Growing old isn't for chumps!

Then, there is eye sight!
Both distance and reading glasses!

Old age isn't for chumps.

Seriously, I'm finding some of my blog buddies have had some health issues, so I know I'm not alone. A fall, caused by polypharmacy; a broken shoulder (poor Kay) and wrist (I love you, Yam!), complications from surgery (Furry Gnome). I am grateful for our universal healthcare, and how well the system has worked for us along our journey. JB has had 60 appointments for his cancer. He's doing well.

I loved giving computer workshops!

Yet, it's been a whirlwind. I've been working with a naturopathic physician to help improve some of my health issues. I have stress-triggered depression, anxiety and mild panic attacks. I had an issue in the summer that set me back. It's been chronic. Each time an event triggers it, I sink a bit deeper. Health issues in your 60s are different. Just sayin'!

Thank you, faithful readers, for your support. I think I'm on the right path.

I saw this on a Marilyn Denis talk show. It's simple in middle age, isn't it? pppfffttt There is nothing new here, but it is different for middle age. Life simply changes, and we have to change with it.

Diet, AKA Food and Nutrition

Firstly, 'diet' doesn't mean to diet, it means to watch what you are eating, quantity and quality. I found with menopause, my metabolism changed. The same foods, with the same calories, weren't the same as the good, old days.

I had some chronic digestive issues following some stress.  With my naturopath's support, I am strategically reducing my alcohol intake. The blood test she sent me for showed my intolerances to dairy (sheep, cow, goat), wheat, barley, egg whites, peas. Oh, the meals I've loved (archived below)!

Progress is spotty. I've cut out dairy, I took a couple of bricks of cheese , a stick of butter, and a carton of milk to my client! Dairy wasn't too difficult, as I never cook with it, since JB cannot have dairy, yeast or eggs. That was the first step. Wheat is the 2nd. The problem with cookbooks is many use wheat.

This one is on its way,
we shall see.

What do you do? April, 2017

JB has gone shopping and found me some oatmeal cereal, rice crackers, and some rice bread. The gluten-free movement has increased the availability of these products. The rice bread tastes like sawdust, though.

He found me some oat bagels, but my favourite topping on those was smoked salmon and cream cheese! (Deep sigh!)

Fitness

tenosynovitis in my right foot

Retiring early, due to depression, didn't help. You're just not on your feet as much.

When I get on my feet, I strain muscles... usually in my legs or feet! Tenosynovitis and tendonitis. I have been using an elliptical machine, and that has been great. Walking any distance hurts my back. Being overweight hurts my knees. You really have to work hard at this.

Rest and Sleep

Chronic insomnia, and nightmares. What can I say?! At least I can sleep in. I listen to podcasts.

Reducing Stressors

JB's been managing his cancer, there are still times when I worry about my kids. The cats have proven to be highly needy!

Meditation doesn't work for me. Walks in the forest, AKA forest bathing, helps. I really enjoy that.

Supplements

My naturopath gave me a B12 shot. I'm taking glucosamine and chondroitin for arthritis. Pills for high blood pressure. Antidepressants. Also, a women's over 50 vitamin, which is important, I think. So says Dr. Jenn, our naturopath. (JB sees her, as well.)

I'm not complaining, I'm just explaining. I can change my habits. It's a whole new ball game! Wish me luck.

Meals I have enjoyed!

Trip to Manotick, Around the World

The thing about depression is that you sometimes have to bite the bullet, and get out of the house. Hubby knows that, and suggested a trip into town for a display. I came up with another idea.
First we passed the local theatre. I'd love to see Crazy Rich Asians. I grew up in Toronto, we had a wide, wonderful multicultural, diverse community.

Manotick, our destination.


I rented there for a time – right after my separation and divorce. It was a stressful time. I'd been married from 1976 - 1993. I'd never lived on my own, let alone with kids. I was painfully shy, as well, my then-husband didn't encourage me to have opinions, or to be independent. I was expected to be home at 4:30 to make dinner. (He was the better cook, too!)

I taught in Manotick P.S. then, and it was both exhilarating and frightening. Each time a trigger set me a little lower: divorce, litigation, school issues.
Manotick has changed since I lived there in 1993. There were some local fundamentalists who complained to my principal when I was leading my gifted kids withdrawal group in meditation. Then, we did some Language Arts work around a book; did skits, art work, wrote stories.
We had a meeting my principal demanded I attend, with a group of 9 or so locals who confronted me. They complained I was using a book in my classroom that had a made-up name. The book author and I eventually published a teacher's guide to his book (Children of the Root) with puzzles, learning activities, lesson plans. They didn't like this, either. None of these adults had kids in our school.


I worked in Manordale P.S., later when a principal was bullying me. I was shop steward and she didn't like this. I spent three weeks gardening to escape the stress, also depressed. I know to spot it when it begins, and prevent myself from getting any lower. It isn't easy. Hubby has been amazing. I know I cannot get off my meds. They keep me even-keeled.

I still have horrid dreams about not finding my school, being unable to keep control of my class, getting berated by my principal. It is discouraging.

Anyway, this is affecting my physical body right now, I had another trigger last month. I think I'm digging my way up and out. I'm doing all the right things: exercising, keeping busy, getting outdoors in nature.


Our destination: Manotick market. Two amazing Ottawa artists: @twitandrewking and @AliCatArt.
I follow them on Twitter. I first noticed Andrew, he's been published in the Ottawa Citizen:
Artist & cartoonist. Exploring overlooked history with adventures at http://OttawaRewind.com  Follow @timewinders for local history yarns.



But, back to our trip. These are all retirement condos.


On the highway, people are on the move! It's the height of summer here.


We had lunch at the Swan.


Home again... to watch my caterpillars. You know how cats (and dogs) sniff one another's bums??!! :-)

Around The World

They took the bullet train from Tokyo to Osaka. Now, they are in a hostel, with mats on the floor. 

Two contrasting stories in our local paper: a homeless man and a senator

The first man was getting help at a homeless shelter; the other man, a senator, who earns enough salary  to support this homeless shelter for a year.

How one man discovered the art of ascending from depression

By Kelly Egan, The Ottawa Citizen January 18, 2013

Cole says he grew up in a dysfunctional family where alcohol played havoc. He was four, he says, when his parents decided it would be a good idea to hitchhike across Canada. With him in tow.
Richard Cole worked with computer systems most of his life. Banks, the CBC, Canada Post, the feds. He was twice married, but generally unsettled and angrier than was good for him. 

He split up with his second wife, had "a nervous break-down." This was followed by months and months of couch surfing, until he landed, near rock bottom, at the Ottawa Mission on Waller Street. "My life was a muddle."

notmyselftoday.ca

 In a homeless shelter program he met Dr. Simon Hatcher, a psychiatrist at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, who does rounds at the downtown shelters. He diagnosed Mr. Cole with depression and progress is being made.
What is interesting about this man, is that he, like me, suffered from depression. After a life that would send anyone into a depression he found treatment at The Mission's day program.  
Depression is a terrible issue, unrecognised by bullying bosses and co-workers, as well as family members. You are often unable to ask for help.

Talking About Depression: Information for Family & Friends (DepressionHurts.ca), is crucial.

What was an interesting contrast was the item Kelly Egan wrote about Mac Harb!

A question of judgment? Hit the road, Mac

OTTAWA — May 9, 2013 Mac Harb should resign from the Senate. He is either guilty of terrible judgment or motivated by an obscene sense of entitlement. It doesn’t matter what an accounting firm says. Mac Harb should resign from the Senate.He is...someone already making $132,000 annually. Harb claimed $43,000 in accommodation, mileage...on the public dime, so close together? Mac Harb was once a likable character with a sympathetic...

The Ottawa Mission 2012 Fast Facts

• 1, 968 different people found shelter with The Ottawa Mission.
• The occupancy rate was 97 %
• The average length of stay was 48 days.
• The average age of residents was 40.5 years.
• An average of 228 men used The Ottawa Mission for shelter every night.
• We served an average of 1,270 meals each day, for a total of 467,122 meals.