had to untangle 12 years of untamed growth of a huge grape vine and a climbing rose. 

 I have no idea what I am doing so I just hope I see them again in the spring.

I then took the boat out fishing and to my delight caught some squid to make a delicious lunch today washed down by some home made wine.  I have to complete a website to advertise our beautiful new apartment at the top of our house with an amazing view of the sea. That was last winter’s project. DIY in such a big house is endless. I have to start on a complete refit of our bathroom but have been putting it off until the weather turns bad but amazingly it is still like summer here in Croatia. I don’t have the heart to work inside when the sun is shining. I am even going to have a go at making crumpets as you can’t buy them here.
Having spent most of my life frantically pursuing one professional project or another I have decided to devote this winter to myself and get down to the long put off tasks of teaching myself bridge and becoming fluent in this impossible Croatian language.  I am also toying with the idea of starting a “karate for the over 50s” class which would be great exercise during the winter months when there is no swimming. The trouble is knowing the people here I suspect I won’t get anyone interested unless I offer free cheese and wine with every lesson.


It seems Nemo James already leads a busy life, but also on his plate is a new book, all about the hidden life of musicians. Here's what he says about it:

In Just A Few Seconds I wanted to write about what life is like for the 99% of musicians that don’t become rich and famous but still earn a good living often working for the rich and famous. The most interesting stories I have to tell are not about backing artists like Tom Jones and Cliff Richards or playing at private parties for Sheik Yamani or the Aga Khan but stories about holiday camp epidemics, strippers with flatulence and being the cause of US military personnel being Court Martialed. It is amazing how music is such a huge part of everyone’s life and yet so little is known about the ordinary working musicians who supply that music.
Visit Nemo James at his website http://www.nemojames.com/

Find Nemo James at his tour page at Pump Up Your Book

Watch his videos at You Tube

If you care to drop by, Nemo James will also be a guest on Friday, October 28, 2011 at http://morganmandel.blogspot.com/, where he'll expand about his life as a musician and his new book.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Spunky Max Elliott Anderson Interviews a President And Travels the World to Film


Max Elliott Anderson

I’m one of those people who will probably never retire. I felt this way long before the economic downturn and it’s primarily because I like to stay as active as possible. And I guess I’m one of those typical Boomers who never expected, or intended to get older. But I’m also a realist.
In a short period of time, I signed up for Medicare and my wife began taking early Social Security. Oh my goodness, what’s going on here? And on top of that, we’re going to become first-time grandparents in a couple of more months.
My life has always included film, video, and television commercial production. I love marketing and promotion. Many of those opportunities have also diminished with the economy, but I’m always interested in the next production. One of the most interesting experience I've had was a private, one hour video interview with President Ronald Reagan as he visited his boyhood home for the last time here in Illinois. My work has also taken me all over the world. I shot Liam Neeson's first feature film, Pilgrim's Progress.

Max Elliott Anderson
Speaking in Warsaw

Two recent productions included live streaming video. The first one covered the National Table Tennis Championships. An interesting event there included an exhibition between US and Chinese members of the original Ping-Pong Diplomacy teams. A few months later, I worked on a similar production covering the National Show Ski Championships. In that case, this link will take you to that material. http://waterski.teamusa.org/video  If you can imagine, I stood behind a video camera for more than 22 hours over two days, in the rain, hot sun, and survived it.
I also know of many situations where people dreamed of retirement, reached that goal, and died. I don’t believe we were wired to come to a stopping point like that. I admire people who do retire but then find other nearly full time activities to keep them sharp, vital, and involved.
PS. One of the attached pictures is of me shooting a film in a remote area of New Guinea, 50 miles from headhunter who lived up river. I'm the one wearing the yellow and blue-striped shirt.
Max Elliott Anderson
Please leave a comment for Max about his busy and adventurous life.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Spunky Senior, Mike Befeler, Visits Hard Rock Mines


Mike Befeler

Living in Colorado, I enjoy hiking during the summer and snowshoeing during the winter. On weekends I often go along the east side of the Continental Divide on various expeditions. This summer I had an opportunity to visit a number of old mine sites as part of an organized tour of hard rock mines. Our first stop was Caribou, a once thriving mining community of several thousand people at the end of the nineteenth century, now home to exactly zero human occupants.
Our next stop was the Cardinal mill, in operation during the beginning of the twentieth century.

Bluebird Mine Bunkhouse

From here we went to the Bluebird mine. The picture is of the bunkhouse that was also used in the 1966 movie, Stagecoach.

Wallstreet Mill
 Our final stop of the day was at the Wallstreet assay office and abandoned mill from the beginning of the twentieth century. Investors from New York provided the financial backing, but the mill went bust after a few years of operation.
Although these mines and mills are now abandoned, they contribute to an interesting history of the region and are well worth visiting.
Mike Befeler, Author of Senior Moments Are Murder, Retirement Homes Are Murder  http://www.mikebefeler.com/, http://www.mikebefeler.blogspot.com/
Please welcome Mike to our blog by leaving a comment.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Spunky Vacation

Spunky Seniors blog is taking a vacation while its owner is on vacation. More spunky blogs coming your way starting Oct 13.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cruisin' With Spunky Senior, Mona Risk


From the Nile Cruise

Cruises are becoming the most common way to see the world and unwind in an enjoyable surrounding. My husband calculated that it was cheaper to board a ship from Fort Lauderdale and go on a week cruise than pay airfare, hotel, restaurants and entertainments.
Carnaval offers good family rate and you see a lot of children on Carnaval ships, especially around school holiday.

Royal Caribbean’s latest creation is a humongous ship called Oasis. Friends told us they felt they were in a fancy hotel with a huge market area, but they lost the special pleasure of the ocean view from every corner as many lounges are set in the middle of the ship. In addition, with so many people on board the service lacked the VIP treatment offered on smaller ships.

My favorite cruise line is Princess. We cruise with them over ten times in the Caribbean, Mediterranean Sea, South America, and Polynesian Islands. I highly appreciate their accommodations, shows and food. Beside, they have special accommodations, wider rooms and bathrooms in addition to wheel chairs for senior citizens and handicaps. Their frequent cruisers are often upgraded to better rooms or suits with vase of flowers, fruits baskets and drinks set in their rooms to greet them.

The Royal Palace in Budapest

Two years ago, we discovered the River Cruise lines: Memphis, to cruise the Nile River in Egypt and visit the monuments of Luxor, Karnack and Abou Simble—what a magnificent treat. And two weeks ago, Avalon to cruise the Danube from Bucharest, Romania, to Vienna, Austria. We also visited Bulgaria nd the Black Sea, stopped in Belgrade, Serbia, and Budapest, Hungary, an unforgettable trip I blogged about twice on www.monarisk.blogspot.com

During one of our cruises, we met a woman in her seventies who lives ten months a year on a cruise ship. She sold her house and her car, and explained that on a cruise ship she doesn’t have to fix her room, or prepare her meals. She enjoys movies and performances without having to drive to a theater. She has plenty of books to read, a laptop to connect with the world and makes friends with other travelers. The doctor on board knows her well and takes care of her little problems. Sometimes she joins a tour and visits a new place. Twice a year she spends a month at her children and goes through all her medical checkups, buys her supply of medicine and reserves the next cruise. She told me she was writing her memoirs.
Would you be able to live on a ship?
If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances.
I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

RJ McDonnell, Senior Tweener, Fulfills a Lifelong Dream

R.J. McDonnell
Sometimes attaining senior status means finding the time to reconnect with an unrequited passion. For the past few years I’ve been at that awkward age I call Senior Tweener. I have adult children, but haven’t attained grandparent status yet. Instead of attending sports events and dance recitals, I actually had time to pursue an old dream.

Ever since elementary school I wanted to be a rock musician. During my high school years I helped out with a garage band down the street from my home, and picked up mini-guitar lessons during their breaks. I joined my first band in my freshman year at Penn State, and in 1980 I moved to San Diego to pursue music as a career.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. A few months after my move, I was in an accident that shattered my left wrist. After 23 months of casts, braces, bone graft surgery, and rehab, I couldn’t play guitar for more than 15 minutes without severe stabbing pains. Over the next five years I tried everything, and finally resigned myself to the fact that the dream was over.


L-R, Robbie Walsh, RJ McDonnell


Twenty-five years later I visited a guitar collector friend and told him my story. He found me a Fender guitar that was exceptionally easy to fret. In 2007, at the age of 53, I enrolled in lessons at a local music studio, and rekindled my passion in the process. Last month I recorded my first commercial song, playing with Robbie Walsh, a lead guitarist who toured extensively with Noel Redding of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Chubby Checker and Jethro Tull.




The song is called The Concert Killer, and is the soundtrack to a mystery novel trailer. You can hear it at www.rjmcdonnell.com. It’s never too late to make dreams come true.

RJ McDonnell

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Spunky Senior, The DanZman, Still Rocks!


The DanZman at Mt Prospect Lion's Club
4th of July event, 2009, starring Ronnie Rice.
  Eleven years ago I wrote a story for the Daily Herald about a popular figure in the NorthWest suburbs. Since then, the subject of my story, The DanZman, a Spunky Senior, still rocks non-stop.


With Kerry of Libido
Funk Circus at the
Mane Event 2011, in
Arlington Heights

The DanZman's not a band member, but almost every band in the area knows him personally or knows of him.
When he's in the audience, way in the front dancing where you can't miss him, he almost always gets a call-out from the band some time during the performance. If he's not there, it may be a sign the band isn't too terrific; that is, unless there are lots of great bands playing at the same time. After all, he can't be everywhere.



His collection of band tee shirts has to rival a Valley Girl's shoe closet. When more than one band is featured on a particular night, The DanZman delves into his gym bag and changes shirts to reflect whichever band takes the stage.



Here's a link to my story about him, written in those long ago days before I acquired my pen name -




Thursday, September 1, 2011

Spunky Senior, Morgan Mandel, Owns a Pit Bull

Morgan with Baby Rascal



A Little Older
 
Rascal with a Sunburn
I never thought I'd adopt a pit bull but that was before I fell in love with a puppy on Adoption Day for Chicagoland Dog Rescue, in front of PetSmart, over 6 years ago. I'd heard terrible things about the breed, which really scared me, but this little one seemed harmless enough when I first met her.

That was before she ate the hallway linoleum and chewed the legs on the rocking chair, and tried to eat a piece of glass I hadn't even noticed was on the floor, yet she'd managed to find.

She's tamed down her eating habits since then, reserving them for grabbing slippers or socks to get my attention.

I'm afraid I've spoiled this vicious pit bull by giving her peanut butter on a biscuit treat in the morning with her breakfast and baby carrots at night with dinner. She does look ferocious, doesn't she? Don't worry, I'm spunky. I can handle her, because I know the secret. She'll do almost anything for another treat.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Lucille Perkins Robinson, a Spunky Senior With Her Hands Full



Lucille Perkins Robinson




Life isn't always easy. Lucille Perkins Robinson can testify to that. She's had her hands full for quite some time. In her own words, here's some of what she does and has done, which truly qualifies her as a Spunky Senior:


Pamela Renee LeJeune





I take care of my comatose daughter, Pamela Renee LeJeune, and have been for the last 9 years.









 

I take care of a husband who seems to have hit an all-time low in depression since our daughter, Sheryl Ann Bourque, died on

Sheryl Ann Bourque

June 6, whom I had taken care of for the past year and a half.

My husband was already depressed because of being diagnosed with cancer 3 years ago. 


Further back I began college at age 35, took up education grades 1-8 and taught middle school for a couple of years before getting certification in special education and taught resource which is drawing special ed children out of regular classes for an hour each day, 10 years.


Before that I've worked as a machinist threading pipes of all lengths and sizes, a waitress at a truck stop, and mostly a mother rearing 6 children.

I've also served the Lord since I was about 9-12 [one of those years] and have had interesting things happening to me down through the years. When my mother died when I was 8, I didn't cry. When my father died in the 1970s, I didn't cry. When my daughter died in June, I didn't cry. I was filled each time with unbelievable calm and faith that all would be well.

From 12 years ago - I'm the short one in the middle. Ted is the one in the back [this is before all the problems started.] Patrick, my 3rd child is standing to Ted's left, then going on around thus, next in line is Robin my 2nd child, Angela my 4th child, Perry my 1st child, Sheryl my 6th, and Pamela my 5th.

I'm of old fashioned beliefs that sex should come after the wedding ceremony and not before, that children should not be allowed to disrespect or sass their parents, that children should be taught to handle money, should be taught what life is all about before they hit the age to quit school and bum around [although I wasn't successful with 2 of my six children where this idea is concerned].


I love to garden, crochet, sew [don't do well making clothes], paint pics when I can lay them out without fear of them being damaged while drying. Wish I could go swimming more often and travel more.

Lucille Robinson

Please leave a comment for Lucille to welcome her here at Spunky Seniors.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

Spunky Ginger Simpson Gets An Unexpected New Lease On Life


Ginger Simpson

My plan was to share pictures of me doing something "daring," but the pictures of me parasailing at 700 feet in Hawaii some years back are stowed in the attic.
Instead, I'm going to share something some of you may consider mild.  
I just returned from six weeks in Alaska, a trip I never expected to make and one that changed my life.  

Visiting Ekluta Cemetery Spirit Houses
of Alaskan Native Americans

For the past three years, my health and energy level had declined beyond belief.  I spent most of my days locked in the house or in bed because I had absolutely no interest in going anywhere or doing anything.  


Her greatest fear -
2 1/2 mile one-way tunnel
to get to cruise

From the Glacier Day Cruise











My friend and hostess in Alaska is an FNP and specializes in hormone replacement treatment.  She and I had discussed my condition prior to making the trip, and a two day hospital stay right before my departure caused fear that I would have to cancel my plans.  For my dear husband's sake, I pushed on, and we went.  


20 feet from a moose in
her friend's backyard.

After we arrived, Ann ran blood tests on both Kelly and I.  Neither of us had much more than a measurable hormone level and after reading up on the topic on interviewing other satisfied "patrons," we are now the proud "owners" of rice-sized pellets implanted beneath the skin on our hips.  This process has been around since 1939 but has been secreted away to keep the drug companies rolling in dough.  I'm happy to say that I've decreased my RX dependency by three pills and a big monthly expense.  The pellets will need to be replaced every four-five months for me and five-six months for Kelly, but it's an investment I'll gladly make. I know I sound like an advertisement, but...

I cannot boast or emphasize enough how this changed my life.  I've rediscovered I have one and regained the zest I'd lost.  I won't be entering any cross-country marathons or leaping hurdles, but the fact that I can even imagine them amazes me. *smile*  My husband presented Ann with flowers to show his appreciation for her giving him back the wife he married.  My skin, hair, and attitude have improved, and we just made an offer on a house for a future I doubted I would have.   


With Hubby at Cook's Statue,
Cook's Inlet, Anchorage, AK

I guess if you can't consider my pictures as evidence of spunkiness, maybe you can refer to me as "frisky." Okay...TMI, I know, but I can't contain my glee at living life again and loving it.  
My husband has renewed energy, has lost inches and is gaining back some of his lost muscle mass.  

Best of all, he smiles and winks at me.  Love it!