6th Excerpt in Boomerang

This “blog hopping” excerpt has lots of imagery and is the 6th one from Boomerang, the first novella in the GIRLFRIENDS trilogy.  Mary Jo and Melanie are planning the various themed suites in the mansion of “The Better Way.” 

Check out other excerpts at http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com

They met with the contractor who was going to change the interior into their fantasy.  He had come highly recommended, and they were very happy with him, but they also recognized that the task was a daunting one.  The contractor said that some of the things they wanted were only possible in their dreams.  It was always a halleluiah moment when they found a way to bring to reality the fantasy of their dreams, such as the space-age suite where everything was computer generated.

For the Victorian-era room, they scoured vintage stores across the country to find authentic fabrics and furniture to give the ambience of an old English manor with butler, valet and lady- in-waiting dressed in period costume.  The marble bathroom had intricately carved molding, ornate faucets with a bear-claw tub and heavy, tied-back brocade drapes at the window.  The bedroom area included a coffered ceiling and dark walnut hardwood floors covered mostly by a 3-inch thick, tightly woven area rug.  The doors were replaced with taller, heavier ones sporting brass knockers and door knobs.  A large wood-burning fireplace was topped with a wall-size tapestry of Queen Victoria on a fox hunt with the hounds and a bugler in tow.   Gas sconces and a large bed raised on a platform with a step ladder to facilitate the climb completed the ensemble.

A favorite of Mary Jo’s was the garden room.  Not only did it have custom wallpaper featuring all of the flowers that were in the garden, it also had a trellis-enclosed bed with fresh roses sprinkled on it daily.  The large, soaker tub was elevated in a gazebo-style enclosure with hand-made soaps, plush towels and a wine bar within easy reach.  It overlooked a private garden that had urns, gnomes, fountains, birds and flowering plants and shrubs which the bride could access from the stairs off the private balcony.   There was a hammock for a relaxing nap with a bell to call for refreshments at any time.

All of the suites were works of art and Melanie and Mary Jo oversaw every aspect to make them into what they envisioned.

Boomerang Excerpt

Continuing my “blog hopping" with Goodread's Baby Boomer Lit group, here is the 5th excerpt from Boomerang, the first novella in the GIRLFRIENDS  trilogy.  After Mary Jo began receiving funds monthly from an anonymous benefactor, she invests in her best friend's wedding- planning business, “The Better Way.”  She and Melanie find a wonderful property in  the Temecula wine country and expand Melanie's already-successful business.

Check out other writer’s excerpts at http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com

 Melanie and Mary Jo chose to specialize in reverse destination weddings with brides coming from all over the world.  It was to be a full-service business that catered to the bride’s every whim.  They would be picked up at the airport in a limousine and brought to the mansion where private suites awaited them.  Everything was under one roof:  fittings, rehearsals, rehearsal dinners, transportation, outings (such as wine tasting, golfing and trips to the casino), wine cellar, hair salon, spa, fitness center, jewelry, shoes, and accessories.  Additionally, there would be a Bridal shop, bakery, florist, and photographer on the grounds run by experts who would fit into their enterprise.  Hiking trails and tennis courts would be available for their guest’s enjoyment.  They even planned to build individual cottages scattered throughout the grounds for guests of the bride and groom.

After escrow closed, they spent $1,000,000 renovating the mansion.  It was mostly cosmetic indoors, but they left no stone unturned for the grounds.  30 acres were planted in grapes and the house set on 20 acres.  While about five acres were nicely landscaped, “The Better Way” wanted it to be more than nice; they wanted it to be spectacular!  There were beautiful, mature trees throughout the grounds with manicured shrubberies in maze-like formations.  They developed the rest of the 20 acres into different divisions.  One section had monolithic shrubs, which gardeners pruned into figures of every geometric shape.  One section was devoted to a simulated rainforest while another was a beach where a large pond was re-purposed into a tropical paradise with white sand and palm trees.

Other parts of the grounds were devoted to unusual weddings as well:  There were gothic settings, gazebos and scenic areas among the vineyards for the ceremonies. In addition there were fountains and cascading waterfalls in various locations.  Garden paths were laid out among a profusion of flowers of every genus and a prolific assortment of fruit trees.  Swings were hung in oak trees and picnic areas dotted the property with streams meandering throughout.  It was a majestic estate that was popular from the first website they set up and the first ad that appeared in “Brides Today.”  But when it was mentioned on “Oprah,” the business almost spiraled out of control.  They had weddings scheduled every weekend for the following year.  Fortunately, Melanie’s staff was very well trained, so they were promoted to management positions while they added more assistants to handle the daily grinding labor.

Baby Boomer Novel's Blog Hop

Continuing my “blog hopping,” here is the 4th excerpt from Boomerang, the first novella in the GIRLFRIENDS  trilogy.  Bill is regretting his breakup with Mary Jo after his affair with Constance cools.

After she left, Bill was even more convinced that he had made a mistake.  As he looked around the palatial home, he realized that he actually missed Mary Jo.  Her touches were everywhere. He smiled as he picked up a vase they had purchased in France.  The vendor had spoken in French to his associate saying he was going to “get over” on this American tourist, but Mary Jo spoke French fluently, and when she responded in his native tongue, he was so embarrassed that he practically gave it to her.  “She’s really quite the little spitfire,” Bill thought, grinning.

 Check out other writer’s excerpts at http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com

Boomerang - 3rd Excerpt

                 

Continuing my “blog hopping” delight, here is the 3rd excerpt from Boomerang.  This one is from Chapter 8 when Bill’s mother admonishes him for making a fool of himself. 

Check out other writer’s excerpts at http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com

 

Bill’s parents had always liked Mary Jo.  His father had died 10 years before and left his widow very well off financially.  She was 85 now and told her son what a jackass she thought he was being.  Muriel and Tom Danson had owned apartment buildings all over Los Angeles, and after Tom’s death, Muriel liquidated and invested the proceeds wisely.  Her investments grew into quite a nest egg.  She was a millionaire many times over.

 “For God’s sake, Bill, you’re 62 years old, and you’re being seen around town with a child!,” Muriel screamed into the phone.  “There’s no fool like an old fool.”

 “Okay, Mother.  I’m sorry you don’t approve, but as you point out so genteelly,” he said sarcastically, “I’m not a child and am certainly capable of making my own decisions.  I know how much you love Mary Jo, but people change, Mother.  Mary Jo and I grew apart.”

 

Boomer Blog Hopping 2

     I’m continuing my participation in the Goodreads blog hopping experience.  With that in mind, this is a continuation of my book, "Girlfriends."  This excerpt comes from Chapter 7.   See excerpts from other authors at http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com

  

     Constance was the new civil litigator at Burns and Burns, specializing in personal injury and medical malpractice.  She was 32 and a slender 5’8” with silky black hair and alabaster skin.  Her cavernous black eyes and innocent face belied the pit bull that she was.  Everything about her was appealing.  From her long, soft eyelashes that swept her skin below the bottom lid to her slender fingers that sported a delicate gold ring on her pinky, Bill was smitten the first time he met her.  He invited her to lunch and offered himself as her personal go-to-person.  She found occasions to “go-to” him often.

     Bill was flattered.  He began to work out even more vigorously and when they went out together, people would smile and look on with envy.  He liked the idea of having this young thing on his arm and was possessive of her attentions.  She liked the idea of having a relationship with a partner in the firm.

     They spent romantic evenings at fashionable restaurants, not caring who saw them together, or drinking fine wine by the fire at Bill’s.   His “latter life” crisis was unlike the Bill everyone knew.

 

 

 

 

Boomer Lit Blog Hopping

     As a part of the ongoing Goodreads Boomer Lit group, I am joining the Friday Blog Hopping band of independent writers who will visit other’s blogs and post excerpts from their own works every Friday.  You can find the group  at  http://boomerlitfriday.blogspot.com/.  

     Following is an excerpt from my last book,  GIRLFRIENDS,  which is a compilation of three novellas: Boomerang, Change of Life and Silver Lining.  The premise of the trilogy is the unconditional love and support among three women and the twists and turns they encounter as they grow into the third phase of their lives.  Here is an extract from the first novella in the trilogy, “Boomerang.”

 

Today Mary Jo believes in miracles.  Sitting in her posh office, surrounded by beautiful artwork and lush plants, she quietly reflects on what a difference three years can make.  Cloaked in peaceful tranquility, Mary Jo has a whole new perspective that comes from an awareness of the weaknesses and frailties that kept her lacking in confidence for most of her life.

 In 2007, all within the span of 30 days, Mary Jo lost her husband, her mother and her job.  It was the rainy season in Southern California, and, after seven straight days of rain, it had dampened her already soggy spirit.  From her apartment window Mary Jo could see the verdant hills covered in misty clouds that hung so low you could almost reach out and touch them.  Her mood mirrored the scene before her.  

Taking Care of Aging Parents

     As baby boomers age, we are often responsible for taking care of parents who may need assistance in areas, such as bathing, nutrition, medication, finances, living conditions, transportation, etc.  Adult children provide the majority of long term care for elderly parents.  Fortunately, new in-home services and programs allow today’s seniors to be more independent and stay in their own homes longer. 

      Modern technologies make it possible for adult children to have peace of mind by providing needed care through use of sensors, alerts, live images streaming, and GPS type tracking devices, which may be in the form of a pendant or wristband.

       Adult day care centers provide an avenue for seniors to interact with others, giving relief to the caregiver and providing a social outlet with peers.   Parents don’t want to feel as if they are a burden to their children and may not reveal their loneliness or their need for  help, so we need to be vigilant in our observations of elderly parents.   Another source of assistance is respite care, where a short-term, assisted- living facility is utilized, or a paid caregiver comes in while the family member takes a break.

      As informal caregivers, boomers need to have outlets for themselves and find outside help to prevent stress and burnout.  Seniors have access to more creative ways of taking care of themselves than ever before.  In addition to nursing homes, there are assisted living homes in retirement communities, shared living, neighborhood-based programs, professional geriatric care organizations and living with children.

      Our parents loved and cherished us in our formative years; we should do no less for them in their declining years.

 

New Genre - Baby Boomer lit

If you have not checked out “Goodreads,” please do so.  It is a site for people who love to read or write books, poems, short stories, memoirs, etc.  Read other’s reviews and comments while discovering new books and sharing ones you’ve read.  You’ll find new, as well as, seasoned authors.

Other exciting news is that a new genre, called Baby Boomer Lit, is now making news.  With the number of  baby boomers increasing every day,  it’s about time we started putting out quality reading that reflects our interests and have choices in contemporary literature without having to wade through books and movies laden with filthy words and pornography. 

The Baby Boomer Lit Facebook page is also up and running   If you’re not on Facebook yet, it will be worth it just to be able to access Goodreads Facebook page.  

This month Goodreads (Baby Boomer Lit)  is spotlighting author,  Duncan Whitehead and his debut novel, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club.   It is an entertaining piece of satire that chronicles a period in the boomer years of four women living in Gordonston, a suburb of Savannah, Georgia.  Revenge, jealousy, envy and vanity are the overriding themes from which the female boomers characters emanate.  The misquoted line from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “Vanity, thy name is woman,” surely applies here to Cindy and Carla while Heidi seeks retribution for her perception of misdeeds that happened over 60 years ago.  The fourth character, Thelma, is dying at the beginning of the story, but her zest for life is the antithesis of her three friends. 

 The juxtapositions of their various stories create coincidences that are oftentimes comical and at other times, serious.  In this debut novel the author has done a masterful job of creating characters that we want to see again.

Boomers and Digestion

As we grow older, we often have more digestive issues.  Some stem from stress while others may have as the origin poor eating habits over a long period of time.  Sensitivity to food, burping, gas and distention are all symptomatic of gastrointestinal troubles, which sometimes may be curbed with exercise, healthy foods and positive thinking.

I recently realized that I was sensitive to gluten.  Having gone through years of digestive distress, someone suggested that I might benefit from a gluten-free diet.  I began that same day and the symptoms disappeared within a couple days.  I couldn’t believe it!  I had suffered for several years and neither my doctor nor anyone else ever mentioned that as a possibility.  When I asked my physician, he tested me for Celiac disease; fortunately, I didn’t have the disease.  I have been feeling so much better since I began the gluten-free diet that I will remain on it.

It’s difficult sometimes when I eat out at restaurants or other people’s homes, but I try to avoid foods that I suspect might have gluten.  In addition to breads, cereals, pastas, etc., gluten can be used as a binder, flavor enhancer and thickener.  If you are sensitive to gluten, be careful with foods that you wouldn’t ordinarily suspect as having wheat, or one of the other culprit grains, as an ingredient, such as gravy or processed foods.  I’m not sure how reliable the gluten-free claims are.  I recently purchased gluten-free cookie mix and had a digestive reaction when I ate the cookies. 

I have absolutely no medical knowledge regarding gluten; I’m simply reporting on my experience.  If you think you might have this problem, see your doctor.

HERE’S TO OUR GOOD HEALTH

Health becomes a major issue as we grow older.  Of course, we all want to be physically fit, and that’s a part of being healthy, but losing a few pounds takes a back seat to the more important issue of healthy vital organs.  Keeping the heart healthy, kidneys functioning, lungs clear, intestines working well, and swollen ankles at bay become paramount to our well-being.  Maintain a healthy attitude with positive thinking and positive action.  Although we may have various maladies associated with growing older, that’s no reason to succumb to the notion that we are over-the-hill.  Get up and get out!  You will probably notice that many symptoms disappear when you become engaged in meaningful activities.

Don’t wait for your doctor to tell you to exercise and eat healthily.  Tune in to your body.  Some things are just common sense.  For example, if certain foods cause you discomfort, stop eating them instead of gorging on them and then taking a pill to offset the damage you’ve done.  The increase in obesity in this country is evidence of the old adage, “We dig our graves with our forks.”  Of course, there are medical conditions that no amount of exercise or healthy eating will cure, but many of our concerns can be abated with eating as healthily as we can.  That’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Another good idea is to drink more water than soft drinks.  The controversy over the risks of drinking soft drinks is not over; however, a recent New York Times* article cited an analysis of research results, while not definitive, show a correlation between daily consumption of soft drinks and an increased risk of stroke and heart attack.  Why risk it?  Cut back on soft drinks.

 

 

 

*http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/health/research/diet-soft-drinks-linked-to-risk-of-heart-disease.html?_r=1

Aches and Pains

            The older I become, the more aches and pains I have on a more frequent basis.  The bone spur in my hip reminds me of my age when I lift more than a few pounds or when I sit for too long on a soft sofa or chair.   When I was much younger, my sister-in-law said, “You can’t run to the doctor for every ache and pain.”  Now I understand what she means.  Whenever I tell my doctor about my aching joints in fingers, ankles, knees and on and on, he tells me it’s arthritis and moves on quickly to the next question I have, and I usually have quite a few.  I make a list before I go so I won’t forget anything. 

            Arthritis pain never goes away completely.  I manage it with exercise, healthy foods, and pain killers.  Various meds may dull the pain, but it’s a constant reminder of age-related maladies.  That’s why I begin each day with a 2-mile walk and always stretch afterwards.  If I’m stiff when I awaken, the exercise gets the blood circulating and I feel much better.  I have also noticed that the joints in my hands and ankles are less painful when I cut back on salt and sugar.  

            Now that it’s summer, I’d like to work in the yard, preparing and planting new flower beds and maintaining the older ones, but I know I’ll pay for it big time.  Keeping the patio plants watered, fed and dead-headed allow me to still feel like I’m gardening.  When I’ve completed those tasks, I sit on the patio with a book and a cold drink and enjoy the fruits of previous labor.  Come to think of it, that’s not so bad.

WHEN LOVE BLOOMS FOR BOOMERS

Many baby boomers are divorced, widowed or never married.  With the advent of online dating sites and social media, single men and women boomers are finding love in all the right places.  When love comes at our age, it comes with a lifetime of baggage from both partners.   Commingling two different personalities is bound to cause clashes at times, but we all want love and companionship as we go into our golden years.  Relationships are often based on emotions, and when those fiery emotions wear off after marriage, conflicts can arise.

Several points help marriages survive, whether you’ve been married for years or whether you’re newly married.  The first one, communication, requires exchange.  You need to listen, as well as talk, in order to truly communicate.  Let your spouse know what you’re feeling.  Don’t bottle up anger and resentment. 

Don’t expect your spouse to complete you.  Replace any selfishness and insecurity left over from previous relationships with gratitude, appreciation and patience.  There’s a degree of sacrifice inherent in anything worthwhile; marriage is no different.

Treat your spouse well and expect to be treated well in return.  The purpose of marriage is for companionship and procreation.  At our age procreation is off the table, so commit to being a loving, intimate companion, facing any obstacles or challenges that arise together, as some surely will.  There may be issues with blended families, physical or mental deterioration, financial crises, the list goes on and on.  Meet your partner’s needs with an attitude of love and a willingness to accept and tolerate minor faults and imperfections.  Each partner is unique and has his own ideas, so it is natural to have different opinions.

Enjoy the golden years!

Aging

       

According to Census projections, the over 85 age group is expected to more than double by 2035.  By that time those of us who are 65+ will be in that category.  We’ll be the ones in need of social services that our parents have today.  The pressures and challenges associated with elder care are numerous.  What will we do?  How many of us have prepared adequately?  How adequate is adequate?  Will we want to move from our homes into managed care facilities or into our children's homes?  Will we be willing to give up our independence?  Will we even be able to afford to grow old?

Getting older is difficult, and I must admit I fear the unknown.   Regardless of the plans we make and the directives we put in place, in the end, it all comes down to loss of choices.  If we live long enough and have debilitating physical or mental conditions, we lose the ability to control our lives, and that’s a terrible thing to lose.

When I think about elderly people who, at the end, lose their capacity to enjoy life, I cry.  It’s not easy to look into vacant eyes and watch joyless facades going through each day just waiting for it all to be over.  Of course, there are many exceptions to this grim scenario, but I’ve seen enough cases to know this is true.  When our minds or bodies fail us, is there no other place to go except into mindless oblivion?  Can we hold on to joy, peace and love, even in our failed mental and physical states?  Does dementia make us more of who we really are?

Issues surrounding aging are complex and I have a lot of questions, but the alternative to growing older is dying younger.   There are no easy answers, so I live by the belief that a positive attitude goes a long way toward warding off mental and physical disabilities.   My advice to myself, and to others, is to get up,   get out and get busy.  Learn something new; renew acquaintances; turn off the television; find joy in simplicity.  This quote from Henry David Thoreau is appropriate for us all:

“When it's time to die, let us not discover that we have never lived.”

Do Women Find Retirement More Fulfilling than Men?

I read and hear about people who retire and soon afterwards return to work.  Mostly they seem to be men, which begs the question, “Do men find retirement less fulfilling than women?” 

The Bank of Montreal conducted a survey in January 2012 in which they found that women may adapt better to retirement because they are more able to cope with the transition from work to retirement.  According to the article, women have nurtured families and friendships through the years and have that as a replacement for the work place, whereas men are usually more closely tied to their jobs and don’t have the same support system. (1)  The unique challenges that women face, such as longer life spans, intermittent work histories resulting in smaller pensions and reduction of income due to widowhood or divorce, may give us a different perspective on how we appreciate retirement.   

Personally, I love retirement.  I get up when I choose, plan my day the way I want and feel more relaxed than ever before.  It’s been seven years and I still pinch myself.  All of my friends are retired, so we plan activities together during the time other people are at work.  When we first retired, we continued to plan activities on the weekend until we realized we didn’t have to wait.  Every day was the weekend!!!!  What a revelation that was.

We plan excursions mid-week when rates are lower and route our outings to coincide with desirable traffic patterns.  I have time for reading, writing, and gardening.  Whenever I can get my extended family together at one time, I plan family dinners and spend time with my grandchildren.  I’ve met new people in book club, scrabble group and dance and exercises classes.  This is a most wonderful time of my life, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

1.      BMO Retirement Institute Report Survey; Harris Decima; January 2012 http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bmo-retirement-institute-report-men-143800572.html

Making Retirement Years Count

Welcome to my blog.  As women over the age of 50, we have concerns and anxieties that we didn’t have in our 30s.  There are lots of books and articles about baby boomers, both on- and off- line, and they probably all have interesting information that’s useful, but there’s never too much of a good thing.  Right?

We have embarked upon the second half of our lives.  It’s up to us to chart our course through this transformation mine field.  How we handle the myriad issues that affect us – health, finance, spouses, children, parents, retirement – will help determine the passion and joy we experience during this phase of our lives. 

Those of us who have retired look for ways to be fulfilled and valued.  We want to make the next chapter count.  Retirement allows us to reflect on our plans for the rest of our lives.  I like to think the best is yet to come.  To get the juices flowing, you might want to try a few of these.

Things to Do

Spend time with family
Cruise
Treat yourself to a massage
Write a novel
Join a discussion group Go to the beach
Visit friends
Drive in the country
Find or create a relaxing place to read
Go camping
Research ancestors
Work on family tree
Lunch with friends
Visit different libraries
Attend a Zumba class
Sign up for a line-dance class
Become active in church
Read “classics”
Start scrabble, chess, card, etc. club
Throw a dinner party
Attend a Bible study group
Take a bus tour
Go on a picnic
Plan a picnic in your backyard
Visit local tourist sites
Scour flea markets
Ride public transportation for fun
Work puzzles (Sudoku, Kenken, crossword, etc.)
Attend live theatre (check out matinees)
Visit museums
Join a new club or group
Learn a foreign language
Write fairytales for grandchildren
Read historical books
Visit towns within 50 mile radius
Go downtown
Visit historic downtowns
Play/learn games you don’t know
Attend speaker’s symposium
Research places on your cruise route