tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25520432570923939452024-03-28T10:32:46.000-05:00CONFESSIONS OF A DISABLED DIVAINTERVIEWS, POEMS, AND LIFE WITH CPJoanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.comBlogger395125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-6569146103879535092024-03-28T10:18:00.006-05:002024-03-28T10:32:12.038-05:00DEAR AMAZON PRIME<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2shQLcLWAMZyEQpzjg4x-5vCsby0nHwnyBSatNhxJ-1U0LfUTnO8W3HsBv4E2fQc6qB_J6AwfELoREjnnJPg4PM3BjfXrEeB3Me3-VHKCwVLiJgNCpDu9MiNE4L6NrF5aSEeHpH3MS25YAhE_b9484dbFJsW4vCX-LSfJyZuF4fLBHMLcY47vx41Is91j/s1280/package-7470616_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2shQLcLWAMZyEQpzjg4x-5vCsby0nHwnyBSatNhxJ-1U0LfUTnO8W3HsBv4E2fQc6qB_J6AwfELoREjnnJPg4PM3BjfXrEeB3Me3-VHKCwVLiJgNCpDu9MiNE4L6NrF5aSEeHpH3MS25YAhE_b9484dbFJsW4vCX-LSfJyZuF4fLBHMLcY47vx41Is91j/s320/package-7470616_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">What has happened to our relationship? What have I done wrong? I have been a loyal customer of Amazon for years. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I received my first birthday gift card many years ago I opened an account even though I was nervous. (You must understand that being nervous about trying new things is how I am. It's my MO. A risk taker I'm not.)<br /><br />A friend gifted me Prime several years ago. One yearly payment and BOOM not only could I shop online, but i could watch movies and get free shipping. Prime was so cool. <i>You </i>were so cool, Amazon. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The coolest thing? I could do everything myself with just a tap of the keyboard mouse on my laptop. I was independent. No assistance was required. <i>You</i> did that for me Amazon. I have cerebral palsy so, for me, that meant everything.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When I realized that I could get Prime for half the monthly price of fifteen dollars because I received government assistance. I jumped (pun intended) at the opportunity. Prime for under eight dollars a month? I was in.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Everything was fine until late last year when you began charging me the full monthly rate for Prime instead of the EBT rate. I was certain this was just a one-time error. that could be easily fixed. It was. Customer service refunded. me the overcharged amount. The end. Oh, Amazon how wrong you are.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">That was just the beginning of lengthy online chats. I was told the problem was fixed time and time again. I was told I would never be overcharged again. Month after month it kept happening. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Customer service told me I had two accounts and someone was using my information to get Prime for free. I was told to get a new debit card. I am waiting for my new one to arrive. After canceling my card customer service told me, after double-checking, that I did NOT have two accounts. ( I had been telling your customer service agents this over and over.) and everything would be okay. I would receive Prime at a reduced rate once I got my new debit card.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How could you do this to me Amazon? I thought we were friends. I have always been loyal to you. Everyone keeps telling me to give you up. To not add me new debit card to my account. How can I give you up when you've given me the gift of independence? When packages arrive it's like Christmas You have brought me so much joy. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love your movies. (Thanks for the Frida Kahlo movie. I have watched it on Prime before. I am so happy it is available again.)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I am frustrated. I still love you Amazon. I am not ready to give up on you.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sincerely,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Your loyal customer in STL.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div> <p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-68376350211234352872024-03-14T10:41:00.044-05:002024-03-15T13:54:56.491-05:00CHOICES<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvEIyFOU_FxpeYeg-emdUn_6NSeyWb1zouXeUNGG_rOkyJ40oxxC7DtUvLGDHNkRLh0Zl5Comf8g9zInUUYBdAL_S3dbsefOSZyCY0tn77TqqHoAlbgi4zd5X7RLaHoCCOULjLxEKILonVe4gliSxHuBhNdQ_lJCa4nVoADc5ZpCvmWkoO6F4YbV38wL9/s1280/missouri-31499_1280.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1280" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvEIyFOU_FxpeYeg-emdUn_6NSeyWb1zouXeUNGG_rOkyJ40oxxC7DtUvLGDHNkRLh0Zl5Comf8g9zInUUYBdAL_S3dbsefOSZyCY0tn77TqqHoAlbgi4zd5X7RLaHoCCOULjLxEKILonVe4gliSxHuBhNdQ_lJCa4nVoADc5ZpCvmWkoO6F4YbV38wL9/s320/missouri-31499_1280.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Yesterday was Legislative Day in Missouri. I did not make the trip to the state capitol in Jefferson City to be part of a rally or speak to legislators. That's just not my thing. If it is yours, great. That does not mean I don't care. I do. </div><div><br /></div><div>People with disabilities deserve choices. Those of us living in group homes and on Medicaid have limited choices.</div><div><br /></div><div>We need improvements in what is considered accessible housing. This means wider doorways as well as wider hallways. Any ramp should be a gradual slope/ I have tried to go up or down ramps at some houses and if someone had not assisted me my chair would have fallen off the ramp.</div><div>All ramps should be checked to make sure that they meet safety standards. There needed to be more room for me to drive my chair around in some of the houses I have visited. </div><div><br /></div><div>Wheelchairs and lifts need a lot of space. Accessible housing should be accessible to everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know this is discriminatory. I know this will never happen. I am going to say it anyway. I believe no one under the age of twenty-five should be hired to be a caregiver. They are too self-involved. They walk with me (sometimes ahead of me) with their head down looking at their phone.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have experienced negativity from my caregivers I have experienced a lot of positivity. The positive experience outweighs the negative experiences. Mutual respect between a client and their caregiver is a must. Listening to one another is important as well if the relationship is to a healthy and lasting one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been deemed unemployable by the State of Missouri on three separate occasions. I have been told by the state of Missouri that no one would pay me for the skills I have. I am a writer. I have an MSW. While I have no interest in going out and working, (I held a part-time teaching position for sixteen years) more work-from-home jobs are needed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since COVID-19, many people are working from home. Why can't I? Why did the State just bail out on me? My vocational rehabilitation office could have tried harder. M counselor should have tried harder. I refuse to be humiliated like that again. The third time was definitely not the charm for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I remain in my situation and my Sara Lift breaks down Medicaid will not pay for it to be replaced. The lift I am currently using was donated.</div><div><br /></div><div>If I go to a long-term care facility and my powerchair breaks down there is a strong possibility that Medicaid will not pay for a replacement powerchair. Leaving me dependent on others to get around. Mobility aids are essential to someone with a disability. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have waited months for my chair to be serviced. I waited months for my new chair to arrive. Mobility aides should be regularly serviced. Without my mobility aids my quality of life would be nil. The fear of losing one or both of my mobility aids keeps me awake at night</div><div><br /></div><div>Because I need skilled nursing care retirement communities won't accept me. Retirement communities should offer skilled nursing care. The really nice LTCs either do not offer skilled nursing at all or the Medicaid beds go to a resident already living there, or there are long waiting lists for the beds available.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I speak of LTC I do not mean warehousing. I visited the Medicaid floor in a nursing home where the entire floor reeked of urine. The residents were not engaged. They looked like zombies. That is warehousing. That is inhumane</div><div>.</div><div>Medicaid nursing home residents deserve their own rooms. Don't penalize us based on our ability to pay. Yeah, I know, that's how the world works. That's why my dream of living out my days in a private room, with an adjoining patio where I could sit waiting for my three o'clock cocktail will never happen. I require too much care. It would cost the State of Missouri too much money for this to happen.</div><div>A Queen Bee (as in the movie) Golden Girl on Wheels. That would be so rad.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no point in a Legislative Day. There is no point in rallying for our rights. I love my country. I have, however, lost faith in our government both at the federal and state level. Until our lawmakers are directly affected by all the issues that I have mentioned. Nothing will change for people with disabilities.</div><div><br /></div><div>To those in power. To those who pass bills into law, i have one final message. Wake up. Make changes now. In the blink of an eye, it could be you. Give us the choices that you would want.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-72406348139030460962024-03-09T09:24:00.001-06:002024-03-14T18:19:53.777-05:00WE ARE MORE THAN OUR BOOBS AND BUTTS<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGTwZmG3s-50Fvy6ASDNRTtfvw8G2-lzlSrdU0Ekumuw05OEWySYd_fLV6fBkG-kwx9tOr1xB1-FcdojujnP2KHqu61tIBh0qDvT25Org1BkG7D4c1dkDOfVelcKCB_vtbM2ZSFcZcS4umZ-1H4vojsCg4jh9OIeVYZxd3Lwk9S2MaA63xYwUWsAfCPAM/s960/431116331_738264981833673_4437535815718422151_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="960" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGTwZmG3s-50Fvy6ASDNRTtfvw8G2-lzlSrdU0Ekumuw05OEWySYd_fLV6fBkG-kwx9tOr1xB1-FcdojujnP2KHqu61tIBh0qDvT25Org1BkG7D4c1dkDOfVelcKCB_vtbM2ZSFcZcS4umZ-1H4vojsCg4jh9OIeVYZxd3Lwk9S2MaA63xYwUWsAfCPAM/s320/431116331_738264981833673_4437535815718422151_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday, on International Women's Day, I was invited to Hooters Restaurant to celebrate my housemate's birthday. I had so many feelings and emotions about being invited. I am the only female in this house. I like my housemates and their staff. We all get along very well. A lot better than I had ever thought we would.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am embarrassed to admit that the first thing out of my mouth was not a thank you for inviting me as it should have been. The first thing out of my mouth was, "That restaurant degrades and objectifies women." It's not my finest movement. I regret saying it. I thought I could go. But in the end, after seeing. Hooter's Facebook page with a young woman who had the honor of being "Miss March" I just could not see myself going. Even the name is offensive to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Being a waitress is hard work. Maybe they are there to pay for college or graduate school. If I had a daughter I would want more for her than the honor of being Miss March. I would not be happy with her waitressing in short shorts and shirts where her boobs are partially exposed even if it was just a temporary situation. What happened to dignity and self-respect? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Women have worked too hard to show that we are more than just boobs and butts. We have brains. We have ideas. We have opinions. We can do tough jobs,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Women work twice as hard to overcome stereotypes. Women with disabilities have to prove themselves worthy and equal over and over again. A restaurant like Hooters objectifies women. What messages does it send to young men?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I keep wondering what Ruth Bader Ginsburg would say. What advice would she give me?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided not to go because my housemate deserves to spend his birthday however he chooses. I do not want to be a Debbie Downer. I do not want to ruin his celebration. This is his party. This is his day. I truly hope he has a great time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will step down from my soapbox now.</div><p style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"></p></div><p></p><p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-18645249975196796972024-03-06T21:18:00.000-06:002024-03-06T21:18:15.152-06:00SPIRITS HAVING FLOWN<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX6BFj9czMo5TxO4RG1EBMN270gipUZfHpsgvYiaJL74t4v4AKLGMZCd01AXDg3s2re9i6zaRIS-huIr0TwgaBQph1cjNNZV2uJTXGaFL4_RTDszj9ayzrZKjYLQDiEVX753IY76rJRiWZo2urKRI-5ELGzKXaDn6KGVGk7WyeLL1PtXqUiFy6O43Vhwi/s960/29178445_1850157741669451_6377876437551971369_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvX6BFj9czMo5TxO4RG1EBMN270gipUZfHpsgvYiaJL74t4v4AKLGMZCd01AXDg3s2re9i6zaRIS-huIr0TwgaBQph1cjNNZV2uJTXGaFL4_RTDszj9ayzrZKjYLQDiEVX753IY76rJRiWZo2urKRI-5ELGzKXaDn6KGVGk7WyeLL1PtXqUiFy6O43Vhwi/s320/29178445_1850157741669451_6377876437551971369_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Mitchell Toy<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p>When Stephen Hawking died in 2018 the disabled community was in an uproar over this drawing of him entering Heaven. Another realm in the universe. Whatever your belief is. His body ceased to function. His spirit moved on.</p><p>The disabled community deemed this drawing ablest. I am not sure how anyone could negatively perceive this drawing I think this drawing is beautiful. </p><p>I was embarrassed in 2018 to be part of a community that would condemn it and the artist who drew it.</p><p>When I die I won't have CP anymore. I will not need caregivers/ I will not need my powerchair. I will not need my Sara Lift. I will not need to sleep in a hospital bed. I won't even need glasses. I will be able to leave all of the people and things that assisted me in my Earthly life behind. That is what this drawing represents. Freedom. </p><p>Ablest? I don't know. Ten people could look at this drawing and give ten different interpretations of it. If someone chooses to see this drawing negatively then I guess it is ablest. For me personally, this drawing represents positivity and hope. </p><p>Allison V Thompkins, Ph.D. <a href="https://www.allisonvthompkins.com/blog/">https://www.allisonvthompkins.com/blog/</a> writes about disability and spirituality. In addition, she holds a Ph.D. in Economics and has authored her first book on disability and spirituality. She has cerebral palsy and loves the color purple. </p><p>She believes that we are spirits. So much more than our disabled body. So much more than our outward appearance. I like this idea. It gives me hope as well. If only people could get past our disabilities and the equipment that assists us. If only people would take the time to see our spirits while we are here on Earth. Well, that would be too awesome for words.</p><p>My mom and I used to have discussions about this. She would say, "I know my body is going to die. My body is just a shell. What happens to <i>me</i>?" She would then point to her chest for added emphasis. Now she knows. I hope she is doing all the things she never got to do in life. The biggie? Travel to Germany.</p><p>I consider myself a spiritual person. I want to learn more about spirituality and how it relates to disability. I want to improve my relationship with God. </p><p>Dr. Thompkins lives her life with Faith. My Faith is a little shaky. Not my belief in God. I know He is with me. It's my faith in people that's shaky.</p><p>I pray for unity </p><p>I pray for positivity.</p><p>I pray for acceptance </p><p>I hope that people will begin to see our spirits. Not just our disabilities. </p><p>Cuz there is a whole lot more to me than spastic limbs and a powerchair.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-9381251055989110422024-02-25T15:13:00.002-06:002024-02-25T15:48:33.343-06:00ATTENTION SHOPPERS : THERE' IS DANCING IN ASILE FIVE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJh5cIhGRtlc3zjunSkWyrq4w5QR2dr536L4t2FBKWxLSDcwbSGY4-O38RkunrFm2ejWoYL_IgkMjgI8d7LUEFki2howQunz3q3KAZUG073pDVGcp0urpembzk6TlF5YPizV16piyTIJuHSScd-cEGjRIs1FnNVOwj4oS7DRhLUpo_ZCk_6W6sn5YzETCs/s700/TURKEY%20DAYB2021.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJh5cIhGRtlc3zjunSkWyrq4w5QR2dr536L4t2FBKWxLSDcwbSGY4-O38RkunrFm2ejWoYL_IgkMjgI8d7LUEFki2howQunz3q3KAZUG073pDVGcp0urpembzk6TlF5YPizV16piyTIJuHSScd-cEGjRIs1FnNVOwj4oS7DRhLUpo_ZCk_6W6sn5YzETCs/s320/TURKEY%20DAYB2021.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /> I know that my staff is not my friend. They are here to do a job. To meet my needs. That's it. They do not have to talk to me if they don't feel like talking. They can ignore me or tell me to leave them alone if I talk too much. <div><br /></div><div>My staff tells me that all I want is their attention. They are right. Sometimes I like to talk and joke around with my staff. I appreciate the care they provide. I would not have a life without them. Like the clients that they serve, no two staff are alike.<div><br /></div><div>On rare occasions, I have had staff who not only cared for my physical needs but also took an interest in me as a person. Staff who treated me like they would want to be treated. Not just a body. Not just a task they had to complete.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kenyoia was one of those staff. She had an upbeat attitude. She enjoyed coming to work and caring for me. She told me, "If you look good you feel good." She would assist me in picking out nice clothes to wear. Not just fancy lounging pajamas. Clothes. I have tried to keep this up. It's true. When I look good I feel good. She even got me exercising a little.</div><div><br /></div><div>We all know I have difficulty navigating the ramp in the van. My powerchair tires look like they have been through combat. It takes several tries for me to successfully get in or out of the van. A lot of the staff gets frustrated. Kenyonia would just say, "Come on Grandma." She made a joke of it This took the pressure off of me. I knew I was screwing up. She never called attention to it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am dying to go to Whole Foods Market. If Kenyonia still worked for this agency and at this house, I would ask her to take me...The main activity I enjoy is going vegan food shopping. Food shopping was one activity I loved doing with her. She knew about eating healthy. She allowed me to try new food. Most staff do not like to go food shopping with me because I like to take my time. I like to look at everything </div><div><br /></div><div>I am directionally challenged. I can lose the person I am shopping with, in a split second, when they turn a corner. I also forget that there may be people behind me when I stop to look at something. When this happened while shopping with Kenyonia I would hear, "Grandma where are you going? I would turn and see her dancing up the aisle I was supposed to be in. I was embarrassed but secretly delighted by her behavior. Although we did get some strange looks from other customers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am grateful to still be living here. I am grateful for my staff. However, I do not have very many happy memories. I am just a girl who wants to have fun. Most of what I like to do centers around food. A staff member doesn't have to be friends with a client to have fun with them. I don't like to go out a lot. I want to make more good memories when I do. '</div><div><br /></div><div>Having Kenyona as my caregiver is a very good memory</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-83011723171250550402024-02-24T10:58:00.000-06:002024-02-24T10:58:47.277-06:00NETFLIX AND CHILL<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqrDQhSYBIyaBGqylQv9eBJS0A22a3-WH6IeBUMEfpgjMGvuLPzoS-JS0NhVFgKcLKr0ZFucYrkSVcyr2LXQw0CrlFiibR8K2RzN-3kQOdppRCkXBMbbuUQjxQfececUHAPSvuGfy63zXtKBt25p94nTocmaCKCRyUfW35mUWkqChLSSSFtzUEsONibV2/s1280/netflix-5586059_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqrDQhSYBIyaBGqylQv9eBJS0A22a3-WH6IeBUMEfpgjMGvuLPzoS-JS0NhVFgKcLKr0ZFucYrkSVcyr2LXQw0CrlFiibR8K2RzN-3kQOdppRCkXBMbbuUQjxQfececUHAPSvuGfy63zXtKBt25p94nTocmaCKCRyUfW35mUWkqChLSSSFtzUEsONibV2/s320/netflix-5586059_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> If you've been a follower of this blog since my days in a nursing home you are probably aware that I volunteered for Voyce while I was a resident. I was interviewed about what it was like to live in LTC. These videos were used in training sessions at Voyce.<p></p><div>I attended conferences. I considered becoming an ombudsman, and I wrote several articles about life in a nursing home. It was an honor to be affiliated with Voyce. I have awesome memories. I thank everyone at Voyce, especially Chen for allowing me such a great experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>It has been suggested that I attend conferences, write, and advocate for others with developmental disabilities. I have been and will continue to be an advocate for people with disabilities via my writing. As for going to conferences, my feeling is I have been there. I have done that. I am done.</div><div><br /></div><div>This agency stresses that we need to go out into the community. If I go out once or twice a week why is that not enough? When do I get to say, "I just want to Netflix and chill, read, write, and see my friends?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I have been looking for work-from-home writing jobs. I had this crazy idea that I could be an obituary writer because of a listing I saw online. </div><div><br /></div><div>Tonight I hope to go to El Maguey for a Margarita and chips.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I am visiting The Humane Society to pet some puppies. I hope I do not embarrass myself by crying/ I love and miss dogs so much.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am tired. Aging with spasticity sucks.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are days when using my Sara lift tires me out.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am almost sixty-seven years old. </div><div><br /></div><div>I just want to Netflix and chill.</div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span> </span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-10782895692718678302024-02-23T21:37:00.001-06:002024-02-23T21:37:14.760-06:00WHAT'S ON THE MENU?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPssftDzTqC5OH4qoDgIdkvDqgXfPKez0j441knLBChdBfqjV0aEMTyEd0xnBWkqMMgiSWV2BaUjqMdf2UBqVQf7MeoPCV-Y7o9GIt0Zk9nZtMohBXSl7mWIJJY8ergPiSIYEuIn-HH2svd0wZMbI0KvlXf8Gzl954OaAuRj5_EO3oTv_OcSMIEXG7TqP1/s1280/ai-generated-8137622_1280.webp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1280" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPssftDzTqC5OH4qoDgIdkvDqgXfPKez0j441knLBChdBfqjV0aEMTyEd0xnBWkqMMgiSWV2BaUjqMdf2UBqVQf7MeoPCV-Y7o9GIt0Zk9nZtMohBXSl7mWIJJY8ergPiSIYEuIn-HH2svd0wZMbI0KvlXf8Gzl954OaAuRj5_EO3oTv_OcSMIEXG7TqP1/s320/ai-generated-8137622_1280.webp" width="320" /></a></div>My friends and I were always ordering out when I was in the nursing home. (If we had the money, that is.) <p></p><p>Someone would decide at lunch that they were not in the mood for the dinner menu choices. We knew that the receptionist had takeout menus at the front desk. That was all we needed to know.</p><p>"Let's get Chinese. How 'bout a pepperoni pizza? We had pizza last time we got takeout. I don't want pizza. There's a new Chinese place down the street with a cheap delivery fee. Let's order from there. I''ve got a bottle of wine. Wine? Now it's going to be a party." Suddenly our lunch conversation wasn't dull. Everyone was excitedly looking forward to dinner. </p><p>A lot of times I skipped lunch. On a diet, you know. (Okay, you got me. Ice cream was served at two o'clock. Some days I indulged.) On those days someone would come to my room to get my order and cash for my portion of the bill.</p><p>There were times when my resident friends and I would order takeout and eat it in the lobby Someone from the activities department would give us our food when it was delivered. If I got takeout with my tablemates in the dining room, One of my tablemates would wait in the lobby for our food to be delivered. A staff member would assist them in bringing our food upstairs to us in the dining room.</p><p>The dietary staff would bring plates, and utensils and help in whatever way they could so we could enjoy our dinner They even opened and poured the wine for us. One time a nurse opened and poured the wine for us. Shhh. Don't tell anyone</p><p>We finished our meal feeling stuffed, happy, and a little tipsy. All was good.</p><p>I miss those times. I miss those people. Nothing lasts forever</p><p>Every Friday, at three o'clock I stop for a second and remember Happy Hour. </p><p>Food, friends, and fun. That's all you need.</p><p>I hope my memories never fade.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-86690829627320790912024-02-17T20:04:00.019-06:002024-02-17T20:47:52.750-06:00SUSHI<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOM2X99CWrtMkMP-7wc5WvH3Qi4rWVa2X0YsMb8eRaV9Lc7-UCEBoXxkXFvqMWY4nQJe5BDa9QaE3FIJ6LbKP4J3U40KSnJV7hFzYRKl1osjh6NFIWL4CQgJMfCohS92MICDLub1WZOBg8YglVT0c3FE7iId59cJnFKMDbVlR3I8-7jkNM6We1_wrjRao/s960/asian-1239271_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOM2X99CWrtMkMP-7wc5WvH3Qi4rWVa2X0YsMb8eRaV9Lc7-UCEBoXxkXFvqMWY4nQJe5BDa9QaE3FIJ6LbKP4J3U40KSnJV7hFzYRKl1osjh6NFIWL4CQgJMfCohS92MICDLub1WZOBg8YglVT0c3FE7iId59cJnFKMDbVlR3I8-7jkNM6We1_wrjRao/s320/asian-1239271_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"> Sushi from WasabI.Sushi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not the grocery store</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eating it with my friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">When I told my friend I had eaten such from the store.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">She recoiled in horror.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I thought Sushi was sushi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I soon learned how wrong I was.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Where had real sushi.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">This delicacy been all my life?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Watching my friend eat ginger.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Ew.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I know it's good for you.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">but...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Gross!<br /><br />Waiting until two p.m. to eat.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">That's when my friend got to the nursing home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Eating it in PT.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">It was our secret.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I can still hear one of the PTs saying telling us.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"> "You're all going to get food poisoning."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">California rolls,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Philadelphia rolls.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Seaweed Salad\.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Heaven.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not too much Wasabi</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">That stuff will clear your sinuses/</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">(I could use some today. I have a cold.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">When I eat sushi now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Even the immatation kind.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I remember my friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I remember the laughs</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Good times. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Good food.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Good memories.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-11779301243919409842024-02-15T11:54:00.008-06:002024-02-15T15:32:33.911-06:00JUMP, SHOUT, KNOCK YOURSELF OUT<p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0_aONOVx5rC2kNy9FW-KPOGl1SiE4SMa6MKbxNdimlj003H2KGeu8ie5dW5zjTM6nhUONhRAIf7ShVtBSdo5fX_CLY8l2EQ_T0ph49KDWE2TvCFg_zDlggSFedlScFh2Gt3gQL1BR0If62EWdrpS05AXnxX_maU8KZOKJjnYz_nVOZHFM9cxGcdKliXx/s720/ribbon-1699384_960_720.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0_aONOVx5rC2kNy9FW-KPOGl1SiE4SMa6MKbxNdimlj003H2KGeu8ie5dW5zjTM6nhUONhRAIf7ShVtBSdo5fX_CLY8l2EQ_T0ph49KDWE2TvCFg_zDlggSFedlScFh2Gt3gQL1BR0If62EWdrpS05AXnxX_maU8KZOKJjnYz_nVOZHFM9cxGcdKliXx/s320/ribbon-1699384_960_720.png" width="214" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">I am a spastic quad. Meaning all four of my limbs are involved. I have the most severe type of cerebral palsy. I was born at six and a half months. My mom had been in bed bleeding for eight days before I was born. That's probably when the cerebral cortex of my brain was damaged causing my CP. </span><div><br /></div><div>The Moro reflex, commonly known as a “startle reflex,” which all babies are born with, goes away after birth. However, this reflex doesn’t completely disappear in individuals who have cerebral palsy, which can explain my heightened and “jumpy” responses to loud or unexpected stimuli. I startle more when I am nervous.<p></p><p></p><div class="rwrl_cred rwrl_f" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #444444; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: bottom; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="qna_algo" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px;"><div class="b_algo" style="outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; position: relative;"></div></div></div><p></p></div><div>When someone tells me to "be still" I try hard to comply. The reality is while trying to comply with their request I startle more. This leads to them telling me how nervous I am making them. Their comment makes me feel immensely guilty. I do not want to upset my staff. Nor do I want to get hurt. </div><div><br /></div><div>When I startle not only do physically jump, my heart jumps too. Someone can tell me that I am fine. That I am not going to fall. If I feel off-balance standing on my lift or unsafe in any way. I will become upset. The fear of falling feels worse than actually hitting the ground. The feeling can be so intense that I feel sick to my stomach.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I was young I was able to be lifted onto the exam table when I went to the doctor. Exam tables are narrow. I always got the sensation and fear that I was going to roll right off the table. It may seem illogical to you. This fear was very real to me. I made sure someone stayed in the room with me until the doctor arrived.</div><div><br /></div><div>Throughout my life, individuals have taken great pleasure in causing me to startle on purpose. It may be viewed as hilarious to them. It's cruel to take pleasure in causing someone else's discomfort.</div><div><br /></div><div>My startle response is a part of me. The trick is not to let it upset me or my staff. They do the best they can the same as I do. The trick is to work together. Trust one another. Communicate effectively with one another. If both sides can do that my care will go smoothly.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-30414616244280673182024-02-14T12:40:00.000-06:002024-02-14T12:40:09.002-06:00HOLLY GOLIGHTLY AND THE BLUE BOX<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sowfjW5e8zh6kDz5BKcS_ZoQYVkUgCXAjTqxVEOIsBU7yfZ8hs3uQASaC_pfjkKedNaccUse8FrvyGiEsNG3WgH9nNSmdY9Yj7M5iSmv8lB4OC2Bun9Us0RbMRab0DQ-GXADmFun6PB_EU7AiFlsCDVNc-AZRVdH3syWIueK00CMXrp2thGxUxdYFltR/s1800/420556450_18412043137060901_6313070630538346413_n.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_sowfjW5e8zh6kDz5BKcS_ZoQYVkUgCXAjTqxVEOIsBU7yfZ8hs3uQASaC_pfjkKedNaccUse8FrvyGiEsNG3WgH9nNSmdY9Yj7M5iSmv8lB4OC2Bun9Us0RbMRab0DQ-GXADmFun6PB_EU7AiFlsCDVNc-AZRVdH3syWIueK00CMXrp2thGxUxdYFltR/w256-h320/420556450_18412043137060901_6313070630538346413_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kerrie Hess illustration</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times;">I wrote a story for a friend when I was in the nursing home. The story was about a young woman who was proposed to in the middle of Tiffany & Co. in NYC. </span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">I have been obsessed with the famed jewelry store ever since hearing that Katie Couric celebrated her fiftieth birthday there. And, Audrey Hepburn in the movie. Who doesn't love Holly Golightly?</span><p></p></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">I will never get to the Blue Box Cafe. Nor will I be gifted a blue box with a signature piece of Tiffany jewelry.inside/ That's okay. I can write this day however I want. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">That's the awesome thing about being a writer. I am always making up characters in my head. plots for stories. It's fun. I make myself laugh too. Laughter is the best way to beat depression. If I crack myself up while writing that is a good indicator that others will laugh when they read what I have written.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Whether you have a Valentine or a Galintine do something that makes you happy today My suggestion?. Watch <i>Breakfast at Tiffany's </i>Imagine yourself wearing Holly's dark glasses. Smoking a cigarette in a cigarette holder and looking glam. Oops. Sorry. TMI. Got carried away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Did you ever think to yourself what a poor shot Cupid is? His aim is off. He definitely needs to hone his skills with that bow and arrow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Today, Valentine's Day 2024, who knows where I will be traveling to via one of my characters. Or, I might come up with a story in which I am the main character. I just might get that blue box after all. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Happy Valentine's Day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.kerriehess.com/">https://www.kerriehess.com/</a><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kerriehessillustration/">https://www.instagram.com/kerriehessillustration/</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=kerrie%20hess%20illustration">https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=kerrie%20hess%20illustration</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-46703536672567124832024-02-09T19:33:00.012-06:002024-02-09T20:47:06.232-06:00KATHY<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx91REHe5zkIBqbBoI_K0WTCmiPb4RX7YFSWEhkl7W0JELP8lfASSHzXR9Uhfii-gSnKzoAevJtBGmU0C-51J6HxnnglcllhjzCMVQqCjtVGMONNLdK8BJMZX0r-BMMQa3eqhh1obB5vMS6tSe78ghKCcHc_rVND8gV2xtxPhgRtKxKE3ec34JU8SHDSja/s4032/unnamed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx91REHe5zkIBqbBoI_K0WTCmiPb4RX7YFSWEhkl7W0JELP8lfASSHzXR9Uhfii-gSnKzoAevJtBGmU0C-51J6HxnnglcllhjzCMVQqCjtVGMONNLdK8BJMZX0r-BMMQa3eqhh1obB5vMS6tSe78ghKCcHc_rVND8gV2xtxPhgRtKxKE3ec34JU8SHDSja/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Brightest Star in the Sky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She woke up every morning singing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She could not wait for her day to begin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.She'd smile and laugh while groovin' to her favorite jams.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You could not be sad when she was around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If her staff was slow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She'd let them know.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calling "Hurry up."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She had places to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She had people to see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She loved going to UCP.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">UCP meant friends, learning, and fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When she had to miss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was bummed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Birthday, Christmas. She didn't care.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If there was a party.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She was there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sitting outside on the patio.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soakin' up rays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The warmth of the sun on her face.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's how she spent her summer days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She'd people watch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hoping she'd spy a cute guy who'd say, "Hi."<br />Kathy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's left this Earth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">She's become the brightest star in the sky</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shine bright. Do your best twinkle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And know that you'll never be forgotten. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kathy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-34071640288214581962024-02-08T14:02:00.003-06:002024-02-08T14:58:41.887-06:00JUST ZIP IT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi6XKqJpD-C59uvSyzzeerBoz1qsxYISlJwRtfRnyXGjnRczD2quXWmyNJy0U9pttRu_9bknJqbrYeg5VEkRwwwxo0L_JYmpWxXT6p2aFr6Uj2eiaoRgQ3RLSlhXreDpjwPa39YKZ6sD6IFoPJ7W7jWKR4JFisSdeK7_63vPqOsV9BEtTw8sNJwjpiqYU/s474/OIF.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYi6XKqJpD-C59uvSyzzeerBoz1qsxYISlJwRtfRnyXGjnRczD2quXWmyNJy0U9pttRu_9bknJqbrYeg5VEkRwwwxo0L_JYmpWxXT6p2aFr6Uj2eiaoRgQ3RLSlhXreDpjwPa39YKZ6sD6IFoPJ7W7jWKR4JFisSdeK7_63vPqOsV9BEtTw8sNJwjpiqYU/s320/OIF.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span> Why all the negativity about Taylor Swift supporting her boyfriend, Travis Kelce by attending Chiefs games?</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Does it really hurt the game when the media shows Swit cheering and waving during a game? I've read stories of girls watching Chiefs games with their fathers and learning about the game because Swift is there. Fathers spending time with their daughters. That's a positive in my book.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">As for Taylor Swift being a distraction. Think of all the revenue her presence brings to the Chiefs and Kansas City. Swifties are attending games and spending money. Another positive.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Tayloe Swift was named Time's Person of the Year in 2023 for her achievements in the arts. She won Album of the Year at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She is the fourth artist and the first woman to win Album of the Year three times.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Swift was also named Person of the Year in 2017 for urging women to speak out about sexual misconduct she is one of a few people to have been on the Time cover twice. she follows her own path. She follows her own vision. All the ingredients of an outstanding role model for young girls and women. </span></p><p>The world is a mess. Wars, hostages. The political environment in this country? I won't go there. We need positives to combat the negativity. The relationship between the pop star and the football player is a joy to watch. They glow. They blush. They hold hands. They kiss. They allow us to witness their romance while taking all the media attention in stride. They are so freakin' cute and normal.</p><p>If you are bothered by the media paying so much attention to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce plead your case to the media. Don't spew negativity and ruin it for fans who get joy from watching them together. </p><p>Don't be mean-spirited,</p><p>If you don't have anything positive to say...</p><p>Zip it.</p><p>Travis Kelce has played in three Super Bowl games. He has won two. According to People Magazine, The Super Bowl in Las Vegas is the, "Biggest game of my life." Superbowl LVIII will mark the first Superbowl game played in Las Vegas.</p><p>Let's Go Chiefs.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-16980112768899863962024-02-07T19:39:00.021-06:002024-02-07T20:06:14.449-06:00ONE FINGER TAPPING ONE KEY AT A TIME<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY210Ok_HKNMZ6lXPrYylVWqfvXFqphPxi_eWiqh1iVFwiVfDIgg6AZc77kL-KRkJxGa_uwZb7TiesIhkwIhalKgqUE_OUIMHwwG1moSBTp5o6upkh4sL3bTszmP38sTjXlHKtXijCrr1BwE_i4s_X3lSJX2VIdefJ4bU4HBF0tZfr-KQbMWr8siRjQ9-H/s1260/resize2.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="854" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY210Ok_HKNMZ6lXPrYylVWqfvXFqphPxi_eWiqh1iVFwiVfDIgg6AZc77kL-KRkJxGa_uwZb7TiesIhkwIhalKgqUE_OUIMHwwG1moSBTp5o6upkh4sL3bTszmP38sTjXlHKtXijCrr1BwE_i4s_X3lSJX2VIdefJ4bU4HBF0tZfr-KQbMWr8siRjQ9-H/s320/resize2.jpg" width="217" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: times;"><br />"We are honored to have you write for us. Your voice needs. to be heard. What? Pay you? Oh no. We can't pay you. This assignment is on a volunteer basis. Think of the exposure you will get by writing a column for us This could lead to a paid writing job for you."</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Yeah right. Who were they kidding?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I began using an electric typewriter at seven to complete my assignments and keep up with my classmates in school. I did not start my writing career until I was in my forties.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I type with one finger. I tap one key at a time. it is a slow, sometimes laborious process. I am grateful I type as well as I do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I have written for newsletters that focused on disability, and LTC. There was one instance when I was asked to write an article with the promise of being part of a class via Zoom. I was to help facilitate the class. I excitedly wrote my article, hit send, and heard nothing. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Keep in mind that some of the agencies I wrote for assisted those of us with disabilities gain independence as well as employment.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I am one of those people who foolishly trusts and takes people at their word. Do people think I will forget what they told me? This has happened to me time and time again over the years. I am tired of my skill as a writer being taken for granted, I need assistance with everything. Writing is the one thing in my life I don't need assistance with. And, I am damn good at it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I had not been teaching very long at the community college when I was asked by one of my students for help. The class had ended. I had a few minutes before my ride was due to pick me up. I worked with the student for a few minutes. Someone working in the computer lab came up to me as I was leaving for the day and asked, "Were you working with a student when you were off the clock?" I replied, "They asked for my help. I had the time so I helped them." I was told I was crazy. No one worked without getting paid. I never did it again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The people who've asked me to write articles and promise to pay and then don't, forget that I am on limited funds. I am responsible for purchasing whatever I need or want. I can use a little extra money as well as anyone else. It is also about being valued. My time is valuable and the articles I write are valuable. Anything I write is a little piece of me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I am grateful for everything I have. My new living arrangement is working out better than I thought it would. I am grateful. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">However, I want the work I do to be valued. I love writing but it is time-consuming. It takes effort too. Vocational rehabilitation told me no one would pay me for my skills, I disagree. I am not going to write for free anymore.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The time I wrote for the West End Word was one of the happiest periods of my life. I wrote a monthly column for the WEW online. I was paid for each column. I made it into the print edition twice. I was a journalist. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I will continue to write posts for this blog.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">I hope that someday my writing will be valued again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-48811557315279190352024-01-28T11:33:00.001-06:002024-01-28T13:20:27.129-06:00I WANT TO BE A SENIOR SWIFTIE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YDcJ0Qfx-K68BelSGlWjFNmseJQ-d61ouhChUIrteIYerJJX-RqPdFyoK7PNc-08G8IZjz_cofBr_ybp7XlI_7BSmKntaj0N3ptgOVC6TudrnByFZAv5tTR2db8-muqWqN5Qn9ImSsrWOcb4qvkLPJtoCny8yGIk9de5_nx56fmVZ5iaxGVDFs9KwjT9/s1500/senior-swifties-012524-1-6f935fe7836244609e3d1a05e22a3457.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YDcJ0Qfx-K68BelSGlWjFNmseJQ-d61ouhChUIrteIYerJJX-RqPdFyoK7PNc-08G8IZjz_cofBr_ybp7XlI_7BSmKntaj0N3ptgOVC6TudrnByFZAv5tTR2db8-muqWqN5Qn9ImSsrWOcb4qvkLPJtoCny8yGIk9de5_nx56fmVZ5iaxGVDFs9KwjT9/s320/senior-swifties-012524-1-6f935fe7836244609e3d1a05e22a3457.webp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I saw a story online that made my day.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Primrose Retirement Community in Sedalia, MO. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">That's where I want to go.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Senior Swifties support Travis and the Chiefs. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Just like their team, these fans have their own swag. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Dancin to Swag Surfin.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">They have the moves. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">They know how to rock.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Don't believe me?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Click on the link below and check them out.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Chiefs will beat the Ravens today in Baltimore.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">With the Senior Swities rooting for them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How can they not score?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">My chair dance moves might not be perfect.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">But I'd try my best.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Do I have to audition?<br />Put me to the test.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I Googled. I researched.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">To Primrose Retirement Community I must go.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to see this fun place.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">ROAD TRIP!!!<br />I want to meet the Senior Swities more than you'll ever know.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I'd move there in a heartbeat.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">If they would accept me.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sadly, I can't live independently.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Even assisted living won't do.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Skilled nursing is not an option there. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">That is just not fair.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">My rhyme is almost done.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">The Chiefs are #1</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Yes, they'll do great.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Then it's on to Superbowl LVIII</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">With the Senior Swifties, and me (A Senior Swiftie at heart.)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Rooting them on to victory.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I want to be a Senior Swiftie.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">This post is dedicated to the Senior Swifties at the Primrose Retirement Community in Sedalia, Missouri.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sources:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://people.com/senior-swifties-show-off-swag-dance-routine-8549555?utm_campaign=people&utm_content=likeshop&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&fbclid=IwAR2mcKGvWQhAjZPY4e29WSzm7f8dMdCZ45Jc9mTprMqJGzG04IbKaaKAzJA" style="font-family: times;">https://people.com/senior-swifties-show-off-swag-dance-routine-8549555?utm_campaign=people&utm_content=likeshop&utm_medium=social&utm_source=instagram&fbclid=IwAR2mcKGvWQhAjZPY4e29WSzm7f8dMdCZ45Jc9mTprMqJGzG04IbKaaKAzJA</a><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://primroseretirement.com/sedalia-missouri-senior-living-communities/">https://primroseretirement.com/sedalia-missouri-senior-living-communities/</a><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-57856362570684650682024-01-19T19:09:00.004-06:002024-01-19T20:59:28.058-06:00LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2Wu_KUOiR5pOayY7Owr05BKpwzP-ZH911zNmu37Xe6_gD8IwG1PfmC4fgtsi3QQoimGy931qJySfGYVdr86-x4bScubrtN8LBClUaRzD91dhpud1H7IL6jo8ynkrBO27xPiyVTb0cjgXwm6fWD62G0-LQeELanfpKBug6foZZxjMmY2uxYTlk-2DyfQu/s960/dementia-3268560_960_720.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="307" data-original-width="960" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic2Wu_KUOiR5pOayY7Owr05BKpwzP-ZH911zNmu37Xe6_gD8IwG1PfmC4fgtsi3QQoimGy931qJySfGYVdr86-x4bScubrtN8LBClUaRzD91dhpud1H7IL6jo8ynkrBO27xPiyVTb0cjgXwm6fWD62G0-LQeELanfpKBug6foZZxjMmY2uxYTlk-2DyfQu/s320/dementia-3268560_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Alzheimer's<span style="font-family: times;"> disease is like a thief in the night that robs a person of their mind bit by bit until they no longer remember the things and the loved ones that once mattered to them. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">This thief of a disease runs in my family It claimed my two aunts as well as two of my uncles. I often wonder if my father would have been a victim of it had he lived longer. I wonder if I will. I have been tested. I do not have it. Although, in my opinion, I have symptoms. I cannot remember things. I get confused. I forget where I am supposed to go, I guess I should add the word sometimes to all of my "symptoms."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I blame everything on stress. What if it's not? I begin to worry in the evening who the overnight staff is going to be. A group home is not like a nursing home where I could ask who was coming on shift. In a group home. As long as someone shows up,and my needs are met, why do I have to know ahead of time?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">What if my call button is not working? Knowing the staff member's name makes me feel better. To be fair there are times when the evening staff does not know who is working the overnight shift. I try not to ask anymore. When I kept asking, people would sometimes say I was acting like someone with sundowners. I can't explain it but my fears and anxieties seem to be worse at night</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Sundowners is one of the. symptoms of Alzheimer's My mom would sleep all day. She'd wake up at four o'clock in the afternoon and want breakfast. The caregiver and I would do our best to convince her that it was almost time for dinner. Often times we were successful. However, many times we were not. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">When I was a resident in the nursing home one of the other residents with sundowners cornered me so I was unable to pass her, kicked me. and yelled at me. This went on for several minutes with me trying to pass her. I finally had to call for help. She had me trapped. She was not going to let me pass her.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I worry about not being able to talk at all. It is getting more difficult for me to speak loudly and clearly. When I do my chest hurts. I sometimes have to push to get my words out. People tell me I talk too much. People are always asking me to repeat myself. What if the day comes when I am not able to talk at all? This is by far my number one concern as I get older.'</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">My hearing is not what it was. Neither is my vision. I hope to put off having cataract surgery for another year. I am scared to death to have it. Come on you already knew I was a wimp. I just confirmed it for you. I guess my question is how routine of a surgery is it for someone with spastic CP? All of my questions will be answered in March.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I make a mess when I eat. (That's it. That's why no one ever asked me out. Came close though. What? A lady never tells.) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I don't drive my power chair as well as I used to. The truth is I never drove it very well. (I heard you agreeing as I typed that sentence.) I remember going for walks all over the place by myself. I miss those days. I miss the person that I used to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I began this post by saying that Alzheimer's robs a person of their mind. That's true. Aging in general is a thief. We can't stop it. We have no other choice but to accept it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">People lose patience with you as you get older.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Bette Davis was right when she said, "Growing old ain"t for s sissies." Permit me a little poetic license. "Growing old with a disability ain't for sissies."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Disabled peeps, can I get an amen?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-14154627628907930632024-01-15T10:00:00.001-06:002024-01-16T19:12:43.878-06:00PEACE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwBlCZWl-zU42GWyMvC1GIZOUuuKif9KWn5CXsPWBxuuPR_Ymmkxo8D5H6hXZXKgJfJssnD10Ivpg4wT6psI04ddVvIr3fKRM1aoj92ji5UgalMoTiXaPiHB6fMk15e6Y4Xh1Ky1ZRv7E/s1600/dove-2516641_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="960" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAwBlCZWl-zU42GWyMvC1GIZOUuuKif9KWn5CXsPWBxuuPR_Ymmkxo8D5H6hXZXKgJfJssnD10Ivpg4wT6psI04ddVvIr3fKRM1aoj92ji5UgalMoTiXaPiHB6fMk15e6Y4Xh1Ky1ZRv7E/s400/dove-2516641_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Love</div><div style="text-align: center;">Acceptance</div><div style="text-align: center;">Inclusion</div><div style="text-align: center;">Equality</div><div style="text-align: center;">Education</div><div style="text-align: center;">Understanding</div><div style="text-align: center;">Diversity</div><div style="text-align: center;">Justice</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kindness</div><div style="text-align: center;">Helping </div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Inclusion</div><div style="text-align: center;">Non-judgemental </div><div style="text-align: center;">Involvement</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">Curiosity</div><div style="text-align: center;">Open-mindedness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
These words are positive. If we practice them we will be on the road to living in peace. I fail all the time. So will you. What matters is that I keep trying.<br />
<br />
Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s belief in all the words I have listed. He believed the day would come when we would all live in peace.<br />
<br />
Our country is in turmoil. Our world is a scary place. <div><br /></div><div>Tragedies occur in our world every day.<br />
<br />
It's not political. It is humanity<br />
<br />
A list of words.<br />
<br />
The first steps toward Peace.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." </b>Dr. Martin Luther King Jr</div><div><br /></div><div><b> “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” </b> Dr. `Martin Luther King Jr.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wPd0Oli9mGYt0iZIRsFYHGiUqivjZ2I9jFTfIKOQjofiFdVR-0SX6wtMcYoGNlNhOOUufmwYPhOfojfNgNvIl_oXDRddcv-vIrNsU_zUFs3WbcRHN7hkIEiT7fZmzKwpgnDC7KuZbc-1QEsKG-b3AD78rEWEsVr4xI6WmwA_TWgAAiAfJKTweDDY82e7/s474/OIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="474" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wPd0Oli9mGYt0iZIRsFYHGiUqivjZ2I9jFTfIKOQjofiFdVR-0SX6wtMcYoGNlNhOOUufmwYPhOfojfNgNvIl_oXDRddcv-vIrNsU_zUFs3WbcRHN7hkIEiT7fZmzKwpgnDC7KuZbc-1QEsKG-b3AD78rEWEsVr4xI6WmwA_TWgAAiAfJKTweDDY82e7/w400-h248/OIP.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div>
<br />
<br />
.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-82351793043363813812024-01-04T13:45:00.000-06:002024-01-04T13:45:26.572-06:00EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE OKAY<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjRcmzyJqzSIISDpFrFhoqdBdx5EMoJJJxH20f3huhxtbio8g9_Y3YoqkmqezFZT1_9ZQimrFLl1ZJ9QnAc0oTIgs-79BU7T78GsV5XqY3vBx6C43sKx4pD20tqJG97Rbod_v59dKoGoVypeJ6t9-jigYH0uz7Lna7-PgxWkeXF6P6IkQWjjamHKjxZ4A/s1280/pillow-650243_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjRcmzyJqzSIISDpFrFhoqdBdx5EMoJJJxH20f3huhxtbio8g9_Y3YoqkmqezFZT1_9ZQimrFLl1ZJ9QnAc0oTIgs-79BU7T78GsV5XqY3vBx6C43sKx4pD20tqJG97Rbod_v59dKoGoVypeJ6t9-jigYH0uz7Lna7-PgxWkeXF6P6IkQWjjamHKjxZ4A/s320/pillow-650243_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had a meltdown.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The floodgates opened.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All my worries.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All my fears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Came tumbling out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the form of tears.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It felt good to cry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Changes big or small are hard for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Even moving to the front you see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like it back here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In my luxurious cave.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, you'll have to rearrange.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guys are moving in soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh me. Oh my.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess I'll give it a try</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything is gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Someone from the office came to talk to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They put my mind at ease.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I realized how nice it might be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My new housemates might be nervous too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is something that I can do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Make them feel welcome.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is your home too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you to my staff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To the administration too</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is my chance.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I want to make this work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I really do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trust. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have faith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let God handle it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have to believe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything's gonna be okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> </div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-30199193702198951202023-12-30T11:30:00.005-06:002023-12-30T11:41:45.408-06:003... 2... 1... 2023 IS DONE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_paY9jPM_Dk7O9llPuDE83fqn2xvFSnZMQrX6vrYsTYmrFocs3pNnmUT-HYX_JyodetT6H_RTl-q2yZIFOI9pjsMw5cfeODlnY9XOIIhykEz8IrTYEOQIPSx2tNCaT4FfqIzmv1rh7gg_xSJZUKUwEUDaMLRFRW-9_MSWddKwS7LEWRFmmDCnQWngMVM/s1280/aumigoeq.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1280" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_paY9jPM_Dk7O9llPuDE83fqn2xvFSnZMQrX6vrYsTYmrFocs3pNnmUT-HYX_JyodetT6H_RTl-q2yZIFOI9pjsMw5cfeODlnY9XOIIhykEz8IrTYEOQIPSx2tNCaT4FfqIzmv1rh7gg_xSJZUKUwEUDaMLRFRW-9_MSWddKwS7LEWRFmmDCnQWngMVM/w320-h181/aumigoeq.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In a matter of hours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's say forty-eight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Give or take.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At math, I'm not that great.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1... 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There were lots of changes in 2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My housemates moved. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They now reside in long-term care</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I miss them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's so not fair</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1... 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2024 will bring. male housemates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving to a smaller room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I wanted to stay in this house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what I got.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope it works out</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1... 2023 is done</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2023 saw a change in me</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope you can see/.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I try to be chill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Calm if you will.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What does it matter anyway?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do my best.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Forget the rest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1... 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw the lights on Candy Cane Lane.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saw the house that's not mine anymore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Memories galore.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It made me sad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not mad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time marches on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've got to march with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1.. 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some dreams you have to let fade.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No matter how much you want them to be saved.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1.. 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cataracts, clean teen, and a physical</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks 2024.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I couldn't ask for more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1.. 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Spread love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not hate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Be kind.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't whine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Agree to disagree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Please do that for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Keep Pushin' </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Surviving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thriving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1... 2023 is done.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thnks for reading nd suporting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's knock 2024 out of the park,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't be a dork.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3...2...1,,, 2023 is done</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-38507313524771234542023-12-09T10:06:00.121-06:002023-12-20T16:57:03.291-06:00FLY EAGLES FLY INTO CHIEFS KINGDOM<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjgczXQJqm4_A9ZML-CAhylSjuto0_JyQeDeZTimr4pKKx7wBgZ_m7kidGhBhhqa1-UkfRFMF0zWGluxo-7yzqxuY8ZlECLEwLqvouJNXXr-z-4pMjooudUkjc266XA_8fnQP9AU09GwmZ0RA0A6fecpLjyFDw2eRBikx2z4aZFdNTNlIBj0V8n1wejC5/s2000/4X0bodN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusDCy7Qgrhq1JefQdLYy2EsLJzsQHR7gIsiPFy0TOQUrGxl1ECQgi_kMl7Q3OjOF2Rmuf2NIsoxSxp3p4KS6B6PVKKRMrHSmLRZDbmIKwYUm5kT15wdhIDrFOnxG7-2fyzqg0exR7SF7hheNzl9YRkNnuzb6XpOefUA1I1D8LFQBdwGecS-4U48mQ00-/s474/OIP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="296" data-original-width="474" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRusDCy7Qgrhq1JefQdLYy2EsLJzsQHR7gIsiPFy0TOQUrGxl1ECQgi_kMl7Q3OjOF2Rmuf2NIsoxSxp3p4KS6B6PVKKRMrHSmLRZDbmIKwYUm5kT15wdhIDrFOnxG7-2fyzqg0exR7SF7hheNzl9YRkNnuzb6XpOefUA1I1D8LFQBdwGecS-4U48mQ00-/s320/OIP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPSNbHE7v-6y-BCMdZJHs3rbJ9G8suhIIxocwe0Who7Zk1caNP_jEJ4DZYQerj3jwQ4NIIRO8eqrTDfMvRRzOt74OYCHxQTptGekGiTAvtpmlSMgZ3RVf2PN6c9GSHFHdBTFTWLZB0T7xHJu3sqZtMfj_qycISlOCQhSwH42JWNc61YVxAXq_MhA6fRTD/s2000/4X0bodN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPSNbHE7v-6y-BCMdZJHs3rbJ9G8suhIIxocwe0Who7Zk1caNP_jEJ4DZYQerj3jwQ4NIIRO8eqrTDfMvRRzOt74OYCHxQTptGekGiTAvtpmlSMgZ3RVf2PN6c9GSHFHdBTFTWLZB0T7xHJu3sqZtMfj_qycISlOCQhSwH42JWNc61YVxAXq_MhA6fRTD/s320/4X0bodN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: times; text-align: center;">The title of this post comprises the extent of my knowledge of football.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Wait. That's not entirely true.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I know Travis Kelce's position is a tight end and Jason Kelce is a center.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">#87. #62.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Impressed yet?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><div style="text-align: center;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Chiefs brought home a win. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They ruled in Super Bowl LV II.</div><div style="text-align: center;">]In November, it was the Eagles turn on Monday Night Football.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They swooped in for the win.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sharing is caring.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</div><div style="text-align: center;">.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Mama Kelce is cool.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">I'd go to the NFL Hall of Fame just to take a pic of her shoes.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Win or lose she's there for her sons.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Because in her eyes they'll always be #1.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">New Heights is their podcast.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's #1 in sports.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Listen every Wednesday.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">If you want to get their reports.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kindom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">From New News to No Dumb Question. Intern Brandon. Taylor Swift.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">You'll get the scoop on it all.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">They might even give Papa Kelce a call.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Kylie's podcast episode was the most listened to.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">And anytime Jason's girls pop in.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's a win-win.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">A Fairytale in Philadelphia.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span> A Philly Special Christmas Special on YouTube.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Is there nothing Jason and Travis can't do?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Fly Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Positivity, laughter.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>Supporting each other through wins and losses.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">That's what they're about.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">When the Eagles fly into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">It's a family reunion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">So, keep flying Eagles. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Flying straight into Chiefs Kingdom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3KadYWl3hLg92X0ZkY8gl6kZ6tUEMkRWq1ZgEhE1MBK8uf-KAhglOSON_9_QHCluYGEvAczqhJ0LCQc6RGYLNKwCuoqoC3NfuaGvs_dpR-raZGFYl8axg5u9pAHMXLkPz5mnrjR5aGth8Klr5_lvDq-6trLO7DD7NPH7fi2UDH-i7rLX0JdBLBf097da/s2048/411728862_24699674782979941_8557463523778484228_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3KadYWl3hLg92X0ZkY8gl6kZ6tUEMkRWq1ZgEhE1MBK8uf-KAhglOSON_9_QHCluYGEvAczqhJ0LCQc6RGYLNKwCuoqoC3NfuaGvs_dpR-raZGFYl8axg5u9pAHMXLkPz5mnrjR5aGth8Klr5_lvDq-6trLO7DD7NPH7fi2UDH-i7rLX0JdBLBf097da/s320/411728862_24699674782979941_8557463523778484228_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love my shirt</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span>.</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-85404665756490703272023-11-16T09:44:00.043-06:002023-11-16T13:13:44.534-06:00GRATITUDE IS AN ATTITUDE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am grateful to the administration for allowing me to live in this house. I am grateful to my staff. Thank you for providing my care. I am grateful to have been given another chance with this agency. I am grateful to those who continue to support and believe in me. I am grateful to be able to share my skill set by writing for the agency's newsletter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"> .</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLohbkA4EFNcXKf5O0Ks8Nix-hX7o2ulc93US0_DXHEL8UsKjoEphgRnHLP8uf4O5YqDuO51fsjAefHpt_K7xNLG0xMyKJFuwDluoznKIKG1TkkJ8lmSEHr8gvYs8MJd1JLaism4M1FOzNDi_dwkdvVdPsgO4obaNMo23QEjhhG1KC_kOSg2tJQcMF9A/s720/grateful-2940466_960_720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLohbkA4EFNcXKf5O0Ks8Nix-hX7o2ulc93US0_DXHEL8UsKjoEphgRnHLP8uf4O5YqDuO51fsjAefHpt_K7xNLG0xMyKJFuwDluoznKIKG1TkkJ8lmSEHr8gvYs8MJd1JLaism4M1FOzNDi_dwkdvVdPsgO4obaNMo23QEjhhG1KC_kOSg2tJQcMF9A/s320/grateful-2940466_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am grateful for the freedom that I have. I shop I bowl. I create. I advocate. I pray for the people who live in countries that are not as fortunate as I am. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am grateful for this blog. This blog lets me share my thoughts with all of you. I hope that it helps raise awareness too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am grateful for all the holidays I got to spend with my family. I have awesome memories. I hope that someday we'll be able to celebrate together again. I am grateful that this year I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my agency family</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am grateful for my friends. They listen to me. My friends kick my butt when needed. My friends never fail to make me laugh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My Maltease, Lucie passed away on November 23, 2014. She was my comfort during my mom's illness as well as after her death. I still miss Lucie. I am so grateful she was in my life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gratitude is an attitude. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am grateful to all of the countries that take the time to read my blog. When I read the stats I am amazed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Gratitude is an attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Make it your attitude.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-74798911285528798862023-09-16T11:13:00.003-05:002023-09-16T14:21:09.192-05:00HOW LUCKY AM I?<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5ojpjI_k8p19B3u6WztLSx1dL_wdYrJ9nfFK84BEtn2Zm2wHt9Q95m3jmpQy9yIs8qEh9uoeeGJf8aUnIRydwSQAYGtVrRBIdCJfk9BiUMF65CaCpZ8PALcSe7GTyOktzh_KzQYN9ZN39L-zTZhweqqlh2WnFDeoFM6e_jF6KnPafUONWhmMsA9u-Zc/s1280/four-leaf-clover-711625_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1280" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLm5ojpjI_k8p19B3u6WztLSx1dL_wdYrJ9nfFK84BEtn2Zm2wHt9Q95m3jmpQy9yIs8qEh9uoeeGJf8aUnIRydwSQAYGtVrRBIdCJfk9BiUMF65CaCpZ8PALcSe7GTyOktzh_KzQYN9ZN39L-zTZhweqqlh2WnFDeoFM6e_jF6KnPafUONWhmMsA9u-Zc/s320/four-leaf-clover-711625_1280.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;">I am very lucky to still be living in this house by myself. I could very easily be in respite care. I thank God that I am not. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Missouri is an "at-will" state. That means if the administration here chose to they could kick me out. Hello, respite care. I received my notice in the spring. My housemates are gone. I am still here.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I toured a house that was totally not power-chair friendly. Wheelchair-accessible houses are hard to find. That day I realized people \like me belong in nursing homes. That statement pushed disability advocacy back one hundred years. It is the way I feel.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How Lucky am I?<br /><br />I came here with a stick up my buttt. I thought I was better than the other clients, I was too cool for school. The truth is I am like them. They are like me. They are pretty cool. The stick was removed with the help of behavior therapy and common sense. We went to the movies. We saw Barbie. My new friend, Etta rocked out to the music. The movie was fun. The best part for me was watching Etta have fun That's what it's all about.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have been going out. doing activities with other clients. Today at the office, I made a stress bottle, hung out, and had some chips.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have been invited to a client's birthday party next week.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">There are staff members here who do not want me to leave. One staff member told me she'd start a petition.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?<br /><br />I failed here. It's my fault. No one else's. I am afraid to try another group home. I am just as afraid of being in a nursing home I don't want to spend the holidays in a new place. I pray I am allowed to stay here for them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">If 2024 is predicting an LTC community for me. I want my friends to remember me here, on the patio sipping a Margarita and eating a cupcake.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">How lucky am I?<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-14420266084503790762023-08-23T09:59:00.002-05:002023-12-20T17:01:42.559-06:00WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ffriHS4LSddUttqLZ7HWLKM5Uxb0t_OSf3lwCDmm3iuDPQXE1upAWacgapsjr0n45TNjSOkmWsMbYixo48W4L9BCrXVgIFYFvfME4nZ4PkWOZybHidAQffBuSapPMWPY3muZSJwB9xiK7tvWP_JRSu3leC7Ew4W3Nm31PcnnNoh5iL7dVM8VcmvZ8obk/s1280/lemons-2039830_1280.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1280" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ffriHS4LSddUttqLZ7HWLKM5Uxb0t_OSf3lwCDmm3iuDPQXE1upAWacgapsjr0n45TNjSOkmWsMbYixo48W4L9BCrXVgIFYFvfME4nZ4PkWOZybHidAQffBuSapPMWPY3muZSJwB9xiK7tvWP_JRSu3leC7Ew4W3Nm31PcnnNoh5iL7dVM8VcmvZ8obk/w320-h212/lemons-2039830_1280.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Resist the urge to throw them at someone. </div><div style="text-align: left;">You do not want to spend a night in jail.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I hear Robin Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire shouting, "It was a run-by fruiting."<br />You don't want that, do you?</div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Put on your big girl parties.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Suck it up. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Do what you gotta do to make it through the day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> Move on.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">No matter what.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hold your head up.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Be grateful.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Not hateful.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't let anyone see your tears.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't let anyone know your fears.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Don't let the turkeys get you down.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I know that's old school</div><div style="text-align: left;">It applies.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Some things are out of your control.</div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">You feel as though you are falling down Alice's rabbit hole.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The hole is bottomless</div><div style="text-align: left;">You just keep falling. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Spiraling down, down, down into darkness</div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The lemons are hitting you so hard and fast.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You are afraid you will get a concussion.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Damn, those lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">You can do it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">You'll get through it.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The lemons will lose their sour taste.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Miraculously they will be sweet</div><div style="text-align: left;">That's what happens. </div><div style="text-align: left;">When life gives you lemons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div> <p></p>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-5594490849665841562023-07-16T16:37:00.041-05:002023-07-25T10:36:09.107-05:00THE FLIP SIDE<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In my previous post, I discussed the positive aspects of living in a group home. I fought to get out of LTC. I went against my family. I would not listen to anyone. A group home <i>was </i>the answer to my prayers I was sure of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am not discounting anything I wrote in my previous post. I enjoy living in a group home for all the reasons I discussed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hindsight is 20/20. If had known in 2018 what I know now I might have chosen to move to another nursing home when the activities and choice of meal options at the one I lived in were streamlined. I might have chosen a group home. I came here to live my life. There is always a stipulation or condition to everything I ask to do. They tell me I am an adult. I am my own person. Most of the time it does not feel that way,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I continue to enjoy writing for this agency's newsletter. I am grateful to have the opportunity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> I am glad the staff can no longer take me to purchase my cocktails All the rumors, finger-pointing, and blame will stop. If it was such an issue the policy should have remained I effect. Cocktails in a restaurant or with friends are more fun anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I miss Happy Hour, the ice cream social, <span style="font-family: times;">and pet therapy, (Dogs are not allowed in the house.) Ordering take-out with my tablemates and theme days. What I miss the most is talking to people.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">Most of my resident friends have passed away. My staff friends have moved on. My old nursing home is under new management. It's not the same anymore </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">I have the same feeling of apprehension and dread now that I did when I was told I was getting a roommate in the nursing home. The difference is all my staff friends stopped by on the day my roommate moved in. My therapist came by too. Everyone knew how upsetting getting a roommate was for me. Here, no one cares. It's not their problem. It's a business decision.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">Reading this I am sure you are confused. I know I am. I do not know what would be the best option for me. I better decide quickly. August 1st is fast approaching. The only thing I know for certain is that I am scared.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;">I am disappointed in my case manager's lack of assistance. He put me on the list for an accessible group home but when it comes to researching and calling nursing homes that task has been left entirely up to me. It's embarrassing when contacts inquire about my case manager and tell me he should be making the inquiries for me. They want to know about my care plan. They want to talk to him not me. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today I am leaning toward going to a good Medicaid skilled nursing facility. Tomorrow I might lean the other way again. Waffling is my biggest problem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I talk about the things I deserve I am called an Elitist. I am better than no one. I want a good life and good care from staff who care. I want the same for the ladies I have lived with for the past five years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And if it's not too much to ask...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A patio, a Margarita, and good conversation. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZaLHUO_GHjC9lbwvO6lnm2ftO0Dbnwm6qF-ebewn9QNqKDlvrIbdadwOKw8nbUmBWY4FwAjlRJIDRnI4dyhmXF9cBD-Gu_ci_vd7kxD9fi1aBNQHwA_olPkWUjxPX9-fXhYyFxIjmdLfiSnXu9z3GnTsbc_N5jc2vT-6Ohq2FdpZgVhQtHN6ghnIrhRH/s960/31913817_2138473969526677_2451990352475717632_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZaLHUO_GHjC9lbwvO6lnm2ftO0Dbnwm6qF-ebewn9QNqKDlvrIbdadwOKw8nbUmBWY4FwAjlRJIDRnI4dyhmXF9cBD-Gu_ci_vd7kxD9fi1aBNQHwA_olPkWUjxPX9-fXhYyFxIjmdLfiSnXu9z3GnTsbc_N5jc2vT-6Ohq2FdpZgVhQtHN6ghnIrhRH/s320/31913817_2138473969526677_2451990352475717632_n.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnv-guHCHmqiBvT4QkDUdtQSXPML-R3-iZa7bDa3aPuOXCK1mjJ88rVS52KzInFEHGpT2-l_X_Px7J1ZuTgkCs9KEl5Agb7aIj_L2ARs9qUaFQ5RZqZ3P_-2DgQjZ-Z1DdkFqC1WGLs8Z-laa7eT9SC_iocC0hVE-006lMxenT2abQtJFiiDjZ-Eb4UrI/s672/chris%20julie,me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="672" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnv-guHCHmqiBvT4QkDUdtQSXPML-R3-iZa7bDa3aPuOXCK1mjJ88rVS52KzInFEHGpT2-l_X_Px7J1ZuTgkCs9KEl5Agb7aIj_L2ARs9qUaFQ5RZqZ3P_-2DgQjZ-Z1DdkFqC1WGLs8Z-laa7eT9SC_iocC0hVE-006lMxenT2abQtJFiiDjZ-Eb4UrI/s320/chris%20julie,me.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj7SBO9fbFbxIqPBPmruQG2plotOJhCm1HGZcEbxRCYHM5e8btu8q30FxXcwSUmUNbVI41Czq5uzXmYMPeyFp7RtYvmRAr7OdhbbAspNUiXeTiNK3jcjV1DUhSkTuKO3xs_g06TJISR_NEIU1k313hYGNk3aaGXLSCKOERi88UJn1YS_cZVvghBMllxtH/s960/gail%20and%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXj7SBO9fbFbxIqPBPmruQG2plotOJhCm1HGZcEbxRCYHM5e8btu8q30FxXcwSUmUNbVI41Czq5uzXmYMPeyFp7RtYvmRAr7OdhbbAspNUiXeTiNK3jcjV1DUhSkTuKO3xs_g06TJISR_NEIU1k313hYGNk3aaGXLSCKOERi88UJn1YS_cZVvghBMllxtH/s320/gail%20and%20me.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkHkL9yuwvL6pze10wWSwZvs_rvFx9PtORihFBlfWXRhcYDRz9u4Wj8j1gsvkkEBEn4KOpamFFLs72Bxs6C-T4SQzmVXsDErrS0nwhhKNApuEMzg-VKOJFOVB_jNtUqLr64YPsEwKPoHbVMdXZ3VzSqCqS4fKGi4chYPgi8tL_prGqNQvTgjYUkQBhuDu/s960/76714039_1202824706572906_4875644739820453888_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="711" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkHkL9yuwvL6pze10wWSwZvs_rvFx9PtORihFBlfWXRhcYDRz9u4Wj8j1gsvkkEBEn4KOpamFFLs72Bxs6C-T4SQzmVXsDErrS0nwhhKNApuEMzg-VKOJFOVB_jNtUqLr64YPsEwKPoHbVMdXZ3VzSqCqS4fKGi4chYPgi8tL_prGqNQvTgjYUkQBhuDu/s320/76714039_1202824706572906_4875644739820453888_o.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjKtL6OQUj49snFX-zoWcyG7Evmi5s7d7DJJjSYp-lyLElXxsOEtSZPPLbAeASfy_ilNdOiCFLAbF3T-s_7-N5m2aFNZibTyvf-49FrUhg3QHIrdLWDacOIcx0m0P7TLZ5DJOO6zqXxzlGAWs2zKalw05KM5iwGxIIDMinGRYdsdaS7NF1Shx2AmMizA/s523/harvey1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEQjKtL6OQUj49snFX-zoWcyG7Evmi5s7d7DJJjSYp-lyLElXxsOEtSZPPLbAeASfy_ilNdOiCFLAbF3T-s_7-N5m2aFNZibTyvf-49FrUhg3QHIrdLWDacOIcx0m0P7TLZ5DJOO6zqXxzlGAWs2zKalw05KM5iwGxIIDMinGRYdsdaS7NF1Shx2AmMizA/s320/harvey1.jpg" width="290" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GMNwwndpjqcJ9CycB6dkOyEdlIFbBpwj7U5msHjWBOY3heR7p2_QNfWAghFcvuuv-rvuNdderXghCfiSu0eOBZtDAWcjasY21dMHRuHbZVoK-a0z73nFiN3LGCqVY4fnDyBpjLCIAGdUftKqzYck8X4JyM0UOz7qZcdosPCb_LAgaVkJRH2MrdZgfFU7/s960/VIVA%20MRXICO%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: times;"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="960" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GMNwwndpjqcJ9CycB6dkOyEdlIFbBpwj7U5msHjWBOY3heR7p2_QNfWAghFcvuuv-rvuNdderXghCfiSu0eOBZtDAWcjasY21dMHRuHbZVoK-a0z73nFiN3LGCqVY4fnDyBpjLCIAGdUftKqzYck8X4JyM0UOz7qZcdosPCb_LAgaVkJRH2MrdZgfFU7/s320/VIVA%20MRXICO%202.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><br />Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-80869947774955061462023-07-15T12:11:00.008-05:002023-10-18T09:47:35.491-05:00A PATIO, A MARGARITA, AND GOOD CONVERSATION<div>They are looking for a new place for me to live. There are lots of changes going into effect here. This is to become an all-male house. A man is moving in by August 1st even though my female housemate and I are still living here. I am scared because all the current staff appear to be leaving this house when the new housemate moves in. I hope this is not true.</div><div><br /></div><div>My case manager told me there are no wheelchair-accessible houses available. I am on the list, but I may have to consider a nursing home. That's not what I want. I like getting my own vegan groceries. I like having my own room and toilet. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can no longer go to the grocery store with staff to purchase my weekly cocktail. My friends can bring them or I can go out to have one. Cocktails were never a part of the staff's duties. They were just being nice. The agency broke the rule for me. I will always appreciate that. Several months ago DMH said that I could no longer have alone time to go on unaccompanied walks around the neighborhood. Needless to say, I have been bummed out. </div><div><br /></div><div>\ am 66 years old. People my age are enjoying their summer at the lake or by the ocean. People my age are enjoying their retirement. I am scared. I am tired. I am healthy. We all know life can change in an instant] At my age I should be able to live my life the way I choose to. It should not matter that I am disabled.</div><div><br /></div><div>It does not take much to make me happy. All I want is a pato when I can have a Margarita. I want to have a good conversation too.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have had great times with my friends on the patio here. We shared Margaritas. We laughed until we could not breathe. I am grateful. I hope I will continue having fun times like these.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib8i5JdOVM800FOOh7jOR3g6jq_-zBjERATv6ovmMGsplYlIsunuamyWP8sAMffl1kqDXqujn4kU4utBfhNxp-LyB09HwLSOTpzeP-6dQbEc87n9wtt4m9DiYxOOlk2ZSNBScmGJL78QoYQTPbWK5txDstHa5uUey2rUCz-3FfXzvtlU8BXNkD2EMqigX/s959/103906319_4184627411577979_7044052320613765744_n.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgib8i5JdOVM800FOOh7jOR3g6jq_-zBjERATv6ovmMGsplYlIsunuamyWP8sAMffl1kqDXqujn4kU4utBfhNxp-LyB09HwLSOTpzeP-6dQbEc87n9wtt4m9DiYxOOlk2ZSNBScmGJL78QoYQTPbWK5txDstHa5uUey2rUCz-3FfXzvtlU8BXNkD2EMqigX/s320/103906319_4184627411577979_7044052320613765744_n.jpg" /></a></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">Birthday on the Patio 2019</span></div><div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inRvh2XBoB5JUfBVxmjD49ilgqPKxcaGmrS2l29cHCwQKTONbeV7gzmj6uLSQgfUuPGgmwLlV6-V9hNXn7hjQPoYVleoyR1JggcsSuaQ5S0vbiqo_nIzBad2lJrCQxMDWk_mv9m-IBwWXRlcMoKiPURzu__yDcnoCPB5AdGld-slubmW94oKEOlOB-Hr/s2048/kelly%20jenny%20me.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inRvh2XBoB5JUfBVxmjD49ilgqPKxcaGmrS2l29cHCwQKTONbeV7gzmj6uLSQgfUuPGgmwLlV6-V9hNXn7hjQPoYVleoyR1JggcsSuaQ5S0vbiqo_nIzBad2lJrCQxMDWk_mv9m-IBwWXRlcMoKiPURzu__yDcnoCPB5AdGld-slubmW94oKEOlOB-Hr/s2048/kelly%20jenny%20me.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inRvh2XBoB5JUfBVxmjD49ilgqPKxcaGmrS2l29cHCwQKTONbeV7gzmj6uLSQgfUuPGgmwLlV6-V9hNXn7hjQPoYVleoyR1JggcsSuaQ5S0vbiqo_nIzBad2lJrCQxMDWk_mv9m-IBwWXRlcMoKiPURzu__yDcnoCPB5AdGld-slubmW94oKEOlOB-Hr/s2048/kelly%20jenny%20me.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1832" data-original-width="2048" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inRvh2XBoB5JUfBVxmjD49ilgqPKxcaGmrS2l29cHCwQKTONbeV7gzmj6uLSQgfUuPGgmwLlV6-V9hNXn7hjQPoYVleoyR1JggcsSuaQ5S0vbiqo_nIzBad2lJrCQxMDWk_mv9m-IBwWXRlcMoKiPURzu__yDcnoCPB5AdGld-slubmW94oKEOlOB-Hr/s320/kelly%20jenny%20me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Celebrating on the Patio in 2022<br /></span><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-inRvh2XBoB5JUfBVxmjD49ilgqPKxcaGmrS2l29cHCwQKTONbeV7gzmj6uLSQgfUuPGgmwLlV6-V9hNXn7hjQPoYVleoyR1JggcsSuaQ5S0vbiqo_nIzBad2lJrCQxMDWk_mv9m-IBwWXRlcMoKiPURzu__yDcnoCPB5AdGld-slubmW94oKEOlOB-Hr/s2048/kelly%20jenny%20me.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuajtqSM8tbFzjzjJOTtVWg8WJ3waXNkYrwnj1L6-fZsEmYQxlDeHGP6DKJ9vmivXdUVh6d5zMwdLrTeYzP1hfQFXvgOUQJQvVa0ZfWGUAtCIYlshg1JR5zky3IFvJKw05tE2y47srMyDp1ohjfOEELYsqCxVAtw9wqZK--Vlqo0OYtYIIQAzqSEBCAA3/s2048/343632355_597017692387484_4407899211324187010_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuajtqSM8tbFzjzjJOTtVWg8WJ3waXNkYrwnj1L6-fZsEmYQxlDeHGP6DKJ9vmivXdUVh6d5zMwdLrTeYzP1hfQFXvgOUQJQvVa0ZfWGUAtCIYlshg1JR5zky3IFvJKw05tE2y47srMyDp1ohjfOEELYsqCxVAtw9wqZK--Vlqo0OYtYIIQAzqSEBCAA3/s320/343632355_597017692387484_4407899211324187010_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;">Celebrating on the Patio in 2023<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552043257092393945.post-80789270781199898862023-07-04T10:41:00.001-05:002023-07-13T11:10:30.157-05:00WE FIGHT<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDd466s-5f6i8ObNLzDbrBQged2YuZpPOn7DuCsbxw_iJvaDf45Ssf0D0GeKimuzENijouAhND2fJlJWOPSeKfx9cK0p1E9aFDsj_8lDloF6jgnYkKwgA0PhGDwmTOKP0f19-yWwlfcHPQmo5cGAJEZ1zm85CQjsayZD2vYLs_G--URaHx_DcclaRD_oj/s1280/tumblr_p8i1kkK7O51vhl6vso1_1280.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1280" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDd466s-5f6i8ObNLzDbrBQged2YuZpPOn7DuCsbxw_iJvaDf45Ssf0D0GeKimuzENijouAhND2fJlJWOPSeKfx9cK0p1E9aFDsj_8lDloF6jgnYkKwgA0PhGDwmTOKP0f19-yWwlfcHPQmo5cGAJEZ1zm85CQjsayZD2vYLs_G--URaHx_DcclaRD_oj/s320/tumblr_p8i1kkK7O51vhl6vso1_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Disability is a part of the rich tapestry of human diversity and something that nearly all of us will experience at some point in our lives," explains Jackie Dilworth, communications director at The Arc of the United States, a disability rights organization. "It's also a significant identity that defines how we experience the world. Yet people with disabilities have been marginalized and misunderstood for generations."</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">According to the CDC, 27 percent of the US population has some kind of disability — that's one in four people. And as Dilworth notes, most people will experience being disabled at some point in their lives, whether temporarily or permanently. In other words, disability pride and improving accessibility should matter to everyone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Source: <a href="https://www.womansday.com/life/a43964487/disability-pride-flag/#When%20Is%20Disability%20Pride%20month?">https://www.womansday.com/life/a43964487/disability-pride-flag/#When%20Is%20Disability%20Pride%20month?</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everyday.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"> We fight to be seen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight to be heard.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight to be accepted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not ignored.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight for better healthcare.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight for better educational opportunities </div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight for more employment opportunities.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reasonable accommodations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div>Attendant care.</div><div>We fight.</div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight for accessibility.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Accessible architecture.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No more being denied entrance.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Reliable transportation</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight discrimination.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight stereotypes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight to prove we are worthy </div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight to prove we are good enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight to prove we are intelligent.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight. </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We hold rallies.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We speak to our legislators </div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">We beg them not to forget about us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Open your hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Open your minds.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Change the laws.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Do not institutionalize us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We live with the knowledge that we are one step away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do not shut us out.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The Ugly Laws are no more.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have God-given gifts</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let us show how we can contribute.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Make the world a better place.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We fight.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And we will continue.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Until the world knows.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That we are equal.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That we belong. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The ADA was passed on July 26, 1990. We have come far. But not far enough.</div>Joanne Granahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08188504423020727817noreply@blogger.com0