Under the shade tree

I’m sorry I missed getting my column in last week’s newspaper. I just got caught up in so many different things. My seniors tell me I need to slow down. I guess I do, but you know what? It’s like being on the Freeway or I-95. If you don’t keep up with the speed limit, you will get run over.

Happy birthday to my granddaughter, Kanani. She turned five years old on April 9. She was excited that her dad, Remy, was able to fly in to visit her from Hawaii. Be sure to keep him in your prayers as he prepares to deploy to Iraq. Also, keep our daughter, Lori, in your prayers as she continues her tour of duty in the Philippines.

Looking for something to do. There are many opportunities at the Garland Senior Center. Quilting is popular right now. Come out and stitch with Fannie Johnson and the girls. There’s also walking with Willa. You can shoot pool with Liz, play Dominos with Vicky, play ball with the group or sit back and watch television with Mr. Washington. There’s so much to do! If none of this strikes your fancy, you can always volunteer to get a new activity started like line dancing, cake decorating or assisting seniors in the computer lab or sewing room. There are also lots of in-direct volunteer jobs such as helping out the local Hospice agency. It’s your choice. Just come on out.

We are getting ready for Older Americans month celebrations on May 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Come on out and join us for fun, education, health screening, big bingo, good fellowship and more. Tar Heel Diabetes and Liberty Hospice are our big sponsors of this event. Tell your family and friends. It’s all free!

Carolina Foot Care will be at the Center later this month. Call the Center for more information and to sign up. Be sure to bring your Medicare and personal insurance cards.

On April 21, 10 a.m. -11:15 a.m., a representative from the Social Security office will be at the Center.

Marie Vann from Liberty will also be here at 11:15 a.m. on April 28.

We are trying to get all of the “kinks” worked out for our Henrietta Dinner Cruise in May. We’ll keep you posted.

Don’t forget the Expo at the Civic Center May 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. There’ll be some good food, health education and screening, free gifts, and much more.

We also do a lot of good breakfast programs at the Center. If you’d like to donate items for breakfast, call Bonnie at 529-3931.

Now, for some old fashioned hints of the week from my favorite magazine, “Woman’s World” - to protect your kidneys, eat lots of salmon, tuna, walnuts, flax seed oil and kidney beans. And, a glass of orange juice a day could help lower your blood pressure.

Be sure to carry extra address labels with you when you go to the post office to mail a letter. If the envelope won’t seal, you can use the labels to seal the envelope. This also saves on tape.

To keep labels on jars and bottles clear and nice, cover them with clear nail polish.

Try a Tai Chi class – it can help your asthma and make you feel good.

Thought for the week: “Hope sparks our dreams. Faith ignites them.”

Now is the time to remember the past. Take some time to sit under the shade tree with family and friends. I’ve seen so many families doing this now that the weather is turning nice. It’s good to see this is still happening.

Thanks to Mr. Gene Hart for visiting and sharing with us at the center. I enjoyed your visit. We could relate to so many of the same shade tree stories – war time stories, ration stamps, and a five cent piece of ice. The conversation went on and on. I treasure these times in my heart.

Until next time, do something nice for others. And, do something special for yourself. It will make you feel better. Remember, God is good all the time. God is good.